WorldEmber Prep 2023

I pledge to write at least 10,000 words during World Ember 2023. I make this promise to myself, my followers, and collaborators.

— Jacqueline Yang

Area of Focus

So, I have four worlds all of which I could write in. I might end up doing a jumbled mess of articles from each world, instead of working on just one. But it does not matter for any of my worlds, since they all need to be expanded upon in one area. Their History.

The Offenders Neighborhood has so much history, like who are the founders, how did they come up with their rules, how did this "neighborhood" even become a thing, and why is it even a neighborhood to begin with?

For Slumbering Gods, I just need to clarify everything that happens. Myvera's history is so expansive and I don't even know where to begin, but Verinar's history has barely begun. But for both worlds I defenitely want to dive into the history between men and gods.

For Draconis and Avara (both of which are collaborative worlds), I will have to talk to my collab partners, but I think they would both agree on the history. For Draconis, flesh out more of the human-draconic relationship. And for Avara, probably....everything.

Preparing Area of Focus

This might be a little longer than the first section, but I am working through a couple worlds. So, let's take it one world at a time.

Slumbering Gods Mini Meta

What to Accomplish: First, establishing a clear and consistent through line between the two time periods in my world would be a huge help. I already know the event that connects them, however I have just not written it. (I have a feeling that most people have no idea what the story line is for either world. I hope to change this this WE.)

Second, I want to connect the two time periods with more than just one event. I want it to be obvious that these two time periods are in the same world. However, right now, it feels like two separate worlds. One has magic, one doesn't. One has a never ending sun, the other doesn't. It makes sense in my mind, but I want to introduce this crazy timeline to the readers/followers and really start expanding on the weird connections these two time periods have.

Third, I need to make more things. As of right now both periods are pretty barren and not much is happening. I want to expand on that by introducing more characters, expanding the lore and history, and building up a better plot for both time periods.

In summary, I want to make an obvious through line between both time periods in Slumbering Gods, connect the time periods with through ways and with multiple events, and lastly grow the characters, lore and plot.

Themes and Tone: The main theme throughout both time periods could really just be: Time moves on. It doesn't stop for anyone and it is up to you to make the most of it. You can complain and groan about it, or you can take it in stride and live life to the best of your ability.

I'm not sure of the themes for each time period, but for Myvera I do know it has something to do with being a hero. It's not always about being the strongest, or the bravest, or the most honorable. It's about being the best that you can be. It's about striving to make yourself better.

For Verinar, I'd say the theme for that is that change can be difficult, but good change is worth it. It's hard to break away from bad habits, and it's hard to form good ones. However, in the end making a good change is for the best. It will make you stronger, and it will make you better. It just takes time.

Goals and Inspiration: Verinar was the 1st world that I really wanted to just go all out and worldbuild. (Or maybe it was Myvera, I honestly don't remember). But I still want a world like that. I still want to expand on both time periods and create a well thought out and explored world.

And I want to present a world to someone, a story, a character, and be able to say "I made that. I wrote that." And be proud of it. It hasn't happened yet, but I hope it will soon.

And inspiration? Well, I'm not sure. I don't really have a specific go-to when I need inspiration for this world. The books I read, maybe, but inspiration comes to me in waves. It ebbs and flows, and sometimes the inspiration strikes, but it doesn't really appear until months have passed.

I have a really bad relationship with inspiration. It finds me frustrating and I find it illusive.

The Offenders' Neighborhood Mini Meta

I really enjoy this world. I first wrote the story during last year's NaNoWriMo, and it went so well. I was able to finish the entire rough draft! I still love the story, too, which is a huge plus. But as much as I love this world and the characters the history really does suck.

What to Accomplish: First, I want to expand that history. I want to answer a very large number of questions. I will not list it here, becuase it is actually very long. (If for some reason you do want the list shoot me a message.) The focus for this world will mainly be history.

However, if I have time a few other things I would like to expand on would be the other families in the neighborhood, as well as the different awards this particular Neighborhood offers.

Themes and Tone: One of the themes for this one is again change, but something a little more specific than good change is good, but hard. It's about who you are as a person. It's about how you can change yourself for the better and how strangely hard that is. It's about growing and changing into a new person. About how family can shape who we are, but it doesn't make us who we are. We decide who we are. You decide who you are. And you decide whether you want to change that or not.

Goals and Inspiration: One of my goals for this world/story is just to keep loving it. I really enjoy this story for no reason, but I do hope that it will just keep expanding and getting more and more fleshed out.

The inspiration for this world is almost non-existent, but mystery books I found were pretty helpful. Again, I dont have a specific inspiration for this book, but I do hope that I'll be able to finish it sometime in the near future. Completely.

Preparing Homepage

I'm going to be honest. I don't really know anything specifically wrong with my homepages. So, if you guys have any ideas I'd love to hear them.

Extra Prep

In this last prep week, I'll probably go through my worlds and see if there are any stub articles that I need to do. I'll probably look through as many articles as I can and see if I can link some together. Maybe do some minor editing. Really just brush up my world.

I know my world has developed alot (at least in my head), so I'll update articles and see what I can improve on during these last few days. This year has gone by quick and I'm hoping to make the most of it.