I tackled World Ember 2022 and hit my word goal, but this year, I want to use W.E in a slightly different way.
I am attempting to complete an 80,000 word manuscript by the end of January, end of February at the latest. I currently have 14,743 words. Through experimentation and tracking I’ve learned that if I have a focus, I can write more words in a session/day. So to that end, I will be using World Ember, and the prep for the same, to help build my first draft.
To do that, I’ll focus on 3 areas
* The land/geography between what remains of Greensward and Imperial City (I think I should rename this since it was already used in the Elder Scrolls) so I have a more solid base to write from when it comes time to have Anthem journey toward her revenge
* Anthem’s hereditary magic
* The history & prophecies of the return of the dragons & the Rightful Heir
Time to light the forge!
Week 2 Homework: Mini-Meta!
It's taken me a little bit to understand what's required, but I think I've got it now.
Since my plan for introducing Uclandia to the reading world will center around the province of Luingern, I suppose I should focus this week's homework there.
Luingern sits on the Western edge of the continent and shares the coastline with another province to the north, Banern Province. The capital city of Luingern Province is Fort Fairadell. This Province makes use of two distinct regions within its borders and exports herbs, vegetables, copper, and a unique type of metal only made in Luingern Province. It is said to have different patterns depending on whose forge it was made at and never dulls.
Luingern Province is bisected by a line of low mountains, The Chonaic Ridge, which separates the Province into a green and lush seaside region, and dry, hard land on the interior side of the mountains. It is both promising and demanding.
My first story set in Uclandia, 'Anthem's Ember' is set in Lungern Province, and so far I've only alluded to rising foothills and pastures where my MC Anthem takes her sheep to graze. To really explore Luingern Province, I've decided to create both an Encyclopedia and an Atlas. Both in my files, as well as physical copies of each.
Anthem has been shaped by the invasions of her village, Greensward, and her life since. The final invasion of Greensward though hardens her and changes her from a peace-loving shepherdess to a warrior-in-training with a burning need for revenge. Wait 'till she figures out that she's destined to bring the legendary dragons back to Uclandia! And how's she going to keep them from eating her sheep? These questions and more will be addressed soon.
Come to Uclandia for the drama, stay for the dragons!
Week 3 Homework: Welcome Page Review
Looking at my homepage with the eyes of someone else reveals a LOT of room for improvement!
- It needs a nicer head image, something more unique and colorful.
- It needs more description. I need to describe the various Provinces. Briefly, but enough to leave a visitor with a sense of, "Wow I have to visit there!"
- I should probably talk about the current state of technology of the land, and the magic system.
- And I absolutely HAVE TO mention the legend of the dragons! Why they left Uclandia, and why their return was foretold, and how a young woman from a hilly, foggy village will help change the course of Uclandia's history
- The Welcome Page also needs a better map!
Welcome to Uclandia!!
Week 4 Homework: Last Minute!
One of the ways I use World Anvil is to help me plan and organize the various worlds I write about. The world I'm currently living in (in my head), Uclandia, needs better building before I can go any further in my manuscript, and this leads nicely into World Ember. So the two parts of my writing life support each other nicely. But how does this support this week's homework?
Prep.
What more do I need to know before I declare myself ready for World Ember? What more do I need to do?
Well, I suppose I can reclaim this corner of my desk that the cat usurped a couple of years ago and no longer likes. I've got a playlist started with about ten songs to keep my MC angry, and picked out a good band to fuel the rebellion. I do need however to take all the notes I've written digitally this past month and write them into proper encyclopedia pages for my story bible. See, when my manuscript is done, I want to take it to a print shop and get it printed and spiral-bound. Then, a few months later, I want to take my world bible and have it printed as the "first edition of The Encyclopedia Uclandia".
Why?
I dream of a future where my readers become fans of my characters, my series, and my world. One day, I'd like to raffle off, or maybe auction off these early drafts of the manuscript and the encyclopedia. So everything I do in these early days, I consider, 'can I use this later for my readers to come?'.
Except for reclaiming my space, adding to my encyclopedia and buying lots of Swedish Berries tomorrow...I think I'm ready.
Light up the forge, and let's go!
Sounds awesome, rebelling your way through world ember! Best of luck with your manuscript! \o/