Other worlds

There are two types of fictional worlds, one that exists within its own sphere and the other – a place we travel to from our own world.

For me the second has always been more compelling. The idea that there are layers to our world, some inhabited with creatures or heroic beings is so gorgeous. And the notion of a portal is just appealing- a mirror, a cupboard- mundane everyday objects that become magic doors to another world.

Worlds which really capture the imagination have been written systematically, built from the bottom up, with an entire culture in mind. The songs and poems that are born from this process add an invaluable insight into the history of a place. Folklore especially acts as a ‘true’ cultural barometer and enhances our understanding of the inner worlds of the characters.

Often stories are born from geography. From an anthropological standpoint this is not so far-fetched. It is no coincidence that epic poetry was often written by those living in colder climates, to increase the amount of campfire time. Fantasy novels often contain maps – the landscape an integral part of the narrative, sometimes coming alive itself.

Culture is a map, another world, built from archetypes, a collective consciousness. If you skip the poems, the songs then you miss the adventure, the true journey and by extension, the most fundamental kind of reality. Perhaps fiction and fantasy are more real than the newspapers will ever be.

What does your world look like? What are the books, songs and poems that fit into your own folklore? Try mapping out your life as if it were a world and find the countries that exist within you. A portal will open.