• Home
  • About
    • What is WriteOnCon?
    • Our Team
      • Previous Organizers
    • F.A.Q.
    • Harassment and Accessibility Policies
    • Contact
  • All Things WriteOnCon
    • Register
    • Conference 2021
      • All Events
      • Live Events
      • Schedule 2021
      • Speakers 2021
      • Forums 2021
      • Discord Community 2021
      • User Dashboard
    • Archive Access
    • Swag Shop
    • Bookshop
  • Critique Boutique
  • Critique Partner Match (CP Match)
  • News
  • Register
  • Log In

WriteOnCon is LIVE February 19-21, 2021!

[email protected]
WriteOnConWriteOnCon
  • Home
  • About
    • What is WriteOnCon?
    • Our Team
      • Previous Organizers
    • F.A.Q.
    • Harassment and Accessibility Policies
    • Contact
  • All Things WriteOnCon
    • Register
    • Conference 2021
      • All Events
      • Live Events
      • Schedule 2021
      • Speakers 2021
      • Forums 2021
      • Discord Community 2021
      • User Dashboard
    • Archive Access
    • Swag Shop
    • Bookshop
  • Critique Boutique
  • Critique Partner Match (CP Match)
  • News
  • Register
  • Log In
LIVE Q&A: Craft, Fantasy and POV

LIVE Q&A: Craft, Fantasy and POV

February 11, 2018 Blogs and Vlogs 2018, Conference 2018, Live 2018 38 Comments

You are unauthorized to view this page.

 
 
Forgot Password
Tags: fantasygenre fictionPOVwriting craft
38 Comments
6
Share
0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
38 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Marquess
Marquess
3 years ago

excited for this segment! My novel is a YA Fantasy with multiple POVs. Any advice on how to navigate their different story angles in a different world?

0
Reply
Marquess
Marquess
Reply to  Marquess
3 years ago

on the same note; do you have any examples of fantasy books that may have multiple povs as well?

0
Reply
Marquess
Marquess
Reply to  Marquess
3 years ago

Great points! Thank you! Love Ella Enchanted 😀

0
Reply
Cynthia
Cynthia
3 years ago

Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us! My question is: If I’m writing a fantasy set in an actual historical time period, is there a guideline for how much of my details have to be historically correct and when I can blur the lines into fantastical details?

0
Reply
Jasmine
Jasmine
3 years ago

Hi Ms. Levine,
I was wondering, with Ella Enchanted and the rest of the books in the series that take place in that world – did you build the world before sitting to write the book (and to what detail), or did it come about organically?

Thank you!
Jasmine

0
Reply
Suzanne
Suzanne
3 years ago

Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us today! I’m squeeing over here. 😀
When you set out to write Ella Enchanted, were you nervous about the world building and additions you planned to make to the classic fairy tale? Did you already know what Ella’s world would be like, or did you create it as you wrote?

0
Reply
Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
3 years ago

What are your thoughts on creating unique animals/creatures/races? How would you do that, and how much of that should be included?

0
Reply
Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
Reply to  Gwendolyn
3 years ago

How much of different animals, like how many animals should there be, etc.

0
Reply
Leanne
Leanne
3 years ago

Hi, Gail! Can you share any insights on tying together the magical elements of a story with the main character arc? Thanks so much!

0
Reply
P.D. Pabst
P.D. Pabst
3 years ago

I’ve always written from singular POV, but do you think multiple POV could make it easier to flesh out character emotions/wants, and to show different views of a world that being created?

0
Reply
Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
3 years ago

Hello!
What are your tips for writing a POV that isn’t human, like for example that of a mermaid or a dwarf?

0
Reply
Janine
Janine
3 years ago

What are your thoughts of Fantasy novels where the main character already has a decent command of their powers as opposed to finding out they were magical during the course of the story?

0
Reply
Hannah
Hannah
3 years ago

Do you have any world building tips for fantasy worlds?

0
Reply
Samantha Sessoms
Samantha Sessoms
3 years ago

Thank you so, so much for doing this live Q&A session, Gail! I was wondering at what point in the world building process you say to yourself, okay that’s enough and actually stop. I’ve built my urban fantasy up for months now (while still outlining and drafting scenes), however it seems that every time I settle on another pillar or rule or situation it raises 10 more questions that need answered. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

0
Reply
Ashlyn
Ashlyn
3 years ago

How do you know if your story should be first or third person? I’ve gotten gotten a few comments on one of mine (YA fantasy) that it might work better as first person (present tense?), but others think it’s fine as third. It’s a really big undertaking to change it, and I’d have to be sure.

0
Reply
Shanice
Shanice
3 years ago

First, I loved Ella Enchanted, when I was 13. It, like so many other books made me want to become a writer.
Second, I am writing a sci-fi/dystopian novel set in the future, featuring a black girl who has to dismantle systemic racism. I have decided to depict certain things in a futuristic manner, like what would happen if racists and white supremacists had their way? What could happen if Trump managed to dismantle the fabric of our government, what would we be left with?
How can one girl with all the disadvantages of her race, rally others to fight back?
My question: What do you think the best way to answer all of these questions would be? Should I depict it through metaphor? i.e. red-lining is systemically racist, so now all the “wrong” kinds of minority get to live in horrible dilapidated housing wards, while the rich (those who benefit from generational wealth aka white people) get to live in this amazing city that stripped the wards of all of resources?

0
Reply
Heidi
Heidi
3 years ago

Would you suggest writing one POV at a time instead of switching back and fourth in a daily writing session?

0
Reply
Elisha Jachetti
Elisha Jachetti
3 years ago

What was your experience with the adaptation of Ella Enchanted into a film? How did character change once there was a screenplay, actors, etc?

0
Reply
Dawn
Dawn
3 years ago

Do you think the omniscient narrator is still being used and accepted in today’s market?

0
Reply
Dawn
Dawn
Reply to  Dawn
3 years ago

Thank you, Gail!

0
Reply
Heather A Harwood
Heather A Harwood
3 years ago

Do you have tips for developing magic systems?

0
Reply
Marquess
Marquess
3 years ago

Do you think there are elements of fantasy that are played out? Such as dragons, fairies etc. If so, what do you think of creating completely new monsters and friends? Would readers enjoy such a thing?

0
Reply
Marquess
Marquess
Reply to  Marquess
3 years ago

I love the “traditional” type of fantasy type of characters but I don’t think any writer wants their book to be too similar to another’s book.

0
Reply
Janine
Janine
3 years ago

One thing that bothers me is in a fantasy world is when characters are described as “Asian” or “Hispanic”, etc, when there’s no link to Earth in the story. How do we go about describing the characters without relying on those terms?

0
Reply
Storyologist
Storyologist
3 years ago

I love hearing about your “wanderings” as you created Ella Enchanted. Can you talk a little more about your writing process?

0
Reply
Hannah
Hannah
3 years ago

Is a story a fantasy if the creatures are given scientific explanations?

0
Reply
Suzanne
Suzanne
3 years ago

LOVE Beauty! Read it dozens of times.

Okay, so since I don’t see tons of questions…I’m going to go ahead and ask something specific. My agent has recently taken a younger MG fairytale mashup out on submission. As we plan for a (hoped for) series, I find it difficult to balance the larger political and social movements behind the scenes that I as the author know, with the need to keep the story immediate and focused on my characters and audience. Thoughts?

0
Reply
Shanice
Shanice
3 years ago

When you wrote the Princess Test, how did you come up with details as small as the shape of the toes of a princess?
How did you come up with the crocodile princess?
Where do you find these amazingly magical, but wonderfully simple details?

0
Reply
Jennifer
Jennifer
3 years ago

Hello Gail, I’m squealing in excitement that you’re here! Ella Enchanted was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and Ella’s “gift” inspired my main character’s “gift” that also has consequences. My WIP is a MG epic fantasy. For the MG age group, is there a thing as having too many fantasy elements?

0
Reply
Danica
Danica
3 years ago

How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?

0
Reply
Christine
Christine
3 years ago

Hey Gail! Thank you so much for allowing us to pick your brain! My question: when you were drafting up Ella Enchanted, did you outline thoroughly? Also, What mattered most to you? The fantasy world (like worldbuilding), or the characters?

0
Reply
Jennifer
Jennifer
3 years ago

One of my WIPS takes place in an alternative universe where there are many different cultures similar to our world (European, Asian, African, etc), and my main character is a “Hispanic” boy who refers to his grandma as Abuela (the Spanish word for grandma). I don’t have the talent to make up languages, and Abuela is the only non-English word I use. Should I weave more non-English words into my manuscript when writing about different cultures, or should I not have my MC call his grandma Abuela at all? What are your thoughts? (I don’t know if it matters, but I am multiracial and part of my heritage is Hispanic)

0
Reply
Danica
Danica
3 years ago

As a follow up to my earlier question of “How long does it take you to finish a story? (Not just the first draft, but any subsequent rewrites)?” — the reason I’m asking is because I’ve realized I am a much slower writer than a lot of people, and it’s kind of gotten me feeling down. I heard you say earlier in this stream that you wrote 300 pages multiple times and then rewrote them again and again — I found that really encouraging, considering all your success. Do you have any tips for persevering through rewrites? (I’m in the middle of one right now, and it’s slow going.) Also, thank you so much for your time.

0
Reply
Jasmine
Jasmine
3 years ago

Hello again!
I’m working on a novel now where the characters use science and engineering to defeat traditional fairy tale creatures (ogres, dragons, etc.). I love how your books take these traditional creatures and bring something new to them. Do you think that the contrast of defeating these conventional monsters in nonconventional ways (engineering) brings enough freshness to the fairy tale tropes, or do I need to take it a step further and make the monsters themselves less conventional as well? (I’m never sure where when to keep the traditional elements for familiarity, but I don’t want the book to feel “stale”).
Thank you again! It’s so exciting to be a part of this panel!

0
Reply
Heidi
Heidi
3 years ago

What advice
do you have for writers who are querying and are feeling it’s pressure?

0
Reply
Leanne
Leanne
3 years ago

Gail, our writing group is watching together and we just wanted to say we love you, you’re our hero, and we wish we could send you long-distance hugs. Thank you so much for doing this talk!

0
Reply
kate
kate
3 years ago

Thank you so much, Gail, for sharing your wisdom!

0
Reply
Heather
Heather
3 years ago

Who are your most favorite characters, and why? What turns a character into a” forever friend?”

0
Reply

Follow Us

Contact Us

Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
Join our mailing list and get all the latest news! Subscribe Now

Latest Posts

  • WriteOnCon 2021 is here!
    WriteOnCon 2021 is here!
  • Your Ultimate Guide to: Live Events 2021
    Your Ultimate Guide to: Live Events 2021

Keep in Touch

Contact Us

  • wochelp@gmail.com
  • [email protected]

Conference 2021

  • Schedule
  • Speakers
  • All Events
  • Live Events
  • Forums
  • Discord
  • Critique Partner Match (CP Match)

© 2021 writeoncon.org. WordPress Management by Wodu.

  • Home
  • About
    • What is WriteOnCon?
    • Our Team
      • Previous Organizers
    • F.A.Q.
    • Harassment and Accessibility Policies
    • Contact
  • All Things WriteOnCon
    • Register
    • Conference 2021
      • All Events
      • Live Events
      • Schedule 2021
      • Speakers 2021
      • Forums 2021
      • Discord Community 2021
      • User Dashboard
    • Archive Access
    • Swag Shop
    • Bookshop
  • Critique Boutique
  • Critique Partner Match (CP Match)
  • News
  • Register
  • Log In
Prev Next
wpDiscuz