Jean Paul Thewissen

Just an Idea

2011-12-20T10:19:00.000-06:00

Hey, guys! I just had and idea, and since my views have been going up ever since I've been publishing that little Zelda comic, I thought it might be good to ask for some opinions on this.

Would you guys be interested in reading the script for the comic before the page itself came out?

Will be waiting for your replies. Thanks!

TLOZ: WLS Page 4

2011-11-27T18:27:00.001-06:00

All right!!! Page 4 is ready for your reading pleasure. Please enjoy it. I had funny time with this one.

Fun Facts:

I'm proud to say that I made the key for this page.
I'm ashamed to admit I also made the locked door.

Regards!

What Link Said: Page 3

2011-11-16T16:24:00.001-06:00

All right! Here it goes. Third page is done! Enjoy, you enjoy.

What Link Said: 2nd Page

2011-11-11T00:25:00.001-06:00

All right. I'm done with the second page of my little project. It's taken me longer than usual due to some unexpected, yet incredible things that have happened lately. More on that later. For now, I hope you enjoy this.

By the way, the project's name is The Legend of Zelda: What Link Said. The post before this one includes the first page, in case you don't know how this adventure begins.

A School Project

2011-10-04T22:08:00.000-05:00

Hey, everyone! Long time no see.

I just wanted to quickly share with you the first page of a project I'm working on to show my students. I think it's shaping up quite nicely. I just have to figure out what to do with panel 5. Other than that... well, I'll let you be the judges.

The Legend of Zelda: What Link Said

Working on this project is actually making me very nostalgic. I brings me back to the time when I was reading 8-bit Theatre, some eight years ago.

So, what are your thoughts?

Fatigue is Fulfilling

2011-07-26T01:31:00.000-05:00

Let me share something with you. It may be that I expose my weakness, but that's fine. I've known this for quite some time, yet I keep falling in the same tempting vice again and again. I want to put it out there, without my consciousness, so it takes form and is realized.

Many, many of you might have a day time job. You might hate your job, curse and damn every single second you spend doing it. I know I do. I know I feel I waste my time doing that. It robs of my time to study and develop in the career path I want to follow. I can't wait for the time to clock out, and get back home.

When I get home, I think my self too tired to actually do anything else.

I'm not. In actuality, I'm not too tired.

Today, I cast those thoughts aside, and practiced drawing. I also developed some ideas and wrote them down. In the end, I felt enthused enough to write this blog entry.

Basically, sure, I was fatigued. I still worked on what I wanted to do and it was fulfilling.

Put tiredness aside, and work on your projects. I know you can't forget about work. It'll be there the next day and you'll be back to cursing and damning. Think about this, though. Will you limit yourself to do that every single day?

I know it feels like it, but gravity is not pushing on you to keep you on your chair/bed. Get off it. You've got things to do. You've got your things to do.

Do them.

Coming Back

2011-07-19T00:25:00.000-05:00

It's been a while.

It's been hideous, these past few months. I've gotten lost in the hectic chaos that my job is, not giving my self time to grow and develop in the fields of professionalism I want to. I realized this some days ago. It was quite unsettling, and inspiring at the same time.

I had gotten off the bus, and was walking towards the site where I spend so many of hours in hellish lethargy (my job), when it hit me. I was wasting my time. Sure enough, I was earning money, but why wasn't I investing that money in my development and growth? Why was I not writing, planning outlines, furthering my projects, and even developing new skills? Why did I forget I want to change the world?

Just thought you'd like to know I've decided to learn to draw. I've set plans for my projects, and visualized them in the future. I know what forms they will take and what they are meant to do. I know how each will influence people, what they are intended to inspire, and their roles in my plans.

I have visualized my self, my person. Perhaps not phisically, but I do know what I want to achieve, and the goals I want to reach. I have remembered the place I want to reach, and will regain the path to it.

Time has been lost. I hope I have still enough to regain it.

Change Infects All

2010-11-02T17:50:00.000-06:00

I started to try to materialize a dream a pair of years ago. Maybe more. The road has not been forgiving, or easy to tread. My advance has been slow. For a year now, there hasn't even been advancement. Other concerns came to plague my mind, and have yet to leave my conscience alone.

This dream's name was FABLE Story Studios. As its name implies, it would specialize in the creation of stories. These stories could take any form they wanted to take; movies, novels, comics, music, etc.

I hate life. It has a way of getting in your way, regardless of how much you try to keep her at bay. It always comes and interferes with your plans. This isn't always the case, of course. Some people have it easy, and reach their goals with relative ease. I'm not one of them.

Life Sucks.

My dream has just changed. I have other projects to keep me busy while I think how to bring back my story studios. It will happen. It will just take more time, and a change.

FABLE Story Studios will be reborn as Arch Sutdios, because Life Sucks. Some of you might get it, some of you mightn't. I hope all of you will get it soon enough.

Scorned Path to a Desired End

2010-10-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

I wanted to start the day right; writing. Not a book, or a comic, or a screenplay, or an outline. I start this day writing a blog post.

I have hopes that this blog will someday be read by more than just two people. I have idols, and I try to look for as much information as I can of them in the internet. I would love to know about their pasts, their trials and tribulations. Unfortunately, they only start blog once they've reached a certain level of fame. Perhaps this will be a futile attempt. Still, I wish to try.

It was recently that I decided to take a part time job. Let it be noted, I am 24 years old and still live with my parents. I'm not proud of it. I had planned that my projects would have taken me away from here a long time ago. That has not been the case, though.

Thus a part time job. As of May next year, perhaps earlier, I get out of this crazy house and move in along with my girlfriend to an apartment. This apartment is actually close to my part time job locale, so it's quite convenient.

I'm not very excited about the job, but I am anxious about the independence part of this all. I know the need for money will make me a slave, and that I won't be free to do anything and everything I want. This is but a step towards the freedom I long for. And this job I will take is second to my projects. I must stress: money is a necessity, and I am subject to it.

In this situations, it's always better to concentrate on the bright side. Fortunately, this bright side has two instances I'm really excited about. I'd love to tell you, but it's very personal.

Of the Recent Events in my Life

2010-10-03T22:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I was forced into looking for a job, thank you very much. Thankfully, it was easy to find one with the help of one of my friends. I'll have to buy him some beers as a thank you...

It's not that I didn't want the job. I just hoped I wouldn't have to need one. Unfortunately, recent events worked against my laziness, and have thus pushed to look for a paying job before I could find out whether my book will be printed or not. Alas! I am screwed in a good way.

This job will allow me to buy a new computer. It was only recently that I was handed down a couple of laptops, both very degraded in their own way. One is 7 years of old. It been taken care of excellently, but is very outdated and, surely, worn down inside. The other is 2 years old, but has endured a lot of physical trauma at the hand of three little girls that claim to be my nieces. I don't remember being related to Tasmanian devils, though. (I love those three little munchkins).

I'm aiming for a Thinkpad Edge. Fell in love with it when I saw it.

Other than that there's not much to report. I still have a month to go so I can hear from the publishing house to which I sent my manuscript. I'm also having my first experience writing a screenplay. Let's see how that goes.

When the Destination is Known, but the Road Isn't

2010-09-28T18:20:00.000-05:00

It's hard to write when you don't know what happens next.

That's been my main problem as I write chapter 25 of my book. Sure, I know how the chapter ends, and I know what the protagonist is supposed to be going through. What I don't know is exactly what I'll do to him, exactly how to portray it, and exactly how it will all transpire.

You'd think I'd be reluctant about making my beloved protagonist suffer, but I'm not. Right now, no one other than him is being hurt, so there's really no unnecessary suffering going on. I'm actually curious about how this will affect my character. I can't wait to get him out of it so I can see the results on his psyche.

Let's find out, shall we?

2010-09-15T17:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, you just have to wonder what exactly life wants from you, or the plans it has in store for you.

I got myself into working with a group of people that want to create video games. I won't lie to you. That's exactly what I've wanted to do ever since I developed a rational mind. I always thought I'd be designing characters, crating worlds and programming stuff, though. My aptitude, however, fell on craft of the pen (keyboard, actually).

So this team pulled me in, telling me they needed a writer. "I'm your man," I said. The people that know me know I'm a hard working guy. Not only that, they know I have skills, and common sense, and adaptability. Some people with which I've worked don't ever notice it. These guys did, and it brought me hell.

I'm doing research. I'm not writing, which was what I was supposed to do. I'm doing research. I complain little, since I'm good at it, but it's not what I'd like to be doing, honestly.

Basically, I'm here to light the way in darkness. I'm here to point out a target, and have everyone aim and shoot at it. I think it's great. I'm the guy they'll all be thanking when this think kicks off.

I'll also be the guy they'll all be blaming if things don't go well.

I just wanted to write. Still, I actually want to do this right. I want to nail this and push this project forward to success.

My System, My Stories

2010-08-23T19:49:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, (I'm assuming I have more readers than before, though I'm not hopeful about it) I'm working on an RPG project. I attempt to invent a d12 system that concentrates on story, not mechanics. As a GM, I know I want a system that gives me the freedom to tell any kind of story I want, yet still offers a clear set of rules to avoid any confusion and discussions that might stem from a lack of clarity.

Of course, there are systems that do that all ready. I just want to create my own system, and see where it goes from there.

In any case, the system is practically ready. Just need to define a few details, and that's it. Of course, game testing is a vital part that is still to take place. Hence this post.

I am now writing the very first adventure for the system. It's a special format that, as stated in the unpublished adventure, does not give a series of challenges to be overcome. It provides a "setting", with antagonists, second characters, conflict, locations, three important encounters at most, and resources. In other words, it provides inspiration for the GM.

More on that later. I hope to write more frequently.

There's Something Wrong...

2010-07-10T00:29:00.000-05:00

I am amazed by what we, as a race, as men, can do. Actually, I'm not amazed of that precisely. I have always known, since I was quite young, that our intellectual capability to conceive incredible and functioning concepts is, in fact, limitless. What truly amazes me, is how stupid we actually are.

It is unbelievable that with all our potential, infinite potential, we are so utterly unconscious of it, and the consequences of our oblivious state.

Think about it. Imagination. That is our only limit. The funny thing is, it seems imagination has no limits. Convenient, right? Hypothetically, our sway over our surroundings is, essentially, complete.

Yet, we keep screwing things up. And I think that's because we're stupid enough to put our individual interests higher in our priorities lists. I think we lack a greater angle in our vision.

Power and Knowledge

2010-06-15T16:52:00.000-05:00

As you'll find out soon, for I'll post about it, I decided to create a whole RPG system from scratch. All I knew is that I wanted it to be a d12 system. (For those of you not in the know, "d12" is an abbreviation we role players use to refer to a twelve sided die).

If you'll notice though, this post is under the "reflections" label. That means I won't go into RPGs. I'll be writing about a reflection I came upon as I wrote the rules for my system. Following are some quotes:

"Go ahead and look it up in the dictionary. One of the definitions for power is something to this effect: the ability to do or act. Power is the way we interact with the world around us. It is the raw, primal ability to do, or act."

And then, you get to acquire knowledge, and experience. These two words can be summarized in one. Skills.

"One lives. As one lives, one learns. What one learns may be improved. As one improves, one keeps living, thus learning, thus improving.

To sum up, you have power. Everyone has power. Everyone has the ability to do, or act. As humans, we are powerful beings. We can do. We can act. As such, we are responsible for almost everything that happens around us. Studies and theories state that we are responsible for 90% of what happens around us.

We learn. Our power may be refined, harnessed and enhanced with the knowledge and experience we acquire. With our skills our power may be focused, and its results, be them good or bad, improved exponentially.

The origin of all our actions is our brain; our mind. The means to carry out this actions is our body.

Take care of them. Don't mess them up. Your power, your raw power, depends on it. Imagine being powerless. The very word makes me afraid and nervous.

The Daddy of Vampires

2010-06-12T01:17:00.000-05:00

So, I haven't posted about what I'm reading lately, have I? Well...

Yep. I'm reading the book that started it all. A spoiler to fans of more recent vampires, though. The blood sucking children of the night in this book do not, repeat, do NOT sparkle. That is the way it was intended form the beginning, and that is the way it always should have been.

And no, that's not the cover of the book I'm reading. I just looked for a cover on line and I liked that one. I didn't know there was an annotated version.

Anyways, on to engaging the interesting stuff. Is this book good? Yeah, it is. There was a boring part, I must admit. But after that, well, I couldn't put it down.

Since I haven't finished the book, I won't say much about it yet. Just wanted to let you know What I'm reading. Hopefully, in my next post, I'll have good news regarding my writing.

What of Quality?

2010-06-03T12:05:00.000-05:00

I decided to post about something I've meaning to for the last couple of days. I thought it could wait a little, and surely it can. But, still, while I'm waiting for a response on a job offer I got, this is as good a thing as any to do.

Quality, nowadays, sucks. My experience isn't first hand, but I understand the newspapers have a product recall section which is, contents wise, substantial.

This worries me. Cars, of all things, are getting recalls too. Can you imagine buying an alleged safe car for your family? For you wife and children? And then having the company recalling that exact same car because the suspensions in that line are faulty? This is what Nissan is doing in Canada. I mean, dishwashers are catching on fire!

I blame this on the fact that people are too concerned about getting things done as fast as possible, without paying attention to quality control. Despite the fact that quality standardization has been such a big thing these last few years, product defects are becoming more and more common.

I could mention a lot consequence that poor quality control yields. I won't. It's been discussed many times and there would be no gain on doing over and over again.

I'm just saying; get quality done, not things.

Sinful Storyteller

2010-05-30T21:07:00.000-05:00

I'm tired, so just bare with me, OK?

I had an incredible gaming session today. I'm glad because of it. I ran that game. I'm proud of that. I wish I'd kept some visual or audio record of it. One of my players applauded me. The other player is, to this very moment, working on defining her character better. I like to think it's because she's enthused because of today's session.

They say pride is a sin. Well, color me sinful, I'm freakin' proud.

Maybe I'll post something about the Storytelling technique I used. I allowed the players to do whatever they wanted, yet allowed them to lead a way that would make it possible to tell a coherent, well narrated story. Narrated by them, FYI.

All in all, I'm satisfied. That's all I wanted to say.

2010-05-28T14:08:00.000-05:00

Stop me if you've heard this one.

So my girlfriend and I walk into a coffe shop yesterday. We got to talking about Role Playing Games ('cause she is accepting the dark side and becoming as much a geek as I am) and I told her I'd really like to see a game like D&D, but with a system that will allow you to put less emphasis in the encounters, and more emphasis on the story.

Now, I'm a fan of the d20 and Storytelling systems. They're my two favorite systems, actually, and I know you're very much able to go a whole D&D session without rolling a single die. But the published adventures, even those authored by the staff at Wizards, put an enormous emphasis on dungeons, and the combat encounters the players face within those dungeons.

But let's say you want to solve the murder of a half-elven king. The adventure is planned to not have many encounters, but will have a lot of investigation, socializing, politics, and NPC's to point the characters in the wrong or right direction. In an adventure like that, you'd have to wonder why you made and uber-cool fighter, with lots of feats or powers to defeat and fell any opponent that dares stand in your way.

Bascially, I wanted a Storytelling fantasy game that more classic, less anime. That's right, Exalted, I've got my eye on you.

So my girlfriend said, "why don't you adapt a system with D&D's characterstics (races, classes, etc) so that it works with the WoD mechanics?"

I said no almost immediately. The task was just seemed to laborious. I thought I wouldn't like it.

Yet I was up all night thinking about it.

I did make some ground on the endeavor. I'm actually quite excited about the results. I actually have the hope it could get published in the future.

More on this as information becomes available :P.

Life, Thou Art Heartless

2010-05-20T13:55:00.000-05:00

Thus does life show is adversity towards me. It denies me the opportunity to submit my manuscript internationally. "Prices vary too much," they said. "You can't absorb the price of postage," they claimed.

Globalized world my ass. And you, life, heartless bitch. you shoot at me point blank, and laugh.

But the world is mine, life. You do not yet know it, but you will see me claim it. Disbelief will fill your eyes, and I shall treasure the sight.

You can not put me down, life. I write. I will write. I'll live off my writing. It will be my turn to shoot at and slap you.

And believe me, I will be laughing.

I believe I should add a "Bitching" label to my blog...

Unlike D&D Using D&D

2010-05-17T22:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted anything about RPGs, even though I told you from the beginning I love table top RPGs. Let me tell you about a little project I have going on. I think it's a huge undertaking, but maybe I'm just making things harder than they truly are. You don't care about that, though. If you do, you'll leave a comment.

Every D&D adventure I've played, or read, is combat encounter after combat encounter after combat encounter. A little varying activities here and there, like an interrogation, trap disabling, puzzle solving, diplomatic situations. Still. After that you get to fight some more.

It's fun. But some people want more out of a role playing game. Most of the time, I'm one of them. I wanna role. The problem is, I wanna role with D&D, not just roll.

So I'm working on an adventure that will allow players to role. I can't reveal much here, since my future players might read it. I'll be vague, but strive to be as interesting as possible in my vagueness.

What prompted this? Well, I read in the Eberron setting, V.3.5, that one of the inspirations that helped create the setting was a movie. I happen to love this movie; The Name of the Rose.

My intention? To create an adventure that will convey the saem mood and theme as the movie.

Thoughts on that?

My Pal Arthur

2010-05-17T03:17:00.000-05:00

I have to get this out before I go into reviewing the book.

I had a goddamn hard time finding a bloody nice cover for this book! Old covers lacked a lot of things, let me tell you. Among those things: An interesting appearance.

There! On to the review, then.

The book starts incredibly well. After that? Well, sir Arthur's highly verbose language gets in the way of your total enjoyment. Lot's of explanations, little action, monologues, and science. It makes the reading seem longer, indeed.

But there's something about Doyle's writing that I enjoy incredibly. It keeps me entertained. It's like he took pride in his verbose, sophisticated language. I, then, take pride in the fact that I can follow his verbosity and sophistication. We're prideful fellas, Arthur and I. That's why I like him.

Do I recommend this book to others? Only if you're into the classics, and slow reading. Otherwise, don't even look upon this book in a shelf.

A Little Poem

2010-05-10T20:18:00.000-05:00

This is a tiny poem that came to me. I post it here in case there someone out there that actually reads this blog, and can give me their thoughts on it.

Thanks in advance:

Take your sword, warrior.
Bare it, and free its steel.
Blood shall bathe your blade, not your body.
Naught but sweat shall wet your skin.

-Jean Paul Thewissen

Rarely Will I Read Paper Again

2010-05-01T03:43:00.000-05:00

Gueeeeeeeeeeeeess what? I just finished the third book in the first "The Legend of Drizzt" trilogy. I loved the books in a way I haven't loved a written work in a long time. Wanna read something good? Pick up something by R.A. Salvatore. Officially, he's become one of my favorite authors.

As some of you might know, Drizzt is a drow, a dark elf. This term is used to discribe a playable race in the Dungeons & Dragon roleplaying game. The good thing is, you don't have to know about the game to enjoy these novels. They're a product in and of themselves, enjoyable by anyone that likes the fantasy genre.

The completion of this book marks something else too, however. Last february I got a Kindle, and I haven't been able to use it due to the amount of physical books I had to read. "The Legend of Drizzt, Sojourn", was the last of such books. Rarely, rarely I say, will I read paper again.

Up next? The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I read the kindle sample, (an incredible feature I practically fell in love with), and I gotta say, I'm surprised at how agilely this writer from the early XX century tells a story. Many writers from these days lack that talent.

All in all, it'll be a wonderful reading year. Let the world end in 2012. I'll read like crazy for these two years and, hopefully, won't even notice it.

'twas Stupidity that Killed the World

2010-04-20T00:52:00.000-05:00

I don't know how long it has been since social networks and digital tools have been around. Frankly, I don't care. It was two years ago, however, that I was introduced to the concepts of blogging, micro-blogging, internet publishing, cloud productivity.

I like, and actually support the ideas.

I have, however, been asked why I don't follow more blogs, participate in forum discussions, or seek out opinions in the internet.

I didn't have an answer 'till now. It was after wanting to bang my head on my desk that I came up with the answer. Let it be noted, I wanted to bang my head because I read some comments in a well known blog. The answer is this:

Stupidity runs rampant, free and wild in the internet. I could swear it actually stampedes through in bytes, and threatens to run over you, crushing you with the weight of tons and tons of simple minded, narrow visioned opinions.

It's a sad reflection of society today. Add to that the misspelled words. I understand there are many contributors that don't speak English all that well. Those I let slip. But then you find comments from someone that, clearly, holds English as her first language.

Remember, for the love of God:

You're = you are

Your = and indication of possession

Then = an indication of time

Than = a comparison

Education: The one thing our world needs desperately, right next to common sense.

Finished my Penance

2010-04-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

That's right. You've seen this picture before on this blog. I told you that time that I was reading this huge book, a bound trilogy, and that I was dreading every read word of it.

Well, I finished the book, and the situation got only a little better. The book was, however, good at doing what every good book is supposed to do in the end; make you feel with a cathartic wrap up. Mind you, I only got to feel because I got to know the characters. And I only got to know them because I read a whole trilogy about them. I cared nothing for them the first four books. There's nine books. That should tell you a lot about the writing.

Still, like I said, I got to enjoy the end, and it almost made it worth while.

Another thing worth noting. I chuckled every time the authors tried to be funny in the book. I actually laughed only, and only, reading the afterword for the annotated version of this books. It was a joke about one of the characters carrying American Express, which made a certain task easier for him.

Yes, that should tell you a lot about writing too.

Do I recommend this book? Not really. Only if you're a big fan of the writers. Ironically, though, I understand there's quite a retinue of them.

On to happier topics, though.

This is the cover of the book

I'm starting next:

Oh, yes. New York Times' best selling saga starring the famous drow known as Drizzt Do'Urden.

This saga is composed of thirteen books! I have the first three. It's gonna be a while before I post I've finished the saga, as I intend to read other books between the bundles of three books the saga is separately and conveniently sold in. I'll still be reviewing each book here, though.

The only thing I can bitch about right now, though, is the typesetting of the physical books: It's this small!!!!

Where is my Beast?

2010-04-02T00:40:00.000-06:00

If you'll remember, I told you about how I finished a writing course some time ago. I remember how proud I felt that day, how accomplished and invincible I felt. I also felt nervous, though. The last ten assignments had me writing a chapter of my book, and my tutor would edit them.

I miss that guidance. Editing lost its edge now. I don't have to worry about a monster pointing out every single one of my mistakes. I'm not under pressure any more. I feel like I do, but I'm probably not pushing my self as much as I used to. The monster snarling at the back of my neck as I type is gone.

I'm still proud, though. This, writing, is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Even without guidance, I'll push my self to edit, re-edit, re-re-edit, and re-re-re-edit everything I write, and make it as much a masterpiece as I can.

Special Waste of Money

2010-03-30T17:45:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, I bought myself one of those cool

little Moleskine notebooks that have been causing

such a rave lately.

I'll be honest with you: I love these notebooks. They're incredibly overpriced, specially here in Mexico, but they're tough, portable, convenient little bastards.

I swear any other notebook could have done. I don't need a 200$ Mexican Pesos to write down ideas. It's ridiculous that I spent (roughly converted) 20 USD for a little notebook. Specially when I could have gone to a stationery shop and bought a 1.3 USD notebook. Call me crazy, but I just wanted one of this notebooks.

So why did I buy it? Because I wanted the notebook where I'll be jotting down my ideas and outlines for future books to be special.

I've christened it my "Ceative Jornal", and it is to be filled with my crazy fantasies. I'll flip through the pages of this notebook in the near future, and contemplate them as the sacred vaults of my very crazy mind.

It was a unnecessary purchase, but I'm willing to make it worth every cent I spent on it.

Unplanned

2010-03-23T10:59:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, something happened to me that had never, ever happened before.

As I got around to writing a new chapter yesterday, ready to follow the planned outline of my story, I was led away from the established path.

For those of you who don'd know what I'm talking about, let me explain a bit. Normally, when you like to be organized about writing, one writes an outline. What that is is a summary of every chapter in your book, establishing where you will place your plot twists, any notes you might have, etc, etc.

This spontaneous chapter caught me by surprise. At first, I was trying to write following my outline, sticking to what I had planned. It was taking some time, though, as I couldn't seem to get things going. I got stuck at the very beginning. I was staring at a blank page with nothing written on it but "Chapter XIII".

After a while, I just typed whatever wanted to get out of my fingers. I didn't like the beginning very much, but I could always come back and change it. But then...

My protagonist went and did something I didn't expect. Instead of leaving town immediately, as I had planned for him to do, he took a detour. After re-reading it, I decided the beginning was perfect, and changed nothing of it. In the end, I had to let some tears escape my eyes. The scene I narrated was quite touching, and it caught me completely by surprise.

I loved this chapter. It was a whole new experience, and I hope to have many more chapters like this one.

One Stage Lost

2010-03-20T15:35:00.000-06:00

As of today, I officially finished my writing course. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture to insert to this post, but I'll give you a link:
Wingill Writing School

I learned a lot from my experience with Winghill. If you're at all interested in becoming a professional writer, and aim at markets outside Mexico (where I reside), I recommend it greatly. They'll save you a lot of hassle and disappointment. They'll show you how to market your work, what to expect, and give you advice all through the course.

Also, your tutor, and experienced writer, will lead as you write your book. He/She will tell you what publishing houses are looking for, how they work, and give you advice on your writing.

It was a wonderful experience. If you'd like to become a writer, you can't miss this chance.

Prince of Persia, The Two Thrones

2010-03-18T22:58:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a trip down
memory lane, re-playing
a relatively old game:

This is the last game in a trilogy that had an incredible impact in me. I love everything about this game, and its two predecessors.

Why I decided to play it again is simple. I lent it to a friend and just recently got it back again, after almost a year enduring its absence. It's back home, and it's being taken care of.

A few of the things I noticed:

The Dialogue is better than I remember.
Voice acting not good. I remember I loved it the first time I played it, though.
I could swear the graphics were better.
This is the fastest game of the three to beat.

I'm still enjoying the hell out of it. The prince is actually one of my favorite video game characters, in any one of his different appearances. Also, the way the story comes full circle at the end of this game gives goosebumps.

I'd recommend you blow off the layer of dust on one of your games and relive those wonderful times you had with it. It'll help you relive something of your past. It might even help you remember something important about your past; something you've forgotten because life beat it out of you.

Give it a try. At the very least, you'll have a good laugh with the horrible voice acting, or the crappy dialog.

Annotated Legends, Dragonlance

2010-03-18T14:04:00.000-06:00

This is my latest read:

I suppose it was a good read back when it was written, when Wizards of the Coast was still TSR. Now? You get bored with all the description, and the inconsistent pacing of the story-telling.

The story itself isn't half bad, though. The characters are well defined, with developed personalities.

The book is huge. It's actually six books, compiled in three volumes. Following the Tolkien rage back then, this compendium is called a trilogy.

I'd recommend reading this book only if you have a lot of time in your hands. Like I said, it's a little tedious, and slow paced. I'm halfway through the second volume, and it just got interesting, after a little over 400 pages. I think it's in keeping as much as possible with Tolkien's style. I remember I'd get tired of reading his books, but I kept reading because the story was so very awesome. You'll find such a style here, but without the awesome story.

Rate: Pending

First Courtesy Post

2010-03-18T11:54:00.000-06:00

Since I don't want to be blunt, or to forward, this is a courtesy post. What I mean is that, instead of going ahead and start posting other things, I'll give you an introduction.

Okay, it's not really an introduction, it's instructions.

Wanna know what this blog is about? Read the "My Blog" section in the right side bar.

Wanna read about the different topics treated here? Check out the "Labels" section, right below the "About Me" section in the right side bar.

Are you a gamer? Interested in the life of a writer? Do you play RPGs, or read books? If you answered yes to one of the above questions, then stay and explore the posts in the tag you're more interested in. If not, then get on outta here; stop wasting time and make something of the life you've decided to lead.

Note: Yes, all the pictures in my blog will look this crappy, at least until I get a better phone :).