So as you might be able to tell from the lack of blogs, I’ve been working frantically behind the scenes to get things ready for this year’s Worldbuilders fundraiser.
The other day, as I was desperately trying to catch up on e-mail, Oot came into my office and asked if I could play.
I told him I couldn’t, that I had work to do.
(Note: This is one of the worst things about working as a writer. I’m at home, but technically, I’m at work. That means that, technically, I’m always available to play, and Oot can see that. But when he asks me to play, I have to say no. Again and again. And again. It breaks my heart.)
Anyway, after Oot negotiated for a while and failed to bargain his way into an episode of Shaun the Sheep, he found a pad of paper to play with. Then he asked if me could borrow a pen so he could write a check.
A little mature, of course. But you have to realize that he is pretty grown up now. How grown up? Well, here’s a picture of him on his most recent birthday, dressed to the nines, aloofly telling you how old he is…
So I gave him a pen. He wrote a check, then stood up, bored with that game.
“Could you write me a letter?” I asked.
“Oh! Yeah, yeah, yeah!” he said.
Then he sat back down and scribbled onto another sheet of paper. There was a lot more going on this time. Writing a letter is a lot harder than writing a check, after all.
“What does the letter say?” I asked.
So he starts to tell me what he’s writing as he scribbles down his letter. I transcribed it onto a piece of paper here on my desk so I wouldn’t forget it.
The letter was as follows:
Dear Daddy,
Sometimes I really love you, but sometimes I don’t love you. Sometimes I do, but somethings I don’t.
Whenever you’re alone, I come to help you.
And that’s pretty awesome, because I love.
And that’s really all that needs to be said, isn’t it?
* * *
In other news, we’ll be launching Worldbuilders later this week, so brace yourself for the coolness.
This year we’re doing a bunch of new things. It’s exhausting and exciting at the same time. Plus exhausting. Did I mention exhausting?
One of the things we’ll be doing year is stretch goals. When donations reach 50K, 100K, 150K, etc, we’ll throw something new into the fundraiser.
So I wanted to ask: What do you think our stretch goals should be? What could we throw into the fundraiser at these various levels to act as donation incentives?
Any suggestions?
And, since I’m asking questions, how about one more….
This year, as I’ve mentioned previously on the blog, Worldbuilders is offering sponsorships to folks willing to donate at certain levels. Right now, we’ve got three levels of sponsorship: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Here’s the thing: it bugs me that the names we have for the levels are so generic. I’d like something that was a little cooler and truer to our geek heritage. But not *so* geeky that it makes us look unprofessional to potential corporate donors.
Any thoughts?
Lastly, if you’re still interested in being a part of Worldbuilders, as a donor or sponsor, it’s not too late. Just drop us a line at donations (squiggly atsign thinger) worldbuilders.org.
Later all,
pat
110 Comments
Since Worldbuilders is really something you champion, I say the levels of sponsorship should be E’lir, Re’lar, and El’the.
Oooh, I like that, but then, Pat’s qualification that it not be too nerdy lest it scare off the suits….
Apprentice, Journeyman, Master? More generically applicable to lots of different fantasy worlds/series.
Hmmm…. that’s a decent thought.
Beckham Scholes Giggs?
I support this notion
oooh, i like this also.
I like this very much.
Typist, Writer, Wordsmith.
The huge geek in me loves this one :)
I believe you already calculated a coolness meter. Why not use it here? https://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2010/01/fanmail-q-coolness/
Love it when we learn from our children.
My 3 year old, sitting next to making dinosaurs and dinner with clay, looked over as I was reading this and saw the photo of Oot. He asked if it was a picture of him.
“No,” I said, it’s a little boy named Oot.”
“Oot? He’s cute and awesome like me, can we talk to him?”
“No, we don’t know him.”
“I’ll invite him over and then we’ll be friends and then we can talk to him, ok?”
3 year old minds are awesome.
And we wonder why it’s so hard to make new friends….
E’lir, Re’lar, and El’the hands down thats the best idea I’ve seen for anything all weekend.
Unfortunately, it would only make sense to people who have read my books. The fundraiser isn’t just about me and my fans these days. It’s bigger than that.
We don’t want to pick terms that will confuse/scare away corporate sponsors.
There is always the standard.
Legendary
Epic
Leet
However I like Viola’s reference back to your prior blog. :)
Maybe some famous world builders?
Atlas
Prometheus
Zeus
That’s clever….
this is a pretty good one =)
I like the Prometheus reference, why not build off that?
Spatk, Brand, Bonfire, Forge Or maybe BlastFurnace as the final level since those never go out :-)
Sponsorship levels could be Sophomore, Junior, Senior
or Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
or other jewels of your choice.
Catfish, Dogfish, Goldfish?
Assistant Sponsor, Associate Sponsor, Full Sponsor
I’d have thought the obvious thing to do would be to sub in the metals for fantasy elements – Mythril, Adamantite, and uh… You know, I’m having trouble thinking of another one.
Orichalcum? Dilithium? Octiron?
How about Eezo, Atium, and Unobtainium?
Blackstone
Copperfield
Dresden
Heh.
Day
Gaiman
Whedon
Stole my idea, but I would have gone
Wheaton
Day
Pratchett
Perhaps a DnD related system?
Heroic, Paragon and Epic tier?
After all everyone loves DnD!
Associate
Masters
Doctorate
Sheepishly Generous
Ducking the flock
Giver of Hope
Builder of Worlds
I love “Builder of Worlds”. I’m also loving the animal themes. Sheepishly Generous seems almost insulting though…
Something slightly Geeky but still recognizable would be to follow a sort of Roman ranking system:
Plebeian
Equestrian
Magistrate
Been thinking for about an hour on this. Not an easy question, sir.
Fief, King, Emperor
Draftsman – helps develop ideas and ways of helping out/building
DIY Enthusiast – Has a fair crack at doing something and tries to fix whats broken (Could also be Craftsman)
Master Builder – Builds from scratch, and builds it well
Ta
This is awesome. More importantly (ok, not), is that the Diablo 3 paper? That would make this even cooler…
I didn’t even realize it at the time. But yeah, it is….
I’m not trying to get off of topic, but what is your opinion on Diablo III? Back in 2010 after a signing in Merrel Wisconsin a few friends and I hung out with you at a Culvers and we discussed how modern day video games have a long way to go in the terms of storytelling. How do you feel about the story telling in this one? I know most people don’t play Diablo for the story, but ever since that conversation I’ve been more aware of how poor most stories in video games are.
I came here to say the same thing because I instantly recognized it. I’m not even really into Diablo but for some reason I kept the pad beside my computer and jot notes on it all the time.
Minion, Super Villain, Supreme Evil Overlord!
(But that sounds a bit, well, evil)
Padawan, Jedi, Yoda
The Magical Realism Award, The Sword and Sorcery Award , The Epic Fantasy Award (or High Fantasy)
oooh. I like that, what about:
Youngling
Padawan
Jedi
I like some previous suggestions, but I’m thinking something that references the worlds built might be nice, like Mythic, Epic, Legendary, or references creation like Dreamer, Fantast, Visionary, or references building like Framer, Foreman, Arrchitect. It’s fun to play with the concept and themes.
I really like:
Mythic,
Epic,
Legendary
It would be on theme, and widely appreciable.
Thanks! It is important that it be something universally appreciable.
In this format, a donor a the Mythic level would be a “Mythic Worldbuilder” and so forth.
Hero
Titan
Demi-God
Olympian
Since we are Worldbuilders…
Designer
Architect
Worldbuilder
Battlement
Tower
Pinnacle
d10, d12, d20
Knight
Champion
Hero
Or,
Champion
Hero
Legend.
Curly.
Larry.
AND MOE!
I love kids at this age: in fact, here in Taiwan, I TEACH kids this age. That’s right, kindergarten starts at 3: K1, K2, K3. That’s when they’re thrown into the grand world of ESL.
How’s this for a great prize?
A master’s review of up-to X pages of your own writing by participating author(s) via video chat. Nothing is more valuable than great input. Perhaps even a follow-up after self-editing.
Since it’s for Heifer International:
Poultry
Sheep
Cattle
I really like the Heifer Project reference =)
Of the suggestions so far, I’m partial to the one that has “Worldbuilder” listed as the top rank.
As for something cool that might be good for the fundraiser, how about auctioning off the chance to be in an episode of The Story Board? Perhaps it could be an episode specifically dedicated to getting into the trials and tribulations of becoming a published author.
Another possible prize could be the chance to choose a topic for a future episode, along with specific authors that the winner would hope to have involved.
(Not sure how well either of these would work in practice, but in my head they sounded really good.)
Children often think the word “love” is synonymous “happy with”.
You know your son loves you. Why are you trying to bum me out?
???
Why would this bum you out?
Pat,
I don’t know what they were thinking but my first reaction was??? You don’t love your dad?!?!?!?! But that was because I hadn’t factored in 2 things:
1) you are awesome and don’t get offended by things that in context,
2) and this was a moment you shared with your Son that you treasured and wanted to talk about.
3) ha jk I said two.
If this had been posted by someone else it could have been them complaining about their child hurting their feelings (which I think is what the OP thought and I’d originally thought until I factored in 1 and 2).
That was totally it. I was like, “You don’t love your dad?!” I see now that clearly I was the only one who read that and got all weepy eyed.
PS. I both hate and love that a man named “PoopOnAStick” gets me.
Here are three possible donation levels:
1. Novella
2. Novel
3. Epic Jaw Dropping Don’t-Go-To-Work-For-Three-Days Fantasy Series
Or you could do mythical creatures like:
1. Minotaur
2. Phoenix
3. Dragon
For a more realistic suggestion, and one that somewhat (barely) goes with the books you could use metals, just not the tradition gold, silver, etc. like this:
1. Copper
2. Nickel
3. Iron
People might not like being an “Iron” donor as much as being a “Platinum” donor, but I think it fits better with the genre.
Good stretch goals might be blogs.
Especially blogs like the one you allready promsed in the Q&A session from the Rothfuss Reread i.e. Coinsystem, Map etc.
That’s a good idea…..
Yes!! An excellent idea. I vote the results of the photo contest blog! (Although I’m guessing it seriously detracts from your Wordbuilder/Oot time to put this together…)
Wooot! I agree. +1
Pupil
Teacher
Professor
Picollo
Flute
Tube
Grain
Brick
House
Drop
River
Ocean
//Matt
Well, the way I understood Worldbuilders, the Sponsors always get somekind of book as a “Thank you” so, if more donations come in Hand with more Books, why not:
Book
Bookshelf
Library
or in Combination with some previous comments:
Knight of the Book
Champion of the Bookshelf
Master of the Library
or something like that …
Greetings,
I think a good idea would be to let people choose the categories and the aplly the levels accordingly. If people chose a category for greek mythology then could be as someone mentioned, atlas, zeus… for the Rothfuss world, Relar… and so on for several different categories!
Hugo
I don’t know about the first three, but I feel like Big Damn Heroes should be the level after Platinum…
Hmm. That’s a bit of a head scratcher.
Troubadour
Minstrel
Bard
I’m rather taken with the Hero, Champion, Legend suggestion – has a nice fantasy theme without being overly geeky. Shouldn’t be too terrifying for uninitiated corporate types.
Riffing further on the idea of Apprentice, Journeyman and Master – I liked it initially, but thinking on it further… If you’re trying to attract corporate sponsorship, egos need to be stroked a little bit. No one’s ego is going to be stroked by being referred to as an apprentice or journeyman.
But who the heck would complain about being called a Hero or a Champion?
Sure it’s not as awesome as Legend, but still pretty darn awesome.
Lead
Gold
Mithril
or
Ash
Oak
Roan
or
Unicorn
Lion
Dragon
Hows abouts:
Silver Star
Golden Galaxy
Platinum Supernova
Noble
Sovereign
World Builder
This combines the “royal” titles predominant in most fantasy fiction with the fundraiser itself.
I’ve searched a good long time for the correct word for the @ sign, and it seems like in english we just call it ‘at sign.’ Boring, indeed, but the spanish have a word for it: arroba. If you can roll the ‘rr’ when you say it, ends up being a pretty awesome word.
I have no idea what to call your giving levels, however.
Perhaps three levels of rings ?
Minor
Major
Augmented
What if the donation level titles were additive?
Thoughful
Kind and Thoughtful
Generous, Kind, and Thoughtful
I too like the idea of apprentice, journeyman, master as the levels. What I’d like to see as a stretch goal would be a non-spoiler chapter from book 3 (if possible) or perhaps a sample of the short story you wrote for the upcoming anthology. Barring that perhaps a few Q&A sessions scheduled in advance, for those of us who have a frustrating habit of missing them.
Since we’re talking about Worldbuilding here, how about
Crust
Mantle
Core
?
You have already built a rating system for coolness in previous blogs… so I see no reason not to continue with that theme.
Wil Wheaton
Felicia Day
Neil Gaimen
(Of course, in keeping with the book theme you may want to sub these for ground-breaking fantasy authors)
Terry Prachett
Terry Brooks
Tolkien
poultryman
goat herder
oxen driver
Well – you have enough ideas to consider (IMO LOL)
I mostly just thought it was awesome that in that picture of OOT, he’s totally like “I’m 3” with one hand, and “Rock On” with the other LOL.
And technically you did sorta play with him, you talked and told him to write you a letter. *shrug* You hooked him up with paper and pen and you had him read it to you! So good job on multitasking!
Plus – one good thing about worldbuilders starting back up…Imagine all the box forts in your future!
Re: Stretch Goal Incentives
I think people prefer experiences to stuff. Don’t get me wrong, stuff is great – but ultimately it’s just a thing and not a story someone can tell.
People want memories:
Offer a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to be served at your kitchen table and watch people go ape shit for it.
Pat,
If you found some Indie Game developers that wanted to give out free signed games (or posters) that would be pretty epic.
Or Signed DND books. I think most of your readers tend to be a little bit on the gamer side and thus this may be pretty awesome incentive.
For me a pic of the someone who benefited directly from the year’s World Builders would be my top pick, but I’m strange like that.
This may also be too geeky but most everyone should recognize a few of the tiers.
Galileo
Euclid
Newton
Euler
Watt
Einstein
Another thought: Give somebody a sneak peek at book 3.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Simple but clear and classic.
Ok, I think the levels should be named after other Fantasy/SF authors. You can go youngest to oldest (or by your own who you’d kill and eat their brains if you could absorb their talent that way scale).
Duck
llama
Water Buffalo
Or some variant thereof
I would love to see some of your poetry as an incentive.
If we donate $100 to get to level 1, then you institute a prize for $100K and we donate another $50, then you institute a new prize for $150K and we donate more, will that keep adding to our original tally to help us reach a higher level? I would probably do so more readily if only just for fun and end up donating more than I intended. Just curious…
I have been contemplating some bitchin cookie jars with bears. I could actually make a couple of ’em and donate them for stretch goals.
You’re lucky! My 5 year old is writing me tickets all the time…
For not playing or if he isn’t allowed to… lot’s of reasons to give me a fine ;-)
Cheers, Alex.
Yeah, craft-associated words might sound good. Jazzed up a little – after all, this creature was born from the hearts of geeks, and as such dances to the low thunder of airship engines and the pulse of photon torpedoes.
I like the sounds of Dream-Founder and Architect of Change, but that might just be my imagination. Something like that.
Regardless; good luck, Pat, and may the misers and misogynists of the world suffer awesomeness-induced radiation sickness courtesy of Worldbuilders for many years to come.
Nova
Supernova
Hypernova
NASA Levels:
Spacesuit
Shuttle
Moon Buggy
Gamer levels:
Player
Moderator
Dungeon Master
Mario Levels:
Mushroom
Heart
Star
Library Levels:
Reader
Collector
Hoarder
Heifer Levels:
Bee-Keeper
Shepherd
Farmer
Awesome
Plus Awesome
Double Plus Awesome
I enjoy your blog. It is a real pleasure to be able to keep up with what’s going on with one of my favorite authors. Story Board episodes are great.
Any advice for a person on the edge of trying to consider being a writer? How do I know if my creative thoughts on paper don’t look like scribbles to everyone else? (no offense to the picture of Oot’s letter above)
A few quick ideas, maybe they will help or inspire:
Believer, Apostle, Creator…
Foundation, Cornerstone, Architect…
Genuine Item, Rare Artifact, Enchanted…
Concerning the designations for the Worldbuilder donation levels, it could conceivably help to put your marketing hat on and choose names for the levels that may be deliberately kitsch and sufficiently superlative to set your charity apart, yet generic enough to make the corporate guys get the message. If you explain further that the names are deliberately kitsch and superlative to distinguish Worldbuilders, based on your market research of course, that may make them smile. See if these grab you . . . even if they don’t, they illustrate what I’m saying . . . .
Benevolent Liege
Lord High Master
Ultimate Overlord
Or, to take a page from James Harriet, who in turn took a page from Cecil Frances Alexander, substitute the organizations name for below . . .
donated things bright and beautiful,
donated creatures great and small,
donated thing wise and wonderful,
and Worldbuilders, we donated them all.
Animal Alms-giver
Patron of Peace
Bovine Benefactor
Hmmm, I second the suggestions of apprentice/journeyman/master levels. As far as a donation incentive I doubt you could top making a lucky donor a beta reader for Doors of Stone :-)
I know that would motivate me!
Town Builder
City Builder
World Builder
+1
If there is still time, what about:
Dragon
Unicorn
Goblin
–Or–
Great and Powerful
*Insert reference to another classic book here*
*Insert reference to another another classic book here*
Oot is fabulous!! I’m glad you had an opportunity to note his letter down. A moment to remember. :)
It’s on Diablo III paper lol.
Reaver
Alliance sympathist
Browncoat
First Tier
Pret Tier
Finalfron Tier
stretch goal: one spot in the next “Epic D&D” game.
Of course, for this to work there has to be a next epic D&D game some time in the future, so you’ll all have to commit to it.
But I think there’ll be plenty of people willing to bid money to spend an afternoon geeking with a bunch of godlike author-figures
Sooooo … for like 3 years I’ve read the name of the charity as Wordbuilders.
I haz the dumb.
Perhaps a mix of generic and geek hertiage. This way the corperate donors see something they’re used to but there is still a cool geek reference:
Bronze Goblin
Silver Unicorn
Golden Dragon
Silver Street
Golden Village
Platinum City
Bronze Street
Silver City
Golden State
Guessing I’m a but late to the party though.