Welcome to another day in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Find the entire list here. My theme this year is world-building.
Mostly I’m asking questions that I believe need to be considered whether you
creating a medieval fantasy world, a science fiction story or even a
contemporary novel. The ideas I present aren’t in a particular order as I had
to fit them into the alphabetical order needed. And don’t forget to visit the
other blog I’m part of during the A to Z Challenge over at the IWSG. Now onto
your world.
Are there books in your world? Books like ours or are all writings on scrolls? Are books copied by hand? Are they precious and rare or perhaps considered magical? Can even poor people possess books? Is it the future and all writings are on a computer like device? Blacksmiths in medieval societies are important. They're needed to make weapons, plows, tools and often jewelry and tableware. They keep shoes on horses and make buckles for harnesses, shoes and clothing. Do they work with bronze, steel, silver, gold or some metal unique to your world? Don't forget the smiths.
Any books in your novel? (Ignore the pun) Any of your characters smiths of one sort or another? Any swords or weapons being made? Who does it?
Don't forget to share in your insecurities for this month. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for starting this monthly group. Check out the entire group of participants on the IWSG blog. My theme for A to Z, world building, is actually my insecurity for this month. There are so many wonderful books, websites and classes on world building, I feel exposed putting myself out there by sharing some of my thoughts on it. Who am I among these experts and famous published authors? But I went for it anyway because I like world building and felt comfortable talking about. What is your insecurity this month?
33 comments:
I write contemporary fiction so no smiths as yet, but all my characters have favorite books.
It is important to show how folks get their "learning" and news, regardless of genre. Books are powerful things in fantasy worlds though.
......dhole
Books have been used a bit in one of mine
Your thoughts on world building might trigger something for someone that all the craft books about it won't. You never know! :)
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
Oh phew, I think I've got these two covered :)
There are so many experts on publishing and promoting out there, which is why it took me forever to finally write a book based on my seminars. But we all have different things to share, and the more shared the better.
Love your take on letter B, Susan. Yes, books appear in my novels. My characters find themselves reading either to put a bad event our of their mind, or simply because. Just like their creator. :) Lovely post.
Silvia @
SilviaWrites
Who am I?!? Sounds like my post today. :) We're all in different places in our writing, and always have something to share.
So much goes into world building. I really don't know how you fantasy writers do it...
you bring to mind Game of Thrones (new season sunday with some real humdingers!! can't wait!)
blacksmiths are good fodder for romance novels too, like firemen but in the middle ages...
as for books, i talk about the fate of books in my futuristic novel and I have an important book in my next release - the magical Book of Ages...
fun b post!
happy b day!
and i'm glad you put your insecurity into the a to z challenge - writing it out helps work through it!
I am building my ancestors world as it was. Today I talked about books they might have read. And now I'm wondering when blacksmiths were totally out of business.
I collaborated on a steampunk and I think there were smiths involved, but then again, I was winging it so I'm not sure. Happy IWSG day, Susan!
I write fantasy paranormal and sci-fi, but I have thought about Steampunk, and if I ever write one I think Smith's might fit in very nicely.
Juneta at Writer's Gambit
A very interesting topic,while I ramble about my realities, I am glad that you are building a new world out here:)
I don't write, but I definitely like to read books that take place in way past where there is no modern technology to get things done. The stories told in these books would probably be oral traditions, and there are definitely blacksmiths making things.
You know more than I do - I'll take all the world building tips you have to offer.
There are books in my world! :D I don't mention blacksmiths, but if I ever write historical fiction, I definitely will. :D
I don't think I could ever create a world without books. That would be my idea of dystopian.
Books appear in both of my novels in progress. I can't imagine not having at least one reading character out of a group, but I guess it could happen. I'm just not familiar with that world--I don't write horror. :-)
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Way to put yourself out there, regardless. You really got my brain cranking yesterday, and smithery is definitely an important aspect to consider. Keep up the awesomeness, eh?
If you're an expert, it's hard to learn new things. Beginners, on the other hand, learn so much. For that reason, I stay in the beginner camp.
I'm enjoying your world building posts. (just like I did before :) )
I'm insecure that I will never finish a book. Seems like it's coming true.
Great post! :) I'm stopping in from both the A to Z Challenge and the IWSG. I hope you have a fabulous month!
Susan, I've learned more from you during last year's A to Z than any other blogger, and so far, this year I can say the same thing. You have a way of breaking things down in a way that even I can understand it.
The House on the Corner has dwarven blacksmiths in a(n almost) modern world.
I haven't written fiction in forever but Tim builds worlds and all kinds of stuff with the writing he does for game.
I do love seeing medieval books or scrolls when I'm reading fantasy. Or mention of modern books in contemporary fiction. :)
I did my B on Books as well. There's nothing better than them. TV and movies can't compare to the magic books have, in my opinion.
~ Kim
The world building aspect of fantasy and sci fi seems so complicated. Thanks for breaking it down so people like me can see how it's done.
One of my favorite blacksmiths from any story came from Harry R. Campions' short story "The Heartsmith's Daughters." It appeared in the July/Aug 2013 issue of the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
My world has tomes and scrolls. They're available to anyone who took the time to learn how to read. Reading isn't discouraged in my world, it is encouraged, but most of the commoners find they just don't have the time, so why bother?
As for your insecurity, I'm right there with you! I'm no expert, but I love world building and character development. I go about it much the same way as others do, but I also feel I explain things much differently. I think it helps to have as many people as possible offering up their advice and experience. So keep it up!
I love books, so I enjoy when books are a big part of a story... such as a magical or important book. Thanks!
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