I put both NaNoPreps together because during week 3, I did nothing NaNo related because the prompt was to create an outline. I’ve already done that, so I continued to send out queries (more on this next week). Then for week 4 world building, I am sketching out daily prompts for Inktober, each related somehow to the story I have in my mind. I will be adding these to my Hannah Marie. Artwork paid subscription videos at the end of October. Inktober is a month when artists from around the world create works of art each day, based on a prompt. The challenge is usually to use ink of some kind, so I’ve chosen my writing pen for this one. It won’t be anything too fancy, but viewers can see the quick draw process I take to ink each little story.
Some of my worldbuilding includes reading and taking notes over issues and settings that I will be writing about in my novel. Since this is a travel adventure, I will need to make sure that elements are accurate, which might later entail traveling on my own to some areas in my novel. I love finding excuses to travel! I will start close to my area and work mostly through Google maps and goelogical books I’ve found, as well as blogs and personal memoirs of similar trips. Some elements that I will add into my story are transportation, legends, and rituals. I will be “by the book” for each of these, but I will later look for people to interview and find local museums to visit. These will be inserted throughout the year for an artist date.
Worldbuilding is never complete without a map, and since I’m re-reading J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, I will definitely draw inspiration from his drawings. You might not know this, but Tolkien was an artist, too! I’ve read his children’s book, Letters to Father Christmas but my favorite, recommended by a woman in my previous writing group, is a detailed look into his creative life, J. R. R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator. I’ve read it twice from my library. I don’t yet own this book, but it’s on my list (famous last words!).
For most, worldbuilding is the research process that begins to answer questions about where you are placing your story. This is especially arduous for those creating fantasy. Usually, like Tolkien, fantasy writers create not just their own story setting, but race of characters, language, and magical properties. I have yet to dive deep into the fantastical realm, but this is a sweet spot for many in my writing group.
Keep dreaming!
Hannah Marie.
