Subject: What is Cultural Context?

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What is Cultural Context?

tl:dr.

The latest How To Write The Future podcast episode is up!

Ep. 100. What is Cultural Context? (Build Better Worlds, 1 of 4)

Listen, watch, or read the post (full transcript) here:

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2024/05/13/what-is-cultural-context-build-better-worlds-1-of-4/

❤️

Friday, May 10, 2024

Hi Friend,

If you're working on your first novel, you may not realize how messy and chaotic the process can be. (At least for most of us!)

When I started out writing my first novel, I didn't know how messy, chaotic, and confusing the process could be.

I only knew that I'd spent the last 10 years day dreaming about being a novelist. It was now time to become one.

There I was at a cafe on Telegraph Ave in Berkeley working on the first scene of my first book and feeling like, geez, this is taking for forever.

But when I stopped an hour later and looked up at the passing cars and pedestrians and remembered where I was, I sat back exhausted, with a sense of accomplishment.

Yet I also felt daunted.

If it took me an hour to write one whole scene, then how long was this book going to take?!

Did I want to commit who knew how many hours, days, months, and possibly years to writing this novel?

Yes, yes, I did.

On that sunny spring afternoon, I decided then and there that it didn't matter how long it took.

What mattered was that I committed to this novel writing thing, no matter what.

Because I understood something fundamental that is still with me to this day --

That: Writers write. (Instagram link)

And the only way I was going to get my novel done was to sit down and work on it on a regular basis.

Fast forward to today and I'm working on my 16th novel, finalizing details in the 5th book of my sci-fi mystery series, a 100k+ word novel, and feeling how messy and chaotic the process is.

And I'm saying to myself: Yup. That's how it is.

I've grown to love, appreciate, and expect the mess.

Even though it's hard and seems like it's taking for-e-ever.

Yes, both can be true.

Now, how about you?

How do you handle the messy, chaotic creative process?

If you'd like help with starting or finishing your first draft, then check my 1-1 mentorship program for that. I have room right now for 1 more client.

Hit reply if you're ready to have a chat about it. We can have a zoom call.

❤️

Where are you in this process? Let me know!

Trust Your Creative Heart Method: From idea to finished science fiction or fantasy novel by Beth Barany

On to the podcast...

What is Cultural Context?
(Build Better Worlds, 1 of 4)

“Assumptions are great. What are our conscious and subconscious assumptions of the culture?”

– Beth Barany

In this week's episode:

I celebrate my 100th episode with a special thanks to listeners!
dive into the importance of cultural context in storytelling, focusing on world-building in science fiction and fantasy genres, based on Chapter 3 of Build Better Worlds by Michael Kilman and Kyra Wellstrom

Tune in and enjoy! And I hope you find it helpful!

To listen or read this episode's transcript, go here (Writer's Fun Zone):

Or listen on YouTube

Apple Podcast

Spotify

The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace.

Enjoy!

Next week, I'll be continuing this mini series about the book, Build Better Worlds, part 2, sharing Myth, Imagined Past, and Cultural Purity in Fiction (Build Better Worlds, 2 of 4) in Ep. 101.

Stay tuned on How To Write The Future podcast.

If you're so moved, please Like, Subscribe, or Share.

Thanks! Merci! Muchas Gracias! Obrigada! Prego!

❤️

Upcoming Events

Starting with:

NLP for Fiction Writers this coming Monday, May 20th

NLP for Fiction Writers live training

Enhance your writing skills and tap into your creative flow.

Taught by Beth Barany,

Hosted by Stacy Juba's Shortcut for Writers

Where: on Zoom.

When: Monday, May 20, 2024

Time: 4:30-6pm Pacific / 7:30-9pm Eastern

Price: $49 (Registration closes May 19th)

** This workshop will be recorded in case you can't make it live.

For all the details and to sign up go here:

https://courses.shortcutsforwriters.com/nlp-for-fiction-writers/

Save The Date!

Heart-Centered Marketing for Fiction Writers

How to keep your author presence visible between launches

Taught by Beth Barany,

Hosted by Danika Bloom, Author Ever After

Where: on Zoom.

When: Tuesday, June 25, 4:30-6pm Pacific/7:30-9pm Eastern

Sign up to be notified when enrollment opens for this hands-on workshop.

Save The Date

Wanna Write Romance summit

by Sue Brown-Moore, Book Coach & Storysmith

June 13-16, 2024

For writers who write romance or who want to write romance.

I'll be giving a workshop on "NLP and fiction: Before & After Demo: How your romance beats affect your hero's growth arc."

More details coming very soon.

Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

More writing workshops offered by my colleagues

Need help writing your book blurb?

Check out this workshop that Kat Caldwell is offering: "Build a Blurb that Sells with Madison Michael": Tuesday, May 21, 10am PT/1pm ET. Register here.

❤️

Get the tips you need to write better internal dialogue!

Learn how using internal dialogue the right way builds a connection with readers and enhances your story with Stacy Juba: Tuesday, June 11, 10am PT/1pm ET. Register here. Also a workshop via Kat Caldwell.

❤️

Craft powerful settings...

... that transport their readers into the world of their story.

Check out CS Lakin's Crafting Powerful Settings homestudy course, currently 60%.

Use this link:

https://cslakin.teachable.com/p/crafting-powerful-settings?coupon_code=APRIL&product_id=4297609.

Or insert the code: APRIL

to get lifetime access to this course for $39.60. Wow!

❤️

cludes an invitation to the Manifest and Mingle Vision Board Facebook Party for Writers (Jan. 8th to 12th, 2024).Includes an invitation to the Manifest and Mingle Vision Board Facebook Party for Writers (Jan. 8th to 12th, 20

🌟 If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too. Thanks!

Ways I help science fiction and fantasy novelists:

❤️

Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator

Creativity is the answer.

bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!

Author of *Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure*
author.bethbarany.com

Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.

___________________________

Henrietta The Dragon Slayer film A short film of adventure fantasy: magic, friendship and a chimera monster fight. Not a damsel in distress. This heroine saves the day.

PPS. We're closer to making our dream of boosting female representation in fantasy films a reality!

Since I was a girl… I've been reading, watching, and writing fantasy fiction, and have struggled to find female protagonists who go on heroic adventures.

I’m excited to announce that we now accept charitable donations for our short film, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer in collaboration with BAVC Media.

We already raised $4000 with a successful kickstarter, raising 800% over our goal.

Now we’re on our way to raise the rest of the budget for our San Francisco Bay Area independent film with a diverse crew, many of whom got their filmmaking start at the wonderful film program for girls and nonbinary youth called Reel Stories, where they've become staff members.

Let's pull together and show the true power of women.

Help us reach our goal: $16,000 by June 30, 2024!

*And we’ll send you a film sticker! (see it here! Instagram link)

All the details here.

Ways to donate and share:

1. We have a few spots for Executive Producer support at $1,000 and above. Get the opportunity to make a film and shape our culture. Let me know if this is for you and we’ll send you the link.

2. Donate on Paypal (which accepts credit cards):

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZJEU8FFM66SBN

Or use this QR code:

https://author.bethbarany.com/henrietta-short-film/#filmdonateqrcode

3. Pay by check or bank transfer. Contact me for mailing address or bank wire information.

4. If you don't want to make a charitable donation, and would still like to support us, you can! Please share this invitation with people in their network who love fantasy fiction stories and supporting girls and women. Thank you!

🐲🐲

About our film: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer

ACTION ADVENTURE. FRIENDSHIP. MONSTER FIGHT.

A short film of fantasy adventure: magic, friendship and a chimera monster fight. Not a damsel in distress. This heroine saves the day.

In a desolate high desert battlefield, Franc, a knight far from home, vanishes after being plagued by nightmares. His friend and a valiant, decorated war veteran, Henrietta discovers clues that lead her to a treacherous cliffside cave and a menacing chimera. Henrietta confronts the creature to rescue Franc, but can’t succeed with force alone. She must trust in her magic if she wants to have a fighting chance.

---

We begin shooting this July.

We'd love your support!

Thank you!

🐲

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Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers.

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