Creating Fictional Settings for Our Stories By Connie Vines #RR #Writing Tips #Creating Fictional Worlds

Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic: Creating Fictional Settings for Our Stories.

Last month, our topic was "Real Places" as a setting for our stories. Which was a breeze for me to write. 

While I may 'rename' a town in a story, I'm blending towns I've visited/resided in to create a fictional town. 

Which isn't precisely a fictional setting.

This is also true in my historical novels and short stories. Although my characters may be fictional, the time and place are accurate, preventing devastation.

My heroine may have a personal preference. However, the norms for that time and place will be structured. 

Other Worlds

World-building is a technique used by Science Fiction writers and may be used by Paranormal writers.

Charts and diagrams, rules, norms, kingdoms, alternate dimensions...

I have a tendency to "fixate" (like a four-year-old). 🤣  

Not to an unhealthy extent...but chronic enough to be noticed.

My children would rearrange a shelf with my knick-knacks...and wait...or hide my favorite pen...

You see where I'm going.. 

When I wrote the "Gumbo Ya Ya" anthology, I listened to New Orleans Jazz and Cajun music, prepared Cajun and Creole meals, and more. Since my husband's family lived in Louisiana, I knew its history and geography.  

In other words, I controlled myself. I did not arrange another family vacation. (Having been chased by an alligator during a prior visit to a swamp, probably had something to do with my lack of enthusiasm).

What am I working on at the moment?

This contemporary series will involve several characters from "Gumbo Ya Ya" in the stories (think cross-over series).

This next series will not be set in New Orleans. 

I also have a new YA Series in the planning stages.

Did I stay on topic?

Almost.

I wrote a RomCom Paranormal (which received rave reviews), and I thoroughly enjoyed writing!

Please hop over to the other authors participating in this month's event! 

Happy Reading,

Connie

Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-3rJ

 Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Belinda Edwards https://booksbybelinda.com/blog/

Anne Stenhouse https://goo.gl/h4DtKv

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Sally Odgers https://behindsallysbooksmark2.blogspot.com

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

A.J. Dyer http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Stuck in Your Story? Favorite Ways to Get Things Moving Again. By Connie Vines #RR, #RoundRobinBlog, #Writing Tips,

Ah, the universal problem for a writer.  

Favorite ways to get your story moving again! This month's topic: 

It (writers' block) often appears when the story is running smoothly....that is, until either your hero or heroine refuses to go along with your plotline. This is when 'storyland' begins to get ugly!  😕

What steps do I take? (Whining, crying, or insisting your characters conform, is pointless.--I learned that the hard way).

☕ Coffee, a brief break in my garden, or listening to calming music will often work. 

An idea 💭will pop into my head--or one of the 'characters will tell me what will happen next. 

Other times, nothing seems to work.

This is known as the "Dark Moment" when All Is Lost!

#

Since I write multiple novels simultaneously, I'll pull out another story to edit, work on a blog post, or simply leave the story alone for a day or two. 💻

I may leave the story alone, but subconsciously, I'm still thinking about it and dreaming.

 

I can't say I always come up with a way to complete a story, but I do most of the time.  

Please visit my other author friends and find out how they get their stories moving again.

An author's favorite moment? 

Typing "The End." 

Happy Reading, everyone!

Connie

XOXO

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Dr. Bob Rich --- https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2CG

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com