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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Setting in a Fantasy World

Woman of Honor is set in a medieval fantasy world. It originally started as a historical novel, and I did a fair amount of research as far as weapons, training, female knights, etc. But once Aislinn's dead brother wanted a speaking role, the novel turned fantasy. I kept the historical pieces tucked within the novel but the fantasy aspect opened up a whole new world for my story.

The Kingdom of Arnhem. Medieval. A large castle with a market place inside its stone walls. Many surrounding villages that fall within the kingdom's lines. Arnhem is separated from Speica by a river. Whereas Arnhem has bountiful, fertile land, Specia is a hot desert where nothing lives. By living in the desert for generations, the Speicans have a reddish tint to their skin, almost as if their skin appears constantly sunburned. The close proximity of the two neighboring nations causes a lot of friction and tension that flares up and settles down from time to time and serves as a point of conflict in the second half of Woman of Honor and will be revisited throughout the series.

This world that I created has many fantasy creatures despite its realistic medieval setting. There are dragons and even a wingless griffin. Many more creature will have roles in later novels. When reading Woman of Honor, you are transported to the Middle Ages, where good and noble magic is used by monks and the dead sometimes find a voice in visions.

Setting is not only location, but also time. Woman of Honor begins in 1155 AD and ends 14 years later. The rest of the series will not cover such a long span of time as quickly as this one, namely because Woman of Honor is Aislinn's tale, her journey to knighthood, and her training, a coming-of-age story that needed that length of time to come to fruition.

Woman of Honor is a blend of history and fantasy and its setting plays a key role in the novel. If you could write a history/fantasy blend novel, what setting would you choose?

This blog post is part of the CRR carnival. Here is the link to the CRR post for other SETTINGS - SIMPLY SCENIC OR SPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT? posts. Hope you enjoy the carnival! Note This is a Classic Romance Revival GROUP event. You MUST have commented on EACH and EVERY blog in order to qualify for a prize.
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37 comments:

  1. The Egypsy SpeaksJune 5, 2009 at 12:39 PM

    Hey Nicole, great topic! It's nice to hear an author talk about how they develop settings!
    Patti
    (P.I. Barrington)

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  2. UnknownJune 5, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    Hi Nicole. I haven't read much fantasy but can't wait to read Women of Honor

    val
    lastnerve2000@gmail.com

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  3. johnny rayJune 5, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    Very interesting article. I'm thinking of writing a reincarnation fantasy that would span several centuries, this article has me thinking of the project again. thanks

    Johnny Ray
    www.sirjohn.org/bloglist

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  4. Laura G.June 5, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    Nicole-
    Great blog. Interesting to see how the story evolved and pretty much took on a life of its own.
    Hugs,
    Laura
    LJ Garland

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  5. Pamela K. KinneyJune 5, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    Great article.
    Pamela K. Kinney
    http://fantasticDreams.50megs.com

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  6. DebbyJune 5, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    I have read some fantasty and I enjoyed reading your article. i would love to read rthe book.

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  7. AnonymousJune 5, 2009 at 1:51 PM

    Great post. I love hearing about how stories come about and this time period/setting is one of my favorites.

    Kissa

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  8. Lindsay TownsendJune 5, 2009 at 2:27 PM

    Super post, Nicole! I love the way you have create another medieval world and one that makes perfect sense.

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  9. Jennie MarslandJune 5, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Great post. The book sounds intriguing and the cover is fantastic! Congrats!

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  10. Nicole H.June 5, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    Cool post! I do love the cover! It is very sweet! What setting would I use? Hmm, That is a tough question as I prefer the here and now, or future in my writings.... But if I was assigned a historical/fantasy tale then I would probably have to go with for me the Mayans. It was a "new world" with alot of old history and still had some of the amenities of the here and now. If I had to go further back in time I would probably need to go try to "live the life" with no running water, no toilet, no...... Ugh, lol.

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  11. The Brunette LibrarianJune 5, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    Settings aren't a big deal to me...the story always wins out..and hey, if the setting matters then it matters to me. :) Otherwise, it's kind of background noise.

    fun post today!!

    rahie2004 @ Yahoo (DOT) com

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  12. Anna Kathryn LanierJune 5, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    What a nice post about your writing journey. Don't you just love characters who won't shut up and speak their minds?

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  13. Jacquie RogersJune 5, 2009 at 5:10 PM

    I love fantasy--the worldbuilding is so important and touches every detail in character and conflict. You've done a marvelous job!

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  14. Deb HockenberryJune 5, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    Nicole,
    'Woman Of Honor' sounds like a fantastic read!

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  15. Savannah ChaseJune 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    I love fantasy...it is something I have wanted to write more of.I wrote something many many years ago....

    your story sounds real good....

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  16. lainey bancroftJune 5, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    Good job, Nicole! Fantasy is so...freeing. I've never really tried my hand at it--not sure why--but you've made it sound like such fun.

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  17. orelukjp0June 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM

    Hi Nicole. This sounds like a great story. I have it on my to be bought list. Can't wait.

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  18. SheJune 5, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    I love the medieval time period. It is such a fascinating time and the things that were developed during that time that we still use are amazing--our law system, writing, the churches built, etc. Wonderful, interesting times.

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  19. Katie HinesJune 5, 2009 at 9:38 PM

    A wingless griffin? Cool. Sounds like you've done lots of work. Hope sales go well for you!

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  20. UnknownJune 5, 2009 at 11:02 PM

    The story looks really fun! I love fantasy stuff!

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  21. Martha EskuchenJune 6, 2009 at 12:32 AM

    Interesting blog Nicole! I like how your setting even flowed to the skin color of the characters as effected by the desert! Also I like dragons and other neat/magical creatures!

    If I were to write a historical/fantasy (not likely!!) I think maybe a land and time of dinosaurs would be fun! Then I think it would be scenic and significant!
    mesreads[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. Carol L.June 6, 2009 at 4:34 AM

    I enjoyed reading your blog Nicole. I am looking forward to reading Woman of Honor.
    A female knight. It sounds incredably interesting. I like reeading about Midevil times and the times of the Scottish Highlanders where men were warriors,lovers and heroes. Thanks.
    Carol L.
    Lucky7450@aol.com

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  23. Maggi AndersenJune 6, 2009 at 7:18 AM

    I marvel at fantasy writer's world building. In my historical books I have history to help create the settings for my characters. Fantasy is entirely your imagination, I find that amazing.
    Maggi

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  24. Bryn ColvinJune 6, 2009 at 7:46 AM

    I think historical research or exploration of other cutlures can really enrich a fantasy novel.

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  25. Desirée LeeJune 6, 2009 at 9:19 AM

    I too enjoy weaving real history in with my imagination. I love reading books where the author has done so.

    Carpe Noctem,
    Des


    Desirée Lee
    Putting the Romance Back in Necromancy
    http://www.desireelee.com
    des@desireelee.com

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  26. Kathleen OJune 6, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    Great post Nicole, your fantasy work is something I will want to read. I have become more into this genre since a reading a world created by another fav of mine..
    I already have this on my tbr list..

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  27. AnonymousJune 6, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    Great post Nicole. I have never read about a female knight. Something different and I love reading new stuff.

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  28. Kelley HeckartJune 6, 2009 at 1:08 PM

    I also prefer to write historical/fantasy. I use actual places such as Roman Britain, northern Scotland and ancient Greece, but some of my characters are Fae, Greek vampires or gods and goddesses so that's where the fantasy comes in to play.
    Good luck with your new release. I will add it to my TBR pile.
    kelleyheckart.com

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  29. DanielleThorneJune 6, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Good luck with your series, Nicole.

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  30. Raonaid LuckwellJune 7, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    I love a good fantasy. I read such authors like RA Salvatore, Elaine Cunningham, the belated David Eddings, jennifer Roberson to mention a few authors.

    It's good to take a break sometimes from the romance and paranormals I read for a good fantasy.

    Good luck with the series..

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  31. AnonymousJune 7, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    It was interesting to hear how you came to use this time for your story, especially the details that go into it. Historical stories are my favorite. I like the medieval time period very much. I've read some fantasy, but the two combined is interesting and appeals to me. I certainly want to read this one.

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  32. Julie RobinsonJune 7, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    Hi Nicole,
    So true what you say about setting being time and locale. I like that your fantasy world is reality based. It makes the story easier to believe and yet be carried away.
    Julie

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  33. Linda BancheJune 8, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    I like a combination of history and fantasy that emphasizes the history. The history grounds the story, and makes the fantasy more real.

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  34. Babyblue22June 9, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    Great Post Nicole! I love the picture of Geoffrey off to battle, Woman Of Honor sounds great.
    My choice would Be Soctland in the Highlander times...I love me some Highlanders.
    ~Afshan
    Afshan522@aol.com

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  35. Monya ClaytonJune 10, 2009 at 1:59 AM

    Hi Nicole - I love historicals but I get upset if I or anyone else gets their research wrong. So, if I had an idea for a historical that didn't fit into a 'correct' time period, it'd be a lot of fun inventing a whole new society.

    Continue to enjoy your writing!

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  36. AnonymousJune 10, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    Nicole, great post. It is interesting know how the story evolved. I enjoy reading the time period covered in Woman of Honor and hope to read the story soon.

    Pam S
    pams00@aol.com

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  37. E.A. WestJune 10, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    I love that you combined fantasy with historical research. The facts must add a sense of realism that might otherwise be missing. Very cool.

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The more comments, the better!