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In a few weeks, my website and oh-so-terribly-lonely blog will be going into a cyberspace coma.
It's temporary and self-induced as I try to figure out how to better present the different sides of my professional psyche to the world.
Some of my work is for teens through adults. Specifically, immature-ish people with a warped sense of humor who curse a lot and enjoy a Tarantino-level of violence.
Some of my work is for kids through teens. Specifically, immature-ish people with a warped sense of humor who curse less and are only allowed to watch heavily-edited Tarantino movies on basic cable.
One porthole for both could get confusing.
So perhaps it's time for two sites -- and a pseudonym! Or maybe multiple sites? One for each project?
Like I said, I'm working on it.
But never fear. I shall return to the Interwebs soon -- better and less irregular than before!
I have a special place in my heart for Radley and there is an emptiness knowing he is gone. These are words that come to mind when I think of him--kind, sweet, easy-going, and fantastic companion. We had our special moments when he could come to Grandma's house for a visit. He missed you terribly, but I think he got comfort from knowing that I loved him too. Thank you for sharing him with me. I will miss him.
And check out Monster Librarian's complete site HERE. Or follow the informative blog HERE. Lots of recommendations for fun, scary reads -- whether you're a kid or somewhat more adultish. If you're a reader, librarian or teacher you'll find both blog and website informative and helpful.
My favorite part of the review is where the reviewer, Kirsten Kowalewski, mentions why it took her a while to review the series: her kids kidnapped the books for almost a year. Ha! I love that I have fans willing to commit felonies just to read my stories. Is there any higher form of praise?
2 Comments on Monster Librarian Digs Monster and Me, last added: 5/26/2011
Congratulations on the positive reviews! It sounds like the Monster series has achieved cult classic. Have you got another Monster book planned, or maybe you've started writing about a new character?
The overly-long, unreadable, horrifically-excruciating-to-write First Rough Draft of the new script is done!
Now to the job of creating the first READABLE draft.
A couple more weeks to that happy day.
In the meantime, the world outside my cubby hole has turned vicious over the past couple weeks. If you want to make a donation to help the Quake/Tsunami victims in Japan, iTunes makes it easy. Click on the image below.
If you want to get something for yourself while you're at it, the New York Dolls just released their newest album: Walking Backwards in High Heels. That's album number 3 from the new New York Dolls - which means there's now more albums from the new New York Dolls than the first New York Dolls. If you don't count compilation, live, or rare track discovery albums. In that case, the new New York Dolls have 738 albums to go before they catch up.
You can check the album out at iTunes by clicking on the album cover below.
Good stuff to help you forget what's going on outside your window.
0 Comments on 5 Weeks = Rough Rough Draft as of 1/1/1900
One of the reasons I'm proud to be associated with Capstone? They make some cool shizzle.
Case in point, the newest Make Stuff pages on their web site.
Afraid you or a loved one might be in danger of becoming bored? Hop over to this web site for project and craft ideas, lessons on folding or drawing things. Learn recipes and magic tricks. While away those hours and have something to show for it!
To get you started, click on a pic below and Voila! Boredom Be Gone!
The classic Aces on Top magic trick.
The Long Ranger paper airplane.
And my personal favorite - Intestines In A Jar!
Wheeeeeee and Yee-ha!
0 Comments on Cool n Crafty Projects To Fight Off Bordeom as of 1/1/1900
This is the site that greeted me and Radley on our walk this morning.
Just a few hours ago that smoking pile of rubble was a multi-million dollar home. It towered over the block complete with third story porches and turrets. It had a four car garage with a garage apartment.
Word right now is the guy who lived in the apartment got out all right. But the old woman who lived in the house in unaccounted for. I hope it turns out she was visiting relatives.
As you can see -- despite the poor zoom on the Flip Cam -- the house is completely gone.
I was struck by a handful of images:
The tired firefighters, crossing the street to get coffee and water. Their clothes, arms and faces covered in soot.
The lookyloo mother smiling and pointing out the smoldering ruins to her three kids, treating it like a trip to the penguin exhibit at the zoo.
And weirdly, one lone potted plant. You can just make it out at the end of video. It's center frame, highlighted by the white smoke billowing behind it. Not only did the flower pot survive, the flower survived. It's bright red petals a stark contrast to the blackened wood and swirling smoke. How strange that it should be surrounded by devastation and yet remain untouched.
If I was a glass half full kind of guy I'd take that as a sign the old lady is safe.
As promised: The Second Christmakwanzika Posting! For your holiday pleasure, here is Gerry Phillips the Manualist performing his hand fart rendition of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes."
What's that got to do with Christmas? Who cares! It's hand farts. It's funny!
If you love Gerry -- and who doesn't -- then you might want to considering dropping by his web site and buying his DVD. For yourself or that certain very special someone.
And if you love The Who, their latest album is one of the best albums of 2010. Live at Leeds, the Super Deluxe Edition. Yes, one of the best albums of 2010 is a new version of an album from 1970!
But don't consider that a knock against the music of 2010. This is just one really great album.
What was once a 6 song LP is now a 4CD, 65 song set. An entire extra concert is now included -- the long-thought-lost second night performance in Hull. If you're a Who fan, you need to buy this album. Townshend, Moon, Daltrey and Entwistle are all in top form here. Both nights. And mixed into those 65 songs, you get two live performances of the entire rock opera Tommy. Great stuff.
0 Comments on Happy Boxing Day! as of 12/30/2010 2:14:00 PM
Number One Question I'm Constantly Asked: How do I get my kids to read?
Obvious answer: Give them books they'll enjoy.
Obvious follow up question: How do I know what my kids will enjoy?
Obvious final answer: Ask them.
In case you don't trust what your kids tell you -- or you want a wider sample -- Renaissance Learning has asked about 6.2 million kids that exact question.
My publisher, Capstone / Stone Arch Books, is featured prominently in the report. Which makes sense. Their speciality is creating books for kids who think they don't like to read. Books that turn reluctant readers into enthusiastic reading fans.
So download the free report, peruse it with a highlighter, then drop by your local bookstore or library and check out some promising titles.
Or better yet, have your kids do it.
They can treat it like one of those flyers from Scholastic Book Club. Remember those? Good times.
0 Comments on What Do Kids Like To Read? Ask Them. as of 12/25/2010 6:35:00 AM
What do you do when your hard drive decides it's going to become unreadable and your backup glitches out on you?
Besides panic.
Or cry to your Facebook friends.
Luckily, I've bought all my computers from the same place since the 80s: Manco -- on Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale, CA. And I haven't bought from them just because they were around the corner from me in Burbank. I bought my last Mac from them when I was living in Virginia. And took the time to ship them my old Mac so they could port my computer life over to the new one. Smooth and clean -- and fast.
Why do that when there's an Apple Store nearby?
The best reason is because they are fantastically kind and bright people. Les, Jerry and Margie treat you like family. But for those of you who don't do business based on warm and toasty feelings (and shame on you if you fall into that category!) there's an obvious practical reason.
For as long as you own your computer, you can call or email them for help. With anything.
You're having trouble opening your email? Call them.
iTunes suddenly can't find your 30,000 song library? Email them.
You foolishly decide to defrag your hard drive and it fritzes out during the process becoming completely unreadable? And the backup disk image you made of your drive just to be super-safe winds up having a glitch and it too is unreadable?
Email and phone them. With repeated questions. Over the weekend even.
And Voila! Your hard drive and backup are resurrected. Disaster avoided.
They've saved my hardware, data and butt more times than I can count.
So there you have it -- two Big Reasons I've bought from Manco since Flock of Seagulls was considered relevant.
What more do you need?
How about they know their stuff -- more so than the supposed Gurus at your local Apple Store.
Les turned my wife into a Mac convert, making her move from PC super-easy. He's like the Rick Steves of the Mac World. He sat with her and showed her everything she needed to know to become an ex-PC-Pat and make the permanent move to MacLand. She loves her Mac now like it's her high-school sweetheart -- and would never buy a PC again. Or buy from anyone other than Manco.
My writing partner has given into my harping and is set to abandon his PC and buy the new MacAir. From Manco. And he doesn't even live in Los Angeles.
See. You don't have to live around the corner to buy from them. If you do live in Los Angeles, it's foolish to buy from anyone else. But the guys at Manco are there for their customers even if you don't live around the corner.
Of course, if you can't just drop by their offices, you'll be missing out on some seriously tasty food. Les, Jerry and Margie are serious foodies and usually have some majorly tasty snacks -- and they share freely!
Sorry I've been incommunicado for bit of a time slip.
I'm whirling through several projects that will provide more lengthy entertainment for you than a quick, web/diary entry here.
The two optioned scripts are making their way through the funding maze, so my writing partner and I are diving into a new one. Outlining is almost complete and we should start the actual writing in a few weeks.
I've also got some solo projects in various stages of completion -- middle grade, YA and adult. Graphic novel and prose. Enough of a mix to keep things interesting. And busy.
I'm also way behind on a promised comic to a friend with a superhero website. Story done, but my Wacom tablet died on me and I'm having to draw old-school. It ain't pretty. Sorry, Blake. I'll get something semi-comprehensible to you soonishly.
Finally, there was a rumored school visit in the works. Some folks on the East Coast really love Dwight and Gabby and are anxious to have me come do a shindig for their students. I think that's making its way through funding channels too.
So lots of things doin'. I'll keep you posted. And make a solid attempt to make those postings more regular. Ish.
I have a meeting with my writing partner in about an hour so the longer post I'm working on will have to wait till later. But in keeping with my promise to post two to three times a week...
Here's the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain having a go at Ennio Morricone's classic theme to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly -- one of my all-time favorite films. Mucho Excellente! Sing along!
Or better yet, set aside three hours and immerse yourself in one of the coolest movies ever made.
0 Comments on Theme Song for the Day as of 1/1/1900
Man, what a wild and bumpy month just slid down the worm hole. At least I'm assuming it was a worm hole because it feels like a major time slippage.
It's almost October? How'd that happen?
So new pledge. I'll do my best to make posts on average of two to three times a week. Doable? You have my most lackadaisical pledge!
When last we spoke, I promised some titles for those of you trying to build a library for reluctant readers. I gave my friend a list designed to build that library fast. I'll gussy that list up and post it over the next couple of whiles for those interested.
Wow! That was fast! Goodreads just sent me the names of the winners.
So without further ado, congratulations to:
Eric T of Provo, Anna S of Lake Mary, and Kady L of Oceanside!
I'll package up your books and send them out pronto.
Thanks again to everyone who participated. I truly appreciate your interest in Gabby and Dwight.
For those who didn't win but still really want to read the book, please consider requesting a copy from your local public or school librarian. LIbrarians are an endangered species these days and they could definitely use your support.
Mucho Thanks!
0 Comments on And The Winners Are... as of 1/1/1900
That's it! The week is over and the Goodreads contest is closed. I'm amazed and humbled that over 650 people entered for a chance to win a copy of Dwight's latest adventure, Monster Speller.
I'll let you know who won just as soon as Goodreads picks the winners and notifies me.
Stay tuned...
...And thanks to everyone who participated!
0 Comments on Goodreads Contest Closed as of 1/1/1900
Enter to win one of three copies of Monster Speller that I'm giving away on GoodReads.com.
Contest starts this Friday and runs for one week only!
So remember to come back here between Friday the 13th and Friday the 20th! Then click on the button at the top of the page for your chance to win a copy of Dwight's latest adventure!
Winners will be chosen at random by GoodReads from the pool of entrants.
Good luck!
0 Comments on Contest Starts Friday the 13th! as of 1/1/1900
I never met a dog who loved his owners more than Radley. You guys were incredibly fortunate to have him and he to have you.
I have a special place in my heart for Radley and there is an emptiness knowing he is gone. These are words that come to mind when I think of him--kind, sweet, easy-going, and fantastic companion. We had our special moments when he could come to Grandma's house for a visit. He missed you terribly, but I think he got comfort from knowing that I loved him too. Thank you for sharing him with me. I will miss him.