tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66666837410184272632024-03-13T16:11:38.468-07:00The Simms ProjectAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-60674627402665699842017-12-10T00:30:00.000-08:002017-12-10T00:30:00.275-08:00GIFTMAS 2017 - DO WE NEED THE HOLIDAYS?<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi all,</div>
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Today I have the privilege to host Alexa Seidel for the Giftmas 2017 Blog Tour. In her own words: </div>
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Alexa Seidel writes poems and stories about things that are...real. Kinda. Her work can be found at places like Lackington's, Strange Horizons, Mythic Delirium, and others.</div>
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If you are so inclined you can follow Alexa on Twitter (@Alexa_Seidel), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/alexa.seidel) or read her blog at http://tigerinthematchstickbox.blogspot.com/</div>
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Without further ado...</div>
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Do We Need the Holidays?</div>
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This year has nor been an easy one. There was that feeling
of doom inspired by political events, we have all been feeling that.
Additionally, this year brought some difficult family matters with it for me,
relationships I thought I could rely on crumbled or had to be broken off. I
became the main emotional support to my mother, a role I didn't actively seek
out, but one that needed to be filled. At the same time, I had to try to take
care of myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because family is so very intricately tied to who we are, or
who we think we are, my sense of self was tried a lot. There were emotional
loops and one way streets. There was the discovery of strength I never knew I
had. And a lot of questions. Boy can the human mind ask questions!<o:p></o:p></div>
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With family fading a bit in my personal life, holidays took
on a different flavor. And so one of these questions that I asked myself was:
do we still need X-mas in this day and age?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'd like to begin by saying that I am religion-free and
celebrate X-mas not as tied to dogma but rather see it as the year coming to a
close, as a time reserved for your near and dear ones, a time for introspection
even. Needless to say, when the circle of family shrinks, your holidays might
change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In fact, don't families shrink for most people these days?
Divorce and single-hood and distance might all play a part in the traditional
picture perfect nuclear family becoming less and less applicable to most
people's lives. It would seem then that X-mas too is less applicable than it was
half a century ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In part I think that this is true. A holiday reflects the
people that are celebrating it, and things have changed, will continue to
change. Maybe the holidays can adapt as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Still, X-mas also serves as a way to mark passing time, it
means the year is coming to a close, it means it's time to recharge and reset
the board, because the next year is just around the corner. This I think is
something people need, both as a society and on a personal level: closure and
the perspective to start fresh.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And family, the one that you were born into, is not the only
family you can have. We can choose our friends, we can choose whom we want to
share our time on this planet with. And we can choose to set a little bit of
time aside each year to spend with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's also okay to spend this time to take care of yourself,
because self care is a habit, and it needs to be practiced, regularly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The opportunity the holidays offer us is a time for quiet
too. And I don't mean the quiet to reflect about stuff going on in your life, I
am talking about the quiet that actually allows you not to think about
anything. This leisure is something we may hardly be used to anymore (when was
the last time you turned off your phone and didn't check emails for at least 24
hours? Try it this X-mas!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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My personal conclusion is that the holidays are needed,
maybe more than ever, but that we all should make an effort to actually
celebrate them too--not with noise but with mindfulness and consideration, with
care, and ultimately, with love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A big thank you to Rhonda Parish for organizing this <a href="http://www.rhondaparrish.com/giftmas-blog-tour-2017/">Giftmas Blog Tour</a></div>
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Here's the link to the fundraiser for the <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/giftmas-blog-tour-2017-supports-the-edmonton-food-/">Edmonton's Food Bank</a>.</div>
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And the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bc98f9ba13/">rafflecopter</a> for the all the goodies.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-86131642987036586462017-12-07T00:30:00.000-08:002017-12-07T07:01:14.148-08:00HEROES OF LIGHT<div class="MsoNormal">
As many have noted, it’s been a rough year for folks. I know
of people that have had a rough go of it, along with lots who I don’t know but
see on the streets. Those that don’t have a home or place to go. The methods of
handling those who are homeless range from place to place, but there’s always a
need for assistance. How we do that can range from handing them a few bucks or
donating to a local shelter or being an activist seeking to implement change.
I’m see this first hand within my social circles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There’s a local shelter that offers the homeless a chance to
bathe, do laundry, and pick up supplies such as socks, hygienic items, and the
like. One of my acquaintances works for the shelter and dedicates his free time
as well towards the problem of homelessness. Their dedication to the cause is
nothing short of amazing in the face of what I see as a nearly insurmountable
problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They’ve had to shave their head due to lice and get checked
for TB in the course of their duties. But they haven’t given up due to the
hardship. As shelter is a charity run by the city, the funding it always an
issue and adds to the struggle. It’s people like this that gives me hope that
things aren’t always going to be terrible despite the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have few heroes, but one stands out. He makes me think
about what I’m doing with my life and how I could do better. That man is Jimmy
Carter, the former president of the US. On an honest note, he was not a good
choice for president. Not because he was a terrible person, but because he was
a good person and a bit politically naïve. What he lacked in that field of
endeavor, he’s more that made up in being a decent human being.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The man left the office and could have retired to a nice
quiet life of lectures and profiting off his time as president. Instead he put
his beliefs into practice and formed the Carter Center to help human rights and
end human suffering. He’s acted as an ambassador and special envoy to nations
to negotiate treaties and free hostages. It’s been close to 40 years since he
became president and he’s not resting on his laurels. By all rights, Mr. Carter
could retire to a nice farm and relax. Instead he’s out there building homes
for people and working to make things better for his fellow man.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Those are my points of light. The people that I think about
when I need that moment of clarity against the oncoming darkness. Find those
people in your life. Thank them so they know that their efforts aren’t in vain
and help inspire others.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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A big thank you to Rhonda Parish for organizing this <a href="ttp://www.rhondaparrish.com/giftmas-blog-tour-2017/">Giftmas Blog Tour</a></div>
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Here's the link to the fundraiser for the <a href="https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/giftmas-blog-tour-2017-supports-the-edmonton-food-/">Edmonton's Food Bank</a>.</div>
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And the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bc98f9ba13/">rafflecopter</a> for the all the goodies.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-60680741433217133542016-03-11T08:02:00.000-08:002016-03-11T08:02:06.115-08:00RELFECTIONS ON A LIFE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
last weekend I made a fast trip to Portland to say goodbye to a friend who
passed away last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could’ve made
excuses due to time/distance/inconvenience. But I didn’t. In fact, when I was
informed of memorial, I booked the bus ride down as soon I double checked my
schedule. Honestly, I would’ve canceled any plans to attend. Sometimes, you
just owe it to someone not to miss a gathering. There were a few tears and
people were sad, but for the majority of it, we talked about Brian and how much
he meant to us. It reminded me that we do need to keep connected to people and
never take for granted that tomorrow is going to be around.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">By
coincidence, I turned 50 recently and its forced a shift in perspective. Brain
was a year younger than myself and I thought very healthy. It seems that he
wasn’t and perhaps a bit too stubborn & self-reliant. There’s a saying
about speaking no ill of the dead and my comments aren’t a criticism of how he
lived his life. That was his call and I [and no one else for that matter] have a
right to judge. We live how we live and there shouldn’t be many regrets. Take
that chance. Take that risk. Ask the person out. Write that novel. Skydive. Walk
outside your comfort zone. Live like there might not be a tomorrow. Cause there
might not be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
the good that came out of this, is that I finished my novel and have kicked it
out the door to beta readers. One has already given me feedback and the it
seems that the plot is good. A few holes, it’s in a dire need of a copy edit,
and I forgot to purge the mention of a character, but I chalk it all up as a
positive. I have a page of notes and expect feedback from two others over the
next few weeks. That project goes forward and I’ve already been making notes on
shifting POV, adding POV and adding details. One person disappears off the face
of the earth, there’s a question about Theo’s crew, and a suggestion that my
ending invalidates a few events and victories that happened. The beta reader
did suggest a change, so I’m going to work on that next while getting my short
stories in shape. Now if I can get it complete synopsis and the first ten pages
in shape, I might be able to make a submission deadline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Out
of the five short stories that are currently in process; one is complete and
ready for beta while the other three are in various states of finish. Rotating
the projects works for getting words in on a daily basis along with a sense of
moving forward. The were-Gronk story is the weakest at the moment, while the
Stars and not-Cthulthu-cyberpunk moves along briskly. My
Beauty/Beast/Cinderella cyberpunk story is a third done and holds some good
promise in terms of being fun. The Grimm Cybertales [not that type of cyber]
needs a few more Grimm/fairytale concepts to flesh out, but I’ve hit all the
big ones so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
month is starting out slow in terms of words to paper. Got a goal to keep and
these stories aren’t going to finish themselves.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-54308404736442947942016-03-08T07:59:00.002-08:002016-03-08T08:01:17.166-08:00GAMES THAT TELL STORIES<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the best things about my job
is that I get to see new games come in. While RPG’s aren’t a big seller in the
market, I keep an ear and eye out for interesting ones. This week is the return
of a staple in the D&D world, Ravenloft for 5<sup>th</sup> edition. I’ve
got my copy reserved already and hoping that I can snag it to read over the
weekend. There’s some hope it’ll live up to hype and the pedigree. We’ll find
out soon enough. There’s a story or two contained within the adventure, but
it’s someone else’s story. The characters are following a script of sorts and
may not have total freedom to act. Fifteen odd years ago, this style of gaming
was almost your only option, but something interesting happened to change that
landscape. Story telling games began to make an appearance.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I should define what I mean by
story-telling – the narrative, not the mechanics are what drives the game.
Players get more input to what’s going on and even direct how events unfold.
This goes beyond rolling dice and figuring out hit or miss, save or failure. The
GM hands narrative control to someone else, letting them become both actor and
director at the same time. Recent entries such as Dungeon World, Apocalypse
World, and Fate are all good examples of this. In the case of the first two,
the GM doesn’t even roll dice. His job is to make things interesting should
things go pear shape. It becomes a collaborative effort between the people at
the table, letting them craft their own slice of the world beyond what the GM
might have set up. These games make the fiction the star of the show and that
drives the action. Three cardinal rules which come from these style of games
are: Make failure interesting, play to find out what happens, and begin/end
with fiction.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A step beyond that are games that
can be run as a single session to tell a short, very self-contained story.
Often there’s no dice rolling or GM. The randomness comes from the players and
the “rules” are more like guidelines. Examples include Once Upon A Time,
Kingdoms, Microscope, and Fiasco. I own all of these, but have yet to play the
first one yet. OUTA is a card game where everyone has a hand and tries to get
rid of them by telling story that includes elements on the cards. These can be
things such as water, large, small, castle, knights, etc… Many of the themes
adhere closely to fairy tales and the Brothers Grimm. A few of the sessions
that I’ve watched, the game’s pretty light-hearted and played for laughs. With
the right [or wrong] set of people, it could get very dark quickly. Not that
it’s a bad thing, but you do have to know your audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kingdoms and Microscope fall into
the world building category; either building a history between two major events
or exploring a specific instance in time. Each presents a different way of
telling a story and can be used in conjunction with one another to drill down
or expand. They’re great for world building, to bring players into the world
and give them greater investment in what’s going on. Sure they know the beginning
and the end, but how you get there is the fun part. One of my ideas is to use
Microscope to explore the fall of humanity due to the apocalypse and what
emerges afterwards. It’s suggested that a timeline of 100-200 years between
events be laid out, which in my mind is a good stretch for a PA scenario.
Kingdom focuses on a community along with a cast of characters who act to show how the kingdom feels, how they will act, and what the consequences to the action. They confront issues [called Crossroads] which shape things
to come. It’s not as strong of a game like Microscope, but that’s more of a
preference on my part than it being a bad game.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I wrote this, I remembered
another game in the story telling genre. The Quiet Year can be played with a
deck of playing cards and a pamphlet which explains what each card means.
Better still, you can get a set of cards that are specifically made for the
game and has the text on them. The premise is that you’re playing a village
that’s has a year before Doom comes to visit. Players make a map on the 8.5x11
sheet of paper adding 2 features each. You start in the spring and play through
the seasons. Sometime in Winter, the Doom will appear, signaling the end of the
game. Each season has 13 cards which are shuffled, drawn randomly, and then you
have two choices. One is picked and based on the village you created, adding
villagers and places or destroying them as dictated by the card. There’s some
discussion and interaction with everyone giving input. As the seasons progress,
things get worse and the events get darker. By the time winter hits, the
village is on the fast track to destruction and things are failing. When the
Doom shows up, it’s almost a mercy killing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last game is best described as Fargo
meets Pulp Fiction with a side of Reservoir Dogs thrown in. You know those
movies and stories that just scream about going sideways and terrible things
are going to happen due to the cluelessness and ineptitude of the characters?
That’s the premise of Fiasco. You roll a number of dice to set up the scenario
[like a bank robbery], the actors [thieves, hostages, cops], and relationships
[hated rival, love interest, daughter]. Mix together and then start the role
play. At the end of scenes, white or black markers are awarded, which tie into
the ending. If you’re lucky, your character might walk away with the loot and
the girl. Or wind up dead in the gutter, left to take the fall, or slumping
away to try again tomorrow. As long as you get too attached to the character,
there’s a lot of fun to had in seeing just hard they’ll fail. A full session
can be run in an evening and the sheet amount of scenarios [called playsets]
out there is astounding.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So if you’re looking for games that
tell stories, check out the links below and head to your local game store to
pick up a copy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.lamemage.com/microscope/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lamemage.com/kingdom/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.lamemage.com/kingdom/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://buriedwithoutceremony.com/the-quiet-year/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-13914155805035810722016-02-18T02:00:00.000-08:002017-10-28T23:38:59.871-07:00Mortality<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">MORTALITY</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ll
get back to books next week. This week, it’s more personal.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
of my friends in Portland died on Friday. Brian’d been sick for some time and
even hospitalized for a stretch. I heard this mostly via Facebook and other
people closer to him than I was. From what I’ve gathered is that he died of
natural causes due to complications of the illness. He wasn’t much older than
myself which hit closer to home that I’d normally be willing to admit. After I
left Portland, I didn’t have much contact with my former group due to distance
and that most of the members were/are private people.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
first met Brian via a website and a local meet-up of Portland peoples. We
gathered for pizza and to talk about gaming. After it’d ended, a few of us
moved to another place to have coffee and play games. This is where I was
introduced to Apples to Apples and a little game called Chez Geek. I had a hoot
of a time and started me down the path which crossed his a few years later.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again,
the gaming website came in play, as one of the member moved to Portland and
ended up staying with Brian and his boyfriend at the time. We talked and she
invited me over for their Friday evening gaming session. I played a couple of
games and the one that stuck in my mind was Power Grid and Ticket to Ride. Nowadays
they’re a bit old hat, but in those days, they were new as hell to me. I got to
hang with some really cool people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brian,
as it turned out, had a number of hobbies besides gaming. His interest and
knowledge in prog rock rivaled many people and while he wasn’t the most
outspoken of people, he had a passion of for it. He worked hard to include
everyone and make the times were got together interesting. When I headed over
to his place, there was usually something new on the gaming shelf and Brian was
ready to explain the rules. He wanted to make sure that everyone had an even
footing when we played. More times than not, he won, but not because he knew something
we didn’t. He was just that good of a player and more often than not, a very
unassuming one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brian
suggested that I go to PAX with him and a couple of other guys. There I learned
that Will Wheaton was a fantastic speaker and the joys of soaking in the eye
candy of gaming. He knew all the cool little places to go for breakfast and
introduced me to really good sushi for the first time. There were a lot of
firsts thanks to Brian. I learned to grow in my outlook of people and found new
enjoyment in the gaming hobby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you Brian for the little things. They’re the ones that mean the most even if I
didn’t understand them at the time. </span><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You’ll be missed by everyone you touched.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-92022897592701775112016-02-11T02:00:00.000-08:002016-02-11T02:00:17.987-08:00Reading - February 2016 EditionSo, February. RadCon is this weekend, which I'll be missing due to logistical reasons. Next year, I hope to make a return trip and sit on some panels again. I've enjoyed the three times I've been there in the past. It's very much a fan run con and it never fails to entertain with the little eccentricities that appear. And for whatever reason, the hotels' restaurant is always understaffed and getting food there is a giant pain in the arse.<br />
<br />
My reading list isn't overly full at the moment, but I have a couple of interesting reads in progress. First is Blacksad, a graphic novel translated and put out by Dark Horse Comics. It's best described as a Noir detective with anthropomorphic characters. The protagonist is John Blacksad, a hardboiled private investigator who spends a lot of time in trouble and getting his ass kicked by goons. The artwork is fantastic, being painted and not just inked. The writing is superb and engrosses from the get go. I had a hard time putting it down after the first story. I highly recommend people taking a look at it.<br />
<br />
The other one is Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson. This is also a graphic novel by Dark Horse comics. A group of dogs [and one cat] band together to prevent their town from being overrun by evil. It's bit of horror mystery mixed with adventure and humor along the way. A fair bit of attention is given to the animals to make them stand out with quirks and some of the obstacles they encounter. Not having opposable thumbs is a disadvantage when you're dealing with demonic frogs and the raising of the dead. Another recommended read for people looking for something a bit less harsh.<br />
<br />
The plague is sweeping through the office the last few weeks and I've managed to dodge the worst of it [so far]. This week's busy with a major restock order and some changes in responsibilities. I need to come up with a way to better organize my time if only to make me feel like I have a handle on things. My buddy told me of a cheese bar in the Hipster side of Seattle, which we're going to check out in the evening.<br />
<br />
Word count so far this month in 7,662 or 85% on my target as of yesterday. I have more than enough time to catch up.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-88974073412414457912016-02-04T07:19:00.003-08:002016-02-04T07:19:39.728-08:00STATE OF THE [VIDEO] GAME
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like games. I work at a company that sells games as a purchasing
assistant. I own more games than I’ve played and the queue just keeps getting
bigger. Right now, I’m knee-deep in multiple video games with more on the horizon
that’re going to demand my time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My current addiction is a little 2-D, side-scrolling, rogue-like called
Dark Dungeon. To be upfront, it’s not my normal fare in gaming. Death is
permanent, the difficulty gives a new meaning to the word hard, and RNGesus
loves to come in and kick you repeatedly. But there’s a story in the game, some
excellent narration by Wayne June, and a graphic style that reminds me a lot of
Hellboy. There’s a lot to love about the game. I’ve racked up triple digits in
the game, since you can log in, play 30 minutes at a stretch, and then leave.
It’s a nice little time killer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The big one in my current playlist is Fallout 4. It’s a franchise that caught
my interest way back in the day when it was going to be based on GURPS. The
deal fell through because of the iconic Pip Boy artwork was deemed too silly
[or so the story goes]. I had to upgrade the video card in my machine to get it
running decently and while I’ve not huge amounts of time, I try to play a
couple times a week. Again, we get back to the story and little things that
make the series interesting. The main story isn’t the strongest and if Preston
asked me one more time to help a settlement, I’m gonna scream. There’s other
bits that make up including references to HP Lovecraft, getting the USS Constitution
up and running again, and some seriously messed up bits if you explore off the
beaten path. Not to spoil anything, but there’s a cabin in the woods near
Sanctuary Hills with a skeleton, mattress, and a diary. It was depressing to
say the least. Thank you Bethesda. You put out a buggy game and manage to make
me come back for the little things to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">X-Com 2 drops tomorrow, another series that I’ve played since the first
installment. I didn’t get the reboot until it’d been out a year and then played
it like no one’s business. I love the new story, the single base aspect, and
listening posts aka satellites. That’s what I did in the original game and it
works well. I’m looking forward to playing it once I get done with everything
else on the list. I believe that the new DOOM is due out this year for more
first person shooting goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sitting mostly untouched in my queue is Sub-Nautica, Tales of the
Borderlands, and Shadowrun: Hong Kong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
got those for Christmas off my Steam wish list from folks and they beckon me to
play. I’m running up against not enough time again. The solution is dedicating
a chunk of time to play them like I do with my writing. Set aside an hour to
play something and a few extra on the weekend. There’s raiders to kill and
ghouls to blast. The Commonwealth isn’t going to save itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-69361822304724531122016-01-28T16:36:00.002-08:002016-02-04T07:20:39.930-08:00GAMES & THE RUINING OF BUDGETS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Running late this week, but here we go... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Working
at a game distributor is dangerous to my budget. I get to see ALL the games
that are available to buy. Being a big RPG fan, there’s a tidy selection of
books about 15’ away from me that I can go drool over. Then there’s the board
games which dominate the majority of the showroom floor. Our warehouse is a
gamer’s dream stop if money was no object. Not everything is worth buying, but
I could get close to picking up one of everything and never play them all. The
final bit of enticement to spend money is toys; action figures, POPs, along
with knickknacks and branded merchandise. And most of it moves quite well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
work desk is by no means the most cluttered one in the office in terms of
having figurines and other pop culture items. There’s a section devoted to
Fallout [all hail the post-apocalypse] and I’ve got a red dragon mini on my
computer, but there’s plenty of space to work. I do plan about 75% of my
purchases in advance. As we get 3+ months of warning and publishers love to
miss street dates, it’s easy to budget for it. There are impulse buys and those
are items which slip under the radar. A co-worker gave me a bit of advice when
I first started – Bills first, toys later. It requires discipline to work here
at times and that bleeds over into writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
try to write every day if possible and set a goal of at least 1,000 words. Some
days are better than others but I keep going. Yesterday was a bad for me and I
had a lot of stress built up by the time I got home. My impulse was to make
dinner, grab a beer, watch some videos or play a game, and then bed. It
would’ve been so easy to do that. Instead, I decided to be an adult and take
the hard road. I packed my laptop and headed out the door. Being a creature of
habit, I plopped down at Starbucks, got my coffee, and began to pound out a
scene for my novel. When I was done 90 minutes later, I had ~1,600 words and
much less stress. Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’d made
progress on my novel and that made up for all the other crap that’d gone on
earlier.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then
I went home, ate, did dishes [more adult stuff], chatted with some fellow
writers, and then relaxed to watch videos. Did not get to bed early, but I felt
a lot more accomplished when I finally did crawl between the sheets. Today’s a
new challenge and I’m sure someone’s going to get on my nerves. And just like
yesterday, I’m going to go home, get my laptop, and go write. Cause it’s what I
do. It’s who I want to be, a disciplined writer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Foot
note – Cause my brain hates to settle on one thing, it just gave me an idea for
a short story.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-72428337272865038502016-01-21T02:00:00.000-08:002016-01-21T02:00:24.741-08:00Gaming and the Story<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
True
confession time, I’m a gamer. Have been for close to 40 years and
it’s a hobby I still enjoy. There’s something about making a
character, writing background, and rolling dice that makes for an
enjoyable evening. In that time, I’ve played the whole gamut of
games, including a big foray into minis, collecting the Ravenloft
setting books for 2<sup>nd</sup> Edition D&D [more on this
later], and my current love of narrative RPGs [FATE and Dungeon World
as examples]. I work for a game distribution company [board games,
RPGs, that little CCG called Magic, and other stuff you might find in
a card or game store. I always thought about being in the “industry”
and my job gives me a good overview of how it functions, for better
or worse depending on the day. That’s my background and frame of
reference for the next bit.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My
approach to gaming has always been more about the story than the
min/maxing of characters. Even as a GM, I wanted to tell a story of
the characters and worked to frame that around the bigger picture of
the world. Looking back, it was an unfair thing to do to my players.
I was trying to get them to dance to my jig without giving them
enough motivation or insight on how things worked. And that’s on
top of trying to plan for what players will do. The logical and
sensible path? Hell no, we’re going to cut through the Swamp of
Sinking Death and tackle this Mire Lich Drake we keep hearing rumors
about. At 3<sup>rd</sup> level no less. I’d rather herd cats and
leads me to my current outlook on games and running them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;">It's a simple rule that I work by: Let the
players choose and adapt on the fly.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 100%;">Back in the day, I’d have set up a grand
scheme and a bad guy with big plans, then set the players to go fight
him/her/it. And off the rails they’d go, chasing whatever seemed to
grab their interest at the moment and ignoring the plot. Even if I
presented it with bells, whistles, gold, and magic, they were doing
their own thing. That lead to more than a bit of frustration on my
part and theirs. They had no investment in the story and I had all
the investment in the story. Most of my campaigns were short-lived as
a result and never satisfying to the extent I wanted.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few
days ago, Wizards of the Coast announced they were releasing a new
Ravenloft module/campaign setting for 5<sup>th</sup> edition. I’ve
been watching the recent books and not bought them for variety of
reasons. This one might get me to spend a bit of cash to support my
favorite hobby. There’s something about it that makes me just want
to dive back in. Somewhere I have the original module along with the
sequel [which had nothing to do with the Strahd]. All this got me
thinking gaming and how story figures into the hobby.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Narrative-style
games aren’t new, but they’ve enjoyed a spike in popularity over
the last decade. It gives control to the players to tell their
character’s story. Dungeon World goes to the point of not having
the GM roll any dice. Sure, the GM will still need to build the world
and create interesting people to interact with, but he or she is no
longer the sole source of story. Ea<span style="font-size: small;">ch side collaborates in the game
and both are better off for it. Letting go is hard, but well worth it.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-82807639563237780882016-01-14T06:53:00.000-08:002016-01-14T06:53:52.446-08:00The First of 2016
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ah sweet rejection, I’d forgotten how much it stings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s always that twinge of doubt that
makes me ponder if I should try again or just bin everything. It lasts for a
few minutes, then I go and update my spreadsheet, move files around, and poke
around to see if anything is open were it might fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take the time to dive into my homeless file
for a quick review. There’s potential in there and I’d hope that some editor
will look at the story and think, “That’s just what I need for my
anthology”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can add in a list of
rewrites [2], unfinished shorts [~10], novellas [1], and novels [2] all which
beg for completion. Then there’s the paranormal mystery series rolling around
in my head that needs more face time. The bright, new, and shiny tempt me away
to dive into the project and drop the current one. I can’t do that. Then
nothing gets done, the writing languishes, and the frustration grows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight, I’ll head out to the coffee shop and write until they close.
It’s my routine on weekdays after work. I go from one job to the next, neither
of which pay all that well, but both are ones that I enjoy. Writers have an odd
life, as 75% of the ones I know do the exact same thing. We have two jobs when
really we should have just one. That’s the other source of frustration. I’m not
a Steven King or George RR Martin, but I think I’m decent enough [and some
people, not relatives, have told me I’m good] to make some living off writing. At
the moment, I’m not quitting my day job and working in the evenings to make the
other dream come true. I’ve set myself a goal to have the first draft done
before March, then work like crazy on the edits for a possible submission by June.
Six months should be enough time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s been rough in the way of losing great creative people. David
Bowie died on Sunday, Alan Rickman died today [01/14/16], and Lemmy Kilmister from
Motorhead late last month. I’m not a big metal head, but I grew up with
listening to him and Bowie in high school. Rickman was a late edition to people
I loved to watch, though my favorite role will always be in Galaxy Quest. It
spurs me on to make the most of my current situation and get those words to
paper, if just to leave a small footprint in the world that says I was here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Let's all get out there and put our footprint on the world in whatever manner. Life's too damn short not to.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-86257144324465269162016-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:002016-01-07T08:00:13.465-08:002016 - The Year Ahead<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2015 was a crap year to be honest in
terms of writing. I didn't get nearly enough done as I wanted and hit
a few major stumbles along the way. So, here we are, a week into 2016
and let's lay bare my goals. I have a novel in process, which I think
is about 60% complete after scrapping half of the first attempt. Six
of the first seven chapters are complete, as are the last four, which
leaves 5-6 in the middle to write. I'm swapping between two POV
characters every few chapters to show more of what's going on behind
the scenes. First person works for me in story telling, but doesn't
give a good view of the players and events in motion. My goal is to
have the draft done by the end of January and then start a slow
rewrite. I might miss a submission window for a particular publisher,
but that just gives me more time to revise it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Aside from the short stories, there's
the ongoing GRONK! series of stories that need attention and my
assassin, Henri, has a few stories waiting in the wings. I have a
collection of short stories that are crying out for attention, so I
need to revisit them and see if I can find them homes individually.
Last November I attended Living Dead Con and sat in a publisher's
panel. I asked about single author collections and the universal
consensus was they sold like crap. Anthologies weren't much better,
but offered a different experience. Peddling them as a collection is
on the back burner and I've dabbled in the single story sales of
e-pub. That angle needs to be explored further. I sold my second
erotic bit of fiction and received some good feedback. There was a
rejection on a third piece and what I think to be an amusing bit of
feedback from the editor. They liked the “action” scenes, but not
the framing story, so I was doing things half right I guess.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've got a few cons on my agenda with
an eye on those dealing with writing and other interests. One of my
friends suggested SakuraCon here in Seattle just of the experience
and I'm definitely looking at Emerald City ComicCon, plus Norwescon.
November promises BizarroCon which I had a blast at last year. Not as
a writer, as my mind isn't bent that way, but as a consumer. I don't
mean bent in a bad way, cause these authors put out some seriously
good stuff. My fiction's more strawberry and chocolate ice cream vs.
the vegan coconut milk orange toffee surprise variety.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I still have a stack of books to read,
more Fallout 4 to play, and looking forward to the next Marvel
movies. There's even a good chance I'll see some tabletop gaming this
year on a regular basis. Oh yeah, X-Com 2 is on the way, so more
alien killing goodness. There's a trip to see my dad planned for
later in the year and not because there's a BBQfest being held in
that area. Nope, not at all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope that everyone has a great 2016
and let's see if I can do more than one blog post a month.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-14767834921586339732015-12-28T01:00:00.000-08:002015-12-28T01:00:19.707-08:00A New Year, A New Reading Challenge<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Guest post by Jaylee
James</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The end of the year is a great time for reflecting on what you’ve
accomplished in the past year, and where you want to go in the next – what
things you wish you had done differently. My planner has a section at the front
suggesting I make a list of what I did well in 2016 – what major things
happened over the last year – in order to celebrate. It also suggests I take
time to think about where my 2016 resolutions went off track so I can better
prepare for 2017.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But let’s talk about the most important aspect of the New Year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It’s time to make our 2016 Reading Challenges on Goodreads.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I’m aiming for 100 books this year. Last year I aimed for 50, then later
upped it to 100 because I finished my challenge in June and that’s just no fun
at all. No. A reading challenge is no fun unless you are scrambling to finish
off your Currently Reading shelf the week after Christmas to a chorus of “Who
cares?” and “What does it matter?” and “It’s just a reading challenge,” from
your non-reading friends and family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As I write this, I will need to read … a book every three days in order to
finish. Not bad. I’ve definitely done worse. Thank goodness for holidays off
from work so I can spend time with family read for hours on end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Reading should be fun, and personally I think challenges make it more so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There have been a lot of reading blog challenges floating around the
internet this month, such as only reading female authors, or reading two
diverse books for every book by a boring ol’ white dude. I saw one on twitter
the other day that suggested reading in an alphabet pattern. Your first book
begins with A, next must begin with B, etc. (My hearty well-wishes to them for
finding books beginning with Q, X, and Z.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In 2014 I challenged myself to try out new genres, and found that I
actually adore mystery novels, and romance novels are not nearly as terrible as
I thought they were (in fact, I wound up loving romance so much that I’m now
attempting to write it!).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">No matter what your reading challenge for 2016, may I suggest that you push
yourself to try something you’ve never tried before? Read a genre you’ve never
attempted, or make an effort to try out books you previously scorned because of
their hideous covers. Maybe pick up a book set in another country, or on a hard
topic you generally shy away from. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Surprise yourself next year. I think you’ll find it’s worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What about you… What are your challenges for 2016? Did anything awesome
come out of your 2015 challenges?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jaylee James is a writer of science fiction, fantasy,
romance, and variations thereof. She is most well known as the Senior Editor of
the LGBT lit mag Vitality Magazine. Her work has appeared in Wings of Renewal,
a solarpunk dragon anthology, and her time-travel romance short, Choosing You,
was released in November. Visit her at JayleeJames.com to learn more about her
upcoming projects. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wings of Renewal: <a href="http://amzn.to/1IjjbOE">http://amzn.to/1IjjbOE</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Choosing You: <a href="http://amzn.to/1QOVjFd">http://amzn.to/1QOVjFd</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vitality: <a href="https://readvitality.com/">https://readvitality.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website: <a href="http://jayleejames.com/">http://jayleejames.com</a><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-46628947272808032812015-12-26T02:00:00.000-08:002015-12-26T14:40:30.444-08:00Twas The Night Before Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Guest post by Simon Kewin</b></div>
<br />
One of the Christmas traditions that has grown up in our household is to read Clement Clarke Moore’s poem <i>A Visit From St. Nicholas</i> (more commonly called <i>‘Twas The Night Before Christmas</i>) every Christmas Eve. It’s become a vital part of our family’s celebrations, something our children would miss hugely. I know others do this too. I have a relative whose grown up child lives on the other side of the planet - and still gets the poem read to her via a phone call.<br />
<br />
It always amuses me, though, how Christmas as represented by the poem (which was written in 1823) differs from our modern version. Clearly Santa Claus, despite being a timeless and magical entity, is not averse to the vagaries of fashion.<br />
<br />
<b>Santa wears fur</b><br />
These days he prefers the red outfit with the fur trimmings although for many years he also wore green. In the poem he is dressed in neither – instead he is “all in fur, from his head to his foot”. Hopefully the red outfit keeps him as warm as the fur one did.<br />
<br />
<b>Santa is an elf</b><br />
These days we tend to think of Santa as a man who has elves to help him make the presents and so forth. Back in the early nineteenth century they appeared to think he was one himself, as the poem describes him as “a right jolly old elf.” Of course, this might be metaphorical - or perhaps there is elven blood in Santa’s origins. It might explain some of his incredible magical abilities.<br />
<br />
<b>No sign of Rudolph</b><br />
the most famous of the reindeer – the one with the very shiny nose – doesn’t always help pull Santa’s sleigh. In the year the poem was written, for instance, there were eight reindeer listed and Rudolph isn’t among them. Instead we have Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. Presumably there is a large stable of reindeer at the North Pole, and Santa picks a different team every year. Or perhaps Rudolph was simply having a rest that year.<br />
<br />
<b>Santa doesn’t always stay out of sight</b><br />
Thee days we tend to assume we won’t see Santa when he arrives, but that wasn’t the case back in 1823. The narrator of the poem sees Santa come down the chimney, and Santa doesn’t appear to be concerned. Instead he gives “A wink of his eye and a twist of his head” to tell the narrator “I had nothing to dread”. Perhaps Santa has become more careful over the intervening years.<br />
<br />
<b>Santa has the power to alter size</b><br />
As well as the ability to move at huge speed (or bend time), and to carry a vast weight of presents, Santa also appears to have the ability to change size at will. At one point in the poem his carriage is described as “a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer”, but clearly he can be big enough to carry large presents, too.<br />
<br />
<b>Santa has given up smoking</b><br />
Santa, as an ageless and magical being, presumably doesn’t suffer any of the side-effects of tobacco, but clearly at some point he has given up smoking. In the poem he smokes a pipe, and the smoke “encircled his head like a wreath”. Perhaps he stopped so he didn’t set a bad example to anyone who did manage to catch a glimpse of him.<br />
<br />
So, the poem gives us a fascinating insight into Christmas past. I wonder how things will be different in a couple of hundred years from now?<br />
<br />
The poem can be found <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171924" target="_blank">here</a>.
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Simon Kewin is the author of over 100 published short and flash stories. His works have appeared in Nature, Daily Science Fiction, Abyss & Apex and many more. He lives in England with his wife and their daughters. The second volume in his Cloven Land fantasy trilogy has just been published. Find him at </span><a href="http://simonkewin.co.uk/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">simonkewin.co.uk</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-87920025904562279552015-09-13T17:55:00.000-07:002015-09-13T17:55:13.277-07:00Failure to LaunchNovel outline is close to done, even if I've gutted the novel again,
wrote a new beginning, culled the cast, and rewrote the motivations of
the significant players. It sits at 30% of goal but I did put together
an ending that should make sense given what I've planned. This is going
to be a hard sell for so many reasons, but it's a goal and milestone. Plus I promised someone and that's a big commitment.<br />
<br />
In other news, I was handed two invites for anthologies. It's nice when editors ask you to submit, it's not a guarantee acceptance, but damn you have to screw up big time to fail. Yeah, guess what happened. Not the more brilliant bits of fiction that I've written in the past month. Utterly frustrating when you fail to get past the starting gate. On top of it, I missed two of the three other subs that tickled my fancy. At least the GRONK! universe story got out the door.<br />
<br />
As this piece of fiction is pretty specialized, I'm gonna post it here. It's been through a couple of beta readers and an edit. There's probably spelling errors, missing words, confusing story, and other issues. It also contains swearing, blood, violence, a lot of political incorrectness, and unicorns. You have been warned.<br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
HOOVES
OF THE APOCALYPSE</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You know
what I hate the most about humans? Their sheer inability to get it.
They’re a mass of hubris, narcissism, and stupidity that - when
faced with the truth - would rather bury it and carry on with the
party while the house burns down around them. As I told the creator
many times, just wipe them out and let something better evolve in
their place; like the octopus. I mean really, humanity wasn’t
planned in the first place, just an accident 'cause she didn’t
clean up after making the universe. Like the stray sperm after you’ve
fucked your partner really well and left with a few dribbles
afterward. That’s how it happened, an unplanned creation that
wasn't caught until too late.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We'd talk for hours
about humanity and she insisted you had limitless potential. She even
took your form and preached a message of peace to help you grow into
responsible stewards of the earth. That experiment ended with a messy
death. You jacked-up little monkeys escaped my wrath only because she
ordered me to stand down. Well, now you’ve gone and done it. You
little fuckers are about to start the final war and kill all life on
the planet. All her efforts gone to waste. Its been four thousand
years of observing the mighty human jack things up, over and over and
over. The creator’s given me leave to make things right. Finally.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oh right, who am I?
I’m the Unicorn of the Apocalypse. There’s no other horsemen
[another thing you humans got wrong], but I do have an army and we’re
coming to wipe out humanity. It’s going to be glorious. Now, the
creator’s a merciful being and she’s not going to punish the
innocent. They’re all safely in her realm enjoying milk and
cookies. The rest of you assholes are about to have a very bad day
and a much worse eternity.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shawn paused to
flick the lint off his collar and square his shoulders. His jeans
were a touch too tight today, but Sarah loved the way they clung to
his ass. His flannel shirt was run-of-the-mill, but the hat, oh my
god, that was something special. A grey pork pie found on a shelf at
Goodwill. It sat perfect on his head and only cost a few bucks. <span style="font-style: normal;">The
first drops of rain pattered down from the now cloudy sky. </span><i> </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Just
in time.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
thought had barely formed when the ground heaved and bucked, sending
him sprawling into the planter box as his newly found treasure rolled
into the gutter.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“My
hat!” he wailed. A BMW X3 crushed it flat as the soccer mom bumped
over the curb, spilled her Starbucks, and dropped in her cell phone.
He saw the surprise on her face for just a second, before the SUV hit
the cement bench and the air bags popped.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i> </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I
hope the bitch broke her nose.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Asphalt
cracked and jerked apart to send geysers of chunky, brown water into
the air. The US Bancorp tower, or the Big Pink, as the locals called
it, wobbled from side to side, like an erection flicked in jest.
Glittering shard of glass reflected the few rays of sun that pierced
the clouds. A rainbow cascade of razor-edged death plummeted towards
the earth below.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Sucks
to be them,” he muttered, trying to regain his balance. His foot
slipped in the noisome goo, sending him sprawling to the ground.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
soccer mom staggered out of her BWM, with a hand covering her nose to
stop the flow of crimson. Bystanders moved this way and that, dodging
the noxious spray and semi-solid lumps that rained out of the sky.
Shawn crawled over the unstable ground, snapping up his ruined hat.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“My
hat! It was perfect!” He rounded on the driver. “You stupid slut,
why the fuck weren't paying attention!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She
glared at him and mumbled something behind her hand.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Speak
up, you sound like you have a dick in your mouth!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Fuck
you and your hat, you useless hipster!” she screamed, letting the
blood flow down her face. She spit blood and took a step forward.
“I'm gonna...”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shawn
blinked in surprise as the silver horn punched through her chest.
Crimson fluid coated his face as the driver's heart pumped squirts of
blood.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ahhhh!!!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He
stared as the corpse slid off the horn with a long slurp and
collapsed into the growing puddle of waste. Her bowels slackened and
added a fresh steaming pile at her feet. The unicorn looked up, red
eyes blazing. It pawed and stamped on the ground with a black hoof,
throwing its head back and forth, silver mane flowing and waving in
response. Horse of all colors, markings, and size galloped from the
cracks in the ground. With each hoofbeat came the sound of thunder
and crack of lightning. Red eyes. Silver manes. Blood stained
muzzles.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What.
The. Fuck.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I
would run if I were you,” the unicorn said. “You've got to the
count of ten.”</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'll give the
little hipster props, he almost made it the end of the street by the
time I hit ten. Didn't do him a damn bit of good when the aftershock
hit and he stumbled out into the street. Teabug Pretty Mane got him
with a rear kick, breaking his leg and rupturing an artery. Little
poser was dead before he hit the street. Organs popped with spurts of
blood and a meaty squelch as the stampede followed her to chase down
the other runners. When they'd past, only smears of sticky fluid,
bits of meat, flecks of gristle, and shattered shards of bones
remained.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Gunfire always
attracts attention. A cop, his comb-over flopping in the breeze,
yanked on the mare's reins. She skittered and reared back, neighing
and whinnying at the commotion, and pawing the air. Little known fact
that most of the horses in the world have a bit of my bloodline in
them. Nightmares in potentia. That asshole was about to get a rude
surprise.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The creator frowned
at my dalliances, but she's one to talk about getting around. Another
thing you humans fucked up... heh, fucked up... Seriously, sex is
awesome; it feels good and mellows you out. If you guys screwed more
and fought less, I wouldn't be doing the four-hoof shuffle on your
corpses. I hope whatever evolves after you pricks takes things a bit
less serious.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But you say, hey
he's a cop. One of the good guys.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wrong.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
His list of sins
was on display for all to see. It helps us weed out the innocent from
the guilty as fuck. Murder. Theft. Jaywalking. Everything a person in
power could conceivably get away with and more.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Stand down, you
stupid nag!” He yanked hard on the reins, pulling her muzzle down
to his level. The mare pulled back her lips and bit. Hard. Not one of
those little nips, but a full-on, fuck-you, chomp into the cop's leg.
Blood coated her head as it spurted from the wound. A laughing neigh
came from her throat as she swallowed the chunk of meat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Did I mention
nightmares are carnivores? Might have slipped my mind.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Why... what...
how?” His hands clamped down on the wound, slowly the fountain of
crimson. He paled and his eyes fluttered. “But you were my
partner...”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She snorted and
flicked her head. Her eyes shifted to a glowing red. With a slow
deliberation, she placed her hoof on his chest and pinned him to
sidewalk. His ribcage held up well for having a ton of Percheron
pressing down. He gasped for breath, clawing and beating on her leg.
His face turned beet red, then purple as his struggles slowed and a
frantic desperation shone in his eyes. With a final shudder, his arms
fell to the side and his legs gave a last twitch. She dipped her
muzzle and tore out his heart.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like father, like
daughter. Makes me proud.</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What the hell?”
screamed Reverend Justin Brown. The chapel rocked and lurched with
the first rolling waves of the quake and the sharp aftershocks.
Candles tipped off the altar, sputtering out as they broke apart. The
pulpit pitched forward into the nave, breaking in two upon impact
with the front pews. “God must hate me.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
All around him dust
swirled and light flickered, then snuffed out as the electricity
failed. <i>Great. Mrs. Simmons is going to be late or not show up.
How the hell am I going bust a nut now?</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Padre!”
shrieked Mrs. Diego weaving out from the vestry and wringing her
hands. The elderly cleaning lady's breasts bounced and jiggled
beneath the loose blouse. “What's is happening?”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No
cause for concern. Just an earthquake. It will pass soon.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Marie
is missing, Padre. I sent her to clean the bathrooms and now she's
gone.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
That
bit of news piqued his interest. He knew the young lady. He'd
overseen her confirmation and she was the spitting image of her
mother. Reverend Brown patted her hand, lingering in a friendly,
reassuring manner. “No worries. We'll find her once the building
has stopped shaking.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If
you say so, Padre.” The edge of doubt crept into her voice, as she
drew back.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i> </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>And
if I find her first, she'll get an education about her place in the
scheme of things. Like her mother learned.</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
“Let us head to the backroom and commence our search.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
BONG!
BONG! BONG!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wood
splintered and cracked as the bronze bell tore itself from the yoke.
Gravity accelerated it down along with the stone tower, crashing
through the rafters with the force a freight train. Sunlight streamed
into the chapel through the cloud of dust, illuminating what
electricity no longer did.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Padre!
An angel!” Mrs. Diego pointed at the gap in the broken ceiling.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">He
followed her finger, blinking to clear his blurred vision.
Silhouetted against the light, a figure hovered, flapping majestic
feathered wings. Its head was too long and legs too skinny, but what
else could it be? A twinge of fear gripped his stomach as a cold
dread pierced his soul. </span><i>Oh, Jesus.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It
alighted between the pews, feet clicking on the hard wood floor. Red
eyes cut through the gloom, baleful orbs that emanated hate and
disdain.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What
do you want? Have you come to pass judgment on me?” His voice broke
as he spoke.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Silence.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Padre.
We must pray for our souls.” The cleaning lady dropped to her knees
and pressed her hands together. “Forgive me for I have sinned. Let
me confess before you and God!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
angel neighed, flapped its wings, and reared up. Silver hooves
flashed once. Mrs. Diego's head split open at the impact. Grey flecks
of brains burst from her ruptured skull, colored with a thin coat of
red. She sagged and toppled to the side without a sound, other than
the noisome emptying of her bowels.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i> </i></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>It's
a horse?</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> He ran to the altar,
snatched up a silvered candlestick, and waved it at the gloom. “Be
gone spawn of Satan! You have no power here!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unseen
wings flapped and blew dust in his face. He coughed and choked, the
impromptu weapon clattering to the ground. Hot, dank breath tickled
the back of his neck.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh,
sweet Jesus.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I
have to admit that I didn't come up with the Pegasus breed. Of all
people, The Morningstar [that's Lucifer for those unfamiliar with the
Bible] suggested putting wings on the cleverest of the host and the
rest is history. They're faster than anything that runs, swims,
flies, or crawls. They aren't nearly as robust as the nightmares, but
that's just a matter of degrees. The creator gave them the task of
taking out hypocrites, and boy, do they love it. Dropping victims
from ten stories up is a game to them.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
pastor prayed and cursed in turns, then screamed like one of his
victims as he fell. He made a nice red Jackson Pollock on the street
once the flight had enough of playing hacky-sack with him. Between
the host and natural selection, the herd of unrighteous shrank
quickly. Fewer and fewer juicy targets showed themselves, digging
deep to hide. Not that it would do them any good. Time to summon the
ponies.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What
the hell's going on, Anthony? There's a horse breathing flames and
trampling down anyone that runs! I saw one of them spear your brother
and then roast the corpse for good measure.” Edgar S. Burgle,
lobbyist and lawyer for Crutch Pharmaceuticals, clutched at the
lapels of his boss.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Get
a hold of yourself,” he sneered, slapping away the man's hands with
stinging blow. “I'm sure the military will take care of it. In the
meantime, we've got this bunker and plenty of supplies. Two years'
worth of quality food, wine, and recreational options.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edgar
looked at the vault of crates, boxes, and water tanks. It stretched
off in the gloom, the red emergency lighting unable to chase away all
the shadows. To the left, a putting green occupied a prominent piece
of space. “We should find others. There's more than enough space.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Nonsense.
Why risk opening up the door and being overrun by the public. Please
relax and enjoy the quiet. There's a nice bottle of red that my
dearly departed brother was kind enough to leave us.” Anthony
patted his bag of clubs. “Perhaps a couple rounds of practice will
relieve some of the tension.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Jesus.
We're just going to let them get killed?”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Please,
think of the more important issues at hand. Our stocks are going to
tank after this, but once we move in to supply nations with needed
medical supplies and services, our options will skyrocket.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Are you serious?
It's the end of the world and all you can think about it is your
fortune? People are dying out there and we should help them, not
horde ill-gotten goods.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-style: normal;">Appealing
to my charitable nature? That's very surprising of you, Edgar. After
all the work you did to scuttle the child care health act, I'd
thought you beyond such charity.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He
groaned at the memories. “Yeah, bring that up at a time like this.
How many died because of that?”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No
one important. If they could afford the health care, they deserved to
live. It's Social Darwinism. Some of us are simply more important
than others.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
CLONG!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Now
what?” Anthony muttered, turning towards the video screen. Bodies
littered the access hallway; a trampled mush of flesh, bone, and
blood. In the midst of the carnage, a dun Shetland pony buried her
muzzle into the belly of particularly fat man. Ropes of intestines
slurped out of the cavity as she tossed her head back and forth. The
victim's eyes bulged and his mouth opened in a soundless screen.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edgar
gave thanks that his boss was too cheap to include sound. “On
second thought, we should stay here.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Thank
you for the statement of the obvious,” his boss sneered.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just
as the edge of camera range, a silver dapple pony pranced and hopped
in a circle. On its rump a mark, in the shape of a closed fist,
glowed red-hot. His companion's mark glowed just as bright, a crimson
drop from the wavy blade of a dagger. He rushed at the door, twisting
in mid rush to present his backside, and kicked.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
CLONG!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
pony glared at the camera, then turned to the door to nuzzle it. Two
dents, perfect impressions of hoofs, adorned the metal barrier.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“How
the hell?”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“We're
going to die. Killed by ponies.” Edgar giggled at the thought. All
his sins coming back to roost. All those kids that died. His fault.
All his fault. His head rang with slap.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Get
a grip, man or I'll kill you myself!”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;">Anthony
'Tony” Crutch. Sixth richest man in the world. The man who planned
that campaign that he'd seen pushed through. He guided all the
business decisions with his brother's approval. Preying on the weak
and defenseless. Not caring about anything except the bottom line. He
even turned his back on the one man that supported him. </span><i>I
did all his dirty work, the ungrateful bastard.</i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edgar
stood up and pulled a nine iron out of the bag. They were the best
clubs that money could buy. He'd seen the amount of invoice. A family
of four could have lived for a year with enough for a modest
vacation.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hands
off my clubs, Edgar,” said Anthony with a deep scowl on his face.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
CLONG!
CLONG! CLONG!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No.”
He swung low, catching his boss in the nuts and feeling resistance
against bone. The man gave a sharp gasp, doubling over with pain
written all over his face.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What..
the... hell...”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“FOUR!”
Bone splintered and the club bent as the second blow landed on the
cheek. Tony's jaw hung open, blood flowing from the shattered teeth
and torn gums. Red spit, flaked with white, spattered on the floor.
“Hey, my swing's improved. Guess all I needed was a giant prick to
aim at.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whimpers
and whines of protest issued from the bleeding man, muffled by one
hand covering the remains of his lower face as the other clutched at
his ruined testicles.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“What's
that, Tony? Can't hear you from the all the bullshit you've been been
spilling. No snappy come backs?” Edgar tossed the useless club and
drew out a driver. “It's all your fault. You caused this.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
His
boss glared at the shortening of his name, replacing fear and pain
for a brief second. The former-CEO scrambled across the floor,
towards the metal door that now visibly bowed inward. Cracks covered
the metal hinges.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hey,
quit trying to get away.” He landed the next blow on the knee, then
another, then another. Meaty smacks filled the air with a slurred
scream following after. “Let's see how you like to take it in the
ass.”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tony
cried as he drug himself forward with his arms. His body smeared the
blood leaking from his face, crotch, and knee. He pressed against the
metal door, hands raised in defense.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
CLONG!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
SNAP!</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edgar
paused and stared at the hinges and pins, now sheared and broken. It
groaned and creaked, staying upright by sheet weight and inertia.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tap.
The metal rang with the sound of the slightest of blows.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ahhhhhh!”
Tony shrieked, a terror filled wail of a man faced with his imminent
death and finding no way to escape. His body folded at the waist as
the former barrier pressed down, popping vertebrae like a series of
gunshots.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Edgar
stumbled back as a fresh wave of blood flooded out. The driver
dropped from his hand, diverting the flow of liquid into a drain.
“Holy shit!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clop.
Clop. Clop.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two
knee-high ponies sauntered out of the gloom, pushing the metal slab
down. The dun stopped at the far end, while the dapple hovered at the
near end. He jumped up and came down, lifting his partner off the
end. His boss's body provided a pivot point. A wet, meaty point that
compressed lower and lower until only hamburger remained. Their eyes
never left his.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It's
not my fault.” Edgar pointed to the smear leaking for under-hoof.
“I was just following orders! I'm innocent!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
pair of ponies nickered, a mocking laugh that chilled his soul. On
their flanks, the marks glowed a dull orange that spread to their
manes and filled their eyes.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clop.
Clop. Clop.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Give
me a second chance! I can change!”</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Orange
flame leaked from their muzzles.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Oh
God...”</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
* * *</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Twin
blasts of fire reduced the begging man to a chunk of charcoal. Talk
about denial, Egypt, and a river. These members of the host were the
newest breed. You humans come up with the funniest shit at times and
we're not above copying the ideas if they suit us. I'm sure some
lawyer or another would try to sue us to enforce the IP laws as
convenient. They can go fuck themselves. Well, some devil's probably
doing that already or they're upside down in room of shit. Just
desserts either way.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
pair pranced out of the tunnel to join a herd of their fellows. They
were small in number as well as size, but even the nightmares gave
them a wide berth. I think the creator might have put a bit too much
'little man syndrome' in the mix. Can't argue with the results.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking
of which, the last of the Portlandia shit-stains had kicked the
metaphorical bucket and it was time to move on. I think Seattle was
next on the list and first place order of business would be anyone in
that phallic eyesore in the middle. There's bound to be a bunch of
frightened pricks in need of a good judgment along with all those
other self-righteous, social-media, pseudo-caring activists.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God,
it's great to be me.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-52282855236568322532015-07-10T10:32:00.000-07:002015-07-10T10:32:59.675-07:00Burn Out & RecoveryIt's been some time since my last blog post. Work and life have consumed my time and while I always mean to come back here, it's never been a priority. Gonna change that.<br />
<br />
I hit a wall in December after NaNoWriMo. Burned out. Disinterested in my big novel project. Zero passion in writing. There was a real struggle to get any words written for two months. I could blame the holidays and work, but it boils down to me in the end. The past couple of years I've been focused on short stories and this novel is a whole different beast. A demanding, needy beast that consumes everything. Add in a self-imposed deadline, mix, and watch it implode. By the end of the month I'd let it go, writing when the mood struck and poking with disinterest at other projects.<br />
<br />
March got me back into the writing mood, letting me finish
two short stories and do a revision to the third. So far I've gotten
one acceptance and one rejection with the other third at the beta
readers. Feeling much better about things, my head's in a good place and
things are rolling along.<br />
<br />
I finished the first draft of the novel and it needs a lot of help to be honest. Too many characters, lacking in focus on the central conflict, and there's no single "face" to the enemy. Lots of minions, but no boss or lieutenant to chew up scenery or truly menace the protagonist. I'm diving back into prose and starting to restructure the first chapter. I know who the enemy's stooge is and can plan around that fact. Plus I get to use more of the side-story idea to show what's going on behind the scenes. The cast is down to a handful now and been shuffled around so it makes sense why certain events happen. And tension. If there's one thing that comes back time and again from the beta readers is that I need to racket up the tension. So I did. The protagonist has to deal with two issues of a very personal nature.<br />
<br />On a non-writing related note, I've been impressed with Jurassic World, Avengers 2,Inside Out, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Looking forward to seeing Ant-Man, the new Stars Wars movie, Minions, Terminator Genisys, & the Fantastic Four reboot. Been quite a good year for movies and hoping that 2016 is just as good. I did see that we'll have to wait until 2018 for the Godzilla sequel from Legendary, but there's Pacific Rim 2 & a Japanese Godzilla in the meantime to fill the Kaiju / Giant Robot need.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-39123434097234351472014-12-30T17:31:00.000-08:002014-12-30T17:32:43.182-08:00THE SAGA OF DRAGONSI've been focusing on my novel for the past two months to the exclusion of everything else. Feeling a bit burned out which shows in my struggles to write the past month. Today, I took a break and followed a path down a different road. I'm drawing on a lot of different sources in this bit of world building. One of the small press is rumored of having a call about dragons in the future and this could be leveraged into a short story or three. Pardon any spelling, rambles, etc... this is alpha draft material.<br />
<br />
THE UR DRAGON<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the beginning there was only the
Ur-Dragon. It waited and watched in the void. For what, it knew not,
but did so all the same. Then came the soft ones, springing from the
primal mass, oddly bent and not of the world. They fled to the far
realms, finding comfort in remote places.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And still the Ur-Dragon waited and
watched.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then came the broken ones. Crawling and
capering and writhing across the myriad dimensions. They called and
cried and screamed as they tore and fought with one another. Tiring
with the same sport, they fled to the darker spots, hiding away from
the far realms and those strange denizens.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And still the Ur-Dragon waited and
watched.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From the motes of light came the small
gods, testing their strength and wits against the endless sea of
nothing. They grew larger and took on forms both new and old. Newer
gods came as the older ones faded or died, each generation different.
Then they created the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the Ur-Dragon stirred with interest
for this was something new.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Upon this world they Gods sought to
bring about smaller life, but lacked something to anchor it to the
void. They fretted and cried and quarreled, while the Ur-Dragon gazed
upon their work and saw the flaw.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Little gods,” it spoke, “I will
help you with your world, but I request a favor.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
His words caused the gods to quake for
they knew not the source and stood in awe at the ancient being. “How
can you help?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“I will give you my body to build
your world and it shall make it complete. All I request is that you
allow my children to live upon the world without care.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“If you can do this, then we agree,”
they said after a great discussion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“So it is agreed, so it shall be.”
And the Ur-Dragon tore his body in two. From his blood and entrails
sprang Tiamat and Baphomat. The Primal Dragons. They carried a
fraction of their progenitors knowledge, knowing only the bargain and
that the world came forth at its sacrifice. Thus, the gods claimed
the land and air and water for their own and honored the Ur-Dragon's
children.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The siblings traveled across the land
and space, finding new things and celebrating life. Children sprang
forth from, taking to whatever and wherever they felt. Many ignored
the gods, considering them unimportant as they carved domains along
side the mortal creations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wars broke out across creation as the
Gods quarreled with each other, the Broken Ones, and the Soft Ones.
Amid this, the dragons carried on, for their mandate came from an
older power and none could gainsay them. In time, others sought their
aid, turning to the Eldest for support. Good and evil sent emissaries
to tip the balance in their favor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus came the Sundering and the Plague
of Dragons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Walks-Brightly-In-The-Stars curried
favor with Baphomat, enticing the male with stories of glory and
being the first amid equals. Tekcgreljw'Gtkeial'tkeann or The Clever
One spent centuries negotiating the favors of the dark realms and
kept company with Tiamat, wooing her with words and wits and wiles.
Neither could be convinced without support of the other, thus the
emissaries were traded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For all his goodness, Walks-Brightly
considered the male form superior and looked down upon the female
Eldest. His audience consisted of lectures and words that bordered
just on the side of insulting. During one of the debates, Tiamat
pointed out the angel was not male, nor female, thus his logic did
not follow. To his credit, Walks-Brightly did what no one else had
ever done before or since. He slapped the female Eldest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Religious scholars all agree that
Walks-Brightly didn't survive Tiamat's fury, nor did his entourage
save a single, lowly Archon that prostrated itself on the floor and
begged forgiveness for his master's stupidity. They also agree that
Tiamat took off the demi-god's head with a single swipe and devoured
it, consigning the immortal to a humiliating demise. What they don't
agree upon is the assertion that the Eldest “shat down his neck and
threw the body at the feet of demi-god's master.” This question is
never asked of dragons, who find the topic amusing and infuriating.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Clever One took audience with
Baphomat engaging in debate and banter to show that not all glory is
won by combat. That the brain held more power than any muscle. Thus a
series of tricks and japes, culminating in a miscalculation by the
demon. It gave the male Eldest a torc of silver, saying that it would
enlighten him. Thinking that it was a symbol, Baphomat gave it to a
favored servant who donned it. The electrical charge turned the
mortal to dust in a flash, while barely tickling the now furious
Eldest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Visitors to the Platinum Citadel walk
before a crystal column that encases The Clever One. Still alive
after many thousands of years. First time visitors are kept in this
room for an hour listening to the weeping of the insane demon as it
begs for the occupants to ask the male Eldest for its freedom. An
escort will explain the demon's crimes and should he/she be asked.
The smart ignore the whispers and focus solely on their business.
Those who plead the demon's case find themselves and their companions
ejected from the realm with a warning never to come back. In some
cases, the corpses are all that are dumped at the borders.
Ambassadorial staff run a large betting pool on the chances of
survival of first time visitors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The confrontation between the two in
the aftermath rocked the world. The siblings quarreled and bickered
and finally fought. Many have sought the domain they shared, but do
date none have found it or its ruins. Their conflict left nothing
recognizable and even the Gods hid as the pair flattened mountains,
diverted rivers, and quite literally remade the world. Too evenly
matched, they would've fought to the death except for a congress of
dragons asked them to stop. Twelve of the youngest, the newest
litter, wept at the sight of their fight and plead for peace.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In that moment, the Eldest paused and
looked upon the youngest and the ruins around them. Without another
word, the siblings vanished to their private domains where they dwell
to this day. Baphomat works on the side of good to bring order to the
world, while Taimat supports chaos through the machinations of evil.
Thus balance is restored to the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus ends the saga of the dragons...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But not quite...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The most learned of sages whisper that
this is merely a ruse. That, over the millennium, the Eldest
reconciled and reforged their bond thanks to the Youngest. Once a
century, the pair conceives and births thirteen eggs. Twelve
pearlescent globes and a solitary black one are laid in a nest,
spending a decade in the care of the Youngest. In time, the twelve
are given to other dragons to raise as their own, as the magic of the
Eldest makes it so. In the ravings of Esdaur the White is the single
passage that reads such:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“A black egg sits in the hollow of
the earth, tended by nexus of elements. A century of incubation to
birth forth the Primal. The child of the Eldest, not mortal or god or
dragon. The dragons will claim the world to restore the promise while
heaven and hell burn.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dragons scoff at these rumors and
openly mock those who demand answers. Persistent inquiries end with a
personal visit by a dragon or a flight should it require. More than
one powerful priest or mage has found themselves besieged by demonic
armies and hosts of angels seeking to silence them before they
attract much more dire attention.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
These are only musings and even the most learned of sage will deny knowing anything of such rumors. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-33283581663634816892014-12-24T17:28:00.001-08:002014-12-24T17:28:13.721-08:00Fire and Frost Q&AA look inside the minds of urban fantasy authors of "Under An Enchanted Skyline". We did a round robin on questions and here's the results. A reminder that there's only a week left before the collection disappears. It's a bargain for less then a buck. I'll be following up with links to other questions as they come in.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Some
Urban Fantasy stories feature a divide between the people and
creatures who use and know magic and the normal everyday humans. Do
you think this affects how some characters respond to emergencies?</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Doug
Blakeslee:</span></b></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
In </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;">Fire
& Frost</span></i></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
those that can use magic aren't afraid to rely on it in an emergency,
provided there's no witnesses. Fae magic loves illusions, trickery,
and subtle misdirection to avoid calling attention to itself. In the
case of my protagonist, his usual response is very showy and not at
all subtle. He uses it only when there's no witnesses or when someone
else has used it first, such as in the climax of the story. That's
something comes up when I'm working on stories, just what would
normal people do when confronted by magic or something that's
decidedly inhuman. Setting up those situations gives a more
“realistic” feel to the story.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Jennifer
Brozek:</span></b></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
People with different skills respond to emergencies in different
ways. An EMT will respond with the skills they have while a general
office worker with no experience may panic. Those with magic or other
supernatural abilities will use them when they are confronted with a
crisis. The fun comes out when they must do something out of the
ordinary to save a normal person, thus revealing themselves.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><b>Erik Scott de
Bie:</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> Lady Vengeance is a little
unexpected for someone whose powers are magic-based. You’d think
she’d rely on her powers to solve all her problems, but the virtue
of nearly thirty years as a superhero is experience with various
other techniques, be they computers, diplomacy, or good ol’
bare-knuckled brawling (or frying pan-fu). Her opposite—Stardust—is
a technical genius and big science nerd who absolutely hates magic,
mostly because he can’t anticipate or grok it. He solves all his
problems with science, and magical solutions don’t even occur to
him. (That’s cheating!) The tensions and contrasts between my two
principals is an important part of the story.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><b>Phoebe
Matthew:</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Weak
magic runs through the Mudflat families and results in them covering
for each other. The paranormal sunspinners would love to have a
little magic. It would make their lives so much easier. Instead all
they have is a normal everyday human to cover for them and yes, it
affects their behavior. They have added more security devices to
their home than ADT ever dreamed of.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Django Wexler:</b> <span style="background: #ffffff;">In
John Golden, this divide doesn’t really exist – everyone knows
about magic, at least a little. It operates on the same level that
detailed technical knowledge does in the real world: most people know
computers exist, and can use them, but when something goes badly
wrong they have to call an expert. In the John Golden world, things
going wrong can be a little bit more alarming, but the principle is
basically the same.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Janine A. Southard:</b> <span style="color: black;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
Everything that we are is reflected in what we do. Imagine a small
emergency. For instance, they’re out of your mother’s favorite
brand of orange juice when you go to the store for her. Are you the
kind of person who calls her (because you know she doesn’t like
texting) for other options? Or the kind who just grabs what’s on
sale (because you know better than to disturb her)? Perhaps you text
your sister, or tweet a request for advice, or skip the orange juice
altogether.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">With
magic at your disposal in this scenario, you’d have a lot more
options, and you’d probably be tempted to pick one. Why not
transform the Florida’s Natural into Tropicana with your alchemical
skills, or teleport to the grocery store on the other side of town?
No problem. These sound much better than all of the above.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Cedar Blake:</b> <span style="color: black;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Well,
that line’s pretty blurry </span></span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;">in
Dream Along the Edge</span></i></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">.
Rachel Cooper, my heroine, has a degree of paranormal ability,
although whether that’s an innate part of who she is or whether it
comes from her intimate association with her shapeshifting lover
Heaven remains deliberately ambiguous. Her roommate Chalice, and the
boy-toy Luke, obviously lack such abilities, and their jealousy plays
a definite role in the tension between them all. As for emergencies,
I think the ghost-net episode reveals just how much Rachel and Heaven
have in common. Their abilities allow them to do what they do, and
that “emergency” bonds them in ways no other situation could have
done.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-69262324993103136402014-11-15T07:01:00.000-08:002014-11-15T07:07:14.666-08:00Fire & Frost - Release Day!Release Day!!<br />
<br />
My novella, "Fire & Frost" has been released in the e-book collection - "Under an Enchanted Skyline", along with seven other urban fantasy tales. This is for a limited time and a great price of $.99, so get it today. You won't be sorry.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/492559">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/492559</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-an-enchanted-skyline-janine-a-southard/1120736158?ean=2940150328389&itm=1&usri=2940150328389">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-an-enchanted-skyline-janine-a-southard/1120736158?ean=2940150328389&itm=1&usri=2940150328389</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/under-an-enchanted-skyline">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/under-an-enchanted-skyline</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJJ519W">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJJ519W</a><br />
<br />
And a review link at Goodreads - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23550887-under-an-enchanted-skyline">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23550887-under-an-enchanted-skyline</a><br />
<br />
Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-6436993554681454032014-11-04T18:22:00.000-08:002014-11-04T18:22:25.797-08:00National Novel Writing Month<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
October came and went with a bang.
Started a new job with that all important health insurance plus a
steady paycheck. Not a glamorous job, but one that’s also not soul
sucking. Moved into a more permanent place for the time being and
managed to get most of my crap out of the storage. Working full time
with the commute does make writing full-time at my leisure not a
viable solution. October started out pretty rough and it took some
effort to get past the bumps.</div>
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</div>
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In terms of writing, it’s was a mixed
bag of promise, disappointment, and things in between. My novella,
Fire & Frost will appear in a collection of urban fantasy
stories. E-book only format for the time being, so expect that I’ll
be pimping that hard when the time comes. Most of my energy went
towards writing my novel, not at the pace I wanted, but I did hit my
goals for the most part. 29 out of 31 days involved writing in some
manner and I found a good routine in the morning and evening.
Submitted two short stories, one of which has been rejected already.
Disappointing, but there’s other opportunities that I’m
investigating.</div>
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</div>
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November is National Novel Writing
Month. I’m getting back on the horse for the ninth time and
shooting for a seventh win. I have a lot of motivation to complete
the novel and since it’s more than the 50k word count, I could even
get into the books two of the series. I have found myself going back
and adding scenes to chapters one and two, while working on chapter
three. I've blocked out scenes in chapters four and five that have
come to mind in the process. Chapter six is still a blank slate but
that will change once I get a feel for how chapter five resolves
itself.</div>
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Other than the novel, I've got two
short stories in process plus the edits on my Fossil Lake II story.
I’m going deep instead of wide for the next few months but expect a
few side projects along the way. Feeling good about hitting goals and
keeping ahead of the curve in terms of writing this month. Full steam
ahead and no looking back.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-25875177101937767402014-09-24T07:00:00.000-07:002014-09-28T08:22:34.937-07:00Counting Stories In talking with a friend, I decided to do a quick count on what I've sold in the past 2 years. There's a definite progression which I chalk up to not working and having people push me to do stuff.<br />
<br />
The last half of 2012 saw 2 short story sales ["Madame" & "Perfection"]. Both stories features Henri and his axe, Madame. I've got another story written, but it didn't fit the current assassins call, so it's just waiting for a chance. This year [2014] saw some world building around Henri as I tried to envision his world. Nothing too crazy or serious yet, but I've got a good grip on his setting and that opens up even more stories.<br />
<br />
2013 showed a spike with 6 sales ["Broken Horn", "GRONK!", "The Flowering Princess of Dreams", "The Tamer of Beasts", "The Dank", and "Knife's Edge"] and the birth of my urban fantasy world. Five of the six stories can be tied to this theme. I have many plans for this, some of which have come to fruition in 2014. I'm not racking in the $$'s, but my name's out there and showing a small amount of dividends.<br />
<br />
2014 exploded with 8 confirmed sales. There's a couple of sequels [Attack of the GRONKlings!, Bride of GRONK!, MegaGRONK!], some urban fantasy [The Crew, A Measure of Air, The Handmaiden's Touch], and a few new ones [The Last Hero, Granny's Hood]. I'm really happy about how this year is progressing and I've got six out for calls and three more short stories in process. No rest for the wicked.<br />
<br />
I've been setting goals for myself each month and working to hit them. Last month was to write 500 words a day, every day. That didn't happen, as I failed to write anything on 13 of those days, though my average ended up at 623 words/day. Not terrible, but not every day. That's the key, write every day. This month is down four days due to a pinched nerve in my foot and moving, but the average is up. It's getting that habit down. Every single day. Write.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-64704987668820798122014-09-17T17:46:00.004-07:002014-09-17T19:05:42.616-07:00September, Do you remember? A song by Earth, Wind, & Fire from the 70's. It shows up on my Pandora feed from time to time and makes me pause to enjoy the music for a moment. That's my old man moment for the month. This is going to be a short post as I've got things brewing that I can't announce quite yet, but hopefully in the next week or two.<br />
<br />
Last month was a busy one and I came out okay but not fantastic. The last week of the month involved an inflamed tendon that messed with my getting around and made it hard to write. Ended with just over 19k words over 11 stories, about half being started projects that didn't get finished up until September.<br />
<br />
This month saw me finish up "The Handmaiden's Touch", "Oakai", and "Frozen in Stone" for calls leaving two short stories in process. "Broodlings" & a yet unnamed one about Scarecrows. The later is stalled out as I'm not 100% sure where to go with it. Still got six weeks to finish it up, so there's time left.<br />
<br />
I've managed ~14,200 words and I suspect that will swell to close to 30k by the end of the month.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-86268026467073255252014-08-24T15:37:00.002-07:002014-08-24T15:37:14.738-07:00Anniversary Month<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
August marks a milestone in my writing
“career”. Back in 2011 I sent off my first submission to a call
for a superhero novella, “Fire & Frost.” My first rejection
followed shortly afterward. Looking back at it, there were some big
flaws in the prose, narration, content, and other things that make it
unsuitable for acceptance. After a change of premise, reworking
characters, adding a sub-plot, and an additional 15k words, it's
shaped up to be a nice story. I haven't found a home for it yet, but
in time someone will want to publish it. Have to keep telling myself
that so it doesn't feel like I'm slamming my head against a wall so
much. :)</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The other milestone is the publication
of my first sale, “Madame” in the anthology “Uncommon
Assassins.” Not a long or involved story, just the first one and so
there's a lot of fondness for the characters. I'd planned on
submitting a sequel story for the current assassins anthology call,
but Henri and Madame aren't the subtle or insidious types. “Riot”
will have to wait until another call to see the light of day. Were I
to do it over, there's a few things I'd change about the story and
add more to flush out Henri, Uncle Andre, Aunt Giselle, and Madame.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The last three years have been a trip
with high and low points. By all rights, I shouldn't be as successful
with selling short stories. Not making pro rate yet, but there's some
promise that if I keep at it, I just might see a full length novel in
print. In the meantime, baby steps. Keep pitching “Fire &
Frost” to publishers while I keep on writing short stories and
shape one of my projects into a full length novel.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This last week, I hit a wall where I couldn't get
anything done, other than stare at a page and wonder where the words
had buggered off to. This led to a conversation with a friend about motivation and how to keep the momentum going. My habit is to sit at a coffee shop [Starbucks] and write. The laptop [a freakin' antique 9 year old HP] lacks a functional network card and I carry a low-end tablet [HP] for research & keeping tabs on email. It keeps me from being tempted to surf, chat via IM, and play games. My word count per hour is not all that great compared to some people I know, but it's steady and there's progress.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I can't go out, for whatever reason, I need to step away from the PC, take the laptop into the
dining room, and write. No internet. No games. No chat programs. Me, a
word processor, and coffee. This month, I've started tracking my word count. By my current tally, I'm at 15,259
words for the month with a goal 15,500, an average of 500 words a
day. Looking at my daily record, I see that 9
days have a giant goose egg in the word count column. Nine. Meh.
That's not acceptable. Yes, I know it's an unrealistic expectation,
but really, I want to be [more] successful. If I don't write, I don't
have that chance to sell. Opportunities are missed. Unacceptable.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Bottom line - Butt in seat and write.
Good day. Bad day. Whatever day. Butt in chair and write. These stories aren't going to tell themselves.</div>
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Thanks for listening and go buy the anthologies with my stories. Not just for mine, but to read all the other great authors that I have the privilege to share the table of contents. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-57125946126975545932014-07-21T21:25:00.002-07:002014-07-21T21:25:59.917-07:00Three Things I Write and Three Things I Don't Write<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Three Things I Write and Three Things I
Don't Write</center>
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A fellow writer, Rhonda Parrish,
asked for volunteers to write a blog post in the future. I said 'yes'
not quite knowing what I was being asked, so took it as a challenge
to come up with something when the time comes. And here we are.
Things I write and things I don't write. Rather then a neat list for
each, I'll go back and forth.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Things I Write #1</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Urban Fantasy. Not something I started
out to write, but I've come to find it endlessly fascinating. There's
a challenge to writing magic in a modern setting without having it
become an easy crutch to fix everything. You'll not find werewolves
or vampires in these stories, but plenty of homages to fairy tales.
My longest piece of writing is an urban fantasy novella that I hope
to sell some day. At some point it may become a full fledged novel as
I expand upon it after each rejection.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Things I Don't Write #1</div>
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Poetry. Not a line or verse. My forays
into writing poetry have turned out sub-par product. There's a knack
to it that I can't wrap my head around. Part of it is that poetry
itself doesn't capture my interest as something I'm inclined to read
on a regular basis. Anything that can put me to sleep that easy isn't
going on my reading list.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Things I Write #2</div>
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Fan Fic. I played a computer games
called City Of Heroes, which closed down in late 2012. For the last 3
years or so I ran with a group from a forum called RPGnet. As you
might guess, we did a lot of RP and I wrote a lot of fiction based on
my characters. We had a nice group and created a small library of
stories. Still in contact with some of them and we still occasionally write about them or dig up old stories. There's some good memories in those words.</div>
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Things I Don't Write #2</div>
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Straight up fantasy with dragons,
wizards, and a medieval setting. I love reading the genre, but
writing hasn't hooked me like I thought it might. My “plan” when
I started this was to write sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalypse
fiction. Two of the three have happened, but the fantasy? Not so
much. Mine has guns, cars, and electricity. As a note, I count my
fairy tales as they all tie back to my larger urban fantasy universe.</div>
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Things I Write #3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Monsters. I'm a sucker for all those
50's and 60's monster movies with SCIENCE! Shambling things from
outer space, giant spiders tearing up the west, and radioactive
creatures spawned from atomic bombs. Love the genre. This year's been
a great one for those stories and I've had quite a fun time in
writing them. I've hit a theme with my “GRONK!” series, though
I've only sold one, submitted two others, and need to write a fourth
by the end of August. So much potential for good, cheesy fun. I'm not
going to spoil the monster reveal, you'll just have to go read it
yourself. :)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Things I Don't Write #3</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Violence against children. Call it my
line in the sand, but none of that. My list of taboo subjects is
pretty short, but they're non-negotiable. I might threaten them, but
they'll never come to harm physically. Mental scarring, well that might happen, like when your mom dies in a fire when bullies set fire to your house.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That's my list of three things that I
write and I don't write. As Rhonda noted, it's hard to think of things
you don't write against what you do or plan on it. My first sale was
a suspense story about a boy and his axe, not a sci-fi, so I've
learned to keep my options open. And horror. Never figured that I'd
be dabbling in that field, but it's just so much fun. Please feel
free to leave a comment or ping me on Facebook or Twitter.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-38521130932983233892014-07-12T22:15:00.001-07:002014-07-12T22:15:15.663-07:00Monsters, monsters, and giant monsters. I'm a Godzilla fan. It's a fact. I have a copy of every movie on DVD, even the terrible one that features little kids and baby Godzilla. My star of the collection is a copy of the original movie that Classic Media did back in 2006 along with Godzilla Raids Again [the first sequel]. The only movie missing is the 1984 Godzilla film that you can't get legitimately in the US or Canada. I'd pay many bucks for a copy of the original Japanese version with subtitles and not the terrible American release. My understanding there's rights issues and no one's talking. Bastards.<br />
<br />
Why do I mention this? This summer saw the debut of a new Godzilla movie, which aside from a few plot holes and moments of "WTF?", came away as enjoyable. Giant monsters stomping around and destroying cities? Check and mate in my book. In my book, having more monster screen time is a bonus and I'd watch two hours of Godzilla fighting monsters in a tag team match. That my collection is in storage at the moment makes me sad.<br />
<br />
I've also noticed an upswing of monster related calls, revolving around b-movie, giant, and swarms of monsters. Not saying there's a relationship, but I'm liking what I see. My first giant monster story, "GRONK!", appeared in "ATTACK! of the B-Movie Monsters: Night of the Gigantis" and has since spawned a sequel [Bride of GRONK!] which is out to a call. On top of that, there's three more calls out there that just cry out for me to make additional stories [Attack of the GRONKlings, MegaGRONK, and one as yet untitled]. In the past week, I've struggled with an unrelated call and fell short in a few ways. Today, I put that one aside and worked on Attack, pumping out 3k words in the afternoon whereas I did barely 500 the other day. Just sat down and went at it. I think I found my groove, at least for this month of writing. Tomorrow's goal is to finish up Attack and start the edit process.<br />
<br />
I joked with my friend that these stories would be awesome fodder for a terrible SyFy movie. As she noted there's worse things than being known as the [OMG SPOILER] weird platypus guy. I think I could live with that.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666683741018427263.post-92047222487710365432014-05-19T12:05:00.001-07:002014-05-19T12:05:12.011-07:00Story Games - Microscope A divergence from the normal topic of writing and delving into a bit of gaming.<br />
<br />
I got a chance to play a story-telling game called Microscope on Sunday. I've heard about it and read the rules, so I had an idea what I was getting into and had a blast. The basic premise is that 2-4 players are exploring a period of history that they've created. It can be modern, fantasy, sci-fi, or whatever you happen to feel like. You make the "bookends" of the timeline and then each person makes either a period or event. The only restriction is that events have to go under a period and the bookends are valid periods. All you need are some note cards [3x5 work well], a writing instrument, and a table to lay everything out on.<br />
<br />
Play is pretty simple. Each person will take turns making periods, events, and scenes in the game. Periods are place in the timeline, events are placed under a period, and scenes go under an event. I should note that each period/event/scene is light or dark, indicating the general tone. You may have a dark themed period, but have light events and scenes underneath or vice-versa. The first person in the round is called the lens and sets the focus or topic that will be explored during the round. They also have an option to place two items on the boards such as a period + event or an event + scene. They may just make a scene and leave it at that. Play continues clockwise with the other players placing one period/event/scene. At the end, the lens get the option to go again with the same choices as the start. After the lens is done, the person on the right makes a legacy, which is a theme about the previous round of play, then makes an event or scene about it. The lens then shifts to the left and play continues.<br />
<br />
While this is a story telling game, there's a role-play mechanic in terms of the scenes. Be default, the person creating the scene creates a question that needs to be answered during it. Such as - Does King Rodrick escape the assassin? The player designates mandatory roles [The king, the assassin], plus any other ones that are deemed important. He may also restrict roles if they aren't appropriate. Starting on the right, players choose either a mandatory character or makes one up that's in the scene and have an investment on what's happening. The cavaet is that the mandatory characters must be played, so those spots must be taken by the last players as needed. Play then commences until the question is answered. This may leave other things unresolved, but that's an opportunity for more scenes.<br />
<br />
The beauty of the system is that you can jump back and forth along the timeline to explore whatever interest you as long as you stick to whatever the focus of the round is. You cannot contradict what's been established already, so if the town's been destroyed in a period, you can't visit it in a future period. But you can go back to before the destruction and explore events or scenes in the town.<br />
<br />
This is a cooperative game and there's some mechanics for trying to change how a scene happens and players are encouraged to ask questions to clarify events or periods. Outcomes are rarely dictated and everything is fair game. An example is the death of the warlord which was the starting period of the timeline in the game we played. One player setup a situation surrounding the the death of the king and his heir. Another player added a scene about it which took it in a different direction that the 1st player didn't expect or plan. Not to say that it's bad, but there's no "ownership" once something is on the board. You may create the great city of the Gods and another player may nuke it from orbit. Someone could be a jerk and spoil another player's fun, but hopefully that's not the case.<br />
<br />
One of the players pointed out this is a good way to create a history for an RPG if you were so inclined or a shared world for writing between friends. I'm looking forward to playing it again. As a note, we had 4 players and while the first round drug a bit, once we got familiar with the game, things sped up. In the four hours of play, we managed to get three rounds done. I have the cards and, if time permits, post the timeline in its full glory. The author of Microscope has put out another game called Kingdom. This one focuses on a single community or group. I've not played it, but hope to do so in the near future.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02418759699911783159noreply@blogger.com0