I've been world-building for five years and I've never told anyone. It was never that serious. Just something I do for fun. I've always been a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and any combination of the three. This isn't limited to any medium. I read novels and comic books as well as watch movies and TV. For over a decade, I've had ideas for characters, magic systems, and locations rattling around in my head. Around five years ago I was introduced to the concept of formalized world-building. Inspired by the worldbuilding subreddit and Stack Exchange communities, I wrote my ideas into a more organized system, revealing all sorts of contradictions and shortsightedness to address. For years, I did nothing but define characters, locations, and objects in a database. A very rough plotline had formed, but only to the extent required to define characters' personalities. Recently, I decided to start writing stories using these people, places, and things and realized there was still a LOT I hadn't quite thought out. Now I'm finding myself again completely overhauling aspects of this universe I had sunk my heart into creating. At first it seemed like a dreadful idea to do this. It took some time to become unmarried from these ideas, but I feel like I've finally gotten past that feeling of dread, and now actually enjoy the process of overhauling and refining my ideas. Writing these stories has made me realize my inadequacy at writing, which brings me here. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to need to reveal what I'm doing to someone in order to see my ideas live up to their potential. I've always told myself I was only doing this for fun and that it would never go anywhere, but maybe that's just a lame excuse for not having the courage to seek greatness. I look forward to meeting you all.
Hello, and welcome! You seem to write quite well, that's a good starting point. I think your next learning adventure involves word mechanics and story structure. Actually you might be alright, or nearly so, on word mechanics. From what little I've seen above your SPaG is good (spelling, punctuation, and grammar) but story is a harsh mistress, and she demands perfection. Any weaknesses will be revealed, but fear not, they can also be addressed. You'll also want/need to delve into (I don't know what to call it) writing-related stuff such as showing vs telling, active and passive voice, etc. But we're here for you. Most of us are engaged in the same journey of self-education, at various levels. We can help or at least recommend some good books.
I know your feeling. My problem was I listened to all kinds of writing lectures and literary agents and publishers on what is selling, what is not. What tropes will get you instantly rejected, on and on and on. So I kept revising my work, rebuilding my world until one day I realized it wasn't mine anymore. Then I realized I hated what it had become. I deleted the file, went back to my original and started fresh, writing my characters in my world. It is fine to revise and overhaul, just make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Remember that all authors refine their writing with time. I think Brandon Sanderson wrote something like 13 books before he sold Elantris. If you listen to his interviews he calls Elantris "baby Brandon" writing. He did not wake up and turn out Mistborn first try and neither are you and neither am I. I'm fairly new to this board myself but in the short time I have been here I have seen a ton of really good writers with a lot of really good advice. If you are wanting to improve, this is a good place to start.
I appreciate the compliment! Funny thing is, when I imagine my finished product, it's a comic or animation. I do write as an exercise to get into my characters' heads and figure out how I want a scene to play out, but my plan is to eventually figure out how to convert my writings to a script or storyboard to propose to an artist. I'm nowhere even close to doing that. Like you say, story is a harsh mistress and I'm still trying to figure out some character and plot development that's even halfway interesting. I've actually learned to enjoy the refinement of my writing. Some ideas are hard to throw out, but it's part of the process. I've been lurking the boards over the weekend, and there clearly are some talented individuals here. This does feel like the right place to be.
