My copy of Spirit of the Century arrived yesterday. Woo-hoo! Now I need to set aside some time to check it out.
In November if I’m lucky, considering.
the boy
How I do my work
StandardYeah, that’s me in a funny little video I made about the way I write. My son was behind the camera — and in front of the camera for one shot (he really wanted to be in it) and of course I’m in there, too. If you think it won’t crack your monitor, give it a watch. If you think it’s amusing, please do share it with others.
BTW, I don’t really have all those books stacked everywhere.
In other news, I have an interview at Black Gate today, in which I talk about “black” magic, evil and human motivations, among other things. They also posted a “reprint” of the First Sale essay I wrote for Jim Hines. If you didn’t read it then, you get another chance.
Plus, at some point later this morning I’ll have an expanded essay on vampires and crosses at Bitten by Books. I’ll link to it when it goes live. Update: Here’s the link.
Now I’m off to do some pages. Have a great day!
Things that are awesome
StandardSpent much of last night shooting a video with my son. Not actually finished, but damn did we have a good time.
My wife and son have gone out without me. Think of it as a date. They’re going to a concert and will maybe get a dessert afterwards.
Meanwhile I’m left at home. I’ve already scrubbed the pots and pans, loaded and run the dishwasher, then vacuumed. Now I’m going to put on some Tom Waits, fire up the writing computer, and revise that essay to acceptability. First, though, I’ll perform the ritual that will summon my guardian angel, Mac Freedomiel.
Woo!
BrickCon 2010!
StandardI was gone most of the day taking my wife and son to BrickCon (and the library). The displays were, as usual, amazing. The vendor prices were, as usual, appalling. When we left, we were not wearing rain barrels for clothing. I’m calling that a win.
And of course I took pictures: Continue reading
Request for recommendations
StandardI used to be immersed in paper and dice role playing games, but lately not so much. The social groups I used to play with broke up, then I moved across the country. I expect it would be trivially easy to find a gaming group here in Seattle, but I barely have time to be a writer, husband, and father anymore.
But I’m not looking for help in finding a gaming group. I am looking for help in finding a game. I have the chance to turn some portion of family time to game night. Here are my requirements:
1- Relatively simple game mechanics, esp character creation. If each character has 12 stats and every attack needs six calculations to determine a hit, my 8 yo son (and adult wife) will be bored.
2- Family-friendly. No ultra-violence. No cyborg hookers. No nihilistic grime-topias.
3- It shouldn’t have too much moral ambiguity in the setting. My son, he’s not a fan of that. When he role-plays, he’s the good guy only. His mom will be the same.
4- Nothing too elaborate for the GM, either. I don’t have a lot of time as it is, but it will be difficult for me to work up elaborate scenarios for them.
5- Not too expensive. A $45 sourcebook is like a BMW–it may be gorgeous, functional, sexy, and fun, but I can’t afford it. It’s not a question of value, but one of cost.
Here are my preferences (as in would be nice but not required):
1- Something with monster-hunting or superheroes.
2- Uses lots of different kinds of dice.
3- A setting that is familiar to extremely casual fans of the genre (such as my wife). Modern day, medieval fantasy, old-time space opera will not have a steep learning curve. Fluffy Cthulhu will require a lot of explanation before we start the game.
4- Specifically designed to be played by young kids/newbies.
I wish I could find my old source books for Metagaming’s The Fantasy Trip; that’s what my friends and I played while everyone else was playing AD&D (yes, I’m old). I’m not even sure I still have them. Most of the old game books I have are Champions (too complex), Call of Cthulhu (not newbie-friendly) and the Pacesetter/Mayfair Games versions of Chill. I’ll be using the Pacesetter ed. if I can’t find something else. A previous short runthrough of the Chill 1st ed. went over pretty well.
Any ideas?
Six things for a Sunday
Standard1. My wife comes home from her Italian yoga retreat tonight. I can’t wait. As much fun as I’ve had with the boy this week, I miss her. We both do.
2. The apartment is clean but cluttered, for those of you expecting to hear that I’ll be spending the day in a frantic cleaning jag. The living room needs to be picked up, though. It’ll take about 15 minutes.
3. My desk is another story. I’m tempted to just throw a match on it to rid myself of these meaningless stacks of paper.
4. I can’t stand Talk Like A Pirate Day. Can’t we let that idea die?
5. I deposited my on-publication check for Game of Cages yesterday. Damn, that feels good.
6. Sales for Game of Cages seem to be doing pretty well, too. It’s not a guarantee, but it bodes well for the future of the series.
What happens to your life when you cancel your cable TV
StandardLast night my son insisted that we draw some comic books. He’d just watched Scott McCloud on TED Talk and wanted to try a branching “choose your own adventure” comic.
I don’t have permission to post his, but I’ll put mine below the cut. It’s not nearly as ambitious, and I can’t draw worth a damn, but here you go anyway. Continue reading
State of the family
StandardMy wife is having a great time in Italy (I just received a pic of her standing beside the Mediterranean with mud all over her).
My son has promised a Nerf gun sneak attack this morning. I know he wants me to set up a large defense, but I’ve been a little busy.
I am working on my new WIP, and I’m sorta hating it. When I have it open, and I’m working in the file, it’s good. When I’m making breakfast or putting away dishes, I don’t want anything to do with it.
It’s one a.m.
StandardIn two and a half hours, the shuttle van will be coming to pick up my wife for her week-long trip to Italy. She’ll be gone about a week and a half, and I will be staying home with my son.
There will be much writing time claimed, much pizza eaten (and salad) and some small amount of computer games played. I hope to clear the final level of Swordplay Showdown.
By which I mean that I’ll be checking email, but not doing a lot of internet reading/socializing. At least, I don’t think I will.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
(Oh, and I did a “Take Five” piece for Suvudu. It’s funny. Check it out.