(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
I’ve been thinking of how I organize my projects and share them with you my audience and friends. I’ve not been thrilled with how I’ve done updates, and recent spates of illness and surprises derailed a few things. So what I’m doing is taking my projects to be managed much more traditional Scrum style. I got the idea here from Failbetter’s use of Agile to make them publicly engaged via blogposts while doing Sunless Skies.
If you’re not familiar with Scrum,, its basically a method of organization where you A) keep a backlog of stuff to do B) do it in small increments called sprints, and C) regularly report and measure progress. I recommend reading up on it.
(I’m still big on the Getting Things Done method, and will use it as part of my work, but my large amount of longer-term projects require some different approaches plus this lets me try out techniques from work.)
What this means for you is
- Every month (a “sprint”) I’ll tell you what I’m planning to tackle on my projects. Most Sprints are two weeks, but I plan my projects quarterly/monthly so this is a bit easier.
- I’ll do weekly reports (a sort of Standup) on progress. These are usually daily in proper Scrum, but I have my limits.
- I’ll do a roundup/retrospective at the end.
So what’s up for April!
Finishing The Color Generator: I’ll finish the Color Generator in April with the goal of deploying before the end of the Month – preferably mid-month. I’ll be regularly updating it with new data so keep an eye out.
New Seventh Sanctum Spotlight: A new Seventh Sanctum project to spotlight talent and interesting media – this is an experiment and may or may not succeed.
Way With Worlds Minibooks #1: The followups to Way With Worlds. I will send this to editor – remember these don’t launch until June.
Way With Worlds Minibook #5: Get this to at least 60% completion if not more. And, yes I have four of these suckers written already – make room in your summer reading!
There are also some marketing efforts, tech purchases, and home maintenance but I don’t think you care about those.
So I’ll be posting updates weekly (probably Monday) to let you know where everything is once a week!
And as it’s Sunday, let’s get to a status!
What I’ve worked on:
- Wrote 5 more questions on Minibook 5.
- Minibook #1 will be in the hands of the editor next week.
- Reached out to initial “promotables” for the Sanctum Spotlight and designed how it’ll run. It’s pretty much ready to go, I’ll start it later this month.
- A few notes on the Color Generator are in place, I’ll dive into that more soon.
What’s coming up this week:
- I plan to focus on the Color Generator to get as much done as possible.
- I’ll be attending two professional events, so that consumes time.
– Steve
The Color Generator is in Beta and Seventh Sanctum!
This generator makes colors that aren’t or should be, are mysterious or otherworldly. Inspired by the Neathbow of Fallen London as well as things like Octarine in Discworld, it’s a way to make colors that aren’t your standard spectrum – or lurk in between the colors we know.
A few examples:
- Anihe – A deep blueish-green. Under light of this color mirrors show falsehoods.
- Celvoweur – The penultimate orange. Under light of this color people have religious visions.
- Cong – The purple of the early morning sky.
- Brot – The green of half-forgotten grasslands.
- Ilva – The iridescent red of curiosity.
- Serneo – The green of leaves in legends.
- Cheppan – The purple of bravery and of the early morning sky that you fear seeing.
- Thue – A flamboyant orange. Under light of this color wounds heal.
- Cephutem – The yellow of loyalty and of half-forgotten sunlight.
- Auguahe – The muted yellow of loyalty.
The generator needs to be expanded – the names and basic shades are mostly done, but the descriptions and symbolism and effects need a lot more work. So go on, take a look, leave feedback!
- Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
Here’s some samples from the latest generator. It generates colors, inspired by the Neathbow from Sunless Sea/Fallen London – http://thefifthcity.wikia.com/wiki/The_Neathbow
I loved the idea of creating new colors, so here we go! It’s probably about 25%-33% done at this time – there’s a nice amount of detail, but far more coming.
So tell me what you think!
- Moten – The mellow orange of joy.
- Lebode – The purple of the evening sky in your memories.
- Elde – The blue of shallow water that you fear seeing.
- Cesque – An iridescent green. Under light of this color plants grow.
- Khuppen – The one true green.
- Bitohoem – A deep greenish-yellow. Those that see this color have glimpses of the future.
- Cerate – The yellow of sunlight falling on the incurious. Under light of this color plants grow.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
Yes, another update. I am on a roll! For now. We know how that goes.
- So first, comments are back at Seventh Sanctum. I had to take them down due to some bizarre issues where they seemed to be messing with some formatting. Or search results. Or something. It got a bit strange. I think I figured it out but am not entirely sure. Anyway they’re back!
- The Way With Worlds Book 2 gets formatted this weekend. If all goes well, it’ll be enough to do a test print. I’m hopeful I can get it all together – I’d still like to get it out end of March, but early April is looking more likely.
- Those Way With Worlds are in the works – book four in fact of six I plan to write.
- The new generator is still in progress. I’ve got a bit more on my plate then expected but hope to finish it up before end of March.
- I also have been enjoying A House Of Many Doors, a literary exploration RPG that you really need to check out.
Also no new illnesses. Well, on my part, but considering the rain here and all the diseases still flying around I kinda want to hide for awhile!
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
Well this has been awhile. It’s been crazy time with illness, changing to a new contract, roommate starting a new job, social events, more illness, and general chaos. Honestly, I feel like I need to take some time off.
So I just sent out a newsletter update, but let’s cover where I am right now
- The Way With Worlds Book 2 is in final edits. If all goes well I format and run a first print next weekend. If not . . . uh well it doesn’t happen. I think it’ll be out end of March or early April with no other interruptions.
- Those Way With Worlds Minibooks are coming out great! I’m working on the fourth (yes, they’re small and I’ve been doing them for awhile). I think you’ll enjoy them.
- There’s a new generator in the works, inspired by my gamecrush Failbetter games. Oh and go back their now project, Sunless Skies!
- I’m trying to write more than just updates and books, and hoping the lack of illness will make that easier.
- I and my roommate have become addicted to RWBY.
That’s it for me. Just letting you know I’m still working away here to make your life geekier, professional, creative, and interesting. As long as I stop catching colds from other people.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
The Magical Girl Team Generator is released! It actually looks like it was in pretty good shape, though like many of my generators I may probably want to tweak it later.
Writing it was educational, since magical girl teams have some interesting naming structures such as they are. I had to extrapolate a lot as well. Overall I think it worked.
Here’s a few examples:
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Attraction Succubi
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Change Dancers
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Charm Snipers
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Cute Dazzle
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Enchanting Correctors
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Enchantresses Of Charm
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Goddess Sweet
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Pirate Music Club
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Steel Glamour Correctors
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Succubus Mechaangels
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The Four Mermaids Of Power
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The Three Enchantresses Of Spectrum
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The Three Priesstesses Of Force
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Transforming Heart Crusaders
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Wonder Ladies
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
And Merry Post-Christmas everyone! I hope you’re doing well. Me, I’ve got over a week off and am enjoying it – which means plenty of time to do projects. And by that I probably mean play videogames, but still.
So let’s catch up!
Way With Worlds Book 2 – I have finished my latest edits and am getting feedback in from pre-readers. Very positive on this one. Still looking to be end of March. I will need reviewers too . . .
Way With Worlds Followup – I’ve been bouncing this idea around here and there, but there are followup minibooks to Way With Worlds. Those are in the works. Those probably drop in April, over time. There’s more in my newsletters.
The Next Generator – Taking a break from Food, the next generator is a Magical Girl Team generator! The current alpha version produces teams like “Beguiling Rose Angels,” “Rune Ladies” and “Seraphim Of Energy” which seems to be on track!
Thats about it for me – enjoying the time off and relaxing. Of course that means writing . . .
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
Yes, it’s done! The Pizza Generator is complete and ready for your culinary randomization!
This one was another generator where I went in for really deep analysis, and I think it paid off. Pizzas are a complex business, and I found specific “pizza patterns” that guided the generator’s design. There were also more than I expected, which got a bit complicated.
With this I need a bit of a break from food generators. They’re fun, but surprisingly complex, and I think because I love to cook I tend to get into them really deep. I’m not done yet – I at least want to do a candy bar generator – but I’m gonna need a rest.
As for other generators, well I’ve got plans . . .
– Steve
I may not have time to participate in NaNoWriMo this year (I am writing, but not up for the challenge), but I figure I can make this contribution – my book “The Power Of Creative Paths” is on sale for this week! Hope that makes everyone’s life a bit easier.
Hope it helps out. Maybe I’ll participate next year.
To be honest, I sort of am envious people can participate. I usually have my book plans set out months or even a year in advance so I’d have to plan that. On top of it, NaNoWriMo seems more FUN when it’s fiction.
. . . or I could make a generator next NaNoWriMo. Hmmmm.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s there, the Pizza Generator is in Beta!
I’d say it’s mostly done – at most I need to add some new ingredients, tweak the probabilities, maybe some formatting. So let me know what you think and go forth and pizza!
Here’s some samples:
- A pizza with Artichoke Hearts, Bannana, Romaine Lettuce, Capers, and Parsley, topped with Tandoori Sauce.
- A pizza with Capers, Zucchini, Roasted Fennel, Shredded Carrots, Bacon, Carnitas, Tuna, Salami, and Short Rib Meat, topped with Goat Cheese.
- A pizza with Chipotle Pepper, Pulled Pork, Sausage, Hot Dogs, and Jalapenos.
- A pizza with Meatballs, Salami, Prosiccuto, Steak, Chicken, and Basil.
- A pizza with Pinto Beans and Red Pepper, topped with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce.
- A pizza with Red Pepper and topped with Cheddar.
- A pizza with Romaine Lettuce, Almonds, and Kimchi, with White Sauce.
- A pizza with Tuna, Carnitas, and Meatballs, topped with Goat Cheese and Fontina.
- A pizza with Yellow Onion, White Onion, Capers, Romaine Lettuce, Pulled Pork, Buffalo Meat, Canadian Bacon, and Italian Spices.
- A pizza with Zucchini, Sauerkraut, Black Beans, and Roasted Fennel, topped with Havarti.
- A pizza with Bean Sprouts, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Roasted Fennel, Hot Dogs, Clams, and Herbs De Province.
- A pizza with Buffalo Meat, Pepperoni, Tuna, Meatballs, and Parsley, topped with Mascarpone.
- A pizza with Carnitas.
- A pizza with Jalapenos, Bannana, Garbanzo Beans, Bacon, Chicken, Prosiccuto, Egg, and Cilantro.
- A pizza with Olives, Shredded Carrots, Butternut Squash, Chipotle Pepper, Roasted Fennel, Jalapenos, and Bannana Peppers.
- A pizza with Pickled Ginger, Yellow Onion, Black Olives, Red Pepper, Burdok Root, and Basil, topped with Paneer Sauce.
- A pizza with Pine Nuts, Pickled Garlic, Red Onion, Pulled Pork, Linguica, Buffalo Meat, and Tuna, topped with Goat Cheese.
- A pizza with Pinto Beans and Pineapple, topped with Fontina and Tandoori Sauce.
- A pizza with Salami, topped with Goat Cheese, Cream Cheese, and Mustard.
- A pizza with Steak, Butter Chicken, Canadian Bacon, and Ham, topped with Parmesian and Barbeque Sauce.
– Steve
