As a fantasy writer, I spend a great deal of time building the worlds that I write about.  It’s a unique tool of the speculative fiction writer and one of the most difficult things to do. How do you create a world that is completely credible? What elements do you need?  How much work is it really?

It’s a lot of work.  I’ve always approached world building with a single goal in mind: if someone asks me a question about my world, I already have to know the answer. The world of Asphodel, which I write about in my fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle, is complex and huge.  As a matter of fact, my world building file is as large as the first book. It’s crammed full of history, short stories that take place outside of the Asphodel plot, character profiles, maps, religous procedures and rituals and a long mythology.

But I’ve been developing Asphodel for years.  Recently, I got an email from a young writer still in high school, asking me how he could learn to build a world as complex as mine.  That was when I developed this short list for him to start off with.

World Creation For the Beginner

1. Physical - maps, climate, topography(Is your main town in the mountains? A port city? On the plains? Is it warm? Cool?  What are the borders? And always remember that rivers can NOT flow uphill–you’d be surprised at how many people forget that

2. History-this means government, military background, currency, the biggest trade product, anything that would have an effect upon the characters (Democracy or dictatorship? Standing army? Navy?  Agricultural or industrial nation?  Gold-based currency or paper?)

3. Mythology-gods, worship practices, temples, magic( Is this a monotheistic society or is there a pantheon? What rituals are used in worship? Big white marble temples or humble outdoor shrines? How does magic work?)

4.Time - calendar, units of measurement (Solar year or lunar year?  How long?  How long is a month?  Clocks? Sundials?  Hours, minutes, or some other sort of measurement?)

5.The current situation. Every world has a here and now.  What makes this time so unique?  Is the change to come or is it already here?  Who affects it and how?

and the most important….

6.How this world affects the protagonist–and how the protagonist reacts to it.

These basics can get anyone started. A quick note about magic for fantasy writers–

Magic is hard to write.  You have to make something that is inherently incredible into a believable action.  Wouldn’t it be nice if your protagonist could just wave his hand and change the world?  Unfortunately, that makes for boring fantasy, even if your protagonist is a god. There have to be limits established from the beginning: who can work it, how they work it, when they work it, what they need to work it, and what the consequences of working it might be.  Be careful when you’re writing about magic, folks–poorly defined magic can ruin the credibility of your ENTIRE story.

A quick caveat for sci-fi writers: your science had better be accurate.  Although you may love the spectacular explosions in space when you’re watching Star Wars, there’s not only no fire in space (no oxygen to feed it) but there’s no sound in space. Keep your science facts straight so that you can build your science fiction with credibility.

World building is the skeleton upon which you hang the flesh of your speculative fiction story. There is no such thing as too much world building.  Allow me to repeat that: there is no such thing as too much world building. However, for the fledgling writer these basic starting points should help you to kick off your own fantastic journey through the imaginary worlds that live in your mind.

The Asphodel Cycle is my baby and I’m very proud of it.  With the first two books already released and doing well (The Reckoning of Asphodel and The Gift of Redemption) the world I’ve created is thriving. This holiday season, Temptation of Asphodel will expand that world even more.  Although the world of Asphodel is immense, it all began with these six points and exploded from there.

Hopefully, these will help you as much as they have me.  Good luck and happy writing!

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PHOTO OP!

BLURB:Photojournalist Emily Peters is in Paris when the opportunity to expose an infamous sex club sets her on fire. She never expects to be tied up in knots by the Devil. 

Restaurateur Nicholas Caine prefers an inconspicuous lifestyle, but when a sex goddess enters his lair there’s only one thing he can do…take her. 

EXCERPT:

Her nose twitched as a subtle, yet pleasant, aroma surrounded her.

 “It is pear, Madam.”

Another tall handsome waiter, looking good enough to eat, stood at her side and without a word slid a menu in front of her.  She glanced up into large chocolate eyes and her heart stuttered.

“Pardon?”  Her voice came out on a whoosh of air.

“I noticed your attempt to distinguish the scent.”  He waved a large hand in the air.  “Many of our ladies have had your same reaction.”

She cleared her throat.  “Delightful.”“At times, late in the evening, the air is infused with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate.”  His eyes twinkled as if he were sharing a dark secret.  “Tempts one to indulge in a decadent dessert.  Would you care for one, Ms Peters?”

A shiver weaved its way up her spine when he said her name.  With shaking fingers, she took a gulp of ice water, ordering her oversexed body to behave.

“If nothing on the menu appeals to you, Chef Claude would be elated to whip up whatever you prefer.”

British and gorgeous. And then it sunk in.  Chef Claude.

“Is he Claude St. Cyr?  The same chef who owns a cooking school?”

The waiter from every woman’s fantasy grinned.  “One in the same.”

Now what the hell is he doing in a place like this?

“Ms Peters?”  He tapped a well-groomed fingernail on the menu.

“What?  Oh yes.”  She flipped open the leather jacket to scan the tasty treats, her one downfall.  The card read like an international list of culinary sexual pleasures. 

Spotted Dick          presented by    Jon

Bavarian Cream    presented by    Hans

Hot Soufflé             presented by    Francois

Mocha Butter         presented by    Motumba 

Emily slipped the cap off her lipstick tube, then did an unhurried swipe along her bottom lip, wondering just how far the presenters would go. 

“Do you see anything you like?”  His deep voice played havoc with her senses as she squirmed in her damp panties.

“Too bad you don’t offer Cumberland Rum Nicky.  I enjoyed it at a restaurant in London a few years ago.  Never found it again.”  His tanned face paled as if she’d requested to borrow The Crown Jewels.

“Perhaps a dish of Whim Wham?” 

“No thanks, I’m fanciful enough.”  She laughed at her little joke about the true meaning of the Scottish pie.  “I’d really like a Benedictine straight up and a cup of black coffee.”

He nodded and walked toward the bar area.

Of all the waitstaff Emily had encountered or seen during her two hours over dinner, this last was the paix de la résistance.  Sable brown hair caressed his white shirt collar.  She’d give anything to run her fingers through the thick waves.

The Reverend and ladies met with her lickable waiter at the doorway.  He stood to the side, gesturing for them to go first.  The tallest of the women stopped and started up a conversation, but he backed away the moment she ran her fingers along his jaw line.

Seems like the help gets to play with the clientele.

Emily pulled the cap off her lipstick tube. 

Smile, I think you’re going to like this one.

BUY LINK 

Sloane Taylor
Sweet as Honey…Hotter than Hell
TEDDI TURNS ON www.aspenmountainpress.com
FRENCH TWIST www.eternalpress.ca
www.sloanetaylor.com   www.myspace.com/sloanetaylor

“Ms. Summers delivers a stunning addition to the Fantasy world. If you love Lord of the Rings, then add Ms. Summers’ Asphodel series to your collection. She will definitely keep you on the edge as you find yourself rooting for Tamsen to take the step that will give the elven realm their redemption. I highly recommend reading the first book to understand this series and to get the behind the scenes look at why Tamsen is the way she is. ” ~ 4.5 hearts, Dawn,  Love Romances and More

The Asphodel Cycle begins with The Reckoning of Asphodel where a young Tamsen witnesses the murder of her family by her evil uncle.  Taken in by the Elves, she grows in her understanding of her dual role as a bridge between the Human and Elven populations.  Tamsen also finds love in the guise of a disgruntled Elf named Brial.

But even after confronting her uncle and suffering several devastating blows including the loss of her own health, Tamsen is forced to return to lead not only Humans, but the Elven kingdom as well when her uncle returns, this time intent of stealing the amazing power she possesses.  In order to save the Elves, Tamsen must make a terrible sacrifice in The Gift of Redemption.

Stay tuned for an early winter release of the next in the series, The Temptation of Asphodel, coming  soon from Aspen Mountain Press.

10 ~ There is no intergalactic travel ticket to Yemisque, tangerine aphrodisiac playground. A singles resort vacation in Jamaica might be your next best travel bet.

9 ~ If you’re allergic, afraid of, or don’t like handsome, red chestnut stallions.

8 ~ If you don’t like horseback riding on the beach.

7 ~ If you don’t like oily naked bodies or the carnal fun and games on Yemisque.

6 ~ If you have a huge aversion to stallion shapeshifters. Or a prince with his own awesome space cruiser.

5 ~ If you don’t care for a kickassitude heroine with her own fire-shooting palm, who has no patience for lust-filled men, and will do anything save her father.

4 ~ If you find battles in space boring.

3 ~ If action/adventure on another world just isn’t your thing.

2 ~ If the art of sexual torture used on the villain turns your stomach too much.

And the Number One reason why….as David Letterman would say…you shouldn’t read Tangerine Carnal Dreams is…

1 ~ If true fierce passion between a heroine and a hero just doesn’t do it for you.

Savanna Brewer

Tangerine Carnal Dreams, now available at Aspen Mountain Press!