Fantasy World Building- the power of Architecture

Architecture is one of my favorite world building elements. Beginning writers often ignore this powerful element, yet if you look at the towering classics of the fantasy genre you'll find stunning architecture enriching every turn. Consider Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the pinnacle of fantasy world building. Middle Earth is steeped in stunning architecture which makes the books' conversion to the silver screen a visual feast. From the imposing rock-hewn sculptures of the Argonath, to the elegant spires of Rivendale, to the subterranean vaults of Moria, to the tiered city of Minus Tirith, Tolkien drew his world in stunning strokes of bold architecture. As a master world builder, Tolkien's architecture is not just a feast for the eyes, but each setting reflects the culture of the different races. Architecture is culture writ large. Inspired by Tolkien, I wanted to use architecture as a major world building element in The Silk & Steel Saga. But my love of architecture actually goes deeper than just fantasy. After graduating from college, we backpacked through Europe seeking to explore the castles and cathedrals of the old world. We visited Chartres Cathedral in France where an Oxford professor gave free lectures interpreting the peerless stonework and stained glass windows. The artwork of the great cathedrals was in many ways the “newspaper” of its era. The professor “read” the windows and the elaborate stone carvings, explaining the biblical meanings as well as the more subtle comments on the rulers and politics of the times. I was so taken with these lectures that I was determined to give the same meaning to the architecture of Erdhe. I hope you will see this intent reflected in the many settings of The Silk & Steel Saga. From the crushing architecture of the Flame Temple in Balor, to the sinister triumph of the Mordant's Dark Citadel, to the elegance laced with hidden ways in Queen Liandra's castle, to the enduring strength of Castlegard's invincible battlements, and last but not least, to the shimmering jewel-bright walls of prophecy in the Kiralynn Monastery, knowledge fashioned into stone, you'll find culture sculpted into architecture, beauty and meaning entwined. Welcome to the wonders of the kingdoms of Erdhe, where architecture is a major world building element.