Do you own and play Minecraft? Want my spaceship models?

Yes, I’m a geek.

Using Minecraft, I built life-sized walkthrough models of the spaceships I write about in Hunting the Corrigan’s Blood and Warpaint from the schematics I drew. I did it to keep myself from making stupid location mistakes in the stories. (And let’s be real…it was fun. And when I was a kid, I used to pray to God to send me to space instead of heaven if I died. At this point, building my own spaceships in Minecraft is as close to space as I’m ever going to get.)

Thing is, they’re pretty cool. I did them for myself, and I use them for story accuracy—but when I mentioned them to an interviewer, he got really enthusiastic about them. And pointed out that it’s possible to make copies of maps that other people can then download and use in THEIR copies of Minecraft. (Something I’d known, but hadn’t considered in relationship to myself.)

So I thought it might be cool to zip them up and let the folks who buy the books download them as a “Thanks for buying the books” gift.

But…would this even interest you?

THE POLL (primitive, but it works)

Do you play Minecraft?

Vote Here. Would MUCH prefer you use your BACK button to comment on the weblog

Would you like to get full-sized walkthrough Minecraft models of the spaceships in the books when you buy any of the Cadence Drake novels?

Vote Here. Would MUCH prefer you use your BACK button to comment on the weblog

Use your browser BACK button to return from each poll after voting.

By the way…

Vote will give me a rough idea of the percentage of my readers who’d be able to use the maps.

Comments and questions will let me know what you’re actually thinking. I appreciate both. ๐Ÿ˜€

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Comments

47 responses to “Do you own and play Minecraft? Want my spaceship models?”

  1. Richard Avatar
    Richard

    YES, I don’t play Minecraft but my son and nephews do. I know that if I were to start playing the game, it would draw me in and I restrict myself from getting the game. I have always tried to visualize my world as I write and sometimes its hard to keep things straight in my head. I would just love to check out what you have accomplished by using the game as a tool and see if it would be a viable alternative for me. Thanks for the idea.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      The maps are available here now:
      http://howtothinksideways.com/cadence-drake-minecraft-spaceship-collection/

      Free download, no signup required. Just go get ’em.

  2. Alan Mills Avatar
    Alan Mills

    My kids play minecraft, and would love the maps ๐Ÿ™‚ I think that is a cool way to make a map ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Katya Avatar

    I don’t have minecraft but I just finished reading Corrigan’s Blood and I might get minecraft just so I could walk through the models!

  4. Texanne Avatar
    Texanne

    Life doesn’t give me extra time just now, but I have a question: could this program/game be used to build sailboats, farms (sorry, Holly, but I love farms), fishing villages? Because that would be something grand. :)TX

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      You can build farms with live farm animals.

      My husband builds skyscrapers. He and my son together built a space station. In space.

      I build spaceships. (Well, I’ve also built farms and castles and a couple of skyscrapers, too.)

      It’s a cool game, and if you just want to build, you can use creative mode, turn it on PEACEFUL, and go to town.

      The game is fun, too, though.

    2. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Oh, yeah. You can also fish. ๐Ÿ˜€ And catch fish. And feed them to your cat, or cook and eat them.

    3. Kim Avatar
      Kim

      You can build a little boat, sadly it doesn’t have mast nor motor. But boy does it go.

  5. Sylvia Avatar

    I would love to be able to ‘see’ them, too. But like Robert Pease I fear I’d get caught up in it and fail to actually write. Writer, know thyself! I’m proving once again thru Nanowrimo that if you just sit at the desk and write, more ideas come and I’m so thrilled! But I love the idea and can’t wait for Warpaint to be available. For me, like you, space is a siren song.

  6. WandersNowhere Avatar
    WandersNowhere

    This is totally awesome. I don’t play Minecraft, but what you’ve done here reminds me of what I’ve done with Second Life – built a city out of one of my books – had to pack it up due to lack of space, but I’ve still got it ๐Ÿ˜€ tools like this can be invaluable to writers, giving us an idea of what our worlds would look like and how X room relates to Y room.

    I think you absolutely should give out the Minecraft maps!

  7. EliseInAZ Avatar

    I’m not sure whether I’d heard of Minecraft or not. I certainly didn’t know what it was. I am so not an artistic person, so I haven’t spent much time on any kind of graphics software.

    I do hand-draw floorplans and maps, though. I’ve been thinking about scanning them so I can put them in the Reference folder in my Scrivener project, which is fine for my current WIP, but won’t do at all for the time travel adventure I’m planning on writing.

    Minecraft looks simple enough that even a graphics-challenged person like myself can use it. And thanks (I think) to Charles for his extensive post on other graphics software.

    With NaNo and a draft of the sequel to the novel that I’m trying to publish by the end of this month, this will have to go on my list of things to check out in 2013. Thanks for another resource, Holly.

  8. Charles O. Baucum Jr Avatar
    Charles O. Baucum Jr

    This is the first I have heard of Minecraft. I’m going to give it a try when I have time. It looks like fun. I think I’d enjoy desiging game environments as much as playing in them.

    I have done the same thing, making drawings of ships and buildings and sometimes maps of whole regions, for my stories and for games. But being a drafter for the last 25+ years, I use software created for engineering and technical drawings. They are remarkably easy to use once you get the hang of it. I used to teach drafting and I always had my students drawing with AutoCAD the very first class.

    For display I clean up the images with art programs. If anyone is interested I have a deckplan I drew for a Firefly RPG that is pretty representative of what can be fairly easily drawn with Draftsight and polished up with the GIMP graphics software:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/37002689@N08/5906933830/sizes/l/in/photostream/

    Since I have such fun with it, I thought I’d share in sources for this kind of software, in case others are interested in creating maps and plans and models for reference or een illustration.

    Draftsight is the drafting program I use for most purposes. It is a full featured drafting program distributed for free by Dassault Systemes, a major corporation out of France, probably best known for it’s aerospace division. There is also a “professional” version of DraftSight for sale. In addition to reference and illustration for my writing, I also do actual working “blueprints” for household projects with it. DraftSight has an interface very similar to AutoCAD (the industry standard CAD software) which is very intuitive and easy to pick up. Just search for DraftSight in your favorite search engine. There are alo tutorials and reference material available on the website.

    I also have LibreCAD, an freely distributed open source drafting program. I have not used it enough to properly review it, but LibreCAD is out there. Also easily searched for.

    I have also used 3D modeling software from DAZ Studios. They have begun distributing Studio, Bryce, and Hexagon as free downloads. Studio is a kind of virtual studio where you set up scenes for stills and animations. If you are familiar with Poser, Studio is similar and can use Poser content files. Bryce is a 3D modeler that is geared toward landscapes, though I’ve done some good object modelling in it. Both Studio and Bryce make some really nice renders. Hexagon baffles me. It is a 3D modelling program for complex object and character models. It has a quirky workflow that apparently makes more sense to artists than drafters. The company website is daz.com.

    I also have Blender, another 3D modelling program, but haven’t learned to use it yet.

    I use GIMP and Inkscape open source graphics programs for cleaning up drawings for presentation. You can find these easily with your fav search engine.

    Also, all of this software works ๐Ÿ™‚ Some of it is more stable than others, but it will all produce results for you. And none of it has a price tag, although some have “professional” editions and others are supported by voluntary donations. The DAZ Studios business model seems to be based on the Gillette Principle – “Give them the handle and sell them the razor blades.” But there is also a tremendous amount of user created content for DAZ products.

    1. Jennifer Avatar

      Fair warning: Blender can be a headache to use. Compared to Maya, Hexagon’s a walk in the park for 3D modeling. I tried to learn Maya in school, but the teachers quite literally failed to teach by answering any question with either “look it up online” or “ask a tutor”. Student tutors were no help at all. Let’s just say I have better luck with Poser and DAZ, though I could use Maya if I had a professional license on it.
      My first love is animation, but my comic books are beginning to pick up steam. My blog seems to be the best hub for all my social activity and it has a couple scattered samples of my artwork – my DeviantArt organizes them better, so that’s more of a portfolio. I’m hoping to build up some anticipation for my second book’s release on December 3rd: http://www.dreamangelsparadise.com/blog/ so keep an eye on that. My books are pure digital rendered, but my first book’s review put it on the same level as Batman, Thor and Street Fighter.

  9. Ruth Parlour Avatar

    Yes please! I love that you play minecraft to build space ships, might have to use it for plot locales too ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    Brilliant!!! Bring it on!
    My son and I play Minecraft way too much. I mean I am suppose to be finalizing the edit of my novel and instead I’m playing Minecraft. Worse he mods too. So, it’s always changing for me. Now your feeding my addiction. Obviously I need a private room without a view and a typewriter, not my computer so I can get this thing done.
    In the mean time I pray I don’t start stacking blocks in my world so I have a map of my novel’s world. I really need to save that idea for later to help with continuity issues otherwise my story will be sent back to the dark ages of plotting.
    Oh dang! Walking though a model of my story’s world? I love it and I am going to do it anyway, it’s way too cool of an idea. Here I go creative mode. LOL

  11. Bryden Yeo Avatar

    I play WOW, but my kids play Minecraft. It’s cool you built the ships. ๐Ÿ˜›

  12. Danzier Avatar

    After not fully reading all the directions (oops…) Sorry, I posted a comment on the poll, too.

    Minecraft is on the list of games to try later, when I’ve finished the ones I’m trying now. I’m definitely a gamer, although not the best. I would love to see the Minecraft spaceships both as worldbuilding models and as fun.

    I don’t know about including the download as a thanks only, though. Could you also offer them seperately? I don’t know the legal whatnot of it all, but as a preorder teaser or something they’d be fabulous. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    1. Holly Lisle Avatar
      Holly Lisle

      There are only legal whatnots if I’m running a contest.

      If I’m selling something and want to give customers something additional as a no-strings-attached thank you gift, I can do that.

      If I want to create little teasers, I can do that, too.

      Am considering doing a video walkthrough of some of the high points of one of the ships as a preorder teaser.

  13. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    Minecraft is FUN – though as a vertigo (ugh) sufferer some days are better than others for playing it.

    Love the idea of being able to actually ‘track’ events via ‘real time’ ship models. Brilliant!

    Plus … If you do this, definately let the minecraft community know. I think there are people who’d buy the books for the models. Hopefully they would then read the books and become additional ‘Holly Lisle Readers’

  14. Feena Avatar
    Feena

    I do love Minecraft but tried to stop playing it while I’m writing, especially now I’m doing NaNo. It’s easy to get lost in it.

    I tend to play on Peaceful mode so that I can build things without worrying about random attacks by spiders and skeletons.

  15. Liz Copeland Avatar

    I don’t own Minecraft (yet) but my wannabe/writer son undoubtedly does and we would both love to see your ships. I guess we count as 2 votes, eh?

  16. Mike C. Baker Avatar

    Harumph. Poll won’t show for me BUT this sounds like ReallyCool added material (even though I don’t own/play Minecraft – yet)

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      You should now have the links via a second email. You weren’t the only one for whom it wasn’t working. Looks like it died for MOST people.

  17. Elly Avatar
    Elly

    This would interest me. ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Rhea Avatar
    Rhea

    I don’t play minecraft, but do sit down to see the things my kids have built as they walk me through it. I’d love to see your spacecraft, and I’m sure my kids would too. (I don’t see a poll to vote in.)

    I loved Hunting the Corrigan’s Blood. I barely put it down until it was finished.

  19. Leah Avatar

    My daughters play minecraft. It is an awesome game. My youngest especially likes building her own worlds. She would be so excited to explore what you have created.

  20. Claudsy/Claudette Young Avatar

    Love this idea. I knew nothing of this availability for design options. You may have created a monster here, Holly.

  21. Karen Prince Avatar

    That is such a brilliant idea, Holly. Haven’t played minecraft before but will mosey along to my kids’ room and have a look at it. I build my world and maps in Google Sketch-up which I already randomly know because I am a designer, but if minecraft looks better, I would so go for that. Would really like to see your maps anyway, although I must say, I have never before become lost whilst reading any of your books.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      …although I must say, I have never before become lost whilst reading any of your books.

      That’s because I use maps while writing. ๐Ÿ˜€

  22. Kyralae Avatar
    Kyralae

    I don’t play minecraft but I love maps and diagrams. A big yes vote from me. I have Campaign Cartographer for building continenets, regions, and cities when I’m working on my writing. I always buy the books that come out after an author has established a great world.

  23. Meghan O'Connor (@CuppaTea_Writer) Avatar

    I think it’s a brilliant idea. I play Minecraft, but I never thought of using it to diagram things. Now I’m inspired to do so. I’m a very visual thinker, and I love floor plans, crime scene diagrams, etc. for my mystery. Even if I don’t give away the seed world, it’ll really help my understanding of how the mechanics of certain scenes play out.

  24. Matt Kay Avatar
    Matt Kay

    Yes, I love Minecraft and this is an ingenious way to visualise worlds, architecture styles, or yes, spacecraft! Would love to see how you’ve done it.

  25. kenbar Avatar

    Software doesn’t work? Good thing you’re a geek!

    I was unaware of Minecraft until you brought it up. I would be very interested in your space ships, though.
    –Ken

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Now it works. ๐Ÿ˜€

      Had to go through four different plugins before deciding that they weren’t worth the trouble—even the ones that were for the most recent version of WP bugged out, due, I guess, to conflicts with other plugins. Fell back on the easy PollCode.

  26. Gret Avatar
    Gret

    I’ve used Goolge sketch-up to build 3D models for concept presentations, but never thought of doing so for a book. I love the idea of using the minecraft tools to do this, because it also creates an interactive space. What a fantastic idea. I would love to have the models – don’t play minecraft yet, but my son does, so this might push me to start…

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Being able to walk or run through the spaceship, use the gravdrops, see the rooms, get a feel for fight scenes in certain areas—it’s fantastic. Being able to do it to scale from my sketches, so things work live the way they worked on paper, is even better.

      Now if the damn things would just fly.

  27. Jennifer Avatar

    *I* might not play minecraft, but my nephew does. Actually, I do much the same thing as far as creating references for what I write/create. Although I grant that mine aren’t digital to start with – they’re sewn dolls. Check them out here: http://www.dreamangelsparadise.com/blog/ I use them for reference when creating my digital characters.
    Originally, they were to help me keep character descriptions straight in my novel (which due to being “experimental fiction” was 100% rejected). Not that I mind the novel being totally unacceptable to publishers – actually, it taught me quite a bit about how chicken they really can be since they’d say they liked it but didn’t want it because of its being experimental. Oh well, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve moved on to making it a comic book series instead. Anyway, my dolls now help with page layouts instead of descriptions… and they’re reasonably popular in my store, too!
    So, for those that don’t play minecraft but still want to make reference objects for books, I’d be willing to help with drafting patterns and teaching sewing tricks.

    1. Jennifer Avatar

      Is there any interest in making cloth character dolls from novel characters? Pop over to my blog and send me a little message if you are.

      1. Jennifer Avatar

        I’m working on a special little book that shows how to make dolls from descriptions. Best way to keep track of when that one will be launched (because when it is, it’ll have a one-week free period) is to subscribe to my blog – or at least keep an eye on it.
        Minecraft, Blender and the like might be good for settings, but I’ve found the little dolls to be helpful in other ways, too. Besides, wouldn’t it be cute to sell character dolls from your books to go with your books?

  28. Jessic@ Avatar
    Jessic@

    Yes please! I love Minecraft and I loved HTCB, the two together would be amazing. Exploring the spaceships would be so much fun on its own, but it would also provide a visual reference for the story. Seems like a win to me. Great idea. What a nice bonus for buying the book. ๐Ÿ˜€

  29. Marina Avatar
    Marina

    I bought a copy for my son but would definitely check out one of your worlds! What an interesting idea.

  30. Megan Segraves Avatar
    Megan Segraves

    I am a teacher at a middle school in Bentonville Arkansas. I saw your email at the start of class today and shared it with my students. These kids LOVE Minecraft! They thought it was amazingly cool that a grown-up author uses Minecraft to help in writing books. We looked up your books in our library and some of them can’t wait to go to Barnes and Noble to check out your work. So, from my 4th hour 5th graders you have fourteen “YES!” votes.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Wow, that’s cool. ๐Ÿ˜€ Thank you.

  31. Ross Avatar
    Ross

    Yes and yes. :p

    I just bought Hunting the Corrigan’s Blood a week or so back, though it’s currently sitting second in my read order behind one that an old school friend wrote.

    Does this mean you play Minecraft too then? If so, how do you set time limits when there’s always that ‘one last thing you need to do’? ๐Ÿ˜€

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      I don’t set time limits on what I do. I set goals.

      I set out the number of pages, revision pages, website pages, or whatever I’m doing on my list, and when I’m done, I move to the next thing in the list for the day. When I’m done with the day’s list, I’m done.

      And yeah. I play Minecraft. My youngest son told me about it, and described it as “living in the Legos. With monsters.” Irresistible. I watched him play it, fell in love, and got my own copy back before it was even 1.0.

      1. Ross Avatar
        Ross

        Goals does sound like a better way of doing things – I should get the whiteboard cleaned off and start using it more.

        Have you tried the Tekkit pack? It adds so much cool stuff that I’m still a little intimidated by it all, but the possibilities it adds are massive.

  32. D. Robert Pease Avatar

    I’ve thought about doing this very thing. I decided, however, that it would end up consuming way too much of my time. Time better spent actually writing. Minecraft was already the biggest reason I didn’t write on a regular basis.

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