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Alexis Merlin
Learned Scribe
USA
115 Posts |
 Posted - 19 May 2003 : 01:09:45
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Hi all,
We've talked about music suitable for the Realms, but as a spin-off from that topic I was wondering if there were any particular places that you like to go for inspiration in Realms-related writings?
In my case one of my favourite places is in a forest a short walk from my house - you can see no modern features like houses or phone masts and it looks particularly good in the middle of summer or indeed icy winter.
As for my Sea-based works (the first of which should arrive soon ), I live only about 10 miles from the coast, and with the aid of a small boat it's very easy to get to a secluded beach out of the way of most water-traffic.
Once again I add the usual disclaimer/apology if the scribes feel that this isn't sufficiently Realms-related to chat about...otherwise your thoughts would be most welcome!
Best regards
Alexis
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It is knowledge that influences and equalizes the social condition of man; that gives to all, however different their political position, passions which are in common, and enjoyments which are universal.
(Benjamin Disraeli)
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2003 : 06:20:00
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Well, I like this little place at a largish creek (not really big enough to call a river) that has all these neat rushing cascades in it. Lots of little, fast-moving waterfalls. When you're there, you can't hear or see any of the cars on the highways nearby. The only problem is that it's a bit hard to get to. No way to get there on anything but foot. Several miles of walking, and part of it down a steep hillside that's a bit treacherous when wet. Then again, its secludedness is also a big attraction as well. 
I haven't used it for the Realms, specifically, but I have gone there with book in hand, just to sit on the large rocks to read and the water flows around me. I also used the path along the water as an inspiration for a story I have, called Shapeshifters. The characters come to a river at a spot much like what I've described, except it's more idealized. I use the creek (beefed up to a river) as a backdrop for the next few days, in various places.
It's not the best place in nature; signs of humans are all around, whether it's junk in the water or evidence of a fallen log having been cut away from the path. However, it's the best I've got. I'll take it. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
Edited by - Bookwyrm on 19 May 2003 06:20:29 |
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Sadonayerah Odrydin
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2003 : 06:33:13
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Most of my inspiration comes either from my original stories or from just living normal life. My "Guardian" story has really got me into liking rangers. The main character is a ranger whose very well known, is very talented at what she does, and she's also got a very important position with the Guardian's themselves. (long story and its not FR related so I won't go anymore detailed than that). But she's one of the main reasons I choose to create so many ranger characters. (it all has to do with her personality).
As far as living normal life, its the little things that give me inspiration. Maybe a word spoken here or there or someone did something that seemed like it would be perfect for a character to do. My friends also help inspire me. (whether it be for FR or for my original stories).
Scenary also helps. I get most inspired when I'm just walking around the area behind my work. (I'm a babysitter and one of the people I work for lives in a forested area). I've also found that just reading books in general gets kind of inspiring too.  |
"What's that," asked Mogget.
"Sardines," said Sam. "I knew they were standard rations, so I got a few tins for you."
"What are sardines?" Moggest asked suspiciously. "And why is there a key? Is this some sort of Abhorsen joke?"
Abhorsen by Garth Nix
"What you made a vampire...Pomeranian?!" --Hannibal King from Blade Trinity
~Sadie |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2003 : 06:44:02
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I know what you mean, Sadon. I keep reading books and thinking "Oh, I wish I'd thought of that first!" So that kind of leads into my writing. Sometimes it's more obvious than others. Heh.
Oh well. There was once an artist who said something along the lines of "A good artist is inspired by others. A great artist steals from others." (If anyone knows what I'm talking about, could you tell me who said that?) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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zemd
Master of Realmslore
France
1103 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2003 : 09:06:04
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| I get my inspiration everywhere. When i've nothing to do i just think. And a first idea comes, usually the others come really quickly |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31758 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2003 : 12:29:53
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I write alot of background information for my FR campaign, as well as this I am writing a story about a cleric of Cyric, set in the early days of Cyric's acension to Godhood.
My inspiration for alot of my work comes from many different sources. Things I read - history books, science books, philosophy and theological discourses, and a myriad of other disciplines. As well as this I can usually pick up some good points from well-crafted and well-written movies and cinema.
One source that some may find obscure is classic literature, mainly the plays of Shakespeare. The plot devices, characters developments and an assortment of many other aspects of the great Bard's writing can really contribute a great deal to the inspirational phase of story creation.
As well as this, there are very rarely moments in my life that are dull. I can normally find a little inspiration in some of my real-life experiences which make the stories all the more personal for me.
But most of my inspiration comes from reading, like I mentioned previously. I read just about anything that catches my interest, my mind always working the information I am reading into possible uses for my writing.
I hope that was what you were looking for, .
Good learning...
- The Sage of Perth: For all your Realms Lore needs
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 09:50:19
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My inspiration usually comes from someone sending me a piece of their realmswork, whereupon I get inspired myself and get to work. I must say that I wish I could do FR work in forests, down by the beach etc. Mine's done in my study, hunched in front of a flickering PC screen with three shelves full of FR products, magazines, binders full of photocopies and asstd. 'stuff' whuch I feverishly comb through looking for that reference that I just 'know' is there ... somewhere. But it's all good.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 10:14:29
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I must say that I wish I could do FR work in forests, down by the beach etc.
Well, I don't believe I've ever done any actual writing at any place more 'outdoor' than my own backyard. Mostly for the same reason as you do -- I do everything on the computer (though I use a laptop, mostly). However, I do take my PDA nearly everywhere I go, and that's good for jotting down notes in. I've also slummed it and used pencil and paper, too.  Certainly for when I want to sketch something that's in my head, but can't figure out a way to translate it into words just yet. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31758 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 12:24:52
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I would have to agree with you both, Bookwyrm and Mr Krashos. Nearly all of my work is done on my computers (3 in fact - all in my bedroom). As well as this I have a laptop I use for composing details and such when they occur to me when I am at work, or out and about.
I also carry a notebook (paper) with me as well for jotting down ideas and themes I discover during my day.
Due to my job as a programmer, I am very rarely away from a computer, so getting any inspiration from nature is next to non-existant. As I said before, most of my inspiration comes from things I can do while using my computers, or while at work.
In fact as Mr Krashos said -
quote:
I must say that I wish I could do FR work in forests, down by the beach etc.
I can't even remember the last time I have been to the beach, or a forest for that matter. I like to take a lot of 'imagination' journeys, in my head.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Tombo
Seeker
56 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 18:34:27
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I have, what might be a silly question. You are all referring to "work" that you do on Realms writing. Are you writing something in hopes of getting it published or do you actually work for Wizard's Coast (or whoever the company is)? I'm asking because I have been working on my first book (not set in FR though). I would love to try to write something in FR too. I am curious to know the procedure to submitting a writing for FR. Could somebody help me out w/this?
~Confused  |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 19:08:46
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Tombo, the first thing to know is that the absolute best way to be passed over for publication is not to send in anything.
Second, the absolute best way to be accepted for a big-name book series (Star Trek, Star Wars, The Forgotten Realms) is to make a name for yourself in another fashion. Prove that you can handle things in a world of your own making (which is in most ways harder than working in someone else's world), and you have a better chance for the acceptance you're looking for.
Now, the writings that we're talking about range from non-FR/D&D to FR stories to FR adventures. It also, most likely, deals with reading the same. Most of us aren't submitting anything to Wizards. I do have an FR story myself, but it's deliberately non-canon. (But in a good way. I just like to shake things up.) You can get help from any of the authors who join us in our little, modest library as to publication help.
As far as actual writing is concerned, look in my profile. I state in it that I'm willing to help any writers on this site, whether as an editor, critic, or sounding board. I warn you, I can be vocal in all aspects of writing. (I can also be very gentle. I just want to warn you. That's all.) If you want any help, just drop me an email.
(But it would be best if you say who it is in the subject line. I don't want to delete anything but junk mail.) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Tombo
Seeker
56 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 19:41:18
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| Thank you for the clarification on that. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 19:45:15
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| Think nothing of it. I'm delighted to be of service to a fellow writer. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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zemd
Master of Realmslore
France
1103 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 20:18:05
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| I know what's my problem with writing, i lack the patience to do it. (not speaking about the skills) That's why i love RP (not the only reason of course) it's easier and more interactive |
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Artalis
Senior Scribe
USA
444 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 20:50:25
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| I find that once you create the characters that drive the story the story writes itself. If you treat them with the respect that you would real people, and really think about what THEY would do. Instead of what YOU WANT them to do. That's the key. |
Artalis
Email
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Tombo
Seeker
56 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 21:13:30
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| Bookwyrm, I appreciate your offer for help. I may take you up on that. Have you published anything? In your profile you mentioned that you enjoyed teaching. Are you an English Teacher? I often dream of changning careers to teach math. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2003 : 21:52:41
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| No, I'm not a teacher, but I plan to be one. I am a tutor, and I've got a job as a TA this summer. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2003 : 05:09:52
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Well, I'm not a professional writer and never will be. I do write for FR in the sense that I've written bits and pieces during the "brainstorm" pre-submission stage for a few FR products and articles. I did have one FR article printed in Dragon #277 and have just finished writing up a sequel which I'm about to send off. I have about 3 more article ideas/submissions that'll hopefully be sent to Dragon this year but there's no guarantee they'll be published - they are always fluff heavy, crunch light - not the preferred Dragon article these days...
But like someone posted - you've got to submit to be accepted (or rejected as the case may be ...  )
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Edain Shadowstar
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2003 : 08:12:50
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Like many others I usually do my work on the computer, though it is my laptop, and I have two very long lasting batteries for it, so it rarely runs out of power on me. For me inspiration comes from just about anywhere. I remember I was waiting at the dentist's one day and just got an idea so I took out my laptop and began writing.
I do find however, I do my best work under a tree with a big bottle of water and some ripe mango, but I rarely have time to enjoy that particular situation. Usually work in down in my study, which contains the other four machines I own, and which are used almost exclusively for programming. The rooms is also filled with my treasured books. I am, at least in my eyes, a prolific reader. My colection consists largely of mythology (ranging from The Odyssey to the Kalevala) and classic literatures, such as the works of Caesar, Cicero, Plato, and the like. Mythology is probably the reason for my love of fantasy. Beyond that there is also a great deal of Tolkien's writings in my study, and I admit my love of The Lord of the Rings only grows as time passes.
The largest portion of my writings pertain to my first and favorite character Edain Shadowstar. I admit it can be a daunting task writing out all the different tales I have concieved for him. As you might imagine, mapping out a life that has lasted a good 23,000 years at least (Edain was born in DR -22,900, about the time of Illefarn's founding, approximately nine hundred years after the founding of Aryvandaar). Recently I have been working to condense Edain's history into several books, and thus far I have almost complete the first book. Coming in at a lean 400ish pages, it follows the format of Cormyr: A Novel, one chapter set in the present, the next in the past, and so on. The likelyhood is I will never finsih this task, but I admit, it is a pleasant diversion. |
Edain Shadowstar
Archwizard of Rel Astra and Waterdeep
"Mmm…pie…"
- Gaius Solarian, Captain General |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2003 : 03:52:43
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That sounds pretty awesome, Edain. Most impressive.
As a sideline, I did a consolidated timeline of the North a while back (with references). It dealt with in part Illefarn and fleshed out a few things as well as tieing in stuff like Roger More's "Illefarn Portals" stuff on the WotC website. If you are interested in having a look, drop me an e-mail.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31758 Posts |
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Edain Shadowstar
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2003 : 22:56:19
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| Well, thank you george, that would likely be very helpful. If it's not too much trouble, perhaps you could send a copy to shadowstar2091@hotmail.com? Thank you in advance. |
Edain Shadowstar
Archwizard of Rel Astra and Waterdeep
"Mmm…pie…"
- Gaius Solarian, Captain General |
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore
USA
1287 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 00:42:25
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I have written one campaign adventure if not quite writing, about an hour and a half up the trail of Ben Nevis. I wanted to go to the top but I was far too inspired so I stopped then and there, looking over the Western Highlands (and Braveheart's Movie village ) so I just started writing. It was fitting since this particular adventure occured on the Isle of Moray of the Moonshaes which I picture as the realms equivalent of Scotland. It seems to me that Gwynneth is the equivalent to Ireland, and then Snowdon the equivalent of a Wales. I think the Moonshaes is one of the BEST areas of the realms and for some reason it has never been developed that much. I have the original 1e supplement. This is good in a way because I have developed quite a land in the Moonshaes, and so far have noit had to do any adjustments for newly printed Canon.
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A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to... |
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Alexis Merlin
Learned Scribe
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 09:42:45
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The two other places I neglected to mention which are quite near to me geographically are the New Forest which is beautiful in summer (although you often have to get quite far away from the main track to avoid constant groups of cyclists yabbering away at one another )
and Dartmoor, which is bleak,cold, wet, windswept, and has man-eating bogs within (I kid ye not)...unfortunately I have to rely entirely on memory and photographs for that as the only times I have been, have been when I was on my Duke of Edinburgh's award expeditions, and thus was carrying about 20kg of kit and generally trying to lighten everyone elses spirits....
Anyway back OT - I haven't been up Ben Nevis, Mournblade, but I did go to Snowdon once and that was very good as well, although once again it was quite crowded with tourists and thus hard to concentrate on my writing... |
It is knowledge that influences and equalizes the social condition of man; that gives to all, however different their political position, passions which are in common, and enjoyments which are universal.
(Benjamin Disraeli)
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore
USA
1287 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2003 : 22:00:40
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Yes Alexis both Snowdon and Ben Nevis are beautiful! Fortunately I have been up the Ben a couple of times. THe time I am speaking of was in MARCH when the tourists do not come on like waves. Of course you have limited time because Darkness falls quickly at that time of year, but March was generally better than July.
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A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to... |
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Inspiration for Realms writing
