Zombies Again

Short and sweet.

So I'm back in zombie land. Well, only for a little. I'm working on a couple other non-zombie projects (don't hate me).

Buuuuuuut I did want to get back to one of my favorite pastimes and that's working with the awesome people like +Frank Diepmaat over at Zombie Guide Magazine.

So, I took a little break from my world and wrote a article, well, the first of a two-parter.

Entitled, Apocalypse Ethics, it covers what we do about our family and friends when it comes to zombie-survival.

I'll post the link below. Hope you enjoy!

Click here for the link!

Catch you in a bit, world.

-Me

More on what matters most...

“Some people want the world.

Me? I just want to enjoy it.”

I have been thinking about that concept for a long time, and finally I pieced together the twelve-word quote and wanted to share the inspiration…

Life isn’t about things. We all know this; at least at some level.

Money is just an electronic number, plastic card, paper, or metals and stones that were at some point considered precious by someone.

Property, in the beginning, was freely accessible to all. There were no fences to barricade yourself from your neighbors. No competitions to see who could make it bigger and better. Worse, land has become such a sought after commodity that people and countries squabble, fight and kill over it.

Don’t misunderstand me. Where we are at as a species at this moment in history is a very unique time. Innovation, advances, technology. Countless things. Whatever you want for whatever you need; for everything and every occasion. We are in the age of choices.

And working hard to afford a certain lifestyle or provide for family is not inherently bad. It is, as I believe it, respectable and admirable. However, this attitude comes to a fault when its motivation lies in greed, gluttony, disrespect, or selfishness or when dishonorable or malicious practices are employed.

So it is my hope that hard work is based in self respect and a drive to want to be a better person; to do better and add something to this world. But during this pursuit of happiness never forget humility or generosity.

Philanthropy, charity, and good deeds should be practiced during both the hardest and most joyful times of a person’s life. It is easy to give when you have it all. Imagine winning the lottery and buying gifts for your friends. Easy, no brainer, feel good thing, right? Conversely but similarly, what about giving when you have nothing? Take the homeless person who shares their last piece of bread with another. Tragically beautiful. The act might appear difficult but the internal reward is beyond measure and explanation.

I’m drifting, I know. To be completely candid I’m not quite sure what my central idea is. I suppose it lies in the nature of us. Good and bad.

Traveling, seeing different people in different places under different circumstances is thought-provoking, mind blowing, and humbling. And in doing so, I have come to a realization that I want my life to be driven my positivity and the feelings and actions that breed this ideology.

I’m not perfect, not by a long shot. Nor am I this holier than thou prick. Just someone who wants this short life to have a meaning beyond artificial accumulation. Beyond the money chase. Beyond a number of facebook friends, followers, and status updates. Beyond things. What I want, rather what I strive for, is quality.

This world is so beautiful. There are so many amazing places to see. And I have been fortunate enough to sample its beauty- by the generosity of my hard working parents and grandparents, or by my own desire and curiosity- I have tasted delicious delicacies, stood next to incredible history and gazed at amazing relics.

But the greatest experience was achieved in the retrospective point of view. In the realization that everything happens for a reason.

A wise woman once told me that you can have anything in this world. Granted, not the literal interpretation. But happiness, comfort, joy, etcetera- you know, the metaphysical wonders. But as this woman continued, there are two things that come attached with this truth.

First: even though we can have anything that we put our mind to, we cannot control when it will enter our life.

Second: and of equal importance, we cannot control how long it will remain.

For example, and this is just a spur of the moment, possibly oversimplified, example…but imagine you seek love in the form of partnership. After years of searching, and perhaps even giving up, that special, one in a billion person falls right in your arms. You’ve never been happier. Never been more content. You are inseparable. You are in true love.

Then boom, like the Pearl Jam cover “Last Kiss,” that person is taken from you. It would be near impossible not to be devastated, not to be broken.

But there lies the answer in the form of a test. Would you give up? Would you say fuck it and stop trying? Stop living?

The challenging but rewarding answer would be to continue searching for what makes you happy. Understand, love, and respect those moments and strive to create more. It might be a tough, uphill battle, but you will achieve it if you truly seek it.

Despite dealing with love, this example can be translated across the board; to all situations and scenarios. Discover yourself, understand what you want and continue to grow. Never stop trying, never settle.

And with that, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes. I have seen it attributed to both DeCartes and Confucious, and it goes:

“It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the scheme of things works. All the good things are very difficult to achieve and bad things are easy to get.”

So in conclusion, I just want to say enjoy this world; the people, places, and moments. Time is fleeting and so might be the encounters, good and bad, but that doesn’t mean we should be anything less than grateful and thankful for the opportunity to enjoy them and learn from them.

It is easy to get caught up in the money chase and the dash to fill your life with things. So I caution against seeking this lifestyle and defining yourself by superficial assets.

The most meaningful of assets come in the form of (but certainly not limited to) relationships, cross cultural understanding, and generosity. The moment you realize life is about more than accumulating things will be a moment of true enlightenment.

Spend quality time with loved ones, talk to strangers, don’t be afraid to dream and pursue those dreams. Nature is a playground; a living canvas; an awesome gift. Take time to enjoy it but remember to treat it with dignity and respect. Stay positive, even when it’s difficult. Smile randomly- that exercise alone is fantastic for positive growth. Most of all, be happy. People, places and things can indirectly add to it, but true happiness comes from within J

Catch you later world,

me

Goodreads Awards!

Hey Hey Hey internet world! Just saw this on Goodreads and wanted to throw it out there...If anyone has a GR account, definitely check out the GoodReads Choice awards going on now. I would love for nothing more than a million votes for "The Other Side" :) Buuuuut there are a ton of great books out there that are also worth checking out/voting for. And if you don't see one listed (ahem, like The Other Side) you can write he title in...but it's only going on for the next couple days so vote soon!!

Thanks everyone!

Here's the link:
https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-science-fiction-books-2015

Oh, and I am finishing up a little something-something at the moment and will post that in the next couple days, so stay tuned!

-Me

What's been up??

Been a while since I've been on here...so what's been up??

Well, earlier this year I was working Down Unda' and during that time I was able to finalize "The Other Side" - yes, as I've said oh so many times, the EPIC CONCLUSION TO THE MOST BADASS ZOMBIE/SURVIVAL HORROR SERIES EVER!

Since, I've decided to take a bit of a break from writing. The book took a lot out of me and I'm hoping you have enjoyed reading it and following the cousins to the end. For those who haven't read it yet, definitely check it out and if you have any questions/comments/concerns/criticisms, let me know.

"But Thompson are you done writing?" many have asked.

Simply put, no, absolutely not. There's no one hit (three hit) wonder boy here. After I break out of my hermit shell and greet the writing world again, I want to put out a few short stories before I dabble into the next big super top secret project; these stories are ones I've been working on sporadically...tragedies, short comedies, film sketches...I got a lot up in here (pointing to my head). Some of it is weird, some of it is hilarious- to me. So when the passion comes back, the train will be full steam.

"So what's the timeline like?" one person has asked.

Honestly, I'm not sure. I've had some trippy dreams lately, stuff I want to turn into stories, but the will to dedicate the time behind the computer just isn't there yet. But IF I had to put a timeline on it, I'd probably say by the end of the year I'll start back up again.

I know I don't have any social media to bombard you with updates like "Look at me" "Hittin' the computer and the coffee" or "It's writing time!" but that's just not my style. No I'm not a writing hipster, it's just not my thing. I guess I'm kinda like your grandpa. But feel free to get in touch via email and I'll happily fill you in.

"So that's it, Thompson? We just sit back and wait around until the next amazing project gets going?" I don't think anyone has asked, but still I'll answer...

And the answer to that is, kinda. Despite my absence, you can check out other great indie authors. I know the zombie genre is getting a bit saturated, but there are some diamonds in the ruff. And as always, try to recommend stuff or hop on message boards or Goodreads and see what others like you are saying.

Time to sign off, and drink some delicious German beer.

Be well, enjoy the stories and stay scared.

Most importantly, thanks again for your support.

-me

Not zombie-related but still AWESOME!

So not often do I encounter celebrities...I don't watch TMZ or read US Weekly or scour the internet, searching for big names and what they are doing. The George Clooney and Angelina Jolie's of the world can live their lives without my watchful eye.

But every so often some of these people wander into my world...

"Thompson, enough with the stalling! Who did you see?!?!" you might ask.

Well, here it goes...

On my way back to the states, I was boarding the plane and, being that I had a window seat, I had to do the "sorry to make you get up, but I have that one" to the guy sitting on the aisle seat. He smiled and replied with a version of "no worries" and I shuffled by and got settled in.

Being the guy I am, I had to strike up a conversation, introducing myself and asking him what he was doing in Ireland. He said his name is Chris and he was there with his band to play a show...

At this point I'm not thinking too much about it- coming from California, you can throw a rock and hit three musicians- but something seemed different. Minutes before I saw this same guy carrying a guitar while being escorted to the plane by an airline rep. Then, as the brain wheels continued to turn, a passerby said "Heard you guys played a great show" before continuing to his seat.

So what am I to do? Of course, I inquired further. To be honest, I thought maybe he just played a small venue or some gig like that (sorry, Chris, I'm an idiot). Then I continue...

"So, Chris, what's your band?"

And he humbly answers "Foo Fighters."

Now I felt a little jitter and the arm hairs rise up...Foo fighters? No Foo-king way! How did I not recognize him?! I'm sitting next to +Chris Shiflett!! Granted, I had a few adult beverages the night before and I think most people would first associate Dave Grohl with the band, but still, no excuses. And worse for me cause Chris Shiflett is the kick-ass guitarist of two favorite bands I grew up listening to (No Use For a Name and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes).

So here I am, on a plane sitting next to the guy who just killed it at Slane Castle the night before. We continue talking about music, life, surfing, etc. occasionally asking him random questions about set lists and touring. By he time the plane touches down in London, I think to myself, like I had been the whole time, that "This is one cool dude."

Chris was approachable, talkative, humble, and well, just slap on a million other adjectives for chill guys like that. Despite the short trip, it was an unreal, unexpected experience and an absolute pleasure. Thanks again, +Chris Shiflett for your contribution to the genre and music in general. Keep rockin' out and makin' great tunes.

(Didn't want to ask for a plane seflie, but here's the man)

*photo from foofighters8.com*

"The Other Side" is OUT NOW!!!!

So so so so pumped! "The Other Side" has been released today! It's been a long wait, but wait no more! Blood, sweat, tears, sweaty-tears, some sanity, countless hours of sleep lost, but in the end, I effing did it!

I want to thank all the fans (all two of you) and friends (I won't dare put that number) very much for your support. You took a chance with a first-time writer and stuck with a story that I hoped would set itself apart from the growing post-apoc/zombie genre.

I can't say it enough, thank you.

I truly hope you enjoy the finale. It's a long one (like 2-3 books packed into one), but in the end, I hope you flip (or swipe?) the last page, and then lean back exhausted and say "Damn that was an epic f**king finish!" Or something to that extent. You can choose :)

But again, thank you for your patience, reviews and support.

If you get a chance, I'm sure fellow readers and new ones would like to hear your thoughts on Amazon or Goodreads (lame to ask, I know I know). Hell, even if you wanna send an email my way I'd love to hear from you. But even if you don't I hope you enjoyed the story.

In the words of my good buddy Mike, Ciao for now, world,

-me

You can check out all three books here:
Yup, right here

Where is The Walking Dead series going??

Alright, now that The Other Side is all wrapped up and days from release, I thought I needed to take a break from writing. Who was I kidding...starting to contribute to Zombie Guide Magazine again with an article (my thoughts) on what's going on with The Walking Dead.

Interested? Check it out here :

http://www.zombie-guide.com/walking-dead-dying-coming-alive/

Not interested and just checking in to see when book three will be out? Just heard from Severed that it will be early this week!

Stay tuned world,

me