All entries filed under On My Influences
September 10, 2010 at 9:40 pm · Filed under On My Influences, On SKSG, Thoughts
So yeah, I guess I’m writing book five now. And working on getting book one back up for sale. And working on editing together the disparate pieces of book four. And doing a bunch of other things that aren’t even related to SKSG. I’ll be surprised if one of these days I don’t just collapse with a poof and turn into a pile of sand. But it’ll be happy sand.
Today, I want to point you in the direction of one of my creative inspirations, David Willis. Actually, a post about how much I’m (over?)working myself is a pretty apt place to bring him up again–this is a man who is simultaneously writing Shortpacked!, daily toy news, something related to Transformers, and now Dumbing of Age, a reimagining of his previous two comic series, It’s Walky! and Roomies!. He’s my hero. I’m surprisingly excited about DoA (ha!) and I really want it to take off, so please do me (and yourself) a favor and go check it out.
It’s funny…I had started to feel like I was creatively stagnating there for a while, but now that I’m working on book five, I’m realizing how long it’s been since I’ve drafted something new (as opposed to editing something that already existed). I think the absence of that might have been the culprit. Creative types, take note–always keep making new things! How else will you surprise yourself?
August 20, 2010 at 8:30 pm · Filed under On My Influences, Reviews, Thoughts
Now that was a rock concert.
I had my doubts at first–while waiting in a line that went all the way around a city block (!), I had plenty of time to size up the audience, which only reinforced the nagging feeling that I was getting too old for this. I had teenage douchebags to the left of me and adult douchebags, apparently waiting for Jersey Boys to start, on the right, and I felt conspicuous and exposed walking in alone. But then I stamped out a cigarette some jerk threw near the two girls behind me (who were wearing sandals), and they thanked me, which at least made me feel like a good samaritan. I reminded myself that, once inside, no one else was going to give a crap about me. I didn’t need anyone’s permission to be here.
The effects of the evening took a little while to sink in, but all told, it was one of the best concerts I’ve been to. The songs of Something Corporate don’t typically make me feel excited and driven like some of my other favorite music–instead, they makes me calm, clear, and reflective, and the live performance didn’t disappoint. Here’s what they played, in no particular order:
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August 13, 2010 at 9:01 am · Filed under On My Influences, Personal, Reviews, Thoughts
Writing in General - This site isn’t set up for me to talk about much aside from School Kids SG, but I’ve actually had a ton of creative energy lately, and I’ve been pouring it into a variety of different projects, SKSG included. It’s almost like I can’t control what happens on any given night–like the stories want to be written, and they’re jockeying with each other for a better position in line. It’s so gratifying to see those stacks of paper getting ever taller…sometimes, I toy with the notion that it would be nicer if I decided what type of energy flowed through me at any given time, but that’s the businessman’s approach to writing, and no matter how much time I spend in New York City I will always have the soul of an artist. If that’s not too arrogant of a thing to say.
For those who are interested in the writing and publishing process, here’s a bit of breaking insight: I’ve started using manual duplex printing to put two-sided pages on three-hole paper, which I then put into binders for the editing phase. It’s convenient and it saves a ton of money (also space, which is no small concern for those of us who live in small apartments).
SKSG Specifically - I’m slowly sprucing up the Facebook page–keep an eye on it. There’s going to be a major advertising push this summer and fall, so that I can get more people into the first three books before I move further along with book four. Anyone who has friends they think might be into my stuff, please spread the word! And thanks very much to those who have already done so (you know who you are).
Scott Pilgrim - Well, let’s see, I posted about receiving the first volume of Scott Pilgrim on…July 29th? It is now August 13th and I’ve read five out of six. The fifth in a single sitting–I can’t remember the last time I did that. I mean, it helps that comic books move faster than pure prose, but I seriously have not been able to put this story down, and that’s not something I say often. When I was younger (i.e., up to and including my last year of college), I would deliberately go slow when reading books or playing video games, to savor the experience, but I don’t think I could slow down here if I tried. Looks like I might be done in time to catch the movie in theaters after all!
Rock Show - I’m seeing Something Corporate tonight! A show where I will probably be the only man in the audience! Eh-heh. Nevertheless, this might be my only chance ever to see them live, so there’s no way I can pass it up. I’ll post a report here at some point, I’m sure!
July 23, 2010 at 9:00 am · Filed under On My Influences, On SKSG, Thoughts
First, a note–two nights ago, I had a major writing breakthrough with something related to School Kids SG. This makes me happy, and it gives me hope that despite the positively glacial pace of writing and self-publishing, you’ll see something start to move on here soon. Until then, my random-yet-regular posts will keep you company!
So! Earlier this week, I ordered myself one of these:
Keep reading….
April 23, 2010 at 9:04 am · Filed under On My Influences, Reviews, Thoughts
I recently said that Roger Ebert was “one of my favorite living writers.” I stand by that statement, though I think it may have been more accurate to say that he was one of my favorite living establishment writers, a field and a distinction which is rapidly eroding with the advent of the Internet (a good thing, if you ask me). Ebert’s movie reviews aren’t the only reason I like him–his blog is also filled with excellent articles, and I almost always agree with his socio-political views. That’s why it was so dismaying to see this post, wherein he concludes that video games can never be art.
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March 5, 2010 at 9:00 am · Filed under On My Influences, Reviews, Thoughts
So I’m working on something. In fact, I’ve been working on something all week, which is why I didn’t write a post for today. You can bet it’ll be worth it when it’s done. All I’ll say for now is that it’s connected to the fact that the print version of The Gauntlet has been marked “temporarily unavailable.” Speculate away!
But even though I haven’t made something for you to read, I can certainly recommend something. Or some things, even. First off is The Comics Curmudgeon, a blog I mentioned a long time ago but didn’t even link to–it bears bringing up again. This is a site that gives the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment to otherwise-unbearable comic strips like Mary Worth, and makes good old Marmaduke truly seem like a man-eating demon. Go there and you’ll never look at the comics page the same way again.
My second recommendation is the always-solid work of Roger Ebert, one of my favorite living writers. He blogs surprisingly often for someone with his hectic life–you’d think that a huge workload, a bout of serious illness, and other factors would eliminate all his free time, but no. I admire that. Blog aside, though, his reviews are the main attraction, always on-point and often hilarious (see Jaws: the Revenge).
Finally, for the nostalgic dork, witness this angsty Rescue Rangers graphic novel. You know what? I’ll admit that I like it. It fits better into its target universe than most fan fiction I’ve seen, and, more to the point, it’s drawn really well. Even when it’s toe-curlingly corny, it’s still got that going for it! Give it a peek if you like cartoon art.
Next week: a rant about reinstalling Windows! An activity that almost kept me from posting anything at all!
February 12, 2010 at 9:05 am · Filed under On My Influences, On SKSG, Thoughts
Well, sort of. See, my iPod is full of carefully-constructed “albums” that I use to remind myself of my various stories and series. Some are works in progress, but some, like School Kids SG: Epiphany - Background Noise from Year One, have been more or less complete for years. This is part of the soundtrack to all of School Kids SG–I shouldn’t post all of it yet, since I’ve only published up to episode five so far, so consider this a start with the intent to continue later.
The following collection of tracks attempts to blend my personal taste in music with what I consider to be the sound of the series (in high-concept terms, that would be a blend between New Jersey sappy/pop/emo music and anime/videogame BGM). Sometimes I hit a home run, sometimes I wind up with an artistically-appropriate song that I always skip when I’m just listening for fun (try to figure out which ones are which). I doubt I can offer actual music downloads here without prompting some sort of legal action, but if you have or can find all these songs and listen to them in this order, you may be able to see what I’m driving at. Think of it as a scavenger hunt!
Keep reading….
January 8, 2010 at 11:38 pm · Filed under On My Influences, Reviews, Thoughts
…is what 2010 is shaping up to be. Well, a great year for music for me, anyway–I’m not talking about upcoming releases, just albums that I myself want to buy in the coming months. Anyone who knows me is aware that my tastes veer toward video game soundtracks and JPop songs from anime, but there’s another part of my iPod that I don’t always share. This is the section influenced by Alternative Press, which you may know as the magazine that ranked President Obama’s inauguration behind Michael Jackson’s death and that “Balloon Boy” incident for most memorable event of 2009. I have no illusions about Fall Out Boy or Yellowcard being “respectable” in the eyes of music snobs, but I’ve had some very interesting conversations since I started letting my friends in on my music proclivities, and the AP slice of my personality remains one of the most New-Jersey-influenced parts of me. Call it a souvenir.
What follows is a list of albums I haven’t heard yet but want to. At best, think of them as recommendations–otherwise, think of them as another glimpse into my musical psyche.
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December 11, 2009 at 9:00 am · Filed under Misc, On My Influences, Thoughts
http://protodudesrockmancorner.blogspot.com/2009/12/mega-man-10-announced.html
Whaaaaaat?!!
Okay, let’s get one thing straight: I love Megaman games, and on the surface of it, I have absolutely no problem with the concept of a flying Sheep Man who shoots lightning. This new game is a very exciting thing for me. But what cranks the weirdness/shock level up to ten is the fact that I’ve been collaborating on a comic series for the last 16 years (off and on) that also features a character named Sheepman!
The series in question is The Trio of Triumph–click that link to go to my and Chris Unger’s long-abandoned ComicGenesis website. Hell, when we joined it was still called Keenspace! I dare you to read some of those nearly-illegible comic strips, which would likely be incomprehensible to anyone but me and Chris even if you could make them out. Don’t get me wrong, I adore The Trio of Triumph, and I’d be tickled beyond belief to get an outside fan or two, but my collaborator and I really write these things for ourselves. Recently, we’ve been talking about an episode featuring the discount store called Jembro…already, you don’t get it, I’m sure.
Keep reading….
September 25, 2009 at 9:07 am · Filed under Misc, On My Influences, Thoughts
Well, having rediscovered The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion this week, it seems that I forgot to write a post! I was also distracted by a leak in my living room, coming from the apartment above mine. One of my window frames suddenly began weeping a yellow liquid that I hope to God was water.
So now, you get a paper I wrote for a senior-year class at Bard. It’s about language and memories from a freshman-year class (the assignment was to include “memories from schooling,” and although the intention was clearly to have us reach further back than college, I was only too eager to take advantage of the prompt’s ambiguity). I’m actually glad that I had to go through my old files for today’s content–when else would I ever get a chance to post this?
Comments are always welcome!
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