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So, I sat with Puck at lunch and started my preliminary worldbuilding for my new Sekrit Project(tm). Since this is supposed to be a writing blog, I thought I'd give some insight into how I approach a new book.
This is going to be a completely new "world" in terms of my books - it's not connected to any projects I currently have going, so I'm literally starting from the ground up. This time, since I'm NOT on deadline for this, I'm going to really take the time to do it the way I know I need to. Unfortunately, I'm NOT a pantser - I need to have everything outlined ahead of time so I know where I'm going.
This particular project involves two worlds that are connected, but I'm actually doing three worlds - one world before a certain event happens, and then the same world as it is now. My prewriting starts with the worlds - I have ideas for a few of the characters, including the main MC, but I need to know more of the worlds they came from before I can really start working on plot.
As I get further along in this, I'll probably f-lock most of it - if you'd signed up for the Sleeping Beauty project, I'll post under that (if you're not on it, or not sure, post a comment and I'll add you to it), but this is a general post, so I'll leave it public for now.
When I start my worldbuilding at Ground Zero, I open a file and start asking myself questions. What do I know about the world/character/plot idea/symbol that inspired me? In this case, it was a chance remark by someone in FM Chat about mirrors. The remark itself didn't stick with me, but the mirror did, and I woke up a few days ago with the vaguest idea in mind about a world (or at least a house) where mirrors were forbidden, because there was a world beyond them that was deadly. I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Dracula on my commute to and from work, and the idea of a disease mingled with the mirror. (If you haven't read the original Dracula btw, I highly recommend the audio book. I had no idea it was all journals and letters! The version I have is 12 hours and read by two actors, male and female. Excellent, excellent and I'm bummed that I'll finish it tonight.)
So today at lunch, I opened a file on Puck and started to brainstorm. I've got three worlds now - the world before the disease, the world as of now with the disease and the world the refugees escaped to (yes, there are refugees). Now I need to start my worldbuilding by working on the following areas:
1. Culture(s)
2. Mythology/Religion
3. History
4. Race(s)
5. Cities
6. Technology/Economics
7. Magic
I also need to start looking into the mythology and superstitions of mirrors. Despite Vlad's encouragement, this will NOT be a vampire novel. I'm kind of burnt out on vampires right now. But there will be darkness, and magic. I'm just not sure what flavor yet. We'll see what the worldbuilding brings.
Since I'm going to be blogging the process, please feel free to ask me methodology questions in the comments. Don't ask plot questions yet, please, because honestly, I can't answer them.
I don't know yet. :P
This is going to be a completely new "world" in terms of my books - it's not connected to any projects I currently have going, so I'm literally starting from the ground up. This time, since I'm NOT on deadline for this, I'm going to really take the time to do it the way I know I need to. Unfortunately, I'm NOT a pantser - I need to have everything outlined ahead of time so I know where I'm going.
This particular project involves two worlds that are connected, but I'm actually doing three worlds - one world before a certain event happens, and then the same world as it is now. My prewriting starts with the worlds - I have ideas for a few of the characters, including the main MC, but I need to know more of the worlds they came from before I can really start working on plot.
As I get further along in this, I'll probably f-lock most of it - if you'd signed up for the Sleeping Beauty project, I'll post under that (if you're not on it, or not sure, post a comment and I'll add you to it), but this is a general post, so I'll leave it public for now.
When I start my worldbuilding at Ground Zero, I open a file and start asking myself questions. What do I know about the world/character/plot idea/symbol that inspired me? In this case, it was a chance remark by someone in FM Chat about mirrors. The remark itself didn't stick with me, but the mirror did, and I woke up a few days ago with the vaguest idea in mind about a world (or at least a house) where mirrors were forbidden, because there was a world beyond them that was deadly. I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Dracula on my commute to and from work, and the idea of a disease mingled with the mirror. (If you haven't read the original Dracula btw, I highly recommend the audio book. I had no idea it was all journals and letters! The version I have is 12 hours and read by two actors, male and female. Excellent, excellent and I'm bummed that I'll finish it tonight.)
So today at lunch, I opened a file on Puck and started to brainstorm. I've got three worlds now - the world before the disease, the world as of now with the disease and the world the refugees escaped to (yes, there are refugees). Now I need to start my worldbuilding by working on the following areas:
1. Culture(s)
2. Mythology/Religion
3. History
4. Race(s)
5. Cities
6. Technology/Economics
7. Magic
I also need to start looking into the mythology and superstitions of mirrors. Despite Vlad's encouragement, this will NOT be a vampire novel. I'm kind of burnt out on vampires right now. But there will be darkness, and magic. I'm just not sure what flavor yet. We'll see what the worldbuilding brings.
Since I'm going to be blogging the process, please feel free to ask me methodology questions in the comments. Don't ask plot questions yet, please, because honestly, I can't answer them.
I don't know yet. :P
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As for worldbuilding, the thing that usually trips me up is the religion of a people - so I've started concentrating on priests and religion etc. Fascinating stuff.
I've done extensive research on the immune system, and arizela is also a good resource, for when you zero in on your disease.
Suelder
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I'm not sure if it's actually a disease, or if it's a curse, yet. We'll see.
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Pantser? Is that a term to refer to those of us who might have a single idea and start writing without any outline or, necessarily, a plotted outcome? :-)
I think I may be your opposite in my approach. I might have a general notion for a world or a character or a ploy, but seldom have it all together when I begin my writing process. My stories usually evolve and take shape as I write them. I am often surprised by characters that might come up and directions things might go as I work the process.
We all have our own way, huh?
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And yes, "pantser" refers to a writer who literally writes "by the seat of their pants" - also sometimes referred to as an organic writer. I've tried writing novels like that - I end up with a mess that needs more editing than I usually have the stomach for.
One of the things I'm hoping to show is that just because I have an outline doesn't mean the story can't surprise me and the outline can't change as I'm writing the novel. I've heard a lot of writers say that they can't "stick" to an outline, as if it's carved in stone. It's not, at least for me - my outlines are the FIRST things I revise when I start my editing (and don't even get me started on my editing process), and they often change as I write the novel. The outline I had at the beginning of Dark Moon Seasons is NOT the outline I had at the end.
We all have our own way, huh?
Oh yes. And that's part of why it's so much fun to see how others do it. :)
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No, seriously, I would be very interested to hear how you go about it. I think crafting a world is something I can understand more than I can plotting a story. Can't wait to watch it grow.
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I'm really interested in seeing you worldbuild as that has been an area that has tripped me up in the past, through building too much. I'm looking forward to seeing your process and what I can learn from it.
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I hope it's interesting - it's still jelling in my head, so we'll see! ;)
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I don't know how much help it will be - I'm VERY anal-retentive when it comes to my prewriting, and you might be pulling your hair out if you try it my way. Just as fair warning. ;)
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