a whole new world through writing

While reading Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes series, I found myself COMPELLED to utter bleeding skies or ten hells (also, BLEEDING SKIES kinda don't wanna stop after finishing A Sky Beyond the Storm). Harry Potter brought muggles, Quidditch and Gryffindor/Slytherin/Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff to pop culture AND everyday life. The list is endless and always growing, shifting, changing. So, I won't bother naming them (goodie! another post for another day).

But, when you're immersed in a book or series, you're part of that world. It's only natural to want to take bits of that magical world that captivated your heart to your world. To call friends total Hufflepuffs (huge compliment, btw).

For a writer, I'd imagine there's no better feeling than writing something that resonates or brings so much joy that people would ride non-flying broomsticks in a park searching for a non-flying Snitch.

As a writer, you may wonder how you, too, can write and create an experience like that (yes yes yes, HOW). I don't know of any magic potion or secret formula for creating a world that takes on its own life. But, if you look at the books you love that became part of your world, you'll probably notice that those books are good stories. Really really good stories.

So, if your goals are so lofty as to create a character, words or world that leap from the page you've written and become part of readers' worlds, then write a good, compelling story. SUPER simple. All in a night's work, right?

Obviously, it's not that simple. But also...it kinda is. Stick close to your story. Lose yourself in its world. Keep it moving. Give it interesting, authentic details and characters and scenes. And be really into it. Because if you're really into your own story, there's a really good chance others will be too.