Hello bibliopals! I didn't just succeed at my reading target this year (to read 25 books), I smashed it (I've read 38 books), whoo! But how many of those would I actually rave about? Here are the few that make my shortlist of best reads in 2019*. *Note: I do not mean published in 2019.… Continue reading My Best Books of 2019
As a writer who, currently, can barely afford her weekly groceries, let alone go jetting off around the world to gain first-hand experiences, I must settle for a lot of research. For years, Japan has been a great source of fascination for me. It's so different from the world I live in. Its cultural beliefs,… Continue reading Shintō: “the way of the gods”
Earlier this year, it struck me to the core that my quality of life has changed dramatically for the better because of D&D. It's practically a form of free therapy without ever feeling vulnerable. I even sent a message to my cousin saying, "I don't want to be melodramatic, but I sincerely feel that D&D… Continue reading Dungeons & Dragons is life-saving
As the population ages, the demand for high-quality carers rises. By 2026 it’s predicted that the UK will need around 420,000 more carers, but with the current vacancy rate high and the amount of those showing interest in the care sector diminishing, it’s important that technology is utilised in order to help fill the gaps and… Continue reading How can bots improve social care?
Last November, I related my bubbling and excitable story that StoryShop was the perfect tool for writers. I likened it to having a private Wikia. A perfect place to plan your novel, D&D campaign, anthology, the next epic fantasy with 500 characters... Visually beautiful and easy to navigate. A notebook that made sense and had… Continue reading StoryShop has let me down, so I’ve found something better
You know what's awesome? Viewing the human condition through the lens of artificial intelligence that we have created, which then looks back at us. Do you know what's not cool? Defining the human condition in sweeping generalisations and assuming an A.I. would care about exactly the same things we do. Hi, my name's Willow, and I… Continue reading Detroit: Becoming Human | The Concept of Freedom Applied to Robotics
As much as I have accumulated a lot of stuff throughout the course of my life (mostly books and DVDs), I don't actually spend my pay-check on everything I couldn't easily afford last month, nor do I ever feel like a 'day of shopping' is a day of fun. It's a day of wasted time,… Continue reading How to Be a Minimalist in Mauritius – D. K. Waye
When I announced to my previous employers that I was leaving them to work in a library, their response wasn't, "Congratulations," but, "Aren't libraries dying? What do librarians even do? Won't that be boring?" And I was both incredibly irked and flustered. I didn't know what to say other than I'LL DIE BEFORE I LET… Continue reading What do librarians even DO anymore?
Thinking about going veggie but, ugh, you just love meat too much? Here are 5 ways to help you change your approach and make the transition easier. These five steps helped me change my thinking and, eventually, change my daily life. P.S. I assume you're here because you already want to change. This ain't a… Continue reading 5 Steps to Transition into Vegetarianism
I didn't need convincing that climate change is real—it is the sole reason I committed myself to be vegetarian last year—but after watching Climate Change: The Facts, I am shaken. There are two things that shocked me: We are on a trajectory for causing animal extinction. If we lose a few species of insects or… Continue reading Climate Change: Turn Your Death into New Life
If you've floated around this blog long enough, you might know that I love good voice acting. I adore it. When I'm reporting for MCM Comic Con, I'm the only one who throws herself forward to interview voice actor's like she's just heard Daniel Radcliffe is selling ice cream in the foyer. The human voice is incredible,… Continue reading The Carrow Haunt | Audiobook Review
Sorry for the major delay. I thought I should focus on actually writing our D&D campaign rather than just talking about it, which consumed my every free moment (our first weekend went really well!). And then I wanted to enjoy playing video games and reading books and not looking at words at all, then work got… Continue reading How to Start Playing D&D for the Total Noob (aka: Me) • Final Push
Despite only participating in two D&D sessions (one where I was DM), I already want fancy maps for our campaign settings. I want pretty pictures and grids and things that look way better than anything I could personally create. As a new DM, I've already learnt from our first session that players also prefer to have some… Continue reading Get Amazing, Unlimited D&D Maps and Miniatures for as Little as $1 a Month
I found a way to create basic miniatures that require no skill in drawing, painting, or folding fiddly bits of paper. These took me about 8 minutes to make and they work perfectly for people starting out or who are super low on cash.
So, based on the last post I did, you've got your setting, you've got some friends, you've got a map, you've watched some Matt Mercer and Critical Role, and you've maybe got the D&D Starter Set. What next? The Protagonists Your friends. It's time to ask them to create their characters. From what I've seen… Continue reading How to Start Playing D&D for the Total Noob (aka: Me) • Part 2
Willow H. Wood 