With the release of The Exile by C.T. Adams, a book I really enjoyed in fact (review here), we’re really happy to welcome the author on the blog. The Exile is the first book in her The Fae series.
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World building is both the easiest, and toughest part of setting up a novel or series. Easiest, because if you’re writing ‘real’ people they’re from somewhere, going somewhere, and reacting to something. They stand in a reality, and they see that reality, so all you have to do is express it. In Urban Fantasy it’s even easier, because at least part of the story takes place in our reality—and we’re here.
It’s hard because there’s just so MUCH of it. Where includes maps (and weather systems, water courses, city versus country), architecture, indoors, outdoors, and even underground. What are the religions? Does your character believe? If there are police, military types, what types of uniforms do they wear? What weapons do they train in? If there’s magic, what are the limits, how does it work? If there are different species of animals, what do they look like, what do they do? Are they the same as they are here, or different and how. If they are magical, what are their strengths, weaknesses. Do they look at humans as prey, equals? Can they communicate? How?
It can be overwhelming—particularly if you don’t write it down.
Yes, it takes time. And time is something precious and difficult to come by. BUT, if you don’t write it down by the time you get to Chapter 28 you will absolutely forget details about the river (and boats) you put in in Chapter 1.
But it’s absolutely worth doing well. Because done right it immerses the reader in the book, makes them see, hear, smell, taste and generally experience what your character is going through. And it makes them CARE and relate to your character. Emotional buy in by the reader is awesome, difficult to come by, and dreadfully easy to lose if you don’t do the groundwork.
So it is important, even vital, to take the time and build the world. And hey, it also gives you awesome map drawing skills, mad research skills, and weird esoteric things to talk about with readers and other writers.
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Website: http://ciesblog.blogspot.fr/
The Fae, Book 1
Synopsis: Brianna Hai runs an occult shop that sells useless trinkets to tourists—and real magic supplies to witches and warlocks. The magical painting that hangs in Brianna’s apartment is the last portal between the fae and human worlds.
A shocking magical assault on her home reveals to Brianna that her father, High King Liu of the Fae, is under attack. With the help of her gargoyle, Pug, her friend David, and Nick, a police detective who doesn’t believe in magic, Brianna recovers what was stolen from her and becomes an unwilling potential heir to the throne.
Thanks to the publisher, you can win a copy of The Exile by C.T. Adams. The giveaway is open to US & CAN only.
Mirlou
This book sound good.
Thank you for this new giveaway.
LilyElement
Hope I win!! I spotted this book a week or two back and got intrigued 😀
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Thanks for the fantastic guest post. World building is tough to do well, but when it’s good it really adds to the story. I’m a big fan of maps myself, especially in epic fantasy when the artist adds his or her own flair. Currently reading this book right now, so this is giving me some new insights into it!
bn100
nice interview
blodeuedd
The little writing I have done, well the fun part was thinking of all these things 🙂 Then I wrote a page and quit, lol
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
I actually read that review and remember you loving it. I also love the cover. What a fantastic guest post! World building is so important to me. I really consider it when I review a book 🙂
Ramona
Super interesting post! I can’t wait to read this one and see if I like it as much as you did 🙂
Kim @ BookSwoon
Thank you for the wonderful guest post on world building with C.T. Adams! World building plays such an important part in books of fantasy. The ability to write one well as the author puts it: “immerses the reader in the book, makes them see, hear, smell, taste and generally experience what your character is going through” can make all the difference in a book.
Looking forward to reading The Exhile!!
Faye le Potato
I absolutely agree with this post, 110%!!! I know building an immersive and enchanting world is hard and maybe even impossible if you first think about it, but it would be worth it because it is so vital, especially in fantasies and all its subgenres. Imagine writing about a world all on your own, and having readers effortlessly immerse themselves in it. If I were a fantasy writer, I would be so proud! 😀
Faye at The Social Potato
Braine
I agree 100% especially when it comes to fantasy novels. If the world building is weak, then you might as well shelf that book because nobody’s going to buy the story.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I would DEFINITELY lose track of the world I was trying to build if I didn’t write it down. My story would be chock-full of contradictions and that’s no good at all:) Love when a world is rich in detail, like C.T. said, it helps ensure I become invested in the story because everything just feels so real to me!
Lily
World-building is one of my favourite aspects of a book and I can only imagine how tough it must be to create such complex and intriguing worlds for a reader to enjoy. Great post!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
Such an awesome post and some interesting insight in how authors world build. Wooo!
erinf1
thanks for the fun post and giveaway! This looks awesome 🙂
kindlemom1
Loving the cover! I so need to try this author!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
OOo yes I have this on my tbr pile. Good world building is always exciting to find in a series 🙂
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
I write urban fantasy so this is very helpful. World building is hard but it’s also fun!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..this is on my wishlist, thanks to you and I lost my contact at Tor..they left. Boo.
Shelley @ Gizmos Reviews
Thanks for this giveaway and post!