The simplest of things can inspire people. Provided you take the time to explore the world, even if all you do is check your digital feeds. As I thumbed through the posts in my Facebook feed, I came across a post by ElfWatcher.com and the seed of a story wedged itself into my mind. The man eagerly collects one of his messengers on news from the battlefield. Those were the words that sprouted from that seed. As the story’s skeleton developed, I looked at some of my other stories and dropped this budding narrative into that world. From there, the first draft flew from my fingers...

Ever mindful of my ultimate goal, I need to keep having fun while drawing. My abstract work is currently providing me with that opportunity. I have purchased some tools to sharpen those skills, while the fun stuff continues to develop my toolbox. While some tools are black boxes, the creative in me just wants to use them, but my inner developer seeks to understand them. That side of me understands the value of black boxes and reluctantly accepts them when required...

When the week began, I looked at all the projects jumbled about in my mind and a smile slipped onto my face. Most of the time since I resumed blogging, I’ve handled my posts in a very ad hoc manner. At the beginning of the year, my wife introduced me to YNAB, and it immediately changed my life. I know that’s a cliche, but they exist because they’re true. As I embraced the budgeting application, another aspect of my mind raced to the forefront, organizing my tasks. I have tried using a to-do list before, but it failed fantastically, so I was not expecting much from it. However, having embraced YNAB, I discovered different results with the to-do app.

It kept me ahead of schedule for January...

On the heels of Caitlin’s success with founding the Federation, the other leaders return to their homes. Promptly Caitlin and Quinn start working on their initial decrees. Upon completing the first, they send a copy to the other leaders, including Olyver...

I’m excited about the artwork I’m posting this week. Among the images I created, there are four different liquified textures that are always relaxing to create. Besides the product of that simple fun, I am bringing a couple doodles to my blog. Tri-Point and Dissolving Wall are both early attempts in another process that I’m thoroughly enjoying. And to round up the artwork for the week, I wanted to learn how to draw cosmic scenes and so I turned to Google, and before I knew it, there was a plethora of guides on the subject. So armed with that barrage of videos, I turned my attention to my initial slice of the night sky, Wide Nebula...

Fresh off of writing Hidden Truths, I turned my attention to this month’s Fantasy tale. While I’m eager to explore Darren’s life, I’ve gotten a little burnt out with the character. That said, I’m eager to stay in Darren’s world, so I flipped through past stories and smiled when I remembered the story about Tiatha. Siphoning the Stone was the last story that dealt with her, but it presented me with an opportunity to explore focus on another aspect of Darren’s world. During that tale, Tiatha easily bests the Hunter who tries to stop her from stealing a stone...

With Lia at Darren’s side, he’s able to convince Leodar that he requires his own room. Though it comes with a price, Leodar demands that Darren become Lia’s mentor. With the added responsibilities, Darren finds himself unable to head into the city as often as he would prefer. As a result, Randall surprises his friend with a visit. One of Randall’s visits coincides with a required study session. Eager to start her studies, Lia asks Maxwell to collect Darren. But as he approaches Darren’s room, Maxwell overhears part of the conversation...

While I haven’t posted a roundup post of my recent art so far this new year, I’ve been busy pushing my current limitations as an artist. And while I continue to push forward with my ultimate goal, I’m still making too many mistakes to feel comfortable publishing any of my attempts at drawing Harrison (one of the chief characters from Crossroads). From the moment he emerged from the depths of my mind, I have wanted to capture that manic grin of my mad scientist (given the setting, he’s more of an alchemist). Despite inching closer to my lofty aim, I invite you to enjoy a collection of my doodles, liquified textures, and name plaques. I originally published these pieces during the week of January 3rd for my patrons. But after seven days of exclusivity, I reposted them in my DeviantArt gallery, and now I am bringing them to my blog. Sit back and enjoy the artwork below. As always, click on any image below to get a better look at the picture...

While I’ve written a handful of Dramas, I’ve found that the storylines are difficult to uncover. As with any blanket statement, there are exceptions such as Second Chance and Simple Pleasures. But I’m always game for a challenge, so last Saturday I started trying to work through a storyline, but after many false starts I went to NYC Midnight and searched for a prompt for the Drama narrative that refused to start...

When last we left Rylan and Annabelle, she was ecstatic that her husband woke up from the coma gripping him. Despite Annabelle’s concern regarding his desire to nap, Rylan got some sleep before the doctors pushed him into therapy and the detective came to take his statement. Over the course of a couple weeks, Rylan dedicated himself to his recovery. And all the hard work pays off as he walks out of the hospital, though he ignores his doctor’s advice concerning a severe cough...

Despite the long trek across unfamiliar terrain, Fenton and his squadron discovered the crash site of their ancestors. Upon gathering all the intelligence they could from the ruins, Fenton leads his team away from the failed colonization attempt. Weary from their long journey and investigation, the soldiers’ unease from the absence of wildlife continues to mount...

Fresh off his conversation with Marcus and Talia, Nathaniel dispatched them to collect Bret. While they took a train north, Nathaniel hopped on a southbound one to visit with Natali. Nathaniel convinced her to travel west and extend Kethra the same invitation to meet with all the regional leaders with great effort. When all four leaders arrive at the capital building’s burnt-out remains, Nathaniel proposes an alternative plan for survival...

To round out 2020, I posted additional name placards, more work that used the liquify tool, and a somewhat old doodle I made of a mage mixing things in his cauldron. And while I love the work that I’ve done, I still have my eyes set on a loftier goal. I want to draw characters from all of my stories. And while I attempt to draw characters, I’m still a long way from being satisfied with that work. While I develop those skills, I still need to smile with the work I’m doing. And those smiles come from the doodles I’m posting, though I’ll be shifting that process...

With Burnout and Second Chance published, my focus snapped to the only remaining piece of flash fiction for December, a Fantasy. From the moment the monthly poll closed, I knew that this narrative would explore Darren’s home. I cracked open my notes for Darren Gilbert’s life and thumbed through everything, and I located the notes for the story where Darren stumbled upon his home. While I’m eager to tell that story, it’s not one I want to publish on Patreon. So, I thought about some other storylines I’ve written, and I chose to highlight an interaction between Darren and his oldest friend, Roland...

The leadership of Aurora has completed its colonization of the Aurorian system. While Olyver has pushed for the Federation’s creation, Quinn and Caitlin have delayed the process until the planets have become self-sufficient. Now that each of the new worlds is thriving, Quinn and Caitlin invite the leaders to Aurora as they seek to complete the birth of the new Federation. However, each of the new governments is wary about the fledgling Federation’s leadership and placement...