D.R. Martin's Blog, page 11

Happy 100th, Leica!

It was a hundred years ago this month that the very first Leica camera made its appearance, reinventing photography in a stroke. Using 35mm movie film, the tiny, quiet camera with the exquisitely sharp lens allowed photographers to go anywhere, shoot anything, with a minimum of fuss and a modicum of anonymity. Much of the great photojournalism of the 20th century was made with Leicas. (The name is a mashup of Leitz Camera.) Here’s a great overview of the camera and its anniversary from the UK’s Telegraph.

Back in the day, I fancied myself a street photographer in the mold of Henri Cartier-Bresson, the doyen of street photography. And at a certain point I knew I had to have a Leica. I found mine in a camera store on Minneapolis’s Nicollet Mall. It cost $250. Here I am a few months later in Oxford, with my M3. I still have it. Behind me is the Christchurch College dining hall, which a few years ago filled in for the Hogwarts dining hall.

Dolce Domum

All writers start out as readers. And that was my beginning as well.

As a very young reader, I loved picture books, and even have a couple left from those early days. But I really became a fanatic reader when I graduated to chapter books (mostly without illustrations). It was while reading a Hardy Boys mystery that it struck me–someone had to write these things. And maybe I could be like Franklin W. Dixon (the author). But I really didn’t take it to heart until I encountered the book that changed my life–The Wind in the Willows. This is the actual, tattered copy I read as a kid.

This story of Rat and Mole and Toad and Badger was, to me, magical. How could anyone conceive such a world and make it so vivid, so real? If I could do that, I’d never ask for another thing in my life.

I have been fortunate to be able to make a living as a journalist and copywriter over the years. But my goal has always been to write novels. And now I’m devoting my full attentions to it. Here you’ll see the four novels and one novella that I’ve published through Conger Road Press, plus two works of literary journalism. Hopefully, there’ll be three more books published this year. The next novella should be out by summer.

So what better way to start my first blog here than to acknowledge one of my biggest inspirations–Wind in the Willows. The chapter Dolce Domum, “Home Sweet Home”–where Mole sniffs out his abandoned abode as he and Rat are trudging through a snowstorm–is still the most exquisite piece of fiction I’ve ever read.

Well, I haven’t achieved what Kenneth Grahame did. Nor am I ever likely to. But I’ve never stopped trying.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the chapter:

The weary Mole also was glad to turn in without delay, and soon had his head on his pillow, in great joy and contentment. But ere he closed his eyes he let them wander round his old room, mellow in the glow of the firelight that played or rested on familiar and friendly things which had long been unconsciously a part of him, and now smilingly received him back, without rancor. He was now in just the frame of mind that the tactful Rat had quietly worked to bring about in him. He saw clearly how plain and simple—how narrow, even—it all was; but clearly, too, how much it all meant to him and the special value of some such anchorage in one’s existence. He did not at all want to abandon the new life and its splendid spaces, to turn his back on sun and air and all they offered him and creep home and stay there; the upper world was all too strong, it called to him still, even down there, and he knew he must return to the larger stage. But it was good to think he had this to come back to, this place which was all his own, these things which were so glad to see him again and could always be counted upon for the same simple welcome.

Johnny and the Zombies Free Kindle Giveaway in December

Here’s a heads-up for folks who’ve read the first Johnny Graphic book…

On December 5 through 9 I’ll be giving away the Kindle version of Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies on Amazon. This is your chance to catch up on Johnny’s adventures in the Royal Kingdom. Hope you enjoy it!

Johnny Graphic Giveaways

To celebrate the upcoming publication of Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies, I’ve set up a giveaway on Goodreads. The giveaway offers three paperback copies and runs through October 22. For your chance to win a copy of the new Johnny Graphic adventure, just click here.

Also, the first book in the series, Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb, will be given away as a Kindle e-book on Amazon, from October 4 through 6. You can download the book for free on those dates by clicking right here.

Here’s the New Johnny Graphic Cover!

This is a special preview for all you Johnny Graphic fans. Here’s the cover of the new book, Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies. Just as he did a year ago, artist Steve Thomas did a terrific job this time around.

Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies will be available in mid-September. Fresh from saving the lives of millions of people, Johnny and his friends are drawn into another rip-roaring ghost adventure.

This time an army of monstrous bog zombies has appeared out of nowhere to ravage the northern counties of the Royal Kingdom. They’re rampaging, burning, and smashing everything in sight. And they’re capturing kids for reasons too horrible to even contemplate. Johnny, his best friend Nina Bain, and his sister Mel are summoned to help defeat the evil genius thought to be behind this nefarious plot–Percy Rathbone! The very same ghost who created the etheric bomb. Who nearly destroyed Johnny’s hometown. And who was the last person to see Johnny’s parents before they disappeared.

Cut off from all help in the grim, foggy northern wilderness, the young news photographer and his companions must fight for their very survival while they try to rescue the kids who have been taken. But Percy has something much more dangerous in mind. And Johnny has to stop him before it’s too late.

The fate of the Royal Kingdom depends on it.

Johnny Is Available at Common Good Books

This is just a heads up for Twin Cities Johnny Graphic fans–the paperback edition of Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb is available at Common Good Books in St. Paul. Located at the busy corner of Snelling and Grand, CGB is one of the classiest and smartest of Twin Cities bookstores. Even if you’re not in the market for a copy of Johnny, it’s well worth a stop and a browse.

Johnny Graphic’s New Adventure: Out Later This Summer

Those of you who read Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb may have wondered what happened next to our 12-year-old news photographer. Well, you won’t have to wait much longer.

Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies, the second book in the trilogy, will be out later this summer. And it’s packed with action as Johnny, Mel, and Nina head off to Dame Honoria’s homeland for yet another deadly encounter with that devious, demented ghost, Percy Rathbone.

I’ll be posting more updates about the new book on this website. But for now, here’s what the back cover blurb for the book will say:

Fresh from saving the lives of millions of people, Johnny Graphic and his friends are drawn into another rip-roaring ghost adventure.

This time an army of monstrous bog zombies has appeared out of nowhere to ravage the northern counties of the Royal Kingdom. They’re rampaging, burning, and smashing everything in sight. And they’re capturing kids for reasons too horrible to even contemplate. Johnny, his best friend Nina Bain, and his sister Mel are summoned to help defeat the evil genius thought to be behind this nefarious plot. Percy Rathbone! The very same ghost who created the etheric bomb. Who nearly destroyed Johnny’s home town. And who was the last person to see Johnny’s parents before they disappeared.

Cut off from all help in the grim, foggy northern wilderness, the young news photographer and his companions have to fight for their very survival while they try to rescue the kids who have been taken. But Percy has something much more dangerous in mind. And Johnny has to stop him before it’s too late.

The fate of the Royal Kingdom depends on it.

Johnny Graphic’s New Adventure: Out Later this Summer

Those of you who read Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb may have wondered what happened next to our 12-year-old news photographer. Well, you won’t have to wait much longer.

Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies, the second book in the trilogy, will be out later this summer. And it’s packed with action as Johnny, Mel, and Nina head off to Dame Honoria’s homeland for yet another deadly encounter with that devious, demented ghost, Percy Rathbone.

I’ll be posting more updates about the new book on this website. But for now, here’s what the back cover blurb for the book will say:

Fresh from saving the lives of millions of people, Johnny Graphic and his friends are drawn into another rip-roaring ghost adventure.

This time an army of monstrous bog zombies has appeared out of nowhere to ravage the northern counties of the Royal Kingdom. They’re rampaging, burning, and smashing everything in sight. And they’re capturing kids for reasons too horrible to even contemplate. Johnny, his best friend Nina Bain, and his sister Mel are summoned to help defeat the evil genius thought to be behind this nefarious plot. Percy Rathbone! The very same ghost who created the etheric bomb. Who nearly destroyed Johnny’s home town. And who was the last person to see Johnny’s parents before they disappeared.

Cut off from all help in the grim, foggy northern wilderness, the young news photographer and his companions have to fight for their very survival while they try to rescue the kids who have been taken. But Percy has something much more dangerous in mind. And Johnny has to stop him before it’s too late.

The fate of the Royal Kingdom depends on it.

 

If Johnny Was In the Movies

The odds of Johnny Graphic being made into a movie are probably about the same as my winning the Power Ball. But an author can dream, can’t he?

If Johnny’s story is made into a movie, I don’t see it as a live-action film with digital effects. I would think the cost of doing all those ghosts with computers would be hugely expensive. That’s why I figure Johnny would be perfect for an anime-type film. Those great Japanese animators can do ghosts like gangbusters.

And as long as I’m dreaming out loud on this blog, why not have Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli do it?

I’m a huge fan of their films. There are timeless classics like Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro, which are great even for young kids. Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away are a little darker, a little scarier–but fantastic in their own ways. Porco Rosso is a terrific fantasy/romance set in a 1930s Mediterranean, complete with flying boats and air pirates; a world similar to Johnny’s. If you haven’t seen these movies, starting watching them tonight!

And the voices for the anime Johnny? Well, for Johnny and Nina I don’t know. Just good kid actors. For some of the grownup characters: as Mel, Zoe Kazan; Pam Ferris for Dame Honoria; John C. Reilly for Uncle Louie; Sam Elliott for Colonel MacFarlane; J.K. Simmons for Mr. Cargill. You get the idea.

If this miracle ever happens, I’ll post it here and you’ll be the first to know.

FYI, the sequel to Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb is rapidly taking shape. In fact, I’m about ready to send off the newest draft to the editor whom I work with. Johnny Graphic and the Zombies should be out later this year.

The Last Bluecoat

If you’ve read Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb, you know that Johnny’s #1 ghost sidekick is a dead cavalry officer from the First Border War, Colonel MacFarlane. In Johnny’s world, that war was the equivalent of the U.S.’s Civil War. Of course, in our Civil War, the north won and the south remained part of the union. In the fictional First Border War, the south won and the formerly united country broke up into four different countries.

When I was a kid I was such a Civil War nerd that I had Civil War wallpaper in my bedroom–a reproduction of the Vicksburg, Mississippi, newspaper from the town’s famous 1863 siege. One reason I was fascinated with the war was because of man who had lived in my hometown, Duluth, Minnesota. He died there in 1956 at the age of 109 and was one of the most highly honored men in America. Why?

Albert Woolson had been the very last living Union (northern) veteran of the Civil War, the last Bluecoat. By some accounts, he was the last verifiable living veteran of the Civil War on either side. Here are a couple photos of his grave and memorial plaque.

While his father died from wounds sustained at the Battle of Shiloh, Woolson himself never saw actual action during the war. But as a teenager he had been a drummer boy in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. He wouldn’t have been much older than Johnny Graphic is during the course of his adventures.