So, Ink Jars, here's where it gets really fun.
WARNING: Don't overload yourself with this. Start out with my "Starting Small" chapter, and then move on.
So this is the format of things I usually want to know about my main countries:
1.) Title of country
2.) Capital
3.) Ruler (sometimes it's necessary to have a family tree of rulers dating back even up to three hundred years!)
4.) State of Politics (in ruins? working? Falling apart?)
5.) Geography (covered in previous chapter)
6.) Language (you don't need a whole written language, but maybe have some key words for your story. It can also be helpful to come up with how it sounds. Is it a rough language? Or maybe it's soft)
7.) People groups (if you have more than one people group, you may want to add some quarrels between certain ones. This will make your world three dimensional and realistic: NOT EVERYONE GETS ALONG)
8.) Capital building (the capital building will say a lot about the country and the rulers)
9.) What past events have shaped the country? (famines, civil wars, wars, rulers etc. Just basic history)
10.) What do the citizens value (some countries, like the U.S. value freedom. Some value strength)
11.) How does this country treat its old (this too will be major in explaining what kind of country you're dealing with. Come up with an explanation for why your country treats them this particular way)
12.) How do they treat their young?
13.) What are the different classes of society? (and why? Don't just say "one is poor and one is rich." Say WHY. Explain HOW. Has it always been like that? If not, tell yourself WHY)
14.) Marriage Customs (it might seem small, but it will reflect on the country)
15.) When is a child considered an adult?
16.) What transportation is available?
17.) Where and in what do people live?
18.) What kind of education, if any, is given to the people?
19.) What do they eat? And where does it grow? Is it imported?
20.) Memorable traits of this country (extra intriguing facts. Maybe, for some reason, everyone is sent to boarding school at age eighteen)
21.) How are countries connect? (Are they by land or are all neighboring countries separated by sea? Or are they connected by portals, spanning miles of empty space?)
22.) Other special buildings
23.) Beliefs (similar to values)
24.) Significant political or influential figures
25.) What characters in my story are from this particular country?
26.) Provinces or States
27.) Additional Notes and History
28.) The Flag (and what do the symbols on it represent?)
29.) What are the laws of magic in this country?
As I said, earlier, don't worry about ALL of this. It can be super overwhelming to have to do in one day. Most of it is really important and can be a major help to you when you put the story in motion. All you have to do is add characters in an already functioning world! Knowing these things, you can plot better.
If you have any more advice requests, let me know! I know you've suggested some before and I haven't gotten to them all. So, if this is the case, please re-comment and I'll attempt to get to it soon!
Your Faithful writer, Lewis
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