Writer Wednesday

Greetings traveler to Overland Gamer Writer Wednesdays. A branch of our regular podcast where we go on adventures in the art of writing. 
On todays episode we’ll talk about the word crawl exercise using Before There Were Stars from Smirk and Laughter Games. Looks like they’re just about to get started. Lets take a seat by the fire and see what happens. 

A big shout out to all our listeners. Without you this podcast would not be able to continue. Thank you for your support. 

Before there were stars from Smirk and Laughter games is a dice rolling storytelling game where players will craft stories inspired by the constellations that appear before them on cards. 
Players: 3-6 Players
Play time: 40-60 minutes
Age: 10+
Designed by Alex Cutler, Matt Fantastic, Alexander Wilkinson

From Board Game Geek website?
Since ancient times, the twinkling of the heavens inspired people across the globe to create stories that answered the most important of questions: "Who are we… and how did it all begin?"
Open this box, and join the storytellers of old. Before There Were Stars... is a storytelling game in which each player tells the mythic creation story of "their people". Inspired by constellation cards, players craft tales about the creation of the world, the origins of civilization, the rise of a great hero, and the end of days.
Main game has 3 phases: 
Stargazing phase - 
Storytelling Phase
Appreciation phase. 
This is Before There Were Stars from Smirk and Laughter Games. 
For 3-6 Players
Play time: 40-60 minutes
Age: 10+
Designed by Alex Cutler, Matt Fantastic, Alexander Wilkinson

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Word Crawl

A word crawl is a word sprint. A word crawl uses a format similar to a choose your own adventure story. Participants write for the time given or until the word count is met. These brief exercises help to keep the participant focused on the story. Participants can use the theme of the word crawl to write their own story, or they can continue on a story of their own creation. 

This word crawl will show how you can use a story-driven board game to tell a creative story. The game we chose for this event is Before There Were Stars from Smirk and Laughter Games. Another game that this works great for is Call to Adventure from Brotherwise Games.
It will also work with random word generators online. 

5 Minute introduction Word War - In the beginning - 

• 3 constellations chosen. 
• Example - (Cards Drawn Randomly from the Game) - Choose 1
• The Moon - The Anvil - The Chest

15 Minute Word War - 

• 6 constellations chosen
• Example - Choose 2
• The Judge - The Cave - The Shark - The Dragon - The Shield - The Whale

3 Minute Sprint - 

• 3 constellations chosen
• Example - Choose 1
• The Fox - The Demon - The Skull

500-word sprint or 5-minute sprint

• 5 constellations chosen
• Example - Choose 2
• The Elephant - Wine - The Cloak - The Tree - Ghost

15-minute word war - 

• 4 constellations chosen
• Example - Choose 2
• The Desert - The Hammer - The Mother - The Wind

Another type of word crawl or word sprint
50 Headed Hydra - A type of sprint where you have 5 minutes trying to write 500 words in that time limit. 

The Heroes Journey| Word Crawl
In the Beginning - The heroes’ normal life or the ordinary world. 
5-minute word war - Your main character or main characters are living their normal life. 

Departure - The Heroes Call to Adventure
15-minute word war - Your character is being called away from their normal life. 
Mentors - Help me, help me, give me the news. 
15-minute word war - Your character comes across someone to offer them advice about the challenges they face. 

Initiation - Crossing the threshold. 
10-minute word war - The point of no return. Your characters are looking ahead. 
Challenge - Trials, Friends, and Foes
500-word sprint - Many obstacles your character will face. 
Approach - The greatest challenge approaches
30-minute word war - 

Ordeal - The moment of despair - 
1000 word sprint - Your characters face a great challenge everything looks grim. 
Reward - They come in many shapes and sizes. 
10-minute word war - Your characters achieve something great. 
The road back - Headed back home
250-word sprint 
Resurrection - An unforeseen challenge
5-minute word war- 
Return - The ordinary world, yet different. 
1000 word sprint.