One of the things I do when I'm travelling is to keep a journal. I include the events of the day to help me remember later when I see my photos. But I also try to capture smaller things, like the food we ate, those funny little things that happen that you sometimes forget later, and a few details about what each place is like.
I know I will use some of these things later, in the scrapbooks I'm hoping to one day finish (like my novel, they are barely started). But I also think that someday, they will find their way into a novel or story.
This week I'm in Florida, and it's so different from where I live in Canada. The sun seems extra bright, the ocean water is so warm, there are lizards everywhere we go --- so many details that make it unique. Those details that I find when I travel are the kinds of details that need to go into a story to make it seem real. When I create the world of my story, I like to imagine that I'm walking through it, seeing what my character might see. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a "mental vacation" to the story world.
What strategies do you have for creating an interesting story world?
I try to connect setting with character. A detailed and accurate representation of a setting is only of limited interest to people, like lovely holiday snaps. what it tells you about the people in the scene makes it much more engaging.
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Moody Writing
@mooderino
Keeping a travel journal is a great idea. Not that i travel much... or seem to manage to find time to jot things down when I do :) But maybe next time...!
ReplyDeleteA journal is a great idea! I think the feelings you have in the new location is paramount. Like or dislike, you'll store all those little details way and drudge them up when you need them most.
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