New Worlds or the Old One?

One of the first things I consider when creating a story is if I want to create a whole new world, or merely use the one we have in a different way. I like both, so to me there is no right or wrong here, just a choice that will ultimately affect the rest of the story of and about that world and the characters living within it.

I tend to prefer alternative Earth stories as opposed to post-apocalyptic, though I'm not against those, either. Alternative Earth forces certain restrictions -- the continents must be at least somewhat similar to how we know them, if I want to insert magic, it has to have a stronger explanation than "that's how it is here", and any creatures need to conform to what we know has and can exist on Earth.

When making up a whole new world, of course, then, in a sense, anything goes. I enjoy the freedom to make a world how I want it to be, sometimes with disregard to physics. It's my world, I can make the scientific laws as well as the rest.

So, how do you like your fantasy worlds? Brand new to explore completely, or based on Earth, to find the differences and similarities?

Yours in wonder,
Anita Ensal

Joyous Holidays!

Wishing you and yours the most joyous and magical of holidays, whatever and however you celebrate them. Make this time special, hold it in your heart, remember the good times and forget the bad, keep the home fires burning, and remember that you are special and make a difference every day, even if you don't realize it.

May 2009 bring you all you hope for, and may it be as fantastical as it can possibly be!

Yours in wonder and joy,
Anita Ensal

Welcome to My Worlds

Hello, Blogosphere! I’m a writer of mostly fantasy and science fiction, with other sub-genres of speculative fiction thrown in. As such, I figured it was time to start getting more active in the wonderful world of blogging.

I have a novel series being shopped by my wonderful agent. I also have a short story up at Raphael’s Village, and just sold a short story to Eposic to be included in their “The Book of Exodi” anthology.

I’m looking forward to discussing how the muse affects us all in terms of our individual creativity, as well as share my journey along the way.

Yours in wonder,

Anita Ensal