Pages

Monday, July 9, 2018

This is probably the geekiest thing I've ever done


So I'm a geek, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone (after all I do write fantasy books for a living). But when Robin and I were editing Age of War we would sometimes get into arguments about the placement of various aspects of the layout of Alon Rhist. Now part of that was because the city change a bit during the writing and some earlier sections of the book weren't updated. So, it was good that Robin challenged me on these things and it allowed us to fix any continuity errors that had crept in.

But after all was said and done I started thinking about whether I could build Alon Rhist in 3-dimensions. You know, a kind of Lego Land model if you will. Well, I don't possess the number of Lego blocks to make that possible but luckily there is a Minecraft map builder that allows for unlimited blocks. So, yeah, I built Alon Rhist in Minecraft and made a video as I walked around the area. Geeky, sure. Fun? Well, I thought so. And because there may be a few people who are interested I'm posting the video here for your amusement.



35 comments:

  1. "A few people who are interested"? :P
    I'm sure all of your readers will love this. <3

    I see you uploaded the video in January, but I somehow didn't see it, although I'm subscribed to your channel. But better late than never.

    ReplyDelete
  2. yet another reason you're my favorite author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well..thank you for that! I'm thoroughly impressed. This 'tour' was the perfect prelude to beginning Age of War. Here I go...if it would storm I would be in heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Impressive *_*
    My heart is beating so fast right now <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good work Micahel! Have you found your new calling? Can we expect more of these and less books? :) This made my day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Geeky? Sure. Super awesome? Most definitely. I second the above comment for yet another reason you’re my favorite author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just finished the audiobook. I play Minecraft with my boys, and this was awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Here I was thinking I was the geek for having never played with Minecraft, or played Minecraft, whatever. That was way cool, and I wish I had time for a new addiction because that may be it.
    Can you do one of the aftermath too...

    May have to listen for a third time now that this little gem is available. Thanks for loving your work and worlds and sharing with the rest of us.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love that you did this. As readers we all have a picture of what places, people, etc. look like to an extent. It's nice to see what the author intended it to be.

    ReplyDelete
  10. To be honest, it isn't near done. Just didn't have the time to finish it. Also the map it is built on is the complete world map. I built a little Dahl Rhen, and a Nadak, and Tirre, and at least the Parthaloren Falls where Avempartha should be. Kinda fun running from Tirre to Dhal Rhen to Alon Rhist with a quick stop at the Fork--that rocky beach where it all started.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ugh, tease! Please say you are working on a Rochelle because that would be pretty amazing. I may even get back into gaming after a 20+ year hiatus if you ever worked out a deal, … and if I would get to be Myron.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, so you want an Elan online? A role playing game where you get to play either with the characters or as them? Sorry. As of yet, there are no game deals. Probably have to wait for a movie deal. Baby steps. Baby steps. But, yeah, that'd be cool. Your first quest would have to be to steal a sword.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A quest to help Myron find all the books.

      Bonus health if you can find ARMIGIL's beer or extra stealth using
      Montomorcey wine.


      Delete
  13. I've always wanted to steal a sword, but then how about opening a box that Royce can't open? And, no, I quite like the Elan of my imagination. While I'd be happy for you and Robin to get a movie deal, chances are I'd skip it. Been burned too many times, jaded at 40.

    I'll be happy to watch your Minecraft world come about. Again, provided there will be a Rochelle, gargoyles and all ;) I'll just make myself a Myron doll maybe with a string pull talking about shrews and moles.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loved it! Just finished Age of War. And "This land is mine" playing in the background gave an epic yet humorous touch. Wish more people in Brazil were familiarised with your work, I keep trying to convert them one at a time.
    Ps. Nice job with the Tressa speech, I needed those tears today 😊

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just sent Michael an email because I finally finished the book (after stretching it out as long as I could) and then I found this! Super cool - really loved seeing the fortress as you pictured it. Gave me chills when I saw the forge. Joan

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't care much for minecraft but that is really awesome. Love to see authors connect with fans in different ways. Do you ever do book signing tours Michael?

    ReplyDelete
  17. In doing this I found Minecraft to be a fairly effective tool in visualization for writing. Of course, it could also be a massive time-sync for easily distracted writers, so maybe not such a good thing. It is however, a great way to explain things to a wife who doesn't understand the layout of the walls.

    I haven't ever done a tour. I have done signings at conventions in Chicago, Phoenix, and San Diego, and I think Indianapolis in one year, but that wasn't really a tour. My publishers never thought to set up a tour and that's fine with me. Tours are grueling things, like being a band on the road without the applause. I prefer to secretly invite readers to visit or privately meet them. Much more fun. Maybe one day I will host an Elan convention here in the valley--as soon as I can be convinced more than two people will show up.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm stealing time-sync as opposed to time-sink. It is when you are using your time to work on a project in a novel[pun]/different way to work out a problem or get out of a slump so you are still 'working.' *patent pending ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. This was very cool. I will have to watch it several times and get my bearings to figure the name of each building.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This was amazing... and it spoke to my desire to see this on the big screen. Please tell me you’re working on the screenplay?!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well done Mr. Sullivan; well done! Just recently, my mother (83), daughter (34), granddaughter (15) and myself (58) all finished Age of War via Audible. We've been hooked since Riyria. Your internal "mindcraft" ignites the imagination of generations - in this case - literally:)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just finished the Age of Myth series about 5 minutes ago. I love your books. Throughout the day I couldn't wait to put my earbuds and sad that I finished them so quickly. Please always use Tim as your narrator! Already listened to the Riyria books. I am now contemplating on listening to them again. Thank you!

    Very impressive Minecraft skills with Alon Rhist! Love seeing how you envision it! I have dabbled bit with Minecraft as my 8 year old ask me to play. I only built underground rooms and tunnels. You do much better work! Would love how to see your Minecraft version of Neith and their underground tunnels (agave). That is if your not to busy writing more books! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris,
      I don't think you've finished the Age of Myth series. There are three novels still unpublished. Age of Legend, Age of Death, Age of Empyre.

      Delete
  24. I've done other things, but that story is a winner in my book.

    link here

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've done other things, but that story is a winner in my book.

    link here

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wales publications assure you, with high indexed and archived online Publishing Consultant in UK for gigantic research. We enable library patrons to make it easy to discover and access more of the journals for more authentic information in the specific discipline. Wales publications are offering the most appropriate Wales publications are offering the most appropriate
    Research Paper Editing in UK to allow you to be the one who gets selected for publishing the research in top ranked journal.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.