Ramblings from the Dark Side of the Moon

Well, the weekend has come once again, and I’m sure there is a resounding “YEA!” passing through the lips of everyone even as I utter the phrase. To be honest, I understand the mentality all too well as I experience it on an increasingly weekly basis. What can I say; I’m only human, after all.

Now, I could sit here and complain about the difficulties, but I have to be honest with myself regarding this. Complaining achieves nothing, and I am not really that person, or at least that is not the person I’d like to be. So in this case, mum’s the word.

I began listening to a new audio book this week, having finished the last of the Jim Butcher audio books over the weekend. This time, I opted for Robert Heinlein’s, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, which is yet another of the well known novels that I somehow missed along the way--apparently I went through my early years with blinders on, my fingers in my ears, and muttering, “la-la, I can’t hear you,” all the time. So far, I’m a little over one third of the way through the book, and so far, I have enjoyed it greatly.

For those that don’t know, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a book about the beginning of a revolution against the established oppressive authority on the moon. Simply…great stuff! And the narrator has done an amazing time so far, especially considering the first person perspective and the fact that the primary protagonist has a pronounced Russian accent, and the supporting characters do not. The narrator drops in and out of this accent as needed with missing a beat. It kind of makes me jealous of such a thing…well, not really, but it is a talent I have not yet tackled for myself. Maybe in the future…

The book is also a bit thought provoking, and to me, that is a mark of a great science fiction novel--my preferred form of sci-fi is a classic dystopian future, into which The Moon is a Harsh Mistress fits in many ways. I love how good science fiction can throw a seemingly beneficial idea back into our faces is such a way as to identify weaknesses in such a thing that we may not have seen before. One of the best examples of this I can think of is the Big Brother concept of the book 1984. To me this is a reality check that points out that none of us are as smart as we think we are, something the idealogs amongst us need to take to heart and simply stop spouting their tired poppycock.

Anyway, I will see how this tale pans out over the next week or so, but the style seems to work for me so far. Until then, I’ll call this one closed.

Sincerely,

Joe :-)

Morning Coffee

Ah the joys of getting out of bed to face the coming day. I’m sure many people like me have that perpetual grogginess hanging over them. In my case it’s because I simply don’t seem to sleep any more, but that’s an issue for another day. Anyway, it’s usually after that first cup of coffee I have that things finally start to come into to focus and get the juices flowing.

Some days are juicier than others, of course, since the piled up lack of sleep does tend to build to a resounding crescendo every so often. But more often that not these days, my brain likes to wander, which is how I meet new characters and story ideas almost on a daily, or at least weekly basis. This morning was no exception. Well, to be honest, it wasn’t a new story, but a revisit to an old idea that has been starting to refine and revitalize itself in my thoughts.

I have heard many times from virtually everyone that breakfast is the most important meals of the day, and I can at least see their point as it is a means to revitalize the body and provide a valuable source of energy. Over the years, I have also found that the same is true in terms of the brain. Sometimes, the mental juices I mentioned earlier need a little pick me up…a cup of brain coffee, if you will.

Since time is always a consideration, for me that pick me up is a good audio book. It’s been over a year now (wow time flies!) since I began taking audio books with me for the half hour or so ride to work and the return trip. Over the course over that year, I’ve listened to many, many books, ranging from fantasy, science fiction, horror, and even non-fiction science books.

As an editor, I’ve always felt being well-read is a must, and throughout my early years, I read countless titles from then new authors (not necessarily new authors by today’s standards, of course), but I kept coming back to the fact that I’ve missed a good number of the so called great works of fiction. Before my audio book jaunts, I had never actually read Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Roger Zelazny or any numerous others. Some have of course been more to my liking than others. Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny, for instance is now at the top of my list as a favorite; as is the classic Skylark series by Doc Smith. Both of these authors I was introduced to through audio fiction.

To be perfectly honest, I can truly see how my thoughts have been lifted by doing this each day, and now new and more developed ideas are piling up for my own writing. I look forward to getting to experience new novels equally as a reader, editor and writer, and I think that my work will reflect this widened perspective and mental vitality. I hope those who read my work can agree.

Sincerely,

Joe :-)

I Swear I Hear Voices!

I have been working on a novel which combines in a fun sort of way aspects inspired by Dr. Strange, Harry Dresden, The Ninth Gate (starring Johnny Depp), with just a bit of Hellraiser and Lovecraft thrown into the mix for laughs. So far, the concept has done well flowing onto the page, and I have completed the first ten chapters of the first draft.

Since beginning, I’ve had several of the characters complain to me that they were not getting enough face time, and rightfully so seeing as how this novel originally started in first person perspective from solely the protagonist’s point of view. Well, a few of them banded together and waylaid me over the weekend, pointing out that changing from the first person perspective to a more encompassing third person could allow each to get their own ample amount to screen time. Thus making everyone happy, including the protagonist, who already thinks I have it out for him.

There is another benefit to changing the perspective, as well. Once at a convention years ago, I heard an author on the panel mention a simple thing that helped her keep things in order. That technique was simply asking oneself the question, “What are the bad guys doing?” At the time, this brought a chuckle from the audience, but the words, of course rang true. Knowing what the bad guys are doing is integral to keeping the protagonists on their respective toes. One way I’ve found that can also work is give some of the bad guys a little screen time of their own allowing extra aspects of the plot to develop with the reader, and thus possibly adding a new dimension to the story and build a stronger sense of suspense.

It is because of these aspects that I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and transition the novel from first person perspective to third person perspective. We’ll see how it works out.

Oh, and to those pesky voices that pushed me so hard to make this change, maybe now you can get your happy butts onto the page and leave me the heck alone long enough to get some sleep for a change. Yesh!

Sincerely,

Joe :-)