I’m no rock star kids, gods know that. Lately if I ever had a doubt I’ve certainly been reminded of that fact. I can tell you that when I was quite a bit younger I thought the idea of writing a role-playing game was like being Stephen King over night – one day it’s an idea in your head the next day you’re selling more copies than TSR (well at the time they were TSR). Of course by the time I got up to the point of publishing the book I had quite a bit more of a realistic view of it. After the tour there was pretty much nothing more for a good while. I got back, had to go find a day job and the rest is pretty much history. Originally there was a plan to have Book of Races out already and be hyping or producing the next book. In reality, I’m sitting here with a cold I won’t actually admit that I have, a job that takes up a lot more of my time than I’d ever wanted (but pays well) – my two kids living with me and my girlfriend studying for college. Life has a tendency to get in the way. I’m in a house now. Not a rental this time, kids – I own this one. There’s this room out back that was a sun room that I’ll turn into an office/gaming room one of these weekends. These are the things you never really plan for when you’re riding high on pills and flowing words, then miles past across the great American nowhere toward nothing but The Future. These are the things that tend to make you wonder when you turned into a guy who wonders about a lot of things that aren’t supposed to be the concern of artists.
However, there is something to be said of it all. I can tell you that there are a hell of a lot less people than I would have thought by now that probably have heard of seven13 or CoE, but that’s alright. I never meant it to be a game for the Con-going masses – it was always kind of something else. I don’t know how else to really describe it, but those of you who still check this site out probably know. I do have these folks who do actually follow these things, who know that eventually I will answer questions and get around to writing something. These folks, whoever they are and wherever, still drop by on occasion wondering what I’m up to. Lately I work and I sleep. I find time to play the game maybe once a week if I’m lucky, and every Sunday I go out to Amtgard and hit people with sticks. Mostly I try to keep my girlfriend sane, my kids in a semblance of order towards a world that’s probably more dead than I’ll ever admit and attempt to find time to relax. I do come back to seven13 a lot, and I do have words in here, but lately life seems to be in the way and I find, to a certain disappointment but not a total one, that those words are stuck in Seuss’ Waiting Place (for people just waiting…). There’s not a lot of time for marketing or working, but I’ll get there. Writing games isn’t much of a full-time gig, you have to love it, just like any sort of art I suppose. I still owe Naomi and Allie books, which I will send, If I can ever make it to the post office.
If my tone is melancholy, try to imagine a smile to go with it. My life is not gone astray, nor are my writing days done. I don’t really have a good explanation as to why I’m writing on this old blog page tonight. Recently I had to borrow the cash to renew the website and there was a point to where I thought to just give up on it, but there are people out there I know who might actually notice its passing. Folks like VeX and Domini or ThePainter and Elune and their crew. Those I game with in the world here in Denton know where to find me, they can always ask what’s going on, but for the rest of you – it means a good bit to see that people still drop by even though I never seem to get around to updating. I read the board a lot, I think about the game a lot and I do see your questions. I thought I’d drop a line and say that, though life might be in the way sometimes, I’m still here and I still listen and read and hopefully I’ll be back again soon with something new. For now I’ll hit the NyQuil and hope I sleep. It’s alright though, I’m not really sick.
– Ashe
Hi Ashe
I’ve not really visited your Blog before, no particular reason for not doing so, I just haven’t! On the other hand, seeing the link from the forum I decided to have a look and now (damn it!) I’m going to have to spend time looking at this too!
Time… mutter… mutter…
I can’t really say too much except that there are DEFINITELY people out there that would notice the disappearance of the forum site. I’m very pleased to see that you’ve decided to keep the site going, and even more pleased to have played a minor part in that decision.
Having access to a game designer and the chance to ask questions and get clarification is marvellous. I’ve certainly found our recent discussions on the forum concerning funeral rites and totems to be extremely helpful. For instance, your comments on the totem issue have caused me to significantly re-evaluate the role of the ether in the game.
Beyond that, I can only say, please keep up the good work on the game and the site – life permitting anyway
And please don’t get too depressed by the fact that you haven’t matched TSR’s sales … yet! 
As you said, the game wasn’t really intended for the Con-going masses, but it IS extremely good and interesting … a lovely background AND a lovely system!
PS: Congratulations on moving into you own house – it makes a difference!
Oh I’m (nearly) famous! Mentioned on a blog that isn’t my own
But oh dear, what have you done…
The Painter and I will now have another Luunie tantrum to deal with – we were mentioned by name and she wasn’t – :p
I forecast Sunday’s session – ” Ashe loves your character and not mine…”, “he prefers you to me…it’s not fair…” , “all the rules favour your character and not mine…”
WE will never hear the end of it.
Its all your fault Ashe.
You will have to do something really nice to make up for that …
(+25 character creation points for all my characters would ease the pain).
On a (slightly more) serious note I have to agree with The Painter, I love the game, and its nice to be able to reach out to the game designer for help.
It’s a shame our group can’t find a GM who will give us a fair crack of the whip.
Aww – there are quite a few people that I left out to be honest, Solarious and Zan and Luunnie, but it wasn’t altogether intentional – it’s not a speech at the oscars after all (First of all I’d like to thank Khintana…) : I try not to think when I’m writing, I prefer to just flow out on the blog thing. But I gots love for all my fanz to wax urban.
I check when I can, but life does get in the way and you’re right. It’s still by far the best read I’ve ever gotten from a book of its type, and I really believe the system is pure genius.
Ashe, you should stick with it. The book you put out is ambitious and well written. But unfortunately your game isn’t d20 and so the Lazy Gamers of this generation are unwilling to “learn a new system.” I on the other hand devour them and it would be a shame for this to mothball when it’s so ripe with promise.
I’m staring at the autographed copy you gave to Tri-games, reading your sharpie inscribed words. “Keep the Memory, Live in the Now, Believe in the Dream.” Mayhap you should retake those words to heart. Life is shit and responsibilities but we all gotta hang onto the ephemeral.
I”m a far better storyteller than a writer, and a far better speaker than a storyteller. I’ll stop blathering on the QWERTY filter and leave you alone now. Hope it all works out.