When Monika says “There’s a bus tour going to Riga to see the light festival,” your first response should be “I wanna go.” At least that’s my response. Going with Monika on a day trip is always fun, especially to another country, so I was in! Rasa was game as well so we told Monika to book it for us. See, this wasn’t just a “let’s go” trip, this was actually a bus tour operated by the company she works for, Guliverio Kelionės. Continue reading “A Palace, a Castle and Some Lights… What’s involved with a day trip to Riga?”
Author: CaptainJaq
I am a father as well as a world traveling, dog loving, scuba diving, book collecting, writer - currently residing somewhere in Eastern Europe. His words have been spoken by Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and Robin Hood, been read by David Copperfield, and criticized by his 7th grade English teacher. He'd like to thank the members of the Academy, although he doesn't know why. In his spare time, he's a university professor and a kick-ass uncle.
Anne R. Allens Blog: Is Talent Overrated? 8 Things that are More Important than Talent for Writing Success
While I disagree that skill overrides talent completely, I agree 100% that without skill all the talent in the world doesn’t mean anything.
I know a number of people with an amazing amount of talent but no skills. I also know people with little talent but with the prerequisite skill set. In either case though, there’s a certain amount of talent required. There are some people, who no matter how much they work and struggle and acquire skills will never get anywhere because there isn’t enough raw talent to push them into that realm.
DAVID • Think: Saling Against the Wind
DAVID • Think: Saling Against the Wind.
Once again I write a short piece of fiction in honor of the upcoming and just passed holidays…
Hope you enjoy it!
Review: 30 Days in the Word Mines
30 Days in the Word Mines by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a fun, easy to read kick in the pants for aspiring writers. I read it as a possible text for my creative writing class.
The conceit here, especially coming as it does at the start of this year’s NaNoWriMo, is that Wendig, a prolific author and blogger, will guide you through 30 days of writing. It’s a good conceit. It works and I can certainly see how reading a chapter a day at the start of your writing will give you a nice little push for the day’s word count. And Wendig is a fun teacher, the kind you always wish you had in school. He curses, goes off on tangents, and generally doesn’t feed you any bullshit. This is a good thing. There’s not a lot of padding here. reading it straight through took less than an hour. And while none of his advice is particularly new or inventive, it’s presented in a fresh way and he does offer some insight befitting his “I’m a professional, I’ve been doing this for a while” credentials.
What this isn’t, however, is a book for base beginners. He gives solid advice, yes, but with no explanation or tutorial. It’s like trying to learn plumbing without knowing what the wrenches are called. Once you have the basics, this is a wonderful way to push yourself through a month of writing.
Jack Kirby is Now Credited in Marvel Comics as the Creator of Fantastic Four, X-Men, Captain America and More –
Been a long time coming but man, it’s good to see!
Hitting the target
So a few weeks ago I decided to take up archery. Sure, I hadn’t seriously shot a bow since 7th grade Kenny Guinn gym class (Mr. Salas, I believe) but, like fencing, it’s a sport I can get behind and feel comfortable pursuing. Maybe I feel like a medieval vigilante (or a modern day one and have been watching too much Arrow on TV) but I figured I’d give it a shot (no pun intended). Continue reading “Hitting the target”
Fall
There’s something about the first day of the year when the leaves outnumber the people on the streets on a Sunday morning.
Hit my goal!
My goal for writing this year was 100,000 words of creative writing. This could include reviews, articles, prose, scripts, blog posts… whatever was at hand which allowed me to use my brain in creative, thought fulfilling ways. I’ve been using two different trackers, one created by my friend Troy which is a basic measuring stick, showing at a glance the days I write and the days I don’t. The other, by the artist Svenja, is a bit more specific as to what I’ve written. I use both because for me they serve different functions. In any case, with the half completed story I’m currently working on, yesterday I passed my 100,000 word mark for 2014.
With all the other crap going on in my life, this make me extremely happy.
Oh yeah, and I also won the award for best columnist for a magazine (2014) from the Nevada Press Association with these words: Meaty. Well written, researched and informative. Some tugged at the heart without being sappy. I’ll take it!
What You Need To Know About Your Second Draft « terribleminds: chuck wendig
What You Need To Know About Your Second Draft « terribleminds: chuck wendig.
Wendig tells it like it is… and sometimes like it’s supposed to be.
Review: Spider-Man: The Sinister Six Trilogy
Spider-Man: The Gathering of the Sinister Six by Adam-Troy Castro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually read a prose version of an actual comic character which wasn’t a novelization of a film (I read the original Superman novel back in the 70s) but I love comics (and this book was written by Adam-Troy Castro, an acquaintance) so I figured I’d give it a shot. Continue reading “Review: Spider-Man: The Sinister Six Trilogy”
Shampoo
Just a little note… About shampoo sachets.
While I’m glad and thankful some hotels provide shampoos and conditioners isn’t there a better packaging method than the sachet? You know, like the ketchup packets you get at McDonald’s. These things are not the easiest to open at the best of times but when your hands are already wet and slippery they are damn near impossible.
Anyway, there’s your thought for a Sunday morning.
DAVID • Think: Albie Sachs’ Soft Vengeance
DAVID • Think: Albie Sachs’ Soft Vengeance.
This month’s piece for David… a profile of Albie Sachs, South African Civil Rights activist.
Main/Chandlers Law – Television Tropes & Idioms
Main/Chandlers Law – Television Tropes & Idioms.
Mainly I just want to post this because I always forget if this is a Hammett of a Chandler rule and if I write down that it’s Chandler I’ll have a better chance of remembering it.
Review: Lock In
Lock In by John Scalzi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lock In is an easy book to get through. I listened to the Wil Wheaton audio version (I’m specifying narrators for a reason I’ll get to in a second) and like most of the John Scalzi books Wheaton has given voice to, this one flew by. It was a fairly easy story to follow, even with all the tech speak, and was wrapped up in a nice, accessible way. There weren’t too many surprises and everyone gets what the deserve by the end. Like I said, easy. Continue reading “Review: Lock In”
DAVID • Think: Little Histories
DAVID • Think: Little Histories.
That link there is to my latest piece for David Magazine. It’s different than the normal editorial stuff I do in that it’s a short story, this time about families and holidays. Sure, it’s set ostensibly around the High Holidays of Judaism but I’d like to think it’s a fairly universal piece about any time the family gathers to celebrate anything. It’s not a long piece, shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to read it, but I’d appreciate it if you actually gave it those few minutes. Continue reading “DAVID • Think: Little Histories”
Getting the Hang of Thursdays 