We spend a lot of time thinking about how to work with worldbuilding as writers -- but how does a reviewer approach the topic when they're reading works of sci-fi and fantasy? Guest Paul Weimer joins us to share his insights as a prolific consumer and critiquer of speculative fiction! Paul talks about the details that he pays attention to, the things he looks for, and the things that draw his attention, as well as discussing the purpose of reviews and who they're for (hint: it's not the authors!).
In this episode, we spin things around to look at how we approach worldbuilding and narrative construction as readers -- since we are, of course, readers as well as writers! We explore of aspects of how a writer can set and, hopefully, meet expectations through worldbuilding -- and where that can sometimes become challenging as a series goes on. What makes a world exciting to enter in the first place? What grips a reader and keeps them with it? And how can you use worldbuilding to make your wizard chase sequence a more cohesive part of your world?
Also, here's Natania's rock, as promised:
[Transcript TK]
Our Guest: Not really a Prince of Amber, but rather, an ex-pat New Yorker living in Minnesota, Paul Weimer has been reading sci-fi and fantasy for over 40 years. An avid and enthusiastic amateur photographer, blogger and podcaster, Paul primarily contributes to the Skiffy and Fanty Show as blogger and podcaster, to Nerds of a Feather as a reviewer and interviewer, to the SFF Audio podcast, and turns up elsewhere as well. If you’ve spent any time reading about SFF online, you’ve probably read one of his reviews, comments or tweets (he’s @PrinceJvstin).
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Episode 108: The Myth, The Legend, The Cultural Impacts, ft. EHIGBOR OKOSUN
Episode 107: Livin’ on a Prayer: Religion, Worldview, and the Individual
Episode 106: Lighten Up: Making your World a Little Grin-Dark, ft. M.J. KUHN
Episode 105: We’re Going on an Adventure!
Episode 104: Riffing on the Real World, ft. KAT HOWARD
Episode 103: Worldbuilding - It Builds Character, ft. KRITIKA H. RAO
Episode 102: Side Dishes and Second Helpings: Serving Up Some Food Culture, ft CHANA PORTER
Episode 101: All About the Zhuzh
Episode 100: The Game is Afoot! ft. CATE OSBORN, ANDREW NOME, and SHARANG BISWAS
Episode 99: Connect the Dots
Episode 98: Mysterious Worlds, ft. ANDREA STEWART
Episode 97: Perfect Pairing - Intersectionality and Worldbuilding, ft SUYI DAVIES OKUNGBOWA
Episode 96: The Big Blue World: Oceanic Worldbuilding, ft DARCIE LITTLE BADGER
Episode 95: Building and Bending Gender, ft. G.R. MACALLISTER
Episode 94: Natural and Supernatural Disasters
Episode 93: Queries and Quandaries
Episode 92: Ringing in the New Year
Episode 91: Making the Incredible Credible, ft. CHARLAINE HARRIS
Episode 90: The Editor’s Take ft. BRIT HVIDE
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