A.P. Miller

Practical Advice: Shopping for the First Dorm or Apartment

Posted on 31 Jul 202025 Jul 2020 by A.P. Miller in Blog

Before I moved out on my own for the first time, my Mom had a stiff upper lip. Every time I’d do something she didn’t like, she’d say “that’s going to get you kicked out of your apartment.” Then the day came where we loaded everything into my sister’s truck and I was off to live 35 miles away and Mama was a bundle of emotion. She never thought I’d actually leave.

After we got done moving everything into that studio apartment, my sister took me to Walmart and loaded me up with stuff I needed for my first place. It’s one of my favorite memories, actually. Between working for one of the nation’s biggest big box retailers and working in the housing industry, I have the answers for when folks ask “what do I need for my first apartment or dorm?”

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Productivity Tools For Writers (…And Other People Too, I Guess)

Posted on 24 Jul 202023 Jul 2020 by A.P. Miller in Blog

You might not believe it, but a lot of people with ADHD really do want to be on top of their projects and not be a perennial disappointment to people who don’t understand the affliction. Truly, I always wanted to be a “Get Sh** Done” kind of guy and I absolutely hated the way people thought of me. Because of this desire to be efficient and effective, I’ve spent quite a bit of time trying to find methods to increase my productivity.

Unfortunately, nothing really worked or stuck. The reason for that is because my brain has an issue that requires medical treatment. Once I had the management of the core issue under control, I found myself with a lot of insight into how to keep on track with your tasks and projects. Finally, I see myself as a “Get Sh** Done” kind of guy and it’s a good feeling.

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The Write Stuff: My Writing Playlist

Posted on 17 Jul 20203 Jul 2020 by A.P. Miller in Blog

By now it’s no secret that I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While that is serious, it is manageable, I just have to put certain tools and process into place in order to maintain my levels of productivity. One of my favorite dopamine producing activities while I write is listening to music.

This is another divisive issue among writers — some have to listen to music while they write, others find it distracting. I am someone that has to listen to music, it helps me shift into my creative headspace. Here’s why my brain becomes the ever-loving pain in the ass that it has been: it just be any music I’m listening to, it has to be the right music. It has to be energetic and heavy, melodic and pleasing to the ear. It came to a point where I had to program a specific playlist that my brain could immediately snap to writing mode to.

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Advice For Beginning Writers

Posted on 10 Jul 20203 Jul 2020 by A.P. Miller in Blog

[DISCLAIMER]: This blog is another writer focused one — we’ll return to our regularly scheduled buffoonery next week!

More often than not, when new writers become introduced to the Writers Community across several platforms, we feel compelled to offer them advice. We don’t do this because we feel superior or the need to be revered, but because we want them to be as successful as possible. The Writing Community isn’t perfect — there are ups, downs, triumphs, & trepidation, but ultimately we are passionate people who want to see other writers succeed. Often, writers will ask other writers what their advice is for new writers as an act of inclusions into the community. For this week’s blog, I wanted to share my advice that I’d give to new writers, maybe to create a statement that can be referenced later.

[DISCLAIMER]: My advice is not definitive, or no guarantee to be useful to you. Please consider the following to be an opinion and suggestion.

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My Favorite Science Fiction Tropes

Posted on 3 Jul 20202 Jul 2020 by A.P. Miller in Blog

I’m going to tell you something that I don’t think you’ll believe: I’m an incredible nerd. I know: how could such a monument to concentrated sex appeal and charisma possibly indulge in fiction grounded in the fringes of popular media? I grew up loving Science Fiction (SciFi) and as an adult, I still love SciFi. Don’t believe me? If you’re ever bored and have three hours to kill, ask me about my advanced theory on the T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

My love of SciFi started as a child watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. I wouldn’t come out and call myself a Trekkie, but I get where their love stems from and I appreciate their passion for the subject. When you really think about what Star Trek is, it’s inspiring. Gene Roddenberry created a mythos about many peoples and species coming together for the common goal of exploring space and embracing innovation for everyone. The voyagers of the SS Enterprise existed in a time when no one lusted for money or power, no one needed for anything, and they went on expeditions for the singular purpose of betterment of everyone. It doesn’t stop there either. I was an avid reader of the X-Men comic books. In the pages of X-Men I learned equality, tolerance, acceptance, and to have a distaste for racism and classism. The X-Men, a fictional team of people who were different, taught me to be a man who had love for his fellow human beings and to welcome everyone into my realm of influence.

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