Welcome, Authors of Tomorrow

Welcome to February 2025 Authors of Tomorrow! I hope the beginning of the year is going well for you. Let me know what you read last month! I’d love to hear your recommendations. Do you have an itch for romance this month? Either way, I hope you’ve had a good start on your goals for the year and continue them on in February.

This month, we’ll focus on the sense of wonder in plot progression. Wonder is something that strings readers and writers along through a story on the page. If you can capture it as a writer, then your readers will have few defenses against your words. That sounds a little mystical, but really, being able to capture and reflect that sense of wonder in a sense that grasps readers’ attention will keep readers coming back to your stories each time. Today, we’ll talk more about how to instill a sense of wonder through plot progression. We’ll also do a quick study of how author N. K. Jemisin creates this sense of wonder and how her works emulate this lesson. Then you can finish off today with a writing exercise to create your own sense of wonder.

Keep in mind that if you’re local to Utah, LTUE is happening this month from February 13, 2025-February 15, 2025. I love going to this event each year and have found the panels and experience extremely rewarding. Feel free to reach out to me on my contact form or on social media if you’re going! I’m pitching my Near Future Dystopian Please Subscribe at one of their agent sessions, wish me luck!

The “Sense of Wonder” in Plot Progression

Creating a sense of wonder is a key component in all forms of storytelling. From Christmas stories to stories of war, the best ones leave their readers changed. There are many senses of wonder that we can evoke in readers depending our stories, from the examples above, the wonder of human kindness to the capability of human violence. We often think of wonder as something associated with magic, but building a sense of wonder while progressing the plot is something more.

The most basic understanding of “sense of wonder” is the feeling of awe, curiosity, and excitement evoked in your readers. Each of these feelings can appear in different readers at different times. The sense of wonder often matches that of the character sharing the story. It creates a perception of a setting, a person, or a situation that will be challenged as the character goes through or completes their story. It’s a moment of hope, a moment of fear, or a moment of immersion that offers the reader and character to fully embrace your story. How does a sense of wonder enhance plot progression? Let’s dig into it.

Building a sense of wonder to progress your plot is a lot like tapping that golf ball a short distance to the hole. If you’re too heavy-handed with your sense of wonder swing, then your ball could shoot right over the hole, if to light, it might not reach the hole. I feel like we can’t talk about how “sense of wonder” enhances plot progression without talking about the key techniques for crafting revelations and discoveries into your story.

Key Techniques to Weave “Sense of Wonder”

Foreshadowing and building anticipation are key to creating a sense of wonder in a story. These are the subtle clues that lead up to the moments you want readers to remember the most. The more subtle the clues, the greater the impact of the payoff moment. You can start adding these foreshadowing elements from page one. While readers might not realize their significance initially, they’ll enjoy scouring the pages later to find all the clues they missed, enhancing their sense of wonder. Treat these moments like backstory, trickling them into the narrative like a small stream that eventually leads to a larger, impactful moment.

That impactful moment, as taught by the Story Grid method, should be surprising but inevitable. Plot twists are common in storytelling and elicit a wide range of reactions, but they are a great way to subvert expectations. Subverting expectations involves intentionally setting up your story to make the audience believe a particular event or outcome will happen, then delivering a surprising or contrary result. Whether these twists work or not depends on how they are used.

In stories like A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, the surprising and sometimes aggravating deaths are justified through the culture and world he built in Westeros and beyond. In contrast, the twist in the James Bond movie Spectre (2015), which revealed Blofeld as Bond’s adopted brother, came across as contrived and unnecessary. It was seen as a feeble attempt to add depth to the villain but instead caused confusion and left viewers less satisfied.

One of the greatest ways to build a sense of wonder is to infuse your story with elements of mystery, fantasy, or the unknown. This doesn’t mean your story has to belong to these genres, but understanding how their elements can change the impact of the story will set it apart. Elements of mystery provide a setup with a promise and a payoff at some point, whether that creates a sense of “whodunit” or “whydunit.” You can use fantasy through myth and legend to add depth and possible crossovers with the themes you’re sharing in the book. Or, using the unknown, like exploration and discovery, can help your story capture your reader and immerse them in the narrative, filling them with a sense of wonder once they reach the lost city or whatever amazing place you have in store for them.

Balancing the sense of wonder and character development is a challenge, as we try not to get lost in one or the other. Your ability to balance these concepts can transform a book that either tries too hard with world-building or doesn’t try enough into one that readers love to explore. Each end of the spectrum could appeal to different readers or suit your writing style, but achieving a balance will help you reach the majority of your target audience.

Author Spotlight: N. K. Jemisin

N. K. Jemisin is a fantasy author and 2020 MacArthur Fellow whose fiction has been recognized with multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. Most of her works have been optioned for television or film, and collectively her novels, including the Broken Earth trilogy, have sold over two million copies. Her speculative works range widely in theme, though with repeated motifs: resistance and oppression, loneliness and belonging, and Wouldn’t It Be Cool If This One Ridiculous Thing Happened.

In her spare time she’s into tabletop and video games, biking, fanfiction, and urban gardening. She lives and writes in Brooklyn, with her son and two cats. (From her press kit.)

A quick note for authors, this was just one of the bio’s offered by her press kit. I’d recommend checking out her page to get an idea for what you can do as you publish your books!

N. K. Jemisin has been known to create a strong sense of wonder in her works, and I can’t disagree. Even from her debut novel, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, she incorporates elements of mystery in her epic fantasy, with foreshadowing and plot twists intricately and naturally woven into the narrative. One of the things I liked most about the sense of wonder moment in The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms was the scaling. Jemisin starts small and gradually expands to reveal the wonder of the universe she’s built and the vast influence of the gods. It’s worth noting that this occurs during a frisky (spicy) scene, so not all readers may be interested, but it’s a great example of how to evoke a sense of wonder in storytelling.

You can also explore The Fifth Season, the first book in the Broken Earth trilogy. Set in the world of Stillness, constant geological cataclysms known as Seasons shape the story. The protagonist, Essun, uncovers shocking truths about her family and the oppressive society she lives in, leading to profound discoveries about her own identity and the world around her. Let me know what sense of wonder you find in this book, or if you found different moments in The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.

Writing Exercise: Crafting a “Sense of Wonder” Moment

Create a 500-word scene that captures the essence of “sense of wonder” by balancing mystery, anticipation, and emotional revelation.

Prompt: Choose ONE of the following scenarios to develop your wonder-filled scene:

1. The Unexpected Discovery: Your character stumbles upon something that completely transforms their understanding of their world. This could be:
   • A hidden room in a familiar place
   • An ancient artifact with an unexpected connection to their personal history
   • A natural phenomenon that defies their previous scientific understanding
2. The Moment of Revelation: Create a scene where a character experiences a profound shift in perspective. This might involve:
   • Uncovering a family secret
   • Witnessing a miraculous event
   • Experiencing a moment of personal transformation

Guidelines for Crafting Your Scene:

1. Foreshadowing Techniques
   • Include at least 2-3 subtle hints earlier in the scene that suggest something extraordinary is coming
   • Use sensory details to build anticipation
   • Create a gradual build-up of tension and curiosity
2. Emotional Progression
   • Start with the character’s initial state of mind
   • Show a progression of emotions: curiosity → surprise → awe
   • Ensure the wonder feels both surprising and inevitable
3. Narrative Techniques
   • Use N. K. Jemisin’s approach of scaling: start small and gradually expand the scope of wonder
   • Balance descriptive language with character internal reaction
   • Avoid over-explaining; let some mystery remain

Bonus Challenge: Incorporate one of these elements to enhance your sense of wonder:

• A mysterious object
• An unexpected connection
• A moment that challenges the character’s existing worldview

Here is my attempt. WARNING: Some parts of this scene might be too gory for some readers, though it briefly touches on those moments. Read at your own risk.

Antor awoke to a habitable temperature notification. He rubbed the exhaustion from his eyes and checked the time. 1200 hours, mid-day. The heat should have been at it’s peak. After a check of some secondary conditions he confirmed that the temperature had fallen to 38 degrees celsius. Opening his tent he observed the suns through his protective shades. There was only one sun. Antor swore there wasn’t an eclipse that should have happened anytime soon, but when he checked his calendar, the event was there. It didn’t matter if it was right or not, he could finally finish his journey to the science building. 

In the lessened sunlight, the melted metal exterior shimmered with the truth that Antor had feared. He wouldn’t be able to get into the building through any of the exterior doors. The government had given him access codes to a secondary door if the building proved a challenge to enter. They’d been told that the science team present possibly had fortified their building to prevent intruders. Antor checked the sensor map on his tablet and walked to the indicated location. A shimmer ran under the sand like the sun reflecting off a window. Antor was distracted by this when his foot slipped out from under him and he fell hard. Cracks echoed from under the sand. Glass cut into Antor’s skin, shredding his suit’s arm. Rolling out of the shattered glass, Antor found a hammer in his kit and cleared the remaining sections from the door. He’d found his way in.

Inside there was a rancid scent that set his gut roiling. Antor held his shirt to his mouth and nose, preferring his own stench to the other. The glass and melted building made no sense. The heat of Atria was high, but not high enough to melt metal buildings and turn sand to glass. He felt the first sign of cool air in the underground tunnel. Antor pushed on until he found the stairs to the main part of the building. The latch fought him at first, but after a few good shoves, something rolled off it and the door swung open with a sickening crunch. Antor climbed up and held his breath as if less oxygen could help him process the sight.

The scientific research room was covered in blood splatter. Each screen had marker scribblings on it that Antor couldn’t read at first. He wanted to move closer, but the bodies on the floor gave him pause. Even in the dim flashing red and green lights of the room, he could see that blood covered each body. After a long watch on each of the bodies he realized none of them were breathing. Antor turned to the closest computer and read the word written on a cracked screen.

“Lies,” Antor said.

Behind him stood a glass wall with a large computer screen behind it. The glass was marked with blood and what looked like blows from a damaged computer that lay in pieces below the marks. The screen flashed to life with a matrix of numbers and shapes forming a cube. It pulsed with a red and green light.

“Would you like to review the last file again?” The computer asked.

Antor wasn’t sure what that meant, or how the computer had sensed him, but he had been sent to figure out what happened. 

“Yes,” Antor said.

He tried not to focus on the door he’d just opened. A person half under it. The screen flashed to life to reveal the three suns of Atria. The view shifted slowly to the side to reveal that suns two and three weren’t suns at all. Antor took a hesitant step back. Though he wanted to lean forward. The heat in the room made the collar of his shirt feel tight. Air became harder to breathe. The view finished its shift and Antor realized the truth. The two extra suns of Atria were a scientific marvel that made no sense. Another shift in the image turned the two extra suns into a blueprint. Mirror arrays, placed at either side of the sun. The active blueprint showed how the mirrors adjusted and the sudden eclipse made sense. Antor leaned against the nearest computer as the image turned to a 3-D model showing how the sunlight was reflected and directed at Atria. 

Upcoming Events

Here are the upcoming events for writers and authors in February 2025:

• LTUE Symposium for Science Fiction & Fantasy Creators
  • Date: February 13-15, 2025
  • Location: Provo, UT
  • Description: Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium is a three-day academic and professional symposium on all aspects of science fiction and fantasy. Comprised of panels, presentations, workshops and papers on writing, art, literature, film, gaming and other facets of speculative fiction, LTUE is a place to learn all about life, the universe, and everything else you love.
  • Registration Details: Check the event website for more information.
• Authors’ Expo & Readers’ Extravaganza
  • Date: February 22, 2025
  • Location: Fernandia Beach, FL
  • Description: During the Festival, Authors have opportunities to engage with over 1300 Readers in an up-close and personal way to showcase and sell their books. Readers will be able to engage with more than 100 exhibiting authors in a personal way about their work and what inspires them.  There are numerous Author breakout presentations, including several led by New York Times best-selling authors, book signing session, food trucks, and a variety of activities designed to keep both Authors and Readers engaged, educated, and entertained through activities throughout the day.  ​
  • Registration Details: Check the event website for more information.
• Coastal Magic Convention
  • Date: February 23-25, 2025
  • Location: Daytona Beach, FL
  • Description: Focuses on Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance genres.
  • Registration Details: Visit the event website for details.

These events offer excellent opportunities for you to connect with readers, learn from industry professionals, and enhance their craft.

Conclusion

As writers, our ultimate goal is to transport readers into worlds of wonder, where each page turns with anticipation and each revelation sparks imagination.

By mastering the delicate art of foreshadowing, balancing mystery with character development, and crafting moments that surprise yet feel inevitable, we can create stories that linger in readers’ minds long after the final page.

Remember, a sense of wonder isn’t just about spectacular events—it’s about making the ordinary extraordinary and inviting readers to see the world through new, enchanted eyes.

Writing Update

Registrations for LTUE pitch sessions opened up this last week and I was able to get one with Ark Press! So, I’ve been doubling down on my efforts to finish my latest revision while building my pitch. It’s a little nerve racking as this is my first time trying to pitch in person, but I’m trying my best build my confidence before then. I’ve essentially given up my workouts on the nights after work to give myself more time to edit. I’m still doing my best to get them in on the weekends. I don’t like it, but remind myself that it’s temporary because I only have until the 13th to finish this draft. Other than that, I’m continuing to use my breaks at work to write blog posts and outline my other story ideas. If you’re headed to LTUE this year, hit me up! I’d love to see some fellow Authors of Tomorrow there!

Resource Roundup

Books on Craft:

1. Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
   • Description: Comprehensive plot analysis framework that breaks down narrative structure scientifically.
   • Link: Story Grid
2. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
   • Description: Adaptable plot beat sheet for multiple genres with practical guidelines for creating compelling narrative arcs.
   • Link: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
3. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
   • Description: Mythic structure and character development with a deep dive into archetypal storytelling techniques.
   • Link: The Writer’s Journey

Writing Technique Articles:

1. “A Sense of Wonder: John McHale, from Sci-Fi to Future Studies” – Juliette Bessette
   • Description: This article delves into the concept of wonder in science fiction and its impact on future studies. It discusses how wonder catalyzes a blend of pleasure, excitement, and apprehension when imagining the unknown.
   • Link: Crafting Wonder in Fiction
2. Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy
   • Description: Professional articles on world-building and narrative wonder with insights from award-winning authors.
   • Link: Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy

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