Comments on: [GUEST POST] Stina Leicht on ‘Things I Learned About Good Writing from Playing Role-Playing Games’

By: stina leicht

stina leicht — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:47:46 +0000

Paul, I don’t disagree with you about combat. I merely wanted to make the distinction between GMs whose emphasis and focus are on the rules aspects verses GMs who focus more on the story. Focus on story = more practice writing story. Combat can be and is an important part of storytelling. In fact, it’s very difficult to have an actual story without conflict. Ask any Literature teacher.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:24:44 +0000

Combat is not the opposite of roleplaying. Development of PCs, NPCs, plot, and setting, can and should take place during combat encounters, especially if the encounter is about more than just each side trying to wipe out each of the others. I tend to notice that the battles in my favorite stories all have more (and often more important) things going on that just the battle.

By: stina leicht

stina leicht — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:53:44 +0000

You all are very welcome. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. And you know what? I’m not the only author with a gaming background.

By: Laura Lee Nutt

Laura Lee Nutt — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:45:46 +0000

Very true. I never realized it until later on, but that's where I learned a lot of storytelling too. Thinking back, the games I played, the characters I created, and the types of stories I liked to GM are very similar to what I write these days.

Thanks for the insights, Stina.

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:16:06 +0000

Stina, as the "Roll Perception Plus Awareness" columnist here, you are playing my song!