Cecily
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi, Michael! I loved Age of Myth and am looking forward to reading your other books. Do you have any advice on world-building? I am writing a fantasy novel and while a lot of people I know find it fun, it's kind of intimidating! Do you plan out the history, world, and cultures in your books before you start writing? Or do you write first and see where that takes you? Thanks!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Cecliy, I'm so glad you enjoyed Age of Myth and are looking forward to more. I can't claim to be an expert on the "genre" as a whole, but I can tell you what I do and why.
So, first of all, when it comes to Riyria I did have 8,000 years of history laid down. I also created various political parties, gods, and religious myths etc. At the time, I was on hiatus from writing (because I spent more than a decade and hadn't gotten anywhere), so a lot of it was just me occupying my time (boredom is the mother of imagination). Now that said, some things come up as I write and it's added to the world as a whole, and in the case of a multiple book series that may mean that it effects other books.
Okay, that's the background. Now let me give you my advice when it comes to world building. I think some new authors, particularly those in fantasy, concentrate too much on the world building aspects. I believe you should utilize the iceberg approach. Yes, "I" know a lot about my world, much of it that I found fascinating, but the "reader" doesn't need climb a mountain of information to get through your world-building to find the story. So I leave 90% of it below the surface. It provides flavor but isn't the meal. To me, it's the characters and their obstacles that I concentrate on...and I'm fully aware that this may not be the "right way" to write because some people read fantasy exactly for all those little details about the lace on cuffs and the metal the buttons are made out of and the fact that it's mined by a particular race of people.
To try and put it another way. To me, the world building is the plate that the meal is served on. If it is good it enhances the meal by presenting the food in an attractive and functional way. If it's bad (cheap plastic or paper) it might hurt the meal. We don't want our potato salad falling into our laps because the plate was flimsy. But in general people don't get done eating and say, "Wow that was a really pretty plate!" (Or if they do the chef has some serious problems).
So, that's my take on it - just one person's perspective but I hope it helps.
So, first of all, when it comes to Riyria I did have 8,000 years of history laid down. I also created various political parties, gods, and religious myths etc. At the time, I was on hiatus from writing (because I spent more than a decade and hadn't gotten anywhere), so a lot of it was just me occupying my time (boredom is the mother of imagination). Now that said, some things come up as I write and it's added to the world as a whole, and in the case of a multiple book series that may mean that it effects other books.
Okay, that's the background. Now let me give you my advice when it comes to world building. I think some new authors, particularly those in fantasy, concentrate too much on the world building aspects. I believe you should utilize the iceberg approach. Yes, "I" know a lot about my world, much of it that I found fascinating, but the "reader" doesn't need climb a mountain of information to get through your world-building to find the story. So I leave 90% of it below the surface. It provides flavor but isn't the meal. To me, it's the characters and their obstacles that I concentrate on...and I'm fully aware that this may not be the "right way" to write because some people read fantasy exactly for all those little details about the lace on cuffs and the metal the buttons are made out of and the fact that it's mined by a particular race of people.
To try and put it another way. To me, the world building is the plate that the meal is served on. If it is good it enhances the meal by presenting the food in an attractive and functional way. If it's bad (cheap plastic or paper) it might hurt the meal. We don't want our potato salad falling into our laps because the plate was flimsy. But in general people don't get done eating and say, "Wow that was a really pretty plate!" (Or if they do the chef has some serious problems).
So, that's my take on it - just one person's perspective but I hope it helps.
More Answered Questions
Alii Katt
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello Michael, I'm a huge fan of the Riyra series, and just recently started reading the Legends of The First Empire and have become even more addicted! I love illustrating your characters as I see them in my mind, however I do have one specific question on the Fhrey's appearance. They have "tear drop" shaped eyes, but is the round part of the tear facing inwards or outwards on their face?
papasteve
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I know this is going to be an off-the-wall question, but why don't writers have their characters poop or pee? Brandon Sanderson, in one of his recent novels has the character Wayne use the "crapper", and has Wayne even ponder all the names that people have for the "crapper." I thought, "Wow, that's the first time I've read something like that."
Allan
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael! I'm a huge fan of Riyria and your story as an independent author. One of the things that always hooks me in fantasy books is the language (the names of persons, places, things, etc). Riyria is loaded with names of people and places that show a culture all of it's own. Would you mind sharing your inspiration behind the naming of some of the locations or historical figures in your novels? Novron? Avempartha?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more