This is my first post, I hope nobody gets rude on me

Anyway, I'm trying to create a feasible writing schedule for me but I'm actually stuck. I'm planning to write a novel from a fantasy world of my own and for the past 3 months I've been involved in creating the intricacies of my world like its geography, a detailed history, and such. I already have a story in mind which came from a combination of different, oftentimes conflicting ideas that pops out from my mind every now and then; I have already written chapter 1. But the question is, should I build the world first and just start writing the novel later or should I write the novel and build the world based from what I have written?

Thanks for your replies in advance.

I'm a big proponent of world creation, especially history. If a world has a history it will have culture and traditions, which are vital for adding depth and conflict.

As soon as you have enough of the world built so that you have scenes and characters forming in your mind, go ahead and write them. Write as much of the story as you can as quickly as you can. It will be more alive if you write it when you're excited about it.

Your mind won't stop working on the world building while you are writing the story. They can grow alongside each other.

Remember, the odds are against your writing being finished as soon as you write it. You will almost certainly have to go back and rewrite. I say get as much of the initial writing done as you can as you go along.

Once you've got most of the story written, you'll have a better idea of what you need to finalize in the world building, and once that's done, you can go back and work on the editing and rewriting of the story.

It doesn't have to be an either/or situation.

Generally, though, no matter what I'm writing, I do as much of a foundation of research and development as I can before the story refuses to be kept inside and forces its way out into the world. From there, it's a constant push back and forth between the story and the world.

I've tried to take great care to build up my own world. Hopefully when I'm [eventually!] published folks will notice that

Thing is, though - world building never stops, if you allow it to run and run. Seriously. No matter when or where you try to stop the world building, there's always something interesting - even important - that you've missed.

Inspiration is its own master - follow it, be its servant. If inspiration tells you to writer some notes, write some notes. If it tells you to write a great sentence, then write a great sentence. If it tells you to write a chapter, then write a chapter.

You *cannot* avoid rewriting. Do you know why? Because you begin writing what you think is great, and then at some point you realise that you can write it better. It's trading up. And if you're wanting to write something serious for publishing then there should be no room for second-rate work in your head.

You've started off world building - that really is great. But you will find that as you write, more and more little details of that world will emerge that you can incoporate into your world [this is where continuity must be an issue - another potential reason for rewriting )

Point is, never worry too much about what you *think* you should be doing while writing - just do what comes naturally. Everything will attend to itself.

Have fun -

Brian