A quick #writetip #querytip as I go through queries this morning: in adult SFF, there is often a true need for heavy, up-front worldbuilding, in order to understand the world they are exploring thru your character. How SMOOTHLY you do this determines if your reader notices. 1/

The goal is for your reader to NOT notice you explaining the world to them. So accomplish this by structuring your first chapters to begin advancing the plot in ways that allows your reader to see your character interact w/ the unique worldbuilding elements. This can include: 2/

- Beliefs
- Setting
- History
- Relationship expectations
- Economy/Politics
- Traditions/Celebrations
- Language/symbolism
- Tech

All VERY necessary for your reader to understand in order to sink into your fantasy world and enjoy the story. But if you paste a big paragraph...3/

...that explains one or more of these elements, the reader notices you, the author, trying to get them to understand something. They don't want to notice you. They want to forget you exist (sorry) and just relax and EXPERIENCE. They will absorb&care about world more this way. 4/

So how do you do it?
Make a list of all the things your reader needs to understand. Do this on your second or third draft, not the first. Then, shape your opening few chapters in a way that allows the reader to witness how the characters interact with these elements. 5/

If opening scene starts OUTSIDE the castle/whatever, you have an excuse to show it. If your opening dialogue is between 2 ppl w/ different views, that's an opportunity to demonstrate balance of beliefs in the world&foreshadow tensions ahead. Break something. Start a fight. 6/

Above all, make sure the information in the scene is relevant TO THAT SCENE. Example:when I'm interacting w/someone and my trust issues are flaring up, I do not go back and narrate to myself the origin of those issues or note that many ppl like me have them. They just exist. 7/

Instead, I'll have a conversation later that processes thru those deeper issues. Characters are the same; you will give your readers a more impactful experience if they can interact w/your characters like people, rather than reading big chunks of Stuff Author Wants You To Know 8/

Here's a quick tip: your reader does NOT need to learn it all at once. In fact, the more gradually&naturally you deliver information through your MC, the more satisfying the read will be in the end. Your reader should explore and discover alongside your MC. There is no rush. 9/

I'm wrestling w/ this in my own WIP right now as I re-work the opening one final time making sure the information doesn't disrupt the experience. Ironing in the little bits that matter, but only WHERE they matter. Making sure emotion doesn't take a back seat to info delivery. 10/

As always, just my opinion! First few chapters are often rough. It'll really give your manuscript an edge if you re-sculpt your opening in a seamless way for readers to absorb. Many,many MSs I reject are for this reason. And I don't want to reject! I want to request&fall in love.