GIVEAWAY! Comment on this blog by July 8 to win a copy of Denise Verrico's THE ANNALS OF THE IMMORTYLS, a trio of vampire tales.
Building a World
By Denise Verrico
So how does an author go about
building a world? First off, I find
inspiration doing my research, and then I let imagination take over. Every writer should be a reader and not just
in the genre in which one writes. I’ve
done research on everything from British
street slang to Sanskrit mantras. There are so many resources available on the
web and in the library from which the writer can draw inspiration. I was on a panel recently with the wonderful
fantasy author, Tamora Pierce, and she said she learns a lot about a culture
from reading their cookbooks.
Any subject is of value to the
writer. I studied costume history and
design in college as a theater major, and I can’t tell you how valuable that
knowledge has been. An understanding of
geography, politics, religion, art, and music can enrich a story and set it
apart. The important thing about
creating a world in speculative fiction is sticking to the rules you create for
your corner of the universe.
When I started writing my Immortyl
Revolution series, I wanted my vampires to be different from other writers’,
but still be recognizable as vampires.
Everyone knows about old vampire legends and the movie and pop culture
clichés. Fantasy is the realm of
make-believe, and there is much room for interpretation. The Immortyls have enhanced physical
abilities, can’t go out in the sun, and can drink only human blood. Why do vampires usually choose to operate in
the dark? There is really no reason I
could find in folklore, other than it’s easier to sneak into peoples’ houses
and drink their blood when they are sleeping.
Vampires didn’t destruct in the sun until the film, Nosferatu, but I wanted my supermen to have their “kryptonite”, so
I created a biological reason to keep them out of the sun, more in keeping with
my set of rules.
My series plot, the race to capture
the secrets of immortality, was inspired by articles I’ve read on
biotechnology. I opted for no magical
powers in my world, except for the magic worked by a DNA molecule. My vampires are biologically altered, not the
undead variety, so they behave a lot like mortals in many respects.
It’s fun to play around with the
old myths and legends and come up with reasons behind them or find alternatives
to them.
I find it a challenge to take all
kinds of information found in research and throw it into the pot to concoct a
completely new culture. In any world,
there are various cultures and subcultures with distinct rituals, rules, and
beliefs. Opportunities for conflict
arise when these factions clash. The
trick is to give layers of detail without overwhelming the narrative with
descriptive passages. I try to use
action as much as possible to reveal custom.
The way a character wears his clothes, washes his hands, or prays can
reveal a lot about that person’s cultural background and character.
The world of Immortyl Revolution
brings to together many elements of research and reading that I’ve done over
the years. I’m a bit of a history buff,
and writing about vampires gives me an opportunity to throw people from
different time periods together in a contemporary urban setting. Cara Mia deals a lot with Mia, the
heroine, becoming a vampire and her struggle to survive as a modern woman in an
ancient culture.
The spectrum of speculative fiction
offers many opportunities for an author.
Every writer has unique experience and knowledge to share. There are so many worlds out there yet to
discover and mythologies yet to create.
I look forward to both reading and writing about them.
#
RECIPE FOR CORN SALSA
This is my family’s favorite salsa. It’s great with chips or as a side dish, and
you can prepare it in minutes!
One bag frozen corn (yellow or white)
One small jar red roasted peppers
1 sweet onion (I prefer Vidalia but red works well too)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
The juice of 1 lime
Salt/pepper
Thaw the corn under hot water and drain.
Chop onion and roasted peppers into small pieces
Combine the above ingredients in a bowl
Whisk together olive oil, honey and lime juice
Toss the corn mixture with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
You can make the salsa hot by adding chopped jalapenos or
other pepper or adding hot sauce to the dressing. Other variations can be made by adding rinsed
and drained black beans, chopped tomatoes or avocado.
SERVANT OF THE GODDESS is the fourth novel of the urban fantasy vampire series written
by Denise Verrico. This installment follows up her debut novel, CARA MIA, which
introduces the characters and world of Immortyl Revolution and its sequel,
TWILIGHT OF THE GODS and MY FEARFUL SYMMETRY.
Set in 2001, Verrico’s MY FEARFUL SYMMETRY introduced a new vampire
hero, Cedric MacKinnon, a temple dancer in service to the Goddess Kali, who
learns his beauty and speed render him a lethal weapon. “My vampire society
originates in India.
In my third novel, MY FEARFUL SYMMETRY, I delve deeper into the origins,” says
Verrico. “In the fourth book, I unite
heroine Mia Disantini and Cedric in a way that raises some sparks. It takes place in NYC in 2001, so there will
be momentous events my characters must deal with.” As in all her novels, SERVANT OF THE GODDESS maintains
a science fiction twist on the genre, action-packed thrills and a touch of
romance.
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-servantofthegoddess-786819-139.html
About the author
Ms. Verrico is an Urban Fantasy author and New Jersey
native who grew up in Western Pennsylvania.
She attended Point
Park College
and majored in Theatre Arts. For seven seasons, she was a member of the Oberon
Theatre Ensemble in NYC. Denise has loved vampire stories since childhood and
is a fan of the Dark Shadows television series. Her books are published by
L&L Dreamspell Publishing and include: Cara Mia (Book One of the Immortyl
Revolution Series), Twilight of the Gods (Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution
Series), and My Fearful Symmetry (Book Three of the Immortyl Revolution
Series). She currently lives in Ohio
with her husband, son, and her flock of seven spoiled parrots.
For excerpts of the Immortyl Revolution Series, character profiles and the
Immortyl Lexicon visit www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com
Cedric:
@cedricmackinnon
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