In the Grim Dark Future, there is war, and blogging about said war. Also blogging about anything and everything else going on. Blogging is a thankless job most times, and while our online community is pretty awesome in general as we celebrate all things Grim Dark, hobby, and miniature related. Seldom is the curtain pulled back to shine a light behind the scenes. The people who devote themselves to the dark god's of blogging work away frantically keeping the posts flowing. So in this series we will be speaking to some of our communities most dedicated. Getting a small glimpse into the minds of our fellow bloggers, and pillars of our online world. To get this glimpse a short series of questions went out into the warp, and these are the bloggers who responded.
Today we speak with Tim from Miniature Tim
Tim splashed onto the scene after making waves at Adepticon one year. He had a fantastic players choice army that made us all believe he was a hobby power house, only to see him vanish for a bit. Well he has been back for some time, and Tim is a very cool guy. He does outstanding work. He has some great painting skill and without a doubt does some fantastic custom models, however he really shines at putting together some awesome articles from time to time and not just hobby progress. He has some great reading on his site when he gets into the groove. Let's take a look at some of his work and jump into the interview.
Please list all the sites you write for.
I write and run Miniature Tim, at miniaturetim.blogspot.com
What originally got you into blogging?
Back in April of 2010, I had won the Player's Choice at Adepticon for one of the two Single Player 40K tournaments that year. I met some amazing folks from some blogs that I really admired, and made some great friends. I figured hey, I should start a blog now because it was the cool thing to do! So I started my first blog, Tim's Minis, without a second thought. I was linked to in a post from BoLS and everything.
4 months, and 6 posts later, I gave up blogging. The reasons aren't really important, but the point is that I just gave up.
Fast forward to April of 2011 and some of those amazing friends I had made a year earlier from Dark Future Games came up to me like no time had passed, saying "We didn't know if you were coming or not this year, you just went silent on your blog!" Crap. People were actually reading what I wrote. Not only that, but I was a part of a community and didn't even realize it. By the time the weekend was up, I was determined to not only become a part of the blogging community, but give back to it because it had given so many inspirations, tutorials and friendships to me. So I dug in, read some blogging how-tos from blogs I rally respected like From the Warp, Dark Future Games and Frontline Gamer, and launched Miniature Tim in May of 2011.
Over two years later, I still enjoy writing a blog and love the community I'm a part of.
Is there a story behind your blogs name?
Can you name two articles you have written in the past you really enjoy and why?
Honestly, it's work, and I won't lie about that. There are months I do it better, and months I do it worse. Ultimately, it's about wanting to do it, and making the time for it. I've got a wife, a five year old boy and a full time job, and yet somehow, I still want to make the time to blog. It can eat up roughly 2-4 hours of time a week for me, and at some times more depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. I try and post at least once every week, but there are times it doesn't happen as family comes first.
Are there some really great blogs that inspire you or that you would like to shout out?
For blogs that keep me blogging, I have to give credit to Dark Future Games, Mordian the 7th, Dave Taylor Miniatures, James Wappel, Eternal Hunt, GMM Studios, Eye of Terror, Recalcitrant Daze and Frontline Gamer. Every single one of them I gain inspiration from, and feel challenged to become a better hobbyist. If any were to go the way of the dodo, I would shed a tear and attempt to bribe them back any way I could. They are staples in the hobby community, and if you don't read them, you should.
For the single blog I mourn the loss to the community, it would be From the Warp. It's at least still online, but Ron has been on an undefined break from the hobby and blogging. I still use it as a resource though.
If you had one tip for a newer blogger what would you tell them?
What originally got you into blogging?
Back in April of 2010, I had won the Player's Choice at Adepticon for one of the two Single Player 40K tournaments that year. I met some amazing folks from some blogs that I really admired, and made some great friends. I figured hey, I should start a blog now because it was the cool thing to do! So I started my first blog, Tim's Minis, without a second thought. I was linked to in a post from BoLS and everything.
4 months, and 6 posts later, I gave up blogging. The reasons aren't really important, but the point is that I just gave up.
Fast forward to April of 2011 and some of those amazing friends I had made a year earlier from Dark Future Games came up to me like no time had passed, saying "We didn't know if you were coming or not this year, you just went silent on your blog!" Crap. People were actually reading what I wrote. Not only that, but I was a part of a community and didn't even realize it. By the time the weekend was up, I was determined to not only become a part of the blogging community, but give back to it because it had given so many inspirations, tutorials and friendships to me. So I dug in, read some blogging how-tos from blogs I rally respected like From the Warp, Dark Future Games and Frontline Gamer, and launched Miniature Tim in May of 2011.
Over two years later, I still enjoy writing a blog and love the community I'm a part of.
Is there a story behind your blogs name?
Actually, yes! I love converting and painting miniatures, and I'm short!
...that doesn't sound nearly as poetic out loud as it does in my head.
Can you name two articles you have written in the past you really enjoy and why?
I would say my first anniversary/birthday post is my favorite. In it, I tried to link to EVERY blog and post by those blogs that truly helped me learn how to write and run a blog. I've actually sent other people to that post to read from the links in that post, who don't care about the miniature hobby, but want to learn about blogging.
http://miniaturetim.blogspot.com/2012/05/birthday-giveaway-miniature-tim-is-1.html
The other post would really be the early series of posts titled "Tools of the Trade". I rally wanted to give folks a glimpse into just what I use, and why. Just do a search for "Tools of the Trade" in the search bar in the top left of my blog and you'll find all of them.
My two favorites though are the Modeling and the painting ones:
http://miniaturetim.blogspot.com/2011/06/tools-of-trade-modeling.html
The other post would really be the early series of posts titled "Tools of the Trade". I rally wanted to give folks a glimpse into just what I use, and why. Just do a search for "Tools of the Trade" in the search bar in the top left of my blog and you'll find all of them.
My two favorites though are the Modeling and the painting ones:
http://miniaturetim.blogspot.com/2011/06/tools-of-trade-modeling.html
How do you keep up with blogging and how much time does it take up out of your personal life?
Honestly, it's work, and I won't lie about that. There are months I do it better, and months I do it worse. Ultimately, it's about wanting to do it, and making the time for it. I've got a wife, a five year old boy and a full time job, and yet somehow, I still want to make the time to blog. It can eat up roughly 2-4 hours of time a week for me, and at some times more depending on what I'm trying to accomplish. I try and post at least once every week, but there are times it doesn't happen as family comes first.
Are there some really great blogs that inspire you or that you would like to shout out?
For blogs that keep me blogging, I have to give credit to Dark Future Games, Mordian the 7th, Dave Taylor Miniatures, James Wappel, Eternal Hunt, GMM Studios, Eye of Terror, Recalcitrant Daze and Frontline Gamer. Every single one of them I gain inspiration from, and feel challenged to become a better hobbyist. If any were to go the way of the dodo, I would shed a tear and attempt to bribe them back any way I could. They are staples in the hobby community, and if you don't read them, you should.
For the single blog I mourn the loss to the community, it would be From the Warp. It's at least still online, but Ron has been on an undefined break from the hobby and blogging. I still use it as a resource though.
If you had one tip for a newer blogger what would you tell them?
If you think writing and running a blog is just something you can do in your spare time for kicks, you will be sorely disappointed. If you want to do your research, digest the advice of those who are running successful blogs, and are willing to put in the work, you will be successful. If you enjoy writing and sharing about your hobby endeavors, you'll have fun being successful, and it won't seem like so much work any more.
Any final words before we wrap this thing up?
Blogging isn't just about writing articles, reviewing new figures, battle reports, tactics or showing off your latest project, though all are important subjects in blogging. Being a blogger is being a part of a community. Making friends, sharing and ultimately giving back to that community. I've said it before and I'll say it here; without the community, I wouldn't blog. Without the friendships I've made over the years doing this, I wouldn't blog. Every comment left by me, or for me, that's why I love to write and run Miniature Tim.Any final words before we wrap this thing up?
The online community is without a doubt a great place for the bloggers. I personally have met a ton of people that I enjoy staying in contact with. Thanks to Tim for taking the time to do this I know he's on a blogging break at the moment so taking the time to show a little love to a fellow blogger putting together a series is very appreciated!
Next week is the finale! Our last behind the blogger will be next Monday I hope you guys have enjoyed the ride.