I promise I won’t repeat myself regarding my previous blog series. I ordered the new paperback box set of A Song of Ice & Fire. I can’t wait for it to arrive at my house this week. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I’m glad I waited to buy the set until after Martin revealed the new artwork.
I’ve spent more time reading Fire & Blood and am currently on chapter 3. I’m really enjoying the rich lore Martin has crafted in this book. The added context significantly enhances the main series. It offers deeper insights into the events we were familiar with from the Game of Thrones TV series.
I’ve been writing my player character’s journey in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Streaming with commentary and analysis is one thing. Writing from the perspective of your character is a whole different challenge. It involves giving them a voice. You have to create their personality, thoughts, and reactions. They also need a clear course of action when facing adversaries, rather than just copying your gameplay. It’s a literary challenge that I really enjoy.
I’ve resumed writing Chapter 7 of FireFrei. The buildup to what comes next needs some careful refinement to achieve the climactic impact it deserves. The Berserk-like elements I introduced earlier will come full circle by the end. This is the kind of story where tying everything together from the start is essential. I enjoy letting the story unfold naturally. I make sure that when we hit the key moments, everything comes together. Readers are reminded of important details they might have forgotten.
Lastly, as recommended by Venom of Society, I completed a livestream playthrough of Doki Doki Literature Club Plus. I’m not a fan of the visual novel genre. I usually prefer action or turn-based RPGs and fighting games. However, I made an exception. To be honest, the game addressed themes of self-harm, depression, and anxiety in ways I didn’t expect. For the first time since starting my YouTube videos, I broke character. The game prompted me to open up on a deeply personal level. Usually, I keep these things to myself. I typically share only glimpses of my personal life. However, DDLC broke down those barriers. I haven’t felt the same since.
It’s like watching the Phenom/Deadman version of The Undertaker drop the gimmick. Then, he reveals Mark Calaway. The closest we saw to that in WWF/E was when he had the American Badass persona. It reflected more of who he was outside the ring than any prior version of his character.
Will this experience change the direction of my future commentary, analysis, and reactions? To quote George R.R. Martin when asked if the books will end like the TV series: ‘Yes and no. And yes and no. No and yes. Yes and no.’”
