Three Things That Worldbuilding Doesn't Replace
This post brought to you by the fact that I have been trying to read some epic fantasy lately. It hasn't gone well.
1. Plot. "A group of characters discover this awesome world that I worked really hard on" is not a plot. "War is bad" is not a plot. "The paths of several people I think are really interesting gradually converge and/or diverge, punctuated by swordplay" is not a plot.
2. Character. Just because a character is a product of a strange sect, profession, or ethnicity which you have created does not automatically make him or her interesting. If they wouldn't be interesting if you translated them into our world it's a good bet that they won't be interesting in the context of your world, no matter how many maps you have drawn.
3. Voice. Get one. Seriously.
1. Plot. "A group of characters discover this awesome world that I worked really hard on" is not a plot. "War is bad" is not a plot. "The paths of several people I think are really interesting gradually converge and/or diverge, punctuated by swordplay" is not a plot.
2. Character. Just because a character is a product of a strange sect, profession, or ethnicity which you have created does not automatically make him or her interesting. If they wouldn't be interesting if you translated them into our world it's a good bet that they won't be interesting in the context of your world, no matter how many maps you have drawn.
3. Voice. Get one. Seriously.