Harry Connolly's Blog, page 200

This is damn clever

Stick with it to at least the midpoint for a nice twist. (Facebook people, this is an embedded video; you can watch it at the blog, if you want.)

I know I shouldn't do this, but I can't help myself

I know I should not compare my book with other writers' books–their distribution, their sales rankings, their bookshelf presence–but I do it anyway. It's stupid and destructive, yeah, but there's a part of me that feeds on that feeling of failure.

A couple of days ago, Sherwood Smith talked a bit about authors who blame readers for their own lack of success. I didn't comment because I'm so far behind on my online reading, but for me, I always blame myself. That self-disgust and...

Pushing the Envelope in Urban Fantasy

The book I'm reading right now (without much enthusiasm, I must say–it was published in 2008 and includes a glossary of Yiddish words at the front. Am I such a dumbass that I do no know what tuckus means? Or chutzpah? This book thinks I am) is very safe and uninteresting. The book next in queu just the opposite.

I've mentioned that I'm a slow reader–I often don't get to a new book in time to help promote a new release with a positive review; yes, I'm useless that way. The next book on my t...

Best Day Job for Writers

Wanted: Couch Potato.

Two cool videos my son found online

Both, of course, having to do with Legos

Cage matches

Suvudu has been running "cage matches," a sort of March Madness for sfnal heroes and villains (check the left sidebar). They're all in fun, pitting Vlad Taltos against Dumbledore, or Harry Dresden against Conan, and many others in fights to the death. Several authors with characters in the fight have contributed here and there, explaining why their character would win (although I think it's hilarious that Jim Butcher is all "Conan would kick Harry's ass!")

But you know what? I don't like...

Imagine you don't have a cell phone

And you just signed up for Twitter: (byharryconnolly). How do you manage it? Tweetdeck? Something else?

Advice welcome.

Today's quote:

"I am ready for the transition."

–Denard Manns

Mr. Manns was executed in the state of Texas on November 28, 2008, having been convicted of rape and murder. His entire last statement, and the last words of every inmate executed in the state of Texas since 12/07/1982–some 450 in all–are available on a single web page maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Randomness for 3/12

This is my 666th post on my Wordpress blog. Continue reading… if you dare!

1) Would you recognize Der Fuehrer?

2) Money as motivation: "It's certainly true that motivated workers need to feel that they are being paid fairly and adequately. Pink's thesis, however, is that beyond that threshold, performance bonuses may actually be counterproductive, particularly when the work requires initiative, judgment and creativity." The article directly addresses Wall St bonuses, but it covers a lot of o...

Dept of Education buys shotguns

The Dept of Education is buying 27 Remington Brand Model 870 police 12-gauge shotguns. Why?

"The Office of Inspector General is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of Education and is responsible for the detection of waste, fraud, abuse, and other criminal activity involving Federal education funds, programs, and operations. As such, OIG operates with full statutory law enforcement authority, which includes conducting search warrants, making arrests, and carrying firearms."

So...