SPECULATIVE FICTION WORKSHOP

THE MAGIC OF THE MUNDANE

Allison Saft

How do we introduce readers to the worlds we’ve created? How do we showcase their intricate lore without info-dumping? The most gripping, lived-in, and memorable settings in SFF are those where authors weave magic into the mundane--and those we experience through the eyes of a well-drawn character.

This workshop offers participants a character-first approach to plotting and worldbuilding--one where story choices and speculative elements inform and are informed by the protagonist. We’ll examine how setting details, point of view, and narration style create both emotional depth and immersion.