I just started the Puzzle Dependency Chart for the 3rd flashback. This is how it looks at the beginning. I’ve removed all the text so there are no spoilers.

The yellow nodes are known things and the red nodes are unknown things. Over the next week the red nodes will get greatly expanded and eventually replaced with yellow nodes.

I find it useful to get a rough draft down with all the unknowns early, then slowly build up from there.

Roger Ebert once said “The Muse visits during the act of creation, not before. Don’t wait for her. Start alone.”

It’s very true, and it’s one reason I like to get something, anything, down. Then the ideas start to fill in.

The worst thing is when I just sit around and think and start to stress. Start writing or designing, get crappy ideas down, and then the rest comes very quickly.

Of course, I can be the worst at following my own advice. Just start.