I have been creating a new fantasy world of mythical/fairy style creatures complete with dictionary and world maps, alphabet, numbering system and new languages for several years now. I have begun the writing as well for the first book. Does anyone else have similar interests? The alphabet, numbers, maps and dictionaries are a snap and the idea in my head is easy its getting the thing off the ground so to speak is the problem. I have the opening but the carry through always seems to elude me. Any ideas or thoughts.
This seems to be a common event. Many would be writers find the world building to be fascinating and easy, but get bogged down when it comes to the actual story. Perhaps you can try applying the same planning and inventive skills to working out a plot outline and characters so that you have a framework upon which to build your story.
Do you have an idea for the actual story or just a beautifully crafted world? If I were you I would look at the story idea and make sure I actually know where it's going. Do you know where the story is going? The main motivations for your characters? What the characters must overcome? Do you have a feel for the characters? If you don't have a plot or characters thought out you may need to think about the characters or the plot so you know where it's going. Planning things out extensively doesn't work for everyone but IMO you need to have some idea.
Thanks EllBeEss and Bryan Romer for your input. I have taken your advice and sat down yesterday writing two chapters in the first story. It went fast and smooth with only one problem, how do I incorporate my new language without having to repeat what I've said all the time? Index perhaps.
Eragon has a language index. If there was only a two or two said, the author translated it. But whole sentences were translated in an index in the back.
I've been doing the writing and world building at essentially the same time. It does mean I sometimes end up changing things after having written them, but still.
I started with a general idea of the plot, then tried to make a world works naturally around that, then work out more plot details based on what is possible in that world.
@Bryan Romer is right, I think. Lots of would-be fantasy writers love the work of world-building. They come up with a beautiful, elaborate, detailed world, but they don't have a story to tell that takes place in it. I start with characters and put them into situations they must resolve somehow. That drives the plot. Detailed world-building can wait until I have a story in mind.
You could situate a translation as part of the story, for example someone explains it or finds it, instead of just providing it on the side. Or just add it separately. The same goes for maps.
I love doing this as well. I have a private wiki setup for world building. Sometimes I think I spent way too much time on that side of things instead of actually writing.
