Grand Canyon

I am beat. I spent my entire day filming at Grand Canyon. It's the centennial of the park's creation today, so my job sent me across the state to film the festivities. It was cold and tiring, but at the same time I got to meet Theodore Roosevelt, so I guess it evens out in the end.

Standing out there, watching the the splendor of creation, the incredible vista that is Grand Canyon, I now wonder if I could ever write something like that. Now, clearly, for The Paladin that's not going to happen because it's the same world. There already is a Grand Canyon. But what about a full-on fantasy novel?

So let me put this out there as a challenge/writing exercise. If you haven't been to Grand Canyon, do a little research. Look at the splendor that this wonder of the world exudes. For heaven's sake, Theodore Roosevelt was impressed with it and he wasn't impressed when someone shot him. Then see if you can make something like that in your story. 

Work your story to include something, a natural wonder, something that awes everyone that beholds it. That inspires or perhaps even demoralizes. After all, the first Europeans to set eyes on the Canyon were devastated that the water down below was unreachable. They declared it a hellish trap, an obstacle that no man could overcome.

What could your fantasy world hold that would inspire your characters in the same way? Think of the colors, the smells, the temperature, the scale. How many senses can you utilize in describing this wonder?

​DFTBA