NYRs: Setting the Stage for 2025

I struggle with Resolutions.
This is in part because I set high standards for myself. I don't feel that I have any value unless I am exceeding. But once I have exceeded something, I then have to aim even higher to exceed again. It becomes something of a self-destructive cycle, and having spent more than half my life suffering from depression and anxiety, I tend to avoid placing myself in a situation where I could fall into that hole again.
However, I decided that I would at least give this NYR challenge something of a try. Mainly because I wanted to open out the section on Reading Ten Articles to those folks with fewer followers than they would like, or articles with fewer comments than the author would like. I want to be helpful to the community, if nothing else. I don't share my work so much, but if I can be of service to someone, then I feel I have achieved something.
I'm not going fancy with my layout with this, so I hope you forgive me!

The Ten Articles

By CoolG

• Andrea Brianna Brown
• Palepellis

By Jeffrey Lebowski

• The Fissures
• Emberleaf Fern

By Leijona

• Augalai

By Imagica

• Dreamcrest Weaving

By Catoblepon

• Wake Up!

By Rumengol

• Take An Impossible Stroll: Walk the Streets of Myrelid

By anc789sims

• Fire Magic

By Demongrey

• Tree Octopus

My comments should be clearly visible at the bottom. Honestly, I didn't have a lot of criticism on most of the writing, aside from some spelling/grammar stuff and what I thought should be included. I wasn't sure whether I should comment on layouts or not, because I have been using a variety of different browsers so they show up differently on each devide I use, so I mostly didn't bother.

What I Have Learned

It's All In The Details

First off, I have only reiterated to myself that I am blown away by minute details. I love the small things that seem pointless but give things flavour and character. Like someone's favourite colour of underpants, or the best treats to use for taming a particular critter.

Layout Is Key

Second, I have discovered that readability (for me at least) is also tied to layout. I struggled to read articles with large swathes of text within columns with no clear indication of where the reading direction was. I also found some of the more elaborate and complex layouts and designs to be incredibly distracting; this is likely a me thing, and no reflection on the author, but I know that if I can't read something, then the majority of my players won't be able to either (many have what we refer to as "'Tisms").

Don't Be Shy About Subverting the Norms

I very much enjoy subverting expectations in my games and novels - things aren't always what you expect them to be. And seeing that in others' work makes me more confident that it's not a bad thing to be doing! I have always been hesitant about publishing anything that veers too far from tropes, etc, but now I feel more inclined to do so!

Going Forward

1. I have a number of articles on my To-Do list that I intend to get written up this year. This includes those that I wasn't able to do for WorldEmber, and a number of new ones that have popped into my ever-busy brain.
2. I have joined Blue Fairy 74's challenge, so have a few bits to compete in that. As I have a year to do them, it should be simple enough to finish this task!
3. I'm going to try to include more of my own artwork, maps, etc within my articles. I have always been reticent to include them, because I feel anxious about doing so. However, I need to learn to be better at expressing myself and my work, so showing off what I have created is the best way to do this.
4. I need to finish the map of Fuldair, and upload it to WA. I also need to work on Sempervirentis and Muriedge. Mainly because those are the three places that have been key in my games so far. Sadly, as I do them by hand, they take a LONG time. We shall aim to finish Fuldair, and see how things go.

New for 2025

Some of you may know that I have been part of an Actual Play on Twitch for around three years now, Homebrew Havoc. Last year, our second season was unceremoniously cut short by the dreaded "Scheduling", and we ended up playing in a sidequest for the latter part of 2024. This was run by LollyBeau and now, in 2025, she is taking over full time as the new GM of Homebrew Havoc!
Tales from Tordronnen, our revamped second season, started last week (January 23rd) on Twitch, and I decided to use World Anvil to chart the progress, thoughts and feelings of my character. For this, I have created a brand new world, where you can follow my character's exploits from their perspective.

Additionally, I did the character art and the website design for this show, so I'm excited to see what people think! Cell-Shading is not my usual style, but it was interesting to try and express things in a new way. I'm currently working on some "fan art" (is it fan art if the official artist does it??) in my regular styles just for fun, but we shall see what happens with those!
Thank you for reading!