Scott Harper's Blog, page 4
December 27, 2014
Topics, Please!
As you all know by now, not too long ago I started contributing to the paranormal news website All About Occult. I’m to turn in a new article “every couple of weeks”. Articles need to be either on topics that have never been covered on the site before, or at least expanding on what’s been written for the site on a topic prior. In other words, if a topic has been covered, my article needs to be written on that subject from a new angle, or, better still, contain brand new information on that subject.
My first article for the site was on the topic of ghosts having sex with other ghosts. My second dealt with psychic vampire. My third was on the subject of gargoyle sightings. I need new topics. I need a steady stream of new topics, actually. So, if you have ideas for topics, please let me know. I’ll check the site. If it hasn’t been covered before, I can write about it. If it has been covered, I’ll need newer information, or a different angle. When you contact me with topic suggestions, please include any information, and/or angles you’d like to see me include in the article. I can’t promise I’ll cover each and every suggested topic, but at least the option to do so will be there.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
My first article for the site was on the topic of ghosts having sex with other ghosts. My second dealt with psychic vampire. My third was on the subject of gargoyle sightings. I need new topics. I need a steady stream of new topics, actually. So, if you have ideas for topics, please let me know. I’ll check the site. If it hasn’t been covered before, I can write about it. If it has been covered, I’ll need newer information, or a different angle. When you contact me with topic suggestions, please include any information, and/or angles you’d like to see me include in the article. I can’t promise I’ll cover each and every suggested topic, but at least the option to do so will be there.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Peter S. Beagle
Recently, Desirée Lee and I had a rare and very wonderful treat. The legendary Peter S. Beagle, author of “The Last Unicorn”, and the screenwriter who wrote the film based on his own book, appeared at our local theater as part of a promotional tour for an upcoming hardcover re-release of “The Last Unicorn”. For the price of a normal ticket, we were able to attend a Q&A with Mr. Beagle, see “The Last Unicorn” on the big screen – something I’d never had the pleasure of before, and which Desirée had not done since the film’s initial release back in 1982 – and then attend a meet-and-greet/autograph signing with Mr. Peter S. Beagle after the film.
Meeting Mr. Beagle was a true pleasure. The man is very intelligent, witty, humorous, glad of his fans and happy to meet them. Desirée and I are both honored to have been able to meet this legendary creator – both as fans of his work, and as bestselling, award-winning authors and screenwriters ourselves. Hopefully our paths and Mr. Beagle’s will cross again at some point in time. Desirée and I would both like that very much.
Mr. Beagle, if you’re reading this, thank you again for your work, and for the tour that allowed us the honor of meeting you.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Meeting Mr. Beagle was a true pleasure. The man is very intelligent, witty, humorous, glad of his fans and happy to meet them. Desirée and I are both honored to have been able to meet this legendary creator – both as fans of his work, and as bestselling, award-winning authors and screenwriters ourselves. Hopefully our paths and Mr. Beagle’s will cross again at some point in time. Desirée and I would both like that very much.
Mr. Beagle, if you’re reading this, thank you again for your work, and for the tour that allowed us the honor of meeting you.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
More Advice
My previous post was devoted to some free advice for new authors. There’s another thing I neglected to cover in that post that I’ll take time for today. I say this to so many people, and it’s such common sense, that it didn’t even occur to me to include it yesterday’s advice post. If you want to be a writer, you need to make yourself sit, and do the work.
Honestly, I lost track long ago of how many people tell me something along the lines of, “I want to be a writer. I just can’t make myself sit still long enough.” For those of you who say that, go find something else to do right now. Go on, shoo! You’ll never make it as a professional author unless and until you can plant your bottom in a chair for hours on end, and do the work you’re sitting there to do. No getting up to wander. No wallowing in social network site addiction. You need to sit still, and concentrate on whatever you’re working on. Breaks are fine. But, like any job, there has to be balance between work time and break time. Not enough break time can lead to problems. On the other hand, too much break time means your work isn’t getting done.
So, for those of you out there who say you want to write, but can’t make yourselves sit long enough, you have a problem. What’s it going to be? Something has to give! Are you going to give up on your dream of writing that book? Or are you going to learn the self-discipline required to make yourself sit, and get the needed work done?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Honestly, I lost track long ago of how many people tell me something along the lines of, “I want to be a writer. I just can’t make myself sit still long enough.” For those of you who say that, go find something else to do right now. Go on, shoo! You’ll never make it as a professional author unless and until you can plant your bottom in a chair for hours on end, and do the work you’re sitting there to do. No getting up to wander. No wallowing in social network site addiction. You need to sit still, and concentrate on whatever you’re working on. Breaks are fine. But, like any job, there has to be balance between work time and break time. Not enough break time can lead to problems. On the other hand, too much break time means your work isn’t getting done.
So, for those of you out there who say you want to write, but can’t make yourselves sit long enough, you have a problem. What’s it going to be? Something has to give! Are you going to give up on your dream of writing that book? Or are you going to learn the self-discipline required to make yourself sit, and get the needed work done?
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Keep Learning
Quite often I’m approached at public appearances, and via e-mail, by other authors who are trying to get their first work published. It’s hard to do for most of us. One thing I kept being told, over and over and over, before having my first publishing credit, was that getting that first piece of work published is the hardest thing an author will ever do. Thus far, I’d have to agree wholeheartedly with that! I like being in a position to help others. So, think of this post as free advice to up-and-coming authors who are struggling to get that first publication credit under your proverbial belt.
Different people will tell you different things. Most of those people will tell you that their way is the only way of doing things. To that I say a resounding “Bologna!” Everyone has different things that work for them. What works for one is the polar opposite of what the next person may need. Listen to what others say. Maybe give it a try if it sounds good to you. But if it doesn’t work, leave it, and find something that does. Writing styles and work methods are as individual as fingerprints. Go with what works for you.
There are only three pieces of advice that I would say cannot be ignored by any author. Those are:
1) Never give up. This is a tough business. If you give up easily, you’ll never make it as a writer.
2) Get your name out there. If people don’t know about your work, they aren’t going to be able to buy it. Make people aware of your work, but do so in a manner that doesn’t smash them over the head with it, and make them not want to hear your name.
3) Keep learning. Life in general is a learning process. The life of a writer is, arguably, even more so. Writers write. We communicate ideas and knowledge. To do that, and to keep up, we have to keep learning. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to hone your craft. The better you’re able to write, the more likely it is that people will want to buy your work, and enjoy reading it.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Different people will tell you different things. Most of those people will tell you that their way is the only way of doing things. To that I say a resounding “Bologna!” Everyone has different things that work for them. What works for one is the polar opposite of what the next person may need. Listen to what others say. Maybe give it a try if it sounds good to you. But if it doesn’t work, leave it, and find something that does. Writing styles and work methods are as individual as fingerprints. Go with what works for you.
There are only three pieces of advice that I would say cannot be ignored by any author. Those are:
1) Never give up. This is a tough business. If you give up easily, you’ll never make it as a writer.
2) Get your name out there. If people don’t know about your work, they aren’t going to be able to buy it. Make people aware of your work, but do so in a manner that doesn’t smash them over the head with it, and make them not want to hear your name.
3) Keep learning. Life in general is a learning process. The life of a writer is, arguably, even more so. Writers write. We communicate ideas and knowledge. To do that, and to keep up, we have to keep learning. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to hone your craft. The better you’re able to write, the more likely it is that people will want to buy your work, and enjoy reading it.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Don Pedro Colley
As you all know, Desirée Lee and I recently had the honor of being guests at the 1st Annual Klamath Library ComicCon. One of the other guests there was the esteemed Mr. Don Pedro Colley. Growing up, one of my favorite television series was “The Dukes of Hazzard”. So, I know Mr. Colley best from his reoccurring role as Sheriff Little from that series. When we told my parents that we were going to be appearing at the event along with Mr. Colley, Dad grew very excited, remembering him as Gideon from the TV show “Daniel Boone”.
Honestly, after seeing his portrayal of Sheriff Little, and his role as a tough-as-nails hit man in an episode of “The Greatest American Hero”, and seeing several of his other roles in which he played very gruff, even downright mean, men, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him in person. In truth, he’s a very pleasant, humorous man. Meeting him was a true honor. I would love to work with him on a project sometime. Mr. Colley was kind enough to take a few moments to pose for the above photo with Desirée and myself before the events of the day wrapped up. Both of us look forward to crossing paths with Mr. Colley again in the future.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Honestly, after seeing his portrayal of Sheriff Little, and his role as a tough-as-nails hit man in an episode of “The Greatest American Hero”, and seeing several of his other roles in which he played very gruff, even downright mean, men, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him in person. In truth, he’s a very pleasant, humorous man. Meeting him was a true honor. I would love to work with him on a project sometime. Mr. Colley was kind enough to take a few moments to pose for the above photo with Desirée and myself before the events of the day wrapped up. Both of us look forward to crossing paths with Mr. Colley again in the future.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Authors & Reviews
With the advent of on-line publishing, more and more people are turning out more and more literature. Some of it is quite good. Some of it is quite bad. More and more people are self-publishing. Self-publishing is not, in and of itself, a bad thing. I used the self-publishing company Lulu for my first three novels – “Winter’s Rite“, “Well Wishes“, and “Gauntlet“. Those books are still available on the site in paperback, and e-book editions. I’ve learned a huge amount about writing, editing, and publishing since writing those books. I’m sure anyone who has read them, and read my more recent work will see that. Writing is an ongoing learning process. But, that’s a post for another time. For this post I want to focus, briefly, on book reviews.
Given the rate at which new material is now being published, many people find it overwhelming. They turn to book reviews to tell them what to read. And what not to read. On a professional level, as a bestselling, award-winning author, I fully understand the need for book reviews in today’s market. They can be a powerful tool for book sales.
On the other hand, they can be just as powerful of a tool for damaging an author’s career in the wrong hands. Many authors are experiencing this. Someone has a personal grudge against them. What do they do? They leave horrid, scathing reviews of that author’s work anywhere they can. People see those reviews, and shy away from that author’s work due to them.
Another problem is people who are simply bad reviewers. I’ve run into this personally several times. People review a book, then leave poorly-written reviews, rife with spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors as reviews. A lot of people equate these poorly-written reviews directly with the author. They think that if the person who left the review writes so badly, then so must the author. And they shy away from the author’s work. Then there are also the book reviewers who will argue with other reviewers in their review of a book. That’s one of the most unprofessional things a reviewer can do. But it happens all the time. Again, I’ve seen it in reviews of my own work. Here again, even if the reviewer is leaving a good review, such unprofessionalism can actually hurt the author’s sales. Potential readers see reviews like that, and equate that unprofessionalism with the author, despite the author having had nothing at all to do with the review.
What it comes down to is that readers need to decide for themselves what to read. Please don’t let book reviews make the choice for you. If you’re curious about a book, please read it. It doesn’t matter if someone who reviewed the book didn’t like it, or why. You might love that book. Not everyone likes the same thing. Maybe the person who wrote the bad review simply didn’t like that type of book. If that’s the case, they should’ve have read and reviewed it to begin with. But they did. Again, that’s another ongoing problem with book reviewers. Make your own choices. Read what you want to read, no matter what other people are saying about a given book. You’ll be helping yourself, and you’ll be helping the author of that book.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Given the rate at which new material is now being published, many people find it overwhelming. They turn to book reviews to tell them what to read. And what not to read. On a professional level, as a bestselling, award-winning author, I fully understand the need for book reviews in today’s market. They can be a powerful tool for book sales.
On the other hand, they can be just as powerful of a tool for damaging an author’s career in the wrong hands. Many authors are experiencing this. Someone has a personal grudge against them. What do they do? They leave horrid, scathing reviews of that author’s work anywhere they can. People see those reviews, and shy away from that author’s work due to them.
Another problem is people who are simply bad reviewers. I’ve run into this personally several times. People review a book, then leave poorly-written reviews, rife with spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors as reviews. A lot of people equate these poorly-written reviews directly with the author. They think that if the person who left the review writes so badly, then so must the author. And they shy away from the author’s work. Then there are also the book reviewers who will argue with other reviewers in their review of a book. That’s one of the most unprofessional things a reviewer can do. But it happens all the time. Again, I’ve seen it in reviews of my own work. Here again, even if the reviewer is leaving a good review, such unprofessionalism can actually hurt the author’s sales. Potential readers see reviews like that, and equate that unprofessionalism with the author, despite the author having had nothing at all to do with the review.
What it comes down to is that readers need to decide for themselves what to read. Please don’t let book reviews make the choice for you. If you’re curious about a book, please read it. It doesn’t matter if someone who reviewed the book didn’t like it, or why. You might love that book. Not everyone likes the same thing. Maybe the person who wrote the bad review simply didn’t like that type of book. If that’s the case, they should’ve have read and reviewed it to begin with. But they did. Again, that’s another ongoing problem with book reviewers. Make your own choices. Read what you want to read, no matter what other people are saying about a given book. You’ll be helping yourself, and you’ll be helping the author of that book.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Link Exchange
As you all know, I’m a bestselling, award-winning author. Most of my work falls into the paranormal, fantasy, and horror genres. I also work a bit in action and adventure, and science fiction. I have over 30 short stories published, nine books, and several non-fiction articles. I’m also currently a contributing writer for the paranormal news website All About Occult.
Anyone interested in a link exchange? If so, please use the contact form on my website to get in touch with me. If you’d like the return link on my own site to be a banner, please include that graphic when you write. I’ll send a banner graphic of my own back to you for the link on your site to my own.
What types of websites will I link to? Other writers are a given, regardless of genre. Even blogs would be acceptable. Paranormal investigation sites are also welcome. Anything else, contact me and ask, please.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Anyone interested in a link exchange? If so, please use the contact form on my website to get in touch with me. If you’d like the return link on my own site to be a banner, please include that graphic when you write. I’ll send a banner graphic of my own back to you for the link on your site to my own.
What types of websites will I link to? Other writers are a given, regardless of genre. Even blogs would be acceptable. Paranormal investigation sites are also welcome. Anything else, contact me and ask, please.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Rebel Mouse
Not too long ago I created an account on the website called Rebel Mouse. Those interested in viewing my Rebel Mouse page can find it here: https://www.rebelmouse.com/Scott_Harper/
For a while I’d been hearing about the site in snippets, a little here, and a little there. I’d sometimes see traffic to my website that had been directed there from Rebel Mouse. Yet I hadn’t taken the time to actually check the site out for myself until recently. Before then, I kept asking myself, “What is Rebel Mouse?” but not looking into it. I’m glad now that I did. It’s an interesting site.
What Rebel Mouse does is gather your posts from other social networking media into one location. Well, sort of. Rebel Mouse only gathers posts that have an image or video file to go with them. No image or video in a given post? That post won’t be appearing on Rebel Mouse, then. That’s why I’m making the effort to include more images in posts here in my blog. Each one with an image will cross-post to Rebel Mouse. Those that don’t have an image won’t be appearing over there.
Anyway, I just wanted to let me fans know of one more place on-line where I can now be found. Please check out my page over there via the link provided above. If you have an account already on Rebel Mouse, please follow me on that site. If you don’t have an account, please set one up, and follow me.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
For a while I’d been hearing about the site in snippets, a little here, and a little there. I’d sometimes see traffic to my website that had been directed there from Rebel Mouse. Yet I hadn’t taken the time to actually check the site out for myself until recently. Before then, I kept asking myself, “What is Rebel Mouse?” but not looking into it. I’m glad now that I did. It’s an interesting site.
What Rebel Mouse does is gather your posts from other social networking media into one location. Well, sort of. Rebel Mouse only gathers posts that have an image or video file to go with them. No image or video in a given post? That post won’t be appearing on Rebel Mouse, then. That’s why I’m making the effort to include more images in posts here in my blog. Each one with an image will cross-post to Rebel Mouse. Those that don’t have an image won’t be appearing over there.
Anyway, I just wanted to let me fans know of one more place on-line where I can now be found. Please check out my page over there via the link provided above. If you have an account already on Rebel Mouse, please follow me on that site. If you don’t have an account, please set one up, and follow me.
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Wobbleslop
One of the really cool parts about being a writer is getting to make up new words. The English language is always growing, and changing. Yesterday a small incident made me coin a new word—Wobbleslop.
Wobbleslop is a verb. It means to sit down your full drink on an uneven surface, thus making the glass wobble, and some of the contents to slop out.
Examples:
I didn’t see that large crumb when I placed my glass of milk on the table, and the crumb made my glass wobbleslop.
There’s water on the counter. Did you wobbleslop?
Wow, look at the mess you made when you wobbleslopped!
The baby put her cup down wrong, causing it to wobbleslop.
See? Wobbleslop can be a fully functioning part of the English language. From time to time things like this crop up. I sometimes joke that I’m going to officially coin the term. Then I don’t put it out there, and I forget the word later. But I like the word “wobbleslop”, and want it out there. Just like “Urban Hermit”, when I tossed that one out several years ago.
For those unfamiliar with that term—which I use to describe myself a lot—an urban hermit is someone who lives in a city, yet prefers to remain at home, rather than be out and about, and around other people. I guess now you can all say I’m a wobbleslopping urban hermit!
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
Wobbleslop is a verb. It means to sit down your full drink on an uneven surface, thus making the glass wobble, and some of the contents to slop out.
Examples:
I didn’t see that large crumb when I placed my glass of milk on the table, and the crumb made my glass wobbleslop.
There’s water on the counter. Did you wobbleslop?
Wow, look at the mess you made when you wobbleslopped!
The baby put her cup down wrong, causing it to wobbleslop.
See? Wobbleslop can be a fully functioning part of the English language. From time to time things like this crop up. I sometimes joke that I’m going to officially coin the term. Then I don’t put it out there, and I forget the word later. But I like the word “wobbleslop”, and want it out there. Just like “Urban Hermit”, when I tossed that one out several years ago.
For those unfamiliar with that term—which I use to describe myself a lot—an urban hermit is someone who lives in a city, yet prefers to remain at home, rather than be out and about, and around other people. I guess now you can all say I’m a wobbleslopping urban hermit!
Scott Harper
www.scottharper.net
October 7, 2014
Press Release
Here it is, everyone - the official press release for the 1st Annual Klamath Library ComicCom. Desirée Lee and I are looking forward to being there!
South Suburban Library Hosts Klamath’s First Comic Con
Saturday, October 25th, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3625 Summers Lane, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
The South Suburban branch library will host the first Klamath Falls Comic Con on Saturday, October 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. What is a Comic Con? For those who don’t know, a Comic Con is an event dedicated to creating awareness and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms. The South Suburban library Comic Con will showcase local businesses and talent; everything from videogames to web comics, and from computers to cartoons.
In addition to vendors, discussions and demonstrations, there will be costume and art contests, crafts, and photo booths. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite comic book, anime, manga, sci-fi, movie, video game or series character. Costume contest prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Villain, Best Team/Couple, Kids (0-10) male/female, Youth (11-18) male/female, Adult (18+) male/female. Costumes will be judged at 4:00 p.m. with prizes awarded to the winners. Any extremely risqué, overly gory or costumes deemed inappropriate by our staff will be asked to leave or change. All costumes must adhere to event costume rules and weapons MUST be peace bonded before entering the building. A peace bonded weapon is one tied to its sheath, holster, or container with a functional binding. It prevents another from taking a costume weapon without permission, and is a traditional and visible sign to others that the bearer is a responsible person. Bonding material will be available at the prop check station.
This Free public event is for all ages and only requires pre-registration for competing in the art contest; no other registration is required. Anyone interested in competing in the art contest may submit artwork along with a registration form through October 11th at the checkout desk at the South Suburban branch. Art larger than 24 x 36 or explicit subjects will not be accepted. Entries will be judged on creativity, style, and drawing ability.
Scott Harper and his wife Desiree Lee will host a panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Their topics will include plot, writing process, and illustration software. Scott is the author of more than 30 published short stories and several novels. There has been talk, from several fronts, about turning his fourth novel, Predators or Prey?, the first book in his Wendy Markland series, into a live-action project.
Harper graduated from Marysville High School in 1993 and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels, and has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film and comic books. His wife, Desiree Lee, coauthors several of their comic books and writes her own fantasy and paranormal novels.
Chris Purcell is a video game animator, graphic designer, and special effects artist who has worked on the likes of the Men in Black TV series, and the video games Zork: Grand Inquisitor, and The Simpsons. He will be giving a demonstration and discussion at 1:00 p.m.
From 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Don Pedro Colley, a Hollywood actor, will be speaking about filmmaking and his experience in the industry. Colley was born in Klamath Falls to Muriel and Pete Colley. Colley attended Klamath Union High School and was active in athletics, playing football, and especially enjoying track and field. He tried out for the 1960 Olympics in discus, placing 6th. Colley attended the University of Oregon, studying architecture, and became interested in acting by accident after joining some friends for a play rehearsal. He is probably best known for his roles as Gideon in the series Daniel Boone, as Ongaro in the film Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and as Sheriff Little in the TV series Dukes of Hazard.
Jim Snook, a local cartoonist, will be giving a demonstration at 3:30 p.m. Jim Snook has been an Outdoor Sports Cartoonist for the last 30+ years, marketing hunting, fishing, RV and golfing posters, books, calendars, and art prints worldwide. He is an avid photographer and oil painter as well, and when he's not creating he's usually outdoors soaking up inspiration. Snook was born in Concordia, Kansas. His folks made their living in agriculture, but out of desperation moved their family to Oregon in 1944. He attended and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1954 and married his high school sweetheart, Loretta, in 1955. Jim spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and then attended Southern Oregon University to earn his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He worked as a cartoonist for a short time, and then taught Art for eight years at Eagle Point High School. Jim and Loretta now live in Rocky Point.
There will be food items available for purchase at Mia’s and Pia’s Pizzeria & Brew House across the parking lot from the library.
For more information, please contact Holly at the South Suburban Library: 541-273-3679.
South Suburban Library Hosts Klamath’s First Comic Con
Saturday, October 25th, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3625 Summers Lane, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
The South Suburban branch library will host the first Klamath Falls Comic Con on Saturday, October 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. What is a Comic Con? For those who don’t know, a Comic Con is an event dedicated to creating awareness and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms. The South Suburban library Comic Con will showcase local businesses and talent; everything from videogames to web comics, and from computers to cartoons.
In addition to vendors, discussions and demonstrations, there will be costume and art contests, crafts, and photo booths. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite comic book, anime, manga, sci-fi, movie, video game or series character. Costume contest prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Villain, Best Team/Couple, Kids (0-10) male/female, Youth (11-18) male/female, Adult (18+) male/female. Costumes will be judged at 4:00 p.m. with prizes awarded to the winners. Any extremely risqué, overly gory or costumes deemed inappropriate by our staff will be asked to leave or change. All costumes must adhere to event costume rules and weapons MUST be peace bonded before entering the building. A peace bonded weapon is one tied to its sheath, holster, or container with a functional binding. It prevents another from taking a costume weapon without permission, and is a traditional and visible sign to others that the bearer is a responsible person. Bonding material will be available at the prop check station.
This Free public event is for all ages and only requires pre-registration for competing in the art contest; no other registration is required. Anyone interested in competing in the art contest may submit artwork along with a registration form through October 11th at the checkout desk at the South Suburban branch. Art larger than 24 x 36 or explicit subjects will not be accepted. Entries will be judged on creativity, style, and drawing ability.
Scott Harper and his wife Desiree Lee will host a panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Their topics will include plot, writing process, and illustration software. Scott is the author of more than 30 published short stories and several novels. There has been talk, from several fronts, about turning his fourth novel, Predators or Prey?, the first book in his Wendy Markland series, into a live-action project.
Harper graduated from Marysville High School in 1993 and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels, and has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film and comic books. His wife, Desiree Lee, coauthors several of their comic books and writes her own fantasy and paranormal novels.
Chris Purcell is a video game animator, graphic designer, and special effects artist who has worked on the likes of the Men in Black TV series, and the video games Zork: Grand Inquisitor, and The Simpsons. He will be giving a demonstration and discussion at 1:00 p.m.
From 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Don Pedro Colley, a Hollywood actor, will be speaking about filmmaking and his experience in the industry. Colley was born in Klamath Falls to Muriel and Pete Colley. Colley attended Klamath Union High School and was active in athletics, playing football, and especially enjoying track and field. He tried out for the 1960 Olympics in discus, placing 6th. Colley attended the University of Oregon, studying architecture, and became interested in acting by accident after joining some friends for a play rehearsal. He is probably best known for his roles as Gideon in the series Daniel Boone, as Ongaro in the film Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and as Sheriff Little in the TV series Dukes of Hazard.
Jim Snook, a local cartoonist, will be giving a demonstration at 3:30 p.m. Jim Snook has been an Outdoor Sports Cartoonist for the last 30+ years, marketing hunting, fishing, RV and golfing posters, books, calendars, and art prints worldwide. He is an avid photographer and oil painter as well, and when he's not creating he's usually outdoors soaking up inspiration. Snook was born in Concordia, Kansas. His folks made their living in agriculture, but out of desperation moved their family to Oregon in 1944. He attended and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1954 and married his high school sweetheart, Loretta, in 1955. Jim spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and then attended Southern Oregon University to earn his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He worked as a cartoonist for a short time, and then taught Art for eight years at Eagle Point High School. Jim and Loretta now live in Rocky Point.
There will be food items available for purchase at Mia’s and Pia’s Pizzeria & Brew House across the parking lot from the library.
For more information, please contact Holly at the South Suburban Library: 541-273-3679.
