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Messages - ErikHolmes

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346
Books / Re: Favorite author
« on: April 30, 2009, 08:21:54 AM »
Roger Zelazny is on a pedestal to me. So he's number one. After reading The Hero of Ages though I started really wondering if Brandon was my new favorite. Man, that scene at Kredik Shaw was really cool (sniff--why couldn't Matrix Revolutions have ended cool like that).

Right below them though would be Steven Brust and E. E. Knight. Brandon, Brust and Knight are about the only three authors that I keep track of when their new stuff is coming out.

347
Movies and TV / Re: Theres a boat load of movies coming out May 1st
« on: April 30, 2009, 08:13:02 AM »
Meh. Apparently there's copy of Wolverine out for download. My buddy watched it and said the movie completely sux.

I shouldn't be surprised, X-Men 3 made me cry, (except for the "I'm the Juggernaut Bitch!" part, that was classic).

* ErikHolmes waits for Star Trek.

348
Site News / Re: BBQ and Rifftrax at my house
« on: April 29, 2009, 11:10:05 PM »
Quote from: Nessa on April 29, 2009, 09:56:01 PM
Yes any TWGer is invited.

Whoo hoo! I bet the Rifftrax is good too . . . guys head on a girls body . . . how can you NOT have something funny to say about that!

349
Site News / Re: BBQ and Rifftrax at my house
« on: April 29, 2009, 09:15:48 PM »
Rifftrax are always fun. Is the BBQ open to noobies to the list too?

350
CCGs / Re: Munchkin?
« on: April 29, 2009, 07:36:00 PM »
I always liked the Cthulhu ones the best but you probably need to be at least a little familiar with them to get the jokes. Hastur games and hobbies is a good place to pick them up.

http://www.hasturhobbies.com/

351
Rants and Stuff / Re: Teaching racism
« on: April 29, 2009, 09:23:57 AM »
All I can say is: There's a LOT of stupid parents out there.

I still remember the kids in California that got taken away from their parents by social services. They were like six and four years old . . . and only spoke Klingon.   :-\

352
Books / Re: All my books are read, Looking for suggestions
« on: April 29, 2009, 01:02:27 AM »
I've ordered most of the books people suggested for me. Right now I am reading East and enjoying it. It's for younger readers but its still good and has some interesting ideas.

It's been really helpful for my book, I looked up a few of the terms used in the book and it led me to things I can use for mine. I like the Trolls in the book.   ;D

353
Reading Excuses / Re: 4-20-09 ErikHolmes, The Sword of Worlds Chs 1-3 v2.0
« on: April 28, 2009, 09:06:54 AM »
Quote from: RavenstarRHJF on April 27, 2009, 10:32:44 PM
I liked Kail's chapters put together, it just feels more logical.  You tightened up the action nicely, but I still think you could indicate the setting and where everyone's standing a little better if you just added some things like "looking over his shoulder" or "he came at him from the right," and "leaping backwards."  I honestly don't recall if any of that actually happens in your scene, but it would help the reader to understand what's going on.

Ya, that action scene is something I think I'll have to do a few more version of before I get it right.  :D

Quote from: RavenstarRHJF on April 27, 2009, 10:32:44 PM
I liked Ellie's chapter much more this time around.  You can bring in the fact that she's an animal lover later on, when it becomes plot significant- but good foreshadowing of that with the puppy and her reaction to it being hurt.  I noticed you took out the scene with Kail's mom... I don't know if I'd have taken it out, or just reworked it.  It does help us to understand Kail and his reactions a little better, but you put some of that explanation in the new version of Chapter 1. 

LOL, so the day before I sent out my submission last week I'd been sick. When I sent out that version I basically had the 1.0 version of the scene with Kail's mom instead of the 2.0 version. The submission I actually gave to Brandon was The Gunfight Chapter, then the Chapter with Ellie in the morning, then the Apartment Chapter.

Quote from: RavenstarRHJF on April 27, 2009, 10:32:44 PM
Like I said... I don't know.  As for the "questioning," I've got the same concerns with them not knowing where to find Lance's apartment, and why they would go to someone as far removed from contact with him as his best-friend's next door neighbor.  Yes, they work together, but apparently not very often.  But I didn't think you went too easy on her.  After all, there wasn't much time for them to start hurting her between their arrival and the phone call that let them know Lance was dead, and that's pretty much where you cut off.  I'm still wondering why they didn't just call the company he works for and ask, or, for that matter, hire a hacker to get it.  You usually have to list your residence on your application at the least, and that kind of paperwork is usually digital in this day and age.  But maybe they just like hurting people... or maybe they're not familiar with the way things work in this world.

You know, unless I add a few things in the first 5 chapters, those questions will never get answered in this book at all (but maybe in book two). Hmm, or maybe they can get a chance to question Sicko about it later on. I will say that none of the above methods would have worked though.

Quote from: RavenstarRHJF on April 27, 2009, 10:32:44 PM
The dialogue, though... eh.  It's alright.  For some reason, it still feels contrived.  As mind numbing as TV can be, it might help to watch a few episodes of something just to get a handle on the way people talk to each other.  Or a movie for that matter.

All of the dialog or just the part with the goons? It's only the second draft and I've always figured that dialog is the last thing to touch up, but I am curious if you feel that way about all of it?

354
Reading Excuses / Re: April 27 - The Ringing Horn Chp 1 Pt 1
« on: April 28, 2009, 01:16:23 AM »
I thought this was an excellent start for the book. The chapter seemed very well polished to me.

The only part of it I had any problem with was the handfasting scene, I wasn't sure who was talking. I was uncertain if it was the two fathers accepting what was said or the bride and groom. Maybe it's just me.

I also thought that where you stopped was a decent place to end the chapter, IMO.

Also, while I thought this was a great start to the book, part of me wonders if the book wouldn't be helped by some sort of prologue. Something to give the readers a hint about what the story is about, etc. Especially is this is to be a stand alone book. 

355
Rants and Stuff / Re: What do you think of Joseph Smith?
« on: April 24, 2009, 08:53:19 AM »
Quote from: Renoard on April 24, 2009, 12:09:40 AM
Quote
IMO if you believe that Jesus was the Christ, then you're a Christian . . .
Of course that's not a very sound opinion Erik.  Muslims believe that Jesus was the Christ. And a Muslim would be to first to take offense if you called them Christian.  There are a whole list of qualifying distinctives that include or exclude people from being Christian.

Ok, let me make it more clear as to what I believe:

Matthew 16:16 (King James Version)

 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Anyone who agrees with Peter on that statement, in my book, is a Christian. (Ya, ya, I know there might be a few wacky exceptions but let's not get too crazy here).

Quote from: Renoard on April 24, 2009, 12:09:40 AM
Belief and alliance are not quite the same thing. ;D
James 2:17-19 is pretty clear on that.
Quote
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

While I agree with what you are saying, I've talked to other Christians that might not. I have a friend that believes 100% that anyone who claims they believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. No mater how many sucka's they've had to bust a cap in cause they owed them fifty dollas. If they've said the words, they are in the clear.

When your brother is in jail cause he DID bust a cap in someone for fifty dollars, its probably a comforting belief to have.

Now, I could tell my friend that he's not really a Christian, but beyond it just not being polite, I just think there are better ways to approach differences of opinion on religion.

356
Rants and Stuff / Re: What do you think of Joseph Smith?
« on: April 23, 2009, 11:15:34 PM »
Quote from: Renoard on April 23, 2009, 10:22:20 PM
Kaz is a little vague on his Irvingite/Baptist catechism but he is trying to cite a historical fact in a slightly inarticulate way. :P  It is a fact, and I doubt a surprise to anyone who has been on a Mormon mission, that the dogma of every "denomination" or sect that is not a part of the LDS arc (i.e. CJCLDS, RCJDLDS and splinter sects that claim association with Smith and Young) reject the assertion that LDS are Christians.  The reason is that they feel that the canon of Scripture was closed at the ecumenical council where the canon was set. Further the belief is based on the passage in Galations 1:6-9
Quote
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The common understanding is that this includes Mormans, Druze, Swedenborgians, Muslims, B'hai and any other group which tries to marry the bible with other texts.

The fact that anyone could call a church called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" not Christian has always been funny to me. IMO if you believe that Jesus was the Christ, then you're a Christian . . .

My first thought when you posted the above scripture was:

That's fine. We believe we preach the exact same gospel that Paul would have preached to them at that time anyway.

I think it's also fairly well documented that the scripture quoted above was an Epistle from Paul specifically for the Galatians, who were being taught that they needed to follow the law of Moses, and not what he was teaching them (mainly having to due with circumcision).

Mormons haven't been forcing circumcision on anyone either, so I think we are in there clear there too   ;D

Quote from: Renoard on April 23, 2009, 10:22:20 PM
Not meaning to start that debate, but it looked to me like Ookla was playing dumb, pretending not to know what Kaz was trying to say and that is a little dishonest. ;)

In Ookla's defense, I hardly think she was being dishonest. What Kaz was saying made little sense IMO. Ookla made a comment about pages missing from the Book of Mormon and about how a section in the Book of Mormon was missing. Then Kaz jumped in and said he disagreed due to the fact that he was a christian? He's disagreeing that the summary is missing from the book of Mosiah?

357
Rants and Stuff / Re: What do you think of Joseph Smith?
« on: April 23, 2009, 10:26:37 PM »
Quote from: Champion Kaz on April 23, 2009, 09:11:33 PM
Virtually christians will argue that the book of mormon was not written by the original prophets/ disciples and instead written at a later date and has no relation to the canon.

Well, Mormons wouldn't even disagree with part of that statement.

The Book of Mormon was written by prophets on the American continent who taught about Christ at the same time that the disciples in Jerusalem were.

That it has no relation to the canon . . . THAT we would argue.

358
Reading Excuses / Re: 4-20-09 ErikHolmes, The Sword of Worlds Chs 1-3 v2.0
« on: April 21, 2009, 09:09:09 AM »
Quote from: Renoard on April 21, 2009, 01:36:24 AM
It seems stronger.  It's hard to get the objectivity for analysis without a cooling off period but I think you've made improvement.  I'm still a little put off by Kail riding off into the sunset, then pounding on Elie's window, since it becomes obvious that he was at her window before the gunfight.  You may have over corrected a little in spots but nothing that stands out. 
I did have these questions.

Was this a typo?
"I caught sight of the front of my shi@t. I had forgotten that I was soaked in blood. I panicked for a second. . ."

LOL, ya, that's a typo all right. Damn, I've fixed it a few times too, Word must keep changing it for some reason.

"I caught sight of the front of my SHIRT."

I don't know how to solve the problem with Kail riding off, then going back in time for Ellie's chapter. Do you think I should just cut out that first scene with Ellie and Kail and just start off with Ellie opening up her front door to the goons?

Quote from: Renoard on April 21, 2009, 01:36:24 AM
A couple of places I saw tense shifts.

"everything seems unusually cold"
"I’m sure it’s full of wands"

Hope this is more helpful than frustrating.

It's always helpful. Thanks for pointing those out.

I guess my big question would be: Did you think that the new chapter with Ellie I sent out was stronger then the first one? If you just had to choose, would you advise me to use the Gunfight Chapter, the Apartment Chapter and the Goons visiting Ellie Chapter, or Gunfight, Apartment and the Ellie and Sonja Chapter?

359
Books / Re: All my books are read, Looking for suggestions
« on: April 21, 2009, 08:59:49 AM »
Sadly, I don't think that he ever had time. He was dying of cancer and knew it, but didn't tell a lot of people about it. I've read that he had planned to do a third series of Amber books.

I remember reading a story about how he had been gaming with George R. R. Martin, Walter Jon Williams, Jane Lindskold, and at one point they asked him what his character was doing and his reply was incoherent. They stopped the game, thinking he was just tired (they all knew he had a kidney infection but not that it was a complication of chemotherapy).

The next day he was dying in a hospital bed, the day after that he had died. From what I've read few people knew he was anywhere near that sick. They all thought he was fine enough to play some GURPS anyway.

360
Books / Re: All my books are read, Looking for suggestions
« on: April 21, 2009, 07:41:28 AM »
The Chronicles of Amber, read by Roger Zelazny Audiobooks -- FTW.   ;D

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