Building A World, Part 4
If you’re wondering what I have coming next for you, wonder no more! Next up is a new adventure of Reikk’s… you know, that traveling sorceror who was featured in The Circle in the Sphere and Deathbringer? You can expect that to fall in your mailbox next Wednesday.
And while you wait for that, I thought I’d entertain you with some further thoughts on worldbuilding.
I spoke last month of “where ideas come from” and, in the process, mentioned a novella I wrote in 2020, titled “A Crossing of Fates.”
I wanted to share a few more thoughts about this, because creating the universe that story is set in—the universe I’ve nicknamed X2—I realized I had done something that was somewhat unique. Or, at least, that felt unique to me.
And that’s where you, dear reader, step in. I would very much like you to prove me wrong, if possible, ha! Seriously, though, it made me curious. I obviously haven’t read everything that’s out there, so I need help from the “collective consciousness.”
So, what is this about?
I mentioned in that previous article how I needed X2 to be significantly different from our world. To achieve this required placing the point of divergence much further in the past than what I’ve usually seen done. In most cases, the changes are recent. For instance, “The Man in the High Castle” happens just after the Nazis win World War II. Likewise, “The Handmaid’s Tale” begins shortly after the U.S. morphs into Gilead—a sexist totalitarian theonomy.
In my case, however, the point of divergence happened in the time of the Pharaohs, in Ancient Egypt, where one of them heard of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and decided to build something even more prestigious. What could have been an anecdotal side note in History, led to magic gaining prominence and becoming much more widespread. That, in turn, caused uncountable ripple effects.
So… What do you think? Are there other examples you know of where the point of divergence was set further back than the time the action was set in?
I love these types of stories, so I’m looking forward to your answers ;)
Through the Stars, Darkly
For those who don’t know this yet, I launched a Space Opera serial last month. I’m writing this for my paid subscribers, but the first four chapters are available for free. Check them out, if you haven’t already, and see if you like it.
A 7-day free trial is available, if you want to read a few extra chapters before you make up your mind.
Click on the banner below to read the first chapter, or the button above to get your free trial.
Other stuff to read
I’ve got lots of goodies for you today. Check out these books, see if you find something you like—it’s all free to download, though you’ll have to sign up to the authors’ newsletter to grab your copy.
Solitude's End by Mike Waller
Echo Bourke is a survivor. She must escape her world at any cost, and nothing, not even an invading alien empire, will get in her way.
Sole survivor of the brutal massacre of her colony by a race called the Tolleani, she searches for her chance for revenge.
Her problem? Barbus Koll, a dangerous killer with an ego the size of a planet, the maniacal commander of the alien base left on her world. To escape, she needs a ship. Only Koll — and the fact Echo can’t fly — stands between her and freedom.
When Ben Teague, the pilot of a human vessel captured by Koll, escapes and [… read more …]
Elightenment by Kim Cormack
THIS IS NOT A FAIRY TALE. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE.
Kayn is with Clan Ankh, and Kevin is with Triad. She's lost everything. It's time to dust off the cobwebs of despair and meet with destiny.
You've survived your Correction and signed up for a fun-filled afterlife as a sacrificial lamb for the greater good. You now belong to Clan Ankh, Clan Trinity or Clan Triad. Your brand of Tri-Clan prohibits you from passing through the hall of souls each time you die. You must hang out in the in-between until you've been healed. During the next year, your Clan will train your partially mortal brain to reboot after death without shock and attach you to your Testing Group.
You will be sealed to your Clan on your eighteenth birthday. During this year, you will be taken to another world and [… read more …]
Siege by ZZ Adams
The distance between hero and monster will be measured in corpses
Millicent Cuff leads a regular teenage life. She hikes in the hills, obsesses over boys, and is desperate to leave a good impression at her upcoming birthday celebration. When an experimental aircraft crashes close to her home, she recovers a strange broken sphere from the wreckage. The life she knew will be forever changed when an army places her village under siege and comes for her.
Hellinix, a shadowy multinational corporation, wants their artifact back and will stop at nothing to get it, even if that means threatening [… read more …]
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Copyright (c) 2022 by Alex S. Garcia.