Monday, June 23, 2008

Secret Indulgence Contest

But not the kind you're thinking. Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI, deals with the secret indulgence of BDSM and D/s. In most of the stories, the characters are experiencing these for the first time. Opening yourself up to, and enjoying, new experiences is a sub theme in the anthology. Right now, my blog reading tends to lean toward writing and reading, and I'm looking for some new blogs to read.

So, to win a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI, comment with a link to the bizarre, the outlandish, the surreal blogs that you read. I'm not talking sexual here, but do you read the blog of a gardener who only grows carnivorous plants? Or how about a person who honestly believes they are from the future/another planet, etc. What I'm looking for are the blogs you read on a regular basis, but wouldn't dare admit to your friends that you read them. The person who sends me the quirky blog that catches my interest, and keeps it, will win a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI.
On a side note, I was almost hit twice this morning -- at the same intersection. I was exiting the interstate and stopped at the light. Light turned green and I started to pull out. But, I never automatically go when the light turns green, and when I checked traffic, sure enough a lady with a child in the car heading southbound ran right through the light. Then a man in a truck heading northbound became so fascinated by the construction going on behind me, that he went right through the light. And then gave me the look, like what are you doing pulling out in front of me. (this was after the woman went through) And to top it all off, it's a camera light, so I'm sure in a few days, he'll figure out why I was pulling out.

Have a great week, everyone!
Jessie

Friday, June 20, 2008

This Will Consume the Great Person

Now, if you guys have ever played Civilization IV, you recognize the title of today's post. And you know the game will consume you. I am a below mid-level player of this game. But it's addicting, and for a strategy game which should be boring for the first 100 turns or so, it's downright fun to play for hours (and hours, and hours) at a time.

My favorite civs so far are Russia (Catherine), France (Napoleon), and Rome (Julius Ceasar). I managed to win some time victories, a space victory, a domination victory, and a backdoor domination victory, but none of them above warlord. We also have the BTS expansion game, but DH has dibs on that game most of the time, so I end up playing the *vanilla* version. Which is okay with me, as I'd never played a Civ game until IV came out, and I'd like a little more experience under my belt before tackling BTS.

And, this type of game is great for my writer's imagination. I love worldbuilding and creating the mythology for my alternate dimensions and universes. Games like Civ IV where you have to build a civilization almost from the primordial slime up make great playgrounds. How do you build a warrior nation without starving everyone to death? How do you build an peaceful, intellilectual nation while still protecting your borders? How do you create culture? Religion? Who are these people and where did they come from?

A fantasy writers wet dream.

Of course, it takes days to actually complete a game, sometimes weeks depending on your level of play.

In that respect, it's a lot like writing. You build on an idea, protect some aspects. Let others go. Work the theme and each situation to to its fullest advantage, and beat up on the weaker elements until they either go away or build up some viable defenses.

So, in the midst of the crazy tax season, and other non-tax related days of hell, I found escapism in Civ IV. Now, I'm back to my writing. The first draft of Stygian Prophecy is complete, and I'm going through the second draft now. Should be complete by the end of the month.

Here's a little snippet - the opening paragraph. Let me know if you think it works.

The Paegus Realm
Daegnan knew the price of duty all too well. He paid the toll with every breath, and perhaps with his last breath this day. When he’d joined the Royal Guard, his family had turned away from him, refused to speak his name, and his heritage made him an outcast amongst the warriors. His so-called brothers in arms neither liked nor trusted the dragon soul hidden inside his human shell and spared no sympathy for his plight. He scented the sweat of their malicious anticipation and fought to control the part of him which craved the taste of their fear and savored victory by bloodshed like a sweet wine on the tongue.

Also, I'm gearing up to give away a copy of Phaze Fantasies, Vol. VI next week. Check back for details.

Have a Great Weekend!
Jessie