Epically Random Random Thoughts

I'm suspicious of folks who publish multiple-book series but who've never published any short stories. I'm not sure if I've ever read all the books of any multiple-book series. I'm prejudiced against them because they smack of franchises. In a stand-alone novel, your protagonist can die. That's a big deal. In a series, you know...

Absorb, You Damned Sponge!

"I'm creatively depleted. I've got nothing to write about." Then decide, "I'm not going to write today," and put your writing away. Don't allow yourself to "try a little." You have to start taking command of your writing, and that includes deciding when you're going to write and when you're not. [I rush to add...

Film Music and You

Gee, I wonder why? Are you blocked right now? One of the things so many who complain about writer's block have in common: They think there is some magic formula, some trick, that will make writing easy and especially FUN. That's bullshit. I will expand on this someday, maybe, but not today. Are you stuck...

The Only Book His Dad Ever Borrowed from Him: A CENTURY OF NOIR Edited by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins

They got along, in their way. They didn't fight, or hadn't for a long time. A silent acceptance that they'd never be close, not the way other sons and fathers were. A few failed attempts at sports, a few “We ought to do that” moments over something seen on T.V. that never led to actually...

My Favorite Clint Eastwood Movies

I like Clint Eastwood's movies. They're not as artistic as Welles' or as unruly as Huston's; they're simple, they aim low-to-middling, and they usually hit the target. When Eastwood does try something more substantial and risky, he often succeeds. I wish he'd go more outside his range, because when he does push with challenging material...

Iguanas and Oranges

I saw NIGHT OF THE IGUANA years ago and it bored me. But I thought about it now and then. I rewatched IGUANA and the story of a defrocked priest's confrontation with alcohol, faith and women now meant something to me. John Huston was a talented writer, a Hemingway-like Liver of Life, and a sloppy...

Made Man of God: FELONIOUS MONK by William Kotzwinkle

William Kotzwinkle wrote the novelization of Spielberg's E.T., as well as the narration for Michael Jackson's E.T. record. Those were the projects that got him some mainstream success, but he was already a cult writer due to his novel THE FAN MAN and then the award-winning dark (very dark) fantasy DR. RAT. He had later...

Random Thoughts

The obsession with 'canon' and scientific accuracy in science fiction is a dead end. I can't imagine coming up with a good idea and stomping on it because it doesn't fit with a series' existing environment. You're never going to fly at warp 47 on the Enterprise—you're not. If it's done just for effect, it's...

Harlan Without Tears. Mostly.

Originally posted May 6, 2020 When I first encountered him in the pages of Starlog in the seventies, Harlan Ellison was in his forties, and in the last eligible years as “the angry young man of science fiction.” He didn’t like being called a science fiction writer. This was jolting to the kid version of...

In the Tradition of Twilight Zone: “RENT CONTROL” by Walter Tevis

Walter Tevis was a writer of science fiction who made it big with a non-science fiction novel. THE HUSTLER was about a pool hustler with more charm and skill than humanity. Made into a film, it showcased the acting of Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott. Years later Tevis wrote a...

Random Thoughts

Why do people insist you can only use mustard on hot dogs. The hell do you care? I HATE HATE HATE mayo, relish and mustard. It's ketchup for me. Writer you should read: Leigh Brackett Steranko. Follow him on Twitter. Screenwriter whose movies you should watch: Leigh Brackett Almost my favorite movie ever. I know...

How To Get Blocked: Take Everything Too Seriously

The writing isn't going well? Definitely panic! The Author, considering The Pain Of It All... I'm reposting a few oldies because I think you might enjoy them, also because I am lazy and blocked. Not an and/or situation. Applaud my honesty, damn you. AUGUST 2022: I ain't blocked, but I am troubled. Back to your...