Been A While

What can I say? Haven't had much to report. Work was bringing me down, but I'm over it...for now.
Took a mini-vacation. Basically, I had a week and a half off work, and I put it to good use. I rested, I played guitar, went out with friends, and got the last 160 pages of my novel into the computer. Draft 2, here I come.
I even wrote a short script, and finished getting a short story into the computer. It's kind of a good feeling. On the one hand, I feel rested, and on the other, I feel like I've accomplished a lot.
I haven't been reading as much as I'd like, so it's time to step that up. Still enjoying "Improbable" and then it's gonna be back to scifi books. Got "The Skinner" and "Cowl" by Neal Asher, and I can't wait to get into them, cause I know I won't be able to put them down. I’ll fly through those books like I did "Gridlinked" and "The Line of Polity". If only "Brass Man" would come out in this country of mine.
I'm probably gonna stray from my reading list for a little while. I need to stay in a sci fi frame of mind to get through the 2nd draft of my novel. I know there's a lot of sci fi on the list to begin with, but I need a particular brand(s) of SF. Neal Asher fits into that, as well as, in a way, China Mieville. But I also need to get into, (I think) "Live without a Net", an anthology edited by Lou Anders. And this Mundane SF Manifesto has me realizing that I need to get caught up on SF and address a few things in my novel.

Not that I believe everything they're saying. The thing with Manifesto’s and Hard SF vs Soft is, well, to sound lame...it takes the fun out of reading a good story. I like stories with great characters. And I like SF because in between the lines is a "What if?" People have encouraged me to not stress over loading my stories with science that explain how plausible my "what if's" are. This is because I am not trying to write Hard SF. I guess it's more adventure SF, but always (in my attempts, anyway) with a sociological SF slant. So I guess my stories aren't so much about "What if this tech were possible?" but closer to "How would ORDINARY people be affected by it?" I’m not being very clear. This is tough. I guess I’m thinking more about consequences. Less “the guy who builds a killer robot and how” and more “the girl who read about the killer robot and how it reminds her of her of her father and makes her go insane and kills people”
LOL

Okay, that was a pathetic example. I’m tired and gotta think about this some more. More proof that I need a life.

Now that I think of it, I never did finish Clarke’s RAMA series. I gotta do that, cause I never said I didn’t like Hard SF. Not when it’s written well. And is fun.

Another Post

I keep getting delayed. Or rather, I keep delaying. Or is that procrastinating?

I just gotta do one more pass at my short stories. One more, then I mail them off to the magazines. I'm hoping to get that done in the next couple of days. Problem is the post offices I have easy access to. They, somehow, don't know what International Reply Coupons are. I don't know why. It looks as though I'm gonna have to make a trip out to a real Post Office, as opposed to these dip shit mini jobs in 7-11.

Finished "Newton's Wake" and am now a few chapters into "Improbable" by Adam Fawer. Enjoying it. I was hoping it would be good (as "advertised") and it took me by surprise. Surprise because it isn't what I expected. It's better.

The soundtrack for the trip home today was Portishead: PNYC and Big Wreck - The Pleasure and the Greed. Yeah, a wierd mix. Can't explain it. Yesterday's soundtrack was Damien Rice - O, followed by Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf, which was followed by Fugazi - Red Medicine.

In other news. I got the Blog fixed and added some links. Goodnight.

Read!!

I remember some articles I read a while ago that were concerned with the decline of literature. Specifically, the articles bottom line was nobody reads anymore. CBC.ca had some news that cheered me up some. Check it out here

I'm more than half way through "Newton's Wake" by Ken MacLeod. Good book and loads of fun. But it's not on my self imposed reading list. Doh! I'll get back to that list. But then again...all those Neal Asher books will be hitting the shelves in Canada. New books and older ones that have been hard to find. The Skinner, in paperback, hits shelves in April as does Cowl. Then in May there's The Brass Man (More Ian Cormac, Dragon and Horace Blegg!!)

I'm also itching for more Ferguson. Hampiness (aka Generica) is calling me everytime I browse the bookstore. I've stayed away only because I'm kinda broke.

My new fav site that I check on a regular basis: http://www.sfsignal.com/

Where art thou, Belona?

I finished reading Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw (spelled it right this time). And I loved it. Now I’m reading “How to be Canadian”, again written by Will Ferguson, though this time he shared the writing duties with his brother Ian. These guys are hilarious.

Eventually, I’ll get back to Dhalgren. I swear.

Still hammering away at ideas for Script #3 and getting Script #2 into the computer. Tomorrow I got a busy day. Gotta get an assignment for my T.V class typed up, and I have to input some revisions on two short stories. I’m hoping (still) to get those stories out to magazines this week. Though after reading a great discussion on Lou Anders Blog, http://www.louanders.com/blog.html I’m wondering if I should tweak the stories some more. They’re Sci Fi, and this discussion has got me all fired up. I have to admit though, the blog and ensuing comments did reaffirm some things for me. I think I’m on the right track with those short stories.
So after I do all that crap on the computer tomorrow (and laundry) I’m gonna head off to Worlds Biggest Books Store to find me copies of “A Scanner Darkly” by PKD and “Newton’s Wake” by Ken Macleod. Then I got class. Then I come home at 11pm and go straight to bed since I gotta get up at 5:30am for work.

April and May are looking good for…well….goodies. New books from Neal Asher, Cory Doctorow and Reprints of a couple of books co-authored by Neal Stephenson. Then there’s the Batman movie, Hitchhikers Guide movie, and I’m pretty sure some cd’s too. (Dave Matthews Band, NIN, Audioslave) I’m looking forward to being broke.

Been Busy

Been busy with my job job, and my dream job.
Started typing up script #2 and outlining script #3, and looking back at my last post, I feel like I haven’t gotten much done since then. I guess this is true. Bummer.

My job job is threatening to take over, which is frustrating since a) it’s supposed to be part time, and b) it’s not a profession or field I have any desire to work in much longer. Hell, it was never something I wanted to do. But I needed the work ($$$). I’ve been working double the amount of hours I signed up for, which isn’t to say it’s a lot. On average, I’m working 30 hours a week (as opposed to 15). Big deal. Problem is, the commute can be between 1.5 – 2 hours over three busses.
Another problem is I’ve set goals for myself, and until a couple of weeks ago, haven’t slowed down or let up on the amount of time I spend on the dream (non-paying) job. So basically, I’ve been over tired. I guess the frustrating part comes from the feeling of not being in complete control, and all the stress has taken its toll on me. Though self induced stress, via the goals I’ve set, my energy – both physical and creative – has been waning. So something’s gotta give, and I ain’t giving up on my passion for writing. No matter how stupid that sounds. Screw it. If something makes you happy, why wouldn’t you pursue it?

So now I have 3 weeks to go before my work schedule lightens up. Another problem: By then it’ll be too late for one specific contest.

I’m hoping to have Script #1 ready for Scriptapalooza; the deadline is April 15. But I was also hoping to have Script #2 good to go by then as well. It’s gonna be tight. Shitty.

As far as the other writing “projects” go: I’ll be getting some more feedback on a couple of short stories I wrote and will have another go at them before mailing them out to a couple of magazines. This will be the first time I mail out anything written as prose. Kind of excited about that, because it feels like progress. I’m not saying I’ll actually sell the stories, but as I already said, I’ve never mailed out anything before, other than one screenplay.

I figure I’ll finish script #3 by May, and that’s when my priorities will shift slightly. Aside from tweaking Scripts 1 & 2, I’ll be back to work on the second draft of a novel I finished in November of 2003. As daunting as the task of revising it seems, I'm looking forward to it. I’m HOPING to be able to wipe the slate clean by September. Again, aside from tweaking here and there, I’m hoping to spend September, through December on a new novel. One that’s been on my mind for almost a year now.
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Got a little sidetracked from “Dhalgren”, but I’ll go back to it next week. I’m really really really enjoying “Beauty Tips From Moosejaw” by Will Ferguson. Entertaining and insightful. No, that’s an understatement. At times hilarious, almost always funny, and educational throughout. When it’s not funny, it’s…I don’t know how to put it…human. Heavy. “Happiness” (another book by Mr. Ferguson) has been added to my wish list. If only I could just pack a bag and take off across this country. I feel like this book (and Neil Peart’s “Ghost Rider” and “Travelling Music”) have made me realize I’ve been snoring in ignorant slumber. There’s some gems of history and story in these books I’ve just mentioned. Go out and buy them. Especially if you’re Canadian.

Back to Work

Well, my script didn’t make it to the semi finals.

I was planning on getting back to the second draft of my novel, but there are some more screenwriting contests with deadlines coming up. So I’ve decided to get to work on revising my script.

Revisions are painful - I find - because of all the choices and fear of making the wrong choices. Do I change this, or that? Do I explore this character, or not?

Ok, not the best examples. Basically, a problem I had with the script for a while was the fact that there are two characters that are mentioned quite a bit, but only one of them shows up for a single scene early on in the first act. The other is never seen or heard from. I know, stupid. What was I thinking? So I’m leaning towards some changes that would…well, I guess this is dumb, but I’m gonna switch it up. But right now, it seems like the right move. I’m not just gonna switch those two characters around; I’m changing them so much that, hopefully, the hypothetical audience won’t need to see one since she’s inconsequential to the protagonist at this point in his life.

Another problem I had was I wasn’t sure if it was exciting enough. So I’m faced with the decision of whether or not to make some changes so I can insert some “action” scenes.

Choices. Whatever. Lack of specifics kind of makes this all difficult. I’m too lazy and am still insecure enough to shy away from getting specific. Some blog.

A few days before I got the latest results from the Script Magazine contest, I finished a rough draft of another script. That feels pretty good, even though the script is a mess. Figuratively, and literally; I write long hand so I gotta get it into the computer still. The revisions on that script are going to be extensive, yet not quite as nerve racking since I have no idea if any of it is working. But I have to admit to being indecisive about some routes I took in the story while I was writing it. Yeah, I’m a big wimp.

Been doing research online, for script number three that I hope to start in a month or so. It all depends on how I prioritize all this stuff. I gotta revise the two scripts I already got; the second being the most time consuming. I gotta send out a couple of short stories and get a couple of more into the computer so I can revise and send those out. Then there’s the novel….

I need a vacation, a life and a couple of more days added to the week.

Still digging Dhalgren. After that it’s Survival by Julie E. Czerneda.

I realize that to some, (if anyone is reading this) that the book lists below might seem a bit varied. It’s just what I’m interested in reading. I’m not trying to be showy; “Oh look at me! Look at the different books/authors I read!”. I hate that shit, and detest people who are like that. Hell, the only reason I put the list up on the blog was…well, I wanted to post something…….

It’s 3am, I’m exhausted, and I’m not making much sense. One of these days, I’ll write a post that’s coherent. Which means it’ll be written at a civilized hour.

This post brought to you while enjoying Robert Plant’s “Dreamland”.

The Cloud Atlas

Just finished the Cloud Atlas. Loved it. At times, lyrical and confessional. Both, a coming of age story, and a memoir of a life that felt – to the narrator – twice as long as it was. A spiritual book and yet….not. It was Spiritual in the sense of ones Spirit. What drives us? What makes us who we are? And all the while the characters ask those "Spiritual questions". (Is there a God? What or Whom, do I believe in?)

Don’t misunderstand me. This is no celestine prophecy. The questions the narrator is faced with are brought on by a boys confusion about the world (at war) he’s in, and an old man coming to grips with a buried secret. It didn’t feel like a spiritual book to me. It’s story was more…human.

These are thoughts swirling in my head at three thirty in the morning. I’ve tried to pluck them out and make some sense of them here. I’m probably not doing the book justice. (Now that I think about it, I’m sure that I’m not). Don’t take my word for it. At the very least, check it out at your local bookstore.

And Now…..Dhalgren
This is gonna be a trip. If you thought what I wrote above, about The Cloud Atlas, was confusing - or dumb – just wait till I finish Dhalgren and start going on about it at length here.

Books, Tunes and A Tired Mind

Still reading The Cloud Atlas. Great book. Not the book I thought it would be, story-wise.

Been putting off buying Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson ever since it came out. Not sure why. Finally picked it up today, in hardcover, before those first editions completely disappear. Don’t know when I’m gonna get to it. So I guess another list is called for. Man have I got some catching up to do.

1) Fortress of Solitude – Jonathan Lethem
2) Count Zero – William Gibson
3) As She Climbed Across the Table – Jonathan Lethem
4) Ship of Fools – Richard Paul Russo
5) Quicksilver – Neal Stephenson

Music. I’m outta touch with music, but it seems like the stuff on the radio is crap(mostly). Now that John Frusciante has put out his ‘six albums in six months’, I don’t know what I’m gonna look forward to. A new Three Fish album would be nice. Fiona Apple’s shelved album would be nice. (C’mon Sony, be adventurous!)

Anyhow, I’m beat. Tired, and not feeling very creative. Kinda drained. It was nice to go to the coffee shop and write tonight without, a) freezing my ass off, and b)not having to deal with weirdo’s who talk/laugh with themselves. The current script is coming along, but it’s a mess. I think it’s working ‘structurally’ (I could be wrong – probably am) but thematically….it’s weak. I’m finding that the lack of a precise, focused theme is giving the script it’s ‘messy’ feel. Got ideas on how to fix that, but nothing solid yet. I guess it’s a matter of me spending a night, or preferably an afternoon, thinking about what this thing is really about. (or to sound cliché; to think about what I’m really trying to say).

This post brought to you while revisiting Rain Tree Crow (self titled)

Well, I guess I just have to avoid costumes and tall buildings to live forever.

I will leap from a tall building in my superman constume



How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

I take it back.

I take it back.

A little while ago, I mentioned writing, and a screenplay I submitted to a contest sponsored by Miramax. When I mentioned this, I hinted at maybe the script was garbage and that it was being “puked over”. I know. Mature. This was me being negative about….well, me. And low and behold, I found out today that the script actually made it past the first round. Sure it’s one of 90 scripts to do so in the current competition, but that was in fact, what I hoped for in the least. I mean, if you can make it out of the slush pile, you’re on the right track. I’m not suggesting that I’m guaranteed to succeed. I was just looking to see if I was close to the mark. Is this something I can learn? Am I going in the right direction as far as trying to develop the skills needed to tell a story. (in this case, storytelling in the form of a screenplay). Making it past the first round tells me that I have in fact absorbed something from the classes I’ve taken. Which is what I needed, considering that the script I’m currently writing is a furball of a first draft. This “little victory” is a positive boost for me during those frustrating, lonely nights spent trying to write in a coffee shop with no heat.

Having said all that, I must stress that this Blog is by no means an example of my writing skills. I don’t spend time editing this. It’s off the cuff, it’s expression. Venting. Ranting and/or raving.

Speaking of raving……

I’m loving “The Cloud Atlas”, by Liam Callanan. It’s engrossing. I’m not that far into it, but I’m having trouble putting it down. The bus pulls up to my stop, and I’m disappointed I have to put the book away. (Sorry Mr. Callanan, but I won’t risk frostbite for any book). I’m at work and I’m looking forward to getting out so I can continue reading. (Holy shit that’s depressing. I need a life). I’ll probably go into greater detail about the book and why I think it’s great at a later date, after I finish it. So there. A rave. Something positive.

Test, Playlists and Rant

Ok, this is just a test since I changed some settings. For one thing, anyone can post comments now. And I can update via email. Why? I don’t know.

Ripped 3 FSOL albums (ISDN, Dead Cities, Lifeforms), a Download album (Effector), DVOA’s Piss Frond, and a couple of Synaesthesia albums (Desideraturn and Ephemeral). Just transferred them all to the player, but I’ll probably still end up listening to a Buckley or Frusciante album instead. Speaking of which, it’d be nice if the stupid HMV in Sherway Gardens would actually get albums on their release date. I realize Frusciante ain’t Britney or Justin, but c’mon. Are you a record store or a shit store. That’s what I get for being out in the bloody burbs. “Curtains” came out on Tuesday January 25^th, and it looks as though I’ll have to make the trip downtown to get it.

I remember when “DC EP” came out and some asshole at Music World in Sherway told me no store in Canada had any of Frusciante’s albums from the latest series and that I’d have to wait until a box set was released. I already had “Will to Death” and the Ataxia disc, so who did this prick think he was, telling me I’m wasting my time. Too bad they closed down, cause the rest of the staff there were cool.

Anyhow, I gotta get to work. Time to be a door mat for people with money.

Playlists and Reading

I’m thinkin’ of programming some playlists for the reading on the bus. Yeah. That’ll help. Sure.

“The Cloud Atlas” will be accompanied by “The Long Walk Home” by Peter Gabriel. An awesome soundtrack he did for “Rabbit Proof Fence”. (Which I’ll admit to not have seen…yet)

I’m wayyyy behind with electronic music. I like instrumental/ambient stuff for reading or writing, but what I have – however out of date – will have to do for when I get into “Dhalgren”. Thinkin’ I’ll make a mix of Future Sound of London, Synesthesia, and some of the more sedate tunes from Autechre (“Bike” comes to mind) and Aphex Twin (“Rhubarb” from “Selected Ambient Works, Vol 2”). That kinda stuff seems to fit the bizarre world of “Dhalgren”. And I’ll have to toss in some Dead Voices On Air, from the only album I got of his (Piss Frond).

Any suggestions?

Awe....no time...poor baby

And I’ve been racking my brains trying to come up with a theme for this Blog. What’s the point? Have you seen what people put up on these things? Still wanna come up with a name for the site though.

Anyhow. Kinda disappointed with how I spend my time. I mean sure, I get stuff done. I’m writing. Have I mentioned that yet? Got a rough draft of a novel, a few short stories and a screenplay currently being puked over at a competition sponsored by Miramax. I get stuff done, but as an aspiring writer, I should also be doing a ton of reading. Makes sense, right? But there doesn’t seem to be time, unless I read on the bus on the way to work. (I take three buses to get to work) But sometimes that makes me feel sick. How pathetic and lame is that? Pretty damn pathetic.

Well, that’s it. I guess I gotta make the time, somehow. On my reading plate:
1) The Cloud Atlas - Liam Callanan
2) Dhalgren - Samuel R. Delany
3) Survival - Julie E Czerneda
4) Iron Council - China Mieville
5) Valis – Philip K. Dick
6) Cat’s Crossing - Bill Cameron
7) Pale Fire - Vladimir Nabokov

Let’s see if I can read one a week. Har.

Nameless and Useless

Getting a sense of what I want on the website that this here Blog will be moved to. Got the list of pages done, but the inclusion of an “Images” page is up in the air. Biggest problem is trying to come up with a name.
1) Website
2) Nobody cares but everyone’s doin’ it anyway
3) Dan’s Site
4) Ebay.com
5) I like to be sued.org
Oh I guess it doesn’t matter. Not like I’m gonna get a domain any time soon.

This post brought to you while revisiting “Asleep In The Back” by Elbow.

Who’s your DJ? (a dumb post - #1)

I love my MP3 player. (I only got it recently)
A cool thing I discovered the other day was, stumbling onto great mixes that I hadn’t really considered before. For example: I was queuing up some tracks from “Shine A Light” by The Constantines, and decided to follow those tracks with a few songs by Fugazi, off their “Red Medicine” album. It KICKED ASS.

Of course I forgot to save that playlist, but another cool thing is, it’s painless to recreate it.

My brain feels like jelly.

Anew

Here we go......
January 20, 2005.
Just got over a deadly viral infection and am preparing to re-enter the seedy corporate world, covertly of course. My enemies will not be pleased that I survived thier latest attempt on my life. And using bio weapons!! Ha! I'm stronger than they thought.

My excursions into the dangerous world of "brands" and stupid abbreviations will be documented here, on my digital, global tracking, networkable, Journalizer 2005SE!
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I got over the bloody flu. I go back to work today. I started a Blog.