TV Show-ing Instead of Reading or Writing

Hello and welcome to my unadulterated (because I’m still such a kid!) confession.

Whatever I reveal can – and likely, will – be held against me in a court of public opinion.

Forgive me, reader, for I have sinned…but I’m LOVING it!

Foremost, instead of diligently writing on Bringer Unleashed, much less making any progress on recent novels I’ve begun reading, I’ve spent my time watching programs. Sometimes, I’ve even been…*gasp*…binge-watching.

Yes, I’ve been “TV show-ing” more than writing or reading.

Marvel's Daredevil Season 1 is on Netflix.

First and foremost, I’ve fallen under the spell of Netflix’s Daredevil. In my defense, the entire 13-episode first season was tantalizingly dropped into my lap all at once, creating an immediate urge to plop onto my couch and stare at the huge plasma TV screen before me. Let’s face it, Daredevil is well-conceived and has marvelous character development with engaging plot lines. Who wouldn’t want to get lost in quality programming like that? It seems as if the Marvel properties have reached near-atmospheric engagement in recent years; a development that, as an avid Marvel fan since childhood, has pleased me to no end. Compelling storyline aside, the masterful casting of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin) has skyrocketed this new series to the top of my binge-watching, even momentarily knocking Castle binging from my daily activity. (Fear not…Castle season 6 returns to my daily activities once Daredevil is complete.)

Wait, there’s more?

Game of Thrones Season 5 on HBO has elevated the fantasy drama genre for viewers.

Yes! The new season of Game of Thrones has begun, so I’ve been watching (and re-watching) the newest episodes. Add to that, I’ve discovered a marvelous YouTube channel called Emergency Awesome that’s run by a pleasant, informed, and highly knowledgeable person named Charlie, who I now follow and check daily for informative and engaging revelations and insights into some of my favorite programs, films, and comics, including Game of Thrones, Daredevil, The Flash, Gotham, Agents of Shield, the upcoming Star Wars and Marvel superhero films, and the entire DC and Marvel character/comic universes. Charlie’s simply amazing!

You can subscribe to Emergency Awesome by clicking here.

What have you been binge-watching recently?

Spring Fever!

[LEGAL USE OF THIS PHOTO LICENSED AND SECURED VIA DREAMSTIME - March 2015 - Photo by Stephen Orsillo]

It’s official…spring has arrived! I hope that things are going well for you thus far.

Like many people, amidst the beautiful, warmer weather, I’m experiencing the strong attraction to do fun things like walking outdoors, cooking on my outdoor grill, and reading novels in the shade of my back patio. Given those marvelous distractions, I’m perpetually finding excuses not to spend time at the keyboard. As such, a number of my creative endeavors have suffered: my blog, writing on Bringer Unleashed (book #2 in my Logan Bringer urban fantasy series), my social media posts, and a host of online communications.

In addition to the call of spring, I’m completely enamored with binge-watching what has become one of my all-time favorite shows: Castle. I’m not typically drawn to crime drama procedurals, but the chemistry between Nathan Fillion’s character (Richard Castle) and Stana Katic’s character (Detective Kate Beckett) is compelling and often sizzling with passion and emotion. I’m now completely hooked! The entire supporting cast is wonderful, making for interesting and amusing personalities to add depth to the show. Even better, the storylines are engaging and often immersive. Currently, I’m halfway through season 5 and I couldn’t be happier with how things are developing between Beckett and Castle. My couch hasn’t spent as much time with me in quite a while.

However, fear not, my muse is far from completely dormant. Some recent music downloads from iTunes have begun to stoke the creative juices inside me. To borrow from famed author George R.R. Martin, I assure you, “keyboard time is coming!”

Some of the recent songs that have stoked my emotions and creative urges include Bea Miller’s “Dracula”, Owl City’s “Fireflies”, Tove Lo’s “Talking Body”, Alt-J’s “Something Good”, Geographer’s “I’m Ready”, and Adam Levine’s “Lost Stars.”

Oh, and as creative ideas arise, I’m also in the process of world-building and character creation for a forthcoming adult-themed fantasy series that is set on a world other than Earth. The characters are diverse in their backgrounds, individual storylines, and personal challenges, yet they each find themselves tied to central themes and events filtering throughout lands both near and far. It’s unlike anything I’ve written, but as a long-time fantasy fanatic, it’s something I’ve always wanted to write. I’m likely a couple of years away from the release of the first novel, but I wanted to share with you that my imagination has long-term projects in its vision.

For now, happy reading and I hope that your own spring fever diversions result in smiles and a great deal of personal satisfaction.

Peace and good times for all!