Find & fix these common worldbuilding mistakes

[@Arghantyr]

It's not worldbuilder's disease. I'm just prepping for every possible plot and character for the next few decades.

[@WorldAnvil]

totally valid plan, tbh

[@mikecobalt7005]

:) Good one, I'll remember this for when I do it.

[@goldscarab99]

I really like that you guys are making more youtube posts

[@WorldAnvil]

Thanks! Hope you're enjoying them. 😊

[@ChrisLontok]

This is a great video that not only points out mistakes, but let's us know how to fix them! I suffer from a few of these, but I hope to turn them into strengths, not weaknesses.

[@WorldAnvil]

Great idea!

[@lanir9543]

Not sure if this will help anyone but the way I keep worlds from feeling flat is to add 3 spinning plates or 3 layers (you only need one). They're kind of interchangeable in a way. For spinning plates we need 3 sequences of events that are happening around the same time. One you focus on, the other two are background and move more slowly with less consequences for your player/main characters. For layers we use 3 nested issues the player/main characters will discover. The difference between them is whether your characters need to get involved for anything about that part of the story to advance. Sci-fi example: Your characters are shady people doing shady things to get by, specifically a clever heist (1). They find the booty is contraband when it shouldn't have been, leading to discovering some really damaging corruption in the planetary government, which they're now involved with OR they stumble into an ongoing investigation of corruption within the planetary government (2). Lastly, the characters are part of a rebellion against an interstellar empire OR the empire is crumbling and groups throughout it are rebelling for their own reasons (3). #3 can be vague enough to remain background the entire time. Or you can actually shift focus to make it your primary plot driver. But when you do, the character's economic troubles probably have tot ake a back seat, essentially causing #1 and #3 to swap places. If one challenge gets resolved you can take your time adding a replacement because you still have 2 things going on.

[@davec1]

These youtube videos are always great, thank you!

[@WorldAnvil]

Glad you're enjoying them!

[@b_g_c3281]

00:36 _"....We don't make 'mistakes'; only happy, little accidents...."_ -- Saint Bob Ross 😁

[@WorldAnvil]

Always!

[@youtubeviewer4472]

To quote Webby Vanderquack for #2. "Oh no, sorry you caught, the greatest disease ever!"

[@WorldAnvil]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TJMichaels]

Rainbow elves?! I think that's the funniest thing I've heard today! Thank you, Janet, I needed that laugh!

[@WorldAnvil]

You are so welcome!

[@AndrilKiSing]

I don't have world builder's disease. I don't have a problem. I can stop whenever I want.... ....I just don't want to....

[@GenIsysGames]

Janet, this is a great video. I find I am guilty of a few of these to more or less degrees. This has been so helpful. Thanks.

[@WorldAnvil]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@anhultwildlands]

haha. I thought you did live in my computer. Enjoying the informative KZbin videos!

[@lucidmoses]

It's shocking how many of these apply to movies in the last few years.

[@WorldAnvil]

Even pros can make them! That's why they're ✨common✨ mistakes. 😊

[@themoonlightbard2837]

[@WorldAnvil]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@themorenajay]

From these points it kind of sounds like balancing to undo the Mary Sue worldbuilding and not catch the Worldbuilder's Disease is the most difficult challenge. I hate that I'm more often leaning into the Disease's side. Feels like I'm making a mess that I can't put in order 😅

[@WorldAnvil]

We totally sympathize! 💖

[@lapiswolf2780]

Is there a version of Mary Sues for countries or factions? I feel like I've focused too much on one or two empires but I've got nothing for the countless other factions.

[@WorldAnvil]

Sounds like you're just doing a good job with focus?

[@e.christopherclark7367]

The bit about cultural monoliths has reminded me that I desperately want to go back and rewrite the ethnicity articles for my four primary tribes of halflings.

[@WorldAnvil]

Nice!

[@angelakubler5861]

Oh yes, unfortunately I know the worldbuilders disease only too well. Time pressure really helps enormously, but otherwise I just like to build - which also helps against Mary Sue worldbuilding, because then it's not quite so focussed, especially when writing stories. By the way, something like Summer Camp or the other WBs also help a lot against this, as they give you other ideas and add variety to the world. World Anvil has already helped my world a lot.

[@WorldAnvil]

So happy to hear that! ❤️

[@howardnenno1806]

Hey I have all five, that means I win!

[@docstockandbarrel]

👍🏻

[@multiverserift]

I don't really like the term "Mary Sue" worldbuilding, because it places the imaginary fault entirely onto girl and woman characters, while nobody would hold their male counterparts to the same standards. Example: Gotham City exists solemly for Batman and Batman stories. Also, nobody questions Batmans ability to be near superhuman in abilities and mind. Would he be a new character today, and a woman, he would be called a Mary Sue. The term is always misogynistic. I like the Snowglobe term more.

[@WorldAnvil]

Very valid point.

[@SecondhandWorldAnvil]

ELVEN SHOES :)

[@WorldAnvil]

BINGO!

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

Anyone who's read A Dance of Dragons realizes the sad truth that George R. R. Martin has terminal worldbuilder's disease, and will never recover.

[@WorldAnvil]

RIP, GRRM

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

@@WorldAnvil As a DM who's been at fault of growing to hate a campaign world so much that I began spending weeks making character sheets for entire new parties for my players to encounter... every time I read a brand new POV in that book, it made me cringe with frustrated empathy. He really, _really_ does not want to untie the Mereenese Knot. He can't figure out how to stick the landing. He is finding more joy in House of the Dragon and Dunk and Egg and literally anything else in that universe. I think ASoIaF will remain in its current state forever, I am ok with that. My kids are nearly as old as I was when I first heard of the books.

[@magnusstrindboem8988]

Don't dare use the words Agile or Sprint. You have been found guilty of great evil.

[@WorldAnvil]

😆😆