On the Books: Characterization

On the Books: Characterization

Which qualities define a strong character? How can writers make their characters well-rounded? Join me and author Justin Knight as we discuss characterization on the latest episode of Geek Gab: On the Books. Ethics disclosure: Justin has hired me to edit his upcoming novel. @BrianNiemeier
May 31, 2017
The Last Jedi Will Ruin Luke Skywalker

The Last Jedi Will Ruin Luke Skywalker

Mark Hamill's nerd bona fides need no elaboration. He might be the only one left who's competent to write a Star Wars movie. You doubt me? Check out what he said about the debacle that was Episode VII's climax: Hamill has a lot of thoughts on how Luke might have…
May 30, 201730 Comments
Dead Men Tell No Tales

Dead Men Tell No Tales

For our 100th episode, Geek Gab reviews the latest entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The verdict may surprise you. Take a listen! And don't miss the next episode of Geek Gab: On the Books. I'll be discussing characterization with author Justin Knight. Be there this Wednesday, May…
May 29, 2017
EmptyMall.jpg

Remember the Mall?

It's surprisingly difficult to explain to people born after the 1980s just how central the local shopping mall was to a community's social and economic life. I remember when social conservatives would lament that nobody went to church anymore, and that malls were the new, secular temples. Now people still…
May 26, 201719 Comments
Amazon Terrifies the Big 5

Amazon Terrifies the Big 5

A friend alerted me to an article published by Vox.com which purports to show that Amazon is an evil monopoly bent on destroying the publishing industry. I greatly enjoyed this story, and not just because it's rife with the usual Amazon zombie memes. Here, Vox.com take their butthurt over the fact…
May 25, 201711 Comments
How to Write Action

How to Write Action

How much action is enough? Is character important to fun, engaging action? Is Dan Brown any good at writing action scenes? Find out on the latest episode of On the Books with Declan Finn, author of the Love at First Bite series. Action flows quickly and keeps the reader on…
May 24, 20175 Comments
Newquist on The Secret Kings

Newquist on The Secret Kings

Author Russell Newquist reviews Soul Cycle Book III: The Secret Kings. I need to begin this review by offering my friend Brian Niemeier a sincere apology. I promised him this review a long time ago. [Full disclosure: I received a review copy free of charge.] In my defense: The Secret…
May 23, 2017
Alien Covenant

Alien Covenant

On this episode of Geek Gab, Daddy Warpig sees Alien Covenant so you don't have to. I also briefly discuss the classic mafia film The Godfather. Have a listen. And remember: thanks to Ridley Scott you will never get to see this movie: Or this one: Niemeier's skill with the…
May 22, 20174 Comments
The Last Megastars

The Last Megastars

Reader Michael Gross chimes in on my post about the tragic death of Chris Cornell with comments on the music industry that are so incisive, they merit his own guest post: Music started to worsen in the 90s as the music industry sabotaged itself (so to speak) as sales declined…
May 19, 201710 Comments

RIP Chris Cornell

Moments like these really drive home the fact that the music of your youth isn't just in the past. It's dead. Sure, some of the big acts from back in the day are still touring and recording. But the music industry has long since moved on from the days when…
May 18, 201719 Comments