A Very Gen X Kinda Life Update: School, Work, Dogs, and Chaos

Ho. Lee. Cow. I’m Almost 50. Help.

It's been so long, you could buy the story I was hit by a bus, but I only feel like I've been hit by a bus.

So where has this chickee been? Working, school, working, school, 16-year-old teen boy, three idiotic dogs (anyone want a giant, sheepish boxer mix who loves people but not other dogs?), more working, and school.

I've gone back to school online at night. Again. I mean it. This is it. It's happening. For real. I'm finishing my English degree - emphasis on journalism, by the way. Why journalism instead of creative writing? Well, this emphasis has a strong social media bent baked into it. Any ideas why a blogger and YouTube/TikTok show creator might want that? Hmmm...

I have a regular, full-time day job, and now I have a part-time job which involves music. I love it, but it takes time, effort, and thought. Requires rehearsals and planning. Totally worth it. Seriously.

All good stuff, but these leave very little time for anything else. If all goes as planned, I should finish my last class this fall (say a prayer for me!). Then it's on like Donkey Kong. Blog posts. Show episodes. No. Not even mentioning book three. That looms like a dark cloud. People have stopped asking about it. Not a good sign.

Anyway, I'm sneaking in a post to say I will be back, and I'll try to continue to slip in here with a quick note and thought about pop culture. I have so many thoughts about the state of things: movies, video games, even YouTube shows. 

On a side note, I turn 50 this month. Now we're back to feeling like I've been hit by a bus. Full circle.

Love you guys!

Witcher Season 3 - Episodes 1&2 - Ummm...What?

Y'all, knowing all the behind-the-scenes drama, I figured I wasn't going right care much for the third season of Netflix's Witcher, but wow. It is BAD so far. I mean BAD.

Admittedly, I have not read all of the Witcher book series (reading them now), but I have played a ridiculous amount of Witcher 3, which has been highly commended for sticking to the source material's spirit. I also have kept up with many of those in the know regarding the books. Having said that, the distance the showrunners have gone from the source material is far. It is almost unrecognizable as a Witcher product.

Even without considering the source material, the writing is just plain bad. The characters aren't true to even their own origins in this show. Their arcs make no sense, aren't relatable, and lack believability. I have no one to root for as everyone is flat and bland. 

Characters that have been well-received are now made unlikable (Jaskier - why does he look so bad? That hair. Halp!). Interesting characters have been made into such "girl-bosses" that they're boring (Yennefer - so good she's dull as dishwater). 

Other notes of interest: 

• Why is Triss' hair a huge, frizzy mess?
• Why is Geralt inept (leaving a villain alive he clearly could have and should have killed)?
• Why can't Jaskier sing all of a sudden?

There's a long list that I'll detail in my review, but my goodness... I had hoped I would be pleasantly surprised, but alas. It's even worse than expected.

Oy vey, y'all. I'll keep you posted. 

Romance Novels, Online Dating, and More!

Newest Installment in the Assassin's Creed Review Series is Live! VALHALLA!

I am really sad I've taken this long to join the Assassin's Creed fandom. I think I would have loved these games if I had given the first one more of a chance. Oh well. Just one more bad life choice to add to the list.

But seriously, I have enjoyed playing through the Assassin's Creed series to make my reviews for Bethanie Talks About Stuff. It's been worth the time and effort. 

This week, my review covers Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This one has a special place in my heart because it was my first Assassin's Creed game. It kicked off a journey I would not have anticipated but has been really fun. It led to my introduction to Ezio Auditore. And I luuuurrrve him!!!!!!!!!!!

But before Ezio, for me, it was Eivor. He's a good character - flawed but good as well as fierce. Hard not to like him. 

Take a look at my review for a full rundown (also on Rumble). Of course, I still like Daeg better than Eivor or Ezio (meet him in All From Dreams), but they're not chopped liver! 

You've Been Doing What?

You might be wondering what's happened to me? Did I die? Did I suddenly join a convent with a vow of total silence?

No. Of course not. But I have been BUSY.

Book three... Well, the rewrite with my well-intentioned outline has gone completely sideways but in the best kind of way. The characters took over. In my opinion, this is just the best news for me. It means they're alive again and making themselves heard. It's great.

Also, I bought a clickety-clackety type of keyboard to make things more fun when I'm typing away. I am having to learn to type again, though. Definitely a different skill set to use this thing.

But if I'm not dead or at a nunnery, what have I been up to?

Bethanie Talks About Stuff. That's what I've been up to! And I love it. This is my channel with a variety of content. Pop culture, writing, musings, and video games all make an appearance. 

As expected if you know me, I started a project that might be a little ambitious, but it's been soooo good! I'm playing through the Assassin's Creed series and reviewing each game (see my intro to the series for a better explanation). I had previously tried to play the first one, but I got so frustrated that I totally abandoned it. I even sold it. A good friend convinced me to try Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and I got so hooked I went back and played the Ezio Trilogy (Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations). Then I figured, "Well, I've come this far, might as well keep going." So I played Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. I've skipped ahead to Origins to get caught up on the newer games in the newer format. It's been worth the time investment.

If you're someone who likes YouTube/Rumble content (The Rumble channel is also Bethanie Talks About Stuff), please check it out. I hope you'll enjoy watching as much as I've enjoyed making the content.

Still, I am an author at heart, and Rhys and Daeg are my darlings. I haven't given up writing. It is my goal to finish book three in 2023 and release it either by the end of the year or early 2024.

By the way, I've entered into a contract with a very talented narrator to add an audiobook of All From Dreams to the series! I'm so excited!!!

Also, would y'all be interested in a Kindle Vella series about Seodrass?

Look for more show-related and book-related content going forward, and I'm sorry for the drought!

That's it for now!

You're Not George R.R. Martin - Hurry It Up

Look. We all know how it goes. January 1st rolls around and good intentions crop up. I only had three resolutions this year: walk four times a week, journal, and wear real pants.

These didn't last long. I walked twice so far this year, the journal is already collecting dust, and these leggings are soooo comfy. Just how it goes, I guess.

Something that was not a resolution is my commitment to finishing Book Three this year. It's not a resolution because it's not a new plan. I'm excited to report that I have gained momentum.

To give some background, I wrote the first draft of All From Dreams, More From Dreams, and Book Three basically all at the same time.

Then I went back and edited All From Dreams. Made changes (lots). Published.

Next, I edited More From Dreams. Made changes (even more than the first book). Published.

By the time I reached Book Three, I had made so many changes to the other books, the rough draft no longer made a lot of sense. I even cringed at some scenes.

I froze up. I loved the rough draft of Book Three. LOVED IT. And now I had to change it. A lot. I think I actually kind of mourned that draft. How can I change my baayyyybeeeee?????

No simple editing for this book (not that editing the others was actually simple). An entire rewrite would be needed. So I just shoved my butt in a chair and started. 

It didn't go well.

I hated the rewrite. I loathed the tone. I disliked my beloved characters - Rhys and Daeg felt lifeless and stoic. Something had to give, but I had no idea where to go from here. I want Book Three to sing. I want the readers to love it as much as I loved that first draft.

Finally, I scrapped the rewrite. It sucked, y'all. I won't lie. I decided what I had to do was figure out what I loved so much from the rough draft and determine if it could be saved, so I started an outline.

If you know me in real life, you know I kinda hate outlines. I'm typically a pantser. But when editing and rewriting, it becomes necessary for me.

That outline has become a godsend. Piecing together my favorite parts with new, fun ideas reinvigorated my love for Book Three, and genuine rewriting has begun. My characters are back in form, and my excitement for what's to come is burning once more.

Anyway, all of this is to help explain what is taking so long and to let readers know, this journey is not over. Rhys and Daeg have more adventures with new characters I hope you'll like as much as you like the royal couple.

Seodrass has more stories to tell.

Don't Let Bad Witcher 3 Endings Happen to You

 So I've started doing something, y'all. For a while I was lost deep, deep in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 with Arthur Morgan and the Van Der Linde gang. Once I finally OD'ed on that, I turned to Witcher 3 in anticipation of the Netflix show. Yes, I know it was actually released in 2015, but Oh. My. Goodness. When asked how many hours I've spent on this game, I checked... 29 DAYS. DAYS, y'all, not hours! Having said that, I've started to lend my expertise to Gamers Decide, and they've been kind enough to let me. 

To get started, allow me to save you from the table-flipping moment I had when I finished the game on my first playthrough. If you don't mind spoilers (this article is the ultimate in spoilers), here is a guide to getting all three of the endings for the main game. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.