Thursday, Jul 9, 2009
Hello, my lovely Gamespotters!
I hope you're all happy and healthy! (or just healthy, at least)
Well, it seems that summer is upon us (cue cheesy summer pic)
Soo I've been looking for something to do this summer (besides nap, watch tv, play games, and read/write), and I've narrowed the list down to two projects.
Write a Novel
Admittedly, this may take awhile, due to my general lack of ideas lately and the fact that I think the only area where I'd have much success would be high fantasy type stuff. I rarely read much in the way of modern fantasy, preferring instead to rely on c-l-a-s-s-ics by Tolkien or C S Lewis when I need a fantasy fix. The other genre that appeals to me is horror. I'm not the most eager of beginning novelists, however, since there is a lot of junk out there in bookstores, and sometimes it sells rather well, (look at the Twilight series). However, if nothing else, many bestselling authors prove that you dont have to be a good writer to sell books. (Just ask Stephen King =P)
Fill out Gamespot User Reviews
I was thinking of filling out the user reviews section with the games Ive played, (replaying them a bit of course), starting with the NES era, up til the present. This is definitely going to take awhile, so if nothing else, it'll keep me busy. I'm not quite sure how many games Ive gone through over the years, but I'm sure its quite a bit, especially during the 16 bit era. Feel free to check em out as they go up (*insert shameless plug*).
I'll definitely keep you guys posted on my wannabe novel, or my reviews.
In other Alli news, I've mainly been playing a lot of Viva Pinata, as well as Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. I'm nearly done with both, so expect to see a couple reviews soon. I've also ordered a shiny, delicious looking PSP with Rock Band Unplugged and Crisis Core, for more handheld fun, hehe. Oh, and Chrono Trigger for DS, that should keep me busy for a lil while, I hope.
On the non gaming front, television hasnt been the most entertaining form of media this summer (I'll never understand why, with like a thousand some channels, I have trouble finding stuff to watch). I have been catching up on The Tudors on DVD however, and when I can , I've been TiVOing True Blood (HBO). I get nearly every movie channel and most of the movies Ive either seen or arent worth seeing, hehe. Its pretty silly when you consider the ratio of channels to watchable programming. I cant stand all the reality shows, either. Actually, I have an idea for a reality show. We take like 100 lifers from prison, fly em out to a deserted island in the middle of the ocean, nothing around but water, and the island would be just big enough for all of them. The prisoner that manages to eat the most other prisoners would be the winner and win his freedom (at which point , he'd be arrested for rampant cannibalism). We could call it, "The Other White Meat", or something like that =P.
Anyway, I hope your summer is going great! Keep on gaming!
Comments
Posted Jul 9, 2009 10:20 pm PT
Looks like you have really got your summer planned out, playing those NES games will be so nostalgic, and fun! Lol at your reality series, too bad it will never get aired for excessive violence. Great read 
Posted Jul 9, 2009 10:59 pm PT
Indeed Alli, summer is here. It seems that you are planing on writing a few things. I hope you can manage then and don't forget to play games as well. Happy Summer!
Posted Jul 9, 2009 11:58 pm PT
A novel? Man, I would never be able to commit to something like that. Here's hoping you can! 
Also, have fun with Crisis Core and Chrono Trigger amazing games!
Also, have fun with Crisis Core and Chrono Trigger amazing games!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 12:23 am PT
A novel eh? sounds pretty cool and you have your summer planned out pretty constructively. Well have a good summer and i look forward to those reviews.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:14 am PT
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:55 am PT
I'd love to read a novel that you'd write, that'd be awesomeoso! I'd also read reviews too, of course. Those are addicting.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 2:14 am PT
Its going well...Im glad to see a lot of activity on GS as well..
Posted Jul 10, 2009 3:03 am PT
I gave writing a shot a few years back. after awhile I decided maybe short stories and finally ended up with a lot of crumpled paper and a decision that some people are meant to be readers not writers
I do love to read though
sounds like a great summer you have planned though and the weather has been great in the west so far
I do love to read though
sounds like a great summer you have planned though and the weather has been great in the west so far
Posted Jul 10, 2009 3:25 am PT
Crisis Core is awesome, hope you have fun with that. Ending is AMAZING!!!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 4:44 am PT
That is not the poster for the film "The Endless Summer". 
I find writing anything takes dedication, so with a novel you've got to be in for the long haul. That's why I know I can never write a novel; I only have the attention span of short stories.
I find writing anything takes dedication, so with a novel you've got to be in for the long haul. That's why I know I can never write a novel; I only have the attention span of short stories.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 4:53 am PT
If the only issue you have with the novel is ideas, you should go for it. My issue has been a lack of resolve. I've had dozens of novels I've started that just never got finished for no reason other than lack of resolve. Not motivation, but the determination to see it through to the end. If you've got that, then it's a mere matter of doing an outline and executing. Go brainstorm; I want to see that Lord of the Rings homage!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 5:35 am PT
lol, the other white meat. I've tried to write my own novel or short stories but I get side tracked way to easy. I was going to buy a PSP but due to my 360 RROD and warranty is out I have to buy another one ugh. Anyways, great blog read.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 5:38 am PT
Go for the novel! That whay, when you are famous we can say "we knew Allicrombie when...."
Posted Jul 10, 2009 5:55 am PT
For you TV needs try hulu.com or Netflix on the 360.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 6:30 am PT
My summer involves gaming and little else
Posted Jul 10, 2009 6:36 am PT
Do the reviews. And King is a good writer.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 6:51 am PT
Long live old school NES!!!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 8:17 am PT
Good luck on writing that novel Alli. Ever since I joined GameSpot I tasked myself with writing reviews for all the games I've ever played starting from the NES era until now. It's been a lot of work, so definitely good luck with this!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 8:41 am PT
Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:22 am PT
You're never on PSN anymore /cry!!!! I've been playing C: OoE too, on my lunch breaks at work lol 
, I thought that was funny.
Mmm cannibalism. But they made a .... similar movie that involved Stone Cold, but they didn't eat anybody, they just had to kill them .
Rawr.
, I thought that was funny.Mmm cannibalism
. But they made a .... similar movie that involved Stone Cold, but they didn't eat anybody, they just had to kill them .Rawr.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:25 am PT
first congrats on your new psp, they are a lot of fun.
You already have an idea for a horror novel. You can write a story like Stephen King's "The Running Man" (about a reality tv show, written before such a genre existed, btw). You can write your novel about a reality tv show called "the other white meat",
Instead of a cast, you have to create the characters. As well as choose which ones are eaten off the island.
You already have an idea for a horror novel. You can write a story like Stephen King's "The Running Man" (about a reality tv show, written before such a genre existed, btw). You can write your novel about a reality tv show called "the other white meat",
Instead of a cast, you have to create the characters. As well as choose which ones are eaten off the island.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:51 am PT
You know, I'm currently writing a novel right now. I tried high fantasy, but it seems that I'm better with dealing with modern fantasy at the moment. I've also got a comic strip in the works (I can't draw, these are just the written parts). I just wish I had more time off from work to work on these. Maybe today I can do a lot of grinding.
I've seen that with many a writer that not a whole lot of them are excellent "writers" so to speak, but they do have stories they can tell, and sometimes that's all that matters.
Oh and your idea about placing 100 lifers on an island, something like that has been done: The Condemned and Battle Royale.
I've seen that with many a writer that not a whole lot of them are excellent "writers" so to speak, but they do have stories they can tell, and sometimes that's all that matters.
Oh and your idea about placing 100 lifers on an island, something like that has been done: The Condemned and Battle Royale.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 10:44 am PT
You probably have trouble trying to find things to watch in the summer because most channels show re-runs from all year. This is when I finally have time to catch up on movies before the shows start up again. I despise reality shows like the crap my wife watches. My reality shows I watch are actually....um....real.(Deadliest Catch and Whale Wars). Your idea for a movie sounds vaguely familiar to No Escape and The Condemned except they don't eat each other.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 11:08 am PT
Summer Yeah, Well it's very hot in my area, So it ain't that cool........
Novelist, U can give a try..................
BTW Twilight was awesome novel & millions agree, It's not crap for sure............
Not all but most of reality shows are crap, Yeah ur idea sounds like somewhat condemned..........
Novelist, U can give a try
..................BTW Twilight was awesome novel & millions agree, It's not crap for sure
............Not all but most of reality shows are crap, Yeah ur idea sounds like somewhat condemned..........
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:29 pm PT
@bigmouthkid: I dont have any good ps3 games, except LBP. @david_ick: yeah, no violence on TV (unless its HBO).
@canana: thanks, happy summer to you too!
@SirRiffAlot: I'm hoping I can get something going, soon.
@Gohansephiroth: I have it planned out, now if it actually goes that way remains to be seen, hehe.
@PJ24: Its getting hot here lately.
@aryoshi: I'd love to read a novel that I write too!
@ErkiB: Yeah I see you blog all the time, thats good!
@iowastate: Its getting warm here, mid 80s. I dont like it that hot =P
@Cecil_Highwind: cant wait to play it
@gbrading: I know, Im in deep trouble =P
@Bozanimal: ever try NaNoWriMo? (National Novel Writing Month), they have it every November. The idea is to write 100,000 words in 30 days and they send email support messages and they have people in all areas of the country meet up and brainstorm, dicuss plot/characters, etc. Theres even a forum there where people spend the rest of the year planning for November. Its kinda neat. @travistaggs: Im on the 360 a lot lately.
@canana: thanks, happy summer to you too!
@SirRiffAlot: I'm hoping I can get something going, soon.
@Gohansephiroth: I have it planned out, now if it actually goes that way remains to be seen, hehe.
@PJ24: Its getting hot here lately.
@aryoshi: I'd love to read a novel that I write too!
@ErkiB: Yeah I see you blog all the time, thats good!
@iowastate: Its getting warm here, mid 80s. I dont like it that hot =P
@Cecil_Highwind: cant wait to play it
@gbrading: I know, Im in deep trouble =P
@Bozanimal: ever try NaNoWriMo? (National Novel Writing Month), they have it every November. The idea is to write 100,000 words in 30 days and they send email support messages and they have people in all areas of the country meet up and brainstorm, dicuss plot/characters, etc. Theres even a forum there where people spend the rest of the year planning for November. Its kinda neat. @travistaggs: Im on the 360 a lot lately.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:47 pm PT
@Gen_Warbuff: hehe that would be too funny.
@Travo_basic: I had netflix for awhile but never really used it, so I finally canceled it.
@AzelKosMos: Thats the way to go! XD
@mattykovax: I think King tells a good story, but in terms of writing, hes just okay in my book.
@nb49: Bring on the Faxanadu! @indzman: I like poetry, wish I was better at it.
@CamiKitten: Cami! I hope youre liking Ecclesia, I've been really enjoying it so far. I know, I havent been on ps3 for awhile =(. I dont really have any games other than LBP. Im on the 360 way more.
@phoenyx9: Sounds like something that would air on FOX, huh? =P
@Yagr_Zero: modern fantasy? sounds like HBO after dark to me =P
@Dracula68: Deadliest Catch rocks! I know The Condemned did something like that, but eating people would be the heart of the show!
@Travo_basic: I had netflix for awhile but never really used it, so I finally canceled it.
@AzelKosMos: Thats the way to go! XD
@mattykovax: I think King tells a good story, but in terms of writing, hes just okay in my book.
@nb49: Bring on the Faxanadu! @indzman: I like poetry, wish I was better at it.
@CamiKitten: Cami! I hope youre liking Ecclesia, I've been really enjoying it so far. I know, I havent been on ps3 for awhile =(. I dont really have any games other than LBP. Im on the 360 way more.
@phoenyx9: Sounds like something that would air on FOX, huh? =P
@Yagr_Zero: modern fantasy? sounds like HBO after dark to me =P
@Dracula68: Deadliest Catch rocks! I know The Condemned did something like that, but eating people would be the heart of the show!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:47 pm PT
Well then I guess sometime we need to run amok like crazed sack persons on lbp, I'm usually always up for some silliness with it lol. I've been on there on and off this week helping friends get 100% in each stage. Course, sometimes that means they're helping me out too but they don't know muhahahaha.
but they don't know muhahahaha.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 1:54 pm PT
on the coast 60s and 70s is plenty as I remember it. it is down in the 80s and 90s finally, not long ago we had 3 days in a row at 105 here the Sacramento Valley
Posted Jul 10, 2009 2:03 pm PT
Must say, your ideas have inspired me as I have trouble with television; though I do enjoy the reality shows, but not all of them. I really liked your idea of "the other white meat", but I probably would've devised something more disturbing for the 100 so 'attendees'.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 2:14 pm PT
You know, I can't tell if you're making fun of me or not with that comment. Modern fantasy is fun to write.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 7:03 pm PT
I am currently stuck in Viva Pinata... so I had to put it away for a while. I hope to finish it like you someday!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 8:17 pm PT
"Admittedly, this may take awhile, due to my general lack of ideas lately and the fact that I think the only area where I'd have much success would be high fantasy type stuff."
Fellow writer, not to sound overly deep, but I think writing is the best form of self-expression. You can take everything you've learned and experienced and incorporate it into a story. A lack of ideas is from writer's block (which you'd obviously know). It's important to view that as a good thing. I like most people have always come up with better ideas for a story AFTER having writer's blocks (and of course it's not a one time thing either).
Have a great summer!
Fellow writer, not to sound overly deep, but I think writing is the best form of self-expression. You can take everything you've learned and experienced and incorporate it into a story. A lack of ideas is from writer's block (which you'd obviously know). It's important to view that as a good thing. I like most people have always come up with better ideas for a story AFTER having writer's blocks (and of course it's not a one time thing either).
Have a great summer!
Posted Jul 10, 2009 8:41 pm PT
The Other White Meat....screw TV, that's a monthly pay-per-view right there! Hell, I'd fork over $49.95 every other month to watch.
Posted Jul 10, 2009 9:23 pm PT
Good luck with the novel. I've started three myself, but the third one is the only one that I'm sticking with. The first two I've shelved for now and I look at them as great exercises that I might return to someday. I think it took a few hundred pages to find my styIe. I also do children's books and it really helps me to have more than one project going. When I reach a block in my novel, I can switch over to my children's books which are much shorter and do some work there. My wife just started True Blood last week. I was upstairs working but I heard a lot of sex going on down there...
Posted Jul 11, 2009 7:50 am PT
I've been trying to write a novel for ages now. I've probably written about 100 pages total, but I'm too self-critical and keep deleting it all. After... umm... 3 or 4 years now, my actual novel is only a paragraph long. And I don't even like that paragraph.
Posted Jul 11, 2009 1:54 pm PT
Wow, never met someone who has their WHOLE summer planned out
Posted Jul 11, 2009 6:14 pm PT
Good luck on the novel and the reviews!
Posted Jul 11, 2009 7:40 pm PT
Best of luck with the novel, it sounds interesting. Do write on a topic in which you feel comfortable with, that will give you the best results.
Posted Jul 13, 2009 5:05 am PT
HI Allie! Wonderful to see your smiling avi still here! Oy, I've missed the GS family! I just got back in from my summer beach trip, back to the cold, hard realities of everyday life.... brrrrr...... the Meat World suuuuckkkkks...... LOL Writing, you say? Oh, yes, must keep us posted on that. I love to see people's writings! And as far as the cannibal concept (aside from the fact that I'd definitely watch that)... if we call people that eat nothing but veggies "vegetarians", why don't we call cannibals "humanitarians"? One must wonder....
Wonderful to see your smiling avi still here! Oy, I've missed the GS family! I just got back in from my summer beach trip, back to the cold, hard realities of everyday life.... brrrrr...... the Meat World suuuuckkkkks...... LOL Writing, you say? Oh, yes, must keep us posted on that. I love to see people's writings! And as far as the cannibal concept (aside from the fact that I'd definitely watch that)... if we call people that eat nothing but veggies "vegetarians", why don't we call cannibals "humanitarians"? One must wonder....
Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:18 am PT
Yeah, games have been meant to replace cable (exception: FNC) with far more interesting content. I am having a great time collecting all the RPGs. He doesn't come on PSN, because he's gamespot mod, 24 hrs isn't good enough lately. If there was 36 hrs in a day than maybe, right Allicromble?
Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:37 pm PT
Dibs on the first "review copy" of your upcoming bestseller.
Posted Jul 15, 2009 7:28 am PT
I like the, you say, cheesy summer pic. That picture is how I feel. LOL My summer is going especially well. I'm living it up and studying too. Not many people can do both. That is probably why I have not done much gaming. I'm out of the house most of the time. At school, at the gym, on the court, or traveling. I'll keep gaming though, whether behind a controller or on the court.
With the games that you listed, looks like you'll have your gaming hands full.
With the games that you listed, looks like you'll have your gaming hands full.
Posted Jul 16, 2009 10:35 am PT
Rated your Star Wars: The Force Unleashed review as helpful.
Posted Jul 16, 2009 10:42 am PT
I also want to try Crisis core, but I don't own a psp. btw I like the pic.
Posted Jul 20, 2009 4:42 pm PT
I love me some Viva Pinata! HOpefully you've been enjoying it as much as I do. I hear True Blood is really good, though I've never watched it.
I hear True Blood is really good, though I've never watched it.
Posted Jul 22, 2009 2:13 pm PT
Looks interesting.
Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:23 am PT
sounds great
Posted Jul 24, 2009 10:30 pm PT
That pic was cheesy alright
Funny thing is, I actually got a novel planned myself. Although the difference is that I had it planned for 4 years now...haven't even finished half of it. Curse my procrastination!
Funny thing is, I actually got a novel planned myself. Although the difference is that I had it planned for 4 years now...haven't even finished half of it. Curse my procrastination!
Posted Aug 1, 2009 4:32 am PT
bigmouthkid