New Year & Old Reflections
So it might not seem like much, but starting this blog was quite a big step for me. In my very first post, I shared that I was an introvert and hopeful author who liked making connections by sharing recommendations I thought others might relate to.
Hopefully, the posts over these last few months don’t seem completely disjointed. And yes, I know there has been an inordinate amount of Dragon Age and Baldur’s Gate 3 content. The old adage says to “write what you know,” so I did. Don’t worry, there’s even more to come. I’ve only just scratched the surface of my feelings about those stories, but I promise to also extend my thoughts and literary analysis beyond those franchises.
And yes, I’m probably going about this the “wrong” way, if countless YouTube videos, Instagram posts, and author blogs are to be believed. Apparently, I should be delving deep into my own stories, constantly promoting my writing process, and being far more active on social media.
But I had to do what was comfortable for me. And I certainly don’t feel like an expert when it comes to writing or sharing my story. Instead, I wanted to share what matters to me because those things reflect what I hope to portray on my own journey as an author.
Each post became a way to offer insight into the inspirations that linger with me and the elements I value most in storytelling. I may not have a broody elf with a traumatic past (yet, lol), or a haunted house that embodies grief, but I do have characters who must work through their insecurities and challenges as best they can. I want to engage with and create stories with relatable struggles, genuine connections, a touch of fantasy, and always a bit of humor.
For a long time, I avoided being online. I convinced myself that my ideas weren’t worth sharing, that my stories wouldn’t have any impact. But I love The Anomalies and my other projects enough to take a chance. To step outside my comfort zone and see what happens. Hopefully, if you’ve found this site you can recognize the voice I’m working to cultivate, get a sense of my personality, and find something you enjoy along the way.
So as I start a new year, I wanted to look back on a few of my favorite posts so far:
1) Lucanis and Anders: Confronting Personal Demons
To be honest, I could have written even more about these two characters, and I probably will at some point. For me, they represent the difference between a character whose potential is fully realized and one who never moves beyond surface-level exploration. Anders’ storyline was one of the first in gaming that truly shocked me and left me reflecting on my choices long after the credits rolled. In contrast, Lucanis came with heavy expectations that were sadly never fulfilled. There was so much depth available in his story that went unexplored, and that loss still stings.
2) The True Haunting Within Hill House
I’m not going to lie, I was very proud of myself for reading a scary novel. Honestly, I’m proud whenever I even watch the Netflix adaptation. As I’ve admitted before, horror isn’t really my genre, which is why I was so surprised by how deeply Shirley Jackson’s novel resonated with me. The layers of symbolism, character development, and the reflection of the haunted house as something personal made analyzing it an unexpectedly rewarding experience.
3) Karlach and Emmrich: Peace Amongst the Graves
This was the post that started everything.
When I first toyed with the idea of creating an author website and blog, I had no idea what I would write about. I wasn’t an expert. I didn’t have a success story or a built-in audience. And I certainly didn’t feel qualified to write about my many failed attempts at querying my first book. So what could I possibly talk about week after week?
The answer came while I was playing Baldur’s Gate 3 with a friend and stumbled into a scene I’d never experienced before. Learning something new about Karlach felt genuinely meaningful, and I immediately began drawing parallels to a graveside scene involving Emmrich that had stayed with me. The idea of comparing two seemingly unrelated characters from different games instantly clicked.
From there, I grabbed my ever-present journal and started listing themes and character studies I wanted to explore (at least a dozen of them). And yes, most were Dragon Age-related. Again, write what you know.
So, if you’ve found yourself reading this: thank you. I wish you a happy new year, and I hope you find stories that bring you joy, spark your imagination, and maybe even linger with you a little longer than expected.
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