4 Things I’m Consuming Right Now

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Every writer needs to fill up their creative cup so to speak. So today I want to share with you 4 things that have inspired and entertained me over the last few weeks and I think you may enjoy as well!

Let’s dig in!

Vikings: Valhalla

Over the holidays I watched movies like The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and of course, The Lord of the Rings (you know that’s a Christmas movie right?). As I was watching these I realized that there is this category of film that I particularly like— and I have dubbed it “Massively Entertaining Adventure” category.

Not to be confused with mere Action films, the MEA contains a few elements in addition to the “rollicking fun” that an Action film brings to the table. These elements are:

• Depth, as in depth of character (I can think of 4 movies right now that star the Rock starring as, basically, himself. Sorry, Dwayne. But I need more than muscles and catch phrases 🤷‍♀️).

• Romance, because in my opinion, it’s not a good story if there’s no one I’m making googly eyes at 👀

• Adventure, obviously. But in order for it to be an adventure, some sort of change must occur. My favorite characters are the ones who are impacted by the adventure, who learn something about themselves or the world they live in, for better or worse

• And MEAs get bonus points for:

  • Mystery or prophecy

  • Magic of any kind

  • Coups, plots, shenanigans or tricks

  • Wonderfully choreographed action sequences

It’s not enough for just one or two of these elements to be well done to sell me on a movie— I need it all!

Enter Vikings: Valhalla.

We have:

• A quest for Revenge

• A fall from grace arc

• A rise from the ashes arc

• plots and schemes galore

• Excellent, excellent fight sequences that make you really admire the months of training the actors and their doubles do and the brilliance of the fight coordinators who come up with this stuff. Like wow, wow, wow.

• Real, concrete characters filled with pizzazz, personality, strong motivations, and distinct voices. ❤️

• Multiple romance plot lines that are cute, steamy, heartbreaking, and most importantly believable

• A really frightening, chaotic, and purely evil Villain

And, sing it with me, ~PROPHECY~ Complete with riddles, twists, and a creepy spirit sage from the otherworld

I have a confession, I did not watch Vikings on the History Channel when it was popular all those years ago. However, you do not need to watch it in order to enjoy this follow-up/sequel/spin off series. It stands on it’s own!

Season 2 just dropped, and it’s just as good as season 1. I will not say it is better even though I am tempted, only because it is a true continuation of season 1. It’s builds magnificently, the characters are given even more depth. There are more twists and turns, more romance (awhhh), and excellent action sequences that suck you in!

10/10 Love it!

Crazy by Natalie Jane

I first discovered Natalie Jane on Youtube after one of her videos went viral. Once I heard her sing, I was completely obsessed.

Then a few short weeks later she released a full length cover of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and it is *chef’s kiss* on repeat, in my head, all of the time. No regrets. Her original music is pretty good as well.

Just listen to this ridiculous run she does in the first line. UGH!! So good!

I am also obsessing over her cover of Roar by Katy Perry and it is now my preferred version of the song. 🎶

Midnights by Taylor Swift

I could write an entire post about this album. And as I am writing this, I am realizing that it is becoming an entire post, so rather than bogging you down with my dissection of the album here, we will talk about it next week, deal?

Wytchwood

This relaxing, fantasy video game was hitting on all cylinders for me:

1. The visuals— I mean come on! This sleepy, spooky vibe is amazing. There are several locations in the game, each more beautiful and detailed than the last.

   

2. The music— if you know me at all, then you know that I am a soundtrack freak. I listen to this sort of stuff casually. The Forest and The Swamp happen to be my favorites.

1. The story- Wytchwood features all of your favorite fairy tale characters. But with a dark twist! You are a Witch tasked with collecting the souls of these criminal, conniving, and murderous fairy tale critters. Complete quests for the black sheep, the Big Bad Wolf, the Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick maker, and many more as you explore the beautiful world of Wytchwood!

2. The game mechanics - essentially, this game is like FarmVille. Collect a few mushrooms and twigs and you’ve got yourself a tonic. This can be used by itself or as an ingredient for an even more complex spell. There are dozens of ingredients you have to forage for around the various locations on the map. And even more items that need to be crafted in order to move forward. Each element builds upon itself in sometimes clever and macabre ways that make the game massively entertaining. The game has this matrioshka doll effect that just makes my brain happy. So if you like games like that, where you build stuff so you can build more stuff, then this is for you!

3. The price- it’s only like $25. I played it on the Nintendo Switch, but you can also download it on PC via Steam! Very much worth the price!

4. The only negative is that there isn’t more 🥲— There is only about 15 hours of gameplay, but it took me nearly 30 to complete it. So it depends on how quickly you normally play games!

That’s it for today folks! Let me know if you will be checking out any of this *stuff* !

Also, don’t forget that enrollment Mark Dawson’s Ads for Authors is now open! Reply to this email and let me know if you want $50 off this legendary course to help sell your books and launch your writing career.

Hurry because enrollment ends February 9th and it only comes around once a year!