Let's Talk Worldbuilding and Crafting Societies That Feel Real In Your Story

In this episode, I break down how applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to entire societies can make your sci-fi and fantasy worlds feel more authentic, cohesive, and full of natural conflict. I share how a world’s priorities shape culture, character motivation, and the pressure your protagonist pushes against — with clear examples from across the genre.

What We Cover:

• How Maslow’s Hierarchy applies to worldbuilding

• Why societal priorities create believable cultures

• How world needs generate organic conflict and stakes

• Using world structure to shape your protagonist’s journey

• How to layer world, plot, character, and theme together

• Practical examples pulled from well-known SFF stories

• How I used this framework in Ghosts of Rheynia

Books Mentioned:

• Red Rising by Pierce Brown

• The Will of the Many by James Islington

• The Black Coast by Mike Brooks

• Ghosts of Rheynia by Tim Facciola

Connect with Tim:

@timfacciola_theauthor | https://www.instagram.com/timfacciola_theauthor/

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A Vengeful Realm (3 book series):

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Everything Else: https://linktr.ee/timfacciola?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn5saA9vSXWR3ZaWwp36EW6k8ODpvh7kXn0OFZG31laVfcLaRo0Yp5iXsQ7yM_aem_lLgKK_B-FaNQdH082Jj0sA&brid=7zdxVY9uZQo2BQ5KMAvcgQ