World Building - Inhabitants Pt. 2
Thanks for the feedback! I hope some people out there will try and create a new world of their own along side mine as we go through. Would be fun to see all the variations that come out at the end.
Quick Responses:
Tiff: You’re right, every writer creates a world specific to their story. Some just tend to be a bit more exotic then most. I can’t imagine all the research most historical and contemporary authors have to do to make sure that their worlds are accurate and believable. I’m certain that most people who feel like they couldn’t come up with a sci-fi or fantasy tale due to world building, just need to take another look at the process and think a bit sideways of normal and they could write a fun tale. Especially those who are fans of the genres to start with and are familiar with the basic tennents.
That’s why I’m doing this, to try and help them see how the process is similar to character and setting creation in stories outside this genre (or I think it is anyway).
Heather: Shnakvorum! Characters do drive so much, and it’s always fun to see what kind of secrets they give up as things progress. Hope you stop by often!
Camy: Glad you like the tutorial and lessons. Hope you dive in and give the stuff a try.
On to the Inhabitants Pt 2:
So we’ve got the basic sketch of the race for the new world. My next step (often blended with the actual creation of the sketch/description) is to examine the concept and see what it tells me about the probable lifestyle. You’ll want to keep this plausible and realistic. Might help to try and catch some nature shows that give abilities to similar creatures for inspiration. Sometimes you can just play off of what it feels right for your creature to be doing.
This race is crustacean in nature, large fiddler crab claw, flat head with multiple eyes and mandible mouth, segmented neck, flat shell body with six segmented legs. They stand about six feet tall, and are about as long as they are tall, usually just a few inches shorter, sometimes up to two feet. Colors range from red to light, dappled blue.
While amphibious in nature, this race prefers the water, and can live in both salt and fresh water. Those who live in salt water for long periods of time grow large spines on their carapaces from mineral deposits as their bodies process the salt, while those in fresh water have only small knobs.
Their cities are built along the shores of lakes and oceans, both in and out of the water. Smaller settlements can be found along streams and rivers. Also some have forsaken land all together and have “roaming” cities that ride the undersea currents of their planet’s oceans.
Judging from physical appearance and makeup, this will also probably be one of my “naked” races. Ones that may adorn themselves with trinkets, but don’t really wear any clothing for protection or covering (other than battle armor in many cases, though these guys seem to have that built in).
And looking at them, they need a clicking sounding name. Something like Krikicho (with short “i” “o” and a hard, guttural “ch”).
Ok, so there is some very basic, groundwork for the Krikicho. Looking through my list of named planets, looks like # 824 has a nice matching name: Och. We’ll talk more about language and how the greater mythos you insert your race into may affect that later on.
For now you might see the early signs of society starting to emerge from the race description. But before we delve into that, we’re going to pull out a bit farther and discover just what kind of world Och is.
But that’s for tomorrow.
Quick Responses:
Tiff: You’re right, every writer creates a world specific to their story. Some just tend to be a bit more exotic then most. I can’t imagine all the research most historical and contemporary authors have to do to make sure that their worlds are accurate and believable. I’m certain that most people who feel like they couldn’t come up with a sci-fi or fantasy tale due to world building, just need to take another look at the process and think a bit sideways of normal and they could write a fun tale. Especially those who are fans of the genres to start with and are familiar with the basic tennents.
That’s why I’m doing this, to try and help them see how the process is similar to character and setting creation in stories outside this genre (or I think it is anyway).
Heather: Shnakvorum! Characters do drive so much, and it’s always fun to see what kind of secrets they give up as things progress. Hope you stop by often!
Camy: Glad you like the tutorial and lessons. Hope you dive in and give the stuff a try.
On to the Inhabitants Pt 2:
So we’ve got the basic sketch of the race for the new world. My next step (often blended with the actual creation of the sketch/description) is to examine the concept and see what it tells me about the probable lifestyle. You’ll want to keep this plausible and realistic. Might help to try and catch some nature shows that give abilities to similar creatures for inspiration. Sometimes you can just play off of what it feels right for your creature to be doing.
This race is crustacean in nature, large fiddler crab claw, flat head with multiple eyes and mandible mouth, segmented neck, flat shell body with six segmented legs. They stand about six feet tall, and are about as long as they are tall, usually just a few inches shorter, sometimes up to two feet. Colors range from red to light, dappled blue.
While amphibious in nature, this race prefers the water, and can live in both salt and fresh water. Those who live in salt water for long periods of time grow large spines on their carapaces from mineral deposits as their bodies process the salt, while those in fresh water have only small knobs.
Their cities are built along the shores of lakes and oceans, both in and out of the water. Smaller settlements can be found along streams and rivers. Also some have forsaken land all together and have “roaming” cities that ride the undersea currents of their planet’s oceans.
Judging from physical appearance and makeup, this will also probably be one of my “naked” races. Ones that may adorn themselves with trinkets, but don’t really wear any clothing for protection or covering (other than battle armor in many cases, though these guys seem to have that built in).
And looking at them, they need a clicking sounding name. Something like Krikicho (with short “i” “o” and a hard, guttural “ch”).
Ok, so there is some very basic, groundwork for the Krikicho. Looking through my list of named planets, looks like # 824 has a nice matching name: Och. We’ll talk more about language and how the greater mythos you insert your race into may affect that later on.
For now you might see the early signs of society starting to emerge from the race description. But before we delve into that, we’re going to pull out a bit farther and discover just what kind of world Och is.
But that’s for tomorrow.
posted by Stuart at 10:39 PM
2 Comments:
Kewl, as always.
*bows in awe at Stuart's imaginativeness* ;-)
Stop that shannon! :p
Don't want you bowing in awe! Want you stretching and growing your own imaginative muscles (not like you have any kind of lack in imagination you crazy gal you). ;)
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