Franchises Part 2: When It Works

by

bridge forest trees

So previously I went on why I’m suspicious of franchises, my thoughts codified by seeing the novel “Tarkin” where the Grandest Moff of Star Wars got his own book. It’s not “Porkins: Apocalypse” but then again maybe that exists. I’d rather not find out.

As noted I’m not entirely down on franchises, those extended, unified sets of media and product and more. In fact, I think there’s positive sides to them, especially in the world of literature and media. So for the sake of those of us involved in creating franchises, what I consider the positives.

Yes. Positives.

Here’s where I think franchises can be good.

Read more

Civic Geek Catalog Update 2/8/2015

by

The latest Civic Geek Catalog update is here – with our first Horror charity!  As always the Civic Geek Catalog is categorized by Geekery and Category.

Computing

Horror

Writing

  • Female Geeks
    • Girls Write Now – Supports future female writers with mentoring, advice, and more.
  • Literacy
    • Worldreaders – Brings digital books to those in need, with a focus on Africa.
  • Military Support
    • United Through Reading – Connects US military personnel with their children by video-recorded book readings.

Respectfully,

– Steven Savage
http://www.musehack.com/
http://www.informotron.com/
http://www.seventhsanctum.com/

Way With Worlds: Conflict’s End

by

Demolished House

(Way With Worlds is a weekly column on the art of worldbuilding published at Seventh Sanctum, Muse Hack, and Ongoing Worlds)

We’ve been discussing conflict as of late, from psychology to how speed (or lack of it) affects conflict. But conflicts inevitably end, if only because they become something else or because everyone involved ends up sort of dead. So what happens afterwards? What happens when conflict ends?

That’s going to happen in your world. In fact, the end of conflict may define the end of a tale you tell in your world – or be the start of one. It may involve many fine details you need to consider.  Smoking aftermaths tend to be more work than actually causing them, worldbuilding-wise.

So we have to ask – what comes after.

But first, I want to address what Conflict means for worldbuilding – because it has a place.

Read more