So it's been well over a year since my Return of the Dragonslayer hiatus began. Lots has happened since then! For starters I finally figured out WHY I was having so much trouble with the story. And of course the solution was severly overhaul the first three chapters, so it's going to be a while since I return to it. A few months ago I started a secret writing project that's sort of stuck in the editing phase right now, but I'm pretty excited about it. I'll talk more about those later on~
The biggest thing to happen is my daughter was born a few months ago. Though it has been a reduction in my creativity time I wouldn't trade it for anything. She's so amazing! Also related to that we recently upgraded from our 1 bedroom apartment to a house, so we've been doubly extra busy with that. But I get the basement~ Soon it shall be my Otaku gaming/writing/hiding from girls Dungeon! So excited!
So if I haven't been writing either of those stories what HAVE I been working on? A collaboration with one of my friends. We have an idea for a Smartphone game, and if you know me at all you'd know I've always wanted to design a game. So now I am.
And it sucks. Enjoyable, but it's terrible. All you do is write everything about the game in explicit detail, and codifying what you can to make it easier for the programmer to do their job. But it's a necessary evil! And I'm feeling so hot blooded about this project that it's worth it. So gather 'round and I'll tell you about it!
Demongate: Lord of Heroes
So this idea was a bit of a take on my old boardgame idea, focussing on the player being a commander of troops and sending them on missions against the demon invasion, and leading them into battle.
Of course it's heavily simplified. It's no longer like some sort of combination of a heaviky strategic deck building/Risk
game. As opposed to heroes/demons clashing in battles for territory it's now more tactically selecting heroes and sending them on quests to gradually reclaim the world.
At it's core the game is you can form up to X parties of heroes, send them on various quests and check back after Y time elapses and they finish their quests to send them out again. How will this differ from other Smartphone 'time wasters'? Well this is where my writing comes in...
I want to give the game not only a really solid overall storyline, but also a large number of side quests/stories that follow the exploits of big name heroes, like Deflorin, Rathus and Tristessa, as they fight against the demons. With this I can essentially tap into the massive number of characters and stories for Demongate that I've created/written/thought of over the years and deliver them in a bitesize format. Keeping the game simple is the main thing though. I'm hoping that by combining the generic time-waster formula with hero/card collecting and turning it more or less into a visual movel of sorts I stumble on some kind of super winning formula that'll make me a gorillion dollars because of in app purchases.
Who knows.
More as the game developpes. And yes, I'm going to be TRYING to update this somewhat regularly. Who knows how that'll go though.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Relighting the fire
So~
It's been about 4 months since I've lost my drive to write. T'was a few weeks ago, near the anniversary of Return of the Dragonslayer's inception, that I'd officially determined that I was done with writing for the moment.
Of course that just meant putting down the pen and taking up a keyboard, as I've somehow determined that re-learning how to program and making a game would be more lucrative. Who knows how that'll go.
So for all intents and purposes this isn't so much a writing blog anymore as it's a game/idea developpement blog. Not that a title makes a difference. But in the coming days I'll update parts of it and start posting about my progress with coding.
orz it's going to be tough.
It's been about 4 months since I've lost my drive to write. T'was a few weeks ago, near the anniversary of Return of the Dragonslayer's inception, that I'd officially determined that I was done with writing for the moment.
Of course that just meant putting down the pen and taking up a keyboard, as I've somehow determined that re-learning how to program and making a game would be more lucrative. Who knows how that'll go.
So for all intents and purposes this isn't so much a writing blog anymore as it's a game/idea developpement blog. Not that a title makes a difference. But in the coming days I'll update parts of it and start posting about my progress with coding.
orz it's going to be tough.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
A lack of typelust
So it's been over a month since I've updated. I was actually making decent progress through most of June until a combination of being busy and being stuck ground my writing to a screeching halt a few weeks ago. I feel like I'd had a similar issue back when I forced myself to write and pushed out something I was unhappy with and unable to work from. I fixed that rather promptly by just deleting the bad stuff and starting anew.
This time though it's different. Everything was going nice and smoothly, everything was coming together well and then it just stopped. I felt like the direction I was going was utterly wrong, despite it being what I had originally planned and needed to happen to progress the story. If the scene were any less important I'd scrap it completely and be done with it, but alas it's like one of the first big plot points.
So I'm thinking I'll judt reset the scene and try it again. That's my last resort.
The other thing I was thinking of trying was making the story from the perspective of multiple characters and not just Deflorin. I don't know how well this works though... I haven't read too many stories done that way. A Song of Fire and Ice does it pretty well, and I remember Gotrek and Felix did it but I wasn't a fan of it. If I did it it'd still be like 65% 'Florin, 35% others, and only really when I feel a scene could be convened better from another perspective. Well that and it'd give you more insight into some characters/give important plot info without letting Deflorin know it. It feels like it would need to be done somewhat sparingly to not be all over the place, but if you don't do it a lot what's the point? Plus I'd need to go back and re-write a couple of scenes that I was kinda iffy about to make them from a different POV and improve them.
Anyone have oppinions/insight about this? I'm genuinely stumped.
This time though it's different. Everything was going nice and smoothly, everything was coming together well and then it just stopped. I felt like the direction I was going was utterly wrong, despite it being what I had originally planned and needed to happen to progress the story. If the scene were any less important I'd scrap it completely and be done with it, but alas it's like one of the first big plot points.
So I'm thinking I'll judt reset the scene and try it again. That's my last resort.
The other thing I was thinking of trying was making the story from the perspective of multiple characters and not just Deflorin. I don't know how well this works though... I haven't read too many stories done that way. A Song of Fire and Ice does it pretty well, and I remember Gotrek and Felix did it but I wasn't a fan of it. If I did it it'd still be like 65% 'Florin, 35% others, and only really when I feel a scene could be convened better from another perspective. Well that and it'd give you more insight into some characters/give important plot info without letting Deflorin know it. It feels like it would need to be done somewhat sparingly to not be all over the place, but if you don't do it a lot what's the point? Plus I'd need to go back and re-write a couple of scenes that I was kinda iffy about to make them from a different POV and improve them.
Anyone have oppinions/insight about this? I'm genuinely stumped.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Chapter 2 complete!
Ahhh~ After so long Chapter 2is finally complete. It feels so... liberating. I feel like I'm on a victory rush right now. Getting this laptop to dedicate to writing alone has been the single greatest thing I've done for this. Honestly. I've managed to put out almost 3000 words the past 3 days alone, and this is mostly while on the way to work/at work/on my way home. Like... I never knew I could be so productive.
I know before I said I would probably rework my story outline at this point, but I feel like I have enough direction for the next chapter or two that I shouldn't put off continuing when I feel my creative juices overflowing.
Lanouette, I can't thank you enough for this greatness you've bestowed upon me!
Chapter Count: 2/?
Word Count: 21558/120000
To celebrate here's an bit of conversation between Deflorin and her best friend, Setangha.
"Well, your whole plan is based on the sole fact that this Bartalomew guy is being honest with you. He could just be feeding us false information. He IS a bandit after all."
"I doubt it Seta, considering what I offered him for the info."
"What did you do now?" she sighed and took in a long drink of her stein.
"Well... we kind of need to stop by the stockades on our way out tonight..." I looked down and muttered as quickly and quietly as I could, "and break him out of there."
A spray of ale and coughing filled the air between us. I wiped the residue from my face with the bottom of my skirt.
"We have to what? Are you mad? Why would you even do that!" she yelled between gasps of air. Her face was a light hue of pink rage. She was one of those girls who was quite cute when she was angry, not that I liked making her that way.
"He seems like a decent enough guy, and I quite doubt that he's a legit bandit."
"Hello Deflorin! He's been hanging out with a bunch of brigands and harassing innocent villagers for the past month, doing nothing but causing us poor townsfolk nothing but trouble. Why could you possibly think he's any different?"
"He's quite well groomed and decent looking"
She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and sat back, "So he's attractive? Great reasoning there."
"Yeah but most bandits aren't. They're vile, rank, ugly men who are usually creepy and have their clothing tatters. If Bart's an actual bandit then he's by far the best dressed and smelling bandit I've ever met. King of the bandits even! I honestly think he's just some kind of mercenary who was down on his luck and took an easy, incredibly well paying job that came his way."
Setangha rolled her eyes quite visibly at my argument, "Because that's much better than a bandit."
"I'm also pretty sure he's married. Ever met a married bandit before?" I pleaded with her, pushing aside my building annoyance.
"Married?" she sighed and shook her head, "Of course in a situation like interrogation you'd notice something like that."
"All I'm saying is the only jewelry he was wearing was a relatively simple looking wedding band on his ring finger. Plus when I hit on him he didn't seem interested."
Setangha just stared at me now like she couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. She took her time musing her next response, seemingly in deep thought until she finally answered me, "Just because someone isn't interested in you doesn't mean he's married."
She yelped suddenly when my leg kicked out under the table at her.
"Ok, ok I'm sorry! Jeez..." she lamented as she rubbed her wound. "Even you have to admit though, your arguments really aren't that persuasive."
I know before I said I would probably rework my story outline at this point, but I feel like I have enough direction for the next chapter or two that I shouldn't put off continuing when I feel my creative juices overflowing.
Lanouette, I can't thank you enough for this greatness you've bestowed upon me!
Chapter Count: 2/?
Word Count: 21558/120000
To celebrate here's an bit of conversation between Deflorin and her best friend, Setangha.
"Well, your whole plan is based on the sole fact that this Bartalomew guy is being honest with you. He could just be feeding us false information. He IS a bandit after all."
"I doubt it Seta, considering what I offered him for the info."
"What did you do now?" she sighed and took in a long drink of her stein.
"Well... we kind of need to stop by the stockades on our way out tonight..." I looked down and muttered as quickly and quietly as I could, "and break him out of there."
A spray of ale and coughing filled the air between us. I wiped the residue from my face with the bottom of my skirt.
"We have to what? Are you mad? Why would you even do that!" she yelled between gasps of air. Her face was a light hue of pink rage. She was one of those girls who was quite cute when she was angry, not that I liked making her that way.
"He seems like a decent enough guy, and I quite doubt that he's a legit bandit."
"Hello Deflorin! He's been hanging out with a bunch of brigands and harassing innocent villagers for the past month, doing nothing but causing us poor townsfolk nothing but trouble. Why could you possibly think he's any different?"
"He's quite well groomed and decent looking"
She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and sat back, "So he's attractive? Great reasoning there."
"Yeah but most bandits aren't. They're vile, rank, ugly men who are usually creepy and have their clothing tatters. If Bart's an actual bandit then he's by far the best dressed and smelling bandit I've ever met. King of the bandits even! I honestly think he's just some kind of mercenary who was down on his luck and took an easy, incredibly well paying job that came his way."
Setangha rolled her eyes quite visibly at my argument, "Because that's much better than a bandit."
"I'm also pretty sure he's married. Ever met a married bandit before?" I pleaded with her, pushing aside my building annoyance.
"Married?" she sighed and shook her head, "Of course in a situation like interrogation you'd notice something like that."
"All I'm saying is the only jewelry he was wearing was a relatively simple looking wedding band on his ring finger. Plus when I hit on him he didn't seem interested."
Setangha just stared at me now like she couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. She took her time musing her next response, seemingly in deep thought until she finally answered me, "Just because someone isn't interested in you doesn't mean he's married."
She yelped suddenly when my leg kicked out under the table at her.
"Ok, ok I'm sorry! Jeez..." she lamented as she rubbed her wound. "Even you have to admit though, your arguments really aren't that persuasive."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Interesting times & new directions
So the past few weeks have been an odd sort, ranging from productive to downright now that great. Had surgery on the 20th which wasn't so bad. Then there was visit to the ER because of problems related to said surgery which sucked. Much progress has been made since I last posted!
Chapter 2 is almost wrapped up and though I need to re-work the current conversation a bit it's coming along quite well. I'm excited because after this is an action scene and it's been quite a while since I've been able to do one (they're probably my best works). I also sort of fixed my own issue with having so much written out of my word goal total and feeling like I haven't made much progress on my overall story. I've decided in the interest of keeping the story simple to split up its current incarnation into two shorter novels with a shared overall plot, yet also having their own self-contained storylines. I feel that this way I'm able to convey the story without feeling either rushed because I had to cram everything into a small book or feel like I'm pushing the limits of possibly having it drawn out by having the story be so long. I think it's a happy compromise and feel like it's going to work really well and let me focus more.
I also yesterday received the laptop from my friend! I'm still so excited about it. I've pretty much gotten her set up at this point how I need it for writing. No Internet? Check. yWriter? Check. Automatic background changing program? Check! I still need to install a dictionary/thesaurus on it as well as grab copies of my Google doc works and put them on her, but the basics are there. I even got to take her out for a writing session today with the missus at Second Cup. I'll admit, I felt like a bit of a hipster being there writing while my wife read. It was so productive though, just as planned. Now for the big test tomorrow on the way to/at/on the way home from work. I'm thinking it's going to be awesome.
I am thinking once chapter 2 is officially done I'll re-work my story outline to better fit the new direction. But that's just me getting ahead of myself. Here's to a more productive, laptop writing future!
Now to just figure out what I'll name her...
Word count: 19586/120000 - 16.3%
Chapter 2 is almost wrapped up and though I need to re-work the current conversation a bit it's coming along quite well. I'm excited because after this is an action scene and it's been quite a while since I've been able to do one (they're probably my best works). I also sort of fixed my own issue with having so much written out of my word goal total and feeling like I haven't made much progress on my overall story. I've decided in the interest of keeping the story simple to split up its current incarnation into two shorter novels with a shared overall plot, yet also having their own self-contained storylines. I feel that this way I'm able to convey the story without feeling either rushed because I had to cram everything into a small book or feel like I'm pushing the limits of possibly having it drawn out by having the story be so long. I think it's a happy compromise and feel like it's going to work really well and let me focus more.
I also yesterday received the laptop from my friend! I'm still so excited about it. I've pretty much gotten her set up at this point how I need it for writing. No Internet? Check. yWriter? Check. Automatic background changing program? Check! I still need to install a dictionary/thesaurus on it as well as grab copies of my Google doc works and put them on her, but the basics are there. I even got to take her out for a writing session today with the missus at Second Cup. I'll admit, I felt like a bit of a hipster being there writing while my wife read. It was so productive though, just as planned. Now for the big test tomorrow on the way to/at/on the way home from work. I'm thinking it's going to be awesome.
I am thinking once chapter 2 is officially done I'll re-work my story outline to better fit the new direction. But that's just me getting ahead of myself. Here's to a more productive, laptop writing future!
Now to just figure out what I'll name her...
Word count: 19586/120000 - 16.3%
Sunday, May 15, 2011
... and scene!
17844/150000
Scene 2 of 3 1/2 for chapter 2 is complete, and it went incredibly well. Once I got the bandit character issue sorted out everything fell into place like a well played game of Tetris. It's sort of becoming intimidating though, because I'm pretty sure the last bits of this chapter are going to put me well above my chapter word goal of 10k per chapter. I'm not even really sure what that means, if anything. I know I've heard around that a lot of publishers tend to only look for 120-150kish words from a new writer, but I need to look into the whole thing more.
I think I'm probably just over thinking things and I'll be totally fine. Maybe rework my story outline? Best bet would probably be to get into some writing communities and find out whats what from them.
Definitely sounds like I've got a goal for the week!
Scene 2 of 3 1/2 for chapter 2 is complete, and it went incredibly well. Once I got the bandit character issue sorted out everything fell into place like a well played game of Tetris. It's sort of becoming intimidating though, because I'm pretty sure the last bits of this chapter are going to put me well above my chapter word goal of 10k per chapter. I'm not even really sure what that means, if anything. I know I've heard around that a lot of publishers tend to only look for 120-150kish words from a new writer, but I need to look into the whole thing more.
I think I'm probably just over thinking things and I'll be totally fine. Maybe rework my story outline? Best bet would probably be to get into some writing communities and find out whats what from them.
Definitely sounds like I've got a goal for the week!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tally and things
17237/150000 as of waking this morning.
Not bad considering I only just started up again yesterday. Would be more if this scene wasn't such a pain. I'm pretty sure I'm on my third try at it and it still needs... something. I've got a decent enough framework but now need to reinforce it. I really don't know how within (or without) the bounds of my 'make a note and fix it up later' editing strategy. It's not like days after I'm thinking I need to go back and rewrite a whole scene. Just parts of what I'm writing at the moment, so I think I'm ok.
I'm still sorta baffled by how minor, nameless character has become a somewhat important named person who'll most likely be a recurring character later on, if not in RotDS then at least in another Demongate adventure. I think I have my wife to thank for that and not in a sarcastic way! She really gives me good ideas/advice/guidance for my writing sometimes.
Off to get more done now~
Not bad considering I only just started up again yesterday. Would be more if this scene wasn't such a pain. I'm pretty sure I'm on my third try at it and it still needs... something. I've got a decent enough framework but now need to reinforce it. I really don't know how within (or without) the bounds of my 'make a note and fix it up later' editing strategy. It's not like days after I'm thinking I need to go back and rewrite a whole scene. Just parts of what I'm writing at the moment, so I think I'm ok.
I'm still sorta baffled by how minor, nameless character has become a somewhat important named person who'll most likely be a recurring character later on, if not in RotDS then at least in another Demongate adventure. I think I have my wife to thank for that and not in a sarcastic way! She really gives me good ideas/advice/guidance for my writing sometimes.
Off to get more done now~
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