How do some authors jump from world to world and achieve
wonderful outcomes so successfully? Every fiction story has a certain amount of
world-building. It might not be extensive in stories such as a contemporary
romance, but even so, the author builds a world for their characters to come to
life in. Granted, there are different levels, for example, fantasy and Syfy
writers create entire worlds, complete with their own vehicles, dwellings,
clothing, atmosphere, food, traditions, vocabulary, just to name a few aspects.
I know authors who can work on multiple WIPs simultaneously,
I’ve never been one of them…until now. But to be fair, my projects are all at
different stages, and I’m not going back and forth between stories…at least not
too much.
Salvaging Truth was published earlier this year. Yes,
that book is published, but that hasn’t stopped my mind from constantly coming up
with ideas, plots, what-ifs for book two…and three. I jot down ideas because
let’s be honest…even when I say—“Oh, that’s good. I’ll remember that”—I don’t.
So now I force myself to stop what I’m doing and write it down or take a note
on my phone.
I’ve completed writing, Twice as Bad, book 2 for Miss
Demeanor, P.I. and I’m working on edits as they come. This novella differs from book 1 in that it is longer,
grittier, and has more twists.
I’ve been listening to Chasing Victory and I’m working my
way through the series to reacquaint myself with the Winters Sister’s world and
the copious number of characters. Yes, I do keep a book bible. Thank goodness I
learned that strategy early on. Right about the time I was two-thirds of the way through writing Chasing Victory, and I couldn’t recall something important and had to search
through the story. Book 5 will be in a brand new three-ring binder and the second book bible of the series. I try to
update my bible as I write. However, that didn’t happen when I wrote,
book 4, Corralling Kenzie and I’ll be adding it to my bible soon.
Each of these series has their own worlds. Fortunately, I
have set all my stories in present time, which makes for slightly less
world-building, except for The Winters Sisters. Once I dive into the Winters
Sisters, I become immersed in their world and have a difficult time trying to
write anything else. Theirs is a more intense world, especially when you add in
the distinct supernatural abilities of all the major characters, along with
sub-plots, personalities, Dobermans, and villains.
This is the closest I’ll ever get to writing multiple
stories at once. To those of you writing gods and goddesses that find the process
of world jumping very doable, even easy…I’m in awe of you.
Until next month…
Good for you that you keep a series bible! I love getting glimpses into authors' techniques, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my post. Thank you, ELF.
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