Plot Points 2: November Issue

Welcome to Plot Points, where I share fantasy-related media, books, non-fiction pieces, and various forms of entertainment that have caught my attention for one reason or another. If I share them here, know that I think they’re worthy of note. 

I’m always open to recommendations, so if there’s something fantasy-related (this includes books, podcasts, videos, artwork, games, music, video channels, newsletters, and magazines) that you think I should know about, drop me a line. I’ll make sure to give you a shoutout in the next issue of Plot Points, too!

Let’s get into it…

Digital Media (YouTube, Podcasts, Movies, etc)

Music

What am I listening to this month? Mostly soundtracks. The Lord of The Rings soundtrack by Howard Shore, the Elder Scrolls soundtrack, and the Game of Thrones soundtrack by Ramin Djawadi. They’re all terrific to listen to while I write, sketch, or knit.

World Anvil:

November has been an interesting month for me, from a world-building perspective. Instead of tackling NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) like so many other writers (been there a few times, only finished it once), I’ve chosen instead to focus on WorldEmber Prep. What is it? 

Well, there’s a phenomenal website called World Anvil growing in popularity among writers, tabletop game players, Dungeon Masters, and fantasy-genre enthusiasts. The website is a set of world-building tools that helps you create, organize, and store your world setting. With wiki-like articles, interactive maps, historical timelines, an RPG Campaign Manager, and full novel-writing software. I stumbled across it a few years ago, and honestly, I can’t tell you now how I found it. Anyway, I use it to keep my imagined world of Uclandia organized and fleshed out. In December, World Anvil hosts a huge worldbuilding competition they call World Ember. In November, we prepare for it by answering various “homework” challenges that get us thinking and planning how we might write 10,000 words (or more!) of worldbuilding in one month. From a writer’s perspective, I can tell you that it’s much easier to write a lot of words in a limited time if you know in advance what you want to write about.

YouTube:

One channel stood out for me this month.

Rick’s Creations

Kind of a dry name for a channel, but this guy is anything but! He’s spent the last decade working on his imaginary world of Tumiun, and I was amazed when I watched the video YouTube suggested for me. Honestly, this is a recommended channel I wish I’d found last year. 

Rick Hertel, is an illustrator, mapmaker, worldbuilder, painter, and writer with the most soothing voice and chill vibes on his channel. Seriously, you need to go watch his videos. He hasn’t churned out content like others have, but the tradeoff isn’t too crushing. He is calm, inspiring, and invigorating. Rick is kind of my Obi-Wan.

Here’s the video I started with. Watch it, and tell me if it didn’t leave you wanting more. It’s certainly inspired me to make better videos of my own.

 Here’s my first attempt. It’s short, and not bad, but I can do better. I’m planning my next video as I type. 

Instagram:

Some fantasy artists on Instagram are creating fascinating work. 

Gretel Lusky Gretel Lusky is an Argentinian illustrator and comic artist currently based in the UK. Young and insanely talented. I love her “Space Princess”, scars, boots, bandaids, and all! Her website can be found here.

Another incredible artist is Terryl Whitlatch. She approaches her art from a skeletal approach first, and her creatures are truly something! You have to see her work to fully appreciate her. I have a plan to get at least 4 of her books, but I might have to mortgage my cat to do it. You can find her Instagram here.

Fiction (This doesn’t need explaining, does it?)

I’m usually late to the party with good books, and Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn” is no exception. (17 years late in this case!) I wasn’t sure about it for a long time. Would it be too many characters for me to follow? The promise of a rebellion of downtrodden people against an immortal God-Ruler won me over, and I bought it. OMG, I was hooked by page 2. I’ve consumed it in less than a week. I finished it last night and started the sequel, “Mistborn: Well of Ascension”. It will be followed by its sequel, “Mistborn: Shadows of Self”. I’ve recently learned there is a follow-up trilogy, so I’m excited to get to those as well! I can’t speak for Sanderson’s other works, of which there are many, but I’ve gotten really invested in the world and characters in this series. While the whole crux of their magic may be in the internal burning of metals, and their resultant powers, there was enough familiarity in the idea of a rebellion of people who have spent thousands of years being oppressed.  So just enough familiar and just enough of a new concept to grab me and keep me invested in the outcome. And I’m not ashamed to admit that I never saw the big twist coming. Brilliant writing, tons of conflict, and a highly satisfying ending. If you’ve not read it yet, you really should!

So, that’s it for this issue of Plot Points! Like I said at the outset, if there’s something fantasy-related you think I need to know about, or you want to tell me about your latest obsession, I’m game! Shout out in the comments section.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about “An Enchanted Life” too!

Thanks for spending time with me today, and have a fantastical day!

Carolyn