Originally posted by Gorgeous Freeman:

Title, is there a way to flatten terrain to make it easier to build?

Later in game you will get great tools to modify terain, plant trees, build roads and fields and so on. Dont worry.

Right now, without that access, use the wooden pillons or short wooden walls to create background for your buildings. Also keep your buldings small at early stage.

You need 3 small buildings at start. House with fireplace and with small kitchen. Small workshop. And finally small storage house.