Let Me Know & World Building, take 2

Though my final blog tour stop had a mix up, I'd still like to share my World Building post!

Here are some things to consider when building a new world:

government            school                religion
geography            religion            history
traditions & holidays        slang, fashion & pop culture
transportation & technology

Now, some might be intimidated by the thought of creating a whole new world and having to make up all this background. But, it's not as hard as it may sound... 

When developing these pieces of your world, you don't have to start from scratch. Just look at the world around you and tweak it. By keeping your world grounded with some familiarity, readers can relate to it easier.

The hardest part is introducing your world to the reader. You can't just spell it out for them, you have to incorporate it into the story without confusing or boring them. The author knows the history and background info, but some of it may never come up in the story. Characters live in the moment. Do you think about history on a daily basis?

Here are a few suggestions for incorporating background nuggets into your story...

• write the scene as it would happen and when a new place, term, or activity comes up, you can elaborate on it - but don't force descriptions into a scene
• slang can be emphasized by facial expressions or actions so the reader knows what it means
• let the reader in on a character's internal thoughts and opinions about what's going on, the government, a situation, etc - that also helps with character development

The most important thing about building a new world is living in it in your head. Make the experience come alive. If you imagine being there, you will think of subtleties that will help the reader enter the scene with your characters!

Do you have any thoughts or advice on World Building?

And now, a HUGE THANKS and a BIG HUG

to everyone who helped me spread the word about Broken Branch Falls!
The WINNER of the $25 GC,
chosen randomly from the many reviewers, interviewers, and blog tour hosts,
is

KATIE TELLER!!

Thanks and hugs to everyone who stopped by my posts!
The winner of the August Raffle is below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

But wait! I must share - Stina Lindenblatt's dramatic sequel YA release is here!

Blurb for LET ME KNOW

Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim.

Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus's past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber's reputation, Marcus has only one option: end their relationship. He won't risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart.

Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims' rights before she's convicted in the court of public opinion. And she's really not sure what's worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently.

Where To Find The Book:

Nook         Amazon         KOBO         iBooks        Goodreads

Check out Stina's first book from Amber and Marcus' journey,

Lost in You #1, TELL ME WHEN

And we already have our first entry in the Shelfie Blog Hop!

Check out Ellie Garrett's jam-packed shelfie of awesomeness!

Plenty of time to add your own shelfie selfie!