Zombies come to Austin...

I was honored to be invited to partake in the Zombie Killing Techniques festivities put on by Space Squid, to Celebrate their seventh issue release. Now, Space Squid ain't your daddy's Analog, it's a more refreshingly today-type of magazine. Raed it... you'll enjoy it.

The crew from Space Squid are all top-notch folks (they had good nummys and prizes) and shelled out top-dollar for a quality pig's head for their zombie (I was going to take it hope and smoke it, but the sledge hammer did such a great job of splattering it, I declined!).

And the people from Furgal Media were most excellent. They didn't freak out too much when we started swinging swords, hammers and other object, both sharp and blunt.

Alas, the Ninja sword handed down to me by my father did not prove to be as formidible as I had hoped it would be. Anybody know a good sword repair-person?

Kirinyaga, a remarkable book.

I have just finished reading Mike Resnick's remarkable book, Kirinyaga. It is a series of interlocking stories concerning the establishment of a Utopian colony of African natives from the Kikuyu tribe, told from the point of view of the tribes witch doctor, or mundumugu. They were written specifically as shorts tories, but Resnick has crafted them in such a way that the evolution of the charcaters is seamless. 

Starting from the foundation of the colony, the stories grow more complex and captivating. Koriba, the mundumugu, tries in vain to keep his culture pure from corrupting influences. You watch as his power and wisdom is slowly eroded by the temptations of modern society. In the end, he abandons the colony when he realizes that Utopia is not a destination, but a journey. One he is not willing to abandon.

This style of writing is not often used, and not always to good effect. One of my favorite books that was sucessful in this style was Venus Equilateral, by George O. Smith. This book concerned the doings of a communications relay station at the Venusian LaGrange point. It is a very good example of Golden Age science fiction.

BBQ and Writing...

I invested in a very essential item for living in Texas: a smoker. The one I got is a water smoker; it has a five foot tower to hang meat over a bowl of water that keeps things moist and catches the fat.There is a firebox on the side that produces heat but mostly smoke. This handy gadget allows me to produce delicious BBQ of all kinds, by burning wood instead of charcol or gas. (Does this make it green?) BBQ in Texas is different from almost everywhere else. The meat is rubbed down with a mixture of dry spices instead of goopy sauces. (You can always add your own afterwards.)

I like mesquite wood best for smoking. I start with a bunch of regular wood logs, like the kind you buy at Home Depot for your fireplace. Once I have a really nice bed of coals, I start putting chunks of mesquite wood on the coals. You have to do this about every fifteen minutes in order to keep the smoker going. I've smoked pork ribs, country ribs, brisket, pork loin, corn on the cob and even managed to make a good smoked salmon. (Great for breakfast with onions in eggs.)

I have some other things in mind a want to try, like smoking a lasagne or stuffed eggplant. My doctor keeps yelling at me about my cholestorol and stuff like that, but I can't help it! Texas Monthly has a great article on the Best Barbecue Joints in Texas. I was drooling after the first page!

How does this relate to writing? When you smoke, be prepared to spend six to eight hours just tending the smoker. This allows you to relax in the backyard and think, read or write. It a very relaxing way to spend the day, not to mention all the food you get to eat when you're done!

On Dialogue...

As I prepare for the Writer's League of Texas' annual Agents and Editors Conference I have been going over the novel I am going to shop there. After doing more critiques and attending a convention recently, it came to me that I write dialouge the same way I speak. For most people that may not be a problem. For me it is. I tend to use lots of objectifiers and modifiers; my use of adverbs and adjectives is not quite peerless but it gets up there. I do a lot of public speaking due to the fact that I teach a lot. (See? That last sentance can be trimmed considerably or even cut without losing any impact!) This means I have to keep the audiences' attention. Sometimes it's easier to throw out the patter so my mouth can catch up to what my mind wants it to say.

In writing, this can be a story-killer. While reviewing a critque I recieved during a contest I eneter last year, there was one very curt piece of advice: Eliminate "just" and "well" from the manuscript. It saved me almost a thousand wordds and made the story a better read. Huh? Well, it just did! Try it yourself. Reread one of your stories and see if dropping those two little words do anything for it.

Also remember, you have the story in your head. There is much that doesn't get on paper; have someone read the story cold and tell you what confused them. I'll bet lots of stuff like character descriptions and scenery descriptions never make it out of your neurons and onto the paper...

I am NOT David Weber (although I could probably play him on TV)...

I had one very interesting moment at the Con. I was at a hospitality suite talking to someone when this guy comes from out of nowhere and starts talking to me like we've spent the day together. Then he asks me "What are you requirements to be a Guest at our local convention?" Now, my Plank Time reflexes kicked in. All movement in the room slowed down and took on a reddish hue; convesations dropped to such a deep rumble, I couldn't understand anything. In this altered state my mind raced; "How does this guy know me? How did he know my first short story will be published in a brand new magazine that will come out in June?" I figured something wasn't quite right, but who was I to spit in Murphy's eye? I dropped back into normal mode; Everyone sped up and lost their reddish hue, and I could understand the conversations again. I look this guy dead in the eye (which was kind of painful, because he was well over six feet tall, while I barely top out at five foot and ten inches) and said "Well, my requirements are... (drumroll please!) JUST ASK ME!" He smiled and glanced down at my name tag. I watched a look of embarrased horror crawl across his face. He took a step back and said "Oh my God! I'm so sorry! You're not..."

I sighed and said, "No, I'm not David Weber, but I guess I do look a bit like him." So much for my picosecond of glory! After having met David Weber I decided there was more than just a passing resemblance. We both are big guys with shaved heads. We both wear glasses and we both sport small goatee's and perenially have a Blue Tooth Headset welded to our ears. The most obvious difference between us is that he is a New York Times best-selling author of over forty novels. with over five million books in print. And I am none of these things (YET!!!!) I guess it's time to update my picture so this will make more sense...

ConDFW 2009 was great!

Had a great weekend in Dallas attending the ConDFW 2009. It was an excellent conference; there were tons of panels on a wide variety of subjects. They ranged from Space Warfare 101 (with David Weber) to Comedy Trends in Science Fiction (with the Four Redheads of the Appocolypse). Of special interest was the panel called "Whodunit?", about adding the mystery element in your writing. Bill Crider and Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files) did a masterful job with lots of advice.

All the panels I attended were informative and lots of fun. Especially the ones that had Selina Rosen, owner of Yarddog Press on them. Yard Dog Press is a small publishing company out of Arkansas that does a great job of publishing talented authors that haven't been noticed by the big houses yet. She always has a funny anecdote or comment, and lots of much-needed advice to spread around. If you ever attend a Con, see if Yard Dog Press is there and say hello.

I really recommend these types of conventions; they are excellent sources of information and encouragement.

Going to ConDFW 2009!

I finished teaching my classes early this month, so I have my weekends free. That let's me go to the ConDFW 2009 in Dallas this weeked. This is a literary Con that focuses on the writing of my chosen genre' (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror). There wil be lots of panels and great panelists that will give me an opportunity to learn how to be a better writer. I urge anybody that wants to write to attend these kinds of conventions. They focus on how to be a better writer and not so much on dressing up like your favorite character. Don't ge me wrong, there is some of that going on, but these kinds of conventions have lots of learning opportunites in them!

One of my stories got accepted for publication!!!

I just found out that one of my stories, "The Hole That Max Found" has been accepted for publication by a new magazine, M-BRANE SF. It will be in issue #5, coming out on June 15, 2009! It's a story that mixes heavy drinking, country music and Quantum Physics. What's not to like? :-) And many thanks to Kelly McGuire for giving me his permission to use him in my story.

I get ideas from the damndest places. While taking the train to Texas, I was listening to my MP3's. One of them was Kelly's hit "Blame It On Buffet." It struck a cord in me; this tale of taking a different road because of someone else's influence. I popped the concept into my processor stack, and this story popped out. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think of it!

What a Year!

Ok, so it's been a while. I spent over a year sick with various physical ailments, mostly heart related. I swear, when I die I'm going to speak to the manufacturer about the warranty I was issued at birth.

I actually had one REALLY good week (health-wise) back in August of 2008. I got to attend the Armadillo Con in Austun. It's not your typical convention crowded with people in costumes; it's a literary convention focuseed on writing in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genre'. I met some wonderful people there and had a chance to speak with one of my favortie authors (Joe Haldeman and his lovely wife Gay) and met a new favortie author, John Scalzi (If you like pants-wetting humor, try his novels "The Android's Dream" and "Agent to the Stars") I also had a chance to meet with many authors and leran of their own trials in getting published. If you can make it, I highly recommend this convention. It will be held on August 14 - 16, 2009 (http://fact.org/dillo/index.html).

I have been finally able to focus on writing the last couple of months, and have several stories almost finished and ready to be critiqued.

One thing I love: In Texas, the concept of winter is just that, a concept. In January it dropped into the 20's at night for a few days. It's now the second week in February and the temps are up into the 60's and 70's during the day and the 40's and 50's at night. New England spent a couple of months dealing with sub-freezing temperatures and massive amounts of snow and ice. I like Texas! :-)

Things always change...

OK, I sent the package out to an agent, and got a fairly quick respone: Sorry, not interested. That's OK, I didn't expect to get anything on the first try. But it did give me time to rethink the story. I've decided to combine the two parts into one book again. I'm almost finished the draft and am starting to go through and edit the story. I know there are continuity issues and some of my math work really stinks, but what the heck. That's what this is all about. To keep writing until it's publishable.

I want to thank Aburt and the Critters Organization for being my online critique group. They've been very helpful with this novel and my short stories.

I especially want to thank Wendy Wheeler and The Slug Tribe in Austin Texas. They are a writing group that meets twice a month for review and critque of stories. I discovered I needed to talk to pewople inn person about my writing, and find out how they thought and wrote. It is a marvelous group of individuals that are serious about their writing. Just sitting in and reading other people's works and listening to the critiques has already made me a better writer. Here's my public service announcement:

DON'T WRITE IN A VACUUM!!! FIND A GROUP AND JOIN! YOU'LL NEVER REGRET THAT DECISION!!!

Okay, I've gotten that off my chest. On a more personal note, we may have found our new house, albeit 8 months before we are ready for it! It's in Georgetown, about 20 miles north of Austin. The price is reasonable, the lot is nicely landscaped, there is a pool and a hot tub, and there are enough rooms for my wife and I to each have an office. I gotta tell you, the Greater Austin Area lifestyle is execptional. One word of caution: Don't come down here and try to make it like where you used to live! There is already too much diluting of the local culture. Please enjoy Austin and the surrounding towns for what they are. if you really love Encino, and want what they have there, STAY THERE! If you want to experience a much nicer lifestyle, then COME ON DOWN!!!

The food is one of the best things! There is a little place called "Georgetown BBQ" that has absolutely the best brisket I have ever eaten in my life. Tender, juicy and oh, so tasty! Tell them you want it with a "little flavor". That means there is a little bit of fat on it. And the chicken is great too! My wife and daugther adore the homemade Peach and Cherry Cobbler.

Alright, I'm full now. I'll let you be for now.

D. D. Tannenbaum

Onward and Outward...

OK, I made it to Texas. We've been here about six weeks and are pretty much enjoying it. Adjusting to a two bedroom apartment instead of a three bedroom house is a bit difficult. Note to parents of teenagers: Don't let your kids bring their skateboards and bikes into the apartment pool. It really messes the water up. And to parents of little children: TEACH THEM NOT TO PEE IN THE APARTMENT POOL OR ON THE PLANTINGS AROUND THE APARTMENT POOL! And to the adults: NO SEX IN THE APARTMENT POOL! KEEP YOUR BODILY FLUIDS TO YOURSELF! This has been my public service announcement.

Now, the story has gotten so out of hand, I am splitting it up into two books. I am doing the final edits on the first one now and will be sending a query to an agent in the next day or so. One thing I've noticed is when the Muse strikes, you have no choice but to write. If it ain't there, what comes out is pretty much crap. My Muse comes upon me when I can let go of everything that bothers me. That clears me out and good stuff comes. I'm also growing short stories; a couple of them are ready for critiquing. But this beast that is coming out os taking me places I never thought it could.

Now, Texas is a great place. I never knew they had a Texas Pledge of Alligiance. They say it in schools right after the National Pledge of Alligiance. For an aspiring author, Texas it has it all. The cost of living is a lot cheaper than New England. There is great food, great music and cheap beer! The people are friendly and open. We've made a lot of new friends here; I may even have found someone to collaborate with on a few stories.

I hope the agent I've chosen likes the story. I'm open for all kinds of constructive criticism. If anybody needs a place to have their stories critiqued, I highly recommand http://www.critters.org/. They are a fabulous bunch of people!

I'm gonna go bury my head in some meditation tapes for the night...

D. D. Tannenbaum

Sitting and thnking...

Well, I'm sitting in a hotel room in South Austin. Texas is great, but Austin has changed! All the reasons we want to live here are still here, but the "cowboy" element has turned yuppieish. Oh well, the Hole in the Wall still has great beer! I have decided to send an inquiry to an agent... let's see what happens.

I haven't written much for a few weeks, but the urge is building. Maybe I'll try John Barnes concept of a thousand words a day. My writing is sporadic but intense. Let's see if some kind of consistancy is good for me. There never was much of it in my early life. I think maybe it's time for a change.

My other stories are bubbling up, also. I think it's time to start fleshing them out...

D. D. Tannenbaum

Why do I write?

Let's review why I write stuff down in the first place: I don't seem to have a choice. Story ideas come up and appear to take on a life of their own. I can hear a line from a song, or someone makes an odd turn of phrase, or I happen to be drifting off to sleep and something appears out of whole cloth. Who knows? But once the idea comes, it demands to be expressed. In some cases, I just let it simmer in my head for a while until it gets some coherency to it. Other times, I get so overwhelmed with the concept, I HAVE to start writing immediately. I currently have three other novels, two short stories and a screen play in the beginning stages. A couple of the novels may never see the light of day because of copyright issues (one is from a very old TV series, and the other is a crossover between two other fairly current series.), but they cry out to be expressed. If I never make a dime with my writing, I have the satisfaction of having gotten the ideas and concepts on paper; and I have the sure knowledge that the characters in the stories will appreciate being brought out into the open. My head gets kind of murky at times.

With my current original attempt, "Keel Hauled", it started with a fairly odd concept of interstellar travel. I sat with that for a few days and started to get ideas in snapshot form. Conversations between crewmembers or plot twists in a plot that didn't even exist at the time. It was kind of like putting together a puzzle; you get chunks of pieces together and lay out those chunks where you think they should go. It's sometimes surprising how the middle of the story can become the beginning, and the ending come out of nowhere.

I have often written myself into a corner and then discovered what one of the characters was thinking. That would put me on a new path and change things around drastically. That's something else I realized; I don't write a story. The characters that inhabit the story are just telling me what's going on. I have to interpret their situations, reconstruct the dialogue and lay it out logically. I sometimes feel more like a construction worker than a writer. I find it hard to make a character do something that seems out of, well, character for the character.

All of this to say, I write because I love to write. The joy that comes from expressing myself this way is incredible. Like anyone laboring over a project, there is a sense of accomplishment.

D. D. Tannenbaum

Starting point...

This will be my record of getting my novel published. I am about 2/3rd's of the way through it, and have been reviewing it every few days to get the crap out of it. After 65,000 words, I seem to have a fairly coherant plot and apparently likable characters.

Here is the basic plot:

We've been in space about 180 years. It is currently the year 2187. We went interstellar around the end of the last century, utilizing something called a Tachyon Pump that forces a ship and contents to become Tachyon particles. They wiffle away in the general direction they wish to go in, and get pretty much anywhere in their small volume of space in less than a month.

The crew of this particular ship get involved in some odd dealings with a mysterious stranger (is there any other kind?) who involves them in some pretty shady dealing.

I have enjoyed writing this story so far, and hope to have it off to an agent or publisher before I move to Austin, Texas later this summer. It currently consumes a lot of my free time (Which is measured in Planck Time Units as is!) .

I will keep this updated with my progress, as I think it's time to get it out there. Hang on, it's going to be a wild ride!

D.D. Tannenbaum