I am reminded again of the brilliance of J.K. Rowling in plotting my own story.  For the bestselling HARRY POTTER universe, she made up Quiddich, an entire sports game.  She designed Hogsmead, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts.  And she decided that characters would transport themselves magically through the floo network, apparating, or discovering port keys.

I’m on chapter 2 of my story, where the heroine is safely at home, or so she believes.  The bad guys come after her.  How?  I pause to determine their method of transportation.  When building a new world, whether it’s science fiction or fantasy, one must consider all the elements of a civilization: transportation, communication, system of government, plant life, etc.  Since I come more from a sci-fi background, I need a plausible pseudo-scientific explanation for what I create.  

So when the bad guys show up, do they knock on her door?  Pop into sight unexpectedly in front of her eyes?  Or burst through the windows and doors?  I decide that I want my Trolleks, descendants of mythical trolls, to appear and disappear.  So how do they do it?  

Magic alone doesn’t work for me.  I want to know the reasoning behind it.  I’ve already determined the evil Trolleks can manipulate the time space continuum.  They’ve caused a catastrophic rift that the heroes have to shut down.  In so doing, the Trolleks are able to micro jump among vectors, in effect, transporting themselves instantly from one place to another.  Making up the rules for my universe, I decide they can bring along inanimate objects, but they can only transport people who have been confounded (i.e. put under a hypnotic spell).

Sound loony?  Maybe it is, but how do you think Rowling felt as she scribbled notes for her story while on the train?  I have to get this story out of my system before moving on to a contemporary mystery setting.  In the meantime, my urban fantasy takes place in real time, with otherworldly elements.  But just to satisfy my other craving, I’ll throw in a murder as well.

Welcome to the world of Urban Fantasy.