Hello everyone! It’s time to reveal the answers for all 12 questions answered by 12 author participants in the April Group Author Interview, in the 12 genres, 12 authors, 12 months and 12 questions series! The support from Fantasy/Sci-fi authors was amazing as we have 12 authors participating in this group author interview.

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So, the 1st question is “How do you create such a complex, fantasy world within your story?”

Well, I’ve generally stayed away from the heavy fantasy of Tolkien and the like, mainly because I’m not quite as interested in the epic sword and sorcery type fantasy. I prefer to write about magic and fantasy happening in the ‘real’ world. It’s a lot of fun imagining how fantasy could turn the modern world upside down! But at the same time, it’s also a great base that gives you an existing world and lets you create a completely opposite world as well.

I start with the concept of the story and build the world around it. Then I mix what is ‘realistic’ in a world like that (different countries, animals, etc.) with what’s interesting and cool.

My world isn’t all that complex. The only thing that’s unusual is the people and animals.

The first time I made a fantasy world, I drew a map and then made up stories about how this place started and then became ruins, when this mountain erupted, what kind of dragons would live here. Then I shifted it to focus on the characters. I took the weakest, most pathetic, little mousy girl and wondered what would turn her into an enchantress queen. What experiences would be required to force her out of her mundane existence and launch her into those changes. That thought process led to the Heart Stones, magic judgement talismans, that activate her innate gifts, monitor her motivations and open her to new experiences in magic. Next, the need to travel on the Hero’s Journey, means she is going to encounter a variety of magical creatures, people and experiences. These pop up like dandelions as I arrive to each one. I don’t actually plan that part, other than knowing she must meet new challenges. Because of this, the fantasy world is revealed to me just as much as it is to my character.

This is a tough question, so much planning goes into creating a fantasy world. I think it depends on the story, as far as how much detail I include. I think a mistake writers often make is including unnecessary details about the world that have nothing to do with the plot or have no effect on the character(s). Sometimes, the cliche phrase, “Less is more,” rings true. When something affects the plot or a character in the story, then I make sure to expand upon it. I often start with the little things, then build my way up to more complex topics–or the other way around! World-building is an ongoing process and I don’t have all the details until, usually, after the first, or even the second, draft. When I’m stuck, I ask myself, “What’s necessary for the reader to understand the plot or this character(s)?”

I played a lot of Dungeons and Dragons in my youth and early in my Navy career. Being able to create elaborate worlds, characters, and dungeons helped me in the creative process of world-building. I get my inspiration from books, movies, and anime. it feeds the creative juices in me and helps me develop my stories.

The power of esoteric assertions

I create my fantasy worlds within our actual earth world. I use flawed characters who do very stupid and unpredictable things with and to other extremely flawed characters. I like fantasy mixed with horror. My first novel, Twelve Steps Past Hell, is a good example. It is a great mix of horror and scifi. With a few plot twists to keep the reader interested it comes to an unforgettable ending that is surprising and pleasing to the reader.

I wrote about what I loved and what interested me. I like culture and languages, so it was fun to develop people groups inspired by these interests. I also wanted to develop a world that ‘felt real’–relatable and familiar–but that had elements of fantasy and the supernatural in it.

My storyline in Whiskey, Blood, and Magic centers around clubs, strip bars, and the gothic sex fantasy mansion in the mountains. It’s what the book called for.

Sometimes, I take elements from everything I see and hear, whether in the news or real life or other stories, I’ve read.

I don’t have a strict process. The story comes to me in pieces or glimmers and I write them down. I do try to keep outlines and detailed notes on the characters and places within the world. This can get challenging sometimes.

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Best regards,

Jasveena

Founder of International Book Promotion