Goal Post: The End is Nigh!

Posted on June 7, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Of the school year that is . . . Then I get a week off before I’m back to work doing the summer session.  That’s fine though because it’s more laidback, we have trips every week, and I can wear my normal clothes.  The hours are shorter as well, which means I might be able to get more writing done during the weeks.  We’ll see though because I’ll have other things going on at the time.

I knew this week wasn’t going to be writing friendly, but I did manage to get the prologue of Darwin & the Beast Collector typed in with edits.  Ran through to fix some continuity issues as well.  Today, I’m hoping to get through chapter 1 and maybe start in on #2.  I still have a few errands to do and do a 30-60 minute Pokemon Go outing to get the daily stuff done.  The same is going to go for tomorrow even though I keep thinking there’s something else I have to do that day . . . Oh, mow the lawn because my dad isn’t able to do so.  That’s easy.

Much of my non-work time was spent with appointments and school events.  For my son, he was part of an art show on Monday.  We went there right after we learned that he should have has braces off by the end of the year.  Celebratory chocolate shakes were had even though other things had him in a mood.  My son also got an award for being in All County Chorus, which was given out Wednesday night.  Thursday was prom and I went to give support to one of my students who had a blast.  Kid . . . Young man danced all night with his fellow seniors and was happy as can be.  Known this student since he was 13 and now he’s a young man, so just watching him and seeing how far he’s come really made my night.

There really isn’t much else to report about my week since I used yesterday to mostly do errands and handle an appointment.  A personal situation that I can’t talk about here took some of my time as well.  It shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but I probably won’t get to writing Darwin & the Joy Path until mid-July unless I get tons done during the first week of that month.  It’s for the best because I’m getting increasingly nervous about writing something new for the first time in years.  Doesn’t help that I still don’t know what to do with the Darwin books since I have other big expenses, so even getting cover art is out of the question.  Been nearly 2 years since I talked with the cover artist who did Nytefall and the fantasy tips book too, so I feel like an ass there.

Speaking of my blog, which I didn’t actually mention until now, I think I’m going to take an old series of posts I stumbled onto.  We’re talking 2013 and 2014.  It was a bunch of ‘What do you look for’ posts that were kind of interesting.  I wonder if people will give different answers.  This also gives me extra time to get life stuff settled and find more blog topics since this would also run into the October period.  I need to find a monster theme for this year since last one was USA cryptids.  Got plenty of time to do it.

This coming week is the last full one of classes for my school.  My son has a big test as well, so plenty of studying on the days he’s with me.  Two more big ones are the week after, so even more studying during next weekend.  Thankfully, the weakest subject is this week and he’s studying hard at his mom’s.  The rest of the week is peppered with appointments and just making it to the end.  I might try to type in a few pages of edits when I get openings, but I don’t know if I should relax and brace myself for the busier weekend and the following week of half-days.

Well, I’m sorry this isn’t more interesting.  I do wish I could share some of the antics from school, but I won’t share my students’ lives on my blog.  Same goes for some of the personal stuff involving my son.  Sharing that stuff could get me in a lot of trouble.  So, I’ll do the best I can over the summer to have some kind of adventure.  My son and I do plan on going to the Bronx Zoo on the weekend that a new exhibit opens, so I should have a fun share the weekend after.  Sorry you have to wait that long . . . Goals?

  1. Make headway on Darwin & the Beast Collector
  2. Help son study for Regents.
  3. Handle paperwork for various situations.
  4. Work hard.
  5. Play hard.
  6. Sleep hard.
  7. Cereal.
  8. Stress gummies.
  9. Bagels.
  10. Oh, that’s my shopping list . . . Oops.
Posted in Goal Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

What If You Were a Hero From an Evil Family?

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Vinsmoke Kids

This is kind of a combination of a questions and scenario post.  Doesn’t even need much of an explanation.

You were born into a villain family and became a hero.  Why do you think you would turn and what would you do to distance yourself from your lineage?  This can be in any genre of your choice.

Posted in Questions 3 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Poetry Day: Religion

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

God from Monty Python

(I’m totally sure the comments will be fine.  Yup.  Nothing controversial about this poem at all.)

The evolution of faith
Uniting people
Bringing hope
To the many fallen
Inspiring the artists
Since the dawn of time
Built on tenants
Of peace and brotherhood
Forging the essence
Of civilization

 

Faith turned weapon
Corrupted from its core
By the sin of man
Used to rationalize
The hate towards non-believers
Used to legalize
The death of others
Turning brother
Against genetic brother
In the name of peaceful founders

 

It is the holy beast
Loyal and peaceful
Uniting all its followers
Never expecting
To forge a faithful army
Under the ambition
Of the chosen leaders
Who forge a putrid darkness
In the name of peaceful founders

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Paranormal

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Hi, gang. ✋ Craig here again and I’m contemplating a new series. I’m the guy who writes almost exclusively in the speculative genres of paranormal/…

Paranormal
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Are Tropes A Good Thing?  A Bad Thing?  Or Somewhere In The Middle?

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Posted by Joy York It was years after I began writing that I learned about tropes. I never had one in mind when I wrote any of my books. I’m a …

Are Tropes A Good Thing?  A Bad Thing?  Or Somewhere In The Middle?
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

7 Tips to a Hero Coming from a Villain Family

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Alucard and Dracula

It might seem easy to have a hero come from a villainous family.  Yet, you might want to put some nuance in there to really make an impact.  What are some things to consider with this background?

  1. If you want to make the reveal as soon as the hero appears then you should establish the evil family beforehand.  Having him show up and bluntly say that he’s the black sheep of a dark lineage can reduce the impact.  The whole thing will come off as casual and rushed, especially if it’s early in the story.
  2. The hero doesn’t have to be an anti-hero.  It could be that they are the entire opposite of their family in an attempt to distance themselves completely.  For example, a hero who comes from a family of assassins may refuse to kill.  They won’t do it for any reason, which gives their family a way to try and corrupt them.  The point is that they don’t want to be associated with their evil lineage and might even be afraid of taking any action they would do.
  3. Tying into #2 is giving the hero a fear of falling into the abyss.  Coming from a family of villains means a person will worry that such darkness is in their nature.  It doesn’t matter if they have been raised to be a hero.  They can fear that a part of them is tainted simply by the blood in their veins.  So, they can be extra cautious about their actions as well as easily manipulated by their family.  A plot point that can be done here is a situation where they have to take action similar to their family’s crimes or risk letting someone die.
  4. Come up with a reason as to why the hero isn’t with the family both physically and morally.  It doesn’t really work to have them simply ‘not like it’, especially if they grew up in that darkness.  There are plenty of reasons why they turned even if it’s something selfish.  A non-family member they loved could have been killed for business, which had them realize their dark actions.  Another option is that there was a good-hearted family member who raised the hero instead of the others.
  5. While I said the hero doesn’t have to be an anti-hero, that’s still an option.  It would work really well with a hero who spent time as a villain.  They might not be able to get all of their darker impulses under control such as using violence to reach their goals or even manipulating others.  This a character who might still be dark, but not evil.  It would also mean that they could have violent intentions towards their family.
  6. A hero from a villainous family would most likely change their name to avoid the connection.  This isn’t only done out of shame.  They would be aware of their surname’s reputation, which would make it difficult to do good.  People who know of their lineage would automatically assume their are villains, which could lead to misunderstandings and being attacked.  It would be much more practical for them to keep it a secret unless they have a need for the reputation or can avoid its influence.
  7. Don’t forget to give some attention to the villainous family’s opinion on the hero.  Do they think the person is weak or even an enemy?  Could they want them back?  They might want to corrupt the hero not to bring them back to their side, but to prove a sense of moral ‘superiority’.  They are the other side of the coin with this story, so you need to give them some attention.
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Teaser Tuesday: Welcome Home

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

(An old excerpt from Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies)

The bakery at the entrance to Haven fills the air with the sweet aroma of fresh pastries. Aedyn can feel his mouth water as they pass the open door and he gets a peek at the young elven woman inside removing a tray of steaming cookies from the oven. A flower shop catches Nyx’s attention with its front yard covered in miniature willow trees. Nyx and Aedyn continue ogling the various stores and polished wood buildings until they come to a long building with a large oak behind it. The section of the structure that they come to first is a two-story wooden house with a hanging sign that lazily swings in the wind. A picture of three sparkling, emerald comets racing toward each other is emblazoned on the finely crafted sign. The rest of the structure is an abrupt change from the wooden house. It is a long, stone building with four chimneys that pump out a steady stream of white smoke. Nyx and Aedyn stop at the house section, but Nyx freezes with her fist an inch away from knocking on the door.

“What is wrong?” Aedyn asks with concern.

“I’m just a little nervous,” Nyx replies, her cheeks a little red. “I was never any good at meeting parents. I always come off as an unapproachable bitch.”

“You come off like that to everybody when you first meet them,” the priest points out.

“I’m just a strong personality,” Nyx snaps, her arms dropping to her side. “Why do I have to knock anyway? This is Luke’s house, so he should be the one to knock and introduce us to his parents.”

“I agree. Go knock on the door, Luke,” Aedyn sternly requests.

They turn around to find that Luke is nowhere to be seen. Nyx grits her teeth and angrily bangs her fist against the door. She freezes in nervous terror when she realizes what she’s done and the door begins to open. A short and slender woman pulls the door open with a delicate hand. Her eyes are a shimmering blue and reveal a youthful, energetic spirit that has not dimmed with age. A stream of bright, pristine blonde hair cascades over her shoulders and down to her waist. The woman’s face quickly melts into a warm smile when she sees the pair of half-elves on her doorstep.

“You two must be new to Haven. Are you lost?” the woman asks. She pushes some wrinkles out of her lavender silk shirt.

“No, ma’am, we were in the area and thought that we would stop by,” Nyx claims, looking around for any sign of Luke.

“Do I know you? You don’t look familiar,” states the woman.

“My name is Aedyn Karwyn and this is Nyx,” Aedyn politely says. “We are friends of Luke Callindor. He told us that this was his home.”

“Oh, you poor people. I am his mother, Vixen Callindor. I am very sorry for the trouble he has caused you. My son can be quite a handful,” Luke’s mom explains with a bright, but apologetic, smile. “Although, he’s been gone for a little over a year, so you won’t find him here. That is unless this is the area where he told you to meet him. If that is the case then he might be somewhere around town. Pardon my manners. Come in and relax.”

“Actually, we were here with your son and he disappeared on us while our backs were turned,” Nyx admits, unconcerned with any trouble she causes Luke.

“I’m so sorry that he did that to you. Both of you seem to be very nice people and he should know better than to cause trouble for others,” Vixen frets. She gently takes Nyx and Aedyn by their hands and both half-elves are surprised by her strong grip. “We should wait inside where there are chairs and refreshments. I still have some breakfast on the table since Ilan has a big project that he needs to finish by lunchtime. That man never eats when he has something on his mind. That is unless Luke has him stressed out. Then, my husband becomes a bottomless stomach. I hope you enjoy peppered eggs, potato pancakes, and lemon sweet rolls.”

Nyx and Aedyn enter the warm home, but stop in their tracks once they get inside and Vixen closes the door behind them. The finely crafted furniture and somewhat expensive paintings catch little of their attention as they stare at the kitchen table. Leaning over the table with his hand holding a chunk of bread is Luke. Specks of eggs and sweet roll are still on his face as he stares at everyone.

Luke swallows his food and grins impishly. “Hi, Mom . . . How’s Dad?”

Posted in Allure of the Gypsies, Legends of Windemere, Teaser Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Are Tropes A Good Thing?  A Bad Thing?  Or Somewhere In The Middle?

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Posted by Joy York It was years after I began writing that I learned about tropes. I never had one in mind when I wrote any of my books. I’m a …

Are Tropes A Good Thing?  A Bad Thing?  Or Somewhere In The Middle?
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Hero From A Villainous Lineage

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

One Piece

The inspiration for this week’s topic is ‘One Piece’.  Kind of spoilers, but this is something revealed in 2016.  Anyway, the character of Sanji is revealed to have come from an infamously villainous family called the Vinsmokes.  He’s the black sheep of the family though because he isn’t as strong or cruel.  This got me thinking about how common it is for there to be a good-natured protagonist who comes from an evil family.  So, why is this a popular trope?

One reason is that this touches on the tried-and-true subject of ‘nature vs nurture’.  This has always been a popular topic of debate since people have different opinions on which is more powerful.  With a hero who comes from an evil family, one can believe that they are naturally prone to do bad things.  Yet, this one person isn’t like the others, which can be caused by being raised by someone else.  Maybe they were abandoned for some reason or ran away, but they escaped the influence of their family early enough to not be ‘infected’ by their evil.

An addition to the ‘nature vs nurture’ concept is that there is always a threat of them falling.  There can be hints that they might join or at least imitate their family to reach their goals.  It could be that they are extra violent, turn off their empathy, or have no qualms about doing horrible things if they feel their target deserves it.  It works best if you make the protagonist an anti-hero instead of a true hero, but the latter can be gradually pushed towards this side.  It depends on how they feel about their biological family and if they want to be accepted.

Some authors will do this solely to throw a twist into the story.  Think of the reveal that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father.  It shocked everyone at the time because nobody saw it coming and such a thing wasn’t common.  Now, it might as well be named after that twist, but that’s besides the point.  As you can guess, this requires that the audience be with the hero for an extended period of time.  So, it might work best for a series or at least a longer work.

You might think doing this for shock is a bad thing, but it accomplishes an important feat if done correctly.  Most importantly, the hero either shouldn’t have known this from the start or assumed they would never meet up with their family again.  The first option is probably best if you want to give them a true inner conflict.  Being from a dark lineage, the hero must question their own ‘nature vs nurture’ background as well as deciding how they handle their family.  It’s no longer an unconnected enemy that they are facing, but blood relations.  If they are truly good then they will have to figure out if they are okay with killing, capturing, or doing anything negative to these people.  They might even believe that they can turn them from the dark side even if they haven’t seen any proof of that earlier.

Redemption is a third option for this type of story if the character is aware that their family is evil.  Not for their family, but for themselves.  Sometimes, they participated in the crimes as a child and something caused them to turn good.  Other times, they left as a child when someone they cared about was hurt or killed.  So, they set out to atone for their family’s actions by doing good and possibly even taking them down.  This can be seen as a conclusion to the previous inner conflict where the hero decides that the world would be better off without their lineage.  An added twist here is them deciding on what to do about themselves once they are done.  If they feel their bloodline is evil then they might try to take themselves out at the end.

Personally, I like this type of character, but I wouldn’t use it often.  I did it with Dariana in Legends of Windemere and I revealed it soon after she debuted. Can’t say I did it with any of my other books so far.  Having a child come from a dark family isn’t as much of a challenge as it once was though.  So, I don’t think I would use it very often unless it really works for the characters.

So, what do other people think of the hero from a villain family?

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

World Reef Awareness Day

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Coral reefs are very important ecosystems, which have been in danger due to pollution and climate change for a long time.  So, today is used to bring awareness to how essential they are and the threat they are under.  Best to just list some facts:

  • A reef is a large, living structure created by coral polyps.  The polyps leave their skeletons behind, which forms the reef.
  • Coral reefs support approximately 25% of all marine life.
  • Their colors come from zooxanthellae (algae) living within the coral tissue along with chromoproteins and fluorescent pigments created from the color.  This is why dead coral is bleached white since it can no longer produce the latter two or support he algae.  Coral bleaching is caused by stress.
  • Many fish depend on coral reefs for food, which means humans who eat the fish depend on these environments as well.
  • They exist in shallow, clear water because they require sunlight.
  • If a reef gets too hot, the coral will get rid of the algae, which causes bleaching and the eventual death of the reef.
  • These structures act as storm buffers and reduce erosion of nearby islands. This is done by slowing down the flow of water.
  • Coral reefs began forming nearly 240 million years ago.
  • They clean the water that they live in.
  • There are more than 800 species of hard coral, which form reefs.
  • The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth and can be seen from space.
  • Coral is considered an indicator species.  This means that their health will indicate the overall health of the environment.  Strong coral means good ecosystem while sick coral means bad.
  • Climate change makes water more acidic and warmer, which increases the occurrence of coral bleaching.
  • Runoff, seeping, and other forms of water pollution kill corals.
  • Overfishing can eliminate the species that help maintain the coral reefs.
  • Destructive fishing (dynamiting and cyanide) along with reckless boating can physically damage the reef.  Massive corals grow 0.3-2 centimeters per year while branching corals grow 10 centimeters in that time.  It takes around 10,000 years for a reef to form, so any damage is devastating.

Here’s 11 hours of reef and ocean footage.

Posted in Animal Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments