September 19, 2022
Share your tips for world-building, even if it’s only a village.
When I started writing The Marquesa’s Necklace, I knew the action would take place in a typical American small town fallen on hard times but clinging to respectability. It would be filled with a mix of grand old Victorian, typical ranch stye homes and everything in between, from brand new to falling apart. The residents reflected that mix, too.
I’d grown up in a town like that, so I didn’t have to research what it would be like. But creating that feeling on paper was a different matter. I didn’t want to spend page after page describing the town I created, so I revealed it in small steps. For example, here’s a description of the lobby of the police station:
Officer Felton left me in the barely furnished lobby. It was a place you don’t want to stay in too long—several hard plastic chairs, a beat-up fake wood end table and a few old magazines scattered about. It smelled like stale cigarettes and appeared not to have been cleaned for weeks. I perched on the edge of a chair and put my hands between my knees to keep from touching anything.
And the information about the battered women’s shelter:
“If I could put you in a safe house, I would, Harmony,” he said softly. “But the town doesn’t have one. Hell, everyone knows where the home for battered women is.”
He’s right. It’s on the corner of Chestnut and Pine. But the angry-looking, black-belt wearing, .45-packing, six foot tall lady who mans the front desk at night is enough of a deterrent to keep most upset exes away.
Or the description of the house that is featured in the series, The Aldridge House
I researched its history when Jake bought the place. The house had been built by Harold, the son of one of the original settlers in Oak Grove, Joseph Aldridge. During the Pennsylvania oil boom, Harold had made big money. When he got married in his mid-forties to a much younger wife, he had the house built as a wedding present for her. Their plans, according to the reports I dredged up, were to fill the house with children. Unfortunately, Harold died in an accident in the oil fields while his wife was pregnant with their first child. She raised the child alone and never remarried, so the big house remained mostly empty. Other families lived in the house after that, but it hadn’t been occupied for years.
Along the way, I learned what really made the town what it is was were the people. Harmony’s overly protective landlords. The smokers huddled outside the back door of her favorite restaurant, and Al, the owner. Freddie, the sometimes-friendly police detective. Harmony’s closest friends. With each book, the list grew. For example, Mrs. Axcel:
Lots of folks in the neighborhood tried to help her keep the place up. She fed me milk and cookies too because she was just happy to have someone to talk to. She told me she wanted to stay in the house as long as possible. It’s the house she and her husband bought when they were newlyweds and they raised all three of their kids in it.
And that’s how I built my world. One person, one building at a time, until the town had become as much of a character in the books as any other. My readers are welcome visitors. Maybe the cousin from out of town, or there for the bird watching festival.
To find out how other authors build their worlds, follow the links below. For now, as always, until next time, please stay safe.
September 19, 2022
Share your tips for world-building, even if it’s only a village.
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