writing systemic host interface reflection
From Trilogy to Universe: Reflections on the Systemic Series
With Interface on the horizon, Chris reflects on the journey from a single novel idea to a full science fiction universe
Blog
Worldbuilding extras, cut chapters, writing updates, and the occasional tangent from the Systemic universe.
writing interface worldbuilding
Building the World of Interface: Where Technology Meets the Wild
A behind-the-scenes look at the worldbuilding for Interface — the bio-amplified forests, the politics of Seal Tooth, and how this world grew from Systemic's ashes
podcast no-i-in-writing editing interface
Podcast: Developmental Editing of Chris' Upcoming Book
Chris and Christy discuss the developmental editing process for Chris's upcoming novel Interface — spoiler warning!
podcast no-i-in-writing writing-groups feedback
Podcast: Writing Groups — A Debate
Christy tries to convince Chris, a writing group skeptic, that there are advantages to an author-focused feedback group
writing tools interface
Using a Decision Matrix
How I use decision matrices in my novels and in life — analyzed through The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'
podcast no-i-in-writing writing-process update
Podcast: Mid-April Catch Up
Where we are in our novel projects — project management meets creative anxiety
podcast no-i-in-writing editing guest
Podcast: Terry Scheuer Has Concerns
Christy's dad joins us to ask the hard questions about writing and editing — it's like a Writing 101 class
podcast no-i-in-writing interface writing-process
Podcast: Chris Writes a Synopsis for Interface
Writing a synopsis for Interface turned out to be surprisingly clarifying — and revealed problems Chris didn't know he had
podcast no-i-in-writing research systemic worldbuilding
Podcast: Using Social Media for Good (and Other Fun Research Ideas)
The internet isn't terrible when you ask people to be creative — how crowdsourcing shaped the Systemic universe
podcast no-i-in-writing guest storytelling
Podcast: A Discussion with Sitong Che
Guest Sitong Che joins us to discuss creative projects, character free will, and the difference between performance and page
podcast no-i-in-writing book-coaching interface
Podcast: Book Coaching Is (Kind of) Like Therapy
Christy practices book coach magic on Chris's work-in-progress — spoiler warning for Interface!
podcast no-i-in-writing characters collaboration
Podcast: Collaboration Between Characters
Can letting your characters work things out amongst themselves count as creative collaboration?
podcast no-i-in-writing self-publishing writing-process
Podcast: The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing
Why creative collaboration is central to self-publishing — and why Chris is mad at golf
podcast no-i-in-writing characters editing interface
Podcast: Main Characters, Giant Bugs, and Exorcisms
Chris changes his mind about who his main character is — live on air. Christy's first official edit involves more giant bugs.
podcast no-i-in-writing coaching accountability
Podcast: Accountability Partners
Christy reports back on Chris's coaching advice — how coaching differs from mentoring
update podcast writing
What I've Been Up To (Writing and Casting Pods!)
A quick update on the Systemic Series and the No 'i' in Writing podcast
worldbuilding host lore
The Dean Lattice and Lemmist Timeline
291 years of Deans from the University at Seal Tooth — a peek behind the curtain of Host's worldbuilding
host worldbuilding audiobook
Host Pronunciation Guide
How to pronounce the names and places in Host — from the author's head to your ears
ai interview systemic host
My First Real Interview with an AI
My friend Brooks interviewed me using ChatGPT as the interviewer — the AI got suspicious and tried to catch me lying
host deleted-scenes worldbuilding
Lem and Eryn Make History
A deleted scene from Host — Lem and Eryn debate what to write in their first journal entry after the fall of the System
host deleted-scenes worldbuilding lem-journals
The Musician
From the Compiled Journals of Partner Lem — a man builds an instrument from scraps and plays terrible, beautiful music
host deleted-scenes worldbuilding lem-journals
Time
From the Compiled Journals of Partner Lem — on losing the distractions of the Systemic Era and becoming time's meter and measure