Steve’s Update 6/27/2021

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com and Steve’s Tumblr.  Find out more at my newsletter.)

So where are my projects?

Giveaways – Get a sample of my first novel here – https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/sYwtzagkIjKOKA5wmH7u

The Way With Worlds series is now on hold as I finish up the novel. We’ll have the next book in November probably.

A School of Many Futures editing sweep one is done! I’ve got another round of feedback – basically each “feedbacker” gets their own editing sweep as they come in.

The Seventh Sanctum rewrite was a bit light this week, but I think I found a way to get some of the weirder code to be easier to do. The big one is one of the oldest ones – the Anime Attack Generator.

Steven Savage

Writing Advice From Non-Writers

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com and Steve’s Tumblr.  Find out more at my newsletter.)

Serdar did a lovely post on non-writing influences on his writing. I decided to do my own – and challenge you to do your own! We ought to share tips (send me your posts).

As for me:

Agile Methodology

(Yes, I post a lot about it, but it’s worth hitting the high points)

  • Success is in what you don’t do. The more you make unnecessary, the more waste you avoid, the better.
  • Value comes first. Know the value of what you’re doing – even if it’s just “it’s fun.” Learn not to do things that have no value.
  • Fail fast and learn.

Movies (especially indies)

  • Persistence pays off. Many amazing movies are the results of willpower.

Role-playing Games

  • Find ways to make “systems” for your writing – outlines, checklists, ways to rank characters, etc. They help you see your work anew.
  • Story and mechanics (what causes what) are inseparable.  

Software

  • Make things modular. Understand how small parts make larger things and how they connect. It also lets you “swap” things around easier.
  • Doing things right on a small level ensures success on the larger level.
  • Prototypes and rough drafts help you evaluate ideas and learn quickly. It’s also better to have something, no matter how flawed, than nothing.

Stage and Television

  • One interesting character with the right dialogue can hold a person’s attention for hours.
  • Budget lets you invest for success, but it can’t replace talent or passion.

Video Games

  • Keep up a sense of immersion at all times. Stepping out of your world should be a choice, not an accident.
  • Lore brings people into a world, but it has to be hands-on and visceral. Lore must matter and connect to deep emotions and experiences.

Steven Savage

Steve’s Update 6/20/2021

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(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com and Steve’s Tumblr.  Find out more at my newsletter.)

So where are my projects?

Giveaways are going good. Score my resume book and other helpful ones here!

The Way With Worlds series next book is OUT! Go get it here!

A School of Many Futures feedback is in, and I’m on editing sweep one! I’m focused on one author’s feedback right now, and when I finish EOW, I go to the next round of feedback. I’d normally combine them, but I kinda got on a roll. Based on what I’ve seen I’m reasonably positive I’ll be on deadline.

The Seventh Sanctum rewrite looks good. I’ve tweaked various pages, and with that done, it’s back to converting oddball generators.

Steven Savage