Monica Valentinelli's Blog: booksofm.com, page 52

National Craft Month! First Three Pieces

March did its best to roar like a Lannister on Saturday. Here’s hoping it’ll whimper on its way out like a House that the Targaryens toasted a few hundred years ago. This weekend, I kicked off National Craft Month with a pledge to create a new art piece every day. My only stipulation was that I focus on something new that I haven’t done before. As I have trouble disciplining my cats, Rimmon kept a watchful eye waiting for the needle and thread to come out — so I opted for wirework instead and took inspiration from my writing.

I have a ton of these little dice beads so I picked out three colors that made me think of Firefly. This is what I came up with, an ear cuff modified off of this design.

Since I already had steampunk on the brain, I created a pendant. This one is a little more Alice in Wonderland than what I had written and submitted, but you know? For being a completely freeform piece, I like the way it turned out.

This pair of earrings is inspired by the story I submitted in the blind. Though the plot was set in modern day times, I wrote the piece in a Victorian style. Which, if you’ve read my work, means that’s also part of the plot. We shall see! I’ll keep you posted.

You can see how the earring hangs, here. I wish I could say I tried to make good use of negative space, but in all honesty this design was a total accident. I had a silver gear that was perfect to go with the other one, but I lost it as I was working on it. Yep, I’m that talented. It has gone into the abyss, where lost socks wander aimlessly, leaving behind a trail of yarn. Or tears. Whatever.

Mood: I refuse to be defeated. Winter will end!

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Managed!

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: I should have gone to the gym. Instead, I hang my head in shame.

In My Ears: Monday morning shuffle.

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: THOR: A Dark World

Latest Artistic Project: You’re looking at it.

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

Google Scholar is Shiny!

When I write science fiction, I need to have solid research materials at my disposal. Have to. I’ve been disillusioned with the power of the Google because of it’s over-reliance on what my social network is saying, so searching takes me quite a while to parse out the rumor mill from fact.

Yesterday, I was looking up a health-related item, and in pops Google Scholar right into the search results.

Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. From one place, you can search across many disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions, from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities and other web sites. Google Scholar helps you find relevant work across the world of scholarly research. — SOURCE: Google Scholar

You mean… I can search for factual information on Google Scholar… Scientific research and academic papers?!?!! THE DEVIL YOU SAY?!?!!

Mood: WOOO!

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: WOOO! WOOO!

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Huh. I forgot what I did. *face plant*

In My Ears: Lots of thoughts.

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: THOR: A Dark World

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

On SDD and Classical Music

This morning I read a report that we’ve had more below zero days than above this winter. I’ve mentioned how the cold was getting to me and have been trying some solutions to boost my mood ever since. (I even wrote some flash fiction about this winter called “If I Had A Snow Day“. Hee.)

So what’s been helping? I’ve been focusing on my diet and have been taking a B-Vitamin complex supplement combined with St. John’s Wort. The supplement has worked miracles for me; I definitely can tell a difference and am actively getting more veg into my diet. I think I’m all growed up now. Scary.

The other thing I’ve been doing is discharging those extra thoughts that circulate in my head by writing them down in a notebook. It’s not journaling (I don’t want to go back and read the garbage, mind you) it’s simply scrubbing out the folds in my brain by connecting pen to paper. I don’t think. I just write either in total silence or to classical music. Mendelssohn, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart mostly. Listz is not on my list. (I have always wanted to say that.) Neither is Debussy, though I do love his compositions.

So why classical? Music is math, but it’s also art. Center-brain. (Like me!) There is some science behind classical music and stress reduction. (YAY, SCIENCE!) Smithsonian Magazine has an article written by Galina Mindlin about Music Playlists to Sooth Your Mind. The idea that music reduces stress isn’t new, but for me it’s a specific kind of music–especially since I’m so sound-sensitive. Every sound is a note to me. It’s one of the reasons why it’s easy for me to translate accents into words when I write and why I don’t like noisy crowds. There’s too many noises and sensations for me to parse out unless there’s a unifying theme like folks singing a song or chanting.

Anyway, so SDD (e.g. Seasonal Depressive Disorder)? Managed. YAY! We’ve got more snow coming this weekend and supposedly it’ll be above twenty later next week. I think even the forecasters are optimistic on that front. *rim crash* Plus, with National Craft Month on the horizon… This winter is coming to an end. Spring is coming. (Hear that! NOT SECOND WINTER!!)

P.S. I’m a firm believer that this is why animated films can also be very relaxing; there’s the logic portion of it where bodies move and characters talk in a specific manner, mimicking our world. Well, usually. And then there’s the artistic part. The lines, the colors, the style. Art forms that activate both sides of your brain force you to focus on the experience. Ergo, you relax because you’re immersed in what you’re watching and seeing.

Mood: One day at a time

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: I didn’t overdo it.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Recovery day.

In My Ears: An annoying side-effect from a shaky box of Girl Scout Cookies. Guess I have to clean my desk!

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: THOR: A Dark World

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

Moleskine Pen Wars

I love my Moleskine notebook. I hate my Moleskine notebook. Well, the paper that is. I like using gel pens and the Prismacolor graphic design pens to write with, but unfortunately I found many of the writing utensils I favor bleeds right through or worse — doesn’t dry fast enough. The only exception to this, is that I do favor Japanese pens, but I don’t know the brand and sadly can’t read the language. I picked a handful up at an import store and I love them so, so much. Just worried the ink’ll run out.

Since these notebooks aren’t cheap, I’d much rather use both sides of the page than abandon half the book. Pencils and ballpoint pens won’t do for me. I did try out the Pentel Wow! series, which comes in a variety of colors, and the ink doesn’t bleed, however it’s not as smooth and quick as a gel pen and the words leave a slight impression on the paper. The Bic Z4 0.5mm bled right through. So, I turned to the hive mind (a.k.a. Twitter) and asked them for advice.

I picked out three contenders from JetPens.com, all of which are pictured below. The Uniball Vision Elite 0.7mm in blue-black (I LOVE THIS COLOR!), the Pilot G2 0.5mm in black, and the “official” Moleskine pen in black ink which clips to the front of my notebook. Love that feature given I’m prone to pen loss. (It’s a disorder.)

And now for the pen death match! Er… Writing test. You can see the Moleskine pen has a heavier weight than the other two. Annnnnnnd fight!

The results of the missile test are?

All three dried quickly; no worries there. Slight bleed at certain points, but manageable. I found the Pilot G2 tends to skip (this is likely do more to my handwriting than anything else) and the Moleskine pen feels like more of a novelty item. Big, bulky — I’m happy with it, but it’s not an everyday pen. The winner is definitely the Uniball Vision Elite.

Phew! That was a close battle! I think I shall celebrate with more writing.

Mood: FEAR MY PEN

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: I was falling asleep at my keyboard, so I had coffee and then switched to Jim Beam and Diet Pepsi later on in the evening. So tired today.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: W00T! Interval training on the AMT Open Stride

In My Ears: Meh. Fans and all that white noise crap.

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: THOR: A Dark World

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

What I Want for my B-Day

I’ve had a few people ask me what I want for my birthday. (It’s coming up in a few weeks.) Normally I hem and haw or make a list or say something lame like play my games or I hope you enjoy my stories… Blah dee blah… But no. THIS year, I finally figured out what I wanted. Ready?

During the week of March 10th…

If you normally commit random acts of kindness for other people, do something nice for yourself.

**** OR **** OR **** OR ****

If you normally do something nice for yourself, commit a random act of kindness for another person.

No idea where to start? Here’s a list of twenty-five things you can do that costs less than five dollars. If you feel weird about talking to strangers, just tell them it’s your friend’s birthday and she asked you to do something nice. I should also point out that yesssssss, some of these ideas may require permission in advance blah, blah, blah. Please don’t get arrested. Or fired. That would not be good.

1) Buy coffee or a $5 gift card for the person behind you in line. Encourage them to keep paying it forward and see how long the chain goes.

2) Offer a single rose/flower to someone who’s feeling blue.

3) Compliment a stranger on their fashion sense.

4) Write a fan letter. (Doesn’t matter who you’re a fan of. Non-celebrities included!) Mail it.

5) Go to a Senior Citizen’s home and sing, read, or play games with the folks there.

6) Volunteer at your local animal shelter for an afternoon.

7) Show up at a children’s hospital in costume.

8) That thing you’ve always wanted to do for yourself but never did? Do it. If you can’t afford it, create a schedule and take the first step.

9) Say “Have a nice day!” to people in the elevator.

10) BAKE CUPCAKES! Share them.

11) Meet your neighbors. (Or, if you already know your neighbors, invite them to dinner.)

12) Plan a day where you say/share nothing but positive news/feel-good posts.

13) Wear the brightest color you can find and the largest, most obnoxious hat. (This is taking “brighten someone’s day” to a literal extreme.)

14) Donate canned goods from your kitchen for your local pantry.

15) Drive like a driver’s ed instructor. (e.g. NO TAILGATING OR CUTTING PEOPLE OFF!)

16) Play a brand new game or read a new book.

17) Get your library card. (If you already have one, visit your library.) While there, be sure to tell the librarians how awesome they are.

18) Support a local band/musician (or writer) and go to their performance (or reading).

19) Pick a day and get all dolled up!

20) Buy a bag of Hershey’s Kisses and distribute one to everyone you meet until they’re gone. (If you’re afraid people will think you’re a serial killer, try smiling instead. If that STILL doesn’t work, go to the dentist.)

21) Read every post all the way down to the bottom before you comment. (This might be more for me than for you… Heh.)

22) Rent a comedy.

23) Procrastinators untie! Make a list of what you’ve been putting off. Do 3 things.

24) If you’re attached, write a love letter. If you’re not, write an “I appreciate you” letter.

25) Explore someone else’s fandom that you’ve avoided because you think you’ll hate it. Ask them for help.

And for my fellow writers…

26) Write a piece of flash fiction for one other person.

27) Just write that book blurb/review already.

28) Write a children’s story. Draw the illustrations yourself.

29) Stop re-re-re-re-re-revising and submit!

30) Use March as your FiMyDaNo month. (Credit for the term goes to Kat Richardson. It means Finish My Damn Novel.)

31) Write. Every. Day. (Credit for the advice goes to Lili Saintcrow.)

32) Write a sonnet.

33) Organize a reading at a bookstore/library you’ve never been to before.

34) Halt all administrative activity and don’t answer e-mail for an entire day. Facebook and Twitter, too!

35) Pick a book you haven’t read in ten+ years. Read it again with your critical writer’s eye. What’d you discover?

Of course, you may decide to do something totally different and that’s great! If you wind up posting about what you did, please share that with me.

The idea behind this gift-to-me, is that I’m proposing you do a nice thing that’s outside of your comfort zone. Yes, this would make me happy because it’s a way of low-key partying without throwing a big bash. Sadly, I know many of you spend your time devoted to making other people happy. Sometimes? You need a teeny nudge to spoil yourself. (This is it, by the way. Subtle, eh?) A week of reconnecting, a week of smiley faces, a week of chocolate?!?! That sounds great to me–especially after this neverending winter. Can’t. End. Soon. Enough. Jack Frost, I am SO over you.

P.S. I blame George R.R. Martin for the longest winter we’ve had in 30+ years.

P.P.S. *jazz hands*

Mood: Nostalgic.

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Cutting myself off at 2 p.m.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Blargh.

In My Ears: True Faith by The String Quartet

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: Ghostbusters

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

Lovely Strings

We finished watching Game of Thrones: Season 3 on Blu-Ray this weekend. I really love the opening soundtrack by Ramin Djawadi, so I kicked up Pandora and made a new station adding the string version of The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. You can listen to a free version of this on the Dallas String Quartet‘s website. It’s hard to separate out the soundtrack from the strings, which is why I started with The Beatles, but this station has turned up some new performers like 2Cellos and The Section Quartet. I teeter toward percussives and I love what instrumentals can do to explore the full range of an instrument’s capability. It’s especially helpful to listen to these songs while writing — no words. Well, that and let’s be honest. This is loads better than muzak. Loads.

For example, here’s a great example of percussive guitar. You can listen to two guitarists on TED talks, Usman Riaz and Preston Reed. Riaz is a self-taught guitarist who picked up his skills from YouTube! Just astounding amounts of creativity.

I have to say, though, I am curious what my frog hears. Ever since we moved him to a new (and much larger) tank in my office, he’s been very opinionated about the music I play. Sometimes, he even sings along.

Mood: Zen. For a Monday and a week filled with ridiculously cold weather, this is a good thing.

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Only two. (Yep, I counted.)

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Still recovering.

In My Ears: True Faith by The String Quartet

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: Game of Thrones Season Three. I have strong feelings about the Lannisters.

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

The Story of Zuo Si

I added a book of Chinese Proverbs: the Wisdom of Cheng Yu to my library. Each proverb has a little story behind it and I thought this one in particular was funny (in that “Oh, I should remember this way.) and still applicable even in our modern times. Each saying in the book has a literal meaning “Luoyang paper expensive” and an idiomatic meaning that follows. In this case, that’s “selling like hot cakes” or a “best-selling book.”

The proverb comes from a story about Zuo Si, a writer in the 3rd century. As the tale goes, Zuo Si told everyone around him he wanted to write a history book about the Three Kingdoms’ capitals. They told him it would never sell. When he finished it, everybody wanted a copy, but there wasn’t any mass distribution like there is now. The books were hand-made and had to be copied by hand. People loved this book so much, their demand drove up the price of paper.

To me, the lesson here is: write what you’re passionate about. Don’t listen to the naysayers because you won’t know if it sells until that book is in people’s hands. But, talking about it won’t sell copies.

Mood: Getting used to the quiet again.

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: I had one cup of green tea.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Spent most of the day lying down. It was not fun.

In My Ears: White noise. Zzzzzzz…

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: Mantera

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

No-Ness and Baby Demons

We live in a world of “No.” Rejection is part and parcel to the writer’s world, to the artist’s, to the musician’s. The expected answer is always: “No.” It starts early. You don’t have time to see a kid’s painting. You’re not overly impressed with what an artist has done. You’ve seen a different professional do better than the writing standing right in front of you. What you’re experiencing (e.g. book/song/etc.) is not your thing so you’re vocal about it: “No, this sucks.”

Trolls aside, that negativity is pretty normal and some of that is to be expected. Criticism, whether it’s upbeat or harsh, is necessary to improving the quality of one’s work. Handling direct feedback is a balancing act between protecting the Work/Self and figuring out what comments are valuable. However, there are cases when that negativity has nothing to do with what I’m doing. I have to make a conscious effort not to fixate on outrage and negativity from non-relevant, outside sources. (It should be said that I’m not perfect and I sometimes fail at this.) Why? Because as we get older, “Nos” from our childhood become the foundation for what we feel about our own creativity. The more “Nos” I hear, even if they come from non-relevant sources, the more that impacts my ability to protect and insulate myself so I can do quality work.

Writer’s block? Doesn’t exist. It’s writer’s avoidance behavior. Sometimes it’s laziness; other times it’s because those niggly little “no” voices pop up everywhere — on comments, e-mail, submissions, award nominations, contracts, checks clearing, reports, reviews, etc. — and there’s a teeny tiny little demon belly-butt whispering in our ears. “Why bother? Look, it’s so easy… Just stop. Someone else can write that story. Someone else can paint that, film that, create that.” Or, in my case, I have a green little demon belly-butt in the shape of a dollar bill. (Don’t ask, it’s an origami thing.) “Your work will never sell. Why bother?” The internet has a particularly unique flavor of cyber-bitty demons: “You’re obviously not a good writer because you’re not popular enough. So many readers think popularity equates to quality and commercial success. If all these people believe that, it must be true, right? You don’t belong here.” Um, no. It isn’t true. That doesn’t stop the demons from saying it, though.

It is easier to say “No” (e.g. war and red pens and cemeteries) than it is to say “Yes” [sunshine and rainbows and chocolate (or raspberry if you're allergic to chocolate. And, if you are? I'm so, so, sorry.)] — just look at how terrible our news is today. Just look at how people who are nice get shoved aside in favor of the outrage over someone acting like they’ve just eaten a celery stick dipped in motor oil. Pointing out the negative, my dear readers, also shoves aside the positive. It makes the belly-butt demons grow and they are nasty. This is especially true because right now outrage is what’s being rewarded; this is the example set by yellow journalism and it’s trickling down, down, down.

Our society is geared toward rewarding our efforts only when an artist/writer/etc. is at the very beginning of their journey or at the very end. Even then the messaging is a mixed bag. You’re just starting out? Here, let’s nurture the baby artist. So cute! Wait, but you can’t possibly do that as an adult. It’s not a real job! RIGHT?! But, when it is a real job and the artist becomes successful, they’re a sell out. They’ve made TOO much. This other art that I prefer is better. Mediocrity, which can sometimes be self-imposed, is safe. You’re too old. You’re too blonde. You’re too smart. You’re too fat. You’re too whatever. More b.s.

I believe the act of creation is a miracle and we are conduits who bring that forth. How we do that is unique and amazing and imperfect and mysterious. Here’s a human being (or, in my case… rumored cylon) who takes a vision, an incongruent mess of thoughts, and translates that into something for others to see, hear, touch, smell, taste, and read. To me, there is nothing more beautiful and I love what I do.

Support someone who’s creative. Kill a baby demon by being positive — even if it’s every once in a while. I’m not advocating that we sanitize every comment and walk on eggshells; just to manage that No-ness by balancing it out because it matters–especially to introverts like myself. Sometimes? It’s hard to speak up even if we like dropping F-Bombs online. And, to be perfectly clear: being nice or uplifting does not equate to being spineless and weak. That is a revised definition that needs to be thrown on the pyre. Cool? Anyway, I promise I’ll try to remember to do the same thing, with or without coffee.

Mood: Waxing philosophical again. SHOCKER!

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Ummm… Not telling. Nah, nah, nah.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH

In My Ears: Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: Game of Thrones Season 3. I am not pleased with the Jamie development.

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

Keanu’s The Man from Tai Chi

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I popped in The Man from Tai Chi this past weekend. I really love watching martial arts movies — the good, the bad, and the ugly. ‘Course, it should be said I watch a lot of these for fun. I’m so clueless I can’t recognize what’s kung fu and what’s not; it’s a touch embarrassing as I’ve always admired the art. But, as a writer myself, I do like a good story and a tightly shot one at that. Having seen so many of these films, I have certain expectations when I watch these movies–especially if they’re being shot by an American director.

The Man From Tai Chi surprised me in a lot of ways because I felt it was a solid movie that played with (and expanded) certain tropes in a great blend of East-meets-West. To me, Keanu Reeves seemed more confident acting on screen than he had been in years. The casting was great, the costuming was flawless, and many of the screen shots were extremely subtle. There was a marked balance of opposites throughout the film to further the point of the story. Rich versus poor. Passion versus stillness. Power versus control. And, of course, the main character was aptly named Tiger.

Other than the movie’s title, I liked this conspiratorial film. It’s a very tightly woven narrative and I feel the story/theme was respectful of what’s preceded it in the genre. I also really appreciate seeing female characters in roles that aren’t marginalized and overly romanticized as well.

Overall, I think this was a solid directorial debut and I’m curious to see if Reeves is going to take the plunge again. Dare I say… I’d love to see him direct a version of Blood that’s more in line with the original? Or The Last Airbender? It’s nice to see an American director “get” the genre and translate it appropriately.

Official Trailer below.

Mood: Obsessing about words

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: A few.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: 30. What. Again?!?!

In My Ears: Nuts and honey.

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: Lovecraft’s Monsters anthology

Movie Last Viewed: Game of Thrones Season 3

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.

100 Times

When I was in Chinatown this past December, one of the store owners asked me if I was going to learn Chinese. I laughed (which is what I normally do when I’m nervous) and explained that the language was beautiful, but it intimidated me. “100 times,” she said. “You have to practice each symbol 100 times and then you’ll learn it.”

There’s a lot of power in repetition, especially when learning a new routine or breaking a bad habit. Sure, you might have to manage your addictions because they never go away completely, but there’s wisdom in “practice makes perfect.” What I like about the number 100, is that it’s a definable and clear goal: do this 100 times.

P.S. 100 is now the maximum number of times I’ll allow myself to look at a manuscript before handing it off.

P.P.S. Italian first, though!

Mood: Sage writer is sage.

Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Less than five but more than four.

Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: 30. Boo-yah!

In My Ears: Sappy New Age-y piano music

Game Last Played: Sonic All Star Racing Transformed

Book Last Read: The Book of Chinese Proverbs

Movie Last Viewed: The Man from Tai Chi

Latest Artistic Project: *Still* *still* *still* need to take pictures… It’s on the list!

Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last Man Zombie Standing

Latest Game Release: Freedom Flyer

What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work and novels.