Writing under a boiling sun

It's been roasting here for the last week or so, getting up to the 28 to 30C (82 to 86F) range every day, which means my down time has been leaning more towards the writing side of creativity lately.

Not that I'm too bothered by getting to write again.  While I primarily do art to burn through the creative juices sloshing around in my skull, if its too roasting to work in the studio, the next best thing to do is write on what is becoming a wall of text.

Sharing the Scratchings

I've been thinking of posting some of the ramblings here.  Its all related musings about the world I do artwork in.  Subjects are often about places (usually with a map!), cultures, thoughts on the gods, saints and ghosts of Felwroth, weaponry, the meaning of items people might carry or symbols on clothing or tattoo's.

I'm trying to take advice that I've heard many people give.  Pick a point on the world, start small, and expand out from there.  Currently that starting point is around the area of a long abandoned town (by the living at least) of Blackpine and some of its surroundings.  I don't tend to write only about the dark places in the world, but in this case I had a veritable ton of things left over from a game I ran that involved the area.

In the future I'll expand out, look at heroes as well as, towns, cities, and the people inhabiting them.  Some will come with sketches of people, maps, and images of symbols themselves.  I don't want it to replace the current art and painting work I do here, but rather supplement the artwork.

Especially on these blazingly hot weeks when turning on a tablet will cause it to just burst into flames, and opening a sketchbook turns it into less of a writable surface, and more of a sponge for hand-sweat.  And that's with a standing fan going full blast!

The Late Start

I wish I had started detailing out the world 20 years ago.  Recently I've been reading articles about world builders like Ed Greenwood, Kieth Baker and Monte Cook, and a common thread was that they started delving into their respective worlds early on in their lives.

While I know scattered bits and pieces about Felwroth, I don't have anywhere near the amount of things written about it that I probably should.  And while I can't let myself fall into the trap of comparing myself to these creators, I still need to start a chronicle of the points of light and darkness between on that world map.

A part of this is due to my mind starting to lose details.  Failing me as time goes on.  Side-projects like this will help me remember (and hopefully be of interest to all of you too!).  I'd like to be able to let my eyes wander the surface of this weird little world when I'm stuck for something to draw, and get inspired by one point to sketch on.  

It will likely often be about otters.

And Lorrnath..

And Javarran.

But I digress.  There's only a limited time to get things written down.  Yes, its a later start, but its not an excuse to not start at all.

Modular for Easy Storage

I had a couple suggestions that I should try to compile some of this into modules that tabletop game folks could use.  While I find the idea intriguing, this is a whole other level of work that would be involved.  And I'm primarily trying to ensure that the writing I do and post here doesn't turn into work that would compete with artwork.  The greater majority of patrons here aren't gamers, and are here for artwork primarily.

Its not to say that It could never happen.  But its taking on a role of cartographer (I'm not as skilled at mapping and pleasing graphical layout), editor, and being able to organize it all, and I'm amazingly disorganized when it comes to writing on game stuff.

But we'll see what the future brings.  For now I like the idea of little side projects like this to keep me off the streets and from hanging around in front of liquor stores.

And now off to the day job, and the possible ruminations of a whole chapter devoted to the Mother of Butterflies, Keeper of the song of the world, and wearer of no pants.

-T.J.