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?

Great Books based on Greek myths

So I've recently been reading a lot of Greek myth books and I thought I'd share them.

 Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan:

This series is a lot of fun. Written with the voice of a sarcastic boy named Percy, the epic saga to restore the balance between demigods and gods is a familiar tale if you've read the original myths.

The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan:

Half a sequel to the Olympians series and half an introduction to new heroes, the Heroes of Olympus series is written from a third person point of view and follows several demigods who are connected in a quest between the Roman and Greek sides of the gods.

The Goddess Test Series by Aimee Carter:

A very interesting twist on the myth of Persephone. Kate Winters is swept into the world of Greek gods without even knowing it, and must pass a test to be with Henry, who claims to be Hades, god of the underworld. Kate's choice takes her on a quest to prove her loyalty and strength as a future goddess.

 The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter:

This book is a collection of stories written in the point of view of different Greek Gods and Goddesses. A prequel to the Goddess Test series, it sets up the inner conflict of the Gods and shows the situation in a vulnerable light, making all the flaws of immortality an interesting dilemma for the main characters.


Cupid by Julius Lester:

A very clever and well written retelling of the myth Cupid and Psyche. I read this book long ago but could never find it in the bookstore. Once I found it, I had to buy it and read it again. Not many modern books are written with this kind of "Story Teller" voice.