Since I like alliteration, I’m going to title my Sunday blogs “Shadowrun Sundays” even though I don’t intend to speak just about Shadowrun. I intend to blog at least once a month (maybe more) about gaming and RPGs. Some of it will be writing related, some of it will be playing related. All of it will be gaming related. So please tune in, and suggestions are welcome.
I’m kicking off the blog with a discussion of how writers get involved with writing for RPGs. My connection came through a professional writing organization, but that’s not true for everyone. Writers also come from the ranks of fans, playtesters, and proofreaders. The magical formula seems to consist of product knowledge, passion, writing skill, and talent. Anyone with the right combination of these can get into RPG writing. But finding the opportunity, the open door, can sometimes seem to be a losing battle.
I was first introduced to the concept of RPG writing through a friend who co-authored the “Murderer’s Row” Champions supplement with two other local gamers. A regular GenCon attendee and GM, he met and befriended Steven Long during a Champions discussion. They knew each other for a few years when the trio came up with the concept of “Murderer’s Row” and pitched it to Steven in an email. Since the company was accepting pitches, and liked what they say, the book was contracted, published, and my friend was an RPG writer.
Another writer I know was a regular on an RPG forum. He collected errata and had a website where he pulled all the plot threads together for the consumption of other fans. He was known as someone who wanted to write for the RPG, so when an opening came up for new writers at the company, and he was invited to submit a sample.
Some RPG companies will actually post on their website when they have openings for artists and writers. Some rely on word of mouth and recommendations from their current crop of writers. While many companies will allow new (unproven) writers into their ranks, some specifically want authors with writing experience. Deadlines are important in the gaming industry, so writers often have to prove that they can propose and finish a project within a certain timeframe.
If you want to join the ranks of gaming writers, my recommendations are:
1) Play the game you love the most. Get to know it.
2) Participate in online forum discussions (if you have time)
3) Go to conventions, meet other gamers, meet the writers, meet the creators.
4) Don’t be pushy!
5) Write (and publish) other things. Even fiction.
6) Expect to take some time building your network. Unless you luck into the opportunity, you won’t be game writing for a few years.
7) Practice writing something on your own in the style and format of your favorite game. It will be a good sample of your work when you finally get the audition.
Some people choose the “short route” of creating their own games. If you have the time, the patience, and the resources, feel free to give this a shot. But unless you have the next “hot product” with a wonderful distribution network and marketing campaign, you’ll be spending a lot of money on a product that may not succeed. The gaming market is very competitive, and the tabletop market is very limited since so many people have moved over to video games. So, make sure you have a business plan, funds, and everything set up before dipping your toe in the industry using this method.
The most important advice I can give you, though, is “play and have fun.” No one gets rich writing RPGs. It is a labor of love. If you can’t enjoy playing the game, chances are you won’t enjoy writing for it.
