Worldbuilder's Anvil

Today's Topic - Using the power of interactive storytelling to give you control over the characters and plot in your narratives I have had the pleasure of talking to many writers. It always shocked me that so many authors I talked to being tricked by authors or scenes that would make the get stuck in their latest story. Now, I do not want to sound cocky.  I do get stuck. My problem for me is time; I work a full-time job, I have this podcast, and I am also on the Small Biz Life podcast. However, I have never felt stopped by my narrative. So being and explorer, I searched for a reason that I would not get stuck in a narrative over writers with more experience have trouble getting stuck telling a story. All I could figure out was it had nothing to do with a difference storytelling skills.  However, most of my experience telling stories was much more interactive. I have a background in acting, oral storytelling, and tabletop roleplaying.  I truly believe that improve acting skills and tabletop storytelling really

  Today's Topic - Using composition notebooks so you do not lose your Unicorns, spackle, and Twilight posters Years ago, I had a great idea.  It involved something with Unicorns, spackle, and a Twilight poster.  It was awesome.  It was going to be a starter for an alternate earth where I could write urban fantasy. I was laughing, and my heart strings got plucked like a banjo. The problem was by the time I got home that was all I could remember.  I cannot even remember how I could connect unicorns, spackle and Twilight poster.  Well, except for using spackle to paste the poster to the unicorn.  Now, I do find the idea amusing.  However, I have no idea why I would think it would make an interesting alternate earth. So, I realized I had a problem.  I cannot remember all the good ideas I have.  So, I started looking for a good way to keep track of my great ideas by projects. Check out the episode and see the system I currently use to track my ideas.  And yes, I used composition notebooks. Enjoy the episode and co

Today's Topic - A system for tracking the Technology Level in a Fantasy world. As I have evolved as a Worldbuilder. I have always struggled with how to track technology level. The GURPS tech level system. It is very simple and might work for many people. However, it never quite worked for me in my fantasy setting. I believe that the technology of an area can grow up at different rates than they do on earth. We have seen evidence of this on earth. So, I spent way too much time modifying it to cover basic spheres of technology. I have identified nine basic spheres of technology. The basic area’s I believe cover all the basics of areas of technology what are used in what we call civilizations. I also add magic to track its progression. I track magic because I believe that the inclusion of magic can change the rate at which technologies grow. Now, take a minute and join Michael and me as we look at the Simple, Succinct Technology Level Method. Enjoy the episode and comment below to tell us what we missed. Podcas

Today's Topic - Fantasy Storytelling and 7 Highly effective combat scene tips As humans, we are always looking to improve ourselves. We go online or read books that will help expand us. As fantasy world builder’s, we also look to do the same for our crafts. Part of that craft is storytelling. We might write, run tabletop games, or create another form of media. However, we need an outlook for our world. We either interact with players or readers through the story to accomplish this. One of the most important ways we interact is fighting scenes. Join Jeffery and Michael as the cover seven habits that are essential to all fighting scenes. Do you follow these habits? From battles to one-on-one combat, do not forget these steps to get the most of your fictional stories. Plus, a bonus story about the first meeting of the Norman war machine and the Turks in Anatolia that could forever change your mental image of knights charging into combat. Enjoy the episode and comment below to tell us a combat scene. Podcast Sho

Today's Topic - Fantasy Storytelling made easy, treat groups of people like a character Relations are at the heart of every… relationship. Yeah, that is a pretty lame line. I cannot help it. I am full of lame lines. With that in mind, let us move forward into relationships. If you are like me, the relationship pattern is one that happens between individuals. We know these types of interactions. They happen to us every day. If we are not caught up in the emotion of the actual relationship, they are easy to see. I think that is why reality television is so popular. It can be entertaining to watch people engage in the same, or hopefully worse, mistakes we have been caught up in with our relations. I do not go for the melodrama of reality television. I am more old school; I watch people in real life, not in reality shows. If I have time where ever I go, I like to watch people interacting. It does not only teach us how individuals treat each other. It does not only give me ideas for scenes I will right out in the

Today's Topic - Don't Let fear stop you from sharing your world Have you ever really wanted something? As you started to move forward, you begin to hear little voices in your head that keep telling you why you will fail. I have heard these voices. As a matter a fact, when you listen to the episode. You will hear Michael support me to sharing the complete message. Why it is important to listen to the voices of fear that run through you head when you are trying to create. Michael and I talk about a quick and easy system to identify, analyze, and find out the real risk of fear. So, check out this episode. It will not only help you when you are world building. It can help you live a richer life. And when your life is better, and you better understand yourself, you will be able to create and share more of you world and stories. Enjoy the episode and comment below to tell me how you overcome your fears. Podcast Show Flow Why is addressing your fear important It Can Kill Your World Before it starts Your world is l

Today's Topic -  Fantasy Tech Level Sword and sorcery sells. Middle-earth might still be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Fantasy worlds.  The first thing we think of with fantasy is Middle Age period western fantasy fiction. However, we need not stop there when creating new worlds.  Especially when we create a framework fantasy world.  When The world the exist it should evolve over time into and possible beyond the Middle Ages. Michael and I will expand on the topic of technology from episode 5. Enjoy the episode and comment below to let me know what tools you use to organize your creativity fantasy worldbuilding. Podcast show notes How to choose your Tech Level Missing Technology? How do the cultures evolve new Technology? What impact will changes in the level have? Will changes affect your story? How should he technology evolve in your world? Magic Vs Technology? Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Today's Topic -  The importance of Color in Fantasy Worldbuilding   Podcast show notes Symbology - Basic to Complex Why is Color important? How is color used when developing a world? How far is the reach of color? Culture, Religion, And State Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com  

Today's Topic -  Let's Build a Solar System for your fantasy world.  Scope Sun(s) Planet and Moon(s) Other visible planets What about comets and other signs in the skies Beyond the Visible night Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Podcast show notes  Notebooks Pen and Paper Graph Paper Cam Scanner Spark Planner Post-it notes brainstorming Plots and Timeline management kaizen board Donuts or Snickers Whiteboard Excel Campaign Cartographer 3 Fractal Terrains 3 Scrivener Wordpress .Com or .Org Google Drive Why I do it all Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Today's Topic - Philosophy culture building in Fantasy Worldbuilding Review of the basics of culture building check out this episode We learn the importance of Exit D Cover Michael's Lack of bullet points on the white board Explanation of Michael's Philosophy-first concept From the Worldbuilder's Level to the Cultures level Cultural philosophical  ideal vs Actual philosophy reality cultural norms Benefits of contradiction Various cultures philosophies discussed ... yep 100s a day Eagle Warriors of the Aztecs and human sacrifice Jeff's view of incorporating themes into stories and worlds Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Today's Topic - Fallout 4 World Review Basics Episode 65: Erratic Explorers visit Earth Alternate Earth Year 2287 in Boston, MA For more check out Wikia Factions Minutemen The Institute Railroad Brotherhood of Steel Places Northern Border  Concord, Ma to Salem, Ma Souther Border Sherbon, Ma to Quincy, Ma I-95 corridor through Boston, Ma Fenway, Northend, Back bay (Missing Hannover Street and Newbury Street) Races Humans Ghouls Super Mutants Synths Why It works Very Immersive In-game Worldbuilding Drama / Humor Tough Choices Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Today's Topic - Language First Culture Create Inspiration - Cwerin and Mystratos Reordering Culture Creation Why I like it? When to avoid it Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

Today's Topic - Goals and Your Word of the Year Vision Goal One Year Five Year Ten Year Goals Move you to vision Personal Business Creative Spiritual Action Items Weekly actions that help achieve your goals Your future should determines your now Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an basic topic Today's Topic - Fantasy Worldbuilding Culture Rebuild Part 2 If you missed part 1 check it out. Religion Local Chief god per tribe World was created in a great flood a god was sacrificed to create humanity Sacrifices to the gods are important Marriage is important ritual any thing unnatural could be supernatural Salvation is like a happy place to fish, farm, and hunt Evil people reincarnate, because this life is hell Water must be processed, normal water can kill Common food and drink Food is lots of vegetable, and sea food. Land meat is supplemental and looked down on. Art, Dress, and music art starts with knot working and geometric shapes. Alphabet is based on blocks from elven language Dress is functional leather and cloth Most colors are based on local plant or earth tones a blue article will be used by the local chief Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an basic topic Today's Topic - Fantasy Worldbuilding Culture Rebuild Shared Experience Village based tribal culture Shared symbolism Color Blue local gods and minor gods for important visible geography Shared Beliefs and Norms Lunar Based Culture Tribal independence Each Tribe has there local chief god Lunar Culture Language Based 0n the Breton Language Words based on blocks Top down writing Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an intermediate topic Today's Topic - Let's Build a Mythology Themes to the stories Reinforce cultural norms Tone Consistent Prose Over the top Epic Elements Covers Cultural Norms Its Fake Follows Cultural Logic Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an basic topic Today's Topic - Let's Build a fantasy Villain Why Cat Mummies were made Increasing invasions Lose of cultural control of Egypt Persia and Commercial Mummies Greece and Govermeny Mummies Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an basic topic Today's Topic - Let's Build a fantasy Villain Types of Villains Reluctant, Psychopath, Sociopath,  Supernatural, Accidental,  Misguided, Fanatic and All in Our's is a Misguided Fanatic Purpose  - Protect family from Prince Hogar's family Motivation - fear of family losing wealth and good name Perspective - From the noble class of Baurhdrakkas Attributes and Traits CW Princess Young Adult Naive Social Thief Askerii Agent Hand Maiden is only real friend Quirks Hair Twirler Spitefully Fake Big Actions (Larger than life) TBD in a future story Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com

The Rating: This is an basic topic Today's Topic - Say hello to our newest Fantasy Hero,  Ammalheim Ammalheim, but you can call her Amm or  Ammalheim A Reluctant hero Purpose  - Prevent a war between Prince Hogar and his son Motivation - Love for family and community Perspective - From the peasant class of Baurhdrakkas Attributes and Traits Thief-like with some basic magic skills Average Looking Smart and Physically strong Loved by community Quirks 1st Born child Distrust all nobles Ordered preparation Focused Staring Big Actions (Larger than life) TBD in a future story Please Subscribe, Rate and Review us in iTunes For complete Fantasy Worldbuilding show notes go to Gardul.com