If you’re not au fait with the term, you’re probably thinking ‘The Toaster Problem’ is a weird title for an article. So let’s define it before we go any further.
The toaster problem refers to one of the key issues of worldbuilding, looking at how we can explain things within the story and its setting whilst making it feel natural.
Think back – has anyone ever asked you how your toaster worked? In fact, do you ever really think about how your own toaster works when you pop the bread in for breakfast?
Probably not – and there is the core of the problem. If there is an element of technology – or magic if fantasy is more your flavour – that is commonplace in-world, then how are you going to find a suitable way to explain it to the reader?
So, let’s get started! For this particular article I’m going to go through a number of approaches you might take in writing