Recently, I brought my son and husband to our local strategy/board game shop. It's a favorite haunt of mine; one that constantly reminds me I need to make more friends now that I live in a new country.
Our son loves it because they have a nice collection of Pokémon cards. Me? I always gravitate to the wall of Dungeons and Dragons books. I told myself what I always do when I start perusing its shelves: "I'll just look." (I never learn.)
But then I stumbled upon this gem called "The Worldbuilder's Journal", and I was reminded of the simple fact that playing Dungeons and Dragons solo is just writing a book. I flipped through the journal's pages, enticed by the high-fantasy, open-ended prompts on each page.
This book wasn't just a tool for Dungeon Masters looking to craft a campaign. It was a magical book of story seeds waiting to be planted and nurtured.
Why Dungeon Masters and Fantasy Writers Want This Book
There are very few "writing prompt" journals that I actually want to use. More often than not, the prompts are too vague or boring for my taste. I want magic. I want adventure! And folks, this book delivers. Take a look at some of these prompts pulled from the book:
"Describe the black market in one of the cities you encounter. Start by writing down the names, appearances, and personalities of three vendors. What are some of the unique, unsusual, or magical wares they sell? Or what valuable information do they have?"
"Whenever you and your company hit a new town or city, you're sure to be tavern-bound eventually. Write a list of at least five tavern names, their themes, their proprietors, and their personalities. What characters or unique brews might you encounter at each establishment?"
"Think about a child who has been affected by the actions of you or your party. How did crossing paths with you change the child's life? Perhaps you accidentally burned down their village or saved the child from a monster's attack. What is this child like, as a result, when they grow up?"
Not all of these prompts will transform into a story or character all its own, but they will get the creative juices flowing. If you're experiencing writer's block or you're seeking a starting point for scenes, plots, or character introductions, this book offers a library of options to help you craft a high fantasy playground.
Where to Buy The Worldbuilder's Journal
I found this book at my local game shop, but you can also buy The Worldbuilder's Journal on Amazon (I'll get a small commission from US buyers if you use the link). You can also probably find it at your local bookstore or where DnD products are typically sold.
Bonus: the book is small and travel-friendly. So if you're a coffee shop writer like myself, you can drop it into your bag and take it with you to your favorite writing haunt.