iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 24/09/2026

That tends to be my approach. Poor fool of a MC, stumbling blindly forward.

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 23/09/2026

I just wrapped a first draft like that. I knew it was going to be a bit dead in the water as I wrote it, but I loved it and had to get it out. Now that it's done...Oof. It's good, but doesn't fit any genre. Can't tell if I want to re-write or just write-off and move on.

220 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 05/08/2026

Walked into a bookstore last weekend, and saw all the super-fancy limited edition Romantsy books with the painted edges and all the other stuff. Next to all the other fantasy and scifi books. As an older SFF writer/reader, all I can say is... I am SO ENVIOUS. WANT.

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 20/03/2025

Hm. All four of my books showed up in the libgen training database. Thanks for the theft, meta. Glad I helped make billionaires more rich without costing them a penny.

110 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 20/03/2025

It's a special kind of annoyance dealing with US lefties, when they insist that I explicitly except them from complaints about american fuckery, and follow-up by saying that we shouldn't take it seriously, because they'll just vote out l'orange next time. Arg.

030 3

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 11/03/2025

You know you live in the mountains when it's +7, sunny...and snowing.

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 10/03/2025

I'm living in a little village in the BC mountains, but it's sort of the center for a very large area, so probably lots of volunteers needed. Different from Vancouver, for sure! I guess I'll start hitting up the elections Canada page...

130 3

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 10/03/2025

Shit. Right. That seems like an author thing to do. Might be good to get more involved than just yelling at the results.

120 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 07/03/2025

Ugh that terrible moment when you accidentally taste your meds. Bleaugh.

140 4

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 06/03/2025

Bloodwork yesterday as part of a special diabetes program I'm in. Checked my results this AM...brilliant across the board. A1c absolutely in control. Urate levels were up, though. Of course, the attack of gout that started in my sleep last night was also an indicator. Back on the no meat train...

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 04/03/2025

And yes, there are a lot of folks that do understand, and are supportive and actually doing what they can to make things better, instead of closing their eyes and crossing their fingers and saying "..no place like home!" repeatedly.

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 04/03/2025

Well, I do believe I'm getting right tired of condescending US #SFWA authors and their "gosh, it's not that bad, stop making it sound unpleasant!" comments. You don't have to look very hard at all to see what the rest of the world sees, and expects. Enjoy your privilege, I guess?

150 5

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 04/03/2025

Already pulled my novel out of Kindle Unlimited, and cancelled prime and all subscriptions to anything american. I'll get Anubis War digital on other markets as soon as I'm able. I'm going to prioritize buying books from Canadian indie authors, or other indie authors not american.

030 3

Reposted by David R Packer

SorryHat @sorryhat.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Lunch sketch.

443474918 3.5K

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 25/02/2025

Second fantastic espresso/americano (gotta find a new word for that) in two days. Turns out, the best beans I could buy resulted in only tolerable results. Roasting my own? Glorious. Rich, smooth, creamy-chocolate/caramel flavours. Dark roasts can fuck off and die.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 22/02/2025

My newly roasted coffee came into rotation this morning. I think I nailed the roast profile, but not as described. Costa Rica Caturra, Molasses ferment. Should be fruity, but it's...rich with the aroma of fresh-hot-from-the-oven brownies, and tastes the same. Yum.

040 4

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/02/2025

A good point. It's also possible that I just haven't found the right way to talk about my work. And most likely that I am just speaking to a too-small audience. I told myself I'd learn/practice marketing when I hit five books published. Almost there.

000 0

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/02/2025

Hopefully in the future I can find a better angle to tell the story from, and make that fictional world come to life. But for now? Going to focus my time on other novels. Tough business, but everything is a lesson to learn from.

000 0

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/02/2025

Or at least, don't spend any money on the current on. For me, specifically? That means the novel I'm currently in re-writes on I'm just going to consider it dead in the water. I'll put it up for sale, get a decent cover, but the two follow-up novels, partially written? I'll just put those to bed.

100 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/02/2025

Good bit of writing advice I saw today, along the lines of "if no one wants to beta/pre-read your book: the premise sucks." Painful truth, there. Always accounting that friends/followers may not be your market, but a good sign to maybe just get to work on the next one.

220 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 18/02/2025

Old plotting method: Setting, character, goal - build arcs, break into acts and chapters. Write. New plotting method (zettelkasten-based): Every single tidbit of thought onto cards. Link cards via context. Review cards to see what thoughts have the most links/cards. Write from this new context.

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 17/02/2025

The historic arts of Europe incorporated these tools, sometimes explicitly, but always implied. To ignore them as "fluff" or unnecessary is to ignore one of the tools of the playbook. It's there for a reason.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 17/02/2025

There are people that don't see the need for this, and that's because they have other paths to success. We are all different and need to access different tools for success.

110 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 17/02/2025

Philosophy is an essential tool of swordplay. It's a method to help us understand how our perceptions can be flawed, and can provide us with tools to correct those flaws.

140 4

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 13/02/2025

A thing I've learned repeatedly in martial arts, that's very applicable to things in the coming days. Trying to be smarter than the opponent is sometimes a dead end. Sometimes the smartest thing to do is just punch them in the face. Do the thing they think you are too smart to do.

020 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 12/02/2025

I think I've got one of her books on my TBR pile, since about 3 moves ago. I'll go hunt it up. I think I've gone through most of the weird folks, KU makes it easy to take chances on someone new. Many regrets, but also some gems.

000 0

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 12/02/2025

I should write more lefty milscifi...It doesn't sell, but I sure enjoy it. Got one sitting in the plot/setting compost pile that I should peek at. Got any non-nazi reccs?

430 4

Reposted by David R Packer

Krista D Ball is Canada's Spooky Potato @kristadb1.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Allow me to clarify: YOUR COUNTRY JUST DECLARED ECONOMIC WAR ON OURS. THE FUCK DID YOU THINK CANADA WOULD DO? BE NICE? WE SURE AS FUCK DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT. FUCKING HELL. YOU DO NOT GET TO PLAY THE VICTIM. I hope that clarifies my stance.

2649 64

Reposted by David R Packer

Phoebe Barton 🚀🇺🇳 @phoebebarton.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

watching Trudeau and he might be the first person to ever tell some Americans that their actions have consequences

1211 21

Reposted by David R Packer

KT Bryski @ktbryski.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Canadian anger is a cold and slow anger that freezes right in the bones.

2132 13

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 14/01/2025

That's something I have to work very, very hard on. No shortcuts aside from quitting, and I've already got a lifetime's experience at that, so it's time to take the harder road.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 14/01/2025

so I already know many of my weaknesses. One of the biggest isn't my writing, (yeah, still weak, but each word down is a word to better) but my courage. Putting things out there, regardless of how "perfect" I feel they are? That's hard. Being open to failure and critique, but still going?

100 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 14/01/2025

"Consensus: Another book with tons of worldbuilding depth and relatively shallow characterization, this one divided our readers based on how much they valued a compelling world compared to compelling characters." I didn't expect Anubis War to get past the first round...I've grown a lot as a writer

100 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 14/01/2025

My debut novel: Anubis War, just got cut in the first round of the SPSFC competition. www.tarvolon.com/2025/01/14/t... No arguments on the review, and the noted weakness is one I've already worked to improve. The comment on the strength of the worldbuilding kinda made my day, though!

tarvolon.com

130 3

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 11/01/2025

Worth noting that you can make the argument that the whole reason BC exists was First Nations resistance against American invaders, due to the Fraser War. That spirit still exists...at least where folks aren't trying to be Alberta Light.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 01/01/2025

Doing a little math, after reading @taowong.bsky.social's year end post. If you start out writing just 3 words today, and tomorrow write 6, and keep up at that pace? By the year's end you will be writing about 1000 words/day. You will have written over 200k words for the year. 2 novels. Go.

120 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 01/01/2025

Now this is a lovely deal. Get all the first books in the System Apocalypse and spin-off series, including mine, all in one package. Grab it while you can! www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DRPS4M24

031 3

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 26/12/2024

R/Fantasy book sale. 600 books. For every 50 books downloaded, $1 gets donated to the Mary Cariola Children's Center. www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/ Tons of new and indie authors on there, so I'm going to ask: Any recommendations from that list?

121 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 23/12/2024

Just asked the AI how to build a five year physical rehab plan for an aging martial artist in poor shape but with excellent proprioception and technical skills, but very poor motivation. #$%#@$%-ing thing told me I should start teaching again.

040 4

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 20/12/2024

Oh, it is! It was a tourney prize back when I was in the SCA. Somewhere around 20 years old, I guess. Time flies.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/12/2024

They bring much joy. And have much history.

010 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/12/2024

These two are my favourite sharps, both Gus Trims. The bottom one is Bi-frost, which was the official sword of our LGBTQIA+ martial arts school (thus the rainbow finish on the blade). The other I don't currently have a pic of, but it's a rapier with a custom hilt made by an armourer friend.

220 2

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/12/2024

All of them? I've been teaching historical European sword arts for over twenty years now. If it's a blade, I've trained with it or taught how to use it. Probably why my hard(ish) science first novel set in the far future had a main character who was a teacher of swordplay. I think I made it work...

100 1

David R Packer @randypacker.northsky.social · 19/12/2024

Yo! David R Packer, Queer enby swordfighter living in a remote mountain village. I somehow managed to write a LitRPG trilogy last year. No idea how that happened. WIP is a cyberpunk psionic maybe-love story, and edits on a post-apoc epic fantasy which is a sequel to the current WIP. Because fun.

1101 10

Reposted by David R Packer

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

One thing you will never think after reading a great book or listening to a great album or seeing a great piece of art is, “I’m really glad this person remained cautious while they were making this and guarded against being perceived as weird.”

104107772618 10.8K