How to Build a Weird Space Fantasy World: Lessons from Damien Ober's Voidverse

Introduction

Crafting a truly unique space fantasy world—one that feels as bizarre as it is believable—requires more than just exotic planets and strange aliens. It demands a seamless fusion of setting, character, and prose. In his novel Voidverse, Damien Ober (known for The OA) achieves exactly that. This guide distills his approach into a step-by-step process for any writer looking to create a weird space fantasy that captivates readers. Whether you're a seasoned author or a beginner, these steps will help you build a world where every element sings in harmony.

What You Need

• A notebook or digital document for brainstorming and outlining
• Access to research materials (science, mythology, speculative fiction)
• A writing tool (word processor or pen and paper)
• Time to draft, revise, and let ideas marinate
• An openness to weirdness—don't be afraid to break conventions
• Optional: Beta readers or critique partners for feedback

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Weirdness

Before you write a single word, decide what makes your space fantasy weird. For Voidverse, Ober blended cosmic horror with surreal dream logic. Ask yourself: What rules of reality will you bend? Will time flow backwards on certain moons? Do emotions manifest as weather patterns? Write down three to five core weird elements. These will be your foundation.

Action item: Create a 'weirdness checklist' and ensure each element logically connects to the others. For example, if your space is alive, characters might communicate through psychic flora.

Step 2: Design the Setting as a Character

The environment in Voidverse isn't just background—it's an active force. Give your space fantasy a setting that has moods, history, and agency. Describe how the void between stars hums, or how dust clouds whisper secrets. Think of the setting as a character that can help or hinder your protagonists.

Tip: Use all five senses. What does the air smell like in a nebula nursery? How does a gravity storm taste on the tongue? Immerse your readers through sensory details.

Step 3: Forge Characters Who Belong in This World

Ober emphasized that for the world of Voidverse to work, characters and prose had to meld with the setting. Create characters whose personalities, goals, and even biology are shaped by their weird environment. A trader from a fragmented planet might speak in echoes; a space-time navigator could have memories from the future.

Exercise: Write character profiles that include how they interact with at least three weird elements. If your space is filled with living shadows, how does your protagonist use or avoid them?

Step 4: Develop a Prose Style That Mirrors the Atmosphere

The language you use should echo the weirdness. For Voidverse, Ober employed a lyrical, sometimes disjointed style to mimic reality's instability. If your world is chaotic, consider short, fragmented sentences. If it's ancient and mysterious, use archaic vocabulary or long, winding descriptions. Read aloud to test the rhythm.

Technique: Create a 'prose palette'—a list of 20 words that capture your world's vibe. For a weird space fantasy, words like glyph, abyss, prism, hollow, flicker might work.

Step 5: Weave Everything Together in Scenes

Now combine setting, character, and prose into actual scenes. Each scene should reinforce the weirdness without info-dumping. Show the world through action: a character navigating a gravity well, bartering with a sentient void. Let the weird emerge naturally. Ober let his reader discover the strangeness alongside his characters.

Checklist for each scene: Does the setting affect the plot? Does the character react in a way consistent with the world? Does the prose heighten the atmosphere? If yes, you're on track.

Step 6: Revise for Consistency and Surprise

After a first draft, revisit your weirdness checklist. Ensure they were used of whole cloth—no contradictions unless intentional. Then, look for opportunities to add surprise: a rule that seemed solid can be broken by a plot twist. In Voidverse, the laws of physics occasionally shift, keeping readers off-balance.

Action: Create a 'weirdness audit' table. For each element, note where it appears and how it evolves. Tighten connections.

Tips for Success

• Start small: Don't build an entire universe at once. Focus on one ship, one city, one conflict.
• Get feedback from outside your genre: A friend who reads literary fiction might spot incoherence you missed.
• Embrace failure: Your first attempt at weirdness might feel gimmicky. Revise until it feels inevitable.
• Study other mediums: Ober drew from the disorienting camera work of The OA. Watch films, play games, look at art that makes you feel uneasy.
• Stay true to your vision: If a beta reader says 'this is too weird,' that might be a sign you're on the right track.

By following these steps, you'll create a weird space fantasy world that feels alive—just like Voidverse. Remember, the goal is not to copy Ober's work, but to find your own unique blend of strangeness and storytelling. Happy writing!