This has been fun...however, as I was discussing "fantasy casting" with a friend, I was altering an image of Bijou Philips (who John thought would be good as Silla) and it occured to me that one of the things I wanted on the main site was a "fan" gallery...yes, yes, I know, Jakes graphic novel isn't even up yet. I'M WORKING ON IT!!! sorry...long day at work...haven't been writing...must write...must make art...must breath...must stop writing as if intending...William...Shater...reading...my blog to a...host of...eager...young...trekkers. Okay...so I'm accepting images from you people of original drawings, painting, etc... (yes, altered photoshop images are okay as long as you reference your sources!)...when I recieve enough I'll make a gallery to display them. Also, the gallery of my art will be undergoing some changes as I have added several images to the "world of Entropy Gate". I will also have images of the book signing that I'll post after this weekend. Look for them on Monday!
Later...time to paint!
Friday, March 07, 2003
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
Movie time
Some one asked me once..."who would play your characters if ENTROPY GATE was made into a movie?" I'm not sure...If you've read the book, you may have an idea...
Copy and paste with your input.
Chen Mui
Michael Conelly
David Franke
Senator Grace Monical
Don Mui
Will Kensel
Artimus
Abigail
Scrap
Silla
Derek Shelby
Jorgen Rousen
others?
Some one asked me once..."who would play your characters if ENTROPY GATE was made into a movie?" I'm not sure...If you've read the book, you may have an idea...
Copy and paste with your input.
Chen Mui
Michael Conelly
David Franke
Senator Grace Monical
Don Mui
Will Kensel
Artimus
Abigail
Scrap
Silla
Derek Shelby
Jorgen Rousen
others?
God and Science Fiction part two
In one of my favorite episodes of Babylon 5, a Monk is asked by the Mimbari Ambassador what is the most important part of his religion. The Monk thinks it over briefly and then replies that it is the point in time where Jesus is in the garden of Gesthemene and he hears the men approaching to take him away to be brutally tortured and killed. The Monk goes on to speak of temptation and faith and courage...it's an amazing speech that he gives, but what is even more amazing is that the story was written by J. Michael Straczynski...an atheist!
I had become so sick and tired of "Christians" being the bad guys on TV and movies that it came as a bit of a shock when I saw that episode and realized that Christianity was not being lampooned, distorted or put down. I can think of several movies, and I bet you can too, where the villain is a "Christian". The real shame is that some of the movies are really entertaining...or at least they could be if it wasn't for the fact that my beliefs are the driving force behind the villain's insanity, his killing sprees or his megalomania.
So here's the way I look at it. I very easily could have written a novel that had no mention of God or any of my beliefs. I could have had the heroes be brave men and women who continually beat the odds and the bad guys because they are resilient and strong and powerful and...well, you get the idea. But that's not me. That's not the way I try to live my life. If JMS can write such an honest and insightful story about my beliefs, can't I at least attempt to do the same?
In one of my favorite episodes of Babylon 5, a Monk is asked by the Mimbari Ambassador what is the most important part of his religion. The Monk thinks it over briefly and then replies that it is the point in time where Jesus is in the garden of Gesthemene and he hears the men approaching to take him away to be brutally tortured and killed. The Monk goes on to speak of temptation and faith and courage...it's an amazing speech that he gives, but what is even more amazing is that the story was written by J. Michael Straczynski...an atheist!
I had become so sick and tired of "Christians" being the bad guys on TV and movies that it came as a bit of a shock when I saw that episode and realized that Christianity was not being lampooned, distorted or put down. I can think of several movies, and I bet you can too, where the villain is a "Christian". The real shame is that some of the movies are really entertaining...or at least they could be if it wasn't for the fact that my beliefs are the driving force behind the villain's insanity, his killing sprees or his megalomania.
So here's the way I look at it. I very easily could have written a novel that had no mention of God or any of my beliefs. I could have had the heroes be brave men and women who continually beat the odds and the bad guys because they are resilient and strong and powerful and...well, you get the idea. But that's not me. That's not the way I try to live my life. If JMS can write such an honest and insightful story about my beliefs, can't I at least attempt to do the same?
Saturday, March 01, 2003
I have assembled the work for the Mocha Room show and it goes as follows...
1. Abigail (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
2. la Mort de la Lumier (a poster for the ballet that David Franke’s wife performed in New Orleans)
3. Michael Connelly (finally)
4. Artimus (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
5. Will Kensel (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
6. Abigail in Rain (just finished it tonight)
7. Chen Mui 1 (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
8. Chen Mui 2 (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
9. Silla (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
10. Sister (from a story told by Silla in EG2)
11. Jerrod (the leader of a group of renegade hyclones in EG3)
12. The Minister (a mysterious “preacher-man” who appears in EG3)
1. Abigail (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
2. la Mort de la Lumier (a poster for the ballet that David Franke’s wife performed in New Orleans)
3. Michael Connelly (finally)
4. Artimus (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
5. Will Kensel (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
6. Abigail in Rain (just finished it tonight)
7. Chen Mui 1 (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
8. Chen Mui 2 (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
9. Silla (as seen at the gallery section of the web page)
10. Sister (from a story told by Silla in EG2)
11. Jerrod (the leader of a group of renegade hyclones in EG3)
12. The Minister (a mysterious “preacher-man” who appears in EG3)
Thursday, February 27, 2003
I'M STILL WRITING!!
I had a few people get concerned when they heard about the CD and the broken finger and the artwork and my job...don't worry, I'm still working furiously on Entropy Gate - Beyond. The music was created last year...I didn't spend that much time putting it together. The finger is doing much better (a finger brace and vicadin seems to be doing the trick...in fact I've gone two days without the brace) The artwork I usually do between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am (most of my writing is during lunch or early in the morning) and my job...well...pressure is easing up and spring break is nearing!
I had a few people get concerned when they heard about the CD and the broken finger and the artwork and my job...don't worry, I'm still working furiously on Entropy Gate - Beyond. The music was created last year...I didn't spend that much time putting it together. The finger is doing much better (a finger brace and vicadin seems to be doing the trick...in fact I've gone two days without the brace) The artwork I usually do between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am (most of my writing is during lunch or early in the morning) and my job...well...pressure is easing up and spring break is nearing!
God and Science Fiction part one
Katy asked why I didn’t include Star Trek in my top 10 items that inspired me with my book…I was already planning on giving a detailed post as to why Star Wars and not Star Trek, but her question has caused me to post now instead of this weekend as intended.
First and foremost let me state that I like Star Trek a LOT! With the exception of the latest I have seen every Star Trek movie in the theater with my father. My job got crazy and by the time things mellowed out it was gone…I have high hopes that it will return to one of the dollar cinemas or the Cinema Grill (more on those two places later).
At the heart of the four Entropy Gate books is religion. Not just my own (Christianity) but many religions. In my stories, there are true followers of Christ’s teachings and there are those who distort the teachings. There are atheists and there are fanatics (just wait until book two for some wild ones) that are sprinkled throughout. In fact, one of my favorite characters in the story is David Franke…he just happens to be an atheist. So yeah, I wanted religion to be a strong component in the book…
Which leads me to Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, etc…In Star Wars, there is a god-like-oversoul-powerthinging-that “surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together,” to quote Yoda. And it gets people thinking about good and evil, religion and God. That’s cool! In Dune we see radical fanaticism surrounding the prophecy of a messiah who would lead the Fremen on their Jihad. And boy do things get wacky there…worm worship, Spice parties, death, destruction, religious hysteria, you name it! But in Star Trek we have…what? Man has accomplished so much on his own and is (to quote Patrick Stewart’s Captain quoting Shakespeare) “how like a god!” Trek is all about man’s accomplishments on his own. The only time we see religion is when it is used to control a group or race of naïve people. Star Trek rocks, but there isn’t a spiritual side to it that inspired me like Dune and Star Wars did.
Katy asked why I didn’t include Star Trek in my top 10 items that inspired me with my book…I was already planning on giving a detailed post as to why Star Wars and not Star Trek, but her question has caused me to post now instead of this weekend as intended.
First and foremost let me state that I like Star Trek a LOT! With the exception of the latest I have seen every Star Trek movie in the theater with my father. My job got crazy and by the time things mellowed out it was gone…I have high hopes that it will return to one of the dollar cinemas or the Cinema Grill (more on those two places later).
At the heart of the four Entropy Gate books is religion. Not just my own (Christianity) but many religions. In my stories, there are true followers of Christ’s teachings and there are those who distort the teachings. There are atheists and there are fanatics (just wait until book two for some wild ones) that are sprinkled throughout. In fact, one of my favorite characters in the story is David Franke…he just happens to be an atheist. So yeah, I wanted religion to be a strong component in the book…
Which leads me to Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, etc…In Star Wars, there is a god-like-oversoul-powerthinging-that “surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together,” to quote Yoda. And it gets people thinking about good and evil, religion and God. That’s cool! In Dune we see radical fanaticism surrounding the prophecy of a messiah who would lead the Fremen on their Jihad. And boy do things get wacky there…worm worship, Spice parties, death, destruction, religious hysteria, you name it! But in Star Trek we have…what? Man has accomplished so much on his own and is (to quote Patrick Stewart’s Captain quoting Shakespeare) “how like a god!” Trek is all about man’s accomplishments on his own. The only time we see religion is when it is used to control a group or race of naïve people. Star Trek rocks, but there isn’t a spiritual side to it that inspired me like Dune and Star Wars did.
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Monday, February 24, 2003
Comic book stuff...
As a teacher, I always like to see what is inspiring my students. Well this morning one of my students had a comic book called "Alita-Battle Angel - Last Order". The artwork is fantastic and the story is enjoyable. But I was struck by something...one of the characters is named David Frank...and in my book one of the characters is named David Franke...just a curious sort of thing.
As a teacher, I always like to see what is inspiring my students. Well this morning one of my students had a comic book called "Alita-Battle Angel - Last Order". The artwork is fantastic and the story is enjoyable. But I was struck by something...one of the characters is named David Frank...and in my book one of the characters is named David Franke...just a curious sort of thing.
Friday, February 21, 2003
Thursday, February 20, 2003
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?
I just finished the last mix of the Entropy Gate CD...it will be on sale (for the first time) at the Mocha Room in Decatur during my show and book signing. So what is the CD? you might ask...it's a collection of songs that I wrote to keep me on track when I was working on the first book. The CDs have 20 songs and will sell for $6.00.
I just finished the last mix of the Entropy Gate CD...it will be on sale (for the first time) at the Mocha Room in Decatur during my show and book signing. So what is the CD? you might ask...it's a collection of songs that I wrote to keep me on track when I was working on the first book. The CDs have 20 songs and will sell for $6.00.
Monday, February 17, 2003
Top 10 things that inspired me (creatively) as I wrote Entropy Gate
1. My wife
2. My father who got me hooked on Science Fiction
3. Babylon 5
4. Music by Christopher Franke
5. Images from the Hubble
6. Those who were reading the manuscript daily and urging me to continue
7. The artwork I was producing based on the story
8. Directors commentaries on DVDs...it's great to hear how other creative minds work
9. Star Wars
10. Dune (the books)
1. My wife
2. My father who got me hooked on Science Fiction
3. Babylon 5
4. Music by Christopher Franke
5. Images from the Hubble
6. Those who were reading the manuscript daily and urging me to continue
7. The artwork I was producing based on the story
8. Directors commentaries on DVDs...it's great to hear how other creative minds work
9. Star Wars
10. Dune (the books)
Sunday, February 16, 2003
DEEP BREATH
Exhale...the performance is over and it was a huge success!
So now it's time to get back to promoting my book and artwork. We are still waiting for the second shipment of books (they are about a week late) and I have already sold 15 from that bunch. We'll be contacting some other publishers in the next week or so to see if we can start getting the book in stores. Tonight seems like a good night to get into the studio and I have some paper all ready to go. And speaking of paper...someone asked me the other day what kind of paper I use. Since I'm using oil pastels with a paint thinner wash, the color soaks into the paper and the only way to erase is with sand paper. I needed something strong and thick and have found that Strathmore 3ply bristol with a vellum surface is about the best. I get my paper and most of my supplies at United Art and Education. More on that later...
Exhale...the performance is over and it was a huge success!
So now it's time to get back to promoting my book and artwork. We are still waiting for the second shipment of books (they are about a week late) and I have already sold 15 from that bunch. We'll be contacting some other publishers in the next week or so to see if we can start getting the book in stores. Tonight seems like a good night to get into the studio and I have some paper all ready to go. And speaking of paper...someone asked me the other day what kind of paper I use. Since I'm using oil pastels with a paint thinner wash, the color soaks into the paper and the only way to erase is with sand paper. I needed something strong and thick and have found that Strathmore 3ply bristol with a vellum surface is about the best. I get my paper and most of my supplies at United Art and Education. More on that later...
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Things are a bit crazy right now...
I haven't posted in a while because this weekend is our big performance. What big performance you might ask? The JESTERS performance of "Dr. Watson's Amazing Detective School"...that performance. The JESTERS are a group of children-with-special-needs who perform musicals. This musical is the nineth play that I have written and the eighth one to be performed. The JESTERS are performing this weekend at the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, Indiana) to a sold out theater. However, on March 23, they will be performing again at the EMBASSY in downtown Fort Wayne. I will have more updates and links in the following days.
ENTROPY UP DATE
Sunday Feb. 16th I will begin a massive promo campaign for the book as we eagerly await the second run of 100. We already have sold 15 from the second run and that is without any real promoting.
I haven't posted in a while because this weekend is our big performance. What big performance you might ask? The JESTERS performance of "Dr. Watson's Amazing Detective School"...that performance. The JESTERS are a group of children-with-special-needs who perform musicals. This musical is the nineth play that I have written and the eighth one to be performed. The JESTERS are performing this weekend at the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, Indiana) to a sold out theater. However, on March 23, they will be performing again at the EMBASSY in downtown Fort Wayne. I will have more updates and links in the following days.
ENTROPY UP DATE
Sunday Feb. 16th I will begin a massive promo campaign for the book as we eagerly await the second run of 100. We already have sold 15 from the second run and that is without any real promoting.
Sunday, February 09, 2003
KIND OF CREEPY...ISN'T IT?
My wife was looking at the ART PAGEand stated that Silla looked kind of creepy...like she was sick or something. Well, for those of you who have ready the book you should know why she might look "ill" in EG - Beyond. If you haven't finished reading the first book, read no further...spoiler alert...since Silla, Michael, Derek and Mitchum all have "entropy syndrome" they all experience some sickness, though Silla experiences much more than the others because of who she is...biologically that is. Her biology and origins will play a major part in Beyond.
My wife was looking at the ART PAGEand stated that Silla looked kind of creepy...like she was sick or something. Well, for those of you who have ready the book you should know why she might look "ill" in EG - Beyond. If you haven't finished reading the first book, read no further...spoiler alert...since Silla, Michael, Derek and Mitchum all have "entropy syndrome" they all experience some sickness, though Silla experiences much more than the others because of who she is...biologically that is. Her biology and origins will play a major part in Beyond.
Saturday, February 08, 2003
Friday, February 07, 2003
ART PAGE
Okay...I've added to the web page and you can link directly to the new ART PAGE. This will be an ongoing feature that will keep those-of-you-who-want-to-know updated on "Entropy Gate" art work.
Okay...I've added to the web page and you can link directly to the new ART PAGE. This will be an ongoing feature that will keep those-of-you-who-want-to-know updated on "Entropy Gate" art work.
NEW ART
I am working on a page that will be devoted to new "Entropy Gate Art". I am also working on a "fan" page as well, though I imagine it will be a while before that takes off. Also, for those of you who have asked, Jake's graphic novel will be posted towards the end of Feb. Go here to check out the title page...
I am working on a page that will be devoted to new "Entropy Gate Art". I am also working on a "fan" page as well, though I imagine it will be a while before that takes off. Also, for those of you who have asked, Jake's graphic novel will be posted towards the end of Feb. Go here to check out the title page...
SELF PUBLISHING
This is a great company for self publishing. They are quick, professional and easy to work with. If you have ever thought about selp publishing, give them a look.
This is a great company for self publishing. They are quick, professional and easy to work with. If you have ever thought about selp publishing, give them a look.
Thursday, February 06, 2003
OLD ART
There are six paintings in the gallery that will be on display in March at the Mocha Room in Decatur, Indiana. I have a total of 15 in the series and I'll be adding to the gallery shortly. By the way, all of the paintings are for sale.
There are six paintings in the gallery that will be on display in March at the Mocha Room in Decatur, Indiana. I have a total of 15 in the series and I'll be adding to the gallery shortly. By the way, all of the paintings are for sale.
Wednesday, February 05, 2003
Well now...that was odd...
I came across the original first few chapters of EG-J...wow-glad I changed everything...Chen was not a member of S.E.R.F., but an explorer who was looking into myths (i.e. lara croft/indiana jones) and was checking out the site of the Ark...Noah's...not the one in "Raiders"...anyhow, she's freezing herself on mount Arat (did I spell that right) when she gets a call that she is needed on the Orca to help solve a mystery on Venus...her second passion is Venus geology...Michael wasn't even a priest and David is actually the captain of the Orca. I think I like the new version much better...but hey, I had to start somewhere...
I came across the original first few chapters of EG-J...wow-glad I changed everything...Chen was not a member of S.E.R.F., but an explorer who was looking into myths (i.e. lara croft/indiana jones) and was checking out the site of the Ark...Noah's...not the one in "Raiders"...anyhow, she's freezing herself on mount Arat (did I spell that right) when she gets a call that she is needed on the Orca to help solve a mystery on Venus...her second passion is Venus geology...Michael wasn't even a priest and David is actually the captain of the Orca. I think I like the new version much better...but hey, I had to start somewhere...
NEW ART and CHAPTER ONE
For those of you who were asking (through the web site feedback)...there will be some new wall paper designs soon...if all goes as planned. I have a few designs for "Entropy Gate - Beyond", but I think I'll hang on to those a little longer. There is a chance that I might post Chapter One of EG - B very soon just to let you know what direction it takes...remember, I said a "chance"...I'm still not sure if it's a good idea.
For those of you who were asking (through the web site feedback)...there will be some new wall paper designs soon...if all goes as planned. I have a few designs for "Entropy Gate - Beyond", but I think I'll hang on to those a little longer. There is a chance that I might post Chapter One of EG - B very soon just to let you know what direction it takes...remember, I said a "chance"...I'm still not sure if it's a good idea.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Well...We have ordered another 100 copies. The sales are going much better than expected!!! So far, the most interesting (and furthest we'll have to ship a copy) is to the Italian artist Allesandro Bavari...who, well, resides in Italy. He has requested a copy of the novel...anyone know how to convert twelve American dollars into Italian...what, Euros? Anyway, feedback has been positive, sales happenin' and I'm getting the urge to create some more artwork based on the series...I'd better since the show is coming up soon.
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Just the other day someone asked how many books we had sold...as of today (1/28/03) we have sold 90 copies. We started selling on 1/15/03! Needless to say I am a little excited...Also...coming in March...I will be having a showing of my "Entropy Gate" inspired art work at the MOCHA ROOM (a very cool coffee shop) in (of all places) Decatur, Indiana. I should have about ten original paintings and some work from the VOW OF THE SWORD artist Jake. I will be signing copies of the book, though I'm not sure of the exact date yet. If all goes as planned I will have some of the "Entropy Gate" inspired music for sale as well.
For those of you who have read through Entropy Gate - Journey...yes, I am aware that there were some spelling errors...I have a great deal of respect for professional editors and now I understand why they charge so much. Well...errors aside, I hope you enjoyed the story. I am currently editting the follow-up ENTROPY GATE - BEYOND. Though my site says the release date is Jan 2004, I have high hopes that it will be out much sooner! Those of you who have asked me about the graphic-novel-web-story-illustrated...uh...story things...(what should I call them?)...well I just got the first part of VOW OF THE SWORD. What a rush. The artist is incredible and by Wed. 29 I hope to have a sample of his work on the site. It should be ready to go by mid Feb. Hang in there Katy!
All right...I had this up before but I accidently erased it. I plan to use this blog as a place to discuss:
1) My novel, Entropy Gate - Journey (for more info on that go to entropygate.com)
2) Art work (based on the novel as well as other works).
3) Selp publishing.
4) Writing in general.
As soon as a figure out how to set up a comment and reply on this blog, I'll do so and we can banter...
1) My novel, Entropy Gate - Journey (for more info on that go to entropygate.com)
2) Art work (based on the novel as well as other works).
3) Selp publishing.
4) Writing in general.
As soon as a figure out how to set up a comment and reply on this blog, I'll do so and we can banter...
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