(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com and Steve’s Tumblr. Find out more at my newsletter.)
We’re all heading for the holidays, so let’s catch up! Also you may note this is appearing all over – I’m diversifying my posting base.
So what have I done the last week(s)?
- A Bridge To The Quiet Planet: Is selling in ebook format! So print is next. I’ve got the document print-formatted now – which thanks to some Open Office tools and formatting choices was easier than I thought. There’s some lessons here.
- Way With Worlds: I’ve got another book out! This one is on Organizations!
- Seventh Sanctum: Steady as she goes here, but the next generator or three are being outlined.
- Other: Lots of relaxing now that the holiday season is here.
What’s next?
- A Bridge To The Quiet Planet: Getting print format out and getting a draft. The text is done, the real worry I have is the cover. Covers are the hardest part of POD.
- Way With Worlds: I’m outlining the next book, but am also pacing myself.
- Seventh Sanctum: Want to try to update the Nexus and maybe get a new generator out.
- General Stuff: The holidays, of course! I am also working on some productivity techniques I may be sharing soon!
Steven Savage
It’s out! The latest of the Way With Worlds miniguides, this one on Magic and Technology – because for the sake of worldbuilding, they’re usually the same!
Each book contains 50 questions on the specific subject, plus a bunch of extras, to help worldbuilders think, ponder, and design. Think of it as a personal coaching session in a book! On top of that, each is only 99 cents!
To celebrate, the flagship book, Way With Worlds, is on sale for a week! It’s your chance to pick it up!
So go on, give it a spin – and remember, more are coming . . .
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience, so where am I?
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Edited and ready for publication. Had a bit of a delay, did a screwy search-and-replace I had to fix. ugh.
- Way With Worlds Minibooks (General): Sent them to the editor!
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet”: Chapters #3 is in beta and needs to be edited. Debating if I do that or finish more scenes to be sure.
- Blogging: I recorded my next two agile posts!
- Other: Not 100% sure. I’ve been running pretty hot and fast.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Plan my publicity activities for the book and prepare to publish.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Probably get Chapter #3 ready for pre-readers, but might do some more writing. As noted, not sure.
- Blogging: Doing 1-2 more writing posts and probably putting them on the Sanctum. I may try some more fun Tumblr posts on (of course) Overwatch.
- General: I’d like to work on one of the two generators I have in mind, but want to see what my pacing is.
Challenges:
- I feel less overloaded, think it was just the amount of things vying for my attention, but I still think I’m operating at just a bit above my preferred capacity. It’s likely I won’t take on any big new projects for about 6 months – like new books, etc. I want to find space for generators and fun stuff. Then again working on a novel and putting out 6 minibooks is enough.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience – and I forgot last weeks with the holiday. It got a bit crazy, but in a good way. So let’s get back to it!
First of all goals for this sprint, July:
- Publish Way With Worlds Minibook #2: This’ll be on Magic and Technology.
- Write more of “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I’m starting to pace myself by writing scenes, with so many scenes (8-9) roughly equalling a chapter. My goal this month is to write about 18 scenes, or roughly two chapters (as of this status, I actually wrote about 8-10 as I got on a roll).
- Lots of social stuff this month too – and next month. Man at this rate I need a vacation from my relaxing . . .
- I’m trying to do more fun stuff on my social media and Tumblr with memes and challenges.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: Out, published, and selling! Enjoy!
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Just started editing this, and finished the cover!
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Taking a break from this right now. I’ve written a few too much of these.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet”: Chapters #1 and #2 are out, and #3 is almost finished. I need pre-readers so feel free to volunteer!
- Blogging: Just general blogging. You’ve seen it already!
- Other: Not much else to be blunt, lots of chores and catchup and a few other things.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: I’m going to finish editing and get it ready for publications.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Finish Chapter #3 and some more scenes.
- Writing: More blog posts as usual! I am debating putting my writing posts on Seventh Sanctum as well.
- Send more Way With Worlds books to my editor.
Challenges:
- Feeling a bit overloaded to be honest, and not sure why. I’m going to keep an eye on my workload. I also want to do more fun things and not overdo it – like my latest Overwatch Memes. I also have an unfinished generator . . .
– Steve
Yes I’ve got my first Way With Worlds Minibook out! This one is on sex and worldbuilding, where we explore the biology and sociology vital to a believable setting – and so often forgotten!
I’m going to be doing a series of these, each 99 cents, over the next few months. The idea is to do something parallel to my larger books, and focus on intense coaching on specific subjects – but without giving you something overwhelming. Each book can be read in a few hours and you can get back to writing!
- Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience. I also am going to try to focus a bit more on what it delivers to you.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: This is now queued for publication! So you’ll be getting it ready very shortly! I also need reviewers.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Writing but frankly – not enjoying it. I’ve got more on that below.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I kid you not, Chapter #1 is in draft form and I’m editing it now. I’ll be looking for prereaders in a few days! So hit me up!
- Blogging: Queued up a new blog post for tomorrow on Agile methods.
- Other: Not much else to be blunt, lots of chores and catchup and a few other things.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: I’m going to get that out this week. I’ll post alerts of course and will be letting people know via my newsletter and usual posts.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: See below.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Get Chapter #1 to being editable. Then I’ll make it available!
- Writing: I have one or two more posts to do on writing. I am in a regular cadence here.
- Sprint Planning: Time to plan the sprint for July!
Challenges:
- Some friends are moving, and though I now don’t think it’ll take any time, I don’t know.
- As of Way With Worlds Minibook #6 I am actually kind of tired of writing these. I may take a break this month to regroup as it doesn’t have to be finished for awhile. I’ve written five of these over the years already! I may poke at it now and then but it’s not scheduled – it’s a stretch goal.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for the audience. Here’s what’s up – but first a note.
The last two months have been pretty intense, its all been books and writing for the most part. I may be changing some of my plans around so it’s a bit more diverse.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: All formatted and ready to go! Pretty much I can launch it any time.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Writing away. I’m going to try and block out time to just finish it, but not making any plans.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” The plot is outlined! In fact the “draft” was better than I thought!
- Social: I spoke at Hydra-Con, made lots of new contacts, and had a great time. Promising new con!
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: Setting up marketing and getting publishing queued up! You should see it later next week.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Writing more of it.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Working on Chapter #1. I might try to blitz it this weekend, but the goal is a readable draft end of month.
- Writing: The usual blogging, plus a few other things I want to write.
Challenges:
- Some friends are moving, which might require some of my time.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for the audience – and as noted it’s now Monday, which helps a lot. So where are we?
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: Editing is done and the cover is done! So now its just time to format it and get ready to publish!
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: That’s been sent to the editor, who is paid, so not sure when I’ll get it back.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #5: This is done. It’s a book on “Worldbuilding Checkup” and is basically designed as a general coaching guide.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: I’ve started this one, and need to flesh it out a bit more besides the general writing.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” The first draft of the plot is done – in fact, I’m rather pleased with it. I plan to review it a few more times, but it’s more or less ready to go, so I can tackle Chapter #1 soon!
- Writing: I’ve queued up my Agile and Writing posts for the week.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: I’ll be formatting it for publication. In theory it won’t take too long.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Writing more of it, of course!
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I’ll review the plot and maybe start Chapter one.
- Writing: Obviously queuing up more blog posts. I’ve got a surprising amount ready.
- Social: I’ll be speaking at Hydra Comic Con.
Challenges and blockers:
- My allergies are back, so we’ll see how bad that hits me.
- I realized I’ve not done any new generators – I might shift some priorities to do a fun one.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for the audience – and you’ll notice it’s now Monday. This is because yes, the week starts Sunday but those updates kind of invited me to move more week stuff into my weekend. So now updates are Monday..
And now on to what’s up!
What’s Up For The June Sprint?
- First, Way With Worlds Minibook #1 will drop eom.
- Speaking at Hydra Comic Con.
- Finishing the full plot outline and writing the first chapter of “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet” hopefully.
- Donating some books to libraries.
- A few social events.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #5: Got behind on this, trying to get back to it. I think I’m kinda of tired writing these, so maybe book #6 just needs to be done in one go.
- Social: Finished up Fanime.
- Her Eternal Moonlight: The sale completed!
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I think I’m back on track. I’ve got an expanded plot outline done more or less on time.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #5: Try to, well . . . write for it.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I’m going to finish up the full plot outline – scene for scene – this weekend. This is the big one. If I can get this to work I’m ready to write. Not 100% sure I’ll do it, but let’s give it a shot!
- Writing: More blog posts – now alternating my agile findings and my writing experiences.
Challenges and blockers:
- My allergies are back, so we’ll see how bad that hits me.
- I realized I’ve not done any new generators – I might shift some priorities to do a fun one.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for the audience. Not a lot of Sanctum relevant stuff here but hey I’m including it for now – wondering if i need to?
Well bluntly this week also was nuts, with assorted work events, a friend having health concerns (resolved) and of course occasional allergies. It’s not been the greatest week – but Agile method are about adapting. So where are we?
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #5: Still going good and on schedule – I might even get a bit ahead of the game.
- Seventh Sanctum Spotlight: That’s on hold. This is due to the interruptions I’ve been having from allergies to events, and now convention time might cut into the results for me and other people. So I’ll do it in June if it seems viable.
- Professional: Attended that professional event – they’re running out of space so I found my apartment complex can host them! A great way to network and meet people.
- Social: Girlfriend’s birthday and book club went well.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” The latest plot outlines and character arcs are plotted. Looks good again, and I think the book is taking on a more personal tone; for instance, there’s two minor characters (one extremely minor as in he’s in one scene) that by exploring I really did a lot with the story. This is a good lesson from the late Sir Terry Pratchett – you tell a lot more by having it personal, even if that person is gone after a scene.
- Newsletter: The newsletter is out. Which you probably saw.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #5: More writing. Let’s just assume that’s the norm (and book #6 is next). I’m thinking these books are best written in one or two big lumps not spread out.
- Social: Fanime is going to consume a lot of time this week, as will events there. I’ll be preparing presentations.
- Speaking: I’m speaking twice at Fanime.
- Cosplay: I’ll be Doctor Oobleck from RWBY at least one day.
- Her Eternal Moonlight: A sale is coming, so pay attention . . .
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Next step is fleshing out the plot so it’s ready to be scene-for-scene outlined, as well as some character details.e
Challenges and blockers:
- The Allergies are better, but I’m keeping an eye on them. These were bad and hit a lot of people hard.
– Steve
