#165 Stopped In Their Tracks

Editing book 2 now and things are coming along swimmingly.  Except for one thing.  I wrote some version of the following phrase 6 times in this book:  "They stopped in their tracks."  I do not say this phrase and do not know why I have been writing it.  Makes me feel like I am writing in the 19th century or something.  So, today I searched out all of these phrases and replaced them with something much cooler.  Like: "They froze."

I'd say that was a good day of writing!

#164 Random Appreciation Day - Steve Buscemi

I wanted to throw Steve Buscemi some random love today because he is one of the greatest actors of our generation.  He frequently appeared in The Coen Brother's early work, including one of his best characters in Fargo.  Can't leave out Reservoir Dogs and Desperado, which were iconic films from the 90s.  He has the range to pull off cameos that greatly enhance a single scene, as exemplified in Pulp Fiction and The Wedding Singer.  And he could hold his own in the big budget films that weren't accustomed to such talent on set.  And if all that isn't enough, he's also in Lonesome Dove.

So, cheers to Steve Buscemi.  Thanks for all you do!

#163 Running In The Rain

Every writer, and every person for that matter, experiences moments of emotional and inspirational fatigue.  In the world of a writer, this can stunt a particular project, even bring it to a complete halt.  The question for a full-time writer who wishes to remain a full-time writer is how can one deal with this fatigue?

This week I experienced inspirational fatigue because I am in the process of editing/revising a project that I hope to publish by June 1st, though my heart has actually moved on to writing a brand new project I'm excited about.  The tedious work needed to read, re-read and fix mistakes drove the inspiration from me almost as much as watching one of the reality shows that has somehow made it on TV.  The fatigue hit me so hard today that I closed my computer and decided on a whim to go for a run.  I haven't run in quite awhile, so I thought it might do me some physical, as well as emotional good.

After I got about 20 yards from my house, it started raining.  Another 200 yards and it started raining hard.  By the time I made it to the other side of the neighborhood it was pouring.  Running in the rain felt invigorating.  Reminded me how much fun it is to jump into the deepest part of a puddle, even if you know mom is gonna get pissed.

I returned home, showered, and then sat at my computer.  My run got my heart rate up.  The rain gave me fresh perspective.  And for the rest of the afternoon I was able to get good work done.  Sometimes when you feel the slightest of ruts beginning to obstruct your motivation, go for a run in the rain.

#162 Momentum v. Variety

Book 2 of my upcoming series is going through my process, which gives me some time to consider what project to start thinking about now.  So here is my dilemma.  I've been writing on one story for the last 7 months.  It is coming along nicely, and I have enjoyed it thoroughly.  My work has gained momentum, which allowed me to hammer out book 2 in just over 7 weeks.  However, a new story idea came to me in January, and I spent time organizing an outline.  The story is interesting and completely different from what I've been working on.

Should I continue with the story I've been writing, ensuring that I ride the wave until it crashes onshore?  Or should I change things up, bring in a fresh story with a fresh voice, so that when I return to Book 3 of the series, it will be something I've missed and am eager to once again pursue?

Or, am I overthinking this?  Perhaps it doesn't matter, as both stories will be written before this year is up...

#161 Misery

Today is an important day for me.  I finished the first draft of the second book in my upcoming series.  I still have a lot of work to do, but it is important to recognize the important steps taken along the way.  To celebrate, I am going to watch Misery, because nothing makes me want to be a successful writer more than watching a movie about an author interacting with one his favorite fans!

#160 Celebrations?

My younger brother, fresh out of school, dreams of being a writer.  I can understand that, as I have the same dream.  He writes comic books, primarily, but has recently ventured into the world of short fiction.  The other day we watched Romancing The Stone with our mother (I know, strange movie choice...) and the film begins with Joan Wilder finishing a novel, another installment in her romance series. To date the movie, she finishes it on a typewriter.  Afterward, she opens a can of fancy cat food, pours a glass of wine and enjoys a quiet evening next to the fireplace.  After the cat finishes, she flings the plate into the fire.

My brother finished his first short story this morning and texted me.  He said, "Can I borrow Doodle to have dinner with him?  LOL"  Doodle is my cat.

I called him and told him we need to come up with a better celebration than feeding our cat fancy food and flinging his empty plate into the fire place.  But other than drinking wine and eating good food, which I do most every night anyway, I do not have a good celebration in mind for my brother, or myself.  I need help!

So, what is a suitable celebration for finishing a novel?  When is it a suitable time to celebrate?  Once the final draft is complete, or must a writer wait for it to be published to celebrate?  Or, can we celebrate both?

#159 Work Space Follow Up

Just wanted to follow up on my previous post.  This sometimes happens in one of my three writing areas.  I wonder how many cuddling cats Hemingway had to deal with...

#158 Working Space

I grew up reading Stephen King, who told many stories about writers.  I was always fascinated with the rustic, simple yet classic rooms his characters wrote in, the actual physical locations.  In Misery, Paul Sheldon wrote in a quiet bed and breakfast far away from the city.  Jack, in The Shining, had the magnificent ballroom inside the Overlook hotel.  And there is Mort from Secret Window, Secret Garden who wrote in a cabin in the woods.  So I figured I would show where I do the bulk of my writing.  Alright, King.  Ball's in your court.  You can post a pic of where you write in the comments!

#157 The Book Trailer

Saw an animated book trailer for the first time this week.  Maybe I am late to the party, but if you have not seen these before, think movie trailer for a book.  I think this is a neat idea for writers who can afford a small production company to produce the thing.  Or for those writers who have connections.

I have not seen many of these, but I feel like a thirty second trailer that reveals the hook of the story, has compelling images, and demonstrates the genre/style of the writing, can help the story find its proper readers.

Self Portait - March 2014

All the great artists had self portraits, right?  So here's mine.  Just so you know, I was listening to Grace Under Pressure when this photo was taken.

#156 Cramming The Dishwasher

My wife is a bad ass cook!  She cooks gourmet meals, and so afterward I will clean the dishes. I rinse the cutting boards, clear plates, scrub pots and pans, and eventually I attempt to put all the dishes in the dishwasher.  I am THE WORST at putting dishes in the dishwasher.  No matter what I do, I cannot get them to fit in right.  My wife shakes her head at the mess inside, saying that I have done it all wrong, that everything would fit nicely if I just organized better.  I invite her to the challenge, and watch as she takes out key utensils and repositions them in such a way that more room is freed up on the other side of the washer.  She tweaks problem areas, fills gaps, and without fail manages to get all the dishes comfortably in the dishwasher.  No matter how many times I watch her, I cannot learn this skill.

Writing can be the same way.  There are moments, sections of stories, that I cannot seem to get out right.  Cannot seem to fit together properly.  In these moments, it is easy to get frustrated, to throw hands in the air and give up, accepting the fact that the dishwasher is only half full.  I have had moments like this recently.  Thankfully, I was able to remember the dishwasher... able to remember that minor tweaks can make all the difference, so that everything fits together nicely.

#155 The Villain

The wife and I started watching the new Sherlock series from the BBC.  Cool show.  Doesn't reach Game of Thrones status or anything, but worth checking out on a lazy Sunday.  So, the master villain was just okay for me.  Until the last episode of season 2.  He puts our good friend Sherlock in an interesting situation, one that made me stop and appreciate him as a villain.

Got me thinking about the Villain.  There have been some awesome villains over the years that have really transformed what might have been an ordinary project into a Bad Ass project that cannot be missed!  Following is a list of villains any writer should aspire to.  (Disclaimer: these were listed here on the spot without research or considerable thought.  If I have missed one or given something here too much credit, by all means let me know in the comments!)

• Darth Vader - No surprise here.  I grew up fearing/loving/idolizing this cat.  If there are other villain lists out there, I am sure he is in the top of all of them, as he should be.  
• The Joker (Heath Ledger version) - Again, no surprise here.  I almost can't watch the other Batman movies because none of them do or ever will measure up to the bar Heath set with his rendition of the Joker.  Perhaps the best Villain of all time belongs right here.
• G'Mork (The wolf in The Neverending Story) - I worried that I would be going slightly obscure here.  I loved this movie as a kid and G'Mork frightened me.  Was often in my nightmares, if I could even fall asleep after watching this movie.  The special effects are slightly dated, but love this movie!  
• The Butcher (Gangs of New York) - Daniel Day Lewis.  That's all that needs to be said here.  
• Blue Duck (Lonesome Dove) - The tv miniseries was very well done in pretty much all aspects.  However, Blue Duck was actually much better in the book than in the TV show.  Was slightly too cheesy for me on TV.  Still, an awesome villain that Gus and Captain Call couldn't quite catch up with.
• Edward The Longshanks (Braveheart) - Braveheart is probably my favorite movie (if I am forced to choose one) and Edward The Longshanks is a remarkable character.  Cruel and effective, truly someone to hate!  I mean, he instituted Prima Nocte for Pete's sake.  Who does that?
• Lois Einhorn (Ace Ventura) - Do I even need to describe why Lois Einhorn rocked?  If I have to, that means you must see the movie.  Stop reading this and go see that movie!

#154 Elusive Flow

Been a full time writer now for five glorious months.  I discovered something last week, something I cannot explain.  It is a phenomenon I will refer to as Elusive Flow.  Elusive Flow refers to those moments when words pour from me smoothly and in abundance, as if from a faucet.  On Thursday, during my morning session, I pounded out 4 pages.  I looked them over and was impressed at how nicely the pages came out, how little I would ultimately have to change.  I executed no prior planning or outlining outside of my original story outline I created a month ago.  I simply sat at my computer and wrote, and everything flowed beautifully.

That afternoon I started my second writing session and could not recreate that same flow.  I wrote 3 tedious pages, read them, deleted them, and finally wrote the 3 pages all over again.  Frustrated, I gave up for the day, hoping to attack that portion of my story the next morning.  How come one moment the words flowed so easily, while another moment I toiled and toiled, and could not get anything worthwhile on the page.  Where was my elusive flow?  Where had it gone?  How could I get it back?

Here are my half-baked theories:

1) Some sections of the story are more interesting to write, and thus easier to get on the page...thus creating the flow.
2) Food or sleep?  Did I eat something that got my neurons firing?  That morning I ate a fruit smoothie and two cups of coffee.  I eat this every morning and do not experience these flows quite that frequently.  Perhaps something I ate for dinner allowed my brain to get extra better sleep?
3) Subconscious planning? Is it possible that the day before I had been subconsciously mulling over that section of the story during my workouts or while taking a shower, so that when it came time to get words on paper, I had already done work inside my head?  I am not sure about that for last Thursday, but if this is the answer, then perhaps I should workout and shower before each writing session.
4) Elusive Flows are just freak occurrences that sometimes happen.  There is no understanding them, only enjoy them when you can.

Has anyone else experienced the Elusive Flow?  Anyone mastered it yet, so that every writing session is a successful one?  Please share!

#153 Identity?

Read a great post from JA Konrath on the subject of identity as a writer.  I did not realize how close to home this hit until I read the post and comments from several writers within.  Is it enough to write on a daily basis to be called a writer?  How about the person with a full time advertising job who writes a couple of short stories a year and is always working on a longer piece of fiction in his/her spare time?  Is that person a writer?  If so, then how do you differentiate between that person and say, Stephen King.  Both are writers, so both can be described in the same way?  Or do you say one is a best selling author while the other is merely an aspiring writer?

I got out of the ad business and now devote my full time to writing.  When asked recently what I do, I responded that I was a writer.  Felt strange to me because my own identity as a writer was in question.  Konrath discusses how he experienced the same identity crisis even after he finished and published novels.  This feeling of inadequacy plagues many writers.  The sad truth is this:  Identity should not be contingent upon other's validation, but for many it is.

So, how do we conquer this?  I see it as an internal struggle, one where every person must individually conquer his/her own confidence to own his/her personal identity.   For me, I must believe that I am a writer because that is what I am.  If I don't truly believe it, then how can I expect to wake up each morning and write compelling stories?

#152 Book By Its Cover

My dad visited for a few days, and each morning I greeted him with a breakfast smoothie.  My smoothies include apples, bananas, pineapple, yogurt and spinach.  Most of the ingredients are fruit, but once spinach goes in there, no matter how much you put in there, the entire thing turns green.  I put a generous portion of spinach, and so my smoothies are generously green.  My dad took one look at the smoothie and said, "No, thank you."  If I remember it correctly, he did not actually say the "thank you" part.  And there might have been an expletive before the "no".

I am stubborn and I do not let people get away so easily.  I explained that he was to drink the smoothie, end of story.  He took one sip and immediately pursed his face up like he just sucked on a green lemon.  While I admit that my smoothies may not taste as good as a big plate of blueberry pancakes with maple syrup,  eggs over easy and five sausages (Don't forget the pie), they certainly do not warrant an immediate disgust face.  I know they are green, but they do not taste like spinach.  They taste like an ordinary fruit smoothie.

Fifteen minutes later he brought me the empty glass and said, "You know, that didn't taste half bad!"

While we know it is wrong, we still can't help but judge a book by its cover.  Speaking of books, I am finishing up book 1 and it is time to design the cover.  The trick is to make it look like a plate of blueberry pancakes.  Because no matter how good the book may be, no one will try it if it looks like a green smoothie.

#151 Customer Service?

Had trouble with our home security the other day and opted for the online customer service representative.  The helpdesk claims you are chatting with a live person.  I think not.  Check out my conversation with the "Customer Service Representative" and you tell me what you think.  I don't mind having a computer answering my questions using a FAQ algorithm of some kind.  Just don't lie to me about it...

#150 Times, They Are A'Changin'

Visited Houston last week and stayed with a friend.  Before heading to the bar, I showered in the upstairs bathroom.  While enjoying the wonderful fragrance of their vanilla jasmine body wash, I heard a strange sound coming from the bedroom next door.  Sounded like an alarm.  I knew I was the only one upstairs and wondered why an alarm would be set.  But the noise continued for several minutes, making me wonder if I had accidentally set an alarm on my phone for some reason.

I finished my shower, exited the bathroom and discovered no sound whatsoever emanating from anything upstairs.  I was confused.  And naked.  So I dressed, put stuff in my hair to give it the messy look I go for these days and left for the bar with my friend, where we heard his wife perform with her country music band.  At the bar I asked my friend if he had any alarms set upstairs, or if his a/c unit had an alert that went off to change filters or something.  He told me he knew nothing of an alarm upstairs, and was as confused as I was.

The next day we sat on his couch, fighting off two rambunctious dogs while trying to enjoy coffee when I heard the strange alarm again.  It went off, radiating clearly throughout the entire house.  I looked curiously over to my friend and said, "Hey, that's the sound I heard!  What is that?"

He said, "That's my telephone ringing..."

#149 New Year's Resolutions

2014 is all about positive energy!  Following is a small list of things I will accomplish throughout the next year:

• Complete my first 3 book series and making them available for download on Kindles and Nooks.  Of course I would like to make millions from it.  And I want it to be an HBO series starring Kate Winslet, Mila Kunis and Christina Ricci! 
• Help Cody complete his first sci-fi story.
• Fix the outdoor lights in our backyard.  This may take me as long as writing the 3 book series.
• Actually complete my work with Spartacus.
• Learn how to make Pad-Thai.
• See my dad more than 2 times a year, each time lasting about an hour or so.
• Help David get moved out of the house.
• Teach mom how to properly use FB.  Will probably be easier helping David get moved out.
• Find The Cure's Wish on vinyl.
• Learn how to successfully use social media to promote the books I write.  
• Go to Dirk's home town, which is really far away from Africa.
• Learn to use the vitamix without having to read a recipe.
• Use Beverly's christmas basket successfully!

I think that's it...

#148 Year in Review - 2013

2013 was a strange year for me.  Many great moments.  Many bad moments.  Here is a year in review straight from memory, which is probably not the best way to do this, since I can't remember a damn thing without checking FB.  And I do not want this account being simply a recount of FB:

• Year of wine.  L. discovered that she actually likes wine, and now we are two of the snobbiest wine drinkers in Texas.  The bottle that did it was a 201 Proeza blend she found at Bolsa.  Caravan is currently her favorite, and may lead to her passed out on the doggie bed.
• Le Creuset has been introduced to our kitchen.  And now we rarely cook with anything else.  This means dishwashing has taken the place of weightlifting for my daily workouts.  Needless to say, our meals have become way more fancy.
• Year of concerts.  This year I saw 6 shows:
• Tame Impala (Feb, Granada) -Aussie band with a couple of good albums.  The venue sounded pinched and too bright.  Pierced my ears.
• BTE (Aug 30, House of Blues) - We see these guys each time they come to Dallas.  This particular show we went with The Barts and got a photo with the drummer afterward.  He was the best musician on the stage.  If you had gone, you would have heard me say it a dozen times or more.
• Mumford & Sons (Sept 18, Gexa) - L. and I found a great place to stand at Gexa if you show up 3 minutes after the music starts to a sold out show.  Lauren danced with us while we drank several big beers.  They did not play my two favorite songs, and I won't forget that!
• Alt-J (Sept 29, House of Blues) - The concert I looked forward to the most.  We were right on the stage and this is a band that has had a profound effect on L. and I.  Pearl Jam/Pink Floyd level effect.  I drank many shots and many beers in the parking lot before the show.  L. loves Alt-J above all others.   
• Franz Ferdinand (Oct 5, House of Blues) - Again, drank many shots and beers in the parking lot.  This was the best show of the year.  They are high energy, they have great music and their drummer is freakin amazing.  We bought Ume shirts, and an Ume vinyl.  The chick lead singer was right there, and she was sort of hot.  We couldn't resist.  The lead singer plays the exact same guitar that I do!
• Pearl Jam (Nov 15, AA Center) - Always great to be in the same room with one of the defining artists of my lifetime.  They sounded amazing.  It was one of their first shows on the Lightning Bolt tour.  They were energetic and youthful, and it was their first show in Dallas since 2003 when they were booed at Gexa.  I was at that show too, and was pissed they were being booed.  Vedder singing Indifference at the end of the night with the lights on was a moment I will never forget.  So beautiful.  
• 10 Year Reunion.  I have been married more than 10 years!  Truly amazing and the finest accomplishment of my life.  The crazy part is this: our marriage is better in year 10 than it was in year 1.  Or year 2.  Or year 3.  We continue to grow together and enjoy new adventures.  Looking forward to the next 10 years. 
• The Year of Cody.  Cody moved to Dallas and has been doing laundry at our house almost every week.  Its been great because I am developing a good relationship with him during a pivotal time in his life...the time when he must learn to grow up and live on his own.  I remember when I was having to grow up, and it would have been much better if I'd had a bossy older brother telling me what's what.  
• Vinyl.  Got the record player working and have become hooked!  I love making people listen to old Rush and Styx records.  So much fun and sounds SO GOOD!!!  I make L. listen and she does not mind NIN, Alt-J, The Cure and Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos.
• Vox Guitar.  I got a new guitar this year and have spent much time composing new music to impress my friends.  And I think they are really impressed because the music is way better than what I used to show them.  And all of it is really awesome!
• Thailand and Cambodia.  Too much to say about Thailand and Cambodia, so I will make this short and sweet:  Thai food, Baby Ha-Ha, Chompoo, Floating Villages, Charlie Chaplin's favorite hotel, Savage Fish Massage, Temple of the Dawn, Chang Mai Night Market, Regulator Rooster, Buddhas out my goat ass, overgrown jungle temples, headless statues, Angkor Wat, Reclining Buddha, wicker soccer game with the workers, Aussie travelers, tuk-tuk drivers, Sunday Market
• Savannah was born
• Sonder.  Made great original music with a close friend of mine.  Hope to continue this, as it is a great way to express beauty and emotion.
• Alanadale.  Made great cover music with other close friends of mine.  Hope to continue this, as it is a great way to express beauty and humor.  More beauty than humor, I think.
• Wine Country.  Went to Willamette Valley and Napa Valley.  The country and the weather was beautiful.  Great places to spend time.  So much so, that we considered moving. When we went to Napa, we saw The America's Cup.  First sailboat race I had ever seen, and it was a huge event.  Much bigger than I would have ever imagined.  
• Drank Chris's stout which tasted better than Guinness or St. Arnold's Stout.  I was no help racking the fermentor valve.  
• Won 2nd place in our FF league.  Dugat did most of the work, but it was a fun way to win a few extra dollars.  
• Wiener dog races.  Polly won her heat, then got second in the semis.  Was funny watching her sprint her happy little ass off!  This year we are going to train more vigorously.
• Katrina's wedding. They drank from huge beer mugs all night and danced with all the beautiful women of the family.  Feel lucky to have connected with Jason and his family. 

#147 The Significance of 300

The number 300 is significant, indeed.  It is the total number of points in a perfect bowling game.  There are approximately 300 steps (more like 306) that lead to the top of The Temple of Dawn, an impressive structure that graces the banks of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok.  There were 300 Spartans who bravely defended the city against foreign invaders.   According to the crappy movie, all 300 died.  Supposedly 300 is the number of popes and antipopes that would gather throughout history, according to the Roman Catholic Church, before the second arrival of the Christ.

But more importantly, 300 is the milestone page I reached last night on my novel.  I have written 300+ pages on other projects in the past, but for some reason last night felt special.  Perhaps it is because these 300 pages were written by a writer, while the previous projects were written by an advertising guy in his spare time.