Limyaael

08:43 pm: Class/caste systems
So the little poll said, so shall it be.

( About both kinds )

Tags: fantasy rants spring 2007, pay attention to: class, rants on power dynamics, worldbuilding: history

02:06 pm: Avoiding gimmick-worlds
This is one of those things that fermented in the back of my head for a while, and now demands a rant.

( One culture, one language, one system of magic- one boring world )

Don’t know what I’ll do next, as that one came out of nowhere.

Tags: fantasy rants winter 2007, worldbuilding: culture, worldbuilding: history

07:08 pm: Including worldbuilding/background
This is a random topic I felt like doing. Because.

( How much stays in your notes, how much goes into the story )

I will put up a poll in a while, because I seem frustratingly unable to think of topics for essays lately.

Tags: fantasy rants 2006, worldbuilding: culture, worldbuilding: history

07:38 pm: Creating a history of ideas for your world (part 2)
Yes, this is the second edition of the It Came From the Obvious Lagoon.

( I love it when I can talk common sense and sound smart )

I think there will be another part of this, because I had a few more ideas, but I forgot them.

Tags: fantasy rants 2006, worldbuilding: culture, worldbuilding: history

10:02 pm: Creating a historical background of ideas for your world (part one)
This is one of the things I have the most trouble with in my own fantasy worlds, as I don’t want them connected to Earth most of the time but I do want to be able to understand how, say, a gender-equal society would have developed if feminism in my world didn’t happen like it did on Earth.

( Call me anal-retentive )

Next part will be on creating a tissue of ideas to interact and fuel societal attitudes—something I really enjoy both writing and reading about, though to get there takes both time and patience.

Tags: fantasy rants 2006, worldbuilding: culture, worldbuilding: history

12:10 pm: World-building through writing
Okay, this one’s up.

( Distrust character profiles and world-building notes? Well, the story can do the work for you. )

Rather personal. But that’s all right.

Tags: fantasy rants winter 2005, worldbuilding: culture, worldbuilding: history

12:10 am: The linguistic dimension of history is tired of being ignored.
Once again, totally random.

( Linguistics in fantasy shouldn't extend to just inventing languages... )

Random, perhaps, but I think language could provide a lot of very fresh plot points...and it gets ignored in favor of those already used instead.

Tags: conlangs, fantasy rants spring 2004, worldbuilding: history

10:01 pm: Change in societies
I did one post about changing a story from the outside in, but changing a story from the inside out- changing a fantasy world's society in reasonable ways- is good, too.

( I can never figure out all the pseudo-medieval frozenness... )

There should be more change. *kicks frozen fantasy worlds*

Tags: fantasy rants spring 2004, themes i turn to, worldbuilding: history

09:32 am: In service of change
Mainly this applies to long series, or multiple series with the same themes. I've written both, and noticed some of the same problems in each. Some advice to keep the characters changing, in the service of change rather than static formulas.

(Of course, static formulas may be fun depending on the genre. Mysteries and romances often thrive on them. But if it's not obvious by now, I think fantasy can be more than that. Yes, I am biased. Fantasy kicks much ass).

( Changing your characters and themes )

It's a shame, really, how many stories are spoiled by the characters always being the same over book after book.

Tags: fantasy rants spring 2004, themes i turn to, worldbuilding: history

09:22 am: On history.
And first, in case people are tired of serious poetry, here's some really bad poetry, the first three stanzas of "Ode to the Mammoth Cheese" by James McIntyre:

"We have seen thee, queen of cheese,
Lying quietly at your ease,
Gently fanned by evening breeze,
Thy fair form no flies dare seize.

All gaily dressed soon you'll go
To the great Provincial show,
To be admired by many a beau
In the city of Toronto.

Cows numerous as a swarm of bees,
Or as the leaves upon the trees,
It did require to make thee please
And stand unrivalled, queen of cheese."

Keep in mind: There's always a better writer than you out there somewhere, but there is also always, always someone worse.

( On history, its passing, and its recording )

Just some ideas.

Tags: fantasy rants winter 2004, worldbuilding: history