Pub Rants

STATUS: TGIF! Hum… not that it matters too much as I plan to work a lot this weekend to try and catch up on things.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? DREAMS by The Cranberries

Some days I can’t help thinking, and yes I’ll admit this is cynical, that there are more people who want to write a book than there are people who actually read books.

When asked, just about every person you talk to believes they have at least one book in them. These same people when asked how many books they’ve read in the last year might also say just one.

Back in the day before computers, to be a writer was serious business. Most authors handwrote their first draft before painstakingly typing it on a typewriter. An error on the page meant either careful white-out (hopefully my blog readers are old enough to remember that product!) or yanking the page to start retyping all over again.

The advent of computers makes the writing process significantly easier. Sometimes too easy I think. I wonder if writers work on their craft as much when it’s so easy to copy, paste, delete, or what have you.

It certainly means that more people try being writers. I guess we could make an argument that really only the serious have the perseverance necessary to really succeed as one. That there are still enough hurdles to make the process daunting enough that only the serious continue.

Today I read this story about Christopher Nolan; a writer who, because of his disability, had to use a pointer attached to his head to write. I can’t help but think that this person truly wanted to be an author. Nolan was willing to transcend what could only have been a cumbersome method of getting text on the page to share his art. In my mind, this is a writer serious about writing. Considering that my brain goes way faster than my fingers are able to type, I can’t imagine what the experience must have been like for him. An agile brain forced to slow down to the pace of how he could create. And yet, he wrote. Won the Whitbread Book Of the Year in 1988. Writing was by no mean easy on a whole different level and yet he remained undaunted.

And it’s very sad to hear that he passed away this week at the young age of 43.

STATUS: Whimsical.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? HERE’S WHERE THE STORY ENDS by The Sundays

This is a completely esoteric blog entry. I personally think that music can be great inspiration for writing. Many of my clients have playlists associated with their work. Here is the soundtrack for the Gallagher Girls.

Linnea Sinclair has a blues song that frames her novel The Down Home Zombie Blues.

Jamie Ford wrote a whole novel where a missing vinyl record is pivotal.

Do you think a lyric can jumpstart a whole novel? I was listening to The Sundays and this line just strikes me as full of possibilities:

“Oh, I never should have said that the books that you read were all I loved you for.”

I’m intrigued with the possible story that would lead up to someone saying that bit of dialogue.

STATUS: Jumping into my work day.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? RED RAIN by Peter Gabriel

Okay, this isn’t about publishing but Alexandre Philippe is a long time friend and filmmaker and I just love this documentary he’s currently working on.

And it is definitely a topic that is rant worthy.

In his own words:
“Are you passionate about Star Wars? Did the new trilogy leave a sour taste in your mouth? What’s your stance on the Special Editions? Are you ready to stand up for George, or to stand up to him? In short, if the words Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or even Howard The Duck make you want to speak up, we want to hear from you!

Based on the overwhelming worldwide response to our efforts this past year, we believe we are on the right track. Truly, it has been an amazing journey; and we intend to capture many more voices from every corner of the globe for the rest of the year. And yes, you can still submit footage to us through our September 30, 2009 deadline. Indeed, this groundbreaking, 100% independent and first-ever digitally democratic documentary gives experts and the audience a voice to express their opinions about the single most powerful and influential filmmaker and mogul in movie history. And we promise to deliver a dynamic and impassioned debate for the ages!”

So if you have a blog or a fan site, please take a moment to write about us today. Mention us in forums, on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook. Subscribe to and comment on our YouTube channel. Contact your local newspaper, film blogger or film critic. Email your local Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or Howard the Duck (!) fan site. Tell them we exist, and refer them to the YouTube link below and to our website.

Just doing my part. If so inspired, feel free to join in on this fun.

I was nine years old when I went with my family to see Star Wars in 1977. In fact, I have a vivid memory of this because I was kicking and screaming the whole way to the theater. I vehemently did not want to go. My dad said, “you’re too young to stay at home alone and the whole family is going so no more tantrum.”

So why the impassioned negative response? The year prior my Dad had taken my 8-year old self and my older sister to see 2001 A Space Odyssey.

I wasn’t doing that again.

I know! What was he thinking? He didn’t inflict this pain on my older brother!

But of course just 10 minutes into the film Star Wars, I was enthralled. There were no apes throwing bones in front of a monolith! No long segments filled with imagery, music, but no plot or dialogue! Later, when I was in my twenties, I got a chance to watch 2001 again. It was definitely a better experience then.

So which side do I belong on this debate? Not saying.