Fantasy world v Real world

[ali565]

Hi everyone
Just thinking, how many of you make up your own world for fantasy stories? Personally I find it much easier to make up my own world because there seems to be so much more that you can do with it, but I was just wondering your thoughts on it?
Oh and how much detail do you guys put in to your world (that is, if you do make up your own)

 

[Full-Iron]

I often wish that I lived a different life because of this shiz I have been through, although at the same I hope that I can explore the world and get out because I haven't been able to do that because of mental illness (bipolar) so I do wish that I had a fantasy world even if it's just a walk in the park with a friend.

 

[Nik]

Worlds...
I've done the spectrum, ranging from 'divergent time-line' via ISOT to what-ifs where psi-powers or near-magic tech works...

IMHO, it is essential to think the effects & side-effects through as carefully as possible, remembering the perverse 'Law of Contrary Consequences' (**). This allows you to 'back-stitch' potential loose ends and patch plot holes before they can swallow your tale...

(**) The Contrary Consequences of Technology and Other Unnatural Actions

ps: FullIron, I've close kin with bipolar. To some extent, we've learned to live 'between the tides'. Other times, it calls for 'tough love'. There's no easy path, no true holiday...

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

I have sometimes written in what I like to call never-never land mode, where my story is a fable in a world that is never explicitly identified as a fantasy realm (or not). More often, I like to start out in what is recognisably our world, usually my own city, down to actual neighbourhoods and houses where I've lived and then slowly work fantastic elements in until at some point the line between realities is crossed, one way or the other.

When it comes right down it it, there isn't much that's real about our world.

 

[Jake Reynolds]

I've gone the whole hog, myself, but I have tried to steer clear of using world, planet and so on. It's more or less two main continents with islands in between, If it was an earth sized planet, I'd guess I'm only using maybe a tenth of it. I like the idea that I can use the same 'magic' and physics later on if I have another trilogy idea. My histories and so on are more or less confined to those regions.

One obvious bonus of this is the reduction in research. Sure, I need to know how ships sail and horses run, but I don't need to know what date such and such happened or whether X street converged with Y street. However, given that my next WiP which is coalescing in my brain as we speak will be set in Victorian England, I'd say I'm in for a world of hurt. I want to get to the level of detail where I have, for example, specific train timetables, and possibly even the odd passenger manifest so I can make it as authentic as possible.

 

[Interference]

As a life choice?

 

[ali565]

I have a whole world that i've thought up at my disposal but I usually only use a corner of it and I don't have all that much detail about most places, only the really important ones.

 

[Jake Reynolds]

That's fine ali565, as long as you're not short-changing your story, its ok to go with whatever makes you feel you know enough abotu the setting to write it well.

 

[RoninJedi84]

My WIP is set in the real world, but in a city that is a figment of my imagination. I've been describing it only sparingly, as it's very similar in size, scope, and layout to thousands of other cities across the country, and I don't think I have to hit someone over the head with "this is what a city looks like". Most of my descriptions are spent on the specific areas, homes, and buildings where the action happens, as they're more important to the story...you know, in my own humble opinion.

 

[melaniekinder]

I love creating my own world. I give a lot of detail through the eyes of the character. In my unpublished novel Weeping For Raven my leading female character wakes to find herself in a different world and wonders if she is dreaming. Inner dialog works wonders. Just be sure to create the laws of physic which apply to the world too.

In my opinion, it is easier to write in a world that exists only in my head.

 

[melaniekinder]

When I write about another world, I feel as though I am in it experiencing things with my characters. I think it is a great escape and I hope my readers will agree.