My two poems that were published in this semester's Windfall? The same two poems I read in the poetry slams we went to. Wrong genre, I guess
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As you're reading game rules, you notice some that are well-written and others that leave something to be desired, right? You're mentally editing. Just spend a little time, as you're reading, thinking about what makes the good ones good and the others not so good.
I've written (or helped write) by-laws for several small organizations through the years. The first was probably the Student Senate in college -- theirs badly needed to be revamped, and I was appointed to serve on the rewrite committee. There were three of us on the committee and we thought we did a pretty decent job -- until the Student Senate meeting in which the proposed revisions were reviewed and discussed. They nailed us to the wall, and rightfully so. We had left some glaring holes in the document.
Next (and I think I've shared this one with you) was when I started the M.O.N.E.E. club in college and wrote the club constitution and bylaws myself. I took a copy of the Student Senate constitution and bylaws (which I had helped re-write) and just used that as a template. They were approved with flying colors (even though the organization itself was highly controversial on campus -- but that's another story). About the same time, one of my Writing professors helped start a Tennis club on campus. He wrote (or helped write, I never did hear the complete story) their constitution and bylaws -- which were rejected outright and returned for rewrite. (This delighted me to no end, of course!)
Anyway, since then I've worked on constitution & bylaws committees for several other organizations. It's hard work, but I really enjoy it. And, yes, once they're in place there are always things that I see could have been done better, things that were left out or should have been clarified. Each time is a learning experience.
I expect game rule writing is the same. Just DO it. Seek out opportunities to get involved. Yes, you'll make mistakes. There will always be people who will put down your efforts, no matter WHAT you do. Unfortunately, that's life.
The drudgery of writing -- or in any kind of work, for that matter -- comes in going over your own work and polishing it, improving it just a little bit. That's what makes the difference between a B+ and an A-, or a failing grade and a passing grade. As Joe Conger is fond of asking, "What do they call a person who graduates at the bottom of his class in medical school?" (Answer: "Doctor")
Just remember what your Mom & I kept telling you in Elementary School -- "Double-check your answers!" That will cut down on the "Du-uh's".
As you're reading game rules, you notice some that are well-written and others that leave something to be desired, right? You're mentally editing. Just spend a little time, as you're reading, thinking about what makes the good ones good and the others not so good.
I've written (or helped write) by-laws for several small organizations through the years. The first was probably the Student Senate in college -- theirs badly needed to be revamped, and I was appointed to serve on the rewrite committee. There were three of us on the committee and we thought we did a pretty decent job -- until the Student Senate meeting in which the proposed revisions were reviewed and discussed. They nailed us to the wall, and rightfully so. We had left some glaring holes in the document.
Next (and I think I've shared this one with you) was when I started the M.O.N.E.E. club in college and wrote the club constitution and bylaws myself. I took a copy of the Student Senate constitution and bylaws (which I had helped re-write) and just used that as a template. They were approved with flying colors (even though the organization itself was highly controversial on campus -- but that's another story). About the same time, one of my Writing professors helped start a Tennis club on campus. He wrote (or helped write, I never did hear the complete story) their constitution and bylaws -- which were rejected outright and returned for rewrite. (This delighted me to no end, of course!)
Anyway, since then I've worked on constitution & bylaws committees for several other organizations. It's hard work, but I really enjoy it. And, yes, once they're in place there are always things that I see could have been done better, things that were left out or should have been clarified. Each time is a learning experience.
I expect game rule writing is the same. Just DO it. Seek out opportunities to get involved. Yes, you'll make mistakes. There will always be people who will put down your efforts, no matter WHAT you do. Unfortunately, that's life.
The drudgery of writing -- or in any kind of work, for that matter -- comes in going over your own work and polishing it, improving it just a little bit. That's what makes the difference between a B+ and an A-, or a failing grade and a passing grade. As Joe Conger is fond of asking, "What do they call a person who graduates at the bottom of his class in medical school?" (Answer: "Doctor")
Just remember what your Mom & I kept telling you in Elementary School -- "Double-check your answers!" That will cut down on the "Du-uh's".
Love,
Dad
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