Tim Clare
@timclare.bsky.social
(he/him) Author, podcaster & tabletop games writer. Books: The Game Changers, Coward, The Honours & The Ice House.
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-game-changers-how-playing-games-changed-the-world-and-can-change-you-too-tim-clare/7687024
Pinned
Tim Clare
@timclare.bsky.social
· Oct 12
Intro post to pin to profile:
I'm an author & podcaster. I've written 2 gothic Fantasy novels, The Honours & The Ice House, a book on the science of anxiety & panic called Coward, & a book on how boardgames make us human, The Game Changers.
I make a podcast for writers called Death of 1000 Cuts.
I'm an author & podcaster. I've written 2 gothic Fantasy novels, The Honours & The Ice House, a book on the science of anxiety & panic called Coward, & a book on how boardgames make us human, The Game Changers.
I make a podcast for writers called Death of 1000 Cuts.
Episode 3 of BUT WHY VIKINGS is up now. Me & @ava.foxfort.net talk about solo games & also hyperfixation / special interests. It is a show where we answer listener questions about tabletop games & we would love your questions!
The latest episode "But Why Vikings" is out now? This time around @timclare.bsky.social and @ava.foxfort.net think about hyperfixating on games and how it can affect your relationships as well as the potential benefits of gaming solo.
open.spotify.com/episode/1ReW...
open.spotify.com/episode/1ReW...
A lazy susan of interest cakes
open.spotify.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Episode 3 of BUT WHY VIKINGS is up now. Me & @ava.foxfort.net talk about solo games & also hyperfixation / special interests. It is a show where we answer listener questions about tabletop games & we would love your questions!
I teach students creative writing at all levels & the vast majority are engaged & enthusiastic. I read great new writing all the time. I don't know. If you make sweeping statements about the state of education or art maybe you need more than personal anecdotes or it might say more about you.
November 30, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I teach students creative writing at all levels & the vast majority are engaged & enthusiastic. I read great new writing all the time. I don't know. If you make sweeping statements about the state of education or art maybe you need more than personal anecdotes or it might say more about you.
Been managing fairly intense anxiety today so, having seen a couple of Leonora Carrington paintings at the gallery today I decided to read her memoir to try to wind down a bit. Um. My goodness. She went through some intensely brutal stuff & while it is an amazing read it is not relaxing.
November 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Been managing fairly intense anxiety today so, having seen a couple of Leonora Carrington paintings at the gallery today I decided to read her memoir to try to wind down a bit. Um. My goodness. She went through some intensely brutal stuff & while it is an amazing read it is not relaxing.
Reposted by Tim Clare
@gamefiend.bsky.social has great reply. As someone who occupies a 4th space (not just a player, but don’t design games & when someone asked if I make content I said “no”) I can say that there is no magical person/group whose recognition will change your life — but finding YOUR people is everything.
As someone who is new in this space, I definitely struggle with searching for validation in TTRPGs. Obviously it's bad for my mental health, but any tips that helped you learn that lesson?
November 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
@gamefiend.bsky.social has great reply. As someone who occupies a 4th space (not just a player, but don’t design games & when someone asked if I make content I said “no”) I can say that there is no magical person/group whose recognition will change your life — but finding YOUR people is everything.
Everyone at Dragonmeet today, have fun, I INSIST. You got to grab those weird ttrpg zines where you're all rival vermiform galactic tycoons playing golf in the ruins of conquered civilisations while contriving to secretly murder one another before you reach the clubhouse
November 29, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Everyone at Dragonmeet today, have fun, I INSIST. You got to grab those weird ttrpg zines where you're all rival vermiform galactic tycoons playing golf in the ruins of conquered civilisations while contriving to secretly murder one another before you reach the clubhouse
I've read enough cosmic horror to know where this particular combination of hobbies leads. Sad to see Gareth uncritically repeating Nyarlathotep talking points
I think life would be better if more people read books and spent time looking up at the stars
November 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I've read enough cosmic horror to know where this particular combination of hobbies leads. Sad to see Gareth uncritically repeating Nyarlathotep talking points
Once again I forgot I'd agreed to do a radio segment only to answer the phone at 7:44 this morning 60 seconds before I went live. It is Bracing & Incident-rich, caroming from one forgotten obligation to another while pretending to be On Top of Things
November 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Once again I forgot I'd agreed to do a radio segment only to answer the phone at 7:44 this morning 60 seconds before I went live. It is Bracing & Incident-rich, caroming from one forgotten obligation to another while pretending to be On Top of Things
If I find myself cringing at someone's behaviour or choices, it's almost always my failing, not theirs - my lack of empathy, open-mindedness, courage, humour & generosity. Secondhand embarrassment is all about my smallness of soul, my need for public validation, my internalised cop-bully gobbing off
November 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If I find myself cringing at someone's behaviour or choices, it's almost always my failing, not theirs - my lack of empathy, open-mindedness, courage, humour & generosity. Secondhand embarrassment is all about my smallness of soul, my need for public validation, my internalised cop-bully gobbing off
Today I learned that Junji Ito had no interest in spirals when he started writing Uzumaki - the actual focus of his horror was meant to be an absurdly long nagaya (a traditional Japanese row house) but he couldn't think how to depict it without zooming out too far, then he thought of a spiral
November 28, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Today I learned that Junji Ito had no interest in spirals when he started writing Uzumaki - the actual focus of his horror was meant to be an absurdly long nagaya (a traditional Japanese row house) but he couldn't think how to depict it without zooming out too far, then he thought of a spiral
It is pretty tiring, learning that requests for clarity often get read as dissent, or a play for status, so either you have to do a bunch of fawning theatre beforehand to manage the other person's emotions, or you go ahead not fully understanding & risk anger when you didn't guess the secret intent.
PSA to neurotypicals - asking “why” is not arguing. “Here is how a thing is.” “Why?” Is not an argument. It’s a request for more information. Why is the thing that way? Teach me.
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
It is pretty tiring, learning that requests for clarity often get read as dissent, or a play for status, so either you have to do a bunch of fawning theatre beforehand to manage the other person's emotions, or you go ahead not fully understanding & risk anger when you didn't guess the secret intent.
The new SENET hit my doormat this morning. It has much to recommend it but *also* includes a Saashi & Saashi review, a big feature on party games & a piece on healthy competitiveness, all by me. Some terrific illustrations (not by me!) accompany the latter two pieces. You should grab a copy!
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The new SENET hit my doormat this morning. It has much to recommend it but *also* includes a Saashi & Saashi review, a big feature on party games & a piece on healthy competitiveness, all by me. Some terrific illustrations (not by me!) accompany the latter two pieces. You should grab a copy!
One of my favourite things about MF DOOM was listening to a new track for the first time, hearing him end a bar with a really specific word or phrase, & waiting to see how he rhymed every syllable in the next.
'Madvillain been as high as Kathmandu
And tilted to the side like that fat man's shoe'
'Madvillain been as high as Kathmandu
And tilted to the side like that fat man's shoe'
November 26, 2025 at 9:23 AM
One of my favourite things about MF DOOM was listening to a new track for the first time, hearing him end a bar with a really specific word or phrase, & waiting to see how he rhymed every syllable in the next.
'Madvillain been as high as Kathmandu
And tilted to the side like that fat man's shoe'
'Madvillain been as high as Kathmandu
And tilted to the side like that fat man's shoe'
Went to my small, very local library this afternoon with my little one. It's an incredible community hub. Newborns doing bounce & rhyme, couple of older SEN kids getting one-to-one tutoring for reading, an adult learning conversational English, pensioners reading, us reading board books & colouring.
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Went to my small, very local library this afternoon with my little one. It's an incredible community hub. Newborns doing bounce & rhyme, couple of older SEN kids getting one-to-one tutoring for reading, an adult learning conversational English, pensioners reading, us reading board books & colouring.
Why does the glass slipper *only* fit Cinderella & no one else in the entire city? Are we to understand that either her feet are smaller or larger than every other adult in the population, or that the slipper is moulded very precisely & her foot is shaped so weirdly that no other foot fits?
November 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Why does the glass slipper *only* fit Cinderella & no one else in the entire city? Are we to understand that either her feet are smaller or larger than every other adult in the population, or that the slipper is moulded very precisely & her foot is shaped so weirdly that no other foot fits?
I don't know if you've watched the live action Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, but if you want something weird & interesting, I recommend checking it out for at least an episode. It's about a famous mangaka who investigates supernatural mysteries. He has an incredibly odd, seemingly OP superpower.
November 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM
I don't know if you've watched the live action Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan, but if you want something weird & interesting, I recommend checking it out for at least an episode. It's about a famous mangaka who investigates supernatural mysteries. He has an incredibly odd, seemingly OP superpower.
After well over a decade of drinking coffee literally every day, since the beginning of October I haven't had any caffeinated coffee. It was my one vice. I came off it while titrating onto my ADHD meds. Anyway today I made myself a stovetop coffee today &... I didn't really enjoy it. Oh no.
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
After well over a decade of drinking coffee literally every day, since the beginning of October I haven't had any caffeinated coffee. It was my one vice. I came off it while titrating onto my ADHD meds. Anyway today I made myself a stovetop coffee today &... I didn't really enjoy it. Oh no.
Reposted by Tim Clare
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Unnameable
After the first day of SDHistCon, where I played three games about opium peddling, I figured the second would be easier on my stomach. I could not have been more wrong. It has no name. Its designer…
spacebiff.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I don't know how to introduce this one. After three titles about opium peddling, I figured the rest of SDHistCon would be breezy by comparison. I was wrong. The next day, I experienced one of the toughest board games I've ever played. Perhaps *the* toughest. spacebiff.com/2025/11/24/u...
Reposted by Tim Clare
Of course I would say this, but we need to talk about the moral & ideological case for play & leisure more than ever. So much political discourse - especially from the super-rich - assumes we ought to construct society around forcing citizens to spend most of their one, unrepeatable life working.
November 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Of course I would say this, but we need to talk about the moral & ideological case for play & leisure more than ever. So much political discourse - especially from the super-rich - assumes we ought to construct society around forcing citizens to spend most of their one, unrepeatable life working.
I would love to find a way to teach more creative writing - fiction & nonfiction. I enjoy it so much & I'm genuinely halfway decent at it. I like helping people cross-train & build confidence, & also working with groups where everyone is working on individual book length projects.
November 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I would love to find a way to teach more creative writing - fiction & nonfiction. I enjoy it so much & I'm genuinely halfway decent at it. I like helping people cross-train & build confidence, & also working with groups where everyone is working on individual book length projects.
Of course I would say this, but we need to talk about the moral & ideological case for play & leisure more than ever. So much political discourse - especially from the super-rich - assumes we ought to construct society around forcing citizens to spend most of their one, unrepeatable life working.
November 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Of course I would say this, but we need to talk about the moral & ideological case for play & leisure more than ever. So much political discourse - especially from the super-rich - assumes we ought to construct society around forcing citizens to spend most of their one, unrepeatable life working.
Do all countries have a custom of saying something after someone sneezes, or is it only anglophones & Germans? (Gesundheit / bless you)
November 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Do all countries have a custom of saying something after someone sneezes, or is it only anglophones & Germans? (Gesundheit / bless you)
If I could appear like Marley's Ghost to writers & give one piece of advice, it'd be: don't forget why you're doing this. Using recognition or sales or agent interest or even daily word count to gauge how you're doing is fatal if your actual dream was 'I want to lose myself in creating stories'.
November 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM
If I could appear like Marley's Ghost to writers & give one piece of advice, it'd be: don't forget why you're doing this. Using recognition or sales or agent interest or even daily word count to gauge how you're doing is fatal if your actual dream was 'I want to lose myself in creating stories'.
Prevalence rates are no guide as to whether a condition is 'real' or overdiagnosed. 1 in 8 men get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Incidence rates have risen 55% since 1990. We accept this is due to better awareness & screening, & people surviving other conditions, not a fad or medical overreach.
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Prevalence rates are no guide as to whether a condition is 'real' or overdiagnosed. 1 in 8 men get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Incidence rates have risen 55% since 1990. We accept this is due to better awareness & screening, & people surviving other conditions, not a fad or medical overreach.
A really lovely thing that happened today was I got to sit & play some more Mario Odyssey with my daughter. I had such a blast (& she seemed to too). It really lifted my spirits.
November 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A really lovely thing that happened today was I got to sit & play some more Mario Odyssey with my daughter. I had such a blast (& she seemed to too). It really lifted my spirits.
Reposted by Tim Clare
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
People Can't Hear Faces
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The second episode of my new podcast with @ava.foxfort.net and @timclare.bsky.social is out now. Listen in as we discuss listener questions and offer solutions as your ludological agony aunts. Got something you want us to answer? Get in touch!
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...
open.spotify.com/episode/5boR...