It seems that everything is getting back on track, but at this point I still get bent whichever way the wind blows.
Friday, April 18, 2008
It's all about Craig's little list
I posted a request on craigslist.org for "Designer Needed for New Zine," and within 24 hours received 7 replies. My post pointed out that it is a non-paying gig, that the only real compensation is the chance to buff their portfolio. Some have even forwarded links to their work.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Cheap and Lazy- cater to it
Every time I manage to get something for free, whether it is a nightstand from the alley, cheese and crackers from an event I didn't attend, or a book online, I feel an inner moment of bliss from cheating the system. Maybe it's because I read Stranger Things online to begin with that the idea of reading a book online doesn't bother me as much as others. Yes, reading online is definitely different, online is public while a book is personal. There is a private personal attachment to a physical book, for instance, if I lend a book to someone and don't get it back, I will burn with resentment and no longer call that person my friend. Books are dear to the heart, a kind of friend. Reading online lacks all intimacy, its like porn, or something... I'll flesh out that simile later, but I have to say that the convenience of online reading will sometimes outweigh the lack of person-to-print bonding.
I just reread an old time favorite of mine online, 1984, which I probably would not have done if I had to truck to the library, worry about overdue fines, or buy it outright from a bookstore (which hardly ever happens), so I read something because I got it online. Is that such a bad thing? And with the prospect of moving again, I am not looking forward to lugging those books up and down stairs for the third time in three years. Having books is wonderful but so is having the option of attaining stories through the internet, where it might even reach more people.
I just reread an old time favorite of mine online, 1984, which I probably would not have done if I had to truck to the library, worry about overdue fines, or buy it outright from a bookstore (which hardly ever happens), so I read something because I got it online. Is that such a bad thing? And with the prospect of moving again, I am not looking forward to lugging those books up and down stairs for the third time in three years. Having books is wonderful but so is having the option of attaining stories through the internet, where it might even reach more people.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
More Editor Woes
Like I mentioned in class last night my writer's have been pretty picky about what I'm doing as an editor. Today I received two replies from the edits I made and one writer told me that I over-edited his piece and gave me a lengthy reply as to why everything I edited was wrong in his eyes.
I don't know if maybe because all of the writers I'm dealing with are students or what, but do editors deal with this on a regular basis. I felt like what I did added to the piece not took away from him and he made me feel like my input was unwanted and unneeded.
I also feel like just because I edit something doesn't mean I don't like it. I decided to publish the work which means that I obviously like it. Oh and I got a reply from the girl with the pac-man bar story who said she understood why I took that section out that I did and agreed with me that it slows down the piece. That made me feel pretty good actually. Since it affirmed I knew what I was talking about at least.
I know that some pieces are like people's children, but come on, let them grow up. I mean maybe I did over edit, maybe I did change a bit too much, but that's why I expect to have a correspondence with each and every one of the writers I'm publishing so we can reach a nice medium where we both like where things are at in the piece.
I don't know if maybe because all of the writers I'm dealing with are students or what, but do editors deal with this on a regular basis. I felt like what I did added to the piece not took away from him and he made me feel like my input was unwanted and unneeded.
I also feel like just because I edit something doesn't mean I don't like it. I decided to publish the work which means that I obviously like it. Oh and I got a reply from the girl with the pac-man bar story who said she understood why I took that section out that I did and agreed with me that it slows down the piece. That made me feel pretty good actually. Since it affirmed I knew what I was talking about at least.
I know that some pieces are like people's children, but come on, let them grow up. I mean maybe I did over edit, maybe I did change a bit too much, but that's why I expect to have a correspondence with each and every one of the writers I'm publishing so we can reach a nice medium where we both like where things are at in the piece.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
SRANGER THINGS ONLINE!?
Survival’s Ball, or, The Donner Party:
I re-read as a free download, and I would like to take a moment to speak on the matter. There was a fear of mine that I wouldn’t be able to see the story in my mind the same way as if it were read from the book on the page. That was a stupid assumption seeing as I read stories on line all the time. I guess the thing that made me feel this was the fact that it was an assignment that caused me to dwell on the matter. Seeing the story in my mind is a very intimate experience that shouldn’t be compromised. Reading on the train or with the television on in the back ground don’t break my concentration either. I did not feel the distraction of other media attempting to take my attention on my computer the way most people in the class feared.
The pros of reading a download. There are manipulations that one can claim that cannot occur from a book format. When you download an article of writing you can change the font size or the actual font to fit your personal preferences. That is all…
The cons of a download. It feels disposable. When I have a book in hand I want to keep it. This download is getting erased as soon as I am done. I also feel more connected when reading a book apposed to being online. It feels more real somehow. I like to collect books of all kinds. Text books on writing and most sciences, journals, poetry and novels are all objects that make my house a home. Keeping them around allows for dramatic effect and employs others to gain access in a more traditional way. I prefer not to scroll when I read. Now that does cause a break in concentration for me when I’m not editing my own work.
Sheesh, the list is depressing. I feel if you can do both then it is obviously the best way to go. I did like the fact that I had the option to do both. If I were given the option before I bought the book then I would have bought the book anyway just to add to my collection. Hey, some people collect stamps or rocks. I collect all three and much more.
As far as a selling agent I feel that it can help for people who don’t have money and that’s cool. And for the people who do have the cash to make the purchase, they can introduce it to there friends without having to let them borrow the hard copy. I wonder when is the best time to release a free version of a book on line? After it has sold a considerable amount or if it isn’t selling much in the first place. I would imagine that both are acceptable. If it isn’t selling well then allowing people to see and example of you work could bring promising results for a second product in production.
At the end of the day I think I want my books as books. The Internet is has taken over too much of our lives as it is and the last thing I want to see in the world is books disappearing from the shelves of libraries and schools. Novels should be available for free after a while just as a playwright’s material becomes public domain. People take too much advantage of the Speed Racer lifestyle and should slow down more in general. Granted these are all my personal opinions but looking at the state of the world has led me to believe that nothing we are doing in the today is going to pay off for any of us in the long run of man kinds progression.
In the end I stand on the fact that both function to meet the expectation of the reader. If we could write these stories as painting to reach a wider audience then we should.
-Bruce Kent
Audio8.com
I re-read as a free download, and I would like to take a moment to speak on the matter. There was a fear of mine that I wouldn’t be able to see the story in my mind the same way as if it were read from the book on the page. That was a stupid assumption seeing as I read stories on line all the time. I guess the thing that made me feel this was the fact that it was an assignment that caused me to dwell on the matter. Seeing the story in my mind is a very intimate experience that shouldn’t be compromised. Reading on the train or with the television on in the back ground don’t break my concentration either. I did not feel the distraction of other media attempting to take my attention on my computer the way most people in the class feared.
The pros of reading a download. There are manipulations that one can claim that cannot occur from a book format. When you download an article of writing you can change the font size or the actual font to fit your personal preferences. That is all…
The cons of a download. It feels disposable. When I have a book in hand I want to keep it. This download is getting erased as soon as I am done. I also feel more connected when reading a book apposed to being online. It feels more real somehow. I like to collect books of all kinds. Text books on writing and most sciences, journals, poetry and novels are all objects that make my house a home. Keeping them around allows for dramatic effect and employs others to gain access in a more traditional way. I prefer not to scroll when I read. Now that does cause a break in concentration for me when I’m not editing my own work.
Sheesh, the list is depressing. I feel if you can do both then it is obviously the best way to go. I did like the fact that I had the option to do both. If I were given the option before I bought the book then I would have bought the book anyway just to add to my collection. Hey, some people collect stamps or rocks. I collect all three and much more.
As far as a selling agent I feel that it can help for people who don’t have money and that’s cool. And for the people who do have the cash to make the purchase, they can introduce it to there friends without having to let them borrow the hard copy. I wonder when is the best time to release a free version of a book on line? After it has sold a considerable amount or if it isn’t selling much in the first place. I would imagine that both are acceptable. If it isn’t selling well then allowing people to see and example of you work could bring promising results for a second product in production.
At the end of the day I think I want my books as books. The Internet is has taken over too much of our lives as it is and the last thing I want to see in the world is books disappearing from the shelves of libraries and schools. Novels should be available for free after a while just as a playwright’s material becomes public domain. People take too much advantage of the Speed Racer lifestyle and should slow down more in general. Granted these are all my personal opinions but looking at the state of the world has led me to believe that nothing we are doing in the today is going to pay off for any of us in the long run of man kinds progression.
In the end I stand on the fact that both function to meet the expectation of the reader. If we could write these stories as painting to reach a wider audience then we should.
-Bruce Kent
Audio8.com
"That's Almost a Wrap People"
So after a long, daunting, and soul-draining process, I've compiled everything I need to go to print. I'd say the toughest part was getting my celebrity writer's submission. I've learned that sometimes you have to play Cap'n Mother-Fucking-Asshole/Play the Game in order to appease all parties, meet deadlines, and still have a staff. Doing all the proofing/editing is no easy task so once this thing is negotiated, signed, and backed, I'm hiring a second staffer. I can't do this all by myself. Fortunately, I had a free-lance artist who worked for free pending my guarantee of a future gig which I'm in the process of making good.
All I can say is that launching a journal is not for anyone who wants to do this as a hobby; esp if you're also a writer. You're either all the way or get the fuck outta here. I'm in this for the long haul so either contribute, start a press, or have fun in a suit.
All I can say is that launching a journal is not for anyone who wants to do this as a hobby; esp if you're also a writer. You're either all the way or get the fuck outta here. I'm in this for the long haul so either contribute, start a press, or have fun in a suit.
The Tooth that Told the Truth
Kelly Link's Stranger Things Happen proves that yes they do indeed after reading her short story entitled The Survivor's Ball or The Donner Party.
The story hooks you instantly as we are thrown into a situation already transpiring with two friends who met by happenstance during their course of travel. Jasper, one of the two main characters, has a broken molar which has become the acting "little voice in the back of his head." The time is not really made clear yet it must be sometime in the mid 20th century as they are driving along a wintered, winding road in search of a hotel. The relationship between Jasper and Serena is juxtaposed with the twisting and turning road in which they are traveling. Outwardly, it's platonic but Link avails little hints between the two that suggest it building into something more serious.
They swerve to miss a random, road rug-rat that sends them off the road into a ditch which seems to parallel with Jasper's uncertainty about the whole situation. The parallel structure juxtaposed with the other character makes for an intricate blue print in this telling. Link brings the two about as they find themselves at a hotel mingling with a group of elegant yet sketchy characters who seem to be hiding something larger. The leader or MC of the gathering, Mr. Donner, is conveyed as a multi-faceted character who Link uses to hint at what's really going on but not enough to make it too obvious.
Link's use of Magical Realism is dashed on the platter for flavor as Serena disappears into the hoard of guests followed by a wolf's howl in a land of Marsupials.
The story hooks you instantly as we are thrown into a situation already transpiring with two friends who met by happenstance during their course of travel. Jasper, one of the two main characters, has a broken molar which has become the acting "little voice in the back of his head." The time is not really made clear yet it must be sometime in the mid 20th century as they are driving along a wintered, winding road in search of a hotel. The relationship between Jasper and Serena is juxtaposed with the twisting and turning road in which they are traveling. Outwardly, it's platonic but Link avails little hints between the two that suggest it building into something more serious.
They swerve to miss a random, road rug-rat that sends them off the road into a ditch which seems to parallel with Jasper's uncertainty about the whole situation. The parallel structure juxtaposed with the other character makes for an intricate blue print in this telling. Link brings the two about as they find themselves at a hotel mingling with a group of elegant yet sketchy characters who seem to be hiding something larger. The leader or MC of the gathering, Mr. Donner, is conveyed as a multi-faceted character who Link uses to hint at what's really going on but not enough to make it too obvious.
Link's use of Magical Realism is dashed on the platter for flavor as Serena disappears into the hoard of guests followed by a wolf's howl in a land of Marsupials.
Link online
I don't like to read anything longer than a paragraph from a monitor. Even when doing research papers I'll just read the title of an article, then print it. Most of the time I can cherry-pick a few sentences and make them fit my thesis. By doing this I save paper and my eyes.
When I first pulled up The Specialist's Hat on my computer, the large black & white blocks of words illuminated by the bright smiling-dog-faced background of my desktop, I felt a familiar sense of dread. It reminded me of one of the lengthy soapbox emails I get from a relative. The kind that usually ends with, "If you believe in this message, share the lord and forward this to 19 of your friends. But if you hate God and country, just delete it. You jerk."
But I did read a few paragraphs of the story. Enough to know that I didn't like it. I'd rather kick back on the couch and read, turning pages, and when I fall asleep I can move my bookmark and start snoozing; minimal effort here. Reading on my desktop? Not a fan.
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