Following that Narrative Thought

My writing pace has slowed down a bit in recent days, and for once, I don’t mean in pure word count.

Maybe a week ago I completed a longer chapter centered on one’s character’s POV. I knew how I wanted the chapter to go, it just took a lot of writing time and words to get there.

I’ve since moved on to the next chapter with my favorite character–Arden–and I think my writing style has shifted a bit. Continue reading “Following that Narrative Thought”

Adventures in Landscaping: Patio Progress!

Time for another landscaping update, and after only a week this time. A new record!

With help from my father-in-law, we actually made some surprising progress on the patio last weekend.

Continue reading “Adventures in Landscaping: Patio Progress!”

Haiku Tuesday – Routine

“Routine”

New occupation

to occupy the daily.

Day planner needed.

I started my new job yesterday, which means I’m readjusting to a full-time work schedule with a baby schedule to keep up with. Thus, I left myself no time for writing. Trying again tonight!

Steve D

Haiku Sunday – Yard

“Yard”

Not merely a yard,

a secluded wilderness

of unbounded dreams.

The house I grew up in, where my pup Teddy loved to run around in the backyard, has been sold. I took him there on Friday to have one final romp through his favorite squirrel-hunting grounds.

Steve D

Adventures in Landscaping: Reevaluating the Yard

It has officially been over a year since my first Adventures in Landscaping. I promise it has not been a full year since I’ve landscaped my yard (although we got pretty lazy over winter).

With another year gone and a baby in the house, our priorities and our available time to landscape have shifted. Last year, I wanted to install a rock garden in front of our fence. That did not happen, but check out what did!

Our front yard and porch, with a fancy new railing and a designated gravel path for our trash cans and man-door in the fence.
Continue reading “Adventures in Landscaping: Reevaluating the Yard”

Quick Rip: Of Monster’s and Men’s New Sound?

“Alligator” is the first single from Of Monsters and Men’s third album. Fever Dream Comes out July 26, and the first single already has me wondering is we will yet again hear an evolved sound from the fascinating Icelandic group.

This performance on Fallon features the five main members–they usually have 3-5 touring members–playing a layered chorus of distorted guitars that more closely resembles post-rock than the band’s previous alternative folk rock sound.

Maybe “Alligator” will be anomalous on the new album, but a move in this direction actually makes sense to me. 2011’s My Head is an Animal had an airy feel with lots of vocal choruses. 2015’s Beneath the Skin still used a lot of acoustic sounds and vocal harmonies, but its tone was darker and hinted at the more ambient, emotive power of their music.

Whatever direction the band has chosen, I’ll be happy. Of Monsters and Men has (clearly) become known for long droughts between albums, but each one feels fresh and unique. I can’t wait to  hear what Fever Dream sounds like.

Steve D

Exploring Úr’Dan: The Firelands and the Northern Uplands

With all of the narrative shifts, outlining, and pondering I’ve done about The Warden of Everfeld: Legacy and related stories recently, I wanted to revive my world-building series.

And boy was I shocked to find that I haven’t written an Exploring Úr’Dan post in over a year! Here’s a refresher for all of us (myself included) of the fantastical ground we’ve covered previously:

Continue reading “Exploring Úr’Dan: The Firelands and the Northern Uplands”

June Write-Day: Summer is Looking Up!

May turned out to be an interesting month, although the first half is a blur to me. Honestly, most of the good parts happened in the last two weeks.

We had a nice weekend at the family lakehouse, where our son was baptized by his great-uncle the pastor. The baptism itself was a nice at-home affair, and was more about the family gathering than anything else. It also served as a great excuse to go boating and lounge in the sun, two of Teddy’s favorite activities (see above). Continue reading “June Write-Day: Summer is Looking Up!”