My Cryonite Cove blog for the online space game Pirate Galaxy is almost two months old now, and I'm having a great time running it. This is important as that was key to my decision to start it, as I explained in Writing For Fun.
So far the advertising cash hasn't started to flow yet but I'm still in the early days. I kept Cryonite Cove quiet at the start so that I would have time to build up a body of posts that would be worth reading. I also spent time fine-tuning the design and layout. I'm confident enough now to start inviting people to visit.
I've joined the official forum for the game and posted about the blog which generated some return visitors. It's also in my forum signature so I need to start posting there more often. There are lots of other avenues to explore so it's time to get more aggressive in attracting attention. I'll have to ask a certain seven-year-old for tips.
One drawback has been that over the last two months I've spent less time posting here. However I consider Cryonite Cove to be actually writing, rather than writing about writing, so the time was well spent. Now I'm in my stride I'll be posting here more often. Plus the Autumn Sci-Fi extravaganza is upon us again so I'll have lots of genre telly to rave about, as long as I can stop watching it for long enough.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Merlin
We are three episodes into the new (3rd) series of Merlin. This is a BBC family fantasy drama serial shown on Saturday early evening. If you've never heard of it visit the official website below, they do excellent web-work.
www.bbc.co.uk/merlin
I know a seven-year-old who has trouble deciding if this or Doctor Who is her favourite show. It's the good Doctor for me, but I think she'd plump for Merlin but is afraid of hurting my feelings. I like Merlin too so I don't take it to heart.
The inspiration for this show was apparently Smallville, the US series about the early years of Clark Kent, before he became Superman. I've never watched Smallville but it's in its 10th and final season with a strong fanbase so it must have something going for it. The first ever episode of Merlin showed the eponymous hero arriving at Camelot as a young lad. He has some basic magical powers but knows that he must keep them secret. The king, Uther, has a deep hatred of magic and has had many practitioners put to death. Arthur is the arrogant warrior-prince, Guinevere (Gwen) is a serving girl to Morgana, Uther's ward.
Merlin is a sort of 'Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - The Early Days'. I suspect that students and fans of Arthurian lore may have a marmite relationship with this show. Historically it's rubbish, but as a piece of family entertainment it's a belter. I enjoy watching how the pieces start to fall into place, such as the first appearances of Mordred, Excalibur, Lancelot etc.
The journey of Morgana from fiesty young princess to evil witch is particularly good, and her journey to the dark side now seems finally complete. There has not been one single event that has corrupted her, rather a series of ordeals, dissapointments and revelations, all brought into focus by a manipulative mentor. Slow-burning and realistic.
Although there is a story arc, you could happily drop into this show at any point and enjoy it immensely. Give it a go, just turn off your internal history professor first.
www.bbc.co.uk/merlin
I know a seven-year-old who has trouble deciding if this or Doctor Who is her favourite show. It's the good Doctor for me, but I think she'd plump for Merlin but is afraid of hurting my feelings. I like Merlin too so I don't take it to heart.
The inspiration for this show was apparently Smallville, the US series about the early years of Clark Kent, before he became Superman. I've never watched Smallville but it's in its 10th and final season with a strong fanbase so it must have something going for it. The first ever episode of Merlin showed the eponymous hero arriving at Camelot as a young lad. He has some basic magical powers but knows that he must keep them secret. The king, Uther, has a deep hatred of magic and has had many practitioners put to death. Arthur is the arrogant warrior-prince, Guinevere (Gwen) is a serving girl to Morgana, Uther's ward.
Merlin is a sort of 'Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - The Early Days'. I suspect that students and fans of Arthurian lore may have a marmite relationship with this show. Historically it's rubbish, but as a piece of family entertainment it's a belter. I enjoy watching how the pieces start to fall into place, such as the first appearances of Mordred, Excalibur, Lancelot etc.
The journey of Morgana from fiesty young princess to evil witch is particularly good, and her journey to the dark side now seems finally complete. There has not been one single event that has corrupted her, rather a series of ordeals, dissapointments and revelations, all brought into focus by a manipulative mentor. Slow-burning and realistic.
Although there is a story arc, you could happily drop into this show at any point and enjoy it immensely. Give it a go, just turn off your internal history professor first.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
On Friday night I was planning to go up Broad Street (Birmingham's busiest street of pubs and clubs) to say goodbye to an old colleague of mine who's leaving for Australia. However I took the whole expedition far too lightly and ended up soaked to the skin while trying to find the venue. Next time I'll look at a map, get a contact number and wear a jacket.
Luckily the night wasn't a complete loss as I instead went to see Scott Pilgrim Vs the World. Well the cinema was dry, I wasn't going home without doing something worthwhile, and I'd wanted to see it for a while. My wife wasn't interested, and while my daughter was I thought, best not, as it was a 12A and I hadn't been able to vet it before hand.
I'm very glad I saw it because it's a great film. If you don't like comics or video games you may not want to bother, as that's the source of half the fun. There's some good music too and very nice action scenes. To give you a taste, when Scott beats an evil ex of his new love a glowing number appears over the scene and his opponent is replaced by a cascade of coins, just like beating a boss in a SuperMario game. It's a very original approach to converting a comic and it makes the film very surreal. Like I said, if you don't like comics or video games then you'll probably wonder what the hell is going on.
My only complaint is that Scott is far too wimpy (when he's not wielding a Katana or beating up six big stunt men). It's hard to like him, or see how he could have accumulated so many exes of his own when he's so wet. I haven't read the graphic novel so I don't know if that's down to the comic or the film.
Otherwise very good, and 12A seems a bit harsh to me. Well worth seeing.
Luckily the night wasn't a complete loss as I instead went to see Scott Pilgrim Vs the World. Well the cinema was dry, I wasn't going home without doing something worthwhile, and I'd wanted to see it for a while. My wife wasn't interested, and while my daughter was I thought, best not, as it was a 12A and I hadn't been able to vet it before hand.
I'm very glad I saw it because it's a great film. If you don't like comics or video games you may not want to bother, as that's the source of half the fun. There's some good music too and very nice action scenes. To give you a taste, when Scott beats an evil ex of his new love a glowing number appears over the scene and his opponent is replaced by a cascade of coins, just like beating a boss in a SuperMario game. It's a very original approach to converting a comic and it makes the film very surreal. Like I said, if you don't like comics or video games then you'll probably wonder what the hell is going on.
My only complaint is that Scott is far too wimpy (when he's not wielding a Katana or beating up six big stunt men). It's hard to like him, or see how he could have accumulated so many exes of his own when he's so wet. I haven't read the graphic novel so I don't know if that's down to the comic or the film.
Otherwise very good, and 12A seems a bit harsh to me. Well worth seeing.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Piranha 3D
Saturday I went to see Piranha 3D on an unexpected date night. What a great film. When we came out the whole audience was grinning, which would have been rubbish if we’d seen The Passion of the Christ, but for such a blatantly fun film it was perfect.
Just to summarise the plot, ‘prehistoric piranha attack spring break’. Now there’s a great example of a five word film pitch.
You do have to accept a couple of dubious assumptions though.
1. A colony of piranha could survive for two million years in an underground lake through cannibalism alone.
2. Ugly girls don’t go to spring break.
Some of the effects were excellent. CGI was used to support prosthetic and make up effects rather than being the main attraction, the exception being the piranha themselves. The after effects of the piranha attack were especially impressive, with one screaming half-eaten victim falling into two as rescuers carry her up the shore.
My favourite magazine SFX makes the very good point that horror is the true home of 3D and it works very well in this film, gratuitous and effective.
There was an excess of gratuitous female nudity too, which works for me. Actually there is male genital nudity but I will not elaborate, as it is far from erotic and much funnier on screen. Kelly Brook may have found the film here to break her in Hollywood. She’d make an excellent scream queen for quite a few years yet.
In fact there’s a six word pitch that may convince you to see this film if I haven’t sold you on it yet.
‘Kelly Brook, nude, underwater, in 3D’.
Just to summarise the plot, ‘prehistoric piranha attack spring break’. Now there’s a great example of a five word film pitch.
You do have to accept a couple of dubious assumptions though.
1. A colony of piranha could survive for two million years in an underground lake through cannibalism alone.
2. Ugly girls don’t go to spring break.
Some of the effects were excellent. CGI was used to support prosthetic and make up effects rather than being the main attraction, the exception being the piranha themselves. The after effects of the piranha attack were especially impressive, with one screaming half-eaten victim falling into two as rescuers carry her up the shore.
My favourite magazine SFX makes the very good point that horror is the true home of 3D and it works very well in this film, gratuitous and effective.
There was an excess of gratuitous female nudity too, which works for me. Actually there is male genital nudity but I will not elaborate, as it is far from erotic and much funnier on screen. Kelly Brook may have found the film here to break her in Hollywood. She’d make an excellent scream queen for quite a few years yet.
In fact there’s a six word pitch that may convince you to see this film if I haven’t sold you on it yet.
‘Kelly Brook, nude, underwater, in 3D’.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Avatar
I finally got around to seeing Avatar on Bank Holiday Monday. For some reason the Buzz around the film never really captured me the first time and the opportunity to see it never came up. I could have watched it on a trans-Atlantic flight but decided against it. I'd heard it was worth watching for the spectacle rather than the plot, so the 9 inch screen in the back of the chair in front didn't seem the best format. I waited for it to come back to the Imax in Brum and saw it there.
It was good, well worth the money but not as good as Cameron's The Terminator or Aliens (my favourite). It was a lot better than Titanic though. The 3D and effects worked best in the big battle scenes, with the Marine's ships and mecha looking especially realistic. Lingering shots of Pandora flora and fauna got a bit annoying and the 3D seemed a bit gimmicky then. Still you've got to admire Cameron's commitment and dedication to this film, plus the impact it's had on cinema.
I was struck by the commonalities with Aliens. Bad ass marines flying ships that looked very similar. A gorgeous Hispanic female marine. A corporate rep who turns out to be lower than low, Sigourney Weaver of course. Maybe he's planning a future cross-over, Aliens on Pandora. Now that would be fun.
It was good, well worth the money but not as good as Cameron's The Terminator or Aliens (my favourite). It was a lot better than Titanic though. The 3D and effects worked best in the big battle scenes, with the Marine's ships and mecha looking especially realistic. Lingering shots of Pandora flora and fauna got a bit annoying and the 3D seemed a bit gimmicky then. Still you've got to admire Cameron's commitment and dedication to this film, plus the impact it's had on cinema.
I was struck by the commonalities with Aliens. Bad ass marines flying ships that looked very similar. A gorgeous Hispanic female marine. A corporate rep who turns out to be lower than low, Sigourney Weaver of course. Maybe he's planning a future cross-over, Aliens on Pandora. Now that would be fun.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Cryonite Cove
On Saturday I started my new blog about the online space game Pirate Galaxy. The name is Cryonite Cove, and it can be found at http://cryonitecove.blogspot.com/
The blog is driven by my writing ambition rather than my genuine fondness for the game. I’m not one of those people who are driven to gain status within a hobby. Some strive to the best, others to be the most famous. You can do this by having the biggest collection of x, be the best player of y, or being the most opinionated and vicious critic of the hobby they love (Comic Book Guy, I’m looking at you.) Desmond Morris opened my eyes to this sort of thing in the Naked Ape, and I’ve never looked at my fellow sci-fi and gaming nuts the same since.
Writing novels and short fiction is hard, I like what I write but it kills me to do it. Blogging is easy. How good it is I couldn’t say (not modesty, I just haven’t assessed my blogging ability yet), but motivation is not a problem. For now anyway, maybe the novelty will wear off.
Anyway, the blog is up and running. If all goes to plan I’ll write an entertaining and interesting blog which Pirate Galaxy fans will flock to, earning me vast sums of cash through advertising as they do. As I love the game and enjoy blogging, it shouldn’t be akin to pulling my own teeth.
The blog is driven by my writing ambition rather than my genuine fondness for the game. I’m not one of those people who are driven to gain status within a hobby. Some strive to the best, others to be the most famous. You can do this by having the biggest collection of x, be the best player of y, or being the most opinionated and vicious critic of the hobby they love (Comic Book Guy, I’m looking at you.) Desmond Morris opened my eyes to this sort of thing in the Naked Ape, and I’ve never looked at my fellow sci-fi and gaming nuts the same since.
Writing novels and short fiction is hard, I like what I write but it kills me to do it. Blogging is easy. How good it is I couldn’t say (not modesty, I just haven’t assessed my blogging ability yet), but motivation is not a problem. For now anyway, maybe the novelty will wear off.
Anyway, the blog is up and running. If all goes to plan I’ll write an entertaining and interesting blog which Pirate Galaxy fans will flock to, earning me vast sums of cash through advertising as they do. As I love the game and enjoy blogging, it shouldn’t be akin to pulling my own teeth.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Writing for fun
I do sometimes worry about spending time relaxing or having fun rather than writing. There are those, so I'm told, who relax and have fun by writing. I envy them. I like to think about writing, read about it, talk about it. I also like to look back at my work and show it off, or defend it as the case may be.
Unfortunately the writing itself is work, and not work that I look forward to. Once I'm underway it's not so bad. In fact when I'm in full flow I resent any reason to stop, such as eating, sleeping or the unreasonable desire of your family to communicate with you. It's getting started that's the real bugger. The exception is this blog, which I do enjoy. I think it's the bite-size nature, seeing my writing on the WWW, and discovering that someone from Moscow was last night reading about my bed-time stories.
There are books of advice on forcing yourself to write, and I'm sure all of it works for someone. There are tricks that work for me too, but it is still a challenge. So when I sit down to play Pirate Galaxy, or watch telly, or sit in the bath reading, there's always the nagging guilt that I should be writing.
Well I have hit upon a plan.
Why not start a Blog on my Pirate Galaxy adventures? People have found this blog looking for Pirate Galaxy information and comment, and there are forums and data bases run by fans all over the web. Maybe there's a market for an honest, independent, entertaining (hopefully) blog written by a non-obsessive, literate player.
As well as combining two fun things, there is the chance of making some cash from it too. I've decided to keep ads off this blog, but in a Pirate Galaxy blog they'd be welcome. Maybe I'll earn a fortune and be hired by every MMORPG game to play and blog in their universe and spread the word. PC sponsors will supply me with free equipment and broadband, while players fight to be in the clans of the famous blogger.
Why not, and did I mention the fun?
Update
The blog is now up and running. Have a look and see what you think.
http://cryonitecove.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately the writing itself is work, and not work that I look forward to. Once I'm underway it's not so bad. In fact when I'm in full flow I resent any reason to stop, such as eating, sleeping or the unreasonable desire of your family to communicate with you. It's getting started that's the real bugger. The exception is this blog, which I do enjoy. I think it's the bite-size nature, seeing my writing on the WWW, and discovering that someone from Moscow was last night reading about my bed-time stories.
There are books of advice on forcing yourself to write, and I'm sure all of it works for someone. There are tricks that work for me too, but it is still a challenge. So when I sit down to play Pirate Galaxy, or watch telly, or sit in the bath reading, there's always the nagging guilt that I should be writing.
Well I have hit upon a plan.
Why not start a Blog on my Pirate Galaxy adventures? People have found this blog looking for Pirate Galaxy information and comment, and there are forums and data bases run by fans all over the web. Maybe there's a market for an honest, independent, entertaining (hopefully) blog written by a non-obsessive, literate player.
As well as combining two fun things, there is the chance of making some cash from it too. I've decided to keep ads off this blog, but in a Pirate Galaxy blog they'd be welcome. Maybe I'll earn a fortune and be hired by every MMORPG game to play and blog in their universe and spread the word. PC sponsors will supply me with free equipment and broadband, while players fight to be in the clans of the famous blogger.
Why not, and did I mention the fun?
Update
The blog is now up and running. Have a look and see what you think.
http://cryonitecove.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)