Comments on: How Not to Run an Online Bookstore

By: TimK

TimK — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 05:33:55 +0000

Hi, Paula. I listen to a couple podcasts that concentrate specifically on small business. Yaro Starak does interesting interviews on Entrepreneur’s Journey, and he also posts many interesting text-only blog entries. Brain Brew Radio explores creative marketing ideas for small business. I also enjoy Steve Pavlina’s personal development blog.

-TimK

By: Paula B.

Paula B. — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 20:44:57 +0000

I hope those new releases turn out to be winners, Tim. I prefer story-based games too. I am pretty hopeless at making use of my inventory a lot of the time and tend to use walk-throughs to keep me from going round in circles for days on end.

A few years ago I started designing a game but never finished. Maybe one day I will.

Which are the small business podcasts you like?

By: TimK

TimK — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 08:09:28 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Paula. I think I would enjoy your bookstore story whether it was a disaster or a success. I listen to a number of solopreneur and small-business podcasts, and I especially right now get excited by ones about the writing biz or related industries. And your story falls into that group.

I hear you WRT feedback and suggestions. As you note: Ask for feedback from the Internet. Hear that hollow echo?

WRT adventure games. Yes, I’m a long-time adventure game fan. I particularly like story-based adventures, though, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized—blinding flash of the obvious—that some adventures are about the puzzles, whereas others are about the story. (And the classics are about both.) I’ve always considered the story to be core to my enjoyment, and the puzzles or other gameplay are just there to serve the story. Most games use the converse value system.

However, there are some recent releases that claim to be story-based. Psychonauts is one. Fahrenheit (or Indigo Prophecy for us in the U.S.) is another. Acalius is yet another. I’m anxious to see how many of these pay off for me. And I’m doubly anxious to see whether this might be a turning-point in the industry or even the spawning of a new industry.

-TimK

By: Paula B.

Paula B. — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 23:04:08 +0000

Hi, Tim,

I’m so glad you’re enjoying my disaster story over at The Writing Show. When I look back on it, I can’t believe we were so stupid.

Your podcast looks really interesting. I’m going to check it out. What a great idea!

Thanks for the mention. Please let me know if you have topic or guest suggestions, and I’d love to hear any ideas for improvement or expansion you may have.

BTW, I was looking at your blog, and I just want to say that I love adventure games too! (I’m really bad at them, though.)

Best regards,
Paula B.

The Writing Show, where writing is always the story
http://www.writingshow.com