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AMA - Nijineko Prismaticpsion, world-builder for 30 years
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<blockquote data-quote="nijineko" data-source="post: 6694525" data-attributes="member: 52240"><p>I have used a number of methods over the years, which have changed as I've grown, gained experience, and learned from others. I have found that different forms of information are best presented in different formats - so these days I actually use multiple formats simultaneously, despite the extra effort. </p><p></p><p>One of the main challenges in presenting means and methods is that each person is different: they learn differently, they process information differently, and the perceive and comprehend differently. So, please keep that in mind - what works best for me may not be the most efficient for you. Having said that....</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>When I am starting a new world setting, I have an outline I use inspired by and expanded from a world-building list found in an old Rolemaster RPG supplement. This outline serves as a baseline bullet point checklist for every world I create. Not all worlds will use all, or even most of the points enumerated, but by having this comprehensive comparative baseline, it makes structuring the initial framework much easier. I started publishing an expanded version of my outline online over at HubPages, but life got a bit busy, and I haven't finished uploading all the parts. (<a href="http://nijineko.hubpages.com/hub/GameMasterY-World-Building" target="_blank">http://nijineko.hubpages.com/hub/GameMasterY-World-Building</a> , warning - multiple parts, very long, unfinished.)</p><p></p><p>Using this outline helps organize my initial concept into an outline-style list of major concepts, with some smattering of details. </p><p></p><p>At this point, I start breaking out my colored pencils, pens, pen tablet, scanner & computer. One of my personal favorite parts of the world building creative process is where I start drawing maps, and sketch major locations. I will pencil and ink a number of landscapes, locations, and rough maps, scan them into the computer, and expand upon them. With the landscape views, I will randomly add using a stream of consciousness method various odd bits and details, things that don't fit, or seem out of place. These OoPArts (Out-of-Place-Artifacts) serve to add a sense of wonder, mystery, and inspiration for later stages of the creative process. I may or may not work out an explanation for them, if I do - it's a hidden plot twist or plot hook for my players or readers to uncover - or even to be used in a future work, if I don't - it's a mystery or a wonder left to give the players or readers something to chew on. </p><p></p><p>While I'm working on that, I'll start developing character bios, notes on civilizations, technology, fashions, culture, cities, lands, ecologies, economies, trade routes and exports/imports; drawing sketches of fashions, jewelry, hand held devices, architecture, vehicles, and other things that strike me as lending flavor and character to a race/civilization/culture/people/individual. </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>I do use database/tables for certain types of information. One common sheet I use is titled "Location matrix" wherein I will list all the major locations across the top, and down the side have rough periods of time, and in the cells I will list what can be found in each location when, color coded by person, place, and thing. I will also build a timeline, especially in the starting phases, in a spreadsheet format. </p><p></p><p>Another software I use is a flowcharting software - which I use to track three important kinds of information. One, I (also) use it to build a timeline, much like those giant posters you sometimes see in schools, showing the major events that took place in various locations through history. Two, I use it to flowchart plot lines and track how events cascade into other events. And three, I use it to flowchart spheres of influence - the relationships between people and here I usually put their motivations, goals, desires, weaknesses, secrets and other things which I cross-reference with my Plotline flowchart. </p><p></p><p>As you can imagine, this generates a lot of computer files and a lot of paper. I tend to be a big-picture visual and tactile sort of person, so a lot of my notes first wind up on whiteboards and cork boards hanging around the walls of my basement. Handwritten stuff gets converted to a computer file, and drawn stuff gets scanned or photographed into electronic format using my cell phone. After being digitized, I use my pen tablet to continue editing and playing with the look&feel. My basement usually winds up looking like the young reporter lady's apartment from the animation Megamind right when she cracks the riddle. </p><p></p><p>Eventually it all gets condensed into a large document containing my original notes in appendixes, drawings, and more polished finished presentations as the main entries. </p><p></p><p>Oh, and backup, backup, backup! </p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>The reason I use this somewhat old-fashioned method relying mostly on handwritten and drawn stuff (at least at first) is because I don't have enough monitors (or the hardware to support as many monitors I would need) to show all this information simultaneously on a computer! If I ever manage to get a setup with 6-8 (or more) monitors, I should probably manage to convert my creative process to a mostly digital format. Besides, I like holding books and paper - so, even if I do manage to mostly convert to digital, I'll probably still hand sketch a lot of the visual stuff and scan it in later, not to mention printing out my more finished notes.</p><p></p><p>To answer another part of your initial question, I don't use wiki's very much (partly because of the big-picture thing, partly because I lack enough monitors to make it work with my preferences, and partly because I would find the coding portions, formatting and whatnot, distracting). Hyperlinking within a document or multi-document structure, however, is a great way to jump back and forth to related references, especially later on when you need a quick reminder!</p><p></p><p>I think the best option(s) will depend on the way a given individual processes, stores, and recalls information - and your specific solution should be tailored to fit, after some thoughtful consideration of your abilities. Be flexible and willing to try new things, but don't abandon old things that work without due deliberation, even if they are not the most efficient.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="nijineko, post: 6694525, member: 52240"] I have used a number of methods over the years, which have changed as I've grown, gained experience, and learned from others. I have found that different forms of information are best presented in different formats - so these days I actually use multiple formats simultaneously, despite the extra effort. One of the main challenges in presenting means and methods is that each person is different: they learn differently, they process information differently, and the perceive and comprehend differently. So, please keep that in mind - what works best for me may not be the most efficient for you. Having said that.... *** When I am starting a new world setting, I have an outline I use inspired by and expanded from a world-building list found in an old Rolemaster RPG supplement. This outline serves as a baseline bullet point checklist for every world I create. Not all worlds will use all, or even most of the points enumerated, but by having this comprehensive comparative baseline, it makes structuring the initial framework much easier. I started publishing an expanded version of my outline online over at HubPages, but life got a bit busy, and I haven't finished uploading all the parts. ([URL]http://nijineko.hubpages.com/hub/GameMasterY-World-Building[/URL] , warning - multiple parts, very long, unfinished.) Using this outline helps organize my initial concept into an outline-style list of major concepts, with some smattering of details. At this point, I start breaking out my colored pencils, pens, pen tablet, scanner & computer. One of my personal favorite parts of the world building creative process is where I start drawing maps, and sketch major locations. I will pencil and ink a number of landscapes, locations, and rough maps, scan them into the computer, and expand upon them. With the landscape views, I will randomly add using a stream of consciousness method various odd bits and details, things that don't fit, or seem out of place. These OoPArts (Out-of-Place-Artifacts) serve to add a sense of wonder, mystery, and inspiration for later stages of the creative process. I may or may not work out an explanation for them, if I do - it's a hidden plot twist or plot hook for my players or readers to uncover - or even to be used in a future work, if I don't - it's a mystery or a wonder left to give the players or readers something to chew on. While I'm working on that, I'll start developing character bios, notes on civilizations, technology, fashions, culture, cities, lands, ecologies, economies, trade routes and exports/imports; drawing sketches of fashions, jewelry, hand held devices, architecture, vehicles, and other things that strike me as lending flavor and character to a race/civilization/culture/people/individual. *** I do use database/tables for certain types of information. One common sheet I use is titled "Location matrix" wherein I will list all the major locations across the top, and down the side have rough periods of time, and in the cells I will list what can be found in each location when, color coded by person, place, and thing. I will also build a timeline, especially in the starting phases, in a spreadsheet format. Another software I use is a flowcharting software - which I use to track three important kinds of information. One, I (also) use it to build a timeline, much like those giant posters you sometimes see in schools, showing the major events that took place in various locations through history. Two, I use it to flowchart plot lines and track how events cascade into other events. And three, I use it to flowchart spheres of influence - the relationships between people and here I usually put their motivations, goals, desires, weaknesses, secrets and other things which I cross-reference with my Plotline flowchart. As you can imagine, this generates a lot of computer files and a lot of paper. I tend to be a big-picture visual and tactile sort of person, so a lot of my notes first wind up on whiteboards and cork boards hanging around the walls of my basement. Handwritten stuff gets converted to a computer file, and drawn stuff gets scanned or photographed into electronic format using my cell phone. After being digitized, I use my pen tablet to continue editing and playing with the look&feel. My basement usually winds up looking like the young reporter lady's apartment from the animation Megamind right when she cracks the riddle. Eventually it all gets condensed into a large document containing my original notes in appendixes, drawings, and more polished finished presentations as the main entries. Oh, and backup, backup, backup! *** The reason I use this somewhat old-fashioned method relying mostly on handwritten and drawn stuff (at least at first) is because I don't have enough monitors (or the hardware to support as many monitors I would need) to show all this information simultaneously on a computer! If I ever manage to get a setup with 6-8 (or more) monitors, I should probably manage to convert my creative process to a mostly digital format. Besides, I like holding books and paper - so, even if I do manage to mostly convert to digital, I'll probably still hand sketch a lot of the visual stuff and scan it in later, not to mention printing out my more finished notes. To answer another part of your initial question, I don't use wiki's very much (partly because of the big-picture thing, partly because I lack enough monitors to make it work with my preferences, and partly because I would find the coding portions, formatting and whatnot, distracting). Hyperlinking within a document or multi-document structure, however, is a great way to jump back and forth to related references, especially later on when you need a quick reminder! I think the best option(s) will depend on the way a given individual processes, stores, and recalls information - and your specific solution should be tailored to fit, after some thoughtful consideration of your abilities. Be flexible and willing to try new things, but don't abandon old things that work without due deliberation, even if they are not the most efficient. [/QUOTE]
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