'22 WA Reading Challenge

Introduction

Last year, I fell in love with the community of World Anvil when Dimi challenged us to read articles by creators we hadn't read before during a WorldEmber stream. I was so new to the community then, and participating in that simple, spur of the moment challenge introduced me to many folx that I am now proud to consider dear friends. This year, I was beyond excited to see an official reading challenge presented. I am consistently stunned by the creativity and brilliant work of this community, and love having a place I can always turn when I need some inspiration. While I don't have much free time at the moment, and couldn't set aside time for as many articles as I would have liked, below you will find 10 outstanding articles, complete with what I took away from them.

The Articles

Everything Ever Produced | ECCBooks

First up, we have this marvelous technology from ECCBooks. Chris was one of my first supporters on WA, and I count myself quite lucky for that. His world is always good for a laugh and a kick in the creativity, and this article fully fits that bill. For this challenge, I wanted to focus on categories that I haven't explored much in the world of Outspoken. Technology is a category I struggle greatly with, and this article is an excellent reminder not to take myself too seriously. It's my world. I'm allowed to have some fun with it.

Courdonne | nnie

Next, we have a short and sweet organization article from nnie, introducing us to the interesting and intricate Court of Courdonne. While there is some room for expansion, and I hope there will be some tradition articles born from it, I really loved this article. Introducing a monarchy system like this can be daunting for both creator and reader, but this article managed to get the job done without overwhelming the reader with text. There's enough that I have a basic understanding of the court and its rules, and there are some really delightful bits that got me excited. (And if you haven't yet, make sure you check out nnie's stunning Cosmology article!)

This year, I plan to work on some kingdom introduction articles that I have been avoiding, because they seemed too big and important to touch. This article helped me start tearing down that blockage with a reminder that you don't have to knock it all out at once -- just focus on the important stuff, the stuff that excites you now, and let the rest develop over time. It's okay to work with what you have right now. If you leave the reader wanting more, there are always depths you can flesh out later, or even in another article, that will be exciting to work on when you're in the mood.

The Book of the Habits and Beasts | Naelin

I can't lie, I've been a fan of Symbols of Power from the first article I read. Naelin writes with such sincerity, I always feel warm and reflective when I've finished reading an article. This style works particularly well here. Where so many meta articles lean toward the funny and sarcastic, or the altogether surreal, this one manages to fit right in with the rest of the world. The concept is clever, the execution flawless.

Documents are another category I struggle with, but they can add such a layer of depth to your world building. This is an article I'll definitely look back to for inspiration the next time I'm approaching one, or any meta concept in my worlds. Recognizing the power of staying true to your world's tone is an important lesson for any world builder, and this article was a great reminder to stay true to the heart of my work.

Soulfood | Theiket

In this article, Theiket masterfully weaves a wholesome, touching article from a quasi-joke prompt. I've always had a soft spot for magicks that take what we know and twist it just slightly, but this one hit different. For many years, I worked as a professional cook and soul food restaurant manager, and I still find great joy in cooking up delicious meals and desserts for my friends. (Pancakes are a love language, okay?) I've always felt like the secret ingredient is the love soul food is made with, and the idea of joining a little bit of your soul with confectionary creations just sits right with me.

Another thing I want to challenge myself with this year is working with prompts more regularly. They're a great way to stretch yourself as a writer, especially for someone like me that is easing my way back into a daily habit. This article was a great example of a touching concept born from a funny prompt, and has inspired me to look at fun ways prompts can be manipulated to fit into your world.

Shane's Office | SolarCat02

Solar's work always hits me in the feels, and this article is no different. I was struck by how much emotion Solar was able to convey in describing a simple broom-closet-turned-office, and of course I always love any mention of Shane and Jake. (If you haven't looked into Solar's stories featuring these characters, what are you even doing here? Go! Read!)

Locations like this are another area I struggle with. World builder's disease is a very real challenge for me, and the way I've learned to avoid it is by ensuring that everything I create is based in storytelling. However, that often leaves me at a loss when it comes time to describe locations that are important to the world, but not exactly front and center in the story I'm telling. This article is a great inspiration for how to focus on storytelling even in the most mundane of places, a reminder I sorely needed.

Magic in Everyday Life | AmélieIS

Amélie does a fantastic job giving us a glimpse into the every day lives of people in their world here, all while weaving a wonderful story. All the little details mentioned in this article breathe so much life and richness into the world, but what really caught my eye was how Amélie used this article to introduce a character that I am very excited to read more about.

This article inspired me to do more with the excerpts I use in my articles. For a long time now, my format has been to include a quote at the beginning of an article -- but the way this article used each excerpt to both tell a story and highlight features of the section before it is something I want to get better at.

White Soldier | Serukis

We all love a good mushroom species article, and I was beyond excited to dig into this one from our beloved Dr. Emy. While this article is short, it is absolutely packed with tiny delightful details. From the additional names to the woody texture when cooked, I greatly enjoyed this article from first to last line. (That last line especially.)

This article is a great reminder for me that keeping it short and sweet is the most effective strategy, especially for articles like this. I am well known for my immense over-writing struggles, and it's always helpful to see a master like Emy at work. I want to get better about using only the words I need in articles, and finding those nice details that bring it all together with a satisfying ending.

The Seven Day War | Stormbril

If you aren't familiar with Stormbril's CSS dark magic, are you even an Anvilite? I am always immensely inspired by Stormy's work. The art is breathtaking, the design flawless, but the storytelling takes the cake. The inclusion of quotes from the gods was a brilliant move, and added so much depth to this tale -- but I was particularly taken by the framing device of historian Gideon Hale and their research.

This article is another that gives me hope and inspiration to tackle those big articles I've been putting off, especially those relating to the pantheon I was building during WorldEmber. It is also an excellent example of keeping things short and sweet -- the article was a breeze to read, and every word was necessary.

A Fire Bound - Sárbolc's Trickery | Vastus

I was glad to be introduced to Vastus's world through this delightful little myth. Anyone that knows me knows I have a large soft spot for trickster gods, and this tale fits perfectly somewhere between Norse mythology of Loki, the legend of Beowulf, and stories of a certain hobbit I grew up on. It feels both real and new, and I look forward to reading more of Vastus's work in the coming year.

It's hard to put a finger on exactly what drew me to this article, but I think the biggest thing I take away from it is the power of nostalgia in myths. Art influences art, and this article not only made me want to reread my favorite myths and legends from childhood, but gave me the boost of inspiration I needed as I brought my own mythology to life in Outspoken.

Corvidan | Melior64

To close this list out, I just had to include this beautiful species from the ever talented TJ. I can always look to Melior for inspiration when I need it, and this article stood out not only for its stunning artwork, but for the wholesome heart and beautiful detail incorporated into every section. I was struck by the delightful family values of this species, along with their inclusivity -- it made me long for Corvidans to be realized in our world, if I'm perfectly honest.

One of the big articles I plan to work on in Outspoken this year focuses on queerness, and how queerness is seen in the major kingdoms portrayed in the trilogy. I will definitely be coming back to this article when it comes time to sit down and work on it, because I haven't seen topics like polyamory and gender presentation worked so naturally into a world in quite some time. I want to bring that same seamless feeling into Outspoken.

Resolutions for '22

Resolutions are always hard for me. I've spent so much of my life just trying to survive that they've always felt either trivial or hopeless. But this year is different. For the first time in my life, I have financial stability, a real home to call my own, a wife that I love who supports me in my artistic endeavors, and so much more. For the first time, I have the chance to really pursue the things I want to pursue. With that in mind, these are my resolutions for this year -- and most of them already have plans in place to help make them a reality.

1. Finish the first book of Outspoken, polish it, and begin querying it out.

2. Complete at least one article a month, and be more active in community challenges.

3. Continue publishing somewhat regularly under my erotica pen name as I grow it into a real source of income.

4. Focus on my mental health, starting with getting an official diagnosis and a therapist I can trust. (That last part, blessed be, has already been accomplished!)

5. Really start paving the path for my art to support me financially.

6. Continue consistent education in learning Scottish Gaelic, ASL, and sound design.

What are your plans for this year? What are you most excited about? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!