tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post5223012287619795143..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Adding More World To Your NovelElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-60305532103217242402011-08-11T21:35:38.905-06:002011-08-11T21:35:38.905-06:00So you'll hate this about me--I love world bui...So you'll hate this about me--I love world building. But then again, I'm an adult fantasy writer and it's all about the world building baby. Okay, I don't go all crazy about it. No one wants PAGES of "the trees looked like..." but I love being immersed. I.E. In George R.R. Martin's latest book (A Dance With Dragons), he has a scene where some characters are floating down a river on a little boat and all around them are these ruins of societies that no one remembers. Statues are sticking out of the water and steps are spiraling under the surface and there's this nugget of history about it being a place for lovers that met its doom. And that just sucked me right in. How cool would it be to see something like that?<br />*This Geek-Out brought to you by a complete fantasy-nerd*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-54418159539881553452011-08-11T21:27:12.655-06:002011-08-11T21:27:12.655-06:00I thought your world building in POSSESSION was wa...I thought your world building in POSSESSION was way high in the cool zone. I run a movie in my head as I read and you gave me quite a palette to paint with. I love world building which probably comes from being a scenic designer.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18702675096145026332011-08-11T18:26:04.530-06:002011-08-11T18:26:04.530-06:00I have the same problem - even when an author does...I have the same problem - even when an author does spend time on description, when I'm reading I tend to skip all that stuff and get on to the action! So it tends not to go into my stories. Thanks so much for the tips - they'll be really helpful for me!JainaKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08275696613695235738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-88960822156983523702011-08-11T00:31:30.380-06:002011-08-11T00:31:30.380-06:00I love when I'm reading along and catch detail...I love when I'm reading along and catch details of a story's world - they're delicious to me! I feel so much more a part of the story, the characters lives, etc. <br /><br />I love learning about new things - it's the same in a novel - I love discovering some new thing about the story world. <br /> <br />And you're right - a little can go a long way. Your one sentence solution sounds awesome. A lot depends on the story and the voice of the author on how much story building goes into the book. Savory, well-placed details infuse life into the story.<br /><br />Thanks, Elana!Brenda Sillshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03702163304597782659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-60075238431249584022011-08-10T22:35:27.487-06:002011-08-10T22:35:27.487-06:00I use the "video-camera" technique: I vi...I use the "video-camera" technique: I visualize what everything looks like through my MC's eyes, what she is seeing, what she notices, and I put it on the page as we get to it.<br /><br />My big problem is having enough worked out ahead of time - I made the mistake with my first novel of not doing enough world-building before I sat down to draft the thing, and then it was a MONUMENTAL task to go back and put it all in. It's soul-sucking and overwhelming, and I'm still not done. So for my next book, I'm working on outlining the world and figuring out as much as I can now, before I sit down to write any of it.Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-44471548478736969282011-08-10T20:35:26.745-06:002011-08-10T20:35:26.745-06:00God bless you! This is so pertinent for me. I'...God bless you! This is so pertinent for me. I'm similar to you in that I like to focus in the interpersonal interaction of the characters. I have to remind myself to put in description and setting. <br /><br />My friend has told me more than once, "I'd like to know what the kitchen and town looks like"...lol...nice to know even an expert such as yourself struggles with this. I'm bookmarking your tips and trying some of them out--especially the part about writing in hardcopy. Thanks, Elana!June Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570382577796763370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-58421426506802845792011-08-10T20:28:19.114-06:002011-08-10T20:28:19.114-06:00I try and do it all, but I love your tips!I try and do it all, but I love your tips!Jeff Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00667419764890599092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-44206561497792752152011-08-10T19:13:39.401-06:002011-08-10T19:13:39.401-06:00I'm also more about emotion and dialogue, that...I'm also more about emotion and dialogue, that I often skimp on setting and description. A little can go a long way, but your characters are just in a white walled room without it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687047513163296827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-10179773050935366492011-08-10T16:09:53.474-06:002011-08-10T16:09:53.474-06:00I can so relate to what you're saying. I don&#...I can so relate to what you're saying. I don't like setting much either and it's one of my weaknesses. Thanks for the tips.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-433711278110157102011-08-10T15:38:21.361-06:002011-08-10T15:38:21.361-06:00Setting is actually one of the easiest things for ...Setting is actually one of the easiest things for me to incorporate. <br /><br />I try to focus on how the characters can interact with the setting to bring the setting to life.Tere Kirklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562750950130316280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-12134756381261922952011-08-10T15:21:53.271-06:002011-08-10T15:21:53.271-06:00Great tips, Elana. One of the biggest compliments ...Great tips, Elana. One of the biggest compliments I received from agents was on world-building. I wish they could have pointed out those spots LOL. But I think as long as you have the character interact with the setting in a way that doesn't feel like telling, for intstance how does he/she react to her surroundings. It could help.Mart Ramirezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492840883926331053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-13997425609205641062011-08-10T15:01:31.783-06:002011-08-10T15:01:31.783-06:00I'm not a big fan or reading or writing huge b...I'm not a big fan or reading or writing huge bits of description - so world building can be rough in my drafts too. I like your tips - thanks!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-72402991480965803672011-08-10T14:05:03.449-06:002011-08-10T14:05:03.449-06:00This is great. I often need to go back and word bu...This is great. I often need to go back and word build too. Not fun, but sometimes necessary.<br /><br />Also - I've got a mention your post yesterday on my blog! Well, it will be on there tomorrow. :) Come by and check it out.Abby Fowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567978659174723198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-5610767468578025102011-08-10T13:59:46.833-06:002011-08-10T13:59:46.833-06:00Owner-write? Stupid spell check word replacer. I d...Owner-write? Stupid spell check word replacer. I don't even know what that means. OVER WRITE.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-7984901045435099332011-08-10T13:41:30.199-06:002011-08-10T13:41:30.199-06:00I count on my CPs to tell me if I need less or mor...I count on my CPs to tell me if I need less or more details. I tend to owner-write and then my trusted peeps tell me "less is more." And they are usually right. <br /><br />Editor letter. Eek. Mine is coming soon. Awesome but scary indeed.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-46123491233842780312011-08-10T11:15:29.795-06:002011-08-10T11:15:29.795-06:00The first novel I wrote involved a lot of world bu...The first novel I wrote involved a lot of world building. It took place in 800 AD England as well as Hell, Limbo, present-day Earth, Paradise and Heaven. Because these are locations that are so different from our world, it required some sort of desciption for each new scene. Beyond that, I introduced background and setting information about my worlds when they were required by the events of the scene.Randyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16621043763559564251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-17404211310536989372011-08-10T11:00:45.740-06:002011-08-10T11:00:45.740-06:00I tend to worldbuild, I have to be careful to find...I tend to worldbuild, I have to be careful to find balance:)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-26591904100495978842011-08-10T10:54:19.168-06:002011-08-10T10:54:19.168-06:00Setting and certain aspects of world-building are ...Setting and certain aspects of world-building are important to me when I'm reading. Other than "seeing" the scene, I like having some kind of footing on the society/time period/what-have-you. Like what's "normal" and what isn't?<br /><br />In my own writing, I'm still trying to figure out that balance between establishing setting and not slowing down the action. I think setting is winning out, so I need to cut back on it.Krispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492607213249874138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-28740353293664486522011-08-10T10:53:12.440-06:002011-08-10T10:53:12.440-06:00I love setting but, unless you're writing lite...I love setting but, unless you're writing literary fiction and you happen to be a genius, I think a few tight, evocative sentences concerning the setting will suffice. <br /><br />In a sidenote, I really hate it when a writer describes what the main character is wearing. I really don't care what ensemble they happened to pick that morning. I have no fashion sense in real life so that may be a reason. :)Cynthia Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595677706434920552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18450209721308878062011-08-10T10:45:41.963-06:002011-08-10T10:45:41.963-06:00I used to go way overboard with my setting descrip...I used to go way overboard with my setting descriptions. I seriously had a passage 4 PAGES LONG describing in minute detail what the inside of my character's house looked like.<br /><br />I've learned to tone it down LOL<br /><br />I also edit on paper. I'll do a few rounds on the computer first and then my last pass through is on paper. However, I always go through and make note cards with each scene detailing the characters involved, the setting, the POV, and what's going on. And then those go on my cork board. <br /><br />That way I can see my whole story all mapped out and I can see where things need to be moved, changed, added, subtracted, etc.<br /><br />Then after I fix what I think needs fixing, I print it all out and grab a handful of red pens and post it notes :) When I find areas that need something, I stick a post it note on the corresponding note card. And mark the crap out of the ms, of course :)Michelle McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730366330276974943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-66890236122467315172011-08-10T10:31:15.611-06:002011-08-10T10:31:15.611-06:00I love world building but have had to learn to inc...I love world building but have had to learn to incorporate this information in different, balanced ways. With some high fantasy writers, this comes in the form of some lengthy exposition. But as I've gravitated to different genres, I've learned that setting and world building can be woven into a scene through sensory reactions and dialogue.Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-92043448248129361732011-08-10T09:45:56.417-06:002011-08-10T09:45:56.417-06:00I think I'm a lot like you on this area of wri...I think I'm a lot like you on this area of writing. I've been told a time or two (or three) that I need more detail of my surroundings. Thanks for this. It will be something I use when I start editing again!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474403801913102357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-25591919465757963572011-08-10T09:40:58.887-06:002011-08-10T09:40:58.887-06:00I definitely come at this a bit more naturally. So...I definitely come at this a bit more naturally. Sometimes I spend too much time on the setting, though, and not enough on the action. I'm working on that. I've found that when you build the setting into the action, it works much better, like in my current WIP: "I drummed my fingers against the stone bridge." You know he's impatient and you know he's outside on a bridge. (I wouldn't have used my own writing, but it's the first example I thought of)<br /><br />Good luck, Elana!Hermana Tiffany Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08512773328198541058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-7057495700038320652011-08-10T09:06:16.223-06:002011-08-10T09:06:16.223-06:00I think I tend to gloss over this in the writing p...I think I tend to gloss over this in the writing process (or end up repeating myself by mentioning the sky in every chapter), so for me the setting details are something I weave in more in the editing stage.<br /><br />I hope the edits are going well!Stacy Henriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383087338174942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-12300281746773918702011-08-10T08:13:33.899-06:002011-08-10T08:13:33.899-06:00I have no idea if I do this well or not. It's...I have no idea if I do this well or not. It's not something anyone's ever commented on when they've read anything that I write. Although I have gotten comments on Book Country on one project that they want more setting in the first chapter. More scene, I guess, and not so much the world-building since it's a contemporary. I guess the most important thing with incorporating setting is to make sure that whatever's there is a necessary growth of the action.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.com