Roland Clarke's Blog, page 20
April 9, 2020
H for Hellblade
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
H for Hellblade (2018)
My gaming is often an escape into an alternative reality – and at present reality is frightening. However, this game allowed me to experience another real-life reality for some. I still need to re-visit Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – but not at the moment.
On the other hand, exploring the literature and folklore behind this game was one of the reasons I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. I’ve been fascinated by Norse mythology and Viking culture for decades.
I will post about other games that were relevant in 2018 and still are meaningful.
Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
April 8, 2020
Inspiration for the Upcoming 2020 IWSG Anthology Contest
Today’s post on the IWSG Anthology blog carries some of the favourite Inspiring Quotes on Writing from some of our Anthology authors. More next week, but be inspired here:
https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/04/inspiration-for-upcoming-2020-iwsg.html
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Bats are not to blame for coronavirus. Humans are
…“It’s not OK to transform a forest into agriculture without understanding the impact that has on climate, carbon storage, disease emergence and flood risk,” said Jones. “You can’t do those things in isolation without thinking about what that does to humans.”
Read original post here: https://exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com/2020/04/08/bats-are-not-to-blame-for-coronavirus-humans-are/
G for Göta älv
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
G for Göta älv 1036 (2017)
Rewriting a new Kanata timeline threw up this turning point, which was a chance to solidify the dynastic ties around Northern Europe. Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, will you recognise the real historical event or which crucial event in British history may never happen?
And all because I couldn’t stop constructing my Kanata alternative history. The initial trigger, Leif Eriksson’s permanent colonisation of Vinland, inspired me to rewrite other key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged from Vikings merging with the indigenous people to ripple down time. Kanata evolved into my vision of a 21st Century Viking Age.
Expect more alternative history ahead.
Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
April 7, 2020
F for Feeniks
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
F for Feeniks (2014)
My fascination with The Firebird and The Phoenix goes back decades, well before Feeniks the bird character and this post emerged. I must have a penchant for avian ‘totems/spirit guides’ since there are at least two more in other writings.
As I write this intro, I’m listening to the 1910 version of Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird suite, which I first encountered in its ballet form during my teens.
You can listen to the same powerful music too:
All the research nuggets unearthed while I was creating the game-world for my novel ‘Wyrm Bait’, evolved into my post-apocalyptic saga Gossamer Flames. And the research is ongoing.
Especially doing research into the Slavic Folklore surrounding the Firebird for my short ‘Feathered Fire’. My story appears in the IWSG anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost. which is released on May 5th 2020. Read more about Zharptica here: https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2020/02/in-spotlight-roland-clarke-author-of.html
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Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
April 6, 2020
E for Elder Scrolls
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
E for Elder Scrolls (2018)
This was one of the games I was playing when I began my investigation into the creative Origins of various On-line Games. However, it was a challenge delving for the literature and folklore behind this one. Maybe given the massive success, I could have dug deeper.
Since then, I’ve not played this one again, although my wife has. And there are games I would now add to my A to Z selection – like the excellent G for Greedfall. However, I will visit other games that I got immersed in and did highlight in 2018.
Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
April 4, 2020
D for Donibane
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
D for Donibane 1914 (2017)
My Kanata alternative history triggered by Leif Eriksson colonising Vinland, inspired me to rewrite some key episodes in history. I wanted the legacy forged by a Viking alliance with the indigenous people rippled down time. A 21st Century Viking Age.
This episode is a crucial stage in the development of the airships at the heart of modern Kanata. Before the ‘our timeline’ revelation, will you recognise the real historical event? Expect more alternative history ahead.
Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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To visit other participants see The OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YphbP47JyH_FuGPIIrFuJfAQiBBzacEkM7iBnq6DGDA/
April 3, 2020
C for Corylus Avellana
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
C for Corylus Avellana (2014)
Ogham and the characters it inspired stemmed from learning about the Tree of Wisdom and Knowledge, Hazel – Corylus avellana one of the ‘chieftain’ trees of the Irish Celtic tradition. From here sprouted a central character and a multi-faceted project.
All the research nuggets unearthed while I was creating the game-world for my novel ‘Wyrm Bait’, evolved into my post-apocalyptic saga Gossamer Flames. And the research is ongoing.
Links to my other A to Z posts can be found here: https://rolandclarke.com/blogging-from-a-to-z/blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge-2020/
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April 1, 2020
B for Brock
My 2020 Blogging from A to Z Challenge revisits my best posts from the 2014 to 2019 Challenges.
B for Brock (2015 Challenge)
The War of 1812 is central to my historical research for a diary that will appear in my Snowdon Shadows novel, ‘Seeking A Knife’.
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was instrumental in ensuring British forces and local militia in Upper Canada were prepared when war broke out. His victories at Fort Michilimackinac and Detroit defeated American invasion efforts.
How much do you know about the War of 1812? When I studied British history in the UK, it was a footnote to the Napoleonic Wars.
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Good Reads for Challenging Times
After each of my fellow IWSG Anthology authors were In the Spotlight over the last few months, our spokesperson Louise Barbour has initiated a new series of weekly posts.
First up, today’s post on the IWSG Anthology blog carries Louise’s wise words during the Covid-19 crisis, and her thoughts on her love of reading. Plus, some of the favourite Middle Grade reads of us Anthology authors.
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