WORLD BUILDING –Who Needs It? by Lynda Coker

FEARLESS FRIDAY Please join me in welcoming Lynda Coker to Muse Monday. As a writer, I learned early that creating a believable story required architectural and construction skills. The second thing I realized was that I didn’t have a clue what World Building meant, how to begin, or when to stop. And most disturbing, was how my own writing style predicted dark days ahead. You see, I write by-the-seat-of-my-pants. I do some plotting, but mostly, the story just evolves one weird, funny, amazing, or awful idea at a time. Thankfully, these ideas do eventually merge into a story that previously only existed in my mind, a world with its own reality and principles of existence. So World Building is not something I consciously and meticulously predetermine, rather, I construct what I need when I need it. (*Smiles precociously) That’s not to say that a lot of building repair isn’t required in the editing process. (Woe is me!) After all, two things are definitely needed to make World Building concrete that is strong and durable—Coherence and Consistency, which miraculously appear during editingAs a reader, I don’t enjoy being bogged down by endless description. For instance, I don’t need to see the blueprints for a 33 room mansion. Just tell me it has 33 rooms including tennis courts, swimming pool, and riding stables and let me put it all together in my own mind. I guarantee, I’ll like my mansion better than the one you describe to me in full detail!So what’s my point? In World Building, I try to construct only those features that are necessary in order to understand the rules or laws which govern my world, the environmental territory, time and space, new technology, and the characters that people my world along with their philosophy, language, etc. As a writer, I do the framework and allow you, the reader, to decorate so-to-speak. In reality, my world also becomes your world through participation.

Blurb:THE OCEAN BETWEEN by Lynda CokerBetween the skyscrapers of New York City and the ancient sands of the Middle Eastern nation of Ahalamin lies an uncharted ocean, not of water, but of culture and prejudice. When financial executive, Victoria Ballard, is tricked into marriage with a Prince of the Desert, her perfectly designed life unravels. To put the pieces back together and claim the heart of a Prince, she’ll have to find a way to bridge The Ocean Between .Book Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvtCCEoOTDEBuy Links: AMAZON THE WILD ROSE PRESS 
Excerpt: Rashid took the stairs two at a time. IdentifyingThe source of the problem did not take long...theverbal tirade echoing through the lounge came fromhis private compartment at the rear of the plane.
“Let me out of here! I’m an American citizen andthis is kidnapping. I’ll have you all arrested andexecuted for this! I’m warning you, Califar. You tellthat unscrupulous, deceitful, desert creep to get backhere and let me go!”
Rashid took a step forward and then paused.The sudden cessation of verbal ranting was moreunnerving than the previous clamor. The pregnantsilence made the hairs on his arms stand erect. Withthis woman, he was certain the calm was a precursorto worse atrocities. He hoped he was wrong and shehad exhausted her vile temper instead. The thud of asolid object slamming against the other side of thedoor ridiculed his supposed control.
He yanked off  his robe and headdress. Slingingthem toward the back of a chair, he barked acommand to his two bodyguards.
“Give the pilot orders to depart...NOW!”
Both went forward to deliver the message,almost jamming the small doorway in their attemptto pass through at the same time. Consumed withhis own anger, he could not find any humor in thespeed with which they fled one loud, but smallwoman. He wondered about the quality of hispersonal security.
Spearing Califar with a glacial look, hemotioned him forward. “You will ignore any soundyou hear from the other side of that door.Understood?”
“May I speak frankly?”
Rashid stiffened. “If you must.”
“This woman you’ve made your wife is astranger to you and to our customs. These areextreme circumstances for her. Despite her less thanrespectful manner, she is still deserving of the gentlepersuasion you always accord the women in yourlife.”
“Are you telling me how to treat my wife?”Rashid lashed in reply.
“As your servant...never,” replied Califar. “Asyour friend...I offer a reminder. Guard well youractions this night and remember with what care youhave always protected what is yours.”
“I will deal with the princess in whatevermanner suits me,” growled Rashid.