World-Building: WHEN? WHERE?
So, we've already covered the "Who" and the "Why" of world-building. Yesterday. Today, I wanted to say a few things about the "When" and the "Where" of world-building. (Oh, and don't forget the contest, with the trumpets and all that.)
There are a lot of theories out there about "when" to world-build. Plenty of people say that if you don't do your major structuring before you start your novel, you will have inconsistencies that you'll need to edit out later. I would love to argue with that, but I should warn you that it's very possible. It really depends on what kind of planner you are (I'll address that more tomorrow). But what I do want to address is the pitfalls of not world-building early enough.
Let's say you write a book about a self-reliant heroine. She's an only child. Her parents divorced when she was in Middle School. She also happens to have a supernatural power that no one else has, which makes her more self-reliant than your average alpha heroine. You're about 2/3 of the way through the manuscript when you realize that your self-reliant alpha heroine needs a little sister.
So you go back through 2/3 of a 100,000 word manuscript trying to catch all the references to being an only child. Add in a little backstory once in awhile about their trips to the beach or something they did with their father, or when the little sister was born. Done, and done, right?
Except that in this world you've built, your heroine's character is based on her being an alpha heroine. The lone wolf. The one girl in all the world with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, or whatever. Someone who grows up with a little sister doesn't grow up as a natural loner. Something else needs to happen to make her that way--especially given that she doesn't want to be that way, she wants to be part of a community. So then someone reads your completed book, sees the flaw in your character development (which is part of world-building), and falls into the proverbial ocean (see last post). That's just one example of why I do think it's important to do as much of your world-building as possible before you start writing.
Granted, not everyone likes to do work ahead of time. Some people want to get straight into the story or the characters. Not everyone is into research. I get that. So I'll say this. Do as much as you can as early as you can.
Now, let's talk about "where" to world-build.
I do a lot of my world-building in Excel. Character traits, world rules. Since buying Snowflake Pro, I do some my non-fantasy world-building in Snowflake-Pro. Very handy. I know some writers like to use different pages of MS word. They actually write their back story, like a novel. Perhaps a word document for religions and another for characters. If you're more of a narrative thinker, that works. I like Excel because I can move cells around, add and delete cells. I have an organization pattern I like to use (one for historical fiction, one for contemporary, and one for fantasy), and I'll talk about that on Saturday. Right now, I want to help you find some resources.
One of the generally accepted precepts of world-building for non-reality works is that your world should be consistent. So if, for instance, you're going to write a make-believe world that's loosely based on medieval Europe, you should learn something about medieval Europe, because the conventions will be recognizable. And if you have major flaws, remember that ocean where your readers end up? Yeah, you remember. If you're going to base your futuristic fantasy on fifteenth century Japanese feudalism, better do your homework. Of course, if you're researching real history, well... you know what to do.
Here are a few resources I've gathered to help you get started on your world-building. This is just a jumping-off point. Remember to always check the bibliography of whatever book you pick up for more ideas. And I highly suggest starting to build your research library. Lots of times, Borders and Barnes & Noble will have clearance books that make good resources. I've found several of my food history books on the clearance racks, for instance. Keep your eye out. Anyway, here are some ideas.
Paranormal Resources
Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth
The Dictionary of Imaginary Places
Encyclopedia Mythologica
Encyclopedia of Spirits
The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients
The Complete Book of Incense, Oils, and Brews
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic
Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic
A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, & Other Subversive Spirits
Medieval-Based Resources
The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference
Life in a Medieval Village
Life in a Medieval City
Life in a Medieval Castle
Marriage & Family in the Middle Ages
Space-Based Resources
Space Travel
The Science of Aliens
World Building
Creating Maps
You Are Here: Personal Geographies and other Maps of the Imagination
Time-Travel Resources
Time Travel
Time Machines: Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Science Fiction
How to Build a Time Machine
Check out these resources if you're interested. And do let me know if you have others that you've found to be particularly helpful.
So here are the questions: Do you world-build already? If so, what is your method? Do you have any favorite resources for research?
2 comments:
So is pure mental research enough from books, or do you feel a need to have been there, and have seen things first hand?
There are differing camps on that. I know a lot of authors who say you can't really write a place unless you've been there. But I've had several people read my Scottish historical novel and tell me that it seems like I've been there, from my descriptions. Not been there yet.
I think if you haven't been there, you need to do as much research as possible. I spent a lot of time talking to people who had been there, and picking up details from films that were filmed there (not set there... filmed there... because of course not everything set in Scotland is filmed in Scotland).
I did a ton of topographical research, too. I found the exact place that I wanted to set my novel, and studied the topography, the geography, the dates when things around it were built.
Don't get me wrong, I want to go there someday. And I hope to write more Scottish stories. But I do think it's possible to write well and not have been where you're writing about.
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