Monica Valentinelli's Blog: booksofm.com, page 12

Critiquing The Witcher Season 1

Heya,

I’m over at FlamesRising.com talking about magic and motherhood in The Witcher Season One. Here’s a quote from the first part of my article:

“In fantasy worldbuilding, there are a few components to designing magic: where magic comes from, if magic is renewable or limited, how magic is accessed, if magic usage is regulated, and lastly, what magic is used for.” — Magic and Motherhood in The Witcher Season One

I hope you enjoy my deep dive into magic! ‘Til next time!

My 2019 List of Publications

Hello everyone! 2019 was quite the interesting year. Instead of waxing poetically about it for hours on end, I am summing it up with an image of a big fish. Said fish has eaten several other fishes, and is currently being skewered in the gut by a fisherman, whilst other fishermen, who are mere peasants enjoying the spoils of their own efforts, witness said undertaking in their tiny boat. The illustration is by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and is literally called “Big Fishes Eat Little Fishes” (1556).

My list of publications is short this year. I published two stories, one of which included the backdrop for a solo card game–super fun! Plus, a fun character for charity-related purposes. Had a blast overall, especially with A. Happy Gnome!

Stories

“Arrows, Blood, and a Long Overdue Cat Nap”, TALES OF EXCELLENT CATS for Monarchies of Mau, 2019, Onyx Path Publishing/Pugsteady

“Only the Strongest has the Heart of a Wizened Queen”, PROVING GROUNDS card game, 2019, Renegade Games

Games

A HAPPY GNOME for ExtraLife Charity, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, 2019, DMsGuild.com

Thus far, it does look like I’ll be light on announcements through the end of 2020 as the calendar winds down. More news as winter ripens. Hope you had a fantastic year! And, if you didn’t, I hope you’ve retained your inner fire. We’ll all need it to get through the elections.

Update on Make Art Not War Challenge and Future Plans

It’s been about two years since I self-published the Make Art Not War Challenge: Rules, Essays, and 31 Creative Prompts ebook following a year’s worth of posts to help keep people motivated and focused on making art, and approximately a year since we booted up a micro-community with this spirit in mind. I’ve had some time to think about my next steps for this program that I wanted to share with you.

Right now, it doesn’t make sense to give this a huge push as an online movement. A lot of online spaces are experiencing a ton of changes for reasons ranging from algorithmic bias to a drop in types of usage, etc. So many people feel so overwhelmed, they’re sticking to the basics and exploring local, existing, private spaces. I suspect we’ll see this happen even more going into an Election Year. Mind you, my intent was never to make this Monica’s MANW Challenge, because that’s not the reason why I started this.

My dream for the Make Art Not War Challenge is to create spaces where the arts are accessible for people to explore music, literature, art, etc. regardless of their identity or income while getting guidance to learn how to build a career or seek employment in the arts. I am not the only one who has this vision; to put something like this in motion (on the scale I’m picturing) I’d need a significant amount of resources/money to build (both on and with) existing programs that exist for specific arts and verticals. It doesn’t make sense to create something brand new that doesn’t take into account the work wonderful community leaders, educators, and professional organizations are already doing.

This is not the time for that initiative, either. I’ve come to the realization that no dream of mine can be realized until I finish securing my own oxygen mask. There may come a point when I have the resources/money available, either through a donor or other means, to turn that around but for now? It’s just a gentle whisper until the time is right.

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Though I’ve been keeping my head down on Twitter (and I’m mostly off of Facebook other than the occasional, ridiculous quip), I do pay attention to the vibe. If it’s any reassurance, what’s happening in the world is having a profound effect on everyone in both small and big ways from feelings of guilt for pursuing your dreams to being shell-shocked by the increasing amounts of vitriol online and off–not to mention all the personal stuff everyone has going on. It’s a lot for anyone to manage!

That’s it for me right now. In closing, I want to add simply this: if you can’t find the light in the darkness, become one. Shine.

[Upcoming Appearance] Writer Guest of Honor at RadCon!

Hello readers,

I’m pleased to announce that I’m the Writer Guest of Honor next year at RadCon, a science fiction and fantasy convention in Pasco, WA. I’m really looking forward to this–Washington State is so beautiful and I rarely get to visit during the winter months.

Right now, I’m proposal panels, figuring out what I want to read, and prepping a keynote for the show. I’m really grateful for this opportunity to connect with a lovely segment of the community, and hope to see you there!

Join My ExtraLife Fundraiser and Help Sick Kids!

Make a Donation!

Hey readers! This is the second year I’m pledging to play games and raise funds for kids at my local children’s hospital. Last year was the first time I played D&D live! For this year’s events, I will be in full costume for the Guiding Light Streaming Game for Extra Life with Satine Phoenix and have obtained a fabulous gnome hat (and new forest friend!) for the D&D Live event with Mike Mearls. For times and dates, please visit my GameHole Con 2019 schedule.

This year, I’ll be filling the shoes of two unique D&D characters. The first character is a brand new concept the fabulous Annie Chen (http://theyarnmission.com) helped me devise. I’ll be playing a wild elven sorceress who’s under the mistaken impression she’s been blessed by the fae. Sporting a single horn, Moondust “Dustie” Sylvanwood thinks she’s a 4,000-year-old magical unicorn. Unfortunately for Dustie, her power comes from an infernal source–a mysterious demon who she has yet to encounter. Her past shrouded in mystery, Dustie is convinced her magic is destined to help her party members be the heroes they were meant to be.

The second character debuted last year. I’ll be stepping back into the role of A. Happy “Hap” Gnome with a new forest friend–a hedgehog named Maze! The hedge, Maze, and Hap are bound to embark on hilarious adventures with a new crew!

For more information and to see my pledged rewards, visit: Monica Valentinelli’s 2019 ExtraLife Campaign page.

My GameHole Con Guest and Streaming Schedule

Heya, Halloween weekend is just a few weeks away! I’m so pleased to share with you my schedule for GameHole Con. It’s packed this year, so be sure to say hello! I’m super excited about this year’s convention, and I’ll be posting updates as I get my Extra Life page sorted. This is only the second? Third? Time I’ve streamed for roleplay, so hopefully you’ll have a great experience watching us play.

Thursday, October 31st

Noon in Waubesa: Drawing Narrative Skills into 5E

2:00 p.m. in Mendota 2-119: Legendlore Demo – Into the Realm (2 hours)

6:00 p.m. in Monona: Gilding Light Streaming Game for Extra Life with Satine Phoenix DM (2 hours)

Friday, November 1st

10:00 a.m. in Waubesa: What’s Up with 5E and Onyx Path?

1:00 p.m. in Waubesa: Introduction to DMs Guild

3:00 p.m. in Mendota 2 – 126: Legendlore Demo – Into the Realm (2 hours)

6:00 p.m. in Monona: DnD Live with Mike Mearls DM (4 hours)

Saturday, Saturday November 2nd

2:00 p.m. in Waubesa: Worldbuilding 101

[New Release] Tales of Excellent Cats

I’m so excited today! I have a new short story to share with you called “Arrows, Blood, and a Long Overdue Catnap”. This short story is set in the fantasy setting Monarchies of Mau and is part of an anthology titled Tales of Excellent Cats. The main character, Zach, is inspired by my orange tabby. Nicknamed “Lord Lardbottom” due to his unique features, he is a polydactal manx and I love him dearly. He doesn’t move around like most cats because he has no tail and extra toes–just like Zach in the story.

Preview of “Arrows, Blood, and a Long Overdue Catnap”

Zachary slumped against the side of the Sneakin’ Inn to wait for his next client in the

alleyway. He’d have preferred to meet inside at midday instead of outside at sunset, but

while the Sneakin’ Inn served award-winning mead, the noisy tavern was also a popular

destination for opportunistic thieves and spies. Zach hated all that cloak-and-dagger stuff

because he couldn’t sneak around or pick a pocket — even if he wanted to.

No, Zach was good at two things, punching and napping, but only liked one of them. If

he could afford it, the older orange tabby would spend his afternoons dreaming about his

younger days, back when he was a lithe scrapper taking on those oh-so-proud members

of House Korat. He didn’t have the fancy pedigree, house, or coin required to lie about in

his hammock all day. What he did have was an intimidating reputation. His closest friends called him “Lord Doglover” on account of his doglike meaty paws — seven digits on each one! — and extra heft in his tailless, round bottom from a love of dog mead. He hated the nickname, but he let his friends get away with it. When his massive fists landed a blow, most other cats didn’t say much of anything.

Thankfully, Zachary figured out a way his unique “talent” could earn him enough coin

to keep his thatched roof from leaking. Being a guard for hire wasn’t enough to get him

off a steady diet of dried cod and the occasional pinch of lake grass, though, not for a poor tomcat like himself. Oh, what he wouldn’t offer to the Temple of the Nine for a freshly cooked hen? Or a smoked duck! But Zach wasn’t the wishful-thinking type; he knew no amount of prayer could whip up an expensive feast. Coin was the only thing that mattered. He preferred to earn his coin legally, but sometimes he didn’t have the luxury of picking his clients. Hopefully, Zach still had a few lives left. If not? Well, he didn’t want to think about it. Nobody paid him to be a philosopher; his clients gave him coin to ensure their safety.

“Zachary? Von…Shadow?” A cloaked figure stepped from behind a stack of empty barrels, and the waning light of the sun behind them cast a long shadow as if to say: Be careful, Zach. This cat’s not to be trusted.

To read the rest of the story, check out Tales of Excellent Cats from Onyx Path Publishing which was edited by Melanie Meadors. This collection of short stories is now available in multiple formats. You can grab a copy of this fun cat-themed anthology on DriveThruFiction.com, Amazon.com, and the Barnes and Noble Nook store.

[New Release] A Happy Gnome to Benefit Extra Life!

Back in November 2018, I had played in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition game that was live-streamed to benefit the Extra Life for Kids charity. A. Happy “Hap” Gnome is a silly multi-class (4th Level Rogue, 1st Level Bard) character created for an Extra Life Live Stream charity event during Gamehole Con 2018. The game, which was run by Mike Mearls, included John “JinJur” Kovalic, Lysa “Oooh, I’m an angry fish!” Chen, Pat “Pala-Dad” Kilbane, and Rob “Correllon” Wieland.

Now, I’m pleased to announce you can download Hap’s character, his sordid backstory, and a new Bard College called the “School of Bard Knocks” on DMsGuild.com. A. Happy Gnome was illustrated by John Kovalic. A portion of the proceeds will automatically be donated to Extra life.

Enjoy!

Check out my interview with Jonathan Mayberry for IAMTW!

Heya, I am happy (and ashamed) to report I was interviewed by Jonathan Mayberry for the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers I’m a member of! The interview is from November, and in Jonathan’s wisdom it went live when my new Firefly Encyclopedia from Titan Books debuted.

You can read my IAMTW.org interview on the site, and check out tons of great interviews with other members. I’ll be cursing my In Box for burying my notifications for at least ten minutes…right before freezing my proverbial bum off. It’s cold out there so stay warm!

Make Art Not War Challenge 2019: Warm Up with Febrrrary!

Hi friends! If you remember my Make Art Not War Challenge, you’ll recall I included fun exercises in the eBook and here on the blog. In the spirit of creativity, comic book professional Mark Stegbauer and I cooked up something hawt for February–a fire-themed creative challenge!

Are you sick of winter? Yeah, me too. Warm yourself up by thinking about fire! Grab a daily prompt and use it as a prompt for your creative warm-ups. There’s no rules, no restrictions, no level required. You can sketch, write a 250-word story, or stat up an antagonist for your favorite game! Then share your art and help us melt Jack Frost! Join us on the hashtag #febrrrary.

I’m planning on using the prompts as my creative warm-ups before diving into the pile. I have a lot of fun doing it, and I miss drawing. I hope you’ll consider participating! I would LOVE to see what you come up with. Yay! And, as always, I’d appreciate a boost by sharing the prompts. Let’s encourage each other to keep making art.