The Seven Day Quest (the game, not the blog) was reviewed in the @Play column of GameSetWatch! This is a major online game magazine. I'm very pleased. Okay, the review wasn't all that positive (at least he didn't call the game somewhat damp...), but I'm pleased that the game got noticed at all.
I'm tempted to make excuses -- many of the other challengers started with existing game engines (handling movement, line of sight, map drawing, etc), and I started from scratch. I didn't take the week off from work, so that's a 40 hour penalty right there...
But, it is what it is. I'm pleased with what I accomplished.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Fun
So what got lost completely in yesterday's post is this: Doing the seven day roguelike was a blast. I enjoyed every minute of it. Yeah, I wish more people had seen the final result. But a great game takes more than 168 hours, so I can hardly blame anyone for wanting to spend their game-playing hours interacting with something better.
I expect that the 24 hour comic will also be a fun experience. Even the half-marathon will be fun. I expect NaNoWriMo will just be excruciating.
It's not that I feel like I haven't accomplished anything worthwhile in my life, either. I know I've made my share of worthwhile contributions.
And I know, I know, I know that it is not what I do that gives me value -- it's who I am. I know that even when I don't behave like I know that.
I expect that the 24 hour comic will also be a fun experience. Even the half-marathon will be fun. I expect NaNoWriMo will just be excruciating.
It's not that I feel like I haven't accomplished anything worthwhile in my life, either. I know I've made my share of worthwhile contributions.
And I know, I know, I know that it is not what I do that gives me value -- it's who I am. I know that even when I don't behave like I know that.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
As October Looms
I thought I had given up on this quest.
I realized that what I am up to is not nearly as cool as I thought it was.
I am trying to do something impressive.
I don't know how impressive a 24 hour comic is, and I don't know how impressive NaNoWriMo is. I have discovered that a seven day roguelike is not considered to be any big deal.
Fewer than 50 people are aware I created one. Fewer than 5 have played it. There will not be an article about it in Newsweek.
I am aware that it's pretty immature of me to be going about this for the glory. But there it is.
Anyway, I think now that there's not going to be any glory. So I wasn't going to bother with the rest of it. Except now maybe I am.
For some other reason.
But I don't know what it is. But maybe it's a better reason.
I've done a little writing. It's something that could end up being the preface of my NaNoWriMo. You can read it here. As usual, I crave feedback.
Also I've chosen a prospective venue for my 24 hour comic. This could change. There are no events in Arizona. There are a half a dozen in California, and the one that appeals most to me is the one in Manhattan Beach. Just because I've been to Manhattan Beach before and I liked it. I know nothing about the comic shop.
Oh look, I said it could change, and it already has. Reading more closely, I have discovered that they hosted 24 hour comic last year. No indication they will again this year. So, now I'm thinking of taking my pen and paper to True Believers comics in Santa Fe, NM instead.
I haven't done any drawing. I desperately need to get my skills back up.
Oh, also, I'm planning to run a half-marathon in December. Not sure why I bring that up. Now, if I were running a whole marathon, that would be impressive.
I realized that what I am up to is not nearly as cool as I thought it was.
I am trying to do something impressive.
I don't know how impressive a 24 hour comic is, and I don't know how impressive NaNoWriMo is. I have discovered that a seven day roguelike is not considered to be any big deal.
Fewer than 50 people are aware I created one. Fewer than 5 have played it. There will not be an article about it in Newsweek.
I am aware that it's pretty immature of me to be going about this for the glory. But there it is.
Anyway, I think now that there's not going to be any glory. So I wasn't going to bother with the rest of it. Except now maybe I am.
For some other reason.
But I don't know what it is. But maybe it's a better reason.
I've done a little writing. It's something that could end up being the preface of my NaNoWriMo. You can read it here. As usual, I crave feedback.
Also I've chosen a prospective venue for my 24 hour comic. This could change. There are no events in Arizona. There are a half a dozen in California, and the one that appeals most to me is the one in Manhattan Beach. Just because I've been to Manhattan Beach before and I liked it. I know nothing about the comic shop.
Oh look, I said it could change, and it already has. Reading more closely, I have discovered that they hosted 24 hour comic last year. No indication they will again this year. So, now I'm thinking of taking my pen and paper to True Believers comics in Santa Fe, NM instead.
I haven't done any drawing. I desperately need to get my skills back up.
Oh, also, I'm planning to run a half-marathon in December. Not sure why I bring that up. Now, if I were running a whole marathon, that would be impressive.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Meanwhile, in my other blog...
For those of you who've wondered what's become of me, I've been focusing on my other blog the last month or so. It does relate to this blog, in that it is writing. I know I need to be getting back to my drawing table, but it is just sitting there. I've been spending all my time either trying to deal with my topsy-turvy career turns or dreaming about my big summer road trip (probably my biggest yet!). Have a look, and make some comments, at myhomeistheroad.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Inspiration - Fiction
Well, it's been over a month now since I posted my short story. Time to come to terms with the fact that no one is going to read it. I don't think that even my immediate family is reading my blog. But, enough self-pity (though self-pity is a good writerly trait, don't you think? Some of our best writers were self-pitiful).
On to what inspires me as a fiction writer. I do actually know one published novelist. My former boss, Keith Raffel, has one novel published and one in the pipeline. Keith is nine years older than me, and just got his first novel published, so that gives us all hope. His book, dot.dead, is a straightforward contemporary murder mystery, set in Silicon Valley. It's a fun read, with an engaging protagonist and a good mysterious plot. Also, a lot of nice local color. I lived in the Palo Alto area for 12 years before moving to Tucson, so it was a lot of fun to read about my old haunts.
But murder mysteries aren't really my thing, in general. I can't see myself writing one.
So what fiction do I like to read? You'll find it odd. I like little stories about small town American life. I like Garrison Keillor, Fanny Flagg, Adriana Trigliani. These are stories where generally nothing really big happens -- no murders, car chases, sinister forces of evil, possessed saint bernards, savage bio-engineered killer gorillas, etc.
All the good stories I've written are like that. I write about road trips. I write stories that, if they were made into movies, would be made into little indie films, shot by a first-time director and featuring one big star who decided to work for scale just because he/she really believed in the story.
Now, like all good nerds, I went through the fantasy/sci-fi thing. I loved the Chronicles of Narnia. I actually read the Lord of the Rings in its entirety when I was in High School. I read just about everything Zalazney wrote. I read all those strange Fritz Leiber short stories. I read the requisite amount of Azimov and Heinlein and Crichton.
But my attempts to write fantasy have always fallen flat. It always feels forced. Because it is forced.
What I really like these days in that sort of realm are the things that Douglas Adams wrote. And I like the stuff by his variouis imitators, like Terry Pratchett and Robert Rankin. I've been trying to slog through a theoretically hilarious book by Tom Holt, called Who's Afraid of Beowulf. The book has all the right ingredients but it's undercooked or overcooked or something.
If I could just decide to write a readable fantasy novel, I would love to write something like The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocolypse. Something imaginative and off-the-wall, and that makes the reader laugh out loud every couple of pages or so. I might even be capable of something like that. I don't think I'm capable of writing a great sword-and-sorcery epic.
You're still reading? That's impressive. I'd have wandered off to something more interesting by now. You must really like me. But I'm sure you're also wondering where I'm going with all of this...
On to what inspires me as a fiction writer. I do actually know one published novelist. My former boss, Keith Raffel, has one novel published and one in the pipeline. Keith is nine years older than me, and just got his first novel published, so that gives us all hope. His book, dot.dead, is a straightforward contemporary murder mystery, set in Silicon Valley. It's a fun read, with an engaging protagonist and a good mysterious plot. Also, a lot of nice local color. I lived in the Palo Alto area for 12 years before moving to Tucson, so it was a lot of fun to read about my old haunts.
But murder mysteries aren't really my thing, in general. I can't see myself writing one.
So what fiction do I like to read? You'll find it odd. I like little stories about small town American life. I like Garrison Keillor, Fanny Flagg, Adriana Trigliani. These are stories where generally nothing really big happens -- no murders, car chases, sinister forces of evil, possessed saint bernards, savage bio-engineered killer gorillas, etc.
All the good stories I've written are like that. I write about road trips. I write stories that, if they were made into movies, would be made into little indie films, shot by a first-time director and featuring one big star who decided to work for scale just because he/she really believed in the story.
Now, like all good nerds, I went through the fantasy/sci-fi thing. I loved the Chronicles of Narnia. I actually read the Lord of the Rings in its entirety when I was in High School. I read just about everything Zalazney wrote. I read all those strange Fritz Leiber short stories. I read the requisite amount of Azimov and Heinlein and Crichton.
But my attempts to write fantasy have always fallen flat. It always feels forced. Because it is forced.
What I really like these days in that sort of realm are the things that Douglas Adams wrote. And I like the stuff by his variouis imitators, like Terry Pratchett and Robert Rankin. I've been trying to slog through a theoretically hilarious book by Tom Holt, called Who's Afraid of Beowulf. The book has all the right ingredients but it's undercooked or overcooked or something.
If I could just decide to write a readable fantasy novel, I would love to write something like The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocolypse. Something imaginative and off-the-wall, and that makes the reader laugh out loud every couple of pages or so. I might even be capable of something like that. I don't think I'm capable of writing a great sword-and-sorcery epic.
You're still reading? That's impressive. I'd have wandered off to something more interesting by now. You must really like me. But I'm sure you're also wondering where I'm going with all of this...
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Inspiration - Comics
First of two posts on inspiration -- this one for the 24 hour comic. Then a post on NaNoWriMo, and maybe another post on reconciling it all???? Well, one word at a time:
I just got, and read, the 2006 24 hour comic highlight book. This is a "highlights", in contrast to a "best of" collection. The intention is to show a nice cross-section of what is produced on 24 hour comics day. I found it pretty encouraging. Plenty of cool stuff in different styles; different levels of detail.
Of course part of the idea of 24 hour comics is to come in with no set agenda -- no pre-made plot or script. Nevertheless, from page 3 of the book, the familiar visages of Mayberry Melonpool and Ralph Zinobopp looked back at me. In other words, it's okay to come in with existing characters and situations.
Not that I necessarily have a stable of existing characters and situations to draw from these days. Maybe I'll do a post of all the sets of characters I've created over the years.
I have my drawing table set back up. I have sketch pads and pencils and art books setting out -- if I turn 180 degrees from my computer desk I'll be at my drawing desk.
And I have lots and lots of books of comic strips. Of course, superhero comics have also inspired me, but my drafting skills aren't at the level they would need to be for something that realistic. So, my comic strip heros, in terms of both writing and drawing....
Have to give a shout-out to the late, great Johnny Hart, who just passed away.
Jim Toomey, creator of the hilariously twisted Sherman's Lagoon (hey, anybody besides me think that Thornton was the real inspiration for the tropical polar bear on Lost?)
Frank Cho, amazing draftsman and author of the truly unique Liberty Meadows. Frank is the world champion at drawing women whose breasts are bigger than their heads.
Corey Pandolph, creator of the sublime Barkeater Lake. I recently purchased an original Barkeater Lake drawing.
Walt Kelly, who managed to sometimes fit a dozen or more jokes into a 4-panel strip. Walt was a master of dialogue right up there with Shakespeare and the Coen brothers, and also an incredible social satirist. And he draws the world's sexiest skunk.
Gary Trudeau, creator of characters that you come to know and love, characters who can exist for years and still be interesting, even though they don't have any super powers (well, maybe Zonker and Duke have some super powers...)
Well, that'll do for now. I have those books in front of me. When I get some time to spare (won't be real soon), I will start sketching. Watch this space for the results.
I just got, and read, the 2006 24 hour comic highlight book. This is a "highlights", in contrast to a "best of" collection. The intention is to show a nice cross-section of what is produced on 24 hour comics day. I found it pretty encouraging. Plenty of cool stuff in different styles; different levels of detail.
Of course part of the idea of 24 hour comics is to come in with no set agenda -- no pre-made plot or script. Nevertheless, from page 3 of the book, the familiar visages of Mayberry Melonpool and Ralph Zinobopp looked back at me. In other words, it's okay to come in with existing characters and situations.
Not that I necessarily have a stable of existing characters and situations to draw from these days. Maybe I'll do a post of all the sets of characters I've created over the years.
I have my drawing table set back up. I have sketch pads and pencils and art books setting out -- if I turn 180 degrees from my computer desk I'll be at my drawing desk.
And I have lots and lots of books of comic strips. Of course, superhero comics have also inspired me, but my drafting skills aren't at the level they would need to be for something that realistic. So, my comic strip heros, in terms of both writing and drawing....
Have to give a shout-out to the late, great Johnny Hart, who just passed away.
Jim Toomey, creator of the hilariously twisted Sherman's Lagoon (hey, anybody besides me think that Thornton was the real inspiration for the tropical polar bear on Lost?)
Frank Cho, amazing draftsman and author of the truly unique Liberty Meadows. Frank is the world champion at drawing women whose breasts are bigger than their heads.
Corey Pandolph, creator of the sublime Barkeater Lake. I recently purchased an original Barkeater Lake drawing.
Walt Kelly, who managed to sometimes fit a dozen or more jokes into a 4-panel strip. Walt was a master of dialogue right up there with Shakespeare and the Coen brothers, and also an incredible social satirist. And he draws the world's sexiest skunk.
Gary Trudeau, creator of characters that you come to know and love, characters who can exist for years and still be interesting, even though they don't have any super powers (well, maybe Zonker and Duke have some super powers...)
Well, that'll do for now. I have those books in front of me. When I get some time to spare (won't be real soon), I will start sketching. Watch this space for the results.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Quoted
Just for grins, I searched for my name on Amazon.com, and it turns out I show up in the index of two books. So I bought them. One of them just mentions me along with the other Rogue creators, but the other, Twisty Little Passages by Nick Montfort, actually has a paragraph quoted from my Brief History of Rogue. The book looks pretty interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
But wow, this Nick Montfort guy. In 2002, he wrote a tale, called 2002, which contains 2002 words exactly. And the whole story is a palindrome. I'm just in awe. Given the incredible constraints he laid out for himself, the story is remarkably coherent.
I mean, okay, it doesn't seem all that coherent at first blush. You have to twist your brain around to accept the awkward syntax. But, there's an actual story with characters and things that happen, and there's an introduction and a conclusion. The story is about how the year 2002 played out for our hero, Bob. If I pull this creative triathlon off completely, it still will not be as cool as Nick's story.
Go look at it!
But wow, this Nick Montfort guy. In 2002, he wrote a tale, called 2002, which contains 2002 words exactly. And the whole story is a palindrome. I'm just in awe. Given the incredible constraints he laid out for himself, the story is remarkably coherent.
I mean, okay, it doesn't seem all that coherent at first blush. You have to twist your brain around to accept the awkward syntax. But, there's an actual story with characters and things that happen, and there's an introduction and a conclusion. The story is about how the year 2002 played out for our hero, Bob. If I pull this creative triathlon off completely, it still will not be as cool as Nick's story.
Go look at it!
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