Thinking Back on 2023 (Writing)

Mpepper/ December 13, 2023/ Think Pieces, Writing

We have once again arrived at the time of year where we reflect, usually in the form of lists. Best of, worst of, etc. I’m doing all that on my YouTube channel with the books I read this year, so be sure to check it out. But over here I’m going to look at 2023 in terms of my writing.

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[Neuro]Diversity

Mpepper/ November 30, 2023/ Uncategorized

I was filling out a form that asked about diversity, and… It felt like the form was asking me to out myself in some way(s). Which isn’t cool. I live a really heteronormative life on the outside, and I don’t think I should be required to talk about private things in order to tick a box. I write diverse books…

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Meet Amaurodios

Mpepper/ November 2, 2023/ Announcements

The central character of my current (which is also very old) WIP! Amaurodios voluntarily leaves the heavenly realm of Argyros in order to follow Seladion. Alas, Am turns out to be not terribly well equipped to exist in the world… He is the Aziraphale to Sel’s Crowley, the Louis to Sel’s Lestat. Am has a kind, if naive, heart, and

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Gatekeeping Criticism

Mpepper/ October 27, 2023/ Think Pieces

Not all opinions are made equal. Everyone is entitled to one, of course, and now that pretty much everyone in the world has a public platform via social media, everyone is able to broadcast their opinions to the populace. In many ways, this is a good thing. Hearing various points of view, getting different “readings” on a text (as we

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20 August Stage v Screen

Mpepper/ October 11, 2023/ Uncategorized

“Wait,” I hear you saying, “what’s 20 August? I’ve never seen it. Never even heard of it.” (Well, okay, you might at least have heard of it if you follow my work at all.) But you won’t have seen it because, though the screenplay has been optioned a couple times, it has never been produced. So allow me to fill

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Book Reviewing: Four Stars = Not Enough?

Mpepper/ September 25, 2023/ Reviews, Think Pieces

So I stumbled onto this story via social media. (I’m not someone who frequents Reddit, but that’s where this led me.) And I have to say I think ESH. But, at the same time, there is no easy or “correct” answer. Allow me to summarize: a book reviewer (who evidently reads and reviews a lot of books and says they

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On the Internet, You’re Replaceable

Mpepper/ September 22, 2023/ Think Pieces

There’s a semi-popular mode of thought that floats around fairly regularly as a social media post. Basically, it’s a reminder that your job will replace you if you die, so you shouldn’t live for your job because it doesn’t really care about you. The same is true of social media. No one will miss you if you leave. We like

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Catch Me Outside (This Site)

Mpepper/ September 21, 2023/ Uncategorized

I don’t have a Linktree or whatever. I probably should. It would be a lot easier to point everyone to something like that. But for now, this post will have to do. If you want to find me online, my Contact M page (at the top of this site) has that info, too. But if you want to buy my

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Social Engagement

Mpepper/ September 19, 2023/ Think Pieces

Being ignored wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to you as a kid. It was, one supposes, better than being actively bullied. But with the rise of social media and the emphasis on engagement, being ignored can feel like being buried alive. As I work through a few personal issues, I’ve come to realize that feeling like an outcast—something

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ICYMI: Radio Interview about TSC

Mpepper/ September 17, 2023/ Announcements, Interviews

This has been on my In the Media page for a while, but I realized I never posted about it in the blog, so here it is. I did a little radio interview with The Authors Show about The Switchgrass Crown. So if you’re at all curious about that book, or my work in general, please check it out. BTW,

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