Some sci-fi series about balls of space gas taking a trip?
This is something I’ve been planning for a long time and it doesn’t always come across. In fact, I might have already made a few posts about this ultimate goal or big plan or whatever you want to call it. The thing is that I’m still not sure people always realize that Windemere is more than Legends of Windemere. I do mention future series at times and try to note that they’re going to be in the same world, but it doesn’t always come across. Let’s hope I can change that here.
Legends of Windemere will be ending in December and next year will see the start of War of Nytefall. This series is about the rise of the Dawn Fangs and the ensuing vampire civil war. On the surface, it looks like it’s a vampire story while the previous series was fantasy. Yet, they’re both in Windemere and the Dawn Fangs have appeared in my first series. One of the main characters of the new series even shows up in The Mercenary Prince to . . . get involved. That’s one of the big tricks that I’ve tried to do over the years. Peppering some hints and laying the groundwork for the future series is essential for the opener. Not easy though since people won’t figure out the clues until the new stuff comes out. So, one could say that this is for me and to build bridges that can hopefully create re-reading.
Talking as a planner/plotter, I’ve had to create tons of notes to make sure I don’t mess up my continuity. Imagine me writing War of Nytefall, which happens before Legends of Windemere and having Clyde destroy the city of Gaia. Well, that doesn’t make any sense since it’s a prosperous city in the future and there was never any mention of that kind of destruction. All monsters need to be described the same way as well as any characters that can cross over. This is easier when having someone like Mab appear in a series that takes place later. Even vampires change over time and it makes people curious to find out what turned her into the person she is. Now, this is only for doing a prequel type series in the same world. It’s almost like an upside-down tree where you plant the seeds that will grow into the past instead of the future. The hints and winks I put in ‘Legends’ for ‘Nytefall’ are the after-effect of previous events instead of foreshadowing of the future. At least in terms of publishing order.
This has all been about the two series with a little tip toward others because I’m going to have series/books that take place before and after Legends of Windemere. I’ve had to plan and consider what I’m carrying over from other books. This gets more complicated as I put out more series too. Having info from one carrying over to another is easier, but then you get to a point in the future where you’re weaving threads between everything. For example, Gaia will be showing up in a lot of post-Great Cataclysm stories because it’s a big hub. I have to remember any changes that take place in previous stories, so I need to keep notes or take my time sifting back through older books to get it right. Characters who survive their adventure can show up or be mentioned in the future, but I have to remember who they interacted with. Having a surviving champion meet with Darwin Slepsnor can alter them enough that they have a different thought on wandering adventurers when they run into Sin. Aging is something to consider too in order to forge a wide, tapestry world.
So, what are some tips that I’m trying to keep in my head?
- If I doubt my memory on something then I need to check. My subconscious might be more aware than my active memory.
- Continuity is so important that I have to stay vigilant. One mistake can undo more than one series at this point.
- Note everything that I fear I might forget.
- Outlines are my friends because spontaneous cameos can cause trouble. Sudden uses of old locations are okay though since I never know when a scene will work in a nearby location. At least with prequel-types.
- Remember that a change in one series as I’m writing can alter the plans for the ones I haven’t written yet.
Honestly, this is the big dream I’ve had of creating a vast world, so the last 5 years have actually been Stage 1. Guess you could call The Life & Times of Ichabod Brooks is 1.5 since it’s slight connections. Nothing like Stage 2 where I tackle another series that will evolve Windemere even more. That’s a big part of this too. I’ve always considered the world to be a character, which means it needs to evolve. Unlike the champions, Dawn Fangs, and other cast members, Windemere will grow with every story and may never come to a true end. That’s actually a little scary.
Legends of Windemere 
I can appreciate the headaches involved. It also sounds like a worthy goal. Best of luck with continuity goals.
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Thanks. Headache is definitely there. Mostly caused by a fear of screwing more than one series up. That’s why my new project is taking its toll on me.
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Wonderful news, Charles. Definitely a worthy goal!
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Thanks. 😊
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What a great goal, Charles! If anyone can pull this off you can.
Yes, continuity seems to be the key. I keep seeing articles on Star Wars and how certain stories are canon and some aren’t. But that series has a ton of people working on it.
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Trying my best. It’ll take years to pull it all off. Star Wars used to have a clearer canon, but I think Disney negated the Extended Universe created by the books and comics.
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Yes they did. 😔 I don’t know why they have to reboot everything!
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It’s Disney. They don’t like anything that wasn’t made by them. Maybe because it doesn’t meet their personal standards or they would have to renegotiate contracts/pay royalties if they use the older stuff. Cheaper to just cut stuff out or sabotage the things you can’t make money off of.
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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I think the idea of Windemere growing forever is an exciting prospect. I know if I had your ability to keep all this continuum together I would be mighty impressed with myself. as it is I’m impressed with your ability.
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Thanks. Most days I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing. Feels like wrangling multiple armies of hyperactive ferrets.
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Ha ha ha. I can believe it.
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You have a very detailed ambitious plan. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of yours so far and I’m sure I’ll continue to enjoy your work in the coming years.
If you wanted to make it clear that your next series takes place before Legends of Windmere, you could have called it ‘Legends of Windmere: The First Generation.’
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Thanks. Really hope people like all the future stuff. The hard part with the timeline is I have to trust the audience a lot. This wouldn’t be a ‘first gen’ thing too since the characters don’t have any connection besides the world.
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It will be interesting to read the other series set in the same world, though I imagine keeping track of all your notes is quite a task these days.
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The notes are still a mess considering how many revisions I’ve made over the years. I have one notebook that organized a few series like the next one, the Legends one-shot, and a few others. My goal is to eventually have a core set of notebooks that can help guide people to write the stories in case I’m not able to. Sounds weird, but I’d like to get my ideas on paper in some form since I have so many.
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Whatever works for you.
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Sounds like your challenge will be to make each series distinct from the others, yet maintain a consistent tone. Have fun with it!
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Thanks. Tone can be altered in stuff like this, so I think the harder part is keeping the world the same. The perspective from Legends of Windemere will be much different from War of Nytefall since they happen in different time periods with a different focus. The champions were out to save the world in the light while the Dawn Fangs are fighting a war in the shadows, so you see two differing views that still have to demonstrate the same world. If that makes any sense.
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio.
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Thanks for the reblog.
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You’re welcome.
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