Hobbies: Writing, Skiing, Motorcycles, Shakespeare, Ancient History, and Woodworking.
Favorite shows:
Xena: Warrior Princess
Stargate - SG1
Battlestar Galactica (The original)
Highlander
Andromeda (Just started getting into that one)
Just about anything on the Discovery Channel, or the History Channel.
Favorite Movies:
Patton (A must have in any collection!)
Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes 4, 5, and 6)
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Who didn't like that one!)
Chronicles of Riddick
Gladiator
The Mummy 1 &2
The Count of Monte Cristo
I've been writing as a hobby for more than twenty years. I enjoy taking characters that we all know and love and placing them in strange new situations. The challenge is in keeping the characters "true to character" while at the same time trying to make them grow and remain interesting. I find the challenge helps me keep my edge when I work on my original stuff.
5/9/08
Okay, so much for 'working titles'. The first chapter of the story, originally entitled 'Bridging Darkness' has been posted under its new title 'Antithesis of Light'. The ROWP series is off and running in the middle of my crossover, and my Star Wars story, man I got a crowded mind. =)
I'm already working on the 2nd chapter of Antithesis as well as the 12th chapter of Shadows, plus everything else on my platter. Again, feel free to shoot reviews my way, and my offer to anyone willing to beta read is still standing. If you got the time, I got the words...lots of words. =)
Later all,
Mike
4/23/08
If you haven't noticed...the gap between chapter posts has gotten wider. Life has been busy so I won't be making any promises on when Chapter 12 of Shadows will be ready. Chapter 11 is now available for your reading pleasure, and I appreciate your patience as I try and juggle life, work, and a teenager while maintaining my ability to write.=)
I also have started the 2nd part of my Reincarnations of the Warrior Princess, tentatively titled 'Bridging Darkness'. Not sure if this title will be the actual one for posting, but it is on the way.
Thanks for popping by...enjoy!
M/T
1/22/08
Happy Belated New Year! Okay, fine, I know I promised chapter 10 of Shadows before Christmas, but hey, things come up. =) I posted it today for your reading pleasure and I have no doubt that my friend Blade will happen on a few typos just like last time. Sorry dude, but being my own beta reader isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be.
I'm also toying with a continuation of my ROWP Series, but I need to flesh the plot out a bit more, plus I still have to finish my SWG story, Courtship of Katy Sunwalker. All this while working with a friend on a new MMO that he and some other enterprising people have started from scratch and while working full time. Nah, I'm not a busy person, not at all.
Quick congratz to all the kids at Crimson Blades Fencing Academy for their awsome performance last Saturday. I'm proud of all of you and you each did fantastic! Way to bring your full game! Check out the results at crimsonblades.org!
More later, time to go back and write, or work, or sleep...something constructive. =) Laters!
M/T
12/18/07
Twas the week before Christmas and all through my brain, My muse was exhausted and began to complain... I just posted the 5th chapter of my Star Wars Galaxies story and am almost finished with the 10th chapter of Shadows, so that should be popping up in the near future.
One thing Blade brought to my attention with regards to these stories was the fact that, in spite of my repeated efforts, there are typos that tend to get by me. Well, you try reading your own work a half a dozen times after getting it out of your head and see what you catch? lol If there's anyone who would be interested in being a beta reader prior to my posting, I would welcome a fresh set of eyes on these projects. This also includes the remixes of the GTAS series that I have been toying with recently. Some of those modifications have already been posted here and more are to come. Look for Chapter 10 of Shadows before Christmas...my gift to you guys for being so patient. =)
Have a Merry Christmas Folks!
M/T
10/11/07
Heya folks! Has it really been 3 months since I updated here? Damn! Talk about dropping the ball. =) Well, there it is...work, write, work, write, and thats all I do lately. Wanted to drop a quick line and thank HAZMOT for a most generous review of Chapter 9 in 'Shadows'. Please feel free to send any messages you would like in regards to discussing the story as it progresses, and that goes for anyone reading. It is one of the best tools for me in writing, to have input from the audience. Chapter 10 is progressing now, and I think that this is going to wind up being a multiple book series, (fitting, since LOTR is the same).
As always, thanks for dropping in and reviewing what you read.
More later,
M/T
7/30/07
Posted the third chapter in The Courtship of Katy Sunwalker, my Star Wars Galaxies story. Chapter 10 of Shadows is also progressing, and Tiger Eye is officially on the back burner for a complete reorganization before I post anything in ROWP series.
Aside from that, all well on the writing front here...thanks for popping in.
Later,
M/T
7/13/07
At the request of a friend, looking to read something in the Science Fiction genre and taking a hint from a simple line in a bio, I posted the beginning of a story set in the Star Wars Galaxies MMO. This is a game I have been playing for the last two years and I can't get enough of the people and places that have ben created in that wonderfully surreal world. As a result, many of the characters in that story, including the main ones, are actually based on the characters and players that I have been most fortunate to meet and interact with.
Also still plugging away at Chapter 9 of Shadows, and I've temporarily shelved Tiger Eye for the near future. I think a Muse recharging Roadtrip is in the near future...
Anyway, check out the Sci Fi serving, and if you're interested in a good MMO, and you liked Star Wars, I highly reccomend Star Wars Galaxies.
Catch you all later!
M/T
P.S. Valcyn rocks! (You know who you are.)
6/19/07
Okay, well, I was half right. I got chapter 8 or Shadows posted...still not happy with Tiger Eye yet, so that one's on hold for a bit. Thanks for reading. Nothing else to report at the front! Catch you all later!
M/T
6/5/07
As I was perusing the old GTAS series, I started to rethink some of the elements of #4, Remains of a Nation. As a result, I have reposted the story with all the changes. Hope you all like them, I know I'm much happier with the version of events over the old ones. Also, I'm working on Chapter 8 of Shadows of Angmar, and should have that ready in a week or so, plus I am still working on my new ROWP story, Tiger Eye. The first chapter of that should be posted in a day or two.
Later folks!
M/T
5/29/07
Posted Chapter 7 of 'Shadows' after rewriting the latter half of the chapter due to a computer crash. Gotta start Chapter 8 all over as well, which sucks, but hey, thats technology for you. Also fleshing out a little more of the plot for my ROWP story 'Tiger Eye'. Not sure when I'll get to posting something on that one.
Catch you all later!
M/T
4/24/07
FINALLY! I have chapter 6 of 'Shadows of Angmar' posted, and the twists keep on coming...Working on Chapter 7, and started working a little more on the 'Tiger Eye' project. I tell you, the taking notes and roughing everything is the most tedious part of this whole process. UPDATE: Page count! page count! 'Shadows' has officially become my largest work ever, passing over 200 pages at this point, and we havent even gotten half way through it. God only knows where this will end.
Please read and review this monstrosity and let me know where you think it does well/poorly. it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again folks, hope you all enjoy!
Later,
M/T
P.S. Just because Turbine named their LOTR MMO 'Shadows of Angmar' does NOT mean I am going to change the title of my work. hehe...I'm such a rebel.
4/11/07
Talk about wierd. Here I am working on a crossover called 'Shadows of Angmar', and then I go to the new LOTR MMO beta site and discover that the game is entitled, 'Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar'. Strangeness.
Anyhoo, The work is moving along slowly with this project. I realize that those of you reading want to see fast posts, especially when the chapter ends on a cliffhanger type note. The only thing I can say in response is, please be patient with me. This is one project that I am taking my time with. I want to get this one as right as I can before turning it loose. Also, I have a lot of individual storylines that are about to emerge as the story progresses and that means I need to keep all this madness straight in my head (and in my notes).
I have also, (because my brain won't stay focused on one project at a time), begun the second installment of the ROWP series. I hope to have the first part of 'Tiger's Eye' up soon.
Thanks for your patience, and for your patronage. See you all soon.
M/T
3/15/07
Work on 'Shadows of Angmar' is moving along slowly. Working in the Tolkein universe isn't as easy as it seems. =) Also, I began scribbling some notes for the next ROWP story, tentatively entitled 'Tiger's Eye'. I have the protagonists and the antagonists developed, as well as a rudimentary plot, so that one should start hitting the WP soon. In another twist of fate, I have teamed up with a fellow NIWWT member and begun going through the GTAS series, making subtle changes and fleshing out areas that were (to me at least), weak in the first run. Look for those remixes to begin popping up in the near future.
Switching gears, check out my first ever Star Wars Galaxies fan fiction submission, "Rori Homecoming", and if you're into the whole MMO thing, I reccomend you give that game a try. I posted it back in January, but it hasn't seen much action. As always, I hope you enjoy the stories I post here, and I'll see you on the flip side!
M/T
2/12/07
Well, It's been a while, with plenty of real life drama, but I finally posted the next chapter of Shadows for those of you that still have me on the alert list. =) Aside from that, there isn't much to report. The next chapter is progressing and Chapter 6 is percolating, so I hope to get back on schedule with the project. Thanks for your patience everyone! Enjoy!
M/T
1/2/07
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! I had an old short that I decided to post, based on a character from an MMO that I play. It was the result of yet another challenge by the crew, though I never bothered to post it, (I don't know why). Still progressing on Shadows of Angmar, albiet slowly. The holidays really monopolized my writing time. I hope to have something worked in the next few days, give or take.
Have a safe New Year everyone!
Later,
Mike
12/13/06
Hola there! Chapter 3 of Shadows of Angmar is up. Plot is slowly setting up. Also had to make a few small corrections in the frst two chapters, so they have been reposted. Nothing major in as far as content, just me picking nits.
Hope everyone out there has a happy holidays!
Later,
Mike
11/14/06
Just an update from your friendly neighborhood freak=) The first chapter of the latest NIWWT challenge has been posted for your pleasure. "Shadows of Angmar" should turn out to be rather long, so please bear with me.
Thanks again for reading!
Mike
11/2/06
NEWS FLASH UPDATE
Hi there kids! just dropping a line on the ole' profile to let you all know that the latest NIWWT challenge is progressing. The current story, tentatively titled "Ghosts of Angmar" is slowly progressing. The initial plot line is forming nicely and I should have the first chapter and an "offical title" very soon. As a teaser, I will say this: The King of Westernese (aka Gondor and Arnor, aka Aragorn) has met a certain pair of women that we all know and love, while his Steward (aka Lord of the newly rebuilt city of Osgiliath, aka Faramir), and his son Denethor II has encountered a certain group of people who fell from the sky in a strange craft. Yes, the members of Ol' Number 7 are back by popular request!
With a cast of characters this vast, the possibilities abound. I haven't had this much fun since I came up with the concept of Full Circle. hehehehehe...
More later!
Mike
10/4/06
Me and my big mouth. Well, at the regular NIWWT meeting last weekend, yours truly decided to open his mouth and talk smack. The end result is yet another challenge. A dare, if you will, on two fronts...First, to bring several characters back from my original XWP stories, not the GTAS series, (that would have been too easy), and since I seem to be the resident expert on all things LOTR, toss Xena, Gabrielle, and any other pre GTAS characters I can think of into Tolkiens Empire and make it work.
As with all challenges, my compadre's had their prerequisites. First, it cannot take place during the Lord of the Rings storyline, since that has already been done. Secondly, it must remain canon, (of course), and finally, it must be a believeable storyline.
My counter conditions for this challnge were simple. I can utililize ANY of the characters I have used previously in my XWP stories, even those that are from other universes. I will submit progress every two weeks for the benifit of review, but there will be no time limit, and no page limit for this work.
What does this mean to you, the reader? A new story of EPIC proportions! Endless opportunities for me to twist the paradigm like taffy! And who knows how many other little quirks!
The timing was perfect since I am ccurrently in the proccess of finalizing the last chapter of the first installment of my new 'Reincarnations of the Warrior Princess' (ROWP) Series, Rekindled.
With this huge project dropped onto my shoulders, I may not get to book 2 for quite some time. =)
Catch you all later!
Mike.
9/8/06
With the Bristol Ren Faire finished, I can once again get back to focusing on some of my writings. I can also work towards fulfilling the 'whatever happened to Hope' challenge laid down by NIWWT. If anyone has been reading the story, you'll notice several scenes that I have borrowed from favorite movies and TV shows of the past. NIWWT 'adjusted' their challenge to me right after I started writing this and challenged me to utilize scenes and characters from other shows/movies that I liked. The trick, I needed to use them in their original format, asking me to incorporate no less than five other characters or shows into this story, hence the Dagobah/Yoda stuff, and now, with this latest chappy, my Tribute to the Matrix and Morpheus. Just a hint on the next chapter, Hope will NOT be fighting in the Mu-Tai on Babylon 5. She's going there to speak with someone...you'll see who. =) This one is turning out to be rather long and wilder than some of the other stories I've posted. Even I don't know where this one will eventually end up. I LOVE it when that happens! hehehe.
Catch you on the flipside, and as always..thanks for reading and for stopping by.
BTW I have opened a discussion forum on the GTAS series. I'm probably going to go back and 'remix' them a bit, fleshing out parts, or even adding another story somewhere in there. Not sure yet. If there are any ideas, suggestions, etc...please post them on the forum.
Later,
Mike
7/19/06
Okay, maybe there will be a cameo beginning including David and Gabrielle...I couldn't help it. I had to get those two back together again after all the happy years they shared. In spite of frying my a and a few other body parts over the past two weekends, I have been able to devote a little time to working on this new story. BTW if anyone reading this lives within a decent drive of the Bristol Renessaince Faire, in Bristol Wisconsin, come on down and say hello. Heck, you might even learn how to fence=)
We men of the Crimson Blades would be happy to teach you!
Happy Reading Everyone!
Mike
6/30/06
Well, I've sorta been on hiatus before my gig at the Bristol Ren Faire begins, and wouldn't you know it? NIWWT throws down the gauntlet two weeks before opening weekend with another challenge - What ever happened to Hope?
Well, I have an opening and a plot line idea, so the first chapter or two might be on the way. This story will not, however be an encore to the Ancient Scrolls Series, that much I am certain. Wish me luck!
Later!
Mike
4/14/06
It's finally done! The Reckoning (GTAS 10) concludes the Ancient Scrolls series. Thanks to everyone who read through them. And now, its time for me to rest a while and see what the next challenge will be. I confess to a sense of relief, in as much as I am sorry to see it end, but that's the way of things, I guess.
Also, I want to extend the NIWWT challenge to any who have followed the series. As you know, there were several points at which I skipped ahead a number of years, or left a couple of loose ends. (I am thinking specifically about the Virgil/Gurkhan angle). While I did these for the sake of continuity regarding the series and for my own sanity, I've also done it to leave the possibility open for another writer to approach these from a fresh perspective. =)
The floor is open, jump in and take these characters in a new direction, or someplace different. I'd like to see how others would fill in those large empty spaces or continue the journey these characters.
Best of luck!
Mike
1/11/06
I'm Back! I've been putting thoughts in order for over a two months now, and I think I've come up with the last installment of the GTAS series. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the stories of Gabrielle and David are no exception. I've posted the Prologue as a teaser, but more chapters should follow very soon! Look for this to surpass all the other stories in the series thus far!
Just a note to the NIWWT guys: When this is done, I'll expect the 100 proof gallon of Southern Comfort delivered, pre chilled for the next meeting!
11/8/05
As I sit here and post the final chapter to my 9th story in GTAS, my muse has given a final cry of exhaustion and collapsed from the overwork. (She just needs a day or two of rest). Unfortunately, Awakenings took an unexpected twist, and pretty much ixnayed the next story I planned to do, so it's back to the drawing board, once my Muse has recovered. I finally wrapped up the 'Cure for W.A.D.' as well. I never realized writing wedding vows for an imagined wedding would be so d#ed difficult. :-) I think a road trip might be in order for me at this point, to seek fresh ideas, so I might be gone for a short time. Don't worry, though. When I get back, I'm sure my Muse and I will be ready to rock! (I still have to tie up that whole Gurkhan/Virgil thing from GTAS 2 'the Bounty'. I hate loose ends) Ah well...
Thanks for reading everybody, and please..be sure to review. I really want to know what you all think about this stuff.
Catch you all on the flipside!
Mike
10/27/05
While still working on 'Night Terrors', a suggestion made by EBFR kept bouncing about in my mind, and I started the ninth story in the series. I still have to wrap up the W.A.D. story as well as Night Terrors, but that's the way my brain functions sometimes.
Thanks for the idea, Evil. I hope your project is going well! Later!
Mike
10/4/05
Restitution is complete - the 7th story in my Gabrielle: The Ancient Scrolls series. As per the N.I.W.W.T. Challenge, I still need to come up with six more for what could be considered a "full season". They aren't letting me off the hook either. If anyone has read the series and has an idea, please let me know, I fear that I may be running out! (gasp)
I'm also toying with a "Firefly/Serenity" idea, but that one is moving along rather slowly. To any of you that haven't seen that movie yet - What are you waiting for! Even if you haven't seen the television show, you'll love it!
As always! Thanks for stopping by!
Mike
9/20/05
'Chosen Paths' is complete, and wouldn't you know it, I have another first chapter for the next installment already posted. Also, I've published yet another N.I.W.W.T. challenge regarding everyone's favorite archeologist and a certain descendant of a wandering bard. As these stories continue to form in my mind, somewhere deep inside, I really hope that Rob Tappert, Lucy Lawless, or Rene O'Connor don't read what's in here? I'm afraid of what might be said. :-) Oh, well, the momentary angst has passed. I haven't gotten an email from any of them yet, so I guess I'm safe? Still, the new BSG series has a ship called a Raptor, and I came up with that idea back in 99? Hmm?
9/18/05
At this stage in my Solo Gabrielle adventures, I feel that I should direct some of the recognition for these ideas to a select group of friends and their (oh, so patient) families, most of which are Xena fans. The majority of the stories I write are a direct result of meetings with what I have dubbed the Northen Illinois Whiskey and Writing Team or N.I.W.W.T. (yes, it is pronounced like 'newt'). This is a group of four or five of us that like to sit down with a couple of bottles and shot glasses and discuss various shows and hypothesise about different character arcs, crossovers, and that sort of thing. After publishing the stories 'Flight of the Phoenix' and 'Terror of Andross Island', the folks challenged me to come up with a whole season's worth of solo Gabrielle adventures, and not just mediocre ones either. You can actually get to know some of those people if you read 'Full Circle' since N.I.W.W.T. members are also guys that I ride with. (Had to pay them back somehow?) As I prepare to finish up GTAS-6, 'Chosen Paths', I'm sure the boys will help me come up with something new, usually when the bottles get about half empty.
Mike
9/12/05
Look for fast posts over the next month or so. I'll be cooped up at home, recovering from surgery, so about the only thing I can do is write! Still working out the details from the W.A.D. Gabrielle story. That one still isn't finished, and what I've got for the final chapter isn't quite where I'd like it to be. The other stories are still rolling out pretty steady, and It looks as though I'll be introducing several new characters (Good and Bad) fairly soon. I also might be forced to bid a farewell to some of the older ones (Xena and Gabby did sleep in a mountain for thirty years, after all?) As usual, I'm always up for any challenges that you might have, just post them in a review or zip me an email and I'll see what I can do.
I need to make a personal thank you to TpolTucker, who has made herself my defacto Beta Reader and was also kind enough to set up a C2 archive for my solo Gabrielle stories! Her consistent reviews have really been invaluable as I develop this totally new series of stories. Thanks again for your help, T! I really do appreciate it!
And thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to read my works. I've seen the number of hits and I do find it very flattering and humbling at the same time. As always, I appreciate it! More later!
Mike
8/1/05
Well, instead of Xena/Gabrielle adventures, I've gone and picked up where the end of the show left off (sort of). I've started a new series of Solo Gabrielle Adventures I'm entitling Gabrielle: The Ancient Scrolls. (GTAS) I'll post them in the Xena catagory unless otherwise instructed. Please read and review, and feel free to offer story suggestions or challenges. The more you review, the better these stories will be. Thanks in advance!
6/1/05
The Xena adventures have been pouring out! Can't seem to get my mind off those pretty Greek women. :)
I hope to work on some Andromeda fics, and continue a HUGE BSG/Star Wars crossover that I've posted. Please be patient with that one.It may take a while to shift gears.In the mean time, thanks to everyone who has stopped by and read my stuff!
As always, your comments and critiques are most welcome! Thanks again for reading and enjoy!
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