[Story Sale] Happy release day to NOIR!

When you write a 5-book saga with a rather large cast of characters, you're likely to hear from readers that you should have written more about so-and-so. One of those characters is Detective Timo Cho of the Bulari Police Department, who spends some time investigating our heroes and learning some truths of his own about how the seedy underbelly of Bulari works. I agree. I loved Cho, and loved being in Cho's point of view for his scenes. Because his storyline is a bit separate from the rest of the characters — he is investigating them, but not physically interacting until…

Dispatches From Anarres, or Don’t Disappoint Denzel Washington

I'm convinced Denzel Washington just wants you to live your best life. In The Equalizer, he walks into the bad guy's office with a simple offer: Take some money, make things right, and turn over a new leaf. The offer's too simple, though. Denzel's character is too unassuming — and so the bad guys laugh him out of the office. Denzel walks to the door and sighs sadly at what's about to happen. Then he locks the door, checks his watch, and proceeds to demolish every last bad guy with intense precision. Guys. Don't disappoint Denzel. I love the trope…