Minecraft, Jewelcraft, Warcraft, all crafts

My oldest daughter is obsessed with Minecraft. She watches videos of people playing sessions, or just goofing around, or maybe they're creating incredibly detailed versions of Grecian coastlines. I have no idea what the appeal is, though I've played with Legos quite a lot and I love building things. The really incredible thing is just how addictive it clearly is. It's amazing.

Good natured ribbing aside, I am amazed such simple ideas catch on and tickle the fancies of people all around the world. It's marvelous. Such things are impossible to predict, though I'm sure lots of people try all the time. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if there are entire companies whose only purpose is to predict market fads and what should be the next big thing.

Of course, Minecraft isn't the only blistering fad out there. I think there was one about Jewels, then there's Warcraft, and the wonderfully hilarious Angry Birds. What I appreciate is the variety, the non-stop creativity, and the fact that we humans never tire of playing around with toys. Being a writer myself, I'm very grateful for that aspect, because it also means people won't tire of stories either.

I wonder what the spiritual sequel to Minecraft will be? Seems hard to follow something that takes everything to the most basic level and then turns the user loose to have fun. I do remember something called A-Life (Artificial Life) which let the user create electronic life of sorts, which usually just ended up making interesting patterns. It would be neat to see that return in some fashion.

- M

Voiceovers, and how they lift drab fare into engaging tidbits... in moderation

I've become a huge fan of the beginning voiceover (such as the brilliant one in The Fellowship of the Ring which supplies everything you must know to understand the rest of the movie). Even during a movie, the voiceover can make pure magic happen as the audience is directly told what it needs to know. Of course, this in books is usually frowned upon as pointless narration. However, there are times in the visual medium of movies where it just has to be told, and visuals would take too long. Done well they are dynamite.

More and more, when a movie begins with a voiceover I actually find myself perking up. It's like the storyteller is keen on providing a broader world that what's seen, and I'm just as keen to find out everything I can. Plus, there are certain voices that have such incredible tonality to them that they could read their shopping list and make it sound like Hamlet. But even without having someone of that degree, the voiceovers go over pretty well.

Voiceovers provide a glimpse of something greater, and that's especially hard to pull of within a medium as visual as movies. But, like anything else, overdoing it makes it awful. The best times I've seen voiceovers used are at the beginning, or when a major early development takes place. After the movie is well into its runtime, the voiceover just gets in the way. Modern movies seem to be pulling it off very well, and I'm always eagerly anticipating the next step into something larger and greater than what I see right before me.

- M

Merry Christmas! and Joy to the World!

I love ending my year by embracing the meaning of Christmas and all it entails. Could there be anything finer to add to your life? It does the heart good to reflect on such things, and the soul blossoms and grows with the watering.

My own Christmas has also included two wonderful presents, with my wife passing her RN school (she now only needs her nursing boards to be a bright and shiny RN officially), and I've had one of my knees totally replaced--the other gets the treatment as soon as possible. More than that, though, I have my children and family to be grateful for. They are jewels, all of them. Precious things that could never be replaced.

Life is like that, full of things that we have so much of, and then just a few things that actually, really, truly, matter. It's amazing how hard it is to notice the difference some times. I know that I either forget/get distracted/or simply don't look in the right spots most of the time. My desire is to do better. I wager that if my eyes were on the things that do matter, rather than the things that don't, that my life would be much better for it. It's not a New Year's Resolution, it's a Lifetime Resolution.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

- M

Surprises, in exptectedly curious places you don't see coming

I'll bet we all like surprises, especially in stories. There's many places these can happen, though being a "surprise," it generally isn't something you were ready for. However, there are those marvelous times when a surprise comes out and says, "Okay, here I come. Get ready." You get all set to receive the promised surprise and whammo, get stunned by the surprise anyway.

Take Star Wars for example. In the actual first one (Episode 4, "A New Hope"), I doubt anyone didn't expect Ben Kenobi to die in that lightsaber fight with Vader. When he closed his eyes, lifted his sword, and calmly waited, I knew what was coming. Seeing his body vanish and only his clothes hit the floor was a neat touch--very mystical and satisfying. But, then we get his disembodied voice speaking to Luke not 30 seconds later. Whammo! Surprised ya! I love those moments. Perhaps I could have expected it, and probably some did, but I never saw it coming after the expected death. I figured it was just like every other apprentice-to-the-great-master story segments, where the master dies and the apprentice must now step up and carry on anyway. That one part of storytelling remains a highlight for me because my emotions whirl around it.

A corollary to this is when someone surprises and then uses that surprise to do something evil. Like when the wicked witch in Sleeping Beauty gives the innocent Snow White the wonderfully tasty apple and doesn't demand money for it. The gift is a known surprise for the audience, but not necessarily that it is poisoned (yet even that poison isn't fatal, but is rather a sleeping potion--so, really, this is a three part surprise). Done well, these surprises can provide solid framework for very imaginative stories.

- M

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug ... my thoughts

I took my entire family to see the new Hobbit movie. We loved it. It was entertaining, well done and engaging. As a singular story, it works well. Source material aside, the journey from beginning to end was well thought out, though some of the cuts to the secondary story are a bit jarring. Of course, the highlight of the movie is the dragon Smaug. The scene with Bilbo is changed quite a lot, but I think in a good way. Smaug is mighty, not only in physical power, but mental power. His verbal sparring match with Bilbo is decidedly one-sided and the dragon relishes his position.

Overall, I loved the movie and look forward to owning it on DVD.

Now, on to what I imagine most reviewers will be complaining about. The differences between source material and movie. Yes, there are a lot. Major changes (such as wood elves, with Legolas and company) and confusing changes (such as Smaug chasing the dwarves under the mountain). My guideline has always been if the movie works well on its own. The source should be used, but only to the extent that it makes a good movie. This is, after all, a visual medium and needs to be treated as such. That said, I wish more of the restraint of the book had made it into the movie--especially the part where Smaug pursues the dwarves in the halls of Erebor. It felt almost like the movie was showing off how incredible it was; flamboyantly so. That wasn't necessary.

However, I much enjoyed it. Legolas is a fan favorite, and made sense to make an appearance here (though probably not as a main-ish character). I loved how Peter Jackson was the first person on screen, even briefly, and it was a fun cameo. Mirkwood was incredibly tense, well realized, and awfully dangerous. The dwarves were better this time than before, and were a tightly knit group of characters. Bilbo continues demonstrating a level of courage that is amazing to behold, and feels completely right.

I absolutely recommend The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. Get out right now and see it. You'll be glad you did.

- M

Desperation

There are lots of ways for a character to drop into desperation, such as when a loved one is in peril or financial chaos burns through. Being in desperation makes someone unsure, reckless, willing to take greater risks than any other time, and also creates a sort of spontaneous frenzy all around. Desperation makes us crazy.

Now, using that desperation is another challenge. Villains are wonderful when they are in these situations, because they can cut loose and throw everything at the hero without worry or care. Heroes, on the other hand, sometimes stop being heroic and do bad things, or maybe become cowards. Of course, emotions like this don't have to be stereotypical. What this does is allow the author the leeway to run crazy with the plot and place events that wouldn't normally happen. It's a lot of fun to do that, and see how the characters will react.

Naturally, these are my views and I'm sure there are lots of other ones on this subject. However desperation is handled, I believe it works powerfully in stories. Especially stories where the characters are deep and sympathetic (even if you don't like them). When the audience gets involved at a sincere level, then the story grows beyond itself. It's a tremendous experience for both sides. Well worth the effort.

- M

The Flash, my personal favorite hero of all time. Mark Waid rocks!

I absolutely adore the Fastest Man Alive. The Scarlet Speedster isn't necessarily the most powerful of the super-powered heroes, but he sure has dynamic stories. While I enjoy all of them, my particular favorite is Wally West--and more specifically the "Terminal Velocity" storyline by Mark Waid. In that story, the Flash (Wally) is shown a vision of his future, and spends the rest of the book trying to avert it. His speed becomes his greatest enemy, causes solitude, and ultimately is his finest gift.

What strikes me isn't how fast everything is, but how intensely personal the Flash stories are. In a lot of the superhero stories I've read, the hero is really an unstoppable force of nature. Superhero stories swirl around the hero, but don't especially impact them personally. Not so with the Flash. You get to see the poor guy pounded, mashed, his loved ones hurt, and place wrecked. It's visceral, understood, and touching. I love the Flash.

There was a brief series on television The Flash (but, it didn't do well) and I see that the new television show Arrow is bringing him back in the Barry Allen form. Hopefully he's better received this time. I'd love to see a new show based on him, and there probably will if he's popular. So, get out there and cheer him on.

Go, Flash, go!

- M

The Journey of a Lifetime

What does it mean to make a journey? To undertake one? To set your focus on a path and follow through? How about just getting started?

Most of our lives, we ask what we want to do and what we want to happen in the future. It's normal to wonder. This is one aspect that I wish I saw more of within stories. I think it creates a tremendous amount of depth in a very short time, simply because the audience understands what the journey is. After all, that's why we ask ourselves those questions. Once we know where we're heading, it's easy to see our progress along the way.

And, once the journey starts, there are usually pretty obvious landmarks to guide us. However, if the journey's goal isn't all that clear, it can make for a very interesting journey. And, that's what stories are all about, since if there isn't interest then there isn't much of a use for the story. And it doesn't even have to be in the form of a quest, or something painfully obvious. It could be something as simple as rediscovering a passion for painting, or finding the name of a song, or even apologizing for a misdeed.

There are many sayings about how the joy is in the journey, and there's a ton of truth to that. But, it also is true that the journey is interesting and worthy of telling within the bounds of a story. I love going along for the ride, as a character runs along the path, for good or ill. It's exciting, interesting, and hopefully fulfilling. I doubt I'll ever tire of it.

- M

Family, and the ties that bind us so very closely together

There are few relationships in life as close as family. We normally don't get to choose our family, but it hardly matters. The connections we form are powerful and long lasting. Many people define their entire lives through family--certainly the stereotypical mob does. But, there's more to those connections than simple blood. Family is tied together most powerfully by commitment to each other, and that commitment often doesn't even need to be expressed because it's understood at such a deep level.

During Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, we Americans tend to gather with family and feast and carry on with all sorts of revelry. It's important to us to maintain those connections. Those of us with family at far flung distances are sad when we can't share those times of togetherness, but we still share the connections despite the separation. It makes for a strange happy and sad time all mixed up in a boiling stew of emotion.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Hug your loved ones close, and whisper in their ears that you care and don't mind their silliness the rest of the year. We all have our blemishes. Find the time to forget them and enjoy each other's company.

- M

Titles, conventions, and how to capture the casual eye

I'll admit it first: I'm terrible with titles. I've never understood how book titles are chosen, or why one movie title is better than any other. There's tons of science behind it, I'll bet, but it hasn't made much sense to me. For some reason our minds latch on to one thing and not another. It's very confusing.

There are a few books I've skimmed on the subject (sorry, I just couldn't bring myself to reading entire books on it), and picked up a few curious tidbits. One mentioned that titles with "The" or starting with particular letters weren't well received. I don't remember why not, but they had charts and graphs showing it all. Another nugget was how single word titles were lousy, and they also had statistics proving the idea.

My opinion is that if it sounds good, then go for it. It's all subjective, isn't it? We have peculiar tastes, and how can such things be quantified? For instance, one of my favorite books is Icefire. That's a single word title and it works just fine. Or how about The Lord of the Rings. That one has "The" in it twice. Well, it's a theory. I'm sure it wouldn't have worked as "Sauron" or "Hobbits, Fight or Flight."

Yes, I'm being silly. I'd love to know how to make better titles, or even halfway decent ones. Until then, I'll muddle along doing the best I can. Hopefully nobody will pout because my titles weren't better. I pray they'll read my books anyway. The stories always have my focus, and I'll let them speak for me any and all times.

- M

Daughter's new blogs

I'm very proud that my daughter has jumped into the web and is posting her own stuff now. Check out her new blogs: Where Percy Jackson Fans and Fashionistas Come and her new one, Anything Good? Yes? No? Maybe? Come over here and find out!

A very talented young lady. Yes, I'm bursting with pride!

- M

Avengers assemble! Modern superheroes and lots of fun

I'm a complete sucker for modern superhero movies. The Avengers is a great movie with tons of fun for everyone. Sure, it may not be the deepest story, but who cares? The fun of superhero movies is we get to see humans doing unbelievable things, in an unbelievable way, in unbelievable environments. Does anyone really think about how much destruction any of these fights causes? Nah. Where's the fun in that?

I really doubt there's any superhero movie I haven't seen and enjoyed. Sure, there are degrees of enjoyment, and a few I won't watch again. However, I'm happy to see so many new stories all through our culture. We are in the midst of a wellspring of superhero tales, and the public is drinking it all in with gusto.

Of course, not all superheroes are made equal. I've absolutely no idea why some are popular and some aren't. Like why is Superman more popular than the Blue Beetle? I'm sure there's some psychological multi-syllable words that explain it, but I don't know any. What I do know is we love superheroes and can't get enough right now. So, get out there and take your best shot. Maybe your story will be the very next to shout out, "Avengers, assemble!"

- M

Things that stalk the night

What is it about darkness that terrifies us so much? It's more than not being able to see, or not knowing for sure. After all, we know our own rooms, yet turn off the lights and it's easy to let imagination run away with our senses and conjure all manner of things for us to fear. Whatever the reason, darkness is used to great effect in movies and stories of all kinds. There's something primal about it. Moving shadows can make us jump from our seats and hug someone close. A hallway suddenly going dark can yank the hairs up on the back of your neck faster than a creepy howl ever could.

The really interesting thing is how stories (which by their very nature are harmless to the audience) can generate such intense emotions by throwing darkness around. Mysteries, horror, drama, fantasy, science fiction, even romance, all use the lack of light in some way or another. We all know darkness, the feel and smell of it, and how it affects things and us. We spend a lot of time without light, slumbering behind closed eyelids. I think that's why stories can use it effectively, because we understand it.

I've heard many people philosophizing about darkness and light, and the purposes of both. That's all well and good, but the truth is that darkness scares us. Maybe with reason, maybe with none. It covers and hides, shudders away whatever is inside. It's the closed box with an unlocked lid. What's inside? Is it bad? Is it good? Should I look? Should I leave it alone? The only way to find out is either turn on a light, or step inside. Do you really want to know?

Amazingly creepy.

- M