Author: Steven D'Adamo

I'm a fantasy author and blogger. I like to write about the creative process, music, movies, books, and my weekly haiku series, "Haiku Sunday"

New Mode Unlocked

On By Steven D'AdamoIn On LifeLeave a comment

I’ve been operating in a slightly different mode of late. Between job-shift, parenting-shift, second-shift, and time-to-myself-shift, I’ve been a lot more focused on doing the things I need and/or want to get done.

I’m not exactly sure where this mode is coming from, but I honestly find it motivating, which helps me get more done. Recent weeks have been up-and-down for me, where I might do the bare minimum on a given night to keep the house in order, and then lazily scroll my phone or watch TV to fill what little time I had before begrudgingly going to bed.

Honestly, I think I got bored of doing that, so I’ve started filling that time with things that actually make me feel good, either because I’m taking more time for self-care, getting things done around the house, or focusing on two hobbies I have paid precious little attention to: reading and writing.

Perhaps my latest paperback read is a part of this — where I’m actually motivated to carve out the time in my evenings to read a chapter. I’ve just started reading Children of Time, by Adrian Tchaichovsky, and after only 50 pages or so, I genuinely look forward to picking up this book each night.

This more motivated mode has also helped me refocus on writing, and I’m aiming to have a meaningful update on that front for my next monthly goals post.

We’re also starting to look into some gardening/landscaping ideas for our first spring and early-summer in our new yard, and I’m looking forward to getting into some of that work.

I’m hoping this mode is more than just a weekly trend. I just need to be able to put the phone down for a bit and let other things occupy my time.

Steve D

Book Review: BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF is a portal to an intricate world

On By Steven D'AdamoIn On Storytelling, ReviewsLeave a comment

A couple weeks ago I finished reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James.

This book took me a while to get through in audiobook format.

I held out because I knew that a story as deep and emotionally resonant as this had to be going somewhere, and I was riveted by Dion Graham’s masterful narration. I’m ultimately glad I stuck with this one.

This is an unbelievably well-crafted story, characters, and world. Based on African myth and lore, it’s difficult to find an apt comparison in modern epic fantasy for this book. Because it doesn’t take from Western fantasy, it feels new and intimidating in a way I haven’t experienced for some time. The world itself is as unknown as the characters and the plot.

James writes with a ferocity of emotion that Graham only elevates with voice changes and ornamentations worthy of the greatest dramatic pieces. Black Leopard, Red Wolf has to be one of the best fantasy epics in recent memory.

My reading and understanding of it was lost during the first third of the story, where I found it difficult to understand what was happening and where the story was headed. It was extremely detailed, and kept jumping around in time between the protagonist, Tracker’s, early life, and his questioning by an inquisitor sometime in the future.

By the middle of the book, I had found the story’s rhythm, and by the final act, I was enraptured. At the moment, I can only recommend this as one of the best written fantasy novels I’ve read in a long time.

I intend to get the novel in hardcover to read it again. As for the sequel, Moon Witch, Spider King — I may just have to read both the hardcover and audio versions, to sink into James’s story and float away with Graham’s narration.

Steve D

March Write Day: Where Did February Go?

On By Steven D'AdamoIn On LifeLeave a comment

Somehow, we’re in another month, and we’re already starting to see hints of spring. I strangely don’t feel ready for spring and then summer. Cold days and occasional snow provide a convenient excuse to hold up inside the house and not be bothered with being social. Now comes spring, and all of our plans for this year. Don’t get me wrong, we have some very exciting plans for this year. I just thought I’d have more time to prepare for them, like, mentally.

Last Month’s Goals

  1. Read 3 books.
  2. Exercise every other day and get to the gym. 
  3. Finish ending for New Earth.
  4. Outline New Earth for chapter structure.

Read three books?

No, and I actually didn’t finish any books in February. However, just a few days into March I finished two books, I’m nearly done with another, and I’ve made a good start on a fourth.

I finished reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf a few days ago, after powering through it the last couple weeks. I really liked it, but I have some more thoughts I’ll share in a review next week. My goal is to make up for lost reads this month.

Exercise every other day and get to the gym?

Not quite. I exercised more like twice per week and made it to the gym once. Not terrible, but also not as much as I’d like. It’s a work-in-progress, as always. I definitely need to get to the gym more this month. That’s been the toughest part to motivate for so far.

Finish ending for New Earth and Outline Chapter Structure?

Noooooooope. My online class finished just last week, and I had one assignment and a group project that took up way more time than I had anticipated. So, while I really tried to work on my story on nights when I could muster the mental energy, I had to focus on the class.

Goals for March

  1. Read four books! Like I said, I’ve already finished two this month, and I’m well on my way to finishing two more, so I might as well go for it.
  2. Exercise every other day and get to the gym twice. Same.
  3. Finish New Earth ending and outline chapter structure. Alright, my online class is done, which opens up some time during my week. I fell out of the groove, so I just need to get back in it.

Steve D