WHY IS IT?

Why is it that if I sit down at the computer to draw or do anything mindless, the house is quiet BUT the minute I try sitting down to write, the house explodes in a mass of sound and chaos!?!?

A good nigth for writing..

Tonight I listened to the Darkness Aftermath soundtrack as I wrote six new pages to book three. I'm sorta excited about the fact that I'm not copying the original hard copy of book three...there are some scenes that need to be copied from the original text, but this new stuff is really exciting!

Star Wars FLASHBACK

So there I was, minding my own business when ANDREW posted some images of the soon to be re-released Star Wars comics from my youth. I tracked down some of the covers and had a great laugh.

"Here I stand tho I may die...with the wrong colored lightsaber in my hand!"



And of course there was this gem. I remember being very upset when the comics went from 35 cents to 40 cents!



"Aren't you a bit TALL for a storm trooper? How did this wind up a cover. And why didn't Leah just click her ruby red shoes together to get out of this mess.
Comics went up another nickel and almost broke me!

What to do...what to do...

As I've been rewriting the third story, I've found that there are several areas that really need the original writing. So, it looks as if I am going to have to scan in those pages because I have such a difficult time reading from the written page and typing at the same time.

GRRR ARRG.

Not horrible, but not great...

Marcher Lord Press is not ready to take my manuscript. They did, however, call the story FASCINATING and they would like to have it (maybe) at a later date when they release their second wave of books. It seems that they already had a SCI FI story and a Fantasy story and they were looking for a different story for their first release. Can't fault them on that. At least they were professional and responded quickly...unlike other places I have sent my manuscript to...so let's hear a cheer for Marcher Lord Press and hope that they succeed! I might one day be with them!

Multi-tasking

I'm editing and writing...While the footage slowly loads onto my dinosaur-like computer, I'm writing part for of the Entropy Gate series. Then, once it's up, I edit. Tonight I edited the fight with Danielle and Brittany and now I am working on the confrontation between Norfleet (Granes) and Danielle (Gwen).

More writing...

I've been writing book three...or rewriting it. There are some definite bits that I know I can not improve upon and they will be typed in from the hard copy (which is the only copy left).

Also of note, we (my theater and art troupe of special needs children and young adults) made the front page of our news paper ABOVE THE FOLD, baby!

Check it out here.

Our Pianist made it into 4 photos and I...I am no where to be seen...

I'd like to be editing the film or writing...but...
I still have tomorrow's lecture on Roman art to finish and I just spent two hours working on the gutters and downspouts on our house. Its a two story monster (about 90 years old) and slowly dying. I'm covered in rotted roofing shingles because the Amish who 'patched' our roof filled the gutters and it fell on me covering me in, well, rotted roofing shingles.

Last night after editing the movie some more, I worked on book three! I've decided to drop the original story and work from scratch.

Okay...shooting on the film DARKNESS AFTERMATH is done so I can now focus on the books.

I haven't been posting lately because I haven't been editing. Well, sort of. I only have book three of the series on paper. Somehow it got lost in the transition from one computer to another. So I've been reading the third story at night and part of me says, "Scan it in and edit it" while another part says, "Dump it and start fresh."

Not sure what to do...

This should be cool...if you're at all familiar with my (and it's not just mine) theory that the even numbered Star Trek episodes are better than the odd numbered ones (until NEMISIS) then the following might be a chance to reverse the "Odd Numbered Curse"...

SOURCE - SCI FI WIRE:

Ending months of speculation, J.J. Abrams signed on to direct the next installment of the Star Trek feature-film franchise, sources told The Hollywood Reporter late on Feb. 23. Rumors had been circulating that Abrams, who is also co-writing and producing Star Trek XI, may have decided not to helm the film.

But the trade paper confirmed that Abrams will helm Star Trek XI, which it added will revolve around a young James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, chronicling their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and their first space mission. Abrams and Paramount have declined to confirm that version of the supposed story.

Abrams is the prolific co-creator/executive producer of ABC's Lost and directed Mission: Impossible III. He has been developing Star Trek XI through his Paramount-based Bad Robot production company. Abrams reportedly committed to directing the project only as of Friday evening, when the deal was finalized, sources told the trade paper.

Just got off the phone with Becky from church. She finished reading book two Of the series and gave it 'thumbs up'. One of my concerns in writing Science Fiction was that I not isolate women. I've known several women who like Star Wars or Star Trek or Firefly or Galactica...but I wanted to make sure that my stuff was 'women-friendly' and according to Becky, it is. Becky is a very well read woman of plus 30 age and she has read all of Denise's works (and, like myself, loves Denise's writing). So for her to like my stories, I'm flattered! Book two is edited...on to book three...

Well, today was my birthday, even tho we celebrated over the weekend with the arrival of a WACOM. It's been fun to use. Anyway, my birthday went off as usual and I shall chronicle it here. First off, one of the places I work always gives out birthday cards to the profs and instructors in the department. For the fifth year in a row, they have neglected to give me a card.

But the cool thing is the dinner. Every year I request the same thing and my fantastic wife comes through. Here is the menu...

Steak (marinaded in wine, soy sauce and Italian Dressing for several hours). I then cook it to a rare, reddish color (basically I walk the steak to the back yard and wave it in front of the grill). There is salad. I also have a bottle of Cabernet. And of course there is freshly baked bread. But the final touch is the home made Blueberry cream pie. OH YES!!! Turning 40 aint so bad!

Last Tuesday I started feeling bad...actually, the feeling started on Sunday, but I have a tendency to ignore illness, pain, small badgers, whatever...so I trudged ahead. But then, Tuesday I had no coffee...because it didn't sound good. That should have been my first warning. Then, no appetite. Then high fevers 102, 103,...sweats, cold spells, a desire to watch Bob Ross! It was maddening! From Tuesday night to Friday night I slept only for short spurts of time (a spurt being increments of 5-7 minutes). So at one time I had slept for many spurts...that would be one and a half hours. That was the most at one time. I became cranky and irritable. Yes, there is a significant difference between the two.

Horizon...cue sunrise music...

Today we celebrated my 40th birthday a few days early and my wonderful wife surprised me with a WACOM tablet. If this means nothing to you, don't worry...but if you understand what a WACOM is, well, let me tell you, it's a 6 x 8 in and it has all the bells and whistles a guy could hope for! Once my computer gets upgraded (Monday by my brother) the artwork should come spewing forth!

ps. Kristi-the-fantastic (as I shall call her now) also got me FIREFLY the DVD box set for Valentines day! Be envious!

Some of you have asked about the Jesters...I', the director of a theater troupe of special needs children and young adults at the University of Saint Francis. This year I wrote a musical called "Come in Out of the Rain". It's a take on the whole 'film noir' / Bogart and Bacall...thing. Her is the poster we just got from friend/fellow instructor Alan Nauts.

Just got off the phone with B. She finished the final draft of Book One. She's eager for Book Two. I've got to really get crankin' on the editing. She's hoping for the second one by Sunday.

Last night I had some more editing time. I am just about done with book two. I've got a few people lined up to read it as well.

Last night on the way home from the in-laws, Kristi and I saw a 'shooting star'. It had orange and green fire in it's tail and it was close.

This morning I read this on one of the on line newspapers I visit.

Spectacle in Midwestern sky was probably meteor, military says

02/05/2007

Scores of people all over the central United States reported seeing flames and fiery explosions in the sky Sunday night.

Calls flooded 911 operators and area police departments, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. Callers described the spectacle in various ways, some saying it looked like a plane crash and others calling it a ball of fire in the sky.

A preliminary report Sunday indicated that the lights were from a meteor, said Maj. April Cunningham, a spokeswoman for North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, which watches for airborne threats to the United States and Canada.

"We had a pilot reporting seeing a meteor, and that's really all the information we have tonight," Cunningham said.

The patrol forwarded the information to the Federal Aviation Administration and had no reports of damage or landings from the potential meteor or space debris.

"CURSE YOU PLASTIC MOLDSMEN!!!"

My boys got a "Pirates of the Caribbean" plastic "BLACK PEARL" boat for Christmas...it has lots of parts that attach to it like legos. Well one of the parts is the top of a lantern that comes to a sharp point. I stepped on that yesterday and it went deep into my foot.


(I only tell this story so that I can use the quote from OVER THE HEDGE...)

Apparently I activated comment moderation on this blog and there were several comments that had not shown up from the past...because I didn't know they were there. I have rectified the problem and the comments are now showing. I was beginning to think that no one was visiting here any more.

Currently...editing book two. Haven't painted since the coffee show. I have been drawing daily, however.

Well, back to editing.

currently editing...currently listening to "Last of the Mohicans" soundtrack, Led Zeppelin CLASSICAL COMP, and Kate Bush!

I like Science fiction...a lot! But this is weirder than some of the aliens I've seen in movies. AND IT'S REAL!!! It's a frilled Shark. And it is just one MORE reason why I don't go into large bodies of water.

writing, writing, writing...

a desk top image for the web page...

I had a rare chance to edit for three hours tonight...I listened to KASHMIR - symphonic Led Zeppelin and "The Last of the Mohicans" Sound track...tres cool stuff. I've been working on book two...I am so excited about the series!


But enough about that...if you have the chance to get Last of the Mohicans soundtrack BUY IT!!! Tracks 1,2,3,6,10,16 is some of the most inspiring stuff you'll ever hear...

This has nothing to do with writing...however, when my wife asks me why I won't swim in the ocean...well, I think this picture sums up my reasons...

Yummy. Art and writing takes energy.

I've been busy editing and drawing. I've got a new drawing of Silla in the works.

I'm extremely excited about book two...it is really getting better the more I edit it.

Me at the GRIND COFFEE HOUSE.

ever have one of those days when you're too tired to go to bed and you could just fall alseep in your chair...I'm so there...

I had my opening at the GRIND coffee house...I can't believe I actually filled the place with art and people...after the weeks I've had. What was really crazy was that this afternoon I realized there was a blank spot on the wall of the coffee shop and I actually cranked out a drawing in "Rattle and Hum" the DVD time (I started the drawing at the beginning of the DVD and finished it during the credits). It's one of my faves...I'll take photo's this week and post. I've had no sleep.

just found out that several drawings I planned to display at the GRIND show were ruined when our basement (and my studio) flooded...sigh...