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Creating your world: Is it a struggle or does it just come to you?
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<blockquote data-quote="Scrollcat" data-source="post: 7512855" data-attributes="member: 6974353"><p>I'm a sucker for systems: personality types, star signs, Hogwarts houses, Avatar: The Last Airbender's four elements; anything that gives structure to the world and offers you prepackaged themes. For me, the key to reaching that state where the plot seems to write itself is working within a system of logical constraints.</p><p></p><p>For example, one of my cultures is symbolized by Orbs (analogous to the Tarot's Cups). If I were to create an Orbs character, they would be measured, noble and spiritual. Let's say... a scholar. Next, a character needs a motivation; and if I wanted it to be challenging one, I'd make it the opposite of Orbs, which is Pyres: wild and free-willed. The result would be a scholar who wants to capture and tame a wild beast of legend. But without building blocks, I would just blank.</p><p></p><p>The obvious downside of this approach is how predictable everything is, but it's still richer than anything I could ever make up on the spot. Adding layers helps too.</p><p></p><p>To good improvisers like Calithorne and Viking Bastard: are you just naturals or are there specific habits you engage in that help keep the ideas coming?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Scrollcat, post: 7512855, member: 6974353"] I'm a sucker for systems: personality types, star signs, Hogwarts houses, Avatar: The Last Airbender's four elements; anything that gives structure to the world and offers you prepackaged themes. For me, the key to reaching that state where the plot seems to write itself is working within a system of logical constraints. For example, one of my cultures is symbolized by Orbs (analogous to the Tarot's Cups). If I were to create an Orbs character, they would be measured, noble and spiritual. Let's say... a scholar. Next, a character needs a motivation; and if I wanted it to be challenging one, I'd make it the opposite of Orbs, which is Pyres: wild and free-willed. The result would be a scholar who wants to capture and tame a wild beast of legend. But without building blocks, I would just blank. The obvious downside of this approach is how predictable everything is, but it's still richer than anything I could ever make up on the spot. Adding layers helps too. To good improvisers like Calithorne and Viking Bastard: are you just naturals or are there specific habits you engage in that help keep the ideas coming? [/QUOTE]
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