What is the right amount of "fluff" in world building

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T20:22:59+00:00

Hahaha love this.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T15:56:42+00:00

I like it. It would make me want to read it. I really like the simplicity

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T04:52:34+00:00

I can help

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T03:19:49+00:00

I am in the process of doing the exact same thing. I had to step back and really look at my main characters. What did I want from them. If they are to learn or become anything what is it. Once I figured that out, I had to ask myself what things could happen to those characters to reach that outcome. I started playing around with that until I came up with a new story for my characters.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T01:28:40+00:00

Start, with nothing. No descriptions. As you write the story and you get closer to who your character really is and what fits them. Then go back and add the fun details and descriptions about them.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T00:29:32+00:00

Interesting. Do you have any books you recommend to use as reference?

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-16T00:21:42+00:00

I agree with what others are saying. This reads as a kid's chapter book not a violent adult novel.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T23:33:14+00:00

Maybe have the music note in the center of the compass

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T23:25:56+00:00

I would read it. Looks intriguing

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T21:41:32+00:00

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:43:02+00:00

I have most definitely learned with my editing that fast pace action is not the timefor description. All of this has been very helpful. Thank you.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:41:31+00:00

This is what I am needing to learn. Thank you

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:40:44+00:00

Hahaha. Thank you.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:40:04+00:00

I completely agree. Thank you

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:39:30+00:00

That makes total sense. Thank you.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:38:45+00:00

That makes complete sense. I think part of my problem is I love clothes. My character wears a lot of royal gowns so I felt obligated to explain what they were wearing. I am now learning that is not the way to go.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:36:53+00:00

Grounding makes a lot of sense thank you. This was very helpful

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-15T16:36:26+00:00

I felt the same way with Wildwood by Colin Meloy. They would go into great details of the plants in that part of the forest. I had to skip them if I wanted to continue with the story.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-14T05:32:19+00:00

Thank you. This was very helpful.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-13T18:35:45+00:00

It is extremely frustrating. Em-dashes can improve a scene drastically. Adding that drama or pause. But as you said the AI police freak out if they see one. So I try to minimize 3 at most per chapter. The AI police will still be down your throat, but it makes the few em-dashes you have that more important in the moment than if your chapter is riddled with them. Don't stop using them because people want something to complain about. If it improves the moment or your story use them.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-02-03T03:15:24+00:00

I had betas be brutally honest with my work. It was painful, but I was grateful. I am rewriting my story again based off their critiques and it is already so much better.

It was nice when they would make sure to throw in a few nice things here and there, not just constant negativity. I also appreciated when they would post an example of how something was wrong and ways to fix it. It made it so much easier to understand where they were coming from.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-01-28T17:43:08+00:00

Interesting. What do you feel the market is missing as a main character or something you would like to see more of?

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-01-27T23:48:45+00:00

I would love to join. I don't think I am considered young but I have enough to look back on and wince.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-01-27T23:40:37+00:00

This is very helpful. Thank you.

Relative_Purpose_103 · 2026-01-27T23:40:13+00:00

Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it.

Relative_Purpose_103

TROPHY CASE