Okay, my last post listed 5 classic horror movies for those interested in such things.
This time, I’m gonna briefly list some more contemporary works that many people haven’t seen, and everybody who loves a good scare needs to. (more…)
5 Classic Horror Flicks to Goose Your Bumps
Hey, everybody! There’s a new “Saw” movie out!
You like movies that exist just so you can watch people be tortured, right?
Eh. Screw that crap. I like real horror movies, real monster movies, real thrillers. I have no problem with grue, but it has to be in context, and there has to be a goddamned story. Preferably a good story.
So, for those who might like to watch something scary and good, I figured I’d throw you a few bones. Collect ‘em all and you can build a skeleton. (more…)
Citizen Tim
It’s official:
As of 8:50 am today, I have done my voting for the year.
I stood in line in the morning chill for two hours. I was proud to be there, proud that so many of my fellow citizens were ahead of me in line, proud that many, many more were behind me. It was like I was in some third world country, some fledgling democracy, where people actually give a damn.
I guess eight years of Hell can be bracing for the democratic process. It’s a pity that’s what it took.
I voted for Barack Obama to be President of the United States of America.
I voted for Jim Martin to replace the vile Saxby Chamblis as Senator from Georgia.
I voted for John Lewis to remain in Congress to represent my district.
I figure, if folks keep slapping down the Republican efforts to suppress the vote, they won’t steal it this time, as they absolutely did in 2000, and likely did in 2004.
It’s time for the USA to become a force of good in the world again.
Writing & Those Moods You’re Having
Start writing more. It’ll get rid of all those moods you’re having.
–Ray Bradbury
I used to have this quote on a sticky note stuck to my computer monitor, and it has never lost its wise charm for me. Bradbury is absolutely right: the act of writing, itself, is a great balm for heart and soul, and the gods all know by now I need that balm, these days more than ever.
I’m never happier or healthier than when I’m into a writing project full-tilt, over my head, spilling over. This isn’t to say that the writing is always enjoyable, because often it’s anything but. But the intense application of self produces satisfaction and engages the brain in wonderful ways and an act of pure creation is a soulful thing.
Writing something can be hard work, but the hardest part is beginning. Oh, and keeping at it. Yes, those are the hardest parts, along with ending it. Other than that, it’s all a breeze. (more…)
Little Brother
A book came out earlier this year that needs to find its way into every house, every library, and especially every young reader’s hands, though even older folks should read it because it’s one of those works which speaks to its time in very important ways.
The book is Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. It’s about what happens when some tech-savvy teenagers are victimized by the national security cult running the USA these days, and the kids’ resulting stand against that cult and the government itself. It’s bracing, intelligent, important stuff, and it reads like a high-quality pulp page-turner.
Little Brother is widely available in bookstores, and of course on Amazon. But Cory has also made it available for free:
http://craphound.com/littlebrother/Cory_Doctorow_-_Little_Brother.pdf
Check it out. Read a few chapters, and if you like what you read, grab a paid for copy for yourself or some kid you know or a library nearby.
Part 5 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And now, the belated final chapter, in which Cerberus the Outstanding Hamster ascends to Godhood, and Lucy finds her lost sandal. And I prattle some more about spiritual matters. (more…)
Part 4 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And here we come to Part 4…will the kids get out of the cave? Will Uncle Joe assuage Aunt Marie’s hurt feelings after his affair with Pastor Lewis? Most importantly, will Cerberus the Outstanding Hamster save the township of Williamswilliamsburgtonboro from the vicious onslaught of Republicans?
I don’t know. But there will be more spiritual stuff I wrote. (more…)
Part 3 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And now, Part 3 of that paper all about how we can all maybe be happy. Or maybe not. I’m not as optimistic as I was way back when I wrote this. Or even as I was last week. (more…)
Brilliant! Campaign 2008 through a D&D filter
Someone called “Hedgehog” wrote this on their blog, which can be found at somehedgehog.livejournal.com.
It’s marvelous. (more…)
Part 2 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
Here’s the second part of the old college paper I wrote that in many ways states my basic spiritual views. If you haven’t read the first part, it is at this link:
http://outlawmoon.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/the-fall-from-grace-in-genesis-wild-nature-civilization-and-the-ecological-soul
And now, part 2… (more…)
The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
Years ago, I wrote a paper in college that in most ways remains a manifesto of my spiritual beliefs. I’ve one battered print-out of it, and have long been meaning to transfer the text to a more permanent form, so it suddenly occurred to me that publishing it here serves that purpose and gives an intimate look into my mind to anyone curious enough to look in there. Here’s Part 1:
The Fall From Grace in Genesis:
Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul (more…)
NANOWRIMO I say! NANOWRIMO!!!!
As I near the publication of my first book, Doc Wilde and The Frogs of Doom, people are already asking about what’s next. What’s next is another Doc Wilde adventure, which I’m working on now, though not with the white hot intensity with which I do my best work, at least not yet.
I need to be obsessively committed to a writing project or it’ll take forever to finish. And here it is, October. Which means there’s something else to consider.
NaNoWriMo.
If you don’t know about it, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month. I believe this is its tenth year. Its purpose is to encourage folks to write their asses off in November with the goal of having a 50,000 novel at the other end. You’re supposed to just write write write every day to meet your word count, without stressing over how good it is or if you’re choosing the right word or any self-editing. Editing will come in after November, when you can revisit the raw material you’ve produced and polish it up.
I’ve never taken part in NaNoWriMo, but always been interested and had decided to do it this year. I’m usually a relentless polisher of my stuff as I write, but when I let myself go and write just to write, I’m usually pleased with the results. I wrote Frogs of Doom that way deliberately, trying for that manic production push the pulp writers used, and it resulted in my first book sale. I’m thinking I need to make speedy, non-meticulous writing a habit.
My twelve year old son is going to be taking part in the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program, and is really excited about it. It’s going to be a great activity we can do together, intensely, for a month. I’m looking forward to it too.
If you’re interested in finding out more, go to http://www.nanowrimo.org. There are forums and widgets and all sorts of support material there, all aimed at motivating writers and allowing an online community to form. I’m gonna be there under the username outlawmoon. Maybe I’ll see you there.
The REAL Rapture is Nigh, And I For One Can’t Frakkin Wait
Bummed about the Bush apocalypse the world is enjoying? Well, cheer up. Things are gonna be really shitty for a good long time, probably, because the one thing Bush isn’t incompetent at is screwing up, but there is one very bright light looming in the tunnel, if not at the end of it:
As of today, Sunday, October 12, George W. Bush has only 100 days left in office.
Another Advance Doc Wilde Rave!
The second official endorsement of my novel, Doc Wilde and The Frogs of Doom, just arrived.
It’s from Quentin Dodd, author of The Princess of Neptune and Beatnik Rutabagas from Beyond the Stars:
Thank you for letting me read DOC WILDE AND THE FROGS OF DOOM. I should have had this done a week ago, but once I got about halfway through I started slowing down because I didn’t want it to end.
I really enjoyed this book. It was sharply-written, smart, and didn’t waste a word or a minute in getting to the action. Like its spiritual predecessors, the two-fisted adventure novels for boys and grown-up boys, this is a book to be read under the covers, with a flashlight, way past bedtime. It is old-school entertainment and proud of it.
By the time I got to page nine and [edited for slight spoilage], I knew I was onto something good. I think readers who have already discovered the man from Providence [that would be H.P. Lovecraft] and the Man of Bronze are in for an extra treat as well.
I certainly hope there are going to be sequels, and I can’t remember the last time I said that. Thanks again for giving me the chance to read it. I hope it does well.
Best,
Quentin
P.S. I have to admit, reading something like this brings out mixed emotions. On one hand, I was excited and inspired to read something so good. On the other, I was annoyed that I hadn’t written it myself.
