Thoughts of the Evolution of Modern Tabletop: A Response
Most of the stories I write are interactive stories. I create the world. I fill it characters, create a series of plots and subplots that are constantly occurring and evolving and then drop other creative people into the midst of it all. They interact with my world. They push at it, tug at it, scream at it, rip at it, and out of it they create their own stories, their own narratives. I am, in essence, the meta-narrator. It is a job that I love. If only I could find a way to make it pay.
Not that it matters, mind you, I create worlds in my head every day. Some are pleasant, cheerful places, others are dark and terrifying. This is their nature because it is my nature. I put the work in because I must, I do it because it is who I am. Even if all the other people went away, I would still be here creating worlds. We don’t do this to play a game. If we do, then the time is wasted. We do this to create a circle of storytellers, to bring together people to create new narratives and new adventures.
For most of 2009, I found myself trapped in a loop. I was creating stories that weren’t new. They were simple, and nothing more than a sad rehash of other stories. I can’t do that. I realize that now. I need to create stories that move and flow and evolve. Stories that are unique in some form. I’m back doing that now. Even during this protracted illness my mind has been fluttering around my True20 system adaptation of the both The Sixth and another, unnamed, project. Now, I am also looking seriously at maybe writing for Pathfinder as well.
This is what the work gives you even when it doesn’t come to fruition. It gives you stories, it fills your arsenal of tropes, tricks, and hooks. It keeps you creating even when there is no one to share it with and even that is sometimes enough.
Most of the people who remain in this medium are not like me. Most of them simply want to play a game and then go about their way. My belief is that their time in this medium is limited. There are better options out there for them. I am looking to a different niche entirely and I really believe that is where the future lies.
The narrative is key.
