The Challenge of Balancing Multiple Worlds

When you work as a creator on more than one project at a time.

a man juggling, balancing multiple worlds — *Photo by Yi Liu on Unsplash*

As a storyteller, one of the things I take great pride in is my ability to do worldbuilding.

Among my already published works, I’ve created 5 different worlds. In two cases, entirely different galaxies. The rules of my worlds have many similarities, but then they veer in different directions for various reasons.

The fantasy world of The Source Chronicles has its own names for days, weeks, the moons of the world, and a whole magic system. My standalone Infamy Ascending is a blend of fantasy, Steampunk tech, and magic. The Vapor Rogues is a Steampunk world with magic. My Void Incursion series takes place in a unique galaxy different from ours, while Forgotten Fodder is set 550 years into the future and features colony worlds on exoplanets believed to exist within 20-30 light-years of Earth.

On top of these basics, the magic systems in my fantasy worlds each have unique properties. Likewise, the workings of faster-than-light travel, functions of the starships, language, and currency vary between my sci-fi series.

The biggest challenge tends to come from working on multiple projects at a time.

Balancing multiple worlds between writing, editing, and planning

As of this post, I’m presently working on three different projects encompassing three very different worlds.

I’m writing a new absurdist/humorous sci-fi novel called Jay and Char Save the Galaxy. It might lead to at least one more book, but for now, it’s a standalone. It tells a story from a slightly different perspective for me, with intentional humor and absurd situations.

Currently, I’m editing Alliances and Consequences, the first novel of my Savagespace trilogy. Following suggestions from my beta readers, I’m working to improve the first book before sending it on to an editor. Books 2 and 3 are both complete, and they will be next in my editing queue. Cover art should be coming this week. The goal is to publish this in the fall of 2024 (and possibly the whole series).

On top of these, I’ve been world-building, plotting, and planning a new fantasy series. For this, I will be stepping away from certain standard fantasy tropes. The world has been mapped, the races occupying it are known, and a very broad plot is afoot. Tentatively, the series will be called The Dalshuzo Accords. It’s been a while since I’ve delved into fantasy. Most of what I’ve been writing the last few years has been sci-fi. I am, however, quite psyched for this project.

To work on each requires a shift of perspective and mindset. Three very different worlds, lots of unique and different characters, sci-fi nonhumans and fantasy nonhumans, and the like. Then, to add more fun to this, I write 4 blogs a week on variable topics, plus other professional content creation work.

This is, as you can imagine, something of a balancing act.

There are a lot of different worlds in my head. Many have been put to the page or screen along the way. Some are mere ideas that haven’t gone anywhere outside of my head. Then, there are elements of this world that need to find their way to the page or screen (usually involving content for blogs or webpages, mine or someone else’s).

Balancing these worlds can be complicated at times. Yet while to some that might seem like a daunting challenge, this is something I love to do.

When it comes to my various and sundry sci-fi and fantasy worlds, beyond what I might be currently working on, there are always ideas in my head. A character idea, some sort of untenable situation, a random scene, or some combination of these. Worlds, ships, characters, situations, aliens, sorcery, it all just swirls around in my head, waiting to find purchase.

This is why I don’t do hallucinogens. Dear gods, like I need to have more crazy ideas to think about? Balancing all the worlds I’m working on, in addition to worlds I’ve had general ideas about, plus real life? Yeah, there’s a lot to work with here.

This is why I see this as a challenge, rather than a problem.

stacked stones. balancing multiple worlds — *Photo by David Clode on Unsplash*

The pathway to potential and possibilities

I have a lot of ideas for stories in my head. Some have been written in part or full, some have yet to leave my brain. As a storyteller, as an artist, finding ways to bring them to life is what brings me joy.

One reason I get irked with Hollywood and the streaming services is their continual rehashing, reworking, and reimagining of existing products. Not just because JK Rowling is a TERF and worse is she undeserving of earning any more money, but does the Harry Potter series really need to be rebooted for streaming or film? How many times will they take a stab at Batman, Superman, and other superhero movies and shows? Do we need another reimagining of Battlestar Galactica?

I have lots of ideas that would be cool if they found their way to the screen. There are better-known and better-selling authors with amazing, creative works that would also be incredible on the screen. Fostering originality from both traditionally published and indie-authors more could happen. Perhaps, in time, it will.

Everything I create is meant to inspire imagination. The reader should be drawn into the story and vested in the characters, their exploits, trials, and tribulations. I know that’s how the best books I read impact me, and I desire to do the same. I’d like to empower people to be inspired (and inspire people to be empowered, too).

This is how, for me, balancing multiple worlds is exciting. It’s a fun challenge as I am constantly creating. The act of creating – whether original work, editing, or planning the next project – is a pathway to potential and possibilities. Then, I get to share them with you.

Do the work

I know a few dreamers out there who have ideas to share. You have a story, a concept, maybe even a novel or three in your head. Even if what you have is half-baked, naught by a concept, or just a piece of dialogue or snippet of a scene – get it on the page or screen.

Do the work. Write out whatever it is. Sometimes the catharsis of getting your imagination into form on a page or screen sparks more. It could be turned into something, or it could be shared with someone to collaborate with.

There are times when finding the balance between multiple worlds is as simple as placing an imaginary world into the here and now. Do the work, get it out of your head and into form.

Write the notion or scene. Brainstorm around the dialogue. Paint the idea. Sketch the concept. Do the work so that you are making time and taking action to be a creative.

The world can never have too many creatives. Imagination is how yesterday’s sci-fi is today’s reality. Don’t be afraid that what you have is incomplete, hardly ready, or half-baked. Do the work, find and strike that balance between the real world and your imagination and creativity.

You are worthy and deserving of making this happen. Go for it. If I can work on balancing multiple worlds, so can you.

Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you, I conclude with this: