October Novel Prep Challenge

Hey Preppers,
Can you believe we are past the half-way point Preppers? I hope your story is beginning to take shape and you are getting excited about writing it.

Today’s focus: Oct. 17: - Setting: Cultural Setting ▼
Describe the cultural, political and/or religious setting in your novel, regardless of whether the cultural setting is fictional, historical, or modern.
(1) What do your societies believe?
(2) In what practices do they engage?
(3) What laws or rules of society are in place?
(4) Who/what enforces the laws and rules and how successful are they?
(5) What technologies are in use?
(6) How does the setting impact your protagonist(s) in their pre-story lives?
(7) How does the setting impact the plot of your story?

Even though my story is more contemporary in nature, it takes place in the mid-seventies in New York City. NYC was darker then. More economic issues and nasty gangs. Central Park was not protected by the Conservancy it has now - so it looked unkept and riddled with graffiti. It works well for my story which also has elements of magical realism and dark forces presiding within and around a powerful family patriarch.

Knowing the answers to these questions will help clear the way for your story. They may even provide fodder for your plot. Getting you thinking deeply about these kinds of issues. It helps to bring your story world to life.

Consider: Can’t use cell phones because they are not invented yet - how do your characters get in touch with each other? Regular phone or an intricate web of people who pass things along to the correct person. Bat Light, anyone?

This could get fun.

Much of this information may never make it into your story, but it is good to know it exists because it colours your story - flavours the mix. Some information can be sprinkled in to add authenticity to your piece, but most will be for your benefit. The more you do, the more your story will develop.

You may want to check out

FORUM

World Weavers' Workshop  (13+) 30 exercises to help you outline the setting for your novel #2274535 by Tileira

to get more ideas.

And how about a video: I really loved this one!


Happy Prepping.