WorldEmber 2024

"I pledge to write 10,000 words for WorldEmber 2024, or to have fun trying!"

— My actual pledge

It feels like only yesterday was the previous WorldEmber challenge, but so much has happened since then! Last year, I got to 10k words, and this year, my plan is to do the same. I will not have as much time as last year, because December coincides with coursework deadlines and exam revision.
But I do not want to miss out on WorldEmber this year, and the community hype truly is infectious! So I will take part but take it slow, as per my actual pledge above. WorldEmber is meant to be a fun event, not something to entertain the brain goblins with! So having fun is what I'll do!

Week 1

Dankar

My main focus for WorldEmber will be Dankar. When I started the Spooktober challenge, I told myself I'd use the challenges to flesh out the Old World, while writing about the other continents outside any challenges. I will focus on the Shattered Lands, the Floating Isles, and some regions around the continent, like the Underseas.

Nonagarn

I also want to try something new this year, and work on two worlds at once for WorldEmber! Nonagarn was my first world, but one I haven't properly updated in a while. Around the start of 2023, I realised I didn't like the direction I was going in for that world and I lost the motivation to continue writing in it.
But the motivation is back and I plan to utilise it! For WorldEmber, I plan on adding new planets to the Galaxy and expanding on the powers that link them all! Some locations, species and people will be changed because I want to take this world in a new direction. But the core concept will remain the same, which is essentially about alien refugees adapting to a new world! Have a peek here!

World Meta

I have already updated my world meta for Dankar, but I rarely use it. It's good to see if I've kept my focus on things, and also to reflect the current state of the world. But it's very helpful when I need to look at it again.
As mentioned above, Nonagarn is undergoing some changes and so the current meta will not be accurate. I want to start anew, without getting rid of all the old articles, but many locations, plot points and characters will be changed over time. When I have this all figured out, I will be sure to update the meta!

Week 2

Homepage

My homepage for both my worlds is a bit bland for now, as its just a bunch of text. The next part of this homework, the primer, might make the homepage a bit more interesting. I like Dankar's elevator pitch, but I'll need to edit Nonagarn's pitch to condense it while still making it interesting for new readers to read.

Primers

I've been avoiding writing primers for quite some time now, because I'm not that good at introductions or condensing information. But, I have created part of a primer for Dankar, that I will hopefully finish by the end of the month! I will link it here and add it to my homepage.
For Nonagarn, I don't think I will make a primer just yet! Although my world is big, a lot is changing. I'll most likely make a primer in January or February once I've fleshed out the Galaxy a bit more.

Community Tools

Dankar

I have considered creating subscriber groups for Dankar, but I realised there isn't enough written on WA for me to make them. I considered writing about the world in different perspectives, and using subscriber groups to direct people. But until I create at least the core articles for Dankar, I will keep this idea on hold.

Nonagarn

I have many ideas for community tools, but again, they will have to wait until after WorldEmber so I can see how best to layout my world! I might do something similar to what I was thinking for Dankar, but we'll have to see at the end of December!

CSS

I'm not planning on tweaking my CSS for either Dankar or Nonagarn, simply because I don't have the time. I wanted to make a mini-theme for all Old World articles, but I don't have a theme yet for it since I don't know what the climate will be for that continent. There are different subregions, and I might end up making themes for each subregion instead. But I don't have any plans to do so now, so they'll remain as they are now!

Week 3

Media Inspiration

While I am an avid reader and I have a long watch list of shows, movies and animes, unfortunately I will not have much time to do any of those activities. I am also an avid daydreamer, and any scene from anywhere can get my brain running with ideas.

Writing Playlist

I have a playlist for both my worlds to pin down the general tone I wanted for them both. My playlist for Dankar is already 10 hours long, and constantly being added to, while my Nonagarn playlist is still in its early days. I have also started making a playlist specifically for the Old World, which should help keep me focused during WE. Very occasionally, I will make a small song that is inspired by an aspect of my worlds and also to find a theme for that aspect. Whenever I am writing, or I need to think of a certain place, music helps me focus and find that tone.

Week 4

Community

I have been trying to be more active on the WA Discord over the past few months, and I've really enjoyed talking on it, especially in the challenges channel! I am not one to chat a lot, but the community is very friendly and its just fun to hang out around.

Writing Schedule

Next month is exam season and I'll be busy revising and catching up on my lectures. My plan is essentially to write when I am free or whenever I can! I probably won't write super-long articles, but instead make a number of short ones during December.

Fresh Air

My daily commute to and from university gives me plenty of fresh air, and is also a way for me to wind down after a long day. I also take alternate routes to relax and refresh my mind. The other benefit is that I get ideas for my worlds and characters along the way too!

Inspiring Worlds

There are way too many to list here, but here are just a few of the ones which inspire my worlds!

Past WorldEmbers