Well, the last several days have not left much free time here in Stollen Central, but I have managed, by hook or by crook, to get that third batch of RSM fusiliers almost finished -- just gaiter buttons and a couple coats of Future/Klear acrylic floor finish this evening, and we are all set.
Of course, this means that the long delayed battle for Saegewerkdorf between Jeff Hudelson and me MUST start. No more fooling around. Conveniently, the Grand Duchess will be away for several days, which gives me a bit more unstructured time during the evenings, so it looks like we have an "all systems go" on that front finally too. I suspect that a company of infantry on the Stagonian side might defect to to Stollenians, meaning that both armies will enjoy parity at least in terms of infantry and artillery. The Stagonians still have a bit more cavalry, but I can't do anything about that quickly.
Last but not least, have you ever had one of thos crazy, pointless ideas just when you realize how tired and unfocused you are and decide to turn out the bedside lamp for the evening? I'm sure you have. Anyway, as I put down my book on developing one's business via e-letters and e-zines, I had thet thought that a bi-monthly or quarterly e-zine (in PDF format) on 18th century wargaming would be fun to do. Crazy? Certainly. Do we need something like this when there is already the Journal of the SYW Society, Battlegames, and Saxe n Violets from the Society of Daisy? Probably not. But the idea is still nagging at me today.
I'm not sure what the point of such a newsletter would be, and so many of us have blogs already, that I suppose there would be lots of overlap there. And then, of course, there is the time issue. Being responsible for a newsletter, even if it only came out four times a year, would eat into painting and gaming time in the evenings and on weekends. Nevertheless, the notion on carrying on what Donald Featherstone used to do with the Wargamers' Newsletter into the 21st century is kind of exciting. What do you Stollen regulars think? Besides doing something like this as a purely backslapping exercise, is there any call for something like this among 18th century enthusiasts today? Is there any interest in contributing/subscribing to a venture like this?
Comments
1/. Time - do you want to lose more time than you already are when the core pursuit of painting little plastic/metal men, and fighting table top battles with them suffers?
2/. Content - a multitude of outlets - blogs, magazines, etcetc - requires lots of source material to publish... could you get enough people to provide unread content for a magazine? Why would they not want to publish it on their blogs, or if good enough, send it to Henry??
Yep, that's just the shot of cold water in the face that I needed I think. A fun idea, but the logistics of it would get in the way of other things. And I discovered, when editing the monthly newsletter for our bicycling club a few years ago, getting others to contribute usable content is very difficult at times. I fear that it might turn into more of a headache that its worth. Ah well.
Best Regards,
Stokes
PS. Hate to be the cold water carrier as I'd have been more than happy to read your outputs! ;o))
Not to reignite the flames that Steve just put out, but why not publish on an "irregular" basis, i.e. only when you have enough articles to justify the issue?
Around the Meltzer Household we call this "The Planless Plan", the main advantages are that you are never late, never early, and exactly where you need to be, when you need to be there. Kind of like Gandalf.
Say...speaking of publishing, how's the wargaming book coming along?
Yours,
Martin
Not to reignite the flames that Steve just put out, but why not publish on an "irregular" basis, i.e. only when you have enough articles to justify the issue?
Around the Meltzer Household we call this "The Planless Plan", the main advantages are that you are never late, never early, and exactly where you need to be, when you need to be there. Kind of like Gandalf.
Say...speaking of publishing, how's the wargaming book coming along?
Yours,
Martin
I would like it if people reviewed their purchases a little more. But ultimately it may mean holding material back from a blog just to send it out later.
Having said all that, if someone has the energy to do it then I would very happy to read it.
You may get more takers than you think. I have a computer (obviously) but I do not find it relaxing to sit at the computer and read leasurely. I prefer the paper version. I have many friends who wargame and study the 18th century but none of us can be bothered to blog. I would however be prepared to write the occasional article and send it over to you for a newsletter. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about it. I suppose we could all write for Battlegames and earn a spot of cash, but Henry cant publish only "tricorn" articles (pity really) because he has to cater for all tastes and I did once hear a rumour that there are people who actually wargame other periods. Shocking.
yours
Adrian
Let's discuss off line, or meet me at Randy Frye's house on May 9th in Dekalb, IL when we play our Jacobite game.
Alan