#project management visual board

[employeetrackpro]

Creating Clarity The Importance Of Visual Project Management

In today's fast-paced business environment, clarity in project management is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. As projects grow in complexity and scale, effective management becomes increasingly crucial. One of the most powerful tools to enhance this clarity is project management visual board. By leveraging visual tools and techniques, teams can navigate projects more efficiently, minimize misunderstandings, and ultimately achieve their goals with greater success.

What Is A Project Management Visual Board?

Visual project management refers to the use of visual aids to plan, execute, and monitor projects. These aids can include charts, graphs, timelines, and other visual representations that make it easier to understand the project's scope, progress, and potential roadblocks. Unlike traditional project management methods, which often rely heavily on text and numbers, project management visual board uses graphical elements to provide a more intuitive and immediate understanding of the project’s status.

Why Project Management Visualization Matters

Enhanced Communication

Communication is the cornerstone of successful project management. When team members, stakeholders, and managers can see a project’s status at a glance, they can communicate more effectively. Visual tools like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and dashboards provide a shared reference point, reducing the risk of miscommunication. This clarity ensures that everyone involved has the same understanding of the project's progress and next steps.

Improved Tracking and Accountability

Tracking progress becomes significantly easier with project management visualization. Traditional text-based reports can be overwhelming and hard to interpret, but visual tools present information in a more digestible format. For instance, colour-coded status indicators on a Kanban board project management quickly show which tasks are completed, in progress, or stalled. This visual approach makes it easier to identify delays, allocate resources appropriately, and hold team members accountable for their contributions.

Faster Decision-Making

In any project, timely decision-making is crucial. Visual tools provide a clear overview of project elements, which facilitates quicker and more informed decisions. When project managers can see a visual representation of the project’s timeline, resource allocation, and potential risks, they can make decisions faster and with greater confidence. This agility is particularly important in dynamic environments where changes are frequent and rapid responses are necessary.

Simplified Planning and Scheduling

Effective planning and scheduling are vital for any project's success. Visual management tools, such as timelines and Gantt charts, help in outlining project phases, deadlines, and dependencies. By presenting this information visually, teams can better understand the sequence of tasks and potential bottlenecks. This visual clarity aids in creating realistic schedules and ensures that all team members are aware of their deadlines and deliverables.

Increased Engagement and Motivation

It can also boost team productivity and motivation. Visual tools make it easier to see the progress and accomplishments, which can be motivating for team members. For instance, seeing tasks move from “To Do” to “Done” on a Kanban board provides a tangible sense of achievement. This visibility fosters a sense of ownership and encourages team members to stay focused and productive. 

Implementing Project Management Visualization

To effectively implement project management visualization, consider the following steps:

#1 Choose the Right Tools

There is a range of project management visualization tools available, from simple charts to advanced project management software. Choose tools that best fit your project's needs and your team's workflow. Popular options include Trello for Kanban boards, Microsoft Project for Gantt charts, and Asana for comprehensive project tracking.

#2 Integrate with Existing Processes

Ensure that the visual tools you choose integrate seamlessly with your existing project management processes. This integration will help in maintaining consistency and avoiding disruptions in workflow.

#3 Train Your Team

Provide training for your team on how to use project management visualizationtools effectively. Ensure that everyone understands how to interpret the visual data and how to update it as the project progresses.

#4 Regularly Review and Adjust

Regularly review the visual tools and adjust them as needed based on feedback from the team and changes in the project. This flexibility will help in keeping the tools relevant and useful throughout the project lifecycle.

You can also watch: EmpMonitor: Manage Remote Work Easily

Conclusion

It offers a powerful way to create clarity in project execution. By incorporating visual tools into your project management practices, you enhance communication, improve tracking, facilitate quicker decision-making, and boost team engagement. As projects continue to grow in complexity, leveraging these visual techniques will be essential for navigating challenges and driving success. Embrace the power of visual project management, and watch as it transforms your project planning and execution into a more streamlined and effective process.

[theambitiouswoman]

How To Become A Brand New Person ✨✨

Self Reflect:

Journal daily.

Think about past decisions and how they impacted your life.

Meditate regularly.

Create a vision board to visualize your goals.

Review your strengths and weaknesses.

Identify your core values and beliefs.

Figure out your passions and interests.

Think about your childhood dreams and aspirations.

Evaluate your current state of happiness and fulfillment.

Set Clear Goals:

Define specific career goals, like "Get promoted within two years."

Set health goals, like "Lose 20 pounds in six months."

Create financial goals such as "Save $10,000 for a vacation."

Establish personal development goals, like "Read 24 books in a year."

Set relationship goals, such as "Improve communication with my partner."

Define education goals, like "Complete a master's degree in three years."

Set travel goals, like "Visit five new countries in the next two years."

Create hobbies and interests goals, such as "Learn to play a musical instrument."

Set community or volunteer goals, like "Volunteer 100 hours this year."

Establish mindfulness or self-care goals, such as "Practice meditation daily."

Self Care:

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Follow a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Practice in relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga.

Take regular breaks at work to avoid burnout.

Schedule "me time" for activities you enjoy.

Limit exposure to stressors and toxic people.

Practice regular skincare and grooming routines.

Seek regular medical check-ups and screenings.

Stay hydrated by drinking enough water daily.

Personal Development:

Read a book every month from various genres.

Attend workshops or seminars on topics of interest.

Learn a new language or musical instrument.

Take online courses to acquire new skills.

Set aside time for daily reflection and self improvement.

Seek a mentor in your field for guidance.

Attend conferences and networking events.

Start a side project or hobby to expand your abilities.

Practice public speaking or communication skills.

Do creative activities like painting, writing, or photography.

Create a Support System:

Build a close knit group of friends who uplift and inspire you.

Join clubs or organizations aligned with your interests.

Connect with a mentor or life coach.

Attend family gatherings to maintain bonds.

Be open and honest in your communication with loved ones.

Seek advice from trusted colleagues or supervisors.

Attend support groups for specific challenges (e.g., addiction recovery).

Cultivate online connections through social media.

Find a therapist or counselor for emotional support.

Participate in community or volunteer activities to meet like minded people.

Change Habits:

Cut back on sugary or processed foods.

Reduce screen time and increase physical activity.

Practice gratitude by keeping a daily journal.

Manage stress through mindfulness meditation.

Limit procrastination by setting specific deadlines.

Reduce negative self-talk by practicing self-compassion.

Establish a regular exercise routine.

Create a budget and stick to it.

Develop a morning and evening routine for consistency.

Overcome Fear and Self Doubt:

Face a specific fear head-on (example: public speaking).

Challenge your negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Seek therapy to address underlying fears or traumas.

Take small, calculated risks to build confidence.

Visualize success in challenging situations.

Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people.

Journal about your fears and doubts to gain clarity.

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

Focus on your strengths and accomplishments.

Embrace failure as a valuable learning experience.

Embrace Change:

Relocate to a new city or country.

Switch careers or industries to pursue your passion.

Take on leadership roles in your workplace.

Volunteer for projects outside your comfort zone.

Embrace new technologies and digital tools.

Travel to unfamiliar destinations.

Start a new hobby or creative endeavor.

Change your daily routine to add variety.

Adjust your mindset to see change as an opportunity.

Seek out diverse perspectives and viewpoints.

Practice Gratitude:

Write down three things you're grateful for each day.

Express gratitude to loved ones regularly.

Create a gratitude jar and add notes of appreciation.

Reflect on the positive aspects of challenging situations.

Show gratitude by volunteering or helping others in need.

Send thank-you notes or messages to people who've helped you.

Keep a gratitude journal and review it regularly.

Share your gratitude openly during family meals or gatherings.

Focus on the present moment and appreciate the little things.

Practice gratitude even in times of adversity.

Be Patient:

Set realistic expectations for your progress.

Accept that personal growth takes time.

Focus on the journey rather than the destination.

Learn from setbacks and view them as opportunities to improve.

Celebrate small milestones along the way.

Practice self-compassion during challenging times.

Stay committed to your goals, even when progress is slow.

Keep a journal to track your personal growth.

Recognize that patience is a valuable skill in personal transformation.

Celebrate Small Wins:

Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert.

Reward yourself with a spa day or self-care activity.

Share your achievements with friends and loved ones.

Create a vision board to visualize your successes.

Acknowledge and congratulate yourself in a journal.

Give yourself permission to take a break and relax.

Display reminders of your accomplishments in your workspace.

Take a day off to celebrate a major milestone.

Host a small gathering to mark your achievements.

Set aside time to reflect on how far you've come.

Maintain Balance:

Set clear boundaries in your personal and work life.

Prioritize self care activities in your daily routine.

Schedule regular breaks and downtime.

Learn to say "no" when necessary to avoid overcommitment.

Evaluate your work life balance regularly.

Seek support from friends and family to avoid burnout.

Be kind to yourself and accept imperfections.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and grounded.

Revisit your priorities and adjust them as needed.

Embrace self love and self acceptance as part of your daily life.

[ms-demeanor]

*screaming*

*continued screaming*

Okay. So. My introductory Visual C# class.

The professor for that class was Alice. Alice was the person who spoke in the introductory video and the person who we were supposed to email if we had any issues.

But all of the assignments, lectures, and quizzes were written and delivered by Bob. On the youtube channel "Bob's programming academy." The quizzes included Bob's name, like "if you do X will it return the string ProfessorBob, Professor, Bob, or Professor.Bob?"

This class was really frustrating for me because it was structured in such a way that you could easily pass the class with zero knowledge of the subject - it was totally based on quizzes that you could take an unlimited number of times and we *had* weekly programming assignments but they weren't graded so there was no incentive to do them (and look, if I wanted to teach myself programming with no incentives I could fail for several years to do that on my own, I don't need to pay fifty bucks a unit for that; the reason I am in a *class* and am not self-taught is because I need external motivation. That's why I sought out a class).

Also when there *was* a problem with an instruction that was unclear in one of the videos for the assignments, or if I thought I'd done something correctly that was very much incorrect, it wasn't Alice who had created the instructions, it was Bob - in 2017 no less - and I didn't really feel like I could ask Alice for help with an ungraded assignment that she hadn't written.

So. Now. My Python class.

Today is the first day of class. Professor is Charles.

I go to the mandatory attendance quiz and it is word-for-word the same mandatory attendance quiz as the C# class, down to the final question "what is your personal email address so I can keep in contact with you after the semester?"

I look at the syllabus.

Class grade is based on quizzes. We have assignments but none of them are graded. There's no textbook, just a series of videos from Professor Bob's Programming Academy.

So I'd been toying with staying at this school and trying to take more CS classes instead of going to another school, just to try to keep my records easier to manage, but since it seems like that *ENTIRE DEPARTMENT* is five Professor Bobs in a trenchcoat, I will probably be going somewhere else (and once again trying to force myself to do projects that I already know are *good for me to do* but *useless for the class and a massive time suck*)

I should drop this class. I should drop this class and apply for the other school so that I can start taking classes there in the spring because if I take this class and then go into the object oriented programming class in the spring and it's another professor bob sock puppet and I end up taking twelve units of programming classes where all I learn is how to google answers in a short time frame (something I already know how to do thanks) I am going to fucking lose it.

Also, again: I have a Bachelor's Degree. I spent five years at a community college when I was getting that degree. I took probably a dozen online classes starting in 2005 and going until 2011 in the process of getting that degree.

THIS bullshit, this "I'm your professor but actually I'm not and all the materials were created by someone else in the department or came directly from the textbook publisher and there is no writing and there are no assignments everything is multiple choice quizzes that are automatically graded" is *dogshit.*

This is NOT how online classes worked back in my day, not even online math classes, and as much as I know adjuncts are getting fucked over by academia in general, this isn't something that these professors should be getting paid as much as they are to do. Alice checked whether or not students turned in a hello world assignment and gave a pass/fail grades for three discussion boards that were responses to youtube videos. Nothing else in the class required her input. If this is the level of instruction that students are getting then the class is already automated and the students shouldn't have to pay for it.

This is crap. This is an incredible level of crap.

[drivestraight]

principle of least interest | omegaverse, 24.5k

The only reason why Oscar started lying in the first place is because Haileybury wouldn’t let him board if he said he was an omega.

And then it just got convenient.

markoscar, landoscar, accidental secret omega oscar | oscar and his manager who won’t fuck him and his teammate who REALLY wants to fuck him. what’s your damage? defective omega versus guy who is just really bad at being an alpha

blurb:

If Oscar closes his eyes, focuses, he can visualize it, remember it, their first meeting, how he was quietly starstruck and Mark read it as indifference. He grew fond of Oscar because of it. There was always that fundamental misunderstanding between them that Oscar has never had the heart to correct. By now, Mark would have to be an idiot, to think that Oscar hasn’t needed him from day one.

[nenelonomh]

time management

time management is all about planning and controlling how you spend your time to be more efficient and productive. some key strategies to help you manage your time better include:

・prioritize tasks: identify what's most important and tackle those tasks first. you can use methods like the eisenhower matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance.

・set goals: having clear, achievable goals can help you stay focused and motivated. break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks.

・create a schedule: plan your day or week in advance. allocate specific time blocks for different activities and stick to your schedule as much as possible.

・avoid multitasking: focus on one task at a time. multitasking can reduce your efficiency and increase the chances of making mistakes.

・take breaks: regular breaks can help you stay fresh and maintain high levels of productivity. techniques like the pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break, can be very effective.

・eliminate distractions: identify what distracts you and find ways to minimize these interruptions. this could mean turning off notifications, setting boundaries with others, or creating a dedicated workspace

for example, sometimes i get so caught up with talking to my friends online that i forget to start my homework when i get home. an easy solution is to simply move my phone out of the room.

・review and adjust: regularly review your progress and adjust your plans as needed. this helps you stay on track and make improvements over time.

do you have any specific areas where you struggle with time management?

there are several great time management apps that can help you stay organized and productive. here are a few popular ones:

todoist: a comprehensive app for managing tasks and projects. it’s available on multiple platforms and integrates well with other tools like gmail and slack.

toggl track: ideal for tracking work hours and managing schedules. it’s great for freelancers and small businesses.

forest: a unique app that uses a gamified approach to help you stay focused. you grow a virtual tree by staying on task, and if you get distracted, the tree dies.

notion: an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, tasks, and project management. it’s highly customizable and great for both personal and team use.

clockify: a free time tracking app that helps you track work hours across projects. it's useful for individuals and groups.

trello: a visual tool for organising tasks and projects using boards, lists, and cards. it’s great for collaboration and keeping track of multiple projects.

thanks for reading! remember, mastering time management is a journey, not a destination. stay focused, stay organized, and make every moment count.

feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more tips! 

❤️ nene

[artbyblastweave]

One interesting thing about The Hulk's role in the Hickman Ultimate Universe is that he's close to an inversion of his character in the original Ultimate Universe.

In the original Ultimate Universe, the gag surrounding Hulk- and much of what went into The Ultimates should be understood through the lens of a gag- was that his uncontrollable rage and homicidal toxic masculinity made him a millstone around the necks of the rest of the roster, their first major deployment being to get him under control after he loses his shit and kills 800 people in New York while trying to kill and eat Freddie Prinze Jr- an embarrassment that gets hushed up after the fact. In the grand finale of the first volume they barely, barely manage to get him aimed at the invading aliens by telling him the aliens called him gay, and then he still nearly eats Hawkeye before the tranqs kick in. He's less a part of the team than a barely directable bomb, emblematic of the fact that the Ultimates, collectively, do not have their shit together-it's a rotten idea to the core.

In the New Ultimate Universe, he's the one member of the classic Avengers lineup who's thrown in with The Maker, again standing in opposition to the rest of the team, but for the complete opposite reason. He's very visibly a road-not-taken of the Ultimate Hulk- same color scheme- but he worked his shit out, he found a self-help book, he became less insecure, less self-absorbed, altogether more functional. And it turns out that a "functional" version of that hulk comes out the other side as an Adrian-Veidt style of holier-than-thou Compassionate-enough-to-Kill-thousands-for-the-greater-good kind of figure, who callously tests the mutagenic effects of gamma exposure on isolated indigenous populations on the side. Fucker built nukes for the army- were we expecting a saint?

Anyway, this sort of leads into a thought I've been having about the comic in general, which is that with superhero comics it can be genuinely really hard to judge the dividing line between something that's cleverly meta and something that doesn't have the strength to stand on its own as a narrative without being composed of one million billion deep cut references. All the best cape comics are about cape comics. The actual stated project of The New Ultimate Universe is to create something so inextricably embedded in batshit comics continuity that no MCU adaptation is at all plausible, so, uh, mission accomplished? I tried to explain this specific Hulk-inversion beat to a non-comics-reading friend the other day and by the time I'd gotten through all the requisite context I was giving real Charlie Kelly without even the dignity of a good conspiracy board as a visual aid.

[soaplickerrr]

Accidentally Coincidental

CHAPTER 6 (click pictures for better quality)

| ⇠ Previous | Next ⇢|

a/n: updates will be slow, i'm working on a pretty long fic on my side blog.

pairing: Idol!Kim Seungmin x Fem!CollegeStudent!Reader

genre: contemporary romance

SMAU

synopsis: Y/N, a regular college student accidentally texts Seungmin, a star in the K-pop group Stray Kids while trying to text her Ex, Soonyoung to come pick up his things, leading to an unexpected connection that blossoms into a heartfelt romance.

ignore time stamps, dates ( other than tge ones mentioned during texting) and typos

THERES A WRITTEN PART SO DONT JUST SCROLL THROUGH THE PICTURES🙏🙏

The meeting room at JYP Entertainment was filled with a palpable tension as the key players gathered around the large, polished table. The CEO sat at the head, flanked by the editing team manager and Bang Chan's own manager. The atmosphere was serious, almost formal, as everyone waited for Bang Chan to speak.

Chan cleared his throat, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a more focused, determined air. He knew this wasn’t just any conversation—this was about convincing the higher-ups to take a chance on someone they’d never even met.

“Thank you all for taking the time to meet today,” Chan began, his voice steady and professional. “I want to talk about an opportunity that could benefit both our company and someone outside of it. I’ve recently heard about someone who has a passion for editing, specifically in the realm of music videos. Given that we’re currently short-staffed in the editing department, I think we should seriously consider giving this person a chance.”

The CEO raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical but willing to listen. “And who exactly is this person? Do they have experience in the industry?”

Chan nodded. “She’s not a seasoned professional, but she has talent and a genuine love for the craft. What I’m proposing isn’t an immediate hire. Instead, I suggest we put her through a rigorous test—a project that would allow us to gauge her skills. If she passes, we hire her. If she doesn’t, we look elsewhere. It’s a win-win situation. We get to explore potential new talent without committing prematurely.”

The editing team manager leaned forward, interested but cautious. “What kind of test are you thinking? We can’t afford to waste time on someone who might not be up to par.”

“That’s exactly why I’m proposing a test,” Chan explained. “We can assign her a project—something that’s demanding but realistic. She can work on a segment of an upcoming music video or even a practice reel. We give her a deadline, clear guidelines, and see how she performs under pressure. It’s a controlled environment where we get to see what she’s really capable of.”

The CEO interjected, his tone still carrying a hint of doubt. “And what makes you so confident in this person? We’ve had people with potential come through before, only to realize they weren’t cut out for the pace and demands of this industry.”

Chan met the CEO’s gaze steadily. “I’m confident because I’ve seen her work. More than that, I’ve seen her passion. This isn’t just about filling a role—it’s about bringing in someone who genuinely cares about what they do. Someone who sees the art in editing, who understands the nuances of our music and visuals. I believe she has what it takes, but I’m not asking you to take my word for it. That’s why I’m proposing the test. Let her work speak for itself.”

There was a moment of silence as the CEO considered Chan’s words. The room was thick with anticipation, everyone waiting to see which way the decision would go.

The CEO finally nodded, a small but decisive gesture. “Alright, Chan. You’ve made a compelling case. We’ll arrange the test. If she meets our standards, we’ll consider bringing her on board. But I want to be clear—this is a one-shot deal. If she doesn’t impress, we move on.”

Chan smiled, relieved but still composed. “Understood. I’ll work with the editing team to get everything set up.”

The meeting wrapped up soon after, with everyone agreeing on the next steps. As the others filed out of the room, Chan stayed behind for a moment, letting the success of the conversation sink in. He had done it—he had convinced them to give her a chance. Now, it was up to her to prove herself.

Once he was alone, Chan couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. He quickly pulled out his phone and sent Seungmin a message, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen.

Seungmin’s POV

Seungmin stared at his phone in disbelief, a grin slowly spreading across his face as he realized what this meant. He quickly composed a message to Y/N, his heart racing with excitement.

Your POV

Seungmin put his phone down, unable to wipe the grin off his face. He couldn’t wait to see how this would all unfold. For now, he just hoped that Y/N was ready for what was coming her way.

———

Seungmin’s POV:

BONUS:

I dont like this chapter and college sucks.

😃👍

TAGLIST - CLOSED - if your name is in pink, I couldn’t tag you

@disasterousdangerousbi @akitfffr @alexateurmom @jeonginplsholdmyhand @sunarins-whore @feelikecinderella @minniesuperversee @istglevi-gotmesimping @dreamerwasfound @whiteghostt @your-favorite-pirate @pnutbutter-n-j-elyy @chuuyaobsessed @ihrtlix @onlyhyunjin @jisuperboard @dazzlingjade @sellomaybe @lixiesbrownies333 @kkamismom12 @iatemycatfreckles @puppyminnnie @imperfectlyperfectprincess1 @ayyonoona @missvanjii @jc003 @dontwannaexsist @everglowdaisies

[jupitersdoll]

Possible Career Paths for the Sun Signs🌞

As I explained in my second Astro Observations post, the sign and house your sun is in can tell you where you naturally shine best. Working in a career where you stand out naturally can benefit you in many ways because when work does not feel like work, you have more room to thrive.

Sun in Aries/1H - Management, Military, Self-Employed Entrepreneur, Acting*, Modeling.

Sun in Taurus/2H - Banking, Finance, Singing*, Chef, Real Estate.

Sun in Gemini/3H - Writer, Radio/Podcast, Middle Education Teacher (ages 7-14), Athlete*, Entertainment Critic

Sun in Cancer/4H* - Family trade (Nepotism), Early Education Teacher (ages newborn to 7), Interior Decoration, Family Therapist, Historian

Sun in Leo/5H - Entertainer, Relationship Therapist/Dating Coach, Film Director/Producer, Youth Advocate, Late Education Teacher (ages 14-18)

Sun in Virgo/6H - Healthcare, Social Work, Human Resources, Comedian, Politician

Sun in Libra/7H - Lawyer, Mediator, At-Home work, Visual Artist*, Business Owner

Sun in Scorpio/8H* - Insurance Agent, Funeral Services, Sex Therapist, Addiction Counselor, Acting*

Sun in Sagittarius/9H - Theology, Post-Grade School Education (ages 18 and over), Travel Agent, Life Coach, Blogger

Sun in Capricorn/10H* - Business Leadership (ex: C-Suite), Family Trade (self-starting), Board Member, Politics, Entertainment Executive

Sun in Aquarius/11H* - Socialite/Influencer, Entertainer, Entrepreneur (with others), Humanitarian, Project Manager

Sun in Pisces/12H* - Psychologist, Executor, Jail/Prison Employee, Artist*, Occult Worker

Notes: 

Actors, Singers, and Artists are usually found in all houses, but the work they go towards depends on the house they’re in. For example, Actors in Leo/5H tend to go for lighthearted roles like Will Smith, while Actors in Scorpio/8H tend to have darker-themed roles like Nicole Kidman.

Sun in Aquarius/11H can usually succeed in whatever career they venture into if they have passion for it because the 11H rules over hopes and dreams. It’s why most celebrities have 11H Sun.

Sun in Cancer/4H, Scorpio/8H, and Pisces/12H tend to have more mysterious or behind-the-scenes careers because the Sun prefers the attention to be on their work rather than on the person themselves.

Sun in Gemini/3H is good with athletics because the 3H is a social house along with 7H and 11H. Also, most professional athletes or athletic employees learn multiple languages to tend to their teams, which are made up of people from different cultures.

Sun in Capricorn/10H careers usually take time which is why the careers I listed are mostly leadership positions. These natives are ambitious so not being in charge is not a good direction for their sun energy.

Follow for more Astrology and Intuitive Content, readings are available! 💛

Tagged: @222-justfornow-333 @nummer626 @bcjkxs @starry-sky01 @mercurydombaby

[sugarsprinklesoul]

Your ultimate guide to glowing up physically and mentally in 2024.

This is a guide to glowing up physically and mentally in 2024, including skincare tips, hair care, mental health, vision boards, journaling, and creating new habits to achieve your goals.

Physical Fitness:

Incorporate a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine.

Focus on a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water daily.

Skincare Routine:

Develop a consistent skincare routine with cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.

Consider adding products with ingredients like retinol and vitamin C for anti-aging benefits.

Hair Care:

Maintain regular haircuts and consider trying new hairstyles.

Use quality hair products suitable for your hair type to keep it healthy and shiny.

Fashion and Style:

Update your wardrobe with pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable.

Experiment with different styles to find what suits your personality and body type.

Mindfulness and Mental Well-being:

Practice mindfulness through activities like meditation or yoga.

Prioritize self-care and set aside time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Create a vision board:

Identify your short-term and long-term goals

Collect magazines, newspapers, printed images, quotes, and any other materials you can use to represent your goals

Choose a board or poster as the base for your vision board. It can be a physical board or a digital one, depending on your preference.

Cut out images, words, and phrases that resonate with your goals. Arrange them on your board in a way that is visually appealing and meaningful to you.

As you place each item on the board, take a moment to visualize yourself achieving those goals. Feel the emotions associated with success.

Include positive affirmations related to your goals. Use words that inspire and motivate you.

Put your vision board in a place where you'll see it daily—this serves as a constant reminder of your aspirations.

Your vision board is a dynamic tool. Update it periodically as your goals evolve or as you achieve them.

Journaling:

Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, stress relief, and personal growth.

Establish a consistent time for journaling, whether it's in the morning, evening, or during specific events in your day.

Let your thoughts flow without judgment. Write about your feelings, experiences, dreams, or anything on your mind.

Include a section for things you're grateful for. This practice can shift focus towards positive aspects of your life.

Learning and Growth:

Read regularly to expand your knowledge and stay informed about various topics.

Set personal and professional goals to continually challenge and improve yourself.

Positive Relationships:

Nurture positive relationships and distance yourself from toxic influences.

Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.

Cut off toxic people:

Detoxifying your social circle by cutting off toxic people is a crucial step for your mental well-being.

Remember, prioritizing your mental health and well-being is not selfish; it's essential for personal growth and a fulfilling life.

Organization and Time Management:

Create a schedule that allows for a balance between work, personal life, and leisure.

Declutter your physical and digital spaces for a clearer mind.

Hobbies and Passion Projects:

Cultivate hobbies that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Consider pursuing a passion project or learning a new skill.

Financial Fitness:

Develop a budget and savings plan to achieve financial goals.

Invest time in understanding personal finance for long-term stability.

[destiny-smasher]

After three years of off-and-on development in my spare time (after conceptualizing the characters and concept in the mid 2010's), I finally pushed myself to release my work-in-progress build of the original visual novel I've been creating!

DownRight Fierce by Destiny-Smasher

A visual novel about fighting game gals finding themselves, losing themselves, and finding themselves again.

The slice-of-life shenanigans of visual novels like @brianna-lei's Butterfly Soup and D̷o̸k̷i̸ ̴D̶o̷k̶i̸ ̸L̴i̷t̷e̶r̸a̸t̵u̸r̴e̵ ̴C̵l̶u̴b̷ meet the quirky, power-infused worlds of fighting games like Street Fighter and Rival Schools in this character driven visual novel. Designed to feel like the fully fleshed out backstory of a small fighting game roster, DownRight Fierce will have players riding shotgun with protagonist Nishiko Shimomura as they are shipped off to a private school after acting out one too many times by abusing their latent Street Fighter -esque powers. Nishiko will have to navigate relationships in Windy Pines Academy, a strict boarding school designed to train those who are able to wield Ki-Flow, the ability to manifest one's own soul and spirit energy into physical form.

Make choices that will influence Nishiko's personal growth, from physical attributes to friendships and, if you're lucky, perhaps some sweethearting on the side. The choices you make will alter Nishiko's abilities, affecting how they perform later on in fighting scenes, as well as unlocking or locking dialogue options at various points. Think of this like a TellTale/Life is Strange styled game with a primary narrative but branching side scenes and various alternate moments -- much less flashy presentation but a lot more variables and variation in things that can happen during scenes.

I personally do not think a character's identity or sexuality should inherently be considered a 'spoiler,' but I can respect wanting to discover these characters' identities yourself in-universe. So for now, what I will make clear is that this is a queer, LGBT+ story, featuring characters of various ethnicities and identities.

I created this story concept and its main characters in ~2014, and the release of Butterfly Soup inspired me to start adapting it and rebooting it as a visual novel. I've been working on it sporadically since January 2020, and this is the first public release of my progress so far. As of this build (January 31, 2023) I've managed to edit the Prologue through to much of Chapter 2. I'll leave what I have past that present in this build, and intend to do a follow-up update in February or March to bring things up to the end of Chapter 3 before progressing further into the game's development using feedback I get from this public build.

Thanks for checking the project out, and please let me know what you think of it! I have a lot of work to do but this is a big first step for me and the project has come such a long way since I started it.

(Yes, there is a $ tsundere stat)

(Logo art by Shannon Ehrola, Character sprite art by @sakura-rose12, and smoke photo by Pascal Meier. )

[employeetrackpro]

Seeing is Believing The Power of Visual Project Management

In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing projects efficiently and effectively is crucial. Traditional project management methods often rely heavily on text-based tools, which can be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Enter project management visualization, a revolutionary approach that leverages visual tools to enhance project clarity, communication, and productivity. In this article, we explore the power of project management visualization and how it can transform the way your team works.

Understanding Project Management Visualization

Visual Project Management is the practice of using visual tools and techniques to plan, execute, and monitor projects. It involves the use of charts, graphs, boards, and other visual aids to represent project tasks, timelines, and progress. This approach helps teams quickly grasp complex information, identify potential issues, and stay aligned with project goals. By making information more accessible and easier to understand, Visual Project Management can lead to more informed decision-making and better project outcomes.

The Benefits of Project Visualization Techniques

Enhanced Clarity and Understanding

One of the most significant advantages of Visualization Techniques is its ability to provide clear and concise information. Visual tools like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and mind maps allow team members to see the entire project at a glance. This clarity helps everyone understand their roles, responsibilities, and deadlines, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Improved Communication

The foundation of good project management is effective communication. Visualization Techniques tools facilitate better communication by presenting information in a format that is easy to interpret and discuss. For instance, a visual timeline can help team members quickly see which tasks are dependent on others and when key milestones need to be achieved. This fosters more meaningful and productive discussions, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Increased Engagement and Collaboration

Visual tools are inherently more engaging than text-based documents. They capture attention and encourage interaction, making team members more likely to participate in project discussions and updates. Tools like digital whiteboards and collaborative platforms allow for real-time updates and feedback, promoting a collaborative work environment. This increased engagement can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger sense of team cohesion.

Faster Problem-Solving

Visualization Techniques helps teams identify potential issues and bottlenecks quickly. Visual representations of project progress, such as status dashboards and heat maps, make it easy to spot delays and areas that need attention. This allows project managers to address problems proactively and make necessary adjustments before they escalate. As a result, projects are more likely to stay on track and within budget.

Better Resource Allocation

Managing resources efficiently is a critical aspect of project management. Visual tools can provide a clear overview of resource availability and allocation, helping managers assign tasks more effectively. For example, a resource allocation chart can show who is overbooked and who has capacity, enabling better distribution of work. This ensures that resources are used optimally and projects are completed successfully.

Implementing Project Visualization Techniques

Adopting Visualization techniques requires selecting the right workload management tools and techniques that align with your team’s needs and workflows. Here are some steps to get started:

Choose the Right Tools

There are numerous project Visualization Techniques tools available, each with its unique features and benefits. Some popular options include Trello, Asana, Monday.com, and Microsoft Project. Evaluate these tools based on your project requirements, team size, and budget to find the best fit.

Train Your Team

To maximize the benefits of Visualization Techniques, it’s essential to train your team on how to use the chosen tools effectively. Provide training sessions, tutorials, and resources to ensure everyone is comfortable with the new system. Encourage team members to explore the tools and discover how they can enhance their workflow.

Integrate with Existing Processes

Visualization Techniques should complement, not replace, your existing processes. Integrate visual tools into your current project management framework to enhance efficiency and productivity. For example, if you already use Agile methodologies, incorporating Kanban boards can provide a visual representation of your sprint progress.

Monitor and Adjust

As with any new approach, it’s important to monitor the effectiveness of Visualization Techniques and make necessary adjustments. Gather feedback from your team and track project performance metrics to identify areas for improvement. Continuously refine your processes to ensure they meet your team’s evolving needs.

You can also watch: EmpMonitor: Manage Remote Work Easily

Conclusion

Visual Project Management offers a powerful way to enhance project clarity, communication, and collaboration. By leveraging visual tools, teams can quickly understand complex information, identify potential issues, and stay aligned with project goals. As a result, projects are more likely to be completed on time and within budget, leading to greater overall success. Embrace the power of project management visualization and transform the way your team works—seeing truly is believing.

[rachelbethhines]

Things That I Use To Help Manage My ADHD and Executive Dysfunction

1. To Do Lists

I know, I know.

Making a list is boring. I lose the paper. I forget to make the to do list.

Believe me, I know.

I've been there, but trust me it does help once you get into the habit.

Here's some tips on how to get started

Try making your list in a digital app or a document file so you don't lose it

Sticky notes in a place you're sure to see them

An erasable board like a marker board or a chalkboard that you keep up in a specific place and never move. Like on the wall or the fridge.

Put "make 'to do' list" on the to do list so you don't forget to do it

Set aside a certain time to fill out or check off the list each day. Consistency is key.

Use calendars, alarms, and timers liberally to keep track of appointments and to manage your time so you don't hyper-focus on something to the determinant of more important things

But be flexible for things that don't have deadlines or appointments. Don't beat yourself up if something doesn't get done, just add it back onto the list for next time

2. Randomizers

Part of the problem with executive dysfunction is being overwhelmed by choice. So I keep a few randomizer websites booked marked that I use regularly

Wheel pickers

List randomizers

Random number generators

Like I keep my list of projects on a wheel picker app. And my chores that I don't have deadlines for on another. When making my to do list I'll spin the wheel to pick the project or chore that I'm going to work on that day.

I do the same when picking out albums to listen to or movies to watch so I don't go doom scrolling while wasting time deciding.

3. Meal Planning

Similar to the above, I take one day out of the week to draw up my meal plan for the next week.

Use this time to take stock of your pantry and fridge. What needs to get used up?

Anything special you want to fix over the week or weekend? Save the recipes to a document or leave a bookmark in your cookbook

Overwhelmed with choices or just don't know what to do with certain ingredients? Try a randomizer or an app like supercook to come up with ideas.

After you've taken inventory of your kitchen and figured out any special recipes you want to make, go ahead and fill out your grocery list

Set aside time on your to do list for shopping, meal prep, and cooking through out the week.

Pre-plan what days/times you are going to eat out or get takeout and work that into the meal plan/budget

Budget not only your money but also your time. How long will this recipe take to prep/cook? How much effort will it require of me? Is there any shortcuts I can take to make things easier, like buying my veggies already diced?

Try using an app to keep track of your meal plan, grocery list, and recipes so that they're all in one place

4. Mental Health Apps

I like Booster Buddy, but it's no longer supported for newer devices. I have also used Finch. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter which app you choose.

The point of having a program dedicated for mental health is to have a handy way to check in on yourself and see how you are feeling. Many apps will offer visual cues to allow you to break down your motivation and energy levels.

This will help give you a guideline for the day so you don't stretch yourself too thin.

A good app will also offer little suggestions and tips to help improve your mood or provide genteel reminders for small things that help with self care.

But most importantly it will help you spot patterns over time so you can better notice ongoing problems or see gradual changes as you get better.

5. Finding and Avoiding What Triggers My Dissociation

This is the hardest one.

I suffer from Maladaptive Daydreaming on top everything else which only makes my ADD and Executive Dysfunction even worse.

For others it maybe obsessive compulsion or a tendency to hyper-focus.

Things that I found that can be triggers are boredom, anxiety, isolation, health/dietary complications, and even the weather.

So here's some things I noticed that help

Set aside a certain time during the day to read/watch the news and then ignore it for the rest of the day. Yes be informed, but don't obsess.

Get your news from actual reputable news sources and not social media! Avoid algorithms feeding you negativity.

If you want to be more politically active schedule time for it, get involved with actual charities or political organizations, and then go about your regular business afterwards

Limit social media time. For me it's mornings before work for about 30mins, and then maybe an hour after work.

Curate your online experience. Block what you need to. Unfollow who you see fit. Social media should be fun not stressful.

Talk to other people! Make plans to hang out on weekends or call/text someone during the weekday. Try to make contact with another human being in some form everyday for at least a few mins, even if it's just online in a discord chat.

Have a book or notepad handy for when you get bored at work. Read, write, or draw during your downtime so you don't start staring off into space.

Keep a short list of fun things to do handy if you feel bored at home.

Set aside time to daydream/worry/plan/meditate/decompress. You need to mentally unwind at some point. The goal is to have that time per-planned so that it doesn't distract from other needed tasks. Getting into a routine with that time will also help.

Eating enough iron/vitamin C/protein ect. Food is energy and you need energy to focus. Meal planning will help with this.

TAKE YOUR MEDS!!!

Sometimes the weather will make you groggy, irritated, or anxious. There's not much you can do about this other than to accept it and just try your best.

You can however plan for bad weather ahead of time. Go to the National Weather site to find out about upcoming weather in your area and to figure what you need to be prepared for it. Try getting into the habit of doing this regularly.

[wirewitchviolet]

Hell is terms like ASIC, FPGA, and PPU

I haven't been doing any public updates on this for a bit, but I am still working on this bizarre rabbit hole quest of designing my own (probably) 16-bit game console. The controller is maybe done now, on a design level. Like I have parts for everything sourced and a layout for the internal PCB. I don't have a fully tested working prototype yet because I am in the middle of a huge financial crisis and don't have the cash laying around to send out to have boards printed and start rapidly iterating design on the 3D printed bits (housing the scroll wheel is going to be a little tricky). I should really spend my creative energy focusing on software development for a nice little demo ROM (or like, short term projects to earn money I desperately need) but my brain's kinda stuck in circuitry gear so I'm thinking more about what's going into the actual console itself. This may get techie.

So... in the broadest sense, and I think I've mentioned this before, I want to make this a 16-bit system (which is a term with a pretty murky definition), maybe 32-bit? And since I'm going to all this trouble I want to give my project here a little something extra the consoles from that era didn't have. And at the same time, I'd like to be able to act as a bridge for the sort of weirdos who are currently actively making new games for those systems to start working on this, on a level of "if you would do this on this console with this code, here's how you would do it on mine." This makes for a hell of a lot of research on my end, but trust me, it gets worse!

So let's talk about the main strengths of the 2D game consoles everyone knows and loves. Oh and just now while looking for some visual aids maybe I stumbled across this site, which is actually great as a sort of mid-level overview of all this stuff. Short version though-

The SNES (or Super Famicom) does what it does by way of a combination of really going all in on direct memory access, and particularly having a dedicated setup for doing so between scanlines, coupled with a bunch of dedicated graphical modes specialized for different use cases, and you know, that you can switch between partway through drawing a screen. And of course the feature everyone knows and loves where you can have one polygon and do all sorts of fun things with it.

The Genesis (or Megadrive) has an actual proper 16-bit processor instead of this weird upgraded 6502 like the SNES had for a scrapped backwards compatibility plan. It also had this frankly wacky design where they just kinda took the guts out of a Sega Master System and had them off to the side as a segregated system whose only real job is managing the sound chip, one of those good good Yamaha synths with that real distinct sound... oh and they also actually did have a backwards compatibility deal that just kinda used the audio side to emulate an SMS, basically.

The TurboGrafix-16 (or PC Engine) really just kinda went all-in on making its own custom CPU from scratch which...we'll get to that, and otherwise uh... it had some interesting stuff going on sound wise? I feel like the main thing it had going was getting in on CDs early but I'm not messing with optical drives and they're no longer a really great storage option anyway.

Then there's the Neo Geo... where what's going on under the good is just kind of A LOT. I don't have the same handy analysis ready to go on this one, but my understanding is it didn't really go in for a lot of nice streamlining tricks and just kinda powered through. Like it has no separation of background layers and sprites. It's just all sprites. Shove those raw numbers.

So what's the best of all worlds option here? I'd like to go with one of them nice speedy Motorolla processors. The 68000 the Genesis used is no longer manufactured though. The closest still-in-production equivalent would be the 68SEC000 family. Seems like they go for about $15 a pop, have a full 32-bit bus, low voltage, some support clock speeds like... three times what the Genesis did. It's overkill, but should remove any concerns I have about having a way higher resolution than the systems I'm jumping off from. I can also easily throw in some beefy RAM chips where I need.

I was also planning to just directly replicate the Genesis sound setup, weird as it is, but hit the slight hiccup that the Z80 was JUST discontinued, like a month or two ago. Pretty sure someone already has a clone of it, might use that.

Here's where everything comes to a screeching halt though. While the makers of all these systems were making contracts for custom processors to add a couple extra features in that I should be able to work around by just using newer descendant chips that have that built in, there really just is no off the shelf PPU that I'm aware of. EVERYONE back in the day had some custom ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) chip made to assemble every frame of video before throwing it at the TV. Especially the SNES, with all its modes changing the logic there and the HDMA getting all up in those mode 7 effects. Which are again, something I definitely want to replicate here.

So one option here is... I design and order my own ASIC chips. I can probably just fit the entire system in one even? This however comes with two big problems. It's pricy. Real pricy. Don't think it's really practical if I'm not ordering in bulk and this is a project I assume has a really niche audience. Also, I mean, if I'm custom ordering a chip, I can't really rationalize having stuff I could cram in there for free sitting outside as separate costly chips, and hell, if it's all gonna be in one package I'm no longer making this an educational electronics kit/console, so I may as well just emulate the whole thing on like a raspberry pi for a tenth of the cost or something.

The other option is... I commit to even more work, and find a way to reverse engineer all the functionality I want out with some big array of custom ROMs and placeholder RAM and just kinda have my own multi-chip homebrew co-processors? Still PROBABLY cheaper than the ASIC solution and I guess not really making more research work for myself. It's just going to make for a bigger/more crowded motherboard or something.

Oh and I'm now looking at a 5V processor and making controllers compatible with a 10V system so I need to double check that all the components in those don't really care that much and maybe adjust things.

And then there's also FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays). Even more expensive than an ASIC, but the advantage is it's sort of a chip emulator and you can reflash it with something else. So if you're specifically in the MiSTer scene, I just host a file somewhere and you make the one you already have pretend to be this system. So... good news for those people but I still need to actually build something here.

So... yeah that's where all this stands right now. I admit I'm in way way over my head, but I should get somewhere eventually?

[yazzberry]

any excuse to make moodboards...

I just thought I'd share with you my personal visions for this story and the characters I'm going to be writing (honestly, I'll take any excuse to make a mood board), including their birthdays, interests, visual muses, aesthetics, etc. 

If you agree with any of my visions, please let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear all your opinions and head-canons!

—୨୧—

Note: I gave all the characters the same last names as their voice actors (except for Alejandro, since they give us his last name in the show haha).

— ❥ —

Name: Courtney Lucille Barlow Birthday: October 17 (16 years old) (Libra) Interests/Hobbies: speech & debate, volleyball, reading, watching Gilmore Girls and The Vampire Diaries (guilty pleasures), student council, singing (but refuses to join the school choir), playing the piano, watching college vlogs and other youtube videos about college (her dream school is Yale) Visual Muse: (Cindy Kimberly)

— ꕥ —

Name: Bridgette Isobel Fairlie Birthday: June 25 (16 years old) (Cancer) Interests/Hobbies: surfing, swimming, marine biology, cooking vegetarian dishes, baking, crocheting (even though she's really bad at it), roller skating, riding on her bike, watching romcoms (she always cries at the happy endings), making candles, leading environmental club Visual Muse: (Sasha Pieterse)

— ❈ —

Name: Gwendolyn (Gwen) Ingrid Fahlenbock Birthday: February 8 (16 years old) (Aquarius) Interests/Hobbies: drawing in her sketchbook, painting, listening to Deftones, making playlists, binging reality TV shows (secretly loves the petty drama), painting her nails twice a week, helps make sets for school plays and stage manages, loves rainy days, smoking weed, messing with her cello, feeding stray cats Visual Muse: (Krysten Ritter)

— ♔ —

Name: Heather Saeko Wilson Birthday: January 11 (16 years old) (Capricorn) Interests/Hobbies: cheerleading, dancing ballet, keeping a following on social media, photography (she'd never admit it but she likes taking more than just selfies), watching sad romance movies and Gossip Girl, shopping, fashion, likes history (it's all just gossip), being around people (doesn't do too well alone, but would never admit it) Visual Muse: (Sandy Diana Bang)

— ✪ —

Name: Duncan Wilder Nelson Birthday: March 30 (16 years old) (Aries) Interests/Hobbies: skating, soccer, tagging graffiti everywhere (especially abandoned buildings), smoking weed, teaching his dog (Petey) tricks, loves late-night drives, listening to grunge rock, watching old movies, playing the drums, secretly likes going to vintage bookstores and record stores, loves a good Oreo McFlurry, secretly really good at math Visual Muse: (Zario Bolanos)

— ༄ —

Name: Geoff Bartol Petronijevic Birthday: December 3 (16 years old) (Sagittarius) Interests/Hobbies: surfing, swimming, wakeboarding, water polo, lacrosse (and is actually really good at it), partying, comedy movies, listening to house music and international music (especially eastern European), cooking for friends, is determined to throw a Project X-level party someday, actually really likes pottery and clay-making Visual Muse: (Brad Pitt)

— ✼ —

Name: Trent Theodore McCord Birthday: April 26 (16 years old) (Taurus) Interests/Hobbies: playing the guitar, listening to all genres of music, watching and reviewing great films (loves Letterbox'd), reading, writing songs and poems, surfing the internet, taking care of his little sisters when his mom isn't home, driving to scenic spots for song inspiration and some peace of mind, working a shift at the local daycare center Visual Muse: (Logan Lerman)

—    ҉    —

Name: Alejandro Matías Burromuerto Birthday: August 13 (16 years old) (Leo) Interests/Hobbies: soccer, beach volleyball, singing, student council, theater and drama, posting on social media, flirting with random girls (but never seeing it through), partying, watching black & white films, always seeks to outshine his brother (often doesn't succeed), tutoring others (is really strong in all subjects) Visual Muse: (Xavier Serrano)

friendly reminder that this is all for my story now posted on wattpad and fanfiction.net, ENDGAME.

[spookyserenades]

Hiii!!!!!

I have a question and it's not necessarily Trouvaille related, so feel free to decide whether or not to answer!

I wanted to ask you about your writing process. I've been trying to get myself to write a longer piece of work for QUITE some time now, but I always chicken out. As a reader, I love your style. The ability to communicate effectively without sounding dry and lackluster, your character building, your storylines... they are what I hope to achieve in my own work. So some of my main questions are:

How do you work up the perseverance to stick with a project?

How do you stay consistent with a character or a storyline without getting carried away? Do you do something specific to get you in the head space of the story you're working on?

What are key things that you think helped you as a writer create more complex and intricate works?

How do you come up with a satisfying pace or arc for your stories?

And lastly, how much time do you spend on the storyline creation vs actual writing? Or do you tend to go with the flow more so than following an outline?

Again, no need to answer these if you don't feel like it.

Love your writing, and thanks for your great work. Trouvaille has gotten me through so many lonely nights while my partner worked overnights. I can't wait to see where it goes, and I'll keep my eye out for any new work from you!

Hello sweets!! Ah stoppp you're such a nice person, I'm happy to answer your questions Trouvaille related or not 💜 Also thank you for liking my writing and seeking out advice, that is such a wonderful compliment 🥺

Writing a story that has multiple chapters, long word counts, and/or both can be very daunting, but also rewarding! The key here is to dive into what you're most excited about. If an idea pops into your head (for example: perhaps a BTS Ot7 fic where they're princes, and MC is a princess) maybe you'll start with moodboards on Pinterest to get your "vibe" down visually. Maybe you're into music; you can make a playlist that captures the general themes of your idea to get you amped up to write. Gather books/movies/TV shows that share similar themes, and if needed, write down any research you'd have to make (for the Prince!AU, perhaps research royalty, societal classes in your target time period, apparel, etc.) This first step, gathering initial inspiration, is crucial in my opinion to "commit" to your idea and bring it closer to reality!

How do you work up the perseverance to stick with a project? This can be a personal thing, in my opinion. What I've written above is another way to keep persevering when tackling a longer written work; keep returning to your sources of inspiration and add to them if you come across new ones. I find if I'm lacking motivation to write, returning to my Pinterest boards to freshen them up, watching a movie that inspired a character, or updating a playlist gets me excited to write again or even give me new plot ideas! Other than that you can try two things that I've done A) Give yourself a deadline (not recommended if you struggle with those, but it does force you to work on time management and create a writing schedule) or B) Make a document where you briefly "dump" plot points or arcs that you have planned off the top of your head, then write a general drabble about the points you're most excited to tackle. You don't have to write everything in chronological order if you are struggling to get started!

How do you stay consistent with a character or a storyline without getting carried away? Do you do something specific to get you in the head space of the story you're working on? So what I've done to keep track of my character's general backstories and traits is make a separate document dedicated to that alone. I recommend making a profile for EVERY character, even the minor ones, just so you can refer to this profile whenever you forget details about them (this is particularly helpful for minor characters Ex. Ben, Laura, Alice in Trouvaille). Here you can list their physical appearance, personalities, media that inspired their character, backstories and families, etc. This rough document is crucial to me, and truthfully it is what I tackled before I even started Chapter One of Trouvaille. As for getting into the right headspace, I'd say it's all about writing about things you truly enjoy. I love spooky/paranormal things, so I knew that was going to be a theme in Trouvaille. I'm not a fan of sports, so I'd never write a sports!AU. Write what you like, and that's half the battle!

What are key things that you think helped you as a writer create more complex and intricate works? Inspiration, inspiration, inspiration! I'll say it until I'm blue. You gottttta go live life, enjoy good books and movies, and listen to an array of music genres. You'll never know what you'll end up liking! The best way to feed your imagination (which of course fuels your writing) is to sample many things life has to offer. Trouvaille is like a big quilt of many things I love (Ex. TV show Twin Peaks, movie Constantine, Alice is based off of a friend of mine, my brother lives in Wyoming like Namjoon once did, Jeongguk has experience with paranormal investigation like me!) Think of yourself as a weaver, connecting all of these things together. It can be hard to see how they fit, but it's a FUN challenge! Another important thing to remember is that your characters carry most of the weight of the story, so make them as realistic as you can! People aren't perfect, so give them flaws (Trouvaille MC is non-confrontational, for example), give them challenges and obstacles, and when you write dialogue, read it out loud to yourself to make sure that it flows naturally. Try not to use vocabulary you wouldn't use on a day-to-day basis. You do not need to compare a character's eyes to thirty different gemstones LOL!

How do you come up with a satisfying pace or arc for your stories? Unless you want a slow-burn, pace is entirely up to you! I love both slow-burn fics and ones that are more fast paced. Depending on your plot, some things happen more slowly than others. Falling in love usually doesn't happen over night. Resolving a huge fight can take time. If it's Ot7, stretching out how the MC gets with each of them can not only seem more organic but also can lengthen your work and give you time to develop other aspects to your plot aside from the romance (give it some meat!) Going back to what I said earlier, you can plan out basic bullet points to an arc that you're working on, then tackle each bullet point in your first draft to see what the pacing is like and if you're satisfied with it/it seems natural to you!

And lastly, how much time do you spend on the storyline creation vs actual writing? Or do you tend to go with the flow more so than following an outline? So! Honesty time! I usually dive straight into writing 💀 Since I've been writing Trouvaille for a little over two years, I usually come up with new arcs or wrap up existing ones by sitting down and going for it. I'm familiar with the characters by now and the BIG parts that need to happen, so the minor details and subplots come out while working up to the "main events". Very little time is spent on my separate docs for basic arcs these days, however, they were crucial in the early ones. I'm writing a new fic Sanctity, however, where I'm in the middle of creating storyline docs just to get my footing! So I'd say the further along you get creating a work, you feel more comfortable just going with the flow. Getting started is the hard part, so outlines are your friends until you are familiar with your characters and all of the plots you are working with ❤️

AH this was long I'm sorry but I HOPE hope hope it was somewhat helpful!! And I'm so glad that Trouvaille was able to keep you company, that means the world to me honey 🥺💕 I'm wishing you all of the luck in the world on your future works, you got this!! It's so rewarding 💜💜💜

[rockinracket]

It's Kind of Like...Oh, You Know!

Stepping up as Art Director when you’ve never Directed Art

By Gwen Hall - Art Director of Rockin' Racket (2023)

What's in an art style? That which we call a raccoon by any other name would look just as sweet – or so I thought, working alongside three other artists with Pop Punk Paws Productions, LLC to create Rockin’ Racket, an angst-filled, story-driven, band-management simulator (releasing this Spring, 2024! Shameless plug). As Rockin’ Racket was conceived just last September, we’ve seen the game grow from more than just humble beginnings. The project was born from a pair of designers – me, a writer and artist, and my coworker, a sound designer semi-proficient in Unity – with no other people to worry about onboarding. 

Starting strong with no thought of onboarding and the assumption that we would both jump ship, our duo scuffled through months of troubled time management and lacking project production. However, these things started to patch themselves up as we pushed through our first round of pitches presenting to fellow game designers, Indiana University faculty, and industry professionals: representatives from Herringbone Games, Freehold Games, and Mommy's Best Games. Things were looking up for Rockin’ Racket…aside from the fact that we were now looking at an additional year and a half of content creation. For a larger team with a more coordinated game plan – pun intended - less of a problem. For our team? We swiftly fell back into the weeds; back to the drawing board, I went.

2023 has been a time of development for the art team, especially in the Art Bible and Style Guide department. I grew up during the Renaissance of “Art Instagram” and Tumblr networking, where art style was EVERYTHING. Creating a set of rules for a style entirely fabricated for a game – for other people to copy, at that – was a large and exciting task. It also meant defining what I mean when I say, “2007 Fall Out Boy meets Scott Pilgrim if Scott Pilgrim was Lemonade Mouth, and also the board game Root”.

That's what our game looks like, duh. Isn't the image so profoundly clear? Of course, these things are not actual rules. During the first pass of concept art and asset production, not even I knew what *that* looked like, and it existed in my mind! Putting my nose to the grindstone, how do I define what something looks like with hard and fast rules when visuals aren't enough? What does “soft” mean? What differentiates “textured” from “grungy” from “nasty”? For the love of all things, what brush do you use???  

Working alongside the Pop Punk Paws Prod. Art Roadies (isn't that a cute team nickname), I realized a few things that would help us along the way.

Reference, Reference, Reference! Whether something is based on fantasy or reality, there are rules to how it moves. Create references for the rules of the world so we don't have anthro nudists on accident. “Don’t”s are just as helpful as “Do”s, if not moreso.

The best designers steal – I mean, take inspiration – from things they love. New things are an amalgamation of old things, making them a collage of ideas. Keep those ideas pinned somewhere safe! If not “official references”, at the very least they'll keep a team on track for the final look. Is the art channeling “2007 Fall Out Boy” yet?

Communication is key, and what better way to communicate with artists than in a visual medium? 

Paint-overs are never personal. Yes, “fixing” art is controversial because creating is a personal practice. On a project, however, it’s about the unification. It’s the same idea as proofreading; paint-overs help us all improve!

Touching base with non-artist teammates helps keep everyone in the loop, especially the teams who might never touch the art aside from implementing it.

Art Directors make art. When I entered a leadership position, I assumed my primary responsibilities as “Concept Artist” would leave in place of “Creative Director”. That’s not true! If anything, it means more art. That’s a good thing!

Art Directors mean Art Direction! Thoroughness is helpfulness in nearly every case. Deadlines, deliverable lists, critique, technical specifications, and teamwork. One can only get away with so many “bshdbsjd(2).png”’s before we start tripping over each other.

At the moment, I am not an industry veteran (YET!), so take my words with a grain of salt. It is safe to say that these notes may be obvious now, but were not as obvious to me before my experiences on an art-focused team; maybe this will help an eager artist gather their bearings while diving headfirst, onboarding-prep-free, into a project.

Check out Rockin’ Racket on Twitter (X), Instagram, and YouTube to follow our journey of getting our band to stardom!