Upcoming Projects – Spring 2024

Hello and howyadoings, gentle readers! I’ve been a lot more active in my writing recently. I’d been on a hiatus for a while the world was on fire but it seems like that is just the new normal going forward. So, when asked to help write regularly for the Tavern Tall Tales Magazine, I gladly accepted. Joining in has really helped me make writing part of my routine again. Which has led me to advance several projects forward. So now I’m gonna tell you about them and what that means for you!

The February 2024 Issue 31 of Tavern Tall Tales.

My 2nd Annual NYE Tradition

I’ve started a new tradition for myself that easily fulfills my personal requirements for a tradition. Being that it: 1) requires very little to accomplish, 2) is an excuse to do something I wanted to do anyway, and 3) conveniently occurs about the same time that I can perform said tradition. It’s not much but I have already immensely enjoyed this little ritual and plan to continue it. That tradition? Reading manga for New Year’s.

Saggy Middle Boys

Hello. My name is Daniel… and I write bad stories. I can change. If I have to.

I came to the realization that I have 5 different novels in various states of unbeing that are all at about the 20,000-word hurdle.  I know whereabouts they should end and have the beginnings mostly how they should be but I seem to get bogged down with a saggy middle. This is something I’ve been working on by writing short stories. Still though. it was disheartening to see how bad my problem was.

On the bright side (for you dear reader), I wanted to share my pain.  Here is a rogues’ gallery of my failed (or not successes yet?) writing projects as they stand today.

Factory Obscura

Recharging

Recently I’ve been reading and watching things way. I slowed down my home improvement projects, my writing, and my side jobs to just take some time for myself. This was partially motivated because I was getting stuck all the time it seemed and partially cause I had some stress-related health problems. It wasn’t all for fun (I’ve been reading things for Chapter Chaps) but it has been much more relaxing than my usual routine.

That said, taking some time to experience other peoples’ works has helped recharge me creatively.

 

The Power of Bare Life in Gotham: Batman as Homo Sacer

Writing about the Suicide Squad reminded me about an academic paper I wrote back in college (counting on fingers and toes) a few years ago. The Dark Knight was still a newish movie and I had read Agamben’s Homo Sacer (which is super good). I’ve posted this before to my old blog but wanted to put it back up here. Hope you enjoy!