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Independent Game Festival Finalist: Ernest Noa Profile by Jay Watamaniuk
Do you have a game-related website?
Can you describe how you go about creating a story for a module?Earnest: I usually play with different ideas in my head, sometimes just images or short scenes, until I find something that holds my interest. After I have an idea or ideas that I like, I create a long list of story ideas, plot points, settings, and characters. This list is revised a few times and then I will re-organize the material into an outline or flow chart. I spend a lot of time revising and tweaking the overall story as a way to relax. I think about it during the drive to or from work or as I drift off to sleep. Eventually, when I am happy with the outline or if I am pretty sure I have finished parts of the outline, I will start writing the module. The story continues to change as I write the module. Sometimes, I can't create exactly what I wanted in the Neverwinter Nights toolset. Other times, new ideas come to mind as I am working in the toolset or scripting and the story is revised to incorporate them. Have you ever had writer's block during the creation of a module? What did you do to move on?
Has becoming a finalist affected your work?Earnest: It has motivated me to start working on another project. I am surprised and flattered to have been selected as a finalist. I write modules to relax and entertain myself. With Hythum II: The Halls of Kilgirn, I set out to create a module I would want to play. I had a great time going through it with a friend of mine and I am thrilled it has been so well received by others. I do not think it will affect my work too much, but it may get me going on another module. What projects are you currently working on?Earnest: Recently I finished converting UK5: Eye of the Serpent for Neverwinter Nights. It is an old TSR paper and pencil module. It satisfied my need to tinker in the editor without becoming a huge project.
I have had a story idea rattling around in my head since last June. It would be pretty time consuming so I have not done much with it. I have also pondered writing Hythum III. I left some hints for the start of Hythum III in the ending of Hythum II, but I haven't spent much time working on the story yet. ~
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Earnest: 
Earnest: Yes, typically early in the process, while I am still creating the story outline or flow chart. I ran into this more with the original Hythum than on Hythum II: The Halls of Kilgirn. To get beyond it I work on ideas, settings, and characters I would like to include in the game. I create a laundry list or wish list of ideas. Some of them fit the story and others go on the shelf for another day. Often, these settings or characters will spark a new idea and allow me to continue working on the story.
Presently, I am nearly finished with the pseudo-module for Neverwinter Nights. I have a plot outline, and a minimal amount of content. It is serving as a playground for me to experiment with the DM client. I want to get more experience working with it, and hopefully my future modules we be even more DM friendly as a result. I do not plan to release this publicly; there really isn't much to see.
