Shocking as it may seem (especially to those who’ve seen my production schedule this year), I’ve done other things in life besides write action-packed paranormal romance novels. You might say I once had a life, but that implies I’m not a fan of the life I’m living… and that’s not the case at all. I love spending time with my characters and the wonderful fictional worlds they play in.
The more books I write, the more I appreciate all of the real-life adventures I’ve had and the more I pull from those experiences to make my urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels a treat for my readers. Theater, something I was a bit shy about in the beginning, has been a profound help when it comes to world building.
It’s no surprise my grandmother, who wrote several plays and was an award winning director in her community, enrolled me in a youth drama camp in the summers when I lived with her. At nine, I scored the coveted role of the Lion in the production of the Wizard of Oz. I worked on my lines (particularly my ROAR!) with as much dedication as my grandmother worked on my costume. I still have the mane and tail in a box somewhere up in the attic…
In the years following, I gained drama and theater experience on stage, behind the scenes with costumes, lighting, and building props, even in the pit orchestra. All of it helps me today as I dream up the challenges and world building for my paranormal romance novels and urban fantasy adventures.
On the stage, world building is about setting the mood and scene for the audience. It isn’t that different for authors setting the mood and scene for the reader. The props, the lighting, the lines, it all has to be there for the reader to sink in and get lost in the story.
As the thunder in the Sound of Music that precedes the “Favorite Things” song, I took particular delight in the surprised gasps from the audience. Generally you can’t put that sort of sound effect in a regular book, but the reader still needs to feel the character’s uncertainty, shock, or trepidation over thunderous events – from weather or other sources.
World building for paranormal romance and any other fiction genre comes down to setting that stage for the reader. Vocabulary, real world limitations, fantasy world enhancements, characters with special skills, yes even the weather, are all tools available to the author.
Use them well and your reader will thank you for giving them a book they will never forget.
Live the adventure!
