I don't know about you, reader, but when I begin to describe my fantasy/futuristic worlds, I heavily rely on sight. This isn't an uncommon problem. When you imagine a new thing in your head, it's how it looks that becomes the most important thing for a moment. Everything else comes after. But if you're imagining a place not of this world, that doesn't mean you can't draw on the experiences around you to help flesh out your fantasy creations. Wherever you are now, just focus for a moment...
What sounds can be heard in the immediate area? Are there people talking? Is there road traffic in the distance? Can you hear any wildlife, or are the elements drowning it all out? In worlds and areas of your own creation, there will be comforting background noises, annoying dins and sounds that are pleasant to the ear. Sound can really bring a place to life, but what if there is nothing to hear? The absence of noise can be just as powerful as background fuzz. Think about each area and what kind of noise will be characteristic of it.
The best thing about the sense of smell is that, similar to taste, different people can have a different reaction to what's in the air. Either that is just the way they react, or there could be a specific memory tied to it that makes them recognise the scent as unpleasant/enjoyable. Your character is no different, and nor are your fantasy worlds in regards to what a 'standard' scent might be. In another place, the background smells might seem unusual. And someone accustomed to that environment might not notice them at all!
- What materials are around, and how do they feel to the touch?
You can avoid having to make up names for the materials you envision if they're not going to be a central focus of the area. Another character discovering the world for the first time will use materials of their own planet as a basis for comparison. But should they come into direct contact with anything, it might be worth describing how it feels. What is it like in temperature? Is it a rough or smooth material? Does it feel pleasant to the touch, or does it feel repulsive? Your character might notice if the contact brings a strong reaction; it might even affect them on a deeper level than they can comprehend.
This is an odd one, especially if you're not eating. But in regards to food, think about common adjectives used to describe the things we eat. Is it crunchy, soft, chewy or crisp? There's more to taste than just flavour - texture and consistency also adds to the experience of eating. It might be worth considering these things when making up your own fantasy menus!
- And finally, what can you see?
If you deal with the senses you're most likely to leave out first, then you get to save the best until last! Chances are, you have a great mental image of what you want to describe. That's the fun with fantasy lands and futuristic buildings. However, when you're constructing these things, consider what kind of being is going to use them! Maybe it's not for humans that walk on two legs. So how would the layout of their buildings/homes look (if they have any at all)? Looking at how animals manoeuvre themselves throughout their natural habitat can be insightful when you're thinking about how your fantasy creatures pass from place to place. If your fantasy creature has similar qualities, then you can take inspiration from its earthly counterpart.
There are some animals in the wild that use more than five senses to survive, or use different parts of their bodies to a human for a particular sense. There are a number of animals and insects that can tune into vibrations in the air or ground to pinpoint the location of their prey. If you're going to describe a totally new alien race, then paying attention to the variety in the species of our planet is a useful exercise. Your fantasy world can appeal to more than our human senses! This kind of thinking is also useful when you're writing werewolves, vampires or other creatures from folklore. If they have an animalistic quality, then you will have to consider how they might differ from their human selves or the humans around them.
Remember, even if all of these things won't make it into your final story, there is no reason why you can't put this extent of thought into your world building! If the place feels real to you, then you're probably going to do a great job of making it real for other people. Then if you do happen to need any of these extras from your notes, you can rest easy knowing that you don't have to spend your writing time trying to fill in the gaps.
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