What inspires you?

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(Image by fiach from Pixabay)

The beginnings of the idea of Cosplay Killer started in the back of my brain ever since I wrote The Grasmere trilogy. I knew I wanted to write a full M/M cosy mystery series with an established couple. There were just other stories to write first, so I let this one percolate for a while.

Inspiration came from a number of places, and I thought it would be fun to share some of them for you.

– Hamilton and Six: The Musical.

I’m not sure which came first–Cosplay Killer or my new obsession with Hamilton and Six: The Musical. But they’re definitely intertwined.

– Cosplay

My vision for Dannel and Osian was of two men passionate about video games, the theatre, movies, and cosplaying their favourite characters. It’s something I hope to explore further as the series grows.

– Video Games

– Air Ambulance/Ambulance shows

There are a number of the shows out of the UK. My hubby and I watch them religiously. I’ve had friends who are paramedics who talk about burn out. I knew I wanted one of the MCs in the series to explore that concept.

– Covent Gardens

The image above is one I found while looking for something else. And it sparked something in me about where they lived.

If you’re an author, where do you find inspiration for your books?

Oz and D’s Favourite Video Games

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Osian and Dannel from Cosplay Killer are REALLY into video games.

And so am I.

So here’s some of their faves (and mine):

1. Assassin’s Creed (Odyssey, in particular)

2. Watch Dogs

3. Elder Scrolls Online

4. Skyrim

5. Dragon Age: Inquisitions

6. Nathan Drake

7. Mass Effect Trilogy

8. Splinter Cell

9. Destiny

10. Deus Ex

Things I loved in 2018

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It’s been a hell of a year, but I thought I’d share a few things that made me happy in 2018.

Nailed It! on Netflix. Best cooking show. Ever. EVER.
New Amsterdam
JetPens (a new shop I discovered, it’s not new, but new to me)
Finishing WIPs
Winter Olympics (Adam Rippon and Chloe Kim in particular)
Sara Bareilles new song Armor
Assassin’s Creed Odyessy

What are some of the things you loved in 2018?

Climbing a Greek God’s Body.

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Video games have always been one of my favourite ways to relax. I tend to become obsessively involved in a game until I’ve completed the story. Often, if it’s an RPG (Role Playing Game), I’ll play through multiple times to explore every aspect, and decision my character can make within the game.

I’ve played many Ubisoft games. I particularly enjoy both their Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed series.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is their latest release, and I’ve played it constantly since the early release came out at the beginning of October.

It’s a stunningly beautiful game.

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I’ve completed the main campaign, playing as Kassandra. I’ll likely do it for a second time as her brother Alexios.

The intrigue, the gameplay, all the side quests, and the massive map.

It’s the Assassin’s Creed I’ve always wanted to play. I’ve played and enjoyed AC III, Black Flag, Rogue, Syndicate, and Origins. None of them perfect. Odyssey for me is right at the top, with Origins a close second. They’ve progressed with both the gameplay and the character interaction.

Is it perfect? Definitely not.

But I’m immensely enjoying playing in a way I haven’t in a while.

Five Things about Deus Ex.

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As I’m a massive fan of the Deus Ex series, I pre-ordered Mankind Divided the minute Amazon had it available last year. I’ve anxiously awaited the release date ever since. I’ve anxiously awaited its release date ever since.

It did not disappoint when it arrived last week.

So, here’s a few things I adored about it:

Jensen. Still hot, grumpy, and amazing.
The graphics were stunning.
Less squirrelly controls.
I thought the story as we got it so far (DLC pending, of course), was better than Human Revolution.
Better weapons and augmentation handling, though I suppose this could be considered part of #3.

If I graded things, I’d gave it a 4.5 out of 5.