Category Archives: Writing

L for LOTRO

by

12

My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

L for LOTRO (2018)

How could I not mention the Professor? The Lord of the Rings is one of my favourite books, although I discovered Tolkien the Anglo-Saxon scholar first – via his essay “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics“. After reading the trilogy in about 1969 aged 16 – I still have those reread hardbacks – Peter Jackson’s reimagining was my Middle Earth. Then I discovered and played this wonderful game.

On the other hand, exploring the literature and folklore behind this game was one of the reasons I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. I’d been drawn to find Middle Earth for decades – and then I met Frodo.

I will post about other games that were relevant in 2018 and still are meaningful.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

K for Kitsune

by

4

My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

K for Kitsune (2014).

This fascinating gem from Japanese folklore seems to re-occur in my journey. Although I expanded on this research nugget while I was creating the game-world for my novel ‘Wyrm Bait’, it wasn’t my first encounter. Yes, it was one that evolved into a character in my post-apocalyptic saga Gossamer Flames. But the research is ongoing.

However, I first discovered about Kitsunes through the game which brought my wife and me together, Perfect World. One of my characters was a Venomancer, a female-only class modelled on these Japanese fox beings.

And it seems as if a kitsune plays a key role in Charles Kowalski’s short in the IWSG anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost due out on May 5th. Read more about his story here:

https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/02/in-spotlight-charles-kowalski-author-of.html

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

J for Jeopardy

by

5

My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

J for Jeopardy (2019).

Act Two of Azure Spark, an investigation featuring my Welsh detective Sparkle Anwyl and her partner Kama Pillai, the main characters in my Snowdon Shadows series.

The case evolved into a novella as I edited the posts into three acts last year. I will post the ending, Act Three on April 23rd.

I suspect not everyone got to read ‘Azure Spark’ last year so this will be another chance. Enjoy.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

I for Impressment

by

6

My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

I for Impressment (2015).  

One of the many causes of the War of 1812, Impressment by the Royal Navy was resolved by the end. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1814, Britain ended the practice, although conscription continued to cover all British armed forces. Gregory Wendell, the author of the diary in ‘Seeking A Knife’in my Snowdon Shadows series, is an RN officer so sees impressment first hand.

How much do you know about the War of 1812? When I studied British history in the UK, it was a footnote to the Napoleonic Wars. But now I’m learning, initiated by spending a few years in Canada.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

H for Hellblade

by

9

My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.

H for Hellblade (2018)

My gaming is often an escape into an alternative reality – and at present reality is frightening. However, this game allowed me to experience another real-life reality for some.  I still need to re-visit Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – but not at the moment.

On the other hand, exploring the literature and folklore behind this game was one of the reasons I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. I’ve been fascinated by Norse mythology and Viking culture for decades.

I will post about other games that were relevant in 2018 and still are meaningful.

Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/

To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/

Inspiration for the Upcoming 2020 IWSG Anthology Contest

by

0

Today’s post on the IWSG Anthology blog carries some of the favourite Inspiring Quotes on Writing from some of our Anthology authors. More next week, but be inspired here:

https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/04/inspiration-for-upcoming-2020-iwsg.html