A Few Stray Worldbuilding Thoughts

Tired last night, so… some stray bits I hope to expand on later.

First, cultures of walled cities versus cultures with castles. Discuss.

Worldbuilding: Cleaning Up an Isekai

Part of the fun of any isekai is watching the characters try to find or recreate aspects of their home world they miss. (It’s truly amazing how many Japanese isekai worlds somehow have cacao for chocolate.)

On Writing: Trimming the Plot Kudzu

First, you get some really strong pruning shears….

Ahem.

Into every story, too many ideas will fall.

A Long Road Chapter 16 Ficbit – Getting into the Flow

Talia traced a finger over two sketched outlines of a body, each veined with odd lines, with a few characters of Jianghu script to the side. “Does this mean what I think it does?”

Isekai Anime Dreams

Author’s note: This may be a Bad Idea. But… when your usually non-visual brain hits you with visuals, what the heck. I’m open to other music suggestions but currently the “placeholder” music in my head for this is I Want My Tears Back, by Nightwish.

Open with: A passenger airplane flying through a thunderstorm.

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Worldbuilding: Icy Reflections

I don’t care how the calendar marks it. As far as I’m concerned, winter starts when it gets Really Freakin’ Cold. Which it did this past weekend. Call it an arctic blast or a blue norther, it’s really cold.

Of Turkey and Saucy Customs

I know, Thanksgiving is a family holiday. But… there are those of us not at large family gatherings this year. And I want to offer a hug to those of us who are doing that on purpose, because sometimes, the best thing you can do with certain families is stay far, far away from them.

Worldbuilding: A Problem Like Nurhaci

In retrospect I should have known the guy renowned as the founding ancestor of the Qing/Manchu Dynasty wouldn’t be put off by a few measly demon tigers. Further research (A Dragon’s Head and a Serpent’s Tail, by Kenneth M. Swope) dug up the fact that Nurhaci started raiding into Korea as early as 1609, which would have made him a preexisting problem for our heroes. Urgh. Gah. Snarl.

Earring Tales: A Different (Camera) Angle

Working on clearing out some older things for the holidays, so… picture retakes!

Baby Shower earrings.

On Characters: A Few Favorite Things

What would your characters really rather not do without? Not life-preserving things or weapons. Just something that to them is nice to have, and makes them feel better.

I’m not sure of all the favorite things Jason will eventually find, but one of the first is the leopard-spotted fleece throw he had stashed in his luggage.