Monday, January 24, 2011

Author N.R. Williams

N.R. Williams, author of The Treasures of Carmelidrium, a high fantasy, is here today to talk about the term “world driven” and how it applies to fantasy. She’s stopping by Straight From Hel on her blog tour.

 N. R. Williams lives in Colorado, U.S.A. with her husband. She’s a long time member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and has attended conferences and workshops. She said that since her formative years, she’s been inventing fantastical stories and since she could spell she’s been writing them down. While she majored in art in college, she didn’t make a living at it. Now, she uses her skills of observation to create fantastical worlds, interesting characters and stories that touch the heart. She’s certainly done that in her book, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

Welcome Nancy!

Character-Driven versus World-Driven

Thank you Helen for having me as your guest during my blog book tour for “The Treasures of Carmelidrium.” I appreciate it.

I’m going to start this post by flipping the title. What is “World-Driven?” Is that the same as “Plot-Driven?”

World-driven is a little different from plot-driven, but not by much.

Fantasy and Science Fiction are known for their worlds. I can name many, “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” “Narnia,” “Harry Potter.” The list goes on. We traditionally think of these examples when we think about world building, or world driven. Things just wouldn’t be the same without “warp drive” in “Star Trek,” or “Darth Vador” in “Star Wars.” Excuse me a moment while I tell him to stop breathing down my neck. You naughty character you.

Another example is the one and only “Sherlock Holmes.” So you see world-driven is not just for fantasy or science fiction. A well written world will set the stage for our characters. But should it be the main focus? I don’t think so. If it is the main focus, then you have a writer caught up in, let’s say, the Elizabethan age, with endless descriptions of clothing, manners, and travel. These things are important, but not if the characters are buried in fabrics.

Character-driven. By the term, we already know, or hope, that the main characters are as three dimensional as possible. The writer has taken care not to use cookie cutter characters, each one a duplicate of earlier works. Our characters should be unique.

Let’s assume that strong willed and opinionated Elizabeth Bennett has somehow been transported onto the deck of the Enterprise. Does she belong there? Perhaps a similar character, but Capt. Prichard is not Mr. Darcy. So to build a character with Elizabeth’s strength is what the writer should study and implement. Now we have a woman who is capable of being the Captain of the Enterprise.

In my high (or epic) fantasy, “The Treasures of Carmelidrium,” Missie is a modern American. She reacts to her surroundings as a liberated woman. She can’t do otherwise, because she isn’t a meek person. Her counterpart, Prince Healden, (pronounced with a silent “a” like Hel-don) is well mannered, charismatic, and handsome. He is used to women falling all over him. Missie has ignored men in order to pursue her music career. She is stubborn, intelligent, beautiful, talented, and funny. Healden can’t get enough and doesn’t understand anything that motivates Missie. This is the underlying tension in my story while the main problem is defeating the villain and figuring out how to do that.

A good story will have the main plot, set in an interesting world, with additional twists and turns to help the characters develop and grow while searching for the answer to their journey. It’s up to the writer to craft the character’s struggle in a way that is thrilling and enjoyable to the reader.

Thank you Nancy!

Before you link away, leave a comment or question for Nancy. You can also leave your email to be entered in a drawing for a free e-book. She’s giving away a free e-book to three lucky commenters during her tour. You can enter multiple times by commenting here and on other blogs participating in the tour.

43 comments:

  1. Your epic story sounds intriguing, Nancy. World building in a novel is a challenge; there's just so much to think of to get that fantasy world as real as possible. That's possibly why I haven't been brave enough to attempt it.

    Judy (South Africa)

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  2. World building allows for more stories and books, too!

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  3. I focused more on character than world in my first book, but I'm learning to balance that in the second.

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  4. Hi Helen, pleased to meet you.

    Hi again Nancy. I agree with what you say about world driven writing, but I think that a strong world depiction can be created without being too wordy. I see writing as 'conjuring'. We create an illusion of something in our readers minds, but the skill is to create it in a way that doesn't distract the reader.

    When readers enjoy a fantasy or sci-fi novel each one creates a picture in their mind that is different from the next reader. This is the joy of reading, and it's why films sometimes reduce a novel to something less than it was.

    As long as it's an engaging world, and we don't bring it crashing down with subsequent description that conflicts, then we've suceeeded in entertaining.

    bcd_tony@yahoo.com

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  5. I agree with you, Nancy. Too much description can lose a reader. I once started reading a novel that had so many details about clothing that I never figured out the plot and put the book down without finishing.

    I think your fantasy novel sounds very intriguing.

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  6. Hello Nancy, Hello Helen,

    I think the fact that many people still come to Baker Street believing Sherlock Holmes to be an historical figure, shows just how 'real' a world Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created.

    I agree that a world has to be almost seamless and a true gift of a writer is when the reader feels they 'know' that world. Diagon Alley really hits the spot for me and I'm looking forward to discovering Gil-Lael.
    margo.benson@yahoo.co.uk

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  7. I get the feeling that the created world can really work in conjunction with a character, too. That maybe it's features and personality can serve to draw out the character's as well?

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  8. Good morning everyone. Thank you again Helen for hosting me.

    I just realized I spelled Picard wrong, sorry Star Trek fans.

    It can be very elaborate Judy, but it can also be simple. World building on some level takes place in all fiction.

    Hi L. Diane, that is true.

    Alex, a blend of both is best and I'm glad you're attempting that.

    Hi Tony, you're right, we are conjuring an illusion for our readers and ourselves. You left your email so you are again entered into my contest.

    I've read novels like that too Jane, they frustrated me.

    Hi Margo, your examples are great. One of my favorite Star Trek episodes is when they visit Sherlock Holmes. Now, if I could just visit Diagon Alley, how cool would that be? You left your email so you are entered in my contest.

    Hi Joanne, the characters interaction with the world is an important element in every story.

    Thank you all for such wonderful comments.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  9. My challenge is to back off on the world building a bit in order to further develop the characters. Thanks for a helpful post.

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  10. I love to enter the world a writer creates - my main desire whether it be 'Dune' or 'Pride and Prejudice' is that the world be true to itself. Like the characters in it - I want authentic presence. Mostly, I do not wish to be awoken from the fictive dream by noticing the strings of the puppets! So for me, sometimes the detail can be very rich - but it takes a good base to support that - a strong plot like Wolf Hall to carry all the detail. It can also be just the slightest reference to the world and what it means to be 'of' it. Just don't jar me with things that aren't consistent and I'm all good. I want to like what I'm reading. I'll give it much benefit of the doubt!

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  11. oh argghh - I want to enter and forgot to give you my email - here goes: mobudgeATnsDOTsympaticoDOTca

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  12. Thank you Jan, your comments are great. I will enter you in the contest to win one of 3 e-books since you left your email.

    Anyone can enter multiple times by checking out past blog post. The URL's are updated every day on my blog book tour schedule.

    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  13. When an author creates a world that I, as Reader, believe and accept, then I can get into that world, accepting whatever "laws" apply to it. I focus on the characters and story.

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  14. Thanks for the description of world driven. It's a term I hadn't considered before, but your description has made me understand it and the great importance it can have in story.

    Thanks, Helen, for hosting Nancy!

    All the best,
    Monti
    NotesAlongTheWay

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  15. I read a lot of fantasy. I love it because when you get my age it usually offers surprises, especially if there is a new world to explore. I'll check out your book.

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  16. I've been re-reading some JD Robbs and it's true Helen, once you beleive in the world, then you can get back to the charachters and their life within it. Of course if there are flaws in teh author's execution of the world it becomes very distracting.

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  17. Hi Nancy. Interesting post. When I think of decent fantasy or sci-fi books I've read I remember the places fairly well. When I think of decent suspense/thrillers I recall the plot. When I think of literary novels, the characters come to mind. When I think of great works in any genre, I can revisit the world, the plot, and the characters as if they were a single cohesive unit.

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  18. A well written world will set the stage for our characters.

    That's so true, Nancy. It's also a good way to look at how we write. We take the time to build interesting characters but do the fit on the *stage* we've created to tell the story. Have we even taken the time to create a solid stage for them to tell their story on?

    Enjoyed your article!

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  19. Thank you again Helen for hosting me. You are absolutely correct, once we believe in the world it's back to the characters.

    I'm glad I was able to help you understand world building better Monti.

    I am so pleased you're going to check into my book Pat. Thank you very much.

    You touched on a very important problem Laura. If there are flaws in the world that the author built for his/her characters it's a big distraction.

    Hi Mark, I agree with you. As an author, I hope to strive for that single cohesive unit with plot, world and characters woven with skill for the enjoyment of my readers.

    Thank you Sia, you've brought up another valuable point. Did we take the time to build a stage for our characters and will they fit?

    I appreciate everyone's comments, thank you all.

    Don't forget your emails!
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  20. I wish I had the imagination to create an entire world for my characters to inhabit. That's quite an accomplishment, Nancy.

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  21. Hi Bob, it's not as difficult as you may imagine. Or maybe that's just me. I've been living in a fantasy world since I was four, searching my mother's garden for fairies.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  22. My beast is a combination of the two. World driven and character driven.

    I would loooove to get my hands on your book some time soon.

    I hope I win.

    Me e-mail is mishagericke@gmail.com

    :-)

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  23. I don't create worlds but I do spend crazy amounts of time describing real towns and locations, right down to what time of day the sun shines through the front window. Regardless if the setting is real or imagined, it has to be right or you will lose your audience.

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  24. That's a great compliment Misha, thank you.

    You're right Stephen, we need to be accurate in our descriptions.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  25. I agree, a book shouldn't have too much description about the world the story is set in. It's important, but a lot of detail is too much for the reader.

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  26. There's a fine line between over-describing the world and getting it just right so the reader can "see" the world and still use their imagination.

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  27. Hi, Nancy,

    I liked this post concentrating on how important it is for a writer to CREATE his/her word.

    For those of us who had the pleasure of ready Treasures ... you will find a lush world painted in words by Nancy.

    Good luck on the rest of your blog book tour.

    Michael

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  28. I like a strong sense of "place" in a novel - the location is almost like another character to me, at least if the author has done a good job.

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  29. Thank you Michael.

    Michael posted a review of my book on Amazon today. You can go and check that out along with another review and Good Reads now has four reviews.

    I agree Dani, a world can be another character.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  30. A world that's foreign but believable will draw me in.

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  31. We need both don't we, but who is to say which way to focus and when? The world is so important in fantasy just as setting is so important in a contemporary (real-life) novel.

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  32. I'm glad you pointed out how world-building isn't just for fantasy and sci-fi. Good luck on your continuing tour, Nancy.

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  33. Thanks for a wonderful post, Nancy. And for stopping by today.

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  34. You're right, L'Aussie and I'm glad you mentioned setting.

    You're welcome, Susan, world building under any title is important to every story.

    Thank you again, Helen for hosting me. It has been a fun day.

    And thank you to everyone who stopped by and left a comment. I appreciate your following my blog book tour.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  35. Thank you Nancy for posting here today. I had fun reading your post and reading all the comments! Thanks everyone who commented (and those of you who leave your mark after this note). I appreciate the interaction.

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  36. I have always believed that the world a story is set in is a character in the plot. Events wouldn't have happened the exact same way in any other place or time.

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  37. Hi Gwen, I appreciate you comment. It is true in many ways that the world is part of the plot or character.

    Thank you again Helen for letting me grace your blog with my post.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  38. Thanks for the peek into your book! World building is perhaps what I like best about fantasy and sci/fi and it's important to give the reader enough to supply their imagination with points of reference.

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  39. I agree, Laura, thanks for stopping by and reading.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  40. Hi, Helen, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I agree on the whole world-driven versus character driven premise. Spending too much time building up the world when the reader just wants to enjoy a story isn't fair to the reader, or to the characters for that matter. It's all about balance.

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