100 Haiku for the Gamer’s Thumbs 73-100 + Bonus Level

Don’t think this is true, but Samus is badass

Zee Finale!

The Code

Our secret weapon

Giving us a needed edge

Against unfair foes

*

The Olden Days of Blocky Limbs

Razor edged pixels

A step above stick figures

Acknowledge your past

*

Striving for Beyond Realism

I see fluid curves

As if they are real beings

Nearing graphics pure

*

Are You Mouse, Man, or Master?

Choose how hard to play

Testing your skills to their peak

Be easy or hard

*

The Inevitability of Death and Rebirth

All lives are fleeting

Which is why you have many

Earn more on the way

*

Gauged in Hearts and Bars

Shrinking with each blow

The life blood of the hero

Work to raise the bar

*

Another Chance After the Final Light

Your final life spent

After hours of hard work

Try again or fail

*

The Horrifying Click of an Empty Chamber

You unloaded all

Wasting ammo at a pawn

Now the boss is here

*

Nobody Wins as a Level One

Hours spent to grow

Bounding up the XP tree

Strength with every kill

*

Earning the Tools of a Champion

Start with weakest gear

That you replace on your quest

To win the hard fights

*

Homes of Monsters, Traps, and Festering Evil

We dive into them

Whether space or fantasy

To clear out the hive

*

Testing Your Thumbs and Mind

Forcing us to think

After bashing our way through

Puzzles block our path

*

We Shall Battle Because You’re There

Monsters out of air

Not seen until the fight starts

Pray you have high health

*

Why Do Monsters Have Cash and Relics?

The rarest of gear

Held by monsters in the wild

Who have no pockets

*

Wishing for a Time Out

Battle rages on

While I cycle through items

Searching for an edge

*

Jab, Cross, Mule Kick, Backhand, Mega-Uppercut

Masters chain their moves

Not allowing their foes to swing

Move goes into move

*

Ancient Nectar of the Gamer Gods

The precious potion

Returner of stolen life

Stocked within our bags

*

Oldest of the Storage Units

We all know you, box

Holding gifts or traps or air

We always open

*

Extra Toys for the Buying

You have beat the game

In time for newer content

Time to play again

*

Let No Table Go Unbashed

Take your sword or gun

And destroy all that you see

Break the scenery

*

Go About Your Lives as if I’m Not Here

Stranger in the house

Searching for items and cash

He is the hero

*

Movies within the Games

The plot has moved on

Using scenes that you just watch

Some push your patience

*

A More Pleasant Distraction, I Have Not Heard

I hear the music

That gently takes me away

Wishing I could pause

*

Where Did All Our Toys Go?

The hero returns

Yet stripped of all his up-grades

Now he starts again

*

The Hidden Treats We Hunt For

Not needed for plot

They bring to us great glory

Because we found them

*

An Ending Not Worth Earning

Thank you for playing

The most worthless of endings

After days of work

*

An Ending is a New Beginning

You have beat the game

And sat through all the credits

Now play level one

*

The Goal of the All True Gamers

One hundred percent

It is the number of dreams

Proof that we did all

*

(This was going to be hidden in the artwork.  The title and haiku add up to 100 letters.  Would have been a lot of fun if I got this off the ground.)

The Secret Level at the End of this Haiku Collection

All gamers seek you

But only the best will find

Without a walkthrough

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Help Needed! The Life & Times of Ichabod Brooks Cover Voting!

Morpheus from The Matrix

Go Here to Vote on the Covers!

Enter the world of Windemere with 11 action adventure short stories featuring a man who is out to make an honest living.

Some heroes seek fame. Some seek fortune. Others simply want to save the world. Ichabod Brooks only wants to put food on the table for his family.

Known and respected as the man who can get any job done, Ichabod has seen his share of adventure. Most of which have been highly exaggerated by bards. Still, the man has his famous reputation for a reason. Whether it be climbing a temperamental mountain for eggs or escorting orphans to their new homes, Ichabod takes every job seriously and makes sure he is as prepared as he can be. Not that it helps since things always take a turn for the worse.

(I just figured out how to do the polls, so hopefully it’s okay.  The first round is going to be ending in 20 minutes from this posting.  Although, 6 go to the next round and that’s what we have now.  Thanks in advance.)

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Dear Lisa Vol. 3, on #LisaBurtonRadio

coldhandboyack's avatarEntertaining Stories

“Welcome to a special edition of Lisa Burton Radio. We run these out every once in a while, when I find myself without a guest. This time, it worked out to my advantage, but I never planned it that way.

“At the time of this broadcast, I’m working with Sean Harrington to make promotional posters for The Yak Guy Project. We already have some cool ones for The Enhanced League. I’m super excited to share these with you, but we have to wait for Craig to get some things accomplished.

“On episodes of Dear Lisa, I answer listener questions on the air, and today we have some doozies. Let’s get to the mail.”

Dear Lisa,

My dad ran over all my video games with his lawnmower! What a jerk. Just because I’m 30 years old and still live at home with no job, he thinks it’s okay to destroy my…

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Thriving Thursdays: Danger! – Guest Post by Teagan Riordain Geneviene…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

It’s good to see everyone.  Thanks to the Story Reading Ape for hosting me once again for another Thriving Thursday.  These mini-posts are my humble way of encouraging everyone to thrive.

Thriving Thursdays:  Danger!

Robot WarningWere you taught to dream?  Or were you told to “just be glad for what you’ve got” as I was? I think both are necessary. To thrive we need both dreams and gratitude.  

An attitude of gratitude is hugely important.  However, that does not exclude goals and dreams.  A comment from a comedian years ago stuck with me. He said “Don’t just dream big. Dream even bigger!”

Back to the title of this post… what is that peril we all face?

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it…
But that it is too low, and we reach it…  –Michaelangelo

Wishing you a Thriving Thursday.

Mega…

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100 Haiku for the Gamer’s Thumbs 45-72

Yahoo Image Search

Here’s some more.  Sorry about not being clear on topics.  Been a while since I looked at this, which is probably when it was clear to me.  Nice to get it all out there though.

*

Evil at a Lesser Scale

Chosen of the boss

The deadly lords and ladies

Who guard the dungeons

*

Cast of Characters We Cannot Touch

People of the town

They grant us quests and rewards

As we save their world

*

Her Guards Must All Be Drinking

A princess of games

Who is captured early on

Must always be saved

*

Making Money off the End of the World

As darkness takes hold

They will always have a price

No matter your need

*

Early Days of Lights and Sirens

The predecessor

With silver ball and paddles

Pinball will live on

*

Join the Virtual Landscape

World that sucks you in

Join thousands within the game

Prove you are elite

*

Looking Down the Barrel with a Smile

You see what you shoot

Unable to see behind

You are the hunter

*

The Art of Jumping Over Pits

You must go forward

Though the path has many holes

Jump to live and win

*

Adventures of Our Lifetime

Embracing a world

Your party fights to save all

And tell their stories

*

Never Play Them in the Dark

Games of pure terror

Where monsters leap from shadows

Making you scream high

*

Winning a Championship without Getting a Tan

Your favorite team

They are waiting for your play

You are coach and star

*

Tires Screaming on the Virtual Asphalt

Middle of the pack

Falling into the tight turn

Will you hit the wall?

*

The Games that Vent Our Fury

Sprites that dole out pain

Beating each other senseless

With fists and fireballs

*

Join Us in the Trenches

Bullets and grenades

Fill the air with sounds of war

Fight for your country

*

Love with the Luxury of Replay

You try to woo them

Virtual girls of the game

Hoping to get laid

*

Strike from the Shadows or Reset

Ninjas, spies, and thieves

They must always move unseen

No brute force allowed

*

Take the Path of Wandering

Game with no set path

We wander your streets and wilds

Free to dodge the plot

*

There is Nothing Beyond the Path

From scene one to two

You can only go so far

Lest the story stirs

*

A Second Serving of Success

We loved the first game

All were sad to see it end

Sequel must be made

*

The Days of Blowing Life into the Game

Cartridge filled with dust

We blow until we pass out

Dizzy for first stage

*

Destruction of Our Life’s Work

Our precious save files

Holding all the work we did

Dread the corrupt file

*

Pounding on the Buttons to No Avail

I stare at the screen

While the graphics do not move

Causing me to cry

*

An Unclear Path that Makes You Fall

The camera swings

Leaving me to guess my way

As I look at clouds

*

Game So Epic That It Made Me Puke

The hero fights on

Causing world to spin and twist

Until I throw up

*

Hazards of the Hobby

Blink away the pain

With eyes that have been shot red

One stage left to play

*

Marks of the True Gamer

Knuckles creak and pop

As you flex your numbing hands

Earning thumbs of steel

*

They were More Fun on the Small Screen

A popular game

Developed into a film

Will it be the one?

*

From the Theater to Your Fingertips

You want to play them

Becoming the big screen star

Game may let you down

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My Publishing Checklist – Guest Post by, Craig Boyack…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Licence to use obtained – Copyright masterpics123 123RF Stock Photo

Hi all you jungle dwellers, I’m back at the Ape’s tree house today to talk about my self-publishing checklist.

I recently finished a manuscript, and am on the verge of finishing another one. (It’s March at the time of this writing) I believe in the traditional advice of putting it away for a time, before I begin the editing process. During this time, I like to read and can work on the other book.

That doesn’t mean I’m stagnant as far as the finished MS goes. I just put in an order for cover art. My artist is fast, and usually delivers within a couple of weeks. My personal process also involves ordering a few promotional posters. These feature my spokesmodel, Lisa the robot girl. (Yes for Lisa’s legion of fans, there is new artwork on the way.)

If it…

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Tales Of Erana: Just One Mistake in Audio! #Talesoferana #fantasy

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New Book: A Guardian Falls by R. Tran (First Book in Series #Free Too!) #fantasy #asmsg

A Guardian Falls

Title: A Guardian Falls

Author: R. Tran

Genre: Fantasy

Book Blurb:

All looks bleak when Mara is forced to return home after her love’s brush with death. She only has one magical artifact and the army seems out of reach. The consequences should she fail or even succeed finally set in and Mara has doubts about everything. There will be a war of blades and magic with Mara at the center, but Mara wonders if she has the strength to survive.

Excerpt:

In the dim morning light, Mara heard voices in the distance too faint to understand. Bishop shifted below her, anxious for the coming battle. Mara pulled her cloak tighter against the chill air and damp drizzle as she waited for news of Laran’s army. A few of the horses behind her snorted their dislike of Drake’s swift approach.

“It’s just as we thought. Half his troops went south in an attempt to flank us and back us into the mountains, but the remainder are coming head on. It shouldn’t be long now. Is the shield in place?” Drake asked, looking off to the horizon.

“It has been since first light. Its constant hum is driving me crazy. Every fiber in my body longs to bring it down,” she informed him.

“You’ll be distracted soon enough,” Drake assured her.

Mara gave a forced smile. “I only want one man’s life. It’s a shame so many will have to die defending him.”

“I’m sure he’s saying the same thing.”

“He’s not on the battlefield. He’s locked away in the castle somewhere. I can feel it,” she spat annoyed at his cowardice. She looked to Drake. “How was Kess?”

“Worried about you. Don’t worry, you’ll see each other tonight,” Drake promised.

Mara looked up when a spell crashed into the shield above. Unsure of what was going on, Bishop sidestepped. Mara calmed him and he didn’t move when another spell crashed into the shield. Flames licked the shield overhead but rolled off like water on oiled canvas.

“What are they up to?” Drake asked, looking up as well.

“My guess is they’re trying to bring down the shield so they can kill us with magic.”

Drake gave her a weary look. He was all too familiar with magic. “Are you sure this will hold?”

“No, but it was created by magic far stronger than any they have,” Mara replied as blue lightning crackled over the shield’s surface. “They’re getting closer.”

Arrows darkened the sky in the distance. “The battle’s begun,” Drake said menacingly. He drew his sword with a mischievous grin and kicked his horse into a run. “See you tonight,” he called as he rode off. Mara drew a short sword and kicked Bishop into a run. The other men were at his heels. Everyone was eager to begin. The sooner it started, the sooner it would end.

Mara reined Bishop into a throng of men ahead of her. He eagerly rushed in and pushed men out of his way. She swung down on an enemy soldier successfully severing an artery. Blood sprayed out as he fell to the ground. She caught another squarely in the chest knocking him backwards. She barely had time to pull out her axe before he fell. Mara cut off a man’s hand as he raised it to swing at one of her soldiers.

As Mara pressed forward, a man lunged into her path. She instantly threw her axe and struck him in the chest. Mara heard the crunch of bone when it hit and the man sank to his knees gasping for air. Three men caught her by surprise and rushed toward her with the intent of dragging her off her horse. Mara wouldn’t have time to go around them.

Bishop, on the other hand, saw them and stopped suddenly. Rearing up, he kicked one man in the head on the way up and another in the chest on the way down. Mara formed a blue ball of flame and held it in her hand waiting to hurl it at the third when she landed. His eyes went wide when he saw the ball headed towards him.

Get this brand-new release as well as book one as a FREEBIE for a limited time:

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LJV5Z5

June 12 – 16, 2017

R Tran

Author Biography: R. Tran is a first-time author who started writing as therapy after losing her father at 16. Her first manuscript was finished 4 years later, but sat around for years gathering dust before she had the courage to let someone read it. Sixteen years and many revisions later, what began as therapy is now a published novel.
Twenty years after her father’s death she has a husband, two children, and a dog he never met.

Social Media Links:

Website: www.rtranbooks.com

Blog: https://rtranbooks.wordpress.com/

Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/Rtranbooks/

https://m.facebook.com/AGaurdianFalls/

twitter: @rtranbooks

email: (used for book promotions) rtranbooks.com@outlook.com

goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16335980.R_Tran

Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/r-tran.html

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100 Haiku for the Gamer’s Thumbs 17-44

Oregon Trail

Way back in 2013, I started posts under this title.  Originally, these Haiku were going to be part of a book with pictures, which hid letters for a final Haiku.  Played off the Easter Egg idea, but the artist couldn’t continue with the project.  I began publishing them by 4’s and then abruptly stopped for some reason.  Somebody recently commented on one of them, which makes me think I should finish it.  Though I’m doing it in packs of 28 to get the rest out of the way.  First 16 are here: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16.  (Oh my god, the formatting sucks!  I think I know why I quit!  Pretty sure a lot of this stuff is dated too.)

*

The Gamer with Too Much Pride

He masters the game

Before he plays with others

So he can win all

*

I Game When Life Allows

Obsession not found

Within this gamer’s soft thumbs

They will fall behind

*

I Used to Game with a Dial

Elder among kids

He remembers the first days

And grew with the game

*

It’s Only Cheating if There are Rules Against It

They have no patience

Running to the book at once

Avoid the challenge

*

The Wise Man Will Teach Those Who Listen

He has mastered all

Now he chooses to teach you

So that you may grow

*

Spirit of Survival of the Fittest

You barely see him

Waiting at the edge of play

Looking for weak prey

*

Victory without Aggression

Forget your combos

He will block and counter all

Until your life wanes

*

If the Move Does Not Work, Keep Trying

Same move every time

This gamer type has no style

And angers many

*

She Whetted Her Nails on the ‘A’ Button

She wants no tickets

A gamer girl who plays true

Now she wants the spoils

*

Brotherhood of the Console

Friendships have been forged

Over the love of gaming

Bonds that will not break

*

Two Controllers are Better than One

Many games are fun

But most improve with a friend

Share the adventure

*

Writings of the Victorious

They are temptation

All you need to beat the game

Without losing mind

*

Hunter and His Bait

The move of patience

Why chase an armed enemy?

Spawned ammo is bait

*

Wandering the Games with Mediocre Skill

Too good for the low

Too bad to battle masters

Have no game to play

*

The Greatest Tool We Never Thank

My bladder is full

I reached the final level

Thank you pause button

*

Gorilla Thumbs

Masher of buttons

Causing sprites to spasm hard

Whirlwind of chaos

*

The Language that We Speak

A cunning language

Made to weed out the false ones

Who lack the lingo

*

First Step Toward the Holy Grail of Game

The job of all jobs

Play the games before they live

And brag to your friends

*

The Only Way to Buy a Game

It will not arrive

For another couple months

Already been bought

*

A Hero Evolves with Time

From true blue hero

To the dark and anti ones

Games will have heroes

*

The Unstoppable Badass

He cleaves through his foes

Using fist or sword or gun

This hero will beat all

*

He Speaks with His Actions

Never says a word

Through all his trials and troubles

The hero with no voice

*

The Beast with Two Legs and Clothes

Cloaked in fur or scales

These heroes are beast and man

Blurring nature’s lines

*

Traded in Her Tiara for a Shotgun

They have taken hold

No longer forced to be saved

Femme fatale is here

*

The Progenitors of Good and Evil

Choose their moral path

Make them hero or villain

Fate is in your hands

*

A Child Will Save Us All

Saviors before ten

These children step up to fight

Chosen for the path

*

A Mix of Pest and Partner

They are the sidekicks

Useful for a fight and plot

Yet some should shut up

*

There is No Story without a Villain

They are why we fight

Darkest beings that plague us

We will beat the boss

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It’s Never Too Late – A Truly Inspiring Guest Blog Post by Leta McCurry

Dan Alatorre AUTHOR's avatarDAN ALATORRE

stock-vector-welcome-to-england-red-round-ribbon-stamp-285269771 pre-scheduled vacation post

Occasionally I run into somebody who is an absolute inspiration, and recently that happened again.

I don’t want to say too much and end up spoiling it, but I hope you find this post as inspiring as I did. ALL of it, not just the opening line – which is amazing by itself.

I asked this guest some questions and prompted her to do a guest blog post, which she graciously agreed to do.

Prepare to be amazed, and whatever you are working on in your life, know this: it’s never too late.

Here’s Leta McCurry. 

.

I am 83. I published my first book, High Cotton Country, at the age of 81

followed by my second book, A Shadow Life, in the fall of 2016. My work in progress, Dancing to the Silence, is about half done, in competition from time to…

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