Springtime

Looks like spring has sprung. For those of us who are writers, artists, etc, now is a great time to rededicate ourselves to advancing our art, even it is one sketch, one sentence, one paragraph a day.

For those of us who are all about connecting with other humans (and shouldn't we all be?) it's a good time to call or email an old pal and reconnect

For those of us without a purpose, now is a good time to find one! If you have always wanted to start something (new business, writing a book, getting in shape) OR if you have always wanted to finish something (polishing up your spanish, finishing you degree, building a patio for the house) then the best time was last spring, but the second best time is right now.

Interesting insights from Seth

Seth Godin had some interesting things to say about book publishing yesterday (and it continues in today's blog entry).

Thoughts? We have talked a lot on this blog about self publishing, but by itself, when dealing with fiction, self publishing has been like a bridge to nowhere. At least historically? Is that changing?

There are thousands of writers who hope so and a bunch who will vehemently say that it is changing, but is it really or is that wishful thinking?

Some industries see this working well, or reasonably well...comics, music, non-fiction...but even those require a huge amount of effort from the artist in terms of self promotion and self marketing.

Is now the time to launch and independent publishing empire with multiple product lines, speaking engagements, convention appearances, conferences and opportunities to connect like minded people?

Sounds great, but is it a bridge to nowhere?

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates is a cool way that people monetize their blogs. They post links to Amazon and then they can earn a percentage of sales from people who click through.
Nice idea. For some reason, residents of North Carolina (which I am) are not eligible to participate in the program. WTF?
Oh well, not to worry, I will still post all the links to cool Amazon stuff just like I do now. It's more about sharing what I think is AWESOME than it is about earning a few cents.

The Slushpile

Read an article in the Wall Street Journal about the death of the slushpile. It's pretty poignant for an aspiring author to read that the slushpile is considered dead and that publication through that means is becoming less and less likely. Of course, there are still success stories, like Stephanie Meyer, but it sounds like the more accepted approach is to get an agent first. Orson Scott Card gave different advice in his book. He said get the agent after you had an offer to buy your work. 
I guess the best thing is first, to write something that is better than anything in a "slushpile" but secondly, we have to decide if traditional means best.
Maybe the actual best way to do things is to build a resume before seeking publication from a large firm. Maybe if you bring a dedicated group of rabid fans, then you won't have to worry about slushpiles and all the rest.
I would say the best thing would be to create something first. Get 1000 fans. Then have an agent come find you.

Graham McNeill

Who hasn't heard of Graham McNeill? He is a writer and former game designer for Games Workshop. He now writes for the Black Library. Anyone who has read any Warhammer stuff will probably recognize him.
He keeps a great blog and I enjoy reading his stuff. He makes me believe that a "normal" bloke can make it as a writer and it sounds like a life I would love to lead.
I have even considered pestering him with the typical questions such as "how he made it" and all that jazz.
I suspect, though, that the answer is the same one we hear a lot. I wrote. I wrote all the time and I never gave up.
A good lesson there. Maybe we will write and not make it or maybe we will make it. If we give up and write nothing though? Then the outcome is pretty much guaranteed.

How do you find the time?

Last night at my house was a frenzy of picking up children, feeding children, dropping off children, homework and housecleaning.
After that, there was 45 minutes to run on the treadmill and then  I had to attend to my own studies (working on a Master's Degree). After that, I read a little while to unwind (Storm of Iron, by Graham McNeill)

Finally, I had an hour or so to write. It took me well past a reasonable bed time. This didn't leave much time for relaxing with the wife or little ones. I am suffering through a sore throat and I'm wondering if that is not from burning my candle at both ends and the resulting exhaustion.

So, I manage to write still and I'm proud of myself, but it's pretty darn difficult. How do others find the time? Any tips, tricks, techniques out there? Let's share.

Rodentia

Opened up an older project last night and began reading it. I was so close to completing it, that we may complete it and have another one "in the can". I was inspired by reading "Mouse Guard".
My project is similar in that it involves anthropomorphic talking animals. Sometimes this is very well done (as in Mouse Guard, Watership Down, Redwall or The Secret of Nimh - which is getting a remake by the way) and other times it is not so well done.

I hope my version is well done.

One question - do people like this sort of story? I know I do. What are some thoughts?

The Steel Remains

I have been reading "The Steel Remains" by RIchard Morgan. It is interesting to say the least.
Combat is fast, brutal and gritty. The magic is plain scary. There is graphic sex between both homosexual and heterosexual so it is not what I would call your "typical" fantasy novel. Definitely for an adult audience.
Having said that, I don't mind a gritty, dark fantasy story so I have enjoyed it immensely.

The Wolfman

Just saw The Wolfman today and I must say I loved it! In the interest of complete disclosure, I don't remember the original Wolfman all that well, but this one was great. The effect rocked and Anthony Hopkins was perfect (as always).
I like Benicio pretty well. Sometimes more than others, but in this movie, he definitely had the cool factor ratcheted to high.
Lots of good action and Hugo Weaving stole the show for me.
This is a great monster movie with spectacular visuals, awesome effects, but an old-school flavor. It fits well with any Victorian error horror movie and will definitely be purchased and placed right beside my Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Zombieland

Finally got to watch "Zombieland". I loved it! There is something about a movie that is just unapologetically about one thing and one thing only...in this case that thing is killin' zombies.

Zombieland didn't pretend to be a great drama or anything. It was a look at the zombie apocalypse with a slightly humorous bent and two seriously flawed heroes. I would even like to see a sequel and I think this movie lends itself to an unapologetic sequel cashing in on the first movie without trying to come up with something new or different.

Not for the kids, just because the zombies are pretty well done and the language is a little rough for youngsters. I will certainly need to add this one to my zombie collection. Oh yeah, and in the event of zombie-apocalypse, Columbus' rules for survival might just come in handy.

Remember this?

Remember this film? "The Sword and the Sorceror" (1981) starring Lee Horsley as Talon. Richard Moll was in it. Talon had a sword with three blades, two of which could fire like missiles. It was very B-rated, but for me is a classic B-rated fantasy movie right there with "The Beastmaster".

The long awaited sequel "Tales of an Ancient Empire" is said to be released this year (2010). Lee is even back as Talon. Check it out at this site!

GGE's home on the web

Buzz over and check out GGE's website. It is a complete work in progress and I toil on it when I can. Leave some thoughts, suggestions, ideas.
We will do a complete makeover when we have some product to show people. Stories, sequential art, interactive stuff. Hopefully throughout 2010 we will post that stuff on the website for your perusal and enjoyment.
Always open to thoughts, suggestions, rants, etc

Review: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

In between writing on my "MK Ultra" project and planning the production of "Danger Guild" and shopping "The Warchitect" and "The Forsaken" around to publishers, I managed to catch "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths" on DVD and I have to say it was well-worth the weight.
It fit sin well with the DC Animated Universe. The Justice League is just getting around to putting the teleporters in their satellite. Batman is visibly older, but still tough - though he relies more on his intellect and gear than his martial arts in this movie. All of the heroes have some cool lines and the battle scenes are great. I wish it had been a bit more in line with the comic series "Crisis on Infinite Earths" but that would have to be a mini series or something - it's just too major. This was a cool movie with some good action, nice dialogue and beautiful animation. I loved the Justice League show (still do) and I have liked all of the movies, but this one is the best of them yet.
The DVD has a special feature with The Spectre that is a bit too creepy for small children. I never loved The Spectre anyway. It also has a glimpse at the upcoming "Batman: Behind the Red Hood" which will be awesome (with Bruce Greenwood as Batman, Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing...enough said!)

So, buy this movie. I can't imagine a Justice League fan being disappointed with it.