Every November I remember the gallon of milk a strange bought for me. This year it somehow feels poignant all over again. The reminder of how vulnerable we actually are. How impermanent things actually are. It might be increased anxiety speaking right now, but every time I begin to feel overwhelmed I remember - when… Continue reading Memories: Milk
Category: Uncategorized
Writing: Cost of Writing
Still true. I still struggle to find this balance between "reality" (not starving) and "dream" (writing) lifestyle. Someday maybe I can figure it out. Someday maybe I'll find it. Until then - onward!
Writing: Death of the Author (Part 2)
Click here to read Part 1 Wondering why there is a part 2? Because I think this actually goes beyond merely literary critique. Let's take an example: The Bible. One of the big areas I see this is around homosexuality. And it makes me see a little cross-eyed because every verse that gets brought up… Continue reading Writing: Death of the Author (Part 2)
Short Story: Squirrels in the Attic
The family had three cats and a dog. Two of the cats were hunters and came from the same litter – Taffy and Cinnamon. There was a long debate about which cat to put into the attic the first time the family heard squirrels. Taffy was far and away the superior hunter. He brought in everything from snakes to bats. Alive. Apparently bringing them home and letting the humans play with them was the most affectionate thing he could think. No matter how many times he got yelled at. No matter how often he was reminded “you bring it inside, you lose it!”
Cinnamon might or might not be an amazing hunter; she was smart enough not to be seen bringing in her prizes. The only time anyone knew she had been hunting was when remains were discovered. Her favorite spot to take these “toys” was the bathtub in the hall. Somehow she…
View original post 693 more words
Life Events: Water Heater Adventures
This weekend was a roller coaster. It rained a lot last week, and sometimes when it rains the water comes in under the garage door. So I don't think too much about a little water on my side of the garage when it's raining. But it was dry all day Friday. I went to go… Continue reading Life Events: Water Heater Adventures
Writing: Reading or Listening?
NYT had an interesting piece on reading vs. audiobooks and I wanted to put in my 2 pence on the topic. I try to be very clear in my reviews when I'm reading vs. listening. I know a few times I've missed the mark on it, but I try. Because I do see the difference between… Continue reading Writing: Reading or Listening?
Writing: Thoughts on magic systems
This is still pretty true for how I tackle magic/systems. I have other characters and other systems. Some of them incredibly detailed. Some of them pretty simple. Overall, I love creating them….
2nd example for today – this year I’ve been building a magic system which is “seeded” by magical creatures (yes, I’m using the trope “when dragons are born they bring magic into the world”) with the twist of specific creatures have 2 attributes. One side is the magic they add to the world, the other attribute is what they unlock in a mage.
So when dragons are born, they add earth-based magic into the world. When someone with mage-talent touches them they “unlock” a talent for water. When a mage who already has healing touches a dragon their healing talent is expanded to maximum potential. If the person’s natural talent is earth, they will now have potential for either healing or water. But to “unlock” healing they will need to find a phoenix. To access the full-water potential they will need to find a griffon.
As a fantasy and sci-fi writer and fan, I spend more time thinking about different magic systems than I probably should. In every system I design for my worlds, I like to answer several questions to myself:
- Are people equally equipped to access or utilize magic? (example: if the system is based on alchemy than the limiting factor would be the character’s ability to get raw materials)
- If there is inequality (mage A is stronger than mage B) what determines their relative strength? Genetics? Luck? Dieties? I get it, my protagonist might be the strongest mage, but why?
- Where does magic come from? Is it a limited resource, and how does it reproduce?
- Are all mages/magic users good at all types of magic or do they need to specialize in something?
- Does magic have rules for how it impacts the natural world? (ie: how does the presence of a…
View original post 538 more words
Review: Simon Sinek
A friend posted this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MC2X-LRbkE) and I ranted on his Facebook. I've written about Millennials before. I AM a Millennial. I struggle with the term because I hate fighting the negative stereotypes. I HAVE known people who are entitled shits. But you know who else is an entitled narcissictic shit? Donald. J. Trump. And… Continue reading Review: Simon Sinek
Miss Manners: Holding Doors in the 21st century
This actually came up recently – a friend was ranting about “chivarly” (in a good way to a feminist) – but clearly this needs to be said many, many more times. It isn’t hard…. I promise.
Anyone who knows me, knows I have strong opinions about holding doors. A lot of my guy friends complain that the rules are “always changing” on them and I have to say, I don’t entirely agree. There IS a problem that there are people playing by different rules. But within those people – the rules are consistent. I propose a simplification of “holding the door” and the first thing to be aware of: gender doesn’t matter.
Let me say that again – stop looking at gender as the reason you should (or should not!) hold a door. I think part of the problem has long been that there are too many rules to decide who and when a door should be held. I live by a simple set of rules:
- Am I in the way if I hold the door for them?
- Am I improving their day by holding the…
View original post 814 more words
Politics:Ga Amendment 3, Forest Land Conservation and Timberland Properties Amendment (2018)
I had no clue how to vote until I looked up what politicians were saying about this particular amendment. It was so confusingly written (and honestly, that includes the original language they were editing. UGH). Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to revise provisions related to the subclassification for tax purposes of and… Continue reading Politics:Ga Amendment 3, Forest Land Conservation and Timberland Properties Amendment (2018)
Dream by Day 