Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dealing with Praise

Over the last several days, I have gotten some very positive feedback on various aspects of this little corner of the internet.

I definitely need to take a moment to thank every one who took the time to take a look at The Slave Pits of Abhoth and was kind enough to comment either here or elsewhere. I have been humbled by some of these reactions — and the people who made them. You have all been very kind indeed. I hope that as folks take a closer look and actually get to use it that my efforts will live up to that initial reaction. I also hope that folks will be kind enough to let me know what doesn’t work.

I also need to take the time to thank Conrad Kinch, who was kind enough to nominate me for a Leibster Award, which is (in essence) a kind of chain letter of appreciation. I don’t normally pass any kind of chain letter along, and if I do what is asked (nominate five other bloggers who have less than 200 followers) eventually every one who does a blog with less than 200 followers will be a recipient.

However, Conrad is one of those lucky few who has the time and resources to play miniature war-games on a regular basis (and focuses on one of my particular favorite periods — the Peninsular War between the British and the French) and hasn’t played D&D since sometime last century. Still, he takes the time to read my scribblings and thinks enough of them that they made his short list of things to call attention to. For that I must thank him and return the favor by pointing out that his scribblings (especially for those who, like me, yearn to be a miniature war gamer) are well worth the effort.

In response to all of this praise (deserved or not), my focus turns to all of the things my various rambles have begun but never finished. Thus, at least in the near future, my production on line will slow a little while I try and figure out ways to actually fulfill some of that unfulfilled promise.

6 comments:

Anthony said...

The praise is well-deserved; yours is one of my favorite RPG blogs on the Internet.

I'm only about halfway through "Slave Pits," but so far I love what you've done. The way you present information (the three-columned tables) works fine, and, without going overboard with description, you've created a richly atmospheric setting, like some of the best UK modules from "back in the day." This is a module I'd be happy to buy in a store.

Andrew said...

Just remember that there is generosity to giving, and also generosity to receiving. Declining a person's effort to honor you can be very ungenerous. =)

The apostle Paul did not want to accept gifts and support that would create a patron relationship, a situation where he was beholden and therefore obligated to behave a certain way to please his sponsors. Fortunately, you are in no danger of being swayed by the gifts and praise of a patron--so smile and say thank you. =)

I do think you should put at least your online handle on the scenario, to take credit for it. It will help reviewers who may get the document second hand. Since they are downloading it from the blog where you are clearly "Fr. Dave" you have a name to put on the document.

I plan to get back to you with some feedback; a careful reading has helped me get a handle on a more detailed response than "This is great!"

But it is still great, of course.

FrDave said...

Andrew, I do hope that I conveyed how much I appreciate everyone's generosity and that this post is about thanking everyone. If I didn't, then most assuredly I do want to say "Thank you!"

Though I did not put anything on the cover, I do include both the handle "FrDave" and the website at the top of the first page of text, right above the introduction. Maybe it just isn't as obvious as it should be...

I very much look forward to any constructive criticism you (and anyone else) can send my way. Thank you ahead of time for any and all effort that you put in that direction.

FrDave said...

Wow. To be compared with the UK modules is high praise...thank you.

Andrew said...

I have been enjoying my efforts converting this to the World Between for Fictive Hack. The opposition is here. http://fictivefantasies.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/the-slave-pits-of-junox/

I am working through converting the treasure.

I think it would be good to put your handle on the front cover, people expect to see the author's name there. You have every reason to be proud of what you've done with this.

Thanks again for sharing!

FrDave said...

Andrew, I finally got a chance to see your conversion and it is really fun seeing how you see what I wrote. I wanted people to be able to make small adjustments to fit it into their campaign worlds and seeing the ease with which you did so and the strength of what emerged is really gratifying. Thank you.