Zap2it.com reports director Doug Liman and writer Simon Kinberg are attached to an ABC pilot based on last summer's Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie vehicle. The stars themselves will not be involved, so as Rick Springfield sang, "the point is prob'ly moot."
I'll always have a soft spot for the Scott Bakula-produced "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," starring Bakula and Maria Bello as industrial spies.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND by J.D. Rhoades
A long, long time ago it seems, I read the works of Robert B. Parker, Jeremiah Healy, Robert Crais, and Harlan Coben two or three books a week. Having expanded my horizons since then, I've come to know how rarely the voices of distraction and criticism take a few hours off.
In every case above, the prose was crisp enough, the characters real enough, for me to forgive most trifles and keep reading. One more chapter, one more scene, I could think of nothing more important than finding out what happened next.
I'm happy to report the same reaction to J.D. Rhoades's debut novel. Bail jumper DeWayne Puryear and his cousin Leonard decide to hold up the owner of a timber company for some quick cash. When the holdup results in the owner's death, DeWayne finds himself in double trouble, pursued by bounty hunter protag Jack Keller, who just wants to bring him in, and by the owner's vengeful, drug-dealing son, who's out for blood.
Keller is tough—built like a linebacker with shoulder-length blond hair (Kevin Greene, anyone?)—but also damaged, yet retains some do-gooder naivete. He is backed by his boss, Angela Hager—who survived her husband's attempt to mutilate and burn her in a fire—and by his lawyer, slick and smooth-talking Scott McCaskill.
My one peeve about the novel is its multi-viewpoint structure, which led to the partial rehashing of several scenes. Again, in general I think this is an ill-advised attempt to duplicate movie effects in a book. Thankfully, Rhoades doesn't cut rapidly too often, spending enough time with each character to hook me.
Of course, the main villain takes as much if not more punishment than Keller and survives to the penultimate page, but what else would you expect from a page-turner? Recommended for fans of flowing prose and a good chase.
In every case above, the prose was crisp enough, the characters real enough, for me to forgive most trifles and keep reading. One more chapter, one more scene, I could think of nothing more important than finding out what happened next.
I'm happy to report the same reaction to J.D. Rhoades's debut novel. Bail jumper DeWayne Puryear and his cousin Leonard decide to hold up the owner of a timber company for some quick cash. When the holdup results in the owner's death, DeWayne finds himself in double trouble, pursued by bounty hunter protag Jack Keller, who just wants to bring him in, and by the owner's vengeful, drug-dealing son, who's out for blood.
Keller is tough—built like a linebacker with shoulder-length blond hair (Kevin Greene, anyone?)—but also damaged, yet retains some do-gooder naivete. He is backed by his boss, Angela Hager—who survived her husband's attempt to mutilate and burn her in a fire—and by his lawyer, slick and smooth-talking Scott McCaskill.
My one peeve about the novel is its multi-viewpoint structure, which led to the partial rehashing of several scenes. Again, in general I think this is an ill-advised attempt to duplicate movie effects in a book. Thankfully, Rhoades doesn't cut rapidly too often, spending enough time with each character to hook me.
Of course, the main villain takes as much if not more punishment than Keller and survives to the penultimate page, but what else would you expect from a page-turner? Recommended for fans of flowing prose and a good chase.
StarTrek.com: Masterson to Co-Star in Film Noir/Sci-Fi Project
Chase Masterson, "Leeta" in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, has been cast in a new independent film described as a "film noir" piece with elements of science fiction and science fact. "Yesterday Was a Lie" is a detective thriller that incorporates discussions of quantum mechanics and other reality-bending topics in its mystery tale.
In fact, the movie's lead, Kipleigh Brown, is a Trek alumnus herself. Brown appeared in the Enterprise third-season episode "The Forgotten" as "Jane Taylor," the deceased crew member whom Trip Tucker talks to in a dream.
In "Yesterday" Brown plays "Hoyle," the protagonist who "uncovers a plot to unravel earth-shattering cosmological secrets, smuggled out of 1930s Germany by a Nazi defector," according to the synopsis. Masterson plays a "glamorous lounge singer" who assists Hoyle in the investigation.
Principal photography begins soon. Distribution arrangements are pending. A teaser trailer can be found at the movie's official site, www.YesterdayWasALie.com.
In a blog on the site, Brown praises the addition of Masterson to the cast. "The moment Chase walked through the door and read for us, something almost palpable clicked into place. She has the passion, the heart and the soul so crucial to this project... not to mention the incredible intellect, talent and beauty," she writes.
In fact, the movie's lead, Kipleigh Brown, is a Trek alumnus herself. Brown appeared in the Enterprise third-season episode "The Forgotten" as "Jane Taylor," the deceased crew member whom Trip Tucker talks to in a dream.
In "Yesterday" Brown plays "Hoyle," the protagonist who "uncovers a plot to unravel earth-shattering cosmological secrets, smuggled out of 1930s Germany by a Nazi defector," according to the synopsis. Masterson plays a "glamorous lounge singer" who assists Hoyle in the investigation.
Principal photography begins soon. Distribution arrangements are pending. A teaser trailer can be found at the movie's official site, www.YesterdayWasALie.com.
In a blog on the site, Brown praises the addition of Masterson to the cast. "The moment Chase walked through the door and read for us, something almost palpable clicked into place. She has the passion, the heart and the soul so crucial to this project... not to mention the incredible intellect, talent and beauty," she writes.
IMDB: Ford Beats Bettany
Harrison Ford proved experience wins over youth, when he humiliated young British star Paul Bettany in fight scenes for their new movie Firewall. Bettany, 34, spent three days attempting to 'beat up' the Indiana Jones actor in choreographed shots, but insists the 63-year-old actor is unbreakable in a fight. Bettany says, "I was just trying not to get bruised. I wouldn't want to tumble with Harrison Ford in real life. He's a tough son of a bitch. I threw that man through a window seven times and he landed on his head, got up, rebuilt the window with the crew and then got thrown through it again. I hit that man in the stomach and he said, 'Could you just land it a bit harder so I could feel it?' So I landed it a bit harder and he wanted a bit more so he could react to it. Finally, I just wound one up and let loose on him and he said, 'That's it!' It was the most humiliating day of my life."
Monday, January 30, 2006
Kevin Burton Smith Transcript
A transcript of DetecToday's chat with Thrilling Detective Web Site guy Kevin Burton Smith. It ends when I had to leave for a Chinese New Year party, but I'm sure the others had a blast.
Can't Complain
You're a Chevrolet Corvette
You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.
Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.
Thanks to Jim "No More Memes" Winter
Saturday, January 28, 2006
AP: Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Dethroned in Hawaii
By TARA GODVIN, Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU - Everyone thought the humuhumunukunukuapuaa was Hawaii's state fish. As it turns out, the brightly colored fish with the excessively long name has been dethroned...
The stubby-nosed, brightly striped and slightly aggressive little fish whose name few tourists even try to utter (it's pronounced HOO-moo-HOO-moo-NOO-koo-NOO-koo-AH-poo-AH-ah) is commonly believed to be the state's favorite. The fish figures into tourist trinkets, broadcast commercials and a much-beloved song about a little grass shack.
Much like its name, the fish's road to titlelessness is long and confusing.
In 1984 the state Legislature asked the University of Hawaii and the Waikiki Aquarium to survey the public and come up with a candidate for the state fish. The humuhumu was swept into the spot in part through the support of school children who learned of the campaign through classroom projects.
Although the issue of the state fish would seem to come with little controversy, the method used to poll the public was questioned and lawmakers limited the designation to five years.
No one told the public that the humuhumu's reign was over, so few knew anything had changed.
HONOLULU - Everyone thought the humuhumunukunukuapuaa was Hawaii's state fish. As it turns out, the brightly colored fish with the excessively long name has been dethroned...
The stubby-nosed, brightly striped and slightly aggressive little fish whose name few tourists even try to utter (it's pronounced HOO-moo-HOO-moo-NOO-koo-NOO-koo-AH-poo-AH-ah) is commonly believed to be the state's favorite. The fish figures into tourist trinkets, broadcast commercials and a much-beloved song about a little grass shack.
Much like its name, the fish's road to titlelessness is long and confusing.
In 1984 the state Legislature asked the University of Hawaii and the Waikiki Aquarium to survey the public and come up with a candidate for the state fish. The humuhumu was swept into the spot in part through the support of school children who learned of the campaign through classroom projects.
Although the issue of the state fish would seem to come with little controversy, the method used to poll the public was questioned and lawmakers limited the designation to five years.
No one told the public that the humuhumu's reign was over, so few knew anything had changed.
Friday, January 27, 2006
I do have a bone to pick with Bones
A lot of things about FOX's Bones may stretch credulity, but the one that gets to me is Brennan's coyness about the bestselling forensic thrillers she supposedly writes.
While I've known many authors to be unassuming in person, few if any are shy about their books. Serious authors take pride in, and are proud of, their work. For the otherwise driven Brennan—forensic anthropologist, self-defense expert, marksman—being an author seems superfluous: "Oh, yeah. I write, too." Being an author ain't that easy.
While I've known many authors to be unassuming in person, few if any are shy about their books. Serious authors take pride in, and are proud of, their work. For the otherwise driven Brennan—forensic anthropologist, self-defense expert, marksman—being an author seems superfluous: "Oh, yeah. I write, too." Being an author ain't that easy.
IMDb: 'Toy Story 3' Scrapped
Pixar and Disney have announced they have cancelled plans to make a third installment of the popular Toy Story movies. Studio executives decided the script wasn't up to the standard the previous movies had set and didn't want to make the film with a less than stellar storyline, according to Moviehole.net. The third installment would have featured animated toy astronaut Buzz Lightyear getting recalled to Taiwan after a series of malfunctions.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Up to my old tricks
I'm using this last bit of January as I did last year, working on a story for the sci-fi/mystery/horror e-zine Raven Electrick.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Who will die on tonight's 100th episode of Smallville? Show creator Al Gough says it will be someone from the opening credits and there may be more than one death in the episode.
Fans have always suspected girl reporter Chloe Sullivan, an original creation for the show, would die, spurring Clark's interest in justice through journalism. I'm going to guess that's too obvious and won't happen tonight.
Assuming Lex, Lana, and Lois live on to play there parts in Clark's future, that leaves Jonathan and Martha Kent. My money's on Jonathan, who's been taking some sort of red pills.
We shall see.
UPDATE (9:10 PM ET): Let me just say I'm tired of the way every series seems to promise explosive events, deliver them, and then fall back on the dream sequence or the rewind of time or some hokey trick so real consequences don't have to be faced.
UPDATE (01/27/06 6:53 AM ET): In this interview, the cast member whose character died praises the lesson that death teaches about consequences for every action. I'm sure that was the point here, and I like how the death will impact Clark's character. However, in my view, the point was dulled because Clark had a say in who died—much the way he went back in time to save Lois in Superman (1978). In real tragedy, we don't have a choice; we have to live with one set of consequences. This would have made a better lesson.
Fans have always suspected girl reporter Chloe Sullivan, an original creation for the show, would die, spurring Clark's interest in justice through journalism. I'm going to guess that's too obvious and won't happen tonight.
Assuming Lex, Lana, and Lois live on to play there parts in Clark's future, that leaves Jonathan and Martha Kent. My money's on Jonathan, who's been taking some sort of red pills.
We shall see.
UPDATE (9:10 PM ET): Let me just say I'm tired of the way every series seems to promise explosive events, deliver them, and then fall back on the dream sequence or the rewind of time or some hokey trick so real consequences don't have to be faced.
UPDATE (01/27/06 6:53 AM ET): In this interview, the cast member whose character died praises the lesson that death teaches about consequences for every action. I'm sure that was the point here, and I like how the death will impact Clark's character. However, in my view, the point was dulled because Clark had a say in who died—much the way he went back in time to save Lois in Superman (1978). In real tragedy, we don't have a choice; we have to live with one set of consequences. This would have made a better lesson.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
"Don't cross the streams."
I've come to really dislike multiple-viewpoint, rapid-cutting "suspense" thrillers. For one thing, cutting in and out of viewpoints, especially the villain's, kills suspense.
For another thing, multiple viewpoints and rapid cutting work best in cinema, and I'm of the opinion that books shouldn't try to duplicate movies and movies shouldn't try to duplicate books. Each medium has its own bag of tricks to be used to full effect. For example, you can create suspense in a movie by using the frame wisely, taking advantage of what it shows and what it doesn't.
For another thing, multiple viewpoints and rapid cutting work best in cinema, and I'm of the opinion that books shouldn't try to duplicate movies and movies shouldn't try to duplicate books. Each medium has its own bag of tricks to be used to full effect. For example, you can create suspense in a movie by using the frame wisely, taking advantage of what it shows and what it doesn't.
Why It's Difficult to Play Spenser
With Tom Selleck playing Jesse Stone, there's been some discussion of how he'd fare playing Robert Parker's more famous creation, Spenser.
I don't think any real person is a good fit for Spenser. Even the most complex fictional character must eventually be sized up by readers/viewers. I submit that Spenser's personality is too contradictory. He is supposedly self-assured yet sensitive, good with his fists, yet witty, too.
Logically, it follows that people become sensitive to others when they begin to recognize their own flaws. It's been a while since Spenser has seen his for more than a sentence.
It also follows that a person is likely to develop a good sense of humor when he can't defend himself otherwise. ("If you can't beat 'em, make 'em laugh.") Cracking jokes while beating up someone else is more mean than funny.
It might be possible to show Spenser's varied traits in the course of a novel. Even then, I argue that his mix of traits is difficult to rein into one plausible personality. In a movie, one might successfully play some of Spenser's aspects, but no doubt some fans would say he wasn't funny enough, others would say he wasn't sensitive enough, and still others would say he wasn't tough enough.
I don't think any real person is a good fit for Spenser. Even the most complex fictional character must eventually be sized up by readers/viewers. I submit that Spenser's personality is too contradictory. He is supposedly self-assured yet sensitive, good with his fists, yet witty, too.
Logically, it follows that people become sensitive to others when they begin to recognize their own flaws. It's been a while since Spenser has seen his for more than a sentence.
It also follows that a person is likely to develop a good sense of humor when he can't defend himself otherwise. ("If you can't beat 'em, make 'em laugh.") Cracking jokes while beating up someone else is more mean than funny.
It might be possible to show Spenser's varied traits in the course of a novel. Even then, I argue that his mix of traits is difficult to rein into one plausible personality. In a movie, one might successfully play some of Spenser's aspects, but no doubt some fans would say he wasn't funny enough, others would say he wasn't sensitive enough, and still others would say he wasn't tough enough.
Bones is Back
My favorite background TV of the season returns to FOX tonight at 9. Now following American Idol: Auditions, we'll see how its audience holds up. Cheesy, yes; far-fetched, maybe; but I enjoy seeing the characters fleshed out as they interact.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Writerly Questions
By way of Dave White's Writing Block:
What is a writer?
A writer is engaged in putting words on paper as a means of discovery such that if he hasn't done it in a while, if he hasn't ventured something new, he isn't a writer.
Who is a writer?
Anyone who acts on the compulsion, then freely stays in the habit of writing, honing the ability to communicate.
Are you a writer?
I like to think so.
What is a writer?
A writer is engaged in putting words on paper as a means of discovery such that if he hasn't done it in a while, if he hasn't ventured something new, he isn't a writer.
Who is a writer?
Anyone who acts on the compulsion, then freely stays in the habit of writing, honing the ability to communicate.
Are you a writer?
I like to think so.
UPN, WB to Combine to Form New Network
What will the merger mean for shows like Smallville, Veronica Mars, Supernatural, and others?
Monday, January 23, 2006
MacGyver Trivia
Today is Richard Dean Anderson's 56th birthday, but do you know when his character MacGyver was born? The answer actually appeared in the episode "Friends," when, in the middle of a surprise birthday party, MacGyver asks to resign from the Phoenix Foundation. Leave your answers in the comments section,
Smallville Swag
Received a belated Christmas present from my friend who works on The Gilmore Girls: A gym shirt, "Property of the Smallville Athletic Dept."
After five years I guess I am still a fan of Smallville. I've skipped an episode now and then but have collected all the seasons on DVD. I'm most interested in how the series will end. How much story time will be left between then and the first time Clark puts on the longjohns?
I'd like the writing to be better, but there are limits to everything I suppose.
I'm glad to have this more tactile reminder of the show, of my friend, and of this time in my life.
After five years I guess I am still a fan of Smallville. I've skipped an episode now and then but have collected all the seasons on DVD. I'm most interested in how the series will end. How much story time will be left between then and the first time Clark puts on the longjohns?
I'd like the writing to be better, but there are limits to everything I suppose.
I'm glad to have this more tactile reminder of the show, of my friend, and of this time in my life.
Dumb Quotes
Having uttered myriad malaprops in my time, I would never call anything anyone else said "dumb." No, this is about the opposite of smart quotes, the punctuation marks that curl and look cool but show up as gibberish when transmitted in a plain text e-mail. The same goes for self-curling apostrophes and m-dashes.
I've been working with the three stories Thrilling Detective will nominate for the Derringers, and I've had to manually replace all the smart quotes, curling apostrophes, and m-dashes. For future submissions, please turn off these cool-looking symbols.
Go with:
' for an apostrophe
"" for quotation marks
-- for an m-dash
I will do the same. Thank you.
I've been working with the three stories Thrilling Detective will nominate for the Derringers, and I've had to manually replace all the smart quotes, curling apostrophes, and m-dashes. For future submissions, please turn off these cool-looking symbols.
Go with:
' for an apostrophe
"" for quotation marks
-- for an m-dash
I will do the same. Thank you.
Daring the Derringers
A while back I mentioned I hadn't published any mystery stories in 2005 and didn't have a shot at the the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Awards. I've since learned crime stories are also eligible, and so I'm going to nominate my own "Stunts" and "The Carrier".
Sunday, January 22, 2006
A man who likes talking to a man who likes to talk...
Next Sunday, January 29, DetecToday will chat with the creator of The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Kevin Burton Smith.
CrimeSpot.net
Graham Powell introduces the one site to track them all. Crime fiction blogs, that is.
Big East Dominance
By JIM O'CONNELL, AP Basketball Writer
...On the day St. John's honored 10 former coaches and players who were all at the school when it was using its old nickname, the Red Storm knocked No. 9 Pittsburgh from the ranks of the unbeaten, 55-50 Saturday.
...St. John's honored former coaches Joe Lapchick and Carnesecca and former players Dick McGuire, Mullin, Walter Berry, Mark Jackson, Tony Jackson, Alan Seiden, Malik Sealy and Sonny Dove with "Basketball Legacy" honors, raising banners with their names at one end of the Garden.
Kudos also to St. John's head coach, Oueens College alum Norm Roberts.
By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON -- John Thompson III got an embrace from his Hall of Fame father as the fans stormed the court, madly celebrating the first Georgetown victory over a No. 1 team in 21 years.
"That's my child," the elder Thompson said. "I love my child. After all he's had to go through, he deserves this."
The Hoyas finally have a signature victory in the new Thompson era, Saturday's 87-84 stunner over top-ranked Duke.
...On the day St. John's honored 10 former coaches and players who were all at the school when it was using its old nickname, the Red Storm knocked No. 9 Pittsburgh from the ranks of the unbeaten, 55-50 Saturday.
...St. John's honored former coaches Joe Lapchick and Carnesecca and former players Dick McGuire, Mullin, Walter Berry, Mark Jackson, Tony Jackson, Alan Seiden, Malik Sealy and Sonny Dove with "Basketball Legacy" honors, raising banners with their names at one end of the Garden.
Kudos also to St. John's head coach, Oueens College alum Norm Roberts.
By JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON -- John Thompson III got an embrace from his Hall of Fame father as the fans stormed the court, madly celebrating the first Georgetown victory over a No. 1 team in 21 years.
"That's my child," the elder Thompson said. "I love my child. After all he's had to go through, he deserves this."
The Hoyas finally have a signature victory in the new Thompson era, Saturday's 87-84 stunner over top-ranked Duke.
Return of the Ink Slinger
After some technical difficulties, Paul Guyot's main blog returns with an announcement of the winners in the Armored Car/Kids Clothing story contest. Congrats to Ellen Clair Lamb, James Lincoln Warren, and Bryon Quertermous, and really all the participants. Great to see where everyone took the topic.
Now I can reveal that I wrote "Ambition". I'll put a link to it in the sidebar as long as Paul leaves the story blog up. Let me know what you think.
Now I can reveal that I wrote "Ambition". I'll put a link to it in the sidebar as long as Paul leaves the story blog up. Let me know what you think.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Poem: "Greatness"
My poem of higher academic snippiness has gone live. Thanks again to Andrew Kaye and the Defenestration crew. Adjuncts, assemble!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
AP: Wilson Pickett Dies of Heart Attack at 64
In memoriam:
Come on y'all, let's say it one more time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
Come on y'all, let's say it one more time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
IMDb: Laurie and Davis Celebrate Awards Coincidence
Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis were struck by Golden Globe coincidence on Monday, when the former Stuart Little co-stars were named Best Actor and Best Actress in a TV Drama respectively. Laurie, who won his award for his role in House, and Davis, who was honored for her performance in Commander In Chief, teamed up backstage and reminisced about their time on the set of the 1999 mouse-mad movie. Davis told Laurie, "You realize that Mr. and Mrs. Little have won tonight. I'm so pleased for you!" Laurie says, "It does seem peculiar that Geena and I (won)."
"Ninety-Nine...A Hundred."
My hundredth submission overall was a batch of four poems to Mastodon Dentist this morning.
Monday, January 16, 2006
The Official Ink Slinger Bog Armored Car/Kids Clothing Story Contest
Last week I mentioned entering Paul Guyot's blog story contest. Click the link above to read all the entries and vote for the three best through Tuesday, January 24. Authors' names have been left off the entries. If you want, try to guess which one's mine. DO NOT guess in the comments section. E-mail your guess to the address in the sidebar. If you're correct, you'll win my respect, admiration, and suspicion you know me too well.
Jesse Stone: Night Passage
This one didn't have the hype or stakes of Stone Cold, but it was good to see the movie treatment of Jesse Stone's cross-country trek to Paradise, MA. As this is now a TV movie series, the tone will vary with each one. The success of Stone Cold opened the door for this somewhat slower-paced prequel to be told, and I appreciated that many of the supporting cast reprised their roles.
My chief gripe about Parker movies is that his lines seem recited rather than spontaneous. I noticed more of this in Night Passage than in Stone Cold. Actors have to be allowed to play with lines somewhat, find deliveries they are comfortable with that also serve the creator's intent.
Still, I'm glad much of what's good about Parker's books is finally showing onscreen.
My chief gripe about Parker movies is that his lines seem recited rather than spontaneous. I noticed more of this in Night Passage than in Stone Cold. Actors have to be allowed to play with lines somewhat, find deliveries they are comfortable with that also serve the creator's intent.
Still, I'm glad much of what's good about Parker's books is finally showing onscreen.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Once more through the window
Defenestration editor Andrew Kaye has accepted my poems "Fatalist's Guide to Hygiene" and "Wrong" for publication in April 2006.
It's all coming back to me.
Sorry to dredge up memories of that overplayed Celine Dion song, but much of the poetry I submitted in early December is back in my hands. This is fine with me as new inspiration has waned lately. If I can't work on something new I'll work on something old, as long as I'm working.
Friday, January 13, 2006
A Fine Line
Much has been said about James Frey's dubious memoir A Million Little Pieces. Briefly, I believe readers deserve to know if they are reading fact or fiction so they can decide freely whether to keep reading.
If we cannot be sure what an author is writing in one case, how can we be sure of anything he writes? The uncertainty would eat at me such that if I did enjoy the writing, the feeling would be hollow.
Likewise as an author, I let readers know early on what they're getting from me and they can then enjoy my work for what it is.
No doubt some authors and publishers are interested in sales above all. These people sicken me.
If we cannot be sure what an author is writing in one case, how can we be sure of anything he writes? The uncertainty would eat at me such that if I did enjoy the writing, the feeling would be hollow.
Likewise as an author, I let readers know early on what they're getting from me and they can then enjoy my work for what it is.
No doubt some authors and publishers are interested in sales above all. These people sicken me.
The Envelope, Please.
Back in mid-November, I blogged my frustration at printing envelopes in OpenOffice for Linux. Today—having upgraded to Open Office 2.0 along with the Breezy Badger distribution of Ubuntu—an article by Solveig Haugland showed me the way.
My first envelope since the postage hike goes to Crimespree Magazine, renewing my subscription.
My first envelope since the postage hike goes to Crimespree Magazine, renewing my subscription.
DetecToday Welcomes Rob Kantner
On Tuesday, January 17th, 7:30pm, DetecToday members will chat live with the author of the fan favorite Ben Perkins series. Not a member? Feel free to join.
Friday the 13th Quote: Firefly's Mal Reynolds
“You depend on luck, you end up on the drift—no fuel, no prospects, beggin’ for Alliance make-work, gettin’ towed out to the scrap belt. That ain’t us. Not ever.”
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Thrilled At Last
A new issue of Thrilling Detective is live. Huge thanks to Kevin Burton Smith, who battled flaky Net connectivity and other vagaries to put it all together.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
New Ezine: Demolition
Brought to you by them Duke boys of crime fiction, Bryon Quertermous and Dave White.
Amanda Peet
...turns 34 today. I first saw her in Jack & Jill, a WB romantic dramedy also starring Jaime Pressly.
(Peet, bottom right; Pressly, top left)
(Peet, bottom right; Pressly, top left)
Crazy Little Thing Called Blog
"From the dawn of time we came; moving silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering; when the few who remain will battle to the last. No one has ever known we were among you..."
I started this blog two years ago fairly certain I'd run out of content in a week. And while the majority of posts are my own fascinations, blogging more or less daily has forced me to progress in my writing career, make good on long-stewing ideas lest all I should note were memes, irksome lyrics, and reviews of Smallville.
Scroll my online portfolio to see how well it's worked out. Compare the number of pieces published before 2004 to those published after. Not that I'll ever be satisfied with the breadth of my portfolio. This blog has led me to look forward more than I look back.
To everyone sharing my journey in words, this blog's for you.
I started this blog two years ago fairly certain I'd run out of content in a week. And while the majority of posts are my own fascinations, blogging more or less daily has forced me to progress in my writing career, make good on long-stewing ideas lest all I should note were memes, irksome lyrics, and reviews of Smallville.
Scroll my online portfolio to see how well it's worked out. Compare the number of pieces published before 2004 to those published after. Not that I'll ever be satisfied with the breadth of my portfolio. This blog has led me to look forward more than I look back.
To everyone sharing my journey in words, this blog's for you.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Zap2it.com: WB Gets Its Aquaman
The WB has cast an actor to play the title role in its "Aquaman" pilot, but chances are you haven't heard of him...
Monday, January 09, 2006
IMDb: Hatcher Swears Off Marriage
Actress Teri Hatcher has sworn off marrying again, after surviving two divorces. The Desperate Housewives beauty, 41, was married to Marcus Leithold for eight months in the late 1980s and divorced actor Jon Tenney - the father of her daughter Emerson Rose - in 2003. Hatcher says, "I'm a big fan of monogamy, but I don't think I'll ever marry. I would have a spiritual ceremony in front of friends, but I don't think I need a wedding license. "I did not marry bad guys, but ultimately I didn't make good choices."
Where did it go?
My cough, that is.
Yesterday was fit city, today blissful quiet. It's a conundrum, but I'm thankful. I took myself off safe mode (i.e. sleep, fluids, no strenuous activity) this morning and worked out for the first time in two weeks. Later I just might walk a mile.
Saturday night into Sunday (despite the cough), I was engrossed in revising my entry for Paul Guyot's armored car/children's clothing contest. I flipped on the Giants game when I was done and strangely couldn't care less the Panthers were mauling them.
Yesterday was fit city, today blissful quiet. It's a conundrum, but I'm thankful. I took myself off safe mode (i.e. sleep, fluids, no strenuous activity) this morning and worked out for the first time in two weeks. Later I just might walk a mile.
Saturday night into Sunday (despite the cough), I was engrossed in revising my entry for Paul Guyot's armored car/children's clothing contest. I flipped on the Giants game when I was done and strangely couldn't care less the Panthers were mauling them.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Selleck Returns as Jesse Stone
CBS will air Night Passage, a prequel to the well-received Stone Cold, on Sunday, January 15 at 9PM ET. Tom Selleck returns as Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
"...even as, at age 12, I wanted to be Tom Cruise..."
Just received my copies of Barbaric Yawp 9.4, featuring my poem "Puberty" on page 18. Thanks again to editors John and Nancy Berbrich.
IMDb: Stewart Still Wanted Back on the Enterprise
Hollywood bosses are still trying to entice Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart to return to the Starship Enterprise - but he fears he will be too old by the time they come up with the goods. The 65-year-old star, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the television series and later movies, insists the offers would be tempting, if only he were a little younger. He says, "Weighty people in Hollywood have come up with a very interesting proposition. But they told me it was still two, three or four years down the road, by which time I would only be able to sit in the captain's chair and not have the energy to get out of it!"
I don't know. 74-year-old William Shatner seems energetic.
I don't know. 74-year-old William Shatner seems energetic.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
No Mystery?
Looking over my 2005 fiction output, I notice there are no bona fide mysteries, where a crime has been commited and the protagonist must solve it. This interests me because I was pondering which of last year's stories might be considered for the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Award.
Oh, well. While I do roughly plan what I write, much of what keeps it exciting for me is to go where the story leads. I almost never end up where I thought I would, and that suprises readers as well.
This said, with further reading, I hope to become better at steering the craft without giving away my destination.
Oh, well. While I do roughly plan what I write, much of what keeps it exciting for me is to go where the story leads. I almost never end up where I thought I would, and that suprises readers as well.
This said, with further reading, I hope to become better at steering the craft without giving away my destination.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Monday, January 02, 2006
Sunday, January 01, 2006
First Submission of 2006
I was unable to join family for a New Year's party today, but managed to keep my cold at bay and submit three poems to the TMP Irregular.
New Year, New Poem, Same Cold
I usually sleep through midnight on New Year's Eve, but this year I did so to treat a lingering cough. Meanwhile, editor David Bates was hard at work posting the latest issue of My Favorite Bullet, featuring my poem "A Courtship in Cuts".
Happy New Year, everyone.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)