Soft vs. Hard Worldbuilding

  So you're conceptualizing a story? You've got your characters, your plot, but what about your world? How do you decide how deep to go in your world-building? If these questions are currently on your mind, you're in luck! That's what we'll be discussing on the blog today, friends!

  So what exactly is the difference between soft and hard worldbuilding?

  Technically speaking, these terms are most commonly used when referring to magic systems in fantasy literature/film. I believe Brandon Sanderson, a prolific voice in the fantasy/sci-fi community, coined the phrase, and this is what he had to say about "soft" magic systems:

 

Gives the reader a sense of tension as they’re never certain what dangers—or wonders—the characters will encounter. Indeed, the characters themselves never truly know what can happen and what can’t.

  And on the opposite side of the spectrum, this is what he said regarding "hard" magic systems:

If the reader understands how the magic works, then you can use the magic (or, rather, the characters using the magic) to solve problems. In this case, it’s not the magic mystically making everything better. Instead, it’s the characters’ wit and experience that solves the problems. Magic becomes another tool—and, like any other tool, its careful application can enhance the character and the plot.

  So, in summary, a "soft" system of magic is a story with a vague and undefined system of magical lore, leaving the reader in suspense and awe, thus aiding the fantasy setting. While a "hard" magical system is clearly outlined and detailed with rules and regulations, which allows the reader to participate more in solving puzzles and problems as they arise using the already set system. 

  Bearing that in mind, for the purpose of this post, "soft worldbuilding" will be referring to the idea that your fictional world/setting is only developed as far as is strictly necessary for the plot. Much is left unsaid and up to the reader's imagination and ability to read between the lines. Whereas a "hard worldbuilding" type story would be a world like Middle-Earth, Westeros, or the Star Wars universe, places with so much extended lore, culture, languages that you could study them like real life history and still have much to learn. 

  So how do you determine which is right for your story??

  Good question! And though you may not be pleased to hear it, this is something you totally have to decide on your own. 

  However, not to leave you high and dry, here are a few good indicators of which system would best benefit your book (spoken as someone who has experimented with both soft and hard worldbuilding)...

  #1. Is your book more character or plot driven? This is probably the strongest indication of which route you should take. If you're writing a story that focuses heavily on your character's voice, internal struggle, and inner dialogue, your readers will only be taken out of that experience by a ton of flashy world-building details. With a character-driven story, I like to remain more aloof with my world's details, allowing only what is necessary for the story and the character to pass as information into the reader's hands. This is what lends to that mystical, suspenseful, almost transcendent experience of being so caught up in the head and heart of the main character you are reading about, that you keep turning page after page, too attached to them to stop. If this is the type of story you're looking to write, I highly recommend sticking to a soft worldbuilding approach and keeping things simple and sleek.

  #2. Are you getting distracted by your world-building details? If you're feeling overwhelmed, distraught, or spending too much of your time and energy naming cities, drawing maps, or working out the perfect phrases of language, you may be in a little too deep (unless of course you are George RR Martin or JRR Tolkien of course). Getting way too caught up in unimportant and trivial details can quickly derail you from the heart and soul of your story, and if you are finding that's the case for you, perhaps you need to take a step back and reevaluate whether a hard worldbuilding route is right for your book. 

  #3. Is your story a series or expansive piece? If you're attempting to write a sci-fi saga or fantasy epic the likes of Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, upping your worldbuilding game may be crucial to creating a believable, almost hyper-realistic setting in which to let your story play out for readers to enjoy. If you have a lot of characters, a host of nations and cultures, you need a few phrases of new language, or you find your plot dragged into war after war and battle after battle, you may be in need of a structured, well-thought worldbuilding scheme the likes of which Tolkien could be proud. Of course you still need to be in keeping with the true heart of your plot and characters, and of course you need to write the damn story over writing a tome of its history, but having the major details sorted neatly and categorically can really aid your writing process. When you as the author know as much as possible about the world you're working in, it can really help you control the urge to "show instead of tell," one of the seven deadly sins of writing. Think of your world like an iceberg, what you may actually put in the story is only the tip, and there is a whole load of foundational worldbuilding aspects floating beneath the surface. 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

How to Outline a Fantasy Novel

Using Prophecy as a Plot Device

5 Pillars of Fantasy Worldbuilding

LET'S TALK. 

  Do you prefer soft worlds or more rigid ones when you pick up a new story? What about when you're writing a new story? How do you decide how much to put in and how much to keep back? Let me know in the comments below!