Thanks to Merlin Mann for pointing out this ridiculous image

Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer.

(Queue 5-minute reverie about Goodfellas, which is exactly what I want to talk about. The reverie, not the movie.)

When I was a kid, I’d read a great book and think, Man, I’d love to be a writer. Just sit there at my desk and write. Mug of tea next to me, open window with the breeze gently blowing the curtains.

Even when I started writing seriously in my teens, and I realized that the process is nothing like that, I was always drawn to it. I always liked at least the feeling of clicking the ”Count Words” menu item at the end of an hour-long session and seeing that I’d added a thousand words to a story.

I’ve written sporadically ever since my teenage years. I’ve had plenty of other interests, of course, but that’s not really the reason. The reason is that I haven’t made time for writing.

Moreover, I’ve let other things slide into that time.

Now, yes, one has to set aside time for the activities one finds important. But there’s also something to be said for removing distractions, even voluntary ones.

For example, last year I created a calendar item called “Media Fast.” From sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, I would consume no broadcast media. No DVDs, no YouTube, no blogs, no newspapers, no books, no magazines.

When I attempted my first Media Fasts, the initial experience felt awkward, off-balance. If I was tired or needed a break, I couldn’t think of anything to do other than watch a DVD or fire up YouTube or check my news feeds.

Then I felt free. As overwrought, California, New Age, crystal-staring as that sounds, I suddenly realized that I had huge amounts of time. I could write, or play around on my guitar, or putter around in the garden, or fix that hole in my studio wall.

About ten years ago, I gave away my TV. (Yeah, this is jumping all around. Hang with me for a minute.) I just wasn’t following any shows, and when I did turn on the TV, I’d invariably spend half an hour channel-surfing. I just didn’t need that distraction.

Predictably, my productivity flourished, and I spent my downtime on things I enjoyed more deeply.

Via beerandscifi.com

Then along came NetFlix, and particularly the Roku. With this, I could choose only the movies or series I really wanted to watch. Perfect.

Except that I spent much of this week watching most of The Kids in the Hall.

That’s a well-written show. Nothing against it. I’m glad I found it again. But why did I watch the better part of the entire show’s run? Because it was there.

Meanwhile, I own over a hundred DVDs that I haven’t watched yet.

A huge pile of unread books and magazines teeter precariously next to my bed.

This is not an adult way to behave.

Moreover, I’m not writing. Sure, I need down time. But I also need up time.

As I showered this morning, I realized I faced a stark choice: I can either be a guy who watches movies and doesn’t write, or a guy who doesn’t watch movies and writes. I want to be the latter. Much as I wish I could do both, it’s not happening.

So. I canceled my NetFlix account.

"Exchanging life experience" by pedrosimoes7 on Flickr

So, @gamefiend opened up an IRC channel: #4eDnD at 4eatwill.net.

Background: I love IRC in my bones. Perhaps my first major online experience (certainly major; not sure if it was first) was my involvement in the Sci-Fi Channel’s IRC servers, where I spent most of my time. Literally. Those were my friends back then.

Anyvay. I left, years passed, and @gamefiend started up #4eDnD. I love gamefiend, love the games he ran for me, and jumped into the IRC channel as soon as I could.

I was stunned to find lots of smart people, who were staying and talking in the channel. This is a gang of some of the smartest people in role-playing games today, at least on the amateur/semi-pro side.

There are very few ways to have useful, helpful conversations online. Forums, Twitter, and Facebook just aren’t built for long-form conversations that dive deep into a topic. IRC and Skype are about the only way to do it, and IRC’s usually full of 14-year-olds, warez kiddies, and idlers in some combination.

This place is different. If you’re interested, head over to at-will.omnivangelist.net/at-will-webchat to join the conversation.

donde se acaban los sueños by bachmont on Flickr

Nearly a year ago, I decided to celebrate the release of D&D 4E’s Dark Sun campaign setting by writing and publishing a Dark Sun adventure.

I got the writing part done okay, but not so much the publishing.

I created a conspiracy, a set of characters, and some tough monsters. I got about 80% done, then stopped. I let other things get in the way.

It’s embarrassing. So now it’s time for me to rectify that mistake.

Finally, a few weeks ago, I decided to finish The Dark Festival. I’ve spent 30–6o minutes every day polishing this adventure. And now it’s done and published.

You can learn more on RPGNow, and buy a copy for US $5. But! If you email me directly, and I’ll email you a free copy. Nothing further required.

I’m tired of objectivity.

Don’t get me wrong: I believe in objective reality. I’m tired of people speaking and acting in objective terms.

“That was terrible.” “That was a really good movie.” “This is a complete and epic fail.”

Every word is subjective. And no, I’m not asking people to preface every sentence with “I think.” I’m saying that those phrasings are lazy.

“I loved that movie.” “I hated it.” “I couldn’t follow any of the dialogue.”