Getting Back a Routine During the Pandemic

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Image courtesy of blackzheep at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s been a rough couple months. When the virus finally arrived in my country Trinidad and Tobago in March, just like the rest of the world, our government responded by shutting everything down and closing the borders.

This really broke my routine, and a routine is what keeps me working, doing all the projects and hobbies while drudging through the sludge of life.

So an average weekday usually involves an early morning commute to the office. A good breakfast came before work started. There’d be some gym/endurance training somewhere in there, and writing would be around 5-7pm before heading back home. If I’m lucky, some writing could even get done after 11pm when my son’s asleep (hopefully). The following day everything repeats. Friday evenings might see a visit to the local watering hole to decompress, and weekends involve some manner of chore/physical labour. Then we […]

Posted in: Writing

My Biggest Problem with HBO’s Game of Thrones and 5 Stories to Learn From

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Game of Thrones: the Night King

Something really bothered me as I watched the final minutes of HBO’s Game of Thrones season 8.

I could have handled characters zipping around, changing attitudes, and boring drinking scenes.

Then I realized it:

     My Biggest Problem with HBO’s Game of Thrones and 5 Stories to Learn From

Any one of these could have been referenced to give us a conclusion deserving of HBO’s epic work.

Check out my guest post of at Forces of Geek (love that name).

Posted in: Topics

5 Shows to Fill the Game of Thrones Void

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Netflix’s The Last Kingdom

No matter what you thought about HBO’s final season of Game of Thrones, there’s a void left that’s consuming the world, leaving viewers wondering what to do now that winter finally came, and went.

I’ve seen all manner of articles suggesting that if you like Game of Thrones, then you’ll love Westworld, Orphan Black, or even Avatar (yes, the cartoon).

No, you will not, because if you’re truly a fan of the series, you didn’t stick around 9 years for the love of sympathetic killers, sex-craving politicians, or reckless children.

You did it because you love fantasy.

And fantasy brought to life by grand settings, believable characters in believable costumes, captivating stories, and sword-slashing action.

Lots and lots of sword-slashing action!

Here are five shows, for real this time, that will fill the Game of Thrones void.

Vikings

History Channel’s Vikings

Think […]

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Sci Fi Fantasy You Should Check Out in 2019

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Shadow of Colossus

Another draft down, one more draft to go. My novel is almost ready for the world.

With 120,000 words, 43 chapters, all separated into 4 parts, I never expected it to blow up to this magnitude, but I guess that’s what happens when your fictional world takes on a life of its own.

Now to send this over to my editor (if I can afford one… sigh), take a break for a couple months, then get back to it with fresh eyes.

But in the meantime, I’d like to share my top choices of sci fi fantasy that I wholeheartedly recommend you check out in 2019.

Note this isn’t a list of new releases, just things that I’ve recently checked out, or I’ve got on my radar.

Books

the Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

The Three-Body Problem
Aliens have set their eyes […]

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Game of Thrones Season 8 Predictions – Kill Edition

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HBO’s Game of Thrones

Just think, in one week’s time, the last season of HBO’s biggest series inspired by George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy, Game of Thrones will finally be here.

We’ve waited two years for this moment, so let’s heighten the anticipation with some predictions.

And as it’s Game of Thrones, let’s focus on the character deaths. Make no mistake, this season is all about who lives and who dies.

The Hound kills the Mountain

Game of Thrones: the Hound

The Hound versus the Mountain! Or as fans have labelled it, “the Cleganebowl.”

This fight has been teased ever since season 1 when they both clashed swords during a jousting tournament mishap. Later it was revealed that the Mountain was responsible for the Hound’s scarred forehead, having held the brother’s face painfully close to a fire.

It’s obvious, they absolutely hate each […]

Posted in: Movies

5 Great 2018 Christmas Gifts for that Geek in Your Life

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Red Dead Redemption II

Only three days left, and you still don’t know what to buy your geek for Christmas yet.

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Here are 5 great presents that any geek would love.

Google Home

Google Home

Geeks love gadgets, especially ones that interface with the internet.

The Google Home turns your entire abode into a smart house.

Tell it to set the alarm, turn on the lights, play music, ask about the traffic, how’s the weather, or anything else you see in an episode of Star Trek.

The Poppy War

the Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

This new epic fantasy trilogy published earlier this year made my to-read list because of its compelling blurb.

A dark-skinned peasant girl enters an elite military school and soon becomes part of a bloody war. Throw in […]

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2018 Writing Resolutions

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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s that time of year again when the internet is full of goals and resolutions and weight loss promises.

And unpublished writers are proclaiming books are going live this year.

I know. I’m guilty. I’ve been saying that for the past three years now, so I’m going to be more realistic this year, while at the same time surging ahead with all goals.

Here’s a little recap of last year and further plans for 2018.

Writing Progress

With two ebooks in the works, I’ve really took on a huge challenge.

The main novel Guardian of the Cursed Crown is about two thirds revised. Actually I would have been finished by now if my editor Jesse hadn’t done such a great job in pointing out all the issues with the story. Now everything about the book – the story, the world, the characters […]

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