So, my current WiP is a fantasy novel set in a fantasy world that has similarities to 19th century Russia.
Heres the prob: the very first scene takes place outside. Well, on a fishing boat on the ocean. It's kinda hard to give the right kind of clues to the reader that this is not standard medieval fantasy milieu.
My question is, how soon do you think I need to make the 19th centuryish feel obvious? First paragraph? First page? Within two to three pages? I know there is no formula to it, but I want to know your opinion. The milieu is clear by the second chapter . . . but I'm pretty sure that is too late. I don't want a reader to be going along thinking this is a typical fantasy setting and then be like "Wait, wait . . .factory? Wha??????"
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
When I think "typical fantasy" I think a world similar to Europe, say, 1400. If your aiming for something closer to Russia 18th century, seems to me, it would be crucial, and not to difficult, to set your world apart with just a few, salient details. Enough to pique the reader's interest. Then you can flesh it out later. But yeah, it should feel different from the get go, even on the boat--the characters' clothes, what they see, feel, think, dunno.
Of course, your definition of "typical fantasy" may vary, so I'm not sure, exactly, what' you're trying to avoid.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
My suggestion would be to include the types of fish they are fishing for, reference to regions of the country via mention of their village or what shore, or other such clues in your exposition.
If they are fishing for haddock or sturgeon, I wouldn't assume they are on another world.
Posted by halogen (Member # 6494) on :
Wreckage might help? They could start out fishing over the remains of a decommissioned soviet destroyer.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Good point Halogen.
You mentioned factories. Perhaps the billowing pillar of smoke from a factory, or one of the characters fathers dying from years of working in one. I can imagine it like "I could never spend a day in one of those factories. I prefer the freedom of the sea" type thing. Of course it could be twisted into the character and venacular accordingly.
clothes a watch (Made in berlin) a plane flying overhead our moon familiar phases
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
A steel boat would be a major clue, or a steamstack. I would say set the scene in the time period--via clothes or boat-materials or language--but don't let it get in the way of the story.
By 19th century, do you mean 1800s (correct term usage), or 1900s?
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited April 23, 2008).]
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Details are everything here. If you set your novel in Russia in, say, 1850, to make it neat---and specifically and no-doubt-about-it Russia in 1850---you had better get the details right, which means being very careful about details. Some knowledgable reader will come along, read something he knows not to be true of the era---and be discontented with the story.
On the other hand, if you set it in some made-up-by-you land based on Russia in 1850, you can blur some details, especially for story purposes, and get away with it.
I've had trouble that way. I've got a novel (SF) set in a nameless medium-sized town in the USA right after World War II...I can pick up some details, but I leave myself endless notes about checking on this or that to find out what was what in that era. If you make a phone call, does it go through an operator or would some kind of automatic exchange have been set up? Were home hair-dye kits available and how were they packaged (glass or plastic?) There were a lot more newspapers published in those days...if somebody got the morning papers at home did they get the evening papers as well, and, if so, which ones?
(One reason (of several) why the novel has been untouched by me since last August...one hundred thousand words and holding...)
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I think your gut instinct that you need to make sure readers understand this is taking place in an industriallized society (if I'm understanding your era choice correctly) early in the story is right on. There are some great ideas here. I originally thought there might be something about the ship's construction that would be a giveaway. A smokestack perhaps? Metal construction. Use of gunpowder. Good luck!
Posted by Oblomova (Member # 7846) on :
You could also connect a character with a famous political movement, war hero or war from your period. If someone refers to Nelson or Napoleon, for example, or if an socialist is hiding out after being connected with Tsar Nicholas II's assassins, people would be able to place the event in the appropriate context. The 1860's were a gold mine of upheavals, but if you're looking for a really early 19th-century reference, you can't go wrong with the Napoleonic wars. Even people who don't know about the wars would instantly picture his un-medieval hat.
