Jessica
asked
Ann Leckie:
Thank you for taking me on an impeccable journey. Could you share some advice for writers on the process of world building? How did you excavate such a detailed and specific world?
Ann Leckie
So, worldbuilding can be a lot of work. But I try to see where things are linked together--and also to keep mundane details in mind. What are people eating, and how? How did they get that food and who prepared it? What are people wearing and does that maybe say something about their cultural background, or their position in society? Just those, put together, give you a kind of rudimentary skeleton to start hanging things on,. It also helps to look at a variety of historical and existing societies and see how those things (and other little details) fit together in a pattern.
It's a long, slow process though, with a lot of fiddly "oh this would be cool...no, wait, it doesn't really work there" moments.
It's a long, slow process though, with a lot of fiddly "oh this would be cool...no, wait, it doesn't really work there" moments.
More Answered Questions
Hailey
asked
Ann Leckie:
On the reddit AMA, you mentioned a book written by a woman who became convinced she did not exist, in reference to identity and ancillary-related mental states. You didn't recall the woman's name in the thread, but I would love to know the title/woman's name if you think of it again? Thanks so much! (PS Ancillary Mercy is AMAZING)
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