So, here's the thing. I have this setting I've been working on for years now. And the setting ended up with almost 5000 years of extensive lore, and you need to be familiar with several different philosophies and cultures to understand any of it. I was trying to come up with some names for characters in a story I am writing in said setting. And when I was researching how names and languages change I was struck with a thought. Am I overcomplicating this? Do I really need an explanation why there is a guy named "Al Banian" and why the name is actually a remnant from a completely different reality? I'm getting to the point where the lore is so complex it starts to sound stupid if you don't know all the details. Case and point, a guy named "Al Banian".
Another example. There are several creation myths, and three of them are technically correct.
I need some advice. Feel free to ask questions.
I mean, it matters insofar as to whether or not it would be thematically appropriate for me to call him Al.
Otherwise, if you're having fun, who cares?
I care. That's the problem.
The naming is just the top of the ice berg. I kind of just feel stuck perfecting the setting and making sure everything makes sense in-world, that I might be missing the forest for the trees. I had a lucid moment when I thought "Am I putting way too much effort into something nobody is even going to notice without an extensive deep-dive into the lore and symbolism?".
So, let me preface this with saying that I am quite familiar with what you're talking about. My partner has published two books, I used to design book covers before AI killed that, I know many writers, etc.
Extensive worldbuilding has its pros and its cons. Having a good understanding of the world that you're writing in will help you keep your story consistent. Your characters will be more well-rounded, because even if they don't directly reference your worldbuilding, they should be acting with the world's constraints in mind. You won't have to make as many snap decisions that you have to remember to account for later, less plot holes to fill. It's not about "nobody is going to notice", because if you have solid worldbuilding, it'll flow through book and they'll see it without realizing it.
The problem is when it starts getting in the way, like you're describing. You say you feel stuck perfecting the setting, and making sure everything makes sense. Forget about other people, why is that important to you?
It's important to me, because when I read stories and dive into fictional settings, I hate inconsistencies. It ruins my enjoyment of a piece of media when I notice these things. And I want to avoid people having that experience with my work. When I put something out there, I have this urge to make sure I account for all angles, that everything has a logical in-world explanation.
Honestly, that's sensible. Is there a way to get your brain to compromise to a level of vaguery?
Like, if there was a reality changing event 5000 years ago, it would make complete sense that things would be an unknown from that time period. Unless the story is about archaeologists or very long-lived characters, it may not have an impact on the story.
Think about IRL, 5000 years ago is around when they were inventing cuneiform writing. We don't have a good understanding of what happened back then, and it really doesn't have any impact on the things that are happening now. Is that different in your book?
Well, I'd argue that inventing cuneiform had an immense impact on society that we can feel to this day, but I do get your point. Thank you.