Hugh Howey
Hugh Howey, the author of the Silo series, writes: “When we sit down to write a novel, we start with a blank page. The world we create can take any shape we like. It doesn’t need to have our rules. It doesn’t need to have our history. The only constraint is our lack of imagination. Oh, but what a constraint this is. Our imaginations aren’t very good at conjuring up worlds dissimilar to the ones we know. When we create new lifeforms, they tend to look and act pretty much like us. When we predict the future, we tend to be too optimistic about some kinds of progress and technology, while being way too pessimistic about advancements we can’t seem to imagine. True world-building is hard. In reality as well as in fiction…The future as a blank canvas … this is what I spend a lot of my time thinking about. Inspiration often comes from questioning something we all take for granted…What kind of world would you paint on a blank canvas? Unleash your imagination. Assume everything you currently believe is wrong. And then start writing.”
He adds: “If world-building is the macro, storytelling is the micro. We zoom down through the history and lore, past the epic battles of time past, and we land behind the eyes of a simple character who has all of that larger stuff in their peripheral. Here’s the tricky part: the author needs to have that lore spread before them, like a map, but they need to write with the limited perspective of that character. As the reader, we will feel lost initially, but so should this person through whom we’re seeing the world. Their discovery is our discovery. That’s why we immediately relate to the first main character we’re introduced to. We like to think we’re them.”
Howey has more on storytelling: “so much of what we build comes from the stories we tell. Look at how powerful world religions have been throughout human history, and they are little more than story. All their power comes from the written and spoken word. Look at the impact that sports and contests have played, and they are at their heart little more than stories of triumph and conquest. Wars are waged because of the stories we tell about ourselves and others. Countries are created and borders drawn because of stories we accept. And few things move by the fickle of story like markets and economies…Story + Language = Us…Stories are a Trojan Horse for the human heart. Rather than repel them, we gladly bring them inside where they change us from within. The best stories then are the ones that contain truths we would reject in any other form. They are the subversive stories. The ones that feign to entertain while shifting our cores.”
I asked ChatGPT how Howey does worldbuilding.
[ChatGPT]
Hugh Howey’s Silo series is a masterclass in worldbuilding, a crucial aspect of storytelling that involves the creation of an imaginary world that is both complex and consistent. Here are a few ways Howey achieves this in the Silo series:
- Detailed Settings: Howey constructs the physical world of the silos meticulously. Each silo is a multi-level subterranean structure, designed to support human life in a post-apocalyptic world. He describes the various levels in detail, such as the upper levels for administration, middle levels for living and commerce, and lower levels for manual labor and mechanical operations. These settings provide a tangible sense of place and structure the social hierarchy within the silo.
- Society and Culture: Howey also builds a unique society and culture within the silos. The rules and norms are dictated by the need to preserve human life in a confined space, which creates a unique set of social dynamics. For example, discussing the outside world is taboo and can lead to being sent outside, an effective death sentence. This cultural norm is both a form of social control and a response to the harsh realities of their world.
- Historical Context: Through the prequel “Shift”, Howey provides a historical context for the existence of the silos, explaining how the world came to be in its present state. This background deepens the reader’s understanding of the world and its characters, making them more believable and engaging.
- Character Perspectives: Howey uses multiple character perspectives to explore different aspects of silo life, effectively showing the reader how the world looks and feels from different vantage points. This allows for a deep exploration of the world’s complexities and contradictions.
- Evolution of Knowledge: The world of the silos is gradually revealed to the reader, mirroring the characters’ own discovery of their world’s true nature. This gradual revelation is an effective worldbuilding technique, as it keeps the reader engaged and eager to learn more.
By combining these elements, Howey creates a rich, immersive world that serves as the backdrop for the plot and characters of the Silo series.
