Fonda is a recovering corporate strategist, black belt martial artist, and an action movie aficionado as well as the author of several highly acclaimed books of fantasy and science fiction, such as the young adult sci-fi novels Zeroboxer, Exo, and Cross Fire. 

Her work has been nominated for several awards, including the Nebula and Locus Awards, and been featured on Best of Year lists such as NPR and Syfy Wire. She also won the Aurora Award, Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award, twice in the same year for Best Novel and Best Young Adult Novel. 

Fonda’s latest writing project is the fantasy/crime drama series the Green Bone Saga. The first book in this series, Jade City (which I am loving!), won the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, and the second book in the series, Jade War, has just been released.

So listen in as Fonda and I chat about this amazing series, and the numerous strategies and decisions that go into crafting the world of your story.  

In this episode Fonda and I discuss:

• How to choose the right way to build your world.
• The “iceberg effect” of worldbuilding.
• How to put your reader into the middle of your story from page one the right way.
• Using a fantasy element to make your story feel more real.
• How to manage the powerful tool of multiple point of view.

Plus, Fonda’s #1 tip for writers.

About Fonda Lee

Fonda Lee is the author of several highly acclaimed books of fantasy and science fiction, such as the young adult science fiction novels Zeroboxer, Exo and Cross Fire. 

Fonda’s work has been nominated for the Nebula, Andre Norton, and Locus Awards, and been named to Best of Year lists by NPR, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books, and Syfy Wire. She also won the Aurora Award, Canada’s national science fiction and fantasy award, twice in the same year for Best Novel and Best Young Adult Novel. 

Fonda is a recovering corporate strategist, black belt martial artist, and an action movie aficionado. Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, she now resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two children, and a scruffy mutt.

Her latest writing project is the new fantasy/crime drama series the Green Bone Saga. The first book in this series, Jade City, released in June of 2018 and won the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, and the second book in the series, Jade War, is now available from Orbit Books.

To connect with Fonda check out her website at www.fondalee.com.

Green Bone Saga 

Book 1: Jade City

Family is duty. Magic is power. Honor is everything.

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.

Book 2: Jade War

Magic divides. Power corrupts. Family endures.

On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.

Beyond Kekon’s borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon’s most prized resource, could make them rich—or give them the edge they’d need to topple their rivals.

Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival—and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.

Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.

If you decide to check out the books in the Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee —Jade City and Jade War—we hope you’ll do so via these Amazon affiliate links, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 262

(Right-click to download.)

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The post Episode 262: Inside the Mind of a Worldbuilding Junkie — Interview with Fonda Lee appeared first on DIY MFA.

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