![]() September 25, 2023: What Makes A Good Headline?
Writing a headline should be easy, right? It's just a few words that summarize a story so people can decide whether they want to read more. How hard can it be?
Actually, a good headline can be just as challenging as writing a full article, if not more so. The best headlines need to convey a lot of information in a small space, and they have to do so while being intriguing and (if possible) exciting. You've probably had practice writing headlines if you've ever worked for a print or digital publication, but if you haven't, here are some tips:
[more] Share this post!September 24, 2023: One Weird Trick To Play More GamesI'm an introvert who fights with my own brain a fair bit of the time. Here's a "life hack" that's worked well for me which might prove beneficial to some of you. My little family likes to play games. However, whenever we have some free time, we're often vapor-locked by being overwhelmed by our choices. Too often, that precious free time either evaporates, or we gravitate toward one or two "standbys" that we pick because we know them. (Those "default" games are often loads of fun, but they're also not making use of our extensive library . . .) Here's the trick we've found to broaden our horizons: Schedule something specific ahead of time. Don't simply say, "We'll play a game Saturday morning." Add to your calendar, "We're playing GreedQuest Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m." (replacing GreedQuest with any game of your choice, of course). This method helps us in a few ways. First, it speeds . . . [more] Share this post!September 23, 2023: Leave Yourself NotesLet's say you have a game that you figured out a house rule or solution for something to make the game more fun for your group. As a pro-tip: Write it down. Leave yourself future notes. Even if it's jotted on the back of a fast-food napkin with a ballpoint pen, write it down. You can even do it during the game, while you're waiting for the other players to finish their turns. "But, Steven," you say, "I had the perfect solution! I will surely remember it." Maybe you will. Speaking for myself, for years I had such conviction in my own memory. The hubris of my past self has come back to haunt me on more than one game night, as we've cobbled together new (seemingly less-effective) solutions that Past Us had definitively solved ages ago but failed to document.. Write it down. Tuck it in the box. Your future self will either ignore your efforts (because they did, in fact, remember), or they . . . [more] Share this post!September 22, 2023: Recommending RecommendationsMy first experience with GURPS was likely seeing a copy of GURPS Wild Cards on the games-and-geekery shelf of a Waldenbooks. (I believe I have just enough references in that previous sentence to date me like the rings of a tree . . .) I recall flipping through that book while thinking, "Huh, that's interesting," and putting it back. My second memorable encounter was with a friend in college who said, "You've got to try GURPS; it's the best game!" The friend then explained why: the many sourcebooks, its universal nature, etc. So, I picked up some books, ended up running a years-long supers campaign we all enjoyed, and – long story short – here I am today. The point of this trip down memory lane is to note that the impetus of my eventual exposure to GURPS began with the recommendation of a friend. Even in this quasi-cyberpunk world of omnipresent advertisements and micro-targeted media, . . . [more] Share this post!September 21, 2023: FLGS Spotlight: Giga-Bites Café In Marietta, GA
Earlier this month, when Steve and Jean were in town for Dragon Con, we got to sneak away for a couple hours and visit one of my favorite places on Earth.
If you're a gamer in the Metro Atlanta area, you probably already know and love Giga-Bites Café. If not, allow me to introduce you!
Giga-Bites has a dizzying selection of boardgames, miniatures, roleplaying games, painting & hobbying supplies, dice, plushies, and anything else a gamer geek could possibly want. But in addition to being an excellent place to shop, it's an unbeatable gaming spot. There are events going on daily, organized by store staff as well as the enthusiastic and welcoming community. And there's food . . . so when you set up for an epic battle in your favorite wargame, you can do it with a burger, panini, latte, or even a local craft beer.
My favorite spot is probably the hobbying station; it's . . .
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