Chocolate Covered Bacon – Pop Culture’s Guilty Pleasures

I was reading something in a magazine about guilty pleasures the other day, and saw things that I liked mentioned. Not things I liked ironically, or things I liked that I know are bad, but things I really liked. It got me thinking…who defines what a guilty pleasure is? If it makes you happy itContinue reading “Chocolate Covered Bacon – Pop Culture’s Guilty Pleasures”

“Are You a Writer?” – And…Cue Extreme Shyness

I’ve always been shy. Not just a little quiet, or kind of bashful, but extremely, painfully shy. A few years back, I was listening to some talk radio show one day and they were talking about Asperger’s Syndrome. They started listing some of the more common symptoms, and I thought, Holy crap, that’s me! IContinue reading ““Are You a Writer?” – And…Cue Extreme Shyness”

Are Rock Stars Supposed To Get Old?

  In the past year, members of two of my three favorite bands have died. Not from drug overdoses, not from plane or bus crashes; when I was a kid, I thought those were the only ways rock stars could die. First, there was Adam Yauch (MCA) of the Beastie Boys, who lost his battleContinue reading “Are Rock Stars Supposed To Get Old?”

Kenny & The Cadaver – How I Became THAT Guy

Since finishing the (much harder than anticipated) A to Z challenge, I came to a startling realization: I don’t know what to blog about. The writing’s going fine, but not much new to report – 18k words into the Work In Progress, one novella with a beta reader. I haven’t been keeping up on TVContinue reading “Kenny & The Cadaver – How I Became THAT Guy”

Zzyzx – The Story That Officially Gave Me the Writing Bug

Living a scant three hour drive from Las Vegas for over 20 years, I went there a lot. A LOT. Weekend trips, day trips, ‘just because’ trips. I really miss Vegas. Anyway, when you made the drive that often, you began to memorize the scenery. There were a couple of small towns (one of whichContinue reading “Zzyzx – The Story That Officially Gave Me the Writing Bug”

Years Gone By – Getting Older Feels Weird

OK, right off the bat: I’m not an old person. Not even close. But I see the signs of age beginning to show, and it feels…weird. Part of me looks forward to getting older. Once you reach a certain age, it seems like you’re practically given a free pass, and you can do or sayContinue reading “Years Gone By – Getting Older Feels Weird”

XXX – Taboos in Storytelling

I don’t remember where I heard it, but somewhere I heard there was a general rule in storytelling : you never kill pets or children. I’ve already broken one of those rules in my second novella, and it got me thinking – is there anything I wouldn’t do in a story? My first instinct isContinue reading “XXX – Taboos in Storytelling”

Writing – I’m a Poor Swimmer

I use the expression I ‘jumped’ back into writing, but it was really anything but a jump. I got back into writing the same way I get into a cold-ass swimming pool (my wife will appreciate this analogy more than anyone else). I know I want to go swimming, but it’s cold. So Cold. So, IContinue reading “Writing – I’m a Poor Swimmer”

Van Halen – How One of The World’s Biggest Rock Bands Ruined Junior High For Me

1984 by Van Halen was the first album (tape) I ever bought with my own money. I was 11 years old, and I don’t remember how I got the money (by honest means, I assure you), but I knew that was what I wanted. I was raised on rock music. I remember as a kidContinue reading “Van Halen – How One of The World’s Biggest Rock Bands Ruined Junior High For Me”

The Usual Suspects – Use Of Red Herrings and Twist Endings

*Ridiculous spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen this 18 year-old movie, you decide whether or not to keep reading. This is one of my favorite movies. Maybe not in my top five, but definitely my top ten. From what I gather when talking about the movie with people, your enjoyment of this movie will largelyContinue reading “The Usual Suspects – Use Of Red Herrings and Twist Endings”