This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Devon Lara Lucas, freelance board game content developer.
What does the typical career path look like for a board game writer?
Most game writers get a B.A.
in writing, journalism, English, or something similar.
And how did youpersonallyget into this line of work?
I have a B.A.
in creative writing (and lighting design for theater).
Word of mouth has been huge for my business.
Im also a member of the Women in Toy Association, a good place for making contacts.
What are some of the best parts of your work?
I have a reputation for writing weird stuff thats completely out of the box.
Just bananas, wait, what?
I appreciate how the projects vary from each other.
Trivia is a completely different beast than funny phrases on an action card or challenges for a physical game.
If it were the same thing over and over again, I would be so bored.
And the culmination of it all is that I can walk into a store and see it on shelf.
Such a gratifying moment.
Whats not so great about it?
In the freelance world, its feast or famine.
Whats changing in the sector?
People want to be out of their houses rather than locked in it.
They have their own staff to worry about.
But it feels like it might be in an upturn.
Thats why those emails make a difference, reminding people that youre out there, ready to write.
What kinds of people do well in this industry?
Weirdos who can write well.
You have to know your audienceresearch helps here, too!
And if you might come up with concepts that will enhance the game, you become even more valuable.
You also need to be willing to put yourself out there and knock on doors and introduce yourself.
What are the different salary ranges?
Honestly, Im not even sure.
I have hourly rates and project rates.
Budgets are all over the place.
How many hours do you actually work?
Every week is different.
Its definitely not a full-time job.
If its a busy week, Ill do anywhere from 20-25 hours.
An average week is around 10-15 hours.
Some are lost to the void.
What does a typical workday look like?
Those hours are all billable straight out.
What didnt you know before you got into this industry that you wish someone had told you?
I wish I had known about [the industry] earlier.
I wish Id known that you could get paid to make weird stuff up and play games with people.
What job search advice would you give to someone interested in this role?
Look for jobs in the toy industry.
It doesnt have to be a giant one, there are a ton of grass roots companies out there.
They have emails; just write them a lil note.
Put yourself out there!
