Thursday, April 10, 2014

I: A to Z Blogging Challenge


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.
Is there industry in your world? In a medieval world it could be simple manufacturing like weaving, woodcutting, or something more organized like furniture making. Will there be guilds involving training and apprenticeships? Will the workers be paid fairly or is it what we might call a sweatshop? Is there an art to it like pottery making or baking? If you're writing a futuristic world, what kind of technology will be used in industry? If your world is contemporary how can you make the industry unique and interesting?

Earlier I mentioned architecture but what about the interior design of buildings? What is used as flooring and ceiling material. Wood? Stone? How is the home heated? Fireplaces? Magic? Are there lanterns or candles fixed to the walls? Are the rafters open? Ladders or stairs to upper floors? Windows or oil cloth? Rag rugs or woven wool? Feather mattresses or hard benches?

What industry do you think makes an interesting setting or occupation in a story? Can you imagine heating your home with a fireplace in a winter like we just had? Ever make a rag rug or read by candle light?

19 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

As an artist, interior design is the bane of my existence, haha. I always need to have some kind of grasp of that for the comics I write, but...it's just not fun to draw...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My spaceships are all made of straw.
Just kidding!

Rachna Chhabria said...

After our house underwent renovations in the last few weeks I have developed a new love for interior decoration, I am paying attention to how people do up their interiors.

cleemckenzie said...

I love to add industry. Bought Germs, Guns and Steel to read up on some of these thing and how they're connected in the real world. I think that's a great book to help people with their world building.

Pat Hatt said...

Never used industry much, but design does come in some points at my bin

Chrys Fey said...

Yay! I even addressed interior design for my future project. But not industry . . . hmm . . . I may have to think about that one. :)

Robin said...

Industry. What a character does for work speaks volumes about them. Of course, we have all been stuck in careers that were not a good fit (well, maybe not all...) but that says something, too.

Laura Clipson said...

Interior design, that's one that I need to work on.

David P. King said...

Industry fuels the economy, and then people need to have someone suitable to live in after a hard day's work. :)

Ava Quinn said...

Another great set of questions. Wish I had time to write right now and use them!

Unknown said...

After reading your posts, I definitely think I need to be more descriptive. :)

mshatch said...

You're touching on all the things I think of when writing. Especially the cold - which is why I thank God for central heating and hot water every winter but especially this last one!

Christine Rains said...

I couldn't imagine living as most folks did even 100 years ago. We're spoiled by technology.

Patrick Stahl said...

And don't forget about the impact of magic and/or advanced technology on industry. I have a post about Magic's Impact on the Economy.

Liz Blocker said...

Have I mentioned that I'm compiling a list of these for myself???

Liz Blocker said...

OOPS I hit publish too soon. I meant to also say, these are great questions!

Patricia Stoltey said...

It seems you would need to think about and establish all these facts about your world even if you couldn't use all the detail in the novel.

LD Masterson said...

I'm writing in present time and place so industry is pretty set but playing with interior design is always fun.

I haven't heard anyone mention a rag rug in ages. I have one my grandmother made and consider it a treasure.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I used "industry" for my I word as well, because I see it as such a clear definition of the Mayan people in the area. I really like your world-building posts because even though I'm not a fantasy fan it makes me think about how certain things are related to certain cultures.