Where I Talk About Meeting Neil Gaiman, Driving In Miami, and The Love Of Stories

     

     The drive to Miami from Melbourne is never that bad until we actually get into Miami and then I'm just glade I have Mar as my pilot because the lady is great at directions. Even if she gets turned around on the maps she's following because they are off she gets us where we are going and since we aren't dipshits we leave early enough to give a buffer in case we do run into bumps along the way that hold us up.

     This blog entry will be photos for the most part with me writing comments along the way because if I just write a blog entry I'll be here all day and not get any work done my own stories talking about how much I admire Neil Gaiman.

     Also at the end I'll include my Twitter posts while going to the signing and while there. Don't worry, there weren't that many because on the way I was co-pilot and music picker and when we got there I was so nervous I couldn't even read.

     When we got there the line was already long as shit but the organizers, Books & Books, had it well organized and had friendly people working the lines. This was handled a whole lot better than when we went there for a Stephenie Meyer signing a few years ago. This picture doesn't even show half of the line though. Oh, a shit ton of Doctor Who shirts were to be seen.

     Here's another half half of the line. It's basically went all the way around the whole building. It was held at Temple Judea, a really nice place. We were only in line outside for about an hour before being seated in the cool inside for a good rest before things started.

     Brad Meltzer did the introducing duties. He was pretty funny. Later he would be the one who read the crowd sourced questions. I enjoy Q&A's handle like this inside of mics in the crowd. This way all the completely stupid questions are tossed to the side. I'm sorry but some people are just stupid.

     Then it was the main event. First Neil told the birth of the story that would become The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. It was a cool story about missing his wife and shows the journey can go from idea to finished product.

     After that he read a chapter from the book. Neil is one of the few writers who I love them reading their own books. The audios of him reading his books are some of my favorite audios ever. I can't wait to dive into The Ocean At The End Of The Lane tonight and also reread Books Of Magic since now it's blessed :)

     The Q&A was really entertaining with equal parts comedy and campfire storytelling. When Neil talks about Myth it reminds me why I read in the first place.

     Then the first group was called to get in line for the signing. See getting there early pays off. Mar's family were really late and but ended up getting to have photos taken beside him because it took so long and that's cool for them but if I had gotten to get that close I would have been crying like the young lady who got her books signed right before we did. No serious, I'm not making fun, I was close to that myself.

     Mar spent the time in line reading. A novel concept. Yep, yep, I said it. Though to be honest she was reading the ebook but that doesn't make for a good on theme picture.

     By this point I was so nervous I was starting to get a little sick. Yea, I was totally cool. Cool guy sucking in his gut, trying not to run away with a anxiety overload.

     They were prepared with lots and lots of markers and pens. I spotted a huge box behind everything after getting our books signed. For some reason this just caught my eye. The little things about what it takes to make a signing this big work smoothly.

     Mar getting her books signed and telling Neil about her library and some of her teens. See if you are nice to your librarian they may just mention you to a writer when they get to meet them.

     Mar gave him a Coraline that was made for him. He really liked it. I think this type of stuff like cos-playing has to be one of the coolest things that can happen to you as a writer.

     Neil signing my copy of Books Of Magic. It's my fourth copy because I've given two away and someone five fingered another. Yes that's a Mountain Dew bottle in my pocket. I could have used a Double Dew on this day. My nerves were shot people, I needed a push to just get me through without my anxiety in overdrive making me find a nice dark corner to crawl into.

     Mar as we were leaving. I took a moment to sit on the steps of the temple to eat my balled up Ron Weasley sandwich that I was too nervous to eat during things. Some people were eating inside but that just felt wrong to me. I didn't know the custom for eating in temples so I went outside.

     My blessed copy of Books Of Magic. Today while writing I'm going to watch Neverwhere and Mirror Mask and Star Dust and Coraline.

After Neil Gaiman Q&A, meeting him, and getting books signed, now watching Coraline. Tomorrow watching Neverwhere while writing.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 16h

I got stuffs signed by Neil Gaiman. And I didnt pass out. Its a happy Brian day.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 17h

http://twitpic.com/cytoom 

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 17h

Also in pure TMI fashion, I need to piss bad.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 17h

In line to get books signed. The reading and Q&A were great.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 19h

http://twitpic.com/cyte0b 

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 19h

Brad Metzer(sp) is introing him.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 19h

Mar is the best with directions. Miami isnt the easist place to find places but shes a pro.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 19h

Sitting for a bit before things start is good after dealing with Miami traffic.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 20h

Inside now seated in the cool air waiting for talk to begin.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 20h

Waiting in long line, in hot sun, to see Neil Gaiman. Best day ever :)

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 22h

There is traffic and then there is dipshit traffic. I'm among the stupid and dangerous right now.

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 23h

Me"Stop looking at penis clouds while driving!"

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 23 Jun

After I had a coughing fit. Mar"You choke on nothing." Me"Air went down the wrong way."

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 Brian Williams ‏@hangofwednesday 23 Jun

Anxiety, fear, and stress. Not just how I am when I go to a book signing to see a writer I admire.

Where I Talk About Meeting Neil Gaiman, Driving In Miami, and The Love Of Stories

Where I talk about Just some cool links and rants.

     This week has been shit for blogging from me. Between bad weather taking me off the computer and being sick I'm about to call it for the week. Next week we return to the regular blogging schedule. Until then check out some of these cool link I briefly talk about below.

      

 CHECK OUT THESE LINKS:

     I can't wait for the new Sandman story. I constantly reread those books all the time. CCI VIDEO: Gaiman, Vertigo Announce New "Sandman" Miniseries - Comic Book Resources and CCI: Neil Gaiman Returns to "The Sandman" - Comic Book Resources
     And another of my favorite books series will have new stories coming out. CCI: Terry Moore Announces New "SiP" Story and All-Ages Comic Project - Comic Book Resources
     Interesting. The Facebook Cortex
     John Green plays FIFA and speaks wisdom: Our Economic Futures:The Miracle of Swindon Town #142 and How to Do Difficult Things: The Miracle of Swindon #143 and Google Autofill - Is It OK To...?: The Miracle of Swindon Town #144
     SciShow looks at being outside the bounds of normal weather and there's mentions of bog mummies that's pretty messed up.This Is What Climate Change Feels Like and tackles a controversial subject that really shouldn't be but we are getting stupider as a nation A Brief History of Birth Control and Even though the only thing I'm worse at than spelling is math I can admire genius Alan Turing: Great Minds
     A new episode of my favorite comic book review series. Comic Book Reviews - FFFIC #53
     Felicia Day does The Flog from Comic Con. The Flog @ Comic Con 2012!
     How about some Animal Behavior - CrashCourse Biology #25
     Every artist of any form should watch this. They Became What They Beheld: Medium, Message, Youtubery
     More John Green and this time he talks about Hitler and Sex!
     Kevin Smith is my hero. SMarchive #12: Criticism vs. Creation


RANTS:
     Cam Newton charging for autographs at signing sessions? Good to see he is using some of that Florida training he got. This guy is a super athlete but another case of a great athlete getting bad advice on what he's doing. I mean, he should have gotten his father to sale the autographs. I understand people out of the sport or in need of money doing this but come on Cam.
     When people ask me if the criticism that comes from self-publishing is worth it to me. My answer is this. When I was younger it probably wouldn't have been so but now, I'm older, closer to death and when you are closer to your death than your birth you really develope an attutuide of fuck you if someone has a problem that goes beyond just look at the art and commenting.
     I love how as a nation we are following along blindly as people within and outside our government push and get away with taking us back decades when it comes to food safety and work place safety all in the sheep gaze of being told that this helps companies. Help business? Yeah it helps business. So does owning slaves but we so far aren't asking if that should return. Yet. Give some of these people time. These government suits and wealthy asswipes are taking advantage of people in despite situations and they pull away mining safety regulations, push forward short sighted work place laws, and we are just following their words like a Teddy Speak And Spell. How The House Farm Bill Guts Important Food Safety Protections
     Yeah, all that stuff about government spending. Yeah. Yeah. **cough**  Seven Tea Party Freshmen Spent More Than $100,000 In Taxpayer Money On Personal Cars
     I like how the religious guys have to go to insults instead of intelligent discussion. Furious religious establishment figures decry Life of Brian and John Cleese, who parries them masterfully - Boing Boing and more here.
     The Youth Nazi's march on. Boy Scouts Of America Doubles Down On Discrimination
     

Where I talk about Just some cool links and rants.

Where I talk about FIFA 02 Season 1 Games 1-5, some star only reviews, and there's other stuffs:

FIFA Soccer 2002 Season 1, Games 1-5
{I know it's a really old version of the game Mr. I have a PS3}
     ECC: Liverpool Vs. Maribor
*I'm playing with my favorite team Liverpool and this is the first time I've played any sports game, never the mind a Soccer, outside of Madden in a really really long time. I played several games because I'm all hyped right now with Euro 2012 taking place and me being able to watch all of them so far. I'll be playing on Professional Level to start out so lets see how I did with my first game, a ECC Tournament game. I gave up a penalty right off the back. I think my players think they are playing American football. At the half it was 0-1. They had so many shots on goal, like 13 to 3. Garrad will also miss my next game because he decided to drop kick the goal keeper for Maribor. And he seems like such a nice guy on TV?
GOAL! Patrik Berger.
By transfer I bought in Landon Donovan from the SJ Earthquakes and Steve Mcmanaman from Real Madrid. Spending some Liverpool cash up in here. And in the end the final score was Liverpool-1 Vs. Maribor-3
     EPL: Liverpool Vs. West Ham
*My first Premier League game and I'm without two starting players on suspension. I was thinking I had to get a better goal keeper. I did in the transfer window as I picked up Olivee Kohn from Manchester United. Turns out that wasn't my issue, my problem was I was, sort of, you know.... using the wrong buttons to pass and shoot. And in the end the final scare was Liverpool-0 Vs. West Ham-8
     ECC: Maribor Vs. Liverpool
*The second game of the ECC and I needed a win or I was gone from the tournment without barely being in it. I'm out of the tournment having barely been in it.
GOAL! Fowler.
And in the end the final score was Maribor-1 Vs. Liverpool-1
     EPL: Bolton Vs. Liverpool
*My second Premier League game was me running rough shot over Bolton and thinking, falsely, that I had this game down. I was wrong. See next game for proof.
GOAL! Owen GOAL! Owen GOAL! Berger GOAL! Owen GOAL!Gerrad GOAL!Gerrad
And in the end the final score was Bolton-0 Vs. Liverpool-6
     EPL: Liverpool Vs. Aston Villa
*I have a problem. I can't do crosses worth shit. Is it this version of the game or me. I don't know but crosses never work for me. They look like out of control floating balloons when I try crosses.
GOAL! Mcmanaman GOAL! Owen GOAL!Owen
And in the end the final score was Liverpool-3 Vs. Aston Villa-5

Reviews:

     GAME OF THRONES THE GRAPHIC NOVEL: VOLUME ONE

3 out of 5 stars

     EXCALIBUR: THE SWORD IS DRAWN

5 out of 5 stars

     RED LANTERNS- VOLUME ONE: BLOOD AND RAGE

4 out of 5 stars

     *book reading update. I found out why I was having problems sitting down and reading The Tomb even though I was loving the time I was spending with it. The copy I got from the library was all musty driving my asthma nuts. I didn't really notice until reading some of it one night in the bedroom. I'm going to try and see if I can find a better copy at a used book store, not many around here, or maybe buy it new and donate after reading it.

Cool links to check out:

     And in other video game sports news John Green's team is growing into its FIFA season: Worst Case Scenario: The Miracle of Swindon Town #130 and Beautiful and Less Beautiful: The Miracle of Swindon Town #131

     And still I wish I had went to one of this schools. My schools were fucked up in different ways. 10 Bizarre Schools From Around The Country

     I will put each new episode of FFFIC up in my cool links sections because the show is "So cool." Comic Book Reviews - FFFIC Episode #49 Plus it part of my lcs doing dongs.

     This is for Mar but since she doesn't read my blog I guess I will also post it on my Facebook which she at least skims. Green Day: ¡Uno! [Official Trailer With Album Cover]

     "Rule if your not an expert in something don't pretend to be an expert. This will serve you in both your academic career and your kissing career." John Green. Columbus, de Gama, and Zheng He! 15th Century Mariners. Crash Course: Wo...

     This game seems pretty interesting. Castle Panic: Yuri Lowenthal, Tara Platt and Andre the Black Nerd join W...

     I checked out the first episode of this series and will view more in the future. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a modernized adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. The series is created by Hank Green and Bernie Su.

     Some Hank Green SciShow fun: Gregor Mendel: Great Minds

     This is my cousin's YouTube channel, check it out because he's my cousin and the guy has always been very talented when it comes to music all his life. Even back when we couldn't go to the pool one summer because he had a bad eye infection but then we played balloon fights in his families back yard and it may have done as much damage as if we had drowned him. Have so many memories of us together, a lot connected to a mutual love of old school NWA pro-wrestling.

Rants and screams:

     It's like that profound quote, "I might not agree with your wack-a-doddle thoughts but I will die defending your right to have them." Maybe I didn't get the quote word for word but you get the point. And if you don't click on the link and read what Neil Gaiman has to say, he's smart. Also has pretty lips. Just saying, man has nice lips. Why Defend Freedom Of Icky Speech

     Well Mr. Rumsfeld we have a Christian problem within our borders. What? Did that sound stupid and was it ignorant for me to say something like that? You are so right, it is, totally stupid, without a trace of intelligence, and spineless. Rumsfeld: Russia Has ‘Muslim Problems’

Where I talk about FIFA 02 Season 1 Games 1-5, some star only reviews, and there's other stuffs:

Crazy Hair

The art within this book makes it one of my favorite picture books ever and everyone knows I will read anything and own anything written by Neil Gaiman. But my Star rating might show I didn't care for it but I have to say the price alone for picture books makes me rate them rather low.

2 Out Of 5 Stars

Crazy Hair

A TEASPOON CAN KILL

So I got a call from Wave and her phone has died in a water bottle accident; so, if you are someone reading this who maybe trying to get ahold of her, you can't! it drowndeded. She will be trying to make provisions to replace soon.

Onto writng updates, I'm basically finished with the YA/Junior fiction book I was writing and now I'm in search of an editor. I'm looking at a possiable May release date and will be deciding if it should be a PDF release like my first book or a bound print run. All of this will be discussed with the editor and others as the months march on. Oh, and to an extra point if I do release as a print bound book I will also release as a PDF to cover both grounds and have the PDF at a cheaper price. All depends on how much cash I have at the date of publication. Right now I'm thinking PDF but if the Gods shine down maybe I will have the cash to self-publish as a printed as in paper book.

And with the above being said it is time to move on to the next project which I think will be the next book in The Tin Universe series that started with Stereo. Yes, that was pimping. Go buy now and support my funds for hiring a quility(=money money)artist for the cover of the next book in the series. The first books cover had a basic minialist feel I love but the next I will probably be going more in the direction of a old style movie poster for it.

I'll end linking to a entry on Neil Gaiman's journal where he writes about freedom of speech and I think it is worth everyone reading.
Why defend freedom of icky speech?

C.

A TEASPOON CAN KILL

THE TITLE IS: TIGERS IN AN HOURGLASS

Last night I finished reading Byzantium! by Keith Topping. I enjoyed the book. A good dropping off of the Tardis crew into the middle of history. Some might say this story could have worked as a short story with a lot of cutting but I really enjoyed the slow process of getting to know the characters and I do not mean slow in a negative way. Maybe the story could have been cut down but it moved along smoothly and I enjoyed it greatly. Topping did his research and it showed and was enjoyed by this reader.

Now in my Doctor Who reading I'm moving onto The Eleventh Tiger by David A. Mcintee. Reading these 1st Doctor novels makes me as a writer see how hard it is to capture that time period of Doctor Who history.

I'm also started reading Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves today. Wave plans to read this also so it will be one of the few times we both are reading something. Her tastes tend to lean towards non-fiction while unless I'm doing research I hardly ever read non-ficiton. She's the nerd and I'm the geek.

That covers my reading life as of this blog entry. I need to do a saved links clearing entry later if I get some work done first. See you in the Pathon papers,
C.

(c)brian c. williams
SYSTEM*PRODUCTIONS

THE TITLE IS: TIGERS IN AN HOURGLASS

THE TITLE IS: EASTER SITTING, ON A EASTER CROSS DRESSER

…I’m here at 9am on a Saturday….and some people who were suppose to show did not. How do you think work is?…..

From Work Whining To Responses To Comments Left:

Mar, How am I suppose to answer comments like that? And you can really make a guy want to leave work in one dash of a rush.

As to a e-mail from a reader, and thank you for visiting, who asked do I think I should be allowed to tell Jesus to go fuck himself? Well, I actually said fuck you to Jesus so it is a little different but in fact yes I do think I should be allowed. And in fact even if there was a law saying other wise I guess I would be one of the first to lose his head over something like that. I think when I die and if I meet him he would be way more pissed about how people like yourself treat others than something I wrote in a online blog which is read by about 100 people daily; which in the long run is like whispering something to your next door neighbor and them never repeating it. My religious beliefs and beliefs in general are mine and mine alone and I share what I wish of them but growing up in a family of preachers and being a preachers son who has read and studied the bible more than most who like to spat off at the mouth I will tell you I find love and comfort in those words even if I do not believe all of them as fact. Hell if I know how people like you get what you get from reading it? Hate is hate anyway you wish to decorate and paint it. But then again you stare at the tile floor long enough you can see any pattern you wish to see and if you lie to yourself enough you will believe the lie.

Geek Speak:

As Wave was dancing off into sleep last night I tried to plant a subliminal message for her to stop by the local comic book shop while I was at work for Free Comic Book Day and pick me up some stuff. I will have to see if it worked when I get home.

Back To Reality:

With a strong backtrack to change the beginning because new characters wished to be born I found myself now walking back through the short story adding more substance these new characters bring to the story. They couldn’t show up at the end, No! Just had to be at the beginning. Bastards.

I give you a good night with this.

Written at the pay the rent job,
C.

As always if you have any comments you wish to make by e-mail you can contact me by:

hangofwednesday@gmail.com
If you wish for me to keep your name and information private please let me know so in the e-mail.

THE TITLE IS: EASTER SITTING, ON A EASTER CROSS DRESSER

I NEED A PEPSI OR I THINK SOON I MAY DIE

There should be a crime about putting someone’s high school picture online. See if you can spot me. I hated high school and very few of the people from that time do I think about. Unless it is thoughts worth pounds of hate.
Funny though. Can’t find anything about my college years…did I imagine those years? No wonder I don’t know shit.

Not in a news sort of mood today. Basically ignoring the rest of the world. I tend to do that sometimes when the pay the rent job is being really frustrating. It’s not being frustrating in the someone is doing something or being mistreated sort of way but just a in general sort of I would rather be at home watching X DVDs sort of way.

Still working on the novella or is it a short story? Can a short story have chapters? I thought about asking that over at Neil Gaiman’s website but for a writer you look up to in a lot of ways that would be sort of a strange question to ask since I have never sent a question to his site before. Well, Hell, I’m going to do it anyways. He’ll probably be reading it somewhere in some hotel or meeting for some film project and say to himself, “Chapters? In a short story?”

Wait, I can’t find a e-mail address on his site. Off exploring Neil Gaiman.com I go. This should be fun. I will keep you updated.

Now they have a site comments e-mail address but it does not say anything about questions for Neil. I could probably just go to the FAQ section of the site and find what I need but where is the fun in that.

The front page. I’m still awaiting the paperback of Fragile Things before I pick it up. I just have a love for paperbacks except for when it comes to graphic novels. I like hardbacks for those because they help protect the artwork. So that is that. This might take a while. I want to listen to some of these audio interviews and such from the book tour.

This audio I think was the best though it is actually video but audio to me since I was working while listening to it.

I went through everything and finally came to find the place to send questions to Neil in the FAQ.

That was fun and good to know someone else does not like outlines.

Written at the pay the rent job,
C.

I NEED A PEPSI OR I THINK SOON I MAY DIE

REPEATS AND BLUE LIGHT LAWSUITS

Repeats of Doctor Who return to Sci-Fi Channel starting with a marathon on March 27th beginning with The Empty Child at 8:30am. It will last until 3:00pm and contain episodes featuring the 9th and 10th Doctors played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. The episodes are the following: THE EMPTY CHILD, THE DOCTOR DANCES, BOOM TOWN, BAD WOLF, THE PARTING OF THE WAYS, CHRISTMAS INVASION, and NEW EARTH. That’s for any fellow Doctor Who fans who may stop by. Maybe I should put in for a coming in late day so I can catch the episodes?

Wal-Mart Loses Bid to Dismiss Sex-Discrimination Case
The retail giant Wal-Mart has lost an effort to dismiss the largest class-action employment discrimination case in US history. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Wal-Mart face a lawsuit alleging discrimination against female employees. Taking the case to trial could expose Wal-Mart to paying billions in damages. Wal-Mart is lobbying against a class-action suit and wants each case tried individually.
Democracy NOW!
Now there is a enemy even The Doctor might have a problem with. I compare fights against Wal-Mart like the fights coal mine workers had trying to get justice with the mine owners. If suits are not brought against them as groups or bundles then Wal-Mart will brazenly roll over anyone who gets in their way individually.

If you are as big of a Neil Gaiman fan as I am you may wish to check this out.

This goes right up there with stories of Poe sleeping on his loves grave as being one of the most romantic things I have seen or read about in my life. Also make me think of Spike's many lines about love on Buffy, "I maybe loves bitch but at least I admitt it." being my favorite.

You know what sort of gets under my skin? People all the time get all up in arms about how much celebrities or professional sports athletes make but when do we stop getting up into their skins for just making money spurred on by our demands for their brands and get into how much politicians and political parties spend on things like just getting a job! I mean come one. Does this system make sense to anyone? Lets say I want a job at McDonalds. {nothing wrong with it, I worked there. It‘s hard work.} If I’m trying to get hired on at McDonalds do I go out and raise money to help promote myself and sale myself to the bosses? No. Politicians will never have the trust of the American people again and it is leveling down more and more every day until they start treating voters more like their bosses and less like customers. There is a difference. Think about it. I know you can do it little fella.

Written at the pay the rent job,
C.

REPEATS AND BLUE LIGHT LAWSUITS