The second part of a three-part story is often the trickiest. It can be hard to work the tale in such a way that it feels like its own complete story, yet works to connect the first part with the last. Even when a work is planned as a trilogy from the outset, the second… Continue reading Movie Review: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Execution of Smaug
Previously I have discussed villainy in terms of how we relate to and perceive various villains. I’ve praised villains who achieve their aims through intelligence, charm, and guile. These traits tend to appear in villains who are not necessarily a physical match for their heroic counterparts, doing their dirty work through henchmen or other means.… Continue reading The Execution of Smaug
Flash Fiction: Cup of Comfort
Courtesy istaevan The series at Terribleminds continues… ++++++++++++++++++ Part 1: Josee De Angelis ++++++++++++++++++ Of course it would rain today. It couldn’t be nice and sunny. Perfectly crappy weather for a crappy day. Shane dragged her luggage down the hall, her box of books under her arm, all her hats on her head – good… Continue reading Flash Fiction: Cup of Comfort
Writer Report: Long, Quiet Lulls
The North looms once again in my very near future. Winter brings a lot of things with it. It brings snow, ice, and cold winds. It brings holidays, travel, gift-giving, and an overabundance of consumerism. And, for me, it brings long lulls between truly rewarding writing sessions. I’ve felt a general lack of storytelling overall… Continue reading Writer Report: Long, Quiet Lulls
DLC Review: Burial At Sea
Ken Levine’s games have taken us into the cold darkness of deep spaces, the unplumbed depths of the ocean, and into a variety of parallel dimensions. But unless you count the sequel we don’t talk about, fans of BioShock have be waiting for the game or experience that takes them to a very specific place:… Continue reading DLC Review: Burial At Sea
The Ice King Is Kind Of A Jerk
Yesterday was what I’d formerly call a ‘snow day’. On a day when winter weather is keeping me indoors, you’d think a lot more writing would get done. However, it turns out that along with the ice and snow, I got a heap of work that I needed to finish. Getting everything done consumed most… Continue reading The Ice King Is Kind Of A Jerk
Find The Flaws
Writers are human beings. With the exception of any NSA parsing programs or Google search generators or the like, readers tend to be human beings, too. And something that all human beings have in common is that they’re flawed. I’m sure some pundits and others would disagree, but every person on the face of the… Continue reading Find The Flaws
Flash Fiction: Jersey City of the Dead
200 Words At A Time, Part 3. Michael D Woods started it, linderan continued it, and I’m giving it a title. “Casey’s Jersey City crew got careless,” Says Bossman. “Zombies flooded three sites. Two held them back but we blew the third. Horde made it up four flights and we couldn’t risk it. All told,… Continue reading Flash Fiction: Jersey City of the Dead
Writer Report: Another Year
I’m crossing my fingers and knocking on wood (ow) in the hope that the worst of 2013 is behind me, and that the new year will not open with bad news. Cold Streets is still getting tested, and I’ve got a decent idea of what to shore up, what to cut, and what to expand.… Continue reading Writer Report: Another Year
A Return To Television
“A ten percent levy on BAKED GOODS??” Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, particularly Hulu and Netflix, I’ve been able to start getting some television back in my life. I was already using Hulu for Supernatural and Law & Order: SVU, but I’ve started using it to watch newer shows, as well. Agents of… Continue reading A Return To Television
