You've probably heard the phrase "write what you know." In the case of fantasy, semi-fantastical, or science fiction settings, you also have to know your own imagination.
It's surprisingly easy to make something up; what is much more difficult is to make someplace up that feels as rich and as vibrant as real life. If you can see your imaginary world as clearly as the world around you, then you have something clear enough to bring to the eyes of other people.
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But how do you accomplish this?
Tip #1: Describe, describe, describe. Don't weigh down the prose unnecessary or excessive information, but do paint a picture. For instance, your average romance writer can get away with a poor description of New York City, because most of us have a decent idea of what New York City looks like. On the other hand if you are describing a made-up city, or a made-up creature, or anything else entirely out of your mind, your readers have no one but you to rely upon. You alone must take them to your world. So don't forget to describe what you have in mind!
Tip #2: Get a sense of your world before you begin to write. Write about the culture, the geography, and the people of that land. Even if the only fantasy aspect of your story is werewolves, you need to entirely understand who and what werewolves are in your world. Things to figure out about your world also include their days of the week, their seasons and / or months, the climate, and the currency. Think about their stars, how they travel, and why they live the way they do. You can even take a shot at languages.
Tip #3: What are your society's upsides? What are its failings?
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Tip #4: Where appropriate, detail "the little things" about a world that would be there anyway in your description. For instance, if you are writing a scene involving a meal, throw in a detail or two about the unique food they're eating, the way they eat (how do they sit or stand?), or their utensils. These easy-to-add items liven up the space and remind your reader not to default to their own experiences. It grounds them in your world.
Tip #5: Stay on top of it! Even if you plan out a lot of your setting, you'll without a doubt make up things as you go. As you make up details about the history, the food, the music, and more, be sure to write that information down! Reference it frequently and do your best to avoid inconsistencies. I frequently update a .numbers document myself, and reference it frequently.
Tip #6: Bring it up again later. What does this mean? When you add that nifty little detail about the food, bring up that detail again later in the story. This is a great way to make your story feel consistent and real, because you remind the reader about something they already know, which is just like real life. We don't see a type of food one time only; we see it over and over. One-off details are fun, but they can feel ungrounded if they don't continue to impact your characters and setting. This goes back to keeping a running document.
Tip #7: Do draw on your own experiences, but blend them and exaggerate them!
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