Not a long one today, but an important one:

No matter which lever you pull at the booths, make sure you vote tomorrow!Not a long one today, but an important one:

No matter which lever you pull at the booths, make sure you vote tomorrow!

Okay gang, at the end of the last newsletter I gave hints about a special Halloween debut that would knock your socks off. Well, as you’ll see in a minute, while I’m feverishly writing away on [i]Crossline,[/i] I’ve been busy, busy, busy with some [i]Finders Keepers[/i] promotional materials I think you are just going to get a kick out of:

* One of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years marketing-wise–mostly from partner-in-crime Rich Henn–is that to help sell a novel or comic-booOkay gang, at the end of the last newsletter I gave hints about a special Halloween debut that would knock your socks off. Well, as you’ll see in a minute, while I’m feverishly writing away on [i]Crossline,[/i] I’ve been busy, busy, busy with some [i]Finders Keepers[/i] promotional materials I think you are just going to get a kick out of:

* One of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years marketing-wise–mostly from partner-in-crime Rich Henn–is that to help sell a novel or comic-book project to the Hollywood crowd, you need to have a movie trailer of sorts. Yep. You heard right. Movie. Trailer. And now, after a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, you are officially invited to the World Premiere of the [i]Finders Keepers[/i] [u][b]animated movie trailer! [/b][/u]

Thanks to comic book creator and digital master Jason Yungbluth (www.whatisdeepfried.com), the [i]Finders Keepers[/i] animated movie trailer just kicks butt. We discussed the core plot points and I supplied him with Michael Lunsford’s illustrations, and then after some intense pow-wow sessions between us, Jason just made it explode.

Just to clarify, my goal with this trailer is to promote Finders Keepers to [b][u]Hollywood[/u][/b] producers, hoping to snag a movie deal. So when you watch this animated trailer, keep in mind that we took some creative license with the book’s plot and focus to show Hollywood what the [i]Finders Keepers[/i] [b][u]live action movie [/u][/b]could look like. The trailer plays up the fantasy angle of the story more than actually takes place in the novel, and we rejiggered the plot sequence and focus a bit to consolidate the video narrative. There’s a lot of goofy stuff going on in the novel, and we had to boil it down to 90 seconds for the trailer.

OK. Now that you’ve been sufficiently primed, go check out the [i]Finders Keepers[/i] animated movie trailer! Just go to my Web site (www.findersk.com), and scroll down a little on the home page (it’s beneath the art). You’ll see black box with a Big Red Button in the middle. Click that baby, turn up the volume, and enjoy!

* The convention season has pretty much wrapped up for 2008, and I’ve got the pictures to prove it! Last month I attended the Baltimore Comic-Con with partners-in-crime Rich Henn, Rich Koslowski and Jim Chambers, and a good time was had by all. Not only did I talk up a storm about Finders Keepers at the convention, but a bunch of us comic book types gathered at the Henn house afterwards for beer, food, comics, martinis … and a big pig (read my blogs from Sept. 29 and 30 to find out more).

For Baltimore Comic-Con pics … and some pig roast photos … check out the PHOTOS section on my web site, and you’ll see what nonsense we got up to.

* And for this issue’s spotlight, if you’re into detective thrillers, check out the creepy stylings of Thomas O’Callaghan, a very good guy and quality writer I met at ThrillerFest a while back. He is the critically-acclaimed author of [i]The Screaming Room[/i] and [i]Bone Thief[/i], which have been translated into various languages across the globe (with a movie version on the way). So if a good, creepy murder is up your alley, Thomas O’Callaghan is your man. http://www.thomasocallaghan.com/

That’s all the news that’s fit to print for this edition. If you haven’t already, check out the [i]Finders Keepers [/i]animated movie trailer, and next time I’ll have more news I’ve been holding back for a fun little surprise …

Till next time!

Last weekend I was in Manhattan, and took the subway home back into Queens. It was Saturday afternoon, about 5 o’clock, and had about an hour’s trip ahead.

I boarded the Queens-bound F train at the West 4th Street stop, and while the subway car wasn’t completely mobbed, it was reasonably crowded, and not tons of empty seats. Still, sitting is almost always better than standing, especially on a long tip. So there I was, scanning for seats, and the only one near me was a corner seat, in betwLast weekend I was in Manhattan, and took the subway home back into Queens. It was Saturday afternoon, about 5 o’clock, and had about an hour’s trip ahead.

I boarded the Queens-bound F train at the West 4th Street stop, and while the subway car wasn’t completely mobbed, it was reasonably crowded, and not tons of empty seats. Still, sitting is almost always better than standing, especially on a long tip. So there I was, scanning for seats, and the only one near me was a corner seat, in between two teenagers who just had that look. You know the one I mean. The look of, we’re teenagers, we don’t care if we annoy you, because you’re so out of touch you couldn’t possibly even get what we’re up to anyway.

Goody.

Still, I decided to take the seat anyway, and indeed, got my dose of it. The two of them, in their hyper, annoying, giggling, dare-me to challenge them way, said that somebody spit on the seat, and that I was going to be sitting in spit. So I pretty much had four choices.

I could: a) ignore them, as they were probably just messing with me, and just sit there; b) believe they were probably just messing with me, but decide that the whole trip will be more of the same with those two numbskulls, and not worth it, and sit somewhere else; c) believe there could be spit there (maybe theirs), and find a seat somewhere else; or d) believe there could be spit there (maybe theirs), and sit there anyway, because I was tired and couldn’t find another seat.

I went with choice D.

Did I sit in spit? Don’t know. But I didn’t care enough to get worked up over it, and if there was spit on the seat, my jeans were going in the wash anyway. That seat was worth more to me than at that time than walking away from a bunch of annoying teenagers, which I normally would have done had there been better options. I did have to endure another five minutes of their giggling, but they ran out of steam thereafter, and focused on new nonsense.

Sometimes getting home on the subway is a spit-free experience. Sometimes not. I’ll just leave it up to the gods to sort out which one it was.

Given the nature of the way I write, I spend a lot of time–and usually have the most fun with–character interaction. Dialogue. I like the back and forth. The banter. It comes naturally to me. It’s fun.

But sometimes a section needs more action, or more description and I need to take a step back. And in some sections, geography is necessary, whether it’s as basic as the layout of a room, or a little bit pulled back, such as the layout of a section of town, or even pulled back more, such aGiven the nature of the way I write, I spend a lot of time–and usually have the most fun with–character interaction. Dialogue. I like the back and forth. The banter. It comes naturally to me. It’s fun.

But sometimes a section needs more action, or more description and I need to take a step back. And in some sections, geography is necessary, whether it’s as basic as the layout of a room, or a little bit pulled back, such as the layout of a section of town, or even pulled back more, such as the country borders, and even the planets, galaxies and constellations.

This where I need a little backup. In order for me to write with the most freedom and confidence where geography and borders are necessary, I need to see it in my mind. I need to visualize what I’m looking at so that I can write about it. Sometimes I refer to actual maps, whether street or city maps. That helps. Sometimes I use photo reference. Either I’ll pull out photos from my own collection, or do Google searches for images. Anything visual so I can form a picture.

But sometimes the maps I need don’t exist. If I’m inventing a new place, well, it doesn’t exist other than in my mind. And in those cases, it’s a little tough to refer to a map that hasn’t been created yet!

And these are the times when my inner voice says, "Map it out, b**ch." Which is my way of telling myself to just hunker down and do the dirty work of going slow, and physically drawing maps, creating a visual element I can refer to. In these cases I need to create maps–such as they are–so that I can "see" what I’m writing about. I need to have a diagram of the physical landscape in front of me to so I can picture where scenes take place in relation to one another.

This usually takes a few versions for me to get it right, because 1) I’m a lousy artist, 2) I’m not always sure about what actually works, if I’m obeying the laws of physics and 3) I’m not always sure about what makes sense given what’s going on in the scene, so the layout might change as I realize it works better one way compared to another.

So even though I’m a bit challenged when it comes to creating the physical elements I need, I find the process significant, as it helps me think about plot, sequence and dialogue because the scene becomes more real. Once I can "see" it, I can jump in. It’s like I’m there. I have this diagram or map to refer to, running my finger down the lines and realizing that the centerpiece table can’t fit where I had it because it’s too close to the door, or a river that I had running east/west should actually flow north/south.

I’ve always like maps, which isn’t to say that I’m any kind of map expert, because I’m not. Although I’ve discovered through sheer trial and error that maps make me a better writer, because they force me to deal with whatever reality I’ve created. Once I can see it, I can write about it. And that’s where the fun begins.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/10/28 21:26

With the movie version of [i]Watchmen [/i]coming out in March, I figured it was time to re-read the graphic novel. As always, it’s the total masterpiece I remember.

You can find numerous reviews online, but I’ll say this, if you like shows like [i]Lost[/i] or [i]Heroes[/i], or have an affinity for comic books that are a blend of great story-telling and art, then [i]Watchmen[/i] is an absolute must.

Part masked crime fighter series, part mystery, part sci-fi, [i]Watchmen[/i] is simply tWith the movie version of [i]Watchmen [/i]coming out in March, I figured it was time to re-read the graphic novel. As always, it’s the total masterpiece I remember.

You can find numerous reviews online, but I’ll say this, if you like shows like [i]Lost[/i] or [i]Heroes[/i], or have an affinity for comic books that are a blend of great story-telling and art, then [i]Watchmen[/i] is an absolute must.

Part masked crime fighter series, part mystery, part sci-fi, [i]Watchmen[/i] is simply the best of the best of the best. It’s a 12-issue self-contained graphic novel. If you’re not reading [i]Watchmen[/i], then you’ve got a treat in store for you, because it’s available in every comic shop in America, and probably every Barnes & Nobles, too.

It’s simply that good.

Saw a fun movie this weekend. [i]Son of Ranbow[/i] is about these two 10-year-old British kids from the 1980s, who, for different reasons, start making their own version of [i]First Blood[/i], the Stallone movie that spawned the Rambo franchise.

You can totally relate to the youthful exuberance of the kids, plus their desire to fit in, and to live out their fantasies to make up for their home lives that leave them feeling lost and on their own.

As with many British films, the lightingSaw a fun movie this weekend. [i]Son of Ranbow[/i] is about these two 10-year-old British kids from the 1980s, who, for different reasons, start making their own version of [i]First Blood[/i], the Stallone movie that spawned the Rambo franchise.

You can totally relate to the youthful exuberance of the kids, plus their desire to fit in, and to live out their fantasies to make up for their home lives that leave them feeling lost and on their own.

As with many British films, the lighting is dim and there’s a dulled atmosphere overall, but the passion from the kids is very real, with some great, laugh-out-loud moments of childhood audaciousness.

Totally worth the effort. Thumbs up.

While I thought Heroes was a good show during the first season, I never drank the Kool-Aid, going ga-ga over it. I liked Heroes. I enjoyed it. But I never loved it.

And now that we’re into season 3, I’m pretty much over it altogether. I’ve only watched a few episodes this season, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s been a big, jumbled mess of a show that just doesn’t really know what it wants to be.

They either need to essentially start over and get back to basics, or call it a day. While I thought Heroes was a good show during the first season, I never drank the Kool-Aid, going ga-ga over it. I liked Heroes. I enjoyed it. But I never loved it.

And now that we’re into season 3, I’m pretty much over it altogether. I’ve only watched a few episodes this season, but from what I’ve seen so far, it’s been a big, jumbled mess of a show that just doesn’t really know what it wants to be.

They either need to essentially start over and get back to basics, or call it a day. Because if it keeps us as is, from my eyes anyway, it’s just not worth the effort.

I’ll save my big review until after tonight’s season finale, but Mad Men is one of my favorite shows right now. Creatively this show went in an unexpected–and very cool–direction this year, and I can’t wait to see how it all ties together …I’ll save my big review until after tonight’s season finale, but Mad Men is one of my favorite shows right now. Creatively this show went in an unexpected–and very cool–direction this year, and I can’t wait to see how it all ties together …

At this point I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent released, but I’m out on parole.

I mean that writer-wise.

Starting last weekend I got hit by what turned into a nasty cold that really wiped me out. I still went to work every day–although I probably shouldn’t have–but when it came to working on [i]Crossline[/i], or blogging … forget it. I was locked in my cell.

Started with a sore throat, and then morphed into a chest and head cold, fever, aches and no energy. For me, that’s a priAt this point I wouldn’t say I’m 100 percent released, but I’m out on parole.

I mean that writer-wise.

Starting last weekend I got hit by what turned into a nasty cold that really wiped me out. I still went to work every day–although I probably shouldn’t have–but when it came to working on [i]Crossline[/i], or blogging … forget it. I was locked in my cell.

Started with a sore throat, and then morphed into a chest and head cold, fever, aches and no energy. For me, that’s a prison of sorts, because while I wanted to be out roaming free creatively, I felt very confined. Locked up. To me, being sick is like being in a cell with a window. I can see outside and be tempted to go out there, to see it so close I can touch it, but yet I can’t do it. My body just wouldn’t allow it.

I’m much better now, not completely recovered, but certainly well enough to be clacking the keys again now (yay!), and enough so that I’ll be back on my early morning schedule tomorrow and writing [i]Crossline[/i] again. I’m working on a really big, really important sequence, so it’s time to get rocking.

Truthfully, if there was ever a time to be knocked out of commission, this was it, because I’m at a critical point in the writing process, and sometimes taking a break–planned or not–helps give me perspective, and then a fresh eye when I get back to it.

So now I’m out on writer’s parole, and hope that by the end of the week I’ll be totally free and clear.

As I noted in my last blog, I’m in the middle of working out a major sequence in Crossline, the new novel I’m writing. And as happens to me often when I’ve got a big sequence to work out, I’m a little stuck, like trying to untangle a massive ball of string.

I’ve got this idea, and it’s pretty crucial to the overall story, and while I’m close to working it out, I’m not quite there. So picture this big ball of string. It looks cool, and I want to get at it, so I start pulling the string loosAs I noted in my last blog, I’m in the middle of working out a major sequence in Crossline, the new novel I’m writing. And as happens to me often when I’ve got a big sequence to work out, I’m a little stuck, like trying to untangle a massive ball of string.

I’ve got this idea, and it’s pretty crucial to the overall story, and while I’m close to working it out, I’m not quite there. So picture this big ball of string. It looks cool, and I want to get at it, so I start pulling the string loose. And there it goes, on and on, and then it gets stuck in knot. OK, no problem, I’ll just slow down a minute and untangle that knot. And I do, and then resume the greater untangling.

But the longer I go the more knots I find, and even though as a major sequence–this ball of string–it looks great overall, I keep getting stuck on the details. And like with a ball of string, sometimes the knots are big and sometimes they’re small, but either way, I can’t get to the end until I’ve untangled that knot.

That’s how my mind works. Not always, but it happens fairly often when I write. All the ideas I’ll need to make this book really explode are already in my head, drawn from the ether. It’s all there. But the sequence of events are all jumbled up, and I’m not sure if what I’m planning right now makes sense. So I have to follow the string as far as it will take me. And sometimes like that ball of string, I somehow manage to get myself all tangled up worse than when I started, so I have to go back and retrace the string to now undo the new knot I just created.

So … yeah … sometimes this writing business takes a little longer than I would like. But that’s also part of the fun. Untangling the knot. Because If I’m having fun unraveling this mystery, coming up with a story that totally works, and then running my finger down the string to make sure there are no little knots left over to trip me up, then I’m confident that anyone reading the story will have just as much fun.

I can’t say how much longer it will take for me to untangle this particle knot. Maybe I’ll have it untangled by the end of the day, maybe the end of the hour. It could take me days, or even weeks. I never know. But what I do know is that I’m close, and when I get this ball string all straightened out, it will have been totally worth the effort, because if I’ve worked out all the knots, the story I’m meant to tell will be on the page. And then we’ll really have some fun.

Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2008/10/18 08:21