Why is J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy so compelling? How about The Matrix or Harry Potter? What makes these disparate worlds come alive are clear, consistent rules for how people, societies – and even the laws of physics – function in these fictional universes?
In this animated video from TED-Ed’s Writer’s Workshop, author Kate Messner shares the methods and questions she uses to build the worlds in which her books take place.
About TED-Ed
TED-Ed is the newest of TED’s initiatives, joining the TED Conferences, TEDx, TED Books, the TED Fellows Program, and the TED Open Translation Project. TED-Ed offers a free library of lessons, many of which represent collaborations between talented educators and animators nominated through the TED-Ed platform.
If you are interested in creating your own TED-Ed original you can nominate yourself here.
For more videos about the craft of writing check out 13 Inspirational TED Talks for Writers.