Title

I knew (in fact, I may have mentioned it in my last entry) that October was going to be an unproductive month for writing. There were many things to do – once in a lifetime events – that could not and would not be ignored. However, I do feel some emotional progress was made for the characters in the next book. Meaning I thought a lot about their unwritten pasts and idiosyncrasies, rather than filling in the blanks of the plot. Tangible and practical research hit a dead stop as well (again, that was expected), but was picked back up. Even though November brings MANY “holidays” for me {birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners}, I’m making great effort to get the information I need to, hopefully, begin writing in January. Chances are, because I feel very enthusiastic, I’ll begin writing in January regardless, and proceed with research as I need it. So, let’s get to it: Still not entirely ready to reveal any plot details. This is mostly because I need to concentrate the details, and not just blog EVERY little notion I’m pouring into it. But, it does have a working title; one I’m 99.99% sure will be the official title: By the Somber Spectra of Microgravity.

Have I blogged about poetry before? More than a year ago, I’d kicked around self-publishing a few poetry books, just to have something to point to when querying agents or blabbing about my writing(s). I was going to produce three (because everyone has a trilogy), which I would call my Useless Talent trilogy {Love, Religion, and Politics}; One book for each subject. Of course, this plot never came to fruition. I’ve contemplated recently publishing just one book called Useless Talents: poems of Love, Religion, and Politics. This would condense the three-part opus, obviously, to a single installment. But, politics is such a one note topic for me. I’m very skeptical (and, let’s face it, at this point, under-informed) on current players and policies. Every politician looks and sounds the same to me, and I only here regurgitation when they speak; they want control and money, and they’ll say whatever it takes to make you believe you should give it to them. I don’t really think I can extrapolate that feeling into enough interesting pieces to fill an equal portion of a three-segmented poetry book. I suppose it could be merely a book of Love and Religion poems, and it could still be called Useless Talents. Maybe? Bah, who knows anymore? When you’re self-publishing, all perimeters are flexible – if they’re there at all.

Until we meet again. Onward!

For Those Of You Playing The Home Version

It seems to me that if you're not a writer, you don't understand what work actually goes into constructing a novel; My present exhibit being Doing research. I haven't written a single word, because I'm currently in the research stages. Which, for me, is a LONG process - particularly as I was recently promoted at Ye Ole day job, and have even more work to do there. Continuously I am shaping and re-shaping the treatment for the story, but I won't feel ready to attack it until I have knowledge of specific things. I've made a list of everything I need to look into, and am making notable progress through it.

So far, I've:
- Done a terse reading on the island of Faial.
- Read on variations of established Government, with a focus on Geniocracy,
Cybersynacy, Kleptocracy, and Monarchy. *Kleptocracy isn't precisely a form of
government; more like slanderous/libeling characteristic. A cynical person might
claim "America is not a Democracy, it's a Kleptocracy."
- Looked into sensory deprivation, how it works and effects There is a place in
Chicago, fairly close, that I'm going to visit. I'll start with a Light/sound
machine, and work my way onto the tanks.

Not ready to discuss the details, but if you want to make your own assumptions, those are the bread crumbs you'd need to follow. I still don't have a working title. Although, I had a dream where a man was climbing down a ladder headfirst to reach the stars of space. Upon waking I immediately understood that was the title of the book. So, if you can keep that image in your head, there you go.

October will not be a productive month, I fear. This is directly because of the presence of the Chicago International Film Festival. Allied Marketing finally confirmed my press credentials (I pick them up Tuesday), and that will become my life for two weeks or so. Cloud Atlas is this year's centerpiece, and there is a chance I'll be able to interview the Wachowski siblings. That part isn't certain, but let's all hope for the best.

Alright: I'm tired and there is a bowel of Booberry cereal calling my name.

Until we meet again.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Since my last entry, I have elected to scrap what was intended to be my sophomore novel. A brief overview of the history: Said "novel" was originally a graphic-novel, worked on by me and a co-worker, some six years ago. The project was scrapped do to creative - and, honestly, awkward - differences. I had added more to the lore here and there for the next four years, when it was re-visited as a possible serial, self-published comic. Again, this idea fell through. However, at this point I'd constructed a vast and, if I only say so myself, an impressive universe around the story and characters. Enough so to consider converting it into a book. After conducting a little research, I outlined chapter by chapter. Of course, as I prepare to commit to writing this thing out, I discover the release of the second novel by an already accomplished author - whom I can't deny, I adore his work. His second novel was...drum roll...exactly my novel; written over a year opposed to six, and backed up by a best seller. Lamentable. Of course, friends will say, and be absolutely right, that there is a finite amount of tales floating around, and all an author does anymore is retell the same thing but in their own way. While it sounds true, I felt discouraged, and this project has been vaulted once more. Since my last entry (v.2), I've juggled whether to or not to self-publish Concealed Weapons. Again, after what feels like a lifetime of work (with research, outlining, draft, writing, re-writing, reconstructing, revising, revamping, razing, etc), I'll never be fully pleased, nor ashamed of, this book. It's commonplace, it's a little immature, but it is my first born. Like everything else I've written since and everything that will come before my light goes out, it tries to say more than comfortable in one serving. Do I self-publish and put it out of my mind, or is that simply giving up? Since my last entry (v.3), I HAVE found inspiration again, and AM working on a new, new novel. In short it will be about: Loss, cupidity, the line where an intentional community goes from being labeled a cult to being labeled a religion, the disorder that erupts from order, conjoined paths, causality, hope, the gauge between constructive narcotic use and drug addiction, and of course ascension. Is there a title? no; Do I call it something in my note just because? yes. Other things: I'm not going to ramble on about any journalism stuffz, if that's what you want to call it. It comes and goes, it never pays well, it's usually not worth pointing out you did it. Enough said. Until we meet again. gari

Tenacious

I've been sick since Saturday with a chest cold. So sick in fact that I haven't worked on anything. I've hardly lifted from my couch. Today is the first I can even stand to look at a computer screen for more than a few minutes; my head hasn't been clear. so, per usual, nothing significant to report.

I invested in the 2011 GLA,and have been turned onto new ideas and approaches. The information provided on the internet has proved to be incorrect, or at best obsolete.

If you can say nothing else about me, you can say I am tenacious.

-gari

TNG

Nothing new to report - most of my entries will probably include that sentence.
Or at least, there is no real measurable progress to speak of. I don't think I've even received a response to any query letters I've written since my last blog.
For the first time, though, I did query a book I'm working on, instead of a finished one. I don't honestly believe it to be a wise move to push an un-written novel as your first, but what better time: After years of effort, I've virtually nothing to show for it, and therefore cannot see the harm in throwing out wild cards and jokers.

I've additionally concluded it acceptable to try publishing a few short stories.
It has been several years since I've written a short story; I've only thought at novel lengths for some time. The short stories will be based on some of my dreams. The details I'll keep hush for now.

It's Friday, which means it's my day of rest. I'm spending my evening watching my newly obtained complete series box set of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Nearly a year later

March 5th of 2012 seems as good of time as any to begin posting again. Nearly 12 months after my last post and nothing to report back. Sometime late in 2011, I came to realize I was focusing too much on building my writer's resume. At some point, I took a step back and said, "Hey, I think you have enough there to catch an eye or two, now." Do I? Who knows anymore. What I can tell you for a fact: Concealed Weapons is back on the market; I'm seeking literary agents with the semblance writing talent and disgruntled disposition all good writers have. My proposed Sophomore release has changed (a few times), but I do have a current focus: TBA. THE POETRY BOOKS: What the hell happened there!?! A Resigned Decanter had my full attention and then died. I had plotted three poetry publications (self-publications). Everyone has their trilogy to tell. My poetry books would be referred to my Useless Talent trilogy: Love, Religion, and Politics. Are they shelves/scrapped? No. Do they have an ETA: No.

I'm trying to follow through with these plans, however their a two way street and a fan-base and demand has to meet me half way.

Gari

ps: my work has now been published by:

Chicago Music Guide
Bizarre Magazine
Examiner
Chicago Music Guide
Outside The Red Zone
Clique Clack
Herbivore Productions