Drawing from the Well
Queries Sent: 0
Total Queries: 35
Rejections: 12
Scenes Mapped: 0
Total Scenes: 359
No writing last night, but that comes as no surprise to me. I spent the day celebrating Father’s Day with my family. Plus, I let myself get out of the habit of writing the blog every morning so my pump hasn’t been primed. Now, we’re back, baby!
Filling the Well
Bloodwitch: 47%
The Raven Boys: 90%
Guide to Literary Agents 2019: 96/332
I read a little Bloodwitch before bed last night and that felt good. I’ve been sucked into a mobile game vortex and have yet to extricate myself. I will. I’m thinking today’s a good day to get back to normal…
Polishing the Well
I officially have a MailChimp account. The newsletter process has begun. I still need to make graphics and design the layout and, ya know, write the first one, but the next step has begun. I’m really excited about it and hope you all join once I get the link together and enjoy that as well.
Well Chat
What Else Can I Say?
I’ve said a lot about my intended fictional universe so what’s left to ask?
Do I know all the strata out there?
No. Not yet. I’m not setting a limit on the number of strata I can create. Whenever I think up a magic system that doesn’t fit within the existing orenda forms, a new stratum will come to life with its own orenda that, like the others, fits the new magic but also is sufficiently vague as to accommodate new magics as well. It’s going to get fun.
What strata currently exist?
I mentioned this in an earlier blog in this series, but there are four so far. Epoch is where Earth is (yes, there are earth-based stories I intend to write) and as of yet has no known magic. Tarion Stratum is the only stratum with that word in its name and has magic based on empowered vibrations that manifest in different ways to become magic. Arjun Tar Celek has malleable, stretchy waves (light waves, sound waves, etc.) that can create connected spaces like wormholes or have other effects. Finally Carlaas Oganar has a special particle called an esprit that is sentient and makes decisions about its own existence. These particles can coalesce, possess, or infuse objects or creatures to varying effect. There are other strata and orenda I have in mind, but they’re very early stages and extremely rough in idea.
How do I name the strata?
I’m going to keep the basis to myself and see if anyone eventually figures it out. It’s quite obtuse and kind of silly, but that kernel of commonality is where I start. From there, I design names that sound archaic because the strata are quite old.
Do I have a map of the Stratasphere?
Absolutely not. It’s hard enough to dream up the maps for the worlds in which I’m writing. The Stratasphere map is a far-future initiative. It will eventually happen, but probably not until I’m close to the sphere-wide novel event. In fact, the Stratasphere map will be included in those novels, though I have no doubt I’ll post it online as well.
What happens after the Stratasphere super event?
If I get to the point where that novel event has happened, I will count myself incredibly lucky. I have a lot of writing to do before then and will determine the “after” state once I know what actually happens during the event. For now, I’m keeping all the options open.
Is there anything else you can explain about the Stratasphere?
Think of the Stratasphere as a collection of collected galaxies. That will help give a sense of scale and my concept of the whole thing. After that, it’s just knowing where each planet sits within the full framework. It will all become clear in time. A lot of time.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey through my personal, joyous universe. Tomorrow, we start the series on alternative narrative structures. I’m looking forward to that to stoke ideas for future stories. Have a great week!
May the tide carry you to safer shores.
BSG