©Stina Lindenblatt
One of my favourite sessions at the RWA Nationals in New York City last June was on world building by best-selling author Jessica Andersen. Although she writes paranormal novels, her five questions are applicable to other genres, including contemporary (hence the title of her session).
1. What are some major factors that underlie your world? These are big picture items.
2. What are some minor factors that will be focused on in the book? You don’t have to highlight everything. Just what’s relevant to character, plot, emotion, etc. If you’re planning a series, then save some minor elements for later. Too much and your reader might feel overwhelmed.
3. Any cool controversies in your world?
4. Where will your world deviate from reality? You also want to give readers something they are familiar with. It helps them relate to your story world.
5. Why are the events in your story believable? Why is it logical?
Her recommendation is that once you’ve created your world, think how it will impact each character individually.
Question: Do you take into consideration world building when planning your story? Or is this something you thought only fantasy writers had to worry about?