Word Usage
Continuing my recent topic of words where I talked about tricky words and common analogies, the words used in a book, especially a fantasy book, really helps sets the tone. Which means it’s important to choose the right words.
When I’m writing in a new world, I’ll often start very basic with the terms that I use, because that’s the first thing that comes to my mind. For example, the first draft of Dark Obsession had the role of Chief Advisor. I really didn’t like it. It didn’t fit into the fantasy world I’d created and I wanted something more stately sounding, but it sufficed for a first draft.
Before starting on my second draft, I searched for synonyms for chief advisor. Sadly, Google was certain I was looking for synonyms for chief financial advisor and gave me many unhelpful ideas. So instead I search for the titles of high-ranking advisor positions throughout history. One of the ones that came up was Grand Vizier, which was common in Islamic states. Vizier didn’t match the world I’d created, which is more inspired by Europe, but I loved the term grand, so I switched out chief for grand, and now monarchs within this world rule with a Grand Advisor by their side.
I also initially titled alchemist creations spells and potions. But potions is commonly used, so I decided elixirs would be more fun and atmospheric. And using spells was not quite right to begin with, because those have a physical form. After a bit of brainstorming, I decided to go with arcanum instead.
Yet another change I made is to one of the native supernatural races on the new continent. They only receive a minor mention in Dark Obsession, but there’s the conjurors and the essence weavers. The conjurors got to keep their initial name, because I feel like it’s more unique, but the other race I initially called shamans. And then I decided that term was too broad for what I wanted, and I didn’t like any other terms I found for magic users, given the powers I wanted this race to have. So I made up my own term and called them essence weavers.
These are small changes, but I feel like they have an important effect on the overall tone and atmosphere of the book.
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