Everywhere I look there are writing classes offered . . . where’s the one in geography?  In my world creation I try to ‘grow’ a people as naturally as possible, paying careful attention to what their language illustrates about them and allowing for the influence that the terrain would have upon them.

For intsance, it is highly unlikely that a people of a sprawling and fertile grassland would raise only mountian goats, and it is less likely still that a tree abiding people in the great swamps would raise fine horses.  Of course new arrivals to an area will bring the manners and mindset previously held, but their new home is bound to make some impression.

My difficulty is that while I have a passing knowledge of geography, I don’t know the finer points.  Such as, what would cause the inbound ocean currents to pass by land A and consistently drop moisture on land B instead?  I can make guesses and fake it, but I’d prefer to know.

Maybe I can squeeze a geography class into my degree pursuit . . . or maybe I can just buy a text/reference book.  But either way, if anybody ever offers a Geography for Fiction Writers class, I’m signing up.

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