how to starting business plan: A Whole New World

World building.

For writers and readers.

A writer’s greatest challenge can be creating a world in which she or he believes in. The writer’s first job is to buy into the fantasy of their own creation. If the writer doubts the landscape, the infrastructure, the characters, it erodes the foundation of the story.

Readers are savvy. They see transparently whether or not the story world is one they should or shouldn’t buy into. The writer’s enthusiasm for a project is contagious, and so is that of the reader's.

As important as it is to add dimension to your characters, it’s important to nurture a believable environment no matter how fantasy based the plot may be—in fact, especially if the plot is fantasy based.

The writer must first sell himself. It’s really that simple.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Draw a map, so you can visualize on paper the lay of the land.

2. Make a list of locations, hot spots in geography, the schools, the city, the suburbs.

3. Give your world plenty of personality.

4. Let your location/world become a well-loved character within your story.

What fictional worlds have drawn you in? Twilight? Hunger Games?

Do tell. I really want to know.

Addison Moore is the mother of four children and a graduate of the University of Southern California. She writes young adult fiction and eats way too much chocolate.

The Celestra Series was recently picked up for film by 20th Century Fox.