WORLD BUILDING –Who Needs It? by Lynda Coker

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Please join me in welcoming Lynda Coker to Muse Monday.

As a writer, I learned early that creating a believable story required architectural and construction skills. The second thing I realized was that I didn’t have a clue what World Building meant, how to begin, or when to stop. And most disturbing, was how my own writing style predicted dark days ahead. 

You see, I write by-the-seat-of-my-pants. I do some plotting, but mostly, the story just evolves one weird, funny, amazing, or awful idea at a time. Thankfully, these ideas do eventually merge into a story that previously only existed in my mind, a world with its own reality and principles of existence. 

So World Building is not something I consciously and meticulously predetermine, rather, I construct what I need when I need it. (*Smiles precociously) That’s not to say that a lot of building repair isn’t required in the editing process. (Woe is me!) After all, two things are definitely needed to make World Building concrete that is strong and durable—Coherence and Consistency, which miraculously appear during editing

As a reader, I don’t enjoy being bogged down by endless description. For instance, I don’t need to see the blueprints for a 33 room mansion. Just tell me it has 33 rooms including tennis courts, swimming pool, and riding stables and let me put it all together in my own mind. I guarantee, I’ll like my mansion better than the one you describe to me in full detail!

So what’s my point? In World Building, I try to construct only those features that are necessary in order to understand the rules or laws which govern my world, the environmental territory, time and space, new technology, and the characters that people my world along with their philosophy, language, etc. As a writer, I do the framework and allow you, the reader, to decorate so-to-speak. In reality, my world also becomes your world through participation.

Blurb:

THE OCEAN BETWEEN by Lynda Coker

Between the skyscrapers of New York City and the ancient sands of the Middle Eastern nation of Ahalamin lies an uncharted ocean, not of water, but of culture and prejudice.

When financial executive, Victoria Ballard, is tricked into marriage with a Prince of the Desert, her perfectly designed life unravels. To put the pieces back together and claim the heart of a Prince, she’ll have to find a way to bridge The Ocean Between .

Book Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvtCCEoOTDE

Buy Links:

AMAZON

THE WILD ROSE PRESS 

Excerpt:

Rashid took the stairs two at a time. Identifying

The source of the problem did not take long...the

verbal tirade echoing through the lounge came from

his private compartment at the rear of the plane.

“Let me out of here! I’m an American citizen and

this is kidnapping. I’ll have you all arrested and

executed for this! I’m warning you, Califar. You tell

that unscrupulous, deceitful, desert creep to get back

here and let me go!”

Rashid took a step forward and then paused.

The sudden cessation of verbal ranting was more

unnerving than the previous clamor. The pregnant

silence made the hairs on his arms stand erect. With

this woman, he was certain the calm was a precursor

to worse atrocities. He hoped he was wrong and she

had exhausted her vile temper instead. The thud of a

solid object slamming against the other side of the

door ridiculed his supposed control.

He yanked off  his robe and headdress. Slinging

them toward the back of a chair, he barked a

command to his two bodyguards.

“Give the pilot orders to depart...NOW!”

Both went forward to deliver the message,

almost jamming the small doorway in their attempt

to pass through at the same time. Consumed with

his own anger, he could not find any humor in the

speed with which they fled one loud, but small

woman. He wondered about the quality of his

personal security.

Spearing Califar with a glacial look, he

motioned him forward. “You will ignore any sound

you hear from the other side of that door.

Understood?”

“May I speak frankly?”

Rashid stiffened. “If you must.”

“This woman you’ve made your wife is a

stranger to you and to our customs. These are

extreme circumstances for her. Despite her less than

respectful manner, she is still deserving of the gentle

persuasion you always accord the women in your

life.”

“Are you telling me how to treat my wife?”

Rashid lashed in reply.

“As your servant...never,” replied Califar. “As

your friend...I offer a reminder. Guard well your

actions this night and remember with what care you

have always protected what is yours.”

“I will deal with the princess in whatever

manner suits me,” growled Rashid.