Greetings to whoever stumbles their way here. I'm excited to be joining everyone in this year's Summer Camp.
This definitely isn't my first writing challenge, but this is my first world building challenge.
Once again I find myself unable to write what could've been a simple romance without the lore. Apparently, I find the novel (working title: The Archivist) completely unwritable without a developed commentary on grand scale corruption and the post-war effects of a civil war over a century in the making- among other equally cheerful topics that I desire explicit mapping for.
I figured the challenge would grant me the guiding motivation to fire out some of the basics, while witnessing the efforts of others in similar situations. Honestly, I found the public nature of the event intimidating (I tend to guard the secrets of my worlds closely), so I'm deciding that will be a part of the challenge itself.
Despite my late start on homework, now I must cheer everyone in their work, and I promise to work hard to prepare for the quickly approaching Summer Camp.
Week 1: Change
Assignment 1: Change in World
Vergessia in its modern day is experiencing its strongest period of evolution. My creation of this country and its surrounding context was founded on the concept of corruption and exploration of how much impact a single person can have in the effort of dismantling that corruption. A nation just 17 years post civil war resultant of over 200 years of cultural tensions. Now its playing catch up to the surrounding developed world on a fast track of progress, while not yet healed from the wounds of the country's history. And so the question becomes how viable is significant change to the foundations of Vergessia's government and culture? How many dominos have to fall in this complex web of power before the nation truly has the chance to start again?
Assignment 2: Pledge
Normally, I would be all in for a writing goal, however, I expect a significant schedule change in the next month so I'm allowing myself some flexibility by going for Gold as my minimum. Though, I am not so secretly aiming for diamond.
Assignment 3: Categories & Tags
I'm working with a relatively new world that is structured very differently than what I typically work on, so I redid my category system from scratch. Since this world will be focussed to a singular country and I don't have to design any fantasy elements (for once), my categorising is pleasantly simplified.
Assignment 4: Meta
Again, due to the new nature of the world, the meta needed to be filled out from zero. It is currently at 70.4% and will be updated more throughout the next week.
Week 2: Refuge
Assignment 1: Refuge in World
A key theme of the
The Archivist is finding comforts in the simpler things despite the inescapable hopelessness and horrors of the surrounding world. Finding relief in family, friends, culture, a hobby, a visit to the local market, a walk to that hideout in the forest all the kids used to hang out in, and so on. Navigating the smaller things so valuable that it makes the larger suffering worth it.
Focussing on developing those places and traditions in JH's and WG's home regions and histories will be a high priority.
Assignment 2: Accountability & Community
I'll probably end up sharing my progress and finding motivation on the writing discord server I'm partial to. A few people on there also use World Anvil, and conveniently there's another writing challenge at the same time that people will be popping in for. I will also make an effort to check on what people are working on here.
Assignment 3: Styling
I've been jumping between three guild themes to figure out which one vibes with the theming the best (made my selection for now). I will be supplementing personal artworks, even if they're not polished pieces. By the end of this month I'd like to have a personalized world cover, and an idea of what style I'll be using for other images.
Assignment 4: CSS
I barely have an understanding of CSS, but there are some basic things that would be nice to know, so I'll go through various how to articles and note what I think might be useful to me.
Week 3: Belief
Assignment 1: Belief in World
The need to have confidence in a system. The reassurance of a charming and powerful figure. The promise of survival from a not so ethical organisation. What has kept Vergessia alive but so stuck is the people's reliance of belief in someone else to be the solution to everything. When that belief is shattered is when change finally comes about.
Make a list of figures and organisations (3+ each) that are influencial of public opinion and trust. Design the basics of JH and WG's respective religions
Assignment 2: Find Inspirations
The music playlist is prepared. The spur of the moment brain storming lists are well organised and easily accesible. Will be compiling a list of nonfiction events and government structures to research further into when I'm stuck.
Assignment 3: Images & Map
I have 5 maps to sketch out ideas for: Vergessia regional map (geographical), Vergessia provincial/municipal map (administrative), map of the central business district of Vergessia's capital city, WG's family home's neighborhood map, and JH's hometown map. Province and CBD maps are the priority to finalise.
Assignment 4: Review Inspirations
It's a new world, but the initial inspirations for the concept are as relevant as ever, and I have about 4 other series to watch throughout working on the project with relevant themes. All the bromance heavy corruption shows for me right now, please.
Personal Assignment
Complete at least 80% of the Vergessia country article. Create and develop basics for articles of any places/organisations that are referenced within the Vergessia article. Understand the basics of Vergessia's administrative structure. Flesh out the homepage a bit.
Week 4: Decay
Definitely not doing this a week after camp started...
Assignment 1: Decay in World
The decay of tradition and cultural identity. While speedrunning the culture of the modern era, so much of what had survived throughout the most difficult era is coming to its end, for better and worse. Family businesses, self suffiency, they are fading from sight being worn down gradually by modern expectation.
Assignment 2: Writing Environment Prep
At long last my work area has been cleaned up. Clutter is clear and journals are organized. Woot woot.
Assignment 3: Homepage Review
Assignment 4: Intro & Author Page
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