Thursday, April 17, 2014

O: 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.
Omens can be useful when your world involves magic or superstition. Animals, celestial events or even the weather might foretell impending disasters or fortune. Will you invent omens or use something that occurs in reality such as eclipses or comets? In setting up the history of your story, you can lay the groundwork for the appearance of an omen.

Will sexual orientation be addressed in your book or will you ignore its existence? Will it be an issue or will all choices be accepted?

Ever see something in nature you took as a sign or omen? How long until the day when sexual orientation isn't thought about as an issue, it just is?

21 comments:

LittleCely said...

I think I would base omens on some that are already existing but then adapt them to the world I've created.

LittleCely's Blog

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I haven't used a straight out omen in any of my stories, but I have used superstitions and subtle symbolism.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

As for the latter, I had to stick with my own beliefs in my books.

stu said...

With omens, I always feel like they create an obligation for an author to fulfil them.

With sexual orientation in stories, I suspect that the attitudes there will continue to have more to do with the authors than any perception of a society. Although hopefully it will stop being the huge issue that it seems to be for so much of the world.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I have not used omens in my books so far.

Stephanie Faris said...

I write middle grade fiction, so I pretend 10-year-olds don't know their sexual orientation yet. We didn't when I was that age...sex is something I just didn't think about!

Nicki Elson said...

Omens are so cooool.

I stick with the ol' "write what you know" for orientation, at least with the leads.

Robin said...

I don't have any omens in my current novel. Makes me wonder if I should add something.

As for orientation... I tend to agree about writing what you know. You don't want to write people that come across as caricatures simply because YOU are unfamiliar with what is what.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I love the idea of omens, but haven't yet worked any in my stories...

Chrys Fey said...

I'm going to have to remember sexual orientation when I'm writing that future project I keep talking about. :)

cleemckenzie said...

I address sexual orientation in Princess of Las Pulgas and in another book that I'm still working on. In Princess, it's a non-issue. In this next one, I'm looking at it from an historical angle.

Laura Clipson said...

Ooh omens is a great one, I hadn't thought about adding them.

Pat Hatt said...

Omens are great to use and tweak to how one sees fit

Unknown said...

I was wondering what you were going to use for O...:)

Crystal Collier said...

I love omens--especially in how they can be used to foreshadow coming events. If used wisely, they're a powerful tool.

True Heroes from A to Z

Liz Blocker said...

Someday, Susan. I really, really hope someday. Thank you for adding that to your list of questions - I was so glad to see it :)

Cate Masters said...

Great ideas to consider, Susan. Loving this A-Z idea.

Ava Quinn said...

Omens are great to consider for fantasy, but can be used in other genres to good effect too. :)

Carrie-Anne said...

I think it's so refreshing how we're staring to see more children's books where the orientation of the parents isn't made a big deal of. It's just part of the story that the protagonist has two mothers or fathers, and isn't specially mentioned as something different.

LD Masterson said...

I haven't used omens but I have gone with feelings or premonitions.

As for sexual orientation... interesting, I never even thought about it.

Bevimus said...

I think omens can be seen just about everywhere- whether there's magic in one's world or not. I have a number of superstitious friends who believe in them.

Orientation is a biggee, but depending on the book may not factor into your story as much.