I worked at IDG Publishing for GamePro Magazine for almost ten years. It was the most prolific writing I have ever done. I wrote over 2000 articles in the ten years I was there - everything form reviews to features to news announcements to interviews. This was my most creative period, and the lessons I learned from an unbelievably talented group of editors, copy editors and designers helped launch all my subsequent careers. I wrote under the pseudonym Scary Larry. Clicking on the image will reveal some explanatory text about each image.
Magazine Work
I wrote long and short form reviews and features at GamePro, many about this length. These required full research, and many times, finishing a game before writing. My style was humorous but factual.
I wrote long and short form reviews and features at GamePro, many about this length. These required full research, and many times, finishing a game before writing. My style was humorous but factual.
Just because a word count was reduced doesn't mean that I had to do any less research. These were tougher to write because I had less words to work with. Thankfully, I had the best copy editors and managing editors in the industry.
Just because a word count was reduced doesn't mean that I had to do any less research. These were tougher to write because I had less words to work with. Thankfully, I had the best copy editors and managing editors in the industry.
Half page reviews. Same discipline, less words.
Half page reviews. Same discipline, less words.
Now we're getting into the real tough stuff. Quarter page review - review a game in 50 words or less.!
Now we're getting into the real tough stuff. Quarter page review - review a game in 50 words or less.!
And finally - the widowmaker. If you weren't on top of your word counts, you were dead meat.
And finally - the widowmaker. If you weren't on top of your word counts, you were dead meat.
My popularity became so hyped at one point that they made a 1-900 line (remember those) that was extremely successful. But just because I was featured didn't mean that I didn't have to write the ad copy!
My popularity became so hyped at one point that they made a 1-900 line (remember those) that was extremely successful. But just because I was featured didn't mean that I didn't have to write the ad copy!
One of the great things about working at GamePro was the sharing of ideas. My concept of having us very humorously answer reader's questions resulted in Buyers Beware. I didn't write it but I had a hand in its conception.
One of the great things about working at GamePro was the sharing of ideas. My concept of having us very humorously answer reader's questions resulted in Buyers Beware. I didn't write it but I had a hand in its conception.
I was also involved in much longer form writing. like devoloping these very succesful in-magazine strategy guides, which spawned a whole new custom publishing initiative that eventually morphed into what the web now considers "listicles".
I was also involved in much longer form writing. like devoloping these very succesful in-magazine strategy guides, which spawned a whole new custom publishing initiative that eventually morphed into what the web now considers "listicles".
One of the most fun projects at GamePro was coming up with the annual lampoon issue, LamePro. I am proud to say I initiated that concept, and saw much of the writing fall on my desk.
One of the most fun projects at GamePro was coming up with the annual lampoon issue, LamePro. I am proud to say I initiated that concept, and saw much of the writing fall on my desk.
I also did some custom publishing magazine-style writing while at GamePro. These fan-centric mini-magzines wre primarily given out as freebies at events, but one of them made it's way into the now shuttered Disney Adventures magazine.
I also did some custom publishing magazine-style writing while at GamePro. These fan-centric mini-magzines wre primarily given out as freebies at events, but one of them made it's way into the now shuttered Disney Adventures magazine.
Another example of Pokemon Fan writing.
Another example of Pokemon Fan writing.
