Back to basics or How I started as a character coach (Vilma)

Dragonbane Diary
March 15th, 2006
Hämeenlinna, Finland

I admit that I was little concerned (and so was my family) when I took up this task, as I have a couple of matriculation examinations this spring and entrance exams about the same time when the characters should be ready. On the other hand, this was the long-awaited opportunity to learn more about all the things and plots behind the curtains, and also a chance to get something else to think about than studies. So last week I bravely got on a train to Helsinki, to get trained.

The first couple of days were more or less chaos, as I tried to figure out how to put all the things I’d learned in theory to work in actual practice. Saturday I spent on the phone, trying to reach the players who we (see how casually I already use the pronoun) hadn’t been able to contact via e-mails since their sign-ins.

This last week I’ve spent trying to get in contact with the players I’ll be coaching. This has created another problem: What have I told whom and what to do next with which group. After considering a couple of options, I found out that the best way to keep things in order was the old-fashioned one. Now I make sure that before I read or send any e-mails I have a pen and a squared paper next to my laptop. Nothing beats the tick-in-a-box – system when it comes to organizing things!

And beware, next week we’ll really get into it.

Vilma Kuuliala