Regarding John Thyer's
"How To Make Good Small Games (http://farawaytimes.blogspot.com/2023/02/how-to-make-good-small-games.html)"
Quote. . . if you make something "great", it should happen more or less by accident. Get consistent at making stories you're pleased with. Build a joyful, healthy, positive relationship with art. . . . By regularly shooting for "good" . . . you'll be great without even trying.
Quote. . . have radical pride in your work, even when the ugly systems that shape our lives tell you your stories are worthless.
Thyer uses the word stories in both of these quotes: "stories you're pleased with"; "your stories." It's interesting to me that he falls back on this word, but I can't describe in words what's piqued me about that. I know what it feels like.
Treading water.