Many years ago, our friend whom we affectionately referred to as Dave Jetski called me to tell me about a new video game he thought I might like called Population II. Poor Dave, I railed on for twenty minutes about why I did not care for video games and only liked roleplaying games. I went on and on, with great volume and enthusiasm.
A couple of weeks later, Dave invited us by his house for a visit. He lived on the water and we got to take out the jetski (hence, his name.) The next morning, Dave showed John – who did not rant against video games – Population II. John sat down and was having a tough time of it. Looking over his shoulder, I could just see how it could be done better, so I asked to have a shot at it.
Nine and a half hours later, the two gentlemen came to get me. I had missed the sun, missed the water, missed the jetski, missed the whole day, so intent was I on raising and lowering terrain – the main feature of the game Populous II (in which you play a Greek god trying to increase the number of your worshippers.)
Moving right ahead, last year, when John started blogging regularly, I gave him a whole list of reasons why I thought blogging was a bad idea for writers…
You think, one of these days, I would learn to keep my mouth shut.
Wow. The days of Populous. I could waste too much time on games like that. Thankfully, I don’t have those kinds of games anymore. Nor a computer capable of running anything more recent than say 2000. Then, I probably get more work done without them.
Well, we aspiring writers appreciate being able to carry on conversations of a sort with those kindred spirits that have made it farther along than we have, so…. :)
conversation
That’s a nice way to put it.
I used to think that we writers got to talk to our readers through our books, so we should not take people’s valuable time blathering on about our opinions. Then, I started reading Neil Gaiman’s blog, and it was nearly as charming as his books. It was entertaining to read about his family and travels. That went a long way toward changing my mind.
Love the “Do Not Feed” symbol!
Wow. The days of Populous. I could waste too much time on games like that. Thankfully, I don’t have those kinds of games anymore. Nor a computer capable of running anything more recent than say 2000. Then, I probably get more work done without them.
Well, we aspiring writers appreciate being able to carry on conversations of a sort with those kindred spirits that have made it farther along than we have, so…. :)
conversation
That’s a nice way to put it.
I used to think that we writers got to talk to our readers through our books, so we should not take people’s valuable time blathering on about our opinions. Then, I started reading Neil Gaiman’s blog, and it was nearly as charming as his books. It was entertaining to read about his family and travels. That went a long way toward changing my mind.
Love the “Do Not Feed” symbol!
This is probably one of the very rare instances where I’m (selfishly, I admit) glad he didn’t listen to you.
On the other hand, like the fellow who does Eject!Eject!Eject! there’s no reason he can’t get a book out of his essays…
Book of Essays
He is, in fact. John has a contract to write a non fiction book that will be a discussion between his current conservative religous self and his past libertarian atheist self. It will probably be called: Letters from Tomorrow…though I’m rooting for “A Disgrace To The Powers Of Evil” myself. ;-)
Re: Book of Essays
Woot!
This is probably one of the very rare instances where I’m (selfishly, I admit) glad he didn’t listen to you.
On the other hand, like the fellow who does Eject!Eject!Eject! there’s no reason he can’t get a book out of his essays…
Book of Essays
He is, in fact. John has a contract to write a non fiction book that will be a discussion between his current conservative religous self and his past libertarian atheist self. It will probably be called: Letters from Tomorrow…though I’m rooting for “A Disgrace To The Powers Of Evil” myself. ;-)
Re: Book of Essays
Woot!