On Writing and Worldbuilding

On Writing and Worldbuilding compiles guidance for authors on crafting stories and fictional universes. This book originated from Hickson's YouTube channel "Hello Future Me" and expands on his video essays about writing techniques. The first volume covers fundamentals like character arcs, plot structure, and magic systems through analysis of successful works. Hickson examines both effective and ineffective examples from literature, film, and television to illustrate key concepts. The text breaks down complex writing topics into clear, actionable principles backed by specific examples. Chapters build progressively from basic storytelling elements to advanced worldbuilding considerations. This work contributes to ongoing discussions about the craft of writing by emphasizing the interconnected nature of character, plot, and setting development. The book argues that deliberate attention to worldbuilding serves both the story and themes while avoiding common pitfalls.

Readers describe this as a practical guide that expands on Hickson's Hello Future Me YouTube channel content. Many note it works best as a companion to his videos rather than a standalone resource. Readers appreciate: - Clear examples from popular media - Focus on common worldbuilding pitfalls - Analysis of magic systems and power scaling - Accessible writing style for beginners Common criticisms: - Too much overlap with his YouTube content - Surface-level treatment of some topics - Informal tone that can feel unprofessional - Several editing/formatting issues in early editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) "His YouTube videos cover most of this material more thoroughly" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for new writers who need structure for their worldbuilding" - Goodreads review "Could have gone deeper into the topics instead of restating basics" - Goodreads review

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee McKee breaks down storytelling mechanics and world construction through the lens of screenplay fundamentals, with applications for all narrative forms.

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler This text examines the hero's journey framework and its implementation in narrative construction across cultures and mediums.

Save The Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody Brody translates the principles of screenplay beat sheets into novel writing with examples from literature and practical structural templates.

Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction by Jeff VanderMeer VanderMeer presents worldbuilding and narrative creation through visual examples, diagrams, and case studies from speculative fiction.

The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction by Philip Athans Athans examines genre-specific worldbuilding techniques through market analysis and practical construction methods for speculative worlds.

🌟 Timothy Hickson first gained recognition through his YouTube channel "Hello Future Me," which has over 800,000 subscribers and focuses on storytelling analysis 🎬 The book evolved from Hickson's popular video series analyzing worldbuilding in works like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Lord of the Rings 📚 The author wrote the book while completing his law degree at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand 🌍 The book explores how different fantasy authors handle common worldbuilding challenges, from Brandon Sanderson's magic systems to Terry Pratchett's social commentary ✍️ Many of the book's principles were tested and refined through Hickson's own experience writing the fantasy novel "There and NEVER Back Again"