How to build a fictional world - Kate Messner

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-build-a-fictional-world-kate-messnerWhy is J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy so compelling? How about The Matrix or Harry Potter? What makes these disparate worlds come alive are clear, consistent rules for how people, societies -- and even the laws of physics -- function in these fictional universes. Author Kate Messner offers a few tricks for you, too, to create a world worth exploring in your own words.Lesson by Kate Messner, animation by Avi Ofer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 9, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

How to build a fictional world - Kate Messner

0:00 8:09

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

College Conversations The Institute for G.O.D. Join Gregg. D. Garner, President of The Institute for GOD, as he, fellow professors, and other special guests have conversations about Christian Higher Ed. Together they’ll explore the complexities students encounter academically and spiritually. Whether you’re a student choosing a college, completing your academic endeavor, or a parent or teacher seeking insight, College Conversations bridges the gap between scholarly pursuits and biblical faith, offering discerning perspectives for a new generation and their parents. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of faith and learning. Prospettive sul Metaverso Roberto Capodieci, Rita Trombin, e Filippo Caprioglio Benvenuti in "Prospettive sul Metaverso"!Il Metaverso, termine coniato da Neal Stephenson nel romanzo Snow Crash, è un mondo virtuale composto da molti luoghi diversi. Essendo in continua espansione offre quotidianamente curiose ed interessanti novità.Noi siamo Filippo Caprioglio, architetto, Rita Trombin, psicologa ambientale esperta in biofilia, e Roberto Capodieci, esperto di decentralizzazione e Web3. Assieme, ed a volte con l'aiuto di altri esperti, esploriamo il Metaverso con l'obiettivo di comprendere questo nuovo ed entusiasmante mondo online per capire come può essere usato per migliorare le nostre vite. Lo facciamo divertendoci e discutendo di tutto: dalle ultime curiosità ad approfondite analisi.Tutti voi siete invitati a partecipare alla discussione sia per imparare che per contribuire. Che tu sia un professionista esperto o un principiante, speriamo che il nostro canale possa essere di tuo interesse.E se hai letto fino a qui... beh, iscri

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of TED-Ed?

This episode is 8 minutes long.

When was this TED-Ed episode published?

This episode was published on September 9, 2026.

Can I download this TED-Ed episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!