World-building: fantasy's best feature?

[Damien]

In my latest blog post I explore the importance of world-building to the fantasy genre. I'd love to hear what other genre fans think about this fascinating topic!

Please follow this link to read the article:

http://damienblackwords.com/Blog/worl...

[Mary]

world-building is a great delight -- but it does have the peril that it doesn't move the story forward, so it has its risks.

Not to mention that many worlds are clearly 21st century America with bells and whistles and a few perks.

[Damien]

Mary wrote: "world-building is a great delight -- but it does have the peril that it doesn't move the story forward, so it has its risks.

Not to mention that many worlds are clearly 21st century America with b..."
Really? I need to read more by the sounds of it...! Yes, I know what you mean about world-building in general... I suppose it's about getting the balance right. Generally I haven't gone into my own world's history unless it has bearing on the present story - I wanted to create a real sense of depth, as in having a parallel history. But then I'm hardly unique to the genre in that sense!

[Mary]

The thing that helps the most with the 21st century aspects is to read history. Lots and lots and lots. Preferably primary source.

err. primary source is stuff that was written at the historical time. The letters of Seneca are primary source; a biography of Seneca is secondary source.

The big point is not research, though it will lay down a base of facts that may prove useful. The big point is to get your block knocked off. It can be amazing. I still remember the day when my first thought, on being questioned on a point of world-building, was that was a normal society.

[Damien]

Mary wrote: "The thing that helps the most with the 21st century aspects is to read history. Lots and lots and lots. Preferably primary source.

err. primary source is stuff that was written at the historical t..."
Yes, I read a lot of history and historical novels as well (just check my current reading list and you'll see what I mean!). That's why I chose a pseudo historical setting for my own work - it's very clearly meant to be Europe (and later on the Middle East) in the High Middle Ages.

That's where the research comes in - when you put something down and it feels like you're writing a forgotten history rather than a work of fiction!