Worldbuilding Series

Today’s article is the third in my newest series on worldbuilding, The 3 Types of Worldbuilders (Planners, Storytellers, and Creators). If you missed the first article then you can find it right here!

In the last article in this series we discussed Planners. This week we’ll be focusing on Storytellers!

What Is A Storyteller?

So, what is a Storyteller?

A Storyteller is the type of worldbuilder who prefers to focus on their story’s plot, characters, and even themes before the worldbuilding. 

They may add some world-building as they write if they’re inspired and think of something cool that they want to add, but usually, Storytellers will write a story draft or two without thinking too deeply about the world that their characters live in. 

The 2 Types Of Storytellers

Within the Storyteller category, there are two subcategories:

Type E Storytellers, and Type C Storytellers.

Type E Storytellers are event-focused. They get an idea for their story’s plot, and build the rest of the story up from there—developing characters, backstories, and so on, that will fit the plot they’ve just created.

Type C Storytellers prefer to write character-centric stories, often focusing on the thematic journey (or character arc) of their character. They usually create characters first, and from there, will try to find a plot/build the story’s world around these super-cool new characters.

Storyteller Weaknesses 

Storytellers can create phenomenal stories, but like Planners, they have their strengths…and weaknesses.

#1 Exposition 

Storytellers tend to be discovery writers, making up new details about their characters and the story’s world as they write. They’ll often write these new details into their story as soon as they think of them in order to avoid forgetting these details later.

But as a result, Storytellers may end up including too much exposition in their writing, or introducing concepts that haven’t been fully developed yet, which can leave their readers feeling bored or confused.

#2 Worldbuilding 

Most Storytellers find it challenging to balance worldbuilding vs plot. 

Because Storytellers build their story’s world around their characters or around their plot, it’s not uncommon for a Storyteller’s worldbuilding to feel contrived, or like an afterthought—if there’s any worldbuilding at all. 

#3 Inspiration, Motivation, & Perfectionism 

Storytellers tend to run on inspiration. So, if a Storyteller is not inspired and doesn’t have any deadlines or anyone to encourage (or force) them to write, odds are that their stories will remain unwritten.

Storytellers also have a bit of the same perfectionist complex as Planners, but instead of getting stuck during the planning and editing processes, Storytellers usually get stuck during the writing and editing processes. 

Storytellers often have a “when in doubt, rewrite it all!” mentality, which makes them writers of many drafts, but publishers of very few books. (More than likely, your average Storyteller has an entire folder on their computer filled with multiple partially-finished drafts of the same few stories)

Side Note: A Storyteller Secret

Part of why Storytellers write so many drafts is because of their perfectionism, but another reason is that Storytellers usually have a deep emotional connection to the stories they write. 

Storytellers process the events, people, and challenges they face in their daily lives through their writing, so as a result, Storytellers end up putting themselves into their stories without always meaning to. 

You may find parts of a Storyteller’s personality in all their characters, or realize that the themes of a Storyteller’s story reflect the events of the Storyteller’s own life. 

By reading a Storyteller’s writing, you’re basically peeking into their diary and seeing into their personal life.

Storyteller Strengths

#1 Storytelling 

Storytellers write because they’re passionate about telling great stories. They enjoy writing when they’re motivated, or when inspiration strikes. (An inspired Storyteller is an unstoppable writer). 

Storytellers use their passion and inspiration to craft unique stories with creative plots and gripping themes. (especially type E Storytellers)

#2 Characters 

Storytellers excel at creating complex and lifelike characters for their stories, often using themselves or the people around them as the inspiration for their characters. 

(Type C Storytellers are especially talented in the area of character creation)

#3 Self-Editing

Storytellers are very intuitive. They can tell if a certain point of view, word choice, or character doesn’t fit their story, and have no qualms about making changes so their story can, and will improve.

Storytellers usually understand what will make their stories flow better just by looking at it, and they’re not afraid of drafting or editing in order to make their stories the best that they can be (as long as they know that no one will ever see the first couple of drafts they wrote).

What To Focus On 

Because Storytellers can have so much trouble with worldbuilding, a helpful question that Storytellers should ask themselves while writing a scene is:

“Where are my characters and why does it matter?”

If you’re a Storyteller looking to add worldbuilding to your story—especially on a smaller scale (like to an individual scene), it may be helpful for you to evaluate what actions the character/s will be taking, and how they’ll be interacting with their environment.

Is there anything in the characters’ environment that is important to the scene? A glass of water? A weapon? Will the protagonist need to sigh dramatically and collapse into a chair?

Whatever your character needs or will interact with should be mentioned before they interact with it. This will help your readers picture and understand your characters’ world far better than if your characters are just a bunch of talking heads who occasionally move around and do things without any explanations or warning.

Receiving Feedback 

Another good question for you to ask if you’re a Storyteller who wants to evaluate your worldbuilding is:

“If I were reading this with no context, what about my story’s world would I understand, and what would confuse me?”

If you find that you’re having trouble answering that question for yourself, then you can give your work to someone else. 

Have that person read it and give feedback. What did they understand? What wasn’t quite clear? Does the world feel real and complete, or is it disjointed and disconnected from the characters living within it? (Developmental editors like me, or beta readers can help you answer these questions)

Balance Your Book

In the end, the important thing is bringing balance to the story. 

If there’s too much of a focus on only the worldbuilding, or only the characters, or only the plot, or themes, etc. then the story won’t be the best that it can be.

The Final Worldbuilder Type

In my next worldbuilding article, we’ll be wrapping up our discussion on the 3 types of worldbuilders by taking a closer look at the final and third type of worldbuilder: Creators.

Be sure to join my newsletter so you don’t miss it!

Before You Go…

Do you know any Storytellers? Or are you a Storyteller yourself?

Let me know down in the comments!