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World-building: From Imagination to Reality – Guest Post by, Diana Peach…

For those fans and writers of speculative fiction – here’s another dive into worldbuilding! I had the great pleasure of guest posting on The Story Reading Ape’s blog earlier this month. If you missed the post and are all broken up about it (ha ha) here’s Part II. 😀

(Some of you are so lovely to leave comments at both sites. Please, no need, unless not doing so gives you hives; your time is way too precious. I do check both and reply at both. Hugs.)

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

World-building is an important part of any writer’s preparation, and the speculative genres offer some wildly fun opportunities. There are no boundaries. The imagination is unleashed. The setting of the story can be as “fantastic” as the writer desires.

But fantastic also has to be relatable and plausible.

Relatability is a must when it comes to the main character(s). If a reader can’t relate on some emotional level to the protagonist, a book is going to struggle. Why do I mention this with world-building? Because in speculative fiction some or all of the characters may not be human.

There are no limits to alien design from physical features to intelligence to social and cultural norms, and writers can stretch those limits to create some unusual encounters and conflicts. Aliens that completely baffle us are fine, but rarely are they protagonist(s). The main character(s) needs to possess some “human” emotional content…

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33 thoughts on “World-building: From Imagination to Reality – Guest Post by, Diana Peach…”

  1. Julie Holmes, author says:
    October 24, 2017 at 8:24 am

    Late to the party again, but I’m heading over 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Teagan R. Geneviene says:
    October 23, 2017 at 7:03 am

    Thanks for sharing your expertise, Diana. Hugs on the wing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Richard Ankers says:
    October 22, 2017 at 11:43 am

    Always but always so interesting to read your thoughts 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Kev says:
    October 22, 2017 at 8:15 am

    World building. Now that’s a gem!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Annika Perry says:
    October 21, 2017 at 7:39 am

    Diana, an excellent article! I’m more in awe than ever of fantasy writers- not only having to write a compelling book but also build a new world/characters etc, mostly through layers whilst ensuring they are easy to relate to.Great advice here!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      October 21, 2017 at 8:03 am

      Thanks for the visit, Annika. Some of this, of course, applies to all books. At the same time, all genres have their special requirements. I think that’s really fun, and though I can do this, there are other genres that I can’t imagine knowing how to write. To me that’s exciting and makes this community so exciting. Happy Writing, my friend. Speaking of exciting… I can’t wait for your book!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Annika Perry says:
        October 21, 2017 at 8:10 am

        I appreciate a lot of your advice can relate to many forms of books; I particularly become frustrated by books that write in the backstory in large chunks in the middle of the action, stalling everything! Filling it naturally now and then instead is key through the plot and characters.

        Diana, your wonderfully kind gentle nudging has kicked me into action…hopefully my short story collection will be out before Christmas…more on my progress in my post tomorrow. Many many thanks for all your encouragement – it means the world to me! 😀❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  6. thesciencegeek says:
    October 21, 2017 at 4:44 am

    Great well thought out post. Has given me a lot of ideas 🙂

    The Science Geek
    http://www.thesciencegeek.org

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      October 21, 2017 at 7:56 am

      Oh good! It’s amazing how complex this can become if you really start digging. I love reading books with “deep” worlds that seem completely real despite how futuristic or alien they are. Thanks for stopping by!

      Like

  7. inesephoto says:
    October 21, 2017 at 3:40 am

    Thank you Diana. As a reader, I enjoyed your post 🙂 You know all about the world-building.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. bpsenapati says:
    October 20, 2017 at 10:55 am

    Beautiful and useful
    post for every Writer! Thanks for sharing it.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Natalie Ducey says:
    October 19, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    Fascinating, Diana! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Russell J. Fellows says:
    October 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    Timely points to remember. I’m in the midst of world-building right now, gearing up for NaNo. It’s easy to get lost in the details. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      October 19, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      I love world-building, but you’re right about getting lost in it. Choices have all these ripples effects! Have fun with NaNo, Russell. I’m doing it unofficially so I don’t stress myself out. Happy Writing!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Iris@poetsmith says:
    October 19, 2017 at 11:17 am

    Beautiful and helpful post, Diana. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Sarah Brentyn says:
    October 19, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Ack! I did miss this. (And I’ve been waiting for it.) Thanks for sharing. *bookmarks*
    *shuts laptop*
    *whispers* “I was never here…”
    *continues break*

    Liked by 2 people

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