Design Doc

Hannah dives into the challenges and triumphs of doing creative work solo. She shares practical tasks that boost self-motivation and how to handle self-doubt. Small rewards like guitar and crochet become essential for maintaining joy. Procrastination preening is tackled with smart boundaries. Inviting friends for timed work sessions adds social flair, while hacking Questlandia offers companionship through creativity. Emotional strategies, like meditation, help combat loneliness. In the end, she embraces the slower pace of solo work.

We love making solo RPGs, but we don't always love playing them. In this episode we brainstorm ideas for a possible one-player version of Questlandia, and what would make us excited to play it.EPISODE LINKS/CREDITS:Our games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunJoin the Turtlebun Discord! https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbzGet in touch! Designdocpod (at) gmail (dot) comDesign Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunTurtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunDesign Doc on Twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

This month marks the sixth anniversary of Design Doc, a podcast that started as a "year-long" project documenting our progress redesigning our first roleplaying game. Six years later, we talk about the different directions we've taken, and what Questlandia 2 means to us today.EPISODE LINKS/CREDITS:Our games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunTurtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbzDesign Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

Hannah and Evan talk about the strange designs and abandoned places of Six Flags New England, the latest of a series of research trips. Join them on a jeep ride in the Jurassic, through the ghost town of Crackaxle, and into secret corners filled with claw machines.SUPPORT OUR VISIT BACK TO SIX FLAGS HERE:https://ko-fi.com/designdocEPISODE LINKS/CREDITS:Our games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunTwitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbzDesign Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

Former historical interpreter Enzo joins us to talk about interpreting history! A few months ago we visited Old Sturbridge Village, an 1830s rural New England recreation village. We went as naive visitors, only able to guess at how it was run. Our guest today was kind enough to share his memories of working at the museum! We discuss what it was like interacting with pass-holder guests, being the groom in a historic wedding, and sneaking off to take smoke breaks away from the prying eyes of modernity.Thanks again to Enzo for sharing his time and knowledge with us!Episode links:To learn more about Old Sturbridge Village, visit their website here: www.osv.orgTurtlebun links:Our games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunTwitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunJoin our Discord! discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbzDesign Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

In this episode Hannah and Evan describe their recent trip to Sturbridge Village, an 1800s recreation historical town. They talk about the value of on-the-ground research for creative projects, the peculiarity of animal habitats in fantasy places, and some dredged-up financial controversies paving the ye olde village streets.Episode mentions: Sturbridge Village: https://www.osv.org/ Jenny Nicholson video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9OhTB5eBqQ The Maze Runner (film): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maze_Runner_(film) Turtlebun links: Our games: turtlebun.com Patreon: patreon.com/turtlebun Twitter: twitter.com/turtleandbun Instagram: instagram.com/turtleandbun We have a Discord! https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpod

We talk about bringing confidence to our own work, including our recent scent-inspired game ideas. We're working on bringing that founder hustle without a toxic founder morality. Plus, we've got two new projects in the works inspired by olfactive poetry!1:25 - Founder energy13:58 - Project Gutenberg32:32 - Pie GirlEpisode Links and CreditsDesign Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpodMentioned in this episodeOutsider Comics in Seattle - https://outsidercomics.com/Project Gutenberg - https://www.gutenberg.org/The Art of Perfumery by G. W. Septimus Piesse (1857) - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16378/16378-h/16378-h.htmTurtlebun linksOur games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunTwitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz

In a much-requested episode topic, Hannah and Evan talk about WORLDBUILDING. We narrow in on three worldbuilding faux pas we're trying to be aware of in our own work: Word swapping, "Fish People," and the dreaded authorial insert.Episode Mentions:Lincoln in the Bardo: novel by George SaundersUpload: comedy-drama seriesEpisode Links and Credits:Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpodTurtlebun LinksOur other games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz

Hannah and Evan discuss their personal experiences and struggles with focus. A new kind of work requires long stretches of sustained focus, disrupting old routines and demanding new strategies. They delve into the challenges and rewards of dodging distractions and shepherding wandering thoughts.Timestamps:00:55 - Introduction. The need to transition from sprint focus to something more sustained.10:10 - Our different styles of focus and how we work together: Switching off the role of cheerleader, having a plan and holding to routines; setting boundaries with friends, family, ourselves.18:17 - Switching to long-form work. Ramping up, getting into a flow, building a slower momentum.23:51 - External and internal distractions. When the work becomes its own distraction.32:26 - The dynamic tension, the ongoing battle; eliminating distractions vs the resolve to ignore and power through. Self-esteem.35:25 - How the switch to long-form focus has helped our work in games.38:04 - Closing thoughts. What we’ve learned, the ritual of it.Mentioned in this episode:Deep Work by Cal Newport (We feel "meh" about this one)Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (We liked this one)Links and credits:Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc twitter: twitter.com/designdocpodOur games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunTwitter: twitter.com/turtleandbunInstagram: instagram.com/turtleandbunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz

Hannah and Evan talk about what it's like to tackle a very different type of creative work—writing a novel! We discuss the fun parts and the challenges of being two people trying to hone in on a single narrative voice.Mentioned in this episode:3-Act Structure: Abbie Emmons on YouTubePassing mentions: Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, Robert A. Heinlein, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, Over the Garden Wall (Episode 5: Mad Love)Episode Links and Credits:Design Doc intro/outro theme by Pat KingDesign Doc on twitter: twitter.com/designdocpodTurtlebun LinksOur other games: turtlebun.comPatreon: patreon.com/turtlebunDiscord: https://discord.gg/XD4WVDjvbz