Welcome to My World
Expect exciting news here soon. In the meantime, as related to that exciting news, I am doing some world-building.
I am going to be working on a very complex project--multiple books and a family tree complicated enough to make me dizzy. Shifting time. Centuries of story. YEARS (and I mean years) of writing time. And suddenly I realized that storing it all in my brain wasn't going to be enough. I realized that . . . well, I was creating something a bit different. An entire world with rules that aren't like the rules I follow. Rules that break fundamental elements of the universe relating to time. Space. That Einstein guy.
So I've decided to get a notebook. Me, the writer who has always stored everything in her head, who never takes notes . . . is filling a notebook with sketches and photos and storylines, and family trees, genetic lineage and costumes, maps and most especially rules.
It's a whole new world, and for me, as writer, whole new territory. It's totally fun, a creative exercise because I'm not crafting sentences yet. No, just a world.
So I began to wonder . . . how do most writers keep track of their stuff. Yesterday I wrote about index cards. Today a notebook. I know some people store stuff on their computer. Some use photos. Storyboards. I had a friend who used flowcharts. Do you need visual aids? Do you scribble things down? Do you keep a notebook by your bed? Do you talk to your dog? (Don't knock it. Cosmo, Chip, and Dreamer ALL get plot run by them. Cosmo gets plot more than the others. Chip . . . he gets to hear when I am depressed and frustrated by characters.)
Come on . . . share your writing oddities. How do you build a world?
Labels: worldbuilding
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:58 AM
15 Comments:
I don't know how you do it! That's my greatest struggle: holding everything in my head.
If it's a complicated world or story, I keep two fact sheets. One for names and places and world rules, and one for tying things up. A few stories back, I just got fed up with my endings, so now I write down every single strand I'll need to tie up later, so I don't forget anything.
Other than that, I just re-read my stuff. I generally have to start from the beginning every couple days, and whenever I take a day off. Having it in my head (however short a time it sticks there), helps me keep the pacing and flow correct.
But I hate my memory! I want a better one! Have you looked at OneNote by Microsoft? They have a 90 day free trial, and it is the most amazing program, ever. It's like a tabbed notebook, but it's double tabbed, so you can really keep a massive (or smaller) amounts of information both organized and easily retrievable. My trial ran out, but it is first up on the "list" to buy.
Can't wait to hear your big news. I'm very happy for you.
I have some worldbuilding to do too--a religious cult with its own doctrine, hierarchy, and massive underground complex. Haven't quite worked it all out. I'm interested to hear how others might approach the problem.
(Make that triple-tabbed. I keep notebooks for pseudonym, for musician, for real name, for the house ... everything, tabbed on the left. Each "notebook" has multiple section tabbed across the top, and then each section has multiple pages tabbed across the right.
I did use it for a research-heavy novel, and it was wonderful. My ADD-ish brain loves it, because everything is in one place and I can click to anything, without getting distracted.
Um, can you tell that I am in LOVE with the program?)
I purchase note cards and post its, but I'm not very good about using them. However, I have given (www.inspiration.com) Inspiration a try recently, and I really enjoy that program. It's easier on my hands to type than to hold a pen.
While I do not outline plot on paper very well, I do have to have my worldbuilding notes on paper because I cannot break the rules of my world, which means I can't afford to forget what they are. (Long sentence, whew.)
And you are being such a tease this week. How long are we going to have to wait for your news?
Spy:
Wow . . . I am learning a lot of new gadgets here today. I don't know . . . part of me is very intrigued. And I hate writing longhand--get hand cramps. BUT . . . part of me wonders if I would feel stifled by doing yet another thing on the computer. I am definitely check it out!!! Thanks!
E
Jude:
Good luck with that. Seems to me that making a cult realistic enough, that you can believe in their madness, is a tough task. I'm sure you're up to the challenge.
E
Heather:
I checked out that sight. Again, like my reply to SpyScribbler, I am intrigued. I am definitely learning a lot today, guys!
E
P.S. Announcement to be soon . . . I don't like to announce until it goes on Publisher's Lunch. :-)
Worldbuilding is always an adventure for me, lol.
Notebook--yes. One. Must be wide-ruled and lined.
Index cards--no. I lose them and wind up tearing the house apart trying to find them.
A lot is inspired, comes when I'm doing other things, so must include post-its, paper towels, envelopes of bills, backs of other manuscript pages, etc.
No outline, bits and scenes at first, and yes--rules.
Congrats on your good news, looking forward to hearing it, lol.
Erica,
I'm looking forward to your announcement!
Checking out the softwares as well.
Thanks all!
raine:
I am hoping if I have the notebook, I can avoid the "writing on the back of a napkin" syndrome.
E
I usually spend my days on the computer, so for me creating a document or spreadsheet with all the world-building and character information is just easier.
Although, a few months ago I was on the road for a week and had no laptop, so I took a notebook along and made loads of notes for a new story I have in my head... because I too do not trust any of it to memory.
So, trial and error, then?
Attempt different routes and methods and discover what works best for each of us?
Developing on the computer helps, but seeing things spread out in front of me, being able to touch and shuffle, is beneficial as well.
It truly is a continually evolving, never-ending journey, isn't it?
ewoh:
I have discovered I like "mind maps" that they teach third-graders--like this bubble with the main idea and all these offshooting other bubbles with ideas in them. I "see" it.
So does that then put my development at third-grade level? Perhaps. :-)
kathy:
I have definitely learned to try different things. No ruts here.
E
I can't wait to hear your news. I hope you keep extra good notes.
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