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If anyone is interested, knowing there are a number here who like worldbuilding = Elsbeth
Worldbuilding for Fantasy and Science Fiction: How to Create Unique and Immersive New Settings for Your Novels and Short Stories
By Philip Athans
Format: Live Webinar Registration
Session Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Run Time: 90 minutes
Price: $89.00
Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation. In all WD webinars, no question goes unanswered. Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. You will receive a copy of the webinar presentation in an e-mail that goes out one week after the live event. The answers to questions not covered in the live presentation will be included in this e-mail as well.
ABOUT THE CRITIQUE
You are invited to submit a 500-word “Statement of Purpose” for your science fiction or fantasy world. In this document, you are asked to describe your setting to answer three vital questions:
How does your setting support the theme of your story?
How does your setting enrich your characters?
How does your setting fuel your story’s conflict?
All submitted documents are guaranteed a written critique by author/editor Philip Athans.
Please Note: Even if you can't attend the live webinar, registering for this live version will enable you to receive the On Demand webinar and a personal critique of your material. Purchasing the On Demand version after the live event will not include a critique.
ABOUT THE WEBINAR
The New York Times best-selling author and veteran editor Philip Athans, author of The Guide to Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction (Adams Media 2010), gets into some seriously detailed techniques for creating worlds for fantasy and science fiction stories, novels, screenplays, and games, drawing from a quarter century of experience in creating new worlds.
You’ll get hands-on advice on where and how to start creating a fantasy or science fiction world. We’ll discuss research and sources of inspiration, and the importance of setting and following your own rules.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
The difference between “realistic” and “plausible”
The vital importance of consistently applied rules for your created world (i.e. how magic works, or how fast your starships can go)
Tips on research (what do you NEED to know?)
Sources of inspiration for your SF or fantasy world
How to start to organize your thoughts and notes
Why your world should always serve your characters and story, not the other way around
What you need to know about your world before you start writin
INSTRUCTOR
Philip Athans is the founding partner of Athans & Associates Creative Consulting, and the New York Times best-selling author of Annihilation and a dozen other fantasy and horror books including The Guide to Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction. Born in Rochester, New York he grew up in suburban Chicago, where he published the literary magazine Alternative Fiction & Poetry. His blog, Fantasy Author’s Handbook, is updated every Tuesday, and you can follow him on Twitter @PhilAthans. He makes his home in the foothills of the Washington Cascades, east of Seattle.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Anyone writing in the science fiction and fantasy genres
Writers from any media: novels and short stories, video games, movies and TV
Writers who understand the importance of a solid sense of place
Writers who want to take their SciFi and fantasy to the next level
Writers looking to create an ongoing series
Writers having trouble getting started
Writers who have trouble balancing description and action
HOW DOES THE CRITIQUE WORK?
You are invited to submit a 500-word “Statement of Purpose” for your science fiction or fantasy world. In this document, you are asked to describe your setting to answer three vital questions:
How does your setting support the theme of your story?
How does your setting enrich your characters?
How does your setting fuel your story’s conflict?
All submitted documents are guaranteed a written critique by author/editor Philip Athans. Instructions on how to submit your work are sent after you officially register.
HOW DOES THE WEBINAR WORK?
The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer speakers or over your telephone. The live webinar’s visual presentation is displayed directly from the Presenter's computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions being read and answered by the Presenter for the entire class to hear. In the event some questions are not answered during the live session, an e-mail with questions and answers will be sent to all webinar attendees. By attending the live webinar and/or asking questions, your full name may be stated during the live event and captured in the recording.
Comments
Hmm...
Hmm, this sounds like something I would be interested in.
I'm usually reluctant to participate in these kinds of things because they always seem to focus so heavily on what work I've already done. My problem is that while I have lots of bits and pieces, I don't have anything I really want to show to anyone else, because I have this fundamental core problem: Plotting, the bones or structure of my stories are weak at best, and non-existant at worst. So ... while I do have some existing pieces, they're frustratingly awful. I really want to better understand the underpinnings of the craft better before I try to put together something I'm comfortable showing to others, even if only for the purpose of being critiqued.
My feeling is always that I want someone to teach me the basic rules (of crafting plots and underpinnings of stories, including world building) before I try to implement those rules.
Most writing classes always feel like a cart-before-the-horse kind of thing to me. They always say "Show us what you've done, we'll help you with it", and my thought is always "No, no, TEACH me what to do first, then I'll produce something for you to look at".
And then of course, there's the issue that my most complete works are TG oriented, which I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with presenting in a format where it would be directly identified with me.
Doesn't help that I write veeeerrry slooooooowly either.