Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

The Hidden Psychology Behind Great World-Building with Gabriela Pereira | Episode 53

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0:00 | 18:21

Writers often think world-building starts with maps, magic systems, political structures, or pages of lore.

But what if it actually starts with your protagonist?

In this excerpt from my conversation with Gabriela Pereira for WorldShift 2026, we explore one of the biggest mindset shifts writers can make about world-building.

Gabriela explains why every story—not just fantasy or science fiction—involves world-building, and introduces her fascinating psychology-inspired framework that puts the protagonist at the center of the world instead of treating the world like a static backdrop.

We talk about:

✨ Why world-building exists in every genre, not just speculative fiction

✨ The biggest mistake writers make (and why info-dumps rarely work)

✨ How your protagonist acts as the "filter" through which readers experience the world

✨ Why the exact same setting feels completely different depending on your character's emotional state

✨ A simple exercise you can use to make your settings feel more immersive and emotionally powerful

If you've ever struggled to make your world feel alive—or wondered why your descriptions sometimes feel flat—this conversation will completely change how you think about world-building.

If you'd like to watch the full interview (along with more than 30+ other presentations from  experts), join the waitlist for the FREE WorldShift 2026 Writers' Conference this August.

👉 Click the link below to join the waitlist!

https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/worldshift

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