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.
What is education like in your world? Does everyone receive equal education? Are the peasants literate? Are there traditional schools? Does having an education give a person status? Are certain races or genders denied educational opportunities? What subjects are part of the educational experience? How is education paid for?Do you characters attend a banquet or stop over in an inn? What is the entertainment like for the times? Musicians? Street players? Singers? Acrobats? Singing around a campfire? Does entertainment involve war games like jousting tournaments? Horse races? What kind of wild games could you create in a futuristic setting? Are entertainers respected and well paid or is their profession less than honorable? How about small games of chance, poker, throwing dice or something else you invent?
Do you think education can play a key plot role? What kind of entertainment can be found in your novel? Ever invent a game by yourself?
I love how your theme is world-building! Education and entertainment are both definitely important things to keep in mind...
ReplyDeleteReally good thought provoking questions, especially about education and rank in society.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from AtoZ
Funny when you think about education and entertainment and how these two things can define a culture.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan .. preparation is the key and once the world is set - it must make it easier to work the story around ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
I've touched upon both, although not as much as I should. I did show an educational system in my last book.
ReplyDeleteOne of my beta readers posed the question after reading my novel... what does your MC like to do in her free time. Of course, in my novel she had no free time. But, that wasn't the point. I needed to know her better so that I could answer that question. What does she like to do??? There are some questions that don't need to be answered in the novel, but the writer needs to know them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is what I thought of when you brought up entertainment...
I think education would do nicely for the plot.
ReplyDeleteInvent a game? When I was younger, yes. We would create our own games before.
Both elements are so important in the futuristic world I write about. The people in charge in my stories deliberately try to keep people illiterate, so storytellers (bards) become a significant source of news and propaganda. Yeah, fun stuff to play with. :)
ReplyDeleteImportant things to consider, Susan. I find that I have to pay special attention to these things, otherwise I tend to brush over them.
ReplyDeleteEntertainment is a good one, and one I hadn't considered! I can see how it would add some real richness to the world - and maybe even provide some settings for important scenes.
ReplyDeleteEntertainment I've done a time or two, have to make it a bit different with time travel and such
ReplyDeleteOur society is full of entertaining ideas. We definitely like to be entertained in more ways than one. Imagine 100 years ago when entertainment was far bouts between hard work, usually singing, dancing, music, and reading? Coming from this time period we'd be bored at of our minds...
ReplyDeleteI once had a Bob Dylan song in one of my stories for political effect. While I don't have education plot lines or direct descriptions, one character discusses having gone to law school. Great post, Susan. Enjoyed reading and sharing.
ReplyDeleteSilvia @
SilviaWrites
In what I've written, folks with money tend to have a better education. Those who didn't get as good an education ended up being the best entertainment. It works out! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope I have touched upon both education and entertainment in my book.
ReplyDeleteFor the project I hope to work on more in the future, which is set in a different world, I created all new subjects for the kids to learn in school. It was fun. I wish I had the subjects I invented for my fictional school when I was a student! haha
ReplyDeleteEducation was a huge part of the Harry Potter world. Education and lack thereof are definitely important character aspects too. Another great post, Sue!!
ReplyDeleteStopping by on the 5th day of the #atozchallenge while looking for fellow writers. Congratulations on your blog. I know you are going to make new blogging friends this month. I'm writing about gardening and related topics and having a wonderful time. If you have time or interest, come and visit.
ReplyDeleteI'd say yes to both of these playing an important part in my novels. I love historic fiction, so I enjoy reading about the schools of the past and the entertainment that authors put into their stories.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Education or the lack thereof can define the world. And entertainment often times is synonymous with knowledge being passed onto the next generation.
ReplyDeleteI'm not writing anything right now, but just reading your answers gets me thinking about fun it would be create another new world. It has been a very long time for me. Thanks for the zizzle!
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
There are school scenes in both House (actually, in the mini-sequel Christmas) and Shadow Spinner, but I haven't needed to work that out for a fictional world, yet.
ReplyDeleteAll great questions when building character and setting.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
I love your theme. I write non fiction so I find world building fascinating. I look forward to trying it one day.
ReplyDeletedoreenmcgettigan.com
I have never invented a game. Goodness knows I have enough trouble learning the rules for games other folks invent. :D
ReplyDeleteI think education is definitely important to think about when writing a novel, even if you don't necessarily mention it. Education, or lack of, is incredibly important in character development.
ReplyDeleteeducation is key in one of my stories. But the problem is in "interpretation" and how it gets skewed. It's all a matter of who is teaching and how they teach. Truth is not a given in education. :)
ReplyDeleteJamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z Challenge
Caring for My Veteran
In the world of my novel there's a lot of disparity between the education of the rich and the poor.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, cohost AZ 2014.
In the world of my novel there's a lot of disparity between the education of the rich and the poor.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, cohost AZ 2014.
I'm loving the questions, and the lines of thinking they provoke. Thanks, Susan!
ReplyDeleteI can't say because this doesn't apply to my kind of writing, but wanted to say hello and cheer you on during the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for adding entertainment to stories. It can add an element of fun and the entertainers can play important plot roles.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Now you've really got my creative juices flowing...
ReplyDeleteThe way you explain this really pumps up my creativity. I had about five different ideas while reading this. I'm going to have to bookmark your A to Z so I can return whenever I need help with an idea. :)
ReplyDeleteRandom Musings from the KristenHead — E is for 'Elementary' (and Elephants)