So Way With Worlds is off to the pre-readers! I’ll be back to editing it in December, after a well-needed break.
Now one big change? It’s definitely going to be two books. When I realized the final book would be some 500 pages long, it just wasn’t going to work unless I made it bigger, or broke it up. So now it’ll be two books, a basic/essential and a detailed one. It breaks up pretty well.
Still editing it as one block though so it stays consistent. You’ll see them both this summer!
– Steve
Well, after a “final run” the Plot Twist generator is done. Well, “done.”
I made a big push to flesh out data, and improve and enhance some of the existing data patterns and basic plot types. I’m going to consider it “done” for now because I really can’t think of much else to do. I’m sure there’s plenty more, but I won’t be doing it for now.
Now that I’ve done both this and the Writing Prompt Generator, I’ve had a pretty useful insight about these kinds of generators.
The short form? These seemingly inspirational generators would work better if done a bit more “scientifically.”
At first, I figured both Writing Prompts and Plot Twist Generators would be best created in a kind of free-form, inspired way. Surf examples, try ideas, play around, integrate feedback, get creative. That seemed to make sense at the time.
But when I look back to it, it actually made things more complicated. I might “go down the rabbit hole” and get lost in one kind of plot twist. I’d try some data structures that turned out to not be quite right. I’d revise data, which gets a bit complex once you’ve already set so much information up.
The end result is that, if I’d taken time to break the data down more carefully, analyze deep structure, and look for common patterns this would have gone easier. I wouldn’t have been able to jump right into it, but it would have been faster, easier, and probably better.
Also I could have written it up for people’s reference.
So, lesson learned. Now onward to some other generators after a bit of a break . . .
- Steve
OK first, the Way With Worlds book is through it’s second edit. Done. It goes out to pre-readers tomorrow, and in general I plan not to think about it for about two months. I need a break.
My impression is that this version is a heck of a lot better. Tighter, smarter, a bit less overblown, something you can read and reread as you want. After pre-readers and my editor go through it it’s definitely going to be worth your time.
Also if you want to be a pre-reader, well, contact me . . .
Now, that leads on to the Plot Twist generator! I’m going to make one more big stab at it and call it a go. I think one more push is what I need – and like the Writing Prompt generator it won’t be perfect, but it’ll be enough to really help people.
Then after that a break and something fun, and possibly very, very silly. The idea I’m kicking around is not just a fun and silly generator, but documenting it.
Finally, I added a link to my Newsletter in the menu. That’s a place to go to get updates and insights on my projects, here and elsewhere.
OK, long day, lots of editing done, time to rest . . .
- Steve
First of all I’m pleased to say the Plot Twist Generator is clearly in Beta. In fact, after a few more additions, it’s farther along than I expected. I can’t say it’s the best, but it’s pretty decent. I’ll probably give it one more stab, check the feedback, expand some of the data, then call it done for now.
Then a break before I do something damned silly. And yes, I have a generator in mind, with a few extras . . .
Next, the Way With Worlds book should go to pre-readers next week. I got a bit behind due to work, so I’m making a serious, insane effort to finish editing round 2. I really want to get this right for all of my readers. I’m also letting the pre-readers sit on it for two months so they can take their time.
That’s it here. Be sure to check Scott’s latest as he’s delving deep into great stuff on remakes, and let us know how you’re doing in the comments!
– Steve
So I did a huge update on Way With Worlds this weekend. About 80+ pages edited. I’m actually pretty pleased with it – I think I was being a bit harsh on some of the less well-written areas. A lot of it is pretty good.
I’m going to try and get it to pre-readers next week – which gives me a two month break while my pre-readers go over it. Mostly I want to have a review conceptual review more than anything else – the grammar and spelling will be the domain of my editor. Grammar and spelling can be edited – its getting the actual concepts right that’s important since that’s kind of the goal. Worldbuilding isn’t exactly a science, and I want to make sure my modest contribution to it is clear and helpful.
It’s also still huge – 462 pages at the last count and probably be about 500 pages with formatting. This is gonna be a hefty one, but should be worth it – plus it’ll make a great gift!
- Steve
Hey gang, just so you know the Plot Twist Generator has had some updates. I’m going through suggestions to tweak it and feel like it just crossed over into being “really kind of functional.” I appreciate the feedback and have much more to include.
– Steve
Came off of a busy well, so the update is I’ve been collecting feedback on the Plot Twist generator – and have a pretty healthy list. So when things calm down a bit, back at it. I think I got a pretty good amount.
Sorry this is tacking so long, but a few projects at work took precedence.
Some of our authors are a bit on hiatus due to other challenges as well. The joy of end of summer and start of fall . . .
- Steve
And the update is – not much of an update. Having some busy times at work that won’t slow down until next week. That means no more updates to the Plot Twist Generator for a week or two. But I got a lot of ideas from folks, so it will come . . .
- Steve
So a lot’s going on, and here’s what’s up! But first an update – I won’t be speaking at Kraken-Con. Space is a bit limited – this September they actually landed Zach Callison. Yes, Steven Universe. So as a fellow Steven I understand it’s limited -but it’s also a con well worth going to!
Plot Twist Generator
Now let’s talk the Plot Twist Generator which is now in early Beta. OK, I’m not entirely sure what early Alpha and early Beta are in reality since most people have broad ideas, but my take is “it’s now vaguely kind of useful”
I’ve managed to do enough research and get enough feedback that I have a lot of ideas to put in – and once I get there it’ll be close to done. You folks have been invaluable and it’s a much better generator for it.
Really, this one is far, far harder than I expected. Twists can be general or specific, tropes or unique, simple or complex. I figured there’d be some archetypes and patterns to mess with, dump a bunch of data on it, and it’d work – but instead there’s a lot more complexity and potential complexity. So, lesson learned.
I will probably need a break after the next update in a week or so, then see about getting it done end of month/early October.
I do have a few fun generators planned, and I’m considering a really neat idea – documenting one of them as I do it.
Way With Worlds
Almost done with my latest editing sweep. I’m doing one more in September, then it goes to my pre-readers for awhile. I can say there’s a lot of good advice, but damn did some of it need a rewrite. There’s also things I added or expanded on.
The format looks good, and I plan to send out a sneak peak with my newsletter in the near future. Don’t forget to sign up – plus beyond the free updates, you get my LinkedIn Guide.
I already have the sequels planned, as mentioned. Let’s just say they’ll be different, they’ll be fun, and they’ll be helpful in a different way.
Respectfully,
– Steven Savage
http://www.informotron.com/
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/
Way With Worlds
This week I finish my current editing sweep – and then the next one begins. In that one I plan to read the sections backwards – which helps me get a fresh view on the things I was editing when I was tired of it, and catch continuity errors between sections. We’re definitely on schedule to get it to pre-readers in October.
Plot Twist Generator and Other Generators
The plot twist generator didn’t get an update this weekend, but I hope to do one soon. I think it’s time to just sit down and do a serious push on it to take it to beta. Fortunately everyone’s given me great feedback.
I also may need to take a small break from it after I get it to beta, and write something fun and simple.
Respectfully,
– Steven Savage
http://www.informotron.com/
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/
