Aaron Polson's Blog, page 58
March 5, 2010
It's Like Flash Fiction. Sort of.
Natalie Sin has graced me with this:
THE RULES:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award. Thank you, Natalie.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. (done)
3. Link to the person who nominated you. (done)
4. Tell up to 6 outrageous lies about yourself and at least 1 outrageous truth. (rubs hands together)
5. Nominate 3 creative writers who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
You...you...and, uh, you.
6. Post links to the 3 blogs you nominate. (do the yous have blogs?)
7. Leave a c...
THE RULES:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award. Thank you, Natalie.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. (done)
3. Link to the person who nominated you. (done)
4. Tell up to 6 outrageous lies about yourself and at least 1 outrageous truth. (rubs hands together)
5. Nominate 3 creative writers who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
You...you...and, uh, you.
6. Post links to the 3 blogs you nominate. (do the yous have blogs?)
7. Leave a c...
March 3, 2010
WIP Wednesday: I'm Writing. Promise.
My supposed "WIP" is a stubborn monkey.
I have managed a few thousand words since last week. I've also written two flash pieces (one for the Shock Totem competition) and started a short story. In addition, I've made progress on the chapbook front for Strange Publications. So, yeah, I'm giving the novel short shrift.
Sue me. My protag is a nasty, sarcastic teenage boy. Sue him, too.
Our resident born-again Elvis impersonator, Matthew Rexrode, sat next to Christina. He told me once I'd...
I have managed a few thousand words since last week. I've also written two flash pieces (one for the Shock Totem competition) and started a short story. In addition, I've made progress on the chapbook front for Strange Publications. So, yeah, I'm giving the novel short shrift.
Sue me. My protag is a nasty, sarcastic teenage boy. Sue him, too.
Our resident born-again Elvis impersonator, Matthew Rexrode, sat next to Christina. He told me once I'd...
March 2, 2010
An Open Letter to the Board of Education
Dear USD 497 (Lawrence Public Schools) Board of Education:
In light of the recent discussion to close certain elementary schools in our district, I want to introduce you to my son, Owen.
Owen is six and a half years old and currently in Mrs. Luna's first grade class at Sunset Hill Elementary school. This is his first year at Sunset, and he's very proud to be an Eagle.
My wife and I have lived in the Lawrence Heights neighborhood since we've been married (the past nine years). We've spoken to Owe...
In light of the recent discussion to close certain elementary schools in our district, I want to introduce you to my son, Owen.
Owen is six and a half years old and currently in Mrs. Luna's first grade class at Sunset Hill Elementary school. This is his first year at Sunset, and he's very proud to be an Eagle.
My wife and I have lived in the Lawrence Heights neighborhood since we've been married (the past nine years). We've spoken to Owe...
March 1, 2010
On Courage
I've never been a very courageous person. As Laertes says to dear sister Ophelia (Hamlet, Act 1, scene 3, line 43): best safety lies in fear. Of course, with fear, nothing much gets done. There's another saying, quite trite but true: nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Writing takes courage. Courage to put your work out there for rejection. Courage after publication to face the potential of scathing reviews. Courage to act even though you may feel your whole writing career hinges on one decision...
Writing takes courage. Courage to put your work out there for rejection. Courage after publication to face the potential of scathing reviews. Courage to act even though you may feel your whole writing career hinges on one decision...
February 28, 2010
This is Why You Sign a Contract
I've "lost" a few publications in the past, mostly to venues that disappeared before my story could see the light (Grim Graffiti, Our Shadows Speak II, Arkham Tales*). Grim Graffiti vanished without a trace, the editor of OSS II dropped a note on his blog, and Arkham Tales is back.
Last summer, I blogged about an acceptance, and the magazine's TOC is now listed at their website. Behold: my name is not on the list.
So am I angry? Yeah, a little. With myself, too.
This is why you sign a contract,...
Last summer, I blogged about an acceptance, and the magazine's TOC is now listed at their website. Behold: my name is not on the list.
So am I angry? Yeah, a little. With myself, too.
This is why you sign a contract,...
February 26, 2010
#fridayflash Bad Poetry
A young officer drops a plastic evidence bag on Detective Talbot's desk. The detective flinches and scoots back.
"Jeezus, Pendergast. What's that?"
"Vegetable peeler."
Talbot nods. "I can see that, but the dark stuff—is that blood?"
"Yes."
"Found this at the Gardner house, didn't they?"
"Yes. Looks like this sicko used it to scrape the skin off her body."
"Her name was Rose, wasn't it?" Talbot pulls at his lip. "Rose...
"Jeezus, Pendergast. What's that?"
"Vegetable peeler."
Talbot nods. "I can see that, but the dark stuff—is that blood?"
"Yes."
"Found this at the Gardner house, didn't they?"
"Yes. Looks like this sicko used it to scrape the skin off her body."
"Her name was Rose, wasn't it?" Talbot pulls at his lip. "Rose...
February 25, 2010
How Do You Feel About...
Works of art being used as book covers. For example:
Not that I'm thinking about book covers or anything...
Is it "cheap" to use the work of a long-dead artist on a modern book? Copyright (at least the modern, legal version) isn't an issue, but is it unethical? Thoughts?
(which, if you don't know, is a painting by Van Gogh)
See, I'm kind of partial to this painting by Théodore Géricault (Head of a Drowned Man)
Not that I'm thinking about book covers or anything...
Is it "cheap" to use the work of a long-dead artist on a modern book? Copyright (at least the modern, legal version) isn't an issue, but is it unethical? Thoughts?
February 24, 2010
WIP Wednesday: Fixing My Social Networking Bone
Maybe it's just an offshoot of the Februaries, but I feel like my social networking bone is broken. Maybe I never had one to begin with.
I've joined a half-dozen message boards/forums, but don't comment on any of them. I try to read and comment on a number of blogs. Twitter? I still haven't figured out how to be an all-star twit. I have a Facebook page, but I usually let it languish.
This blog is my most successful, consistent bit of "social networking". Does it even count?
So I'm asking...
I've joined a half-dozen message boards/forums, but don't comment on any of them. I try to read and comment on a number of blogs. Twitter? I still haven't figured out how to be an all-star twit. I have a Facebook page, but I usually let it languish.
This blog is my most successful, consistent bit of "social networking". Does it even count?
So I'm asking...
February 23, 2010
What is Art? What Do You Call What I Do?
To ponder: What is Art?
(the first video was my snow-day project yesterday)
(the first video was my snow-day project yesterday)
So what is art (to you)? Can I call myself an artist because I've written a few stories? Are writers even artists? If I write "popular" fiction (genre or otherwise), am I still an artist?
Jeremy D. Brooks started the wheels turning on this with his post last Thursday. Thanks, Jeremy. I like it when my wheels turn.
February 22, 2010
The Sub-Basement Podcast
Today, for your listening pleasure:
Tomorrow: What is art?
Tomorrow: What is art?
