Goal Post: The End of May Already?

Posted on May 29, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

One more month of the school year.  More importantly, the schedule goes back to the normal one this coming week.  Last time my son and I had this schedule was February 2020.  Things got shaky in March and then the pandemic came in like a stampeding herd of bison.  Both of us are really happen that normalcy is returning to our lives, which means his anxiety may be reduced.  Honestly, I feel like some of my own stress is disappearing because this is a better system for him.  This is going to give me the energy to get through the rest of the school year.

Surprisingly, we only have 3 weeks of classes and then finals left.  Feels like the end of a marathon for many people.  My mind is having trouble wrapping around it, especially with the summer being off.  I’ll either get a lot of writing time or it will be tons of outings with my son.  Both are good.  My original plan was that my son would be in camp for most of the summer and I would do writing then a trip in mid/late August.  Well, things are still screwy, so we’re going to have to roll with the punches.  The trip might end up being a casualty to finances and other things too.

Writing this week wasn’t what I expected.  Work was so busy that I didn’t get to outline during breaks and came home exhausted.  It doesn’t help that I’m at the part in the series where I have to rewrite things, so my notes are useless.  Finished one on Thursday night by staying up late.  Didn’t get much done on Friday with the other outline, so I won’t get to these until next weekend unless I’m lucky.  Got my son for Memorial Day weekend, so he gets my full attention.  Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch gets his full attention.  That’s parenting these days.  If I can get this outline done then next weekend could just be for the finale.  The rest of June will be used for editing the next War of Nytefall book, which clears the summer for potential book writing.

Let’s see . . . I had yesterday off, which was fun.  Helped move furniture around and got to have lunch with a friend.  Been a really long time since I got to do anything like that, so it was nice.  I should really do it more often.  With the pandemic stuff settling down here, I feel like I can go out a bit.  Still nervous, but I need to get my social life back in place since I’m a mental wreck these days.

Health!  That’s something I tried to focus on.  Sadly, the diet didn’t change much, but I’m trying to create a healthy snack stash in the room.  Dried fruit and nuts mostly.  Really enjoying dried cherries, but they’re hard to find.  Dried pineapple is even more difficult to locate.  I’m going to up my water intake, but trying to drink 3 liters of seltzer a day.  I wish I could afford a soda water machine to decrease the amount of bottles I’m using, but maybe some day.  Also, the cartridges for those are expensive.

Trying to get back into biking at a more consistent rate.  Long ago, I used to do 30 minutes a day.  That was when I was able to lose weight.  I don’t have that amount of time any more, so I’m trying to decide between 30 minutes/3-4 times a week or 15-20 minutes every day.  Both are difficult to carve out time for since the mornings are a rush to get to work and the evenings are filled with exhaustion.  My son comes back earlier, so I can’t get it in before he gets home like pre-pandemic.  School meetings and errands tended to make this activity inconsistent too.  This is why I’m leaning towards doing 15-20 minutes a day after my son goes to bed.  Cuts deep into my writing and resting time, but I need to do something.

Television has been only one show, which was a slog.  ‘Hunter x Hunter’ is an anime based on a manga that is known for lengthy hiatuses.  I really enjoyed both and finally got access to the whole anime.  I was curious because the story arc I could finally watch was as long as the first 3 combined.  Well . . . I want to love it, but it dragged at so many points that I lost interest.  There were emotional highs, especially near the end, but I felt empty because I was just watching to get it over with at this point.  Forums talked about the deeper meanings, but I felt this was a class on how NOT to do ‘show, don’t tell’.  I don’t need to be told that two doors are opening or a character is crouching when I see it.  Not to mention, a slew of new characters were introduced and I couldn’t connect to most of them.  One-armed guy with self-esteem issues?  I forgot he was around until he had a big fight, lost, and then I forgot about him again.  Guy with glasses?  He’s . . . around?  The villains didn’t make any biological sense either and this is now a rant.  Getting through this anime took a lot of time, so I’m not going to do a second watch to see if I do better.  Guess it’s a good thing I let the ex-wife take the manga too.

Now, to finish watching the new episodes of ‘Lucifer’.  Musical episode with Deborah Gibson with definitely something.

Goals of the week:

  1. Fun with son for the 3-day weekend.
  2. Outlining
  3. Prepare July posts when I can
  4. School/work
  5. Puzzle time
  6. I swear, I’ll bike every day
  7. Try to do the Baby Yoda Lego set if I can get my son to agree.
  8. Watch ‘Lucifer’ and ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’
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The Pros and Cons of Power Levels

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Dragon Ball Z Again

Sticking to the theme here, which is really turning into a pseudo-analysis of the Dragon Ball system.  We did energy attacks and powering up, but another thing that comes about are the power levels.  Once Dragon Ball Z showed up, characters started getting numbers connected to their overall abilities.  This is very much like stats in a video game, but not broken down into categories.

There are pros and cons to introducing a leveling system to your story, so let’s get into it:

  • Pro–  The author and audience all know the hierarchy of strength.  There isn’t any mystery to how powerful characters are once these numbers are revealed.  At the very least, you get a base or starting point for each one.  This is also how people will determine who the main heroes and villains are because those with lower power levels won’t be seen as useful in the long run.
  • Con–  As I said, the power levels will be seen as directions as to who are the important characters.  This means supporting cast won’t have as big a reaction and it will be difficult to evolve them to a higher spot.  As long as their levels are below the main characters, they will always be seen as sidekicks.
  • Pro–  The levels going up can help to demonstrate the usefulness of training and experience.  Characters will keep checking numbers to see if they’ve improved, so the audience will see this as well.  You also have the villain numbers acting as something for the hero to surpass, which can be seen through training and battles.  Unlike doing this without levels, you see a less ambiguous result.
  • Con–  Power levels take some of the mystery and tension out of a story.  People assume those with the highest numbers will either win or require those below them to work together.  There’s very little chance of someone from the bottom of the heap jumping up to save the day.  If they do then it throws the entire power level hierarchy and system on its head.  Why would those things matter if a weak character can topple the strongest?

Wow.  I guess I burnt out on the pros and cons already.  Those are really the big ones since all 4 cover some ground.  Personally, I’m not a fan of these, especially when it comes to novels.  Video games work with this because the audience can manipulate the stats on their own.  Beyond that, you’re going to lock a lot of things down.

So, what do you think of power level systems?  Any pros and cons you can think of?

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Hidden Diversity Among Writers

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Hi SE friends! Gwen with you today, and we’re going to explore another element of typology as it relates to writing. You may recall that my prior two…

Hidden Diversity Among Writers
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Random Mental Health Quotes and Stuff

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Yeah. I forgot to set up an Immortal Wars post. So I rushed and scheduled this over breakfast. Oops. Also making block-based posts on the WordPress app is an utter nightmare. (Looks like it didn’t work. I’ll fix it when I get home.)


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7 Tips to Having Characters Power Up

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Dragon Ball Power Up

There are plenty of jokes about the powering up sequences in Dragon Ball Z.  Some took a few episodes because they opened the door for flashbacks.  Others occurred and it didn’t make a difference.  Still, there’s some use in having a character power themselves up in the heat of battle.  Here’s a few tips:

  1. Powering up can change the tide of battle and increase suspense.  You have a character on the ropes and suddenly they regain their strength.  Now, the audience isn’t sure if they’re going to lose like they expected.  This also acts as a refresh for the battle to squeeze a little more time into the scene.  Of course, you can only do this once per fight.  Maybe twice if you have each opponent pull it off, but that’s really pushing the limit.
  2. Powering up doesn’t need to be flashy like the GIF above.  This really makes sense if you’re dealing with a character who doesn’t do energy attacks.  There should be some kind of physical component, but it doesn’t have to be a massive shockwave.  It could be healing, an increase in muscle size, or simply moving faster.
  3. Try to make the transformation or activation sensible and quick.  If they’re standing there screaming and giving off energy, people are going to wonder why the other fighter doesn’t rush in for a punch.  An opponent who stands there and lets it happen will be seen as idiotic.  Really sucks the air out of the battle because the audience no longer believes the idle one wants to win.
  4. Give an explanation for the power up instead of having it simply appear.  It can be hinted at beforehand while they were training.  Maybe they have a magical item that activates and gives them a second chance, but you have to introduce this earlier than the battle.  Plenty of ways to make this believable and avoid the character getting stronger simply because they want to.
  5. Don’t have the power up take forever.  I’m pretty sure that’s trademarked.
  6. Remember that a power up works best when it’s a temporary state.  If the character is able to permanently walk around at this stronger level then it creates a problem for the future.  Now, they will need stronger opponents, which requires that they gain higher levels of power.  In a series, you may end up having this go until the abilities and strengths are at ridiculous levels.  So, there’s a benefit to having a power up come with a time limit.
  7. Similar to #6, consider if there are any side-effects.  Powering up tends to revolve around surpassing natural limits, which means the character is putting a great toll on their body and mind.  Having this increase come at a price means that it works as a last resort and that’s where you tend to see these happen.  The hero is getting pummeled and whips this out to rally back.  If there’s no downside then one has to wonder why they didn’t start that way.
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Teaser Tuesday: Dark Mistress Primeval #vampires #fantasy

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Cover Art by Alison Hunt

Going to be a little risky with this final War of Nytefall: Savagery teaser.  I wanted to include a battle, but nearly all of them are plot central.  They either reveal a secret of Mestra or the fate of a character.  This one is the safest, which isn’t saying much.  Only reason it can be done is because Mab in this only Dawn Fang that can’t be killed off due to her showing up in Legends of Windemere.  Had to edited this a bit to hide a few plot facts though.  Hope you enjoy!

Continue reading →

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What Exactly is an Energy Attack?

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Kamehameha from Dragon Ball

My son and I started watching Dragon Ball a few months back.  This got me thinking about energy attacks and the overall power structure that was introduced in this series.  Also, how it differs from what I use:

  • I work with a magic system, which has a central energy source that exists within everything.  Trained or untrained people can manipulate this energy to create spells that vary according to their will.
  • Dragon Ball has an energy system, which has a central source called Chi (Ki).  It exists in everything.  Trained or untrained people can manipulate this energy to enhance their physical abilities and create various energy-based attacks.  The power depends on skill and willpower.

They are very similar, but the big difference is that energy attacks in Dragon Ball are less complicated and varied.  At least, on the surface.  Nyx can hurl fire around in the form of balls, beams, waves, fists, and whatever else she imagines.  Goku tends to have beams and balls for the most part.  Nyx can change her element while Goku remains with his Chi/Ki energy.  So, Nyx kind of wins on versatility, but Goku certainly takes the crown when it comes to pure power output.  I’ll admit that the Dragon Ball characters are much more destructive than most of mine because of their energy and power level system.

The concept of energy blasts is rather strange too.  We’re so used to there being a bigger explanation or a variety of visuals that these beams and orbs can all blend together.  Yet, those who love the series can identify each one fairly easily.  Usually by the hand gestures and poses, which is similar to a caster conjuring a spell.  Again, we find ourselves seeing how similar these things are.

I think energy attacks like the Kamehameha and Destructo Disc are harder to do in a novel than more visual mediums.  Having a small variety of beams go bouncing around can be both confusing and boring.  This is why casters will have elemental attacks, illusions, defenses, shape-shifting, and any number of spells that can be described in detail.  This paints a better picture using only words.  With an energy blast, it can always be seen, but there isn’t as much vividness, especially if multiple characters are making the same types of attacks.  This can work if you don’t want complicated action scenes, but it’s a problem for someone who uses them as a staple of their style.

As you can tell, I’m torn on the whole thing.  I think for novels, a more detailed magic system works best.  Graphic novels, movies, video games, and cartoons can work with a Dragon Ball type of energy system.  Does seem like such a minor aspect that I’m trying to pull into a week long topic though.

So, what do other people think of this topic?  For those who have no experience with it, what does it look like from the outside?

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A Collection of Odd Thoughts

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Not that long ago, I began thinking of strange things.  I decided to write them down and that’s where they stayed.  I shared a few with people, but the reactions were never what I expected.  Some could be seen as philosophical while others plain odd.  Got a bunch of arguments too, especially the ones that touch on humanity and society.  Still, it could be fun to share on a Sunday.  (Though I have my son, so I’m not going to be replying that quickly.  Sorry.  Bad timing.)

  1. Alarm clocks are nothing more than low key torture devices.  They create sleep deprivation because they go off regardless of how well you sleep.  We tell ourselves that we need them to get to work or start our day on time even if our bodies and minds are screaming for more sleep.
  2. What if humans are really the stupidest organism on the planet?  The only reason we think we’re the smartest is because we use ourselves as the standard.
  3. All mythologies were religions at some point in history.
  4. Scratching feels very good, but it doesn’t get rid of the itch.  In fact, we stop people from doing it with Chicken Pox and mosquito bites.  So, why do it if it’s either useless or hazardous?
  5. Does the passage of time feel different for animals depending on their life span?  For example, a fruit fly thinks days have passed in the same period that a human counts a few seconds.
  6. How often has the person who could cure cancer been born, but never found their calling or were prevented from reaching their potential?  Could that person be struggling in a cubicle at this moment?
  7. Maybe reality is a dream created by a single being who is nothing more than a  random, unaware person in the world.  They’ve dreamed up all of this history, technology, and life that doesn’t know it’s a dream.  The world falling apart is the person succumbing to mental illness.
  8. Our comfiest clothes are not supposed to be worn to work, which is where we could use the most comfort.
  9. How much has warning labels contributed to human population growth?
  10. Do animals have other names for their species and for what we are?  I mean, a dolphin wouldn’t know that it’s a dolphin since that’s a human word.
  11. Snoring is done when we’re asleep and unware of our actions.  Yet, society has created the belief that a snorer does this on purpose and can be stopped.  Usually through violence.
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Goal Post: Actually Writing This on a Saturday

Posted on May 22, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

You know I’ve had a week when I don’t write my goal post before I go to bed on Friday!

The funny thing is that the week was busy and crazy, but not in a way that makes an interesting post.  My days typically went like this:

  • Wake up and get ready for the day
  • Wake son up to get ready for his day
  • Breakfast with Pokemon cartoon
  • Leave for work
  • Work hard with a variety of exhausting events (Again, I can’t say anything specific because I don’t want to share the lives of students.)
  • Head home
  • Homework with son
  • Nighttime anime with son
  • Get son to bed
  • Swear I’m going . . . I pass out watching ‘Hunter x Hunter’

Part of the fatigue came from the weather getting into the 80’s and the pollen count being really high.  The combination of heat, allergies, and hard work wore me down.  So, I didn’t get anywhere with writing projects.  The air conditioners are being tested out, which meant restless sleep too.  I need to clean mine because it’s spewing dirt whenever I turn it on.  Goes right into my laundry and slippers.

As I said, I didn’t get very far with writing.  I should be finishing another outline today and starting the next one tonight.  Hitting the problem area for the ‘Slumberlord’ series earlier than expected too.  The last 2-3 books have issues that I need to figure out.  Let’s do another list because I’m still waking up:

  • One involves political intrigue and sabotage.  Darwin isn’t a character who understands such things, so I can’t see that type of story lasting long with him.  He’d either have a meltdown out of frustration or destroy the entire thing by taking a very blunt action that he thinks will help people.  It’s going to take some thinking here because this has events that need to happen for Windemere’s evolution as well as Darwin’s big thing getting kicked off at the end.
  • The other one involves a trope that I seem to use a lot.  The ‘evil twin’ shows up to cause trouble.  The audience is always well aware that this is a fake because they see the real one taking action.  I’m thinking of changing it as the bad guy simply takes Darwin’s name, but nobody believes the trick after the real one does what he normally does.  That would be ruin plans with extreme unpredictability.  Actually, I can probably have some fun with Darwin giving the villain a new, silly name.  That should really piss the villain off.
  • Finally, I need to figure out if I should take Darwin’s trilogy and turn it into the final book of his series.  This is another thing with political intrigue, which doesn’t work for his personality.  I will probably get up to it by next weekend since I have this weekend, most weeknights, and next Friday to get the other 2 done.

June is going to be outlining and editing instead of actual writing.  Mostly because we’re going to be working on the house.  So, I need to help move things around and Wifi might be out for a day or two.  With it being the end of the school year, I’m fine with letting the first Darwin book be held back until July.

Blogging needs to be worked on a bit too.  I have June set up with the promo poems for all of my books.  That means I have a whole month to get July ready.  Got some interesting topics for that time.  Just need two more to finish the month out.  I have to decide on if I’m going to bring Teaser Tuesday back too.  Thinking of doing a poll one Sunday to see if there are any characters that people want highlighted/interviewed.  Those tend to fail, but I’ll have more free time in July and August to respond.  It’s going to be a long character list too since it will have two series involved.  Maybe I should do it with supporting characters only like Jewelz, Leo Kandrel, Desirae Duvall, the Lich, Nimby, etc.

So much mental wandering.  The blog typing is jerky too.  I mean that the letters appear slower than they should as I type them.  It kicked in halfway through writing this post, which is frustrating.  Do I have something set up for tomorrow?  Maybe I should call it a day on this and get to biking.  Haven’t had breakfast yet, so I’m hungry too.

A final strange note: After a few weeks of nothing, I ended up selling 14 books on Thursday.  No idea why.  I’m thinking these sudden surges are coming from readers finishing volumes and grabbing the next one around the same time.  Hard to tell since I’m not doing anything.

Goals of the week:

  1. Work
  2. Mow the lawn tomorrow
  3. July posts set up
  4. Finish at least 2 of the Slumberlord outlines
  5. Finish the puzzle I’m working on
  6. Some time with my son one night
  7. Get ready for Memorial Day weekend adventures
  8. Stare forlornly at the new ‘Pokemon Snap’ game. Coworkers get it for my birthday, but my son won’t let me play it until he can join.  In his defense, it was what I was going to get him for his birthday in July.
  9. Watch more ‘Hunter x Hunter’.  In a weird story arc that moves slow and takes up nearly half of the entire series.
  10. Write another goal post that I hope is more interesting than this one.
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Questions 3: Building an Adventuring Party

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

Lord of the Rings/Monty Python

Doesn’t seem like it can be done in 3 Questions.  Well, not much more than the basics and flimsy on that level too.  Still, it’s the end of the week and I’m interested in leaving things up to the comments.  Maybe it can help people get over a writing hump in their own adventure story.  Maybe it can lead to a story.  Maybe it’ll just be fun for a bit.  Let’s see what happens.

  1. What do you think is the most important part of building an adventuring party?
  2. What is the one party role that you would never include?
  3. What is the one party role that you would want to be yourself?
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