Author: Writer guy

Laziness thy mistress is vacation

Writer guy

Finally at the point in vacation where after being away so long from the chaos, almost forgot why a week off of work seemed so urgent. Something about reading as late into the night as I want and waking up at 8AM that smooths over the memories of exhaustion.

Neglecting all but the compulsory chores ( dishes, litter box and vacuuming ) the week thus far has been remarkably relaxing, yet purposeful. There’s two reasons for the sense of productivity, even when to outside appearances, I’m idling about the apartment in a robe well into the afternoon.

Twice a year I review all my investments, and for the first time in two years after reviewing the numbers, I haven’t yearned to stuff everything in a mattress and set the bed on fire. Financial markets are whimsical as a summer storm, so who knows what tomorrow may bring. But thus far this year, it’s been pleasant.

Second and more importantly, been working on the sequel to The Last Track. Based on a wide pool of reviewer feedback, I’m making a few adjustments in the way the story develops. There will be more of some elements and a little less of others. Actually reading or hearing what people honed in on was pretty surprising. The most unexpected compliments were about parts of my writing I had considered the weakest.

Sub plots will be ratcheted down both in number and in detail; I’m definitely sensitive to the fact a lot happens in the pages–though the open ends did resolve at the conclusion. While there’s infinite ways to develop story arc, overall I’m aiming for a slightly more economical approach to secondary plots in general.

And that’s about it at 1:37 AM on Thursday. Ah, vacation.

Why Lindsay Lohan isn’t Robert Downey Jr.

Writer guy

In the wake of Lindsay Lohan’s sentencing for a number of outstanding drug and alcohol charges, a number of news outlets compared her rise and fall with Robert Downey Jr, and I’m calling shenanigans.

Here’s three important reasons why Lindsay’s career and personal arc to this point deviate greatly from Mr. Downey and they will continue their divergence–to the point in ten years, very few people will admit they made such a claim.

Quality of performance while under the influence. Even when Robert Downey Jr. was whacked out of his mind, he delivered like a professional on the screen. And he could ( and still can ) really, really act, even as the sole focal point of the movie. The caliber of his performances were recognized and revered. If Lindsay followed his footsteps, I don’t think Herbie belongs in the same league of performance as Chaplin.

Willingness to recognize there is a problem. Like Lindsay, Robert Downey Jr. appeared before the same judge quite a few times. Both actors received initially lenient, and then progressively more stringent sentences. But while Robert Downey Jr. kept faltering, even as the penalties increased each instance he slipped, when the real judgment came down, he admitted that he clearly was breaking his commitments. Essentially he conceded that the only option left to the judge was incarceration.

In contrast, when facing jail, Lindsay Lohan argued that by not fulfilling the terms of her probation, she was helping children. Yeah, her reasoning made no sense to the judge either. She also painted an expletive on her fingernail, displaying it for all to see when the sentence came down. That and other gestures tended to undermine the sincerity of her contrition.

Lindsay has always received far more attention for being a train wreck than for being an actor. It is far more likely that the average moviegoer can name three of Linsday’s love interests, than three of her movies. Even fewer can assemble such a list so without consulting the Internet first.

Yes, Houston, she has a problem.

In summer mode

Writer guy

Even after five times around the block, shuttering the tech department for the summer and transitioning into rental mode for the summer, still takes longer–and much more work–than planned. This year comes with additional considerations, as half of the academic wing is under construction, and we’re cutting over to a fiber optic internet connection. Add in some vacation days, a hip flare, and the usual summer projects makes for busy Writer guy. Next year, summer should be more tranquil. Looking back at older entries from the same time period, though, reveals this prediction has been made before. In any case, somewhat normal posting will resume soon.

July’s leg of the virtual tour began Monday. Or was it Tuesday? Anyway, the tour page has all the latest links and tour stops information. Except for a podcast next week, all the work on the tour is done. At least the work that involves me. Which means a lot more free time for writing.

Speaking of writing projects, Mystery Scene Magazine ( Issue #115 ) has a review of The Last Track which should land around July 29, 2010, and appear in Borders and Barnes and Nobles ( and many fine booksellers ) shortly thereafter. Can’t lie, I’m pretty psyched about that one. The editor requested a picture that may appear alongside the review.

About the old familiar black and white photo. Certainly got some mileage out of that shot, and completely by accident. Taken by a friend, it was intended as solely filler for a photo class portfolio. Final assignment called for nine pictures; they were short one and I was around. Would have stayed only in their portfolio, never to be seen again.

But then Chuck Palahniuk offered excellent advice for writers in regarding author photos during an interview. A pearl something like: “Get your author photo taken now, because by the time the book comes out, you’ll look a lot older.” Very good advice. Recycling is not just something one should talk about; it means taking action. And the plan of action means recycling that photo for awhile.

Maybe indefinitely. Or at least until the hair goes gray.

Four left

Writer guy

Four days and four guest posts/interviews left to write for the July leg of the virtual tour. Sometime next week, I’ll return to posting somewhat normally. You know, on my own site. :)

Oh, and the good news alluded to last week? The first print review for The Last Track is now available in Mystery Scene Magazine, Summer Issue 2010, Issue #115. With a very respectable subscriber base, the must have magazine for mystery fans also is for sale at Barnes and Noble, Borders and other fine booksellers.

While I don’t have a PDF scan of this review yet, the publisher forwarded the review along. My favorite line is the last:

. . . Brody is such a riveting character that he could easily anchor an entire series.

Betty Webb, Mystery Scene Magazine