Jason Arnett's Blog, page 20

Soapbox: Writers and Exercise

There seems to be some evidence that people sit too much.

Well, that's some low-hanging fruit there, but it's true and it's something that we don't think about. When we're in the car we don't think "I'm sitting down", we think "I'm heading somewhere". Or something like that.

I'm here to tell you that I spent the summer of 2012 essentially on my butt. The entire summer. This matters because I didn't think I was just sitting around. No, I was writing. Creating new stories, revising others and surfing the Internet. Watching TV. Visiting with friends. Worse, I'd broken the habit of walking every morning for 2.5 - 3 miles. A habit I'd acquired over five years. Every morning out for a walk. Unless it was too cold (under 45*F) or there was lightning or I had to be somewhere before 8 AM.

I fooled myself into believing I was being creative, learning, vegging out, whatever. I never considered that it would cause me problems. My knees started hurting. There were little aches and pains that developed. I thought nothing of them. Come fall when I became more active, much more active, I didn't notice that I was having troubles.

My knees got worse. I didn't notice that I was actually slowing down when I walked places. I failed to see that I had begun to have trouble breathing.

That was the beginning of the trouble that would eventually land me in the hospital with massive bilateral pulmonary embolism. The trouble that nearly killed me.

I was living with untreated (and at that point undiagnosed) ulcerative colitis. My failure to move about I'm sure contributed to the problem. It had to. Thankfully it appears the colitis is heading towards remission. I'm walking regularly and things are much, much better. Doesn't mean I don't worry, that I don't take note of every little ache and pain that pops up but I keep track of the ones that don't exist any more, too. There are more of the latter than the former.

But when I'm writing, when I get in The Zone, it's hard to remember that I need to get up and walk around. I mean, I don't want to lose the roll I'm on and I don't want to have to come back in fifteen or twenty minutes and remember where I was. I'm sure the same thing applies to you.

My own experience tells me that I do need to do that, though. That's why I modified my old drawing table and turned it into a standing desk. At first I didn't think it would be for me but it turns out one of the benefits of standing is that when I get frustrated and need a break from the screen I can walk away instead of leaning back in my chair.

Sounds simple but it's effective. I don't lose The Zone and I move around for a couple of minutes. It rests my eyes, gets the blood flowing and burns a couple of calories. Another side benefit is that I tend not to snack when I'm standing. I still drink coffee or whisky, let's not be silly, but the not snacking and the moving around are good for me.

This may not be for you. I exhort you to consider, though, the report I linked to above. What can it hurt?

A Quick Update

Staying busy. Hope you all had a nice weekend. Our garden is going in and the flowers around the house are happy so far, too. Writing and editing stuff:


Going over the first 50 pages of The Cold Distance for The Writer's Tank contest.Revising another story before it goes to my editor.The first two stories I gave her are S L O W L Y being prepped for electronic release. I'm hoping they'll be out after the coming weekend. Who knew it was so much work?Also writing another story that has to be finished so I can: Finish the last 25 - 30K words of another novel.And then I can work on one of the three ideas I have for a follow up to that one.
So there we are. More coming soon.

Science Fiction Is...

Copyright 2014 by Jason Arnett

Dilemma

Mephisto by Neal Adams and Joe Sinnott from Thor #180.
Source.I'm with people who rail at DC and Marvel for their gross mistreatment of creators like Siegel & Shuster, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko when it comes to proper crediting and compensation. There really should be more of a hue and cry from the comic community. Yes, there should be. When Stan Lee and current creators are dropped in for cameos in the Marvel films, fans love that stuff yet they fail to understand why it's another slap in the face to those who feel under compensated.

That said, I'm in the crowd who's been waiting for these Marvel movies for decades. Ever since the days of Stan's Soapbox in the 70s where he hawked potential Spider-Man and Silver Surfer films. Remember that? I do. That's why when I saw Sam Raimi's first Spidey film I was a ten year-old kid reveling in watching the webslinger swing through the canyons of Manhattan. The X-Men grabbed my attention, too. That was my favorite comic, the Claremont/Byrne/Austin/Orzechowski/Glynis run.  I was a subscriber and my comics arrived mailed flat in a brown wrapper that slid right off. The cover reveal was almost always a 'holy shit' moment.

But the failure to compensate beyond token credit was already in full swing and Stan himself was taking credit for nearly everything. And he continued to do so here and there. The beginning of the Internet saw revisions of history presented as fact.

Is it bad that I want to see the Marvel movies despite the failure of Marvel as a company and now their owners as a corporation haven't made these things right? That in fact they are actively fighting against sharing anything other than a token 'created by' credit in the films? Yes.

I go see the films anyway. I've even purchased a few of them. I'm a Marvel Zombie when it comes to this, I can't help it.

I'm also with the Northwestern football players who want to unionize. All they really want, it seems to me, is to ensure that if they're hurt they are taken care of and even allowed to finish getting a degree. Scholarships aren't free rides to college. They aren't even guaranteed four years any more, apparently. They're renewed from year to year. And some of the guys who get these scholarships are reading at a third to fifth grade level. Some of them are enrolled in a course of study they didn't choose.  And some of those classes don't even meet.

Go figure.

The common denominator is money. Big Money. BIG Big Money. Think about how many people fill those football stadiums - tens of thousands. Those tickets ain't cheap, folks.

The box office for the Marvel movies is huge, too. The comics not so much, but the movies rake it in hand over fist. The ancillary items (shirts, toys, etc...) also rake the money in.

But the creators of the comics the movies are based on and the players who draw the crowds don't see much, if any, of that BIG Big Money. They are treated as sub-contractors or employees and have no health care, no benefits beyond the pay. When your career is over, it's over and done. The creators and the so-called student athletes are getting short shrift and the general public don't want to be informed so they don't have to care.

Because if they cared they would be denied their entertainments. We would be denied our entertainments.

If I'm honest, I cringe every time I sit down to watch a superhero movie whether it's Marvel or DC. But I don't stop because I love the characters and I'm drawn to the movies. Every college basketball game I watch I should turn off because I know some of those guys aren't getting the education that they should, even the ones who leave after a year or two. In fact, they didn't get an education going into college. They're woefully underprepared for college. But they can play ball.

So I should stop. I really should.

But I can't. Well, I probably won't. But I should.

A Kind of Anniversary

Nine years ago I ventured into blogging on my own. Previous to that I shared a blog with a friend and we talked about trying to break into comics. Or comix as we called 'em at the time. It was a lot of fun and led me to try my hand at a lot more things. LiveJournal was a thing at the time and lots of people had one. I think not so many any more. Prior to that I had a blog-thing that existed on GeoCities where I had to learn html in order to get it online. THAT takes me back a little. It's gone now and thank goodness.

It's not all that interesting to go back and see what I was working on nine years ago because none of those things panned out. Or maybe it is because none of those things panned out. It's interesting that as long as I've been blogging I've been exploring writing prose stories, even when I was trying to make comics. I wish I could do comics but I don't want to be that guy who can't pay the artist and who can only offer an interest in a property I created. Best to create my own things all by my lonesome until I can offer proper payment for an artist's hard work, don't you think?

At Planet Comicon this year I reconnected with an artist I was trying to get something started with back then so that's a good thing. It was nice to see him still developing a lot of stuff, showing new stuff and working toward his own storytelling goals. He actually inspired me to branch out a little in my own artistic way again. I suppose that's a good enough reason to note that it's been nine years I've been blogging on-again and off-again.

Enough looking backward. I've got stories to write. Will fill you in as things happen.

The Writing of Things

Of course some whiskey will be involved.The resting period after a convention is always a good time. Where thoughts zip around and around and collide into one another mashing themselves into more interesting ideas...

Which means that I'm writing. I can hear you ask what I'm writing. Here's the lowdown:

What I'm writing now, this week and next,  is a third installment of one of the Actionopolis series. It's moving along swimmingly and when it's done and out in the world you will wonder if there will be more. On that score we will see.

The day job is keeping me pretty busy with writing chores. Nothing I can to point to, but I mention it to let you know that I'm writing a lot more than you may ever see. I know quite a few writers who do that and so I don't feel like I'm being a lazy slug when I don't want to write more of my own stuff at home. That said, even when I don't want to write I am opening the files and typing away because that's what needs to happen. That's how books get written.

I'm editing a couple of short stories before I send them to my editor for searing insights into why I'm still trying to tell stories. In April I will release into the digital wild my first short story, Prospects, and then in May you'll get The Masking Job. Four more, one each month through September, will be announced as they're readied. You should have the complete list sometime in July. Or before. Maybe before. We'll see.

I'm finishing one novel on slow pace and planning another. Also thinking about a third novel. I'll have to figure out which of the two I'm going to write come fall. Various short stories are presenting themselves for consideration and notes, scribbles, vague phrases are being kept. Notebooks are piling up.

On another note about writing, as I consume the various articles and posts about Planet Comicon and other conventions around the country, I notice that there's a lot of focus on the cosplayers (as there should be) and on the media guests (by default). Some people are cool mentioning the actual comic creators in attendance but almost no one talks about Artists Alley. I know for a fact that thousands of people wandered through the aisle my table was in and I talked to hundreds of people. And that's just me.

So what I'd like to see is a comic website - any comic website - that goes to a convention do some real coverage of what's going on in Artists Alley. Where the creators of tomorrow are working away at making something that you might want to read. Can someone make that happen? Maybe start with your local con or even San Diego if you have to but do it. Spend a day with the unknowns and find something that can rock your world.

Getting off my soapbox now.

Finally, it seems that I may be at another convention in the fall. If that comes to pass I will let you know. In the meantime, assume that words are being slung. Updates as they're appropriate.

Commissions

So I've done my first writing commissions. I think I shared a couple on Instagram but maybe I didn't. Anyway, here are five of the ones I did at Planet Comicon. The best part was watching the folks who asked me to write for them when they saw the finished product. At first they seemed bemused, then relaxed and finally every one of them smiled. THAT made my day.

The prompts were so much fun. They're the titles of each piece.

And then when I thought about it a little more, I realized that I got paid to be a writer at the show. Best day ever.

Here they are (click to embiggen):

"Lonely Traveler"

"Bounty Collecting"
"Gas Station Sushi"
"Renegade Balloon Maker"
"Victorian Leniency"

Post-Con Debrief 2014

No cats were harmed at the show as far as I know.Planet Comicon 2014 is in the books. I'd like to say I conquered the con, that I ruled over all but I didn't. I had a great time, sold some stuff for the first time in years and talked to a bunch of really incredible people.

All in all it was a damn good time.

So let's break it down, shall we?

THE EXPERIENCE

Overall, I was in a great place in the hall and surrounded by terrific people. The food options were much better because there were more of them. Lots and lots of space in the aisles so that even when traffic peaked there was room to move. Hundreds of excellent cosplayers (who I elected not to photograph this year) that I won't comment on except to say I appreciate the amount of work they all put into it.

One weird moment was when I was stopped by a congoer who asked me if I worked for the con. No, I said, I'm in Artists Alley. Oh, you just looked like you were someone in charge.

One great moment was meeting James Robinson and getting him to sign my copy of the first Starman Omnibus and the collected Four Devils, One Hell. Another great moment was telling Greg Rucka just how much a conversation we had the first time he was in KC meant to me. He seemed genuinely touched by that. The best part of the entire con was that I was paid to be a writer.

Here's what happened day by day:



FRIDAY
Justice came to Artists Alley.Got to the show early with my son and nabbed good parking. We were escorted to the hall, checked in and were at my table with an hour to spare. 

My neighbors were super nice people, especially the guys from Stache Publishing. Anthony and David and everyone is so enthusiastic about what they’re doing it’s infectious. In the same pod of tables were Kevin Dillmore and Dayton Ward along with Elizabeth Bunce. So, yeah, great company of writers there. 

Everyone was buzzing, ready for the action. However since this was the first Friday ever for Planet Comicon, I didn’t know what to expect. Traffic was light and interested but nothing really popped. I had time to walk around a little, touch base with my friends and new acquaintances and do a bit of shopping. I was pleased to score a near mint copy of the Treasury Edition of Jack Kirby’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Been looking for that one for years and passed up many lesser quality/more expensive copies in that time. 

Friday ended up with very slow sales but a lot of contact. Selling words only at a comic book convention was a little harder than I thought. 

SATURDAY
I woke up and found some increased traffic on the blog here overnight. I hoped that meant that people were at least checking things out. Maybe that would mean some sales. Off I went back to nerd prom.

I got to the show only minutes before it opened. I decided that I wouldn’t take very many (if any) pictures of cosplayers because I didn’t want to slow things up around my table. I ended up taking two, though: ALF and The Lone Ranger. I did compliment several of the cosplayers as they stopped and talked to me. The Lego people and the Sesame Street Martians were among my favorites. 


L to R: Ande Parks, Elizabeth Bunce, Alex Grecian, Holly
Messinger and me. Missing: Paul KupperbergI talked to even more people, sold several copies of both Prospects and The Masking Job and then sold my first ever commissioned flash fiction. Several friends stopped by and hung out (hello Jack, Richard, Alecia, Amanda, Gabe, Ron, Jessica, and Mike!) and I met the wonderful Ellie Ann who one can’t help but like. I’m buying her book The Silver Sickle today. Check it out. My editor, Sara, stopped by and came to the panel I was on about genre prose. Lots of good questions and information changed hands. You should have come.

At the end of the show, Rob and Katy Schamberger took me out for the best Indian food I’ve ever eaten. When I finally got home after driving through some heavy rain I was wiped out and collapsed into bed.


SUNDAY
My wife let me sleep in late and I arrived an hour after the show opened on Sunday. I settled in at the table after having a nice chat with Holly Messinger (who’s got a great idea for next year, stay tuned!) and was prepared to do some reading, a bit of writing and a lot of visiting. 

Sunday was my best day. I sold everything but the best part was having the interest in my Velocity Readouts. The first one I got was the biggest challenge but all of them were tons of fun. Traffic picked up around 1 and was steady, steady, steady until almost 4, even after the Trektacular thing started. 

It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a con. Everyone was in a great mood and really open to wanting some good words. I watched faces light up as they read what I’d written for them and that made me realize I really want to be a writer for a livng. I’m coming back next year for sure.

CONCLUSIONS

Better than last year. Maybe the best show ever in KC, I can't say for sure. Still some hiccups in some small details that I'll share privately with my contacts but I hope the organizers institute a sexual harassment policy sooner than later. Not that anything bad happened but I overheard a couple of women talking about creepers who were asking how old they were. Even though the ladies were competent to handle the creepers themselves, there should be a con policy so that there's a process everyone knows about. Planet Comicon is a terrific show and deserves to have the best reputation.

There's not a lot to criticize here. The show ran very smoothly, was great to be at and overall is wonderful. Thanks to the staff who I interacted with, especially Kirk Chritton, and I hope you all get a week to rest up. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and checked out my writing. Thanks to Christina, Chris, Lyle, Matt & Megan and everyone who commissioned a Velocity Readout. I love you all.

What a long ramble. But it was a big show. Come next year and see how cool it is for yourself.

This Weekend at Planet Comicon

In case you haven't heard (or read) I'll be at Planet Comicon this weekend in Artists Alley at table number 1242 alongside other writers and artists. I'll have stuff for sale:

Prospects:

"Mrak is a man who must work. After more than two decades of service to the Yaiax ambassador, he won't take just any job. He lives on his severance until he is convinced to take an assignment he's been warned against. 

This new job takes Mrak to a distant world where he must confront a spectre of the past and come to terms with the prospects of his future."

The Masking Job:

" Rubbing people out is an ancient profession that sprang up on every civilized world in the system. 

Someone wants someone dead and someone else is willing to do it for a price. As long as the price is met, well, then everyone goes home happy.

Except the dead one."

 I'll be part of a panel on Saturday afternoon:

Heroic Prose: Genre Fiction
Saturday, March 15
4:00 – 4:50 PMKings of the Keyboard and Princesses of Prose! A panel of prodigious purveyors of thrilling novels and short fiction reveal the stories behind their stories. - ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

And I'll be live writing new Velocity Readouts which are very short stories that can be personalized if you like.  Plus I'll have some older stuff, too, like another short story, The Receivers, and maybe some mini comics, too.

It's going to be an exciting weekend and I hope you come by. Please act responsibly towards cosplayers (this is a valuable article on the subject, too) and be respectful of creators and other fans. Remember the manners you were brought up with. This is the best convention in the region and it's only going to keep growing. Let's keep it classy folks.

What else? Hm. Stop by, say 'hi' and have a great time. I'll do a post-show wrap-up, sometime next week. If you want to keep up with the action follow the Twitter feed or check in on my Storyteller Facebook.

Have a wonderful weekend, folks.

The Masking Job at Planet Comicon

Here's the back cover copy for The Masking Job, the second of the two stories I'll debut at Planet Comicon March 14 - 16:

" Rubbing people out is an ancient profession that sprang up on every civilized world in the system. 

Someone wants someone dead and someone else is willing to do it for a price. As long as the price is met, well, then everyone goes home happy.

Except the dead one."

$2 gets you the paper copy before it is released digitally in late April/early May. 
I'll also have another short story - Prospects - and a couple of copies of Evolver and Agent of DANGER if you don't have yours already. Plus there will be other stuff for sale, like Velocity Readout author sketch cards. 
One more post about the show probably on Thursday when things are much, much more firm. I'll let you know where I'll be and when.