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QOTD Tuesday May 10

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Amanda
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Post  Maggie Tue May 10, 2011 2:27 pm

I'm so tempted to write a question school-related since I just finished Algebra 2 today forever. (Don't mention college Algebra! As of now, it doesn't exist! xD) But, I won't. Because... well, it's boring!

QUESTION: Do you like to build your own worlds or write stories in reality? Or both? Why? (And your answer will vary depending on your favorite genres to write-- so look at all the novels you've written or lean toward writing, and get your answer from there)
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Post  Amanda Tue May 10, 2011 3:01 pm

Build worlds! It's more of a challenge. But it's also less of a challenge. So it's also a paradox. Wink Built worlds=not very much research, but much more imagination. Real world=lots of research, not as much imagination. I don't like research, and I like imagination, so there's my choice. Razz

I do have one story idea that I'm going to have to do a lot of research on, as it's based in ancient Japan & their legends, but Japanese culture is fascinating, so there. Razz I guess I just don't like to do research to set up a world I know today. Writing realistic fiction has no appeal for me--just the characters, and I'd rather read about characters that I love in a setting that is equally interesting.
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Post  André Tue May 10, 2011 3:03 pm

Creating my own worlds. Definitely creating my own. I get to come up with all sorts of cultures and landscapes and architectures and histories...and I don't even spend a lot of time worldbuilding. XD

But mainly because it involves a lot less research. I mean, I have to create a lot more, and think through things that I would never have to think about if I were just writing in our world, but that's really fun. When I write in our world, you'd think I'd be smart enough to know things, but I'm not. I started once, with a character my age since I thought I should know a lot about that, and then I realized that I'm homeschooled and a writer, so I don't know what a normal highschool is like or what normal people do, apart from stereotypes.

Even the one project I'm working on which is set in an extremely altered version of our 16th century world is taking a crazy amount of research. I much prefer being able to create everything myself.
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Post  Constance Tue May 10, 2011 6:09 pm

I like building worlds, but I also like using reality, but changing one/several important aspect(Japan took over most of the world in WW2 in one of my stories). I'm not that crazy about writing in reality unless it has some kind of exciting new thing about it––I could never write a contemp. I must have fantasy/paranormal! :p All my stories that wouldn't have some exciting fantasy element to them even in reality, they become fantasies, even if there's not really in magic.

So... yeah. Creating worlds can be hard, but it's fun, trying to think up every little detail. Using our world and warping it to my liking, also fun. Twisted Evil
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Post  Taryn Tue May 10, 2011 10:44 pm

Both! I think it's creating worlds no matter what if it's done well. Of my five "serious" novels, 3 are in this world, and 2 are in another. Right now, I'm leaning toward contemp b/c I'm crazy about mysteries and thrillers, but there's something to be said for fantasy. I'm totally over typical epic fantasy unless it has a killer hook (sorry Amanda and Andre), but there's still room in my heart for things like Graceling. I sound like an agent. Yay!
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Post  Sarah Tue May 10, 2011 11:07 pm

So far everything I've written has been based in the real world. I find it so much harder to make up a new one cause I already struggle with info dump (at least in the first few chapters) and I think that would just end badly. Also, I don't think I have the imagination for it haha.

Really though, I like things based in the real world because it gives readers that "this could actually exist" feeling. My goal is to get readers the way JK Rowling did, thinking that it could actually be real (I know I'm not the only one who waited for that letter on her 11th birthday... I was so disappointed LOL)
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Post  André Wed May 11, 2011 12:39 am

Sorry, Taryn? For being totally over typical epic fantasy? Don't be sorry...I'm over typical fantasy, too. If by typical, you mean all the LotR ripoffs like the Wheel of Time (which I'm sure is a great series, please don't kill me if anyone happens to be a fan XD) or Eragon, where everything is basically a quasi-medieval setting with castles and knights, then yeah. There's plenty of that lying around.

Which is why when I read epic fantasy, I'll go for someone like Brandon Sanderson instead. You should try reading Mistborn, or The Way of Kings (which is freaking huge). He's awesome at non-traditional settings and ideas.

My current WIP is a fantasy (well...half, anyway), and it's definitely not any sort of traditional setting. That's what makes the worldbuilding so much fun. ^_^
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Post  Amanda Wed May 11, 2011 3:46 am

@Andre--I do believe we'll all agree about Eragon--I don't think it should count as an epic fantasy novel on its own. An elaborate fan-fic? Yes. I hadn't heard of the Wheel of Time series, and I just googled it--FOURTEEN NOVELS?!? I thought only the Babysitter's Club got away with that many books, lol.

And yeah, I think I'm going to need a definition of "typical epic fantasy" before I get offended. Razz

What I'm tired of in epic fantasy is the same old thing plot wise, the same setting, or an underwhelming premise, without delivering awesome characters--b/c characters can make up for many flaws, imo. Also, just weirdness and including details for absolutely no reason but to be different.

Sorry to anyone who likes The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima, but that's exactly what I'm tired of. It seemed so dry and lifeless, *this is what an epic fantasy should be*, I tried to read it, and I only managed to get through a chapter after skipping the first one, which was really horrible. Underwhelmed.

I want epic fantasy to be EPIC and EXCITING and not boring...and dry...and not an escape. If I'd rather live my life than read the book, there is totally a problem, lol. I loved Graceling and Fire because they had characters to back up the plot. And it was awesome. Smile I guess that's what I'm trying to do--plot with characters and setting. It's all I ask. Sad I won't say I've got it, not by a long shot, but that's where I'm aiming. ...With lots of death and an ending that will make people cry. That is my dream. *dramatic sigh*
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Post  Constance Wed May 11, 2011 10:27 am

@Amanda I liked The Demon King, but I won't hold a grudge against you for your comments.

Graceling and Fire were GOOOOD. Loved them. Another really good fantasy author is Lisa Shearin (Magic Lost, Trouble Found; Armed & Magical; The Trouble With Demons). Her voice is just... unusual for a fantasy. Very modern. They are very good. I'd recommend them to anyone.

@André Brandon Sanderson is actually finishing the Wheel Of Time since Robert Jordan died. But I haven't read any of WoT (I attempted to; got two pages in), so I don't know how his are compared to Jordan's.
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Post  André Wed May 11, 2011 10:57 am

I know Brandon Sanderson is finishing the series...that's actually why I tried reading them in the first place. XD I made it about three quarters of the way through the first book and gave up. Apparently there are a lot of people out there who love the series, but I don't have the patience.
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Post  Constance Wed May 11, 2011 12:27 pm

Just read the ones he's writing. I'm sure it can't be that hard to find out what happened in the other books without actually reading them.
*realizes that I just suggested reading out of order* *cringes*
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Post  Taryn Wed May 11, 2011 1:04 pm

HAHAHAHA OMG.

This is funny.

I'm the one who complained about typical epic fantasy, and yet I'm the only one of you guys who has read them ALL. YES. All 6549938034823784357923 books and 34787934804923084397593758475984304329293208208497979937495779303 pages and 45780987642467899765421357890986753235555532356789909098612345678987654678543246789908753124567890098754322468900864123456787654676767676543212123456780989090989887652470 words of the Wheel of Time series. (Well, not including the ones that haven't come out yet.)

Anyway, I like them. I LOVE Trudi Canavan. I'm sure every single epic fantasy author has a unique spin on the genre. But I can't be bothered to look for that spin. It has to be readily obvious.

"But you don't understand. My book is about every country going to war because of--"

Yeah, but what actually happens (war) is the same as every other book.

"No, no, no. I have pure magic being corrupted by--"

So does everyone else.

"NOOOO! I HAVE ELVES!"

Your point?

I don't know. I'm sure if I read it, I'd enjoy it (like, Amanda, I wouldn't just pick up The Night, but I loved reading it), but the problem is getting me to pick it up. Does that make sense?
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Post  Maggie Wed May 11, 2011 1:35 pm

Amanda wrote:Build worlds! It's more of a challenge. But it's also less of a challenge. So it's also a paradox. Wink Built worlds=not very much research, but much more imagination. Real world=lots of research, not as much imagination. I don't like research, and I like imagination, so there's my choice. Razz

I do have one story idea that I'm going to have to do a lot of research on, as it's based in ancient Japan & their legends, but Japanese culture is fascinating, so there. Razz I guess I just don't like to do research to set up a world I know today. Writing realistic fiction has no appeal for me--just the characters, and I'd rather read about characters that I love in a setting that is equally interesting.

Ahh, same here! That whole first paragraph just totally described my preference. Very Happy
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Post  Maggie Wed May 11, 2011 1:37 pm

*reads the conversation and is amused* I'm too lazy to say who I agree with. But it's mostly Amanda. xD
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Post  Amanda Wed May 11, 2011 3:25 pm

Yeah...*sigh*...I probably wouldn't pick up my own book in a bookstore(...what bookstore? *bursts into tears over her beloved Borders*). Unless it had a WICKED SICK cover like Sabriel(not the one with the ugly people--the one with the charter mark). I'm too tired of people trying and failing to be original, or being original for original's sake. I'm very hard to please.

But I think I would pick up my second book--it's really a second "first" book (new characters, new problems, new place), and it's set in an area based like a third in India and two thirds in my imagination, with some Africa/Egypt vibes. It has slavery, cruelty, and death! My favorite. Razz I think I would appreciate the change of setting from the normal medieval Europe/England/German type place. I'm trying to alter the culture of my first book so it's a bit more apparently different from the norm, because, logically, it's rather impossible/highly unlikely that every fantasy culture would develop in the same way as Europe. But I must stay away from so different/different for different's sake that it's hard to follow(*cough*like now.*cough*).

Ugh...I'm going to go rewrite my first scene now. Not totally--mainly the opening and the end. Moving most of the opening to the end, and starting with a new hook that has more mass appeal. As in can draw both genders, hopefully. I think I might pick it up now...

@Taryn--Those are big numbers. Razz If they're both adult epic fantasies, I haven't read them, and didn't really plan on it, lol. I stay in the YA section unless seriously convinced to venture out for a specific, highly recommended book.
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