CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

The Ceremony Begins: If the PCs have not started a fight, or if they have run out of questions, or reached a point where the ceremony begins, read, or paraphrase, the following: With the closing of the doors, the gathering grows quiet. Voices subside from whispered greetings to nothing. The sound of shuffling feet stills as everyone around you turns to face the throne. As you watch, doors open on either side of the throne, and four figures robed in a shimmering silver-grey, step through. Each one wears a black leather harness crossing their chest, on which is hung a variety of narrow, glass vials. From a thick leather belt hangs a long, curved dagger from their right hips, and a long curve-bladed sword hangs from their left. As they advance, hands clasped beneath their chins, they begin a low chant. The woman on the altar turns her head to watch them come. What are the PCs going to do? They can watch the ceremony start or they can interrupt it here. If they continue to...

Fate in the Sun is due for release on October 6, 2017, and is currently in the editing stage that occurs prior to pre-order format and upload, which should be complete by the end of the week. On Canon V, the colonists live underground—those that can, anyway. Those that are born unable, I help guide to the surface, and then I try to warn them of the creatures that come from beyond the rifts. Some listen. Most run away screaming. With the creatures coming more often, now, the last thing any of us expected was for corporate intervention. Now, we just have to work out if they’re offering a deal worth taking, or if we’d be better off underground.

A word to the wise: Stay healthy, or your writing career will be a lot shorter than you can imagine. Apart from regular check-ups, the basics are essential, and regular exercise is the most important. I recently stopped my daily walks in order to get a novel out on time. It was a very bad move. Within a week and a half, my back had started to grumble to the point of me having to be very careful, I didn’t sleep so well, and I started to have trouble getting the ideas down on the page. Within two days of walking, my back started to edge back from the brink of a major spasm and a few days in bed, and I’ve started to sleep. My creativity levels are up, and, as a whole, I’m feeling better. I’m also more relaxed. Walking is worth it. If you want to write, take the hour or so you need to exercise, and exercise at the level that works for you. Me? I can’t do high impact like running – not yet, anyway, and maybe not ever again – but I can do extended walking, at a fairly ...

Near where I live is this park. It's called the Palmerville Heritage Park, and used to be a bit of a place back in the age of colonists and settlers. Now it's a home for trees... sooo many trees - and birds, too, if you're into birdwatching. I love it for both those things, as well as its photogenic qualities, and I walk there quiet often - but I would never have known it existed if it wasn't for Ingress. When I first started playing, I tested everything. I discovered medals a couple of days in, and then I discovered missions - and that's when I discovered the park. Since then, another two missions have been added, so it's a good place to get to know. As well as a well-maintained, wheelchair friendly, if somewhat short walking track, the park has parking for 8-10 vehicles, barbecues and picnic tables. The trail is flat, with no gradient to speak of, but may become boggy after rain. You are also permitted to walk your dog, there, altho...