Watched "Pioneers of Television: Superheroes" the other night.
It was junk. Thin gruel.
First of all, though there is an ironic nostalgia for Batman and Hulk and Wonder Woman nowadays, it was junk at the time. Even my 12 year old self was utterly appalled by Batman. What a let down!
But what I hated most was the condescending attitude toward comics themselves. There was no one on that show that really knew anything about comiics.
How hard would it be to get someone who knows his stuff? Instead of actors that don't know nothin'? (Ego-maniac actors,at that.)
Most shows about comics seem to be produced by people who know nothing about comics and what's really happening, then and now. Even Kevin Smith -- I can tell you that my shop in no way resembles his show. Not just that I'm not that funny -- but the values and priorities are all wrong. I wouldn't last a month with that approach -- if I didn't shoot myself first.
I know, I know -- it's supposed to be entertainment. But I don't think it needs to be dumbed down quite so much.
I think what's really happening with comics is so much more interesting.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
"Restaurant Crazy."
As the Bulletin mentioned this morning, the Huffington Post has a list of the most "Restaurant Crazy" metro areas in the U.S. and Bend comes in third, per capita. (More than New York or San Francisco.)
In some ways, this isn't surprising. We are a tourist town, don't ever think otherwise. I bet we'd get similar results from overnight lodging per capita.
But I've always maintained that we are completely over-retailed in almost all areas of the economy. I think people move here and can't find a commiserate level of living and start their own businesses. Or they come from a metro area that they mistakenly think is similar to Bend and decide we need more of 'that', whatever 'that' is.
Unfortunately, Bend can be misleading. The very opportunity that being a destination tourist area provides, also has its downsides. We're very seasonal. Our base level of support is probably less than most places, our outside level of support is more.
Anyone who wants to open in Bend should have to try to be open the last week of January, for instance. This week has been horrid. I'm going to beat last year this month, but only by a little -- because of the last three days. Bendites come in, and well -- they're broke and they say so.
There's a new book out, "Pound Foolish" by Helaine Olen, and I saw her interviewed on C-span, and she made the case that the reason most bankruptcies occur are 1.) Medical bills...and 2.) Starting a business.
I once tried to talk a woman out of opening a business, and she accused me of "stomping on her dream." Last I saw her, she had declared bankruptcy, but worse, the rest of her life was also in a downward spiral.
I mean, I love owning a business, but I've always been fairly modest in my goals. Hopefully, a living. Control of my fate. A pleasant place to work.
But I'd be leery of recommending it to most people.
In some ways, this isn't surprising. We are a tourist town, don't ever think otherwise. I bet we'd get similar results from overnight lodging per capita.
But I've always maintained that we are completely over-retailed in almost all areas of the economy. I think people move here and can't find a commiserate level of living and start their own businesses. Or they come from a metro area that they mistakenly think is similar to Bend and decide we need more of 'that', whatever 'that' is.
Unfortunately, Bend can be misleading. The very opportunity that being a destination tourist area provides, also has its downsides. We're very seasonal. Our base level of support is probably less than most places, our outside level of support is more.
Anyone who wants to open in Bend should have to try to be open the last week of January, for instance. This week has been horrid. I'm going to beat last year this month, but only by a little -- because of the last three days. Bendites come in, and well -- they're broke and they say so.
There's a new book out, "Pound Foolish" by Helaine Olen, and I saw her interviewed on C-span, and she made the case that the reason most bankruptcies occur are 1.) Medical bills...and 2.) Starting a business.
I once tried to talk a woman out of opening a business, and she accused me of "stomping on her dream." Last I saw her, she had declared bankruptcy, but worse, the rest of her life was also in a downward spiral.
I mean, I love owning a business, but I've always been fairly modest in my goals. Hopefully, a living. Control of my fate. A pleasant place to work.
But I'd be leery of recommending it to most people.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The economy is trundling along.
If you had talked to me about my business in the late 1990's, you'd have thought I was a real pessimist. Then again, I was paying out 40% of gross profits in interest and principle payments on my debts at the time, so pessimism was called for. As soon as I got the debt paid off, everything changed.
If you'd talked to me about housing in mid-2000's you'd have thought I was a real doomster about the economy. The housing bubble was so clear to me, that I dug down and prepared for the coming collapse.
But you know what? Actually, I'm kind of an optimist most times. I just think that I don't try to kid myself when things are bad.
Anyway, my overall feeling about the economy is that we're moving more and more away from the 'end of the world' scenarios.
Look -- our economy is a mess. Always was and always will be. You will have no problem at all finding evidence for that.
But is it more likely to keep trundling along or to completely collapse?
My instinct is that we're back to trundling along, which is the 'reverting to mean' position we're in 90% of the time.
Not great, not bad. Just there.
If you'd talked to me about housing in mid-2000's you'd have thought I was a real doomster about the economy. The housing bubble was so clear to me, that I dug down and prepared for the coming collapse.
But you know what? Actually, I'm kind of an optimist most times. I just think that I don't try to kid myself when things are bad.
Anyway, my overall feeling about the economy is that we're moving more and more away from the 'end of the world' scenarios.
Look -- our economy is a mess. Always was and always will be. You will have no problem at all finding evidence for that.
But is it more likely to keep trundling along or to completely collapse?
My instinct is that we're back to trundling along, which is the 'reverting to mean' position we're in 90% of the time.
Not great, not bad. Just there.
Barnes and Noble, bleeding slowly to death.
Barnes and Noble is planning to close over 200 stores in the next decade, about one third of their existing stores.
But they're, like, totally committed to brick and mortars, whatever makes you think different?
As someone else pointed out, this is the "best case" scenario. In other words, they is what they PLAN on doing. Why would they announce closing MORE stores than they plan?
As I mentioned, I'm not in the business of cheering the demise of others. Not so much that I care about Barnes and Noble, but a lot of people work there and they don't deserve to lose their jobs.
Still, I don't understand this business model of doing your very best to make yourself obsolete.
In the early 1990's, 85% of my sales were sports cards. But sooner than most shops, I realized that cards had nowhere to go but down, so I started to exit the business. I couldn't just stop, that would have been disastrous. I had to keep up a certain level of support throughout the decline, as I looked for things to replace cards.
But I'll always remember the vast sense of relief I got in the late 1990's when I finally spontaneously and genuinely responded to a customer's complaint by saying, "I'm not a card shop. I'm a shop that carries cards."
However, I was still in business, I just switched what I was selling.
In B & N's case, they are simply taking out the stores....
So how's that work?
But they're, like, totally committed to brick and mortars, whatever makes you think different?
As someone else pointed out, this is the "best case" scenario. In other words, they is what they PLAN on doing. Why would they announce closing MORE stores than they plan?
As I mentioned, I'm not in the business of cheering the demise of others. Not so much that I care about Barnes and Noble, but a lot of people work there and they don't deserve to lose their jobs.
Still, I don't understand this business model of doing your very best to make yourself obsolete.
In the early 1990's, 85% of my sales were sports cards. But sooner than most shops, I realized that cards had nowhere to go but down, so I started to exit the business. I couldn't just stop, that would have been disastrous. I had to keep up a certain level of support throughout the decline, as I looked for things to replace cards.
But I'll always remember the vast sense of relief I got in the late 1990's when I finally spontaneously and genuinely responded to a customer's complaint by saying, "I'm not a card shop. I'm a shop that carries cards."
However, I was still in business, I just switched what I was selling.
In B & N's case, they are simply taking out the stores....
So how's that work?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Arguing to save my tooth.
Going in for a root canal update. They said something about if the hole under my tooth shrinks and heals, they could save the tooth. If not, they'd have to remove it.
The infection never went away completely, though. I'm going to argue for more time and more antibiotics to give it time to heal.
Not that ever arguing with a dentist or a doctor does any good.
**********
UPDATE: 15 minutes in and out. Apparently, the point is to let it heal, see if the bone can regenerate; and it may take up to 2 or 3 months.
Especially since there is no pain.
That's a relief.
The infection never went away completely, though. I'm going to argue for more time and more antibiotics to give it time to heal.
Not that ever arguing with a dentist or a doctor does any good.
**********
UPDATE: 15 minutes in and out. Apparently, the point is to let it heal, see if the bone can regenerate; and it may take up to 2 or 3 months.
Especially since there is no pain.
That's a relief.
Who's writing this book? Me or my subconscious?
I'm at the "falling in love with the book" phase. Doubts have been banished. All I see are the possibilities.
This Vampire story is getting thematically deeper than I expected. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "deep" but it is deeper than I'd originally planned. The subconscious has thrown me a plot that may be beyond my abilities to fully exploit, but I'm going to try.
I'm still writing swiftly, but I've decided to go back and give it a rewrite. Not just post it on my blog the way I'd planned. I think it deserves more of an effort.
(Not that FREEDY wasn't worth the effort, it was just a complete story the way it was...)
Having figured out the overall direction to the end of the book was a big relief. I wasn't sure I had an ending, but now it's pretty clear in a dim way.
Oh, oh. An unexpected plot development. It really throws the rest of the book into a different direction. Do I dare ignore it? It seems so obvious! (When I read the chapter to Linda, she immediately picked up the plot development, which probably means most readers will. Dare I defy that?)
Other than that, I now have the book fully thought out.
There comes a time in every book when I know I'm going to finish it.
There comes a time in every book where I wish my vision of the story was already completed. It's as if I have a canvass and I've sketched in the entire surface, and now comes the hard work of painting it inch by inch. I have the vision fully in my head -- but it's a vision that will be hard to match in reality
"Do that," I tell myself. "Let it come out the way I want it to."
I have two very difficult things yet to accomplish. I have to portray the main character's 'conversion' in a believable manner. And I have to show the main female protagonist's forgiveness in a believable manner.
Everything else works fine. But those two plot developments are essential to the story working. They are also the hardest things to pull off convincingly.
That's where most of the rewriting will be focused, I suspect. Pulling off those two narrative tricks.
Later in the day: I wrote the 'conversion' chapter, and I think it works. I didn't think I could pull that off, but my subconscious apparently had the solution.
Who's writing this book? Me or my subconscious?
This Vampire story is getting thematically deeper than I expected. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "deep" but it is deeper than I'd originally planned. The subconscious has thrown me a plot that may be beyond my abilities to fully exploit, but I'm going to try.
I'm still writing swiftly, but I've decided to go back and give it a rewrite. Not just post it on my blog the way I'd planned. I think it deserves more of an effort.
(Not that FREEDY wasn't worth the effort, it was just a complete story the way it was...)
Having figured out the overall direction to the end of the book was a big relief. I wasn't sure I had an ending, but now it's pretty clear in a dim way.
Oh, oh. An unexpected plot development. It really throws the rest of the book into a different direction. Do I dare ignore it? It seems so obvious! (When I read the chapter to Linda, she immediately picked up the plot development, which probably means most readers will. Dare I defy that?)
Other than that, I now have the book fully thought out.
There comes a time in every book when I know I'm going to finish it.
There comes a time in every book where I wish my vision of the story was already completed. It's as if I have a canvass and I've sketched in the entire surface, and now comes the hard work of painting it inch by inch. I have the vision fully in my head -- but it's a vision that will be hard to match in reality
"Do that," I tell myself. "Let it come out the way I want it to."
I have two very difficult things yet to accomplish. I have to portray the main character's 'conversion' in a believable manner. And I have to show the main female protagonist's forgiveness in a believable manner.
Everything else works fine. But those two plot developments are essential to the story working. They are also the hardest things to pull off convincingly.
That's where most of the rewriting will be focused, I suspect. Pulling off those two narrative tricks.
Later in the day: I wrote the 'conversion' chapter, and I think it works. I didn't think I could pull that off, but my subconscious apparently had the solution.
Who's writing this book? Me or my subconscious?
Monday, January 28, 2013
How did religion get in here?
So there I was, driving my hero into worser and worser straits, one damn thing after another.
And up pops religion. Now...I'm not very religious, but if you put any credence into vampires, they are all about religion. They are the damned, the unforgiven, the unrepentant.
Trading their souls for immortality.
Holy Water, Crosses, Sanctified Ground.
Of course, you can write vampires without these weaknesses. But since I'm writing a story about redemption and forgiveness, the religious aspect becomes almost automatic.
So once I embraced that concept the rest of the plot became clear.
I needed for the female hero to forgive the male hero for a horrible crime, but if I make the female "sweetly religious" -- as I put it -- it becomes more likely. If I put the hero through hell before he earns his redemption, then that works too.
So I have to use religious iconography even though I never intended the story to be religious. Hopefully, not overly so. Hopefully, it will still be read as a vampire story, not a religious story. I guess all stories have elements of religion when you get right down to it.
Linda's comment was: "There's religious, and then there's religious."
Still -- a surprising place to find myself. And it adds hopefully a little depth. At least an unexpected dimension.
And up pops religion. Now...I'm not very religious, but if you put any credence into vampires, they are all about religion. They are the damned, the unforgiven, the unrepentant.
Trading their souls for immortality.
Holy Water, Crosses, Sanctified Ground.
Of course, you can write vampires without these weaknesses. But since I'm writing a story about redemption and forgiveness, the religious aspect becomes almost automatic.
So once I embraced that concept the rest of the plot became clear.
I needed for the female hero to forgive the male hero for a horrible crime, but if I make the female "sweetly religious" -- as I put it -- it becomes more likely. If I put the hero through hell before he earns his redemption, then that works too.
So I have to use religious iconography even though I never intended the story to be religious. Hopefully, not overly so. Hopefully, it will still be read as a vampire story, not a religious story. I guess all stories have elements of religion when you get right down to it.
Linda's comment was: "There's religious, and then there's religious."
Still -- a surprising place to find myself. And it adds hopefully a little depth. At least an unexpected dimension.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Style is taking chances.
I'm editing the scanned copy of Deviltree, and it's an interesting experience.
First of all, I'm engaged in the story. Which, after all, is the most important thing. The background is interesting, the main character is interesting.
I'm wondering where it goes next.
How can that be? I wrote it!
Yeah -- 30 years ago.
I really don't remember where it goes and how it ends. I have a vague memory of some scenes, but I don't remember the plot at all.
Whenever I'm writing, I'm wishing I could see it 'fresh', like a reader would. Well, here's my chance.
So, I can understand how this was almost, but not-quite-there book. Actually, I think it's good enough. Based on my interest to keep reading.
What surprises me the most is how straightforward the writing is. Very few stylistic flourishes.
I can think of a couple reasons for that. One, my mentor at the time was pretty insistent that you don't do that kind of stuff unless you know what you're doing. So, in a sense, I was strictly by the book back then.
The very next book was full of stylistic flourishes, and it was one of the things one of the editors mentioned when they rejected it. They said, paraphrasing, 'most fantasy is pretty straightforward these days.'
I think I can understand why I wasn't trying to be to fancy. Style in a way is simply trying to say something in a new way; and when you try to say something in a new way, you're taking a chance that it won't work.
I'm tempted, seeing as how the rest of the book is developed -- to go back and see if I can jazz it up a little. I'm much more willing to take chances with language now -- if I think it works.
But going backward isn't where I want to go -- so I'll probably accept the book the way it is and put it online.
First of all, I'm engaged in the story. Which, after all, is the most important thing. The background is interesting, the main character is interesting.
I'm wondering where it goes next.
How can that be? I wrote it!
Yeah -- 30 years ago.
I really don't remember where it goes and how it ends. I have a vague memory of some scenes, but I don't remember the plot at all.
Whenever I'm writing, I'm wishing I could see it 'fresh', like a reader would. Well, here's my chance.
So, I can understand how this was almost, but not-quite-there book. Actually, I think it's good enough. Based on my interest to keep reading.
What surprises me the most is how straightforward the writing is. Very few stylistic flourishes.
I can think of a couple reasons for that. One, my mentor at the time was pretty insistent that you don't do that kind of stuff unless you know what you're doing. So, in a sense, I was strictly by the book back then.
The very next book was full of stylistic flourishes, and it was one of the things one of the editors mentioned when they rejected it. They said, paraphrasing, 'most fantasy is pretty straightforward these days.'
I think I can understand why I wasn't trying to be to fancy. Style in a way is simply trying to say something in a new way; and when you try to say something in a new way, you're taking a chance that it won't work.
I'm tempted, seeing as how the rest of the book is developed -- to go back and see if I can jazz it up a little. I'm much more willing to take chances with language now -- if I think it works.
But going backward isn't where I want to go -- so I'll probably accept the book the way it is and put it online.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Somewhere in my itty bitty brain, an idea is developing.
Drank a little red wine last night, and wrote some sparkling paragraphs.
But it's a little like pooping diamonds. It hurts the next day.
I probably needed a little inspiration. I was doing a workmanlike job on the last three chapters. But I wasn't really 'feeling' it. So this was nice.
I'm not saying my sparkling paragraphs are actually better than my workmanlike paragraphs. More in the way of a change-up, a little tonal texture. Plus, I love it when I can riff like that. But riffing too much, I'm not sure that's such a good thing either.
During the morning, I wrote a chapter that I wasn't sure going into it that I needed; that is, I saw a way around it. I'm trying to drive straight to the ending, so I contemplating skipping the chapter. But I'm also trying not to stray too far from the original blueprint -- at least in the first draft. (That's a bit of a change, by the way -- that I would rewrite it, but it's gotten complex enough that that's going to be necessary. Not a quick throw it up on my blog, like FREEDY FILKINS.)
Anyway, it turned out that an important plot development popped up, so my instincts were right.
I think the biggest thing that has happened over the last two years is that I'm just trusting my subconscious more and more. When the time comes, the idea is there.
But it's a little like pooping diamonds. It hurts the next day.
I probably needed a little inspiration. I was doing a workmanlike job on the last three chapters. But I wasn't really 'feeling' it. So this was nice.
I'm not saying my sparkling paragraphs are actually better than my workmanlike paragraphs. More in the way of a change-up, a little tonal texture. Plus, I love it when I can riff like that. But riffing too much, I'm not sure that's such a good thing either.
During the morning, I wrote a chapter that I wasn't sure going into it that I needed; that is, I saw a way around it. I'm trying to drive straight to the ending, so I contemplating skipping the chapter. But I'm also trying not to stray too far from the original blueprint -- at least in the first draft. (That's a bit of a change, by the way -- that I would rewrite it, but it's gotten complex enough that that's going to be necessary. Not a quick throw it up on my blog, like FREEDY FILKINS.)
Anyway, it turned out that an important plot development popped up, so my instincts were right.
I think the biggest thing that has happened over the last two years is that I'm just trusting my subconscious more and more. When the time comes, the idea is there.
Friday, January 25, 2013
2012 results at Pegasus Books.
A quick wrap up of 2012 at the store.
Overall for the year, we were up by 12% from 2011.
It is our third best year on record, behind the boom years of 2006 and 2007.
However, books and games were 25% of sales this year, and were hardly a blip in those other years, so with the same product as we had in 06 and 07, we'd still be down around 20%.
Then again, I was savvy enough to bring in books and games, so it counts.
COMICS: Up 12.5%. Solid. DC new 52 is fading though, so this may be hard to keep up.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Up 16%. Very good result, since this is a pretty mature line.
(Comics and Graphic novels combined, up 14%. They were 40% of sales, down from the 50% they have been for years and years. So -- I'd be alarmed by the percentage drop if it wasn't for the overall increase in sales, which means not that comics and g.n. aren't performing, but the other product is performing better. Which is healthy.)
CARDS: Up 8%. Always depends on a few 'box' buyers coming around, or not.
CARD GAMES: Down 9%. Only category that was down. Hard do know if this is an overall weakening of the game, or just more competition. I don't have much control over either.
GAMES: Up 12%. A good result, since this is now a mature line. I do think the mass market is going to be taking a bigger chunk as times goes on, though.
BOOKS: Up 3%. I've got a stable inventory now, so I'm not going to see the large increases I was seeing in the past.
TOYS: Up 34%. Made a conscious effort to bring in more toys, so this is gratifying.
A good solid year, without too many surprises. I'm encouraged that my employees have done such a good job, without me having to be there all the time.
This current year the focus will be more on profits than on sales, so I might see a slight decline in sales without feeling too bad about it. The store has the inventory positions I wanted and now I need to maintain those levels.
Happy New Year.
Overall for the year, we were up by 12% from 2011.
It is our third best year on record, behind the boom years of 2006 and 2007.
However, books and games were 25% of sales this year, and were hardly a blip in those other years, so with the same product as we had in 06 and 07, we'd still be down around 20%.
Then again, I was savvy enough to bring in books and games, so it counts.
COMICS: Up 12.5%. Solid. DC new 52 is fading though, so this may be hard to keep up.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: Up 16%. Very good result, since this is a pretty mature line.
(Comics and Graphic novels combined, up 14%. They were 40% of sales, down from the 50% they have been for years and years. So -- I'd be alarmed by the percentage drop if it wasn't for the overall increase in sales, which means not that comics and g.n. aren't performing, but the other product is performing better. Which is healthy.)
CARDS: Up 8%. Always depends on a few 'box' buyers coming around, or not.
CARD GAMES: Down 9%. Only category that was down. Hard do know if this is an overall weakening of the game, or just more competition. I don't have much control over either.
GAMES: Up 12%. A good result, since this is now a mature line. I do think the mass market is going to be taking a bigger chunk as times goes on, though.
BOOKS: Up 3%. I've got a stable inventory now, so I'm not going to see the large increases I was seeing in the past.
TOYS: Up 34%. Made a conscious effort to bring in more toys, so this is gratifying.
A good solid year, without too many surprises. I'm encouraged that my employees have done such a good job, without me having to be there all the time.
This current year the focus will be more on profits than on sales, so I might see a slight decline in sales without feeling too bad about it. The store has the inventory positions I wanted and now I need to maintain those levels.
Happy New Year.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Exile the Waltons!
I twittered this idea.
I think we ought to take the three Walton heirs and exile them to the island of St. Helena.
Then we redistribute their wealth the bottom third demographic, doubling their net worth in one move.
Hey, I'm not advocating we hurt the Waltons or anything. Just send them to where Napoleon spent his last years. They can live in luxury.
Arguably, they've done as much to harm the general populace.
We could give them 25 million each, you know, minimum wage for billionaires.
So old Sam had procreative sex three times. Otherwise, the money might have been left to his cats, who had about as much to do with it as his kids.
It's for the greater good! 3 versus 150 million!
We stick them on the island and then forget about it, pretend it never happened.
Too much?
Better than my previous position on the subject, which was: Eat The Rich!
UPDATE: I'm sorry. Sam had procreative sex Six times. All the better, they can keep each other company.
I think we ought to take the three Walton heirs and exile them to the island of St. Helena.
Then we redistribute their wealth the bottom third demographic, doubling their net worth in one move.
Hey, I'm not advocating we hurt the Waltons or anything. Just send them to where Napoleon spent his last years. They can live in luxury.
Arguably, they've done as much to harm the general populace.
We could give them 25 million each, you know, minimum wage for billionaires.
So old Sam had procreative sex three times. Otherwise, the money might have been left to his cats, who had about as much to do with it as his kids.
It's for the greater good! 3 versus 150 million!
We stick them on the island and then forget about it, pretend it never happened.
Too much?
Better than my previous position on the subject, which was: Eat The Rich!
UPDATE: I'm sorry. Sam had procreative sex Six times. All the better, they can keep each other company.
Generalizations about generations.
Speaking of which: I think young people today aren't terribly different from young kids ten years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years ago.
That's how far back I can go to testify.
I've often bemoaned that they don't "read" as much. But I'm not totally sure that is true, even. Kids didn't read much when I was a kid, either. It's always been a minority.
And certainly, technology has changed their outward behavior.
But the inner wiring -- that's pretty much the same, I think.
You know the old saying, Kids Today....
But I still think the phrase "The Kids Are All Right" is still pretty valid.
That's how far back I can go to testify.
I've often bemoaned that they don't "read" as much. But I'm not totally sure that is true, even. Kids didn't read much when I was a kid, either. It's always been a minority.
And certainly, technology has changed their outward behavior.
But the inner wiring -- that's pretty much the same, I think.
You know the old saying, Kids Today....
But I still think the phrase "The Kids Are All Right" is still pretty valid.
"Grabbing" the reader.
I'm having the same reaction to Facebook that I had to Twitter. There isn't enough original content. Most of it seems to be links to other things. That's disappointing.
Meanwhile, I've held to my pledge of not going to Reddit. I'm still disgusted that someone slipped in a murderous GIF. But more, it was a massive time -suck. The whole internet is a massive time-suck.
Writing requires quiet time for me, lots of thinking and meditating. I figure that's good for me, no matter what ends up happening to the books.
Was having a discussion about ebooks yesterday with a couple of guys who buy them. Both of them said, if the book doesn't grab them in the first chapter, they don't buy it.
Something about that bothers me a little. What do they mean by "grab?"
I was thinking back to my first book, where the first chapter is the hero sitting in a library, watching the dust swirl and his mentor reading and contemplating a coming ceremony.
Blah. Right?
Hey, grab the reader by having a barbarian come through the window swinging a mace. They have a vicious fight, and he ends it by quipping something and bashing the invaders head in. Did that grab you?
I'm always a little leery about making generalizations about "young" people these days, but it does seem that they require a jolt of something "cool" right off the bat.
It's all well and good to have a "cool" idea, but that isn't the same thing as a well developed story.
I decided one of the great things about Lord of the Rings is how long it takes to get going, that he spends time setting the table. Then he delivers.
Going back to my fear of generalizations about generations -- I think a good story is probably a good story, and there are lots of ways to "grab" someone.
I have to believe that.
Meanwhile, I've held to my pledge of not going to Reddit. I'm still disgusted that someone slipped in a murderous GIF. But more, it was a massive time -suck. The whole internet is a massive time-suck.
Writing requires quiet time for me, lots of thinking and meditating. I figure that's good for me, no matter what ends up happening to the books.
Was having a discussion about ebooks yesterday with a couple of guys who buy them. Both of them said, if the book doesn't grab them in the first chapter, they don't buy it.
Something about that bothers me a little. What do they mean by "grab?"
I was thinking back to my first book, where the first chapter is the hero sitting in a library, watching the dust swirl and his mentor reading and contemplating a coming ceremony.
Blah. Right?
Hey, grab the reader by having a barbarian come through the window swinging a mace. They have a vicious fight, and he ends it by quipping something and bashing the invaders head in. Did that grab you?
I'm always a little leery about making generalizations about "young" people these days, but it does seem that they require a jolt of something "cool" right off the bat.
It's all well and good to have a "cool" idea, but that isn't the same thing as a well developed story.
I decided one of the great things about Lord of the Rings is how long it takes to get going, that he spends time setting the table. Then he delivers.
Going back to my fear of generalizations about generations -- I think a good story is probably a good story, and there are lots of ways to "grab" someone.
I have to believe that.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Writing is existential - - but then, everything is.
I took chapters 3 - 5 to writer's group last night, and again it seemed to pass muster more than most of my efforts. So having the first 5 chapters in pretty good shape is great -- in some ways, these are the hardest and most important chapters in the book.
I'm about 20K words in, so it is coming fast. I have the plot more or less planned for the next 10K words or so. All the chapters where the main character is driven down down down. In other words, I'm painting him into the tightest corner I can.
How he comes back, I only have a faint inkling, though I have a couple possible endings in mind. I'm trusting that my subconscious will come up with a solution.
Been having a little existential angst about writing. Should I really be spending so much time on it? What's the use? I mean, more than a million ebooks per year, anything I write is a drop in the bucket and I've already proven to myself from my blog and other internet activities that I'm hopeless at promoting myself.
Then again, I should at least give it a try. Can't know until I do it.
I'm enjoying writing, so I'm almost afraid that my reaction to absolutely no one buying or reading it will be to give up.
Then again, everything existential. What's the use of anything, if you think about it too much?
As far as trying the traditional route, I'm so prolific I think I'll probably be able to try that too.
Had my Monday meeting with my tech guy. He's going to get the DEVILTREE and the FREED FILKINS covers ready. He gave me a template for publishing, and we plugged FREEDY into it and it passed muster, so that should make the process easier from here forward.
I still need to get DEVILTREE's scans in proper shape. I've done about a third of that.
NEARLY HUMAN is out with an editor, and I suppose I'm hoping she'll have some magical answers. The cover for that is almost ready. On all three covers, we just need to play with the fonts a a little.
Hell, maybe all these roadblocks to getting my stuff online has been good for me. I've got one full book that's a mess and trying to be fixed. One small book that is slight and ready to go. One small book that will be part of a bigger storyline. And now, this vampire book.
As well as four manuscripts from my past -- three which were published, and one that might have been published if I hadn't given up.
Plus another manuscript that I liked, but which is also a big mess and would require some major rehaul.
I certainly am doing all the writerly things from my end.
The existential part is -- if a book is written and no one reads it, does it really exist?
I'm about 20K words in, so it is coming fast. I have the plot more or less planned for the next 10K words or so. All the chapters where the main character is driven down down down. In other words, I'm painting him into the tightest corner I can.
How he comes back, I only have a faint inkling, though I have a couple possible endings in mind. I'm trusting that my subconscious will come up with a solution.
Been having a little existential angst about writing. Should I really be spending so much time on it? What's the use? I mean, more than a million ebooks per year, anything I write is a drop in the bucket and I've already proven to myself from my blog and other internet activities that I'm hopeless at promoting myself.
Then again, I should at least give it a try. Can't know until I do it.
I'm enjoying writing, so I'm almost afraid that my reaction to absolutely no one buying or reading it will be to give up.
Then again, everything existential. What's the use of anything, if you think about it too much?
As far as trying the traditional route, I'm so prolific I think I'll probably be able to try that too.
Had my Monday meeting with my tech guy. He's going to get the DEVILTREE and the FREED FILKINS covers ready. He gave me a template for publishing, and we plugged FREEDY into it and it passed muster, so that should make the process easier from here forward.
I still need to get DEVILTREE's scans in proper shape. I've done about a third of that.
NEARLY HUMAN is out with an editor, and I suppose I'm hoping she'll have some magical answers. The cover for that is almost ready. On all three covers, we just need to play with the fonts a a little.
Hell, maybe all these roadblocks to getting my stuff online has been good for me. I've got one full book that's a mess and trying to be fixed. One small book that is slight and ready to go. One small book that will be part of a bigger storyline. And now, this vampire book.
As well as four manuscripts from my past -- three which were published, and one that might have been published if I hadn't given up.
Plus another manuscript that I liked, but which is also a big mess and would require some major rehaul.
I certainly am doing all the writerly things from my end.
The existential part is -- if a book is written and no one reads it, does it really exist?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Keeping up.
I haven't written about the store for awhile.
I'm bound and determined to get through the slow months without slowly building debt. I've always said, 'I make money four months out of the year, lose money four months out of the year, and break even four months out of the year.'
Reading the reports from other comic shops about the Christmas season, it really clarifies just what a tourist town Bend is -- most shops don't have quite the boost in summer and Christmas, but also don't have quite the decline in the spring and fall.
The two slowest months of the year are now November and January, which bracket the busiest month of the year, December, which is pretty inconvenient. It means if I want to stock up for Christmas I'm almost bound to spend more in November than I'll make and I risk losing money in January and February.
So I'm trying to avoid that this time. I'm making crucial reorders, but not stocking up beyond that.
I've spent the last decade building the inventory in the store -- that last two efforts were boardgames and new books. Sometime last year, I more or less reached the limit of the space available.
Maintaining a store is much easier than building a store, and I think I'm finally ready to do that.
As I mentioned, December sales were down by 13%, but we made much, much better profits. Even better, we made it through November and January without losing money.
As much as I'd like ever increasing sales, I think I'll like better profits even more.
I'm making sure we're stocked with everything we're supposed to be stocked with -- but not worrying about expanding or experimenting. That makes life twice as easy, frankly. It's only possible because I've already done the hard work of diversifying over the last decade.
If something new comes along, I won't ignore it, of course. But I haven't really seen anything that I think would fit. I still have some improvement to make with Toys and Cards, so I still have some work to do there.
But the rest of it is mostly keeping up.
I'm bound and determined to get through the slow months without slowly building debt. I've always said, 'I make money four months out of the year, lose money four months out of the year, and break even four months out of the year.'
Reading the reports from other comic shops about the Christmas season, it really clarifies just what a tourist town Bend is -- most shops don't have quite the boost in summer and Christmas, but also don't have quite the decline in the spring and fall.
The two slowest months of the year are now November and January, which bracket the busiest month of the year, December, which is pretty inconvenient. It means if I want to stock up for Christmas I'm almost bound to spend more in November than I'll make and I risk losing money in January and February.
So I'm trying to avoid that this time. I'm making crucial reorders, but not stocking up beyond that.
I've spent the last decade building the inventory in the store -- that last two efforts were boardgames and new books. Sometime last year, I more or less reached the limit of the space available.
Maintaining a store is much easier than building a store, and I think I'm finally ready to do that.
As I mentioned, December sales were down by 13%, but we made much, much better profits. Even better, we made it through November and January without losing money.
As much as I'd like ever increasing sales, I think I'll like better profits even more.
I'm making sure we're stocked with everything we're supposed to be stocked with -- but not worrying about expanding or experimenting. That makes life twice as easy, frankly. It's only possible because I've already done the hard work of diversifying over the last decade.
If something new comes along, I won't ignore it, of course. But I haven't really seen anything that I think would fit. I still have some improvement to make with Toys and Cards, so I still have some work to do there.
But the rest of it is mostly keeping up.
Monday, January 21, 2013
A million bad words.
Read an interesting quote, I'm sorry I can't tell you who said it: that a writer has a million bad words in him before he gets proficient.
If that's true, I must be almost there.
Meanwhile, I'm continuing to read the Yiddish Policeman's Union. I may have been a little unfair to it, saying it wasn't grabbing me. The writing is amazing, the complexity and the heart. A good book in almost every way except that it doesn't grab me. I read a Lee Child book in about a day in a half in the middle of the month long reading of Y.P.U.
I'm vetting DEVILTREE, making sure the digital copy is correct, and while I'm at it, I'm reading it.
So I'm reading my best writing from 25 years ago.
It feels a little pedestrian, one step at a time. A quarter of the way through and they are still at what I would consider the introductory parts -- they haven't even escaped the city yet.
On the other hand, I've done a pretty good job of building an "otherness" that draws you in. Making it seem credible.
I'm a much looser writer now, and I'm not sure that's a complete improvement.
In the end, I could never write a book like Y.P.U. I can only write as deeply and creatively as I am. A little luck and hard work can improve that, but only by so much.
I think I can write a interesting book, possibly. Entertaining, hopefully.
Just don't know if I've done that yet.
Back to writing that million words....
If that's true, I must be almost there.
Meanwhile, I'm continuing to read the Yiddish Policeman's Union. I may have been a little unfair to it, saying it wasn't grabbing me. The writing is amazing, the complexity and the heart. A good book in almost every way except that it doesn't grab me. I read a Lee Child book in about a day in a half in the middle of the month long reading of Y.P.U.
I'm vetting DEVILTREE, making sure the digital copy is correct, and while I'm at it, I'm reading it.
So I'm reading my best writing from 25 years ago.
It feels a little pedestrian, one step at a time. A quarter of the way through and they are still at what I would consider the introductory parts -- they haven't even escaped the city yet.
On the other hand, I've done a pretty good job of building an "otherness" that draws you in. Making it seem credible.
I'm a much looser writer now, and I'm not sure that's a complete improvement.
In the end, I could never write a book like Y.P.U. I can only write as deeply and creatively as I am. A little luck and hard work can improve that, but only by so much.
I think I can write a interesting book, possibly. Entertaining, hopefully.
Just don't know if I've done that yet.
Back to writing that million words....
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Staying on track.
Yesterday was a great example of why I need extra time to be a writer. Time to waste. Except, as I'll try to prove, I don't really think it's a waste.
So, because of different factors, especially the root canal surgery, there were 5 days since the last writing session on my vampire story.
I started thinking about it around noon, my usual time. But nothing came. I couldn't pick up the threads, I reread and tried to recapture it. I puttered around. I waited for inspiration. While I was doing that, I came up with more plot and thematic elements I wanted to accomplish, but the spark to start my 8th chapter just wouldn't come.
Even though I had told myself I wouldn't ever push my writing again, I decided I had no choice. It wasn't really pushing, I told myself, since I knew what I wanted the chapter to do. It was just that I couldn't come up with the beginning inspiration. (It doesn't take much, sometimes just a word or two, a scene, an idea...)
I wrote the chapter and it did what I wanted, but not much more.
Took the usual two hour break, and started the next chapter -- which flowed easily. Very easily.
So the lesson?
I need time, sometimes hours, maybe even days to just putter around and try to wait, and then maybe nibble at some writing.
I need to not let too much time pass between writing sessions. If I'm going to write my story quickly, and try to maintain consistent tone and theme, then I need to write.
I need to find the fine line between "forcing" my writing, and making sure I keep some momentum. The part that can't be forced, I think, is the plot. The writing can be forced to a certain extent as long as I know what I'm trying to accomplish.
An example: When I was writing FREEDY, I lost an entire chapter. After trying to get it back all day, I finally sat down that night and rewrote the chapter. I wasn't happy with it -- I wasn't feeling it -- but I had tried to put in all the elements I had thought of.
A week or so later, I was reading this portion of the novel -- and I almost couldn't remember which chapter it was that I'd lost. When I figured it out, it turned out to be the best of the 5 or so chapters I read.
The point being, I had in fact worked out the elements of the chapter, and the nuts and bolts of actually writing it were easily reproduced. The original concept wasn't, but the writing was.
In the past, having five days between writing and then being stumped for most of a day, might have been the end of the story. By having time off, I could wait around -- not wasting time, but letting the story come back to me.
I'm back on track.
I need to do my monthly orders, but I'm going to keep the next three days for writing and then spend all day and night Wednesday to do the orders.
It's important that I stay on track.
So, because of different factors, especially the root canal surgery, there were 5 days since the last writing session on my vampire story.
I started thinking about it around noon, my usual time. But nothing came. I couldn't pick up the threads, I reread and tried to recapture it. I puttered around. I waited for inspiration. While I was doing that, I came up with more plot and thematic elements I wanted to accomplish, but the spark to start my 8th chapter just wouldn't come.
Even though I had told myself I wouldn't ever push my writing again, I decided I had no choice. It wasn't really pushing, I told myself, since I knew what I wanted the chapter to do. It was just that I couldn't come up with the beginning inspiration. (It doesn't take much, sometimes just a word or two, a scene, an idea...)
I wrote the chapter and it did what I wanted, but not much more.
Took the usual two hour break, and started the next chapter -- which flowed easily. Very easily.
So the lesson?
I need time, sometimes hours, maybe even days to just putter around and try to wait, and then maybe nibble at some writing.
I need to not let too much time pass between writing sessions. If I'm going to write my story quickly, and try to maintain consistent tone and theme, then I need to write.
I need to find the fine line between "forcing" my writing, and making sure I keep some momentum. The part that can't be forced, I think, is the plot. The writing can be forced to a certain extent as long as I know what I'm trying to accomplish.
An example: When I was writing FREEDY, I lost an entire chapter. After trying to get it back all day, I finally sat down that night and rewrote the chapter. I wasn't happy with it -- I wasn't feeling it -- but I had tried to put in all the elements I had thought of.
A week or so later, I was reading this portion of the novel -- and I almost couldn't remember which chapter it was that I'd lost. When I figured it out, it turned out to be the best of the 5 or so chapters I read.
The point being, I had in fact worked out the elements of the chapter, and the nuts and bolts of actually writing it were easily reproduced. The original concept wasn't, but the writing was.
In the past, having five days between writing and then being stumped for most of a day, might have been the end of the story. By having time off, I could wait around -- not wasting time, but letting the story come back to me.
I'm back on track.
I need to do my monthly orders, but I'm going to keep the next three days for writing and then spend all day and night Wednesday to do the orders.
It's important that I stay on track.
Downtown Comings and Goings. 1/20/13.
We now know the names of the three new restaurants downtown. I knew a couple of them, but restaurants fall through so often, I thought I'd wait for comfirmation.
The Drake is taking the El Jimador space. Sweet Saigon is talking Amalia's, and the Firehall is becoming Brickhouse.
Cozy Lamb has moved inside a building, which doesn't meet my standards of keeping a street storefront, so I'm putting it in the Goings section, with a note.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Sweet Saigon, Wall St., 1/20/13.
Brickhouse, Oregon Ave., 1/20/13.
The Drake, Wall St. , 1/20/13
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Topolino, Wall Street, 1/20/13.
Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 1/20/13 (moved inside, Bond St.)
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
The Drake is taking the El Jimador space. Sweet Saigon is talking Amalia's, and the Firehall is becoming Brickhouse.
Cozy Lamb has moved inside a building, which doesn't meet my standards of keeping a street storefront, so I'm putting it in the Goings section, with a note.
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Sweet Saigon, Wall St., 1/20/13.
Brickhouse, Oregon Ave., 1/20/13.
The Drake, Wall St. , 1/20/13
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Topolino, Wall Street, 1/20/13.
Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 1/20/13 (moved inside, Bond St.)
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
Welcome to the street.
Went in to introduce myself to the new owner of Dudley's and welcome him to the street.
Turns out, when he was thinking about buying the store, he had come in and talked to me. Anyway, he greeted me with friendliness (unlike the previous owner, who acted like I was an alien or something) and we talked about being sure to send customers to each other's store and all in all, I felt good about it.
He seems to be trending toward beefing up the cafe/coffee part of the business, but also showed an awareness of the need for good books.
Over the years, I've done this -- gone in, said Hi, I own Pegasus Books, welcome to the street. Most of the time, they acted kind of -- well, unfriendly. Not sure why. Maybe it was my manner, I don't know.
I think actually it was my manner -- I would come on too strong, or something. Especially early on, I really got the cold shoulder. Since all those businesses are gone now, I supposed I should just forget it.
Anyway, eventually, I decided to just take care of my own business.
It's like one of time-lapse video's where the central spot -- Pegasus Books -- is the same, unmoving year after year, while all the surroundings are a blur.
Turns out, when he was thinking about buying the store, he had come in and talked to me. Anyway, he greeted me with friendliness (unlike the previous owner, who acted like I was an alien or something) and we talked about being sure to send customers to each other's store and all in all, I felt good about it.
He seems to be trending toward beefing up the cafe/coffee part of the business, but also showed an awareness of the need for good books.
Over the years, I've done this -- gone in, said Hi, I own Pegasus Books, welcome to the street. Most of the time, they acted kind of -- well, unfriendly. Not sure why. Maybe it was my manner, I don't know.
I think actually it was my manner -- I would come on too strong, or something. Especially early on, I really got the cold shoulder. Since all those businesses are gone now, I supposed I should just forget it.
Anyway, eventually, I decided to just take care of my own business.
It's like one of time-lapse video's where the central spot -- Pegasus Books -- is the same, unmoving year after year, while all the surroundings are a blur.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Life of Pi, with running commentary behind me.
It's probably as useless to complain about people talking in the theater as it is to complain about traffic. People will talk, people will tailgate. I take a deep breath these days and endure it.
The last time I got into a confrontation in a movie was with Lord Of The Rings. Since then, I've just taken my punishment -- sometimes we move, but most often we just try to ignore it.
Went to see Life of Pi, and there were talkers in front and talkers in back. Linda was bothered by the old guy in front of us with the deep loud voice who explained the movie to his deaf wife.
I was bothered by the lady behind me who had a running commentary about the book, and would actually anticipate moments before they happened: talk about spoilers! And, well -- this was repeated and repeated -- she was a Christian, and this movie was so Christian.
I kind of thought the movie wasn't about Christianity as much as being spiritual, no matter what religion.
So the lady had to professed her love of Christ and also loudly inform the world she had read the book! (Maybe it was the only book she'd ever read...)
With the movie over, she really goes ballistic -- God and Christ and how much she never thought they could make a movie of the book, and you really should read the book, and oh, God, and the book...
The smug tone was unbearable. I literally put my fingers in my ears. Really.
Finally, the credits are over, and we get up and the four old people in front say, "Wow. This movie was made by a bunch of foreigners!
I wanted to turn around and say, "Did you just see the same movie I saw?"
The last time I got into a confrontation in a movie was with Lord Of The Rings. Since then, I've just taken my punishment -- sometimes we move, but most often we just try to ignore it.
Went to see Life of Pi, and there were talkers in front and talkers in back. Linda was bothered by the old guy in front of us with the deep loud voice who explained the movie to his deaf wife.
I was bothered by the lady behind me who had a running commentary about the book, and would actually anticipate moments before they happened: talk about spoilers! And, well -- this was repeated and repeated -- she was a Christian, and this movie was so Christian.
I kind of thought the movie wasn't about Christianity as much as being spiritual, no matter what religion.
So the lady had to professed her love of Christ and also loudly inform the world she had read the book! (Maybe it was the only book she'd ever read...)
With the movie over, she really goes ballistic -- God and Christ and how much she never thought they could make a movie of the book, and you really should read the book, and oh, God, and the book...
The smug tone was unbearable. I literally put my fingers in my ears. Really.
Finally, the credits are over, and we get up and the four old people in front say, "Wow. This movie was made by a bunch of foreigners!
I wanted to turn around and say, "Did you just see the same movie I saw?"
Friday, January 18, 2013
Back to the mainstream.
I'm innocently perusing Reddit when I click a GIF. It's a chainsaw decapitating a prisoner.
Ouch. I'm so disbelieving I see it twice.
That's it. I'm not going back there. Only curated sites from now on. Screw that.
I've avoided all these types of things -- terrorist beheadings and such. I mean, really, screw that.
So I'm a little pissed at how somebody could slip something in like that -- I probably thought I was clicking a cute cat picture or something.
So why would someone do that? The poster called himself "Stop the Drug War" so he probably thought he was forcing us to face up to the costs. But really, he's a terrorist himself. I don't need to see more pictures of the holocaust to be against the holocaust. I stopped looking at them 30 years ago, but they are still indelible in my mind. Screw that.
Back to the mainstream.
Ouch. I'm so disbelieving I see it twice.
That's it. I'm not going back there. Only curated sites from now on. Screw that.
I've avoided all these types of things -- terrorist beheadings and such. I mean, really, screw that.
So I'm a little pissed at how somebody could slip something in like that -- I probably thought I was clicking a cute cat picture or something.
So why would someone do that? The poster called himself "Stop the Drug War" so he probably thought he was forcing us to face up to the costs. But really, he's a terrorist himself. I don't need to see more pictures of the holocaust to be against the holocaust. I stopped looking at them 30 years ago, but they are still indelible in my mind. Screw that.
Back to the mainstream.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Cellphones create behavior...
Found myself talking on my cellphone while being rung up at the 7-11.
My only excuse being -- I never get phone calls. So I automatically answered it. It was telling me there flu shots available on a certain day and time. No one around me seemed perturbed by my talking, and I wasn't holding up the line.
But still....
My only excuse being -- I never get phone calls. So I automatically answered it. It was telling me there flu shots available on a certain day and time. No one around me seemed perturbed by my talking, and I wasn't holding up the line.
But still....
The Sawyers, true to form.
It seems to me that the Sawyers handled their legal defense the same way they handled their business, probably the same way they handled their lives. God help everyone around them.
Delay, lie, obfuscate -- repeat, as many time as you can get away with. Live as comfortably as possible on others people's money and patience, never admit wrong doing, delay, lie, obfuscate...
Delay justice, make victims wait and suffer while you go blithely about your sordid lives isn't much different than delaying payments, making the victims wait and suffer while you go blithely about your sordid lives.
It was painful to watch all the bullshit excuses they put up for not facing their day of reckoning.
Right up to the very last day.
Delay, lie, obfuscate -- repeat, as many time as you can get away with. Live as comfortably as possible on others people's money and patience, never admit wrong doing, delay, lie, obfuscate...
Delay justice, make victims wait and suffer while you go blithely about your sordid lives isn't much different than delaying payments, making the victims wait and suffer while you go blithely about your sordid lives.
It was painful to watch all the bullshit excuses they put up for not facing their day of reckoning.
Right up to the very last day.
Let's get this show on the road!
So all three books and all three book covers are up in the air in various stages of resolution and I'm trying to align them all and I get to see my tech guy one a week for about 2 hours and if anything holds up anything else, it doesn't happen.
That's the problem with trying to be Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and "Let's put on a show!"
I was needing to get the photoshop file of the Deviltree from Martha and I explained it this way:
"We're trying to get the show on the road, but the third act needs reworking, the love song is a clunker, the scenery keeps falling over, and the lead actor is an asshole. Heh."
Anyway, I'll get the play going some day.
Meanwhile, I'm just going to concentrate on my Vampire story.
That's the problem with trying to be Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and "Let's put on a show!"
I was needing to get the photoshop file of the Deviltree from Martha and I explained it this way:
"We're trying to get the show on the road, but the third act needs reworking, the love song is a clunker, the scenery keeps falling over, and the lead actor is an asshole. Heh."
Anyway, I'll get the play going some day.
Meanwhile, I'm just going to concentrate on my Vampire story.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Observing and wishing for are two different things.
So a guy comes in around closing time, and proceeds to tell one of my employees what an asshole I am.
O.K. Fair enough.
He then proceeds to tell my employee that a competitor of mine from about 7 year ago had hoped to "put me out of business."
I can't tell you how many times I've heard that over the years.
Thing is, that response to me being an asshole, or rude, or not doing what they wanted, or not having the stuff they wanted, or being too high priced, or whatever -- is so disproportional to the crime.
All of those things are pretty small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
By all means, don't shop with me. There are a couple of small businesses I've had run ins with here in town, but I've never mentioned their names here. I've never wished their demise. I just don't go there anymore. (Interesting, they seem to be going strong...)
Wishing me to "go out of business?" That could mean me going broke. Who knows? Losing my wife, my house, my mind, any number of dire circumstances Me not having play space for Magic? Oh, well. Right?
Wishing for someone to go out of business -- that's a harsh thing to wish on someone because I didn't have what you wanted at the price you wanted, or whatever.
Just saying.
The other thing is -- that expression seems to be an almost dead giveaway that the person wishing it has the wrong priorities. Worry about your own business. Worry about your overhead and your product costs and stuff like that. Don't be focusing on someone else's business.
Besides that, there is almost no reason that businesses can't co-exist. No reason, for instance, that you have to take a "Him" versus "Me" attitude, no reason to take sides.
I suppose this is an object lesson for me, when it comes to chainstores. While I might not have much sympathy for the business model, I certainly have for the employees -- even management, I suppose. Since I'm management.
Observing and wishing for are two different things, I suppose. I hope.
O.K. Fair enough.
He then proceeds to tell my employee that a competitor of mine from about 7 year ago had hoped to "put me out of business."
I can't tell you how many times I've heard that over the years.
Thing is, that response to me being an asshole, or rude, or not doing what they wanted, or not having the stuff they wanted, or being too high priced, or whatever -- is so disproportional to the crime.
All of those things are pretty small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
By all means, don't shop with me. There are a couple of small businesses I've had run ins with here in town, but I've never mentioned their names here. I've never wished their demise. I just don't go there anymore. (Interesting, they seem to be going strong...)
Wishing me to "go out of business?" That could mean me going broke. Who knows? Losing my wife, my house, my mind, any number of dire circumstances Me not having play space for Magic? Oh, well. Right?
Wishing for someone to go out of business -- that's a harsh thing to wish on someone because I didn't have what you wanted at the price you wanted, or whatever.
Just saying.
The other thing is -- that expression seems to be an almost dead giveaway that the person wishing it has the wrong priorities. Worry about your own business. Worry about your overhead and your product costs and stuff like that. Don't be focusing on someone else's business.
Besides that, there is almost no reason that businesses can't co-exist. No reason, for instance, that you have to take a "Him" versus "Me" attitude, no reason to take sides.
I suppose this is an object lesson for me, when it comes to chainstores. While I might not have much sympathy for the business model, I certainly have for the employees -- even management, I suppose. Since I'm management.
Observing and wishing for are two different things, I suppose. I hope.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Root canal day.
Apparently it's a four pronger -- or rooter -- or something. I've been passed onto the specialist.
I'm terrified.
Arggghh.
Not to mention, it's expensive as Hell.
I've been taking antibiotics for eight days now, and the infection seems at about the same intensity. I believe it's a bad thing to let the infection remain, so I'll be asking for a continuation or a megadose or something.
But what do I know?
I'm hoping I'll be able to come back and do some writing. Novocaine makes me very shaky -- I'm a little allergic or something. I refuse to be put under for anything but major surgery.
What did prehistoric man do? Just die? From a toothache?
Weird thing about this, is it hasn't hurt a bit. Don't think that's ever happened before.
I sense that the medical system is out there just waiting to suck us dry. Even with insurance.
I have no dental insurance. Which seems like a bit of flaw. But -- even the medical insurance is there for something major, I've got a 5,000.00 deductible so it's never actually been used. The government had me sweating there for awhile about extending Medicare just about the time I would have reached it.
Arggghh.
I'm terrified.
Arggghh.
Not to mention, it's expensive as Hell.
I've been taking antibiotics for eight days now, and the infection seems at about the same intensity. I believe it's a bad thing to let the infection remain, so I'll be asking for a continuation or a megadose or something.
But what do I know?
I'm hoping I'll be able to come back and do some writing. Novocaine makes me very shaky -- I'm a little allergic or something. I refuse to be put under for anything but major surgery.
What did prehistoric man do? Just die? From a toothache?
Weird thing about this, is it hasn't hurt a bit. Don't think that's ever happened before.
I sense that the medical system is out there just waiting to suck us dry. Even with insurance.
I have no dental insurance. Which seems like a bit of flaw. But -- even the medical insurance is there for something major, I've got a 5,000.00 deductible so it's never actually been used. The government had me sweating there for awhile about extending Medicare just about the time I would have reached it.
Arggghh.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Gold Globs.
The way to watch the Gold Globs is to dvr it. Takes half the time.
The show succeeded in making me want to watch Silver Linings Playbook, and reinterested in watching Life of Pi. And regret missing Moonrise Kingdom.
If I go to Zero Dark Thirty, like I intend, that will be about 10 films I've seen that are still in the theaters. A modern record. (Was a time when I saw every movie -- what can I say, I was a lonely guy, read tons of books too.)
Oh, and what's the point of coming out, if you don't really come out? Jodie? Yes, she was pretty eloquent, but that was a little weird.
Django Unchained was great fun. As I mentioned on twitter I was envious of the 'beard.' That was one great beard.
Watching it and then watching Downton Abbey was interesting. I kept thinking -- "economic slaves."
The story line of having to settle for a smaller place -- which was a palace -- made the whole thing kind of ridiculous. I'm so over Downton Abbey. I'll watch it, but I'm kind of doubting the whole premise.
The Good Wife, on the other hand, just gets better and better. They have this side character, a sort of ditzy lawyer who they turn to when they need to be defended by a lawyer, who is the best character on T.V. She needs a spin off. At first you think the ditzyness is an act, to make people underestimate her -- then you realize she really is very strange -- but people underestimate her. She's a killer lawyer.
Great stuff.
The show succeeded in making me want to watch Silver Linings Playbook, and reinterested in watching Life of Pi. And regret missing Moonrise Kingdom.
If I go to Zero Dark Thirty, like I intend, that will be about 10 films I've seen that are still in the theaters. A modern record. (Was a time when I saw every movie -- what can I say, I was a lonely guy, read tons of books too.)
Oh, and what's the point of coming out, if you don't really come out? Jodie? Yes, she was pretty eloquent, but that was a little weird.
Django Unchained was great fun. As I mentioned on twitter I was envious of the 'beard.' That was one great beard.
Watching it and then watching Downton Abbey was interesting. I kept thinking -- "economic slaves."
The story line of having to settle for a smaller place -- which was a palace -- made the whole thing kind of ridiculous. I'm so over Downton Abbey. I'll watch it, but I'm kind of doubting the whole premise.
The Good Wife, on the other hand, just gets better and better. They have this side character, a sort of ditzy lawyer who they turn to when they need to be defended by a lawyer, who is the best character on T.V. She needs a spin off. At first you think the ditzyness is an act, to make people underestimate her -- then you realize she really is very strange -- but people underestimate her. She's a killer lawyer.
Great stuff.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
I didn't ask for this story.
It looks like my vampire story is going to become a real book. I've got a rough outline of where I think its going and an idea of the themes I want to explore.
Terrible strategic planning. I'm all over the map with my writing. I'd be better off if I could write one kind of story and keep writing that kind of story.
But as I've mentioned before, my subconscious writes what my subconscious wants to write. That may sound silly, but I'm telling you, it isn't a conscious decision. Thing is, if I write at quickly, even if it turns out to be a wrong move, I've gotten it out of the way. Agonizing over WHAT to write for two or three months, when I could actually be writing something during that same timespan, seems crazy to me now.
Meanwhile, I'm in the unusual position of feeling like I need to...slow... my... writing... down. Pace myself.
Normally, I want to write while the writing is hot, but from now on, I want to keep the well full.
I've mentioned before that I used to have this sense of a "well" of water (creativity) that fills up and starts to overflow. As long as the well is full, I can keep dipping into it. But if the well is depleted, I need to back off. This image has come back to me. I'm back to measuring the well every day.
I think it's a matter of trusting the subconscious to come up with the story. The solutions to problems. For instance, I'm never going to worry about a story being long enough again -- I'm never going to try to come up with "filler."
This newest effort, I'm more or less letting it come to me. I'm not pushing it. At the same time, though, I am trying to apply my critical brain so that I don't go too far astray.
A tricky balance -- the creative and the critical at the same time.
For this vampire story, I decided on a theme that is a little on the downer side. I mean, I really like it. A vampire with a conscience. But that alone would not make a satisfying story.
So I decided what I needed was a second, nastier vampire who can supply the story with all the thrills and chills it needs.
That's what I mean by using the critical part. What is this story missing, that I'd want if I was reading it?
I'm hoping I can write this more in the Freedy mode than in the Nearly Human mode. I think it's probably more effective to keep producing rather than struggle with the same story over and over again.
Unexpected story, though.
Terrible strategic planning. I'm all over the map with my writing. I'd be better off if I could write one kind of story and keep writing that kind of story.
But as I've mentioned before, my subconscious writes what my subconscious wants to write. That may sound silly, but I'm telling you, it isn't a conscious decision. Thing is, if I write at quickly, even if it turns out to be a wrong move, I've gotten it out of the way. Agonizing over WHAT to write for two or three months, when I could actually be writing something during that same timespan, seems crazy to me now.
Meanwhile, I'm in the unusual position of feeling like I need to...slow... my... writing... down. Pace myself.
Normally, I want to write while the writing is hot, but from now on, I want to keep the well full.
I've mentioned before that I used to have this sense of a "well" of water (creativity) that fills up and starts to overflow. As long as the well is full, I can keep dipping into it. But if the well is depleted, I need to back off. This image has come back to me. I'm back to measuring the well every day.
I think it's a matter of trusting the subconscious to come up with the story. The solutions to problems. For instance, I'm never going to worry about a story being long enough again -- I'm never going to try to come up with "filler."
This newest effort, I'm more or less letting it come to me. I'm not pushing it. At the same time, though, I am trying to apply my critical brain so that I don't go too far astray.
A tricky balance -- the creative and the critical at the same time.
For this vampire story, I decided on a theme that is a little on the downer side. I mean, I really like it. A vampire with a conscience. But that alone would not make a satisfying story.
So I decided what I needed was a second, nastier vampire who can supply the story with all the thrills and chills it needs.
That's what I mean by using the critical part. What is this story missing, that I'd want if I was reading it?
I'm hoping I can write this more in the Freedy mode than in the Nearly Human mode. I think it's probably more effective to keep producing rather than struggle with the same story over and over again.
Unexpected story, though.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Small favors which are really big favors.
While we were trying to get flu shots at Costco, Linda and I sat down and ate some hot dogs.
The place was jammed, as always.
I started people watching. I know, no big deal. Except for me, it is. For years I could only go into a jammed packed 'marketplace' by screwing up my courage. And even then, I wanted to get in and out as fast as possible.
A little thing called Agoraphobia. So I'm sitting there watching all the people, thinking about how Not Hollywood the American public really is -- old and fat and short and badly groomed and badly dressed and so on -- but you know, not so bad. Just people. I'm just people, too -- of the older, gray grizzled kind.
My gaze was sliding over people, occasionally catching someone's eye by mistake and easily detaching myself, going back over to make sure they were ignoring me, and so on. Felt natural, and easy. I seemed to be fitting right in. (I guess a final residue of my phobia is that "checking" thing.)
It made me appreciate the simple ability to sit in public and not feel uncomfortable; something that just about everyone feels naturally and don't realize what a gift it is.
Hard to explain. It probably never even occurs to people.
I'm very sympathetic to post-traumatic stress disorder, because my guess is that it plays similar mind and body trips as most phobias -- probably more so, and maybe not as predictable.
There are a certain number of people who suffer from Agoraphobia. One of my crowd watching goals was to see if I saw anyone uncomfortable like I used to be; of course, I didn't see them because, hey -- they wouldn't be there, would they?
And if they were, they were probably pretty good at hiding it, like I used to be. Putting your head down and plowing through a crowd looks a lot like a busy guy in a hurry, you know?
But I sure appreciate this easy feeling. I don't know when it happened, exactly. It's been a long slow process. Every success building on another success. Never pushing it. Pills helped for the most extreme situations, but I feel like they are less and less necessary. I still don't choose these situations -- or seek them out. Because -- well, you never know. Don't push your luck.
But I also don't twist myself into contortions to avoid them, either. I take them in stride when they happen.
Sitting there and not feeling even a twinge.
Wow.
I'm not sure I ever thought that would happen again.
Thank god for small favors which are really big favors.
The place was jammed, as always.
I started people watching. I know, no big deal. Except for me, it is. For years I could only go into a jammed packed 'marketplace' by screwing up my courage. And even then, I wanted to get in and out as fast as possible.
A little thing called Agoraphobia. So I'm sitting there watching all the people, thinking about how Not Hollywood the American public really is -- old and fat and short and badly groomed and badly dressed and so on -- but you know, not so bad. Just people. I'm just people, too -- of the older, gray grizzled kind.
My gaze was sliding over people, occasionally catching someone's eye by mistake and easily detaching myself, going back over to make sure they were ignoring me, and so on. Felt natural, and easy. I seemed to be fitting right in. (I guess a final residue of my phobia is that "checking" thing.)
It made me appreciate the simple ability to sit in public and not feel uncomfortable; something that just about everyone feels naturally and don't realize what a gift it is.
Hard to explain. It probably never even occurs to people.
I'm very sympathetic to post-traumatic stress disorder, because my guess is that it plays similar mind and body trips as most phobias -- probably more so, and maybe not as predictable.
There are a certain number of people who suffer from Agoraphobia. One of my crowd watching goals was to see if I saw anyone uncomfortable like I used to be; of course, I didn't see them because, hey -- they wouldn't be there, would they?
And if they were, they were probably pretty good at hiding it, like I used to be. Putting your head down and plowing through a crowd looks a lot like a busy guy in a hurry, you know?
But I sure appreciate this easy feeling. I don't know when it happened, exactly. It's been a long slow process. Every success building on another success. Never pushing it. Pills helped for the most extreme situations, but I feel like they are less and less necessary. I still don't choose these situations -- or seek them out. Because -- well, you never know. Don't push your luck.
But I also don't twist myself into contortions to avoid them, either. I take them in stride when they happen.
Sitting there and not feeling even a twinge.
Wow.
I'm not sure I ever thought that would happen again.
Thank god for small favors which are really big favors.
Friday, January 11, 2013
No flu shots to be had.
I have now gone to seven different places for a flu shot.
Twice early in the week -- once at my doctor and once at my druggist. The doctor said come back Friday, so I did. Nope. Tried Costco, and there's a two week waiting list. No at Bend Memorial Clinic, none to be had at Safeway and Walgreens.
So thanks media for the stampede.
Under the assumption that water flows downhill and drowns anyone at the bottom, I'm going to assume that no one has them. My doctor is supposed to call when they get some in.
Heh.
And the worst of it was, I had to go to all these places that SICK people congregate at!
Twice early in the week -- once at my doctor and once at my druggist. The doctor said come back Friday, so I did. Nope. Tried Costco, and there's a two week waiting list. No at Bend Memorial Clinic, none to be had at Safeway and Walgreens.
So thanks media for the stampede.
Under the assumption that water flows downhill and drowns anyone at the bottom, I'm going to assume that no one has them. My doctor is supposed to call when they get some in.
Heh.
And the worst of it was, I had to go to all these places that SICK people congregate at!
Are you a Cyborg?
Time traveler from the 1950's: "I'm disappointed that things aren't more futuristic."
"Ask me a question."
"What?
"Ask me a question and I'll answer it within 60 seconds."
"Any question?"
"Ask the temperature in Shanghai. Who the signers of the Constitution were. Ask when Elvis released his first record."
"Elvis? I thought he was a flash in the pan."
"Ask a question."
"All Right. What are the first 15 digits of Pi?"
"3.14159265358979."
"Wow. You're pretty good. What is the speed of light?"
"299,792, 458 metres per second."
"Metres? O.K. so you're science nerd. When was the Battle of Bunker Hill?"
"June 17th, 1775."
"MY GOD! Are you a Cyborg?"
Looking down at the computer on lap. "Yep."
"Ask me a question."
"What?
"Ask me a question and I'll answer it within 60 seconds."
"Any question?"
"Ask the temperature in Shanghai. Who the signers of the Constitution were. Ask when Elvis released his first record."
"Elvis? I thought he was a flash in the pan."
"Ask a question."
"All Right. What are the first 15 digits of Pi?"
"3.14159265358979."
"Wow. You're pretty good. What is the speed of light?"
"299,792, 458 metres per second."
"Metres? O.K. so you're science nerd. When was the Battle of Bunker Hill?"
"June 17th, 1775."
"MY GOD! Are you a Cyborg?"
Looking down at the computer on lap. "Yep."
Barnes and Noble had a bad Christmas. Too bad, so sad.
Barnes and Noble had a bad Christmas. Unless I'm reading it wrong, they had a worse Christmas with their Nook business than they did with their brick and mortar bookstore business. Which was apparently unexpected.
Apparently they are also closing their stores at a rapid rate.
There is some evidence that they need the bookstores to sell the Nook. Obviously, it's too expensive to 'Showroom' books just to sell more Nooks, but that appears to be what's happening. In other words, the less physical locations there are, the less exposure Nook gets and the less exposure the books that sell on the Nook get.
Quite the dilemma.
So these monster bookstores came into our communities and stomped the independents into near extinction. Here in Bend, all five of the local indies eventually went out of business. Several have come and gone since. There is currently one indie left in Bend -- Between the Covers (GO! BUY A BOOK!) if you don't count my more selective and limited inventory.
I've often used the analogy of these monster stores being Dinosaurs, stomping the little critters into the ground. But these were predatory Dinosaurs, they set out the stomp the little critters into extinction.
But now the Dinosaurs are dying, and there isn't enough strength left in the eco-system to replace them.
I'm supposed to feel bad about this. I'm supposed to regret their passing, if not for my sake for the sake of the eco-system of publishers and distributors and so on.
I can't summon any sympathy whatsoever. We deserve what we get. We'll continue to deserve what we get. We get what we get.
Anyway, before I had ever heard the term "Showroom" for the phenomenon of people checking out the physical object at a store and then buying it cheaper online, I was well aware of it.
I always called the 'Showroom' -- the "support" system to a product. It's where the customer goes to get the vibe, to get revved up, to see and talk to like minded people, the feel "part" of the subculture, to know they are not Alone, to feel, touch, taste and see the object of their desires beyond the sterile "bits" online.
Without a "support" system, a subculture slowly dies, becomes even more niche than it started out. (No one ever believes this...sigh.) I've seen it happen over and over again over the last 30 years. The big leap into the mass market is actually a leap without a parachute.
I always use the example of sports cards.
Once upon a time I would get a case of the new sports cards and open it up and start handing boxes over my shoulder and there would be someone to take it. We'd stand around and get excited and talk and compete and compare and set up 'player leagues' and trade and sell and have an all around good time.
Then one day, they started to slough off, run to the local discount, buy a box (feeling a slight twinge of guilt, maybe.) Then they came back to my store and pretended they bought the product from me (which was funny, because I knew who I sold product to...)
But they'd still want to "stand around and get excited and talk and compete and compare and set up 'player leagues' and trade and sell and have an all around good time."
Eventually I had to shut them down, bring in other unspoiled product, and keep my business alive. They drifted off, presumably to wander the aisles of the local Shopko.
Even later, I have an image of them looking at some cards online with their finger on the 'buy' button, really tempted because it was so damn CHEAP, and then not buying because -- for some reason they can't quite figure out, it isn't FUN anymore.
So go all subcultures, all niches, all hobbies that become dominated for any length of time by the chainstores.
People are often surprised that I consider the chainstores to be my main competitors -- not the internet. I can live with the internet because it requires what I call "The Extra Step." Breaking out the credit card, pushing the button at a distance, and then waiting.
I can compete with that because I have the product right here, right now.
I can't compete with another place that has the product right here, right now -- much cheaper.
So farewell, Borders. Farewell Barnes and Noble. Farewell all the Dinosaurs that will eventually follow.
The little mammals that scurry among the lava boulders will survive the massive asteroid of the internet. But they'll always need to be small and savvy. Hopefully, the local communities will cherish them.
Before it's too late.
Apparently they are also closing their stores at a rapid rate.
There is some evidence that they need the bookstores to sell the Nook. Obviously, it's too expensive to 'Showroom' books just to sell more Nooks, but that appears to be what's happening. In other words, the less physical locations there are, the less exposure Nook gets and the less exposure the books that sell on the Nook get.
Quite the dilemma.
So these monster bookstores came into our communities and stomped the independents into near extinction. Here in Bend, all five of the local indies eventually went out of business. Several have come and gone since. There is currently one indie left in Bend -- Between the Covers (GO! BUY A BOOK!) if you don't count my more selective and limited inventory.
I've often used the analogy of these monster stores being Dinosaurs, stomping the little critters into the ground. But these were predatory Dinosaurs, they set out the stomp the little critters into extinction.
But now the Dinosaurs are dying, and there isn't enough strength left in the eco-system to replace them.
I'm supposed to feel bad about this. I'm supposed to regret their passing, if not for my sake for the sake of the eco-system of publishers and distributors and so on.
I can't summon any sympathy whatsoever. We deserve what we get. We'll continue to deserve what we get. We get what we get.
Anyway, before I had ever heard the term "Showroom" for the phenomenon of people checking out the physical object at a store and then buying it cheaper online, I was well aware of it.
I always called the 'Showroom' -- the "support" system to a product. It's where the customer goes to get the vibe, to get revved up, to see and talk to like minded people, the feel "part" of the subculture, to know they are not Alone, to feel, touch, taste and see the object of their desires beyond the sterile "bits" online.
Without a "support" system, a subculture slowly dies, becomes even more niche than it started out. (No one ever believes this...sigh.) I've seen it happen over and over again over the last 30 years. The big leap into the mass market is actually a leap without a parachute.
I always use the example of sports cards.
Once upon a time I would get a case of the new sports cards and open it up and start handing boxes over my shoulder and there would be someone to take it. We'd stand around and get excited and talk and compete and compare and set up 'player leagues' and trade and sell and have an all around good time.
Then one day, they started to slough off, run to the local discount, buy a box (feeling a slight twinge of guilt, maybe.) Then they came back to my store and pretended they bought the product from me (which was funny, because I knew who I sold product to...)
But they'd still want to "stand around and get excited and talk and compete and compare and set up 'player leagues' and trade and sell and have an all around good time."
Eventually I had to shut them down, bring in other unspoiled product, and keep my business alive. They drifted off, presumably to wander the aisles of the local Shopko.
Even later, I have an image of them looking at some cards online with their finger on the 'buy' button, really tempted because it was so damn CHEAP, and then not buying because -- for some reason they can't quite figure out, it isn't FUN anymore.
So go all subcultures, all niches, all hobbies that become dominated for any length of time by the chainstores.
People are often surprised that I consider the chainstores to be my main competitors -- not the internet. I can live with the internet because it requires what I call "The Extra Step." Breaking out the credit card, pushing the button at a distance, and then waiting.
I can compete with that because I have the product right here, right now.
I can't compete with another place that has the product right here, right now -- much cheaper.
So farewell, Borders. Farewell Barnes and Noble. Farewell all the Dinosaurs that will eventually follow.
The little mammals that scurry among the lava boulders will survive the massive asteroid of the internet. But they'll always need to be small and savvy. Hopefully, the local communities will cherish them.
Before it's too late.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
How shallow am I? (Don't answer that.)
I totally expected to like The Yiddish Policeman's Union, by Micheal Chabon. It seemed right up my alley.
I'm halfway through and stalled. Bored.
I admire the writing -- that isn't the same thing as saying I'm enjoying the story. I'm a genre reader, pure and simple. I want story above all, and the story needs to have hooks, suspense, intrigue. Otherwise, why bother?
I read for entertainment.
Probably just goes to show how shallow I am.
I'm halfway through and stalled. Bored.
I admire the writing -- that isn't the same thing as saying I'm enjoying the story. I'm a genre reader, pure and simple. I want story above all, and the story needs to have hooks, suspense, intrigue. Otherwise, why bother?
I read for entertainment.
Probably just goes to show how shallow I am.
Just what the world needs -- another vampire story.
***I wrote this several days ago, but it's still valid, so I'm posting it.
I keep saying there is no hurry publishing my books.
By that, I mean that I should get them as ready and as good as possible.
But there is a hurry in the sense that it's a huge distraction from the real job of writing. That's really why I was hoping to get so much accomplished by January 1. I wasn't going to be able to write while the holidays were happening anyway.
That didn't turn out to be realistic, (my tech helpers wanted to celebrate the holidays, the selfish bastards...) so now I'm really feeling torn. I want to immerse myself in fiction, but I'm a little afraid of getting started if I'm going to get pulled away all the time.
Scheduling hours was never the real problem. Clearing away all the distractions was. If I could schedule 4 hours a day writing and 8 hours a day working and 8 hours a day sleeping and 4 hours a day doing all the life stuff, I would have done that years ago.
No, I need the whole open horizon to really create, not this dragging down of shit like formatting and cover art and all the rest. I mean, I've enjoyed some of it, but damn it I want it done!
So I'm feeling like so much is unfinished, and I can only ask so much of other people. I'm ready to say, screw it, I'll just write some more. Deal with the rest later.
But I need to at least get the three books online, first.
I'm also trying to do Star Axe, Snowcastles and Icetowers online in some form, but I think I'll tell Aaron that can wait. Get the three unpublished books done first.
Then back to writing. Then sometime in the near future, go ahead and get the rest ready.
Meanwhile, I've got my little vampire story, which I'm thinking I'll just throw up on my blog.
Just what the world needs, another vampire story...
But the creative mind writes what the creative mind wants to write...
I keep saying there is no hurry publishing my books.
By that, I mean that I should get them as ready and as good as possible.
But there is a hurry in the sense that it's a huge distraction from the real job of writing. That's really why I was hoping to get so much accomplished by January 1. I wasn't going to be able to write while the holidays were happening anyway.
That didn't turn out to be realistic, (my tech helpers wanted to celebrate the holidays, the selfish bastards...) so now I'm really feeling torn. I want to immerse myself in fiction, but I'm a little afraid of getting started if I'm going to get pulled away all the time.
Scheduling hours was never the real problem. Clearing away all the distractions was. If I could schedule 4 hours a day writing and 8 hours a day working and 8 hours a day sleeping and 4 hours a day doing all the life stuff, I would have done that years ago.
No, I need the whole open horizon to really create, not this dragging down of shit like formatting and cover art and all the rest. I mean, I've enjoyed some of it, but damn it I want it done!
So I'm feeling like so much is unfinished, and I can only ask so much of other people. I'm ready to say, screw it, I'll just write some more. Deal with the rest later.
But I need to at least get the three books online, first.
I'm also trying to do Star Axe, Snowcastles and Icetowers online in some form, but I think I'll tell Aaron that can wait. Get the three unpublished books done first.
Then back to writing. Then sometime in the near future, go ahead and get the rest ready.
Meanwhile, I've got my little vampire story, which I'm thinking I'll just throw up on my blog.
Just what the world needs, another vampire story...
But the creative mind writes what the creative mind wants to write...
Unfinished business is unsettling.
Went to writer's group with my vampire story -- Last Days of the Immortal -- and for once no one had any real criticisms. Everyone seemed to like it, even Gary who's usually the most critical.
I'm looking forward to continuing this story -- and putting it up on my blog. This time with a slight time delay. That was a crazy thing to do to put Freedy up on my blog like I did in real time; but the story seemed to write itself.
I don't intend to revise Freedy, just leave it as the fast story it was meant to be.
I had the girl I asked to copy-edit/edit Nearly Human come in yesterday, and she seems like the person for the job. Not only knew what Cthulhu was, but just about every other reference I made. She seemed a little too excited, and I tried to get her to lower her expectations.
It will be interesting to see what she can do with the book.
We talked for about 3 hours about nerdy things, and about writing, so that was cool.
Meanwhile, at the store, I've gone through nearly a month of minimal orders. That is usually about as long as I can go before I break out in a cold sweat. Just a few more days to go before I can get back to ordering.
I'm going to try really hard to make moderate orders, instead of trying to replace all the inventory at the same time.
I've been feeling at loose ends -- wanting to get the books that are finished done. But since Nearly Human is going through yet another rewrite, I guess there is no hurry. I've got a regularly scheduled meeting with Aaron, my tech guy, once a week. We'll just get whatever accomplished on that day that we can. It's looking now like another month at least before the three books can be put up, probably longer.
Things to do:
I have to track down the original layers of the Deviltree cover, as well as proof-read the scanned copy. Needs to be formatted correctly, both cover and print.
I have to photograph and then put the print on the finished painting for Freedy. Book needs to be formatted correctly, both cover and print.
I need to get the edited copy of Nearly Human back and give the book one more go through. Title and author fonts needs to be finalized. Needs to be formatted correctly both cover and print.
I still have two copies of The Reluctant Wizard out there that need to come back. This is my long-term project, but it would still be nice to have all the little chickies back in their nest.
I want to put full versions of my three published books on my duncanmcgeary.com site for free. I've got a digitalized version of Snowcastles that someone else did; a scanned copy of Star Axe; and I'm breaking apart a printed copy of Icetowers to scan. All of these need to be checked for scanning mistakes, etc. I'm using the original covers to the first two books, since I bought the first cover from the artist and not trying to turn a profit on my own books, there shouldn't be a conflict with the printed copies that Amazon and Barnes and Noble are apparently still selling. Fuck them, if you'll pardon my Cthulhu. I've decided to prioritize, and put these printed books on the back burner.
So...meanwhile, my creative side is just simmering, and it's starting to bug me. So I'm going to try to get my little vampire story going. Start putting it on my blog when I'm sure that it's really going somewhere.
Very unsettling.
I'm looking forward to continuing this story -- and putting it up on my blog. This time with a slight time delay. That was a crazy thing to do to put Freedy up on my blog like I did in real time; but the story seemed to write itself.
I don't intend to revise Freedy, just leave it as the fast story it was meant to be.
I had the girl I asked to copy-edit/edit Nearly Human come in yesterday, and she seems like the person for the job. Not only knew what Cthulhu was, but just about every other reference I made. She seemed a little too excited, and I tried to get her to lower her expectations.
It will be interesting to see what she can do with the book.
We talked for about 3 hours about nerdy things, and about writing, so that was cool.
Meanwhile, at the store, I've gone through nearly a month of minimal orders. That is usually about as long as I can go before I break out in a cold sweat. Just a few more days to go before I can get back to ordering.
I'm going to try really hard to make moderate orders, instead of trying to replace all the inventory at the same time.
I've been feeling at loose ends -- wanting to get the books that are finished done. But since Nearly Human is going through yet another rewrite, I guess there is no hurry. I've got a regularly scheduled meeting with Aaron, my tech guy, once a week. We'll just get whatever accomplished on that day that we can. It's looking now like another month at least before the three books can be put up, probably longer.
Things to do:
I have to track down the original layers of the Deviltree cover, as well as proof-read the scanned copy. Needs to be formatted correctly, both cover and print.
I have to photograph and then put the print on the finished painting for Freedy. Book needs to be formatted correctly, both cover and print.
I need to get the edited copy of Nearly Human back and give the book one more go through. Title and author fonts needs to be finalized. Needs to be formatted correctly both cover and print.
I still have two copies of The Reluctant Wizard out there that need to come back. This is my long-term project, but it would still be nice to have all the little chickies back in their nest.
I want to put full versions of my three published books on my duncanmcgeary.com site for free. I've got a digitalized version of Snowcastles that someone else did; a scanned copy of Star Axe; and I'm breaking apart a printed copy of Icetowers to scan. All of these need to be checked for scanning mistakes, etc. I'm using the original covers to the first two books, since I bought the first cover from the artist and not trying to turn a profit on my own books, there shouldn't be a conflict with the printed copies that Amazon and Barnes and Noble are apparently still selling. Fuck them, if you'll pardon my Cthulhu. I've decided to prioritize, and put these printed books on the back burner.
So...meanwhile, my creative side is just simmering, and it's starting to bug me. So I'm going to try to get my little vampire story going. Start putting it on my blog when I'm sure that it's really going somewhere.
Very unsettling.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Actual statistics, instead of wishful thinking.
After expressing my doubt about how wonderful the tourist season was -- I think it behooves me to keep track of the actual December local statistics where I can find them.
Today's Bulletin tells us "passenger boardings at Redmond Airport dropped nearly 6 percent last month over December 2011..."
Now I find these airport statistics to be very accurate. When 9/11 happened the dropoff matched my own dropoff almost exactly.
Like I said, I'll be very surprised if everyone did as well this Christmas as the local tourism agencies are trying to make you believe.
Today's Bulletin tells us "passenger boardings at Redmond Airport dropped nearly 6 percent last month over December 2011..."
Now I find these airport statistics to be very accurate. When 9/11 happened the dropoff matched my own dropoff almost exactly.
Like I said, I'll be very surprised if everyone did as well this Christmas as the local tourism agencies are trying to make you believe.
Depth and distance in writing.
I scanned the typewritten copy of DEVILTREE into digital format and am now going over it to check for spelling, taking out the page breaks and so on.
First of all, the biggest change I noticed is that I wrote in very long paragraphs back then. I think blog writing has converted me into smaller paragraphs. So much so, that I may go through and actually shorten some of the paragraphs.
Secondly, the writing is very polished. Very readable. This is a book that probably deserves to be published.
Third, the writing is a bit more formal -- less colloquial. I think the blog has loosened me up quite a bit. That isn't necessarily a good thing. It seems to me that the more formal approach feels like a "book." It creates a small distance as if this is something very detached, and then draws you back in hopefully with the writing. In other words, the surface distance allows you to sink deeper into the story.
Whereas being casual may at first seem more approachable, but is more on the surface. It never draws you completely into that other world. The ideas of distance and depth are something I'd never thought about before, frankly.
In other words -- the more formal writing distance (even the longer paragraphs) may at first require that the reader commit more to the story, but it draws them into it deeper.
The more casual approach is easier for the reader at first, but keeps the story somewhat on the surface.
In many ways, I'm learning to trend back to the way I used to write. Creating the slightly formal distance, the third person narrative, then trying to replace it with language and imaginative elements.
It's turning out the biggest differences between the way I used to write and the way I write now are the work methods and of course the advanced technology. The advanced technology allows me to be as prolific as I want to be.
I'm not afraid to just write and see where it leads. At the same time, I'm also trying to be aware of where it leads and what the premises are. Which is a contradiction I'm trying to embrace.
First of all, the biggest change I noticed is that I wrote in very long paragraphs back then. I think blog writing has converted me into smaller paragraphs. So much so, that I may go through and actually shorten some of the paragraphs.
Secondly, the writing is very polished. Very readable. This is a book that probably deserves to be published.
Third, the writing is a bit more formal -- less colloquial. I think the blog has loosened me up quite a bit. That isn't necessarily a good thing. It seems to me that the more formal approach feels like a "book." It creates a small distance as if this is something very detached, and then draws you back in hopefully with the writing. In other words, the surface distance allows you to sink deeper into the story.
Whereas being casual may at first seem more approachable, but is more on the surface. It never draws you completely into that other world. The ideas of distance and depth are something I'd never thought about before, frankly.
In other words -- the more formal writing distance (even the longer paragraphs) may at first require that the reader commit more to the story, but it draws them into it deeper.
The more casual approach is easier for the reader at first, but keeps the story somewhat on the surface.
In many ways, I'm learning to trend back to the way I used to write. Creating the slightly formal distance, the third person narrative, then trying to replace it with language and imaginative elements.
It's turning out the biggest differences between the way I used to write and the way I write now are the work methods and of course the advanced technology. The advanced technology allows me to be as prolific as I want to be.
I'm not afraid to just write and see where it leads. At the same time, I'm also trying to be aware of where it leads and what the premises are. Which is a contradiction I'm trying to embrace.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Tripped up by tech.
I swear -- producing these books is taking longer than writing them did. Damn my technical dunce-cery! Formatting is a fucking nightmare. Oh, well. No hurry -- I keep telling myself.
Aaron's going to try to create a template that I can use from now on to avoid all these problems.
That and the covers. Way beyond my expertise. Talking about pixel counts and ratio's and layers and all that. All it takes is one thing not being ready for everything else to be held up.
Just have to work my way through them. I'm trying not to let them take too much time away from that actual creative part -- you know, the actual writing.
Aaron's going to try to create a template that I can use from now on to avoid all these problems.
That and the covers. Way beyond my expertise. Talking about pixel counts and ratio's and layers and all that. All it takes is one thing not being ready for everything else to be held up.
Just have to work my way through them. I'm trying not to let them take too much time away from that actual creative part -- you know, the actual writing.
December results.
Now that I've cast doubt on the reports of a bang up Christmas, I probably ought to tell you our results at Pegasus Books.
First all all, the overall year was good. In fact, it was our second best year ever, with only 2006 beating it. I'll go into more detail about the overall year later.
We beat 2011 in ten out of the twelve months.
One of the two months where we didn't beat last year was December.
Christmas 2011 was our second best Christmas ever, and I really didn't expect to match that this year. The reason is that I didn't make any money that season, despite the high sales. I stocked up to massive levels in November and December, which resulted in high sales but little or no profits.
I wanted to avoid that this year. I wanted to trade slightly lower sales for a better chance at actually making some money. So I took a wait and see attitude. I stocked so that if we had a 10% decline, I would make a good profit.
The first 10 days of December were down around 13%. At the time, I attributed most of that drop to the weather. Then the Newtown shootings on the 14th, and sales dropped 50% for four days. By the 17th of December, we were down 24%.
The problem with that is, the timing of shipping was such that I had about one more chance to reorder product for Christmas. Based on what I was seeing through the 17th, I ordered minimal replacements. This ordering conundrum hogtied me for the rest of the month. Ordering on Wednesdays meant I didn't get any product until the following week. It forced me to guess early in each week -- Monday, basically -- and because of that I was extra careful.
The sales for the rest of the month were pretty good. The week before Christmas even beat last year, slightly, despite the kids being in school. The week after Christmas was down 13%.
So overall we were down 13%.
This was actually a good result. I ordered even less product that I had planned, so the profits were even higher than I expected.
The downsides I've already mentioned. Add in the fact that I couldn't get some of the hottest games during the peak of the season (Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, etc.) and that I ran out of Settlers of Catan in the last week, these were pretty good results.
COMICS: -25%. I think we're really starting to see the falloff from the previous year's surge of the New 52. The bright spot is that the new Marvel titles are selling better than I expected.
CARDS: +30%. Usually too small a category to make much difference -- except on the exceptional month. This was an exceptional month.
CARD GAMES: -50%. Very disappointing. Also the category I can do the least about.
GAMES: -16%. As I said, the inventory was down this year both because of my being careful and because of some games being out of stock. There was a big presence of these games in other stores this year, so all in all, not a bad result. Also the biggest category for the season.
BOOKS: +6%. Steady as she goes.
TOYS: -23%. Not surprising, actually, because I was most careful about stocking this category.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: +6%. As with books above, steady as she goes.
What really counts is that I've been able to pay all the bills and make a hefty bite out of my credit cards bills.
So I consider it a successful season. Once again, the diversity of product really came through. For instance, the surge in card sales made up for the drop in card game sales. The increase in books and graphic novels compensated for the decrease in games, and so on.
Steady as she goes...
First all all, the overall year was good. In fact, it was our second best year ever, with only 2006 beating it. I'll go into more detail about the overall year later.
We beat 2011 in ten out of the twelve months.
One of the two months where we didn't beat last year was December.
Christmas 2011 was our second best Christmas ever, and I really didn't expect to match that this year. The reason is that I didn't make any money that season, despite the high sales. I stocked up to massive levels in November and December, which resulted in high sales but little or no profits.
I wanted to avoid that this year. I wanted to trade slightly lower sales for a better chance at actually making some money. So I took a wait and see attitude. I stocked so that if we had a 10% decline, I would make a good profit.
The first 10 days of December were down around 13%. At the time, I attributed most of that drop to the weather. Then the Newtown shootings on the 14th, and sales dropped 50% for four days. By the 17th of December, we were down 24%.
The problem with that is, the timing of shipping was such that I had about one more chance to reorder product for Christmas. Based on what I was seeing through the 17th, I ordered minimal replacements. This ordering conundrum hogtied me for the rest of the month. Ordering on Wednesdays meant I didn't get any product until the following week. It forced me to guess early in each week -- Monday, basically -- and because of that I was extra careful.
The sales for the rest of the month were pretty good. The week before Christmas even beat last year, slightly, despite the kids being in school. The week after Christmas was down 13%.
So overall we were down 13%.
This was actually a good result. I ordered even less product that I had planned, so the profits were even higher than I expected.
The downsides I've already mentioned. Add in the fact that I couldn't get some of the hottest games during the peak of the season (Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, etc.) and that I ran out of Settlers of Catan in the last week, these were pretty good results.
COMICS: -25%. I think we're really starting to see the falloff from the previous year's surge of the New 52. The bright spot is that the new Marvel titles are selling better than I expected.
CARDS: +30%. Usually too small a category to make much difference -- except on the exceptional month. This was an exceptional month.
CARD GAMES: -50%. Very disappointing. Also the category I can do the least about.
GAMES: -16%. As I said, the inventory was down this year both because of my being careful and because of some games being out of stock. There was a big presence of these games in other stores this year, so all in all, not a bad result. Also the biggest category for the season.
BOOKS: +6%. Steady as she goes.
TOYS: -23%. Not surprising, actually, because I was most careful about stocking this category.
GRAPHIC NOVELS: +6%. As with books above, steady as she goes.
What really counts is that I've been able to pay all the bills and make a hefty bite out of my credit cards bills.
So I consider it a successful season. Once again, the diversity of product really came through. For instance, the surge in card sales made up for the drop in card game sales. The increase in books and graphic novels compensated for the decrease in games, and so on.
Steady as she goes...
Tourism numbers.
Another article about how great the tourism was during the holidays, this time from KTVZ.
Since it used almost the exact same wording as the Bulletin article, I suspect that they used the same original source -- and I suspect that source was a 'press release' and/or press releaser who feels his or her job is to make everyone feel positive about the holiday results. I'm pretty sure it's not based on hard news or data.
It's always a danger to conflate one's own results with everyone else -- either positive or negative. But I'm still skeptical about this giant surge in tourism. I still don't see how the kids being in school the week before Christmas adds up to "extra" days. I still don't see how the weather on the passes was mild enough for travel during most of that period. (In fact, in both cases, I think the opposite happened.)
The Inn of the Seventh Mountain says it had a huge increase, but I have to wonder if there weren't some other dynamic going on there. I haven't seen much evidence beside that. Room revenues were up in November, which I believe, because my sales were up in November.
But December? I'd be absolutely astounded if most businesses saw the 4 to 15% increases the article mentions. Some will, of course. Some won't, of course.
But as an overall trend, I kind of doubt it.
I don't know. Maybe I'm all wet. But I have my doubts about these kinds of fluff pieces. They aren't based on anything but wishful thinking and selective evidence and inadequate data and self-serving anecdotal experience.
I admit I don't have anything better to offer -- just my doubts.
Here's what I think happened; with no better evidence than the other side.
I think the first half of December was horrid. The passes were a real mess for much of that time. My own store's sales took a 50% drop in sales in the four days after the Newtown shootings. There was all the talk of the fiscal cliff.
The week before Christmas was good -- but would have been even better if most of the kids were out of school, instead of getting out on Friday, just three shopping days left before Christmas.
A common sense question: If you were a business, and you had a choice of having kids and families out of school for the week before Christmas or the week after New Years, which would you choose?
Yeah.
So we have a pretty good after Christmas half of the week, and it extended into the following week (not pre-Christmas size, but better than average). However, these sales pretty much died off in the last part of the week.
Over all, we were down considerably in the first 17 days of the month, and held our own in the last 14 days, then had a pretty large drop-off the week after New Years despite the kids being out of school.
Like I said, that could just be us.
Since it used almost the exact same wording as the Bulletin article, I suspect that they used the same original source -- and I suspect that source was a 'press release' and/or press releaser who feels his or her job is to make everyone feel positive about the holiday results. I'm pretty sure it's not based on hard news or data.
It's always a danger to conflate one's own results with everyone else -- either positive or negative. But I'm still skeptical about this giant surge in tourism. I still don't see how the kids being in school the week before Christmas adds up to "extra" days. I still don't see how the weather on the passes was mild enough for travel during most of that period. (In fact, in both cases, I think the opposite happened.)
The Inn of the Seventh Mountain says it had a huge increase, but I have to wonder if there weren't some other dynamic going on there. I haven't seen much evidence beside that. Room revenues were up in November, which I believe, because my sales were up in November.
But December? I'd be absolutely astounded if most businesses saw the 4 to 15% increases the article mentions. Some will, of course. Some won't, of course.
But as an overall trend, I kind of doubt it.
I don't know. Maybe I'm all wet. But I have my doubts about these kinds of fluff pieces. They aren't based on anything but wishful thinking and selective evidence and inadequate data and self-serving anecdotal experience.
I admit I don't have anything better to offer -- just my doubts.
Here's what I think happened; with no better evidence than the other side.
I think the first half of December was horrid. The passes were a real mess for much of that time. My own store's sales took a 50% drop in sales in the four days after the Newtown shootings. There was all the talk of the fiscal cliff.
The week before Christmas was good -- but would have been even better if most of the kids were out of school, instead of getting out on Friday, just three shopping days left before Christmas.
A common sense question: If you were a business, and you had a choice of having kids and families out of school for the week before Christmas or the week after New Years, which would you choose?
Yeah.
So we have a pretty good after Christmas half of the week, and it extended into the following week (not pre-Christmas size, but better than average). However, these sales pretty much died off in the last part of the week.
Over all, we were down considerably in the first 17 days of the month, and held our own in the last 14 days, then had a pretty large drop-off the week after New Years despite the kids being out of school.
Like I said, that could just be us.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Back to routines -- thankfully.
I have some decisions to make.
I have three novels more or less ready to publish. Two are complete. One needs more work, but will be done in a month or two.
So...do I put them all out at the same time? Do I roll them out one at a time? If I roll them out one at a time, which one do I start with, and which one comes second?
I was watching a year old program on publishing on Cspan, and they were saying that out of the MILLION novels published a couple of years ago, 700,000 were ebooks.
So any novel dropped into that ocean will drown.
I'm trending back to perhaps trying to send NEARLY HUMAN off to agents again. I've decided to hire someone to copy edit it, because I've changed so many names and changed from 1st person to 3rd person, and especially because I feel that there is a book there -- somewhere -- but I don't quite have it. I guess I'm hoping she'll "fix" it. I know in the end, it'll be up to me, but there is always that hope.
I'm going to try to use what few connections I have to get some names of agents -- if that doesn't work, I'll pull them off the net. Next round of efforts, though, will be sending to multiple agents all at the same time. Based on responses from say 10 or 15 agents, I'll know whether to even bother to proceed. 15 form rejections would pretty much give me the message. 10 form rejections and 5 more forthcoming rejections might be enough to keep me trying. Something like that.
I'm not forming a plan at this point. Just going with the flow. Covers will be ready when they're ready, formatting, all that. Plus getting Nearly Human in shape.
So it will probably be a process all through the month of January just getting ready.
I keep reminding myself that there is no hurry. The books are done or getting done.
The only danger is that I stay away too long from writing original material. So I just have to try to schedule that in, somehow.
The vampire story already has a thematic structure -- I know what I want to say. I have to work out the plot, but I know that it will entail a 'chase' of some kind, which helps with the suspense factor.
I'm thinking I should probably schedule the "new" writing early in each day, see how far it goes, then go back to old writing and work on that.
It'll be nice to have routine to work with, now that the holidays are past. These next six months should be very productive.
I have three novels more or less ready to publish. Two are complete. One needs more work, but will be done in a month or two.
So...do I put them all out at the same time? Do I roll them out one at a time? If I roll them out one at a time, which one do I start with, and which one comes second?
I was watching a year old program on publishing on Cspan, and they were saying that out of the MILLION novels published a couple of years ago, 700,000 were ebooks.
So any novel dropped into that ocean will drown.
I'm trending back to perhaps trying to send NEARLY HUMAN off to agents again. I've decided to hire someone to copy edit it, because I've changed so many names and changed from 1st person to 3rd person, and especially because I feel that there is a book there -- somewhere -- but I don't quite have it. I guess I'm hoping she'll "fix" it. I know in the end, it'll be up to me, but there is always that hope.
I'm going to try to use what few connections I have to get some names of agents -- if that doesn't work, I'll pull them off the net. Next round of efforts, though, will be sending to multiple agents all at the same time. Based on responses from say 10 or 15 agents, I'll know whether to even bother to proceed. 15 form rejections would pretty much give me the message. 10 form rejections and 5 more forthcoming rejections might be enough to keep me trying. Something like that.
I'm not forming a plan at this point. Just going with the flow. Covers will be ready when they're ready, formatting, all that. Plus getting Nearly Human in shape.
So it will probably be a process all through the month of January just getting ready.
I keep reminding myself that there is no hurry. The books are done or getting done.
The only danger is that I stay away too long from writing original material. So I just have to try to schedule that in, somehow.
The vampire story already has a thematic structure -- I know what I want to say. I have to work out the plot, but I know that it will entail a 'chase' of some kind, which helps with the suspense factor.
I'm thinking I should probably schedule the "new" writing early in each day, see how far it goes, then go back to old writing and work on that.
It'll be nice to have routine to work with, now that the holidays are past. These next six months should be very productive.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Backward Headline.
The Bulletin's headline tourism article was a bit nonsensical to me.
I'm not sure they have evidence to back up the assertion -- "Holidays Were a Gift for Tourism." In fact, to me the available information points to lump of coal.
When the Mt. Bachelor says, "We're tracking pretty close to budget..." I can tell you that is about the least they could say before saying, "It sucks." Those are weasel words. Budgets are designed for worst and best case scenarios.
The idea that there was "extra" days was exactly OPPOSITE of what I think happened. By my reckoning, we lost a week before the holidays. Though I admit, I wasn't aware that the Portland School District was out. But most of the rest of the world didn't get out for that week, and the week after New Years was no compensation.
Nor did I think the weather cooperated. Yes, there was plentiful snow on the mountains, which also means there were plentiful snows and storms on the passes. I do NOT remember the passes as being "clear roads." Quite the opposite. My son canceled several planned trips over the mountain.
Other than that, there was almost no evidence of ANYTHING in that article, except a few self-serving quotes from local tourism providers.
So since we're interpreting sparse information, I'm going to say that I think that the Headline has it completely backward.
Our sales were down about 13% for the season, which is about what I expected. My "budget" accounted for that, and in fact I think it was perhaps the most profitable Christmas I've ever had.
I'll go more in detail later.
I'm not sure they have evidence to back up the assertion -- "Holidays Were a Gift for Tourism." In fact, to me the available information points to lump of coal.
When the Mt. Bachelor says, "We're tracking pretty close to budget..." I can tell you that is about the least they could say before saying, "It sucks." Those are weasel words. Budgets are designed for worst and best case scenarios.
The idea that there was "extra" days was exactly OPPOSITE of what I think happened. By my reckoning, we lost a week before the holidays. Though I admit, I wasn't aware that the Portland School District was out. But most of the rest of the world didn't get out for that week, and the week after New Years was no compensation.
Nor did I think the weather cooperated. Yes, there was plentiful snow on the mountains, which also means there were plentiful snows and storms on the passes. I do NOT remember the passes as being "clear roads." Quite the opposite. My son canceled several planned trips over the mountain.
Other than that, there was almost no evidence of ANYTHING in that article, except a few self-serving quotes from local tourism providers.
So since we're interpreting sparse information, I'm going to say that I think that the Headline has it completely backward.
Our sales were down about 13% for the season, which is about what I expected. My "budget" accounted for that, and in fact I think it was perhaps the most profitable Christmas I've ever had.
I'll go more in detail later.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Downtown Comings and Goings. 1/5/13.
According to the Downtowners, there are going to be three new restaurants downtown, in the spaces the Amalia's, El Jimador and Bourbon St. once filled.
No names for any of them, but there is confirmation that Amalia's has closed. So I've added that to the 'Goings' list.
Any others?
The Cozy Lamb has moved to Bond, but I can't seem to find it. Anybody know?
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
No names for any of them, but there is confirmation that Amalia's has closed. So I've added that to the 'Goings' list.
Any others?
The Cozy Lamb has moved to Bond, but I can't seem to find it. Anybody know?
NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
541 Threads, Minnesota Ave., 10/13/12.
O Mo Mo! Bond Street, 10/3/12.
Crow's Feet Commons, Brooks Street, 9/21/12.
The Cozy Lamb, Minnesota Ave., 9/14/12.
Noi, Bond Street, 9/14/12.
Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails
(List begun, Fall, 2008.)
BUSINESSES LEAVING
Amalia's, Wall Street, 1/5/13.
El Jimador, Wall Street, 9/1412.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro
(List begun, Fall, 2008 )
The more I write, the less I like.
There comes a point in some of my books -- the ones I keep rewriting -- where I can no longer get a 'sense' of the story. I can't see the whole. I'm reduced to paragraphs at best, sentences and phrases and words. I have to assume these small discrete changes are improving the book, but I can't be sure.
In other words, my objectivity (if I ever possessed such a thing) goes from the general to the discrete.
I've really been feeling that about NEARLY HUMAN for the last few weeks. I'm copyediting now, after changing it from 1st person to 3rd person. And my estimation of the writing goes up and down, depending on my mood, the context (what I've read recently) and so on.
At this point, all I can do is try to make each word count, and hope that the original story is still there. Which points to how important the original story is -- because eventually I can't really see the story anymore. Can't feel it.
I don't know if other writer's have this happen. It's almost as if, the more I try to improve the story, the less I like it. I have to remember that the end reader is probably having the opposite experience. That the earlier efforts, which I enjoy writing, are probably lacking in detail and context, that it only in rewriting again and again that I bring those early heartfelt moments to life.
A big part of taking on the writing life again, is finding ways to forestall that moment of losing the sense of story for as long as possible. Get the characters and story in place -- feel it as strongly as possible -- BEFORE I start extensive rewriting. Then trust that the original story and characters are strong enough to withstand the constant whittling down, and beefing up. Hold onto the freshness for as long as possible.
As I keep mentioning, I think a step I must start taking is thinking out the premises and ramifications of the story early on, so that I don't get surprised later and have to change everything.
My new vampire story, for instance, I can already tell that I'm going to have to change some marvelous phrasing in the first couple of pages because they contradict what I'm trying to do. So I make the adjustments now, so I have to less changing in the future.
In other words, my objectivity (if I ever possessed such a thing) goes from the general to the discrete.
I've really been feeling that about NEARLY HUMAN for the last few weeks. I'm copyediting now, after changing it from 1st person to 3rd person. And my estimation of the writing goes up and down, depending on my mood, the context (what I've read recently) and so on.
At this point, all I can do is try to make each word count, and hope that the original story is still there. Which points to how important the original story is -- because eventually I can't really see the story anymore. Can't feel it.
I don't know if other writer's have this happen. It's almost as if, the more I try to improve the story, the less I like it. I have to remember that the end reader is probably having the opposite experience. That the earlier efforts, which I enjoy writing, are probably lacking in detail and context, that it only in rewriting again and again that I bring those early heartfelt moments to life.
A big part of taking on the writing life again, is finding ways to forestall that moment of losing the sense of story for as long as possible. Get the characters and story in place -- feel it as strongly as possible -- BEFORE I start extensive rewriting. Then trust that the original story and characters are strong enough to withstand the constant whittling down, and beefing up. Hold onto the freshness for as long as possible.
As I keep mentioning, I think a step I must start taking is thinking out the premises and ramifications of the story early on, so that I don't get surprised later and have to change everything.
My new vampire story, for instance, I can already tell that I'm going to have to change some marvelous phrasing in the first couple of pages because they contradict what I'm trying to do. So I make the adjustments now, so I have to less changing in the future.
Friday, January 4, 2013
My backward wife.
Linda and I were watching a documentary on Leonardo Da Vinci, and it mentioned his backward writing journals. Linda says, "Hey, I think I can do that!"
And then proceeds to prove it!
Just like that. It's easy for her!
Makes my head hurt. I'm finding notes all over the house written in backward script, which I have to take to the mirror to read.
"Big surprise," I said to her tonight. "You think backwards.
And then proceeds to prove it!
Just like that. It's easy for her!
Makes my head hurt. I'm finding notes all over the house written in backward script, which I have to take to the mirror to read.
"Big surprise," I said to her tonight. "You think backwards.
"It's enough to put me off my appetite!"
So Kevin was in telling me that my blog was freaking him out.
"You're smiling face, man. So early in the morning..."
"Too much?"
"It's enough to put me off my appetite!'
I sort of agree. I think I may take the picture off.
"You're smiling face, man. So early in the morning..."
"Too much?"
"It's enough to put me off my appetite!'
I sort of agree. I think I may take the picture off.
Subconscious to Duncan -- start writing.
After taking a break from writing for the holidays, I woke very early this morning with a fully developed scene in my head. Not just the scene, but the actual words -- in order, specific order. A scene that I'd had no inkling of before I went to sleep.
A vampire story, which isn't a story I would have chosen to tell. The first chapter is entitled: Empty Mirrors.
I tossed and turned for a few minutes, thinking I'd put it off until normal waking time, but the words were just too clear. While I might remember the scene, I wasn't likely the remember the words.
So I got up and wrote them down. Probably had 50 words when I started, and by the time I fleshed out the scene, it turned into 361 words.
In the back of my brain, it's telling me the title of the story is: LAST DAY OF THE IMMORTAL.
That was fun. Fulfilling. As I always say, I love this part of writing. The creative discovery, the flow of words. I swore I wouldn't start a story without thinking it out first, but how could I turn down this offering?
Maybe it won't go anywhere. Maybe it will peter out. But as long as it keeps coming to me, I'll keep writing it. I've got a second scene shaping up in my head.
Apparently, my subconscious wasn't satisfied with tinkering with NEARLY HUMAN for another month or two. It demanded something new.
I'm thinking it might be another blog novel, like FREEDY. Something I write for the pure fun of it, try not to overthink or overwrite, not push it, just a quick and fun read.
But I think I'll get a few chapters in before I start posting, just to make sure it isn't a one-up.
A vampire story, which isn't a story I would have chosen to tell. The first chapter is entitled: Empty Mirrors.
I tossed and turned for a few minutes, thinking I'd put it off until normal waking time, but the words were just too clear. While I might remember the scene, I wasn't likely the remember the words.
So I got up and wrote them down. Probably had 50 words when I started, and by the time I fleshed out the scene, it turned into 361 words.
In the back of my brain, it's telling me the title of the story is: LAST DAY OF THE IMMORTAL.
That was fun. Fulfilling. As I always say, I love this part of writing. The creative discovery, the flow of words. I swore I wouldn't start a story without thinking it out first, but how could I turn down this offering?
Maybe it won't go anywhere. Maybe it will peter out. But as long as it keeps coming to me, I'll keep writing it. I've got a second scene shaping up in my head.
Apparently, my subconscious wasn't satisfied with tinkering with NEARLY HUMAN for another month or two. It demanded something new.
I'm thinking it might be another blog novel, like FREEDY. Something I write for the pure fun of it, try not to overthink or overwrite, not push it, just a quick and fun read.
But I think I'll get a few chapters in before I start posting, just to make sure it isn't a one-up.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Getting the networking right -- or don't do it.
Gail Simone who's an established writer for DC comics -- currently Batgirl -- was in the store yesterday. I think she and her family come in once or twice a year. They live over on the coast.
I was talking to another customer about my books, and didn't realize she and her husband were in the store, so they acted surprised that I was actually writing. (I'm sure I probably mentioned it before -- but maybe not. Big difference between writing currently and having "once wrote".)
I mentioned my blog which gets about 250 hits a day -- but which I'm pretty sure about 200 of those are accidental. She casually mentioned her 70,000 followers. (She was kind enough not to mention it in contrast -- it came up later in the conversation.)
Anyway, it's always interesting to talk to a working writer -- to get a sense of it, how they go about it, how they feel the market works and so on.
She did a successful Kickstarter recently.
There is just this "connectivity" thing that I think successful artists have -- a way of communicating with their fans, a way of networking -- that I just don't have, and probably never will.
It reminds me of the conferences and conventions and internet marketing (before that mail-order). I've tried all these things more than once -- early in my career especially. And I found I just didn't have the knack -- whatever it is. No way to introduce myself without being awkward
I read once that getting on the media to promote your work is the best thing ever -- except if you make a bad impression. That is actually worse than not being out there at all.
I'm not saying I would make a necessarily 'bad' impression, only that it doesn't come easy for me. I make wrong choices -- just slightly. Just a little off. And without that ability to get it right, I've found I'm better off just staying myself. Even if it means being the lone wolf.
I was talking to another customer about my books, and didn't realize she and her husband were in the store, so they acted surprised that I was actually writing. (I'm sure I probably mentioned it before -- but maybe not. Big difference between writing currently and having "once wrote".)
I mentioned my blog which gets about 250 hits a day -- but which I'm pretty sure about 200 of those are accidental. She casually mentioned her 70,000 followers. (She was kind enough not to mention it in contrast -- it came up later in the conversation.)
Anyway, it's always interesting to talk to a working writer -- to get a sense of it, how they go about it, how they feel the market works and so on.
She did a successful Kickstarter recently.
There is just this "connectivity" thing that I think successful artists have -- a way of communicating with their fans, a way of networking -- that I just don't have, and probably never will.
It reminds me of the conferences and conventions and internet marketing (before that mail-order). I've tried all these things more than once -- early in my career especially. And I found I just didn't have the knack -- whatever it is. No way to introduce myself without being awkward
I read once that getting on the media to promote your work is the best thing ever -- except if you make a bad impression. That is actually worse than not being out there at all.
I'm not saying I would make a necessarily 'bad' impression, only that it doesn't come easy for me. I make wrong choices -- just slightly. Just a little off. And without that ability to get it right, I've found I'm better off just staying myself. Even if it means being the lone wolf.
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