A Bit of Map Squee

This is not going to be a full book review of Korean History in Maps, edited by Michael D. Shin, because I just got it and have started flipping through it to read. It is going to be some gleeing instead. Because this is an example of a good worldbuilding source, with the kind of information you want to build a basic structure for your story setting.

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Worldbuilding: Secret Tunnel

…Ahem. Go ahead, keep humming, it fits. As you will see.

One of the useful things about alternate history for a writer (especially alternate history with magic) is that it lets you fudge a few things. Yes, still do all the research you can, but if there’s info you can’t get or that no one today knows, you can make your best (or most entertaining) guess and call it a day. This lets you maximize the neatness of the bits you do find, and make things shiny. Because reading is like being a magpie sometimes; I want that shiny bit and that one and that one….

Colors of Another Sky: Prepare for Espionage

A/N: Two Demon-Callers prepare to hunt information in hostile territory….

“I look ridiculous.”

Applying a bit of subtle shadow to make her face look more a man’s, Chae did not even twitch. “You look appropriate.”

Thoughts on Isekai Survival

One of the tropes that shows up often in isekai is that as soon as the protagonist finds friendly people, even if (especially if) they look nothing like him, he stops moving for a while, and starts building connections with people and the local culture.

A Musing on History and Explanations

Part of the trick of pulling off Colors of Another Sky is going to be making sure I have enough explanations folded in that people who haven’t dove into history like a ferret into a snowbank have a fair idea what’s going on.

Worldbuilding: Finding More Pivot Points

As far as the isekai goes, I think I’ve nailed down most of the tweaks I’ve made to the history of Northeast Asia. I know Russian history has to have changed, due to a magic-carrying comet going smack into part of Siberia. Possibly near Lake Baikal, that spot’s already got plenty of weird….

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.)

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.

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.