Dresdin Files Update

I recently checked the Jim Butcher website and am dismayed to report that the release date for “Ghost Stories” has been moved to July 26, 2011 (ok so I’m behind, lol). Jim Butcher is reported to make sure that the new novel is the best it can be and not something ad hoc. My response to this is 2 fold: 1) As a fan, knowing that efforts to make certain that the new book is something of quality is respectable and 2) I think this is an excellent tactic to heighten the buzz for the new book in anticipation of it’s release. I could make a quip about Jim hedging his bets for the rapture that did not happen but probably be futile at best.

On a related note, for Dresden Files fans that need a fix and are fellow gamers, you can always try the Dresden Files RPG. Available from Evil Hat Productions, the system is based on a version of the Fate RPG system. A couple things of note are that the system is not heavy on number crunching but more focused on story telling, allowing players to get more into the game without needing a calculator. Highly recommended!

To check out more about The Dresden Files series of books, check out http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden sometime!

Writing Exercise idea

If you are like me, sometimes you may want to stretch your creative legs. One idea I have given thought to, and I am sure used a hundred times by writers all over, is using a fortune cookie as basis for a scene, flash fiction piece or short story.

Next time you order Chinese food or any cuisine where fortune cookies are served as part of your meal, save the fortune inside. When you sit down to do some writing, have your fortune ready. Write down any ideas that might come forth, even if the idea doesn't seem very good. Occationally, some fortunes have a translation of a word from English to Chinese or even lucky numbers. Let any ideas come from these as well.

To help, one of my fortunes happens to be "Happy event will take place shortly in your home". On the back, it has the translation for Cake with lucky numbers 39, 37, 4, 48, 41, 47. An idea that comes to mind is a child's 4th birthday in the year 1948 where 37 people showed up.  A birthday is a happy event (usually) that can happen at home involving cake. 4 and 48 and 37 are just examples of numbers being used.

Hope this helps and just remember to allow your imagination to run free.

We survived the rapture, now what?

So I know I've been bad about posting but thought I would throw a bone. Craziness with real life work, games and what not have eaten my time.

Fortunately the rapture has not happened for a few reasons. For one, I still have to finish my first novel. I still have over 10,500 words to hammer out for one. (I will conquer it yet, I swear.) Secondly, if, in the unlikelihood that I get caught up in the rapture I found that my handsome cat and trusty feline companion, Oliver, will not be joining. If going to heaven won’t include animals joining, I wonder if it is worth it. Thirdly, well I still have to achieve my goal of GMing a game sometime. And the goal of finding the love of my life. But that last bit is a rant for a different day.

One thing that I found to be a bit ironic about the day of the rapture, other than the whole affair didn’t happen and that it was postponed to October, was a fortune cookie I opened. My fortune was Hallelujah! My cookie was having a religious revelation before I even had a chance of nom nom noming him. Well it was tasty as fortune cookies go and amusing none the less.

I guess that I can take away from the rapture thing is a) recommit to goals b) recommit to this blog c) spend more time with Oliver and d) humor and wisdom often come from delicious places!

-Pertante