Jib
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Post by Jib on May 18, 2021 20:31:33 GMT -6
Hey everyone!
This is a general question about world building...
So I have a general story archetype that I'm working on. I have a good idea of the characters and their personalities, but I'm having trouble placing them within a specific setting. Like, I could think of ways to make the story work in a super realistic setting, in a fantasy setting (either urban fantasy or high fantasy), sci-fi, steampunk, cyberpunk... LOL. I know, so many options. I actually like a whole bunch of different settings and I feel like I could "make it work" in multiple different ways, but it's hard to figure out what the "right" way is for the story.
Does anyone else struggle with figuring out what setting they want things to take place in? Or is this more of a uniquely me I'm frequently overthinking things sort of a problem? Do I just go for what I think would be a maximum "cool" or "fun" story and try to make the pieces fit together?
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on May 19, 2021 9:46:52 GMT -6
To me, fantastical elements (I'm using that broadly, anything non-realistic) need to be justified, and stories should tend to be in more realistic settings. That said, I like fantasy and often try hard to justify it. I would say if the story doesn't require fantasy to work, it's still justified if the fantasy elements would amplify it. Let's say I want to write about a reclusive person rejoining society. That's a real thing that happens in our world. But a cyberpunk setting could increase the sense of paranoia as the character interacts with people again. If I'm trying to convey fear and distrust and the ickiness of society, then that's a way to do it.
I guess in your case I would put use a realistic setting by default, but ask myself what I want the effect of the story to be and whether I can think of fantastical elements that would make it speak louder.
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Post by RAVENEYE on May 19, 2021 16:23:11 GMT -6
Hmm, my first reaction to this question is if the story fully operates within a real world setting, then I wouldn't force it into a magical setting like a high fantasy, or a sci-fi setting like a space opera.
But then, stories like The Mandalorian are merely Westerns set in space. It's just that the two genres need to be fully integrated and interdependent, rather than characters plunked down on a planet where the "science" part of sci-fi plays no part. Or in a magical castle where magic isn't a necessary part of the story.
So if the story doesn't REQUIRE magic or science to function, ought it be set in the real world instead? Probably.
That said, "real world" is so gray. Stories like The Mummy have ancient pharaohs rising from the dead, and Hellboy went all kinds of weird places on Planet Earth. So whatever you want... It's just that in all those real world fantasies, the fantasy aspect played a major and clear role. So I guess that's the requisite. If it's there, it needs to be there for a reason and not just for "interesting backdrops."
Not sure if that helps clear the way for a final decision, but ...
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Jib
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Post by Jib on May 20, 2021 12:59:05 GMT -6
Hi, thank you for your responses!
Hmm... I think you've both raised good points. I need to mull stuff over a bit more for a better response, but what you've said makes sense. I don't want to force things onto the story, but it's also weird to realize that some of the stuff that I thought was more set in stone might be more like window dressing and aesthetics. I guess the bigger challenge will to be making the background and setting integrated with the story. Having a "copy and paste" sort of feel might not be very satisfying.
Upon more reflection, the story that I have in mind is simple enough that it could be done in a more realistic setting. I really only need magic for maybe 1-2 things and if I had to I could maybe do without it. I think what I've decided to go for is a bit of light magic and technology (slightly futuristic), lots of plants and nature around, and set in the desert. So what I might go for is a slight solarpunk aesthetic (think cyberpunk, but more utopian and with lots of wind/solar energy and plants). One thing working in my favor is that it's going to be an illustrated children's book... so I think it's okay if it's a little bit whimsical and doesn't explain everything. I just need to hint at things. So, progress!
I'll probably keep thinking about this topic as I go. Thanks, y'all!
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Post by RAVENEYE on May 20, 2021 14:33:26 GMT -6
Hi, thank you for your responses! Hmm... I think you've both raised good points. I need to mull stuff over a bit more for a better response, but what you've said makes sense. I don't want to force things onto the story, but it's also weird to realize that some of the stuff that I thought was more set in stone might be more like window dressing and aesthetics. I guess the bigger challenge will to be making the background and setting integrated with the story. Having a "copy and paste" sort of feel might not be very satisfying. Upon more reflection, the story that I have in mind is simple enough that it could be done in a more realistic setting. I really only need magic for maybe 1-2 things and if I had to I could maybe do without it. I think what I've decided to go for is a bit of light magic and technology (slightly futuristic), lots of plants and nature around, and set in the desert. So what I might go for is a slight solarpunk aesthetic (think cyberpunk, but more utopian and with lots of wind/solar energy and plants). One thing working in my favor is that it's going to be an illustrated children's book... so I think it's okay if it's a little bit whimsical and doesn't explain everything. I just need to hint at things. So, progress! I'll probably keep thinking about this topic as I go. Thanks, y'all! Ooo! I am so intrigued by this description! Magic realism is totally a thing, and this might be what you're describing, with a light sci-fi feel. Loving it. Just go for it and see what happens. Apologize for nothing.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2021 18:55:02 GMT -6
I typically have the opposite problem. I create huge fantasy worlds, but wind up with no stories to write in them.
For a children's book, it really isn't as important. Use the setting to enhance the mood or aesthetic you're going for, and don't stress it too much.
Personally, I prefer Brandon Sanderson's approach. His stories would literally be impossible to tell without the magic involved. In fact, oftentimes, the magic itself drives the story. Take Elantris. A City of gods, where throughout history people in the surrounding nation would randomly transform into an Elantrian, a silver skinned deity of amazing power and near immortality. It was like winning the lotery on steroids. Until 10 years ago, when the city broke. All the magic in it went dark, and all Elantrians turned into, for lack of a better term, living dead. They still had their minds, but their magic didn't work and their bodies weren't alive. And people still randomly turn into them from time to time. They just become the new, zombie Elantrians, rather than the godlike ones, who have disappeared altogether.
So the story follows a guy who was cursed as an Elantrian, as he researches the old magics and how they worked, trying to piece together what happened. And that's the story. There's more to it than that, but that's the one character's story. It literally wouldn't work without the magic involved. It's the same with most of his stories.
So that's what I've tried to do. Create a magic system/world/setting, and see what stories naturally come out of that.
But there's nothing wrong with going the other way: finding a good story and then finding a setting to put it in. I've done that, too, and let the story sort of build the setting. What I would say there is to go ahead and write it as you envision it, but go with the first rule of improve: Yes, And. Whatever you write, go with it for future chapters. If, during the course of your writing, you decide that fairies all have butterfly wings, remember that and keep it going forward. Don't make them have angel wings all of a sudden, unless you want to distinguish different kinds of fairies. As you write, you'll build the world. And if you wind up making contradictions, that's what revision is for.
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Jib
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Posts: 64
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Post by Jib on May 22, 2021 14:15:32 GMT -6
Hmm... That's helpful info too. Yeah, I enjoyed reading Elantris. Good book! Brandon Sanderson has a very neat way of writing cool magic mechanics. I also enjoyed what he did with Steelheart and the Reckoners series.
I think I love that sort of writing, but have trouble getting it to work for me. I'm much more likely to think of a story but then have trouble placing it into a world/context. I get bogged down with contradictions and with consequences. Revisions do help, though, thankfully.
Anyway, I think y'all are right that the setting for mine is probably not too critical. What will matter more is the interactions with the characters. That's actually more core to what the story is about than anything (the interpersonal and personal growth sides of things). More stuff to consider and mull over though, certainly.
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Post by HDSimplicityy on May 23, 2021 21:47:36 GMT -6
Great idea you have there. That reads more as solarpunk. Or a futuristic setting on the brink of a "punk" setting. Look at your concept. Ask yourself if you have enough science fiction ideas to make it a sci fi setting. Same goes for fantasy. There is the crossover like Star Wars - science fantasy. If you dont and you are still lost, give it a try in a real world. Because we also have futuristic looking objects being designed around the world. After you write enough of it, you will have a stronger idea what is the appropriate setting.
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Post by pelwrath on May 31, 2021 10:23:29 GMT -6
Author C. Clarke said that advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. With any world/universe setting, create only what you need. Of course drop hints and such but concentrate on only what you need for the story. Be consistent with it’s use. As mages go, Tolkien’s weren’t very powerful, yet magic spells were rare, rune magic wasn’t. That’s what Tolkien’s magic was, the rune etched/made items used, turning pine combs into fireballs, the speach of animals to communicate.
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