My favorite holiday has returned, so it’s time for the annual Thanksgiving Blog Post! Entering into the holiday, I’m in need of some gratitude in my life. This year has been an odd battle of struggling with feelings of envy and comparing my life to others’. And nothing steals joy more than desiring what others …
The Powers & Perils of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is such an interesting emotion. It brings out longing for the past, but a very idealized version of the past. It makes us overlook flaws in books or other media from our childhood, tinging it with rose-colored glasses. Because it’s a powerful emotion, lately, marketing seems to be saturated with appeals to nostalgia. This …
My Fall Tradition: The Best Phineas & Ferb Episodes for Halloween
Phineas and Ferb is a classic, and remains my go-to favorite TV show, especially when Halloween rolls around. Now, I’m not one for spookiness of Halloween. I hate horror or any scary movies. Yet there is something nostalgic and fun about Halloween in the Fall, and nothing captures that sense of nostalgia for me better …
Continue reading My Fall Tradition: The Best Phineas & Ferb Episodes for Halloween
Why I Love Medieval Literature
As an English Literature scholar-in-training, I’ve found a love for the earliest of the English language tales. Medieval literature (including and ESPECIALLY the Old English stuff) is becoming a fast favorite era of mine. And, to a degree, it has been for a while. Back in my undergraduate days at Baylor University, my favorite classes …
Best Minnesota Vikings Content
Football is back, and I couldn’t be more excited! In case you’re new around here, I am a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. Naturally, when I’m not reading fantasy novels, I’m often engaging in content related to my favorite NFL team (both during the season and in the off-season). To celebrate the kickoff of the new …
Facing My Writing Demons: Upon Rereading Our Company of Fools
For the first time since it was published in early 2021, I reread Our Company of Fools—with a Book Club. And yes, it was as intimidating as it sounds, even though it was with a few friends. And yet, I was pleasantly surprised by how reading my own novel, now removed from an author’s protective …
Continue reading Facing My Writing Demons: Upon Rereading Our Company of Fools
Reading Recap 2023 – Part 2: From Ancient Epics to Modern Fantasy
The fantasy trend of 2023 continues! I finished one trilogy, read another, took a break with some middle grade, and dove into some old classic epic poetry. Let’s dive into the mini-reviews! The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (3.5/5 Stars): As I mentioned in Part 1 of this year’s Reading Recap, I was a …
Continue reading Reading Recap 2023 – Part 2: From Ancient Epics to Modern Fantasy
Thor’s Failed Marvel Cinematic Universe Character Arc
I’ve expressed in passing that the post-Endgame MCU films have been misses or mediocre for me. While there’s still some fun in going to see the latest Marvel movie, I’ve been less-than-impressed with multiple of the recent MCU films. The Spider-man movies after Endgame were great, I really liked Shang-Chi, and I’d agree that Guardians …
Continue reading Thor’s Failed Marvel Cinematic Universe Character Arc
May 2023 Writing Update: A Finished Draft, A Started Sequel, and A Rut
Welcome to a rambly writing update! There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in. A Finished Draft Finishing a draft is a quiet affair, though it feels like it shouldn’t be. While publishing is certainly a big deal, I almost feel like finishing the rough draft is more worthy of celebrating. Finishing a …
Continue reading May 2023 Writing Update: A Finished Draft, A Started Sequel, and A Rut
My Top 10 Stories Of All Time
As a writer, I love good stories. There are some books, movies, and TV shows that continue to stick with me over the years, as well as excellent tales I’ve only recently discovered. Some I appreciate for their impact on my writing; others, I love simply because they excite me and move me. Trying to …
By Madelynn Orion 