Hank Garner's Blog, page 39
January 18, 2016
Episode 79 |Jason Gurley Interview
Jason Gurley joins me on the show today. Jason is the author of the newly released Eleanor. Jason was my very first guest on Author Stories and I’m very excited to have him back on to share the story of Eleanor’s journey.
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January 12, 2016
Episode 78 | Stefan Bolz On The Creative Process
I’m joined this week by Stefan Bolz, author of The White Dragon Series, The Three Feather, The Fourth Sage and more.
We break from the typical format today to bring you the first in a series of discussions with authors about the creative process and their specific workflow.
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January 7, 2016
Shortcut To Instant Success
Want to be successful? Looking for a shortcut that will make you more happy and achieve all of your dreams this year? Well, here you go. My shortcut to instant success.
We all know that there are no shortcuts to instant success. Sure there are shortcuts that can help you achieve short-term results, but they won’t last, not in any meaningful way. But here are some things that I’ve learned.
Practice. Nobody gets good at what they love just overnight. Even prodigies have to hone their craft. Sure, some of us are born with a “gift”. But we all know someone who has natural God-given talent that they squandered because they didn’t make themselves improve upon their talent. Talent + Practice = Success.
Persevere. We live in an instant gratification society. We want a fully cooked meal in the time it takes to drive from the menu board around to the window where you hand them your money. We want a blog post to tell us how to be instantly successful. Young people want to begin their married lives living in a house they can’t afford filled with stuff that it took their parents 30 years to accumulate. And it leads to misery. Perseverance is sticking with something and working at it when it seems like no one appreciates what you’re doing and when it seems like it will never pay off. If you stick with it, you will look back one day and realize that you’ve grown and sharpened your skill set. Nothing happens overnight. Be the guy or gal that never gives up.
Be nice. Arrogance is never pretty. Assuming that people owe you something is never pretty. Learn to be humble. Do nice things for people even if it will never benefit you. People are naturally attracted to humble and kind people. Plus, it never hurts to do good.
Don’t believe hype. If people constantly tell you that you are no good and will never achieve your goals, don’t believe them. If people constantly tell you that you are the greatest thing since fried chicken, don’t believe them either. Stay humble, stay persistent and be nice. Thank people for the compliments and thank people for honest feedback that tells you that you need to keep practicing. Then don’t give up.
Understand what true success is. Money will not solve all your problems. It might remove some pressure, but at the end of the day, you will still be the same person. Don’t get lost in the pursuit of success and neglect the people around you. If you can look back on your life and see that you have been surrounded by people who love you and care about you, and that you have done everything you can to benefit others, then you can say you have succeeded.
There you go. My shortcut for instant success. Now to remove my tongue from my cheek.
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January 6, 2016
So many things
The first full week of the year is underway and I’ve been taking stock of where I am. I don’t really do resolutions, but I do use the first of the year as a way to look back on the last year and assess where I am. I’m pretty pleased with the last year, but there’s always room for growth.
Last year I promised to blog more. I didn’t do a great job of that, mostly because I was just swamped with work all the time. This year is twice as busy, but let’s see how it goes.
Enough of that, this is not a blog post about how busy I am. This is a post about the things that I am currently enjoying. I read a lot. I’ve read at least one book from each guest I’ve had on Author Stories. That’s a big commitment. I also try to read things that I want to read just because I want to read them. I thought I’d give you a rundown every now and then on some of the things that I’m currently enjoying, or have recently.
This story was a slap to the face from the get go. It’s a dark futuristic tale, but what really struck me was the way that he deftly uses second person. I don’t know many writers that have the guts to do that, and Eamon did it with his first ever offering. I enjoyed this story so much I had Eamon on the podcast this week. I can’t wait for him to finish the series and see where it goes.
The Walt Longmire Mystery Series
I had Craig Johnson on Author Stories a few weeks back and I said then that it was one of my favorite all time interviews. Still is. I only recently discovered that TV show Longmire (I know, I’m notoriously very, very late to the party when it comes to television, but oh well) and when I discovered that it was based on a book series I investigated. I’m hooked. These books are amazing and since I read a lot of Fantasy and Sci Fi usually, they provide a welcome break from dragons, magic and lasers. Plus Craig’s writing is just awesome.
Supergirl
I’ve been a fan of Arrow and Flash since they started and I’m really digging what DC is doing with their TV properties. When Supergirl premiered this past fall I was cautiously optimistic. I really like what they’re doing. Not only does it feel like the original Richard Donner Superman with the bright optimistic feel, but they are digging into the DC canon and bringing some really interesting stuff to the screen. Not to mention that it’s smart and funny.
Star Wars
So this is nothing new. I saw the original movie when I was in the first grade, loved the original trilogy and didn’t like the prequels. That’s not a new story. A lot of people my age felt the same way. I saw the newest offering with my family on Christmas day. I really enjoyed it, for a lot of reason, not the least was getting to sit at the end of the row and watch my family’s reactions. It was awesome. You can listen to Ian and me talk all about it in full spoiler glory here.
Podcasts
I listen to a ton of podcasts. Here are a few that I enjoy.
Fatman on Batman with Kevin Smith
The Rocking Self Publishing Podcast with Simon Whistler
Writing books
Like most writers, I’ve always considered myself to be a story-teller. When you think about how the industry has changed and how easy it is for people to go from aspiring writer to published author, it’ll make your head spin. From the tools that allow us to put our ideas together, to the platforms that give us a place to publish, to the technology that allows us to directly communicate with the people who so graciously read what we write, it’s the best time ever to be alive and to be a creative person.
Thanks for listening.
What are some of your favorite things right now?
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Episode 77 | Eamon Ambrose Interview
This week I’m joined by author Eamon Ambrose. Eamon is the author of the Zero Hour series and is a book reviewer and blogger.
Find his blog at: http://eamothegeek.com/
“Grim, dark, inventive, and with a twist at the end I never saw coming.” – Hugh Howey, author of Wool
Ambrose knocks his this brilliant short story straight outta the park with this twisty Russian Doll tale of Future War. Right up until the last words, I’m not kidding, the twists keep coming. An absolutely wonderful diversion for the literary recess our minds need.” – Nick Cole, author of The Old Man And The Wasteland and Soda Pop Soldier.
Email: eamonambrose@yahoo.ie
Or Twitter @eamonambrose
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December 31, 2015
Two Book Nerds and a Microphone Episode Seven | The Nerds Awaken ***SPOILERS***
In which we discuss episode 7 on our episode 7. SPOILERS AHEAD.
This episode contains MASSIVE SPOILERS. If you haven’t seen Star Wars The Force Awakens, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS. You have been warned.
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December 29, 2015
Episode 76 | A look back on 2015
White cubes with 2015-2016 change on a white table represents the new 2016 three-dimensional rendering
Chris Pourteau and I look back on 2015 and talk about our picks of the year.
Chris’s Picks:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
The End of the World As We Knew It by Nick Cole
Ready Player One by Ernie Cline
Weapons of Mass Deception by David Bruns
On Basilisk Station by David Weber
John by Cynthia Lennon
Hank’s Picks:
Tough Sh*t by Kevin Smith
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Armada by Ernie Cline
The Flicker Men by Ted Kosmatka
The Walt Longmire Mystery series by Craig Johnson
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December 24, 2015
Obligatory Merry Christmas Post
I’ve thought for a week or so about writing a post to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, but I’ve erased more words than I’ve written. Maybe because it’s 80 degrees here today and I’m sitting at the desk in shorts and flip flops. Beach weather aside, here goes one more try.
This has been an incredible year. Amazing. Fantastic. Overwhelming. Humbling, and exciting. There really aren’t words that can do justice to the gratitude I feel. I started with a new book release in January, and a lot of people have purchased Mulligan (Thank you!), left reviews that left me speechless (Thank you!), and shared the book with others. That book is really special to me for a lot of reasons, but let me just say that Connor Mulligan and the host of characters that surround him are not finished. There’s a lot of story left to tell, and these people have a lot to say. You’ll see more of them in 2016, I promise.
I wrote another novel that came out this Fall called Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. This book is a crazy romp that tells the story of a family that has guarded a secret for centuries. 7S7S deals with what it means to be a hero, and how ordinary people can do extraordinary things. It also has a mad scientist, an ancient death cult, and fire. Lots of fire. Oh yeah, one of the characters is also a crack-pot conspiracy theorist that is accidentally more right about his theories than he knows.
While I was waiting to publish Seventh Son, I was looking through some folders on my hard drive. I keep a folder with word documents that have story ideas. When I think of something nuts that just comes out of nowhere, I jot that idea down in its own document. I came across one that I had created a couple of years ago title Writer’s Block. I opened it and read the one sentence in the document.
What if you found a typewriter and everything you typed came true?
I closed the document and went about my day, but that question haunted me. That night I opened it up and thought I would see where it went, as kind of a palette cleanser from just writing 7S7S. In two days I had written the first part of Writer’s Block and had six episodes planned out. The character of Stu Remington, a successful author trapped by his success and crippled with Writer’s Block, and his faithful, but mostly worthless bulldog Rolo came to life. I was captivated by his story. Stu is a complex character that is a lot like me, and probably a lot like you. He is dealing with grief. He is also balancing success at the same time. Life is rarely one thing or another, and success rarely brings us what we think it will. I hope you will come to love Stu as much as I do. And yes, part three is coming soon, as will four, five, and six.
Oh yeah, there was this other thing. The Author Stories Podcast, this little show I started last year, has hit episode Seventy Five. According to the Googles, 75 is the diamond anniversary. I’m not really into jewelry, but I will give you my PO Box if you need it.
Seriously though, this show has become something that I’m really proud of. I’ve interviewed some of my literary heroes, made some really great friends, and gotten to take part in some really exciting projects. Not the least of those was getting invited to contribute a story to Tails of the Apocalypse. This collection is a book that I’m so proud of, not only because I have a story in it, but because it’s one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read. Pick up a copy today! What are you waiting for?
I also started a second podcast with my son, Ian. It’s called Two Book Nerds and a Microphone. We started this show because we sit and talk about nerdy stuff constantly and one day I said we should record this. Ian has never been shy, as a matter of fact he has spent a lot of time on a theater stage for the last 6 or 7 years so he didn’t hesitate. We go to my office and sit face to face with a mic between us and nerd out. For about an hour. It’s the best.
2016 is going to be a year for expansion, for the podcast and for publishing. You can expect a quality edition of Author Stories at the beginning of each week and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed by the guest roster this year. I have another show or two that I have in the planning stage and who knows, we might turn into a full fledged podcast network this year. Keep your fingers crossed, continue to download and listen and share it with your friends. Your support means more to me than you know.
Expect the conclusion of Writer’s Block, the next edition in the Mulligan Cycle, the follow up to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, and probably a good many more pieces of short fiction.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying my books and listening to me talk. I can’t think of a really meaningful way to say thank you, so I’ll just say thank you. Y’all are the best and I couldn’t do what I do without all of you. I hope you have happy and joyful Christmas, and I hope this year ends with love and the next opens with hope.
Hug those close to you and make sure they know just how much you love and appreciate them. And please know how much I appreciate you. Thanks for a great year, and here’s to making great art in 2016!
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December 21, 2015
Superman Writer Gene Luen Yang | Episode Seventy Five
Superman writer Gene Luen Yang joins me this week to talk about writing the iconic character of Superman, the cornerstone of DC Comics.
Gene Luen Yang began making comic books in the fifth grade. He has since written and drawn a number of titles. His 2006 book American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Michael L. Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album – New. His 2013 two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints was nominated for the National Book Award and won the LA Times Book Prize. Gene currently writes Dark Horse Comics’ Avatar: The Last Airbender series and DC Comics’ Superman. The first volume of Secret Coders, his middle-grade graphic novel series about computer coding, illustrated by Mike Holmes, will be available September 2015.
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December 20, 2015
Two Book Nerds and a Microphone Episode Six | Straight Outta Albion
In which we talk books, movies, comics, and Ian waxes rhapsodically about Book two of the Song of Albion.
Shop at Amazon and support the podcast.
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