Our discussion of integrating religion and faith into your fantastical world continues! In this episode, guest Aparna Verma joins us to examine the deep connections between religious belief and the choices your characters make. How do they negotiate their relationship with their faith and the stories that go along with it? What happens when, thanks to a prophecy, they become one of those stories?
Religion can be a powerful force moving politics and social dynamics -- especially when not everyone agrees on the interpretation of a text or a vision! Both your protagonists and antagonists can use faith to manipulate the ends they desire, although, as many historical and fictional narratives have demonstrated, that can also swiftly spiral out of control. Building a multifaceted religious landscape in your world will give you so many plot hooks and character motivations to weave together, helping to make your world feel fuller and more lived-in!
Editor's Note: In the intro, Marshall calls this episode 110, but we apparently forgot how to count. It's 109!
[Transcript TK]
Our Guest: Aparna Verma was born in India and immigrated to the United States when she was two-years-old. She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English. The Phoenix King is her first novel.
When she is not writing, Aparna likes to ride horses, dance to Bollywood music, and find old cafes to read myths about forgotten worlds. You can connect with Aparna on Twitter and Instagram at @spirited_gal.
Episode 127: Expanding Worlds
Episode 126: When Worldbuilding Gets Wild, ft PREMEE MOHAMED
Episode 125: Monstrous Worldbuilding, ft. JOHN WISWELL
Episode 124: Worldbuilding in Review, ft. PAUL WEIMER
Episode 123: Worldbuilding in Your Underpants, ft. JOHN HARTNESS
Episode 122: Now Kiss: Building Romance into Your Worlds, ft. GWENDA BOND
Episode 121: Brave New Worlds, ft. FONDA LEE and MELISSA CARUSO
Episode 120: World Bibles and the Gospel According to Tolkien
Episode 119: Worldbuilding Philosophy and Practices
Episode 118: Passing the Torch
Episode 117: More Queries and Quandaries
Episode 116: Choosing, Presuming, and Decision Fatigue
Episode 115: When Not Writing Is Writing, ft. MUR LAFFERTY
Episode 114: The St Crispin’s Day Special, ft. ANNA SMITH SPARK
Episode 113: Trust Your Instincts, ft. SEANAN MCGUIRE
Episode 112: Whirlwind Worldbuilding ft. JAMES L. SUTTER
Episode 111: Let’s Pick a Fight: Balancing Realism and the Fantastical in Martial Matters, ft. S.L. HUANG
Episode 110: In Your Leisure Time, ft. MATT WALLACE
Episode 108: The Myth, The Legend, The Cultural Impacts, ft. EHIGBOR OKOSUN
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