GAME WRITER HUSTLE: The Writing Test
Competition is fierce. Top videogame studios know there's a TON of talent out there vying for that dream game writer gig. (or, in these troubled times, ANY decent work) The solution? A little bit of controversial 'free labour' known as...the WRITING TEST. Now, I've been a game writer and interactive narrative guy since 1997. That's 23 YEARS. Let that sink in for a minute. And even with that slew of storytelling experience, heaps of professional accolades, high-level game writer recommendations, and some acclaimed self-created indie projects? I still get asked, more often than not these days, to 'audition'. Seriously. ..
BECOMING: 10th Anniversary Reading and HD Giveaway Special (Graphic Novel)
It's the 10th anniversary of my creepy AF graphic novel BECOMING, so what better way to celebrate in remote lockdown than a suitably spooky reading + video of the original art + hypnotic new music by Owl Cave Dreams? SKIP TO 4:10 to dive straight into the narrated goodness of the first act of the story. If you like what you're seeing and hearing, then drop me a line and maybe we can figure out a way to get an HD PDF of all 98 pages into your grubby virtual paws!
CONDE NAST: Coronavirus Quarantine in a Hotel (Travel)
I haven't posted here in a while. Internet issues? Travel snafus? Panicked personal distractions? Something huge happening on the global stage? My friends, it ain't easy being a 'digital nomad' on the best of days. And now COVID-19 has loudly proclaimed 'Hold my beer...' Maybe the latest travel story from CONDE NAST — featuring yours truly — can shed some light on the latest from my quiet corner of the globe...
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA — The Musical! (Project Reveal w/soundtrack)
This special episode of my podcast takes the first real look at something big that's been brewing the past few years; I'm talking nearly HALF a soundtrack for a no-bullshit bucket list dream — an epic rock opera meets 80's live concert meets kung fu daredevil show on wires!!! So, let's get right to it! And if, like us, you're already a fan of the 1985 action, comedy, supernatural, kung-fu, Carpenter/Russell B-movie masterpiece..?
How Dungeons & Dragons Revealed My True Character
The roots of capital-c Creativity run deep. Mine grew wild and tangled 'til squeezing tight at the sound of rolling dice. Role-playing. Escapism. Fantasy.Call it what you want, son. The rest of us called it...D&D. Dungeons & Dragons pushed my burgeoning imagination in strange and exciting new directions. But, as this story (embedded above and transcribed below) will show, it also taught me something essential about myself...
PODCAST TIME: How an Epic Hike Across Spain Changed the Course of My Career
30 years ago, I first heard of the legendary 900km pilgrimage across Spain — the Camino De Santiago. 10 years ago, after reading The Pilgrimage and The Alchemist by acclaimed author Paulo CoeIho, I made the decision to walk it myself. And in the summer of 2008 -- with a huge career opportunity in the dust and nothing but a 20kg backpack as my companion, I took the first steps on this life-changing journey...
INTERVIEW: A Creative Career Retrospective w/ EPN (Games, TV, Travel, and MUCH More!)
With just a few days left in my Vancouver visit, I got to sit down for a LIVE interview at Vancouver Film School. And the icing on the cake? It was with old chum and the creator/producer/host (+ damn fine fella, to be sure) of The Electric Playground — VICTOR LUCAS. Gaming! Storytelling! Dirty Words! Travel TV! And SO much more!!!
GAME WRITING: A Short Exercise In Suspense ('Homecoming')
A potential client recently offered an intriguing challenge — write a short story in five parts with the following limitations: three sections of prose under 200 words in 2nd person narrative style, and two sections of TEXT MESSAGE dialogue with 8 lines or less in each. Use a female protagonist, and craft the tale from one of the following genres: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, or Suspense.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR — 10 Things That Just Didn't Work (SPOILERS!!!)
Call it clickbait. Call it bandwagoning. Call it contrarianism of the highest order. But there's simply no way I could keep my nerd cred' and stay silent on the cinematic behemoth that is AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR! Check out this bonus podcast + blog version that is sure to get tongues wagging and stir up debates...
BRANCHING NARRATIVE: Choose Your Adventure!
Whether crafting linear or branching narratives, the end goal remains the same — Emotional Engagement. I've been thinking about this a LOT lately. And that's only natural when app and game and media folks keep wanting to bend your ear and chat 'choose your own adventure stuff'. Something, my friends, is in the air...