Lost in space

I bought the solo journalling game Bucket of Bolts and I’m digging it so far. How it works is that it gives you some writing prompts as you create the story of a spaceship beginning from its construction, going through the many adventures it’s had with its different captains, and ending with its inevitable final journey.

THE SHIP
A midsize freighter, rugged and adaptable.

SHIP CREATION
- You were constructed by a team of starship engineers—describe them, their design principles and political affiliations.
- Add three Traits describing your Ship then draw it. Sketch out the layout of modules and its silhouette, considering the materials used.
- Give your Ship a model name and simple factory designation.

SHIP QUESTIONS
Answer these during play. You don't need to answer them all.

- Every ship needs a good name. What is it and why?
- Across the galaxy there are spaceports in every shape, size and standing. Why do some feel like home more than others?
- Your last Captain installed a secret modification that they never got to use. What does it do?
- Your customised systems allow for a unique manoeuvre that many of your Captain's have attempted. What it is, and what does it come to be called by tale tellers and imitators?

It’s a fun way to get one’s creative juices flowing, while its guided structure prevents the stereotypical writer’s panic at being faced with a blank page. It even comes with a ship generator so you don’t get stuck with trying to imagine what your ship looks like and a soundtrack to listen to as you meditate on your choices. I mean, last night words were fairly flowing from my pen.

The Ship
-constructed for exploration + science. 
-modification of existing template for university researchers. -
-customized to survive high-pressure & high-radiation environments with the most expensive & most sensitive sensors available along with ample computer power for analysis 
-designed for year-long voyages
-apolitical scientists unappreciative how their exploration directly aids the empire
- public funding & grants subsidize the research 

Nimble, Sleek, Precise
The Don Quixote (Raptor-class HX-1138) (sketch of ship vaguely resembling Defiant from Deep Space 9)

The High Era
A Science Expedition
Captain Jacques Jazmere 
-Phd student who gathered fellow iconoclasts to find ancient alien civilization 
-records unclear where it was but crew is certain its remo
are in a distant region of space
- crew rigged a time travel antenna to pick up ancient sig 

Love & Triumph: Captain discovered a wormhole shortcut to deep space & named it the Cervantes wormhole
The ship is named Don Quixote because of its romantic quest

You can even use this game to create the backstory for a spaceship your characters might use in a space RPG like Traveller or Starfinder.

Bottom line? It’s a fun structured way to get creative for a couple of hours.