Are you ever going to talk about your book?

Nope. Well, not yet. Maybe a little bit. The thing is, it’s really close, but I’ve been pretty bad about finishing it off. Aside from those excuses, I’d like to do the real reveal when things are ready to go. Believe me, I’m excited to launch it. So, what are you going to talk about now? Why don’t you ask me some questions.

 

Why am I so excited about the prospects of finishing a novel now?

The time is upon us! How dramatic is that? Seriously though, we’re witnessing a very exciting time for media consumption. Or more simply, music, TV, film, books, all these vehicles of creativity were once bottled up by gatekeepers. We’re not even talking that long ago, and the bottling wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, why wouldn’t you go to a movie theater to see a movie? Why wouldn’t you buy a record, cassette, or CD to listen to your favorite bands? The delivery of creativity was largely defined by the delivery devices. Film. Vinyl. Plastic. Paper. We were bound to the delivery devices and some very smart people stepped in to help facilitate those deliveries.

 

Yet, the winds of change are upon us, and the most disruptive force in the world is something that isn’t readily tangible. The web. The internet. It is the delivery device that has upended decades of perfecting an old system. Now, you can use any number of devices to plug into some ethereal “web” and consume media in ways that seem too easy. Want to hear that band? Want to see last night’s TV show? Want to watch a movie on your 55 inch flat-panel? It’s all at your fingertips.

 

A direct corollary to all of this: the gatekeepers are no longer necessary. That’s scary for a lot of folks, but it’s a boon to the creative juices flowing inside you. Think about how much technology has advanced and how you now have the ability to produce the same quality of work that used to require teams, studios, and equipment that made it highly prohibitive for the aspiring amateur. You can buy an HD camera and film a movie, put it on your computer and edit with professional grade effects, and post it online where an audience of billions await. That’s the democratization of creativity. That’s inspiring and scary at the same time.

 

Back to my book. Five years ago, writing a book meant creating a work that would still require gatekeeper approval. Without a publisher, my story was little more than a file on my computer. Even two years ago, my novel was little more than a thousand dollar investment into self-publishing or a stigmatized e-book. Now, it will be a story available for instant download and ready to be consumed on numerous e-readers. That’s how quickly things have changed. That’s how crazy it has become. That’s why I’m excited, that’s why I’m writing now, that’s why I spending my free time on a side hustle.

 

What about some real details? Fine. The first novel is a fantasy fiction piece, aimed at all ages, full of adventure. The second novel is a full blown sci-fi story with lots of science-faction built into the world I’m creating. The third novel is a throwback adventure with treasure, mystery, and fun.

Aren’t you kind of all over the place? Yes, and that’s on purpose. After all, the freedom to create, I’m planning on creating exactly what I find interesting. Much like this blog, I’m writing things that are fun. And much like this blog, it’s you, the audience, that will dictate what you want to read next.

Do you really have three novels planned? Yes, and the second one is over halfway done. If you don’t see two novels from me before the new year, I’ve missed my self-imposed deadline.

What’s the deal with the name of this site? It’s the umbrella brand for these novels. There’s a reason behind it, you’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds.

That’s all fine and good, when are we going to see this first novel? Soon.

You already said that in your About Me section. Real dates? Honestly, in October. It’s coming very soon.

Are you done interviewing yourself? Yes…for now.

 

Coming up: Let the music free you

Remembering 9-11

Stars and Stripes

I don’t know that I have anything relevant to say. Instead, I’ll offer my simple thoughts. There wasn’t an event that could rattle the core of this country like the attacks that happened 10 years ago. I’m not sure there will be another one, at least for my generation. Not because something this serious couldn’t happen again. Rather, there isn’t anything that would shock us into another catatonic trance like that morning. This literally changed the way we lived, from the most obvious like airport security, to the most concealed like the subconscious shift to anxiety-filled skepticism.

 

Living on the West Coast means starting your mornings when most East Coasters are getting ready for lunch. On that Tuesday morning, it was a break-of-dawn phone call that woke my girlfriend. There are probably worse things, but witnessing a loved one’s terrified scream ranks up there as one of those top bone-chilling moments.

 

At that moment, I couldn’t make out what was being said. I thought it was a family member, maybe an accident, something significant. I eventually caught her attention and she motioned to me, letting me know that nothing imminent was on the horizon. I was relieved for the moment, but that all changed when she got off the phone.

 

She told me what had happened and suddenly, we were both in a daze. In those early hours, no one had all the facts and there was a lot of hysteria as the news trickled in. Were more attacks coming? Was there anyone on the East Coast that we knew? Is San Francisco another target? Should we go to work? There was little that made sense, no matter what questions were being asked.

 

The rest of the day was a blur. I took the 45 drive to work, and found a full, but solemn office. The entire day was headphones and hushed tones, and most everyone left early. After driving home, I walked down the street to a friend’s place to watch the news. We didn’t talk a lot, there wasn’t much to say. In a way, there still isn’t.

 

The attacks of 9/11 changed this country, changed its people, and changed its attitude. A lot of things look like they did before, and we’ve worked hard to return to our way of life as more time has passed. Yet, the world we live in is different. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just a fact, and it’s something we all tacitly understand at some level.

 

I am lucky as I wasn’t directly impacted by the tragedy, but today I will think about all those who were affected. And I hope we all take a moment to mourn with those who lost, honor those who sacrificed, and embrace those who support us.

 

Coming up: It’s just a matter of perspective