RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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I would love nothing more than to get involved in the design, playtesting, writing, etc. etc. of RPGs. I know it's not the most high-paying job in the world, but I also know that a whole lot of people want to get into it. I pride myself on my ability to create interesting worlds and exciting stories, but I know it's going to take more than a passion for gaming to get a job in the industry.
In order to make myself as attractive as possible to the various companies out there (including but not limited to Paizo, WotC, and White Wolf), which major should I persue? Journalism? Art? Business? Is there any particular major that makes a better impression than others, or is just about any degree as good as the next for this kind of thing? I've finally reached that age where I realize that, in order to be happy, I need to get into an industry that I actually enjoy and give a crap about. Sadly, insurance is not that industry (go figure). Feedback appreciated. Thanks!
Not sure about the education aspect of things, but certainly good writing does help, I think.
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I think your work would be the most important factor there are a lot of English graduates that could not think up anything at all interesting. The only thing a good writing degree would do for you would prove that the editors won't have to proof read some much.
Just my experience with interviewing people for jobs there are a lot of people out there that have some impressive education resumes but when it comes to the actual work they are lost.
Just my two cents but if you want to write for these companies I would just try to submit as much as you can and let your work speak for you and not blow a bunch of money on a degree that might help.
I also would love love love to get into the industry, if only as a part time thing, for all the reasons Fatespinner stated. Besides, my dad has stated that I have to start trying to get something published or bad things will happen. I'd like to try to get my gaming ideas published, since every other 20 year old girl is trying to get her stories published.
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Who wants cookies? :D You're my best friend on the internet!
Well, to give you a hint:
I have a degree in humanities.
Wes has two English degrees.
Jason has a degree in architecture.
Jeremy has a degree in biology.
Sutter has a degree in creative writing.
James has a degree in creative writing.
No wonder Jason has the reputation as a killer DM and you have the self-inflicted reputation of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man (pre-possession) as DM. ;P
Creative Director
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Another good step: write write write (play the game) and write.
If you can get lots of stuff published by various publishers, from short articles on up to big books, you'll build up a big list of credits. That not only shows the RPG company that you're serious about doing RPG work, but that you're also good at it.
Of course... it's a highly competitive place to write for, so it's not nearly as easy as that sounds.
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Well, to give you a hint:
I have a degree in humanities.
Wes has two English degrees.
Jason has a degree in architecture.
Jeremy has a degree in biology.
Sutter has a degree in creative writing.
James has a degree in creative writing.
Ummm, I take it I need to go to college. At some point in the future. When I have the cash. Which could be never.
In other words, I'm screwed.
Well, to give you a hint:
I have a degree in humanities.
Wes has two English degrees.
Jason has a degree in architecture.
Jeremy has a degree in biology.
Sutter has a degree in creative writing.
James has a degree in creative writing.Ummm, I take it I need to go to college. At some point in the future. When I have the cash. Which could be never.
In other words, I'm screwed.
Move to Denmark, education is "free" over here (well, we do have a slightly higher tax than in the US... but you get universal health care thrown in the package too). :-D
Move to Denmark, education is "free" over here (well, we do have a slightly higher tax than in the US... but you get universal health care thrown in the package too). :-D
Do you have to be Danish though? Or could I just walk into Denmark and say "Hey, I'm an Australian citizen, hit me up with the free education dudes! Don't worry, I'll leave again when I've got my piece of paper."
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Move to Denmark, education is "free" over here (well, we do have a slightly higher tax than in the US... but you get universal health care thrown in the package too). :-DDo you have to be Danish though? Or could I just walk into Denmark and say "Hey, I'm an Australian citizen, hit me up with the free education dudes! Don't worry, I'll leave again when I've got my piece of paper."
Hey! I could walk into a Danish university and say "Hi, I'm an American citizen, and our education system is screwed up. Can I stay? Or at least can I have some money?"
Would that work?
Probably not, but it's woth a try.
Would that work? Probably not, but it's woth a try.
You'd have to learn Danish first, but that might be pretty cool. I love all those "o"s with the little slashes through them!
I like those Danish girls.
And Danishes, too. Do they really come from Denmark?
I like those Danish girls.
And Danishes, too. Do they really come from Denmark?
Man, everyone is changing up their tars! Like your new look Kruel.
Also...I'm not a pro yet (someday maybe!!!), just a freelancer, but I got a degree in Theatre, a degree in Chinese Studies, and a degree in Asian Theatre (MFA). Dunno if that helps. I actually think Anthropology/History ain't bad to enhance your gaming power! I was fortunate enough to take a bunch of graduate level courses in Anthro and History as an undergrad (cool Honors program thingee) and man those classes were incredibly cool and all about the game-a-liciousness.
But yeah, write all the time! Carry a notebook and pen around with you and jot down cool phrases, cool plot hooks, cool NPCs, cool encounters every chance you get!!!
And start putting your stuff out their Fatespinner! I'd love to see what you come up with! You too YeuxandI! Just do it!
And start putting your stuff out their Fatespinner! I'd love to see what you come up with! You too YeuxandI! Just do it!
If you look around the D&D forum, you'll get to see that Fatespinner has some great concepts.
I have liked the Spells and Feats I've read. (Sorry YeuxAndI, I don't think I read anything of yours.)
I am curious what Fatespinner can do with a more complete project.
Nick, one of my greatest D&D regrets is that you can't read one of the adventures I wrote (WotC rejected it, with a very civil note, on the basis that (a) it had a doppelganger in it, and (b) they felt it failed to support their line of plastic miniatures). However, it's obviously too big to post here, and you for sure don't want to put your email address where subscribers can find it. So I'll just have to imagine what you would have done with it!
I got some D&D stuff published and I have a Criminal Justice degree....that probably doesn't help you, does it? I did take a lot of creative writing classes as electives in college and high school.
If game writing fails, there's always this :)
I'll echo what Nick said. Just write - write anything that comes to mind, keep a notepad handy (artists, this goes for you too), put it out there for people to read. Biggest piece of advice - avoid passive voice. I hear that editor-types hate that.
The best writing advice ever given:
But yeah, write all the time! Carry a notebook and pen around with you and jot down cool phrases, cool plot hooks, cool NPCs, cool encounters every chance you get!!!
And not only that, but this guy ain't shittin' about this piece, too:
But yeah, write all the time! Carry a notebook and pen around with you and jot down cool phrases, cool plot hooks, cool NPCs, cool encounters every chance you get!!!
Plus the same advice I got from all my writing profs:
But yeah, write all the time! Carry a notebook and pen around with you and jot down cool phrases, cool plot hooks, cool NPCs, cool encounters every chance you get!!!
I ain't famous, but I've published and written more than enough to to say:
Write lots. Carry a notebook. (Laptops suck)
Move to Denmark, education is "free" over here (well, we do have a slightly higher tax than in the US... but you get universal health care thrown in the package too). :-DDo you have to be Danish though? Or could I just walk into Denmark and say "Hey, I'm an Australian citizen, hit me up with the free education dudes! Don't worry, I'll leave again when I've got my piece of paper."
In Finland (where universities are more or less free too...there are some minor costs but nothing compared to US) there are good amount of foreign students, but I don't exactly know how they have come...do they first need to enroll in their own country and then come as exchange students, or if they can directly apply.
Look at web pages of the universities, they should have the info (and if you are too lazy to do that, you definitely should not go to university anyway).
Would that work? Probably not, but it's woth a try.You'd have to learn Danish first, but that might be pretty cool. I love all those "o"s with the little slashes through them!
Actually, lots of courses are now taught in English. :-)
But, for anyone interested, there's a lot more information available here:
http://www.studyindenmark.dk/
Yes, there are a small tuition fee for those from outside the EU, but it's nothing compared to the US ones.
And, just for Kirth:
ØØØØØØØØØØøøøøøøØØØØØØØØøøøøøøøØøØøØøøøø :-D
øø
Ø
Øø
(two other letters one might have to become familiar with: Å å and Æ æ)
And Danishes, too. Do they really come from Denmark?
If you're talking about the pastry... there's always Wikipedia.
I like those Danish girls.
And Danishes, too. Do they really come from Denmark?
Man, everyone is changing up their tars! Like your new look Kruel.
Also...I'm not a pro yet (someday maybe!!!), just a freelancer, but I got a degree in Theatre, a degree in Chinese Studies, and a degree in Asian Theatre (MFA). Dunno if that helps. I actually think Anthropology/History ain't bad to enhance your gaming power! I was fortunate enough to take a bunch of graduate level courses in Anthro and History as an undergrad (cool Honors program thingee) and man those classes were incredibly cool and all about the game-a-liciousness.
But yeah, write all the time! Carry a notebook and pen around with you and jot down cool phrases, cool plot hooks, cool NPCs, cool encounters every chance you get!!!
And start putting your stuff out their Fatespinner! I'd love to see what you come up with! You too YeuxandI! Just do it!
Why haven't I seen a good Oriental (though I hate calling it that) adventure from you yet Nick? With your credentials and obvious understanding of Chinese Theatre you could certainly come up with something with an Chinese (or general Asian) flavor.
Fatespinner, some of your feats and spells have been quite good. I just say go for it (or not, since this means less competition for the rest of us ;-)
I have an Arts Degree and a Diploma of Education (and yes, I have taught some children).
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Has anyone thought about how the techno-revolution changes things?
I won't comment on everyone's work, but most of us have seen Fates feats & spells. Aubrey, Mothman, and I have the three most prodigous PbP games. And there have been innumerable "help with this encounter" or "this spell" threads that a lot of us have chimed in on.
Obviously we aren't picking up huge royalty checks, or small royalty checks, but is there a point where we can prove we can write?
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Related question:
Anyone interested in a collaborative writing project?
If European universities are anything like UK universities, tuition is free to locals and costs a fortune for anyone outside the EU.
Nope, it's same for people from outside EU, at least in Finland. There has been discussion going on though if this should change...
(Sorry YeuxAndI, I don't think I read anything of yours.)
Oh, that's fine. I haven't posted anything official, just some ideas that have been floating around in my head.
I'm actually in the middle of writing a module based in Waterdeep (FR) that was inspired by a shooting in my city. So, maybe I'll post the bones of that sometime to see what could be better.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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And start putting your stuff out their Fatespinner! I'd love to see what you come up with!
Thanks for the encouragement, Nic! I'll be honest, I don't even know where to start. How do you format an adventure or article? What companies will accept unsolicited manuscripts? Getting published has always been a dream of mine but I don't even know where to begin! I've got ideas, sure, but I'm not sure how to lay them out or where to send them!
Thanks for the encouragement, Nic! I'll be honest, I don't even know where to start. How do you format an adventure or article? What companies will accept unsolicited manuscripts? Getting published has always been a dream of mine but I don't even know where to begin! I've got ideas, sure, but I'm not sure how to lay them out or where to send them!
Find which companies you like, check out their stuff, see how they lay out their products. Most of the d20 companies have submission guidelines posted on their website - if they don't, send an email to them asking.
Research my good man, research!
Hey, just thought I'd drop in and share...
By way of advice on adventure writing, there are a bunch of good threads on our boards (which maybe someone could provide a link to, as I'm feeling lazy?). When I was playing Render for the Dungeon slushpile, I made an effort to post tips, as did Jacobs and Jeremy, and eventually they were all compiled somewhere.... Reading over that would undoubtedly help you improve your adventures/queries.
College, while a huge boon, isn't necessary to be a writer. All you have to do to become a writer is write your ass off, show your work to writers you respect, calmly consider their criticism, and continue to hone your craft. It's the dedication that's the hardest part... I know a bunch of people who create fabulous prose but don't spend any time writing, as well as folks who churn out tons of material but never really spend time studying and working on their craft. Writing professionally is just as hard as playing music or acting professionally, but somehow a lot of people don't realize it. So practice, practice, practice, but also be sure to get out there and try to sell it. There's no better litmus test for your writing (or any other art) than having someone pay hard-earned cash for what came out of your brain. :)
And since folks are sharing their stories: I got into RPG writing entirely by accident, and without knowing a single person in the industry. I went to college and got my degree as an English/Creative Writing major, then did a bunch of work as a journalist (albeit a bit of a gonzo one), working my way up into the bigger Seattle papers. After I graduated I was looking for a magazine job and saw that Amazing Stories was looking for an Editor-in-Chief. Obviously I wasn't qualified, but the fact that they (plus Dungeon, Dragon, and Undefeated) were based only a few miles from where I lived was incredibly appealing, and I cold-called Paizo to see what was available. I showed Lisa my portfolio, and after several months of gruntwork on the webstore, I became the editorial intern, then the Customer Service rep, and finally an editor for Dungeon a year later. During that time, I managed to scrounge some writing gigs with Dungeon (particularly with the assistance of Wes Schneider, who generously offered to co-write a few pieces with me until I learned the ropes... I used the money from my first Dungeon adventure to buy the 3.5 rulebooks :). So with RPGs, as with journalism, music, fiction writing, etc., the key has been two-fold:
1) Know your weaknesses and work constantly to overcome them.
2) Have the confidence to keep putting yourself out there, no matter what. I've been playing in the Seattle music scene since I was 16, worked as a rock reviewer for several years, etc., and the one thing I've seen time and again is that it's never the most talented bands who make it - it's the ones who stay together, conduct themselves in a professional manner, and are dedicated to their goals. Remember: making it as an writer/rock star/whatever you want may seem extremely unlikely, but SOMEBODY's got to do it, and those folks who do are just regular people who stuck by their dream.
Best of luck!
-James
(P.S: I know this post sounds grizzled, but it doesn't actually have to take all that long if you're driven. I'm only 23, and almost everyone in this office is under 35. :)