The Book Bible

At last weekend's New England SCBWI conference, I attended a session on World-building. It was about how to create worlds for sci-fi and fantasy novels, worlds like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.  As part of this discussion, someone asked about creating bibles for these worlds.  My first thought was "bibles?"  I had never heard of that term outside the context of catholic church and in truth my next thought after "bibles?" was "Sunday School?".  I admit I was curious and intrigued.  Why was this not something that was taught in my fours years as a Writing, Literature and Publishing major at Emerson College?  Is it a new concept? One that developed in my 7 years since leaving Emerson? Or did the professors just forget to mention it?  I guess I won't really know the answers, but as they say "better late than never." 

A book or series bible is a collection of facts about the book(s) your writing.  It's away to help keep the information and story consistent from one chapter to another or one book to another.  Here's a list of sections to consider for a bible:

• Characters: What do the characters look like? Include features, clothes, etc.  What are their personalities? Shy, bold, mean.  Do they have any special identifying traits? Say a scar on their forehead.
• Plot outline: What happens in the book?  Identify chapters or page numbers, if possible.
• Timeline: If the book starts in January and ends in May, is there a chapter that takes place in December?  Take notice of these gaps.
• Map: Should the book orient the reader to the world around the characters?
• Topography: What are the places the characters visit?  What do they look like?
• World Details or Magic System: What are the rules of the world?  For example, everyone must watch the Hunger Games.
• Monster Manual: Who are the creatures that run about the book?  What do they look like?
• Family Tree: Who is considered part of the characters family?  Is there a long lost uncle that needs to be mentioned?
  
• Glossary of Terms: What are the languages of the world?  Do they say hello and goodbye differently from our world.
  
• Style Sheet: Is a particular word titled vs. not titled? Is a common word spelled differently in the world?
  

These are just a few of the examples to can include in a bible.  When working with yours, just ensure to include any and all information that might help you with your manuscript.  Now, when should a bible be created?  I suggest after the story is first written and before the rewriting.  One consistent theme I heard at the conference was: "Story first, everything else second."