Beginning freelance
by Jacob (Kouga) Nicholson · in General Discussion · 03/18/2007 (5:46 pm) · 3 replies
Hello all-
I hope I am posting this in the right location. The description mentioned questions about contracts, money issues, and the like so I thought it would be a good place to start.
I am starting out as a writer, just exploring some small time opportunities while I finish my high school education. Thankfully I think I have enough personal experience, from reading, writing, editing, and even general gaming that I can make a decent writer. I've already spoken with a few people wanting to make their own game, and I've found ways to help refine their ideas, review their storyline, enhance their writing, etc. However, I don't have a lot of commercial experience. These small opportunities have been a recent development, and the games have not yet been released.
So I suppose what I am looking for is advice or insight on a few key areas:
What is the best and most efficient way to expand my database of experience?
When dealing with money or payment, what kinds of things should I expect payment for, and how much? Just saying you're idea is passable isn't really much of a job, but if I am writing up your storyline, or revising your character descriptions, I don't want to be stiffed if there is potential for me to get a fair pay.
What sorts of things are generally considered "experience", speaking from an industry standpoint? Reusing the example, I wouldn't put "I said this guy's idea was good" as my experience, but actually breaking down someone's plot or characters could be legit experience.
Any insight, personal experience, links, or whatever you have to offer me would help me greatly in this respect, and I thank you for your time and consideration.
-Jacob "Kouga" Nicholson
I hope I am posting this in the right location. The description mentioned questions about contracts, money issues, and the like so I thought it would be a good place to start.
I am starting out as a writer, just exploring some small time opportunities while I finish my high school education. Thankfully I think I have enough personal experience, from reading, writing, editing, and even general gaming that I can make a decent writer. I've already spoken with a few people wanting to make their own game, and I've found ways to help refine their ideas, review their storyline, enhance their writing, etc. However, I don't have a lot of commercial experience. These small opportunities have been a recent development, and the games have not yet been released.
So I suppose what I am looking for is advice or insight on a few key areas:
What is the best and most efficient way to expand my database of experience?
When dealing with money or payment, what kinds of things should I expect payment for, and how much? Just saying you're idea is passable isn't really much of a job, but if I am writing up your storyline, or revising your character descriptions, I don't want to be stiffed if there is potential for me to get a fair pay.
What sorts of things are generally considered "experience", speaking from an industry standpoint? Reusing the example, I wouldn't put "I said this guy's idea was good" as my experience, but actually breaking down someone's plot or characters could be legit experience.
Any insight, personal experience, links, or whatever you have to offer me would help me greatly in this respect, and I thank you for your time and consideration.
-Jacob "Kouga" Nicholson
About the author
#2
07/22/2008 (8:47 am)
A couple months back, Insomniac Games (www.insomniacgames.com) was looking for a writer. In their view, a killer screenplay would trump any other qualification that they could think of. Insomniac is currently looking for interns.
#3
07/22/2008 (9:26 am)
Another issue you may face is most of the more professional - read: those who could afford to pay you - game developers I have met have exceptional writing skill already. You would have to have some way of proving to them that you are a better writer than the majority of their staff - and that could be quite an undertaking. 
Torque Owner Stephen Lujan
My advice: Find someone who's very open minded about their game and wants help writing first. Then I would say you do it just for fun, but not without a written agreement with regards to profit sharing or something. There aren't many developers here with enough investment money lying around to finish a game, let alone pay for writing up front.