Tate Hallaway's Blog, page 13
November 10, 2014
Requires Decency
I don't know if you've been keeping up with the latest in the science fiction/fantasy community, but there's a very big discussion going on right now about the author who has been outted as the "Requires Hate" blogger. For a full, insightful rundown on all the things regarding this, I point you to Laura J. Mixon's post on the subject:
I've mostly stayed out of this one, as I do most of them, because I've been fortunate enough to never REALLY be a target of "Requires Hate" under any of her pseudonyms. Now, she did "review" Archangel Protocol in her usual style. I wrote about my reaction to finding it skewered there in my post: Nerves of Aluminum. It was painful to read, but, in my case, what she wrote was no more than what any writer who publishes professionally can expect (to some degree.) Which is to say, she kept her reactions within the context of her personal reaction to my writing. She was gleeful to discover I was out of print, which is a little more personal, but again, nothing I can't just shrug off (with my nerves of aluminum, by which I mean, easy to say now, but yeah, it stung at the time.)
I, however, was not harassed or internet stalked or... worse.
So, I can't really complain about a review, except to say that for my part, I believe in this model: "It Costs Nothing to Encourage An Artist."
This does NOT mean that I excuse her harassment of anyone. Anywhere. Ever. Full stop.
But, I write this after reading Jim C. Hines's post: "Only a Sith Deals in Absolutes." Some books should be taken to the mat and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism makes us all better readers, writers, and people. Similarly, there should be a place for snark and snide comments and humor with an edge. And, if you go back and read my post, I actually considered her complaints of my work with some seriousness, because, you know, that's part of the dialogue between reader and writer.
You can do this, however, with minimum douchbaggery.
That is all.
/PSA
I've mostly stayed out of this one, as I do most of them, because I've been fortunate enough to never REALLY be a target of "Requires Hate" under any of her pseudonyms. Now, she did "review" Archangel Protocol in her usual style. I wrote about my reaction to finding it skewered there in my post: Nerves of Aluminum. It was painful to read, but, in my case, what she wrote was no more than what any writer who publishes professionally can expect (to some degree.) Which is to say, she kept her reactions within the context of her personal reaction to my writing. She was gleeful to discover I was out of print, which is a little more personal, but again, nothing I can't just shrug off (with my nerves of aluminum, by which I mean, easy to say now, but yeah, it stung at the time.)
I, however, was not harassed or internet stalked or... worse.
So, I can't really complain about a review, except to say that for my part, I believe in this model: "It Costs Nothing to Encourage An Artist."
This does NOT mean that I excuse her harassment of anyone. Anywhere. Ever. Full stop.
But, I write this after reading Jim C. Hines's post: "Only a Sith Deals in Absolutes." Some books should be taken to the mat and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism makes us all better readers, writers, and people. Similarly, there should be a place for snark and snide comments and humor with an edge. And, if you go back and read my post, I actually considered her complaints of my work with some seriousness, because, you know, that's part of the dialogue between reader and writer.
You can do this, however, with minimum douchbaggery.
That is all.
/PSA
November 9, 2014
"Live Tweeting" A Reading
I'm just back from the Minn-Spec Annual Local Author's Showcase reading, which I participated in. As I was heading out the door, Mason asked me if I'd live tweet my experience. So I took along the iPad, which would have been perfect, except I forgot my Twitter password and so attempted to face it on FB. Here's how it went:
Who knew Acadia was the old Riverside Cafe? #latetothereading
Got the stare of doom when I sat in an empty chair. Guess it was taken? #nerdsocialskillzTyler Tork awesome short and an alien invasion involving tax evasion.#supercool
New story involves mandibles clicking. #IloveSF
Plus "forearm barbs" #notsureitgetsbetterthanthisWait, it got better. "A post-apocalyptic steampunk story about a circus traveling through the remains of civilization."
Now not the least prepared... #thankyouthankyouthankyouParanormal military SF... That involves German World War I werewolves.#fuckIloveSFNext story is "Amish science fiction spy story." #notsureIcancompare
At that point I quit, because Shawn informed me that Mason had wandered off to do more interesting things. There were several more amazing stories including one about 'time traveling sperm' which was ridiculously funny and probably the very worst thing a writer could ever hope to have to follow. So, of course, I went on next, after the time-traveling sperm.
I have to admit I'm not overly fond of readings. I do them because I feel like I ought to and this seemed like a really good way to get out there and such, since it was a shared venue with SO MANY talented people. We were given about 7 minutes a piece, so that made things even sweeter, because how can you screw up 7 minutes? Well, I may have since I probably only read for about half a minute.
Well, see, I have an excuse. I ended up being slated last, and, frankly, it seemed like a fine choice to get up there say a few words and get the heck off the stage so people could go home/mingle/etc. I hung around for a little while afterwards chatting with Micheal Mirrim and a few of the other authors. They're a good group. I'm proud to be a long-standing member of Minn-Spec.
Even though I feel like the least professional among them these days. Sure, I've books out, but these folks are all very serious, hardworking writers.
Who knew Acadia was the old Riverside Cafe? #latetothereading
Got the stare of doom when I sat in an empty chair. Guess it was taken? #nerdsocialskillzTyler Tork awesome short and an alien invasion involving tax evasion.#supercool
New story involves mandibles clicking. #IloveSF
Plus "forearm barbs" #notsureitgetsbetterthanthisWait, it got better. "A post-apocalyptic steampunk story about a circus traveling through the remains of civilization."
Now not the least prepared... #thankyouthankyouthankyouParanormal military SF... That involves German World War I werewolves.#fuckIloveSFNext story is "Amish science fiction spy story." #notsureIcancompare
At that point I quit, because Shawn informed me that Mason had wandered off to do more interesting things. There were several more amazing stories including one about 'time traveling sperm' which was ridiculously funny and probably the very worst thing a writer could ever hope to have to follow. So, of course, I went on next, after the time-traveling sperm.
I have to admit I'm not overly fond of readings. I do them because I feel like I ought to and this seemed like a really good way to get out there and such, since it was a shared venue with SO MANY talented people. We were given about 7 minutes a piece, so that made things even sweeter, because how can you screw up 7 minutes? Well, I may have since I probably only read for about half a minute.
Well, see, I have an excuse. I ended up being slated last, and, frankly, it seemed like a fine choice to get up there say a few words and get the heck off the stage so people could go home/mingle/etc. I hung around for a little while afterwards chatting with Micheal Mirrim and a few of the other authors. They're a good group. I'm proud to be a long-standing member of Minn-Spec.
Even though I feel like the least professional among them these days. Sure, I've books out, but these folks are all very serious, hardworking writers.
November 7, 2014
Podcast Madness
Mason and I have done our podcast thing again "Villain's Soliloquy: #32" in which we discuss the current happenings in Bleach, Toriko, and Fairy Tail. We also talk a little about the current line-up in Weekly Shounen Jump because a lot of people out in Tumblr land are wondering what might replace Naruto now that it's ended. I did actual research about this, so you know...
It might sound a bit choppy this time because I ended up editing out a lot of us shuffling around trying to find things. So, if you're wondering about that, that's what it's about. Because all THREE of you are probably deeply concerned.
Deeply.
Beyond that, here is another reminder to local folks that if you want to come hear me read, I'll be doing a rapid-fire type reading thing at Acadia Cafe on Sunday (Nov. 9) from noon to 3 pm. I'm still not sure what I'll read, but it'll be something I'm working on.
My folks are coming up for a visit today, so I dragged some things up to the attic. For a brief moment, I lost Ms. Ball (our black-and-white) cat up there for a while (I think she was investigating the various squirrel nests.) But, she came back down eventually. She's very social and is our number one lap cat, so it was cold and unfriendly up there. Now her face whiskers are covered in dust.
I should do the dishes and other fussing about so that I'm ready. Although it looks like I forgot to let you know that a new School for Wayward Demons is up, too: Devil in the Details. It's a short one, but we make up for it with AMAZING art by Alexis Cooke. So you absolutely must check that out.
See you later!
It might sound a bit choppy this time because I ended up editing out a lot of us shuffling around trying to find things. So, if you're wondering about that, that's what it's about. Because all THREE of you are probably deeply concerned.
Deeply.
Beyond that, here is another reminder to local folks that if you want to come hear me read, I'll be doing a rapid-fire type reading thing at Acadia Cafe on Sunday (Nov. 9) from noon to 3 pm. I'm still not sure what I'll read, but it'll be something I'm working on.
My folks are coming up for a visit today, so I dragged some things up to the attic. For a brief moment, I lost Ms. Ball (our black-and-white) cat up there for a while (I think she was investigating the various squirrel nests.) But, she came back down eventually. She's very social and is our number one lap cat, so it was cold and unfriendly up there. Now her face whiskers are covered in dust.
I should do the dishes and other fussing about so that I'm ready. Although it looks like I forgot to let you know that a new School for Wayward Demons is up, too: Devil in the Details. It's a short one, but we make up for it with AMAZING art by Alexis Cooke. So you absolutely must check that out.
See you later!
November 4, 2014
Fiction... Come and Get your Piping Hot Fiction!
So, I've got some fiction for 'ya! Come get your pipping hot fiction!
First up is the continuing saga of UnJust Cause. This episode is called, "Why Did the Centaur Cross the Road?" The answer is: he didn't. He started to, but got hit by a car before he made it. Now, Jack and Alex (who, if you recall, were taken off the jumper/drop-victim case) are sent to investigate what happened.
After reading that, you can make your way over to the School for Wayward Demons and read: Theo Uncovers Secrets! with an illustration by Mandie!
November 3, 2014
Treasure Trove
Just for fun today, I decided to look through that folder that I think every writer must have on their computer, the folder of stuff that never got more than a couple of pages. In my case, it's called "Novel Starts" but it could just as well be called "Sh*t I Never Finished" or "Ideas that Died on the Vine."
I have a similar file for short story ideas that I never finished, too.
But, by chance, I came across a keeper today. Possibly two. They both involve thieves, strangely enough. The first one I called "Coyote Moon" and here's a teaser from its owning....
Obviously, I still ended to do some research because I wasn't sure what the surface temperature of the Moon was. What's cool about this bit, is that it actually goes on for at least twenty-five pages, which is a sample chapter. So, if I decided to return to this one, there's a lot of material to work with.
The other one starts like this (and is from a novel start I called "To Catch a Gene Thief"):
This one has almost sixty-one pages, so, dang, that makes me happy. I have things to play with if I want to work something up for a novel sample!
Tell me, which one is your favorite?
I have a similar file for short story ideas that I never finished, too.
But, by chance, I came across a keeper today. Possibly two. They both involve thieves, strangely enough. The first one I called "Coyote Moon" and here's a teaser from its owning....
According to the thermometer on the outside of Allie Red Hawk's pressure suit the moon's surface clocked in at xx°. Except for the temperature, the flat, white expanse reminded her North Dakota in the winter. The horizon came up too soon, but there was the same familiar, bone-crushing sense that the sky could swallow you whole.
Obviously, I still ended to do some research because I wasn't sure what the surface temperature of the Moon was. What's cool about this bit, is that it actually goes on for at least twenty-five pages, which is a sample chapter. So, if I decided to return to this one, there's a lot of material to work with.
The other one starts like this (and is from a novel start I called "To Catch a Gene Thief"):
The first thing I noticed about the man laying face-down on the floor was that he was missing three fingers. Both pinkies were gone, and part of a ring finger. The scars looked like ritual yubitsume, which screamed yakuza, as did the brightly detailed tattoo curling around his wrists. Then it dawned on me that he was dead. As if finding yakuza here wasn't bad enough, he had to be dead?
This one has almost sixty-one pages, so, dang, that makes me happy. I have things to play with if I want to work something up for a novel sample!
Tell me, which one is your favorite?
October 31, 2014
Happy Halloween!
Let's see, I guess I have a lot to report. First, link salad: Mason and I did a Halloween podcast in which we did our usual reviews but also sang too much and put on bad "vampire" accents: 31st on the 31st. Then, if you forgot to check out the Thursday installment of the School for Wayward Demons, it's up on the Enter The Unseen web site: "A New Home for How Long?"
Mason and I did our usual pumpkin carving/pumpkin seed roasting last night. This year, for the first time, Mason did all the carving and scooping of his own pumpkins. I'm going to get pictures of all of the pumpkins we did tonight when the candles are in them, but here are some "action" shots from last night:
The pumpkin above is going to have a bunch of knives sticking in its head when we're finished with it, which is why he looks a bit like he's wincing.
Here's a shot of us in progress:
There will be more pictures, particularly once Mason is in full costume tonight. He's decided to take up the long standing Morehouse tradition of preferring to stay home and hand out the candy. As part of this, Mason has made a featureless black mask and plans to dress all in flowing shadowy robes in order to 'haunt' anyone who shows up to the door for Trick-or-Treat. So you could say he's going as the Trick in Trick-or-Treat.
My only hope is that he doesn't make too many little kids cry. But, you know, he's a good kid. I know that's not his intention. In fact, it would break his heart if he made some little Elisa cry. I'm pretty sure who he has in his sights are the neighbor boys and those late straggling teenagers.
We've also been invited to a neighbor's costume party so I might struggle on my Renji cosplay and head over to try out their appetizers and such. As a bonus, I can bring along about six zillion roasted pumpkin seeds, because OMG we had so many this year. They were big and juicy too, so they're delicious!
I have a few other announcement to pass on. First and Foremost, I was invited to be the Guest of Honor at MarsCON again for 2015. MarsCON is going to be held March 6 -8, 2015: MarsCON 2015: Heroes and Wizards & Fae--OHhh MYyy.
Secondly, I'll be reading at this year's Minnesota Speculative Writers' Showcase. It's Sunday, November 9th from noon to 3 PM at Acadia Cafe. The Local Author Showcase has a Facebook Page with more information than you'll ever need! But, if for some reason, you can't see that, the salient bit of information is that Acadia Cafe is located at 329 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis. The event is FREE and open to the public. I was told I'd have only a very short period to read, so I think the idea is kind of like the Broad Universe Rapid Fire readings. You'll get a tiny sample of everyone's work. It should be fun. Hope to see some of you there.
Mason and I did our usual pumpkin carving/pumpkin seed roasting last night. This year, for the first time, Mason did all the carving and scooping of his own pumpkins. I'm going to get pictures of all of the pumpkins we did tonight when the candles are in them, but here are some "action" shots from last night:
The pumpkin above is going to have a bunch of knives sticking in its head when we're finished with it, which is why he looks a bit like he's wincing.
Here's a shot of us in progress:
There will be more pictures, particularly once Mason is in full costume tonight. He's decided to take up the long standing Morehouse tradition of preferring to stay home and hand out the candy. As part of this, Mason has made a featureless black mask and plans to dress all in flowing shadowy robes in order to 'haunt' anyone who shows up to the door for Trick-or-Treat. So you could say he's going as the Trick in Trick-or-Treat.
My only hope is that he doesn't make too many little kids cry. But, you know, he's a good kid. I know that's not his intention. In fact, it would break his heart if he made some little Elisa cry. I'm pretty sure who he has in his sights are the neighbor boys and those late straggling teenagers.
We've also been invited to a neighbor's costume party so I might struggle on my Renji cosplay and head over to try out their appetizers and such. As a bonus, I can bring along about six zillion roasted pumpkin seeds, because OMG we had so many this year. They were big and juicy too, so they're delicious!
I have a few other announcement to pass on. First and Foremost, I was invited to be the Guest of Honor at MarsCON again for 2015. MarsCON is going to be held March 6 -8, 2015: MarsCON 2015: Heroes and Wizards & Fae--OHhh MYyy.
Secondly, I'll be reading at this year's Minnesota Speculative Writers' Showcase. It's Sunday, November 9th from noon to 3 PM at Acadia Cafe. The Local Author Showcase has a Facebook Page with more information than you'll ever need! But, if for some reason, you can't see that, the salient bit of information is that Acadia Cafe is located at 329 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis. The event is FREE and open to the public. I was told I'd have only a very short period to read, so I think the idea is kind of like the Broad Universe Rapid Fire readings. You'll get a tiny sample of everyone's work. It should be fun. Hope to see some of you there.
October 28, 2014
New School
Too cool for the School of Wayward Demons?
Aw, c'mon, give it a try. I know you'll like it! Rachel and I have just posted another chapter: http://entertheunseen.com/01-10-gathering-house/
And check out this amazing teaser art by Alexis Cooke!
Aw, c'mon, give it a try. I know you'll like it! Rachel and I have just posted another chapter: http://entertheunseen.com/01-10-gathering-house/
And check out this amazing teaser art by Alexis Cooke!
Linky-Linkage
Because I forgot to come back and post our podcast link, "30: Still No Aizen" and my link to the Gangsta manga review: Gangsta by Kosuke, A Review, you are now inundated with the linky-links.
Also, today is a new Tate chapter. I'm rather proud of the opening line this time. It goes like this: "After being told I was off the case, I did what any well-adjusted grown-up would do: I sat at my desk and sulked." You can find this gem (and others) in Part 27: With a Little Help from Friends.
Later today, there will also be a new School for Wayward Demons chapter for you, but I think that Rachel has those set to go up around 1 pm. If you go there, be sure to check out all the little improvements we've been making around the site. We have a lovely new Table of Contents page, which you can go to to check out any chapters you may have missed (or want to re-read!) We also have link to our Patreon page, so you know, if you feel like supporting our work, you should go for it.
I support you supporting us.
In other news, I'm starting to get excited about Yuletide. I checked out the Sign-Up Summary and I found out that someone actually requested that funky little food manga I adored called, "Kinou Nani Tabeta?/What Did You Eat Yesterday?" and I'm super-duper hoping that I get assigned to write that one. But, seriously, OMG, if I don't get this one, I'm SO writing someone a treat in that universe. Because: food! Because: gay men! Because: ridiculously boring slice-of-life. IT IS ALL THE THINGS I LOVE.
Also, today is a new Tate chapter. I'm rather proud of the opening line this time. It goes like this: "After being told I was off the case, I did what any well-adjusted grown-up would do: I sat at my desk and sulked." You can find this gem (and others) in Part 27: With a Little Help from Friends.
Later today, there will also be a new School for Wayward Demons chapter for you, but I think that Rachel has those set to go up around 1 pm. If you go there, be sure to check out all the little improvements we've been making around the site. We have a lovely new Table of Contents page, which you can go to to check out any chapters you may have missed (or want to re-read!) We also have link to our Patreon page, so you know, if you feel like supporting our work, you should go for it.
I support you supporting us.
In other news, I'm starting to get excited about Yuletide. I checked out the Sign-Up Summary and I found out that someone actually requested that funky little food manga I adored called, "Kinou Nani Tabeta?/What Did You Eat Yesterday?" and I'm super-duper hoping that I get assigned to write that one. But, seriously, OMG, if I don't get this one, I'm SO writing someone a treat in that universe. Because: food! Because: gay men! Because: ridiculously boring slice-of-life. IT IS ALL THE THINGS I LOVE.
October 24, 2014
The Road to Hell is Paved with "Wait, What...?"
Last night, Mason and I recorded another podcast. I started working on editing it and I thought I was going along just fine and then I did a REALLY STUPID THING, didn't save, quit the program, and LOST EVERYTHING.
Yes, yes, I searched all the temporary and back-up files. It's gone. I did a really dumb thing. I do not what to talk about it, especially since it's one of those things that even as I did it I thought, "Wait, No!"
However, it's easy enough to re-record. Mason and I always have such fun doing these that I plan to up-sell the idea of my royal [bleep]-up as and "opportunity" to make an even more cogent and funny show. Even though we can't get to re-recording until later this evening, we won't be that much later than we would have been if we published this morning. Normally, when I'm not being a moron, it only takes me a half-hour to edit, anyway.
Also, yesterday was a crazy day. I had work yesterday at the library. That's not a hard job, but there have been some small stresses (though I can report those went well.) HOWEVER, yesterday was just this big, huge ball of "WTF, EVEN??" (because, honestly? It started with Mason forgetting his backpack and us having to turn around and fetch it, making him tardy), I forgot to mention that a new chapter in the story I'm co-writing with Rachel Gold came out: Kitty Regrets, Erin Takes...
This one is actually a two-in-one in which we get short vignettes from Kitty (the demon hunter with mommy issues) and Erin ("the broken one"). Go check it out, see what you think.
The big writing project I'm going to try to tackle this weekend is to gather all my Unjust Cause bits into one big file and try to start restructuring and see what the hell I'm even doing with that novel. It's gone a bit off the rails, like my projects do, so I need to spend some quality time with it and get things back on track. I did have a lovely image come into my mind for the next scene I want to write, though, so I may just go ahead and write that today as well.
But the keyword today? SAVE. SAVE. SAVE.
Because... *sighes*
Yes, yes, I searched all the temporary and back-up files. It's gone. I did a really dumb thing. I do not what to talk about it, especially since it's one of those things that even as I did it I thought, "Wait, No!"
However, it's easy enough to re-record. Mason and I always have such fun doing these that I plan to up-sell the idea of my royal [bleep]-up as and "opportunity" to make an even more cogent and funny show. Even though we can't get to re-recording until later this evening, we won't be that much later than we would have been if we published this morning. Normally, when I'm not being a moron, it only takes me a half-hour to edit, anyway.
Also, yesterday was a crazy day. I had work yesterday at the library. That's not a hard job, but there have been some small stresses (though I can report those went well.) HOWEVER, yesterday was just this big, huge ball of "WTF, EVEN??" (because, honestly? It started with Mason forgetting his backpack and us having to turn around and fetch it, making him tardy), I forgot to mention that a new chapter in the story I'm co-writing with Rachel Gold came out: Kitty Regrets, Erin Takes...
This one is actually a two-in-one in which we get short vignettes from Kitty (the demon hunter with mommy issues) and Erin ("the broken one"). Go check it out, see what you think.
The big writing project I'm going to try to tackle this weekend is to gather all my Unjust Cause bits into one big file and try to start restructuring and see what the hell I'm even doing with that novel. It's gone a bit off the rails, like my projects do, so I need to spend some quality time with it and get things back on track. I did have a lovely image come into my mind for the next scene I want to write, though, so I may just go ahead and write that today as well.
But the keyword today? SAVE. SAVE. SAVE.
Because... *sighes*
October 21, 2014
A New Chapter, A New Character....
I write so many things these days I'm sure it's hard to follow along, but, if you ARE following the School for Wayward Demons (looking at you, Frank G.) there is a new chapter up: Gabe Sees Demons... And They See Him. Today's story is the introduction of one of "my" characters, Gabe Herrara. The story also features art by Alexis Cooke:
If you didn't know, we actually have TWO artists working on the School for Wayward Demons. So far, you've mostly seen the work of Mandie Brasington, but today, we not only get Gabe's debut, but Alexis' too. This is just a small bit of a large piece I'm sure we'll see later on.
So, go check it out.
Also, if you were expecting a new UnJust Cause chapter today, I'm sorry. Life jumped up and swallowed me whole. I had work today, Japanese class this evening, and things just plied on from there, I guess.
Tomorrow, perhaps!
If you didn't know, we actually have TWO artists working on the School for Wayward Demons. So far, you've mostly seen the work of Mandie Brasington, but today, we not only get Gabe's debut, but Alexis' too. This is just a small bit of a large piece I'm sure we'll see later on.
So, go check it out.
Also, if you were expecting a new UnJust Cause chapter today, I'm sorry. Life jumped up and swallowed me whole. I had work today, Japanese class this evening, and things just plied on from there, I guess.
Tomorrow, perhaps!
