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Q&A Character and world building in less than 2000 words

The general principle, which would apply in this case as much as in any other is, establish the base and describe the deltas. Don't describe anything in complete detail. Rather, call up a general i...

posted 4y ago by Mark Baker‭  ·  edited 4y ago by Mark Baker‭

Answer
#2: Post edited by user avatar Mark Baker‭ · 2020-02-08T14:02:44Z (over 4 years ago)
  • The general principle, which would apply in this case as much as in any other is, establish the base and describe the deltas. Don't describe anything in complete detail. Rather, call up a general image and then add the distinctive details that make it specific to what you are creating.
  • To do this in 2000 words obviously means that you will need to start with something relatively familiar so that you can sketch the deltas quickly, but that does not mean you cannot create something rich and strange. It just means you need to sketch the deltas with a broad brush.
  • > Full fathom five thy father lies;
  • > Of his bones are coral made;
  • > Those are pearls that were his eyes:
  • > Nothing of him that doth fade,
  • > But doth suffer a sea-change
  • > Into something rich and strange.
  • The general principle, which would apply in this case as much as in any other is, establish the base and describe the deltas. Don't describe anything in complete detail. Rather, call up a general image and then add the distinctive details that make it specific to what you are creating.
  • To do this in 2000 words obviously means that you will need to start with something relatively familiar so that you can sketch the deltas quickly, but that does not mean you cannot create something rich and strange. It just means you need to sketch the deltas with a broad brush.
  • > Full fathom five thy father lies;
  • > Of his bones are coral made;
  • > Those are pearls that were his eyes:
  • > Nothing of him that doth fade,
  • > But doth suffer a sea-change
  • > Into something rich and strange.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar Mark Baker‭ · 2020-02-08T14:02:13Z (over 4 years ago)
The general principle, which would apply in this case as much as in any other is, establish the base and describe the deltas. Don't describe anything in complete detail. Rather, call up a general image and then add the distinctive details that make it specific to what you are creating.

To do this in 2000 words obviously means that you will need to start with something relatively familiar so that you can sketch the deltas quickly, but that does not mean you cannot create something rich and strange. It just means you need to sketch the deltas with a broad brush. 

> Full fathom five thy father lies;
> Of his bones are coral made;
> Those are pearls that were his eyes:
> Nothing of him that doth fade,
> But doth suffer a sea-change
> Into something rich and strange.