I almost always start with setting! I have to know the world before I know how to populate it. I have a tendency to play with doors - between life and death, human and monster, mundane and magic - and with 'ADSOM,' I knew I wanted to play with the physical doors between worlds.

The quote "I almost always start with setting! I have to know the world before I know how to populate it. I have a tendency to play with doors - between life and death, human and monster, mundane and magic - and with 'ADSOM,' I knew I wanted to play with the physical doors between worlds." comes from V. E. Schwab, a renowned author best known for her work in fantasy literature, including the Shades of Magic series. In this statement, Schwab describes her creative process, explaining that she often begins with setting—the world in which the story takes place—before developing the characters or plot. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the environment first in order to craft a meaningful narrative.

Schwab's reference to "playing with doors" reflects her interest in exploring boundaries between different realities. In her writing, doors symbolize the transition between opposing concepts such as life and death, human and monster, or the mundane and the magical. By using doors as metaphors, she can create an immersive experience where characters navigate these liminal spaces, and the worlds they inhabit are fluid and interconnected. This concept is central to her book "A Darker Shade of Magic" (ADSOM), where multiple worlds are linked by literal physical doors that allow passage between them.

In the context of ADSOM, Schwab plays with the idea of parallel worlds, each with its own distinct set of rules and characteristics. The "physical doors" she refers to are both literal and symbolic, serving as portals between the different worlds and allowing the exploration of contrasts like chaos and order, good and evil. By focusing on the setting and the dynamics between these worlds, Schwab creates a rich and complex environment that serves as a backdrop for her characters’ adventures.

Ultimately, Schwab’s quote reveals how the world-building process is foundational to her storytelling. It showcases her tendency to develop the rules and structure of her fictional universes before introducing the characters that will navigate them. By using doors as symbols of transition and exploration, Schwab not only crafts intricate settings but also invites readers to experience the blurring of boundaries between different realms, making her stories both magical and thought-provoking.