A Giacchino scored Star Wars perhaps...?

 

Ok, now I believe it. J.J. Abrams is now the most powerful man in the geek universe, as he is now in control of the two "Star" franchises. I've also just realized that, if for any reason John Williams doesn't return, there is potential for a Michael Giacchino scored Star Wars! I've always thought of Giacchino as, not the next Williams, but as someone whose style is the most reminiscent of Williams out of all of the new generation of composers.

I for one enjoyed the new Star Trek, and with the man responsible for the script for the wonderful Toy Story 3, Michael Ardnt, along with the high probability that Giacchino might be along for the ride, I am quite excited for the new Star Wars and 2015 cannot come fast enough. 

Also, there are still copies of this around because, you know, it's digital and presumably there will be copied of it around, you know, forever.

Here's the UK link as well: The Death of Death UK

The Death of Death in more formats

Hello all. The Death of Death is now available through Kobo.com and the iTunes iBook store. Although, I find it horrible difficult to search for personally, I hope people are able to find it some way, somehow.

I've also realized that I've never given a description of it through this blog. That would be helpful. So, here it is:

Death guides usually have rather normal names like John, Mary, Harry, and Jessica. And even ones not quite so normal, like Bartholomew or Ambrosia. They also have the most interesting tales behind their deaths. But one particular death guide has a few problems: she cannot remember her name or the details of her demise, and thus has no story of her own. One fateful night, she meets a young girl that may change her death forever.

Inspired by and in the style of Children's tales of old, The Death of Death is a tragic, yet sweet little tale about loss and acceptance.

In my estimation, it's suitable for ages 12 and up.

Here's the UK link as well: AMAZON.CO.UK

I think the brits may find some enjoyment in this. And maybe it would find its way to Stephen Fry somehow. In a perfect world, Stephen Fry would narrate this and all would be right with it the world.

And remember, it's Tim Burton-esque!

List of cognitive biases or: Why you're probably wrong about anything you've ever thought

It's fascinating what our brain does to screw with us.

I'd like to share with you all a pretty extensive list of why your thinking in everyday life is mostly likely extremely flawed. And if you find fault with any of this, there's probably something on this list that explains why you're wrong. And if I'm wrong about any of this there's probably something on this list that explains why I was wrong. You can see where I'm going with this.

But perhaps this list can lead to the creation of some pretty interesting characters. You could create someone that adheres to so many of these that it severely impairs their journey. Or someone Sherlock Holmes-like that is so hyper aware of these biases that it annoys every character he or she comes into contact with, potentially severely impairing his or her journey. I prefer the latter personally.

Here's the list, courtesy of Wikipedia: List of cognitive biases

Read, it, study it, live your life better!

A link to the io9 post that inspired this post: The 12 cognitive biases that prevent you from being rational

The Death of Death - My Novella

Hurrah! After many weeks (precisely two and a half) and a couple of title revisions later, my novella, The Death of Death, has finally made premium status, which means that it made it into their premium catalog, which in turn means that it will now be distributed onto many more ebook retailer's sites such as Barnes & Nobles Nook book store and (provided it passes their own special requirements) Apple's iBookstore.

My sales on Amazon have been... well, lackluster to say the least, but hopefully in the coming weeks they will pick-up, thanks to it's inclusion on more sites (and due to me finally figuring out how to use the tags properly on Amazon).

I've also just utilized a free promotional site called Ask David. They apparently provide marketing for your book at absolutely no cost, so there's no risk in trying them out. If you have a book to promote I urge you to give it a try. What's to lose? It's free and it's very kind of them. All they ask is for you to "like" them on Facebook or similar actions on other similar social networking sites . That's about the extent of their requests from you.

I've also recently acquired a couple of pretty good reviews for my story on Amazon:

"I found this story to be a refreshing change in its uniqueness. Very well thought-out. 

In fact, the story has an essence of Tim Burton-esque, in the terms of creating beauty from tragedy, that sets the tone from the onset and is one of my favorite aspects. The whimsy and tragedy combined were carefully written with a beautiful plot that succeeds in building a sort of suspense throughout the story. The characters were well written, thoughtful and eccentric, in a successful attempt to draw me into the characters emotion!

This is one of the writer's first efforts and, all in all, is an admirable effort and was well worth the read. I would highly recommend this being adapted into a short film and would be the first in line to view it!"

"Very touching story about a topic that most of us don't like to think about. The imagery was beautiful. It was if I was "reading" a movie, if that makes sense. This story is highly recommended!"

"Tim Burton-esque" and "Whimsy" were definitely a couple of things that I was going for when I was writing this so I am very happy that someone felt that when reading it. 

AMAZON: The Death of Death

SMASHWORDS: The Death of Death

Links to other sites coming soon!

Awkward character conversations

I often think about what characters on TV shows or in movies talk about in the car on the way back from an awkward or traumatizing situation, because they only ever talk about what happened after they reach their destination. 

"So... you wanna stop and get a McFlurry?"

 "No Matthew, I do not want to stop and get a McFlurry. You just murdered 5 babies and a dog back there with a hatchet, and we now have to pay those gangsters 10 million dollars, which we don't have by the way, or they'll kill us!" 

"Well... we'll talk about that when we get back. So... are you absolutely sure you don't want a McFlurry?"

They talk about frozen treats, that's what!

The Breaking of the Bad

Recently, I've been spending a lot of time watching 'Breaking Bad', a show I have just discovered, thanks to Netflix and the advice of trusted friends. I've been watching it so much so that if you ask me what happened during which episode I wouldn't be able to tell you, because I'm not remembering it by episode number, but by events in the story. It's as if I'm living it right beside the characters. I don't think I'm alone in feeling this way either. Just today I stepped on a shard of something small and blue on my floor that made me seriously question my sanity.

Besides the obvious great performances and writing, I like this show mostly because of the morality of the two main characters, who are, at their core, decent, morally good human beings, but who are forced to do horrible, unspeakable, immoral acts.

No matter what disgusting task they do, they seriously consider their actions before they do it. In the beginning, Jesse less so than Walt, of course, but in the later seasons it's Walt who seems to be the less sympathetic one. Yes, it's their fault they're in this mess, but they didn't go into this business to cause harm. They just wanted a quick buck. And in Walt's case, there was a much more noble reason behind his motivations.

I also love the unexpected humor of the show. Walt and Jesse are the best American comedy duo of the 21st century! When the two fight over a matter, it distresses me, much the same way I felt when Lucy and Ethel quarreled over something trivial.

It's absolutely interesting to see what would drive a brilliant man of science to become so villainous. One wonders if James Bond's villains, or any other fictional mad scientist, were in similar situations before they turned to a life of crime. Did Dr. Robotnik have lung cancer before he captured all of those cute furry animals and trapped them inside of robots? (Sonic the Hedgehog reference for those not in the know.)

I doubt this show needs my ringing endorsement to get people to see it, but if you haven't watched it yet, I urge you to find it and check it out. If for no other reason than to hear Jesse say the word 'bitch' ad nauseum.

Fair warning: The show in parts is very, VERY violent.

Happy New Year!!! My book is now L I V E!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

I hope everyone had a nice, safe and fun celebration before you have to return to the reality that is your lives, lives that I hope are, at the very least, decent.

I have seen a couple of memes on social networks recently that state, in one way or or another, (paraphrasing here) "Today is the first page of a 365 page book, so write a good one." Many of these were attributed to Brad Paisley. Whether or not it was he who actually said it, who knows. But it sounds corny enough to have been said by a country music star, so I'll buy it for now.

Usually, I don't go in for pseudo-optimism or anything that remotely resembles it, but this one, I quite like. Besides, it bares only a tiny passing resemblance, minuscule.

And, if this year is indeed the beginning of my book, then I shall start the first page... with an actual book.

My short story is now live and available for digital download at Amazon and Smashwords.com, and soon on many other platforms.

The death of DEATH is about a death guide in search of answers to questions she has about the details of her own demise. At first glance, it may seem macabre, but it's actually slightly funny and slightly sweet, and I wrote it in a whimsical tone. At least that was my intention, and I hope it's apparent in the writing.

Buy yourself a copy. It's perfect for young teenagers, especially those with interest in gothic tales.

The death of DEATH: AMAZON KINDLE EDITION
                             SMASHWORDS EDITION