Avatar craze

So I dropped off two of my kids today to see Avatar at a screen that was showing it in IMAX. We were there 40 minutes early, had pre-ordered the tickets, and the line for the movie was wrapped around the back concession stand. This movie's appeal is unreal. Despite the comparisons to Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves, people love this film. When will the crowds abate? The idea that Cameron's going to make 2 more of these bad boys is mind-blowing for a couple reasons, the least of which is the money it will make him. How about the technology? If this film looks this incredible now, imagine what A2 will look like? What about A3? Will Cameron go the Lucas route? That is to say, if George is to be believed, purposely making all movies in the series with similar FX so they look familial? I doubt it. This guy opened up Pandora's Box (I know, bad intended pun...so sue me) with this flick. I can't wait to see what movies look like a year from now. I liked it so much I changed my avatar, too.

2010

The New Year brings hope and possibilities to everyone, and I'm no exception. From a personal standpoint, my goal is to find a literary agent that gets my work, believes in what I'm trying to say, and helps me find a national publisher. I've written two more books, these are both novels (the first was a collection of short stories). I've been rejected several times from major agents and though I've got thick skin, there are some weak spots developing from repeatedly getting socked around in the same spot (namely my gut!). I aim to keep writing, knowing that the only way to get better is to keep working. It's draining, mentally and physically, but I feel a calling I can't explain. To a great degree, it's out of your hands as an artist and writer. God, fate, luck all play a major part in it, sometimes moreso (but doubtfully very often) than talent.

My wish is that those who reach for unconventional dreams, can continue to mine the will from their souls to continue working hard and striving toward their goal, stay positive and not let "the bastards grind them down".

May the Season Shine Upon You

It's been a long time again! I need to try and make a New Year's rez to get on here and post something at least once a week. Well, something relevant. Really shouldn't be that difficult, right? My hope for the coming year is health, happiness and prosperity to everyone out there, or at least those that come across my blog and this post in particular.

As far as the economy, I think things are starting to S-L-O-W-L-Y turn, ever so snail-like in Michigan, but it's definitely getting better. So, in closing, may the mysteries of life shine upon you and yours and may you have a bright and beautiful Holiday Season!

Been a long time since I blogged and rolled

Yeah, bad reference to a great song. I just felt like posting since it's been a long time. Summer came and went. Been writing as much as time allows. My new job at Indigo Studios has kept me busier into the night than the last place I was at. Namely because most of the activity is out of Michigan and requires more research. Working on my third book, a thriller about a Chicago hitman retired in Detroit and his Detroit cop son. I'm about 52,000 words in. Enjoy the rest of the summer. Hope to see you in stores with my second book, The Claw. All I need is an agent and a publisher. I'll try and keep you all posted.

Journalist, moi? I think not

Not sure if anyone even reads this blog anymore, but I've been contributing columns to a new sports' website, www.motorcitysports.net. If you come across this blog, check out the site. It's devoted to Detroit and its teams, athletes and news. The writers are mostly journalists. I am certainly no journalist, nor do I pretend to be. My intent is to write a fun, interesting column for people to read. Please take a minute or two to check out the site. My latest piece is called Millen Memories. There are three others; The Sport of Fishing, Bleacher Creatures, and a Q&A with comedian/tv star Dave Coulier. If you read them, send me a comment, even if it's disparaging, just to let me know you care.

Eight Dogs goes international

So my friend sends me a couple photos telling me about his gal friend that recently went on a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. He says that the city is known for its famed Masai Warriors; the tall guys in robes that kill rogue lions with spears. He says that now those guys are seen chatting on cell phones and drinking triple espressos at Starbucks. So he sets me up even more by saying that his friend spotted one of these revered warriors reading a book...
Love it. Is that great or what?

New Job!

I started working as a rep for Indigo Studios in Atlanta on February 1st. It is nothing short of divine intervention that I went fom working at a studio full of unique talent to another studio with equally stellar creatives on staff. After 19 years at a great company, the automotive crisis and the economy hit us, and the time was right for me to make a move. Indigo is based in Atlanta and I'm fortunate to be able to work from home via remote desktop. It's been a challenging transition to acclimate to the new studio culture, namely that I am physically the only one in the new studio culture! Thankfully, because of the Skype camera, I am able to teleconference every day with the folks in Atlanta. It's an exciting time but getting acclimated has found me behind in my writing and the pursuit of agents and national publishers for my next two books. I'm back at it though, slowly and surely. Stay tuned.