The Genre Chooses the Writer, Harry

Okay. That might not be entirely true. But in my case, it is.

When I set out on this writing journey, I was sure I would find my niche primarily within the romance genre. Sure, I was going to write within the realm of fantasy, but it was going to be romantic fantasy. Imagine my surprise when that wasn't the case.

I certainly never expected to market myself as a horror author, which I now do. And granted, I am still writing fantasy. But it's dark, and the romances are highly secondary. So basically, speculative fiction grabbed me by the ass and made me its bitch.

(Oh, and by the way, most of my material contains adult content, as the above sentence probably indicates. You've been warned.)

This created a bit of a problem when it came to my marketing techniques. I had set up my blog, my Facebook page, my Twitter page, all to represent a different author than who I turned out to be. So now, everything's getting a bit of an upgrade. A few tweaks, a few changes, and some better insight to this fantastical genre of darkness I'm now exploring.

I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Much love.


**I have imported all the posts from (An Up-and-Coming) Nerd's Words to be included here, for those readers who still may want access to them. Going forward, however, the feel and content of Shadowed Destiny will be heading in a more genre-specific direction.**

Tell A Great Story

Tell a great story.

Sounds simple, right?

All you need is emotive characters that are true to life and compel your readers to care about them, a plot that is simultaneously not boring and not overdone, enough tricks to keep the reader hooked, but not so many they become trite, a colorful world full of cultural references to create atmosphere, enough of your voice to not be remote, but not so much as to overpower everything else, the use of language that is both beautiful and basic, so as to intrigue but not irritate your reader, a variety of sentence lengths and types that will give your story a rhythm to march to, and the list goes on and on and on.

I recently read an article by Chuck Wendig entitled "25 Reasons Why I Stopped Reading Your Book." It was genius. It was also a lot. A lot to remember, a lot to think about, a lot to obsess over as you put your own pen to paper (or finger to key). So what is one to do?

Easy. Tell a great story.

Many times, for me at least, especially when writing fantasy, we find ourselves caught up in the rules, the world-building, the magic, the language, and we get lost. We become so desperate to be original, to be beautiful, to be exciting, to be mysterious, to be dangerous, to write a strong female lead, to write a non-cookie-cutter male lead, to write the next Harry Potter or Hobbit or Odyssey. We try so hard to write, that we forget to tell.

And that's the difference. Note I've said: Tell a great story. Not "write" a great story. TELL a great story.

There's nothing wrong with doing research, with using a thesaurus, with checking facts, with creating a new language, with developing a detailed plot, with catching the reader by surprise. In fact, a good, publishable work requires all those things. But without a great story--a simple, real, compelling story--the rest is all window dressing. Smoke. Illusions.

Ask any magician: behind all the tigers and cages and curtains and trap doors and birds and flashes and fireworks, there is a solid, simple illusion. And without the solid, simple illusion, the rest is all meaningless. 

Don't be meaningless. Just tell a great story.

So here's your challenge: 

Tell me about the wolf. Who is s/he? What is s/he? What is s/he doing? Where is s/he going? Doesn't have to be long, doesn't have to be involved. Unless you want it to be. But tell me the wolf's story. Make it great. (I'll tell you mine next week!)

Much love!

**I cannot completely take credit for this post. The inspiration and advice comes directly from the great Jeff Brown (AJ Brown), my awesomesauce SSP liaison. He knows his stuff.**

Ravenwood Castle: A Fantasy Writer's Dream

If my eighth-grade English teacher hadn't done enough for me already--she's the one teacher that encouraged me to write, rather than doing "something important" with my life--she now has unwittingly introduced me to a new source of inspiration. And now, I introduce it to you.

I give you: Ravenwood Castle!

Located in New Plymouth, Ohio, Ravenwood Castle is a fantasy getaway for anyone who idolizes Robin Hood, King Arthur, Shakespeare, gypsies, and many other memorable historical characters.

Ravenwood Castle offers a variety of accommodations, from the stately King Arthur's Suite to the humble Woodcutter's Cottage, from Cinderella's elegant Coach House to Ezmerelda's lowly, but colorful Wagon.

Castle Rooms, such as the King Arthur Suite, are great for couples and offer king-sized beds (what else?), fireplaces, jacuzzis, second-story decks overlooking the village, and more.

(The second story of the King Arthur Tower Suite)

In the surrounding village, there are a number of medieval cottages available. A little less luxurious than the castle itself, and a bit more family friendly, the cottages still evoke a sense of ease and comfort and offer a number of amenities. In the brightly colored Clock Tower, one can still take advantage of a whirlpool tub and a second story balcony. The Tower offers extra charm with its hand-carved wood and stained glass.

 (The Clock Tower)

(The upstairs bedroom of the Clock Tower)

A bit farther out, at the bottom of the hill, is the Huntsman's Hollow. The village of cabins offers a rustic setting, situated by a creek with a central fire pit that allows for outdoor camaraderie and fellowship. Each cabin houses four, and also offers an unfurnished sleeping loft for extra sleeping space, or a child's imaginary adventures.

 (A Huntsman's Hollow cabin loft)

(The Huntsman's Hollow)

And for the truly adventurous, Ravenwood Castle offers the Gypsy Wagons. While these small wagons offer heat, a kitchenette, and a private bathroom (that's only a small trek down the road), they lack bedding, towels, and linens. Meaning, if you want to sleep comfortably, you better BYOB (bring your own bed!). They recommend air mattresses and/or sleeping bags.

(Ezmerelda's Wagon)

(The inside of Ezmerelda's Wagon)

All guests have access to the entire grounds, which includes the Great Hall (which serves breakfast and dinner) and Raven's Roost Pub, where guests can enjoy hand-crafted beers, hard ciders, and board games. Yes, board games.

Ravenwood Castle also hosts two annual gaming cons, one of which is for charity, for those of you that (like me!) love that kind of thing. :)

So what does all this have to do with writing? Well, it doesn't, really. Except that I want so badly to go here and write! Ravenwood Castle is unplugged, which means they don't provide internet service and their cell service is sketchy. The point of the Ravenwood experience is to unwind, relax, enjoy the company of others if you're so inclined, and be inspired! Go back in time while still enjoying modern amenities. 

What fantasy writer, especially one (again, like me) that tends to focus on European-inspired settings, wouldn't want to soak up the atmosphere and write all the words???

So I've come up with a plan. It's a new plan, and still needs a lot (a LOT!) of development, but somehow, I'm going to make it happen. I want to host a writer's retreat here. Either a weekend, or maybe a whole week (like I said, I'm still in the early stages here). I want to rent the Huntsman's Hollow, probably sometime in the fall when the weather's a bit milder, and have authors bunk together, and write. Write, write, and write some more, with no technological distractions. Why the Huntsman's Hollow? Because of the community fire pit. Every afternoon/evening/whenever, we can all get together, discuss what we've been working on, ask questions, read snippets of our work and get feedback. And roast marshmallows! Who doesn't love s'mores? (I don't, actually, but I'll have one every now and again.)

So, like I said, somehow, I'm going to make this happen. So now I need to know: who's with me? Say I can make this happen sometime in the next two years--who wants to go? Who wants more information? If you do, hit me up on Facebook, on Twitter, on here. Email me: brianarobertsonwrites@yahoo.com. Let me know you want to be on the To-Know List. And as I make this happen, I will keep you updated. I will give you dates, prices, etc. And if you have suggestions, if you want to be involved in the planning, or you know a group that would be willing to sponsor one sooner, let me know! I am all ears, because right now, I'm flying by the seat of my pants. But I will prevail!

Let's go back in time and get inspired! Let's go to Ravenwood Castle! Who's with me?

Map Making: Inkarnate

I found a thing!

It's a fantasy map generator, entitled Inkarnate.

Inkarnate lets you:

     *shape your own land masses 

     *add colors and textures to differentiate between land types

     *add objects such as towns, villages, cities, towers, bridges, compasses, etc.

     *choose from a variety of fantasy-themed fonts to label areas, as well as change the size & color of said fonts

     *add notes regarding the world you've created

First, you can draw out the general shape of your world:

Then, you can add different colors and textures to differentiate between areas such as forests, deserts, tundras, roads, etc., as well as add actual mountains, trees, and more.

There are multiple options for adding cities, towns, villages, towers, bridges, ruins, compasses, etc.

And then you can add your fonts to label your locations.

There are also options for adding notes, using grid lines, naming and describing your map, saving an incomplete map so that you can come back to it later, and exporting your map for use elsewhere. 

Inkarnate is currently in a beta stage, and like any online tool, requires a bit of playing with in order to use. However, the site is fairly easy to use, and allows for a range of artistic levels. There is the ability to be as simple or complex as you'd like. 

My only critique so far is there is no undo button, although there is the ability to delete objects and text you've put in. 

I'm very excited to use this tool for future fantasy projects, including my upcoming novels, "Watcher" and "The Skathe." I would recommend it to fellow authors, illustrators, gamers, or anyone who might want to try their hand at it simply for fun. 

Intrigued? Give it a try! Check it out at www.inkarnate.com.

Much love!

I'm having a party!

Technically, we're having a party. And by we, I mean Stitched Smile Publications. Tonight is the pre-release party for "Unleashing the Voices Within," SSP's first anthology! It's happening from 7-10pm this evening, CST, and I will be co-hosting from 8:30-9. Wanna come hang out? You totally should!!!

Here's the link for the event, if you'd like to show up: https://m.facebook.com/events/1033833886692185?acontext=%7B"ref"%3A104%2C"action_history"%3A"null"%7D&aref=104&__tn__=H

Per Jackie Chin, SSP's lovely Marketing Manager, here's what I can tell you:

"Stitched Smile Publications is proud to announce their latest release: The Voices Within. 22 authors dig deeply into the recesses of the mind to bring you uniquely disturbing and graphic horror at its finest."

Genre: "Dark" (dark sci-fi, horror, thriller)

Pre-release date: June 16, 2016

Release date: June 22, 2016

Table of Contents:

A Mirror Never Lies, by David Owain Hughes
A Voice in a Box, by Katie MacMillan
Blasphemous Tumours, by David Court
Brattle-Boro, by Michael Freeman
Cabinet of Truth, by David Golightly
Cult of the Angel Eaters, by Mark Deloy
Cutting Lies, by Briana Robertson (THAT'S ME!!!!)
Final Delivery, by Jeff Dawson
Jacob's Mind, by Ty Schwamberger
Janie's Got a Gun, by Lisa Vasquez (That's my boss!!)
Lullaby and Goodnight, by C.S. Anderson
Night Train Fights, by Justin Gowland
Normalcy, by Kristy Brooks
Once Last Conversation, by Veronica Smith
Pure Soprano of Death, by Norbert Gora
Sandy, by R. Judas Brown (That's one of my really good friends!!)
Scarab, by J.C. Michael
The Darkness, by Jeff Parsons
The Killer and the Clergyman, by Kevin Hayman
The Voice of Absolution, by Ash Hartwell
Watch Out, by Jeffrey Blevins
What the Heart Wants, by Frank Martin

Also, be sure to check out Stitched Smile's Amazon page at: https://goo.gl/tWq0mH

Hope to see you tonight!

What's your beef with Star Wars?

Turns out my husband's never watched all of Episodes II & III of Star Wars.

Not only was this news to me; apparently, it was to him, as well. We decided to watch the Star Wars saga machete style (if you're unsure of what that means, check out this link); last night, as we sat watching the first half of Episode II, he turns to me and says, "I don't think I've watched this all the way through. I'd remember, because it's really bad."

He then proceeded, after telling me I couldn't sit and complain through the whole thing, to consistently comment on every awkward moment, every poorly written line, every inconsistency in the entire film. All I could do was laugh; he was more entertaining than the movie. But then again, what isn't?

Now, I know there are plenty of people who share my opinion of Episodes 1-3 (they're terrible), but I know there are people who enjoy them as well. That's fair. It is Star Wars, after all. Here's what I want to know: where do you think Episodes 1-3 went wrong? What is it about the films that make them so terrible? Is it bad casting? Bad writing? Poor taste? All of the above? My husband and I have been discussing it, and now I want to know your thoughts. Should these movies have been good, or were they doomed from the start? What, if anything, would have allowed them to stand up to par with the original trilogy?

And please, don't harp on Jar-Jar Binks. That's just lazy. We all know:

Now, discuss.

Where I'm At and Where I've Been

So this post isn't writing related. It's not nerd related, either. But as an author, I feel I owe my audience, small as it may currently be, an explanation for my recent--and overlong--absences. Rather than regular blog posts and updates on my author page, my updates have been random at best. My apologies.

On May 2 of this year, a scant two and a half weeks ago, I gave birth to my third daughter. Delivery was the culmination of an extremely long and excruciatingly painful pregnancy that has kept me away from not only my writing responsibilities, but life in general. I am thrilled and relieved to say that in addition to gaining an absolutely gorgeous and perfectly healthy baby, I've lost a large percentage of the daily pain I was in (along with 32 pounds!) and am finally able to get back to work.

So why haven't I?

Well, over the next two weeks, my family will be moving back to the St. Louis area. Due to a number of circumstances, my husband and I have decided it will be best for us to leave Quincy and return "home"--bringing us closer to family and better opportunities. So instead of keeping up on social media, I'm currently resigned to packing.

Ugh.

However, by June I should be settled in the new place and ready to get back to the daily grind of things. So keep your eyes open, I'll be making an official reappearance shortly. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the publication of my short story, "Cutting Lies," in the upcoming anthology by Stitched Smile Publications, entitled "Unleashing the Voices Within." Here's a gander at the awesome cover:

Thanks for keeping up with me! See you all soon!

American Gods by Neil Gaiman: A Review

Honestly, I should have written this post forever ago, and in truth I should probably read the book again if this review is going to do any real justice to the novel, but that's not going to happen. My overall consensus: I'm glad I read it. I will probably never read it again.

Let's remember that American Gods was published fifteen years ago and has probably been reviewed God knows how many times since then, by reviewers much more qualified than myself. But when I initially posted the reading list on my blog, I told myself that when I finished one listed, I would review it here, even if it was just for myself.

In all fairness, I was warned by multiple peers that American Gods was not the way to go as my first foray into the world of Neil Gaiman. But I was aware the TV series by Starz was in the works and as I had every intention of watching it, I wanted to get the book under my belt. I also had a peer reference American Gods in a review they gave of one of my short stories; not having read it, I knew it was a compliment, but desired more context. So I ordered a cheap copy off Abebooks.com and got to reading.

(Coming to Starz 2017)

I was disappointed, as many warned me I might be.

Now, perhaps part of my disappointment lay in my lack of world religions and myths. Obviously I recognized the main characters/gods: Mr. Wednesday is Odin, Mr. Nancy is Anansi (thank you, Wishbone), Mr. Jaquel is Anubis. But a number of the smaller characters--the Zorya sisters, Easter, Whiskey Jack--those I had no reference for. It makes sense that much of the book's deeper meaning might be lost given that lack of reference.

But even as a story itself, I was disappointed. The pacing was slow, the plot a bit disjointed, the characters underdeveloped. Honestly, I can't pinpoint what exactly kept me reading. There was something. I'm not one of those people who feels compelled to finish a book just because I started it. If it doesn't hook me in some way, I put it down, and I don't feel guilty. So there was something about American Gods that hooked me, because I did finish it, and rather quickly too. But I didn't feel anything when I got to the end, except maybe relief. I didn't gain anything from the reading. There was no sense of resolution, no sense of finality. It just ended.

I think my main issue with American Gods, other than not relating to it, was that I didn't find it memorable. The part that left the biggest impression (warning: spoiler ahead if you haven't read it!) was the revelation that Hinzelmann was burying dead kids in the trunks of cars that ended up on the bottom of the lake. That's what I remember about the book. And there was a battle at the end, I think. I don't remember which side, if any, actually won. As both a reader and an author, that admission makes me sad.

The good news is my lack of love for American Gods hasn't put me off Neil Gaiman. I still have a number of his novels on my list of things I want to read. Thinking I'm going to give Neverwhere a go pretty soon. It, unlike American Gods, has been highly recommended.

So, if you've read American Gods, what are your thoughts? What am I missing? Does it deserve another read? Or did you not care for it either? Let me know. Because if there's anything better than reading a book, it's discussing said book with the rest of the world.

Special Edition--Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice Review

**Note: Thank you to a good friend for pointing out that I mislabeled Alfred as Albert. **headdesk** For the record, yes, I know his name is Alfred, not sure where the Albert came from today. The situation has been rectified.**

Yup. I saw it early. Thanks to our local gaming store owner, we got tickets to an early screening. How was it? Well, let's establish first and foremost that I'm more of a Marvel girl than a DC chick. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to expand my fandom--it just means I'm not an expert on either Batman or Superman. So perhaps my opinion won't mean much. Let's also point out, for those who may not know, that the story line of this particular movie apparently has little to nothing to do with any Batman or Superman comic plot that currently exists. So if you're a dedicated comic fan, this may not be your cup of tea.

For me? An uneducated nerd with little background knowledge and no expectations? It was perfectly adequate.

It was a long and fairly disjointed film with just enough entertaining and humorous moments to keep it from being completely dull. This is especially true of the first half of the film, which is composed of short scenes that jump from character to character to character with no real continuity or sense of momentum. A number of scenes also lack any real sense of relevance, which is only exacerbated by their being "out of order;" while technically in chronological order, there is no flow to the "plot." Let's put it this way: at one point I leaned over to ask my husband what time it was. I had to suppress my groan when I realized we were only an hour in to the two and a half hour film.

The battle scenes that compose the second half of the film are definitely more entertaining and pass the time much more quickly. Watching the level of hatred Batman feels for Superman come to life in combat lets the viewer truly experience his emotions. And for a new fan like me, seeing the seemingly invincible Superman brought low by a superhero with no real "superpowers" was interesting to watch. It was a bit like cheering for the underdog, which I tend to do. As to Doomsday, brought to life by Lex Luthor and LOTR cave troll look-alike, I missed the point altogether. That may indeed be due to my lack of DC world background knowledge, but I couldn't tell you much about Doomsday other than he's a Kryptonian. I'm not sure why Lex created him, why he's so indestructible, or why he's out to destroy the world. The battle is pretty, I'll give it that. The explosions, Superman's X-ray vision, the flipping and turning and dodging of Batman and Wonder Woman--they flow in gorgeous sequences the rest of the film would have benefited greatly from. 

As for the characters themselves? Honestly, I think the best performance was given by the one person the majority of the public seemed to dread most. Ben Affleck plays an exceptional Bruce Wayne, if a not-so-exceptional Batman. He leaves Christian Bale in the dust, that's for sure. Jeremy Irons is no Michael Caine, but his portrayal of Alfred is enjoyable. I personally was disappointed in the lack of relationship portrayed between Bruce and Alfred; it seemed to me as if Alfred was promoted down to nothing more than tech-savvy buddy rather than deeply caring and involved father-figure and mentor. I'm used to Alfred being Batman's conscience of a sort; that aspect of his character didn't exist in this film. They tried to insert it in one major scene; they failed. Alfred warns Bruce of taking his brand of justice too far, of becoming a criminal, to which Bruce replies they've always been criminals. It's a brush-off, both in that singular scene, and in their relationship as a whole.

I haven't seen the other Superman movies in which Henry Cavill stars, so I can't rate his performance in this film against those. I can say that it felt as if Superman continually acted under the duress of others' expectations, rather than his own conscience. Cavill broods through most of the movie, giving the viewer the feeling that Superman isn't happy about the way things are going, yet he does nothing to change his course of action. 

Personally, I enjoyed Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, but remember, I have absolutely no true concept of how Lex Luthor is meant to be portrayed. I got a kick out of Lex's little quirks and obvious hints at lunacy, though his motivations weren't clear outside of the fact that he was obviously cuckoo. While he did feel a bit Joker-esque, I think Eisenberg's performance left a lot of room for the villain's maturation in future films, should he reappear. 

While the film was lacking in a number of ways, it was not lacking in cameos. I think there might have been more people listed in the credits as themselves than DC characters. Appearances by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Charlie Rose, Anderson Cooper, and more did give the film a sense of realism, though the resources spent on such big names might have been better spent in other aspects of the film.

The score and cinematography were both exceptional, in my humble opinion. The film looked and sounded pretty. Unfortunately, those weren't quite enough to make up for the lack of depth in character and plot development. 

Overall, I give it 3 out of 5 stars. An average score for a perfectly average film. The one thing I can say with absolute certainty? I'm glad I had the chance to see it for free. 

Teaser Tuesday...kind of...

So awhile back (a good while back, I know) I mentioned that I'd been hired to write for The Ed Greenwood Group. At that point, that was all I could say. I couldn't release any details because of these wonderful little things known as non-disclosure forms. However, after many months of much hard work by a massive group of people, Onder Librum is officially live to the public and I can let you all know what you can be expecting from me over the next couple of years!

The first setting I'm working within is "In So Deep," and yes, you read that right. It does contain mature themes and is for adult audiences only. In other words, it's erotica. There will be sex in the novels released in this setting. Including mine. Just giving you fair warning. But it's not just sex, let's be clear on that. Ed Greenwood has developed a complex setting full of complex characters with a more than intriguing world order. And each novel is going to give its readers a dynamic and enveloping plot and story arc; the sex is just the window dressing.

So, as to what I'm doing specifically?

My novel is entitled "A Long Ride" and is set to be released in August 2017. Here's the teaser:

Despite the recent ravages of the Gulgular, the Earl and Countess of Sevormender are experiencing a shaky sense of peace. That sense is abruptly shattered when the Countess receives news her family in the neighboring country has disappeared without a trace. 

Determined to find them, the Earl sets out on a dangerous journey across lands overridden with lingering bands of the flesh-eating toadmen. In order to survive, the introverted Earl will be forced to make use of moon magic, a magic powered by acute arousal and sexual satisfaction.

Meanwhile, left to care for the estate, the Countess will find herself assaulted not only by enemies without, but by those within. Will she be able to defend herself and her home while awaiting her husband's return? And will the Earl find it in himself to do what is necessary to succeed? Or will his love and fidelity for his wife be both their undoings?

The second setting I'm currently involved with is "Death Helm," a setting in which certain dead are brought back to life with nothing but a burning need to fulfill their own personal missions. Avenging a loved one, thwarting crime, serving their own personal brand of justice--the Risen will stop at nothing to see it done. 

"The Hand of Justice," my Death Helm novel, will release in December 2020. What's it about? Take a look:

Avyleine awakens from death with no knowledge of her past life. She knows only one thing: an undeniable pull drawing her from her crypt and her inability to resist it. Following the inexplicable urge, she comes upon an alley echoing with female screams. Moments later, Avyleine is covered in blood, the garish pulp of a man before her. A young girl, her skirts lifted, bodice ripped, stares at her in shock.

Avyleine is a Risen, a "hero" brought back to life with a driving mission she doesn't understand, but cannot deny. As she pursues her purpose, she will form a tenuous alliance with a priest of the Destroyer, torn between her simultaneous allurement and repulsion for him. But as memories of her life before death emerge, will she continue to trust this new friend, or will her purpose demand his destruction...as well as her own?

So there you have it. A brief look at what is taking up most of my time these days. If I'm lucky, you're intrigued. And if neither of these settings sounds like your cup of tea, no worries. There are 13 other ones to choose from--just check out Onder Librum and find what fits your fancy. 

In The News: Hellmaw, Engagement Rings, and More

Welcome to Hellmaw!

In case you missed it, Ed Greenwood, the writer of the Forgotten Realms and hundreds of other fantasy novels, has launched his own publishing company, Onder Librum. Within Onder Librum, Ed has developed 15 new worlds, in which authors, new and old, are creating hundreds of new works. As you know, I am one of those authors. But I'm not in the news. Hellmaw is.

Hellmaw is the first of Ed's new worlds to be released to the public; it is a world of daemons who live among us, and now, in a time of urgency, may have plans for us. There are currently six Hellmaw novels available to the public, with the seventh releasing next month, and over 20 more coming over the next year or two. So take a look and maybe give one a read.

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RPG player? Fan of Lord of the Rings? Then be sure to check out the news on Geek and Sundry regarding the coming LOTR setting compatible with D&D. Yes, you read that right. Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons. What could be better?

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As if Ed Greenwood didn't have enough going on, he's also writing the story line for upcoming game, Mages of Mystralia, set to release in 2017. Here's the trailer:

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Lover of epic fantasy novels? Take a gander at this interview with author Brian Stavely about his trilogy, Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, fantasy tropes, surprises in the writing process, and more. Once you're done, go check out his debut novel, the first of his trilogy, The Emperor's Blades.

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Looking to get engaged, ladies? Drop a hint to your guy by leaving this site  of geeky engagement rings up on his laptop. As to which one he should get you? Well, if he's not familiar with your fandoms....I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

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In case you're curious about which of your favorite genre shows are coming back for another season, ScienceFiction has you covered.

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Finally, if you're a Bloodborne fan as well as a table-top gamer, you're in luck. The popular PS4 game is getting a table-top spin-off. 

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And that, my friends, is a taste of what's new in the world of nerdom this week. See you all next Thursday!

Nom-nom-nom....Zombies

Zombies have never really been my thing. Neither has horror, for that matter. But over the past few months, I've found myself itching to delve into their world. Maybe it's because I've recently been exposed to a number of board games like Rise of the Zombies and Pandemic. Or perhaps it's because in order to catch up on the two seasons I've missed, I'm re-watching The Walking Dead from the beginning. Or it could be that I've realized I seem to have a penchant for writing horror--not something I ever expected of myself.

Whatever the reason, I find myself trying to figure out a spin--not a new one, necessarily, but mine--on zombies. What caused the condition initially? Is it, like in so many stories, some sort of highly contagious virus? Or is it something else? Are the zombies completely mindless, knowing only their need to feed? Or does some small spark of life still exist, buried deep within them? Are the zombies the characters of the story? Or rather, just the setting?

I'm looking forward to finding out.

Not sure when I'm going to get around to it, as the deadlines for other projects keep creeping ever so slowly closer, but that's not a problem. Gives me plenty of time to let the ideas percolate.

So tell me: what's your favorite zombie tale? Book, story, movie, TV show, whatever--which ones do you like best, and why?

Stitched Smile Publications

The schedule's been off for months now, I know. I apologize for the long and unexplained sabbatical. Suffice it to say, I'm back now, and I come with an exciting announcement:

My short story, Cutting Lies, has been accepted for publication in an anthology entitled, The Voices Within, by Stitched Smile Publications! Stitched Smile Publications is an independent publishing company specialized in assisting authors of all experience levels. They are focused on offering support to the small business aspect of the writing industry. I was thrilled at the prospect of submitting to them, and am honored that a small piece of my writing will be promoted by them.

As to the story itself? Well, I'll leave you with this tad bit of a tagline: Nothing is greater than the love of a mother for her child. Except perhaps a voice within...