Mike Thayer is a proud father of three, lucky husband of one, passionate author, lifelong gamer, viral blogger, degreed engineer, decent impressionist, inept hunter, erstwhile jock, and nerd.
He has cast a ring on the slopes of Mt. Doom, eaten a feast at the Green Dragon Inn, cemented Excalibur in a sandstone block, tasted butter beer at Diagon Alley, built a secret door to his storage room, and written a few fantasy books. What else is left, really?
Bucket List
✓ Write a book
✓ Publish a book
Voice over a video game or cartoon
Do stand-up at open mic night
Hunt hogs from a helicopter
Stay overnight in a hobbit hole
Win a Whitney Award
Become a NYT bestseller
✓ Have a secret passage in my house
✓ Throw the One Ring into Mt. Doom (Mt. Ngauruhoe)
Hit a target at 1,000 yards
✓ Bench 300 lbs
Favorite Movies
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Logan
Tombstone
X-Men 2 / First Class
Willow
Saving Private Ryan
Nacho Libre
Labyrinth
Gladiator
Braveheart
Predator
Avengers: Infinity War
It's A Wonderful Life
Interstellar
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
Favorite Books
The Tree House · Douglas Thayer
Red Rising · Pierce Brown
The Blade Itself · Joe Abercrombie
Chasing the Prophecy · Brandon Mull
Project Hail Mary · Andy Weir
Mistborn: The Final Empire · Brandon Sanderson
Favorite Video Games
The Legend of Zelda (NES)
Clash at Demonhead (NES)
Mega Man 1, 2, 3 (NES)
DuckTales (NES)
Legendary Wings (NES)
Super Mario Bros. 2, 3 (NES)
Final Fantasy 1, 2, 3 (NES)
Bionic Commando (NES)
Contra (NES)
Trojan (NES)
TMNT 2, 3 (NES)
★ Rock n' Roll Racing (SNES)
Battletoads & Double Dragon (SNES)
TMNT: Turtles in Time (SNES)
The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES)
Super Mario World (SNES)
Final Fantasy VI (SNES)
Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse (SNES)
NBA Jam (SNES)
Street Fighter II (SNES)
★ Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Sega Genesis)
Thunder Force II (Sega Genesis)
★ The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
★ GoldenEye (N64)
Mario Tennis (N64)
★ Star Fox (N64)
Metroid Prime 1, 2 (GameCube)
Mario Kart (N64 / Wii)
Fantasy General (PC)
Diablo II (PC)
Under a Killing Moon (PC)
Mario Galaxy 1, 2 (Wii)
★ The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii U)
Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360)
Assassin's Creed 2 (Xbox 360)
Portal 1, 2 (Xbox 360)
★ Braid (Xbox 360)
Fable (Xbox / 360)
★ Halo 1, 2, 3, 4 (Xbox / 360)
Rayman Legends (Xbox One)
★ Destiny (Xbox One)
★ Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U)
★ Halo Infinite
★ Apex Legends
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
★ The best of the best.
You are awesome.
If you read that list of favorites and maintain that I am awesome, then you, by definition, are awesome.
Just read your lifestyle porn blog and loved it. I love in Billings. You’re missing a game from your awesome video game list: Reckoning – Kingdoms of Amateur (XBOX 360). Be warned, it’ll consume days, if not weeks of your time and your wife might begin to hate me, if not you.
Dude, how I have I not heard of this game? I’ve been slipping the last few years. With everything going on, I’ve had zero time for gaming lately, but this one is going on my short list. Thanks, man.
Hi, Mike! You might remember me – we were in the same graduating class. I stumbled onto your blog through a Facebook friend. Looks good! I’ll spend some time catching up on your posts, and I just wanted to say that you have a great list of retro video games, especially the Final Fantasy. Have you tried Chronotrigger? If not, then you should definitely take a look. Cheers!
Emerson! How’s it going, man? You know, I have never tried Chronotrigger but I remember Tim, Marcus and Joe played it all the way through during final’s week and I always see it on lists of the best RPGs. If I ever get the time I’ll check it out. Thanks for reaching out.
Barf
Look, I know the Zelda sweater is a bit kaleidoscopic. I would suggest sitting down and taking a minute to look at something a bit more monochrome. See if that helps.
You should check out Red Rising Trilogy!
Prime recommendation, my goodman. I blitzed through the trilogy this fall on audiobook. Incredible narration as well. I definitely need to update my list of favorite books.
Have you ever played the game called Dominion?
I have not, but tell me more.
I have a feeling you would like it. My husband and I play it ALL the time! Here’s a link with a description:
http://www.boardgamequest.com/dominion-review/
I have a feeling you would like it. My husband and I play it ALL the time!
http://www.boardgamequest.com/dominion-review/
Mortal Kombat!!! Donkey Kong Country 1 & 2, Kirby… Those were some of my faves that aren’t on your list!
Mortal Kombat and Kirby on a short list of favorites is intriguing.
Well, I am an intriguing person! LOL but those aren’t my only favorites. Most of the games on your list are my faves too. I also love Kingdom Hearts, Disney Universe, all of the Lego games, Hydro Thunder, most racing games, etc. My list goes on and on.
If your list keeps going, let’s see it!
My video game list:
Adventure (Atari), Pitfall (Atari), Frogger (Atari), Pacman (Atari), Ping Pong (Atari), Duck Tales, Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3; TMNT 2 & 3, TMNT Turtles in Time, Super Mario World, Star Fox (SNES), Mortal Kombat (SNES & PS3), Mario Tennis (Wii), Mario Kart, Kirby, Epic Mickey, Disney Universe, NASCAR ’15 & ’16, Lego Star Wars, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Lego Marvel Avengers, Lego Harry Potter, Lego LOTR, Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Kingdom Hearts, Just Dance (Xbox 360), Sonic, Need for Speed, Mod Nation Racers (PS3), Gran Turismo 5, John Madden Football (SNES), Xbox Kinect Adventures, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Ratchet & Clank, Duck Hunter (NES), Tetris, Pro Bass Fishing (SNES & PS3). I like Halo, but only capture the flag, otherwise I completely suck.
I grew up playing video games and reading comic books. I’m totally a nerd!!! Hahaha
Cripes, Mike! You have no idea how happy it makes me to see Rock’n’Roll Racing and Warriors of the Eternal Sun in yellow on your favs list!
Playing those games at your place are thoughts, crystallized and preeminent, among my happy childhood memories.
And as a follow-up, I’m more than a bit jealous to hear that you have a secret passage in your house.
But jealous in a beatific kind of way.
It was a total bucket list item for me. The best incentive a man can give himself is ripping the door off. After that, there’s kind of no turning back.
Haha, that sounds like it belongs on a motivational poster. Just rip off that door, son!
It truly didn’t get much better. I can’t believe they haven’t come out with an updated version of R&RR.
Hello. I’m Shauna Lake. I work at 2News….I’m working on a story about lds/mommy bloggers taking over the internet. Your post stirred up a lot of feelings! I’d like to talk to you on camera. The sooner the better.
I look forward to hearing from you. 🙂
your books are the best thing ever,
BLOOD FOR THE BEARD!!!!!
My son loved your first TechnoWizard book! You were doing a signing at Zoo Montana and I got it for him! You were at his school (Elder Grove School, Billings, MT) and he wanted The Unchartered Lands but his class could not get the time for him to get a book and get it signed (he was bummed)! I hope we have a chance to get that book(with it signed) and the new book! His twin brother even enjoyed the first book and he HATES reading!! I really admire people that can write the stuff that gets young and old minds thinking about fantasy stuff that hits a cord with our reality!! Keep it up!!
So good to hear! I’ll be at the Metra this Saturday and Sunday (Nov 9-10) for the Holiday Food & Gift Festival if you want to come stop by and get signed books!
Can i see what your signature looks like? thx
I loved the Techno Wizard books. I also heard that Danny Double Day was getting published! Congratulations! Does this mean Techno Wizards Seeds of the Past will not be released? I loved Techno Wizards and want to read the ending,=.
Don’t worry, the Techno Wizard series WILL be finished. Books 4 and 5 will be beyond epic. I can’t WAIT to tell that story, but it will be delayed with needing to focus on Danny Double Day and Danny Double Day 2. My heart and soul is with Techno Wizard and the story must be told!
Thanks for reaching out!
Do you ever get extremely irritated by your kids? because sometimes I can’t stand my 6 siblings and I am the oldest.
Mike, if it is at all possible I would enjoy a chance to visit with you about writing and the publishing process. Hearing it from a local (Billings) author would be wonderful.
Sure thing! I actually have three zoom sessions set up where I will talk about my writing. Feel free to sign up for any of the sessions by clicking this link! https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0c4baca82ba4f9c70-mike1
I just finished reading ‘The Double Life of Danny Day’ and I don’t think it is a spoiler but I was just wondering how you came up with the idea for having Zak and Freddie be Danny’s friends. I’m asking because his therapist said he needed balance in his life, and he got those two friend (Freddie representing discard Danny, and Zak representing sticky Danny) therefore bringing that kind of balance to Danny’s life no matter what day it is. Anyways, I’m wondering if you have any tips on coming up with stuff like that for books as I am attempting to write a book of my own. You came to my school a few years ago before the second Techno Wizard book was out and I have been really inspired by you ever since, but never found the right inspiration for my book. So I’m just searching for a couple pro tips. (I’m so sorry this ended up being so long and thank you for your patience if you do end up reading this) Finally, thank you so much for all the mentions of Zelda things in this book!
You need to update your bucket list!
You have 4 books published now, neh?
I definitely need to give this page a refresh. Just out here crushing goals!
Mr. Thayer,
You came and spoke to our school (Elder Grove Middle School) last year. I enjoyed the summary you shared of your book and I decided to use in my Reading class this year. It has spawned some of the most interesting, creative, and engaging conversations between classmates that I’ve ever witnessed!!! It has been a great book to get the year started as all the students, a class full of boys, relate to the desire to have the advantage of the double day.
The book is a lot of fun! My students and I look forward to the future adventures of Danny. I just wanted to share our appreciation.
Joe Beeson
Joe, I couldn’t have asked for more satisfying feedback! Thank you! I absolutely loved coming to Elder Grove. Glad they opened their doors to me.
hi I love your books
hi I love your books and a big fan
Mike,
Just wanted to leave you a quick note to let you know you have had at least a small positive impact on someone. I recently watched a video you presented for an educational conference on Friday. This weekend I found myself inspired to resurrect outlines, charts, and notes about the creative idea that has “haunted” me for decades with little to show for it. Then, I actually put butt in chair and wrote something decent for the first time in many years. I don’t know if anything substantial will come from it, but you have at least temporarily altered my outlook on writing and life. Thanks and be well.
Is this the right place to leave a note raving about your terrific book (Double Life of Danny Day)? I’m a cataloger at a library, and I’m the first to get my hands on books mhwhaaa (how does one spell a wicked laugh??). I’m not your target audience… as my hero, Dr Isaac Asimov said, I’m mumbledty-mumble years old. But I’m afraid even at my age I still act as if I have double days to waste, and I applaud your sitting yourself down and writing, because this was a well-written, imaginative, fascinating book. I wanted to tear through it but just read a chapter a day with my Cocoa Krispies so it’d last longer (the book, not the cereal) because I didn’t want it to end. Would it be good to call this “Groundhog Day for kids”? (BTW, there’s a great non-fiction psychology book on “The Magic of Groundhog Day”).
Anyway, thanks for writing it – I’m going to list it in the year-end Staff Picks of our favorite books read this year.
PS, LotR is my favorite book of all time; Zelda’s my fav game.