Two More Days!
I am so very excited about my upcoming Nanowrimo project that I will be starting this Saturday. I’ve been promising myself to write this story for a long time, and I’m finally going to do it. I don’t want to spoil it by saying too much, but if you are curious come peek at my ramblings…
It’s been a week since I started my research. It was supposed to be easy, just some videos and a few books from the library to help be sketch out some of the land and culture of the Forbidden Isle. No sweat, I could fill out the major stuff later when I had more time for heavy research…
HAH!
I seemed to forget the fact that I am a research JUNKIE when it comes to culturally driven topics. No only that but a taste of the “motherland of the human race” wasn’t enough. Like good food or sex, you want it more and more. My family has seen little of me this week buried under piles of book and eyes glued to a TV or computer screen. Goddess, this had been insanity…wonderful, glorious insanity.
I have a full map of the Forbidden Isle (which is what the white folks who are too scared to come there call it. I am still searching for a name Gizam and her people use for the continent they live on). Several maps when I think about it. A base map, geographical, territories, and next I have to create a map charting out Gizam’s journey. The story will be immense. The inspiration has poured onto me to the point of drowning me at times. The ideas I have noted out might be enough for 2 books or more. (sigh, bliss)
This will be a wear story for some. For the first book, maybe more, as long as we are one the Forbidden Isle you will not see a face paler than the honey colored people of the north. Okay, unless you count the albino elves way up north that the Taruchi are at war with. Long story. Just so it is said the elves may look like they are the bad guys, but history is written from the view of those that claim victory. Remember that.
Here’s the brief blurb I have for the Nano page on the novel titled “Path of the Huntress”
From the life of a traveling storyteller to the harsh training of a Windaji huntress we follow the journey of Gizam. Will she survive the path cut out for her, or can she find the courage to discover her own way.
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I figure the series will have the word Huntress in the title if all goes well. We’ll see. I am very excited about this, though I do have some concerns as I make notes on each of the cultures of the Isle and their connections to each other. I sent this question to some of my lit groups, but I can throw it out here too.
Is it easier and more believable to reader for you to stick to all the earth terms for things when you base a world (or a continent) on a place from earth, or can you use some earth based words for common things, and make up words for other common things as long as you describe these now things well? There are going to be some animals and plants based on rl items, but changed somewhat, so I want to see what way would flow better for the reader. Any thoughts on this?
Talking to a few people I am leaning toward doing the plant and animal names in Swahili, which is the “common” or trade tongue of the continent. I want to call the place Heart of the People, and so far the closest translation I can come up with is Watumoyo. I’m gonna try to find some folks who speak the language if I can, since going off even a big dictionary like I have here, is less than completely accurate.
Well, that’s all I got left for now, back to my notes and scribblings. The outline is huge and messy, but I can’t wait to start writing Gizam’s story. She’s been in my head and heart for so long it’s hard to wait patiently to reveal her to the rest of folks. Nanowrimo!