Most of the time these posts deal with the less concrete aspects of reality: self-discovery through quests, fantastical scenarios, the tension between preservation of oneself and loved ones versus sacrifice for the greater good. Writing is a field where large concepts and dilemmas are tackled so this should not be surprising. Today, however, I will be addressing something far less grand. If you're fortunate enough to live in an affluent part of the world you will likely encounter the issue of transportation. If you're really fortunate you will live in a place where public transportation is reliable and feasible for your needs. If it's not, and you are financially stable, you will probably consider vehicle ownership.

Why people decide on certain vehicles over others depends on numerous factors, including company, model, fuel type, driver autonomy, condition etc. This is not the topic I wish to address here. What I do want to consider is the balance struck between personal engagement and psychological manipulation in the selling process. This give and take is present every time we enter a store but it becomes more pronounced the larger the purchase. People who sell vehicles know how personal a decision it is and how much money is riding on a sale.

I recently had the opportunity to be part of this dynamic. The sales people I met were all courteous, helpful and enjoyable to speak to. There was always a sense of being sold to but some individuals were better at concealing it with niceties than others. Once the agreement to buy a vehicle was made with a dealer the pressure subtly increased.

I was taken into a small room to sign the papers and was presented with additional options, such as rust protection and extended warranties. I was encouraged to agree to these options 'for the good of your investment'. Whether these options are good or bad is up to the individual, although I always recommend doing some research before deciding. What I found interesting is how naturally the whole process guided me from one price increasing scenario to another. I know that there is sincerity behind the sales spiels but where it ends and the tactics begin is difficult to decipher.

This is the power of charisma and modern sales psychology. I'm old fashioned in many ways, preferring to go with less features in the interest of having fewer things go wrong with the vehicle, and this extends to taking as few extras as possible, but when you're spending so much money the attraction of protecting what you've bought is very persuasive.

The vehicle purchasing situation highlights the importance of selfishness in capitalist culture. Personability is used to increase the chances of purchase so, to protect oneself from getting taken advantage of, the buyer has to be skeptical and mistrusting, at least to a degree. This is one of the things I particularly dislike about the consumer reality. Because there is so much pressure put on us to buy-buy-buy we become mistrusting and cynical, believing that everyone wants to milk us for everything we've got. These mentalities do not equal healthy societies where everyone feels a stake in the whole's well-being.

Such situations remind me how important it is for us to see our similarities rather than differences. Few people want to be considered solely for their economic value yet that value carries so much weight in capitalist culture. Being too conservative (aka, looking out for oneself) ultimately leads to a lowering of everyone's standard of living since those not fortunate enough to start in positions of privilege, and those unfortunate enough to fall from them, will negatively impact everyone else. I also understand the need to ensure people work to improve themselves so they do not become reliant on charity. From my own perspective, a strong social support network needs to be in place to help those in need achieve autonomy. They can then support themselves and give back to help others.

There are so many layers to the world we inhabit it's difficult to decide what's the best way forward. We're faced with competing demands for our time, resources and ideas. Maintaining a moral society while also protecting ourselves from those who would exploit us requires a mind that's fully present in the moment with minimal distractions and a healthy foundation.

How difficult do you find it to achieve balance between protecting yourself and helping others? So long as I keep my life calm and in control I don't usually find it too challenging but entering a new situation can illustrate just how interconnected and uncertain many of our interactions are. Compared to navigating reality, exploring the worlds in fictional stories often seems like a breath of fresh air.

All authors have heard the advice: 'write what you know'. For stories rife with realism and relate-ablility this is a sound recommendation. Even when you're writing about worlds and scenarios vastly different from those with which most people are associated, retaining familiar reactions, motivations and language will guide readers into the narrative. When done well, a reader can be invested in the tale before the first chapter's conclusion.

While the techniques to achieve such a result are definitely worth exploring, on this occasion I am reflecting on why authors end up writing certain things – themes, genres, styles etc. Considering why we gravitate to particular formulas can help inform our decisions, improve our craft and teach us about ourselves.

Time and again I return to the themes of environmental and social stability, investigating the forces that disturb and encourage it. These usually involve journeys. Journeys are convenient and generally easy ways to explore situations and characters.

Fantasy is also important. Part of the reason why is linked to reader engagement. Fantasy provides a realm in which complex circumstances can be explored more conveniently while also drawing in readers through interesting set-ups. For instance, an orphan discovering the identities of their parents is an emotionally charged scene yet it's also one we've all seen dozens of times. Using unique elements to breathe new life into a common trope can make it fresh and even ripe with implications you might not have imagined.

To continue the example, what if a lamp post suddenly came to life and told the orphan that their parents had given them up because they'd been indebted to someone threatening to turn you into an outdated cassette player. Even if stories about normally inanimate objects aren't your usual preference, this set-up has the potential to get your imagination churning.

Another trend I've noticed in my own writing is the tendency to write homosexual couples in fanfiction. One of the reasons I enjoy exploring these relationships is because homosexuality adds multiple layers of complexity to explore throughout the narrative. Even if same-sex pairings are accepted in the character's world, issues of competing partners, societal expectations and even role assignment contribute further intrigue.

What themes reoccur in your art? What subjects and conflicts fascinate you? Are there topics or scenarios you explore in personal writing but would never share with anyone else? A fun writing exercise is to find random scenarios and set aside half an hour where you force yourself to write them. You won't always enjoy the process or the end result but this will strengthen your style and broaden your experience. Now that spring is here with summer fast approaching, get out your lawn chairs, hammocks or blankets and get some fresh air while you create marvelous stories. Happy writing!

If you've been following my blog for a while you'll be familiar with my thoughts on the evolution of video games. The medium has come a long way since its arcade days, branching into all of the storytelling styles once exclusively the realm of film and literature. Video games involve their participants more actively than film. Depending on the game's structure and genre, players can follow pre-set paths were decisions are limited, say, to gear and skills, or ones that enable them to shape the narrative as it unfolds.

The creativity in gaming excites me an enormous amount. Television has also been allowed to stretch from the limitations of sitcoms and reality-style sagas. I celebrate the freedom to tell more complex and challenging stories whole-heartedly. The resulting tales are richer and more influential.

There is one video game in particular that has reminded me of what the medium can achieve: Horizon Zero Dawn (HZD). Its tropes and themes are typical of an open-world adventure genre, yet the intense beauty of its backdrop, dedication to realistic character interactions and depth of narrative make it a shining example of game storytelling. From the moment you enter the post-post-apocalytpic world where humans live in primitive tribal societies and animal-like machines roam the land, you're embroiled in questions. Given that description, the most prominent one is how did this world come to be?

The protagonist is sympathetic yet empowered. Aloy, an outcast from birth, is raised by a man outcast by choice. At first, her driving motivation stems from the desire to know who her mother is. That aim quickly becomes entwined with the secrets of the larger world, Aloy delving farther into the past for answers. I watched this story unfold through the Let's Play by Christopher Odd. While uncovering the narrative's mysteries was always my primary interest, I have to say that the combat with machines was always interesting to watch, each battle unique and sometimes truly suspenseful. In contrast, fights with human aggressors were not as engaging but their repetitive nature was eased by interesting backdrops and subtle world-building tidbits.

The following paragraphs will enter spoiler territory so if you intend to watch or play the game (which is, sadly, only available on PS4) you can stop reading. Otherwise, I shall continue to describe why I have the utmost respect for the team behind this game's creation.

HZD does many things expertly, not least of which is how it paces the narrative, giving its audience clues to the answers they're seeking but never revealing too much, urging them forward to uncover more. The balance between personal and external reality, established with Aloy's initial motivation, carries through the entirely of the game. The data files and sound clips Aloy discovers reveal the building and subsequent destruction of a world told from the perspectives of those in charge as well as those who are ultimately casualties.

Aloy learns that the Earth's climate crisis is overcome through technology, leading to a period of prosperity and advancement. Humanity then makes its machines too powerful, the imminent destruction of life as we know it resulting in a race against time to implement measures that will make Earth habitable once the machines have consumed it. Religious, moral, scientific, philosophical and all other perspectives are brought to bear on the implications of this initiative. Some think the event is natural, that extinction should be embraced. Others see it as just punishment for humanity's arrogance. Most are driven to save life but the methods they use to achieve that objective come with monumental sacrifices. The vast majority of people are deceived about the project's true cause, giving up their lives without any idea of the final outcome.

As you may gather, this is an incredibly complex set-up that no one would expect a game to handle, particularly with the depth and thoughtfulness HZD provides. The personal accounts of those involved in the project to protect Earthly life show just how much is sacrificed to give life a chance in the future. Even knowing that their efforts pay off – after all, Aloy would not exist to learn about them otherwise – the loss and suffering that went into achieving this success makes it bittersweet.

Beyond the expert storytelling in the game I find the subject it tackles particularly inspiring. Outside the game reality, humanity is at the beginning of this narrative, facing a climate crisis and expecting technology to help us overcome it. Avoiding the dangers of thoughtless action and progress for the sake of profit are central lessons in HZD. No one wants the planet to become a lifeless rock thanks to our actions and they certainly don't want to be torn apart and consumed by machines converting biomass into fuel.

I would highly recommend this game. Whatever the media, a good story is timeless and I commend those willing to challenge our current societal trajectory. Horizon Zero Dawn does this with beauty, intrigue and diversity. Give it a try – you might find yourself as entranced as I am.

Below is a fantastic piece of artwork titled 'Horizon Zero Dawn' by ryanswnanick.