A writer’s blog on how to Write Urban Fantasy, fanfiction, and Pop Culture thoughts

Welcome to writer Mark Wooden’s all-new (mostly), all-different (definitely) “Thoughts from the Shed” writer blog. Here you’ll find pop culture news and commentary, fanfiction, and updates on my “Shadowdance” action urban fantasy saga.

All served with a side of snark — and maybe a bloodstained tanto or two.

If you’re into monsters, mayhem, and morally complicated mayhem-makers… you’re in the right shed.

Why a blog?

Because every writing resource says you should have one, honestly.

I never understood why until I realized the difference between, say, an author published by Berkley or Tor and a self-published author like me: Tor authors get money for advertising and a staff to control it.

(Though some argue lower-tier published authors still do the lion’s share of their publicity.)

Um, it’s just me, folks. And the dog, but he sleeps all the time. And, still a dog, so he can’t help me write and market.

So yeah, just me.

Still know nothin’ ’bout me

I’m sure you looked at the “About” page already. If not, I’ll wait.

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Here are some other things to know about yours truly.

I’m heavy into TV, movies, and comic books. Especially give me some horror, action, or film noir. If you can put all three in one movie, even better!

Music also plays a big part in my life.

I’m a fan of Prince, Sting (the musician, not the wrestler; did ya catch the heading above?), Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, and most industrial music (especially if you have a frontwoman), and pop dance tunes.

(For more about how music inspires me, see my posts in the “Music Inspires” menu heading under the “Mark’s Blog” tab.)

I also have movie soundtracks, like The Crow and various James Bond movies, on heavy rotation.

Not gonna lie: for a writer, I read fiction, but I’m not much of a reviewer of books. You won’t see many book reviews here, though I’m looking to fix that.

Defining what makes pop culture pop through a writer’s blog and a podcast

There are nearly an unlimited number of sites you can hit to find out if some keyboard cowboy thinks a creative work is “good” or “bad.”

I’m less concerned with something being “good” or “bad.” I’m more about learning how the creators captured the hearts and minds of their audience. I’ll find something redeemable in even the shittiest movie.

I mean, Batman v Superman had Wonder Woman, right?

(Yeah, that was nearly a decade ago, but I will still kick a movie while it’s down!)

In the “TFTS” blog and podcast, I’ll share insights into why I think a piece of art worked or didn’t. Sometimes, art fails to capture an audience. I’ll try to figure out why that happened, too.

My posts on media will read like an autopsy. As a kid, I always broke things apart to figure out how they worked.

Probably why I ended up as a video engineer despite my dislike of technology.

Writer’s podcast for how-to stuff and pop culture commentary

The Thoughts From the Shed podcast is where I’ll drop knowledge about the writing process. I’ll share what inspired me and why.

I’m also gonna let you inside the scary place that is my mind. You’ll see the creative process as I continue with my work.

Like I do with the blog, I’ll comment on pop culture, but in the context of what a writer can learn and not so much an audience’s reaction to the material.

The state of the Shed and my action urban fantasy saga

In the Before Pandemic times, I was working on Illusion of Love, the third novel in my “Shadowdance” action urban fantasy saga.

Friends (can we be friends already?), it was kicking my butt. Lots of moving parts. I had to put it aside, and then… life happened.

Eventually, I turned back to the concept of a prequel to the first two books I released. As I crafted that novel, I realized that the shine off those books had died.

It was like they never existed.

I decided to capitalize on this. Instead of writing a straight prequel, I would repackage the books I’d written this far into a trilogy.

I’d start with the prequel-now-first-novel, Two Sisters. By Virtue Fall, originally the first novel, would become novel number two. For Her Sins would end the trilogy.

And I didn’t forget about Illusion of Love. That’s gone from a single book to a trilogy title.

With the opportunity to rewrite the other books, I’m tying Fall into Two Sisters, while also adding some content for context. I anticipate Sins getting the least amount of work — other than me improving the writing.

It was nearly a decade ago when I wrote that one. I hope I’ve improved.

Come for the writer and pop culture stuff, stay for the fanfiction!

On the rest of the site, you’ll find my SYFY Wire Fan Creator-famous fanfiction, blog posts, and info on the short horror film I have on YouTube.