Happy Thor Day

You like Thor? Norse Mythology? You like FREE!? Then check out Tin Universe Monthly #8. Released in 2011 this story started the 4 part story The Hillbilly Jungle

Happy Thor Day

GENERATION OF A GOD #3

Downloads And The Numbers That Can Lie

Downloads And The Numbers That Can Lie 

I try to subtract while discussing download numbers on my Tumblr.

Some fun in just watching that happen.

you might also want to check out,

COMING JUNE 15TH 2004

Tin Universe Monthly #17

Coming June 22nd 2014

Tin Universe, Middle Grade Series #1
$1.00

     Someone is zombifying athletes at Clear Cut High School in Utah. Lucky the school has its own young superhero in the person of Mildred Betbeze to try and figure out what's going on. Pep rallies, cheerleaders, new kids in the neighborhood are just some of things our hero and her sidekick slash best friend Aisha have to deal with in the first book in Tin Universe's new middle grade series.

Downloads And The Numbers That Can Lie

Self-Publishing, Dialogue Tags, and Refacing A Story

     Yesterday I saw that Ultimate Spider-Man season 2 was on Netflix. It was something good to watch while working on some digital photo stuff for a friend until Mar got home. Since I think I've finally gotten all of whatever was making me sick out of my system we made Famous Bowls last night with homemade smashed tators, corn fresh off the cob, and shredded baked chicken. During the process Mar dropped her phone in the smashed potatoes. She pulled it out and gave me a sad look as a goo burp slid off it.
     Its her special Famous Bowl recipe of potatoes and smart phone. I think that completes her list of dropping her phone into just about everything. The good thing about having a Wal-Mart special crap flip-phone, like I do, is I don't really care when and where I drop it, it bricks back still working well for what limiting functions it has.

     After eating we watched South Park as the continuation of our December marathon. You know, because of the holiday season and all that. While watching the subject of book bloggers came up and that's why I posted the following on Twitter and Facebook and probably elsewhere as I tend to do when a rant hits me.
     I love when some independent book bloggers put down book self-publishers. Not only saying they will not review self-published book, that's their choice, but also degrading them like book self-publishers are doing something against the rest of humanity. But you're self-publishing too. Me not understand? Do you? Independent book bloggers, mommy blogger, web comics, vlogers, web video series creators, websites, it's all part of the same marching line as book self-publishers. It's very easy to point a finger at one of these not of your own house and say, "That's not professional." "That's full of mistakes." "That spits water like a hole poked plastic bag."
     I find this type of independent self-publishing infighting stupid and boring and it does nothing to advance the independence and choices of artists when it comes to choosing their own paths with their work.
     On another line since I'm here, I also hate the douche ass attitude some self-publishing people have when other peoples views on the subject doesn't match their own. Disagree, comment, but as Wil Wheaton says, "Don't be a dick." You are not helping yourself, self-publishing, or the advancement of the human race for that matter.

     Later after Mar went to bed I started working on my current WIP dialogue while Endeavour played in the background and a mini rant sprang from me on Twitter. I hate dialogue tags. Really good writers can use them well, most can't, I can't yet, but I'm learning and until I can learn that lesson I'd rather just put the name after the dialogue myself.
     My editor on my next book, we had this discussion for a couple hours when I handed in a draft. She found the way I was doing dialogue totally bizarre. I agree it's unusual but its my style and I do think there is room for different styles out there in the mist of storytelling.
     "He said" "She said" over and over again in a story drives me nuts or stupid stuff like "he said with hardly a word" are just worthless in my opinion in moving along a story. To me its the exact opposite of moving the flow of story and most of the time it confuses or totally stagnates the reading experience.
     My way of presenting dialogue is influenced by my original writing training in film scripts and I wrote nothing but for years. Not saying I was great at those either but I made some pennies here and there, but that's why my stories are sparse in description and heavy in small chapters. The description isn't a ton because I was taught pages equal shooting time and money, and small chapters are like scenes sometimes with me. I say sometimes because I think I'm starting to come past that now but its still there in my writing.

     Just before heading to bed the subject of refacing a story came up online. Refacing is a hard lesson to learn. I struggled a long time thinking the initial idea or 1st draft had to make it to the end. I thought I was failing somehow. The past couple years I've had a book be rewritten three times from top to bottom before I just had to put it away for maybe a future revisit to see if it has anything within it at all. Also during that time three years worth of Tin Universe monthly stories turned into one years worth after I tossed out a bunch of things that just were not fitting right in the overall story I'm wanting to tell.
     I got so depressed for a few months because I thought I was just failing over and over again. A good friend, also a writer, a very good writer, helped me get through this with some good words. Also seeing more skilled writers struggle with this helped. Their pain is my learning too in a way.
     Stories change over time. That's how they live, and sometimes by the time you get to the end you might just have to turn around and come back down that road again over and over in search of where you need to be. If this journey totally changes your initial idea, changes the face of those things that inspired you in the beginning you aren't bastardizing the muses or betraying the words. I've come to see that what you are doing is being a writer. Simple ant it? Fuck right, it isn't.

     Now for some shameless self-promotion.

 From the Tin Universe Store:

Tin Universe, Middle Grade Series #1 totebag 1

     That's a nice little totebag, good for trips to the beach or the pool or for a bit of light shopping or to put over your head when being an ass at a party and too drunk for your own good.... or anyone elses for that matter.
     There are also a lot more Tin Universe materials in that store, many featuring the covers to my new book coming out on the 22nd of this month. It will be available for download on my Smashwords store for $1.00 per download. Like I've said before if you buy something from one of my stories I'll email you a PDF of Tin Universe Middle Grade Series #1 for free. All you need to do is put STORE ORDER RECEIPT in the subject box of an email with a copy of your order confirmation attached and send to hangofwednesday@gmail.com

Mildred Betbeze, Tin Universe Middle Grade Series #1

“Zombified people make me itch so I’d rather not touch.”

Self-Publishing, Dialogue Tags, and Refacing A Story

That Old Time Stupid Silence

     I really think it's stupid when people go after the internet and technology in general for making it "too easy" for people to self-publish. Ok, first let's put aside self-publishing and look at art in general. So art shouldn't be in everyone's hands? I say fuck that. Let the people feel, let the people paint, draw, sing, and yes write. Fuck anyone who has a problem with it. Now I'm going to watch In Loving Memory Series One from the library and write some myself, sorry if that damages some peoples sense of worth and purpose.

     And while I'm doing that check out my Smashwords store because shame is a bullshit word.

That Old Time Stupid Silence

Where I talk about comments John Green made about the future of publishing and also stuffs.

While I watched storm winds try to destroy our balcony garden yesterday I was also watching some Hank Games Without Hank with John Green starting with The Future of Publishing: The Miracle of Swindon Town #136
     I love watching these John Green videos as he plays FIFA not only for the game play but also because he always ends up talking about some very interesting things as he plays the game. I have a great deal of respects for John Green and love all of his web content and currently listening to a couple of his books while exercising. It's slow going, not because the books aren't good, but because I'm a lazy sod.
     I also don't want people to think I'm trying to take on points that John Green talks about because one, I'm not that smart and two, it's not true, I'm more or less using what he discussed as a springboard for me to talk about things I enjoy to discuss and want to address my own views on these issues. This was me free form thinking while watching the videos.
     I don't necessarily disagree with what John says in the first video about publishing but I just have a couple things. One is if an editor is as much of an influence on a lot of books as John says shouldn't they be listed as co-writers of a work or at least be listed on the covers. I know the cover thing is a marketing issue but if a editor had a beyond normal influence on my books I want to credit them properly. I have a big issue with work load getting proper work load credit. A example is recently I was working with an artist on a graphic novel project and it went from me being the writer and him artist in the agreed credits to me telling him after about six pages that he needed to be listed as co-writer because that's what I felt was the right thing.
     Another thing to something John mentioned about how the publisher model being the best is how I think modern publishing has failed in many degrees because of its lack of creative forward thinking and by also producing just as much crap as any self-publishing model has done. You can't rip self-publishing for quality issues alone because my friends read a lot and see crap and I read a lot and if I'm spotting mistakes in your work then that says a lot about how the state of quality publishing in general needs to be addressed whether we are talking big publisher or self-publisher. This is not an excuse for self-publishers to put out materials not ready for release but at least they aren't spending thousands of dollars on what sometimes is the same levels of quality checks.
     Notice I said sometimes.
     Sometimes.
     I think people have lost confidence in the major publishers to publish, show, and shine a light on the best that's out there.
     The Future of Publishing, Part 2: The Miracle of Swindon Town #137 I think writers can reach readers in so many more creatives ways in this day and age. Big publishers are still falling farther behind in trying to tap into the new media methods. They are spending more money and time but failing in any creative or long lasting way.
     I agree with him on some of the differences between the film and music industry and the publishing industry but I've worked in both in very low levels and I will tell you they both do a lot of nothing with a lot of money, that's something they very much have in common. They aren't the same but that's easy to see with a little study.
     I think publishing is going towards the Hollywood model, and I agree with John That's Not A Good Thing, in ways such as trying to hit trends even if with a little research they could discover that trend is already tired, dead, and over. They trying to appeal to the masses with brainless approaches and less risk taking is the result. That's why I think people are finding more comfort in finding books by writers websites, blogs, Twitter, and the like. That can cause issues if you settle into a little area or community on the internet and stop exploring for new and different things. Writers who already have a web following or self-published writers who are taking the risks sometimes that big publishers are scared of are the leaders of the industry.
     That's my opinion.
     But I think I'm right.
     About my opinion.
     Like I said before for a lot of readers the big publishers have just lost their way in their methods of showing you great stories. If they ever really had a grasp on that method as their main focal point. Readers are going on their own journey and happily doing so to find books they want to read. I also love when people talk about loving literature being about a broad surface of books but then anything outside of the big publisher market doesn't fit that?
     John mentioned how a lot of bookstores are closing. The decline of bookstores is also hurt sometimes by bad stores. Since I was able to read I've always bugged everyone I'm with wherever I go to check out any used bookstores I see and to be honest most suck. People hate to say that but its just true. I think the good ones have and will survive unless the economic situation in a given area is just really bad because they are creative and forward thinking. The digital/print sales issues when it comes to brick and dirt stores can be worked out with clear creative thinking. I with everything I have believe this. I think when it comes to the issue of the closure of those stores hurting people getting books that brings up the issue of the digital divide and I've ranted on that in the past but hate that this is almost never addressed in these types of discussions.
     For anyone who thinks I'm just ranting for self-publishing because I self-publish I will tell you I'm ranting because publishers have put the industry into the fuck wrecks its currently in  and that a still young and full of problems option(self-publishing) maybe a better option in the long run. Just as media content industries failed when it came to evolving to new technologies, creating this huge black market pirating industry, they also failed in providing readers with new, original, and ground breaking content. I whole heartily believe the self-publishing industry is in its infinticey but I also think it will have to grow or the whole of publishing will suffer because the big companies are not learning any lessons from their failures.
     Anyone want to argue that they are?
     Again as I'm said over and over. Any self-publisher that can afford it should hire an editor. Any self-publisher who can afford it should hire a cover artist. But not every writer can do that and I don't think they should be shoved into the publishing is about perfection delusion, because prose is the only art form that has to be that way, which is stupid, I see lots of shit by big publishers. As I've stated if you can take the ax hacking of readers on your not finished book I believe the sushi writing mood of crowd surfed editing can work. 
     Just have your shields up.
     And don't check you stats that much.
     .... and maybe a couple beers in hand when you hit upload.


CHECK OUT THESE COOL LINKS:
   I love when Wil Wheaton updates his podcast Radio Free Burrito. Episode 33
   Pretty
   Bill & Ted & Who - Brain-Confetti
   If you're reading the Game Of Thorns books check out this review on Geektress.
   Love the last line of this Moon Freight 3
   Nova Ren Suma is one of my favorite writers right now and I can't wait to read her next book. 17 & GONE Cover and Plot Summary Revealed!
   A podcast I haven't tried before. Comic Book Club: Amanda Palmer & Kurt Braunohler


RANTS AND SCREAMS:
   How about all of us in Florida march on the local police stations and demand Rick Scott be arrested for his actions? Why that's never going to happen in a lot of people in Florida are so stupid they love what he's doing. Gov. Scott Has Secret List Of 180,000 ‘Ineligible’ Voters
   James Cameron making more movies that all the sheep will praise feeding his already large ego. He's right there with Oliver Stone and Christopher Nolan as directors that leave me thinking, "Good movies but I don't get the hype." All three also seems to think they are "Film makers!" with their own noses and tongues up their own asses. James Cameron Plans to Shoot Three Avatar Sequels at Same Time
   I've torn with this. I love that its raising awareness but I'm also not the biggest fan of the Komen group because of how much of a bunch of assholes they tend to be with people. Marvel is teaming with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to observer Breast Cancer Awareness 

Where I talk about comments John Green made about the future of publishing and also stuffs.

Where I talk about stories growing or splitting into a different story? and the stories that change and how it can be a good thing.

 

   I've said for a long time that I think it's bullshit that painters, artists, singers, song writers, dancers, and most other talents in the arts can have works in progress, works that change but a writer of prose has to have one story finished complete for a forever watch when its sent out into the word.
   Musicians can play songs that are barley finished in concerts when the song will not go out in mass for years. They can change songs at will and nothing is said but George Lucas makes changes in his film or a comic creator makes changes and people scream like they own the story.
   No Star Wars films and comics aren't prose but I gave those as examples to show how one art form is allowed to grow a story while when another does the same its seen a roasting a baby on stick.
   For the most part prose stories aren't allowed growth, change, and without growth they are also maybe missing out on a chance of finding great discovers that can come from change, from being allowed to grow.
   I've gotten into some good discussions with friends in publishing over my view that the biggest thing digital publishing offers for writers beyond controlling your work, and this is part of controlling your work, is also letting the work evolve. I say stop playing creationist storytelling, let that story walk onto land if it can.
   In the case of Nova Ren Suma's Dani Noir, which I loved, my review, being moved from a Middle Grade book to a YA book with changes within and a change of name and title, I find it is a very interesting thing and would like to see how Fade Out differs from Dani Noir.
   My only big issue with this might be that now a lot of younger readers may not get a chance to read Dani Noir as I did. It's such a great book I hope they keep both versions in print. I'm hoping success for both versions.
   Throw in note: if you not reading books by Nova Ren Suma you are missing out on stories by one of the best writers writing today.
   This isn't the first time this happened in big time publishing. It actually happens a lot more than people think. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes its just a move from Adult to YA without any changes except maybe a different cover. Sometimes its a move from one genre to the next.
   Now comparing this instance with Dani Noir/Fade Out to what I'm talking about when it comes to the Evolving Story isn't apt. I'll admit that right now but I just wanted to use it to show changes in story aren't really unusual in prose, it just seen that way, and it gives me a chance to bridge into that subject I've wanted to discuss for a while here in greater depth.
   People tell me releasing a work before its "pefect" is a big mistake. But why? First is a story ever truly perfect? No bodies stories out there walk on water. Though Neil Gaiman's lips are dreamy......anyway, What one editor considers ready to release another looks at as being in need of a lot of work.
   People tell me self publishing is a terrible thing because most of the time, unless you have the money to hire a professional editor, it's a work that goes out that isn't ready for publication.
   I read a lot, my friends read a lot more, Mar reads as much as anyone I've ever meet and anyone who reads a lot will tell you there are tons of books published through "big publishers" which could use a couple more edit passes. Need another set of eyes or have their editor "fired" That was actually said to me by a editor who works for a big company.
   But not everyone has the money to hire an editor, or has friends and loved ones who will read over their stories, or even has access to find things like writing groups. I've tried working with several writing groups but they more often than not writers groups confused with being a book reading slash book shitting on group. Now stand out and don't be confused by your group identity, I'll love you either way, but the point is everyone doesn't have access to support systems like everyone else. Nor should the "normal" support and learning systems be the only ones recognized.
   One of the reasons I like the idea of the evolving sushi story is how it puts your neck out there. It throws you into the pool to learn to swim.  It creates a very thick skin. It teaches. And it allows for change. You know change, that thing humanity has enslaved, killed, and destroyed to try to hold back?
   Change and control should be in the hands of the writer. I hate some of the changes George Lucas has made to Star Wars but they are his stories. His right to control them. I hate DRM on efiles but its up to the artist to decide if they want to use it, not you. I think as long as the changes are made by the creator or approved by them then its a good thing.
   I have friends in big time publishing. People who are writers, editors, in marketing, and work at the printers. I have no problem with anyone going the route of traditional publishing to make their mark but the one of the things you do lose is how much control you have over change. I wont be like some self publishers who say its a price to be paid. Lets not get over dramatic, its a choice. Oh, and lets make this clear every self publisher would "sell out" in second if the offer was put on the table.
   What people like Amanda Palmer are doing should be applauded because its not only creating a direct line from the fan to the creator but its putting the changes and control further in the choice of the creator if that want they want.
   What podcasters, webcomic makers, webseries creators, webfilm makers, ebook writers, are doing should be applauded because they are not only producing some really good works of art, they are fighting for our rights by the mere attempt to change the system.
   Within this mess of writing I guess what I need to say is what I want more than anything else for creators is a right to change.
   Dani Noir becoming Fade Out isn't a bad thing. I don't know what changes will be made to translate it to a YA book besides the cover and title change. I loved Dani Noir. I think Nova Ren Suma is one of the best writers today. My only wish was that these changes were totally in the writers hands and that all writers "published" and "self-published" were allowed to change their work, to evolve their work if that's the road they want to walk.
   There was a time that every book was truly unique because they were hand written. The original sushi books. And there is nothing wrong with experimenting with a story until it finds it footing and finds its audience. And taking a reader along for that journey could be a very cool thing. It's not for everyone, I get that. Not for every reader and not for every writer but the changes should be choice and not ripped like you are throwing fire into church. I'm just throwing my story into the wild.
   I'm just looking for a better model for the writer and believe that sometimes a little raw or not quite ready doesn't hurt whether its in your food choices or publishing choices.


After long winded mess.


Check out some cool links:
   John Green's team starts another FIFA season.
Season 4: The Miracle of Swindon Town #108
The John Green School: The Miracle of Swindon Town #109


Funny fan made cartoon about Marvel Characters.
Disassembled


   Love Ted Raimi and Alison Haislip.
4 Points - Ted Raimi joins Alex Albrecht and Alison Haislip: Episode 2


   Someone pointed me toward this series. I can't remember who. I watched the first two episodes and thought they were ok. I don't know if you could take this concept long term but then again a lot of people said that about The Guild. I'll check out more of The Unwritten Rules.
The Unwritten Rules: Ep. 1


Rants and rambles:
A look at a man who has become a icon to many and to some a symbol, cooperate symbol of how creators have been ripped off in the comic book industry. I see it this way. The guy saw the writing on the wall and took care of his house so to speak. Maybe he has never fought hard for creators rights but he did what was best for himself and his family. And after that being Stan Lee more and more is really coming off like a cooperate asshole.
The Inquisition Of Mr. Marvel


I want to ask conservatives this. What stops drugs next from being denied to people with the wrong political views, the wrong faith, or the wrong race in the eyes of the pharmacist? Or is this really the world you want to live in?
Thanks to GOP, new Kansas law lets a pharmacist size you up to decide whether or not you deserve your Rx


Religion and Gay Marriage


Warren Ellis blog just blinded me. The image just wont go away.................just die brain and let me drift away in peace.....................................
Conan! What Is Best In Life? [Conan! posts are an old tradition. Often not safe for eyes.]

Where I talk about stories growing or splitting into a different story? and the stories that change and how it can be a good thing.

Where I talk about gun fighter writing, digital publishing, DRM, and having a writers body.

I’m been thinking about writing; which, you know, writers probably should do from time to time. Thinking about reasons to write, what to write, and what the future holds for myself and others. These things have been pacing their way through my mind a lot of late so excuse me while I ramble a bit.

I think every writer sits on a hilltop looking out holding the same notebook with its 2,000th skin wondering if this time, this story, these words will finally speak in their voice. Self-publishing adds attack dogs sneaking up on the hill behind you. Then again trying to edit your own work also adds a swarm of bees coming your way. Oh, and by the way you in this scenario sweat honey.

During the revolutions of the past the artists, the writers, they spoke the voices that needed to be heard. They did it with straight truths and they did it with symbolism and allegory. Their blood drips were glassed with parables and fables to protect those laying down their lives for the fight.

It’s not like we have lost our way in better times but in the days we live in now I see a future soon where we will be returning to those walks.

I know it’s a cliché but the internet is the Wild West for artists. It’s up to the artists not to tame this atmosphere of chaos but to ride it like a stallion you don’t want to tame because if a twister is coming you will need a horse with flames coming from its nostrils to make it to the other side.

The publishers are hiding in their houses from the weeds and flying dust and screams scaring them to the point of freezing in spot with tears and pissed filled pants. They were scared in the early days of the internet, frozen with fear when it was just sprinkling, they were afraid when the clouds were just graying.

We can’t wait for them to take action to push these tools forward- it’s up to the artists to do that. Writers must always be ready to hold the hands of human error and that’s what the internet is. There are a lot of great talents out there doing this already, many have been doing it for years.

I’ve been doing the monthly releases for about a year now. After the first storylines wrap up in Tin Universe and Chaos Read I’ll be looking at whether I will be continuing to do them and if so in what form.

Now I don’t have any sort of built in following like Mark Waid has but I do think releases such as that can work. I’m one who thinks it works better digitally than print now. If approached well the monthly comic book, short story, daily publication- I think they can not only survive but thrive.

It will be interesting as time goes by to see how things work out for Mark Waid. I’ll be following along to not only see what materials he produces but also to see if I can learn anything from how he is doing it.

The Installment Plan

http://markwaid.com/?p=799

I have a feeling you will start to see more and more of this when it comes to blogging. It’s already happen quite a bit with laws trying to saw bloggers have to reveal if they get stuff for free for reviews. And with laws like that most bloggers are saying fuck you but when it comes down to it soon I see where courts will ask the question that with everyone having the chance to basically be their own newspaper or news outlet then should they be held to the same standards as those places legally? Now not saying that applies with this story but I think this jerk ass move by Hasbro reminds me of other thoughts I’ve had.

Hasbro tricks fan-blogger into revealing his address so they can send him legal threats over widely available leaked product - Boing Boing

http://boingboing.net/2012/04/24/hasbro-tricks-fan-blogger-into.html

As I told a friend when they pointed this story out to me- This publisher is trying to do it right. They are trying to win when a lot of publishers are just trying not to lose when it comes to ebooks. It’s a sports metaphor but I think it really fits when you talk about how publishers, record companies, and studios have approached the internet.

ECW Press will launch a “Free eBook with Purchase” campaign

http://ecwpress.com/ebook

Now to start I’m going to say I don’t think DRM works. It causes so many problems and not just for people who are pirating stuff. It creates a lot of bad feelings from customers. But I also want to say something a lot of people seem to forget. I choose to not DRM my materials if I have that choice in places I publish through but that is part of the choices artist, writers, whoever should be allowed to make when it comes to their work. That’s a personal choice with their work that they produced. I don’t think it’s the right choice but it’s their choice.

Tor/Forge to Go DRM-Free By July: Immediate Thoughts

http://wp.me/p5Fv-4MJ

I’ve been running the You Pick The Price model for Chaos Read and have found that most people will just choose to read it for free. I’m probably going to keep using it in some way for projects but not for any other reason than it will be just be a different approach. It does seem though that people would rather you set the price and they choose to buy or not.

Pay-What-You-Like pricing study is bullish on naming your own price - Boing Boing http://boingboing.net/2012/04/23/pay-what-you-like-pricing-stud.html

I love what people like John Green, Felicia Day, and Chris Hardwick are doing with their YouTub Channels. I will add in names like Kevin Smith, Amanda Palmer, and tons of podcasts as people out there producing some very interesting projects.

Genres Stretch, for Better and Worse, as YouTube Takes On TV

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/arts/television/youtubes-original-channels-take-on-tv.html?_r=1

Stray Thoughts:

I was told recently that I have a writer's body. I guess someone telling me I have a writer’s anything is good? Right?

Someone asked me today if I have a filter. It’s a lot thinner than it once was but yes I do. What you see from me online is a little filtered. If someone I know is reading this ask Mar and she will tell you what it’s like dealing with me unfiltered.

Cool things you should check out:

John Green’s FIFA season ends and I’m sad. I love watching these videos. Not just because I love sports games but also because of the stories John Green creates for the team and players. Added to the game is how John discusses topics with a wide range as he plays- everything from YA fiction to self-esteem

Self Esteem: The Miracle of Swindon Town #106:

http://youtu.be/KFYQ54iei7s

The Future: The Miracle of Swindon Town #107:

http://youtu.be/bae_Sn1dyMM

Everyone knows I’m a big Felicia Day fan and her The Flog show is one of the best on her YouTube Channel.

Felicia Day & Robin Thorsen Cook Up An Old Family Recipe in "Torta" - Th...: http://youtu.be/sj4wOwC0ezk

Felicia Day Plays Violin with Tom Lenk - The Flog, Ep 4:

http://youtu.be/R9GgKg_3D-k

I bought a t-shirt yesterday. Go there a support Geektress which is one of my favorite podcasts.

@Geektress: Every t-shirt is on sale and there are a couple designs on clearance for $5.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/geektress

and I’ll leave you with this.

Holy Crap Wtf: This is what a TARDIS dildo looks like

 http://io9.com/5905123/this-is-what-a-tardis-dildo-looks-like

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

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Where I talk about gun fighter writing, digital publishing, DRM, and having a writers body.

Where I talk about Reviews, Self-Publishing, Apple, Amazon, Game Of Thrones, the Department Of Justice, and John Green’s skills at FIFA

The first thing I’d like to talk about today is reviews. Not that I get a ton of them but I’m getting more and more.

Also I consider micro reviews, reviews, nothing wrong with them except when you dive into being critical about the work. You just don’t have enough time for anything besides a star rating on Twitter or in that limit of words. Going for more in that sort of environment leads to- “This sucks.” “Best thing ever” and “I will never get those min/hrs of my life back after reading this.”

 Currently in my thoughts when it comes to reviews, besides the fact that I might stop reading them good or bad, is that I find it interesting that some people get angry that I don’t respond to their bad review of something I wrote.

These people take time to write me an email to say why haven’t I gotten into a pissing contest with them? Sorry you didn’t like the story but writers don’t owe readers an internet duel.

Also I’ve never gotten how reading a story or seeing a movie you didn’t like is somehow a personal issue. Move on.

“If you make art, people will talk about it. Some of the things they say will be nice, some won’t. You’ll already have made that art, and when they’re talking about the last thing you did, you should already be making the next thing.

If bad reviews (of whatever kind) upset you, just don’t read them. It’s not like you’ve signed an agreement with the person buying the book to exchange your book for their opinion.

Do whatever you have to do to keep making art. I know people who love bad reviews, because it means they’ve made something happen and made people talk; I know people who have never read any of their reviews. It’s their call. You get on with making art.” ― Neil Gaiman

And another quote I found today that I like.

"...I know that I suck. I know I suck balls and I know I suck other things. Thank you for being specific about all the things I suck." -- John Green talking about people commenting on him playing FIFA but I think it fits reviews also.

I say as Neil Gaiman has said, “do your art.” I believe the very act of doing so will piss off a lot of people and there is no better reason.

I’m going to say something here that might piss off some people I know who are published with big publishers or work for them, but I think even though you win in sheer volume of good and bad views heading your way, it’s nothing like what self-publishers tend to receive.

I just think the spit and boil towards self-publishers is almost more personal from reviewers but also that might be part of the internet age of trolls and hiding behind a handle? Maybe self-publishers look like easier targets also.

Maybe, I don’t know, just a thought.

I could just be sitting here in my side of the yard thinking the dog shit over here stinks worse than the dog shit over there?

Now to the hot bed topic just about everyone is talking about in publishing- The Department Of Justice suit against a number of publishers. I’ll just throw out some things I said on Twitter about this.

I love that publishers are standing with Apple against the evil Amazon. Now this is a Game of Thrones.

Apples predatory software and operations make Amazon look holy. These enemies we choose to sleep with?

The DOJ/publisher/Amazon mess is that, a mess, but there is no golden army to stand with.

And in other news I’ve decided to stop releasing my monthly free stories and just focus on Tin Universe and Chaos Read. One story a month is enough for me right now to center in on writing, revising, editing, and releasing each month.

Here’s some cool things by others:

Want to read a free Graphic Novel. Here's a good one: Texas Steampunk I Cathedral Child http://www.webcomicsnation.com/divalea/cc/series.php If you like it cash up the creator.

"I think Own Goal is our second leading scorer this year." Pre-Yeti Love Life: The Miracle of Swindon Town #99: http://youtu.be/Tbdsp2hYaEg I liked this discussion of YA Fiction and Love during The Miracle of Swindon Town #100: http://youtu.be/4FfYYZCa61w

And Once again I’ll say it. I would love to do something like what John Green does with this if I had the hardware but focused on me playing Madden.

And that leads me to say that I still haven’t started playing Madden 11 that I recently picked up. Too much writing and other life events going on.

And as always here are some of the places you can find me online:

CHAOS READ: Bimonthly Short Story Series. You Pick The Price!

http://chaosread.blogspot.com/

TIN UNIVERSE: Bimonthly Short Story Series. $0.99USD

http://tinuniverse.blogspot.com/

Facebook

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https://twitter.com/hangofwednesday

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Where I talk about Reviews, Self-Publishing, Apple, Amazon, Game Of Thrones, the Department Of Justice, and John Green’s skills at FIFA

KIRKMANS RULES

I was talking about this earlier today with people on Twitter. Remember a few years ago when Robert Kirkman went on his little rant after becoming one of the heads at Image, his rant about how creators should never work for Marvel or DC and are basically a discredit to the industry by not self-publishing? Remember that. At the time I said he was a douche because just as its easy for creators who've made their cash say piracy is ok its easy for him to say that about work for big publishers. But today a thought hit me when it was announced AMC is going to produce another of his series. Why isn't Mr. Independent independently self-producing his own shows? Just saying.

C.

KIRKMANS RULES

FIFTY SHADES OF DO YOUR DANCE

People have been asking me what I think about Fifty Shades of Gray for a while? I haven't commented because I haven't read the books or know much about them. All I knew is it was I guess originally a Twilight type fan fiction or something along those line? Here's my thing. I have a lot of comments that come in basically saying How Dare You Self-Publish when it comes to my own writing and because of comments like that I say go for your story no matter what form it is or what its about or what others have to say. Listen, learn, and go to your story. Own it, hold it, defend it, and do your thing because as an old Garth Brooks song said, "Critics are those who put their own dreams on the shelf." There is and has always been a little in fan fiction and self publishing that is Fuck You I'm Doing My Thing.

C.

FIFTY SHADES OF DO YOUR DANCE