Writing Excuses

19.23: Tying It All Together (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding)

Jun 9, 2024

In this podcast, the hosts discuss lessons learned from 'A Memory Called Empire' and share favorite bits. They also preview upcoming topics on character, tension, and structure in future episodes. Additionally, they explore creating audience surrogates, the role of language in worldbuilding, and a role-playing game inspired by Mexican telenovelas.

22:29

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Quick takeaways

Scale is crucial in world building to convey vastness and contrasts, enriching reader immersion.

Language in world building shapes culture, identity, and narrative depth, offering insights into characters and societies.

Deep dives

Scale as a Tool in World Building

Scale plays a crucial role in world building by indicating vastness and contrasts within a created universe. This technique extends beyond physical dimensions to encompass wealth, power dynamics, and magic proficiency. Through juxtaposition and context shifts, authors can effectively communicate the scale of their world, evoking a sense of breadth and depth. Memory Called Empire expertly employs scale to illustrate the grandeur of the empire and the intricacies of societal hierarchies, enriching the reader's immersion.

Efficiency and Support in Business Partnerships

01:58

The Power of Language in Character Development

01:56

Innovative storytelling through everyday objects

01:01

Intro

3min

Exploring Scale and Language in Worldbuilding

9min

Creating Audience Surrogates and Behind-the-Scenes Work at a Concert Hall

4min

Exploring a Role-Playing Game Inspired by Mexican Telenovelas and Mention of Painting Supplies and Supermarket Deals

2min

Mahit as a Relatable Guide in a Futuristic Setting

10min

Exploring Worldbuilding Elements and Creative Writing Prompts

3min

Today, the gang talks about their final thoughts on Martine’s “A Memory Called Empire.” We conclude with some lessons we’ve learned through analyzing her work, and we share our favorite bits!

Thing of the Week: Pasión de las Pasiones

Homework: Find a piece of world building that you love and come up with another way to use it in your work in progress.

Close Reading Series: Texts & Timeline

Next up is Character! Starting July 7, we’ll be diving into three short stories by C.L. Clark. These are all available for free through Uncanny Magazine.

Character: “You Perfect, Broken Thing,” “The Cook,” and “Your Eyes, My Beacon: Being an Account of Several Misadventures and How I Found My Way Home” by CL Clark (starting July 7)

And a sneak peak on the rest of the year…

Tension: Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark (starting September 1)

Structure: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (starting October 13)

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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