So, now I’ve finally done what I claimed I would likely never do.

I am blogging. Yes, yet another random person hurling their random thoughts onto the net in the hopes that someone will care enough to read them. I had the same reaction to joining Facebook a year or so ago, but folded under the constant nagging of a friend of mine.

But do not expect me on Twitter. EVER. There’s a line, dammit.

So, who am I? What do I have to write about, and why should anyone bother reading what I have to say? In short, my name is Elric, and if anyone out there is familiar with the works of Michael Moorcock, yes, that Elric. My father was a fan, otherwise if my mother had her way I would have been Sumner. Thanks, dad, I mean it. I’m a writer (as if that should be any surprise, given the nature of this site), focused mainly on the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genres, a historian specializing in military history, and a literary scholar with a Master’s degree in English. This means three things: One – I have spent most of my twenties hiding in the halls of academia, learning to analyze literary works that most people don’t give a shit about, and they don’t want to hear anything about it because they’re busy watching American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Two – I am in debt up to my ears and still can’t find decent work because I have an MA in English, which at this moment is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Three – that I am skilled at performing in-depth analyses of media in order to discover what techniques they use to communicate with the public.

That sounds like awesome fun, doesn’t it? No? Don’t worry, I can still enjoy Adam Sandler movies and read old Robert Asprin novels, which allows me to both enjoy the less dramatic things in life while still being able to look inside and see how all the metaphorical bits work. Even “dumb-comedy” has its key techniques, just like dramatic literature, and when it works it works (Airplane, Happy Gilmore, Hot Shots for example)

Bob gets physical with Happy

but when it doesn’t, it doesn’t (Epic Movie, most anything by Will Ferrell).

LOL? No? Me neither.

When I do write a review or analysis for a book, movie, video game, or what have you, know that I do not judge all works based on one set of criteria. I seek to understand what it tries to do within its particular area, and then I break it down to see how it does it and whether or not it failed to meet expectations. My expectations, anyway. Everything with a grain of salt and all that.

Which brings me to what I write about. As you have probably guessed by now you can expect reviews and analyses of books, movies, and whatnot from me. I tend to focus on genre fiction, but I may also pop-up with a piece of non-fiction literature when something catches my attention. I am also an anime/manga geek – but not an otaku. There’s a line there, too. And that line is Man-Faye (look it up – at your own risk). Anyway, look for anime reviews and recommendations from me from time to time, if you care for that sort of thing. Also, I will be tossing up some of my thoughts and techniques when it comes to writing. I do not speak as an expert here, as I haven’t published diddly of any importance, but I do have some ideas that might be useful to others who struggle with certain aspects of the writing process, especially when it comes to characterization and dialogue, my two strongest areas, and I know many writers have trouble with those aspects of the writing process. So, consider this more friendly advice and brainstorming than expert commentary.

My attention tends to drift a lot though, so expect a healthy dose of random crap to come from me, including socio-political commentary, scientific developments, and gluten-free recipes (I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, and it’s a bloody pain in the ass). I’ll also be shamelessly pimping my own work, too, so look for that, check it out, and give me money. Please. Pretty please?

Oh, I didn’t answer why you should be reading any of this crap from me. Well, I’ll leave that up to you all. Maybe I’ll bring some insights. Maybe I’ll make you laugh. Maybe I’ll point you towards something interesting and off-the-wall. Or maybe you’ll like my recipe for Chicken Curry. Anyway, that’s all for now, look for my first substantive piece of writing, “Constructing Character,” in the next couple of days. Until then.