We all have our limits. Some writers say they’ll never write a love triangle. Others swear off the “Chosen One.” Me? I have declared, with great solemnity (and perhaps a touch of arrogance), that I will not fall into certain well-worn fantasy tropes.
I Solemnly Swear I Will Not Write That Trope Again… (Until I Do) Read More »
Beyond the Inbox: Where Email Management Really Happens Filtering your emails into sub-folders is a great start, but sub-folders should be temporary storage, not a long-term solution. Email programs are designed to deliver emails—not manage them. The real key to email control is moving emails out of your email program and into systems that help
Inbox Reboot – Part 5: Filtering Beyond the Inbox Read More »
This week, I stumbled across some news that made me do a double take: Harry Potter is getting a full-fledged TV reboot, and John Lithgow has been cast as Dumbledore. A few things struck me about this announcement—first and foremost, the fact that I had somehow missed the memo that Harry Potter was headed for
Wait, They’re Making a Harry Potter TV Series? And John Lithgow Is Dumbledore? Read More »
Magic is the ultimate tool for bending reality to your will—until it bends back. If there’s one thing fantasy has taught us, it’s that no one (not even the most brilliant sorcerer) fully understands what magic is capable of. And when magic misfires, it doesn’t just fizzle out politely. No, it explodes across the landscape, rewrites reality, or (if you’re really unlucky) accidentally invites an ancient god to crash on your couch.
When Magic Goes Too Far: Spells That Got Way Out of Hand Read More »
So far, we’ve covered the fine art of deleting emails and working toward an empty inbox. Now, we get to the real magic of email management: filtering.
Inbox Reboot – Part 4: The Magic of Filtering Read More »
If you ever find yourself on the banks of the River Thames at low tide, keep your eyes on the mud. You might spot the usual debris of history—ceramic pipe stems, brass buttons, coins worn smooth by centuries. But if you’re lucky, you might find something far rarer: a deep red gemstone, glinting among the
Jewels of the River: The Lost Offerings of Old Britain Read More »
When we think about villains in fantasy literature, our minds often conjure the iconic figures who tower over their worlds, dripping with malice and menace. Sauron. Voldemort. The White Witch. These are the names that dominate the genre—the villains who are grand, larger than life, and indisputably evil. But what about the ones who aren’t?
The Banality of Evil in Fantasy Fiction: What Makes a Villain? Read More »
Let’s talk magic. It’s the bread and butter of fantasy, isn’t it? The thing that turns a good story into something downright enchanting. If you’re anything like me, you’ve come across all sorts of magical systems while reading, and it’s impossible not to notice how different authors put their own spin on it. Some like to map out every single rule and consequence (Sanderson, I’m looking at you), while others leave magic as a mysterious force we just have to trust (Tolkien, we’re all still guessing).
Mapping the Magic: A Guide to Fantasy’s Many Systems Read More »
Every system has its core principles, and managing your email is no different. At the heart of email organization lies a deceptively simple rule: Delete or Filter.
Inbox Reboot – Part 3: Working the System Read More »
The Defynnog yews in Wales are a marvel—living relics that bridge history and myth. Some claim these venerable trees are over 5,000 years old, while others suggest they’ve “only” stood for 1,500 years. Regardless, they’ve witnessed an astonishing sweep of human history.
Ancient Trees and Timeless Tales: The Defynnog Yews of Wales Read More »