I started compiling such a list several weeks ago! I need to finish. It was really motivating to go back in my archives and see just how many words I had cranked out at age 14, 15, or 16 on various projects (even if they were never completed).
I am way too disorganized to keep numbers like that, but I just did the math, and I have written and published nearly 6 million words. Then my younger self used to write by hand, so all my old, faded notebooks surely add up to a few hundred thousand more. I had no idea. And yes, practice is the best way to improve. Even if you don't edit or fix what you write, just putting words on paper over and over is so helpful. You'll have to let us know when you get that first million! That's a great goal.
This is an awesome idea! It would help me in knowing that I’ve accomplished and accomplishing something in my career as a writer. This will display to me that my efforts and determination are not in vain. Thanks again.
I thought I was already subscribed 😅 seems like I've missed a few things since "What Has To Be Left Behind".
I have a hard time trying not to review EVERY.SINGLE.WORD I write and forget about the chapters. Since you know a lot about writing fantasy: any tips for worldbuilding? I have no idea where to start, and it seems like my creative powers are forever on summer vacation 🙄
Alright! What a great question! Thank you for it! I've been working through it and I'm ready to get back to you! If I haven't already mentioned this, I really love questions because they really help me write post-sized responses!
My tips:
1. --- Name the places early. If the places don't name a name, the place will never become something to you. Give them the most ridiculous names if you have to. Make it super technical, "North America," "The Great Lakes," "The Gulf of Mexico" "The Sahara desert" (which means desert desert if you translate it). It is important to really give character and memorability to your places before you find that perfect fancy name. I have the names "Land of Ropes," "Centermap," "Cold Sea," and "Shepland." Those names help me to solidify those places in my mind. Maybe those names will change, but they're placeholders at the moment so that the places can start to develop.
"Kingsholds," "Brierwood," "Westmount," ---the amount of silly little technical names that there is out there is incredible. Just take hold of them!
2. --- Make sure that the scope of your world matches the size of your story. I've been talking a lot about my current world, and I could spend hours talking about it, but I had to write a lot of words to get to that point. My other stories had tiny maps---tiny worlds. But this one required me to spread out a little bit and make a bigger world.
3. --- Create a map as your story develops. I've by no means settled on my current one, but I consult what I do have frequently.
4. --- Create characters from all across the map. This helps to develop each of those places that you've already decided on. Judson is from upper Dria. Deather is from outside of Breakwater. Dren's Katra lives on the Golden Cliffs on the Gilded Sea. Zaita is from Refkex. Dera is from the Yellen.
Develop the world and the story simultaneously and the world will grow very naturally. Once you have something to start you off with, you can start the map. You may need to fill it in with new ideas. (so yes, there are places that have to be put on the map that you haven't explored through a character yet)
Ways to develop your map.
a. --- associate it with another place that is real. England. Thailand. Australia. (if you're worried it's too similar to that place, just tweak things when you get there)
b. --- Go through your saved pictures. I don't know if you do this, but I clip pictures that inspire me and they all go into a file on my computer. This is especially helpful when you're googling castles and fortresses for ideas already anyway. Maybe that's what Pinterest is. IDEK.
c. --- Close your eyes and listen to music. Your mind has creativity trapped up inside of it. When you listen to the product of someone else's creativity and think about your world, it may help to develop your own. Listening to music with your eyes closed promotes a lot of brain activity, I think.
Start small. Expand outward. Trust your intuition.
I can't even find words to express how grateful I am. You took my question so seriously! You wrote so many details that you could easily copy and paste it and use it for your next post... I don't know, I'm a little delusional.
I'm glad my question was helpful, it feels good to help instead of just expecting things from others without giving anything in return. I've thought a lot and I think I'll read all your old posts when I have time so I don't ask unnecessary questions. Thanks again!
P.S. I loved that you suggested listening to music with your eyes closed, it's something I love to do but hadn't thought about using it as a writing tool. I'm definitely going to put it into practice.
I started compiling such a list several weeks ago! I need to finish. It was really motivating to go back in my archives and see just how many words I had cranked out at age 14, 15, or 16 on various projects (even if they were never completed).
I am way too disorganized to keep numbers like that, but I just did the math, and I have written and published nearly 6 million words. Then my younger self used to write by hand, so all my old, faded notebooks surely add up to a few hundred thousand more. I had no idea. And yes, practice is the best way to improve. Even if you don't edit or fix what you write, just putting words on paper over and over is so helpful. You'll have to let us know when you get that first million! That's a great goal.
This is an awesome idea! It would help me in knowing that I’ve accomplished and accomplishing something in my career as a writer. This will display to me that my efforts and determination are not in vain. Thanks again.
Sure!! I'm glad it was helpful!
I thought I was already subscribed 😅 seems like I've missed a few things since "What Has To Be Left Behind".
I have a hard time trying not to review EVERY.SINGLE.WORD I write and forget about the chapters. Since you know a lot about writing fantasy: any tips for worldbuilding? I have no idea where to start, and it seems like my creative powers are forever on summer vacation 🙄
Alright! What a great question! Thank you for it! I've been working through it and I'm ready to get back to you! If I haven't already mentioned this, I really love questions because they really help me write post-sized responses!
My tips:
1. --- Name the places early. If the places don't name a name, the place will never become something to you. Give them the most ridiculous names if you have to. Make it super technical, "North America," "The Great Lakes," "The Gulf of Mexico" "The Sahara desert" (which means desert desert if you translate it). It is important to really give character and memorability to your places before you find that perfect fancy name. I have the names "Land of Ropes," "Centermap," "Cold Sea," and "Shepland." Those names help me to solidify those places in my mind. Maybe those names will change, but they're placeholders at the moment so that the places can start to develop.
"Kingsholds," "Brierwood," "Westmount," ---the amount of silly little technical names that there is out there is incredible. Just take hold of them!
2. --- Make sure that the scope of your world matches the size of your story. I've been talking a lot about my current world, and I could spend hours talking about it, but I had to write a lot of words to get to that point. My other stories had tiny maps---tiny worlds. But this one required me to spread out a little bit and make a bigger world.
3. --- Create a map as your story develops. I've by no means settled on my current one, but I consult what I do have frequently.
4. --- Create characters from all across the map. This helps to develop each of those places that you've already decided on. Judson is from upper Dria. Deather is from outside of Breakwater. Dren's Katra lives on the Golden Cliffs on the Gilded Sea. Zaita is from Refkex. Dera is from the Yellen.
Develop the world and the story simultaneously and the world will grow very naturally. Once you have something to start you off with, you can start the map. You may need to fill it in with new ideas. (so yes, there are places that have to be put on the map that you haven't explored through a character yet)
Ways to develop your map.
a. --- associate it with another place that is real. England. Thailand. Australia. (if you're worried it's too similar to that place, just tweak things when you get there)
b. --- Go through your saved pictures. I don't know if you do this, but I clip pictures that inspire me and they all go into a file on my computer. This is especially helpful when you're googling castles and fortresses for ideas already anyway. Maybe that's what Pinterest is. IDEK.
c. --- Close your eyes and listen to music. Your mind has creativity trapped up inside of it. When you listen to the product of someone else's creativity and think about your world, it may help to develop your own. Listening to music with your eyes closed promotes a lot of brain activity, I think.
Start small. Expand outward. Trust your intuition.
I can't even find words to express how grateful I am. You took my question so seriously! You wrote so many details that you could easily copy and paste it and use it for your next post... I don't know, I'm a little delusional.
I'm glad my question was helpful, it feels good to help instead of just expecting things from others without giving anything in return. I've thought a lot and I think I'll read all your old posts when I have time so I don't ask unnecessary questions. Thanks again!
P.S. I loved that you suggested listening to music with your eyes closed, it's something I love to do but hadn't thought about using it as a writing tool. I'm definitely going to put it into practice.
Awww I'm glad you liked it. It's really fun for me to dig into these things. 😊
Well, keep having fun! Don't lose the spark ;)
(And thanks again)