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Author Archives: sbrandt
Raiders of the Lost Ark and Deus Ex Machina
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is one of my all-time favorite movies. Always has been, from before the time I had an inkling of what story structure and good writing were. And yet, when I think back on the movie, … Continue reading
Posted in writing
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Robot Parents
Those of you who know me, know that I’m a fan of the theory that robots are going to take all the jobs away. One job I never really thought that robots would take would be parenting. The human touch … Continue reading
Review: Elysium
Elysium was an enjoyable movie. Matt Damon and Jodie Foster do a good job, the visuals are stunning, and the camera work has that gritty feel of Battlestar Galactica. The story is well-constructed from a story point of view, i.e. … Continue reading
Posted in movies
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The Art of the Info Dump
One of the difficult things, possibly the most difficult thing, about writing is figuring out how to convey information to the reader. In order for the reader to understand the story, explanation is necessary, but is usually also boring. For … Continue reading
Posted in writing
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“Galaxy Quest” vs. “Elementary”
Galaxy Quest was one of my all time favorite movies. In part, this is because I’ve always loved Star Trek, and the parody is so beautifully done. I think all stories hinge on two key decisions, “The Fateful Decision” and … Continue reading
Posted in writing
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Pickpockets in China
Have you ever had a pickpocket put your wallet back into your pocket without taking the money? That’s what happened to me in Beijing yesterday. He grabbed my credit cards, my driver’s license, etc. and proceeded to make massive charges. … Continue reading
Posted in tips
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Bias in the Media
Why are news outlets biased? You might think it’s some kind of sinister conspiracy, or the result of powerful people controlling what the masses think. I have a different opinion–it’s what the market wants. People (conservatives, liberals, moderates, you, me, … Continue reading
Posted in random ideas
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Memoirs of a Sith Lord
Memoirs of a Sith Lord is now posted at FanFiction.net!
Posted in science fiction, writing
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You’re Not a Cop Till You Taste Them
I came across the story “You’re Not a Cop Till You Taste Them” while reading “On Combat,” by Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen. The story stuck in my mind because (a) it is a compelling and emotionally satisfying story, … Continue reading
Posted in writing
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Review: Cold Days
Cold Days by Jim Butcher My rating: 5 of 5 stars Harry’s problems escalate as enemy after enemy decides to focus its attention on him. Any one of them would be enough to challenge the powers of the wizard who … Continue reading
Posted in book reviews
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