Mourn the orphans

One of the things which fascinates me about the writing process are the orphans -- all the little concepts, characters, phrases, plot lines, and drafts that are created and eventually discarded along the way.

The road of writer's journey is littered with them. Generally they go unmourned, hardly noticed. Long forgotten. Out of sight, out of mind.

But sometimes I wonder . . . what could they have become, if circumstance had been right?

Not quite a pup-in-a-blanket, but tasty nonetheless, no?

What in the world is this, and why am I posting it, you might ask?

To answer the former, just as it appears to the naked eye, it is quite literally a doggie bag. (Pun intended.) Both cute and disturbing at the same time.

To answer the latter, I saw this little gem down in San Diego at this year's Comic-Con on the way to lunch and immediately thought of Joseph Mallozzi who was to appear at the much anticipated (from my perspective) Stargate Atlantis panel and occasionally blogs about, and posts pictures of, four little dogs he and his wife own.

Writing alone, together

As some of you may know, my transition to becoming a writer has been a long time in coming. A long time, because I had been thinking about it and planning it for years before actually doing something about it. Planner, I am no more! A man of action, am I! This year I finally took steps toward creating a more "writerly" life.

I decided I needed to surround myself with all things literature and writing related. So, I joined my local library's mystery book club . . . which led to a desire to read science fiction, the genre of choice during my youth, as well as chat with others about it, too . . . which lead to finding a few like-minded library staffers and starting a science fiction / speculative fiction book club . . . which led to finding other stymied, writers-in-waiting . . . which led to form a writing group.

So, how's the writing coming, you might ask? Actually, pretty good! (Thanks for asking.)

The writing group has been the best thing for my writing. I can set goals from here to eternity, but there's nothing like a group of fellow writers, to whom I am accountable, to help keep me on track. And the fact that I am not only helping myself, but helping others along on their own writing journeys, is a great motivator. It helps that we keep things low-key and light. As an example, just check out the name of our writing group and its blog, Fifty Lashes with a Wet Noodle: The Writing Group, or Fifty Lashes, for short.

We're actually moving along quite nicely in our preparation for this year's NaNoWriMo. Our goal is to finish the first drafts of our novels via NaNo during the month of November. This will be the first NaNo for the majority of the group. (I've tried to do NaNo twice before, but never actually started writing anything. See, it's that whole not following through problem I was talking about.)

Anyway, I suggest you think about joining, or starting, a writing group if you're serious about becoming a writer. Sure, you could always do things yourself, alone. But it's so much more fun with company.

Hanging at the library

So, my local library is great. Nice new facilities, lots of good books and resources, and free Internet access via wifi. The only downside, besides the fact that the Internet access is a tad slow, is that my cell phone's signal is weak to non-existent inside.

It's not that I'm planning on taking calls and chatting loudly in the library. How rude would that be? I would step out to take calls, natch. It's just that there are times when you need continuous mobile communications, when every second counts . . . you know, family emergencies, agent calling, surfing on my Blackberry. That sort of stuff.

It's situations like these when it would be nice to have the Blackberry Curve 8320. With its UMA capabilities, the Curve would allow me to send and receive phone calls in poor cell reception areas via the Internet in areas that have an available wifi network. Of course it'll cost an additional $10 (or is it $20?) a month for T-Mobile's Hotspot @Home service, but improved indoor cell phone usage, plus unlimited calling while using wifi, would be worth it.

Now, if I could only just figure out how to deal with whole $250 price tag to upgrade.

Long time no see

Wow, has it really been over a month since I last wrote? Gee, I guess so.

Comic-Con was great, by the way. Lots of cool panels, a couple of cool finds, and lots of great memories. Is it just me, or is it getting more crowded every year? Nah, must be my imagination. ;)

Next year, I think I'll need to bring a sleeping bag and camp out in order to get into some of the more "Hollywood" panels. Hall H, where most of the big studio panels were, was absolutely packed and filled up really, really early. It's really getting to the point where you have to plan your entire day around panels . . . and possible forgo all the other day's events. And unless you're in Hall H, you need to tag-team it.

I was just lucky enough to make it into the "Heroes" panel. I have absolutely never, ever seen a line that long before -- it actually lapped the entire upper floor's east wing, and let me tell you those are really long halls.

As for my back, fortunately, it never acted up. By taking it easy and being extra careful, I had a fun and relatively pain-free trip. (Oh yeah, the medicine helped, too.)

I know it's a bit early, but I'm already looking forward to next year. The real big question for me is whether there'll even be a Stargate panel next year. My fingers are crossed.

On the road again . . .

So, it's that time of year once again! Comic-Con in San Diego! Woot!

I've been so looking forward to this for quite awhile now, you have no idea. But the last couple of weeks I have been especially anxious, because this is the first time in a long time that I will actually be staying in San Diego for nearly the whole convention. (Ah, to be in San Diego again. It's been too long.)

It's gonna be epic, it's gonna be . . . (wait for it) . . . legendary!

So it begins, and ends, tonight

Well, tonight is the night. At the stroke of midnight this evening as Friday, the 20th of July turns into the 21st, the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series goes on sale. This is probably not news to anybody, as the approaching date and hour have been mentioned ad nauseum by all media outlets.

And where will I be at the appointed hour? I'll be waiting in line at my local Borders bookstore, as part of a worldwide mob of Muggles, eager to plunk down some coinage for our own little copies of history in the making.

It's not that I'm a Harry Potter fanatic like some others, really I'm not. (This isn't denial, by the way.) In fact I haven't even read a single one of the prior six books, not a one. Okay, so I listened to every one of the CD audio books from local public library. (In my opinion, Jim Dale is just perfect as the narrator, don't you agree?) And I have seen everyone of the movies made thus far, multiple times. And I do have the occasional Harry Potter desktop wallpaper here and there on my laptop. But that does not make a nutter.

What I am is a person who enjoys good stories and storytelling, and that is what the Harry Potter series is to me -- a cracking good tale full of adventure, emotions, and life lessons. J.K. Rowling has outdone herself with the wonderful characters and stories she has spun over the years.

It's been fun, I've had a great time, and I know I'm not alone. Millions of others across the globe have shared and enjoyed it too. Which is why unlike the previous times, I'm gonna take part in the frenzy and fun of a Harry Potter book release.

Even if you haven't reserved your own copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" for tonight's release, why not just head on down to your local bookstore and take part in the festivities? If this is going to be the last book, then why not have a blast? And why not share the experience with others? Collective experiences of this nature are rare enough as it is.

Years later, at least you can honestly say you were there too when history was made.