When you start working on a story set in a new universe, where do you find it easiest to begin?
"Begin with the story. Always begin with the story. (Unless you're Lud in the Mist.) The world is there for the story to happen in. Here and now, you don't need to tell the history of the world before you start telling a story that happened on the Isle of Man. You tell the story and let the background and the history creep in where it's needed. The same goes for worlds you've built yourself." NEIL GAIMAN
Art by Charless Vess, from the book INSTRUCTIONS, written by Neil Gaiman |
"Begin with the story. Always begin with the story. (Unless you're Lud in the Mist.) The world is there for the story to happen in. Here and now, you don't need to tell the history of the world before you start telling a story that happened on the Isle of Man. You tell the story and let the background and the history creep in where it's needed. The same goes for worlds you've built yourself." NEIL GAIMAN
Comments
I've been wondering lately which I should prioritize more, story or history. The planning stage is fun but the production stage intimidates me.