Backup Plans

Over the past year I’ve been telling myself I would abandon the Outline-Screenplay-Novel process for Keptosh. Instead I had decided to jump straight from Outline to Novel. Well, the outline has been done for at least six months now and I haven’t touched it. So, I am planning to move back to the screenplay idea. Hopefully, this will push me to just start writing some content. I was kind of getting stuck on the opening lines of the novel. Putting way too much thought into how much that meant. When it comes right down to it I am well aware that I am a horrible “writer”. When it comes to grammar, spelling, and my general grasp of the English language I just kind of…fail. I do believe that I have a very strong grasp of story structure and dialogue on the other hand. So, outlining and screenplay writing just kind of flow more naturally.

Recently, I purchased another DVD burner because I couldn’t read any of my old backup CDs and DVDs. After my last backup I realized that using DVDs just isn’t efficient when you have a 320GB hard drive. The solution has been around for some time now. I’ve just been a little slow in picking it up. So, I have the intention of picking up an external hard drive this month. For less than a hundred bucks you can pick up a decent sized USB 2.0 drive. Of course this means the massive chore of going through all of my old CDs and copying them over to the new drive.

Well, that is it for now. I will, once again, attempt to post more.

later,
-junc

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition

On June 7th, 2008 the Core Rule Books for D&D 4th edition will be available. Today I picked up the first Adventure Module, “Keep on the Shadowfell.” I have finally managed to admit to myself that I am just a collector. I played a very short game with my girlfriend when I first picked up the 3.5 books a year or so ago. Since then though, they have just sat on my bookshelf. This new edition is rather exciting for me, especially with the promise of the computer element added in. What exactly D&D Insider will be is a whole other question. It appears that it will be a virtual miniatures environment. If so, then I will be quite happy. I’ve never liked the whole “collection” take that WOTC went with for them. I mean, when I need 10 Kobolds to be standing along the path then I need 10 Kobolds. I can’t buy random miniature packs in hopes of getting that one last Kobold. I imagine there are alternatives, and perhaps WOTC even does allow for individual purchases. They certainly don’t seem to publicize it though.

As for the “Keep on the Shadowfell” module itself, I was expecting to be disappointed. I had read several bad reviews online. Most complained about the price and lack of hardcover for that price. Then upon hearing that it was a folder with some booklets and foldout maps I must say I was concerned. However, after looking at it, I am impressed. The booklets are near magazine quality. Compared to the newspaper quality paper and black and white print of the 3.x modules it is leaps and bounds better. The foldout maps are great for miniature users, although questionable in light of D&D Insider. As far as the adventure itself is concerned I have no idea as of yet if it is worthwhile. What I have read seems to be well written. Some of the negative reviews I read criticized the module as being too advanced for beginners and too simple for veterans. I could certainly see this from what little I’ve read so far. Although, I do feel that the first module for 3.x, “The Sunless Citadel”, wasn’t of much help to the beginner either. I’ve always felt that the fledgling Dungeon Master was always left with very little in regards to learning how to design adventures.

Finally, I am writing this from Word 2007. I have been loving the entire Office 07 suite and looking for a reason to use Word on a regular basis. I suppose my novel should have been the first thing to inspire that use, but alas, I am slow when it comes to all things Keptosh. Anyway, blogging from word, FTW. Keptosh screenplay in Word, on the horizon.

later,
-junc