World Creation
by Ela Lourenco
An Essay Relating to the Dragon Born Series
World creation – possibly one of the hardest and yet most fun aspects of writing a fantasy adventure. There is much more to it than merely describing a planet or setting. In fact I will let you in on a little secret, it takes me longer to establish the world and plans than to write the actual book! There are all the various races to describe; the dragons, mages, witches… and there is so much to detail beyond their physical descriptions and magical powers. Each race needs its own past – an entire history which helps explain why and how they have become who and what they are. They all have their own rituals, belief-systems, relics which are all essential to the creation and melding together of the world they inhabit.
Every potion, weapon and magical object in the Dragon Born series has a purpose and ties to the plot and many subplots in a vital way. Each one contributes towards making Azmantium not just a make-believe fantastical planet but a three dimensional real one which the reader can connect with more and more as the histories of the races are unraveled.
Some might argue that creating your own world is easier than writing something factual as there is no chance that you can get anything wrong – I beg to differ! When establishing Azmantium and telling the tale of its various races I spent many an hour reading and rereading my own notes just to make sure that all the details fit, that nothing contradicted itself and that everything I had ‘created’ built on the story and was not merely added in just because it seemed fun. It is vital to create a ‘believable’ world when writing fantasy or the reader will not bond with the characters or empathize with their plight.
Awakenings
Book Three of the Dragon Born Series
The Royal tournament, the Karnac, is fully underway. But there is deception and betrayal at every turn. Unseen dark forces are at play, both within the school grounds and out with. Even the Gods are unable to help when a new threat looms over them all.The very existence of Azmantium depends on Lara fully becoming the Child of Fire and casting aside the Shadows lurking in every corner of her beloved planet.Can she overcome the challenges that await? Will the Shadows cover the world in darkness? Only Lara and her friends can change the fate of Azmantium.
About the Author:
Ela Lourenco is a lover of all things fantasy, magic and mystery and loves nothing better than cooking up new tales – that is when she isn’t nose deep in a book herself! Nomadic by nature, she has now settled down in Scotland with her hubby, two daughters and two cats.
Ela also runs creative writing workshops for children and is passionate about helping those with learning difficulties to get ‘back to enjoying stories’.
Follow her on Twitter at @ElaLourenco or her Facebook page for news and updates!
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