On Creating Worlds

I am currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert and I'm amazed by how vivid the world of the story is. As a writer, one of my goals is to do just that, create a world with its own magic, politics and religion. This is no easy task, but details make a story greater, and convince the reader that the world is probable. 

For examples, I turn to Tolkien, who created languages, histories, races and magic to make an epic story. J.K. Rowling invented her own system of magic, and a whole dimension of magic away from the "muggle" world. Diana Wynne Jones created a familiar yet different world related to the European countries.
After reading many  of these stories, I wonder what makes the world of a book seem real. Some would say the characters and their way of living life can reveal a world through human eyes. Others agree that the geography and history of the world makes it realistic to a reader. Magic and languages must be carefully crafted. Myth and folklore add a dimension to the world of a story and create an importance of their own.
Many of my inspiration for writing comes from stories with vivid and realistic worlds.The worlds of Final Fantasy with their elements of myth and folklore become very real while you learn their stories. Spira, from Final Fantasy X, was one of the most amazing and vivid worlds I have ever seen. Coccoon and Pulse from Final Fantasy XIII were also detailed worlds with Steam Punk flare. Another world I admire is the world of Avatar the Last Airbender. Not only did this world have it's own magic. It had its own myths, animals and a religion that played a key part of the story. In the Stravaganza Series by Mary Hoffman, she creates her own Italy with beautiful and intriguing detail, including important magical props.
My current story is a world I have created in the example of these stories. I don't have languages, but one of my stories does have a language I invented. 
I want to create the feeling of stepping into a new world. Like when Jake Sully becomes a Navi in the film Avatar. The vivid and memorable landscape, and the interesting culture of the Navi makes the world of Pandora an amazing element of the film.
Creating worlds, for a writer, is no easy task. Details must be added. A history invented, and characters introduced before a story can really feel like a journey.

What elements do you think create worlds in stories?

Props that tell stories

So I thought of this list awhile back, but never posted it. Here's my imaginary wishlist from my favorite silver screen and T. V. screen stories.

1. The Evenstar Necklace from The Lord of the Rings
(I actually own this one)

This pendant literally symbolizes the story of Aragorn and Arwen. And the necklace itself seems pretty durable considering it has survived battle after battle with Orcs, a rough landing in the river, hike after hike in the mountains, a few horse rides, and finally a passage to the undead and back.

2. The Ruby of StormHold from StarDust

This prop tells the story of how Yvaine came to StormHold and how Tristan became king. This is another durable piece of jewelry because it goes through a crash, a trail in the wild, a witch fire incident, a trip through the sky and of course, the ultimate magical showdown, a starburst.

3. Time Turner necklace from Harry Potter

Let's face it. It would be amazing to go back in time, and I like the way the movie made it happen. Hermoine knew how to go to all her classes and be on time. She knew the secret to College years in advance!

4. Katara's Necklace from Avatar the Last Airbender
(I own this one too)

(http://ivy-kun.deviantart.com/art/Katara-s-Necklace-169905575)

I love the story behind this necklace. It was carved by Master Pakku for Katara's
grandmother, but she refused his proposal and kept the gift. She then passed the necklace down to her daughter, Katara's mother, and it was inherited by Katara when her mother died. She treasures it because it is all she has left of her mother, and still wears it, even once Korra becomes the avatar.

5. The MockingJay Pin from The Hunger Games
(I finally found this one)

This pin is more than it seems. It represents hope and triumph over the Capital. There's a story behind this piece of jewelry, and Katniss learns the tale before she volunteers for The Hunger Games. A symbol in itself, the pin tells the story of freedom and power.

6. The Star Locket from Sailor Moon

This item tells the story of the Moon Kingdom's fall and Sailor Moon's past. It looks authentic and real, with the theme for Sailor Moon playing and the crescent moon spinning around. It is such a lovely locket and it seems mythological to the Sailor Moon world. (This has been on my wish list for years!)

7. Hairpin and PigRabbit from You're Beautiful
(I own these :)

This prop tells a cute story that has to do with Go-Min-Nyue's charm and Hwang-Tae-Young's fears. Tae-Young was afraid of rabbits, and a pig chased him while he was visiting Go Min-Nyue's hometown. He bought Go Min-Nyue the hairpin when her hairpin broke and actually paid 100 dollars for it, even though the pin was only 3 dollars. (He was so embarrassed that he left without his change)
Once Go-Min-Nyue teases him about rabbits, Tae-Young decides to set the record straight. He makes a "PigRabbit" for her and gives it to her with the hairpin.

8. Precious Moments SnowGlobe from My Girl
(I also own this one)

Yu-rin doesn't know when her birthday is. Her father tells her that he only remembers that it was snowing, so every time it snows, Yu-Rin celebrates her birthday. After she tells Gong-chan this, he buys her a snow globe and the snow globe symbolizes the family that Yu-rin has created throughout the show.

9. The Labyrinth book from Labyrinth

Unforntuately, this prop was literally a prop. There was no story called The Labyrinth, but
it looks so nice that I think it would be neat if they republished the movie novel in this fashion. I remember watching this movie and wishing I could read the original story, before I knew that it wasn't based off of a book.

10. The "K" necklace from Dream High

 This necklace is passed on over and over again throughout the story of Dream High. Each student gets it and achieves some part of their dream, but they don't keep it for long, passing it on to someone else for luck. In the end, the popstar K, which could be anyone of the main characters, keeps it as a parting gift from someone they love.

Writing Prompt 37: 10 Favorite pieces of music

Prompt: My 10 favorite pieces of music

I have so many favorite soundtracks and inspirational tracks for my writing playlist. These tracks come from all over: video games, movies, TV shows and random recommendations. Here are my top ten.

1. Eternity Memory of Lightwaves - Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi

I love this theme the most. It reminds me of myself for some reason. It's a calming tune and a relaxing melody.

2. Dearly Beloved- Yoko Shimomura


Another relaxing theme, and my favorite track in the Kingdom Hearts series.

3. Forbidden Friendship- John Powel

I love writing to this song. It has a little bit of everything.

4. The Riders of Rohan-  Howard Shore
Everything about this piece puts me back to the moment in the movie. I love the violins!


5. Becoming A Geisha- John Williams
This piece showed the transformation of Chio to Sayuri in one smooth melody.


6. Belle's Story- Mark Isham

This is another piece I enjoy writing to. It is simple and soft.

7. He's a Pirate- Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer

Such an exciting and memorable melody, this piece became one of my favorites very quickly.

8. The Guardian's Song- Ralph Schuckett

This track still astounds me.

9. Define Dancing- Thomas Newman

This track is just amazing :)

10. 꽃잎이 내린다 - 두 번째 달- Goong Soundtrack

I love this piece. It's so beautiful.

There are so many more amazing instrumentals out there, but these are my favorites. What instrumentals do you love listening to?

Writing Prompt 35: Top 10 Movies

Prompt: My Ten Favorite movies

I loved this movie when I was a kid. (Already a fan of epic adventures.) My aunt would put this on the TV whenever I came over and my eyes would be glued to the screen.

This story holds a special place in my heart. The film came on T.V. very often, and whenever it did, I couldn't change the channel. (Of course this is another epic quest film- starting to see a pattern here? he he)

Does this one even need explaining at this point? Favorite fairytale and a Disney Princess that loved books and adventures just as much as I do!

The book series I grew up with on the big screen. Priceless.

How I got through High School. These movies will always bring back memories of screenings with my Dad and my friends. A very epic saga. I also love the books ( of course).

 

I watched this movie so many times when it first came out, and read the book before I saw the movie. I love everything about this film and book (even though they are very different). Tristan's journey to move on from the past and build his own future will always be meaningful to me.

My favorite Hayao Miazaki movie. I love Howl. And, Sophie's journey to self confidence captures the magic of this film. Howl's return to humanity and Sophie's  newly found confidence help both characters find a home and give them courage to fight for what they believe in.

This movie really explores the inner and outer conflict of good vs evil. The story also revolves around the meaning of real strength. Steve Rodgers discovers the power of having a good character is stronger than brute strength.

Not only is this film beautiful, it is about living life instead of worrying about what will happen. Marlin's journey from a paranoid father to an understanding parent showed him that he could change his circumstances once he changed his perspective.

A modern reverse Beauty and the Beast story about changing your fate and breaking free.

        I love so many movies, and in general I love action packed, fun films. This was actually a very hard choice. But these films spoke to me the most. Each story taught me a different lesson. The Dark Crystal inspired many worlds in my imagination. The Last Unicorn taught me that sometimes stories have a bittersweet ending. Beauty and the Beast defines my idea of a relationship (getting to know each other and going at your own pace). Harry Potter brought magic into the real dramas of school life and adolescence. The Lord of the Rings inspired my first fantasy story with its memorable characters and epic plot. Star Dust taught me the lesson of how to heal a broken and deceived heart. Howl's Moving Castle gave me the courage to believe in myself and what I can do. Captain America showed the inner conflict of doing what is right without allowing others' judgement to control your life. Finding Nemo showed me that life will happen, so it's better to live it instead of worry all the time. And finally, Penelope taught me that sometimes the actual obstacle holding you back from your dreams is really just yourself.
        So there you have it. Ten movies that I don't get sick of, and remind me what life is about. This list may change over time. Different stories and characters are always influencing my life and my journey as a writer. But that's the beauty of stories and tales. They grow and change over time. The same message and meaning through a new lens and dream.

What movies make your top ten list? What have you learned from them?