Worldbuilder's Anvil

Today's Topic Using Writing Prompts and Free Writing to practice and improve writing skills Have you ever had a great idea for a story or a novel., you sat down excited and filled with anticipation open up your app then placing your hand on the keyboard and freeze. I have.  It the worst type of writer’s block I suffer.  I write my story as it happens.  Once I get into the flow, I am off to the races until I pick it up again. Writer’s block begins the real problem Once I get stuck, I freeze then the voices of a fear kick in and stop me. You suck at writing. Stop wasting your time. However, the voices are wrong. I am not wasting my time.  If I want to achieve my dreams.. I need to write. I need to write every day.  It is part of the job of my dreams. Ignore the voices I wish I could say that it was easy to ignore the voices.  However, I have spent years listening.  I would close the writing program and click on steam or play on Facebook.  Possibly getting me depressed as I read thousands of political post from

Today's Topic How My Fantasy Worldbuilding is inspired by the archeology record and the amazing cultures of the world So, I have needed a year to think about an episode about Archeology.  I was asked to do this by Jennifer on the Facebook page last April I think.  I had created a huge list of ruins.  However, I started to think about it in a different way. How, do I get inspired by these ruins as a worldbuilder. Join Michal and I as we explore the real world’s archelogy ruins.   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow Amazing early man Nazca Lines Çatalhöyük Uluburun Don’t Believe the Hype Meggiddo Machu Picchu Terracotta Army Great Zimbabwe Built Different Petra Masada Mesa Verde Amazing Teotihuacan Babylon Borobudur Angkor Wat Watch the Amazon Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Take a ruin

Today's Topic Starting reaching your goals by dreaming big Do you dream big? I do not mean for your fiction, but about your life. To be honest, I use to as a child. I was going to space as a fireman cowboy and nothing could stop me. Or so I though, Aging and gaining responsibilities took over my life as they have taken over the lives of so many other people.  I stopped dreaming big. I stopped planning and I started playing safe. Is it wrong to stop dreaming? Yes. It helps make our live small. It helps us live with regrets. We live with the knowledge that we have stopped even trying. We might or might not end up unhappy.  I was perfectly content. However, I know when I reached my deathbed I would have many regrets in my life.  I needed to start dreaming again. My wife, Kristin, and I came up with a way to start the process of living a life that made us work towards our dreams Introducing the Dream Catcher Assessment We developed the Dream Catcher Assessment, so we could find we could once again have a child-li

Episode 155 The Fate of the Wine Steward This is the end, beautiful friend   Today's Topic Find out the fate of our pesky little wine steward Emil   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow Michael’s Surprise for Jeff for the video check out check out our Facebook group, the Fantasy Worldbuilder’s Undercroft DeScriptors Qïmi (Kemi) Taurqïmi Duke Aziniter, lord of Mellnaras, warden of Kleinphar Noblie Count Mystery villain ???? Scene(s) Raven’s House is Bust Starting as a Shepard Day as a Shepard Nervous Evening Horrible Murder (Retracted) Emil Escapes instead Elements Testing Harmon Quest Dail M for Monster Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day N/A The Real-world Task for the Day N/A   Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review u

Episode 154 The Scariest Interview Ever, Lookout It’s My Mommy Thirty minutes and I didn’t cuss or get a hand print.   Today's Topic Looking back about Fantasy, SciFi, and Worldbuilding with my mommy. I do not consider imagination on of the important Worldbuilding skills. I consider it an important skill for life. So as I approached this interview I was overwhelmed with fear. I have been lucky to hold on to the imagine that gripped me as a child.  I can see myself doing anything at any time.   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   No metaphors, I can see myself doing anything at anytime… well not that sicko No bs, I can see little visions of me in situation play out like a movie in my head.  As I approached this interview.  I could see my mom revealing all the stupid shit I did as a kid.  And she would reveal it in vivid 4k and 4t TERROR vision. So What! However, I then realized even if she did.  I love being a ham.  And making people

Today's Topic Finding the Balance needed in your fantasy story   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Jesper is an author, YouTuber, Cartographer and of course a worldbuilder. He has a not so strange love of dragons, that has awoken his focused ambition to create great fantasy.   Jesper is the man that shows that a little imagination, and passion coupled with a lot of time in a Finnish Sauna leads to great fantasy fiction and world-building.   For More please go and check out http://www.jesperschmidt.com/   Here is the link to ten free downloads of my eBook on Fantasy Map Making: BookHip.com/CQNFA   It’s available in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF format. If anyone has any issues in getting the files onto their favorite reading device the BookFunnel team will help them out. They have a great customer service.   Show Flow Tell us about your latest work? How do you connect your worldbuilding back to The Story? When did you know you had a love fo

Episode 152 What Is Needed For A Player's Guide? Oh a shiny Today's Topic Episode 152 What Is Needed For A Player Guide? Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com Podcast Show Flow Important features And Beliefs History of the area Cultural Breakdown Cultural Norms Important Factions Common Traits Bonus is Languages Racial Breakdown Common traits Geography Religions Pantheon Important observations State Structure View on Neighbors Social Structure Types of common people Important People Food, Art, Architecture, music, and dress Beasts and mean shit Magic rules and parameters Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Create your own Player Guide The Real-world Task for the Day Focus on learning one new thing a month Michael's Resources Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate

Today's Topic Let’s Play DeScriptors to test our Fantasy World part 4 Session four is the near roundup of the Enter the Steward Session Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com Podcast Show Flow DeScriptors Elements Testing Qïmi (Kemi) Taurqïmi Duke Aziniter, lord of Mellnaras, warden of Kleinphar Noblie Count Mystery villain ???? Scene(s) Meeting the Duke Umo the Foul Duke Exit, Enter the Nobile Dude Trial of the Wine Steward Judgement Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   The Worldbuilding Task for the Day N/A The Real World task for the day N/A Michael's Resources DeScriptors, A word game micro RPG Enter the Wine Steward Session 1 Enter the Wine Steward Session 2 Enter the Wine Steward Session 3 Eric The Half a Bee Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to help support the show Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuild

Today's Topic Finding the Balance needed in your fantasy story Curiosity is one three most import tools in my Worldbuilder’s toolbox. Here is my mini list in order. Curiosity Gratitude Attitude Creativity Listening Skills   You are asking, Why Gratitude First?” I have been in an improving place in my life, emotionally speaking. And in so I have been reflecting on what has changed.  And more importantly, what is working for me right now that makes me be a better worldbuilder and honestly gratitude was a surprise.  Gratitude ranks so high because it directly helps me with my world-building skills. So, join Michael and I as we look Gratitude. We would be grateful… sorry I had to say it.   Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow Thank the Audience Even in an imperfect world focus on what works helps keep us happy Motivation (Realizing the Impact) Helps Family and Friends with buy-in The Three Reasons gratitude is pow

Today's Topic Downtime for Worldbuilders Recently, I was recording an episode for why Downtime is important on my other podcast The Small Biz Life. It is something I am passionate about because I want to be present in my life, I work ten hour days at my day job, Kristin and I are creating a media company, I volunteer time every week, plus I am writing a novel for NaNoWriMo. I love everything I do.  However, I do not have extra hours in the week so I strategically use downtime. Downtime like a fine wine helps cleanse the palate of mind. I use it to get a better understanding of the world, which allows me to create more detail into my worlds. Downtime helps me learn from literature effective ways to deliver stories. Downtime like a fine wine helps cleanse the palate of mind. When your work day gets longer. You will run into a couple of major issues. First, you will lose productivity when you switch between completely different types of tasks.  For Example, If I am meeting with someone about requirements for an

Today's Topic – Music for focus, energy, and increasing productivity. Music set to "Ruckus in B Minor".  Why? It helps me focus.  I struggle to focus.  I have no diagnosis, it has just been something that I have had to learn to deal with in my life.  For me Music is on of the best ways that I use to control the noise in my head. Having an army of Orcs raiding my mind, is something that never stops.  It is much better than thinking about the real world at times.  I can see the battles.  I hear the conversation between characters.  However, when I need to accomplish something.  I need to control the focus.  Now, understand I do not believe all music can help all people focus.  You must always understand your Anthems, from the music you like to listen to while I am trying to focus Anthems Vs Working Music Anthems are the music I jam out to.  There are certain songs that when I listen to I must sing too, play air too, or play air drums too.  I use this music to effect mood, jump start energy, or relax.  However,

Today's Topic – Some more horror flicks to help you get through NaNoWriMo Nothing like a great horror flicks to take your minds off the problems in the real world. Have a good fright tonight to keep you focused on the prize of 50,000 words in a month. In a way this is an extension of episode 146.  It does not follow the exact pattern.  We really talk about movies that frighten us.  The moves that work really really well for us, or possibly the movies that. All jokes aside.  It was really the Omen that worked for me.  I think it is by far one of them most frightening things I have ever encountered in fiction.  If you have not seen it. You should really take advantage of it.  After you finish your world count, take a break this even, after dark of course and take in this classic. For more suggestions and a lot more fun check out this episode. Watch Michael shine at one of his great skills, watching and then breaking down moves. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding,

Today's Topic – A Halloween look at horror We are on the verge of NaNoWriMo. We are taking a bit of a break from the distracting. No inspiration or explanation about worldbuilding, Michael and I will be starting our Journey into horror.  Enjoy the Trip. Now, take the time and take the plunge and join us in the NaNoWriMo plunge.  Go to NaNoWriMo.org and enter a novel into the competition.  If you want to connect up, My user is GardulWriter.  And wish me extra luck since my niece is getting married this month so I need to travel during the month.  Ah nothing like extra difficulty. Also, for those of you Kristin Ingram and I will be talking about how to turn you geek into a business on 11/6/2016 at Chibicon at the Springfield public Library in Springfield, MA. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Let me know how you created your pantheon. The Real-World task for the day Make sure you follow your show for

Today's Topic The gods of Gardul In my fantasy universe, I was looking to play with the idea of what would it be like if the gods of mythology where real.  What would it look like? To be quite honest, it is horrible. So, to make a compromise. I create a race of other worldly beings who can indirectly effect the world. They are not a good bunch; they are everything nasty about the Greek gods.  And they have one goal, to feed. Foods in the realm of the godlings equals faith. Not just believe, but the expression of faith. So, to gain strength the gods battle for the hearts and minds of the people of Gardul.  They will do anything to increase their base of believers. Join Kristin and I in this episode as we explore the gods of Gardul. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow The Gods Festus (Fe) – order and Forge Mystr (My) – goddess of life Boriek (Bo) – chaos Misac (Mi) – god of emotion from Bo Twins Tempo (Te) [goddes

Today's Topic – Following the tragedy through a society Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com So often as authors we tap into the emotion of tragedy for our stories.  The tragedy could be limited to a few people, neighborhood, a nation, or even an entire world.  We focus on the emotions.  However, do we think about the effects on society? It is these ripples that often have a lasting impact on the larger community.  It was the Hindenburg crash that ended the age of the blimp and led to the new commercial airlines.  Inspired by the potential problems caused by the train crash in Hoboken, NJ. Michael and I will talk about the impacts of real life tragedies and how they can inspire more detail in fantasy stories. The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Find strange inspiration in the life around you? The Real World task for the day Share the podcast out with two friends that would love to hear more about Worldbuilding. Michael's Resources Use G

Today's Topic – Fantasy worldbuilding inspired by the Electric Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow What is the electric universe? From Gravity to Relativity to Electric Electromagnetics is the connecting force of the universe not gravity Deep electrical impacts happened on planets in the early solar system Leads to lighting connection in mythology Leads to early symbology for all cultures What If electricity connected everything? How new theory causes strife in cultures and internally in science Could electric be the core of magic? Could egg-shaped orbits cause a massive shift in magic on a world? The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Find strange inspiration in the life around you?   The Real World task for the day Watch the Thunderbolts of the gods on YouTube and check out the Thunderbolts Project   Michael's Resources Episode 106: Language First Culture Create Use Gardul.com/Amazon when shopping online to

Today's Topic – The actual look at creating a story outline Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com   Podcast Show Flow   Outline Needs Mission Statement An idea of the world (Mechanic to Framework) An Idea of a story Scope (Beckett to Epic) Idea(s) of setting Idea(s) of conflict Idea(s) of Plot (Spark to Arc) Idea(s) about Resolution Ideas about some characters (Need or Fluff) Determine plot Driven vs Character Driven (event’s vs internal struggles) Create Outline Go over the basics of what I look for in a story outline Cover Mission Statement for the story Create a story outline Flesh out story into chapters Define acts Add in additional chapters to balance out acts Add in characters need for each chapter Add in extras characters Add in location(s) for chapters Add in important prop(s) The Worldbuilding Task for the Day Brainstorm and create outline The Real World task for the day Watch Liana Kerzner’s Gamer’s Guide to Feminism Mic

Today's Topic – Let’s Play DeScriptors to test our Fantasy World. So, we have made it to the third session of the play session for Michael.  So far, I have focused on making him have a bad day.  He is target.  His wine stash, and private stash for the duke has been stolen.  His house wine has been ruined.  He is out of wine and all while the duke is about to arrive to make a special visit to one of his smaller castles. Nerves are already high amongst the servants since the Duke is supposed to make an announcement.  And the servants are worried that the change is coming.  They understand that the strategic importance of the castle has faded. We will start with by dealing with the mysterious old man, Marion, and his goat bride.  However, danger will be on the rise. The mysterious villain will arrive soon.  What is his plan? Check out as Michael learns his options are narrowing and his time is running out. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.

Today's Topic – Why planning a story is important before NaNoWriMo So the plan matched the show flow, it was simple. I would go over abstractly what I look for in an outline to use for writing.  It would achieve my goal about talking about outlining.  It would help Michael prepare an outline for NaNoWriMo 2016. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com However, as you listen to the show you will learn that is not what we achieved in the episode. Michael and I had very different ideas of what outlining means.  And Also, He had really spent most of his initial planning focused on world building, not thinking about a story. The trap that does not kill us, makes us stronger. I think it ended up being a great example of a risk world builders fall into.  It is easy to confuse good world building with story planning.  You are thinking out scenarios that could happen in your world.  If you are like me, you are visualizing scenes of it playing out.

Today's Topic – First Generation Naturalistic Fantasy World So, we have been asking ourselves lots of questions.  Enough Questions, It is time to start building.  We are also not looking to build just any type of world.  We want to build a naturalistic framework fantasy world. Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us on iTunesFor complete Fantasy Worldbuilding, show notes go to Gardul.com So the goal is not to lay out the world the way we like it. We want to set up the way we want our world to evolve. There are a few things we need to know when we are down. We need to know the major geography of the world. We need to know the temperature and rainfall patterns. We need to know where are early cultures and races exist. Things to keep in mind for making the first generation world The major things for climate are understanding the influence of the sun, ocean currents and air streams. We also need to know the coastline and mountains. This information will tell us where the rain goes and stops.  Where the rivers star