Putting pencil to paper for DISTANT WORLDS
I took a break from pounding the keyboard last month. I needed to take a breath, even from this newsletter. The words were stale. The momentum was lost. I wandered too far into my own head about the work.
I don't suffer from writer's block. I don't actually believe in it. Journalism trained me to write on deadline and fast. When I get stymied, I know it's because I'm caught in a loop of overthinking and need to do something else creative. Or I need to refill the tank and consume art rather than make it.
In this case, I needed to do both. Because right now I'm expending so much mental energy elsewhere as I address some other aspects of my life.
So I did something I hadn't done in a few years, put pencil to paper. Then ink to pencils.
I drew.
I forgot how much it centered me. It's a form of meditation. There's no pressure. And I didn't care if it was the best drawing I could ever do. My first few sketches were all about getting my bearings again.
More than that, they were all about fun. Then, it led me to explore what the DISTANT WORLDS universe looked like. Here's a look at some of those explorations, which might end up in a future pitch deck.
![The image is a detailed schematic diagram of a spacecraft cockpit or control room. The design is sketched with dark lines on a purple background. At the center is the “C/O” station, surrounded by various labeled stations and features. Directly above it is the “CSO/XO Science Analysis Station” and the “Astro/Planetary Ops. Station” to the right. Below the center, there is “Comms/Xendlinguistics.” The “Sr. Pilot” position is on the lower left, with the “Jr. Pilot Emergencies: Defense” station next to it. The left side features a “Conversational Dugout [P/S].” At the top center, there is a “Hatchway: Captain’s Cabin Access.” Adjacent on the right side is the “Hatchway: Security Foyer, Main Corridor.” At the bottom right corner, there is the “Multidisciplinary Mission Operations Stations” and the “Hatchway Mag Lift.” The diagram is labeled with annotations, and lines outline various sections and equipment spaces.](https://distant-worlds.ghost.io/content/images/2025/10/pilot.png)
My writing partner Hannibal believes I should do a graphic novel version. What do y'all think?
Celebrate Beverly Crusher Day with me and Jessi from Crusher Convo!
Next Monday is Beverly Crusher Day and I'll be hanging out with my buddy Jessi from the Crusher Convo Podcast.
Join us at 5PM/8PM ET on Oct. 13, 2025 as we discuss the top 10 moments that define Beverly's legacy. Click the notify button on the YouTube video below so you don't miss out.
