Ogre
This may be a quick one, especially since I’m still trying to rest on my break. I don’t know how to explain this issue too. Is it good or bad? Eh, whoever is free to take a look at the post may have an idea.
Earlier in the year, I came up with an idea for a series or collection of short stories revolving around a group of thieves. Of course, this takes place in Windemere and a guild is involved. I came up with a general idea for the group who are trying to find a missing hoard. It’s a legendary treasure that disappeared during the Great Cataclysm that most thieves don’t believe exist. At least, that was the original plan. I’ve run into some issues when I think about it.
Most importantly, I find that many of the character no longer appeal to me. The leader and halfling assassin were cool, but I’m leaning more towards the intelligent ogre and cannibalistic gnome duo. Maybe it’s because the latter is a curious tale of switched intelligences and a source of comedy. The vampire who would rather read than fight is in the middle right now while I keep forgetting I put a caster in the group. So, the main cast is getting jumbled. This stirs up problems:
- The ogre and gnome can’t really carry a story given their personalities. Neither are the types to be leaders.
- The ogre and gnome wouldn’t care about the hoard. I don’t know what they would want if they were in charge.
- I would lose the chance to have a female orc lead if I ditch her.
It could be that I haven’t thought of this idea much before. The gnome is Berumbo who I made in college, so he’s always safe. The ogre is based around a friend who brings him up at times. These two have the most amount of work put into them too. I might have to take some time to sit down and really tinker with this idea to see if it can regain its legs. It doesn’t help that I don’t really know what to do exactly. I’m just rambling, I guess.
Found my notes and I did have a lot. First book would be them trying to find the Lost Hoard only to fail and get into trouble. Second book was another attempt, which ends with the group getting into trouble. Third book was the big quest with a ‘sure thing’ and the orc leader trying to deal with effects from events of the second book. I notice that I don’t really have a path for the ogre and gnome here. Do they want to switch back or are they simply having fun? This story is a big head scratcher at times.
It’s possible my frustrated and fear revolving around ‘Phi Beta Files’ isn’t helping the matter. I may be redirecting that at other ideas. I’m trying to work it during the break, but my confidence in general seems to be damaged. Not sure what took a chunk out of my writing mojo. Low sales? No support from this side of the computer? Social media thrusting successful authors’ promos in my face all the time? Working during the age of Covid causing depression? I really have no idea. Hopefully, 2022 is better and I can find something to smile about in terms of writing.
Legends of Windemere 
I’ve got no advice. I have tales that seem relegated to the shadows forever. Maybe they need that one more thing before I gain real interest in them. Maybe they’ll get disassembled and plugged into other stories, but they aren’t quite ready for the general public.
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It’ll be years before I get to this story, so I have time. Still, it does bug me when plans fall apart instead of congealing. I should probably stick to one headache at a time too.
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Sounds like you need to let this one stay in the notebooks a bit longer until that missing puzzle piece shows up; you need to wait for that spark that tells you how things all fit, and how your ideas go from scribbles to story. I know that’s not very helpful, but it’s all I’ve got.
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Thanks. It’s frustrating because I did that. The story unraveled when I went back. So, I don’t know if marinating longer will help.
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Probably because you’re so close to burnout, and your brain just can’t deal with it right now.
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Maybe. I’m hoping I get stuff done on other ideas. Not resting as much as I would have liked.
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Sounds like you need to rest this story, and your brain, Charles 🤔
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Honestly, I rested both for a month. This happened upon the return, which is rather frustrating. I’ll go back to Phi Beta though. Having better luck there.
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Hi friend.
Sorry for the offtop – but do you know who’s the artist that had drawn tha ogre?
I’m lookin for his name everywhere
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The name says Fisch, but I can’t find any more enough. Sorry. It’s from the 3rd Edition DnD monster manual if that helps.
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Okay. I think I found it. Remembered I had another 3rd Edition DnD book, so I looked to see if the artist was in there. I found a Scott M. Fischer, who has the same signature.
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Well, that guy is a great artist, but I’m not that sure it’s him.
I dunno, I’m actually looking 4 concept art of temple of elemental evil from Troika (if you haven’t played it and if I may giving out advices here – I suggest u try it cause the game is really cool. A sort of masterpiece).
And that ogre is definately from there – but perhaps they just copied Scotts art.
Anyways, thank u, sir!
The article I’m putting my offtop comments under has a kind of a sad tone – so I hope that you got good ideas and the ogre and the gnome having their fun.
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Never played that game, so I had to look it up. It’s a Dungeons & Dragon game, so the company used their monster manual art for it.
I’ve had to put the idea on the back burner. Figure I’ll get to it fresh one day.
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