The world we live, or read, in.

I love to get transported to a new world, so when I began on my fantasy, I had great fun creating my character's new environment. Today, I read the post, The Importance of World building Uncreated Conscience and was reminded of several of my favorite "new worlds."

Memoirs of a Geisha, Girl With a Pearl Earring, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are all favorites for me. I think we all tend to enjoy escaping our lives for a good read or movie.

JJ says:

...what makes a work of fiction with great worldbuilding stand out is the
implicit understanding the writer creates about the values of the society in
which the novel is set.

I think this is a major part of world building and is a good place to start building. Without consciously thinking about it being a basis of the world, my whole "what if" idea for Moon Tree Brothers is based on a conversation, or argument actually, wherein it was said that we just had a "difference of opinion in child rearing."

From this grew a world of dragon men, dwarfs and fairies, all dedicated to protecting children, and magical electrical energy that we are depleating by our increasing violence. They work to erase the 'Unknown Darkness' that is affecting the world we live in. They would like to do it without violence, but is that possible?

Fantasy land and a chart to fill out - Synopsis Part #4

I am writing an Advanced Middle Grade Fantasy and due to the fact that it is written in a non-standard world, we Fantasy writers are allowed a bit of leeway, in the synopsis, to:

o Show your world building and plot
o Description must keep interest level up
o Needs to be germane to the plot
o Involving protagonist in description keeps it interesting

That said! I am finding it helpful to fill out the answers to these points to help clarify what to include in the synopsis, as a whole.

1. What is the prime conflict for your protagonist? Show prime motivation and resolution of all conflicts
2. What are the Plot points? – summarize between them to connect. Show the primary conflicts and what is at stake for your protagonist.
3. Where are the red herrings?
4. What is main character’s good moments?
5. What is the main character's big crisis?
6. What is the story's climax? Must show ending
7. What's the hook?
8. What's the tone of the story?
9. Show Conflict: Identify the motivations of, and conflicts between, the main characters.
10. Show Plot: Move the story forward along its main thrust, showing the protagonist as active while also noting other driving forces
11. Show Resolution: show the resolution of all conflicts and sub-plots--no loose ends, no cliff-hangers
12. Tell Ending: Tell the resolution. Never leave the editor guessing.
13. Bring back to full circle, as your book should, echoing an element from the beginning in the ending.

Books are about Characters so it is extremely important to tell them WHY your characters do what they do and how they react.

CHARACTERIZATION: For each action/reaction of hero make sure you tell WHY

1. Who are the main characters? Briefly identify each and answer the questions for each.
2. What he wants
3. What is in his way
4. What is at stake if he does not attain his goal?
5. What are the main characters' blackest moments?
6. What are their motivations?

Next and final post on Synopsis (maybe): A final check before sending out your synopsis