Star Wars: Rogue One – The Facade Cracks

Star Wars: Rogue One – The Facade Cracks

Image courtesy of Douglas Cootey [Insert standard disclaimer about it being poor form to say "I told you so", but...] Regular readers may remember how I warned Hollywood that moviegoers can only stomach so much cynical propaganda disguised as entertainment before a backlash sets in. The main impetus for that…
November 15, 2016
The Secret Kings A- B Cover Test Final Round

The Secret Kings A- B Cover Test Final Round

We've had excellent turnout for the first two rounds of cover testing. Thanks again to everyone who voted. For the third and final round of A - B testing to pick the cover of The Secret Kings, Soul Cycle Book III, I'm bringing back cover sketch 2 and pitting it…
November 14, 20164 Comments
The Secret Kings A – B Cover Test Round 2

The Secret Kings A – B Cover Test Round 2

Round one concluded with the victory of sketch A. Thanks to everyone who voted! We now move on to round 2, where the winner of the first round goes head-to-head against the third and final cover sketch. Once again, you have 24 hours to decide your preference and cast your…
November 12, 20165 Comments
The Secret Kings A – B Cover Test Round 1

The Secret Kings A – B Cover Test Round 1

The time has come to vote on which concept sketch will be finalized into the official cover for my third Soul Cycle book, The Secret Kings. My superlative cover artist Marcelo Orsi Blanco has provided three cover sketches for our delight and contemplation. The first two are presented below, and…
November 10, 20167 Comments
Series Ruined by Breakout Characters

Series Ruined by Breakout Characters

Even a writer's strongest, purest vision can be undone if his own characters have other ideas. Sometimes a secondary character can emerge from the background and steal the spotlight from the rest of the cast. These breakout characters are often benign, but greedy network and studio involvement can create a…
November 8, 20169 Comments
Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange, the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, came out Friday. To be honest, I didn't originally intend to see it. I never followed the character's own comic book series. In fact, my only exposure to Stephen Strange has been in Marvel crossovers where he always shows up…
November 7, 20162 Comments
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Soul Cycle Casting Call Part 1: Nethereal

Readers frequently tell me that they'd love to see movies based on my books. While I find these comments highly flattering, before any film adaptations of the Soul Cycle could happen, I would need: A) the six million reader fan base that's required to financially justify turning SFF books into…
November 2, 20163 Comments
Stories within Stories

Stories within Stories

People tell stories to entertain, inform, and advise others. As fictional representations of people, it only makes sense that characters in stories often tell stories themselves. Nested stories The nested story--or story within a story--is one of my favorite literary devices. If you make a mental list of your favorite…
November 1, 20162 Comments
Geek Gab Halloween Special Plus Updates

Geek Gab Halloween Special Plus Updates

After a brief hiatus, Geek Gab returns with an all-new, very special Halloween episode! Daddy Warpig delivers an epic rant on how The Walking Dead has lost its sense of drama along with the plot. Then I delve into the movie vault to review a classic film from the Bronze Age…
October 31, 2016