With apologies to Dave the Thune.
WRITING:
Every day. 1000
words. That’s the goal.
Got back on track with the novel this week, which was nice. I was afraid, after being away for a week,
that it might be difficult to get into the swing of it (so many of the issues I
have with writing stem from a need for routine and repetition, and putting
aside a narrative for a few days can seriously hamper me, at least during that
initial return to the work), but I was pleasantly surprised. As with most scenes, I had a set idea of
where things were going, but – though the overall story remained on course –
the characters veered off-track just enough to surprise me and infuse the scene
with a bit more drama and engagement for readers, I hope. Regardless, it’s always fun to be writing,
having the words move along the way I’d anticipated, and then, all of a sudden,
have one character respond in a manner I had not considered – but it works,
within the story and for the character.
Those moments are exhilarating.
Of course, then the question becomes, will it hold up when I start
revisions. Who knows? But, for now, I’m really enjoying the story –
so, that’s a big plus. And I know, for
sure, that this idea has legs and will fill out a novel nicely.
Got a nice response to something I wrote a week back. In the “What It Is” for the week ending 2November,
I wrote a quick review of “Daddy” by Josh Simmons & James Romberger
(published by Oily Comics). Without
warning, I received a pdf preview of Romberger’s next project, THE LATE CHILDAND OTHER ANIMALS,
a graphic memoir written and colored by Marguerite Van Cook (Romberger’s
partner), adapted and drawn by Romberger, and published by Fantagraphics the
end of this month. I haven’t found the
time to read it yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. Judging by his earlier work, including the
aforementioned “Daddy” along with “Post York” and “7 Miles a Second,” I expect
to enjoy the experience. And, if you’re
a fan of intelligent and engaging comics, seek out Romberger’s work and check
out his site. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
READING:
Finished GONE GIRL this week. I appreciated how well Gillian Flynn was able
to examine her characters and convey this through her prose. It was impressive. And the plot twists were well played, putting
her main characters into binds that seemed hopeless. Then she would pull another rabbit out of her
hat, up the tension while releasing them from one prison, only to push them
into another, more devastating one. Gone
Girl was a totally engaging book, especially the first 85% of it. With the final twists, I found the character
motivations wanting – just a bit. One
might be able to explain it away as these outsized characters going “all in,”
and be satisfied with that explanation, but there was something about the final
motivations driving the two main characters toward the end of the book that
didn’t sit right with me, as far as them being genuine human responses to what
had gone before. That said, it was a
good thriller but not a book that will stay with me like Stoner or Age
of Innocence.
Read NIJIGAHARA HOLOGRAPH,
by Inio Asano and published by Fantagraphics.
This was an amazing manga.
Similar in tone and structure to David Lynch’s films, I was blown away
by it, so much so that I had to write about it.
Check that review out here.
Continuing through Bakuman – I’m on volume 15 right
now – and still loving it. I also
started reading the collection Batman: Strange Apparitions, which
reprints the noteworthy Detective Comics run of Steven Englehart, Marshall
Rogers, and Terry Austin (with the first two issues, before Rogers jumps in,
from penciler Walt Simonson and inker Al Milgrom, who muddies Simonson’s
beautifully delicate linework). It’s
some crazy, overwritten, but eminently enjoyable fun, with beautiful art from
the Rogers/Austin team. And, to be frank,
looking at the image of the Joker on the back cover – though I don’t remember
where I would have seen it (possibly in one of those “Greatest Stories”
collections) the Rogers/Austin rendition is a seminal Joker for me. Great work.
MISCELLANY:
I’m a member of the Comics Experience Creators’ Workshop,
an online resource for aspiring comic writers and artists to work on their
stories and art, get feedback from professionals and other members, and to
discuss craft in a safe environment.
Created by Andy Schmidt, it really is a great place, and there are a lot
of books coming out from members – especially now that Comics Experience and IDW
have initiated a publishing agreement.
But another member whom I’ve gotten to know fairly well on
the boards, Don McMillan, has a new e-book out.
KIBBLES ‘N’ BOTS is about a Boston terrier puppy who believes she can become a superhero, after
finding her owner’s comic books, and must battle bank robbing robots in this
adventure. But what of the true plans of
the robots’ leader, Bad Boss? It’s
available for the Kindle, and at only $2.99, a bargain. Can’t wait to check it out.
SIGN OFF:
Another week down.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means Christmas is right around
the corner. And that means I need to
start thinking about letters from Santa – which is obviously a topic for
another time. As always, check out my friends - Brad & Matt and Don McMillan (see above) for their own weekly recaps on things comic-y and geeky, and we'll see what's what in seven.
Ciao.
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