WHY WRITE ABOUT MEDIA
By Alex Ness
December 11, 2025
Criticism of Popular Media Considered
I am not complaining, I am trying to explain my experience. A while ago I was contacted and asked multiple times to consider a work of fiction that was ultimately turned into a successful HBO series. A friend who follows my work sent me a copy of the book, the first of what turned into a very long series, as yet unfinished. I had begun to read the first book and realized it would be unfinished by the author as its own projections of the plot and of characters suggested to me, at least, that it would be a while before it even began to take shape. I said no, I didn't want to read more, and I won't watch the series, first because I can't pay for tv or cable, and second I was not a fan of what I read with regards to the flavor or concepts, as such I had no reason to view the series. It was of great quality in writing, but I don't have the ability keep my attention on super long series when I am not reading for pleasure. I read or listen to 50 things a month. I can't give more attention for non-personal products.
Hence my appreciation for Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, HP Lovecraft and Lord Dunsany. They wrote lush poetry, short prose, serialized content. As I read them, I get enough, can get more, and they satisfy.
So my friend didn't understand why I didn't want to invest time in the products, asking, Isn't it the point of criticism to consider new media? I said, it is far more about one's exposure to a piece of media, and the response to how that media worked on me. Therefore the point is to share a creative work's ability to move one. The person asking said, could you just consider it because I'd like to hear what you thought? I said, it is a work of great writing quality, but I don't want to go further since I have had enough interest or like the flavor enough to know it wouldn't work in my brain. They said why can't you just write that to open up the discussion. Finally I said, you already did that. I find my addressing the work done, you received a personal version.
As such, that was I think 15 or more years ago, perhaps 20 years, and the series is still unfinished in book form, and I think it was completed in series, but since I didn't watch, I don't know if it concluded well, or said, here it is for now, we'll come back if necessary.
RECENT BOOK READS
Here are 5 books I've invested time and interests in a fashion the above mentioned book didn't inspire the same. That isn't a complaint, my purpose was not the same.
I have been told that people do not read what they consider to be archaic in tone. Or about subjects they no longer fear or wonder about. Buy each of these and give them your attention. From works done long ago, these books stir your imagination, or your love for heroes, or villains, joy or sorrow, grace or selfishness.
I collect copies of BEOWULF, for profit or trading, rather to find and acquire all the copies I do not already own. This version is probably to me, the most beautiful. Barry Tharaud's verse adaptation and translation sings, and it is easier to perceive the culture, the events and dialogues. Rockwell Kent is magnificent
One of the first fictional fantasy novels ever, THE MAGIC RING by Baron De La Motte Fouque is indeed a hard read. Yet, I love it though for the reasons it exists. It is clearly trying to express a new form, capturing fiction and imagination. Amy H. Sturgis makes the prose more readable, and clear. And the art is well done.
Similar to the Magic Ring, the Magic Goblet by Emilie Flygare-Carlen, also edited by Amy H. Sturgis once again, tells the tale of a wedding, a gift of a goblet, bad luck or curses, and divorce. It was brilliant for the day, as divorce was not a well tread path, nor was it commonly assumed that woman should be authors. Which is baloney, quite honestly.
The Last Man has been discussed hear before, and this is a repeat read over the last 3 years. The reason for such is that Mary Shelley wrote about something that was barely understood by science minds of the day and for a long time thereafter. By breaking new ground, she made it into a subject of thought by common folks, and without being being a scientist. It also considers the consequences of a world pandemic, in the early 1800s.
The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe is notable for how it explains, examines and expresses in prose and poetry the ideas of an unique thinker, and creative writer. It is a commonly known fact of the life of Poe that he wasn't well supported by sales, as his work, exceptionally good for the day and beyond was thought odd. But every pioneer of an art form is almost surely limited by the reader shock in the face of a new work. His talents of presenting information in a fashion that will directly challenge the conforming society, and of their ideals of normal.
Find them on Amazon
Beowulf tranlated by Barry Tharaud, edited by Tharaud & illustrations by Rockwell Kent
The Magic Ring by
The Magic Goblet by by Emilie Flygare-Carlen (Author), Amy H Sturgis (Editor)
The Last Man by Mary Shelley
The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe
RECENT RPGs CONSIDERED
This is less of a statement of purpose by me, as an appreciation. I don't have a gaming group, I don't game much since, but those times when I tried to introduce my players to a new work, it almost inevitably ended in failure. They never wanted to change the flavor, and the two most constant players were decidedly in favor of battle first, killing if possible, and leaving scorched earth behind them. The two or three best players, who enjoyed new systems and settings weren't involved when I had the most time to devote, but make gaming more fun than with anyone else.
HarnWorld from Columbia Games is a self contained massively detailed setting, and it can be explored without game specifics and using your own stats. Many go further and utilize the Harnmaster Fantasy Roleplaying game engine, and as a GM go with a gaming group to explore the setting, with a game engine that aims to enhance play. I find Harn a brilliant concept, a wonderful achievement, and worth digesting as an example how populations interact, geography, climate, ocean currents and species exist in a setting. I am not likely to use Harnmaster with new players, as I find it less useful than D&D, T&T, Monsters!Monsters! or similar game systems.
HARN's Designer's website
HARNMaster from Columbia Games
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