Hey Reader,

May you spare a recommendation?

What's something you've loved recently that's been on your mind? Was it a book, video game, movie? Or something more unique like a place, meal or event? Was it old or was it something brand new?

Regardless of what it is, send it to me - I need more recommendations to digest on my free time. Something I just realized after taking in so much media is how little I have a list of my own to thoroughly enjoy.

As for my own recommendations,

For anyone that's into anime and the superhero genre: To Be Hero X.

And even if this isn't your usual cup of tea, I would say give it a shot. While it only has one season (with a second season confirmed), this show was such a euphoric treat to watch. I literally cannot get enough of it! Please watch it. Then, I'll have more people to talk about this show with!!!

For those who like atypical comedies: Friendship.

I finally got to watch this on HBO Max the other week after missing my shot to watch it in theaters. It's the perfect movie if you're into that sorta strange, dry sense of humor. But then it also has this nice, genuine charm that can be felt throughout the movie. Tim Robinson does great as the main lead and there are a few jokes that, in my opinion, will stay with you by the end of the movie as it did for me.

I wish I could provide more recommendations, but that will be for another time.

A quickie writing update

I finished writing the first chapter of Mad Virus before landing in Aruba last week. I checked why this chapter took so long, and it landed at 8K words! I'm sure it'll be trimmed by a couple of thousand words by the final draft, but I have been reminding myself that longer chapters are something I, or any of us, should be fearful of. If the words keep carrying you to the next page, then the word count will never matter. That is my intended goal.

Aside from that, I've been writing little tidbits of things into my notes app when inspiration strikes, followed by the fear of forgetting said thought. It's nice getting a peek into the future and seeing how that shapes the current story being written.

Another idea that's been crossing my mind again was the potency of different forces at work, all slamming together to achieve their own certain goal. It's common to think of something linear when imagining a conflict, like group A fighting group B for example.

But then a group C emerges. They like the goal that group B is trying to achieve. So they help group B with the overall mindset that they will use their goal as a stepping stone to achieve their own goal.

And then what if, perhaps, there was a group D that did not like what group C was planning, so then they assist group A to ensure group B is stopped?

I find this web of conflict to be really intriguing. And I think, if done organically, it can be really great to see incorporated into the next book, among others.

Before I close this quick email off, here are some nice shout-outs I would like to give:

​The September Multi-Author Multi-Genre Bookaplooza is a great way to get access to new books by new authors. Take a peek and see if there's a book that satisfies whatever it is you've been craving!

​For the ones looking to dive into a new series, check out this Kindle Unlimited group promotion - these are all first-in-series books that can be read with anyone who has Kindle Unlimited.

​And finally, to further support us indie authors in 2025, click here to access another round of books created by hard-working indie authors (I hope they've been working hard, anyway. I know I and many others are trying).

Again, please shoot me a recommendation. I would love to look into it - Until next time!
~Victor Vahl
​www.victorvahl.com​