19/05/2009

Blog struggles, amongst other things....

So i've just read Ron's post over at FtW about writing blogs and i wanted to put up a longer post about my own blog writing problems, and where the future of this site is headed...

When i started my blog, it was during a renewed interest in 40K - Ive been playing since first edition, but i had finally convinced a friend to start playing, so i actually had someone to game against. Full of 40K fervour i figured that i would start a blog to encourage myself (essentially so i could look at it on the dark days when im stuck in a room with only XCode and a cup of fresh coffee to see me through!).

Unfortunately, we dont seem to be able to get many games of 40K in, generally we get to play about 3 or 4 games a year! There is also the small problem that ive realised that i totally hate the whole process of actually building and painting an army.

Let me explain a bit further - Im first and foremost a painter, that is where my true passion for the hobby lies. I think im okay at it too (Im not gonna win golden demon any time soon, but im happy with my abilities on the whole). On the other hand, whilst i enjoy playing the games, ive never been very good at them. My current record is one win at 40K (out of maybe 20 games)! I can accept this fact, and just look at games as being a cool alternative to playing video games with friends - as i see it, its no different than meeting friends for a game of poker.

But this all relies on me having an army! And guess what? We are back to the hating building an army. My problem is that I try to paint all the models in the army to the same standard - my display standard. Eventually (about 1/4 of a squad in) i realise that wont work and skip some steps. Then i get annoyed because the unit doesnt look consistent, so i try to simplify the paint job on the next unit.... Eventually ill have a couple of units, but they dont work together because ive changed the painting style so much. So i'll then scrap those models and start again! Given that im essentially a guard player (with the occassional foray in to Tau) I end having no where near the number of models that I really need to win a game... and the cycle continues...

So my first question for this post is:

Does anyone have any good solutions for this problem?

I read lots of other 40K blogs (especially the FtW group blogs), and im in awe and wonderment at the progress you all make on your armies - You seem dedicated, all your models look consistent and form great looking armies! So how do you all maintain the energy?

Anyway, i digress... I was talking about Rons post on FtW. Ron was commenting on how hard it was to keep the blog going, and this was mainly what i wanted to talk about - essentially the lack of Warhammer / 40K related posts on my blog. Essentially i read other peoples blogs and they are (as i said) full of great posts about army progress, or filled with really interesting tips; Then i come back to my blog to write a new post (for example i was going to post about stripping miniatures, but as soon as i looked on the net i found hundreds of other posts about the same subject) and I lose the will! Often what stops me from posting is that i feel that I have nothing original or interesting to say about the subject. So that leads me to my next question:

How do you guys learn these new and interesting techniques if not from other peoples blogs?

So anyway.. thats my little discussion about writing a blog... Its much harder than it seems; i now understand why so many blogs start up and then dissapear. Even discounting everything i said above, there is still the problem of actually finding the time to write a post!

In the meantime, dont worry, Exponent Wargames isnt going anywhere, but please forgive the lack of 40K content. I promise that ill get something together soon (the new guard codex and plastic valkyre should get me going again ;)).


4 comments:

Craig said...

with regards to learning new techniques, I find its more like DISCOVERING a new technique... when you're going at it and you just decide how something is going to work better for you. It might not work for the next guy or girl but you can throw it out there and see what people think.
With regards to inconsistncy i know what you mean... il be posting on that soon!!
Craig @ cadian8th

oni said...

I hear you loud and clear. I don't have much time to devote to painting or gaming, but I get it in where ever I can. To add to that, I'm a slow painter. It's a lose/lose situation for me. How I cope with it is I try to make a little bit of hobby progress every night in hopes that all of the little progress will add up. I'll play a game every opportunity I get, traveling if needed.

Motivation can be hard. I look at everyone elses models and then think mine look like crap. I constantly have to remind myself that I'm not trying to win any Golden Demons. I use all these beautifully painted armies as fuel. Fuel to carry on because I too want an army that is completely painted.

As for learning new techniques, a lot of times it's just curiosity that ends up turning out great. That's the basis for most techniques and inventions.

Shrink to Fit said...

I like to read all different kinds of posts, not just posts that teach me something. Posts like this one make me think a little bit, and that's why I follow so many different blogs. I like the brief glimpse blogs offer into the minds of those who are involved in this hobby.

Keep your posts coming, even if you don't feel like they compare to other bloggers' posts. Not everyone is a tournament player, not everyone aspires to be a Golden Daemon painter, and not everyone is churning out new armies every other month. You are a valued member of the hobby because you share a little bit of your experience with it. Everyone who blogs does the same.

SC Mike said...

I think you are much more productive then I am, so don't feel bad. You paint up a new model every two weeks or so, I will be happy to do one or two in a couple of months. The blog has giving me the incentive to build more creatively because that's what our readers appreciate. I play about 4 games a year as well. Still can't live without this stuff
Mike at Santa Cruz Warhammer