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Isabel Cooper | To Build A Proper World ... it's the SMALL things that count
September 12, 2011
World-building is one of the most difficult parts of writing a world that
differs in any way from ours. It's easy enough to figure out the main changes,
like "magic works" or "dinosaurs are still around"—you probably have them
in mind from the beginning, or odds are you wouldn't be writing that particular
world—but then you have to think about what smaller changes they'd cause.
Do the people in your world have surgeons, or does magic solve all health
issues. If not, why not? How does the freeway system adapt when people are
riding stegosauruses? And so on. That's hard. It's also a lot of fun—like putting together a puzzle, but
generally without that moment when you realize that the dog ate three of the
pieces. When I was writing NO PROPER
LADY, I got to do two separate and intertwined pieces of world-building. One
was Simon's world, which was 1888 as we knew it on the surface—only with
all sorts of secret knowledge and magic underneath. (I drew a great deal on
actual occult societies of the time, though I took considerable liberties in the
service of fiction.) The other was Joan's world: a world very different from
either Simon's or ours, but which, for the most part, only shows up in her
descriptions and memories. Finding just the right amount of information to put
in was a delightful challenge, especially because having Joan talk about her
world helped to emphasize how foreign she was to Simon's. The following scene is one where Joan tells Simon the basics of her time. I had
a lot of fun writing it—figuring out what the world was like, how much
Joan would talk about it, and how she would put that description. I hope you
enjoy reading it! "The spells in the book opened a doorway," Joan said, "and the Dark Ones came
through. Not just the little ones, the cerberi and their friends, but the big
boys." "The Lords of the Places Beyond," said Simon, remembering the title of a book
he hadn't wanted to read. "Yeah," said Joan. "Them." The thunder sounded very loud. "But people survived," Simon said. "People
must have survived." It was raining now. The water ran over Joan's face, coursing down her cheeks
like tears, but her eyes were calm and her voice was steady. "Sure. The old
governments built tunnels for war. That's where I grew up. That's where everyone
lives—everyone except the Dark Ones' pets. Or livestock." "And you came back? I take it this is more than a sightseeing trip." Joan was silent for several minutes. In the dim light, she looked
insubstantial, ghostlike. "We were losing," she said. "We fought for four
generations. We did a good job. We put some marks on the sons of bitches. But
there were fewer of us every year and more of them." Looking away from her face, Simon could see a long twisting scar on her upper
arm. A rope might make a scar like that. Or a very thin knife. Or a tentacle. "About seven years ago," Joan said, "one of our priests got visions. Very
specific ones: a name, a year, and the kind of patterns you need for real power.
The kind you need to send someone back and let them change things." Joan's voice fell when she spoke again, but Simon still heard her clearly.
"That's our only chance now." © Isabel Cooper, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2011
NO PROPER LADY BY ISABEL COOPER – IN STORES
SEPTEMBER 2011 It's Terminator meets My Fair Lady in this fascinating debut of
black magic and brilliant ball gowns, martial arts, and mysticism. England, 1888. The trees are green, the birds are singing, and in 200 years
demons will destroy it all. Unless Joan, a rough-around-the-edges assassin from
the future, can take out the dark magician responsible. But to get close to her
target she'll need help learning how to fit into polite Victorian society to get
close to her target. Simon Grenville has his own reasons for wanting to destroy Alex Reynell. The man
used to be his best friend—until his practice of the dark arts almost
killed Simon's sister. The beautiful half-naked stranger Simon meets in the
woods may be the perfect instrument for his revenge. It will just take a little
time to teach her the necessary etiquette and assemble a proper wardrobe. But as
each day passes, Simon is less sure he wants Joan anywhere near Reynell. Because
no spell in the world will save his future if she isn't in it. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debut author Isabel
Cooper lives in Boston and maintains her guise as a mild-mannered project
manager working in legal publishing. She only travels through time the normal
way and has never fought a demon, but she can waltz. Her next book, NO HONEST
WOMAN, will be in stores in April 2012. For more information, please visit
http://isabelcooper.wordpress.com.
Comments
47 comments posted.
Re: Isabel Cooper | To Build A Proper World ... it's the SMALL things that count
Book sounds like a great read.
(Sheila True 12:17pm September 12, 2011)
Book sounds great.Thanks for giving me a chance to win and read it.
(Linda Hall 1:43am September 12, 2011)
Love the sound of this book, can't wait to read it, x x
(Julie Newberry 6:03am September 12, 2011)
Sounds like an interesting plot....
(Diane Brixius 7:14am September 12, 2011)
What a fantastic story line - I am hooked already!
(Barbara Hanson 8:26am September 12, 2011)
This one soounds so exciting!! I'm into Simon's world already! You had me at "occult societies".
(Karen Gervasi 8:31am September 12, 2011)
I love the front cover of your book. Magic, time travel, etc - I'm in. Thanks for the chance to win. I have placed your name on my list of authors to read.
(Beverly Beltz 10:05am September 12, 2011)
Terminator meets My Fair Lady? :) Definitely my kind of book! :)
(May Pau 10:08am September 12, 2011)
This book sounds great. I enjoye reading historical romance.
(Christine Arcidiacono 11:01am September 12, 2011)
The description "Terminator meets My Fair Lady" is going to catch a lot of people's interest. Good job! Best of luck to you!
(Renee Pajda 11:40am September 12, 2011)
I love to go into other worlds - that's why I love to read!
(Beth Elder 12:16pm September 12, 2011)
WOW! This sounds like a really fun read!
(Sandy Fielder 12:22pm September 12, 2011)
NO PROPER LADY definitely sounds like a very interesting read! Looking forward to reading your book
(Shirley Younger 1:19pm September 12, 2011)
Hmmm, I am very interested in reading this book... sounds good!
(Colleen Conklin 1:22pm September 12, 2011)
I am so very intrigued by the storyline for this book. Love the idea of mixing those two film ideas.
(G. Bisbjerg 1:39pm September 12, 2011)
This seems like a book of other worlds colliding in history. I'll bet it makes an unusual read.
(Alyson Widen 1:40pm September 12, 2011)
Sounds great!
(Summer Grinstead 1:59pm September 12, 2011)
It sounds like a great book. I'm hooked!
(Courtney Beltz 2:03pm September 12, 2011)
"Another World" doesn't sound too bad with the shape ours is in.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 2:13pm September 12, 2011)
I'm intrigued!
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 2:36pm September 12, 2011)
Sounds like a yummy read!!!!!!!! A new world is what we all need now.........lol
(Joanne Bozik 2:38pm September 12, 2011)
This book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it.
(Gail Hurt 3:58pm September 12, 2011)
Wow! This really has a fantastic sound to it!
(Cate Sparks 4:23pm September 12, 2011)
I love variety and this sounds like an exciting premis and something new!
(Jeanne Sheats 4:30pm September 12, 2011)
Sounds like a great read! And I love the cover!
(Leanna Morris 4:38pm September 12, 2011)
This sounds like such an exciting and interesting new premise! Thanks for the post and giveaway!
(Erin Fender 5:01pm September 12, 2011)
I love the premise. This new book sounds like "magic"!
(Sandra Spilecki 5:35pm September 12, 2011)
wow the book color is great and then i would love to read and then blog on it
(Desiree Reilly 6:02pm September 12, 2011)
Looking forward to reading this one! On my TBR list!!
(Dawn Staniszeski 6:17pm September 12, 2011)
Looks like a great book!
(Mary Smith 7:02pm September 12, 2011)
This is at the top of my must-read list!
(Jennifer Langford 7:09pm September 12, 2011)
"Terminator meets My Fair Lady" - the mind boggles. On my list.
(Mary Preston 7:41pm September 12, 2011)
I have to say that I found the story line to your book very intriguing!! This isn't a genre that I would normally read, but you definately have me hooked!! It takes an author with a good imagination, as well as the gift of telling a story, to be a good author. From what I read, I think you've succeeded. I'm sure the next book coming out will be just as good, and I'll be looking forward to it as well.
(Peggy Roberson 7:44pm September 12, 2011)
What an interesting concept for a book. I'm looking forward to reading more.
(G S Moch 7:57pm September 12, 2011)
I love this concept for your book. So excited, cannot wait to read!
(Lorraine Rodriguez 9:11pm September 12, 2011)
I would love to read your book.
(Kara Lepard 9:28pm September 12, 2011)
This sounds exciting, i have been enjoying the fantastic way paranormal
romances have been developing!!! I can't wait to read this twist it sounds fun!
(Erica Cooper 9:29pm September 12, 2011)
Would love to read - this sounds like a good book.
(Susie Kerner 9:50pm September 12, 2011)
Thanks for the chance to read your debut novel. The concept is so interesting!
(Jennifer Beyer 10:06pm September 12, 2011)
This sounds really different from anything I've read.
(Diane Sallans 10:30pm September 12, 2011)
This book sounds so good and exactly the type of book I really enjoy reading.
(Molly Wilsbacher 10:56pm September 12, 2011)
I love the idea of the worlds here, an assassin from the future back in 1888 to make a change.
(Lisa Kendall 1:13am September 13, 2011)
Great idea. Book sounds great.
(Carla Carlson 2:23pm September 13, 2011)
Wow..what a exciting book contest...hope to win a copy of No Proper Lady by Isabel [email protected]
(Lnda McFarland 4:06pm September 13, 2011)
Your heroine has my attention...I'll be looking for this book. Thanks for the chance to win one.
(Dolores Feagin 4:42pm September 14, 2011)
This sounds very interesting and this is definately going on my wish list.
Thanks for the post and sharing your world with us.
(Patti Paonessa 2:05pm September 18, 2011)
Thank you so much for your comments! It's always a thrill to
hear that people are excited--and I really appreciate the
chance to talk more about books and writing!
Marjorie, I seriously know what you mean sometimes. Writing
and reading can be a necessary escape these days.
Peggy, I'm so glad to hear you liked No Proper Lady!
And I'd like to thank the Fresh Fiction staff again for
letting me talk to all of you!
(Isabel Cooper 11:01am September 21, 2011)
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