Build a city
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3113
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Yes. What did you want to know about the process?
loquere
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Yes. What did you want to know about the process?
Did you just write from your imagination through the first draft and change it after?
Did you do heavy urban planning research or buy a ticket and visit cities.
Can you post a link to the story here?
3113
Hello Summer!
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Depends on the city
Good cities, IMHO, are characters in and of themselves. The first thing to do is decide the character of the city as needed by the story, and reflecting the hero/his journey. For example, depending on the story, Batman's Gotham is either a noir gangster land or a gothic maze. The former is good for crime stories with Batman as detective/crime fighter. The later is good for stories of dark lunatics being stopped by someone equally dark and nearly as insane as they are.
Batman also has to chase villains down streets as well as go under ground and climb buildings. The city has to showcase his abilities and be a challenge.
Metropolis, by compare, is bright and shiny and modern, with tall skyscrapers, reflecting how Superman soars, is strong and hopeful. Aiming for the sky and fighting villains who also aim high and want to gaze down on us. Metropolis showcases Superman's flying and his super abilities like being able to hold up a falling building or putting out a towering inferno.
Once you know what the city's character has to be to suit the plot, genre, tone, showcase you hero, offer challenges, etc., then you will know if your imagination will suffice or if you need to research or visit a city. Your imagination would likely do for Gothic Gotham, for instance, as it's about mood and weirdness, not accuracy. Gangster Gotham might be served by research as there will be water towers, factories, fire escapes and other elements needed for the plot. And Metropolis might be best served by pictures or a visit to the most modern cities with the most amazing skyscrapers for inspiration. I've done each, and I've done combos depending on the type of city I was creating and the type of story that was going to be told there
I can't post a link, as my city stories are not on the Internet. But I can explain the process pretty easy.
Good cities, IMHO, are characters in and of themselves. The first thing to do is decide the character of the city as needed by the story, and reflecting the hero/his journey. For example, depending on the story, Batman's Gotham is either a noir gangster land or a gothic maze. The former is good for crime stories with Batman as detective/crime fighter. The later is good for stories of dark lunatics being stopped by someone equally dark and nearly as insane as they are.
Batman also has to chase villains down streets as well as go under ground and climb buildings. The city has to showcase his abilities and be a challenge.
Metropolis, by compare, is bright and shiny and modern, with tall skyscrapers, reflecting how Superman soars, is strong and hopeful. Aiming for the sky and fighting villains who also aim high and want to gaze down on us. Metropolis showcases Superman's flying and his super abilities like being able to hold up a falling building or putting out a towering inferno.
Once you know what the city's character has to be to suit the plot, genre, tone, showcase you hero, offer challenges, etc., then you will know if your imagination will suffice or if you need to research or visit a city. Your imagination would likely do for Gothic Gotham, for instance, as it's about mood and weirdness, not accuracy. Gangster Gotham might be served by research as there will be water towers, factories, fire escapes and other elements needed for the plot. And Metropolis might be best served by pictures or a visit to the most modern cities with the most amazing skyscrapers for inspiration. I've done each, and I've done combos depending on the type of city I was creating and the type of story that was going to be told there
slyc_willie
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I'm in the process of building not only a city, but a world for a set of stories. Other than 3's advice above, I would also suggest creating at least a rough map or outline of the city. I use a program called Campaign Cartographer for it, but it's a little pricy to buy casually. At the very least, drawing on a piece of paper the rough layout of a city, where the important buildings and centers are, the surrounding landscape and major roads/highways, will help you visualize the city as you write about it.
sr71plt
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I've built the parts of cities and towns that serve the storyline--which isn't very much of a whole city. Over a series of eight novellas, I've pretty much constructed a small town, though. But, again, unless and until it serves the storyline there's no reason to have it there.
And I've played Sim City.
And I've stayed in a Holiday Inn.
And I've played Sim City.
And I've stayed in a Holiday Inn.
Saxon_Hart
WWJD4AKlondike Bar?
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I have made up towns and smaller cities. I have based a few of my stories in a faux rendition of my hometown of 130,000. I changed the name and some of its geography to fit my needs. I have also made up a smaller town in OK and just made an even smaller one in NV for a story I'm writing now.
RoyceConnors
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How do you build a city?
On rock and roll, of course.
(Really? No one but me saw that?
LMAO
Good one!!!
3113
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What others have said make me think of one important thing to remember:
If you create your city (more or less the whole place), with a map and indications of where the rich live, the poor live, where city hall is, etc.--don't think that you have to show it all in one story.
This is the old problem that a lot of writers have when they create a world or universe; they've put so much work into this playground that they want to show it all. Show only what serves the story; because, after all, if you have enough of a city created, you can always write another story (with the same protagonist or a different one), that takes place in a different part of the city. So the time you put into creating the city isn't wasted, even if you can't show it all in one story.
If you create your city (more or less the whole place), with a map and indications of where the rich live, the poor live, where city hall is, etc.--don't think that you have to show it all in one story.
This is the old problem that a lot of writers have when they create a world or universe; they've put so much work into this playground that they want to show it all. Show only what serves the story; because, after all, if you have enough of a city created, you can always write another story (with the same protagonist or a different one), that takes place in a different part of the city. So the time you put into creating the city isn't wasted, even if you can't show it all in one story.
SecondCircle
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This would depend on how much your story relies on the city. Or rather, how much the city plays a hand in the story.
As already mentioned, you may only need a generalization of the overall city, then only include the parts of the city that are relevant. This is done when creating a city, (and letting the reader know the setting and mood) and telling a story that doesn't necessarily need the description of every borough or section.
On the other hand, some cities, fictional or real, are just as much a character as any other character. And when designing a city, it can get as complex and realistic as you want it to play in to the overall scheme. Sometimes, the layout and even the origin of a city can be influenced by regional geography. For instance, a many cities arise near major waterways, trade routes, and whether it seems incredibly relevant or not, all of these things play into how a city is molded. A poor district, older part of town, industrial districts... it goes on and on.
Some stories, where say an individual hero of sorts rises from a city racked by plague or oppression, could definitely benefit from a well painted scene and society.
I like that Gotham was an example, because the different districts in the city are crucial elements to the many stories that take place there. The game "Dishonored" had a port side city, with trade, whalers, plague infested poverty zones crawling with rats, aristocratic districts, industrial districts... and it all set the tone for the sprawling narrative. All that was transpiring in this city and its locales were crucial to the mood and theme of the story and its protagonist.
So I guess before you build, think of how in depth it's going to need to be. As others have said, you only need what's relevant. Sometimes, that's a pinch of salt or even just a grain. Other times, it's an ocean's worth of salt.
As already mentioned, you may only need a generalization of the overall city, then only include the parts of the city that are relevant. This is done when creating a city, (and letting the reader know the setting and mood) and telling a story that doesn't necessarily need the description of every borough or section.
On the other hand, some cities, fictional or real, are just as much a character as any other character. And when designing a city, it can get as complex and realistic as you want it to play in to the overall scheme. Sometimes, the layout and even the origin of a city can be influenced by regional geography. For instance, a many cities arise near major waterways, trade routes, and whether it seems incredibly relevant or not, all of these things play into how a city is molded. A poor district, older part of town, industrial districts... it goes on and on.
Some stories, where say an individual hero of sorts rises from a city racked by plague or oppression, could definitely benefit from a well painted scene and society.
I like that Gotham was an example, because the different districts in the city are crucial elements to the many stories that take place there. The game "Dishonored" had a port side city, with trade, whalers, plague infested poverty zones crawling with rats, aristocratic districts, industrial districts... and it all set the tone for the sprawling narrative. All that was transpiring in this city and its locales were crucial to the mood and theme of the story and its protagonist.
So I guess before you build, think of how in depth it's going to need to be. As others have said, you only need what's relevant. Sometimes, that's a pinch of salt or even just a grain. Other times, it's an ocean's worth of salt.
loquere
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How do you build a city?
On rock and roll, of course.
(Really? No one but me saw that?
LOLZ I spend some days in city planning/zoning sessions due to my new job. I was just wondering if y'all used facts or bullshit/imaginificationatingidea-ing.
Zeb_Carter
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Currently building a small port city(space port), in a novel I'm working on.
I have, in other stories built small villages.
In one incident of Walker Brigade, I used a future version of New York City's Central Park and surrounding areas. Yes, that city was already there, but what does it look like 2000 years in the future? When Earth isn't the center of the universe anymore?
I also built a city world in Walker, Pacifica, which is, in the future, the center of the universe.
Link to Walker Brigade.
I have, in other stories built small villages.
In one incident of Walker Brigade, I used a future version of New York City's Central Park and surrounding areas. Yes, that city was already there, but what does it look like 2000 years in the future? When Earth isn't the center of the universe anymore?
I also built a city world in Walker, Pacifica, which is, in the future, the center of the universe.
Link to Walker Brigade.
Stella_Omega
No Gentleman
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I seem to be building a city right now. Surprised the hell out of me!
I started with a series of actions, and I wanted an excuse for those actions. i came up with a business that might monetize these kinds of things. Then I had to think about where the business was located-- rich side of town? Well, that means there's a poor side of town too.
It's expanded from there-- but only as I need places.
I started with a series of actions, and I wanted an excuse for those actions. i came up with a business that might monetize these kinds of things. Then I had to think about where the business was located-- rich side of town? Well, that means there's a poor side of town too.
It's expanded from there-- but only as I need places.
Darkniciad
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Love Campaign Cartographer
http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/Xantina Wood New.jpg
Every time I work on a new story in the series, I update the map.
You're right that it's an investment you have to make because you want to make maps, though. It's not an impulse buy. I looked at it for years before I popped.
glynndah
good little witch.
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Love Campaign Cartographer
http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/Xantina Wood New.jpg
Every time I work on a new story in the series, I update the map.
You're right that it's an investment you have to make because you want to make maps, though. It's not an impulse buy. I looked at it for years before I popped.
I rarely write stories where the setting makes much difference, but I really, really want to play with this.
RejectReality
Errant Smut Slinger
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http://www.profantasy.com/
What I grabbed was the "World Builder" package, which currently stands at $130.
It also has a learning curve. Odds are that you're not going to pick it up and start mapping. You're going to have to tinker with it, read, and tinker some more before you begin to get the hang of it.
What I grabbed was the "World Builder" package, which currently stands at $130.
It also has a learning curve. Odds are that you're not going to pick it up and start mapping. You're going to have to tinker with it, read, and tinker some more before you begin to get the hang of it.
Handley_Page
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Would Horner Springs count as a 'construction project' ?
glynndah
good little witch.
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Ooh! Those would be so much fun!
I made the original map for that.
slyc_willie
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I got Campaign Cartographer 3, and there is a TON of content in it. There is quite a bit to learn about assigning icons and inserting map links, but once you get the hang of it, it's a lot of fun.
RejectReality
Errant Smut Slinger
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Took some doing to figure out custom icons, but I wanted modern housing for the Magic of the Wood map, so I knuckled down and figured it out.
http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/Near Kias Zoom.png
http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/Near Kias Zoom.png
xelliebabex
Weird Aussie Chick
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I am probably late to this thread but as i brough up mapping in a different thread i thought i would add my bit...
My lands/cities generally come purely from bullshit/imaginificationatingidea-ing. (Love that word gonna steal it) I generally have an idea of the landscape first though before starting on cities and like all municipalities there are certain things that need to be there, leaders vrs plebs, sewage, industrial and rural type sectors, markets and recreation what we do with those things is where the imaginificationingidea-ing comes in.
Here is my map in progress, not very mature or the work of a draftsman but it suits my purposes. No major cities or trade routes yet but as I said a work in progress still working on coast lines.
http://forum.literotica.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1266874&stc=1&d=1376207435
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RoyceConnors
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Building designers start with common shapes to design buildings. The Empire State started off from the shape of a pencil, Twizzlers licorice sticks became a noted building design and so forth. City skylines are nothing more than silhouetted shapes with detailed facades. It's the unique buildings that capture attention from the others.
Zeb_Carter
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