Strider sitting in the corner at the inn was a shock, and I had no more idea who he was than Frodo.

If you want to give life to your imaginary world, you will need to let people know what things look like. What do people wear? You may be able to tell certain things about a person from the way they dress. The style of clothing will be very different from what you are wearing now. Of course they don't have to look like they live in the Middle Ages, but it is very hard to invent completely new styles that have never existed anywhere before.

The way people act is also important. For example, what do they do when they meet strangers, or when they sit down to eat? In Gondor they stand and face West in silence for a moment before starting their meal. People act differently in public to they way they are with their families and friends.

What are their buildings like - inside as well as outside? Dwarves seem to prefer vast mansions carved from whole mountains. Hobbits homes are also underground, but much cosier. The King of Rohan has a grand hall decorated with tapestries and a brightly painted floor, while the elves of Lorien sleep on platforms in the branches of trees. The different kinds of dwelling tell us something about the people who live in them. Isengard has been turned into an industrialised ruin, while shadows hide Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower of Sauron.

When you are creating an imaginary world there are lots of things you can consider. Many everyday things are going to look different. These details of daily life might help to add a sense of realism. What about their furniture? How do you describe their art and music, their means of transport, their crockery, pots and pans, armour and weapons? But most importantly, how much detail do people really need?

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