Steven Savage's Blog, page 13

Buckle Down And Let’s Do This

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

We’re heading into a tough time with Omicron. So I just wanted to wish you all well as we try to get through this.

As of this writing, covid struck an old acquaintance, one of my best friends, one of my best friends family (possibly), and I’m probably missing some people. This is going to be hard.

But I want to know, personally, I want you to make it.

I want us to get through this. ...

Steve’s Update 1/2/2022

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

It’s the new year, so let’s get to some updates on what’s up! I hope you’re staying safe – Omicron looks nasty.

The Way With Worlds series: Currently on hold, restarting in March, and that’ll be on Disinfo, Misinfo, and Propaganda. The one after that is disaster response which will be Q2 or Q3.

“The Agile Writer’s Mindset”: Still starting in March/April. I’ll have a heavy brainstormin...

The Writer’s Game: Dungeonmans

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Dungeonmans from Adventurepro games is a parody of fantasy games in the roguelike style.  As a titular Dungeonmans (the title is used no matter the preferred gender) at Dungeonmans Academy you sally forth to crush monsters and find treasure.  Near-inevitably your character will die, but their legacy lives on to assist the next student.  Eventually, you accomplish the all-too-common goal of fin...

Steve’s Update 12/26/2021

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OK the year is ending. Let’s see what’s on tap for 2022!

The Way With Worlds series: The Disaster series will finish up in late Q2/early Q3 with two more books. The third book will be done in Q4. I’m still planning how to convert the covers over and need to get a few things out of the way in Q1.

“The Agile Writer’s Mindset”: I’ll start in March, not February. I’ll be bingewriting it with...

Thoughts on Vacations in 2022

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As a new year starts, it helps to think about our vacations.  I wanted to share something that I learned over the years that provide relaxation.  Or to have time to be creative instead of relaxing, but you can deceive yourself over your plans on your own time.

Years ago, one of my employers had long breaks twice a year – at least a week – and I’ve seen other companies do the same.  It was v...

The Writer’s Game: Demon’s Winter

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I continue to analyze what video games I’ve played provide lessons for writers! This time, a blast from the long past!

Demon’s Winter was released in 1988, a sequel to Shard of Spring which I never played.  Though it had mixed reviews, I found it to be excellent and replayed it at least three times.  Not only was it a fun game, it had excellent storytelling which provides valuable lessons ...

Steve’s Update 12/19/2021

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Hello everyone, here’s your weekly update!

The Way With Worlds series: On hold until late Q1 2022, where I’ll address Misinformation, Disinformation, and Propaganda in worldbuilding. There’s a chance it’ll creep up but . . . no promises.

“The Agile Writer’s Mindset” and other Agile books:  The Agile Writer’s Mindset will be written late Q1/start of Q2. I figure it’ll be done and out en...

The Writer’s Game: Approaching Infinity

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Welcome to the start of a new series analyzing how games and game systems provide lessons for storytelling.  I will focus on what games teach us in general, though my focus is on advice for non-game tale-telling.  Now, onward!

Approaching Infinity

Approaching Infinity is a space adventure in the “roguelite” vein.  Like the classic game “Rogue,” the game is usually over when you die.  Gam...

My Journey, Your Journey

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

Serdar wrote a must-read blog post on the question “When do you know what you’re doing”?  When are you doing your own thing, when are you not stuck in “tutorial hell,” and so forth.  These are great questions, and I’d like to explain when I know what I’m doing.

I don’t think of it that way.  Instead, I just keep going and learning.

For instance, when I wrote A Bridge to the Quiet Planet,...

Steve’s Update 12/12/2021

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

Hello everyone, here’s your weekly update!

The Way With Worlds series: Man-Made Disasters and Worldbuilding is done and I’m going to take a break for about 2 months.  The next book will be on  (Mis/Dis)Information and Propaganda probably around March.

“The Agile Writer’s Mindset” and other Agile books:  I’ve got a better picture on this.  I plan to start the Writer Mindset book somewhere...