Comics Grinder has been nominated for a Liebster Award by the wonderful folks at Comparative Geeks. What does that mean? A Liebster Award nomination is a way to draw attention to blogs on the scene that are ready to take things to a new level.
Category Archives: writing
Comics Grinder Nominated for a Liebster Award
Filed under Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Comics Grinder, Liebster Award, writing
Creative Living: Kathy J. and SHIFT: WHERE HEAD MEETS HEART
Comics Grinder is a place for creativity and wellness. Comics Grinder is all about Creative Living! In that spirit, we present to you someone who is a great supporter of that mindset, Kathy J. and SHIFT: WHERE HEAD MEETS HEART.
Kathy J. is a good friend. She has provided some essential craniosacral therapy for me and has proven to be an inspiration, a fabulous morale booster. I am thrilled to have her as a backer of my recent Kickstarter campagin for my collection of comics, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES. That Kickstarter campaign was a success! Kathy chose as her reward, a video interview, which I am happy to share with you at Comics Grinder.
Yes, Comics Grinder is obviously more than one thing as it covers a wide range of topics, none the least being wellness and creativity. You can’t get very far without your health!
If you’re in the Seattle area, please do stop by and visit Kathy. She has got you covered regarding your health and beyond. Stop by and check out her site here.
The following provides news on Kathy’s latest workshop plus more:
Filed under Art, Comics Grinder, Creative Living, Creativity, Health, Wellness, writing
THE FIFTY YEAR SWORD Review
“The Fifty Year Sword,” the novella by Mark Z. Danielewski, seems to be the stuff of urban legend. The book was first published on Halloween 2005, in the Netherlands, with only 1,000 copies printed in English. The following year, another 1,000 copies in English were printed and that was it. Sccores of fans have only heard of it but have not been able to easily get to read it. That changes with the wide release on October 16, 2012. For those familiar with Mr. Danielewski’s work, particularly his “House of Leaves,” they know to expect intriguing play with narrative, words and graphics. And that is exactly what they get with this novella.
Mr. Danielewski is definitely not a writer who just holds with tradition. We can also see that he deeply respects the art of visual storytelling. The elements he incorporates have a sacred quality to them. You’ll be swept up by the ethereal embroidery artwork that intermingles with the text. You’ll also be caught up by the spontaneity: words seem to bubble up and spit out at just the right moment. As a ghost story for adults, this novella feels like Edgar Alan Poe at a poetry slam, just to give you an idea.
The story begins with the adults gathering to do their duty and attend the fiftieth birthday party for cantankerous Belinda Kite, someone they don’t particularly care for. We then shift our focus to the children who will be in attendance, a spooky set of five orphans who are chaperoned by befuddled Chintana and someone only known as, The Social Worker. Finally, we turn our attention to the truly spooky character at the center of it all, The Storyteller, who is inextricably linked to the eponymous sword and to the fate of each partygoer.
Part of the magic here is the word play, from creative spelling down to how the words are presented on the page. The same spirit of “House of Leaves” is here where typography will literary follow what transpires within the story. For those new to Mr. Danielewski, there will be that satisfying “shock of the new.” Some enjoyable new words you’ll find are Chinata’s choices: indacitation, torpididor and annahiliation. Characters here don’t just speak, they “sputstuttersob” or have a “rumbidilling” voice. They don’t simply creep around. They “diminishide.” Here is an example of what can happens to words in this world:
“‘the w orld there w as
“‘con st antly
“‘sev er ed.
This is how it looks on its actual page:
This passage is describing The Forest of Falling Notes which is part of The Storyteller’s journey that he is retelling to the five orphans as they sit in a cramp little parlor. It is dimly lit by five candles that reveal a most curious box with five latches. What is or is not significant about The Storyteller and his story will remain unclear in this absorbing ghost tale that becomes more mysterious, and haunting, to the very end.
“The Fifty Year Sword” is published by Random House. Visit Random House and learn about the special limited edition of “The Fifty Year Sword.”
Filed under Book Reviews, Books, Fiction, Literature, Mark Z. Danielewski, writing
ROBERT HESKE INTERVIEW: SCREENPLAYS AND COMICS
I recently reviewed “The Night Projectionist” here at Comics Grinder and that has led to this interview with its writer, Bob Heske. Let me tell you, “The Night Projectionist” is a must-read, whether or not you’re into horror, simply because the story is so well crafted. Bob Heske is a writer, first and foremost. It’s that skill, along with a passion for horror, that makes him so good. Now, let’s explore more of Mr. Heske’s works including a movie project, the supernatural thriller, “Blessid.” We’ll begin with this brief press statement seeking support for “Blessid” at Indiegogo (http://www.indiegogo.com/blessidthemovie):
My name is Bob Heske and I am the writer/producer (and partial funder) of Blessid. I am a screenwriter with IMDB credits, a graphic novelist and indie comic creator. My IMDB credits include the award-winning short film WAITING (starring Richard Schiff, Izabella Miko and Earl Brown). Most recently I wrote the critically praised graphic novel THE NIGHT PROJECTIONISTwhich has over 11,000 “Likes” on Facebook and has been optioned for film by Myriad Pictures. Blessid is important to me because, quite frankly, it’s a film with an important message. Being a horror guy, it has its dark elements but the ending will move you — I promise — and you will be glad you joined us on the indie-making journey.
COMICS GRINDER: “The Night Projectionist” is truly something unique. My connection with you is my review of this graphic novel that you wrote with artwork by Diego Yapur. I wanted to ask you about the initial reaction to the book. And, well, let you make your pitch.BOB: First off, thanks for your solid review Henry. Overall, the book has gotten very strong reviews (4 out of 5 stars) and we appreciate the time individuals like yourself take to review the work of independent artists like myself and Diego, represented by the folks at Studio 407. It helps a lot in giving our work credibility and building our fan/reader base.How’s the book selling? It’s selling okay, more so in the digital version at comiXology and Graphicly but also doing okay in print at local comic shops and most prominently on Amazon. For example, it’s first month out THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST was Studio 407’s biggest selling comic at comiXology.My pitch? If you like a vampire tale that brings hard core gore and blood by the buckets with an original story line and some ass-whupping art, you will love this book. It’s entertaining and a quick read … and at a retail suggested price of $12.99 (you can get it for less in many places) it’s a blood-curdling steal. My recommendation is to buy it in paper but I’m a comics purist.COMICS GRINDER: The idea of a movie coming out of this is really exciting. Anything you can tell us about that?BOB: Back in 2009 when issue 1 came out, the publisher (Studio 407) shared office space in the same building with the folks at Myriad Pictures. Myriad saw some of the issue 1 galleys and was very impressed. In short, they saw the potential and the comic was optioned. As luck would have it, Diamond raised their sales threshold the very month THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST issue 1 came out making it near impossible for independents like this book to be picked up for issue 2 in Previews. Hence, rather than rolling out THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST in 4 one-shot books, Studio 407 took a breath and took it’s time in getting the book done right. We lost some marketing momentum in building an audience but in a short time we are getting that audience back. We have over 11,000 LIKES on Facebook and continue to rack up strong reviews. As for the movie, I think THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST would be even stronger as a film and would make a cool vampire franchise worth watching. As of now, fingers crossed for the project to pick up steam, get funded and get developed. Stay tuned!COMICS GRINDER: I am intrigued by your background. You are a screenwriter and have branched out into writing comics too. You’re establishing yourself quite well in horror and yet you began with comedy. Tell us about your development as a writer.BOB: Well, I just hit 50 so it is a long, slow arduous road. I’ve had many contest-winning feature and short film scripts, a fistful of options, and a few scant credits. Some of my best work has come very close to being produced only to have the funding fall through or finish second to another script the producer fell in love with. While I wait for THE NIGHT PROJECTIONIST to be made (I am not only writer, but also co-creator of the story — Think Stan Lee and Spider Man), I have created a few micro budget films that I hope to make in the next 1-2 years. Life really is short and if you wait for others, you’ll be left disappointed and only have yourself to blame. In this era of DIY filmmaking and self publishing you need to grab the bull by the horns and make it yourself.I started writing comedy and have a few short and feature gems waiting to be made (and that I will sell to the right talented director/producer for cheap!). In fact, that is what attracted my wife (aside from my sparkling personality and manly good looks — ah, no!). After we got married and had kids, I started writing horror non-stop. She said, “Whoa buddy … what have I created here?!”COMICS GRINDER: You’re a member of the New England Horror Writers Association. Tell us how that came about.BOB: The New England Horror Writers Association (NEHW) is a talented, supportive, ultra cool group of New England horror writers that are as fun to hang out with as they are to read (their books). I just reached out to them and they brought me on board. I’ve done a handful of writers events with them and always have a nice time (although I never sell as many books as I’d like). If you are from New England and are getting into writing horror, check them out at http://nehwnews.wordpress.com/tag/horror-writers-association/. Membership is free and you get out of it what you put into it. I truly wish I could hang out with these guys more!
COMICS GRINDER: Among your movie projects, I was quite impressed with a short film entitled, “Waiting,” starring Richard Schiff. It has such a creepy vibe and manages to compress so much into a short film. People need to see this and I will make sure to post the IMDB link where they can see it. Would you talk about it, how this came about it?
BOB: Sure! “Waiting” was based on a short film script I wrote called THE WAITING ROOM. Of all the short scripts I’ve written, this was the one that got the best initial reaction. I had submitted it into 2-3 contests where it was either being considered as the winner or was going to be the winner but I had to pull it because it was optioned. The short film “Waiting” (seen in its entirety here) won some awards and is a very cool adaptation of my original short script. It was co-written and directed by Lisa Demaine (who bought the rights to the short script from me) and stars Richard Schiff (Toby on the hit TV show “West Wing”), Izabella Miko and Earl Brown. It was filmed by a crew consisting of several Emmy winners and the production value is top notch. It played in several film festivals and did very well. I eventually did a graphic tale version of my script THE WAITING ROOM which is in my BONE CHILLER graphic anthology that won a Bronze medal for horror at the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2009.
COMICS GRINDER: “Blessid.” Please tell us about this project.BOB: BLESSID is an amazing script that I wrote and am now producing as a micro-budget film. It will shoot in the Fall in Massachusetts. It’s about a disturbed young pregnant woman searching for the will to live who meets an enigmatic immortal that has moved in next door. Throughout the movie, the audience is curious about the 2028 year-old guy and what his life experiences have been and his insights on modern times. But BLESSID is really about the young woman looking into her past and, ultimately, finding forgiveness for herself to get over a tragedy that happened that was beyond her control. We have an amazing, committed crew on board and some very talented actors we are bringing in from Los Angeles including David Fine (The Pursuit of Happyness), Rachel Kerbs (Splinter), Chris DiVecchio (Wolf Moon) and Gene Silvers (The Whole Banana). We have just added a producer named Amy DePaolo whose short film “Ordinary Man” was accepted into Sundance this year. And we are seeking to get a recognizable TV/Film actress on board too. The director is a guy named Rob Fitz who has over 10 years experience on big budget film sets as a maekup artist and horror effects specialist. Rob also wrote/directed/produced the ultra low micro-budget film “God of Vampires” which has become a cult classic in New England and among hardcore horror circles.We are in pre-development now and are building a fanbase on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BlessidTheMovie) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/blessidthemovie).The “official” website is www.blessidthemovie.com.Readers can also support us on indiegogo at www.indiegogo.com/blessidthemovie and get some great perks for their generosity.
COMICS GRINDER: Is there any news about “Unrest,” with Eric Roberts you can tell us about?BOB: UNREST — a psychological horror tale in the vein of “Last House on the Left” meets “Stir of Echoes” — has had a lot of interest from directors and actors that I’ve shared the script with. The problem was that the budget needed to make the current script was more than I originally intended (~ $400,000). I am making BLESSID now for $80,000 and will circle back to UNREST if (I mean “when”) BLESSID is successful. Both scripts are fresh, entertaining and unique in their respective genres. Once again, if there are any director/producers out their with funding in place but in need of a killer script, contact me. 😉COMICS GRINDER: You mention some influences in connection with “Unrest,” a UK indie from 2008, “Eden Lake” and “Stir of Echoes,” from 1999, with Kevin Bacon. Would you share some thoughts on horror movies, or movies in general, that have inspired you?BOB: Anyone who has ever visited my “cold blooded chillers” website (www.coldbloodedchillers.com) — and there are nearly 50,000 of you — knows that my brand of horror veers more toward “the monster who lives next door” (aka, serial killers, psychopaths, femme fatales and evil kids) than vampires, werewolves and zombies. Full disclosure: Yes, this interview did start with me talking about a vampire graphic novel I wrote, but that is out of the box for me. I am more drawn to tales of suburban murder and malice, as the tagline on my cold blooded chillers website attests. “Eden Lake” is one of those tortuous tales about teen hooligans tormenting a couple on romantic holiday that chills the blood in your veins. “Stir of Echoes” is just a well-acted film with some smart, squeamish effects and the best hypnosis scene in film ever. It’s a ghost story and mystery wrapped in one and I love to watch it every now and again. The horror films I like most combine story, suspense and characters. Some recent examples I liked were “Absentia” and “Midnight Son” which were both made for well under $200,000.COMICS GRINDER: Anything else you’d like us to know that we can anticipate from you?BOB: Well, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I write a web column called IndieCreator on www.investcomics.com. Jay Katz, the principal behind InvestComics has been absolutely phenomenal to me, and I’m glad to call him a friend (although we both live in separate states and have only conversed — many, many times — over the phone). If you love comics, you should check out www.investcomics.com and read Jay’s weekly Hot Picks.COMICS GRINDER: And where can we visit you on the web?BOB: You can find me on these web sites:
| robert heske writer/producer BLESSID IndieGoGo page:
indiegogo.com/blessidthemovieBLESSID LLC 9 Floral Street Shrewsbury, MA 01545Tel: (508) 868-3116 Email: bobheske@gmail.com www.blessidthemovie.com |
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Filed under Comics, Horror, movies, Robert Heske, Screenwriting, writers, writing
Harlan Ellison: Dreams with Sharp Teeth
Harlan Ellison: Dreams With Sharp Teeth is a wonderful look at the man and his work and, as Ellison agrees himself, is the closest you’ll get to know what it’s like to hang out with him. Whatever you may have heard about Harlan Ellison, this is a documentary you need to see. Harlan Ellison has filed numerous lawsuits and I don’t begin to take sides. The documentary doesn’t judge either. But, you most definitely can say, that the overriding legal concern is the rights of the artist and, for that, we can salute Ellison. “Don’t work for free, you should get paid,” is the central message here and it’s a damn good one.
Along with exploring what has contributed to the image of an adversarial loud mouth, the documentary keeps coming back to the work. Each time we get an snippet or expert of something Ellison wrote, like a classic work from “Star Trek” or “The Outer Limits,” we are given reason to want to learn more about the man. And the footage of him speaking with students back in the ’60s about social justice and global warming is insightful. There are hints too as to why Ellison may not have fully secured his place among writers. Some speculate that his personality has gotten in the way. Others worry that, along with his massive number of short stories and longer works, he should have written at least one big sweeping novel.
Any writer that has reached a point of looking back on a body of work is concerned about posterity and so is Harlan Ellison. This documentary goes a long way in clearing the air. Luckily, the DVD also has special features that round things out even further. We have a short movie that lets us see first hand Ellison interacting with an audience that has just seen the documentary and we see a lot of love and there’s another short movie with Ellison and Neil Gaiman. It turns out, these guys go way back to when Gaiman was a journalist and aspiring comics writer. Ellison looks over Gaiman and jokingly says, “You know, there’s something just a little creepy about a guy your age dressing like he’s still in his twenties.” Gaiman gives out a sigh, “I know.”
But the best extra feature is a collection of short movies that has Ellison reading from his work. I will close out with some brief observations about each:
The Glass Teat: This sounds great as a spoken word performance and offers insights similar to Marshall McLuhan, if he was really really angry.
Prince Myshkin, And Hold The Relish: What a delightful mixture of found art and literary criticism. Who knew you could find so many insights into Doestoyevsky and the human condition in the middle of the night at a hot dog stand?
All The Lies That Are My Life: What do you call writers who happen to write science fiction? “Sci Fi writer”? “Fantasy writer”? How about just say, “writer”?
The Silence: From a book of stories to accompany the art of Jacek Yerka. “Your spirit will kneel on the broken glass at the pews.”
The Resurgence Of Miss Ankle-strap Wedgie: A look at old Hollywood being gobbled up by new Hollywood.
The Prowler In The City At The Edge Of The World: A very bloody Jack The Ripper tale to accompany a similar short story by Robert Bloch, writer of “Psycho.” This one is a fine way to end Harlan Ellison’s performance art and leaves you, of course, wanting more.
Filed under fantasy, Harlan Ellison, Outer Limits, science fiction, Star Trek, writers, writing
