Over the years, I've discovered that when one has been working quite intensively on a project, it's a good idea to take a break to do something else before returning to it. That way you come back to it with a fresh eye, and making changes and improvements is usually easier.
I have plenty of ideas for developing my simple campaign system and terrain generator whirling about in my head, but I know that I need to let my subconscious process them before I do any more work on this project. As a result, I've decided to take a short break ... which will allow me to catch up with what other bloggers have been doing.
I have plenty of ideas for developing my simple campaign system and terrain generator whirling about in my head, but I know that I need to let my subconscious process them before I do any more work on this project. As a result, I've decided to take a short break ... which will allow me to catch up with what other bloggers have been doing.
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteHow about this for a suggestion - why not fight a portable wargame over one of the maps you have generated? That way you are reaping the benefits of your work thus far, getting a game in and providing your subconscious with some prompting and food for thought.
Besides, it would be good to see a BC penned AAR again!
All the best,
DC
PS I should take a leaf out of my own book in this case....
David Crook,
DeleteThat's not such a bad idea! If time permits over the coming weekend, I'll give it a try.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteYes- it is a good idea to have a break from your current project- then come back refreshed. I tend to get myself into a state trying to decide which project to begin- and weeks seem to slip by without getting anything done. I took a break this morning by watching a 'War In The Pacific' Documentary on DVD...it was about the WW2 Japanese attack on Perl Harbor and the aftermath which included the re-building of ships by the Americans...the 2nd Feature - was about the Americans capturing two Japanese held Pacific Islands -the footage included the USN pre-barrage prior to the Marines going in- and footage of the Marines making their way into the steep hills and pulverized jungle to subdue the remaining Japanese. Tomorrow I will watch the movie 'Tora Tora' and 'Midway'. I find watching a DVD helps take my mind away from thinking and planning projects- it is a good break. Best Wishes. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteTaking a break for some vital 'think time' is a strategy that I've tried to follow since the mid 1980s. It's not always gone down well with some of my line managers, but they never had to complain about missed deadlines or incomplete work.
It sounds like you have been watching some interesting DVDs ... and your plan to watch TORA, TORA, TORA gets a big thumbs up from me. It was filmed by two separate crews, one from the US and one from Japan ... and their respective segments convey the different cultures of the two sides.
Enjoy your viewing!
All the best,
Bob
I support David Crook's suggestion. Can't wait to see what "ferments" from these projects ! All the best.
ReplyDeleteRick Krebs,
DeleteIt's a great suggestion ... and one I hope to act on as soon as I can.
All the best,
Bob
I find the same thing you do after a break--you can take a fresh look at things. Sometimes it's noticing changes that needed to be made that I somehow didn't catch; other times it's defects so minor that I can ignore them, even though I was very concerned about them at the time.
ReplyDeleteThis happens a lot when I paint figures. Some spillovers or other errors that I thought were so obvious that remedial action would be necessary, wind up being hard to even see now that I'm looking at the figure "for the first time", so to speak. Life is funny sometimes.
Best regards,
Chris
Chris,
DeleteI am glad to discover how many other people take a similar approach. I think that it is far too easy for us to get fixated on getting something done that we forget that wargaming is a hobby, not a job.
I used to be very finicky about getting the painted detail on figures exact ... and then I realised that I was wasting so much time correcting mistakes that didn't notice when the figures were on the tabletop. Then I began painting a load of Russian WWII figures for a game, and realised that if I spray painted the figures in the main uniform colour, picked out the basic details (face, hands, packs, weapon, headgear etc.) using a restricted paint palette, and then coated the figure in Nut Brown Indian ink, the results were far better than they had been when I'd painstakingly painted the figures.
All the best,
Bob