Progress and updates

  

I promise I haven't been silent for no apparent reason. I've been busy with school, responsibilities, Korean dramas, and yes, writing—imagine that!

For those following Michael Lavoice’s blog, you might have seen occasional updates about SARCOM. The story revolves around Jack Crowley, a lieutenant in the Search and Rescue Command. This narrative continues the tale that Michael and I began in an anthology focused on the Space Coast Guard. We have finished the first book, and the second one is nearing completion. All that's left is a third, because good things come in threes.

Coasties in space isn’t the only thing I’m working on. For those familiar, I wrote “Dragoon: First Strike” back in 2024 via Three Ravens Publishing. Reviews have been positive, and someone has compared my writing to Heinlein's. While currently one book, available via Amazon in ebook and print, Dragoon was always meant to be a series. The good news is that the next five books have been written and submitted, and covers are being worked on. Once I know more, I’ll keep you posted.

Finally, I do have great news. Bukowski is returning. Gene Bukowski was the key character in a novel I had through a previous publisher. However, after a year, the rights returned to me, and the book was taken down. 

Even back then, I had intended to re-edit the story and self-publish. Life got in the way. The thing is, Bukowski has found a new home. Rewritten, rebooted, and a tad more American-centric–to the extent that the first three novellas are set in Washington, Miami, Houston, and Mexico City, rather than Cape Town. Contracts have been signed, and now it’s a matter of letting you know when it’ll be ready for public consumption. 

Like with Dragoon, I’ll keep you posted.

I want to say, though, that I’m really excited. Bukowski, Sia, and Heerdan have been with me for as long as I remember, and I am thrilled with how they’ve turned out in this incineration. If you like Tom Clancy, Dean Coonts, and television series like NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, Spooks, and the rebooted hawaii 5-o than bukowski is for you.

Found stuff

 Summer is a great time to tackle projects, like organising my Google Drive.

I really enjoy using Google Drive and prefer it over OneDrive; that’s just my personal preference.

I was going through my Google Drive mainly because a Gene Bukowski novella, which is about 28,000 words, has found a new home. I’ll keep you updated once I have more information about that. The point here is that the novella wasn’t the only story featuring characters like Gene Bukowski and Sia Falaangi Kamu, and I wanted to see what I had to work with.

Snowpiercer—A Character‑Driven Reimagining With Mixed Results

 I enjoy a good Netflix binge like anyone else. One of the series I'm currently watching is “Snowpiercer,” a show that expands Bong Joon-ho’s tightly woven, allegorical 2013 film into a sprawling, multi-season narrative. While the film serves as a brutal, metaphor-heavy parable about class and revolution, the series delves deeper into a layered political drama, focusing more on world-building and character development.

At least, that’s the intention. The movie and the series both keep the train as their central metaphor, but the series diverges sharply in tone and structure. It slows down the narrative, introduces multiple factions, and prioritises interpersonal dynamics over the immediate intensity of the film's story. 

In my opinion, the introduction of extended character arcs sometimes feels drawn out and uneven. My favourite character is Sean Bean’s Mr Wilford. Wilford is a fully realised antagonist. Bean brings a sense of menace without falling into caricature, along with charisma touched by a hint of madness, creating a strangely magnetic presence that makes Wilford both charming and repulsive. Bean portrays him as a complete human antagonist, capable of manipulation through emotional intimacy as much as through cruelty. He effectively captures the narcissism, entitlement, and theatricality of a man who believes he is humanity’s last and rightful ruler. 

In my humble opinion, Bean elevates the series, grounding the political conflict with a villain who feels tangible and dangerous, not just ideologically important. 

On the other hand, the protagonist, Andre Layton, is a different case. Conceptually, Layton is an intriguing character—a former detective and “tailie” who is thrust into the role of revolutionary leader. His arc reflects the moral challenges of leading a fractured society aboard a fragile metal ecosystem. However, Daveed Diggs’ performance often lacks the intensity and gravitas required to anchor such a sprawling ensemble drama. 

This doesn’t mean Diggs is a poor actor; he brings sincerity and calm determination. But in comparison to the high stakes of the narrative, his portrayal can feel subdued, flat, and somewhat uninspiring. Compared to Bean, Diggs seems to fade into the background of his own story.

“Snowpiercer” as a TV series succeeds when it focuses on ensemble storytelling and character conflict, borrowing some of the best structural elements from Korean dramas. Sean Bean’s Wilford is a standout character, a villain who genuinely enhances the quality of the series. However, it stumbles with Layton’s character portrayal—strong in concept but not always compelling in execution. 

Overall, the series offers a richer and more complex world than the film, though not always with the same sharpness of vision.

Been awhile

 Everything begins with the best of intentions, like setting up this blogger account. Unfortunately, since I created it, there has only been silence, comparable to the sound of tumbleweeds blowing in the wind, as no new content has been written.

You might be wondering why that is. The truth is, throughout 2025, I was busy adjusting to my new role as a tutor—specifically, a teaching assistant to my non-Kiwi friends—at Otago University. I worked alongside social work and health science students while also taking on casual hours as a social work contractor and juggling a few other tasks.

That said, I have been writing. I contributed a short story to a science fiction anthology focused on a space coast guard, co-written with fellow author Michael LaVoice. We enjoyed the premise so much that we’ve decided to expand it into a trilogy featuring Jack Crowley and other members of the Search-and-Rescue Command. Additionally, I have another short story submitted in an anthology that will be released later this year, so stay tuned for updates.

On the solo writing front, I've been diligently expanding the adventures of Nathan Harvey, Tomasi Folau, and Christian Daucourt during the First Saber War, which began in "Dragoon: First Strike." More announcements will come as I learn more, but in the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out the book via the links provided.

Looking ahead to 2026, I expect it will be similar to this past year, but at least I'm no longer adjusting.

That’s it for now. I don’t want to promise any regular posts, but I will make an effort to update the blog as needed.