This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Off Topic: Going Pro. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
I used to consider myself incredibly shy. I grew up in a rural area and spent a sheltered life growing up on the farm. I knew my shyness and social ablities were lacking. Therefore, when I went to college, I challenged myself. I joined clubs, went outside a lot to chat with people, and I joined a fraternity. I didn't join a frat for a lot of reasons people do. I joined to force myself into a environment that revolved around large amounts of social interaction.
It helped a lot and I can pretty much pick up a conversation with just about anyone. Note, it took a long time.
One of the bigger things I learned, I am always going to make mistakes. I might say the wrong thing. It happens. Foot in mouth. It gets better though. When I do stick my foot in my mouth, I've learned ways to spin it so it isn't so awkward or turn it into a joke or whatever.
I agree with the other posters. It takes practice to be socially graceful.
The DSM-IV-TR is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The new DSM-V will be published in collaboration by the APA and the National Institute of Mental Health NIMH.
This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Off Topic: Magic Addiction. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
An interesting read with good advice to retain from. However, as most of your previous articles, I think it was a tad unfocused. Also, altough this doesn't hurt the article in-and-of itself, your column's initial goal (if I understood it correctly, and it's quite possible I didn't) was to link topics outside of Magic with some aspects of the game, and it's begun to be more and more "on topic", aka exclusively about Magic. Your recent articles made me think "Off Topic" could be more appropriately named "Topic Pot-Pourri". Not a very bad thing, it just shows that what you have to work the most on as a writer IMO (and I'm pretty sure you're aware of it), is streamlining, both inside single pieces of writing and over the course of the multiple articles of a regular column.
Thanks for the nice feedback.
When I first thought about the writing gig, my main idea was to try writing about stuff nobody else writes about. Ex. Card shops, card sleeves. Off Topic seemed appropriate and I thought having such a column name would give me some slack from the magic public. I do think I need to take something outside of Magic and blend it with something Magic to make my columns more focused. It will at least give me some more direction.
Still feel like I have to get the rust out of my pen. The main problem is finding enough time to write the articles. Some more time has opened up recently. I hope it will allow me to polish off the articles little more. After doing this for a little bit, it has given me a whole new appreciation for other authors who constantly do this week in and week out. The worst, it eats into my Magic time.
This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Off Topic: Defining Decks. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
You should give it a try. There's a great online metagame, and the decks are pretty cheap overall.
In time, still pulling things out of boxes.
Brings up a question, does anyone cover Pauper? It would be nice to know something about some of popular decks. I've read a few articles on EDH here and there, but I honestly can't recall hardly ever seeing an article on Pauper. Maybe once on magicthegathering.com, but that was a long time ago.
How does Speed magic handle combat? Do both players simply declare attackers at the same time? Or does each player only get combat every other turn?
Personally, I love the idea of declaring attackers at the same time. It adds such a huge level of tactics to the game. Or maybe each player declares them one after the other (just like how player A starts with priority before player B on some turns)
But I love the idea of creatures attacking the other player at the same time. Deciding what to leave back on defense could get difficult.
When we played it, all creatures attacked at the same time. If player A had priority, that player declares first. Once he/she has done so, it is locked in. No take backs. Player B gets to declare attackers. Once that is done, all creatures that have been declared attack. Next turn, Player B is in the hot seat.
If you want to try something different, go right ahead. Just threw out some of the things I have done over the years and my experiences with them. If anyone finds or comes up with other ideas or other ways to play the game, I am all ears.
I only read the section of Speed Magic, and I have to say that you've incorporated "VS System" into Magic the Gathering. If you look up the rules for Vs System, they are 95% identical to your Speed Magic style of play, exchanging the words "Priority" for "Initiative".
Never played or seen VS System. Used priority because it is the terminology used in Magic rules. Your response has me intered in checking out VS though.
This thread is for the discussion of my latest article, Off Topic: Twisting Formats. We would be grateful if you would let us know what you think, but please keep your comments on topic.
A tie between Utopia Tree and Urza's Rage . They were the first rares that I opened from the booster packs my wife gave while in the hospital. It doesn't hurt they have some great artwork. They will always have a soft spot in my heart.
Nothing. I just have some know some people in Ohio. Consider it a friendly jab.
Since I am at it, I don't bring escorts to tournments.
It helped a lot and I can pretty much pick up a conversation with just about anyone. Note, it took a long time.
One of the bigger things I learned, I am always going to make mistakes. I might say the wrong thing. It happens. Foot in mouth. It gets better though. When I do stick my foot in my mouth, I've learned ways to spin it so it isn't so awkward or turn it into a joke or whatever.
I agree with the other posters. It takes practice to be socially graceful.
However, you just made me really sad I don't have a cube.
I am not diagnosing anything. More of a concern as a fan. Sometimes I feel the man is burning the candle at both ends.
Thanks for the nice feedback.
When I first thought about the writing gig, my main idea was to try writing about stuff nobody else writes about. Ex. Card shops, card sleeves. Off Topic seemed appropriate and I thought having such a column name would give me some slack from the magic public. I do think I need to take something outside of Magic and blend it with something Magic to make my columns more focused. It will at least give me some more direction.
Still feel like I have to get the rust out of my pen. The main problem is finding enough time to write the articles. Some more time has opened up recently. I hope it will allow me to polish off the articles little more. After doing this for a little bit, it has given me a whole new appreciation for other authors who constantly do this week in and week out. The worst, it eats into my Magic time.
In time, still pulling things out of boxes.
Brings up a question, does anyone cover Pauper? It would be nice to know something about some of popular decks. I've read a few articles on EDH here and there, but I honestly can't recall hardly ever seeing an article on Pauper. Maybe once on magicthegathering.com, but that was a long time ago.
When we played it, all creatures attacked at the same time. If player A had priority, that player declares first. Once he/she has done so, it is locked in. No take backs. Player B gets to declare attackers. Once that is done, all creatures that have been declared attack. Next turn, Player B is in the hot seat.
If you want to try something different, go right ahead. Just threw out some of the things I have done over the years and my experiences with them. If anyone finds or comes up with other ideas or other ways to play the game, I am all ears.
Real life, yes. On MODO, no.
Never played or seen VS System. Used priority because it is the terminology used in Magic rules. Your response has me intered in checking out VS though.
It is just my opinion.
Honestly, I really do give you kudos for feedback.