"Building Worlds-Epic or Contemporary Style" by Diana Pharaoh Francis

[varkat]

Comments

[ext_106256]

Diana,

This was an excellent post. Someone once commented, "This is fiction. You don't need to research it."

I'm glad you set that myth to rest.

I think a book with a well researched background shines in the details.

It doesn't hurt that you truly do live in God's country. Just that setting has to be inspirational.

I'm so enjoying these fantasy topics. Thank you for your insight and time.

Julie

The Black Ship

[allaboutm_e]

Um, will reading it be a problem for those of us who don't care to be on ships in the ocean for nausea-related reasons? ;)

Re: The Black Ship

[allaboutm_e]

But there's no seasickness under the sea... :: grin ::

[wbereswill]

Excellent post, Diana. I guess in a nutshell, in epic fantasy, you have more freedom, you have to be more descriptive, but you must be careful to be consistent in the bounds of your created world. i.e. my world has no gravity, so I cannot describe somebody as being 150 lbs. Unless of course, you say he weighed 150 earth pounds.

On the other hand, in contemporary fantasy, you can be less descriptive, but more careful because people already know the bounds of the setting.

I think the casual reader underestimates the amount of research that goes into writing fiction.

World-building or daydreaming?

[ashkrafton]

Husband will often say, "what are you doing?" and I'll respond "I'm working on the story."

He'll give me a strange look because I'm not in front of the computer. Most often I'm washing dishes or folding laundry, yet walking around that story world, just taking a look to see what I can see on the inside of my head.

Sometimes a well-built world makes it's own story. I'm glad you called attention to this important technique.

[mela_lyn]

Oh, please, when you are writing your next book, come stay with me... I hate doing dishes. ;)

[burger_eater]

Nicely done.