The start of a new members-only story up at the Well of Mimir. Yes, it has echoes of DarkSun in its influence, but it goes beyond and outside that. I have what I hope are some interesting surprises in store for readers, and I don't mean just plot-wise, but interpretive and perceptive.

(And I should yell at Jen because she hasn't signed-up for a membership yet... *nudge*cough*poke*)

Also, I've entered into an illustration contract with Neoplastic Press, so I'll be fairly busy this next month or two. The best thing about it is that I'm actually feeling like I can pull it off after having done two good pieces for AF without feeling like a failure and pretender.

Apparently I needed a challenge to kick me in the ass, or a combination of factors, like a challenge and certain realizations regarding what I want my art to be/look like/do consciously and what I subconsciously prefer.

I think there's a marked stylistic difference between my old stuff and my newer stuff, and I've always been happiest with the older work. Therefore, I'm going back to that. No more trying to please the folks who want me to use a different style than I use nor my own trying to be the kind of artist I'm not.

Yes, pushing the boundaries is good. But pushing them should never hold you back.

New fiction up at the Well. Another horror piece. Comments, as usual, very welcome. Here or there. Also, it's really weird what gives you ideas for stories.

"I'm all ears," he said, and slyly changed form into the Kelvarhian Wahls Beast, which did indeed consist entirely of ears.

It was also completely and utterly extinct, for simple reasons of biology far too obvious to repeat here.

By Bad Reception!

I called Jen, and because I am a clever monkey, my plan was as follows:

"Hello?"
"Go turn on my station."
"Why?"
"Just go."
"Ok."
"What's the song playing?"
"Um, 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'."
"Yep. That's all. Bye!"

New short fiction piece up at the Well. A 'one-page' fantasy/horror...wasn't sure what to categorize it as. Are stories involving occultism considered specifically fantasy or horror?

Damn! I came across this review of 300 tonight and realized I HAD TO post a link, because it says everything I want to say about the whole hullaballo over the film, including to the folks I've attempted to discuss this film with in the past (Vincent, I'm looking at you) and various other similar issues.

I'm going to spoil it for you: ultimately, I see it as a good bash of modern critics (professional and otherwise) and their trends, which are really cultural trends at large in society that I hold no sympathy for ( snark ).

( not so much snark )

Anyways, quotage:

It's somewhat amusing. It makes one feel like saying "not everything is about you, guys. This film is about Spartans, because they were interesting and weird. Get over the 'not about you' part" and you'll begin to get this film.

...

300 is better understood as an expensive art-house project and not your usual genre piece starring Gwyneth or Brad. Critics have tried to twist its story into some kind of contemporary allegory and failed.

I'm looking to read some good science-fantasy these days for color and inspiration, but find myself at a loss of what to read: I just don't know about many books that fall into this category or about the authors who write in the genre. Any suggestions?

Also, I'm looking to get my hands on a copy of Phoenae: The Fierce Joy of Being Alive, an out-of-print RPG from Ian Press that came out some years back (and which I have never seen since). If anyone has a copy they would be willing to sell, or knows where I can score a copy, please let me know!

( ...Related Anecdote... )