How I Write My Books
The following article will be included in the upcoming Lightspress Handbook v1.3 to address a question that comes up frequently. It’s one I feel has been answered thoroughly in the past, but it's clear that revisiting it will provide clarity for everyone moving forward.
I’ve been a full-time roleplaying publisher since 2016, and early on, I learned a critical truth: to make a living in this niche field, you have to write quickly and release new titles regularly. You need to keep your name circulating, your work in front of people’s eyes, and build a back catalog that generates long-tail sales over time. Consistency is key.
To approach this challenge, I made a decision that surprises some people: instead of pursuing an MFA, I earned a degree in business administration and entrepreneurship. I knew I needed the skills to manage my work like a business. At the same time, I studied prolific creators like Lester Dent and other pulp-era writers, who cranked out millions of words for pennies while still producing fantastic stories. I found inspiration in Roger Corman, a filmmaker who mastered the art of producing low-budget films on tight schedules. Kevin J. Anderson’s books on writing were another invaluable resource, offering practical advice on how to fit a high word count into tight deadlines.
The Power of an Outline
For me, every book begins with an outline. It’s where I define the core idea, the sections of the book, and how it needs to flow for clarity and completeness. The outline is a roadmap that lets me keep moving forward, even on days when inspiration feels scarce. Writing isn’t about waiting for the muse to strike, it’s a job. You sit down and do it. With an outline, I always know what needs to be written next, and I can pick up exactly where I left off.
When working on a series, I use the same outline across multiple books. This approach ensures consistency and familiarity for readers. A book about wizards and a book about rogues, for example, should follow the same format so readers know what to expect. After all, no roleplaying game changes its stat blocks from book to book, that would be confusing. The structure stays consistent, but the content changes to reflect the genre, character, or theme.
Reusable Tools, Not Recycled Content
Another way I streamline the process is by reusing boilerplate copy when appropriate. Certain explanations or sections appear in multiple books because I know each title might be someone’s first, or only, purchase. Still, I don’t rely on straight copy-pasting. Instead, I tailor these sections to the specific needs of the book. For example, a passage about why a concept is perfect for roleplaying will share some phrasing across titles, but the details will always be unique.
Training and Technical Writing
My background in training and technical writing influences everything I do. Roleplaying books are often called "manuals" for a reason. They’re designed to teach, guide, and inform. The goal isn’t to dazzle readers with flowery prose; it’s to communicate ideas clearly and efficiently. Every section needs to serve a purpose, ensuring the reader knows what to do and how to do it without unnecessary distractions.
I approach these books like toolkits meant for quick reference during play. That means prioritizing structure, clarity, and brevity. If a bullet point works better than a block of text, I use it. If a sentence can replace a paragraph, it does. The focus is always on delivering information in the most accessible way possible, so readers can spend less time flipping through pages and more time enjoying their game.
A Hack with a Purpose
A hack is someone who gets the job done, quickly and efficiently, without worrying too much about artistry or reinventing the wheel. Sure, the term can sound like an insult, implying a lack of originality or depth, but it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just means knowing how to work smarter, not harder.
Being a hack doesn’t mean churning out garbage. It means using tried-and-true methods, sticking to what works, and focusing on creating something useful, entertaining, or valuable. It’s about prioritizing output over perfection, because let’s face it, there’s no time to chase the muse when the bills are due. A hack knows the balance between creative ambition and the realities of the work.
Am I a hack? Absolutely. I don’t work for free, and to make a modest living, I need to release a lot of work. But being efficient doesn’t mean cutting corners. My goal is to ensure that every book I produce is entertaining, useful, and worth the price. Writing quickly and effectively is part of the job, but so is delivering value to my readers.
At the end of the day, this approach has allowed me to keep creating, pay the bills, and share my love of roleplaying with a growing audience. For me, that’s what success looks like.
