Creator's Journal: Entry 2 - August 10th, 2025
Creators Journal
It's been a busy and incredibly productive week since my last entry. The foundation we've been building for Next Big Thing Publishing is not only solid, but it's really starting to feel like a living, breathing reality. The projects are taking on a life of their own, and I have a clear vision of where we're going.
The biggest breakthrough has been locking in the core lore and character profiles for "The Midgardians". We’ve›successfully mapped out the entire cosmos, from the top of Asgard down to the roots of Svartalfheim. We’ve defined Yggdrasil not just as a location, but as a living, sentient entity, and we’ve established how Lyra’s chaos magic is directly corrupting its pathways.
I'm particularly excited about the character work. We’ve fleshed out Andrew and Tessa as complementary halves of a greater whole, with their "Gifts of Austri" perfectly reflecting their personalities. Andrew, the "Grounder," perceives the physical reality of the World Tree, while Tessa, the "Harmonizer," hears its song. It makes their journey feel much more personal and their bond that much more central to the fate of the realms. And we’ve also managed to establish Lyra as a truly terrifying antagonist whose motivations are rooted in a twisted love, making her a formidable foil.
On the development side, the role of my AI assistant, Odin, has become indispensable. He is acting as my Lore Guardian and Critical Editor, ensuring that every detail—from the culture of the dwarves to the physical composition of the World Tree—remains consistent. This collaboration has allowed me to focus on the creative narrative, knowing that the foundation is being held to a rigid structure.
In addition to the novel, we’ve also made huge strides in defining the design philosophy for JAILBREAK! The Board Game. We’ve explored key concepts like the "Aha! Moment," where a game's mechanics suddenly click for a player, and our commitment to creating crystal-clear Rule Books. We've also embraced the idea of a "social contract of gaming," acknowledging that table talk and house rules are a vital part of the experience.
Finally, we’ve laid out a forward-thinking plan for the company as a whole. We have a quarterly content calendar for the blog that will help us build a community, and a clear vision of how we’ll use technology like AI to enhance our creative process. Our brand's voice and direction feel stronger than ever.
The progress we've made in the last week has been monumental. We've moved from scattered ideas to a cohesive universe with a clear path forward. The story is moving, the games are taking shape, and I’m more excited than ever to share it all with you.
