Building
the Fairyproof World From the Characters Up
Some
might think world building is the hardest part of writing any kind of
paranormal book, but for me it’s the most fun. Creating a different
space or an exotic place to house a story is giving the reader –
and this writer – not only the venue for a story but a world to
escape to.
A
majority of Fairyproof takes place in the human world: Elgin and
Chicago, Illinois to be exact. However, about a third of the pages
are devoted to what is happening on the fairy realm. When the fairy
characters are in their home, most of the focus in on the action and
the crisis, but I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the world they were
in. The reader had to be shown how and why it’s different.
When
it came time to do that, I had to be very careful about what I
devised. Instead of trying to think of a world that was simply
different than the one we know, I had to think about the world my
fairy characters lived in.
I’d
put a lot of thought into how my fairies were different than the
counter parts, besides the obvious powers. In Fairyproof, they are
more adept to a way of life that would be considered pre-tech, human
world. Fairies would rather barter than rely on a commerce system.
They prefer natural fabrics, and most are vegetarian.
So,
when it was time to peak at their world, I had to build something
that made sense with the lifestyle I created. A futuristic world
littered with sleek high rises and flying vehicles just wouldn’t
have melded. Instead, I decided there would be open air markets and
stone buildings. Because they use their minds and spells to propel
their body from place to place, there was little need for them to
have improved roads. Because I described them as a patriarchal
society that is focused on lineage, several generations live together
in large family homes.
It
is my hope to write follow up books to Fairyproof, and it is my plan
to spend more and more time on the fairy world. I will continue to
build on that foundation that was laid by the types of beings my
characters are.
FairyproofBy Constance Phillips
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Crescent Moon
Press
Date of Publication:
September 4, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937254-75-9
Number of pages: 262
Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: Taria Reed
Book Description:
When
Monique finds out her brother, Kieran, is planning her future with
the one fairy she wants nothing to do with, she seeks refuge in the
human world. Now Kieran fears she will be the next victim in a string
of murdered fairies and is determined to bring her home.
Hiding
should be a breeze. She can control any human with a flirtatious
smile and an attraction spell. Until she meets Daniel Elliot, the
only human who's immune to both.
A
year ago, Daniel's fiancée disappeared with the engagement ring, an
Elliot family heirloom. He's ready to move forward with his life, but
his mother's obsession with retrieving the ring makes that
impossible. Then Monique walks into his office to apply for a job.
Daniel
and Monique can't deny their attraction, but will the reason he's
Fairyproof be too much
to overcome?
Author
Bio:
Constance
Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest
children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would
involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also
digs that kind of stuff. When she's not writing about fairies,
shifters, vamps, and guardian angels, she's working side-by-side with
her husband in their hardwood flooring business.
Constance
is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter
(MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony
Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality
television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look
for the pink Converse high tops).
Constance
blogs regularly at www.constancephillips.com.
You can also follow her on Twitter
or friend her on Facebook.
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/CPhillips
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Great guest post! Thank you for sharing how you built the character's world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting me here today!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaidis.I'm very attached to these characters and their wold. Hopefully, there will be more to come.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE fairies and look forward to reading "Fairyproof"- it sounds like a great mix of romance and mystery/suspense.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amanda!
ReplyDelete