Focus!

At the advice of my Dark Master, Scott Oden, I am trying to stay focused on one writing project at a time. Right now I am working on a short story for a writing competition at Rogue Blades Entertainment. Speaking of RBE, if you enjoy short fiction anthologies, that's what they do. They have several volumes currently available, each with a specific theme. I just picked up Rage of the Behemoth and it's some really good stuff. I highly recommend checking them out for short fantasy and heroic fiction.

When this story is done, I am going to start working on a rather large project, but one that has been lurking in my mind for a while. I'm not going to go into details for now, but I will say it's a contemporary novel with lots of action and intrigue. There is a lot of research involved, but I have an inside track on someone who is very open to helping me out. And the best part is, I don't have to create a world or research a historical setting. This one takes place in our world, in our time. That's a little pressure relieved.

I've also gotten into blogging for Black Gate Magazine. I had my first blog published last Saturday, with another coming out this Saturday. They are both reviews of d20 products that are out of print. That seems to be my shtick for BG, game reviews. However, I do plan to do some fantasy book reviews soon too. I'm kind of short on ideas right now, but I think I can manage at least a couple, and I'm sure more ideas will come to me. And I will also take this opportunity to plug Black Gate. They are semi-annual, but the magazine is huge. And you can read samples of the stories, as well as buy back issues (while they last). Check them out!

I've been making online connections with a lot of writers, and people involved in writing and publishing lately. I think "surrounding" myself with people in the industry will help me stay focused and inspired.

Oh, and for some reason I have ninjas on the brain today...

Focus, focus, focus....

The Star Wars of my Youth

So, there I was in Half Priced Books again. Perusing the usual haunts: Science Fiction, Fantasy, RPGs, Action Adventure. Invariably I made my way to the bargain section, where everything is $1-$3. A few paperbacks catch my eye, but nothing screams "Buy me!" Until I look down at the bottom shelf. There, in a row about a foot wide, is a small collection of RPGs and splat books. Mostly old White Wolf stuff and some Shadowrun supplements. But right there in the middle of it is a copy of the West End Games' Star Wars RPG., 2nd Edition. I used to own the original one (there's a copy of that one there too), and I had always wanted to check out the improvements in second edition. And for the bargain price of $3, even the few nicks and bruises on the book aren't enough to keep it out of my basket.

As I said, I used to own the first edition. I remember getting it at Disneyland in 1988 after riding the Star Tours ride for the first of at least a dozen times. I never actually got to play it, but I rolled characters, made up stories, designed ships, aliens, droids and my own templates. This was a great game, and I eagerly carried my new book in anticipation of reliving some simple pleasures.

Flipping through my latest geek acquisition, I am transported back to a time when the Star Wars universe was still unfathomably huge and mysterious. A time before the prequels, when Darth Vader's origins were still shrouded in mystery. When Jedi were legends, and the Jedi Council not much more than a myth. The Clone Wars are long over, and relegated to history, much like our own World War II. The Old Republic has burned, and from its ashes has risen the enigmatic figure of Palpatine and his Galactic Empire. And the underdog Rebel Alliance fights to bring freedom back to the galaxy.

This is the Star Wars I fell in love with. Not the padawan-infested miasma of visually stunning, yet contextually hollow stories. This is the gritty space opera where nothing can replace "a good blaster at your side." Where smugglers and rogues fly tramp freighters, and brave Imperial blockades, gangsters, bounty hunters and all sorts of unknown perils for a chance at a few extra credits to carry them over until they strike it big. A galaxy where a farm boy can dare to dream of something more, and have that dream fulfilled in ways he never imagined. Where princesses needed rescuing, where evil warlords destroyed planets out of spite, and where even the most self-centered scoundrel can show true heroism in the face of certain death.

I miss that Star Wars. But, today, I feel like I got a small part of it back again.

Scary stuff

Just a quick note: the recent story I posted to my FictionPress account has been taken down. I decided to go ahead and submit it for publication, so I sent it off to the first EZine this morning. And it seemed kind of wrong to try to publish it for pay, while keeping a free viewable version out there. If I get a few rejections, and it seems no one is interested in publishing it, I will probably put it back up. Anyways, I'm a bit nervous. It's been a long time since I have submitted anything for publication.

Anyways, this morning was fun. First, I put salt in my wife's coffee (I swear, I thought it was sugar). Then, when she got to work, they were cleaning with Pine-Sol. She is highly allergic to anything pine, so she ended up having a huge reaction. So much so that I had to rush to her work with an Epi Pen, and give her an injection. She's doing fine now, and sleeping off the Benadryl she had taken. It was scary, and I told her if she did that again, I would kick her ass for not having the pen in her purse, as well as the asses of her bosses for letting them use that stuff.

I want to work on some fiction writing today, but I really need to get cracking on my research papers. A 10-page paper on literacy and a 10-page paper on the Viking Age. I sometimes forget that writing something you HAVE to write is much harder than writing something you WANT to write. I will be so glad to be done with school. well, that is until I decide what direction to go if I decide to go to grad school.

One down, a million to go...

So, the other day I managed to finish a full-blown short story. Ok, so it's not actually the first one I have done. But I am particularly proud of this one. It is actually the sequel to my previous one, and continues the tale of the northern barbarian, Ryvor, and the spirit-possessed gauntlet that he is unable to be rid of. Ryvor himself is an unapologetic nod to Robert E. Howard, and I think he is the type of character old Bob might have created. I tried to give a complete experience with this story, though it is part of a larger narrative. How much larger is up in the air. My original intent was to write about ten stories about this character, each being a stand-alone tale, but when read in order and together, they tell a complete over-arcing story. The story has been posted on my FictionPress page for now (see my link to the right), and I'm inviting any and all to read and critique it. Eventually, it will be taken down when I am ready to submit it for publication.

There you go. My first, serious attempt at a publishable piece of fiction. And I have to say, finishing it has given me a new sense of purpose and a bit more motivation. I am eager to begin writing more stories, and am currently reviewing my plethora of false starts for something to finish and polish up. No genre seems safe from me, as my two current front runners are a military sci-fi story and a western.

Not sure how quickly either will get done, though, as my writing muscles are currently being worked out with homework for my last history class before earning my BA in History, and a psychology class that I needed to take so I could manipulate the financial aide system. Both have 10-page research papers due in a couple of weeks. The history one (actually, Historiography, the study of studying history) is about the Vikings. So, it should be pretty interesting, once I narrow my focus down enough.

Gaming Jones

Quick note, I have moved my "Fit Gamer" series to the Wizards of the Coast Community (see the link over to the right). I'm also considering re-posting it as a whole new blog. I have one set up, but haven't actually done it yet.

Anyways, for the past week or so I have been feeling a serious jones to play some new/different RPG. I've been contemplating hitting up the other game store here in town for something. My only problem is players. And, well, time to play. With a full time job as an at-home dad, taking two online college courses (one of which will finally net me my long-awaited BA in History), and various and sundry other concerns, I'm not sure when or how I would fit another game in. I mean, we play D&D every other weekend, and it's fun. But for some reason, I'm thinking a sci-fi/space opera game would be very cool.

I dunno, maybe I'll just pick something up used. I saw a copy of Fading Suns in the used book store yesterday. That always looked kinda cool.

In other news, the diabetes is coming along fine. My blood sugar levels are consistently down to "almost normal" levels. Normal is 90-130 before eating. My morning level ranges from about 125-160. So, while not perfect, I'm doing better. And more importantly, I feel a lot better. No more fatigue. I have energy to do things, and have been motivated to actually hit the gym on a regular basis.

I'm revving up to do more writing. I've suspended both my MMO accounts in order to free myself from the resistance they provide. Now I need to find a time to schedule writing, and make a habit of following that schedule and writing something every day. I've also been motivated to draw more lately. We'll see where that goes.

And that's about it for me, folks!

The Fit Gamer: Part 1

Walk into any game store (as in one that sells RPGs/Comics/CCGs/etc...) and chances are the patrons that are present will be fine specimens of sloth and gluttony. I know, because for a long time I was one of them. These hobbies seemed to perpetuate this kind of lifestyle. Think about it, whether you're role-playing, dueling with cards or waging a mini battle, what position are you most often in? You're sitting on your ponderous derriere! And more often than not you are consuming mass quantities of Mt. Dew and nachos (or whatever unhealthy, yet scrumptious snacks you prefer). In fact, I would wager that for most gamers the closest thing to a "workout" is lugging game supplies to and from their gaming venue. Mind you, that's usually no small feat. D&D gamers often carry 3-5 books, plus paper, dice and other sundries (like the aforementioned Mt. Dew) to a typical gaming session. When placed in a single backpack, this can be the equivalent of a 30-pound rucksack. But, whereas an infantryman will hump that ruck for miles (with rifle in hand), a D&Der will usually only have to hoof it about 25-50 feet, depending on how far back in the store their table is.

So, how do we get out of this rut? Well, the answer is simple: Expend more energy and take in less excess fuel. That means get off your butt and move, and stop gorging yourself on Snickers bars and Cool Ranch Doritos. Ok, it sounds simple, but common sense (and even a little experience) will tell you that is a bit of an oversimplified answer. The real answer can be complicated, but definitely doable.

Exercise

Let's start with exercise, since it's probably the simplest part. Most people think of exercise and think going to the gym and hitting the weights or taking an aerobics class. And while those are good examples, that's just part of it. Basically, exercise is anything that will get your heart rate up, and use more muscles than you normally do. Something as simple as going outside and walking for a half-hour will do wonders for you. That's how I started a few years ago. I worked in a law office and after a life-event that I don't want to get into, I found myself really wanting to get away from my desk at lunch. Previously that often entailed a trip to McD's. But one day I decided to go for a walk instead. Within a few days I was bringing shorts, a t-shirt and gym shoes to work, and walking longer distances. Then I added a couple of 3-lb. hand weights. Within a couple of months I was running part of my route. I lost 30 pounds in about three months. And most of that was due to the exercise (my diet changed drastically too, but we'll discuss that later).

Mind you, by this time I was in my 30's, and had served six years in the Army as an Airborne Infantryman as a young man. So, I was no stranger to exercise and fitness. But the fact is, I was never a jock in high school, and when I first went to Basic Training at age 18, I could barely do the required 13 push ups (remember that scene near the beginning of the movie Stripes when Bill Murray struggled to do 3?).

So, starting out....what's best? Well, my recommendation is this: Start with some mild cardio exercise (such as walking or swimming) 3 times a week. Try for at least 20 minutes at a time. More is better, but any amount is good, as long as you gradually add to it in some way. If you are inclined to do some strength training, I would start with some calisthenics (using your own body weight) such as push ups, pull ups and sit ups. A quick internet search will net you hundreds of websites that can explain the mechanics of these exercies better than I can here. If you have some dumbells, there are websites and books dedicated to using these to get a total body workout.

This is a basic "crash course" in getting more healthy. Next time I'll go over the basics of nutrition and diet. Later I'll go into more detail about both parts of the equation. Until then, get moving!

Superspies!

So, lately I've been back on the whole "superspy" kick. Watched a couple of my favorite James Bond movies (Craig's Casino Royale and Dalton's The Living Daylights), reading my second Mack Bolan book in a row (I usually read one then switch genres for a while), and dusting off an old story I started writing about another '00' agent, Andrew Hearst, 005.

The 005 story is obviously fanfiction, as it contains references to copyrighted characters and concepts. However, I am toying with the idea of changing those to something original and running with it. My quandary is, do I want to create my own MI6, or do I want to make him a CIA agent? Another option I considered is making up my own, elite organization. Something along the lines of Stony Man from the Mack Bolan universe. I'm leaning towards this third option, as it gives me a lot of creative freedom. The downside is, that it wouldn't be grounded in reality very much, so, outside the Bolanverse crowd, it probably wouldn't get much notice.

Why am I doing this? Why am I allowing myself to be once more distracted by the next "shiny object"? Because that's what I do. I love a wide variety of genres, and when I read any given story, I always wonder if I could write something like that. I know the conventional wisdom is that a fiction writer should limit what he writes to a specific genre (though there is some wiggle room, especially in the science fiction/fantasy realm). Still, a superspy thriller is pretty far from a sword & sorcery epic. Yet, I can't help but wonder which I would be better at. Which one would I enjoy writing more? And yes, which one would be more likely to sell. Again, conventional wisdom says that a real writer isn't concerned with writing "what sells" but is more concerned with finding their true voice. But what's wrong with doing both? Are they mutually exclusive? I don't think so. I'd like to be able to write any genre I like and know that A) I enjoyed writing it, B) I would enjoy reading it, and C) others would enjoy it enough to buy it (hence the "sellable" angle).

Am I rambling? Am I making sense? Does anyone have any advice or thoughts or ideas?