Daily writing prompt

Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

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I used to believe in the idea that we shape our own futures, at least to a large extent, unless something catastrophic gets in the way. I read Ayn Rand and found her perspective appealing.

Then I had kids.

My children are so different that it’s hard to believe. From a very young age, they had distinct personalities, different strengths, and different abilities to focus on the things that interested them. I now believe that nature has a greater influence than nurture, even though nurture still matter a great deal and shouldn’t be underestimated. You may have a much higher odd of becoming a pro basketball player if you’re super tall but you won’t if you don’t put in the hours.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a book you think deserves a sequel?

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There are a few obvious choices here, and I’d place them in no particular order.

1. Alan Campbell’s Gravedigger’s Chronicles. Book #2 ends well but this is a clear trilogy, where the issue with the flooded planet needs to get at least partially addressed. Unfortunately, Alan Campbell announced he won’t write books anymore and just quit.
2. The Thraxas original series of 12 books didn’t reveal the origins of Thraxas and Makri. Book 13 was promised and not delivered.
3. Patrick Rothfuss stormed the world with his Wise Man’s Fear book. Kvothe, supposedly, already told his story but not to us. 15 years later, book 3 remains unpublished. It is very unlikely that we see anything other than another short story or a prequel.
4. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson introduced us to a duo of young sorcerers who could create living glyphs. It is called a series but it is a series of one book. Second one never materialized.

Out of these, I think I regret the Gravedigger’s Chronicles the most. It was such an absurd idea, deserved to be wrapped up.