Lovina
asked
Romina Russell:
Hey Romina, I just started reading your book (I haven't finished it yet though) and loved all the literary devices and the way you sucked us right into Rho's world. I've always been a massive fan of Sci-Fi and was playing around with the idea of writing one myself. How much preparation did it take to write a book like Zodiac and time did it take to write it? Also does it help to get a literary agent in the business?
Romina Russell
Thanks so much! <3 It definitely helps to have a literary agent b/c many publishers won't look at un-agented submissions--however, there are so many paths to publication available these days that you no longer need to go the traditional route to be successful, which is great! After all, nothing is truly one-size-fits-all.
As far as worldbuilding, I tend to follow this general formula: #1: Build the Setting, #2: Grow the Characters from that Setting’s soil, #3: Outline the Plot by forcing the Characters to make choices.
The first thing I did with ZODIAC was create a “galaxy guidebook” with background on each of the twelve planetary systems—their topography, the physical and personality traits of their people, the government, culture, religion, technology, transportation, and so on. I like to begin my books with setting because of something Alan Watts once said: we're not born into this world, we're born from it. In other words, the world exists before the character is born.
After I have my world(s) figured out, I try to design characters who are true representations of their unique environments/upbringings and not my own. Once I know my main cast well, I start outlining the story, and I try to let the dance between the protagonist and the antagonist chart the trajectory of the plot. Each character's greatest strength and weakness will determine their decisions and reactions, and that choreography becomes the backbone of my novels.
Hope this is helpful, and good fortune with your writing!!! Also, Merry Christmas!
xoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
As far as worldbuilding, I tend to follow this general formula: #1: Build the Setting, #2: Grow the Characters from that Setting’s soil, #3: Outline the Plot by forcing the Characters to make choices.
The first thing I did with ZODIAC was create a “galaxy guidebook” with background on each of the twelve planetary systems—their topography, the physical and personality traits of their people, the government, culture, religion, technology, transportation, and so on. I like to begin my books with setting because of something Alan Watts once said: we're not born into this world, we're born from it. In other words, the world exists before the character is born.
After I have my world(s) figured out, I try to design characters who are true representations of their unique environments/upbringings and not my own. Once I know my main cast well, I start outlining the story, and I try to let the dance between the protagonist and the antagonist chart the trajectory of the plot. Each character's greatest strength and weakness will determine their decisions and reactions, and that choreography becomes the backbone of my novels.
Hope this is helpful, and good fortune with your writing!!! Also, Merry Christmas!
xoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
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