a contrary opinion from an author

[Murmur the Fallen]

Here's what M. John Harrison, author of Viriconium among other things, has to say about world-building:
"Every moment of a science fiction story must represent the triumph of writing over worldbuilding.
Worldbuilding is dull. Worldbuilding literalises the urge to invent."
Rest of the entry is from his blog:
uzwi.wordpress.com/2007/0...ry-afraid/
-murmur