Story Worlds

The Story Worlds column on Tor.com goes in-depth about the mechanics and emotion behind storytelling and world-building in film TV, books, games, and more. From Middle-earth to the ‘Verse, from the Federation to The Wheel of Time, what makes a world come alive?

All Posts

Stories That Matter: Introducing “Story Worlds”

Jul 31, 2013

26 comments

One World to Rule Them All: The 6 Pillars of Middle Earth, Part 1

Aug 7, 2013

20 comments

2 Favorites [+]

The Six Pillars of Middle Earth (Part 2 of 2)

Aug 14, 2013

14 comments

Braveheart is a Classic Despite its Inaccuracies

Aug 28, 2013

53 comments

A Scary Good Prequel: How Pixar Nailed Monsters University

Sep 11, 2013

6 comments

World-Building in Game of Thrones

Sep 25, 2013

7 comments

Beyond: Two Souls and The Quandary of Interactive Storytelling

Oct 2, 2013

3 comments

It’s Not About the Zombies: How The Walking Dead Became the Most-Watched Show on TV

Oct 9, 2013

13 comments

Filmmaking Visionaries: The Top Ten Writer-Directors

Oct 16, 2013

33 comments

Cloud Atlas One Year Later: Why 2012’s Biggest Flop is Also its Biggest Triumph

Oct 23, 2013

92 comments

43 Favorites [+]

The Sandman Cometh: Neil Gaiman’s Epic Masterpiece Returns

Oct 29, 2013

2 comments

How to Time Travel (Without Destroying the Universe) Part One

Nov 6, 2013

15 comments

How to Time Travel (Without Destroying the Universe) P.2

Nov 13, 2013

18 comments

Frozen: The Decline, Fall, and Rebirth of the Disney Musical

Nov 20, 2013

14 comments

Framing Devices and Nested Narratives: Stories (Within Stories (Within Stories))

Dec 4, 2013

34 comments

Blitzball and Final Fantasy X

Dec 11, 2013

13 comments

Dreams of Disneyland

Dec 18, 2013

4 comments

7 Favorites [+]