Just sent off three chapters about the difference between debt morality in Japan and the rest of the world. One of my last academic publications but one that’s paid this time.
Starting tomorrow, my workspace is free of everything except in Nuna. Time to sit down and see what I got, what I need to make, and how to get to the finish line with a full complete game.
Not like I am one to give advice, as I have made my share of mistakes in life.
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| And my biggest success - sonny boy! |
But I am REALLY happy with where I am now.
A businessman friend asked me how I maintain focus.
I replied that I don't think focus exists. It is like motivation, an excuse made up NOT to do the thing instead of just sitting down and doing it.
So in case anyone is wondering how I achieve anything (mastering French & Japanese, blackbelt in karate, professor in Japan, BRP design winner, now art resident) here is my unasked for advice.
I lived in Japan 22 years, but also traveled around the world. I remember meeting an old school chum who had read my travel articles about Hawaii, Japan, and Mongolia. He said he'd love to travel to all the places I've been to one day.
I felt sad, looking at him. I was mid 30's at the time, still fit from karate, looking 10 years younger. My friend was the same age but had white hair and a beer belly from his job, 2 kids, 2 cars, a nice house, and a not so nice mortgage. We lost touch after that, and I hope he got some traveling done. But I remembered how hard it was climbing the Great Wall, learning SCUBA in the Red Sea, falling off horses in Mongolia, fending off scammers alone in Rome when young, and I can say that he was not in shape for it physically or family wise. Although family is important, you have to do things for yourself when you can, because the time you can't comes for all of us.
The above three Chinese characters are often seen in ateliers or dojos in Japan. They mean LEARN (習 SHU) UNDERSTAND (理 RI) and BREAK (破 HA), and I have seen alternate formations of this message. What it means is, to master an art, you first study it until you understand it thoroughly. Once you have done this, you must break the rules and find your own style.
I have studied and played many games, and used that to make Stormbringer Redux. Now, I am breaking out with NUNA, which is very different from other trad RPG games, and prioritizes community and culture over violence and riches. Giri-Ninjou, my RPG of duty and humanity in Edo Japan, will be even more ground-breaking.
Whatever thing you want to learn or make, be ready to suck at it, but just get it done. When I worked in a (disastrous and scammy) start up, they called it the MVP - Minimum Viable Product. NUNA Quickstart was my MVP.
Basically, companies make a product that works (or seems to) at minimum functionality, then go sell it to investors. Too many people I know doing painting or making games are waiting until they have a PERFECT product.
One, this is an impossibly high standard to set for yourself, and usually leads to burnout and abandonment of a creation. Second, while you are waiting on perfect (or avoiding finishing), 12 other people have put out 'good enough' products and are satisfied with that.
Which brings us to my next point...
Imposter syndrome is a HUGE impediment to any artistic pursuit. This is bad in writing especially, where people write books, put them up on KDP or other sites, then call themselves failures and not real writers because no one bought them or they never got a book deal.
Which is total self-defeating BS. If you write or paint or make an RPG, you are a writer, a painter, or an RPG designer.
The only difference is knowing the business, which is the flip side of any creative endeavour. Shakespeare never made up his stories, but instead copied plotlines from classical and contemporary sources. But he was a great promoter, always getting a noble patron to foot the bill for a production, and keeping his folios in print. That is why so much of his work survived, while others around him have disappeared.
Last, you need to have stamina and a way to relax to succeed at anything. When the Daruma Buddha started teaching in China, his pupils became sick from sitting around meditating or reading too much. Buddha started them on an intense regimen of daily exercise and making healthy temple meals. These practices became the seeds of Shaolin Kungfu.
Just like Daruma, you need balance in your life, to strengthen mind and body for the challenges you set yourself, and the events that you have no control over. I used to do karate, but have switched to calisthenics, aikido, and taichi fan as my body (especially knees) loses some capability. I also learned Japanese hospital cooking to take care of sick inlaws when I lived there, so making healthy and inexpensive meals keeps me in shape to work on my creations and raise my son.
And that's what it is all about isn't it?
Seems like Mexico has a burgeoning indie RPG scene.
Article is HERE.
Thinking of going there for vacation this year. Might be fun to attend an event.
Hullo,
As you may have heard, I am now the indigenous artist in residence at Kwantlen Polytehnic here in Vancouver.
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| This is what an artist wears to the first day of work. I think. |
After years of working on my game alone while juggling a dayjob and single fatherhood, it is a relief to have access to great creative young minds who want to collaborate with me and a vindication of my artistic choices.
Thanks to YOU readers for all the support! You kept me going.
So what is the plan?
As an artist, I plan to learn the biz (tax breaks, government grants, networking and events) while retraining myself in art technically (starting digital watercolors now).
As a game designer, NUNA needs a rewrite to make it simpler and more appealing, then relaunch on Kickstarter at year's end.
As an academic, I am happy to step away from the grind of teaching. Also nice to be an artist on campus rather than academic or professor as Canadian higher ed has been DECIMATED by cuts in international student enrollment and positions are still being axed left and right.
Otherwise, going to get myself back in shape by daily exercise (calisthenics and martial arts), practice art and writing daily, and give workshops on my interests at the university.
Here are the topics I suggested:
Blogging here will slow down as I immerse myself in giving NUNA a true sendoff into the world.
Nekkumek!
PS Sonny is quitting school again, so that complicates things but no big deal. I was raised in my Nan's kitchen as she painted, and I found one of her paintings on the wall of the Ambassador's Residence for the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. I can do no worse than she did.
Also, an an indigenous person I know exactly how jarring our colonial education system can be and that it has little relation to my son's learning and growth.
I read this absolute banger of early Moorcock today.
Well worth the read, I'll have to read the previous two books.
As ever, here is my Good, Bad, and Ugly.
Here we see the prototype of Moorcock's soulsearching champion. Kane regrets killing others (which he also does a LOT of), sees the humanity even in captors, enemies, and the insane or sick, and has a very philosophical view of human nature and behaviour. Unlike Elric, he is optimistic and wary of the 'magic' of ancient technology.
Not so much bad as meh, but Moorcock is still finding his feet describing action. The melees are vague, and he will focus on a detail, such as a stinging cut on the arm that has to be bandaged later and seems to portend it is infected or worse, but which goes nowhere. Contrast this to the economy of description of fights in Hawkmoon and Elric and you can see he is cutting his teeth.
There are a few references to notions of 'man and woman' that are outdated and could be taken as misogynist. I prefer to think they are just mistakes of a young man, and considering the catwoman heroine, and that Kane's wife is just as intelligent and valued in the council of nobles, and this can be forgiven.
Definitely add it to your collection if you are a Moorcock fan. I'll have to pick up the previous entries in the series, and maybe actually read Jon Carter at some point.
I will be starting an artist's residency at a university here in Vancouver next month. Focus is indigenous roleplaying and art.
No more teaching juggling work & family then squeezing in time for games. Producing the full version of NUNA and art for it will be my focus for 6 months. As well as building community and learning the trade.
I am so happy.
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Exciting things are coming.
In the meanwhile, here is a great video on writing and producing an RPG.
Video is HERE.
