The Lord of the Rings
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Why do writers create alternative worlds?
Benjammin
(last edited
Jul 25, 2013 11:02AM
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Jul 25, 2013 04:14AM
I am currently completing an EPQ around this subject and am looking for some opinions for my research. Thanks for your responses
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There are probably as many reasons as there are worlds, but I will give you my opinions for what they are worth.
1. Freedom to explore possibilities that would be limited by real world events or characteristics.
2. As a means of exercising your imagination. For example, the alternate history/world developed by Heinlein, and used in a number of his novels. I believe I read some where that he had the whole thing charted and stuck on his wall.
3. As a way of using things that the reader will recognize, but changing them enough to make them mysterious. For example, the Stone civilization of David Gemmell's Riganti series and its similarities to the Romans.
4. Creating an environment where the characteristics of your hero(s) are possible and/or your story can be played out. For example, The Amber series world by Zelazny.
5. As a writing exercise. For example, in my novel, Hosting, I created the world of the Core as an experiment to see if it's characteristics would limit the excitement possible. (Excuse me for using my work here, but I couldn't remember the name of the other series I had an example for.)
I hope this helps a little with your research.
Dave
1. Freedom to explore possibilities that would be limited by real world events or characteristics.
2. As a means of exercising your imagination. For example, the alternate history/world developed by Heinlein, and used in a number of his novels. I believe I read some where that he had the whole thing charted and stuck on his wall.
3. As a way of using things that the reader will recognize, but changing them enough to make them mysterious. For example, the Stone civilization of David Gemmell's Riganti series and its similarities to the Romans.
4. Creating an environment where the characteristics of your hero(s) are possible and/or your story can be played out. For example, The Amber series world by Zelazny.
5. As a writing exercise. For example, in my novel, Hosting, I created the world of the Core as an experiment to see if it's characteristics would limit the excitement possible. (Excuse me for using my work here, but I couldn't remember the name of the other series I had an example for.)
I hope this helps a little with your research.
Dave
Because they can. I've created many alternative worlds (in my own head). They're always better than the real one. If you have the power to do it, and the power to share your creation with others, why not? It's fun.
Good answer, Dave.
Can I to add:
6. Like JRR Tolkien, the need of a world for the artificial language he creates.
Can I to add:
6. Like JRR Tolkien, the need of a world for the artificial language he creates.
I can think of some variations of the above:
1. To create a world simpler than the real one for make it easier to tell one's story.
2. To show our world from a different or exaggerated angle to make it's characteristics easier to see.
1. To create a world simpler than the real one for make it easier to tell one's story.
2. To show our world from a different or exaggerated angle to make it's characteristics easier to see.
I have two to add as well. The two that are my own purposes actually.
7. Some authors like to have more control over the elements of their world like a diety. This is mostly the imaginiation thing in execution, but there is a bit of a power trip.
8. Or they don't want to be confined by the realism of setting their story to an historically accurate backdrop. Or the hours of research haha.
7. Some authors like to have more control over the elements of their world like a diety. This is mostly the imaginiation thing in execution, but there is a bit of a power trip.
8. Or they don't want to be confined by the realism of setting their story to an historically accurate backdrop. Or the hours of research haha.
Devero.
That's one I would never of gotten. Good one.
That's one I would never of gotten. Good one.
Because its more interesting :P good reasons though David.
I think I can see most options already stated.
For me, it is definetely the ability to play God from an atheistic point of view, that is,
a) you control the Random factor of science when it creates planets, life, etc.
b) you try to analyse the human factor of society development alongside all the other data responsible for it
Still, I can also point out the fanbased world creation. You fall in love with a world you watched, read, etc. about, and you just want to be a part of it. So you drink from it to create your own - which can make it almost (to avoid plagiarising) the same as the original or with some "personal improvements" that you believe the original missed on.
For me, it is definetely the ability to play God from an atheistic point of view, that is,
a) you control the Random factor of science when it creates planets, life, etc.
b) you try to analyse the human factor of society development alongside all the other data responsible for it
Still, I can also point out the fanbased world creation. You fall in love with a world you watched, read, etc. about, and you just want to be a part of it. So you drink from it to create your own - which can make it almost (to avoid plagiarising) the same as the original or with some "personal improvements" that you believe the original missed on.
You have to have real talent to create a super convincing alternative world, but you can make the world however you want. In a way, you have more freedom to make your story if you can literally build it from scratch.
I think these are all good suggestions. THe first one is the most pertinent I believe - to escape preconceptions in the material world which would limit the story's effectiveness.
Alternative worlds - e.g. - Tolkien's Middle Earth show part of Middle Earth (Hobbiton - Rivendell) unspoiled -with flowers,meadows, forests,friendship, hospitality, community. The other part - Mordor, ruled by Sauron - is barren and deserted - examplifying what pride and power can do to the earth.
I feel like Middle Earth gives us a lesson in living - and how we spoil our lands by pride and power. Maybe we can learn from this and save our earth in time as new evils rise - progress, technology and the dehumanization of man. My Jade Trilogy - Lair of the Jade and Threads of the Jade - is set in 1995 in gorgeous upstate NY-yet that world in marred by evil via the quest for Rasputin's Jade Collection. Who will grow and who will learn that greed destroys.
I feel like Middle Earth gives us a lesson in living - and how we spoil our lands by pride and power. Maybe we can learn from this and save our earth in time as new evils rise - progress, technology and the dehumanization of man. My Jade Trilogy - Lair of the Jade and Threads of the Jade - is set in 1995 in gorgeous upstate NY-yet that world in marred by evil via the quest for Rasputin's Jade Collection. Who will grow and who will learn that greed destroys.
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