Mark Brandon Powell's Blog, page 3

New Short Stories

I have just finished two new short stories which are available here on the website for viewing, downloading, and if you want to purchase them you can go to Amazon tomorrow to do so. It was really fun to write these two, emiT is a tale about the reality of dreams, and Shadows follows Vargas on his second tale. 

Enjoy.

null

A shadow of a story

I am writing currently about Vargas Mitchell, who is Vernon's friend and rival. They met each other during the tournament in the first book, but since then, have lived together. A friendship grew where trust was placed, and Vernon needed it for the trials he was about to go through at the Paladin academy. 

Vargas on the other hand, wanted to get out into the light, he was a lightning mage after-all. Vernon was just always one step ahead, one shot quicker. This drives Vargas to push himself more and more, to become greater than a shadow of his friend and rival. 

Shadow is the second story for Vargas, which will continue into The Honeymoon (which is getting a revision after the second draft). It will showcase some of what Vargas has had to go through, and his drive to become greater. 

Also Blake McDermott has some awesome concept art over on his website.

http://artjunx.weebly.com/

Enjoy!

New iPhone

Got the 64g + model just the other day and it's awesome. I have large hands, and this fits perfectly in them. The screen is great, camera is great, and the layout is great. I almost feel bad for my iPad right now because I haven't touched it in a few days. I have been writing and surfing on the larger screen, very pleased with it all.

Ok, totally used my iPad, but it was for writing. The phone still has only the office app and not the full word app. Other than that, mostly my phone.

 

The New Frontier

I have been looking through a few things recently concerning being a writer, author, and general maker of the unreal to the real. I sometimes like to think all the word wizards out there know how I feel, but I know it isn't the same for everyone. There was, and is still, a lot of noise about how evil Amazon is, or how they are targeting Hachette authors. It's funny how the news media doesn't cover everything or even in an unbiast light. Every news outlet is owned by someone, who owns one of the publishing companies. So take everything with a grain of salt when you read the "news". 

All in all, I just want my readers, and other authors who find me to know you have to be careful when you are starting out. It's a business of really nice people who are out to exploit the uneducated. I don't mean stupid either, I just mean someone who hasn't spent the time to read into other's experiences on both sides of the fence. I personally want to keep all of my rights and have control over things like cover, back blurb, and such. I know it's more work, and more responsibility, but I think it pays more to me in the end with experience and a truer vision of what was intended. 

On a lighter note, I have been reading about the new iPhone, and how it sold over 10 million units over the weekend. That's some good news right there. If you ask why I care about that, there are two reasons. First, it's an awesome phone and I can't wait to get mine in. The screen is larger, better battery life, stonger wifi connectivity, and new updates to the iOS. There is also this new game development software called Metal, and it's allowing developers to access more power out of the processor, which boils down to better gaming on my phone. Second, even if it's an upgrade for some, there are 10 million more e-book readers that are out there. The people that are upgrading, are more than likely giveing them away to friends and family or selling them. So new people have e-book readers. More potentual readers are a great thing, because it's only a short download away for the kindle app and my stories. 

 Word wizards, smiths, and mystical unicorns of the keyboard mashers, may you have a good week, and write on. 

Borderlands Pre-Sequel

There is a new video out there for Borderlands the Pre-Sequel. It's about 9 and a half minutes, and worth every bit of it. If you like shooters, loot, and Mr. Tourge, then watch this. If not, I will weep for you, because this is a thing of glory.

New Short Story

I have been really thinking about what I wanted to write next. I like to take inspiration from everything that I have experienced and add to it. Working it in a way that I think is interesting. That's like an obvious thing, but still. 

 

So, I rewatched a couple of older anime, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, and then then amazingly awesome Firefly. I was going for a western feel for what I'm writing next, drawing from the above for inspiration. Each of the above is a take on a western style theme, made in space, which is what I'm wanting to write. I'm still always a sucker for magic mixing with technology. So expect that.

 

Once I get further with the project I'll name it and get a cover for it, with a reveal here first! I'm going to distribute it through Amazon, but I don't have the choice to give it away there, so it'll be .99¢ there.  

 

Here on my website though, it's going to be free! I want it free so everyone can enjoy it, and experience my world of a gunslinging, frontier living, space western.  

So, fun times. 

Destiny Day

Yes it's that time, why am I writing this and not playing this years Game of the Year... Well it's because I wrote this yesterday that's why. So I played the beta, awesome-sauce-itude, and I know it will be just as good when the real thing hits. I also read that Bungie has a 10 year plan for this console game, which is really more of a FPS-MMO-RPG, which I think I'm down for. 

 

If your looking for me, I'm Holtzcat, and I play on the Xbox. Also no I am not a fan boy one way or the other. I love gaming and I chose the Xbox because of all the extra features for my TV, and once I get enough I might get a PS4 because there are a few awesome looking games that are in it.  

 

What are you doing reading this, go play some Destiny!

Happy gaming, and reading! 

Writing with Children

I'm not sure if you know this or not, but children are demanding. I say that in jest, but at the same time in awe. My daughter is growing up so fast and is starting to require time from me to play and learn, which I love. I also think she is awesome, and smart, and talented, and why shouldn't I. I am her father after all. It's funny, I have more time to write than I have in ever, since I started to take care of my daughter and write full time, but there is never enough time it seems. Maybe we as a society need to adopt the 36 hour days from MIB. Maybe.

 

I gave my life to God a little after I met my wife, putting a little personal info I'm here, and seeing my daughter, wife, and myself grow together has been great. I say that so I can say I love religion. It has always been one of those things with me I wanted to study, and put thought into. I joked with myself at one time that if I wasn't married by 35 I would become a priest. Just because I think they are hiding stuff and I could dedicate myself to knowing if that was true. Stupid, but hey I was 18 and didn't know what was going to happen and 35 seemed like a good break point. Little did I know that 35 is way to close now and how that is only a starting point. 

 

Anyway, children are awesome, my wife is awesome, and I love where I am at in my life. I hope all of that translates into my writing because I enjoy that too. 

 

I just got some early info back from the beta readers for The Honeymoon, and thumbs up across the board, so woohoo. Stay tuned for more updates, and I will be setting up pre-orders for The Honeymoon once I get everything back.  

Looking for readers

Anyone want to read my next book, The Honeymoon, I'm looking for feedback before I release it. 

So if you can't get past the first page, that's ok.

If you get halfway and hate a part, skip it or put it down.

Read the whole thing but hate it, that's ok.

Just tell me.

Warlords of Draenor

Both of these deserve to be watched, it was an amazing job done on them.