The Strain

The Strain

by | Jul 24, 2015 | Uncategorized

So as an author I’m supposed to spend all of my free time reading, but I like most Americans really enjoy a good TV show or movie.

 

I have to give it credit. It kept me watching it with bated interest despite a few major flaws. The bad guys are supposed to be vampires, but they apparently get their transformed “powers” from tiny worms. There is slightly less than no explanation of how the science of the transformation works, but the show does a great job of mixing in enough fear and gore to kind of wash over it.

The casting is alright, not winning any show of the year but there are a few characters with compelling back stories, and the relationship between the main character (CDC doctor) and his son captures the human element and primal desire to protect your young quite well.

My one biggest complaint… the villain.

To me this guy looks like he got a bad nose job, and got all Emo about it. They use special effects to amp up the scare factor, but on a whole I found him a disappointing focus for the villain.

 

That being said I’m excite to see where they go, and if you’re looking for a little light horror/thrill fare. I quite enjoyed the 1st season. Always like to have something playing in the background when I’m writing, or editing.

 

 

-Kurt

Best read this year

Best read this year

by | Jul 21, 2015 | Uncategorized

So as an aspiring author I would be remiss to slack in my reading. Reading other peoples’ work is one of the ways we get better at constructing our stories, and most importantly it’s important to appreciate other authors’ successes.

I have had the pleasure of watching this First Novel blossom into a worldwide success. Andy Weir’s novel rose from being a blog posted collection of entries, to an Amazon self published e-book to the number one best seller he has now. It is for a really good reason because he writes in a way that draws the reader in and leaves them with bated breath as they turn the page. The story is a simple one Man vs. Nature but the whit and the often cynical way the main character deals with the twists life throws at him make it both relatable and honest. From the profanity in the opening line to the well placed mom jokes Mark Whatney makes for a character I would love to meet and shake his hand.

From Goodreads: Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Stop by Andy’s Amazon page:

Check it out!

The slow churn

by | Jul 21, 2015 | Uncategorized

So for me getting a new website up is like buying a house or changing jobs. it’s a process both mental and emotional and it’s taking me forever. But there is more coming!

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