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This week: Questions to Build Worlds and Characters Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
A glance at world building and some questions that can help whether working on new worlds or the one we live within. These can help show aspects of world or aspects of character, all depending on how you write the answer. |
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Whether writing a story within our every day world or creating something entirely different, when it comes to writing preparation there is often room for at least a little world building. The concept that comes to mind is the image of the iceberg. What is viewed above the surface (what the reader will see) is a small portion compared to the mass that is underneath. While some genres are more known for the worlds created and research involved, there is room in varying degrees for everyone to work on the world and in many ways help develop their characters along the way.
I'm not a big world builder because that's planning and well, I often just write the novel then worry about those pesky details later. Still, I do have to consider the worlds my characters live in whether real or fantastical, so I'm trying to get better at this research and world building process. One way that I've found to get started with building worlds is to consider questions.
One place I found questions for world building a couple of years ago, I think it was during a NaNo prep session or sometime around then, was in fact on Pinterest. There are a lot of phrases and sayings on top of pretty pictures on that site but also some that are just plain words posted with the links to blogs since that's sort of how the site works.
Some questions from Pinterest:
Who holds more power, the public or the ruling power?
How does their monetary system work?
What is considered a small town, a large town and a city in terms of population?
At what age is someone considered an adult? What other age milestones are significant, if at all?
Some of these questions help more than others but are each a good thing to at least consider. Sometimes we take the general concepts for granted, like how the main character is able to pay for anything. Taking a moment to consider some options could really help even if the moments where the topic comes up are minor within the story. There are many factors of world to consider while not going overboard and spending all of the time on the world with none going to the actual writing. Finding balance is a challenge since you do have to consider a lot when coming up with a whole new world in particular. There is government, agriculture, landscape, economy, pop culture and many other elements available for your consideration.
So many questions out there can help develop the world during the prep and research stages, whenever you get around to doing those. What is the weather like? Do you have a map? (Yes, a map can help in modern stories too because well, readers who know the area will be very particular about the little details, so look up on the map and figure out the area even if making parts of it up.) And how does you character view the world around them?
This is where we also get character development. Not every character is going to look at their world with the same lens. I believe it was on an old episode from the podcast Writing Excuses where the authors talked about having different characters walk into a room where there was a glass on the table. Each character noticed different aspects of the room and had different opinions on factors and it was more than just is the glass half full. That is one option. Doing a little writing exercise with a few different characters' pov at the same place will help show you more about each one even if they aren't all going to be shown in the story.
In fact, I'm taking part in a world building challenge: "Invalid Item" . In the challenge we are asked questions that we use to develop the worlds of our stories. One particular question really struck a chord with me as a good way to both show a little world but also develop characters. So, I am going to ask this question to you and challenge you to write a scene twice, each one with a different character point of view.
What does the sky look like?
Have fun writing!  |
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Why world-building is important, and what things you should consider.
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What questions do you use to develop the world of your story or the characters?
Last time that I wrote for this newsletter, back in January, I discussed a little on research and notes. More specific was a comparison between using the current world or making up your own. Here are the comments sent in over the topic presented way back then:
Comment by hbk16
Research is a basic element when writing.Indeed information render someone writing more credible and enhances its value.This last one is rich full and can be considered as a writing reference.
Your topic is very interesting and needs such space of discussion.
- Thank you. While I'm not that great at researching my novels, I am seeing the value and need more. It is a good topic for people to discuss here on the site.
Comment by fictionwriter1
When indulging one's imagination, many authors tend to overdo their writer's liberty, especially science fiction and fantasy stories, by taking unrealistic and incredible journeys into the realm of (Steam Punk) making characters say and do things that are completely out of character in the time and place in which they write. Whether Speculative or fantastic, research must be done to make the story believable. I don't to escape into a realm in which the character doesn't fit in. Rebellion is good unless it detracts from the story.
- Interesting point of view. I would imagine the author feels that the characters do fit in but it can be hard sometimes to see things from the different readers viewpoint. We forget that element sometimes. I like Steampunk but not sure if I could write it in part as it might feel out range. Research can help with those factors, for sure.
Comment by Athos Benning
Thanks for the newsletter-it reiterated something I just began practicing which is research. By far speculative fiction is my favorite! Plain, realistic elements are boring to me. I don't take to drama works either. I do like contemporary fiction if there is a magical, supernatural, or sci-fi element to the plot. So I like deviation of the norm.
- Thank you for the comment. Spec fic is my favorite too though I'm writing an oddly increasing amount of modern day, non-fantasy fiction. It's kinda weird. lol Yes, deviation from the norm is fun.
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For Authors: September 06, 2017 Issue [#8480]
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