Author: Patrick

A New Way of Life for 2013

    Patrick

Most people make resolutions for the new year. I’ve decided to make somewhat of a bigger change. It’s more of a rule-set for how I want to live my life, and all of the rules have to do with things that make me happy. The idea is to push my days in the direction of those things and to find ways to limit the negative influences that always seem to have a hold of me.

Some of these things seem like they have nothing to do with writing or film-making. But wait, they do! Being healthy keeps my mind clear and gives me lots of energy.  And running does the same. The better I feel the better I write.

And I know I won’t be able to do all of these things everyday. I’m not delusional. So I am going to do something simple. If I have a good day and stick to all the daily rules then I get 1 point. That way I can track a % score over time. I’ll shoot for 90% and see how it goes. The non-daily goals will be harder to track, but there is no need. If I stay on track daily than those will happen as well.

So here they are. Hopefully you’ll be hearing much more from me in the future.

Health

  • No more unhealthy comfort foods (non-bible bread or cookies/pastries)
  • Eat at least 1 fruit a day
  • Eat at least 1 veggie a day
  • Exercise 30 minutes a day (run, or other things)

Running

  • Beat last year’s distances each month
  • 1,200 miles for the year
  • New 5k PR
  • New marathon PR
  • New 50k PR
  • 6 laps at next year’s World’s Toughest Mudder
  • Run 1 50 mile race

Writing/Creativity

  • Be creative at least 30 minutes a day
  • Post on this website at least 1 time a week
  • Blog on www.reelfriction.com at least once every 2 weeks
  • Research the habits/tricks of writers and try one every 2 weeks
  • Make 2 films
  • Write down every idea I have when I get it

Addictions

  • No more than 2 episodes or 1 movie per day if home alone
  • Limit non-productive internet time at home to no more than 10 minutes
  • Limit productive internet time at home (research, articles, etc) to no more than 30 minutes.

Personal Life

  • Don’t let it get in the way of any of the above

Free Short Shorts!

    Patrick

I have a habit of writing short flash fiction for attempted publication in various anthologies. Unfortunately, I have a growing catalog of the “ones that didn’t make it.”

They were mostly written for specific submissions, but I don’t want them to languish unread. So for your potential enjoyment I am sharing them below. Let me know what you think! Feedback is not only welcome, it’s required.

<50 Words

“It goes by so quickly.” My wife said, holding my hand. And the first thing that came to mind was football season. Then her hands, the same color as the hospital sheets, fell limp upon the bed.

13-word Horror

Cut. Snip. Suction. The surgery was going well. Until the anesthesia wore off.

Flash Noir

“The Visit”

She visited me in prison.
“I’m locked up because they think I killed you.” I said.
Her only response was to put a cigarette to her lips.
“When I’m finally out I can do it for real.”
Her gaze shifted to me. “You wouldn’t. You love me too much.”
She walked away and I knew she was right.

55-words

“Rainbow”

Peater was a lonely leprechaun sitting by himself at the end of a rainbow.  Thinking he might find another leprechaun, Peater set out traveling to the other end.  It was a long journey through a strange human world.  He made many friends, and before completing his trip, had already found what he was looking for.

Suspension of Disbelief: A Cinematic RPG

    Patrick

I have completed a pen-and-paper role-playing game. Check it out.

Suspension of Disbelief is a complete RPG rule set for a cinematic one-session character-drive game.

All the documentation is available free below. If you have any questions, please contact me through the website.

Rule Book

Character Sheet

GM Cheat Sheet

Scenario: All Aboard!

The files provided are for free, can be distributed, but should not be published, sold or re-written.

New Story “He and She” in riverbabble, Winter 2012 issue

    Patrick

The new issue of riverbabble is now online, and it contains a short story I wrote called “He and She”. This one is odd for me. Its my first non-genre story that I ever published. It’s a bit pretentious, but I like it because I wrote it without thinking and it barely changed during editing. I’m glad it is finally out there. So head on over to riverbabble and read the new issue!