World-Building Questionnaire: Daily Life and Customs

World-building questionnaires are vital for fleshing out a fictional world. They help fantasy writers create immersive settings and are also invaluable for historical fiction authors who are getting to know their period and setting. A well-developed world adds depth and authenticity, making the story more engaging for readers.

Understanding the daily life and customs of your world is crucial. They affect characters' behaviors, traditions, and interactions. Knowing these elements helps you create a believable and consistent world.

Daily Routines and Practices

1. What are the daily routines of different social classes?
2. What customs and traditions are practiced regularly?
3. How do people greet each other and take leave?
4. What are the common practices related to birth, marriage, and death?
5. How do people celebrate holidays and festivals?

Family and Kinship

6. What is the typical family structure (nuclear, extended, clan-based)?
7. How are family roles and responsibilities divided?
8. What is the inheritance system?
9. How are children raised and educated?
10. What are the societal attitudes towards marriage and relationships?

Arts and Entertainment

11. What forms of art are prevalent (music, literature, visual arts)?
12. How do people entertain themselves (games, sports, theater)?
13. Who are the prominent artists and performers?
14. How is art patronized and preserved?
15. What role do art and entertainment play in society?

Food and Cuisine

16. What are the staple foods and beverages?
17. How is food prepared and consumed?
18. What are the traditional dishes and culinary customs?
19. How does cuisine vary by region and social class?
20. What role does food play in social gatherings and rituals?

Clothing and Fashion

21. What types of clothing are worn by different social classes and professions?
22. How have fashion trends changed over time?
23. What materials and techniques are used in clothing production?
24. Are there any cultural or religious dress codes?
25. How do clothing styles vary by region?

A world-building questionnaire helps you unearth details that may not appear directly in your story. However, having these details in your mind will make your world more authentic and vibrant.

Jump to another world-building questionnaire:

• Geography and Environment
• Government and Politics
• Economy and Trade
• Daily Life and Customs
• Religion and Belief Systems
• History and Lore
• Language and Communication
• Technology and Magic

David Griffin Brown is an award-winning short fiction writer and co-author of Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling. He holds a BA in anthropology from UVic and an MFA in creative writing from UBC, and his writing has been published in literary magazines such as the Malahat Review and Grain. In 2022, he was the recipient of a New Artist grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. David founded Darling Axe Editing in 2018, and as part of his Book Broker interview series, he has compiled querying advice from over 100 literary agents. He lives in Victoria, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.