Re: [ogf-d20-l] Would-be d20 authors?

[Margaret C Vining]

On Mon, 12 Feb 2001 15:10:24 -0800 Dan Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > I don't think everyone out there is insecure, inexperienced, > ignorant > and/or careless, and I'm not relying on such folks to "improve my > chances".   My bad.  I thought you were only addressing the people who felt like they were out of their league on this list.  Not that I'm trying to start an argument but if you are interested here is the logic behind what I said based on my personal experiences.    IMO, anyone who feels like they are out of their league on this list feels so because they are insecure, inexperienced, or ignorant, or are too careless to try to improve themselves.  When I feel that way here it is usually for one of those reasons...  insecure about my abilities, inexperienced in the business, ignorant about the truth, and careless with the information I do have.  I don't mean those words as insults, but if you want to exchange ideas with a group of people.... all I was trying to say was... why not try to address the people who have proven in _some_ capacity that they are competent?     > I'm not looking to gather a group to publish finished projects.  My > intent > was to perhaps share ideas and thoughts about individual projects, > or maybe > give folks the opportunity to help find each other to work together > in > order to present a finished project to a publisher for consideration. > There doesn't need to be anymore start-up companies publishing d20 > material.  I know that, and that was not my intent.      I understand.  I thought you wanted to try to get the materials published by established companies.  I apologize if I misunderstood your intent.      > > Yes, I could do that myself.  And, I am in the process of doing just > that. > But, what's wrong with sharing ideas?      Nothing at all.   (I don't think I even thought that the sharing of ideas is wrong let alone stated such a thing!)     > I've got a few ideas that > could use > the fresh perspective of another.  Maybe there's someone out there > that can > help me get past the creative points I'm stuck on, or vice versa…  I > am > well aware of the submission notices found here on the list and have > been > inspired by them. >   I got the impression from your letter that you were trying to gather the people on this list, who felt out of there league, and collectively create something in the hopes of attracting an established publisher.   So, I misread your letter, but even workshops usually have an experienced writer on board.  All I'm saying is _whatever_ it is you have in mind, I advise that you try to get with some people who have experience with whatever it is you are tying to do.    > > I was thinking above and beyond the scope of adventures and/or > modules with > my inquiry.    Sounds intriguing!  >An additional reason to my post was to maybe have an > avenue of > would-be d20 authors help each other so that maybe they can be > published > beyond the realm of web sites.      I'm getting it, now.  So, you are suggesting an informal workshop/list where people can comfortably ask questions and talk about their d20 ideas... without feeling like a moron because they know"big names" are watching them?  As someone who frequently sounds like a moron to these people (I know because some of them have privately told me as much) I have to say that I've learned more by having them slap me around than by any informal discussions I've had with my "equals".  But I do think you have a good idea.   I've said for quite some time that if the Theory is going to go as far as it can then the d20 stl and the ogl needs to cater to people other than businessmen.  As it stands I think a lot of fans are scared off by these documents and I think that is a shame, to say the least.  But the more I learn the more I realize that maybe that is a good thing.  Even some of the "professional" d20 stuff out there is really disappointing...  but then again it is made mostly by established gaming companies that didn't grab my interest prior to d20.  So, why would they do so now?   ...  ::looks confused::  What the hell were we talking about?     > Anybody can publish their own > web-site or > submit to sites seeking submissions.  Hell, I ran one of those sites > for > awhile and came to realize that I might want to do more than just > that.   But I'm confused (get used to it).  How can you do more than create fan stuff or submit to other companies without becoming a gaming company?  What else is there?  I'm truly curious because I would love to see such an animal.  I think I might understand what you are saying.  I'm trying to make something "more" with my NPO, but somehow I don't think that is the kind of "animal" you are referring to.  Please enlighten me. : ) > > I did not mean to imply that I was gathering a group of people to > work on > one major project.  I was thinking more along the lines of a > writer's group > that bounces ideas off of each other, share ideas, etc…  If one or > two > folks find they have similar ideas and inspiration then perhaps they > can > work together to create a manuscript to submit for publishing.      "I see!" said the blind man to his deaf wife as he picked up his hammer and saw. ; )  Anyway, I'm not trying to shoot down your idea.  Clearly, I didn't even understand what it was.  I'm only pursuing this line of questioning because I'm interested.  So please don't feel the need to defend yourself, but it would be nice to know exactly what you had in mind.  Regards, Maggie