Tag: Organization

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Using Mindmaps for Worldbuilding

Posted on by R.M. Archer

Mindmaps are awesome for brainstorming ideas. You start with a broad idea and then narrow your scope and narrow your scope until you can’t narrow it any further, and this is great when you want to figure out what sorts of details you need to develop about your fictional cultures. And since I’ve been experimenting with video recently and I think this post would be easier if y’all could see my screen… I’m going to do a video of this post rather than text.

I’m considering making video a common thing next year Continue reading “Using Mindmaps for Worldbuilding” →

Pinterest Country Boards

Pinterest Country Boards

Posted on by R.M. Archer

After two weeks of tags I’m finally back with a worldbuilding post. I’m also promoting Pinterest again, because Pinterest is awesome and I use it for all sorts of writing-related things. (No, they didn’t pay me.)

I’m not sure Pinterest is really something most people consider when they think about worldbuilding tools, but it’s wonderful for that purpose anyway, particularly for visual people, so here’s a look at how I set up my Pinterest country boards. Continue reading “Pinterest Country Boards” →

Camp NaNo Prep: The Idea

Camp NaNo Prep: The Idea

Posted on by R.M. Archer

NaNoWriMo’s next session is just a month away. For those of you who don’t know, Camp NaNoWriMo is a version of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in which you’re put in a virtual cabin with other writers (assuming you sign up on the official site) and you get to set your own goal. Your goal can be measured in words, hours, minutes, lines, or pages. It’s more laid-back than the regular November session (in which the goal is a set 50,000 words, though obviously you don’t have to stay tied to that if you don’t want to) and you have the opportunity to hang out with a small group of like-minded writers for the whole month of July. (I’m considering putting together a cabin starting with those of you who follow my blog. Would anyone be interested in that?)

Anyway, over the next month my Tuesday writing posts will Continue reading “Camp NaNo Prep: The Idea” →

5 Tips to Help You Keep Writing Your Work-in-Progress

5 Tips to Help You Keep Writing Your Work-in-Progress

Posted on by R.M. Archer

Sticking with one novel to completion is something I’m only just now learning this year. I know the struggle of losing steam and deciding to chase down a shiny new idea instead, thinking it’ll be easier. In the words of Rick Riordan, “DON’T! That new book won’t be any easier.” And it never is. As someone who has 70+ unfinished stories laying around, I can attest to that. If you keep chasing new ideas you’ll always chase after the new shiny and never finish anything. So, to help you combat that, here are five tips to overcoming “Ooh Shiny Syndrome” so that you can keep writing your current project. Continue reading “5 Tips to Help You Keep Writing Your Work-in-Progress” →

My Story Binder

My Story Binder

Posted on by R.M. Archer

Something that’s mentioned fairly often but doesn’t get talked about clearly is a story bible/story binder. I’ve loved the idea of having a story binder for a while, and I started making one for House of Mages, but it didn’t really go anywhere. There’s not a lot of guidance for writers who want to make one. Well I went looking back in April and decided to start a story binder for my Camp story, The Heart of the Baenor. It now also holds the notes for The Dark War Trilogy, since they take place on the same planet, and I thought I’d share with you what I included in my story binder in case you’re in the same boat I was in and are wondering what to include Continue reading “My Story Binder” →