Shared Universes, even themed anthologies – even going back in one’s own series really badly need one thing. Well, maybe two. Okay three. It’s rather like the Spanish Inquisition in that way. No one seems to expect it.

The problem is really continuity. That has the other problems within it: that of details… and of other participants taking both and either heading in the wrong direction or screw up linear continuity horrendously. The cure prescribed tends to be a ‘bible’ (bell and candle optional) with the technical and setting details in it. They tend to be boring and badly written. I’m wondering if AI can be used to tell the writer that’s not canon.

While this is valuable, it doesn’t actually cure the overall continuity issue. 10 writers taking different threads in separate directions may not matter in this book – if it is a big universe, but if it spawns – as so often happens (BLACK TIDE RISING, 1632) book after book set in the universe – it starts becoming a skein of threads that HAVE to tangle. As a writer in both, I’ve tried to ‘offshoot’ so far from the main threads that it doesn’t impact. Perhaps the only other way I see clear is for the lead author/editor to be very specific about the threads and the direction – a plot bible? Anyone else see any other answers?

On the personal side: Thank all you for the good wishes. I ain’t dead yet. I still keep losing weight, which is a good thing when you intend it to happen, except I don’t, and I’m not that large anyway. They don’t know why. The scan produced nothing of substance — but at least it’s none of the usual suspects. More tests in the New Year. Anyway. We press on.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!