So…
I recently read Ten Foot Pole’s… less than flattering review of Harwood. This adventure is one that I’ve long considered my best work, and so it was a bit rough reading through what he had to say.
The thing is, he was right. There were things about this adventure that just didn’t make any damn sense. And I knew that. Actually, it was quite helpful having TFP’s review, as it pointed me in the right direction to make this adventure better. So, thanks TFP for being painfully honest. It was what I needed, and I hope this adventure is better because of it.
And to the kind commenter who said my art looks like a five year old drew it, a thirty year old drew it, and I’m proud of it. I’m no professional artist, but I made it myself and I still think it looks fun. So there.
Anyway, this is still free for all of you (Itch // DriveThruRPG)! I’m hoping to start writing more adventures, but before I got into that, I really wanted to take a good look at Harwood and make it the best it can be.
So, query for all you other makers: How do you handle hearing negative reviews? I uh… I stayed up past midnight drawing a better map.
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Responding to feedback is totally fine. Bryce is harsh, but please don’t listen to anyone in his comments section, they are the absolute worst.
Do you plan on making a Felwoods version?
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I agree. Ignore the commenter about the art. Keep at it. It will improve and I can see why you are proud of it.
I see hints of your own unique style throughout. The cover has good feel to it that hangs on the creepy smile at the top and the good poses of the characters at the bottom. The sense of movement through the wizard pose is good. I also see some maturation of your ability in the drawing of the statue of Selene. Keep at it and you will only get better.
Good luck. We need more human made stuff out there and that will only happen if humans keep trying at it, failing a little, succeeding a little, but always keeping at it. I think you are doing great.
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Hmm. It wouldn’t be terribly hard!
Maybe I should.
I would echo what Yochai said, but take it a step further. I would recommend taking Bryce’s reviews with a big ol’ giant grain of salt. Absorb what actually resonates with you and leave everything else behind. It seems to me he is looking for a very specific thing, and not all adventures—not even all great adventures—work for him.
For example, he HATED an adventure I wrote, saying, “This is not roleplaying. There is no subtly [sic] here…I am not amused." Meanwhile, Meguey Baker found it to be "…the most interesting hex crawl [she’s] seen in a Very long Time." (I don’t mean to imply my adventure is great. It has a lot of problems. But some people loved it!)
To circle back to your question, I try to do what I suggest doing with Bryce’s: I absorb what resonates with me and leave the rest behind. (I try to, anyway. At first I ranted and raved to anyone who would listen, haha.)
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Yeah, I’m a sensitive soul, so this probably isn’t the best voice to listen to, and definitely shouldn’t be the only one!
I do think reading reviews is a good way to refine the art of adventure writing. Any great reviewers you’d recommend?
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I feel that! Being creative and putting your work out there is scary business for the most hardened of us, I would imagine. (It certainly is for me.)
I really like Idle Cartulary’s “Bathtub Reviews” on Playful Void. Also Between Two Cairns, of course.
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I read through your adventure, since I review stuff on my blog occasionally, and I thought it was fine. The layout is clean, you clearly put a lot of time and effort into it. I have some deeper thoughts about the mechanics of the writing, but I’d rather spend a lot of time with the adventure before really getting into those.
I wouldn’t let this get under your skin. Your adventure is released completely for free. Reviews, IMO, should serve the purpose of telling people what is worth their money, and I think it’s unfair to put it up to the same standard as professional releases made by people who literally sell their adventures to pay their rent, nor is the comparison useful.
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Thanks for the kind words!
It’s my craft, and I do want to do it well, so I’m grateful for feedback.
