How to Use Your Theme in World-building to Hook Your Readers
* This blog post contains spoilers to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins*
Use world-building to enhance your theme.
There is more to world-building than just writing a cool premise. While that is part of hooking your reader, world-building can be another tool to help your protagonist learn the theme of your novel. In a previous blog post, I talked about the flawed belief aka the lie that your character believes. The opposite of this lie is the lesson that your protagonist must learn. Everything in your story is moving simultaneously to achieve this goal including your world-building.
Everything in your story should have a purpose.
I like to think of novels as a train on tracks. Each car on the train is moving in the same direction, taking your protagonist and your reader towards an intended outcome. If one of those cars started going another direction, the whole story can be thrown off. World-building is the setting of your story, which is one of the most important factors to consider when crafting your narrative. In other words, this element of your story is like the middle car of the train. If its direction isn’t aligned, the whole story is thrown off-course. Don’t worry, in this blog post I will help you ensure that your world-building is aligned with your protagonist’s internal journey, the global plot problem, and the tone of your novel.
In order to align your world-building, it is important to consider the impact your setting has on these elements. The world you create should not only be a backdrop, but an active participant in shaping your protagonist's growth and understanding of the theme.
How does WOrld-building impact your protagonist?
Just like any of us, your protagonist is a product of their environment. This is not exclusive to their family or upbringing (though it is those things too), but also the type of world that they grew up in. It’s more than likely that they took away some lessons from their world about the way life “should be” and are applying those lessons in their everyday life. Most of the time, this lesson or way of being was useful to them at one point. They might even need it to survive, but it is no longer helping your protagonist become their best self.
As your protagonist navigates the intricacies of your story's world, they encounter a series of challenges that are specifically tailored to teach them the story's underlying theme. These challenges are not random, but purposeful and meaningful, serving as stepping stones on their external journey. Each obstacle they face brings them closer to their destination, guiding them towards a deeper understanding of the theme at hand.
The world you have created is full of opportunities to test your protagonist's resolve. Its unique elements present them with obstacles that are as diverse as they are challenging. From treacherous landscapes to enigmatic creatures, every aspect of your setting serves a purpose in shaping your character's growth.
The elements of your world-building that you throw at your protagonist should be selected to drive them towards internal change. Your world-building should be specific to the story you are trying to tell. While you put together a beautifully orchestrated political structure in your novel, it might not apply to your protagonist, who has nothing to do with politics. By focusing your world-building elements on the areas that your protagonist needs to grow and develop, your setting will amplify the novel’s theme.
Let’s use Katniss Everdeen as an example. Katniss grows up in the poorest District in Panem. She’s been forced to bear the burden of caring for her family alone, partially as a result of her mother’s illness, but also because she lives in a world where everyone must fend for themselves. She grows up untrusting of others because up until this point, it was necessary for her survival. Yet, it is this internal flawed belief that she must overcome as she faces the Hunger Games. She cannot survive alone.
THe relationship between World-building and Plot
Your global plot problem (also known as your story’s premise) is the external journey that your character embarks on, which will help them learn the story’s theme. This story arc is heavily based on your story’s world. The elements of your setting can provide unique and specific challenges for your protagonist to face.
However, you shouldn’t go about crafting your external plot problem without a destination in sight. Your world presents the unique opportunity to throw specific challenges at your protagonist to help them (you guessed it) learn the theme. As you embark on crafting your external plot problem, remember to intertwine the unique elements of your world with purposeful challenges. Guide your protagonist towards a defined destination, where they will not only overcome external obstacles but also unlock the profound depths of your story's theme.
As your protagonist faces the challenges thrown their way, they not only overcome external obstacles but also unravel the deeper layers of the story's theme. With each challenge conquered, they gain insight and knowledge, gradually piecing together the puzzle that lies at the heart of their journey. It is through these trials and tribulations that they grow, evolve, and ultimately understand the profound message you wish to convey. Not only does this shape your protagonist, but your readers who are absorbing your theme as well.
However, it is crucial to have a clear destination in mind when crafting your external plot problem. Without a defined endpoint, you may find yourself lost amongst the details of your world rather than purposeful in your selection of the plot points to challenge your protagonist.
Going back to our Hunger Games example, Katniss Everdeen is forced to trust Rue in the games, even though she initially avoided allies. She’s reminded through this interaction who her real enemy is, which leads her to her loose alliance with Peeta. In the end, Katniss must trust others in order to survive—namely Haymitch and Peeta. Her perspective on how to survive her dystopian world changes even as the world around her remains harsh and cruel.
Religions, Mythology, and Power Dynamics? Oh my!
There is more to world-building than just setting. Intangible elements such as the cultural beliefs and political systems play a large role in shaping your protagonist’s world. Sometimes it is the non-physical elements of your world that play the greatest role in your protagonist’s life. Threats of violence are real, but unspoken truths about rejection from your way of life are psychologically damaging.
In your world-building, it is imperative to explore the intricate interplay between external forces and the protagonist's internal landscape. Consider the ways in which their beliefs, values, and experiences have been irrevocably intertwined with the cultural fabric and political tapestry of their world. Each belief system, whether steeped in tradition or forged through revolution, leaves an indelible mark on the protagonist's identity.
There are lots of options for crafting a story with an interesting dynamic between your protagonist, their world and the intangible elements of their society. For example, they could be torn between the allure of conformity and the desire to challenge established norms. Or the clash between their personal aspirations and the expectations imposed by society creates a rich tapestry of inner conflict, fueling their journey. By understanding the profound influence of non-physical elements in your world-building, you breathe life into your protagonist's experiences. Their struggles and triumphs become not just a product of external circumstances, but a reflection of the intricate dance between their own psyche and the world they inhabit. As you shape your narrative, remember that the true essence of world-building lies in crafting a synergy between the tangible and intangible, the physical and psychological, to create a truly immersive and captivating tale.
Apply to your Novel:
Whether you are just starting drafting or revising a completed manuscript, the relationship between world-building and theme is an area for consideration in your novel. By creating a story where all the pieces move in tandem, your novel will capture and hold readers’ attention. This includes both the intangible elements and the physical properties of your world. If you’re just getting started analyzing your world-building, here’s where you can start:
Think about how the physical aspects of your world can mirror the internal struggles your protagonist faces. For example, if your character is grappling with a sense of isolation, you could create a vast and desolate landscape that mirrors their emotional state. Alternatively, if your protagonist is searching for a sense of belonging, you could construct a vibrant and interconnected society that emphasizes the importance of community. As you embark on the journey of crafting or refining your manuscript, it is crucial to recognize the symbiotic relationship between world-building and theme. By seamlessly integrating these elements, your novel can captivate and engage readers on a profound level.
Remember, the key lies in ensuring that every element of your world works in harmony, reinforcing the themes and enhancing the reader's experience. By carefully aligning world-building and theme, your novel will possess a mesmerizing allure, capturing and holding the attention of your audience throughout the journey.
The global plot problem should be integrated into the fabric of your world. The challenges and conflicts your protagonist faces should be intertwined with the rules, history, and power dynamics of the world you have built. This creates a seamless connection between the external conflict and the internal growth of your character.
The tone of your novel should be reflected in the atmosphere of your setting. If your story is dark and gritty, your world-building should emphasize the harshness and brutality of the environment. On the other hand, if your tone is light and whimsical, your world-building can showcase fantastical elements and create a sense of wonder.
By aligning your world-building with your protagonist's internal journey, the global plot problem, and the tone of your novel, you create a cohesive and immersive reading experience. Every aspect of your story, from the characters to the setting, works together to propel your narrative forward and deliver a powerful message to your readers.
With all these factors in hand to consider, you’ll be well on your way to creating purposeful and attention-grabbing world-building. Keep in mind that the core of your novel is the theme. By centralizing this in your world-building you will be off to a great start.
Remember, world-building is about more than just creating an interesting setting for your novel. It’s a core part of emphasizing your novel’s theme. The synchronization of world-building with the protagonist's internal journey, the global plot problem, and the tone of your novel forms the foundation of a captivating and immersive reading experience. As you carefully craft every aspect of your story, from the intricate development of characters to the vivid portrayal of settings, the cohesive nature of your narrative takes shape.
Each element harmonizes, seamlessly propelling your story forward while delivering a profound and impactful message to your readers. Through this meticulous alignment, your readers are transported into a world where every detail serves a purpose, leaving them spellbound and hungry for more. The interconnectedness of your story's components creates a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and ideas that resonate deeply, ensuring an unforgettable literary journey for your audience.
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