It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What is one (or more) element of worldbuilding that you often forget to expand on until the plot bumps into it? (I'm having a day, hope that's coherent)

Well, this is tricky, because I usually only world build the bare minimum for what I need to get through the plot, because otherwise I’ll get too bogged down in it all.

But I reread LORE Book 1 recently and so there is one thing I’ve been considering..

TLDR I’m trying to figure out whether to make hella revisions related to language barriers between Ash and Zach, or just leave it the way it is.

BUT one thing I am considering is the way Ash and Zach speak the same language. They’re from separate areas—so separate that Ash didn’t know people lived across the ocean. So there’s an argument that it doesn’t make sense for two such divided communities to speak the same language.

AND I already have translation elements at play in book 1 with the Alkusians. I could extend those same dynamics to Ash and Zach, because there’s already worldbuilding I have about Ash’s faery companion being able to translate stuff that other people say,…

But I know a whole convention of fantasy is a common language, and even if I’m not doing that between humans and other races, having ash and Zach speak the same language does mean they are able to talk to each other easily, and argue…

Unfortunately for me, there’s pros and cons to both! The way I have it now, they’re able to bicker back and forth immediately, and discuss difficult emotional topics with ease. This helps the reader understand both of them, makes for an easier read.

The downside to this is that having them speak the same language may have led me to rush their friendship arc a bit? I have a whole other book to get through before they visit Zach’s hometown in book3, and they’re already in a fairly good place at the end of book1. They need to be friendly by the end of book2, and Ash seeing Zach’s home life and working with him to solve plot problems there solidifies their friendship (just in time for her to need to rely on him for the disaster that is book4).

If I revise it to have them need to work through the language barrier, it adds a layer of frustration to the arguments they’re already having, and could also introduce a fun dynamic throughout book 2 where she tries to learn parts of his language while doing other stuff… it’s really tempting.

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What is your go-to staple structure/system/mark of culture for grounding your world in reality? Aka giving us a familiar beat to go off of? (As per usual, no guarantees of coherence)

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What are some of your favorite dialogue tags, and do you prefer one kind over the others?

Hi Sleepy!! Sorry for the late reply!

I mostly just use "said" (if I use a dialogue tag at all. I do enjoy just putting actions before and after my dialogue.), but if we want to go beyond that, I think my favorite to use when the moment is right is "mumbled". It's just SO much fun to use. Especially for characters who are exhausted or delirious or both.

Some of my favorite examples:

[Rook] shook his head sleepily. “Cyrohime’s not home,” he mumbled. “Ship’s home.”

(from "Liars Will Be Shot")

+

Once again, Rook was surprised at the weight of the emotion in his mentor’s voice. He wanted to say It’s not your fault. Or maybe, I would have done it anyway, but his mouth wouldn’t cooperate. So instead he just rested his head on Sigmar’s shoulder. The damp chill that had come over him on the way here was getting stronger and he leaned into Sigmar’s warmth. “‘S cold,” he mumbled. Sigmar picked up the pace a bit, a worried edge creeping into his voice. “Come on, come on. Just a little further.”

(from "Rook's Horrible, Very Bad, No-Good Day #2")

+

Rook’s thoughts were a jumbled mess. He had so much to say to Warren. He needed to apologize, to berate him, to question him. But there wasn’t time for any of that. Unconsciousness was creeping over him, dragging him into the depths. By some minor miracle, he managed to mumble, “‘M sorry, Warren.” before the darkness overtook him. For now, that would have to be enough. After all, he had eternity to look forward to.

(from "Ghost of a Fever Dream")

+

“Hold on.” [Tyra] quickly began untying the ropes that held him to the helm. Once free of the rope, Rook tried to push away from the wheel but immediately crumpled. Tyra caught him and eased him down onto the deck. “Thanks,” he mumbled.  “You can thank me when you’re not half-frozen and wetter than a drowned rat,” she shot back as she vigorously rubbed his arms, trying to warm him up. The all-too-thin coat he wore had started to freeze, and his frigid skin felt more like soft ice than flesh. Rook smiled and let out a breathy sound she imagined was meant to be a laugh. “That’s more like you.”

(from "Storm")

+

Firmly, but gently, [Macha] had hauled Avra to her feet. “We can’t rest yet. We need to put more distance between us and those druids.” “I thought they were nice druids,” Avra had mumbled. There was a long silence, and for a moment Avra had wondered if Macha even heard her. Then, mournfully, “So did I.”

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What are some of your favorite dialogue tags, and do you prefer one kind over the others?

This is hard to answer because I just like dialogue so much!

I think some of my absolute favorites are when the dialogue tag contradicts what was said, especially to comedic effect. Such as:

"I swear, upon the grave of my mother and all that I cherish in this world, I am being one-hundred-percent truthful," he lied.

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What are some of your favorite dialogue tags, and do you prefer one kind over the others?

Thanks for the ask, beloved Owl!

I like having a rich variety of dialogue tags, including the good old fashioned "said". "Lied" remains top tier, and also "joked", "agreed", "demanded" and "laughed".

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What is one (or more) element of worldbuilding that you often forget to expand on until the plot bumps into it? (I'm having a day, hope that's coherent)

Hi, Sleepy Friend! Thank you so much for the ask!!!

It's a day with the possibility of answering asks! What parts of your world are the most vivid to you, that you're able to visualize the best while you write it? (If you're not a visualizer, what is the most vivid part otherwise?)

oooh, I am 1000% a visualizer! for me, the visual language of a world is most clear in "sets" & "costumes."

so a "set" is like. any plot-central, recurring location. the strong visual is like. spatially how is the place laid out (like the floor plan, and sometimes I draw these out!) and then what's actually in there (very in detail abt the decor, furniture, how neat/clean/dirty/cluttered it is, what things are lying around, how bright or dim is it, etc). very much like a mental "movie set."