Anthropomorphic Writing/ 7 Keys to Anthropomorphic Worldbuilding

The world your anthropomorphic characters inhabit is just as alive as they are — and building it right makes the difference between a story that breathes and one that feels hollow.

Worldbuilding is one of the most rewarding aspects of crafting an anthropomorphic story. The way your world is structured — from the rules of anthropomorphism to the cultures, environments, and ethical tensions between species — shapes everything about how your characters live and interact. Here are seven keys to help you build a world that feels rich, consistent, and alive.

Clear Rules for Anthropomorphism

Make sure that your rules for your anthropomorphic world are consistent.  Decide which species are anthropomorphic—in other words, human—and which are not.  I recommend that you start by choosing either all herbivores be anthropomorphic, or vice-versa with carnivores.  You could even go fully aquatic or fully reptilian: the choice is yours on what you choose to include in your world.  Just make sure everything is consistent to prevent confusion, and to prevent things from becoming unrealistic.

Species Diversity

Deciding what species you want to include in your world is crucial.  Having a diverse range of species—which vary in shape, size, and behavioral traits—will give your world an added sense of depth.  Think of how various species interact with each other, and the various conflicts and character interactions that it can provide.  It will give your world a wonderful richness.

Culture and Social Structure

Consider how the species and cultures of your characters intersect.  How, for example, do two characters of the same species but a different culture react?  How about the reverse: same culture but different species?  What about same species and same culture?  Think about the various interplay and dynamics one could create.  There is one thing I will caution against, however: resist the temptation to make each species monolithic.  Remember that a single species can be found in multiple places across the world, so use that to your creative advantage.

Language and Communication

As with any fantasy setting, you can choose to make up your own language or use real ones.  In regards to an anthropomorphic setting, use the real-life body language and sounds of the species you use to add an extra layer of subtext and depth to how the characters communicate.  Blending such aspects with body language and verbal tells humans naturally have, will help add a more intimate level to the communication methods of your anthropomorphic characters across the board.

Conflict and Cooperation

Think about how species in your anthropomorphic world interact with each other in both confrontation and cooperation.  Do certain species feel more tension towards each other than others?  Or vice-versa with cooperation and friendships?  How do traits and behavior tie in?  Culture?  Think about these things.  You can draw from mythology, religious texts, symbolism about animals—Take a look at all the resources of inspiration you can find for possible dynamics between various characters and the species which they slot into to add depth and complexity to your world.

Natural Environment and Technology

Think about how your anthropomorphic characters interact with their environment and technology.  How do the animalistic traits they have affect their technology and environment?  How would a phone designed for a wolf look, since the ears are on the top of the head as opposed to side on humans?  Consider how their size, senses, and anatomy might affect their interactions with both the natural world and technology.

Ethical and Moral Dilemmas

Like any good source of conflict, ethical and moral dilemmas are at the very heart.  Think of how the anthropomorphic aspect of your characters would impact such things.  How do characters with certain species deal with issues differently than others.  For instance, how do bear characters see something like gluttony—which is very easy for them to fall into—verses how say, a lean cheetah character would see the same issue?  Think of unique ways to twist and filter moral and ethical dilemmas by using your anthropomorphic setting.

The key to successful anthropomorphic worldbuilding is creating a world that feels believable and alive. Keep your rules consistent, your species diverse, and your cultures richly textured — and your readers will find themselves drawn into your world, again and again.

— Eric Flegal