How and Where I Write - February 2015 RPG Blog Carnival

As the one-year anniversary of my return to creative writing and tentative foray into blogging approaches, I offered to host this month's Blog Carnival: How and Where I Write and/or Game Prep. 

Thanks to Johnn Four for helming this project.

Years ago, I tried to be a Writer, without much success. I wrote some short stories and essays, even getting a few published. I think my crowning achievement was winning the Romance category in the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, in spite of the fact that I have never read a romance novel in my life. But apparently I was adept at writing poorly on purpose. So there's that.

A bit over a year ago, I rediscovered gaming and the vigorous online DIY community of creators and theorists.  At about that time I also made the decision to be less of a consumer of content, and contribute a bit of my own, whether a story, a map, or a bit of treasure. So I've played around with mini-dungeon scenarios, occasional flash fiction, some essays on gaming environment, and a bit of crowdsource content.

For the next year, upcoming goals include another One Page Dungeon entry, a longer module-length piece, a new character class, short stories, and whatever crowdsource and/or contest content that doesn't have too strict of a dress code...

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Like most creative folk, every writer has their own approach and opinions on the craft.

Among my writing books, I have two writers-on-writing books "Just Open a Vein," by William Brohaugh, and "On Being a Writer," by Bill Strickland. For the 30 or so essays/interviews in each book, there are approximately 30 opinions on 'how to write.' But they give a glimpse into each writer's method and philosophy, and there are many approaches. The creative process is as unique as the writer and their stories.

And each writer has their space: some spare, some well ordered, some cluttered.  Perhaps those spaces represent, or contrast with, the mind of the person sitting at their notebook or keyboard.

A few are documented in photo-essays like these:

http://booktique.weebly.com/blog/the-writing-space-of-famous-writers

http://www.whereiwrite.org/

I've always been fond of this photo of Sam Delaney in his garret-like workspace

So, here's a bit of me and my process:

I don't have a particular 'space' - sometimes it's at the kitchen table, sometimes at the couch.  Regardless, I hew out a comfy space to put the feet up and an appropriate beverage to quiet the Internal Critic, or commune with the muse... Your call.

And I grab some inspiration, whether is it a writing cue, a piece of art, or a map.

Mix well with:

Some cool names

Some Random Charts

Some way to cobble together a treasure pile

And add a soundtrack of something drony or ambient via http://somafm.com/. Or if I'm in an industrial mood: http://www.digitalgunfire.com/. Or if it's Sunday night, http://www.ontheedgeradio.com/ (via the local high school radio station, one of only a few left nationwide) (where the kidlet takes her broadcasting class and internship) (The old man became slightly less uncool when he revealed his punk and industrial leanings) (Who says kids and their folks can't share musical tastes?) (Ok, I'll stop with the parentheses now).

And often with the "help" of Ella (aka Snotcat), the typical aloof cat who suddenly requires one's attention when one is busy.

There are a lot of creative folks out there in Blogistan - some write for work, many more as a past-time. Likewise, we plan for games - perhaps reskinning, melding, or pulling critters and spaces and situations out of our own minds. And everyone has their own inspiration, process and space.

Feel free to share yours. Perhaps we'll all find a bit of inspiration.

Update: Wrap-up and commentary here