Eight Anniversary as a TL writer

On October 25 2024 08:44 Mizenhauer wrote:
I’ve spent a lot of time mulling over the fact that November marks my eighth anniversary as a writer at tl.net. I think about the articles I wrote and how they impacted those who read them. I think about the mentors who nurtured and encouraged me to improve and try new things. I think about the friends I met, especially the one that took part in LRSL all those years ago. I can’t help but think of the forum posters that have been around the entire time I’ve been here and wonder if their StarCraft II experience was altered at all by my writings—mine was by their commentary in some small way. Lastly, I think of the people I wronged. There are more than a few of them, to all of which, I say I’m sorry more than you know.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what happened in the past. When I first became a writer I was 27. I’m 35 now and those early months/years feel like an eternity ago. The constant is that this site changed my life forever.

Some people might object to some a little navelgazing, but I’m really happy with what I achieved at tl.net and the other websites at which I worked. I never expected to make much of myself in life given my rather debilitating mental illness, but I somehow carved out this little niche for myself in the scene. I surely would have done better if I was less combative and more flexible, but between my writing and my time helping with map contests, I think I have made, by and large, a positive impact on StarCraft II and its community.

I haven’t felt the urge to write these past few months. I’ve been painting miniatures to sate my creative drive, but I’m sure I’ll get back into the swing of things once we know what’ll happen next year with StarCraft II.

I hope I do, at least. It comes and goes just like everything else in life.

There have been some melancholy notes so far, but it’s just because the uplifting, positive, rah rah story has been told so many times. I will say that I’m feeling better than I have at any point in the past decade or so. Some of the wonderful staff at tl.net were forced to endure some of my bad habits, but sadly it was part of the journey. I would never be where I am without the site, and I know for a fact I wouldn’t have met my fiancé. This site and the people who frequent it have shaped me—and not just staff, but the forum posters, balance whiners, delusional fans and Terran players.

A long time ago, I said that my goal when approaching a StarCraft article was to make the readers consider whatever I was writing about from a perspective they had yet to think of. I loved writing those overwrought meandering pieces over the years, but I also have to remind myself that I wrote the article when Rogue won BlizzCon and IEM. I wrote the article when soO finally won at IEM Katowice. I wrote about Maru over and over. I survived the fiasco that was the GOAT list and, most importantly, I got to write the article after Serral won BlizzCon. Some people might find this cheesy, but it was a real honor to pen that piece. I did get to write a ton of joke articles, but I was there when history happened. I’m proud of that.

When it comes to the past, I wouldn’t change anything. I submarined my “career” multiple times but, for the most part, I got to write what I wanted, when I wanted. I learned from incredible editors as well as my fellow writers—even though there was a lot of friction at times.

It’s a weird moment in the year because we don’t know what StarCraft will look like next year. But, as long as it's around, I’ll be there writing about it for the eighth year running. I hope to see everyone there.

On November 01 2024 04:18 Mizenhauer wrote:


This paragraph pretty much nailed my intentions when it came to my larger projects. I have strong opinions and some were controversial, but I think I was, by and large, fair over the years.

It's a bit of a bummer that no one sees blog, but I'm glad you found your way over here.