 Fantasy: March 21, 2012 Issue [#4944] |
  Fantasy
This week: Weave a world outside the mundane Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."
Edgar Allan Poe
Greetings, I am honored to be your guest editor for this issue of the Writing.Com Fantasy Newsletter ^_^ I believe that all creative writing, be it poetry or prose, has an element of fantasy. We write what we know, perceive, and imagine. Imagine it, then make it real.
Is that not what the writer does? ~ Observe, perceive, or visualized an object, emotion, situation, and with pen/pencil, or keyboard, use words to develop a story or a poem that relates that observation, perception, or vision.
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Greetings, fellow weavers of otherworlds, be they perceived through the senses or the imagination
When we hear the term 'worldbuilding' we think of fantasy and science fiction, but doesn't all writing have a home base, a world?
Whatever your chosen genre of writing verse or prose, do you not seek to write and, when reading, to find yourself immersed in an imaginary (or real) realm. Characters (and readers) interact with and are challenged by all aspects-external and internal-of their world.
You want to give a strong sense of place in your story or poem and offer a landscape of to draw your reader into the world. Worldbuilding adds depth and meaning to writing, is a great way to brainstorm writing, and helps forge deeper bonds to the world on the page. And as you do, so to will your readers.
So how do you build your world? One way is to draw a map or write lists with aspects of the world and engage in creative writing exercises that help you submerge into the world. Maps are fun ~ whether drawn to scale or with artistic 'license.' The creative writing exercises are also fun - write your character's first day in school - magic school, trade school, bible school, elementary school, it's your world Or maybe each character's first look at their reflection in a mirror, a pond, a crystal ball, you see where I'm going.
Most of the details of your world and your characters will not go in your story or verse, maybe about a quarter of it will show up through dialogue or engagements. But you need to know the details and keep them consistent so that as your characters engage each other and the world, they will reveal bits of themselves and the world they inhabit (which you created for them). Share the details that help tell the story.
Build a world that intensifies meaning and conflict. Be sure every element in your world has consequence and meaning. If it doesn't, it doesn't belong. Build your world to reflect the theme of your story or poem. Or, when you finally figure out the theme (isn't it often near the end before the real story is revealed) enhance the world to reflect it in a stronger way.
Your world will develop as you write. Allow it to motivate, surprise and engage you along with your characters, and your readers will feel all these things too.
So, how can you make your world real and engaging?
 Set up your rules and their exceptions ahead of time. That way if you are consistent in your writing and reveal the rules as you go, you won't have to worry about upset or confused readers down the road. Consistency is extremely important. Once you establish elements in your world, stick to them.
Fantasy allows an infinite range of worlds, but the end result must be logical enough to make sense to readers. Worldbuilding can be as in-depth as you wish, in a flash piece perhaps surface details and a conflict will suffice. In a longer short story, novella or novel, and some epic verse, you can include with the physical topographs war, religion, arts, science, history and more.
And drawing a map, sketching mountains or flatlands or sand dunes or lava rivers can help keep the action real and believable.
Consider when weaving your world whether you will use an alternate Earth or another planet or asteroid or star perhaps? Interact with the physical and atmospheric features of the landscape. Are there two moons, do they affect tides, or the morphing of werewolves? Is it cold, do your beings weare clothes and, by the way, what happens to the werewolf's clothing when he/she morphs and then returns to human form clothed ~ I've wondered that over time...
Know the history of your world, class or caste system, politics, religion or belief system. What of magic and technology? If there be magic, are magicians elite, reviled, trained or born? Be consistent with the rules of magic in your world and the role of wizards in society. Recall the wisewomen of old on Earth who were cast into the role of evil sorceress as social structures changed through conquest and war.
The individuals (be they human, elf, plant-based, extra-terrestrial, winged, you name it) and their customs. What do they eat, how do they greet each other, their language, ethics, values, religion, belief systems. What if two characters stand side by side (if they fit) in front of a mirror and comment on (not criticize) each other's appearance - one can smile without lips and eyes on fingertips can see the scent of a soft pink rosebud. See, playing here with an exercise. Remember, once you've set the rules for play, remain consistent. Next time we look in this mirror, the same character will not now have eyes on earlobes.
Society and social interaction. What of crime, politics, war, weapons, trade, business, science, arts, architecture. What of their manners, education, fashion, entertainment, medicine, weaponry. How do they measure time, measure aging - how do you chart a lunar calendar when there are two moons.
Your world is ready for exploration. Engage it with your characters, and your readers will join you in the exploration, suspending disbelief for a time as they embark on a journey of discovery.
I wish you joy in your creative journey.
Write On
Kate
manga-kate
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Check out these stories and poems woven of imagination, crafted of nature's oft misunderstood expression. Engage these creative worlds with a review perchance  then perhaps write one of your own
| |  | A Seed (E)
A unique seed grows to reward its owner. Inspired from "The Writer's Cramp"
#1183929 by Kotaro  |
| | | The Weed (E)
In which I engage in righteous combat with a flowered menace. Cramp Entry 8/03/10
#1695922 by Raoc  |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1798805 by Not Available. |
| | | Seasonal Love (E)
The seasons personified part two! The season's relationships with each other.
#1778591 by Fifer |
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To Wake the Muse of Imagination and Fantasy
As we mortals dig out from beneath snowdrifts to greet Springtime's lengthening days, so too are the nascent buds of spring pushing through their carapace of earth and ice.
I challenge you to spend a few minutes observing the first green fronds reaching up toward the sky, warmed by the sun, and envision what they can become given only the boundaries of your imagination ~ Will your fronds take flight on spindly feet, soar to the sky with twirling buds, or lull to sleep a crying babe with the jasmine scented petals they produce.
Send me the link to your fantasy by email, or post it directly, in form of a poem or flash fiction (500 words or thereabouts for flash, and poems, any length) by April 1st, 2012, and I'll send you 412 gps (real, no 'fool'ing).
Have fun and
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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