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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Future of (Comic) Books

     I got a taste of new, digital comic books. It's interesting because it progresses in slideshow fashion with text revealed in subsequent pages, but with the same artwork. This gives the illusion of time passing sequentially across the page, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time until this becomes more mainstream with digital comics, and digital, interactive books. It is both exciting and terrifying. I wonder how it will all unfold.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Summer Days

     School has ended! Grades are posted, and time is something I suddenly have in great abundance, now. Previously, I had thought I was going to teach during the summer and work on a project. Those didn't pan out, so now I have time.      It's okay.      I'm looking forward to the time.      For the past three summers I have chocked them full of things: projects, trips, recovery from injury, etc.      For the first time, I think I'm just going to enjoy the time. That's not to say I'm going to laze about and do nothing.      I've already set a writing agenda, and I' going to set up for another round of queries.      Long live summer!

Friday, May 25, 2012

F3 Sigmund Freud Vampire Hunter

     Germany.      Night time (ish).      Dr. Sigmund Freud strolled down on his way home, smartly tapping his cane on the cobbled stones. The good doctor thought of his recent research, and how he had helped so many patients with their recent problems. His research on psychoanalysis and dream interpretation would surely help millions of people cope with their problems. If only I could

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Hero Worship

     I learned something significant at the writing conference. Well, I knew, but it was reinforced, and I really put it into practice. Play it cool. The authors, the agents, the editors, are just people. Like me. Probably a little more (in)sane (depending, because I'm pretty insane).      The point is to make a good impression, and make contacts. I think the same applies to the panels at Comicon. So I'll play it cool there, too. It'll be fun. It was at the conference, and I made some great connections, some of which I hope to see at Comicon again.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Two Straws

     While attending U of A, I noticed how one of my best friends used two straws with his drink at Carl's Jr. When I remarked on this, he told me that it was simply more efficient to drink this way. From that time on I've grabbed two straws.      It seems to me that these tiny things, these little behaviors we all pick up add more depth to a character than any kind of physical description. Too often everything is just sight, or even sound or smell, but those don't add the right kind of depth. Having a character whose default fast food is a gyro or one who emulates a magic show he saw as a kid or one who names his horse after a hockey team are little touches I think add much more to my characters.

Friday, May 18, 2012

F3 Burners

     Jack and I coasted down on our cloud boards to the top of a small crater. Small being just a couple of miles across. A woman stood at the top. My eyes easily picked out that she had spotted us, and she didn't look particularly happy about it.
      "Reilly, keep cool."

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Awesome Avengers

     The Avengers did not disappoint. A feel this is a major accomplishment in film and storytelling. Never before have disparate franchises been brought together so seamlessly in a film. For those who have not seen the film, do so. Immediately. Oh, and stick around for the credits. There's some foreshadowing followed by a very human moment for the team. I'm trying to fight off the urge to see it again.      I wonder if something like this can be done with books. There are certain challenges to overcome, certainly, but it might be interesting to publish a set of books each with their own protagonist, culminating in a book that brings them all together.      Hmm. I think I need to make some notes.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Conferencelust

     In April I attended Desert Dreams 2012, and it was completely awesome. The people running the conference are top-notch. I had a great time even though I'm not a romance writer. I won't hesitate to go again.      More than that, I've got an itch. I want to go to more conferences. I want to be with other writers and agents. These are my people. Unfortunately, I don't have much of a budget to work with, but I'm going to be keeping my eye out now. But until I can get to another writing conference, I'll indulge in the next best thing: Phoenix Comicon.

Friday, May 11, 2012

F3 Sparring

     I sucked at fencing. I sucked at the sword, period. It wasn't my weapon. So even as I squared off against Andurias, I knew I was going to lose. I just had no way to use the weapon effectively. It wasn't my skillset. The Captain of the Guard neatly disarmed me in the practice yard and held the point of his sword to my chest. The people—the ladies in particular—around the courtyard cheered and clapped his victory.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Three Loves

     Three of my loves are coinciding in one great project. For the first time, writing, video games, and teaching are all coming together. I am creating an educational text adventure game for use in my classes. The sheer awesomeness is almost beyond words. It certainly surpasses a grue.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Gadget Love

     I'm a tech guy, and as such, I really want to be able to buy all the great new tech that keeps coming out. I could use a new ultrabook. I'd love a Kindle Fire. I'd love a 10" tablet (not an iPad). And that's just the stuff off the top of my head. But I don't need any of that stuff.
     I think this spins into writing, too. There are many times where I want to have a scene or am attached to a great piece of prose, but it just doesn't belong. I don't need it, so it needs to go.
     Sometimes it really sucks to do the necessary thing.
     And I really want an ultrabook.

Friday, May 4, 2012

F3 Inferno

     Fire. That was the first thought. It had also been the last thought. I blinked my eyes open against heat. It wasn't a natural heat, though. Blue liquid poured down the walls. It might as well have been lava. I looked around, and the man who had caused it all lay five feet into the room. The magical device had annihilated itself on contact with the wall.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Avengers

     I don't see many movies in the theater, any more, bu tI am a die hard fan of the Marvel movies. I have been anticipating the Avengers ever since Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk came out. Not only is this one of my most loved franchises, this is movie history. No one has ever created a scenario with separate franchises coming together in a team. This has only worked in comic books before. I truly hope that Avengers lives up to its potential. I also know I have little to fear with Joss Whedon at the helm.
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