CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

First words were laid down on the novel the Sunday just gone - and, yes, at the time of prepping this post, it looks like we have a real chance of finalizing the draft for this little monster before the week is out. Will it be done before the year is gone? Well, that's a good question, but I'm only just getting back on my feet with the words, so let's just take it as it comes. There's 'would be nice' and 'recovering what we've lost and keeping it,' and the latter is more important...and still fragile. Now, words. First Novel Words for Week 4, December 2025: Dark God's Demise (2nd Ed.)  Brianda and James stopped at the base of the dais, looking at the creatures that stood above them. Juliette, they recognized, but the beautiful monster standing at her side was new. His skin was the color of polished bone, and his eyes shone with emerald and azure fire. Black hair cascaded down his back in gleaming curls, and the breadth of his shoulders and ches...

First flash for the week...and for a very long time. An Act of Kindness  A cup of water. Who’d have thought it would matter now that the battle was lost, but it did…or Shiloh hoped it did. He dared to raise his gaze enough to catch his opposite number’s eye, and froze. Not because of the commander’s familiar features, but because of the markings on her armored breastplate. “Y…your majesty?” he managed, staying on his knees, and all too aware of the firm grip on his shoulder. The look she returned was implacable. “You showed me kindness,” she replied in hard tones, “and yet you have rebelled. Tell me why I should spare you.” “Spare my men,” Shiloh said. “Their lives were forfeit if they did not take up arms.” “And forfeit if they did,” she reminded him. “They have families…” Shiloh’s voice cracked, memory bringing grief. “Their lives…” His voice shattered, and he bowed his head, unable to continue. “So do you,” she said, but he shook his head. “Not anymore,” he r...

First poem of the week. From Flight to Fight Josiah ran the drumbeat The blood beat in his veins He ran the dry and dusty ground Took to stone and rock so no tracks were found Fled the wire and fences The torture chambers, and the flensers Fled imprisonment for crimes Which he’d not committed at the time Fled from country, then from world Took to higher paths, new hope unfurled And then he ran right back again Brought rebellion, and unshackling That the hope he’d found was for all to gain.

Of the goals set for the week just gone, this is the outcome.   Achieved: 1. Recorded the next 29/28 gameplay videos for the schedule; 2. Edited the next 30/28 gameplay videos for the schedule; 3. Scheduled the 10/10 videos to accompany the novel release. Partly Achieved 1. Recorded the next 11/22 gameplay videos for the completion series; 2. Scheduled the next 25/28 gameplay videos for the schedule; 3. Edited and formatted, but did not schedule the 2 videos for the short story release; 4. Wrote 2/7 poems for Another 366 Days of Poetry. Not Achieved Did not complete the 7 pieces of flash from the main goals, and did not complete the novel from the stretch goals. Did not complete the publishing cycle for January 2026. Swapped In 1. Edited and formatted the 3 reading videos for a second upcoming short story release; 2. Began industry-accredited courses in computer coding and Spanish as part of external obligations. No doubt these will inform my writing in...