What I’m Thankful for (2013)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, TRUE BELIEVERS!

As I do every year, I try to make the holiday about more than turkeys and football. I take the time to remember what I am thankful for, when I probably take them for granted during the rest of the year. Holidays have a way of reminding you that the attitude it emphasizes should be practiced all the year. Thankfulness is especially important to me since life has been tough for me (something I try not to talk about much here) the last few years. I’m happy to report, though, that things seem to be slowly improving.

So, without further ado, here’s my updated list of things I’m thankful for.

1. God the Father (Abba)

2. Jesus Christ, God made flesh

3. The Holy Spirit, my counselor

4. My salvation

5. The Bible

6. My wonderful family (Mom, Dad, Josiah, Jarod, and Sarah)

7. Grandma Ruth, who’s still with us at age 91

8. That I’m an American

9. That I’m a published author

10. God’s providence

11. My talents

12. My spiritual gifts

13. My college degree

14. That I’m a TUFW alum

15. I’m intelligent

16. Running water

17.  I can read

18.  My new car, Silver Sable

19.  My church

20. My iPhone 4S

21.  My many friends (you know who you are)

22. My pastors

23. My creativity

24. My job (I may not enjoy it, but in this economy, it’s appreciated)

25. My freelance writing gigs

26. That I almost never get sick

27. Our pets

28. That I’m a nerd

29. My movie, book, music, and video game collections

30. Our house

                31.  Electricity

32. The seasons

33. That I live in Indiana

34. My driver’s license

35. That I volunteer with RemedyLive

36. My laptop

37. That I’ve been able to do some fun traveling this year

38. My cosplay costumes

39. My vlog

40. The new friends I’ve made this year

41. The internet

42. That I took the GRE and scored well

43. Swing dancing and the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society

44. Indianapolis Colts

45. Fans for Christ, GameChurch, and Christian Gamers Guild

46. My clothes (and many nerdy T-shirts)

47. Gen-Con

48. My camera

49. The works of C.S. Lewis

50. And 50 years of Doctor Who!

What are you thankful for?

Remembering C.S. Lewis

I realized the other day that this is a week of noteworthy anniversaries. November 19 was the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Today, November 22, is a day loaded with significance. Fifty years ago today several events, both joyous and tragic, occurred. On the bright side, the British science fiction TV show Doctor Who first aired. But today is also remembered for the deaths of three great men: President John F. Kennedy, author Aldous Huxley, and theologian C.S. Lewis.

Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft
Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft

Interestingly, there’s a short book that featured a philosophical dialogue between these three icons: Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft. It’s a fascinating debate between them.

C.S. Lewis, author of such books as The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Space Trilogy.
C.S. Lewis, author of such books as The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Space Trilogy.

While I could go on about any of these, I’ll focus on Lewis. If you’ve read my bio on my website, you know that I list C.S. Lewis as one of my literary influences. But he’s done more than influence my writing: he’s shaped much of my thinking.

Lewis was a Christian, an intellectual, and a writer. He came from an atheistic background, but he always loved myths and stories. He believed in the power of narrative. This, along with some help from his best friend, Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, was what brought him faith in God. He saw the truth of the “Christian myth” and saw that it was more than a mere myth.

Lewis was a writer whose works dabbled in things that many modern Christians shy away from. He could write stories featuring magic and mythic creatures without violating his conscience or his faith. He simply said these were powers and creatures created by God, that those mythic stories and fairy tales all pointed back to Him. He wrote science fiction that beautifully examined the effects of sin and the far-reaching power of redemption. He dared to examine Christianity, proving time and again that faith and intellectualism are not contradictory. Yet he did so in a way that neither talked down nor talked over his readers and listeners. I’ve heard someone describe him as a “redneck with a Ph.D.”

Yet he did all of this without proselytizing. Lewis was a man who didn’t have to preach at you in his works: he simply told stories. His faith would seep into his stories almost accidentally. It was a huge part of his life. Authors always tap into themselves—their experiences, beliefs, and knowledge—to craft a story. So, what Lewis wrote was “Christian” in the sense that he was a Christian who wrote. I love this because I don’t like being preached at about anything—whether it be Christianity, environmentalism, or whatever else—when I’m reading or watching a story. I just want to enjoy the story. If it inspires deep thought in me as I read/watch or after I finish it, then it is a truly great story. Art doesn’t necessarily tell you the truth; it inspires you to ponder what the truth is.

I wouldn’t be the man or the writer I am today if not for people like him. I owe him a great debt of gratitude. He’ll be one of the first people I want to meet when I get to Heaven.

So, if you’re looking for some good reading (besides this serial, of course), go to your local library and check out his books! You won’t regret it.

But I Digress…, Episode 19 Teaser Trailer

Here’s a homespun “trailer” for my next vlog. I don’t normally do this, but it’s a review for a major event in fandom and I had a fun idea for a preview, so I made it. I even tried recording a voiceover for teh first time.

Featuring the music from the “Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor” teaser trailer music, composed by Murray Gold.

Special thanks to the Whovians and celebrities I met at Gen-Con 2012 and 2013, who you see in those photo montage. I hope none of you mind me using those pictures.

If you’d like to see the trailer I parodied, watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hRy2N2CMhQ

Why I’m Not Doing NaNoWriMo

You may have noticed that while I participated in National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo), I’m not partaking in the more popular National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). There’s a simple explanation for that:

I’m too busy.

I’m working on the Children of the Wells serial (which if you haven’t checked out yet, you should!); I’m writing a devotional for nerds/geeks with a friend; I try to write an article or two for Examiner every week; I just started with GiGaGeek Magazine as a freelancer; I attempt to make a vlog on occasion; and I’m working a part-time day job that keeps eating up more of my time than I want it to.

But most importantly, I’m already working on a novel: the tentatively titled Hope’s War, which is a sequel to Pandora’s Box. I think NaNoWriMo is something meant to jumpstart writers (or would-be writers) into writing a book they keep saying they’ll write but haven’t. Or it’s a prompt to actually sit down and write a novel when you haven’t done such a thing before. But I’m already in the throes of writing my next book. Mind you, I haven’t gotten nearly as much of it done as I wanted to by now. I was going to use NaNoWriMo as an opportunity to get more of it done, though probably not completed. Trust me, True Believers, I’m as disappointed with myself as you are—if not more so.

It seems I have a tendency to overload myself with projects. I hang out with a lot of creative people. I have ideas swirling through my head constantly that want out, that demand to be given shape and form, to have life breathed into them. (Okay, I’m going to stop before I get a god complex).

For me, it'd be, "Deadlines. Why'd it have to be deadlines?!"
For me, it’d be, “Deadlines. Why’d it have to be deadlines?!”

To use a more down-to-earth analogy for my original point, as a writer, I feel like Indiana Jones (who, by the way, is my favorite action hero). He had a habit of unintentionally getting in over his head. He usually didn’t go on an expedition looking for trouble; it found him. He just wanted to find the Ark of the Covenant for its archeological and historical value, not pick fights with Nazis. Or land in a snake pit.

For me, I just want to be creative, which usually involves writing. I didn’t mean to take on so many projects that I couldn’t keep up. I’ve been learning that time management is vital to writers. That it’s important to say, “No,” to some things, though they may be good. That’s hard, especially for the seemingly rare extroverted writer like myself.

But I promise I’ll get stuff done. I’m just not sure when at the moment.

If ‘Pandora’s Box’ was a Movie

PandorasBox04I talked about this before on the “Derailed Trains of Thought” podcast, but I thought it’d be fun to talk about now.

While I was in college, Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, my English/writing professor, said one of his writing techniques was “casting” actors for the characters in his stories, as if they were being made into movies. It helped solidify images of the characters in his mind.

Being a nerd and a visual writer, I did the same for Pandora’s Box. I also went a step farther and picked my ideal director. Admittedly, most of these castings are out-of-date. Remember, I wrote most of the novel 8-10 years ago (it just took a while to get it published). Also, don’t let these color how you, True Believers, picture the characters. This is how I visualize them, but you’re entitled to your imaginings.

Director (and possibly screenwriter): James Cameron

James-Cameron-Rolex-Submariner

If I could persuade him to take a break from making Avatar sequels, I’d love to have James Cameron direct the film. I might even let him write the script, although I would prefer to do that myself (or at least supervise). While I still think Titanic is the most overrated movie ever, I love the rest of his filmography (Terminator 1&2Aliens, etc.). Cameron is great with special effects, action, story, and strong female leads. All these would be abundant in a film version of the book. Not to mention his name would equal an instant blockbuster.

Jennifer Garner as Pvt. Pandora Brewer

Alias

At the time I was writing the novel, Jennifer Garner was at the peek of her popularity. She was the star of the TV show Alias (which I wished I’d watched more often) and was Elektra in 2004’s Daredevil, a role she was perfect for. So, since she was an attractive and talented actress in action heroine roles (which she hasn’t done much of since, sadly), I thought she would be perfect for my book’s heroine. Her characters were tough yet vulnerable; fierce yet feminine. Plus, I even found a photo of her as a redhead! It’s obviously a wig, but she still looks great. (End of fanboy rant).

Liam Neeson as Col. William Brewer

121001LiamNeesonTaken2_6722523

Liam Neeson is one of my favorite actors. He keeps showing up in my favorite films series (Star WarsDark Knight TrilogyNarnia, etc.). He’s a powerhouse of an actor, which is why I’m disappointed he hasn’t won an Oscar. Here’s a guy who could be your dad or your worst enemy. He’s been typecast lately as mentor figures for that reason, I think. I’m a little embarrassed to say “casting” him as William Brewer, Pandora’s father, falls into that, but he’s perfect for the role. He’s tall, has a commanding voice, and a fatherly demeanor. Plus, he has an action star streak in him.

Jude Law as Dante

jude-law-17

I wanted a handsome foreigner for Pandora’s boyfriend, and after thinking it over, decided to go with Jude Law. Admittedly, he remains the actor on this list I’m least familiar with, but I still thought he fit the bill. He just needs to fake an Italian accent.

Ewan McGregor as Jason Argos

ewan_mcgregor_24

Like Garner, Ewan McGregor was at the peek of his notoriety at the time of my writing. I selected him for Pandora’s snarky best friend because of his youthful good looks and charm. (You’ll also notice I have several Star Wars actors in this “cast”). He seemed a good counterpoint to Garner’s Pandora.

Michael Ironside as Erebus the Overlord

ironside

This guy is the most obscure member of my dream cast. You won’t recognize his name, but you’ll recognize his face and especially his voice, which is why I picked him. Michael Ironside has a deep, almost gravelly voice that he rarely raises. That plus his stony face and expressions makes him terrifying, which is probably why he typically plays villains. The only downside is he’s been in some aweful movies, but I don’t think that’d be a problem.

But I Digress…, Episode 18: Top 5 Best Giant Monster Movies

“But I Digress…”
Hosted by Nathan Marchand

Happy Halloween, True Believers! In honor the spookiest time of the year, I’ve decided to do another top five list. This time it’s the five best giant monster movies. Enjoy my selections!

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