Fantasy Worlds that are a Just a Little strange.

[Chaos]

~~ I dont know if this should go here, or in worldbuilding, so I'm taking a shot here. heck, I don't even know what I'm trying to ask, so apologies ahead of time.

So, just recently I came across this video about a dead and unfinished MMO made by only two people called Nine Lives, and it hit a sense of wonder in me.
I always kind of liked those classic fantasy worlds that mostly follow the same tropes but the world itself is practically alien. The cattle are different, the building design, the creatures of the world are all practically unique to that world alone. I think the most common examples of these, or at least the ones I know best, all come from japan. Even Crystal Chronicles kind of this niche, although how many games or movies do, I dunno, might be less than I think.

Anyway, my rambling aside, I started a story about a guy who lives in a dreary listless town who wants to get out of there, and his one friend is a pink haired girl with magic who sticks out like a sour thumb. She's the only one in the town that is full of life and energy, even the guy is brought down by the town. I wonder if perhaps, she is TOO alien for the town.
I also wondered perhaps, the town or kingdom is cursed, and it's the magic in her body that protects her from it, perhaps the guy has minor and undiscovered magic in him that keeps him from feeling the full effect of the doldrums.

I have some ideas but, the real question is, and I thought about this when pitching the idea of a Miyazaki inspired RP of an Adventurous Journey, is how do you really portray a strange world without visuals.
Besides you know, being an amazing writer, which, sadly, I am not, as I struggle with descriptors.
Surely there's a solution for me as a writer her.

 

[Passion]

how do you really portray a strange world without visuals.

I have experience world-building high fantasy, so I thought I'd reach out since I understand the struggles of trying to portray a strange world. Since world-building is a creative hobby, my advice might not work best for you. We are all different!

I understand what you mean since it is quite a struggle to explain what simply doesn't exist. One thing about high fantasy that I think is important to remember is that I'd argue that getting everyone to visualize high fantasy the same is impossible without visuals. That is not a bad thing too!

If I tell you a giant, purple, fuzzy monster with pointy ears popped up.... I can almost promise you we are picturing different shades of purple and what 'fuzzy' might mean. However, does it really matter that we are picturing this monster differently? As long as we do in a general sense, then what is the problem? It doesn't take from the story if we don't have the same image in our heads. What is important is that we are on the same page about what the monster's purpose is to the story. Is it aggressive? Cute? What does this monster mean to the story? Writing doesn't have to paint a perfect image, especially in a physical sense; this is even more true when writing fantasy compared to modern. You can gloss things over more than you realize or return to it later (for example, world build a town more each time a character visits it).

While I gave an example of a monster, the same goes for towns/cities. Yes, do your best to describe it (especially if important to the story), but you can allow your reader to use their imagination to fill in the blanks unless it is important to the story. After all, even if you write flawlessly, who wants to read someone describing every block and rooftop of a city, ya know?

Okay, so how do you then explain all wildlife being alien? Literally say it is weird (example: Life here was unlike any other world. Many animals were bright and large; they lived off of the mana of mages) leave it open. A reader is already filling in the blanks until you start writing about the giant, mana-fueled three-headed bird that attacks the city of fuzzy purple monsters.

I think also the only way you can describe pure fantasy is to relate it to reality. How are you going to describe a cat-like creature without referencing an RL cat in some regard? Again, this is fine. You have to plant just enough seeds to have your reader's imagination take over in a fun way. It is just like how some book readers are taken aback by how film adaptations turn out. While the author's imagination is 'right', the readers are not mind readers, and again, you can't explain every little thing to truly paint out what you are seeing in your head. Luckily, those who like high fantasy are usually already an imaginative bunch.

TL;DR: Trust your readers' imagination to figure things out, and it isn't wrong if your mental image doesn't align with theirs. Write what is important in detail, and then write just enough to influence imagination. Remember, you can always world-build as you go (adding more details when visiting a town for a 2nd time, etc).

Hope that helps. I rambled.

 

[Chaos]

rambling is great.

the current post I have, is told from the perspective of the MC, and my question there, is how do portray something as weird when told through the perspective of a character when what is weird to us is normal to them?

I have much work to do. much to think about.

 

[Passion]

the current post I have, is told from the perspective of the MC, and my question there, is how do portray something as weird when told through the perspective of a character when what is weird to us is normal to them?

By writing it as not weird. I think you might be overthinking it, which is better than underthinking for this kind of stuff!

Exaggerated Example: Ready to start a new day, he opened up the curtains and looked at the beautiful neon purple sunrise. It was much prettier than yesterday's murky green one. He cupped a yawn before turning to his favorite third-headed bird named Bob. "Good morning. I'll get you some wisps for breakfast." The mage headed down his spialing tower that floated miles off the ground. He liked how quiet it was here.

Everything I wrote was weird to us and normal to the character. - I believe that is what you meant.

 

[Chaos]

oh thats perfect. thank you!