Gotham Writers, huh? That sounds interesting, GP. Like you, I don't have as much time for writing as I'd like. Summertime is busytime. Between work and music and, of course, toenail biting. 
To be perfectly honest, I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I might not have the discipline necessary to actually finish a novel. Like... Ever.
But I'll keep hacking at it, bit by bit, waiting for inspiration to strike. I suggest you do the same.
Cheers
Holy Cow! GP is in the house! Yes, Dirty Love is SUPER cool and Frank Zappa (testament to your video) was a megalomaniac, but...
Wait. What are we talking about?
Have you written anything lately, GP? I'm gonna go ahead and re-post chapter one and I want you to gimme an overall impression. I kinda DON'T like the line-by-line review thing. Mainly because I don't necessarily follow the rules of grammar and whatsuch when I concoct my prose.
In other news, the HEART tribute band that I was briefly playing drums for has suddenly been given some CPR. Maybe because it's summertime and temperatures in Seattle are reaching 90 degrees. Plenty of outdoor festivals looking to book music. Should be fun...
Oh, yeah.. And how are you doing?
Cheers (or Slainte)
John
The concept of FATE is utterly revisionist and belongs only to those who actually survive said FATE. Utterly.
Or is it: UDDERLY?
I dunno. And neither do YOU.
And that means YOU.
Still... It's a reasonable theme to explore. At least in fiction.
Are you kidding me? You didn't like Mad Max? Hell, I think it might just be the bestest action movie I've ever seen. Ever! Different strokes for different folks, I guess, but still... I couldn't keep track of how many times I muttered under my breath "that was awesome" while watching it.
Okay, I'm gonna go see your reviews now. Although, let's face it: If you didn't like Mad Max what hope do I have in pleasing you?
Cheers
Yeah, I guess WICKED is fan fiction, but it's extremely well-written fan-fiction. I literally adore the literature of it. Don't know if I could stomach the Broadway stuff. They'll make a movie soon enough and I'll probably watch it.
Anyway... I wanna be supportive of your treatment, GP, I just hope it isn't making you too damned miserable. Or if you're sick and tired of hearing 'keep your chin up' type platitudes from people. I only want you to be happy.
So you've got two girls? Don't think we've ever talked about your kids before, GP. Are they aware of momma's passion for writing?
Okay, keep revising and working on Genesis. I just posted a bunch of chapters myself and then immediately regretted doing so. Because, while I enjoy writing shameless scenes of gratuitous violence and racism and sexism, I also feel as if I have to apologize for it at the same time. Lest people think that I, the author, am a maniac who oughta be locked up, his pencil taken away. It's a slippery slope, I guess.
Cheers
John
Tony Bennett and Bette Midler are still alive? I had no idea.
Just kidding. But I can't think of a single song of theirs that I could play. And that goes for Lady Gaga, too.
I actually like Tony Bennett, though. Because of my father, who listens almost exclusively to crooners and such. Lady Gaga ain't too shabby, either; come to think of it. I saw/heard her do a SOUND OF MUSIC medley and it was pretty damned fantastic. She's not just a pop star cutout. She's a real aritste or whatever. Should be a great show. Not a show that I, personally, would pay to see, but...
Well, I'm a cynic. I hate Broadway musicality for the most part. Although, I've recently agreed to play drums for a Green Day tribute. Even knowing that "American Idiot" had a sell-out run on Broadway recently.
WICKED just now made its way to Seattle and me an my friends are gonna go and picket the muthafucka. Because it deviates so far from the brilliant source material.
Seriously, GP. If you've never given WICKED (the novel) a chance, give it one now. You won't be disappointed.
What else? I dunno. Are all your affairs in order? I won't ask you about the stem cell stuff, but how about the literary agent outlook? And how is Genesis coming along?
Cheers
John
How was Clapton, GP? Do tell. And what else is new, too? Do tell.
Guess what? I'll be in New York/New Jersey in June visiting relatives and whatnot for two weeks. One or two days in the city (because Wanda insists on shopping like a hipster) and the rest in Rockland County and the Jersey Shore. Laying low.
I only tell you this as a tease. Because, while we'll never actually meet vis-a-vis, I still like to inform you of my presence. On the off-chance that you can actually "feel" Hamler's geographical proximity.
Cheers
John
Zappa was interesting, actually. But like you say, a bit unfathomable at times. He has one song --Dirty Love-- that I absolutely adore, though. Like I REALLY love it. Like it's one of my favorite songs of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IeD525tEeI
I'm a drummer so the main reason I love the song is because of the insanely busy drumming. But also because it's just so damned groovy and irreverent. POODLE BITES!
Yeah, it's just me being me but I wanna be less abrasive. Especially when it comes to religion. I just don't know if I want it bad enough.
Enjoy Clapton!
Sorry, GP. I just naturally assumed you'd be interested in my gastro-intestinal goings on...
So, no one has hooks like Eric Clapton you say? Please. I beg to differ. In fact, I was just talking to Gacela about the one and only Black Sabbath. The same Black Sabbath who pretty much copped Clapton's hooks (in the beginning) but then took those hooks to a whole 'nother level of 'heavier' hookiness.
Or something like that. Riffs, baby, riffs!
ANyway... You're still in pretty damned good hands with Mister Slow Hand. Have FUN!
Cheers
John
P.S. In a fit of atheistic fervor, I might have gone a bit too far in criticizing another TNBWer's work. I guess I can't help myself sometimes. If you will, check out my review of SPIRIT OF ALOHA'S short story about BLISS and reassure me that I was nothing short of civil. Please? Thanks, GP.
Cheers again...
I dunno why, Gacela, but for some odd reason your book cover reminded me of the first Black Sabbath album cover. Probably because I've spent hours listening to that album, stoned, staring at the picture. You know the one... With the cloaked and hooded forest witch? Standing in front of an old English manor? It's very weird and ominous and all. Especially how the foliage is dying all around the witch and how she doesn't cast a reflection in the still water moat behind her. It looks like a painting, but it's actually a photograph of a real person (NOT Ozzy Osbourne) and place.
Having said all that, apropos of nothing, I vote for number two. For pretty much the same reasons already stated by your peers.
Cheers
John
I'm over here stinking it up. Like literally. Got gas like you wouldn't believe. Wanda had to go for a walk around the neighborhood. And she hates this neighborhood. Not to mention walking.
Anyway, I'm rewriting some older shit. Thought it'd be a quick thing, an exercise to get the creative juices oozing, but... Well, I'll post it soon enough. You might have already read it, actually. I dunno. Keep going...
Cheers
John
That's awesome, GP. Unfortunately, I could never afford to see as many authentic acts like you do. I'm relegated to the tribute band circuit these days. I do like Mellencamp, though. I've pushed people in my circle of musician friends, trying to gauge how interested they'd be in playing a Mellencamp/Bob Seger tribute set. But they're aren't the right age. Meaning they're GRUNGE age. Meaning they don't always appreciate the older stuff, like I do. Which means nobody seems all that interested. Oh, well.
I did go to the North American premiere of the new NIRVANA bio-pic the other day. It was held up on Capitol Hill here in Seattle. The director was there and he got on stage and talked for about an hour about what a tortured genius Kurt Cobain was. A sentiment I never quite agreed with. At least not whole-heartedly.
Anyway... The movie was really good, though. Seriously. It'll be on HBO pretty soon. Check it out. Even if you don't particularly like Nirvana. Or Courtney Love, for that matter. (She does show her tits a lot!)
Cheers
Hey, GP! Of course 13 is a bit rough. Even after three months. I think you gotta step away from it for awhile and move on before you can go back and look at it with fresh eyes. Or so I think. I dunno. I always want to push you to liven up the prose with flights of fancy. Flights of fancy restrained, that is. Incorporate details that are uniquely YOU and unique to YOUR experience, that is.
For instance, take a narrative-driven dialogue exchange and throw in a total misunderstanding. Just to fudge things up for a second.
For example...
The other day I was at work and a colleague of mine was explaining to the people gathered in the break room about how she was about to get promoted. Transferred to another company-owned location with better pay and more responsibility.
She put it like something like this: "It's exciting and all, moving to headquarters, but... I'm afraid they're gonna want me to wear more than one hat."
To which one of my co-workers responded: "Wait... They're gonna make you wear a hat over there?"
I almost died laughing out loud.
Okay, I guess you had to be there.
Cheers
John
Counterpoint to What Happened to Hamler? is all. I'm sure you're doing well and writing your arse off and chapter 13 will be arriving shortly.
Me? Well, so glad you asked... I'm switching gears again, GP. The alien thing I was working on hit a creative wall and so, as is my custom, I'm gonna drop that shit for the time being and work on some other long lost storyline. I dunno what yet, but I'll probably post something here pretty soon. Out of frustration more than anything.
God, don't you love writing?
Cheers
John
P.S. We (my band, that is) lost our singer to a cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago and so we've been auditioning people and it's positively maddening. You wouldn't believe how many folks "think" they can sing. Coming outta the woodwork, they are. And without any preparatory woodshedding. Waste of my time!
I suppose it's a bit like this place. So many people who "think" they can write, but end up wasting everyone's time. Said the pot to the kettle.
Blood infusions sound like fun. NOT. I oughta be drowning myself in Holy Water, celebrating the fact that I'm NOT in your boat. Just know that I love you, GP. That I think about you whenever I think about feeling sorry for myself. Perspective is key.
In other news, Neil Diamond is super cool. And so is Carole King. Watch this performance from the other day and tell me if it doesn't put a smile on your face:
Umm, I've been around. Lurking on the outskirts, I guess. I'm not dissing or ignoring you, GP, I just can't seem to get the writing mojo going lately. I think it's because I've cut down on my drinking. Drastically. I'm unable to recover like I used to, so... I just say fuck it and stay sober most of the time now. Whether approaching my own material or someone else's, sobriety is simply not conducive to uninhibited musing, I'm afraid.
Anyway, how's it hanging? Hope all is well. And, by all means, please remind me whenever you've got some new material to share. Just might be the thing to flick a Zippo under my ass, too.
Fucking Duke University just won the national championship five minutes ago, so... I'm half in the bag already. Which is probably why I'm here, incidentally.
Cheers
Oh, Simisez is a tease. A seducer and a frolic. She is so unpredictable. I read her and then she always leaves me in the dust; wondering where she's gone and why she's forsaken me.
Nevertheless... She's committable. The pink garters and whatnot only enhance her talent and make me wanna say...
Quo Vadis?
Even though she's a Jew and probably doesn't care for Latin.
Cheers
John
Nasty side effects? Like what, specifically? An even wenchier attitude?
Just joshing.
So are you revising Genesis or CR? Have you completely shelved CR for the foreseeable? Because you could always throw that back up on TNBW, get some fresher eyes to take a look and whatnot. You're somewhat removed from it yourself, your own eyes might be fresher. It's a great story with excellent characters and worth another looksee, in my opinion. Despite all the emotional seasickness it may have caused you, dealing with agents and all that.
Just saying...
Cheers
John
Nice. Listen, I'm in a bit of a slump myself. I actually pilfered an entire chapter from YouTube because... Well, I figured it was public domain and yes... I thought it was funny. And it kinda/sorta makes a point about the idea of ANTAGONY.
Anyway... One thing you could do, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for yourself, is impart wisdom. You're an experienced fictioneer, GP. So take a look around TNBW and offer some advice to the youngins. Know what I mean? Maybe you already been doing that. What do I know?
I'm currently playing in THREE bands right now and it's taking up all my free Wanda time. I wanna just concentrate on one band, see. The other two I'm just a place-holding drummer. The problem is... I like the lead singer in one band, even though I don't particularly enjoy the music. *Mostly pop/dance music*. I like the bass player in another band, though, and the guitarist in another. They both play hard rock n roll and it kicks ass when we get together. Alas, there's a very limited audience for that brand of heavy metal shit-sticking. I'll get more gigs playing Adele covers than I will playing April Wine. Know what I mean?
Kinda like writing a conventional novel that people can dig, as opposed to writing some crazy shit that practically nobody can dig. You know what I'm saying. Because you're the bestest.
By the way, it's funny you mention running off to join a circus. Wanda was watching a movie the other night -WATER FOR ELEPHANTS- and while I refused to join her (in favor of playing XBOX) I said I would one-up her ass, go to the library, and check out the novel instead. I read it and I liked it. The prose wasn't anything special, but the storytelling was excellent. I ripped right thru the thing in two nights and it left a lasting impression. Namely that the not too distant past can be an effective milieu. Also, I'm playing a video game right now that is set in the same time period. The post-depression 1930's, done as cyberpunk. So that may have encouraged my interest in the novel's setting. At any rate, it's a good book. I tried to get Wanda to read it but, in her words, she "already seen it."
Whaddaya gonna do?
If you must know... I've been in Belgium for the past three weeks, working under the tutelage of a Trappist Brewmeister to develop an ale so dark, so bitter, and so tart as to make the imbiber immediately give up his gestalt socio-political-religious beliefs and, compelled to self-administer a sex change operation, forever alter the status quo. The recipe is fermenting as we speak.
In other words, I'm drunk.
Cheers
John
Max's writing mind is warming up, indeedly!
Sunny and sixty six degrees in Seattle today. And the funny thing is, we're much farther north than you are. Dog pic is great!
Hey, GP! So Fifty Shades just happened for me and Wanda. The movie actually takes place in Seattle, which both surprised and delighted me! Even though I MUST'VE known as much going in. I dunno... The building that the stud muffin inhabits is actually a very real and pretty prominent landmark here. Think Frasier Crane's apartment, overlooking the Space Needle and Elliot Bay. Although I don't think it's the same building Frasier lived in. Because I think it's construction is relatively new. Again, I dunno. Whatever. There's something like six high story cranes at work in Seattle as we speak, so I dunno what the fuck is going on. Amazon-Dot-Com is currently buying up every piece of waterfront real estate in this town and we've got a brand new subway tunnel underworks, but alas... The fucking drill (largest in the history of the WORLD and which we affectionately call Bertha) broke down a year ago and nobody wants to pay to get it fixed!
Anyway, you can probably see where my attention was drawn. Above all else, to my hometown and the architecture. The female lead drew my attention, too, however. I thought she was pretty good as an actress. Even if she spent the whole film chewing on her lips. She ain't conventional "movie star" attractive, but I think that was the point. I dunno. It was pretty sexy stuff all the way up until they got to the sexy stuff. If you know what I'm saying...
Seriously, if you want a really edgy Sado-Masochistic movie, go and rent SECRETARY. Starring James Spader and that movie star's sister. You know, the one who was in Batman. Why can't I think of her name? Maggie Gyllenhall. That's it.
Seriously. Fifty Shades was tame by comparison. In my opine.
Anyhoo... I eventually asked Wanda why so many women (not HER, of course) are so drawn to fictional depictions of fantasy sexcapades and yet... Relatively unwilling to engage in such kinky shit with real men in real life. I mean, I'm a "real" man. I'm not a billionaire thrill-seeker with a dark abusive past to empathize with, but... I still managed to bang Wanda the first nite I met her.
Of course, then she sobered up and... Even though I dutifully called her for future engagements, she proceeded to cock-block me for another month or so before admitting me into her holiest of holies again.
I admitted my frustration and confusion and she said:
"Right. Because that's exactly where we want you idiots. Confused."
I woulda protested, but... After seeing the movie, she wanted to fuck. So that was cool. And the end of the debate, as it were...
Cheers
John
