Creating Fictional Settings for My Stories.
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I often use "Real Places" as a setting for my 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, which keeps my readers immersed in my fictional reality.
My heroine may have a personal preference. However, the norms for that time and place will be structured.
I wrote "Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water" while serving on the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) for Title IX and X Indian Education Programs. I participated in evening cultural programs, including Powwows, tribal history, food, culture, and storytelling.
My friend, Linda Baugley (Iroquois/Seneca/Cayuga), is an artist and oversaw the pottery and craft classes. (Connie's adept at bead work, making frybread, and seeing to the horses.)
I was assigned to oversee the PreK group's pottery-making table. Linda selected a lopsided bowl as "the best" work of art. I gave one of the 4-year-olds a pat of encouragement, and she ran to have her photo taken. (To this day, no one knows I was awarded the best example of pottery in the PreK group.) 😉
The photo above is at a classroom event with Jacques Condor (Abenaki-Mesquaki tribes). Each student participated by sharing his/her favorite legend.
This was the same year my novel was chosen for the curriculum of the "Gifted and Talented Program," and as a Book-of-the-Month Read for the North Eastern Library System.
While it is not always easy to immerse oneself deeply into a culture.
A writer can always create a fictional world.
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 to a chronic degree that is noticeable.
My children would rearrange a shelf with my knick-knacks...and wait...or hide my favorite pen...
This is why writing in multiple genres suits me.
Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow
It was written as a RomCom because I have nightmares. Yes, I watch the black and white Classic Universal Monster Movies. However, I get upset if I watch Bambi and the Dancing mops in "Fantasia" and the talking trees in The Wizard of OZ have the same effect.
My Zombie, Meredith, was a vegan. Now she consumes dried beef jerky.
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 was familiar with its history and geography.
In other words, I managed to control myself. I did not arrange another family vacation. (Having been chased by an alligator during a prior visit to a swamp probably put a damper on my adventurous streak.)
Instead, I created a lively cast of characters for your enjoyment.
Let the good times roll!
Happy Reading 📕📗📘
Connie
Connie's Books:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/connie-vines
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Connie-Vines/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/205731.Connie_Vines
https://books.apple.com/us/author/connie-vines/id624802082
Or at your favorite online book seller
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