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Comment by mrcsparker | Hacker News Reader

Please write about being a woodsman somewhere and submit it. I would love to read about it

I am a terrible writer but I have still considered it many times. I've seen a lot of incredible things being out in nature all the time. Also there are many misconceptions about logging that I like to clear up. But my stories are usually better at a party with a glass of wine!

Can you share just one incredible thing with people here who never worked out in nature? I'm very curious.

I was working nightshift in an area with a lot of timber wolves. For three nights after sunset one wolf would sit just in the range of my lights and watch me. Dayshift would see the rest of the wolf packs tracks behind my machine each morning. Each night when I would drive home that single wolf would lead me out of the work site by walking ahead of my truck (The roads are rough, you have to drive slow). The most interesting thing that I noticed was: (besides how surprisingly large a timberwolf is) the wolf always walked in the shallowest snow. It is hard to explain why it was interesting, the wolf just seemed very aware and thought out in the way it moved.

I have also spent time with Lynx at a close proximity, both times they purred and acted like a house cat. Before hissing and slowly walking away.

From this small sample, I'd say you're a pretty darn good writer...at least as judged by telling interesting stories.

Please just start blogging the way you talk. Don't think of it as writing at all. That paragraph was golden .

In agreement with the other replies, I enjoy your writing. I mean, your experience isn't super-interesting but you describe it almost poetically.

That was lovely. I created an account just to tell you to please keep writing. I'd love to hear more about your work in the woods.

I'm going to echo the chorus of praise from others, your writing is great and you should definitely consider blogging about your experiences.

I'd also like to point out how great it is that we have such varied commenters here on HN. I checked in tonight to see what's new with the NSA/Apple/Snapchat/usual tech stories of the day, and instead I got this gem about the timber industry and wolves.

I would also happily read more about your experiences!

I would LOVE to read your stories. I am working on a simulation based game and stories like these are a great inspiration.

> working on a simulation based game > stories like these are a great inspiration

I'm sorry if I come across as stupid. I don't see the connection between these two assertions.

Interesting stories can provide a useful framework for inspiration, setting goals, or looking at what "rule sets" are in play.

If it's intended to be a "simulate (a substantial part of) everything" game, the above stories suggest game elements such as different depths of snow, non-hostile wild animal interactions, animal pathing behavior in snow, tracks, and animal habits/routines.

Dwarf Fortress has for a long time used short stories to describe interesting interactions that the developers like, and then tried to add features to the game until similar events can just happen naturally.

Thanks for answering this to me. This is what I have in mind basically. I'm also working on something like Dwarf Fortress but a "lite" version which is more accessible.

Next time you tell a story at a party with a glass of wine, record it. Then write it up later and share it with us!

That is a good idea, thanks!

If you want, I'd be happy to help you write / edit. I am familiar with the industry, but have never worked in it.

Most stories are. But that doesn't mean they're uninteresting in other settings!

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