Spending too little time on world building gives the reader a flavorless, colorless backdrop to your movie. When I watch something like 'Carousel' or 'Oklahoma', while the music may be nice, the background is not REAL, and it's obvious. Little, if any, of those musicals were filmed out of doors, and it's hard for a viewer to put their head INTO the story.
Spending too much time on your world building causes the writer to 'geek out' on their own world, but the story rarely gets written. Or there's so much backstory and dimension the plot gets lost in the mix.
The end result in world building should be a three-dimensional environment that your readers can immerse themselves in, with details hinted at rather than explained. The details come out in conversation, in action, in backstory that isn't explored, but which the writer must know in order to flesh out his story. And the backstory and backdrop shouldn't obscure the real plot.
So, what are the elements of World-building?
People
Just like any world, there should be people, creatures, entities or intelligence in the world you build. Unless you are world-building a barren landscape like the moon or the middle of the Sahara, or a polar icecap. Or a story taking place on Mercury.
Most stories are acted out by people interacting with the people around them. Few stories are not people-centric. That is because humans are social beings, and this is one thing your readers probably are, because, by and large, your readers will be humans.
Are there strange or unknown races, sentient species, base, evil, blessed, holy? Are there races that are unredeemable or perfect and without sin? Do they wield swords, boomerangs, new and unknown weapons, laser rifles, long range missiles plasma cannons, grenades, fight without weapons, wield magic, paranormal psionic or psychic abilities? Are they completely peaceful and refuse to fight? Do these decisions, fight, flight, turn the other cheek, put their existence or well-being at risk? Are they slaves? Free? Bigoted or Permissive?
Nations
The various countries all have their own history, their own languages, their own beliefs. Natural resources, lifestyles, culture, technology. Dress, mannerisms, vices, slogans or proverbs. Weaknesses and strengths, enemies and allies. These countries can have their own flags, banners, uniforms, salutes, country mascot (like the US Eagle, the Russian Bear). National tree, flower, song. Have fun, but you can absolutely get lost in these details.
Geography
All worlds have geography. It can be an unexplored world to your characters, but the author should have a Map of their world, and the characters should build one as they explore. It doesn't have to reveal too much, you can even improve on or extend the map as they explore in successive books in the series.
Does your world have valleys, mountains, towns, cities, rivers, lakes, oceans? Fortresses, ruins, catacombs, mines, secret bases, outposts, craters? Natural borders and barriers (or unnatural borders and barriers) such as a rift across the world, a grand canyon, a river that splits the country, or a force field, a dome wall, the perimeter of the biosphere? Are portions of your world without air, without life, without light, without telepathic communication, an area of nuclear radiation or instant death? An area that separates one from God? An area without noise, or without silence, without reality?
What are the conditions on your world? Polluted beyond measure, barely breathable air? Are there regions of fertile soil, jungle, ice and snow, desert, wasteland? Is it a planet made of concrete, rusting ships, gas nebula, a mass of vegetation, a sentient single-celled organism?
What do the five senses tell you in these areas? What do you see, hear, smell, touch, taste?
History
Most worlds have a history, unless they are brand new. Wars, times of peace, aid to foreign soil or despicable acts of cowardice, despotic or benevolent rule? Kingdoms with tragic ends or aeon-long survival? How did the country rise, fall, survive, thrive? Was it based on some founding principle, some lasting driving document, a speech that changed a country forever? How is the history passed down? Through fireside story? Telepathic image-passing? Dusty books or electronic video recordings? Internet-jacking or communion with God?
As you can see, there are so many things to consider when building your worlds. Hopefully, the questions above get your thoughts flowing, and give you ideas about the world you want to build, the story you want to write.
