Alex Bledsoe

World building is a common concern among fantasy writers, since so much of what we do depends on the reader believing IN the setting. You can have the best story and great characters, and torpedo them all with an unconvincing and inconsistent setting.… Read the post

Photo: WANA Commons ~ kbowenwriter

by Susan Squires

Reading is all about suspending disbelief.

Readers stare at a two-dimensional piece of paper or a flat screen with glyphs on it and imagine they’re traveling to unknown lands and meeting interesting people.… Read the post

by Fae Rowen

Because I write science fiction, I have to immerse my reader in the most important facets of my story's world with the first words. When you add this into the requirements of an opening hook, portraying the "real world" of your characters, and setting up the inciting incident, etc.,… Read the post

by Fae Rowen

When Laura Drake originally suggested this topic months ago  I knew I would be on the "don't know" end of the throwdown.  Everyone else at Writers in the Storm writes about what they know.  With Sharla Rae's historicals, she researches and researches until she has notebooks filled with information. … Read the post

by Fae Rowen 

As exciting as it is to create a physical setting, my favorite part of world building is the cultural aspect.  Out of the world's culture comes the social customs, which can really show life on the planet.  Of course, there are rules.… Read the post