Saturday, April 5, 2014

E: 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.
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?

34 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

I love how your theme is world-building! Education and entertainment are both definitely important things to keep in mind...

Rhonda Albom said...

Really good thought provoking questions, especially about education and rank in society.
Visiting from AtoZ

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Funny when you think about education and entertainment and how these two things can define a culture.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. preparation is the key and once the world is set - it must make it easier to work the story around ..

Cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've touched upon both, although not as much as I should. I did show an educational system in my last book.

Robin said...

One 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.

Yeah, this is what I thought of when you brought up entertainment...

SittieCates said...

I think education would do nicely for the plot.

Invent a game? When I was younger, yes. We would create our own games before.

Luanne G. Smith said...

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. :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Important things to consider, Susan. I find that I have to pay special attention to these things, otherwise I tend to brush over them.

Liz Blocker said...

Entertainment 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.

Pat Hatt said...

Entertainment I've done a time or two, have to make it a bit different with time travel and such

Cathrina Constantine said...

Our 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...

Silvia Writes said...

I 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.
Silvia @
SilviaWrites

David P. King said...

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! :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

I hope I have touched upon both education and entertainment in my book.

Chrys Fey said...

For 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

Ava Quinn said...

Education was a huge part of the Harry Potter world. Education and lack thereof are definitely important character aspects too. Another great post, Sue!!

Anonymous said...

Stopping 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.

cleemckenzie said...

I'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.

Crystal Collier said...

Awesome. Education or the lack thereof can define the world. And entertainment often times is synonymous with knowledge being passed onto the next generation.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

I'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!
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Andrew Leon said...

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.

Mary Aalgaard said...

All great questions when building character and setting.
Play off the Page

Doreen McGettigan said...

I love your theme. I write non fiction so I find world building fascinating. I look forward to trying it one day.
doreenmcgettigan.com

Patricia Stoltey said...

I have never invented a game. Goodness knows I have enough trouble learning the rules for games other folks invent. :D

Laura Clipson said...

I 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.

Anonymous said...

education 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. :)

Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z Challenge
Caring for My Veteran

Unknown said...

In the world of my novel there's a lot of disparity between the education of the rich and the poor.

Damyanti, cohost AZ 2014.

Unknown said...

In the world of my novel there's a lot of disparity between the education of the rich and the poor.

Damyanti, cohost AZ 2014.

gettintrippy.com said...

I'm loving the questions, and the lines of thinking they provoke. Thanks, Susan!

The Happy Whisk said...

I 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.

Arlee Bird said...

I'm all for adding entertainment to stories. It can add an element of fun and the entertainers can play important plot roles.

Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog

Michelle Wallace said...

Now you've really got my creative juices flowing...

Kristen said...

The 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. :)

Random Musings from the KristenHead — E is for 'Elementary' (and Elephants)