by Gino Marinaro

Diaries, or journals, differ from backgrounds in a few key ways. First, a background is a history of a character before the character gets played. It’s their life up to the first game session. A journal is a recounting of game sessions. A background is largely made up from the imagination of you, the character’s player. A journal is derived from the game sessions and will include happenings, quotes and other material that could be credited to other players and the GM. A background will often cover broad events. A journal will cover specific events with more detail. Those would be the biggest differences.

What makes a good journal? Many things will factor in. To keep a good journal, it should be updated often. I suggest at least taking notes after (or during) every session. The journal itself should be updated after every adventure, if not every session. Don’t wait, the longer you wait, the more you’ll miss or forget. So, write while the adventure is still fresh.

The 5 W’s work well here, just as in a background story. What will be different is that you’ll cover more details. We didn’t just do something, how did we do it? Be specific.

Be consistent in your style. If you begin by writing in first person from the point of view of your character, don’t then change to a third person view from an outsider looking in for your next journal entry.

If you’re writing in first person from the point of view of your character, try to write “in character.” Use words and a style that your character would use. Give opinions that your character would have. Use only the knowledge that your character has. There will be things that you know that your character wouldn’t. Try to avoid these, unless you’re journaling as an outsider looking in.

Offer insight to your opinions and feelings. Don’t just recount the events. This is an excellent opportunity to express your character. If you think your friend, i.e., another member of the adventuring party, was uncouth in the presence of royalty, express your embarrassment! If you think your plan was exceptionally cunning, take the credit. This is your characters journal, and they don’t have to answer to any other member of the party or NPC.

Don’t be too light in your recall of events. Remember, this is a journal detailing the events of your character. If an event is important enough to mention, it’s important enough to offer details and insights. If you mention that you met with the Baron, then you’d better talk about that. Why did you meet with the Baron? Why did he agree to it? What was discussed? What was the Baron like? Was he cordial or condescending? Was the wine good or like vinegar?

Show some style. Choose your words and sayings carefully. Characters often use phrases and words like a signature. Arnold Schwarzenegger has “I’ll be back.” Dirty Harry has “Do you feel lucky. Punk.” Be sure the phrase fits your character. A Japanese Samurai isn’t going to shout “Sacre’ bleu!” when he gets excited.

Unleash your imagination. Remember, this isn’t just a checklist of events. Imagine how you character would react to the events at hand. If your character would be melancholy, write that way. If your character is a detail oriented scientist, write that way. If your character would be positively giddy about the events, use lots of exclamation points!!! Imagine being your character, just as you would if you were playing in the game.

Write to your audience. If you know who your character is writing for, that will affect what and how you write. Most journals are written by and for the journalist. If that is the type of journal you are writing, then follow that “diary” format. If you’re not, then write to whatever audience you are targeting. If it’s the GM, then you’ll cover things differently than if you’re writing for yourself.

Don’t be afraid to get creative in your concept. Instead of writing for yourself, perhaps you; or your character is writing a novel of your exploits. If that’s the case, embellishment is strongly encouraged. I once had a character where my journal was a series of letters to a love left behind. In the TV series M*A*S*H, Dr. Sidney Freedman used to write letters to Sigmund Freud.

These are all ideas that can help you keep a good journal. You probably won’t use them all, but think about how you want to keep the journal, and start. If you’re looking at keeping a journal for the first time, don’t get too complicated. Writing a novel about your campaign might be biting off more than you can chew.

About the author:  Gino Marinaro has been gaming nearly all his life. It became a hobby, and not child’s play, when he was introduced to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in 1983. From there, he moved into advanced strategy games and game mastering his own adventures. He has written many of his own adventures, game rules, designed worlds, and play tested several games. Currently, Gino is an owner of Paddy’s Game Shoppe in St. Cloud, MN, (www.paddysgameshoppe.com).