20 Worldbuilding Questions That Get Better Feedback
And make your beta readers want to answer them
Let’s talk about beta reading questions.
As a beta reader, I appreciate when an author includes a few with their manuscript.
It gives me a starting point.
Should I pay attention to how grounded the world feels? Whether the characters pulled me in? Or if that twist landed the way it was supposed to?
When I’m juggling several stories, that kind of guidance makes it easier to focus on what matters most to the author.
The Limits of Templates
But lately, I’ve noticed a pattern.
The same questions keep showing up, usually copied word for word from the same online templates.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked:
Did the world feel believable?
Did the magic system make sense?
Were the rules of the world clear?
Was the setting consistent?
There’s nothing wrong with these. I understand why they’re asked.
But they only scratch the surface.
Most of the time, the only answers I can give are a quick yes or no. And that doesn’t leave the author with much to work with.
A Better Way to Ask
That got me thinking: what kinds of worldbuilding questions actually lead to useful, specific feedback?
In my experience, the strongest ones are open-ended. They’re simple to answer, but they leave room for detail and reflection, which makes the feedback stronger.
So here are a few you might want to test out with your next group of beta readers.
20 Worldbuilding Questions That Spark Real Feedback
Use these in your next round of beta reads to get responses that go deeper than “yes, it made sense.”
What location would you sketch first if you had to draw this world?
What part of the world would you want to visit, and what would you avoid?
What would someone need to understand to survive here for a month?
What’s something you might do by accident that could offend someone?
If you had to live here, what habit or belief would you have to change?
Who seemed to hold real power, and what made that clear?
What made someone respected, or looked down on, in this world?
What makes someone dangerous here, besides violence?
What happened (or could happen) to someone who spoke out against the system?
When someone broke a big rule, how did others respond? Did it feel believable?
What group or social class did you want to know more about?
What was the cost of using magic or tech? Who paid it?
How was magic passed down, taught, or restricted? Did that feel fair?
If you had to explain the magical system to a friend, what would you say?
Where did religion bring people together? Where did it cause conflict?
What ritual, symbol, or religious moment stood out most?
What part of this world stayed with you after reading?
What piece of lore do you wish the story had explored more?
Who benefits from the way history is told here? Who gets left out?
What part of this world reminded you of our own?
These kinds of questions invite your beta readers to engage with your world in a deeper way.
And that makes the process more rewarding for them and for you.
Coming Next Week
A new list for characters and relationships that goes beyond “Did you like the main character?”
In the meantime, I’d love to know: what’s the best worldbuilding question you’ve ever been asked, or asked someone else?
Until next time!
-Mia
Are you interested in hiring me as your beta reader? Click below for more information!