Read about the evolution of Baljehni, meaning the ‘wild humming land’ in the old Fiugreh tongue.
My novel, Beyond the Humming Downs, takes place on the continent of Baljehni within a fantasy world I’ve been creating and writing in for decades.
Yes, you read that right. Decades.
I’ve always loved reading fantasy books that transport me to a mythical world I wish I could visit. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that, as a writer, creating a fantasy world to explore is a vital element of my process.
The origins of Baljehni hark back to when I was in my early 20s and first attempting to write a novel. I sketched part of a continent with some nations arranged around an inland sea. Then I transposed my hand-drawn map into an early version of Campaign Cartographer software.
My fantasy world evolved. I spent months devising 1000 years of history as indigenous populations were colonised and other invaders arrived. (This constituted about 20,000 words and included the rise and fall of various powers and dozens of named historic figures.)
I refined the magic system (a few times). And I kept writing stories in this world — including Beyond the Humming Downs, which was initially drafted between about 2013-2016.
Reimagining Baljehni and beyond
About four years ago, the time came to recreate the fantasy map in modern software (the early files and software being obsolete). I was starting to think about self-publishing and knew I would need a revitalised map for the book.
I settled on Wonderdraft software and expanded my thinking. Why limit this world to a single continent? After all… where did the colonists and invaders in my 1000 years of history come from, and why?
Then I delved deeper into the magic system, which has always involved a rhythmic ‘earth’ magic, known as ellir, that’s abundant in rocks and minerals and all living things. But it seemed improbable that one human race alone could interact with ellir (my original premise)… so, what ability did other human cultures have? How might this lead to conflict?
On top of all this, I built on the main premise of the first (unpublished) novel I wrote in this world exploring what happened when ellir was mysteriously annihilated. My new and improved fantasy world now features multiple regions of ancient ‘deadland’ where no life can exist.
It’s funny how simply recreating the fantasy map led me to ask more questions… The outcome (aided by a more mature and wiser mind) is a vastly more interesting and intricate world that extends far beyond Baljehni.
Nerd alert
I’m delighted with my revamped world — that said, I do have a tendency to take worldbuilding, some might say, too far… as in back to first principles.
For example, I once found myself reading up on the early migration of man out of Africa. While half my brain insisted I do not need to know how life evolved in my fantasy world, or how the continents were populated 60,000 years ago, the other half of my brain included an equatorial jungle for the apes.
I also figured out rough plate tectonics for my world… which led me to read up on the lifecycle of mountains (mind blown). Not to mention the hours I’ve spent poring over Earth’s climate and vegetation maps.
It’s worth noting that my preference is to keep my fantasy world as physically earth-realistic as possible — magic aside. It certainly does send me down some curly rabbit holes, but on the whole I adore the process. Usually I discover some nugget of gold that sparks a fabulous story or world idea. And I always come out of it energised and inspired.
More to discover
By now, it must be apparent that fantasy worldbuilding is my jam. Most of my inspiration manifests from the world and its creation. It’s the heart of everything.
I’ve been elated by the reader response to the world and magic system in Beyond the Humming Downs. Considering how much time and energy I’ve poured into worldbuilding, it’s incredibly heartwarming to hear I’ve done a good job.
What’s more, the fantasy map in Beyond the Humming Downs reveals only the continent of Baljehni, and the book takes place within a fraction of that. There’s so much more to discover — both in Baljehni and across the seas. Places I hope to explore in future novels and which I hope readers might be keen to explore as well.
I love the fact the world is still evolving, that I’m still discovering new pockets of wonder that haven’t been revealed yet — even to me.
Buy Beyond the Humming Downs here.