Multitasking Cephalopods & Hunting Artistic Genius

I recently put out a call for artists and illustrators. I'm looking for that rare creative partner with just  that pinch of insanity.

The response has been wonderful, I think I've found the artist I can see bringing my vision to life. BUT I've sent the script and descriptions to a few. What they send me back, as far as their concept from my writing, will determine who I team up with. It's not really about me, you see its about the characters. Their voices and what makes them happy.

This past week has encompassed a lot of movement, managing real life and various creative projects. Out with the old, in with the new. The first tentative steps down a new path of independent creation.  These changes and this new energy don't come without moments of doubt and vast expanses of reflection.

The driving force, my main focus is to see my comic script take its first breath of life. This is center and the target of my manic obsession. Each new effort, hour, thought...brings me one step closer to that realization.

Bleach Baths, Slime, Violence, Editors and Of Course Squid

I’ve spent the last week searching for an artist/ creative partner to help me breathe life into one of my scripts.

I tried the easy way of breaking into comics and found I didn’t care for it. There’s only so much ass kissing of self important prigs I can produce.

After a few months and then a bleach shower to get rid of the slime, I felt that maybe, I should retain creator control and break this bitch out INDIE style. I’ve done some quiet research and crept around the outskirts of some amazing artists. Tentatively made contact, and hope with all my little black heart, I don’t run into anymore pratts.

I don’t just want some kinda pre-fab, run-o-the-mill crap. I want a partner, an insane partner. (Preferably one that likes squid and sun-dip) The search continues and I’m being picky so I’m sure it may take a moment.

The novel plods on, the story is getting told, and it’s moving slowly. The characters are showing enormous patience for my ADD and my constant multi tasking. That being said,  I’m working on some more short stories and of course am looking at contributing to a few more anthologies.

Autumn Painted Red is out; it’s my first foray into non-fiction. I have to admit I loved the hell out of this piece and the work that went into creating it. Find your copy at Asylum Ink.

I’ve moved to a new editor, Carol Gaskin of Editorial Alchemy. We’ve been tossing random communications back and forth for about a month. She finally agreed to deal with my insane bullshit and we start our partnership officially August 3. The wonderful thing is she’s almost local so if she needs to beat some sense into my thick skull, it will only take her about 45 minutes to commence the violence.

Voices In The Head

   Another San Diego Comic Con has come and gone. It looks like there were some amazing creator types living it up last week. Can’t wait to take a look at the projects they are stewing over.

I’m starting a new partnership with an editor. I think we both travel along a similar wavelength and I see great things for us both in the future. An excellent benefit is she lives just a few hours away, so we will be able to communicate at great length.

 Books, Comics and other writing creations are a cumulative effort of the many. To give birth to your idea and have it fully grown and ready to stand on its own, you have to have an excellent team behind you. Everyone from your family to those who work in the creation biz, to the terrified people on planes you explain your ideas too; leave an imprint on your work. The help make it strong and interesting enough for others to want to invest their time and emotions.

Autumn Painted Red is out and is available from Asylum Ink. It’s great to see this project completed.

The last few days have been spent in the joyous haze of finding new and inspiring authors and devouring their work.

I shall resume work on Keepers this weekend.

Another anthology still in the works is titled; The Final Migration, mine and a group of talented creators take on the zombie apocalypse.  I’ve read the material and I have to admit I’m pretty excited to see a different slant on the ever popular monster. I enjoyed the Hell out of writing my pieces for that book.

As ever “LIFE” continues to try and interrupt my writing, working as a lawman drains almost every drop of energy and humanity. 

Thankfully the voices in my head refuse to allow THAT itty bitty issue to stop their persistent screams.

Good news is, lawman work has finally been lassoed and drugged to within an inch of its life. This should mean more creative output from me AND more networking updates.  

Back From The Dead

 Life has been interceding, interrupting and bleeding its puss all over my writing.

 Found an editor, came up with more than a few new ideas for projects......Still looking for an artist and as always working on Keepers.

The novel keeps evolving causing me to have to re write and mold the events to fit my characters whispers.

I hope I've beaten the horse called life to death and shall presently be eating burgers made from its persistent flesh.

More updates as I progress.

Exorcism Response Team

A Priest, a cop and a General of Hell gather for a pending invasion in America's only preternatural concentration camp. Just for giggles God throws an Archangel in the mix.

Welcome to Claremont Research and Containment Facility .......

Yes they do have and Exorcism Response Team, for when that pesky demon is to much for the regular line staff to deal with........


Thats a brief look into Keepers,....... work is going well.

Keepers...

The Novel (must be said with emphasis!) now has a name. I'm about six chapters in and the words are flowing pretty easily.

I'm having an ecstatic time listening to these amazing characters whisper their stories into my brain. of course this is the honeymoon stage, creating the first draft. let's see if I'm still enamored during the fourth revision when they want to change things.....

On the flip side I'm casually scanning around for an artist. I really want to find someone with visceral in your face style. I'm wanting to create a DIY/ Indie comic, adult themed horror, have the script ready just need to find the right one to bring it to life.

Autumn Painted Red is ready for release, all the contributors approved the final draft and its off to be printed and e booked & such.

Boston was an eye opening experience and I've recently done a Huge amount of self assessment. it's time to move forward and make things happen. Mentors are great, when you find the right one. You can depend on that type of guidance completely. You have to be willing to take risks and make things happen.

Pave your own fucking roads and such. I think I'm perfectly suited for kicking down doors and making people read at gun point.

A Punk Grows Up

 Over the past few months I've noticed a huge surge in nostalgia toward those years of my youth, in which I attacked the WORLD/ NORMALCY/ STATUS QUO / SHIT EVERYTHING with the venom and anger that could only find brethren in the Punk Scene.

I have savored watching movies like, The Other F Word, American Hardcore and many others popping up to remind me just how fucking old I've gotten. I'm watching old footage of Black Flag circa 1980's Cali, seeing these beautiful boys and girls rampage......and it hits me...........I'VE TURNED INTO THE FUCKING ESTABLISHMENT......... e gads.......I was never supposed to get this old.

Honestly I'm not that bitter. The years have given me the wisdom and resilience to focus my rage and turn it into a motivating force. I wouldn't be the animal that I am if it hadn't been for those brief years of resentment induced freedom.

Watching the footage from those films, I see we've all gotten a little grayer, a little more hesitant to strike out at those around of. Hell, some of us have grown a conscience.

Occasionally we old punks run into each other at school functions, the grocery store or at work. Sometimes the shirts slip revealing some ink. Maybe you've got a small PennyWise or Bad Brains sticker on your family car.

Just another step on the journey. I've got kids of my own, and they get a huge kick outta the pictures of me with purple hair. This entire rant is just a nod and a thank you to those who reveled in the music, the art, the written word of that experience. A brief look back to those who didn't make it out. A hell yeah to those of us that infiltrated and took over.

But, I swear.....if I hear Adolescents or SSD on a classic rock station....I will come at you with a machete......