To Book or Not Book

Blogger Friend Ray Banks joins Jim Winter in the ranks of those with book deals. Ray's deal is with Wit's End; Jim's deal is with Quiet Storm. Congrats again, guys.

A novel is still a twinkle in my eye. For now, I'm content to write poetry and short stories. A chapbook of either would be fine. I have miles to go before I sleep.

The Evil Gerald

www.evilgerald.com

The Evil Gerald is actually a satirical Irish news site, ala The Onion. Enjoy.

I do have a nasty side. Thank my heavy bag and workout schedule you've never seen it.

More Superhero Movie Buzz

From IMdb:

Gyllenhaal for 'Green Hornet'

Jake Gyllenhaal is favorite to take the lead role in new movie The Green Hornet, after the Donnie Darko star held talks with director Kevin Smith. The 23-year-old is wanted by Smith to portray the comic book superhero, known as mild mannered newspaper publisher Britt Reid when he's not fighting crime. The Green Hornet was made into a TV series in the sixties, which famously starred kung-fu legend Bruce Lee.

"Stragglers"

I've retitled "Did Jimmy Olsen..." to the above after the story's rejection from Pindeldyboz yesterday. This story remains important to me, and I hope to make it important to someone else. My next victim, uh, market is the Berkeley Fiction Review.

"And how does that make you feel?"

Today is a birthday for one of my undergrad mentors, Psychologist Chris Eckhardt. Chris was a PhD candidate in Psychology and I was a second-semester freshman when I took his course on IQ and Emotion. On the first day of class, he gave us sixty pages of reading, and said, "This is doable if you don't get distracted by Seinfeld or a ballgame."

Not only did I learn discipline in his class, I also learned how to remain cool as an academic. My curiosity about Psychology became actual knowledge, and that summer I sought out the Spenser books and actually knew what Susan was talking about (back when her dialogue was important).

I went on to minor in Psychology and it has enriched my writing and my outlook. Perhaps the most important lesson was that an open mind, a flexible mind, will recognize the most and interpret the best.

A Round for the Irish

I have no blood ties I know of, but I did attend St. Brigid's for most of grade school, where I had a crush on an Irish girl and where the uniform consisted of a yellow shirt, green slacks, and a green plaid tie. For high school, I attended St. Mary's. Our teams were called the Gaels, Irish warriors. My father and I listened to Irish comedy and song on A-Tracks and later Hofstra's Irish song program on Saturdays.

I've enjoyed a handful of Irish writers, including James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, William Trevor, Gregory Mcdonald, Robert B. Parker, Jeremiah Healy, and Dennis Lehane.

I tip my cap to performers Brian Dennehy, Jerry O'Connell, Danica McKellar, Deborah Gibson, The Corrs, Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson, Jenny McCarthy, Julie McCollough, Shannen Doherty, Colm Meaney, and Kate Mulgrew.

Bitten by the Bug

The particular bug in this case is the revision bug. Not the entirely good brand of revision, but the nitpicky, jittery kind, taking a big chunk of yesterday. As mentioned in my previous entry, I submitted a mainstream piece Monday. Not long ago, I thought the story my best. Now--I don't know why--I no longer think so.

Admittedly, the story is the closest to real life I've written, and I've had trouble shaping its events into fiction. There's a roundness to fiction that doesn't have to apply to life. Fiction is held together by reason and expectation. Life happens any way it can.

The last rejection I received made me consider revising the story from first- to third-person. After a read-through, I decided third-person wouldn't work. It's a question of fine tuning distance while staying in first-person. And it's turning out to be tough.

"Did Jimmy Olsen Ever Wonder?"

I just submitted my above-titled story (the misadventure of three college friends left carless in Astoria, Queens overnight) to Pindeldyboz. Blogger Friend Sarah Weinman's story, "The Heckler" appeared there, and I was encouraged by the following definitions found on the site:

Pin´del•dy•boz (Pin' dl dë bôz), n.
1. A feeling of confusion and/or anxiety,
when ingeniously anesthetized by obese amounts of levity.
2. A situation of confusion and/or anxiety,
when tampered with in the same manner as above.

They seemed to fit my story to a tee. We'll see. Whenever I submit, I have the urge to sing The Scorpions' "Rock Me Like a Hurricane."

Here I am...

"Reflections of...Dana Delany."

Dana Delany, who gained recognition as Army nurse Colleen McMurphy on "China Beach," turns 48 today. I first became a fan of Delany when she played Cynthia Farrell, a lawyer who clashed with Thomas Magnum over a movie plagiarized from one of Robin Masters's books.

She went on to voice Lois Lane in the WB "Superman" and "Justice League" cartoons, and was most recently in the cancelled 2002 series "Presidio Med."

Two Reasons to Love Sports

Injured Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek has refused to accept his $3 million salary since Feb. 9. Hasek's groin injury will force him to miss the rest of the NHL season, so he feels he hasn't earned the money.

This reminds me of an anecdote Tom Selleck told about Tigers outfielder Al Kaline. After a poor season, in his opinion, Kaline was offered a salary comparable to Mickey Mantle. Kaline refused, feeling his stats that year hadn't earned the money.

P.I. Fiction Progress Report

Within a week of deciding to revise my first P.I. story, I've submitted it to SDO Detective. Amazing to go from thinking the story should scram to liking it again.

In the previous drafts, my P.I. was a Laker fan living in the '90s, just after Magic Johnson gave way to Nick Van Exel. As time went on, I soured on the players and didn't think my P.I. could root them, either. So, I tried keeping the story in the mid-90s, with the Lakers still playing out of the Great Western Forum. On top of the period details was the challenge of writing about a place I only remembered from a visit now seventeen years old.

The P.I. had a cop buddy, a wife he loved...all the ingredients for stasis. Last Sunday, I threw out that dynamic and started almost from scratch. Today, I took my shot.

Thanks again to Dave White and Jim Winter--test readers in my P.I. experiment--and to Sarah Weinman, Dale Stoyer, Ray Banks, and Graham Powell--who encouraged me on this blog.

TV Trilemma

So, three programs I want to watch tonight, all at 9pm: On CBS, the 200th episode of "JAG" in which the cast imagines what their lives would be like had they made different choices; on FOX, Tim Minear's mid-season series "Wonderfalls"; and on USA, a new detective show from producer Bruce Willis, "Touching Evil."

I really need a TiVo.

Lethal Weapon 5: Enough Already

From IMdb:

Gibson Eyes 'Lethal Weapon 5'

Hollywood heavyweight Mel Gibson is in talks to make a fifth Lethal Weapon film. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST filmmaker is reportedly in talks with director Richard Donner, who is desperate for him to reprise his role as renegade cop Martin Riggs. However, there is no word on weather Gibson's co-star Danny Glover will be required to reprise his supporting role as detective Roger Murtaugh. The last Lethal Weapon film - which starred Rene Russo as Gibson's love interest - was released in 1998.

Personally, I hated seeing Riggs get repeatedly beat up in Lethal 4. It reminded me of Dennis Lehane's Patrick Kenzie, whose ego wrote checks his body couldn't cash. (Thank you, TOP GUN.)

Agent 99

"Get Smart"'s Agent 99, Barbara Feldon turns 72 today. I remember her as the sidekick who could be sweet, sexy, or both at the drop of a hat. I saw her recently on "Wayne Brady," and she's going strong. Right on.

Bale's Wardrobe Malfunctions

From IMdb:

Bale's Batman Blues

BATMAN BEGINS star Christian Bale was left red-faced on the upcoming superhero movie's set last week - when he couldn't fit into his costume. The Captain Corelli's Mandolin hunk is currently in Iceland filming the fifth installment of the comic book franchise under the guidance of Memento director Christopher Nolan. But poor Christian had to suffer the indignity of the costume problems on his first day as Gotham City's crime fighting bat. A set insider explains, "The trouble is the suit is so tight, it takes three people to squeeze Christian into it. He ripped one suit then finally managed to get into another with the help of more than a few squirts of talcum powder."

This brings to mind those famous words: "With the blast shield down, I can't even see. How'm I supposed to fight?"

Note: BATMAN BEGINS is the new title for BATMAN: INTIMIDATION.

The Return of My P.I. Fiction

Around 4 o'clock this morning,
yes, without any warning,
came an oh-so-steady tapping,
a darn persistent rapping
on the old cerebral core,
and I found myself revising,
yes, even so devising
an update on a story
many mags had seen before,
one I could not doubt was calling,
calling out to me once more.

This is my way of saying I was inspired to revise my P.I. story rejected from Hardluck and Shred of Evidence. I have no ambition for a series. I just want to get this right one time.

Cue "Eye of the Tiger."

FedEx Rhymes with...

I needed to express a reply to some papers that arrived in today's mail. Hurriedly following the cover letter's instructions, I dialed what I thought was FedEx's 1-800 main line, looking for drop-off locations near me. A recording of a woman came on, thanking me for choosing Pilgrim Telecommunications. This was followed by a recorded ad which asked, "Feeling horny?" I hung up faster than you can say, "Golly," but will probably be charged a ridiculous amount anyway.

I corrected my dial and another automated voice gave me three locations not particularly near me.

Yep, forgot all about www.fedex.com, where I eventually found the ruttin' locations. Irony of ironies.

For Video Gamers, Two Words...

If you're an original gamer like me, two words oughta make your heart dance with joy as on the first day of summer vacation: Ninja Gaiden--the fabled fighting/quest game for the NES and still IMO the best ninja game ever made--has come to the XBox.

In general I'm against remakes and updates, but Ninja Gaiden is one of those games everyone knows had better be done right. My excitement isn't even lessened by the fact I don't have an XBox.

Ten more games that elicit glee:

Yie-Ar Kung Fu
Ms. Pac-Man
Tapper
Gyruss
Spy Hunter
Gauntlet
Food Fight
Q-Bert
Double Dragon
Elevator Action

"I Represent Queens..."

I received a letter yesterday from my graduate alma mater, Queens College, announcing a new undergraduate literary magazine and asking for donations, natch. In my case, they've come to the right person. QC was a great experience for me, and from my undergrad years at Hofstra, I know how difficult and rewarding it is to launch a magazine. The check is in the mail.

Where in the World is My P.I. Fiction?

After some delay, the Winter 2004 issue of Hardluck Stories Zine is out. I submitted a story--more precisely a revision of a story I wrote shortly after catching up to the Spenser series in 1993--that was rejected. I have no problem seeing from the editor's perspective being an editor myself. My story frankly should have been rejected. What I am feeling, though, is a more personal kind of failure. The story missed a mark I set for myself, and I'm wondering (again) if I'll be published in the genre I most enjoy reading.

On another level, I feel very limited by the P.I. genre. Some people have the knack for it, and those people I applaud. I've begun to wonder whether I as a writer fit in the genre. Am I better off following a road less taken?

Currently I decide what to write from whatever floods my imagination. Maybe I'm not dissatisfied enough with existing P.I. fiction to believe I need to write my own. As I posted the other day, I don't feel I've taken my best swing at crime/P.I. fiction. Time will tell if that's in the offing:

So when he'd finished speakin', he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

"Who are you? No one of consequence."

Take a look at today's tag quote at the top of the page: "Ducky, Gerald and Kate..."

This is a description for tonight's episode of "NCIS." The Gerald in question is M.E.'s Assistant Gerald Jackson, played by Pancho Demmings. I occasionally use quotes from the show because it's not often I hear about other Geralds. There's Gerald Ford, Gerald McRaney, Dominique's brother Gerald Wilkins, former Yankee Gerald Williams. I met a cashier at Border's named Gerald. Who else?

Somehow when I introduce myself, my name doesn't stay with people. I've been mistaken for Gerard, Edward, Gary, Daryll, Roger, Richard, Jerome, Joseph, and once at Panera, Herald. I'm never short of character names, I'll say that.

The origin of the name Gerald is Teutonic, meaning "bold spearsman." Since I didn't throw the javelin in high school, maybe my spear is a pen. Works for me.

MYSTIC Takes Best and Supporting Actor; Theron Best Actress

Sean Penn and Tim Robbins won Oscars for MYSTIC RIVER. I point this out for the selfish reason that it will probably bolster interest in adaptating crime fiction to the screen. I don't feel I've taken my best swing at crime fiction yet, nor am I bold enough to dream of a movie deal. Regardless, I'll always be a fan of crime movies.

Charlize Theron won Best Actress for the Aileen Wuornos biopic MONSTER. I'm fast becoming a fan of Theron as a professional and a person. She's up for any challenge.

Indiana State Retires Bird's No. 33

No Indiana State U. player has worn 33 since Larry Bird graduated twenty-five ago; the number was officially retired yesterday.

More "NCIS" Trivia

After watching A FEW GOOD MEN last month, I blogged about the movie's depiction of NIS, which was redesignated NCIS the year the movie premiered. In this week's episode of "NCIS"--"Enigma"--Special Agent Gibbs's former CO becomes a fugitive from justice. One of the places he chooses to go to ground is Gibbs's workshop. While reasoning with the CO, Gibbs is shown in a white t-shirt with "NIS" in blue. Kudos to the show's crew for accuracy.

Incidentally the CO, Col. Will Ryan, was played by Terry O'Quinn, who also played CAG Thomas Boone on "JAG."

NCIS Story in Hardboiled

As you may know, I'm a fan of Don Bellisario's "NCIS," and so was pleased find in Issue #31 of Hardboiled the story "Inside." A great mix of military, psychological thriller and crime fiction, "Inside" was written by J. Almon Polk, an NCIS special agent stationed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

For those unfamiliar, Hardboiled is a contemporary pulp mag edited by Gary Lovisi.

The Man They Call Jayne

Today is Adam Baldwin's 42nd birthday. Baldwin (no relation to the Massapequa Baldwins) is a veteran of film and television, but I remember him best as Jayne Cobb on "Firefly."

In lieu of "Happy Birthday," I give you "The Man They Call Jayne" (Lyrics from Firefly - An Unofficial Fan Forum).

Jayne. The man they call Jayne...

He robbed from the rich
and he gave to the poor.
Stood up to the man
and gave him what for.
Our love for him now
ain't hard to explain.
The hero of Canton
the man they call Jayne.

Our Jayne saw the mudders' backs breakin'.
He saw the mudders'lament.
And he saw the Magistrate takin'
every dollar and leavin' five cents.
So he said "You can't do that to my people."
He said "You can't crush them under your heel."
So Jayne strapped on his hat
and in 5 seconds flat
stole everythin' Boss Higgins had to steal.

He robbed from the rich
and he gave to the poor.
Stood up to the man
and gave him what for.
Our love for him now
ain't hard to explain.
The hero of Canton
the man they call Jayne.

Now here is what separates heroes
from common folk like you and I.
The man they call Jayne
he turned 'round his plane
and let that money hit sky.

He dropped it onto our houses
he dropped it into our yards.
The man they called Jayne
he stole away our pain
and headed out for the stars!

Here we go!

He robbed from the rich
and he gave to the poor.
Stood up to the man
and gave him what for.
Our love for him now
ain't hard to explain.
The hero of Canton
the man they call Jayne.

"Bartman Ball" Blown Up

Chicago Cubs fans toasted Harry Caray as the infamous "Bartman Ball" was blown to smithereens. I don't know much about curses as a Yankee fan, but having minored in Psychology, one word comes to mind: displacement.

The Cubs were ahead of the Marlins after Steve Bartman caught the ball. If the players and fans had kept their minds on the game--not on that one play--they might have won and vanquished the curse.

Similarly, if Pedro Martinez had put the Red Sox ahead of himself, or if Grady Little had vetoed Pedro and gone to his excellent bullpen, the Curse of the Bambino might have been silenced. Instead of acting, making things happen, the parties in both cases let the outcome happen to them.

World's Fastest Stopwatch

AFP reports scientists have invented "the world's fastest stopwatch" to measure subatomic processes. Paraphrasing Prufrock, "I have measured out my life in attoseconds."

Essay-T

The AP reports that beginning in 2006, the College Board will require a timed essay in addition to the verbal and math sections of the SAT. As a teacher of college freshmen, I like the idea. We all (students, teachers, professionals) are a little afraid of writing at first. We all want to express ourselves as accurately as possible. It's a matter of overcoming inertia. As with working out, the longer you haven't done it, the longer it takes to get up to speed.

The first steps are always the same, put pen or pencil to paper. When our perception of the first steps changes, they are made more difficult than they have to be. Because the first steps seem difficult, time pressure is a common complaint. Unfortunately, with the exception of some cultures that don't believe in time, the world exists in time. The best we can do is to learn time management. The advent of word processing is another obstacle. Many students have lost the skill to brainstorm on paper and the will to research manually. Students haven't had to worry about their own handwriting as a part of presentation. For all these reasons, it's time to get to work.

First topic: "The reason I hate writing essays is..."

"I'm Not a Pilot, but I Write About One."

My latest purchase at Amazon.com includes the FAA AIRPLANE FLYING HANDBOOK, another research investment in my most successful series character, C.J. Stone. By reading about how to fly, I hope to add another level of authenticity to the stories. Ironically I abandoned C.J. for eight years, looking to create meatier characters. And while I have several mainstream pieces I'm proud of, no characters kept coming back like C.J. and friends. I figure if they're gonna stick around, I might as well write 'em as best I can.

Having read my fill of technical specs and protocols in Tom Clancy novels, I like my research to spice up stories, not be their main ingredient. And speaking of ingredients, a lot of writers start with character; I start with plot. What's going on here? What has happened in my life that I can use for fiction? Would the events be more dramatic if someone othan than I went through them? (When the answer is no, I use myself. Hey, why not?)

I see the action first, then focus in on who's doing what to whom.

Writer's Retreat

I took yesterday off from blogging because I'm shifting gears from fiction--the aforementioned C.J. Stone story--to poetry. This used to take a lot longer--I'm talking months longer--than it does, but I'd still like to juggle both at once. Quite simply, I can't afford not to. Again I'm motivated by fear. As the saying goes, a little fear is a good thing.

Also, I'm catching up with this month's DetecToday featured novel, FLASHPOINT by Linda Barnes.