We’re all aware I’m a liberal, right? Like a total left-wing liberal, worried about global warming, not a fan of guns, big fan of gays and women’s right to chose, follow AOC and Rashida Talib on social media voting for Bernie Sanders liberal. We know that, right?

Cool, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me tell you what I thought of Showtime’s The Loudest Voice.

It’s a mini-series based on the book The Loudest Voice in the Room, by Gabriel Sherman. I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s on my list. But I did watch every episode of this mini-series.

It was difficult to watch, to put it mildly. I mean, first off it’s just hard to see Russell Crow looking that, well, disgusting. Here’s a picture of Crow looking like a hottie to make us all feel better.

But it was also difficult to watch because if even a tenth of this is true, then Roger Ailes was a monster who took advantage of and destroyed everyone he came in contact with.

Now, full disclosure, I don’t know and cannot confirm how much of this is true. That’s not my intention here. Just based on the way everything shook out there’s no way to know if any of the things discussed were true or not. I understood that going in. I advise you to keep it in mind as well.

I don’t know how much of it was true, but I know how much made my skin crawl. All of it. The answer is all of it. Every time Ailes rubbed his creepy hands on any woman, I just want to squirm. 

For those of you who don’t know, Roger Ailes was known for being more than handsy with his female employees. He’s known for expecting sexual favors from women for positions. He’s also known for being a completely crazy person who expected blind loyalty from everyone and would go into a blind rage if not obeyed.

Frequently when I watch one of these docudramas, I find some humanizing, compelling feature to the subject. There was none of that with Ailes. If anything, I hate him more. He was not a good husband, a good father or a good boss. He certainly wasn’t a good friend or neighbor. He seemed to exist only to do exactly as he pleased.

I have to say, I’m a bit of a news junkie. I don’t consume as much as some people, but probably more than most. And I’d never heard most of these stories. Like buying the newspaper in his town because he didn’t like the news they were putting out. 

After watching The Loudest Voice, I think I hate Fox News even more than I did before. I also dearly want to read the book.  If you watch The Loudest Voice, may I advise having something cute and cuddly to watch after? I’ve been watching Secret Life of the Zoo for like a week now, just as an emotional cleanse. Some things can only be cured by cheetah cubs. 

Have you seen The Loudest Voice? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.

Station Central has been touted as the vacation destination in the stars. Its success and popularity as not only a great place to vacation, but a great place to live was the start of mankind moving off of Earth and into the stars.
Sennett, Godfrey and Liam head there in search of a much-needed vacation. Instead, they find a council at war with each other, a population starving and an accused murderer lurking in the shadows. Sennett and Godfrey fight to keep April safe as family secrets threaten to destroy them, even as the Hollow Suits come out of hiding and attack. Will they survive the fourth installment of Station 86?

Get it now on Amazon!

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently, about where I am in life and, more importantly, where I want to be. I’ve taken a good hard look at my goals and I’ve realized that some things need to change. 

I also realized that it’s been years since I’ve done any sort of update or improvement to this here site. 

Since 2014, a lot has changed in blogging. Sadly, many bloggers that I used to love are no longer writing. People who used to be a weekly inspiration, who’s blogs posts I waited for and checked for and stopped everything else to devour just aren’t writing anymore. I stumble upon blogs on Pinterest that I would love to read, but haven’t updated in years.

In one hand, that sucks for me and the other loyal fans of those blogs. We were reading, we were taking our time to come to the site or pull up the posts because we got something out of them. 

On the other hand, some of the people who left the blogging world did so for completely understandable and valid reasons. One, Lisa Jacobs, left because she wanted to get a more traditional job so she could focus on her family more. Some leave because they want to devote more time to their other work, or because they’re not getting the same thing out of blogging that they used to. 

Some people find that they simply no longer have anything to say about a topic. Many bloggers have switched to podcasts or vlogging. Some bloggers should have stopped writing, or at least changed subjects a while ago because at this point they’re on repeat. Not naming any names here. They know who they are.

Before we go any further, I’m not closing down Paper Beats World. I like it here and I still feel like I’ve got plenty, plenty, to say. I’ve been on this earth for thirty-three years and I don’t think I’ve ever run out of things to say. But I might be out of things to say about writing. 

I also want to commit more time to work on fiction writing. I have some big, shiny, scary goals that I want to reach in the next ten years, and I need to take a look at my habits and make some changes.

So, with all this being said, I’m announcing today that Paper Beats World will be going through some changes. The new and (hopefully) improved PBW will launch on October 4th. It’ll have a whole new look, and hopefully a slightly new feel. 

Here’s what you can expect from me, starting then.

1. We’re going down to one blog post a week, on Fridays. 

2. Those blog posts are going to deal with topics concerning speculative fiction, fun things that are happening in my life and sometimes world and political events. I’ll be as respectful as possible.  3. I’m going to have the time to work more with the PBW Update. It will start going out again as of Monday. If you’re not signed up yet, here’s a link.

4. The site will have a whole new look, whole new color scheme, and just be all new and spiffy. 

I’m a big believer that if we stay still, we get stagnate. I’m not down for that. I’m very excited about these changes, and I hope you are too.

One thing that’s not going to change is that I always want to know what you think. If you have anything you want to see here, please let me know. Honestly, if you have any suggestions or questions at all, let me know in the comments below.

Station Central has been touted as the vacation destination in the stars. Its success and popularity as not only a great place to vacation, but a great place to live was the start of mankind moving off of Earth and into the stars.
Sennett, Godfrey and Liam head there in search of a much-needed vacation. Instead, they find a council at war with each other, a population starving and an accused murderer lurking in the shadows. Sennett and Godfrey fight to keep April safe as family secrets threaten to destroy them, even as the Hollow Suits come out of hiding and attack. Will they survive the fourth installment of Station 86?

Download Station Central today.

It had been a beautiful school once when Taylor had gone there. He stood in what used to be the playground, kicking rocks. The building was still beautiful, an architectural marvel. He wondered what ghosts awaited. And if he could exorcise them.

The previous headmaster hadn’t been able, or perhaps willing to tell Taylor why the school had closed down. Perhaps it was simply a staffing issue. No one seemed to work there, except Taylor himself. He was having a hell of a time finding teachers.

Taylor made his way inside, awash with memories. The time he’d spent there. This had been his home as a child, more than his parents home.

It was cold, inside, colder than he would expect on a warm day. He pulled his jacket closed.

Taylor’s footsteps echoed in the empty building. He had never had the place to himself before. It was odd.

Perhaps that was why he thought he heard another set of footsteps behind him. He turned but saw nothing of course. But there was a sound.

The sound was coming from the end of the hall where there was a set of doors that led to the maintenance area. Taylor sighed. There was probably some animal trapped in there. This lovely building’s neglect was criminal. He headed for the door.

Taylor opened the door to the maintenance area, trying to be as loud as possible. He hoped that the animal camping in there would decide to leave simply because the place was now occupied. But the sound, which now was clearly scratching, continued.

Angry, Taylor headed further into the maintenance area. This was too much. He hadn’t been just how run down the place was. Now he’d have to hire an exterminator and how much would that cost? The scratching continued. Bold creature, whatever it was.

Whatever it was living in there was large. It was making a good deal of noise now that Taylor was focusing his attention. He was a patient man, but he felt his temper rising. Why had this beautiful building been left to fall apart like this?

Taylor stormed forward. He stepped in something sticky that caught his foot. He tried to pull free to no avail. As he struggled, the sounds came closer. It was moving faster. Taylor looked around. He saw claws, teeth, and glowing red, hungry eyes.

Soon Taylor was gone. The creature left not even a drop of blood on the cement to tell where he’d been. Satisfied, it slunk out into the hall of it’s hunting grounds. There would be other meals. After all, it was such a beautiful building.

Station Central has been touted as the vacation destination in the stars. Its success and popularity as not only a great place to vacation, but a great place to live was the start of mankind moving off of Earth and into the stars.
Sennett, Godfrey and Liam head there in search of a much-needed vacation. Instead, they find a council at war with each other, a population starving and an accused murderer lurking in the shadows. Sennett and Godfrey fight to keep April safe as family secrets threaten to destroy them, even as the Hollow Suits come out of hiding and attack. Will they survive the fourth installment of Station 86?

Download Station Central now!

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but in case you missed it, I’ll talk about it again. V for Vendetta is the best comic book of all time. And if you get your hands on the paperback collection, you’ll be treated to a great story from the author, Alan Moore.

He found himself sitting in a pub one day, which seems like a pretty nice way to spend the day. He was watching the news while he enjoyed a meal and a few pints. When the pub owner’s wife came in near supper time, she turned the tv to some game show or another. According to Moore, she apologized and explained that she didn’t like the news, it was too depressing.

Yeah, she hadn’t seen anything yet. This was back in the eighties. 

Man, I feel her. It hurts so damn much to be aware of what’s going on right now. At least once a day, I’m consumed by rage over something I’ve seen on the news. 

It freaking hurts to know how many people are hurting. Those people at the border in concentration camps break my heart every single day. Children ripped away from their parents, innocent people who are seeking asylum (which is totally legal by the way) are being housed in the most inhumane way as possible on purpose. It hurts to know that women are losing our rights to decide what happens to our bodies. 

And let’s be real, the news is also scary as hell. I am worried, daily, about a long list of things that I can’t do anything about! I’m worried about the bees. I’m worried about housing costs, and how stupidly expensive it is to even live. I’m worried about what we’re doing to our planet, and if we’re going to be able to keep it habitable. I’m worried about the polar bears, the tigers, the lions. All of the endangered animals. I’m worried about the fire ants infesting America. (Why are polar bears endangered and these damned little fire ants are flourishing. How is that fair?) I’m worried about getting shot at a garlic festival because apparently, that’s a thing that could happen to anybody. I’m a little worried someone might find me for my anti-church and pro-gay opinions, and try to shoot me. I’m worried about a whole slew of other things, too, but there’s only so much room. And you’re probably worried about all the same shit anyway, so it’s not like I’m telling you anything you don’t already know.

It hurts, it hurts so damn much, to be aware. And there are days when I just want to put my head down and keep my eyes on my own work.

But that’s how things got so bad in the first place. Because too many of us are doing just that. We’re not taking action, because we’re not aware, because it hurts too bad. 

Look, I get it. But there are things you can do that will help you stay aware, but not break your heart. One thing I do is to have one day a week, Sunday, where I don’t read or seek out the news. I stay off social media altogether on Sundays. I don’t check my email, either. Those who follow me on social media will note that I don’t post anything, even though I use an automatic poster and could easily schedule posts and not have to look at social media to do it. But still, I don’t. That day is kept sacred. That day I permit myself to look away.

I also try to focus on what I can do, rather than what I can’t. I can call and write my elected officials. I can put political pressure on them. I can send money to candidates that are supporting the changes we need to make. I can share things on social media that help other people be more aware, too. Kind of like what I’m doing right now. 

If we focus on what we can’t do, it’s easy to sink into depression. But there’s always something we can do. We can always use our voice. But we can’t do that if we don’t know what’s going on. 

And as Alan Moore says, don’t turn off the news. Even when it hurts.

A few months back I did a post about the podcasts and blogs I’ve been reading. I like to update that from time to time because they change. I give up on some podcasts, start listening to new ones. Blogs that I live switch to Newsletter only, and I find new ones. Or not. Honestly, a lot of blogs I love just aren’t around anymore. This saddens me. I feel like blogging had a big surge, and now is sort of going downhill. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been here for five years, and you’ll pry this blog from my cold dead hands.

Anyway, since I’ve been listening to so many podcasts, I wanted to introduce you all to three fictional podcasts I’ve been devouring recently. They’re all spooky and mysterious, and absolutely life absorbing. If you haven’t listened to these yet, you’ve got to take some time.

Limetown

I’m warning you now that the third season isn’t out yet, and we’re all waiting patiently for it. There’s also a show coming out on Facebook of all places.

At any rate, the story is about the mysterious Limetown, a company town where something terrible happened. In one night almost all of the inhabitants vanished. I say almost because the remains of one man were found. He’d been burned at the stake in the middle of town. The story is told in a found-footage style, guided by a young journalist named Lia Haddock. As she digs further and further into the story, she finds that she’s more connected to Limetown than she thought.

After you listen to the first two seasons and hate me for introducing this to you, you can read the prequel book while you wait for season three like the rest of us. 

The Black Tapes

Straight up, I’m only sharing this one because I’ve heard rumors of another season. It’s sorely needed. 

The Black Tapes is about a paranormal investigator that considers it his mission in life to prove that the paranormal isn’t real. It starts as a one-episode interview of Richard Strand and his black tapes, paranormal experiences that he hasn’t yet been able to explain with science. He’s being interviewed by a journalist named Alex. Her one episode about Strand quickly turns into an obsession with his black tapes. And the realization that there’s something that wants her to keep right on digging. What she finds is a demonic conspiracy that involves her.

As I said, the ending as it stands right now is terrible. But there is much hope that they’re going to make another episode. So, fingers crossed.

Tanis

From the same group, and including some of the same characters as The Black Tapes, Tanis is less demons and ghosts, and more an adventure story about finding a lost city that manifests at random places all over the world. Information is found in random radio frequencies, and it all goes back thousands of years. There’s a cabin that’s bigger on the inside but is far from benevolent. I haven’t finished this one yet, but I’m eager to do so.

Seeking Tanis, Runner wanted.

Have you listened to any of these podcasts? Are there other awesome scary podcasts I should check out? Let me know in the comments. 

Station Central has been touted as the vacation destination in the stars. Its success and popularity as not only a great place to vacation, but a great place to live was the start of mankind moving off of Earth and into the stars.
Sennett, Godfrey and Liam head there in search of a much-needed vacation. Instead, they find a council at war with each other, a population starving and an accused murderer lurking in the shadows. Sennett and Godfrey fight to keep April safe as family secrets threaten to destroy them, even as the Hollow Suits come out of hiding and attack. Will they survive the fourth installment of Station 86?

Available now on Amazon

The day has come, Station Central is now available on Amazon!

Station Central has been touted as the vacation destination in the stars. Its success and popularity as not only a great place to vacation, but a great place to live was the start of mankind moving off of Earth and into the stars.
Sennett, Godfrey and Liam head there in search of a much-needed vacation. Instead, they find a council at war with each other, a population starving and an accused murderer lurking in the shadows. Sennett and Godfrey fight to keep April safe as family secrets threaten to destroy them, even as the Hollow Suits come out of hiding and attack. Will they survive the fourth installment of Station 86?

I can’t believe we’ve reached the fourth book in the series. I hope you’re all loving it as much as I’m loving writing it. And after you’ve read it, please don’t forget to leave a review. It’s greatly appriciated.

If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, here’s a link.

Thanks everyone for reading. Happy launch day.

Once upon a time, five years ago in 2014, I started this blog to talk about the trials and tribulations of being an aspiring author. Five years doesn’t seem like a long time in retrospect. In some ways, it feels like a week ago I started this little project. In other ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. This, I think is more akin to the truth, because I am not who I was when I started this. In some ways, my life has become much harder. Some people were walking this Earth at the start of this who aren’t there anymore. Some people were in my life who aren’t around anymore.

In other ways, my life has become much better. I attribute that, largely, to making creativity a central part of my life. And a big part of that has been sharing this blog with all of you.

For the last five years, I’ve had a self-imposed deadline, the best kind for an Upholder like myself. I’ve shown up here, on PBW, twice a week, to share something with the world.

With you.

And the best part is, you showed up too. You, all of you reading this, showed up. You helped keep me accountable, made me feel heard. And I can’t thank you enough for that. 

I’ve had such a great time over the last five years. Here’s to many, many more to come.