Gettin’ there, on several fronts.

Got some of the editing for SOTM 17 done. Got the beginning of Lowborn Ch. 08 mapped out, ready to start writing when I have some quiet time.

Mulling over two new story ideas in the Wood Universe, both of which I think I’ve at least mentioned previously. Have to see if I have time to do either of them. Also musing that Post-SOTM Nobles Next Generation story for Nude Day ( Starring Mindblind & Christi’s oldest son ), and that Sci-Fi idea as Les. Getting somewhere on pretty much all of them, and might actually be enough to get files started for them soon.

A story I’ve been writing with the intention to post in my third name may just end up migrating to Les. First, it’s way longer than anything I’ve written in my third name, and second, I’m coming up with a lot more plot that I want to explore than I usually do in that name. The more I write, the more likely I expect it to become a Les story.

Worked on the image side of the next website phase, the “My Worlds” section. That’s probably where the interest of most of y’all will fall after the actual story listings.

I’m probably going to go with a main page for the worlds that links to the detailed ones. It will be somewhat similar to the way the “My Work Extras” or “Legalese” pages function, with a group of links, though in the case of the “My Worlds” page, it will actually jump to new pages with identical navigation interfaces, because there will be too much content/php calculation to put all of it on a single page. If nothing else, for the sake of me being able to read it, if not for load times :p

Related to that, I’m getting the hang of the new mapping software, and getting into the advanced functions — where it really shines above most other similar fantasy mapping products. Do believe I got my money’s worth from this purchase, just as I did with the new content delivery system. Even if only a handful of people see what I’m adding to the website, the reference material I’ll be creating will be useful to me, and the sense of accomplishment helps keep me from getting in a funk when I’m not in the right mood to write. Me in a funk is a downward spiral process, and this is keeping it from happening 🙂

I posted a map of the environs of Xantina’s woods on the forum today, if you’re interested. I’ve actually improved that map since posting it by finally figuring out adding my own custom symbols to maps. Originally, the Tree Fort was just a standard tower. I’ve since created a custom symbol that more closely resembles a tree house. Likewise, I’ve replaced a couple of the fantasy/historical style houses with modern ones. I’m building a catalogue to replace the rest of them ( as well as some neat little things I might be able to use in later maps )

Figured out how to utilize the user-created symbol catalogues as well, and utilized one of them to create Melinda’s altar ( on the map posted on the forum, it’s just a filled polygon ) Also replaced Xannera’s tree with one that really stands out from the rest, utilizing a symbol I hadn’t noticed in the standard vegetation catalogue and its varicolor ability.

I had a “duh” moment with regards to zooming down into areas. I was trying to figure out the rather complicated method of cropping larger maps down to size, but there’s no real need for that. I can simply save large maps in new file names, zoom in, resize the symbols ( in bulk. One of the many nifty advanced features ) and work from there on a tighter view of areas.

I won’t be able to export the images, but screen capture should more than suffice, thanks to the ability to zoom in on a window of the screen that’s of customized dimensions. I can single out any area of the world, large or small.

Coming down from editing, I’m going to try to get some sleep, and see if I can’t make some reportable progress on SOTM 18 tomorrow.

Haven’t been in much of shape to write or code from work and a rough weekend.  I did get a few words down on Lowborn and SOTM, and tweak/add a little code.  I’m pretty close to having the basics of the new website ready to launch.

Mostly, I’ve been doing data entry in the backend functions I’ve written to add content to the site.  All of my work ( with the exception of a how-to up on Lit and the aborted CST3K pilot on SOL ) has been entered into the database.  I’ve also created all my series/genres and descriptions, linking them to the stories.

I still have a few “Image Filtered” pics to create, as I use different size header pics on various pages.  Eventually, I’ll have a default set, with templates that I can cut-n-paste images onto.

First day of the inspection is over at work.  Last year, it was only two days.  Not sure if the corporate visit will carry over beyond the inspection.  Once both of those things are over, it will get much easier, and I won’t be coming home as physically and mentally exhusted.

Put the air conditioners in the windows today, so that’s another irritation out of the way + better sleeping.

Had an idea for a story for Nude Day.  Have to see if it pans out.  It would be a story about Wade’s father ( Kindred of the Wood ) and go back to when he was a young man, before he met La’isa.  Odds are that it would be a one-shot story with a similar title like “Something of the Lake” because this would be the only history story from that branch of the family.  Wade’s tale is in Kindred, and Dara’s will be in the Summer story.  Both families are too intertwined at that point for my original concept of two side-by-side series.

Okay, I’m off to bed.  Hope to have more to report on writing soon.  Still waiting on Roust to get back up to speed and get SOTM 16 back to me.  Perhaps I’ll have an announcement post appearing on the new version of the website when it launches soon.