Richard Parry vs. the 15-Day Story Challenge

I thought it might be fun to share the intro of my 15-Day story. I’ve no idea if this first chapter is a keeper, but it starts with Kohl hungover so that’s a step in the right direction. October heads to a church in San Francisco, recently the site of a major Ezeroc battle against humanity’s defenders. The city’s a ruin, but you can still get liquor. Dead Men Walking “October Kohl, I need your help.” Six words Kohl never wanted to wake up to. Especially not in the arms of two of San Francisco’s finest working girls, with the beginning of a three-day-binge hangover forming right behind his eyes. These things were related, Kohl’s focus on shore leave second to none. “Kohl? Can you hear me?” Male voice. A little reedy. Shaky with fear, talking too fast. Been a Read More …

Using Beat Saber for Fitness

Three-word review? It’s all right! I got a PSVR during the Black Friday sales. I added Beat Saber to my PSVR, and have enjoyed the game despite the general low-fidelity fuckery of the PSVR/Move controllers. My back’s been screwed for over a month, but no more! I’ve found Beat Saber loosened me up more than any amount of thoughts and prayers, yoga, or alcohol. This last was a surprise to me, too. My rules for using Beat Saber in Richard’s Fitness Mode™: Don’t worry about score, worry about big arm movements. Be flashy. Be large! Be embarrassing. Every time you get an opportunity to squat, do so. It adds a degree of difficulty but also gets your heart working more. Bonus: turn into jump squats, especially for side-to-side lane transitions. Dance, don’t just wiggle yo’ ass. This is fun. Got Read More …

Nova Blake vs. the 15-Day Story Challenge

Our getaway driver this week is Nova Blake (tomorrow: moi). A sample from her 15-Day story is here. You can find more Nova at novablake.com. The Prince stood up and then stepped down the three stairs so that we were on the same level. He offered me a hand lined with age, and it was only now that we were closer that I could see the rest of the tell-tale signs. He was getting to the end of his days. This would make him even more keen for obtain whatever it was he desired, which was great for my pockets. I slipped my fingers into his and let him lead me to a smaller, more intimate area in the room with two comfy chairs and a coffee table. “Please, sit,” he said, indicating one of the chairs. He took the other Read More …

Kim Faulks vs. the 15-Day Story Challenge

My co-conspirator Kim showcased her WIP on Facebook. I figured you might dig what she’s writing – please to enjoy. You can check her out at hauntingfiction.com. Chapter One – Lucifer The door to my study opened, and I snarled at the interruption not bothering to lift my gaze from the thick file on my desk. Images were spread across the surface. Blinding light blurred their faces, but I knew them just the same. My brothers were in full flight, wings out stretched, knees buckled as they punched from the earth’s surface on their way home once more. I hated them and loved them at the same time. Hated their freedom, loved their purpose. I once felt purpose like that. But not anymore. The hinges creaked as the door opened. “Sorry, my Lord,” Helkor growled. Darkness dipped into the soft Read More …

John Hindmarsh vs. the 15-Day Story Challenge

My partner in crime John shared his latest WIP from the 15-Day Story Challenge. You can find out more about John at johnhindmarsh.com. John says: “The protagonist is a mage, trying to repair parallel universes that are no longer parallel. He is responsible for three girls – triplets, born three years apart, whom he rescued when the universes collided. The oldest one is 24, and he’s crazy for her. In the preceding chapter, 500 pixies turn up for a free breakfast because he wants assistance to find a soul stealer hatchery. He set off a stink spell to demonstrate to the pixies what the hatchery will smell like. The soul stealers have been genetically modified – by unknown nemesis – to track him down… Oh, Leopold is an alien mage/warrior who exists in multiple universes at the same time as Read More …

D is for Dragon

This is just the kind of thing I’d have wanted as a tiny Richard. Wizards of the Coast, raising the next legion of geeks today. Now I need to work out if there’s a maximum acceptable age for buying these things. Who’d know? I could just order it and hide the evidence. [ABCs of D&D (Dungeons & Dragons Children’s Book)] (Seen on Polygon)

Bookshine Reviews Chromed: Delilah

Spoilers: Steph quite liked it 🤩 “The main character, Delilah is a genuinely tough, kick-ass protagonist; a professional who gets the job done and deals with the consequences afterwards.  I loved her! Delilah  is a short, sharp rush of awesomeness…” Check out the full review below: https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/12/08/chromed-delilah-richard-parry-future-forfeit-city-stories-book-2/

15-Day Story Challenge: Week One 🐉

This is one of my world-famous emails, originally sent Sunday, December 9 2018. You can get on the list here. Week One: in the Bag You may remember our threats to begin a 15-day story challenge. It has begun. This week: A recap for you, in delightful video form, The good news I alluded two a couple weeks back, and An excerpt from the story challenge. Let’s rock. The 15-Day Story Challenge Kick-Off Nervous laughter. Anxious smiles. It’s all here in our kick-off video: So, how did the week treat me? Pretty well. I completed 22,000 words this week, averaging 4,400/day (Monday was a bit of a dick, dragging the whole side down). The story’s about where I thought it would be: general chaos, madness, and disorder. Speaking of which, I learned some things, like don’t ask for advice. People Read More …