WorldEmber Prep 2025

WorldEmber Prep

This year marks the second year I have participated in WorldEmber, and the first time doing so with an original world, so I am plenty hype right now! (Let's just pray that stays the case, though...)

I do admit, I like how the homework is being done this year! I joined this challenge later in the month last year, so trying to catch up with the "weekly" homework was tough. Hopefully, having an early start this year will prove a better option!

Before We Begin...

There is something on the Bingo Card that I've already completed.

Join the Community!

I have been a member of the Discord server for a few years now, though I do admit that I am far more of a lurker than an active participant! #Introverts_Unite! While I'm not really an active member of the community, I still try to watch the streams and have my ping notifications turned on over at Discord. Between that and the small community of friends I have, I'm hoping to power through this challenge!

Bingo Answers!

Looking at how we're supposed to use the Bingo Card, I can already tell that I might end up breaking the rules or mix and matching until I have a distinct enough idea of what I'm going to be doing this WorldEmber. I will try my best to adhere to the rules, but I legitimately don't know how well I will be able to handle that.

(I may also do another row, depends on how I feel after finishing the one I chose...)

Row 4

Plan your World Building Playlist!

I'll likely be using two playlists for this challenge, one with vocals and one largely without, for those times when I need something different. Luckily, I have had both set up already, so it's just been deciding which playlists to choose from my small collection for the challenge. Having to switch between the Youtube desktop app and the browser version because my chosen non-vocals playlist doesn't want to show up on the desktop app, while the browser version doesn't show one of my songs on the vocals playlist, will be fun, but I'll manage!

Make A List of Articles to Write!

I've started my list first thing, as a general article here on WorldAnvil. I plan on keeping it private, so I hope that's alright, but it's helped me really start figuring out what is feasible for me to write during the challenge (and what I should either write before hand or save for later). I had been largely all over the place last year, so having a list of what to focus on will definitely do wonders in keeping me on-track and not just making more half-finished Character articles...

Plan your Writing Schedule!

The closest I have to a schedule is knowing when the optimal time for me to write is, and that's shortly after I wake up while I'm still drinking my tea. I've already informed the two most likely to interrupt my writing time in my household that I'm doing this challenge, and while I know my sister will try her best to leave me alone, my mother will need some reminders during the event itself. Luckily, I already know this from previous attempts at NaNoWriMo, so this shouldn't be too much of an issue.

What Kind of People Can You Find in Your World?

Funnily enough, I already have 2 categories planned for the people in my world, both an in-general look and my Important Individuals. However, in terms of just generalized demeanor, it's different depending on social class, especially given how many shades of gray I want to layer my story in, meaning that it's a bit all over the map in general. Since the focus of the story itself is a competition for the Crown, it will mostly feature two general perspectives: those of the nobility, and those who live on the fringes of common society.

Do Some Research On Your Topics!

Ah, research, my old nemesis.

Quite literally, this is by far my weakest point when it comes to world building and story crafting. I've done a little of this while in college, but that's been almost a decade ago now, and the internet landscape has changed since then. Luckily, I have a couple of books in my small collection that can help, and maybe some of my old bits of research will prove useful now. Either way, this is going to be the hardest part, by far, of this years prep.

Extra Credit

Free Space - Make a Map!

I finally made a map (using Inkarnate's terrific system) that I'm mostly happy with earlier in the month, and so I'm counting that as my Free Space option! I'm still missing locations and other Markers on the map itself, but you can go check it out for yourself!

Define the Scope of Your World Building!

I've decided to go with my gut and figure out the magics of Avalon before delving into anything else. Aura is meant to permeate the very land, and every being living on it, so I need to know more on what it does, how it works, and what can be done with it. A nice little cornerstone to layer the rest of my world building on top of.

Create Your World Primer Article!

...or at least, I have some of what I need in the article set up, and just decided to publish it to get it out there. I'll probably be chipping away at this for the rest of the month, and still not be happy with it.

However, I'm calling the prep work done! This has been an interesting way of doing things, and if it weren't for the fact I've been distracted I'd probably have more to show for it. Besides, I still have that research to do...