What Happens When You Change Someone’s Life?
Changing someone’s life is an amazing experience. You take a chance, you reach out a hand… and the choice whether to grasp the opportunity or pass it up all rests on the other person.
When they do clasp hands with you, incredible results can happen.
Role-playing enriched our lives in many ways. We improved our writing skills, we developed a closer friendship and a deep bond, we had a ton of laughs and a sandbox to play in, we had a place to call home…
We can’t begin to list the numerous positives collaborative creative writing brings to our lives. It’s in our souls, and we have many fond memories because of it.
We’d been given a gift, and we wanted to pass it on to everyone. When we launched our creative writing game at Escaping Reality, we did so because we wanted to share our experiences with others.
But we didn’t expect what we received back. Honestly.
We received unexpected heartfelt thanks that shone through and brightened our world. Those moments make both Harry and I feel amazingly good. He feels fulfilled and happy, like the world is right. I feel all squirmy and “aw, shucks; it was nothing.” (Yes. It happens. I can be modest.)
We’d like to share some of these comments with you, but first, please understand our reasons for doing so:
We don’t want to brag or encourage people to come play (though you’re welcome to do so if you’d like). We want to show you what happens when you open up and take a chance. We think that what happened was fantastic, and good things should be celebrated.
Enjoy.
“I just wanted to thank each and every person participating in this little world. I think it’s beautiful how a group with such varied backgrounds can come together and make this an amazing experience. Without the right people it could have gone terribly awry, but it didn’t. Not at all. We have writers and gamers, techies, moms and dads, strangers and old friends… and somehow it all works to create this very cool place I’m begining to love. So thank you all for making this such a great experience.
Particular thanks to Harry and James who took the time and effort (and still go above and beyond every day) to create it all. I realize this is fun for you as well, but it’s work too, and your willingness to be so hands-on is almost mind-boggling. I hope things are turning out the way you envisioned they would.
Special thanks for being so open about who you allowed to join and letting me be a part of it. I felt out of place at first, but that feeling is long gone now. I’m not usually so sappy, but sometimes I have a need to put things into words.” – “Lizzy” from Audeo
“I absolutely love the community of people that have come together here. Sure we have had a few bumps in the road, but the story is coming along beautifully, and it is so much fun!
To the Pen Men, I raise my glass to you. I would throw a parade if I could. You both are amazing, and thank you so much for putting together and putting in the work to maintain such a wonderful RPG.” – “Shadow” from Sushi Day
“Gotta echo the thanks to all assembled (even our audience) for what we’ve got going on here!” – “SpiritualTramp” from Spiritual Tramp
“It is an awesome, wonderful, amazing place where you help us to bring our dreams to light in a way that many of us have not had a chance to do. Some of us have had our fiction buried, hidden under socks and dust and maybe, some of us haven’t had the courage to write any at all for a very long time, if ever.
But you and Harry have created a safe haven for fun, learning and for making new friends that allows us to explore our creativity and gain confidence. That….is very special.
Both of you…Thank you.” – “Selene” from Life’s Little Inspirations
Definitely love the game! I am *so* addicted that I’m sure eventually my company’s going to be wondering why there’s so much traffic going to this site.
“I’ve learned a ton, and I like to think my writing is improving as a result of this. Everyone’s support and suggestions mean a lot to me (and to Jaydin, who would be much less interesting without you all).
Harry and James, you guys rock!” – “Maquis”
” This is another way ER, and Harry and James by default, rocks: I was almost positive I was done playing the game, because I spent a couple of weeks away. And you guys (literally) just let me stroll back in without any BS at all. I think if I hadn’t already been totally inlove with the group here, that alone would have done it. There’s no way I’m taking that much time away again. This is, honestly, the nicest group of people I’ve ever come across online, and I feel really lucky to “know” all of you.
Okay, now I’m done being sappy.” – “Irish” from In the Garden Online
Thank you to each of you for changing our lives too.
22 Responses to “What Happens When You Change Someone’s Life?”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
Go ahead. Leave a Comment!
-
Affiliate Program
-
James Is Reading…
-
Social Hookups
As Seen In…
Overheard on the Web
MwP is Powered by…
Yes, you even encourage non-natives. Thank you so much Harry and James.
If I may add a thank you in the mix to both you and Harry for helping me better myself as well. From you guys I have learned how to blog (still a Padawan) and how to better express myself through online content.
This topic was something I was thinking about yesterday. I saw on the news a group helped make a wish come true for a sick boy. When he got the present, the boy cried and was so happy.
I want to do that one day. I want to help someone and bring that kind of joy into their lives. I need to get off my butt and do it!
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..How To Buy A House Like A Real Estate Investor: Part 8 – Good Terms vs. Low Price
James,
Have you ever watched Disney’s Aladdin with your little one (or for that matter with the teen when she was a little one)? There’s a scene where he asks the princess, “Do you trust me?” and reaches out his hand to her.
We have opportunities to reach out our hand like that every day—or to trust and take that hand. Reaching out can alter both lives, or change nothing at all if you don’t come together. Depends on trust, and willingness to risk for some greater reward that can’t even be imagined yet. I’m always up for that kind of adventure, but it isn’t for everyone. Some folks would rather stick with what they know.
You said the post was about more than the game, right?
I have a good idea that a lot of amazingly hard work and trust between you two went into it. Congrats on reaching out and trusting.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Customer Service Gaffes You Never Want to Make: 3 Quickies
Oh, sure, post my sappy post
Don’t you know we garden writers have a badass reputation to uphold??
Anyway, I meant every word. You guys rock, and I consider every one of the players over at ER to be my friend.
I hesitated to join. I asked for the Character Sheet right away, but I let it sit, unsure whether or not to take your hands and make the leap. I’m so glad I did!
The two of you host an amazing site and have created a community that goes far beyond writing. This article is just one example of that fact. I have read this blog on and off for only a few months and yet feel confident of knowing what I say above to be true. I also like your choice of the graphic (barometer) used for today’s post – very appropriate. Look forward to your future posts.
@ Martin – My life experience of being the outcast in society (French in an English culture and English in a French culture) makes me keenly aware of how other people, such as those from other countries or cultures or those who have English as a second language, must feel. I work hard to make sure that everyone feels welcome.
@ John – I think it’s an age thing, buddy. I find that the older we get, the more we want to impact other people’s lives positively to feel fulfilled. I sure have a different view of the world today than when I was 25. (Even though I act like I’m 6.)
@ Kelly – Correct. It wasn’t about the game. It was about both reaching out to someone else and placing trust in the hand you could take. Scary? Damned straight. Worth it? Oh yeah. Every time.
@ Colleen – We’re more than happy to have you back. It’s important to us that people don’t feel intimidated and that they feel able to join us no matter who they are. And I agree – the community spirit over at ER blew even us away. It’s a great place to be.
@ Mark – Glad to have you as a reader. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve created here at MwP as far as community and group spirit goes. It’s like an open house – anyone can walk in and will always be received. We’re constantly amazed (and proud) that both us and our readers built such a welcoming location for people.
You really have made a difference, boys.
Escaping Reality has helped me, a gamer who’s a writer, reconcile these two aspects of my life. I think the experience improves my tabletop gaming, and I know it’s helped my fiction writing.
Good form!
Bob Younce at the Writing Journey’s last blog post..Tell It Like It Is
@ Bob – You, my friend, have something I want. Your perspective as a D&D tabletop gamer converting to creative writing RPG, and your perspective as a non-fiction writer (but a great writer in plenty of other areas) converting to storytelling.
You Pen Men sure have been busy.
Anything called Escaping Reality has got to be good. Must go see now…
Amy’s last blog post..My Role Model, the Ostrich
Wow, good on you for doing such a great job with the game site. I had to think about it a while before deciding against participating (in case you were wondering). I knew that if I did it, my heart wouldn’t have been in it.
Michael Martine | Remarkablogger’s last blog post..What Conversion Is, Why it Matters, and How to Improve It
Oh my goddness. Now who’s squirming?
I can’t add much to what I’ve already said. I’m very glad you realize they aren’t just words. Then again, who better to know the true value of words?
Love!
Nicole Brunet’s last blog post..Just Writing
you guys…..
that made my eyes get all watery again. I didn’t expect to walk in that, we are going to have to get you one of Brett’s Kleenex alerts.
Making a positive diference in the lives of others is my mission in life and the mission of Life’s Little Inspiration. So I know first hand how wonderful it feels when that happens. I always think the person doing the giving ends up getting more than the reciever.
IN this case though, we are getting a huge amount. HUGE.
You guys have every right in the world to be proud.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..The Perils of Perfectionism
I just went to the ER site to see what you were talking about. Looks very interesting. Stimulating your imagination is one of the best things you can do to be more creativity. I’ll stop by again this afternoon to look into it some more.
Marelisa’s last blog post..How Gratitude Can Change Your Life
I had to make a choice too. It is so very hard for me to NOT be there. It’s like an itch I so want to scratch.
But there is this project, I am trying to get into your hands….and it keeps changing.
My character seems not to want to reveal herself too much to me. Does that ever happen?
Janice C Cartier’s last blog post..A Goal Setting Template- Part 2
Like Colleen, I was unsure about joining at first, because I feared not being a good enough writer. I’m so glad I ended up joining, because this is such a wonderful journey we are all taking together. Everything I have said before on this topic, I stand by. An amazing game, with an amazing community.
@James re:John – I’d say it’s more of a life experiences thing than an age thing. I feel the same way as John. After seeing a sibling go through what my brother has gone through, I think any decent person, no matter how young or old, would want to reach out and help people like that.
Aw damn it, now you’re gonna make me cry. Sheesh.
PS – When I saw I had been linked to by the Pen Men, I sat there in shock for a minute or two. Especially when I realized James had written the post… the Pen Man who *doesn’t* like sushi.
Allison’s last blog post..Taste and Create 9
Yeah, it was more than a little weird seeing Men with Pens pop up as one of my referrers this morning
Feel free to do it again, should you feel the need to talk gardening someday!
@ Michael – If ever you decide that you’d like to come play, you’re always welcome. Half heart or not.
@ Amy – Idle hands are the devil’s playthings
@ Janice – We all walk around with characters whispering to us. One day, they start to give pokes. You come see us when that happens, ma belle.
@ Nicole, Colleen, Allison and Wendi – I’m glad we could give you a little extra surprise with the link. I thought of asking permission to publish your words here, but me being the imp I am, that would have taken all the fun out of it.
We’re just glad you have all enjoyed it so much so far and made it a pleasure for us too.
I’ll admit, I’ve never actually participated, and unless my schedule clears up really soon, I might not.
I admire what you’re doing with Escaping Reality, though. All I do is write about bridging between fiction-writing skills and game-running skills, and put it into practice with a very small group; you do it interactively and for the world. If someday I could have half that impact, that’d make it all worth it.
Keep writing!
Ravyn’s last blog post..What We Didn’t Say
@James For some reason, today I read this before I checked my email, so it truly was a surprise. A very pleasant one at that. Quite the imp, yes.
Nicole Brunet’s last blog post..Just Writing
@Allison – probably a little of both.
John Hoff – eVentureBiz’s last blog post..How To Buy A House Like A Real Estate Investor: Part 8 – Good Terms vs. Low Price