S.J. Reisner's Blog, page 80
November 1, 2011
Really?
There are days it doesn't pay to gnaw through the leather straps, my friends. (Some of you know exactly what I mean!) Today was one of those busy, productive, and yet challenging days. First off, I woke up early, made coffee, had breakfast, and even got some writing in before skipping off to work. I stopped and got gas in the car, got to the office and got everything ready for end-of-month billing. I left caught up and ready for tomorrow. I got home and had dinner with DH. We vacuumed a cat. ...
October 28, 2011
Baking Fun
While I may have never been a stellar cook (never a bad cook, but never one of those cooks people raved about) I've always loved baking. In fact, I've always fancied myself a pretty decent baker. Cookies and cakes… Mmmm. I have a fruit cake recipe that makes fruit cake haters into fruit cake lovers – that's how delicious some of my cakes are.
However, in recent years (probably in the past 10-15 years) I've actually slowed down in the baking department just because my waistline doesn't share...
October 27, 2011
My *Official* Opinions of Other Occult Authors
Evidently, so I'm told, there are folks waiting on my official opinions about other authors in the *occult* arena. I do have an opinion and I'm going to share it. Hold onto your hats folks!
First – to be an occult author takes a lot of guts, conviction, and ambition because there are always vicious critics out there who think they know more than you, who think they have all the answers, and because of their huge egos think your books are the worst shit out there. These people will rip your...
October 25, 2011
Revision, My Friend
I think a lot of writers would agree with me if I admitted my best work happens during revision. Sure, ideas are great. First drafts on the other hand, or more properly *my* first drafts, just never nail it. When I'm initially writing something what I'm generally doing is writing down the bones. I write like one might build a house. First you lay the foundation. Then you put up your frame. Then you add your wiring and plumbing. Then the walls go up and finally — at the very end — you add a...
October 24, 2011
More Thoughts on Pro-Life
I have a crazy theory I'd like to share with the gentle reader. Did you know that an educated woman is less likely to have children? Did you know that the number of white women breeding big families has dropped significantly in the last 20-40 years? All the while – the pro-life movement has become more adamant.
Do you think the predominantly white Evangelical Christians are pushing the anti-abortion bit because they're afraid white people will quit having kids altogether? Any bets some of...
October 18, 2011
Short Attention Span Reader
I've discovered something about myself. I'm one of those readers who has ADD. If you, as a writer, haven't sucked me into your story in that first few pages it's likely I'll never read your book. This goes for both fiction and non-fiction. One thing I learned early on as a writer is your first scene needs to start in the middle of some action. Don't give me a dull history lesson or an over-thought character observation about life, the self, or the outside world. I could give two craps. Drag m...
October 17, 2011
Keep 'Em Guessing
I guess I really am controversial. Effectively pissing off the left and right for at least the past 10 years. I think that should be my new slogan or something.
Turns out a friend of mine was really miffed when he discovered I was placing curses on the copies of Infernal Colopatiron. Ha! That really cracked me up because it was so unexpected. Oh come on! It's all in good fun. Besides – I, as the writer, deserve compensation. Sorry – but I spend a lot of time writing these books. I'm also...
October 13, 2011
Why Does Your Website Suck?
Dear Company/Government Agency
We, the people, wanted to take a moment to ask all the big companies and government agencies like Secretary of State (pick a state, mine is Colorado and it blows), Internal Revenue Service, Xcel Energy, Xfinity, the USPS, and yes, even city water departments — Why does your website suck?
It took you all long enough to get into the whole online bill pay thing (or the online anything in some cases). Seriously!? You guys are all government entities or huge...
October 12, 2011
Wands & The Rite of Making
Wands. They're one of those magickal tools that a lot of modern magicians don't give a great deal of thought to. Or don't seem to. A lot of people will run to the store and buy those pretty pewter ones with a crystal at either end. Functionally speaking, I see no practical use of such a wand. A wand is about focusing energy and allegedly the crystal at it's end is that focal point. To have one pointing at yourself, too, seems a bit risky. I mean, I get the metal thing. Metal is a great...
October 6, 2011
An Ode to Chocolate
White or Dark. Milky with caramel.
I already miss your silky, sweet goodness.
I miss the sound of your foil wrapper.
I miss your smooth exterior beauty.
Your polished sheen.
The anticipation of the first bite.
Delight dancing on my tongue.
You will always hold a special place in my heart.
I'll miss you.
