One major difference between Quinn Cozens and myself

Quinn Cozens is like me: An anarcho-capitalist who’s cynical as hell, yet maintains a positive outlook on life when he cares to. 

I’ve said it so many times but I’ll say it again just for the sake of any newcomer. Quinn Cozens is a spitting image of me. Not very tall, but lean, with dark hair, olive green eyes, a fierce resting face, and a forward-thinking mindset.

I sound like I’m bragging about myself, because I wear all of those above features like they’re badges of honor. But don’t worry, I got my weaknesses, and so does Quinn. We can be reckless and overthink even when there’s no reason to.

Oh, and did I mention we’re both opinionated sports writers by trade? Or, at least Quinn was until all hell broke loose and society went to the wayside. But that’s not the difference. Instead, I’m talking about the sports we cover.

Why the hell’s Quinn covering the NFL?

Me and Quinn can’t be completely one and the same if he’s covering a league I despise. Makes no sense, right?

Hey, I may boast about the fact I’m an Arizona Cardinals fan in a lot of my books. Hell, I’m wearing my favorite distressed Cardinals tank as I’m writing this piece. But I don’t even recognize the NFL anymore.

• Guardian caps on top of helmets (rare in a games, at least)?
  • Maybe if players wanna cosplay as Toad
• The latest variation of the kickoff?
  • I don’t even know how to explain it
• Disqualifications of multiple offenses on helmet-to-helmet hits
  • Side Note: If it’s intentional, that’s one thing. But incidental? Come on…
• So many rules that favor scoring?
  • If fantasy football gets you excited, I (almost) feel bad for you

No, it ain’t the game I grew up with. And when I (begrudgingly) watched the New York Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, I was bored as hell.

At one time, I’d’ve rooted like hell for the Jets since I’ve always had a vendetta against the Steelers. The game would’ve been adrenaline-pumping for the average fan, but wow, I had a list in my head of things I’d’ve rather been doing.

But there’s a reason Quinn’s covering football and not hockey: Simplicity.

Quinn was a hockey writer but it made no sense

Why not make Quinn a hockey writer like me? Easy. He cried too many tears of nostalgia.

Confused? Let me break it down.

In Beyond the Lost Horizon, Quinn gets a boatload of flashbacks to happier times and so many of them involved watching football games at his grandparents’ place.

After the first few revisions, I’m like, “Wait, I confuse readers enough with ultra-complex plots. Do they need to ask why Quinn’s covering hockey when he’s longing for those NFL Sunday afternoons in the fall at a place he considered his second home?

No, let’s give these readers something simple, even if I’m sure my target audience, the critical thinkers they are, would make the connection.

Even if Quinn’s occupation’s not a massive plot point, I, for once, decided to streamline things.

Quinn Cozens had little passion for the NFL

Like me, Quinn’s passion for the league tanked. But since writing opinionated NFL content was his livelihood before society collapsed, he stuck with it, even if he’d’ve had a blast ranting about statism. But little did Quinn know, he didn’t need to rant much longer because in Beyond the Lost Horizon, he’ll get a chance to help rebuild society off the grid if only he can locate a good friend of his.

That’s the mission he takes the sharp-tongued Yui Kikuchi with him on. Now the burning question is: Will the disillusioned sports writer get along well with the blissfully ignorant K-pop idol? 

I answer that question in Beyond the Lost Horizon.