Geek essentials

Just saw this from Blizzard. You can buy the "Tankard of Terror". How cool is that? I'm not a major player in the mmorpg realm (I don't even have an active WOW account! Yikes!) but this is a cool collectible. I mau have to have one to quaff a frosty brew while playing some Warcraft III (I'm more of a RTS guy myself).

Also saw this. This company takes a screenshot of your WOW character and builds you a little miniature of the character. Looks really detailed. I am geek enough that even though I don't have an active account, I would love to have a little representation of my character to look at and brag about. Relive adventures, that sort of thing.

Not only are both of these awesome geek essentials, but they are also great examples of Blizzard building a game into a brand in-and-of-itself, but also both are great examples of companies who did not invent a property, still managing to make money using someone elses brainchild. Opportunities are out there. Way to go 3Point and figureprints!

Three Companies

Three companies that never cease to inspire me;

Blizzard Entertainment - been around awhile, but after Warcraft: Orcs and Humans put them on the map, they have expanded Warcraft into a mega property. Now it's an immersive world where people spend countless hours (and dollars). The fans get the escape and Blizz gets the coin and everyone is happy. They do this so well. Everthing from their artwork, stories, games, accesories...all is just expertly done.

Games Workshop: These guys make great games, books and miniatures. They have stayed in their lane as well and created a fantasy and science fiction setting with a feel like no other.

Paizo Publishing: They have taken an adventure concept (Pathfinder) coupled it with great art and generated a whole property. Pathfinder is growing well beyond a way to do RPG adventures into an RPG of its own. I predict fiction set in that universe and probably other sorts of media as well.

Michael J. Fox

I have read that when Michael J. Fox auditioned for Family Ties, he was $35,000 in debt and living on macaroni and cheese.

I wonder if he ever thought about giving up acting? I'm sure he did. It turns out he just needed enough motivation, drive and perseverance to get the first domino to fall. After that, the dominos kept falling and falling and falling.

So to all of you struggling writers, artists, actors, producers, directors, entrepreneurs...keep on keeping on. It's a cliche, I know, but get the first domino to fall, maintain your momentum and see what happens.

Double Dragon

Check out Double Dragon Publishing. What's great about this publisher?

A few things:

1. They were an ebook publisher when it was a fledgling industry. Some people think the ebook industry is still just a murmur in the history of the book publishing industry. Ask any one of the 3 million users if Ebook apps, or the any Amazon Kindle user and they will surely disagree with you
2. They publish stuff I like (a good sign of excellent taste). Go try one out!
3. Their books are attractive. I am not saying "judge a book by the cover" but of course we do just that. If you see a book and the cover reminds you of something you read once that sucked, then you are going to assume something about this new book. If the cover is similar to books you have read, then that will at least get you to the description. If the description is compelling enough then that book might just end up on your shelf (or ebook reader)
4. They have stayed in their lane. Rather than trying to be all things to all people. Double Dragon is simply the best ebook publisher there is. It's what they do and they do it well.
5. They accept submissions from all authors. I love that you don't have to be established to talk to these guys.

Ready to submit to DDP? They aren't currently accepting submissions, but their horror imprint, Bloodmoon Publishing is. Head on over and submit a story.

The perfect Real Time Strategy game

I don't usually blog about video games since I'm not a huge gamer, but I do enjoy the occasional foray into some fantasy world or another. When I do play video games, if their are not story-drive roleplaying games (Mass Effect is my current favorite) then they are Real Time Strategy (RTS) games. Actually, turn-based strategy is pretty fun as well.
My favorite RTS of all time is Warcraft III. Like most products from Blizzard, the storyline is fantastic. The cut scenes are movie-quality and the setting is just plain cool. I love that they strive for a cartoon-version of reality. It makes the characters look really great.

Warcraft III, however, IS NOT the perfect RTS.

Here is what the perfect RTS game should have.

1. Great story (Warfraft III has this)
2. Awesome cut scenes (Warcraft III has this. Some people skip all cut scenes. They are missing out on some cool stuff)
3. Nice graphics (not the end-all-be-all of a game for me, but Warcraft III does have this)
4. Every character should have a randomly generated name. (Close Combat from Microsoft had this and I loved it!)
5. Every character should have some stats that are tracked (Starcraft tracks each unit's "kills". It is so cool to know who the baddest marine in your army is - and it adds some poignancy when a Zerg eats him)
6. Every unit shoud be able to fight a little (Warcraft III had the Peons that could fight if they were "rallied" but everyone should be able to fight, even if they are ineffectual in doing so)
7. Elevation should come into play (Warhammer games have done this)
8. Game should have awesome main characters (Warcraft III does this)
9. There should be a handful of main characters (Lord of the Rings RTS games have done this)
10. You should be able to promote highly effective units to "heroes" (Medieval: Total War does this)
11. Characters should be able to get magic items (Warcraft III has this as do many other games)
12. Heroes should be of multiple classes like warriors, bards, wizards (Age of Legends did this)
13. Units should be able to go into and out of structures (Close Combat did this)
14. The setting should be immersive (Warcraft III has this)

That is a short list that would get a lot of RTS games closer to perfection. Warcraft III, one of the best selling games of all time, has most of my list. Maybe someone will get closer to the full list. If so, I'll be playing (and I think about a 4 million other people would to)

Paizo Publishing

Here is a company I have been really impressed with. Paizo Publishing.

They have a interesting history, growing out of Wizards of the Coast after Hasbro brought the company. Here's a wiki article about the history of Paizo Publishing.

So what's so cool about Paizo?

The CEO (Lisa Stevens) left WoTC and formed Paizo.

She aquired the licenses for Wizard's magazine Dragon and Dungeon.

Paizo was not just satisfied with licensing mags though. They immediately grew the business by expanding on the storyline adventure idea that had been done successfully in Dungeon magazine.

They launched the Pathfinder series of adventures. Just a word about Pathfinder. They didn't use staid old storylines. The adventures are just damn cool and the artwork is fantastic! (see pic above). If you don't believe selling fantasy adventures and books is not linked to artwork, just ask Larry Elmore. I have spent many a coin over the years just to possess Larry Elmore artwork.

So, after Paizo launched Pathfinder they made sure the brand was superlative in all ways. Not surprisingly, with this attention to being delightful, they grew and grew.

Now, their website collects a huge assortment of awesomeness. Not just their own items, but items from assorted publishers. It is a really good online retail site for all thinks "geeky". For me personally, I can't even go there without browsing their fiction line (and I bought three new Arthurian books while composing this entry).

To me, Paizo is a great example of staying with your passion, expanding within your core interests, building a tribe around your property (Pathfinder), growing by permission-based-marketing, and never failing to delight your readers/customers/community.

Cross Genre

I was having an email discussion about "cross genre" a few days ago and it occurred to me that no everyone may love cross genre like I do...and I promptly decided it was because they didn't know what I meant.
Here are some of the best examples:

1. Firefly (the show) or Serenity (the movie): the best sci-fi western I have ever seen
2. Star Wars: full of science fiction, fantasy and western stuff (Han Solo is the coolest gunslinger around)
3. Alien: Science Fiction/Horror
4. Predator: Science Fiction/Horror
5. Ravenous: Western/Horror
6. Event Horizon: Science Fiction/Horror
7. The Valley of Gwangi (GREAT MOVIE): Western/Horror
8. The Matrix: Science Fiction/Superheroes
9. Green Lantern: Science Fiction/Superheroes
10. Outlander (the new movie): Science Fiction/Fantasy
11. Dune: Science Fiction/Fantasy
12. The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: Crosses a bunch (Fantasy/Western/Science Fiction)
13. Any of the HArry Dresden books by Jim Butcher: Fantasy/Detective
14. A little know book "Arthur Warlord" by Dafyd Ab Hugh: Great example of a fantasy/science fiction

A short list there, but some of my favorites. I would love for Greengates to eventually have some stories on that list!

Wolverine on DVD

Wolverine is out on DVD! Go buy it.

I saw the movie in the theater (a rare feat these days with work and family obligations - fortunately this was one I could see with my boys and call it "quality time"). I thought it was great. I like Wolverine a lot. Of course I am old enough to remember when a "superhero" that smoked, drank beer and killed people was "way out there". So to me, he is still a classic anti-hero while heroes like Cyclops (of the X-men), Superman, Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man (of course Iron Man drank heavily - his "fatal flaw") are more in line with the typical hero archetype. Having said that, this is a great take on Wolverine's origin and there are lots of super-powered clashes and it is just too darn cool!

So, beside seeing a cool-as-hell movie, you should also buy it to support the industry we love so much. That being "speculative fiction" whether it is science fiction, fantasy, horror, super heroes or what have you, most of you who visit this blog are "geeks" in the traditional sense and Wolverine represents everything we like in our movies. If we support them with out $$$ then we are likely to see more.

So...go buy Wolverine! You won't be disappointed! If you are...then we aren't as close as I thought!

Joe Abercrombie

Here is a great interview with author Joe Abercrombie of The First Law Trilogy.

I read The First Law Trilogy as it was released and it leapt every other book on my "favorite fantasy series" and went straight to number 1.

Joe is inspirational to me, and could be to any writer. Unlike most, he jumped right into writing a trilogy, got it published and is now a superstar.

I guess sometimes being unconventional works out just fine.

King Arthur

Are there any really cool King Arthur stories out there? I can name a few, I think, but I still don't find many that are done to my satisfaction. Stephen Lawhead probably got the closest with Bernard Cornwell a close second. After that, I'm not sure how to rank them. There are so many and for me, so few hit the mark.
Let me try and make a list. My criteria is "coolness" not accuracy. It bugs me when people argue accuracy for King Arthur since we can't even prove definitively if he exists AND there are already conflicting stories that are hundreds of years old. It's hard enough to find consistency with today's "Legends" (Star Trek, Star Wars, Superman, Tarzan) let alone on that is 1500 years old.
Anyway, the Green Gates Arthurian fiction list ranked in order of coolness:

1. Stephen Lawhead's "The Pendragon Cycle"
2. Bernward Cornwell's "The Arthur Books" Series
3. Mary Stewart's "Merlin" Series
4. Dafyd Ab Hugh's "Arthur Warlord" duology
5. Jack Whyte's "Camulod Chronicles"
6. Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon" (I never loved the rest of the series)
7. Excalibur (the movie)
8. King Arthur (the movie)
9. The Last Legion (movie)
10. Cherith Bladry's "Exiled from Camelot"
11. Clemence Housman's "The Life of Sir Aglovale De Galis"
12. TH White's "Once and Future King"
13. Douglas Clegg's "Mordred Trilogy"
14. Vivian Vande Velde's "Book of Mordred"
15. Howard Pyle's "Story of King Arthur and His Knights"

I haven't read every Arthur book, but I have read these. I may amend the list as I read more.

NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is coming up soon (November). It is one month to write a novel. I have participated twice and I have 2 novels to show for it. Are they great works? Well, they weren't great at the end of November. I had just slogged through 30 days of writing 1600 words a day to get to the 50,000 word count requirement.
I have since polished and polished on both of them and maybe one day they will grace a bookshelf someday.
So, what's the point? For me, it showed me I could write a novel. What was required? Time. I had to make or steal the time from my otherwise busy schedule.
Now, I have yet to learn whether I can write a good novel or not, but then again, who cares. If you are like me, then you love to write. So go do it. Do the best you can. Get it read. Get critiques. Study writing. Learn to take criticism with a grain of salt and then keep on writing.

Okay...I am ranting. Go to www.nanowrimo.org and check it out. Let's write a novel in November.

Making a Property

As I have mentioned, I am reading the "Song of Ice ad Fire" sage by George RR Martin (currently I am on the second book - "Clash of Kings").
Here is what cmes to mind. George RR Martin wrote the first book n 1996. Did he know it would be a series? I think so. The first one ended in a way that seemed to indicate a sequel or a series.
In any event, the books have grown into card games, miniatures game and now a series on HBO.
I am not sure how one takes the leap from writing a book to having a viable, marketable "property" ripe for movies, tv series and things like that.
One thing I do know though - first he had to write a book, and it had to be a darn good one.

So I guess step 1 is write, write, write

step 2 must be to make sure your telling the absolute best story you can.

New Stuff Coming Out

So, Tim Burton's "9" was released to little fanfare. It looks cool to me though. I will have to see it.

X-men Origins:Wolverine will be released on DVD soon. That one is worth it. Cool movie.

Heroes returns with a 2 hour premiere on the 21st. Can't wait for that!

Diana Gabaldon is released a new volume in her "Outlander" series (an Echo In The Bone) on September 22nd. Great series, great author. Historical, fantasy romance - more for the ladies I suppose.

Game of Thrones

Still reading "Game of Thrones". Great book. This is just fantastic. I am loving this book so much. I read it in 1996 and loved it then, but I got away from the rest of the series. Now I want to read the rest of the series, but I needed to start back on this one to get up to speed.

I cannot say enough about this book. I find myself reading constantly and can't wait to get to the next book!

Gaylord Perry

In 1963 Baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry said, "They'll put a man on the moon before I ever hit a home run".
Gaylord Perry's first and only homerun came 6 years late on JuLy 20th 1969...just hours after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.

What's notable about this trivial fact? Sometimes we predict the future, but sometimes we make it happen through what we say and what we think. Could it be that Gaylord "knew" he could not hit a homerun and he "knew" it so well, he kept it from happening until events aligned as he told himself they would?

Can't say for sure, but just in case, I am going to try and be careful about self-limiting thoughts and phrases.

Whining about DragonCon

Well, I missed DragonCon again this year. I had planned to go but schedules just did not permit it to happen.
I am already planning on next year. In fact, I am planning to start going to DragonCon and then not stop at all. It is a mecca for us geek-types.

I saw a quote on CNN. They were covering DragonCon and a girl who was in the “Dawn” costume contest was talking about how geeks from all over come there and everyone is accepted and all that.

She said, “Once you get here, we are just one big family. A creepy, incestuous family, but family nonetheless.”

Amen sister

Best Books for Writing Speculative Fiction

Heck, some of these are great books for writing any fiction, but since I primarily discuss speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror and a mix of all three), I figured I would toss "speculative" into the title.

Here is the list of finalists:

Best Books on Writing for Speculative Fiction Authors

1. Sometimes the Magic Works – Terry Brooks
2. On Writing – Stephen King
3. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy – Orson Scott Card
4. Writing for Comics – Peter David
5. Bullies, Bastards and Bitches – Jessica Morrell
6. How to Write a Damn Good Novel – James Frey
7. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting – Syd Field

You will notice I have one comic book text in the list and a screenwriting text. Why? Our industry often deals with larger-than-life issues like comic books and it is also a very visual genre, hence the screenwriting book. Not only that, but Syd Field knows a ton about good storytelling.

That's not to say that this is the end of the list. As I read more and more, I reserve the right to add to the list.

Purpose

Saw a sign outside a church this morning that read:

"You have a purpose for being on this Planet. Find it!"


Well, I'm looking!

Brigand Pictures

Check out Brigand Pictures! I love these guys. Small firm, based in Chattanooga (my hometown) and they do all their movies digitally.
They just premiered a film at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga (The Tivoli is a beautiful theater that screams of the grandeur of yesteryear).
They have a distribution network where they get their movies screened around the country.
I am impressed. (Maybe they will want a screenplay from GGE?)

Locus Magazine

Free advice: Subscribe to Locus Magazine.

It's the closest thing to an industry trade journal we have. If you are into comics, then you might want to get Wizard as well.

Financiers get The Wall Street Journal, Firefighters subscribe to Firehouse (and Fire Engineering).

There are a number of fantasy, sci-fi and horror magazines out there, but a good deal of them are primarily for the fan. Locus has features for fans, authors, convention goers.

Check out the website. See if you don't agree with me. I'm not trying to sell Locus. To me, it sells itself. I'm just offering some advice.

Song of Fire and Ice

You've got to love George R.R. Martin. Anyone whose middle name sounds like a pirate laughing (arr, arr) should be a good writer. George is a great one.
I have always loved the Wild Cards series, but he only writes occasionally for it. He mainly edits and compiles the stories (and they rock).
I am reading (for the second time) "A Game of Thrones" from his "Fire and Ice" series and I am reminded just how darn good it is.
It's not just the writing, though his writing style really fits me, it is the storyline, characters everything.
He pulls off some of my favorite stuff.

1. No character feels safe so you are afraid that, at any moment, your favorite character might bite it
2. Magic is mysterious and scary, though it follows its own rules so I know the author understands how it works in his world
3. The good guys have attributes that are despicable and the bad guys are completey understandable so that they make great bad guys. I love it when the heroes are flawed and the bad guys have admirable qualities. Makes the characters seem so vivid.
4. It reminds me of Arthurian fiction the way it should be written.

So, I will be spending a good portion of my Sunday curled up with "Game of Thrones".

Ciao

How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy

Just finished reading "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card. I am not sure what makes him such an expert. He's only written about a million short stories and half a million novels. All are fantastic (at least all that I have read - let me recommend the Ender saga and The Tales of Alvin Maker right now). He has also only accumulated 16,000 awards, including multiple Hugos, Nebulas and Locus Fantasy Awards.
Yes, I realize my numbers are exaggerated. That is hyperbole meant to illustrate that Card is awesome and well suited to give advice.
Now, onto the book.
Anyone wanting to write Science Fiction or Fantasy should absolutely read this book. For the cost of a paperback, you get to spend a few hours with a noted expert in the field.
It raised some great points, gives good advice and certainly provides a lot to think about regarding what separates Science Fiction from Fantasy. The two overlap more than you might think and I find I prefer Card's term "Speculative Fiction" which he uses quite a bit.
What I really like about the book is that despite holding some pretty strong (and dwell publicized) religious and political beliefs, Card does not use the book as a platform for that stuff.
This book is about writing. It is easy to read. it is conversational. It is helpful and insightful.
So go get it.

Star Wars: Legacy of the Force

I think I have blogged about this series before. It is written years and years after the Star Wars movies. Han Solo and Princess Leia are married and have kids. Luke Skywalker has a son. In this series, their kids are all grown up and that is what this series is about. The main characters are still around, but they are not main characters anymore. They are major characters, but not the main ones.

Betrayal (pictured left) is the first book. The whole series goes like this:

1. Betrayal
2. Bloodlines
3. Tempest
4. Exile
5. Sacrifice
6. Inferno
7. Fury
8. Revelation
9. Invincible

Invincible concludes the series. I just finishshed reading Fury (#7). They are all written by either Karen Traviss, Aaron Allston or Troy Denning. So far Karen Traviss is my personal favorite, but they are all very good.

I will say this, the series is cool. It has some universe-shattering consequences and major characters go through major changes (one major long-time character dies - and I still have 2 books to go).

The problem? It is 9 freaking books long! I know that we might be going for a trilogy of trilogies idea like Star Wars sort of did with episode I, II and III and then IV, V and VI all being little trilogies in a bigger story. I guess if that were the case, then Timothy Zahn's trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command) would close the 3 trilogies. These three books have become known as The Thrawn Trilogy and according to GGE (okay - in this case, I have not vetted this with anyone, it's just my opinio) the Thrawn Trilogy is still the best series of Star Wars books out there.

The problem with Legacy of the Force is there are not three separate trilogies, just a story that takes 9 books to tell and by now I am just ready to be finished with thing! It is enjoyable and I am glad I read it, but it feels like it is a few books too long.

How to Write a Screenplay

I don't actually know the best way to write a screenplay. Fortunately, I don't have to know. They could fill BOOKS with how to write screenplays...and they have.
My favorite are those by Syd Field, and there are a few of them.
The blog title links to the one I am reading right now.
GGE writes all sorts of stuff, screenplays among them and I find this book to be, not only helpful, but inspirational.
So if you are thinking about writing and selling screenplays, check it out.
It can't guarantee you a sale or anything, but it will give you some good insights from someone who has seen lots of success

Best Made!

I saw an interesting add today for Best Made Axe. It is a company that sells hand made Axes, produced in NJ. They are sold online and exclusively at a single store in NYC. They are made of hickory (from TN) and sell for between $250-$500 dollars. I am guessing, based on price, that they would be very well-made axes. I can’t say if they are the “best” or not as I am not qualified to judge an axe beyond whether it chops or does not chop wood and other items. Perhaps an axe murderer or a lumberjack would be a better endorsement. What interests me though is the business idea itself. Not what many would consider in terms of launching a successful business, but this company reports having done very well since their launch. It’s funny how some businesses toil in obscurity while others hit upon just “the thing” and turn passion into profit and never look back.

Submit!

By "submit" I don't mean submit as in "submit to being ruled by Martians"...what I mean is submit as in "submit to publishers".
GGE has a couple of items out with publishers right now. Like any other author or creative endeavor, rejection letters don't thrill us, but it seems to be the way the game is played. Submit, submit, submit. Collect rejection letters, paper the walls with them, store them up for future reference, but keep on trucking.
One thing we do at GGE is, while we submit, we also move on to the next project. It makes the urgency to get a positive response not seem as urgent. We figure, well if project A doesn't sell, wait till they see Project B.
Having said that, it still sucks getting rejection...

Captain America's Back!

I know many might expect GGE to be thrilled that Cap is back in action, but instead, his return is greeted with a resounded sense of...ho hum.
Why?
First, did anyone know he died?
Well, the comic book community knew. It made some headlines even. Of course, a few years back Superman died. Batman got his back broken. Heck, Spock died in Wrath of Khan and it was all very poignant. Heck, even Captain Picard was "recovered" from the Borg and it is now official canon that Commander Data, who died in Nemesis, has been uploaded into the body of his idiot-savant "brother" B-4. Of course of all of these, Data is the only one I "buy" very well. He is a robot. I have resurrected my own computer a few times.
The problem? They are all back! It is a falacy of modern sci-fi and fantasy storytelling. Heroes fall, but they come right back in a few episodes. It's a time warp or a clone or an evil twin or something.
It has become a pattern and one that is just...well...boring and predictable.
I can speak for all writers when I say that no one wants their storytelling to be mentioned in the same sentence with boring and predictable!
If characters are always inherently "safe" then where is the drama?

1. GGE promises that our characters are NEVER safe
2. We will not keep a character around to make a buck if the storyline demands their untimely demise
3. Once they are gone, they are gone. The barrior of death should be a bit nmore difficult to overcome than our colleagues in other studios have made it out to be.

Okay...enough griping. Cap is back! Big deal.

Work Sucks!

I am reading "Why Work Sucks and How to Fix it" by Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson.
It puts forth the idea of a "Results Only Work Environment" also known as "ROWE".
I love the whole notion. No meetings, no schedules, using techology as it is intended and paying more attention to results and time at the desk.
As writers and artists, GGE definitely understands the ROWE. I can sit at a desk all day, but if I don't write something then we don't produce.
GGE doesn't operate 8-5. It operates at midnight, 3 am, just before dawn and whenever inspiration strikes.
Check out Cali and Jody's book or their blog at http://caliandjody.com/

Physics and Superheroes

Just finished reading "The Physics of Superheroes" by James Kakalios. First off, let me say, great book! Funny and well-written and I feel smarter just for having read it.
Having said that, I do have to confess that physics was never my strongest subject, whereas superheroes are more my forte.
My original intention for reading the book was to base my superhero stories in a more believable realm and ensure their powers didn't violate natural laws.
As it turns out, this is pretty hard to do. Some superheroes are more plausible than others, but almost all require some suspension of disbelief.
So, rather than suffer analysis paralysis, I have simply decided to try and limit the number of "miracle exceptions" my superheroes need in order to operate and try to make them as plausible as can be with the understanding that we must play a little with the laws of physics to make our heroes exist.

It's probably a good thing superheroes don't walk the streets anyway...with super heroes come super villains and I don't want to be the victim of a death ray or anything like that. I have enough to worry about as it is!

Star Trek: The Experience

Recently visited Star Trek: The Experience at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA. If you're a Star Trek fan, then you should definitely get yourself to this exhibit. I think it is a traveling exhibit. It is at The Franklin Institute for a few more weeks.
Gene Roddenberry, I am sure, would be amazed if he saw how far the script for "The Menagerie" took him. He had a vision and it grew far beyond what he initially envisioned, but the point is, he had a vision.
Along with the vision though, he did something about it. He wrote and wrote and wrote. He crafted his skill on detective shows and "Have Gun Will Travel". He had pilot shows made and then they were not picked up. He didn't let this destroy him. He didn't quit. He kept writing. Then, he finally sold Star Trek.
One would think the rest was history, but not so fast...the show had budget trouble and censorship issues and then...it was canceled. Gene never gave up and eventually, years later, it came back and he was ready to roll again. Now, Thirty years after it's comeback, it is a hit movie and a museum exhibit and has about a million books, comic books, toys, etc.
It started with a vision. Then there was a lot of work and then there was a LOT of "stick-to-it-ive-ness"

So there you go:
1) Dream
2) Work (as GGE says, no one can do your pushups for you)
3) Never give up

The real challenge for GI Joe

I loved GI Joe as a kid. I remember the tall guys where one of the dude's name was GI Joe. Later came the cool team of guys named Duke, Stalker, Snake Eyes, Rock-n-Roll, Breaker, Scarlett. I loved them as a kid.
So now, finally, there is a GI Joe movie (not surprisingly since there is a Transformers movie - everything old is new again). I haven't seen it yet, but I will.
Here is the challenge.
Back in the '80s, I remember GI Joe as being so cool when in fact, it had more cheese than a French wine festival. Today's kids are more sophisticated. Couple that with the fact that many of the movie goers at GI Joe will be former fan boys hoping for the same exilirating experience they had as youths.
So, the movie has to satisfy former fan boys who want to be thrilled but will not be thrilled by the same fare they saw when they first fell in love with GI Joe. So, it has to be different, more modern and relevant while still retaining some of the vestiges we all know and love.
The story also has to appeal to the younger generation if we want to get toy sales, spin offs, comic books, roleplaying games, a comic book (there actually is still a comic book that is pretty good).
Can it be done? Heck yeah. Look at Iron Man. So much more than just a comic book filmed in real life and put on the screen.
The right writer and director can do this for GI Joe. Let's hope they pulled it off

Yo Joe!

Story Greatness

What makes a story great?
Is it the technical quality of the writing? Sometimes, if it is particulary grabbing (like Joe Abercrombie) but good writing is like the cherry on top. Bad writing is like bad breath on an otherwise attractive person. It can add or detract, but a story can be great with writing that is "good enough".
Is it the storyline? Definitely important. Good plot twists and well paced drama is critical. This isn't the end-all-be-all either though. Low budget films often have good storylines, but fall short because of poor technical execution.
A good bad guy? A definite requirement!
Good guys we can relate to? Another critical element! We need to feel for them. We need to be able to indentify with them. They need to be changed in some way by the dramatic elements of the story, unless their rigid inflexibility is what the story is about.
A touch of humor now and then? Doesn't hurt.
Good pacing? Makes the reader enjoy the ride more.

What's the point of my musing? There is no single thing to master in order to write a great book and some do certain parts better than others. I don't know if anyone gets all elements perfect.

So, writing is more like cooking. There is a recipe. All of the elements are important in some degree. Improve your understanding and your ability in each element and watch the quality of your stories grow!

Green Lantern: First Flight

Had the chance to check out Green Lantern: First Flight last night. It is a new movie from Warner Bros. I should stress it is an animated movie. Of course, at GGE, we have no problem with animation, anime, comics or whatever media it might take to convey a cool story. Some folks allow themselves to miss out on some excellent stories because they buy into the misconception that if it is "drawn" it must be "for kids".

Anyway...I digress! Green Lantern: First Flight is a must-see (and a must-own for you collectors out there). Of course the art is fantastic, but we expect no less from Warner Brothers, but the story is great!

Why is the story so good? Well, let me tell you...

Green Lantern has never had a great arch nemesis. Sure, everyone would point out Sinestro as GL's polar opposite, but it is with a half-hearted wave. Not the immediate recognition that you get with Lex Luthor (for Superman) or The Joker (for Batman).

Well, First Flight goes a long way towards remedying this. We have long known Sinestro is an ex-Green Lantern himself (more on this later) but this story shows his fall from grace. It is remniscient of "Training Day" with Denzel Washington in which the veteran Green Lantern (Sinestro) trains a rookie (Hal Jordan - our Green Lantern) before eventually ending up on the wrong side of the power ring. Very well done and Sinestro is very well presented and quickly becomes villain that viewers can love to hate.

Another great thing about Green Lantern is, as with many of GGE's top favorites, that Green Lantern is cross genre at its best. Green Lantern is not so much a super hero as he is a member of an elite military unit charged with protecting the galaxy. There are 3600 of them scattered across the galaxy (sort of like Jedi Knight). So, with any Green Lantern story, you get super hero action and a healthy dose of science fiction as well. First Flight pulls this off really well.

So...go watch this movie!

Best Superhero Books ever

It's hard to find good books about superheroes that aren't either a) comic books or b) books based on comic books.
Now, I have nothing against either A or B, but they don't typically represent the coolest examples of superhuman fiction.
Let me offer some examples of the coolest superhero fiction

1. Wild Cards (the whole series, editted by George RR Martin)
2. Devil's Cape (by Rob Rogers)
3. Black and White (by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge)
4. Those Who Walk in Darkness (By John Ridley)
5. Soon I Will Be Invincible ( by Austin Grossman)
6. Hero (by Perry Moore)
7. The Web of Arachnos (Robert Weinberg)
8. Swan Song (By Frank Fradella)
9. The Physics of Superheroes (By James Kakalios) - this one is not fiction, but it is very cool

Not a long list. There are a lot I have not read and there is a lot of crap in what I have read. It's a hard genre for some to take seriously, but there is good stuff out there! You just have to look for it...or trust my little list and get to reading.

Of course, the other option is to write some good ones! Let's do that!

Status

Well, no word on publication as of yet. We have a couple of feelers out there, but nothing yet.
So, what do we do? Keep developing and keep sending out submissions.

As always, the key is to write, write, write or if you are an artist it is draw, draw, draw.

Point is...no one can do our push-ups for us (get the metaphor)

So I guess I should go get to work

Merlin on NBC

Well, I have really just discovered this show "Merlin" on NBC. If you have not watched it, then you really should. Is it great Arthurian literature? No. In fact, some of the stuff is a bit switched around from the more "traditional" Arthur stories, but I am always up for a reinterpretation of classic characters. Remember when John Byrne "re-imagined" Superman in the mid 1980's? It turned out to be one of the most beloved Superman comic runs of all time.
So, don't let the re-imagining stop you from checking out Merlin. One thing I love is that unlike recent stories such as "King Arthur" and "The Last Legion" there is actual magic in this story. I am more forgiving of changes in the story than I am stories without magic. King Arthur stories, in my opinion, should have some scraps of magic around.
In any event, here is the REAL reason you should watch it. As a fellow fan of fantasy, science fiction, super heroes and all that jazz (if you weren't you would probably not still be reading) we should support shows that support our habit. We want more shows about Knights and Wizards and Dragons so we should w watch the ones that are out there. If their ratings are good, imitators will surely follow and sometimes imitation can be a wonderful thing!

Besides...next week, The Black Knight shows up! And he is Undead! (I'm geeking about it)

Leadership

Read a great article in Time magazine entitled: "Why Bosses Tend To Be Blowhards"
The summary is that "A new study shows leadership is often just loudership: big mouths take charge."
The study was led by the University of California: Berkeley. The study found in a group setting, the folks who spoke out the most often and the loudest were viewed as individuals with a high degree of leadership, smarts and creativity. When given basic aptitude tests, these same individuals did not score any better (and often worse) than their quieter counterparts.

It's interesting, but then again, isn't it a quality of leadership that the person has the "courage" (or blind stupidity?) to speak out regardless of the consequences, often not letting oneself be encumbered by facts or truth?

We see it a lot where people take charge just because they are visible and rather than saying the "right thing" they say their version of the right thing and then convince others of it's correctness (Rush Limbaugh comes to mind). No offense Rush. My point is Rush picks a side of an argument and does not attempt to see the other side and then convinces listeners there is only one side. It is his goal and he does it well.

Not a surprising study, but a nice one to read because I tend towards introverted behavior in a large group and often don't get very vocal. It seems like options are to either break that behavior or get used to finishing second (or third or fourth...somewhere other than first).

Alternatively, one could seek out an environment where one felt comfortable being very vocal. For example, if you grew up building boats and building boats was your passion then I would suspect you would feel more comfortable being very vocal in a boat-building situation thus ensuring your promotion and inevitable leadership role.

All the more reason, perhaps, to seek your passion?

The Comic Book Movie Problem

Here is an issue I struggle with routinely. When making a comic book movie, how much should the movie be like the comic book?
Here is an example.
The original "Punisher" movie with Thomas Jane (not the first "original" with Dolph Lundgren...ugh). was made for 33,000,000. Not a bad budget. It grossed, worldwide, 54,600,000. Yay! A profit. The Punisher is a success.

So, they made a sequel.

The Punisher: War Zone, starring "that guy from the HBO Rome show" was made for 33,000,000 - hey, we made it for less! It grossed 8,000,000. A huge loss. I guess in Hollywood, that would be "a flop".

The first movie, however, disappointed fans. It was not exactly true to the original character and made several key departures disappointing hard core fans. It also made a profit.
The Punisher: War Zone was very much in line with the comic book. It was like watching a live action verion of The Punisher comic. Hard core fans loved it. It flopped.

So, you can't float a movie solely on us comic book fan boys. It has to appeal to more people, I assume, because it costs a bunch to make a movie.

It goes back to the axiom that you have to know your audience. Watchmen followed the graphic novel very well, but by all accounts, Watchmen is not a "typical" graphic novel and the movie was even a bit more graphic and was filmed in a style of photography that was nothing short of breathtaking. The 300 was done in a similar fashion.

Know your audience and make your product accordingly. Would Star Wars have been a mega hit if it were a novel first? Would The Simpsons be a household name if it had started as a movie? The right place to launch your project is out there whether it is indie publishing, online comics, finding an agent, selling a script. The only way to find it is to reach for it.

Paranormal Evidence

I don't have any...but I wish I did. It would be cool if I did.
What if some random blogger came across paranormal evidence and posted it.
Of course, he or she would immediately be targeted by the paranormal agents themselves wanting to keep their shadowy existence secret and they would also be targeted by some government agency trying to keep the lid on the news as well.
Meanwhile, our hero tries to stop the paranormal agents from instigating their nefarious plot, which of course the government wants as well, leading to an inevitable team up.

Sound interesting? Write the rest of it!

What is a writer?...a combination of an idea person (which I just posted an example of the idea) and a worker, meaning the person who takes the idea and chops the wood (meaning he or she does the work of writing). When one person has both those qualities, then (in my humble opinion) they have all the makings of a writer. All that is left to do is...write!

Someone want to write about our blogger of the paranormal? Go for it.

Watchmen on DVD!!!

Watchmen is coming on DVD on July 21st. I love Watchmen because it is superheroes for grown-ups (note - don't let the kiddies see Watchmen unless you routinely let your kids see graphic sex scenes and intense violence). But for those fanboys among us who grew up loving the superheroes but now find ourselves a bit jaded with some of the adolescent nature of comic book writing (not saying all comics books - some are a definite exception) along comes Watchmen.
Of course the graphic novel is "old". Old enough that I read it at a pretty scandalous age and was shock by the content.
Now, as an adult, I love seeing superheroes for adults. Another great example is the Wild Cards series of novels editted by George RR Martin.
I am sure that some convetional wisdom told both Alan Moore (author of Watchmen) and George RR Martin (Master of Wild Cards) that superheroes were for kids and it was not a good idea to make stories with adult content using superheroes, metahumans, whatever.
Well, Watchmen is one of the most highly acclaimed graphic novels of all times and Wild Cards has been going for two decades so I think the authors were right.
The key - Know your target audience and write for them. If you put together great content, targeted specifically for what your audience wants. Don't try and please everyone. Just give your target audience what they want. They WILL find you. And they will bring their friends.

Industry News

Just a few quick bites:

1. San Diego Comic Con is coming up at the end of July. That is an awesome show for all comic fans!
2. Sadly, there is currently no Superman live action movie in development. Apparently, in 2013, all Superman rights revert to the heir of Siegel and Schuster (who created Superman). I am sure they will use the rights to produce Superman related material. Kind of scary, kind of exciting
3. Green Lantern: First Flight is an animated Green Lantern movie being released in a couple of weeks. My prediction, based on the last few DC Animated Universe movies - it will be damn cool!
4. There is supposedly a Green Lantern live action film in the works. Since we at Green Gates share our first name with Green Lantern, allow me to comment - a live action GL movie could be awesome and it could totally be an opportunity for some cross genre superhero/sci-fi action. GL is a super hero, but he is also a space cop and Guardian of sector 7 (we live in sector 7 apparently)
5. Spiderman 4 is being talked about at least. I am a little ho hum about this news at this point.
6. There might be a Star Wars live action show being shot soon. Cool. Supposedly featuring more relationship and character related story lines so as to appeal to a more mature audience. Sadly enough, even the Clone Wars cartoon appeals to me. I am probably not a good example of a mature audience though.
7. The next Star Trek movie is on for like 18 months from now (rumor from the dude that played Scotty). That should be great. I am looking forward to the DVD release of the latest Trek movie for the inevitable cut scenes.
8. For gamers out there Mass Effect 2 will be released early next year. I am not a huge gamer, but Mass Effect was AWESOME and I will definitely buy Mass Effect 2
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is just over a week or so away from release. My suggestion: get all the Potter movies and stage a weekend Harry marathon to get up to speed for the newest film
10. GGE watched "Push" on DVD. Our review is to give it a grade of D. Not exactly failing. The background is awesome. The premise is solid, but the movie pacing itself was weak. Could have had a lot more tension, conflict and power versus power throw downs. There were some cool scenes but overall a less-than-stellar effort. I will of course buy a personal copy so as to provide support for "superhero" movies and do my part to ensure they continue to be produced.

Later!

Dragon Con 2009

Anybody going to Dragon Con 2009? GGE will be there, but just as fan boys this year, no table or autograph sessions. Why? Nothing new out this year. Look for us to set up shop again next year with some cool new stuff!

A thought on conventions...if you are a fan of a genre (horror, sci-fi, fantasy) or an activity (roleplaying, card games, video games). You should seek out a convention and get your butt to one! There is nothing so satisfying as being surrounded by thousands of like minded people all into the same things you are into.

If you are more than a fan and you are a creator, writer, artists, etc. For you it is beyond "should" you "have" to go! Make contacts! Get inspired! Advance your cause. Every industry as conferences. Do you think it is just for the locations and the golf outings? Well...sometimes it is (Vegas, Baby!) But if you want to break into the entertainment sector - get to the conferences. You will not regret it!

Legacy of the Force

Most anyone interested in anything GGE has to say will also be interested in all things Star Wars. That's not to say 100%. If you are here and not a Star Wars fan, then we welcome you! We just don't understand you.

Anyway, I have been reading this book series entitled "Legacy of the Force". It takes place decades after the last movie (Return of the Jedi being the last in chronological order, not release order). It deals with the children of the Skywalkers and the Solos.

It's pretty good. I love seeing what else goes on in the Star Wars universe. It is inspiring to see how much has grown from Lucas's initial idea for the three movies (which had to start with a single hit film). It does make me wonder how much more that world can support. There is a lot in this series that casual fans might not get. Beyond that, it's 9 or 10 books long. Why not stick with the three-part story arc made popular by the films?

For those of you who wander by to see what we're reading or to participate in the discussion of all that is new and relevant in the sci-fi/fantasy/superhero fiction world, this is a good book. It is especially good if you want to see more Jedi Vs. Sith stuff.

The best part about this series though...it makes me want to create my own "Star Wars" so thirty years from now people might be blogging about my characters.

Being the best

I was watching "4th and Long" last night, a show where amateurs try and land a spot on the Dallas Cowboys roster.
It occured to me how rare an occupation like that is. For example, in sports, there is natural talent of course, but there also has to be years and years of preparation. They have to pay their dues and there can then be a straight up competition to determine who is better than the other.
I have not been fortunate enough to have a career like that. Maybe I have been fortunate in not having a career like that. I like to consider myself a "winner" but it is hard to say that until one has won something.
In creating/writing, etc who would some of the "winners" be? I guess that would depend on how you keep score. You could keep score by pure literary skill. Then you can debate who writes better than someone else. I would not score this way. I would score by books sold or movie deals made or income.
I guess based on my own criteria, the winners list would look something like this:

JK Rowling
Stephen King
Stan Lee
George Lucas
Eastman and Laird
Todd McFarlane
Seth McFarlane
The Wachowski Brothers

That's a short list, but I would like to add "Green Gates" to it. I guess we need to score some points first.

Happy Independence Day from GGE

Happy Independence Day (a day late, but who cares - I had cookouts and parties to attend yesterday).
I know GGE is built on enjoying the freedom to write, publish, produce whatever we want to say.
So, let's all enjoy our freedom and exercise our rights by writing!

Later
JG

A ltle preview

Check it out! A little concept sketch of a young King Arthur from Green Gates's "Pendragon Chronicles" - now in development.

Ok...at this point, Arthur is not "King" yet...you'll have to wait for the book.

We're a little far out on this one as of yet...2010 or early 2011, but more news will trickle out as we move along.

Green look-a-like

This is a picture of "Pabst" - recently voted the world's ugliest dog. A note of interest- Pabst is an exact look-a-like of Green, from Green Gates Entertainment. I'm not sure how my partner feels about being a twin for the world's ugliest dog, but I thought it was interesting enough to post.

Vacations

I love vacations. I am always so much more enthused and inspired after getting away for awhile and everything seems so clear to me when I get back. My advice...if you haven't been on vacation in a few months, schedule one. Even if it is a staycation.
Good news. Got some initial interest from a publisher for Forsaken. (Western Gothic novel).
They asked for some revisions, which we happily made, and it is back with them.
Why would we happily make revisions? Some people would say to revise nothing and stay true to the original story. Of course, I would say to those people "have fun self publishing" because most successful publishers feel they know what will sell (and their track records usually support their opinion). So, certain allowances are made.
Of course I am pleased just to get something other than "REJECT".
Now I hope they come back and say "We love it!".

GGE activity

Whew. GGE has been busy lately. We have sent "The Forsaken" off to a couple of publishers who "might" be interested and we have been working on closing out "Insurrection" (working title) our latest novel.
Next on the agenda?
Submit "Insurrection"
Polish up "The Forsaken" Screenplay and submit it
Discuss a graphic novel script for "Insurrection" and possibly get started on that
Identify the third propery for development (development to begin in late 2009)

In there somewhere we need to have our corporate annual meeting in beautifil Chattanooga, TN and lead our "normal" lives at the same time!

Play Brett Favre! Play!

I know not all of you may be sports fans or football fans, but it would be hard to escape the annual "I'm retired, I'm not retired" saga of Brett Favre.
I will say this - if Brett loves football as much as I think he does, and he can play at all then he should play as long as he wants to.
Who among us gets a career we love? Who would agonize at the thought of retirement? It's a small population my friends and if he can hobble onto the field, the he should.

The Forsaken

Hey there, just wanted to post that "The Forsaken" - GGE's cross genre western/horror novel (what we call Western Gothic) is out with a couple of publishers. Maybe we will get the good word that someone is dying to publish it!
Worst case, we add to our stack of rejection letters.
My theory on rejection letters is as follows:
There is a number of rejection letters separating me from selling any of our properties. The only way to work through that number of rejection letters is to collect them as quickly as possible by submitting the work regularly.

Of course one has to research publishers and submit to those whose publications match your work.

So...go collect rejection letters. Eventually you'll get a letter of a whole different sort.

Today

Yesterday is gone. Don't lament it or allow yourself to feel guilt for Yesterday.
Tomorrow may not even get here. Tomorrow is just a plan. By the time it arrives, it will be Now (are you reminded of a Space Balls bit?)
The point is...Right Now is all we have. Do something with it.

What we love

You know what we love at GGE? (list in no particular order)

Horror movies
Science fiction movies
Fantasy movies
Sci-fi/fantasy novels
Comic books
Super hero movies
Beer
Roleplayers
Comic book conventions
Vegas
The Beach
Halloween
Christmas
Running and lifting weights
Geeks
Girls
B-rated Monster movies
Motorcycles
America

Lots of other stuff, but that is a pretty good list.

Star Trek

Been awhile since I blogged. I should apologize for that. I have been spending some time on what the GGE website should look like. Obviously, it should have a link to the blog where we can keep up a dialogue with readers, viewers, aficionados, etc!

I just saw Star Trek and came away with a healthy dose of inspiration. Roddenberry created something so timeless that I watched it as a kid and now I am taking my kids to see it years later. How great is that? What is so enduring about Star Trek? I know the popular line is the positive view it gives of the future, but there has to be more to it than that. Is it the ship designs? the visuals? The hot chicks. It's always had hot chicks.

Would Star Trek had been as successful if it had been a novel first? A comic book? A line of toys? A movie? Did it have to be launched as a TV series. A TV series that was canceled. Something made it grab ahold of people. That's what I want to do!

What are you?

I love the movie "Troy" but I think the coolest line is when Paris and Hector's cousin asks Achilles why he decided to become a warrior and he replies, "I was born. This is what I am." For Achilles, there was no choice.
It's the same for you and me. There is something you were meant to be. Something that the universe is just waiting for you to discover and go for so every fiber of the universe can assist you.
So what are you? I don't mean what do you do or how do you make your cash. What are you? What were you born to be?
Me? I'm a storyteller. I was born. That's what I am.

Tactics

If what you are doing is not working...meaning if you aren't getting the results you want and you feel like giving up. Change tactics instead. Go for a new approach. Brainstorm a new way to look at the issue or a new way of doing it. Don't give up out of hand. It may just be a tactical issue.

Who is the best author in the world?

That's such a subjective question. Of course there is no right or wrong answer. It could be you! It could be me! If we know our audience and write just for them and make it the best stuff we can produce...who knows.

Of course, we have to write something first...

Insurrection

The latest project at Green Gates Entertainment is a fantasy novel with a working title of "Insurrection". That title is almost certain to change through the editting phase though I have no idea what the eventual title may be. The story has been really exciting to write and I can't wait to start shopping it around for potential buyers! It will probably also be developed as an animated script.
I can't wait to get it out into the public so we can talk about it here on this blog. I would love to have some discussions about the future of the characters and the world and all that jazz. Readers should have some contact with creators. It helps keep the shark from getting jumped.

Practice

This is not a music blog of course, but there are lots of similarities in creative processes...hence today's subject.
Does Mick Jagger practice the song "Satisfaction" anymore? I don't know the answer to that of course, but I have an idea. "Satisfaction" was recorded and released in 1965.
I cannot imagine how many times a year Mick has sung "Satisfaction" and yet I suspect he still rehearses it. I suspect all of the Stones still rehearse it.
My point? To be the best in the world, take work and work and work. We may not all be the best in the world, or the Rolling Stones, but we all want to be better than "good enough" and to do so, no matter how much talent or luck we have, we all still have to put in the magic ingredient - dedicated and persistent work.

The Best in the World

Have we missed our chance to be the Best in the World? At what? Anything! What am I blabbering about?
I was thinking about "the bests" and it seems like the bests were all "the best" while they were young. I'm not ancient, but I don't classify as "young" either. I even aged out of the "young democrats society" so I guess I am officially "not young".
Here's a list of names that comes to mind:
George Lucas (Star Wars at 26) - though he might still be "the best"
Tiger Woods
Babe Ruth
Richard Petty
Michael Jordan
Emmitt Smith
Elvis
The Beatles
Bill Gates
Stephen King
Steven Spielberg

I am trying to think of people who "became" the best after they were 30 or 40. Not just people who became the best when they were young and then stayed the best or pretty good until they were old. For example:

Louis Pasteur - did his best work late in life
Ulyssess Grant - became the Commander in Chief after being "the town drunk" at age 40
Mark Twain - he wasn't Mark Twain until he was older
Albert Einstein
JK Rowling

It looks like we may have missed our chance to be the world's best rock and roller or sports figure, but may author, creator, illustrator, scientist, inventor, discoverer is still out there for the taking? I intend to act as if it is and go for it.

Star Trek Wars

What an auspicious week for us "speculative fiction aficionados"... I suppose that could read "sci-fi geeks" but either label is fine in the case of Green and Gates. It fits. This week saw "Star Wars Day" of course (May 4th...as in May the fourth be with you) and we all watched Star Wars films, shows, etc (at least I did).
Now, we are approaching the release of the new "Star Trek" which I am, of course, anxiously awaiting. No you won't see me on opening night in a uniform or wearing rubber ears, but I will be there somewhere watching Kirk get the girls and kick butt.
I remember the Star Trek Communicator (a trek magazine) predicting back in the 80's that at some point Trek popularity would wane and it would take a return to the younger Kirk and Spock with different actors to being it back to the forefront. At the time, of course, they were still releasing movies with the original crew and I thought...no way! Shatner is Kirk! Now, it looks like the prediction will come true and I can't wait! It's time for a new start.
Wish Roddenberry could see it. Remember Roddenberry "failed" a bunch of times before getting someone to agree to make Star Trek. So...message to creators out there? Keep plugging away!

Wolverine and Expectations

I saw Wolverine this weekend (of course - I want to support my own industry) and I was very pleased. It caused me to reflect a bit on Stan Lee and the other creators of Marvel's heroes. Have there been new superheroes in the last few years? Sure. Can you name any? Maybe you can, if you are a geek like me, but for the most part it is the originals that people remember. Why is that? There were superheroes before the X-men. Lots of them. There were superheroes before Spiderman. Superman and Batman have been around a long time, but others have come and gone and nobody seems to have displaced these heroes.
Why? Two reasons. In Superman's case he was first. Nothing like him had really been seen before (except in the book Gladiator). Batman was also a first in that he was "dark". Dark for the time is not dark now, but when Batman came out he was dark.
We don't have the advantage of being first, but neither did Stan Lee. Stan Lee simply exceeded all expectations. He took a genre and made it new againby making superheroes as people like you and I, or at least people we would recognize. People expected "just another superhero comic book" and instead they got Peter Parker who kicks butt as Spidey (and is funny as hell) but as Peter Parker he has trouble with school, girls and holding down a job. You have the X-men who save the world once a month but also struggle with a type of racism against mutantkind. It was new and poignant and exceeded everyone's expectations.
So all you and I have to do to add to that pantheon? Take what is familiar and make it new again and not in a gimmicky way but in a sincere way that speaks to readers.
Sounds simple (it's not), it's achievable (but it takes work)...so let's get to work.

Today is THE DAY!!!

Today just feels like "the day"! This is the day to launch your new project! Or pursue your dream of learning to play guitar or piano or starting up your exercise program and cutting back a few calories. It just feels like the day!
Go looks at your list of top ten dreams (Don't have one? Now is the day to make one) and get started towards one of them!
I'll do the same!

Wolvering

I managed to catch an early screening of Wolverine and I still echo my post of a week or so ago. Go see it!
It wasn't on par with "The X-men" to me, but then I like the X-men as a team better than I like Wolverine as a solo character and I always have. I like his interaction with the rest of the team so much and some of that goes away when he is alone.
Still, it is a very good superhero movie with lots of awesome effects and a ton of cool powers on display!
Do they mess with the Marvel mythos a little? Probably, but watch it for what it is...a kick ass superhero movie. And throw some cash at it if you like superhero movies! We need to support them when they show up so we get lots and lots more!

DragonCon

I was talking to some friends who are attending DragonCon this year. I know there is a big stigma to going to conventions. It's viewed as a place where we all dress up in bad Star Trek uniforms and talk about the merits of the Ferengi vs. the Klingons or something like that. I wanted to say a word in favor of convention attendance for the fan and the creator/writer.
Regardless of you "geek" level (and I say that as a term of endearment) you will find like-minded people at a fantasy/sci-fi convention. Sure there are some extremes, but for the most part it is people interested in the same stuff you are interested in.
As a fan, you leave with autographs and swag and all sorts of cool things you didn't know people sold. As a creator you leave rejuvenated and convinced there is an audience for your stuff, you just have to reach them. Of course you have to create first and that is where most people stall out.
So, if you've never been to a conventions, find one and go. It will be interesting to say the least. If you are going to be in the Atlanta area around labor day, let's hook up at DragonCon.

The Wrestler

"An amateur artist imitates, but a mature artist steals" - I was told that by another artist at one point. Of course, I don't view it as stealing often more as an homage. For example, the movies "Fistful of Dollars", "The Sword and the Sorceror", and "Last Man Standing" are all the same story. A lone drifter bad-ass wanders into a podunk town where there are two factions warring over a single resource (in 2 cases the town's only source of water). The lone drifter gets involved playing both sides against one another and ends up the victor and gets the girl and all that. Of course all three are set in 3 different genres. One is a Western, one is sword and sorcery and one is set in a depression era Texas town. The point is, it is hard to find an original story anyway so if you want to use a storyline seen previously, dust it off, make it your own, pay homage to the original but put a new spin on it.
Why do I go into all of this? I just watched "The Wrestler" this weekend. Loved it. Loved everything about it from the acting, cinematography, the Springsteen soundtrack. Anyway, if someone were to take that storyline, substitute a broken down superhero for the wrestler and craft a really solid "world" around the characters were superheroes existed (like the world in Watchmen or Wild Cards) then it could be a great speculative fiction story.

Comic Books

Anybody read any good comic books lately? Me either. That's not to say that there aren't good comics. Nor am I saying that I don't like comics. I think we all do. I mean look at the success of comic-related franchises like Batman, Superman, Spiderman, X-men, etc.
So what's the deal? Comic Books used to sell millions of copies every month and that has just decreased over time.
Comics have, unfortunately clung to the old model. So the cost of comic books have gone up and up and up so now, one comic costs as much as a novel. Not many kids can afford that and not many adults are willing to. I don't know the answer. It may be that something online would be the answer. I know there has been some success with graphic novels. Personally I won't pay the bucks for comic books, but I will pick up a graphic novel ocasionally. I can get the whole story in one fell swoop and not have to wait month to month.
Have you noticed new superheroes aren't really introduced in anyway other than comics? Of course there is the rare Hancock-type movie, but Hancock doesn't become a franchise. Stuff launched in comics becomes franchises.
Comics should do something before they are really hurting. We all love the superhero stories, but maybe we need new ways to deliver them. I want to introduce new franchises, but as the comic audience continues to shrink, what's the best method?

The weekend

This weekend would be a perfect time to steal some hours to work on your passion. Here's how mine will go down.
I will spend at least a couple of hours reading or watching some good fantasy, sci-fi, superhero action. Haven't picked out just what yet. Maybe I will go see Watchmen again.
Then, I will use that creative energy to dive into writing and hopefully get within striking distance of finishing "Insurrection" this weekend. I am so ready to finish this one up so I can start polishing. It is really coming together.
Hey! You should do the same thing with your own story, or artwork or whatever has been rattling around in the back of your mind. What? Haven't started a story or some artwork yet? This weekend is the perfect time to crank it up!

Dale Carnegie

Graduated the Dale Carnegie class today. I have to say, what other class do you take that reminds you to live with a zest for life? And live for today because today won't come again? Where else can you learn to never condemn, complain or criticize or that stress is to be avoided due to the enormous cost in your own health that stress causes.
Obviously I enjoyed the class very much. It is a bit long (at 12 weeks) and can be expensive, but it is worth every cent. I have only mentioned a fraction of the benefits. For those who think it is out dated, I could not disagree more.
Look into it. You'll be glad you did.

Carpe diem

Wolverine!!!

Just over a week till "Wolverine" is released in theaters. Mark your calendars and go! Even if you are not a huge Wolverine fan. Here's why...as fans and producers of Speculative Fiction, we need to also be heavy consumers of Speculative Fiction. By that I mean we need to "vote" for speculative fiction whether it is sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, etc. How do we vote? By spending money. When we are avid consumers of things we like, then more of the things we like get produced. Look at the letter writing campaign that saved the original Star Trek. Trekkies have been continually rewarded with lots of Trek because they spend crazy amounts of money on it. I throw some cash that way too because I want the things I like to become mainstream so I get more of it.
One more example, if you are a fan of cop shows, you have all you want because they are "mainstream". We are a lot farther along now than we were when I was a kid, but let's keep working.
To make a long story short...go see Wolverine! And Star Trek.

BloodRayne II: Deliverance

I seem to be contributing a few reviews to the blog lately. I think it is because during vacation I watched quite a few movies.
Anyway, I watched BloodRayne II: Deliverance and I wanted to say some things about it. First of all, I went into it with reasonable expectations. BloodRayne (the first movie) was based on a video game and video game movies are not always great. Resident Evil has been pretty good as a film franchise. I liked Doom. Anyway, BloodRayne was pulled off pretty well. It was done by Uwe Boll who gets a pretty bad rap, but I like his stuff. Kind of like early Roger Corman stuff. Some of it can be a bit B-rated, but the ideas are pretty original.
This brings me to BloodRayne II. As anyone reading this GGE blog knows, cross-genre stuff is our favorite playground. BloodRayne II mixes Vampires in the Wild West. GGE's first book "The Forsaken" was a horror novel set in the wild west and is a genre we term "Western Gothic". There are not a lot of examples of Western Gothic I can point to off the top of my head. "Ravenous" was a good one. The inclusion of a Texan in Bram Stoker's Dracula (Quincy P. Morris) makes Dracula have a bit of a Western Gothic flavor. The roleplaying game Deadlands captured the genre pretty well and had a series of "dime novels" in their setting that were done pretty well. So, I think BloodRayne II is a worthy addition and definitely worth seeing. Is it a bit B-rated? Sure, but I never let that stop me from enjoying a movie. If you haven't watched a good B-rated movie lately, let me know and I can recommend a few essentials.

The publishing procedure

I don't pretend to know the trick to being published. In fact, I once read there are just three things to know to get published, unfortunately no one knows what the three things are. I don't know about that, but I do know one thing. Patience is a requirement. Of course everyone talks about persistence, but you don't hear about patience often.

Here's my example. GGE is working on two properties right now. "The Forsaken" and "Insurrection" (both working titles). Both of these are substantially finished. Note, I said substantially finished. Not finished. I was very tempted today to send the works off with some query letters. Finally, my better nature took hold of me and I held off. The works should not (and will not) be sent out to anyone until they are more than substantially finished. They need to be finished and polished and polished and polished.

I am always once to seek out a metaphor...here is my metaphor: I am currently working on restoring an antique armoire from near-destruction to its original grandeur (another hobby of mine). Anyway, the armoire is re-assembled, but is not yet stained or covered in a coat of polyurethane. It needs sanding with rough sandpaper and then sanding again with finer sandpaper and then sanding again with even finer sandpaper all so that when I finally do stain the armoire and cover it in poyurethane it will look as good (or better) than it did a hundred years ago. If my patience ran out and I stained it right now, it would still look good, but it would not look perfect. The same is true for a story and my odds of selling a story on behalf of GGE go up considerably when it is perfect.

Our stories will be in competition with hundreds of other stories received by agents and editors. I hope to only compete with the other polished stories, not the ones that are just "good enough".

Arthur War Lord

I am a bit of a King Arthur aficionado. My tastes seem to be for pretty classic...um...classics. I like King Arthur, Sherlock Holmes, Superman, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen - just to name a few.
Anyway, I ran across a book in a used book store (Pauper's Used Books in Clayton, NC) entitled "Arthur War Lord" by Dafydd Ab Hugh. Without even googling Dafydd Ab Hugh, I believe I have read a Star Trek novel by him but I can't swear to it so I couldn't say for certain how skilled he is as a writer (yet). The book though is a cross genre piece, which I enjoy. I enjoy crossing genres when it is done poorly (like Jason X) but I REALLY enjoy it when it is done well (Like the Valley of Gwangi). So, this book combines time travel and King Arthur in a way that is a bit more sci-fi than "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court".
For fans of time travel and/or King Arthur, it is probably worth a look.

Dark Days

It is a darker world today than it was yesterday. John Madden has retired. For anyone who does not know, John Madden is a footbal legend, first as a coach and then as a broadcaster. He is retiring and, for me, watching the games will not be the same without Madden's unique voice.
How lucky for Madden though to have spent his whole career in the field he loves...football. He played football, then he coached football, then he broadcasted about football. He has written books about football. He made a video game about football and he has been in movies talking about football.
Hmmmm, maybe this is not so much "luck" after all. Maybe Madden demonstrated an unflinching approach to making his passion become his livelihood. I am sure there were times early on when Madden thought he might end up having to be a salesman or a construction worker or whatever, but he refused to to that. He devoted his life to football, but not just as an interest. He made himself an expert on it. He read everything about it. He researched it. He met and talked to the experts in the field at the time. Even at the height of his popularity, he studied hours and hours of film each week so that he could talk coherently about the game. He could have given up a long time ago and become something else. Instead, he devoted his life to his passion and his passion supported him. He made himself and expert on it. He became a name that will be associated with the game of football for decades (at least). He couldn't be anything else. He became Madden.

How lucky.

Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem...Seize the day. One of my favorite phrases. Don't forget today to live with a zest for life. Live today with enthusiasm. Live "out loud". We only pass this way once. How do you intend to spend the time you have?

Riddick

Is it just me or is Riddick, the anti hero featured in "Pitch Black" and "The Chronicles of Riddick", just a great example of a superhero set in a sci-fi setting? He has speed and strength, but he also has the ability to dislocate his joints upon command and (of course) see perfectly in the dark. He makes the best use of these abilities and really kicks butt. As I may have mentioned before, GGE loves mixed genres and the Chronicles of Riddick really pull it off well. I still need to see Dark Fury, and I haven't played any of the video games but if the storytelling is of the same high quality (and I expect that it is) then David Twohy has really put together something great here.
Check it out!

Benefits of a vacation

Hey there,
I am on vacation this week. Of course, I will still be writing. That's the beauty of GGE. I love writing and creating sci-fi/fantasy stuff. I guess the term is quickly becoming "speculative fiction". Like Confuscious said, "Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life". Did Confuscious say that? Anyway...you get the point.
Even when you love what you do, vacations are important. Those of us who are creatives and those of us who love the worlds of speculative fiction have a benefit over everybody else. What's our benefit? It is not our resistance to scorn after being made fun of in High School. Our benefit is imagination. In the "real world" imagination can be kind of ground out of a person. In our daily grind, it can get squashed. Vacations can change all that.
I know when I have been off a few days, I get this profound feeling of remembering just who I am. It's worth taking a few days off for. Go somewhere with a salt breeze, boat drinks and no responsibility and see what happens. Make sure to take your notebook so you can record the magic!

Back from the break!!!

Didn't know I was going to take a break from blogging for a few days, but my vacation spot didn't have internet access so it made it a bit hard. Not a great excuse...I should have sought out a wi-fi spot and kept on rolling. I'll do better next time!

I did have a great meeting with Green of Green Gates and we did some company business and all that jazz, but THEN, we really got down to "bidness" and completed our outline for our current storyline. The working title is "Insurrection" and I am loving being involved with it. I can't wait to finish it. It has everything that GGE stands for: Action, sex, gritty settings, three-dimensional characters, dark magic, heroes and best of all Orcs like you've never seen Orcs before.

So that's what we are working on. Send us a summary of your project! We'll encourage one another!

Yes Man

Okay...a topic that is not directly related to superheroes, zombies, wizards or writing/drawing about them.
I saw the movie "Yes Man" yesterday. It's a Jim Carrey film and thus it is full of pratfalls and some levels of goofiness, but the movie itself is actually about seizing the day and living life to the fullest. I am someone who struggles with that. I bet you are too sometimes. The movie reminded me to live with enthusiasm and to take a huge bite of life. I forget that too often so it is nice to be reminded sometimes that new experiences are fun and opportunities should be grabbed onto and enjoyed. Live enthusiastiically and cultivate a zest for life! I intend to.

Carpe Diem!
JG

A list of cool metahuman movies with no spandex anywhere

I love superhero movies. I collect superhero movies. Some of my favorite movies about superheroes are not really about "superheroes". What the heck does that mean? Well, obvious superhero movies are Batman, Fantastic Four, X-men, Spiderman, Blade, Iron Man, Superman, Hancock, Watchmen...all of these are awesome, in my opinion, but there is another genre of superhero movie. I'll let the list be my example.
Here we go...
Jumper (Teleportation)
Push (Telekinesis)
The Matrix (The awakened people have all kinds of superpowers)
Next (PRecognition)
My Super Ex-Girlfriend (Kind of a standard superhero movie...cool nonetheless)
Star Wars (Jedi Knights are like Knights, Wizards and Superheroes all rolled into one)
The Transporter Movies (Martial arts and mad driving skills. Almost seems like hyper reflexes)
Fire Starters (Pyrokinesis)
The Shining (Telepathy)
Eragon (Dragon Riders are like super heroes in a fantasy setting)
Harry Potter (Magic and superpowers seem pretty similar sometimes)
Terminator (Terminators are like superheroes gone bad)
Dracula (Same comment as Terminator)
Frankenstein (The monster has mega superpowers)
Van Helsing (He's like an older version of Batman)
Underworld (All of them)
Resident Evil
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

I could probably come up with more by going to my movie cabinet, but my point is this: For those of us who love the superhero/metahuman genre, we don't always have to wait for the next comic-inspired film to find superheroes. Sometimes they are right in front of us just disguised as something a bit different.

Peace!

Maybe it's your turn! Maybe it's mine too!

Talked to Green of Green Gates for a long time last night. Quite an inspirational person. Green reminded me that the old wheel of fate turns and turns and you never know who it will name to succeed next. (We were paraphrasing Bob Dylan of course).
In times of recession, if you start to suffer, then ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen? You could lose everything you own, but the world often knows the cost of everything but the value of very little. What have you really lost? Maybe some options...meaning the option to self publish or the option to retire right away or the option to work at something you love, but as long as you have options then you can always rebuild.
So, if you are losing options, just keep plugging. If you are down to just one option, then take it! But remember your turn could be just around the corner so keep on going. GGE will.
Drop us a line and we can commiserate the fate of all starving artists together!

Learn a new skill in 2009

What is something that keeps us from doing a lot of what we would like to do? The skills to make it happen. I have lots of ideas for things like screenplays, websites, online comics, novels, independent comics, independet films, etc. I don't have all of the skills to make these things happen. What are the possible solutions? Find someone to help me for free or "on the cheap" in which case I might get just what I pay for.
Of course I could save up and pay big bucks for one area or seek investors...pretty tough way to go.
Here is my suggestions...pick a couple of the areas and develop the skills yourself. We usually have more time in our lives than we think we do. I watch too much football. If I substituted football games for learning, then I could pick up some useful skills. So why not pick up a new skill this year? I am going to. My intention is to learn how to write a good screenplay. I have a few books on the subject and will try and hone this skill during 2009. I might pick more. I would like to learn website design...but one thing at a time. What are you going to learn?

Deadspace: Downfall

Just watched "Deadspace: Downfall" which is a tie-in animated movie for the video game "Deadspace". My typical experience shows that video game tie-in movies pretty much suck. Deadspace: Downfall is quite an exception. It was really cool and had some great visuals. I enjoyed the sci-fi meets fantasy bits a little bit. Of course, like any horror movie, there were the "don't go through that door!" moments, but still, a very cool movie and it definitely has me wanting to play the game (and I am not a huge gamer).
So...looking for a good sci-fi/horror movie? If you don't mind animated films (and nobody at GGE minds animation! Heck...we LOVE it!) then Deadspace: Downfall goes on the official "GGE Recommends list" (just as soon as we make an official "GGE Recommends list...so much to do!)
Later
JG

10,000 Hours

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert on anything. I have spent well over 10,000 hours on my "real job" and I guess I am a bit of an expert. I'm not sure I have spent 10,000 hours on my career as a writer and creator of great stories. I guess it depends on how one decides to spend those 10,000 hours. We could spend them quickly by devoting several hours a week to our craft and hopefully get to the expert level quickly and start getting our "stuff" in front of others.
Or, we could do it slowly...an hour or two a week. It will still take 10,000 hours, but those hours will be spread over decades.
So, what am I saying? If you have a "real job" but are trying to be a writer, artist, movie producer, director or whatever...remember this - If you treat your venture like a hobby, it will reward you like a hobby. If you treat it like it is your life, then the rewards will increase substantially.
Of course one has to have balance with work, family, religion and all that jazz, but the take home message is this - If you haven't spent a few hours working on your stories this week...why not start right now?

Publishers for Self-publishing

Regardless of your individual view of self-publishing, it seems to me to be on the rise. I don't have a ton of experience with self-publishing, but I have some. In any event, a friend and an aspiring author asked about self publishers a few days ago and I compiled a list with some links for him. Here's the list...

Dog Ear Publishing
Authorhouse
Booksurge (Amazon owns this one)
Infinity
Iuniverse
Lulu
Outskirts
Publish America
Trafford
Wheatmark Book Publishers
Wordclay
Xlibris
Xulon Press

If you are interested, check them out. I don't want to recommend a specific one because I don't have experience with all of them. Check online forums and you can get info on most of them. When I do that, most of the "complaints" I see are really about self-publishing and not about the self-publishers. If you go this route, just make sure your expectations are realistically set and a lot of the complaints will go away.

Be accessible

One reason I wanted to start this blog was so that GGE is accessible to everyone. I think it is really important. I know when I have emailed authors to crow about their work, I am always thrilled when I get an email back. Most of us writers and aspiring writers were fanboys (or fangirls) first. We should all remember that! I know I do. If you have a comment, concern, question or just want to geek out...email me! GGE loves to hear from you!

Wild Cards

In my opinion, any fan of superheroes has to read The Wild Cards series. It is a set of books written, primarily, by a group of authors all editted by George R.R. Martin. This book series is a great example of everything GGE aspires to. It has the formulaic pieces of superhero fiction, but it is written for adults, no doubt about it. These stories are about "real" people. The characters are very deep and well characterized. The powers are not the focus of the story really. The powers are more the setting. It's a bit hard to explain, but it is so well done throughout the series. The first book came out in the 80's. I read it and was hooked immediately. The newest volume was released in December 2009. I have already devoured it and the series just continues to get better and better. A new book is coming out soon ("Busted Flush"). The books are basically written as "triads". Any one of the books is a good jumping on point. It makes it a richer universe if you start at the first and read all the way through, but all of them are just darn cool!
Now is a great time to get onboard.