I personally think the hardest part of writing an AAR is the first few weeks. That’s the moment when you’re most tempted to throw in the towel, and to complicate your problem, it’s also the time when people are still waiting in the wings, waiting to see if you will continue before they jump in with both feet and support you. Fortunately, I had the support of several from the beginning, including my good friend Chirurgeon, who made it his personal affair to comment after every one of the initial chapters, no matter what. Thanks, man.
I’ve actually been pleased with the level of response I’ve gotten on my AAR, but I would have to admit it’s frustrating at times to wonder who’s out there reading in silence. I mean, I post an update, within two days the view-count has gone up by two hundred, but I only have four comments. Did each of those people check my thread fifty times? I don’t think so. So you’re just left to wonder.
Still, everyone has been very supportive. I think the EB forum is a great one for AARs. I periodically read AARs on other forums, concerning other games and they strike me as being completely without soul, often mixing in jarringly-modern dialogue in what is supposed to be a millennia-old conversation. That problem, although it exists here on the Guild, is not as prevalent as elsewhere. And, I must confess, most games don’t possess the depth of EB to build upon.
When you start an AAR, you are making a commitment. I think that’s why lasting AARs are few and far between. In my AAR, I’ve only posted thirty-three updates and yet spent over ninety hours writing the story alone, not to mention the hours spent editing photos and—oh, yes, playing EB so I’ll have something to write about. It’s a daunting task, but I’m at the point where I can’t bring myself to let down my readers. You have to keep the faith.
Oh, well, I’ve rambled on for long enough, but that’s my two cents on AAR-writing. Stop by and check mine out.