tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147059463899611562024-02-20T17:34:57.145-08:00BACK AGAIN AND GONEUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-53028854294454017522013-07-02T05:42:00.002-07:002013-07-02T05:42:31.402-07:00RECENT & UPCOMING <u>OUT</u><br />
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It's been a little while--okay, years--since my last update. I have been writing, but have also been busier than usual with real life (i.e., trying to keep from losing my mind).<br />
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This year, I had a story called "Highway Star" in Near to the Knuckles' <strong>GLOVES OFF </strong>anthology. You can purchase it at <em>amazon</em>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Near-Knuckle-presents-Gloves-ebook/dp/B00C2D48YM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372763926&sr=1-1&keywords=Gloves+Off">GLOVES OFF</a><br />
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My poem "feet," first non-lyrical work published as <a href="http://katharinehepcat.com/">Katharine Hepcat</a>, is up at <a href="http://13myna.blogspot.com/">Thirteen Myna Birds</a>. Juliet rotates the poems every thirty days, so hurry if you want to read it.<br />
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I also had a poem called "with carol at the switchhouse," inspired by the writing of a friend, which has been archived on my contributor's page at <a href="http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/search/label/walter%20conley">The Camel Saloon</a><br />
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I think there were a couple more earlier in the year. Have to check. Anyhow, that's what I'm sure of off the top of my head.<br />
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<u>ON THE WAY </u><br />
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I was asked to review a brilliant graphic novel to be published soon. Waiting to have a question answered by the publisher. I'll post the review at my new umbrella site, <a href="http://katharinehepcat.com/">katharinehepcat.com</a>, where I plan to collate all things Katharine Hepcat/Walter Conley (writing, art, music) from this point on.<br />
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I'm preparing a different Noir short for Kindle, reworking a novel.<br />
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In the fall, I'm going to have an e-book published--the house's debut into the world of electronic readers. It's an oldschool noir/horror story triggered by a help wanted sign. I'm very excited about this, but can't say much more now. This will likely be my last work published under the name Walter Conley. I've used various pen names over the years, but am going to do all future projects as Katharine Hepcat (unless I have a specific request to the contrary). There are links on the new site to related social media accounts.<br />
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Though I've always been a proponent of genre fiction, as a reader and a writer, I may be edging away from it to explore some new terrain.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-13512382180368157242011-04-28T04:07:00.000-07:002011-04-28T04:29:32.646-07:00ME & THE DREHMERSI have a piece called "Ray" in the one-year anniversary issue of Aleathia Drehmer's IN BETWEEN ALTERED STATES. Ray first appeared in a story I wrote for Opi8. He has since shown up in a screenplay and a group of tales centered around a diner. In my opinion, Ray is the most terrifying character I've ever created (by the time you notice him, it's already too late and you'd better hope you're not the person he's looking for)....<br /><br /><a href="http://inbetweenalteredstates.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/ray-by-walt-conley/ ">RAY</a><br /><br />I also have a little poem called "Stardust" in Blossoms, a mini-zine edited by Aleathia's daughter. Can't wait to receive it.<br /><br />I've cut back on writing and submitting work to focus upon music, but will have more new poetry up soon at Sex and Murder Magazine, Gloom Cupboard and Phantom Kangaroo.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-60190675460830745372011-04-05T04:08:00.001-07:002011-04-05T04:22:25.168-07:00KICK AND FREE CHINESE FLOETICSI have a short story called "Kick Head Kimberly" at Pulp Metal Magazine. Part of the Candy Sangria Experience.<br /><br /><a href="http://pulpmetalmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/kick-head-kimberly-by-walter-conley/">KICK HEAD KIMBERLY</a><br /><br />My poetry collection, OUR SECRET END, is in the works. It'll be published overseas, but available online and in the US, as well.<br /><br />After it comes out and I post FLASHDRIVE 2, I may teach myself Mandarin Chinese and write music for a while. Or just speak Mandarin, since it's as beautiful as any music I've ever heard.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-65802997018165307092011-03-30T04:49:00.000-07:002011-03-30T05:00:06.403-07:00Mmmm...DROP!My poem "descent" is up at <strong>The Camel Saloon</strong>:<br /><br /><a href="http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/2011/03/descent.html">descent</a><br /><br />My own favorite of the desert poems I've written. The road described is one I took almost daily when I was out in CA. They have some wonderful poetry at The Camel Saloon. Glad I happened upon it.<br /><br />FLASHDRIVE 2, the next disenthralled e-book, is coming along. Two stories to go and I've been in touch with the photographer. Still on track for a May 1 posting.<br /><br />I picked up some audio mixing/recording software and may put together a radio drama. I haven't written or recorded any complete songs in a while, so that's also a possibility.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-50985396477385760862011-03-22T06:28:00.000-07:002011-03-22T06:40:52.354-07:00BACK IN BLACK AND HEREI have a poem called "re-animate-her" at <strong>Mad Swirl</strong>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.madswirl.com/content/poetryforum.html">re-animate-her</a><br /><br />My first piece for them. I had no idea that you become a regular once you have three poems there. Hmmm. Would they take a poem about unseen electronic bird-gods? Would anyone?<br /><br />I also posted a story of mine called "Last Stop, Dullsville" at issuu, along with some of the Paul Dutra photography that inspired it. Forget to mention it here. You have to be a member or issuu--free and easy--since it's correctly tagged unsuitable for children:<br /><br /><a href="http://issuu.com/pitchbrite/docs/dullsville">TICKET TO DULLSVILLE</a><br /><br />I'm about to post a new <strong>disenthralled</strong> issuu e-book. Two stories by a writer who appeared in one of the regular issues and a cover by a photographer new to us. By us, once again, I mean me. Possibly today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-14289368913970116922011-03-16T05:42:00.000-07:002011-03-16T05:49:09.170-07:00PETROL COLADAI have a new story up, "Evan," at <strong>Nefarious Muse</strong>. It's all true but the detail I added to frame it into a story:<br /><br /><a href="http://nefariousmuse.com/2011/03/15/evan-by-walter-conley/">EVAN</a><br /><br />Finished a crime story today. <br /><br />May draw some. <br /><br />Yesterday I did a pen-and-ink portrait of Henry Cooper, based on a photo of him taken after he'd gone five rounds with Muhammad Ali. It's my new profile pic at faceplant. I really like working with pigment pens and india ink--a mixture of drawing and painting. The results are gritty and suit my colorblindess and predilection for B&W.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-74474438860493019162011-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:03:16.310-07:00PHANTOM KANGAROOI have a new poem, "underspace," in issue #5 of Phantom Kangaroo. My first time appearing there. Nice site, good company to be in....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.phantomkangaroo.com/issue-no-5/underspace.html">underspace</a><br /><br />I should have a story or two up soon, maybe a comic.<br /><br />Wrote half a story this morning. I usually bang them out in a sitting, but I want to let this one stew, under the lid, for another day before I wrap it up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-91218458665016084452011-03-07T01:40:00.000-08:002011-03-07T03:40:15.993-08:00DARK DAYS AHEAD AND BEHINDThe spring 2011 issue of DARK VALENTINE MAGAZINE is up, containing an illustration of mine and stories by Paul Brazill and others. My first time being published with them:<br /><br /><a href="http://darkvalentine.net/index.php/2011/03/rites-of-spring/">DARK VALENTINE SPRING 2011</a><br /><br />I was asked to do this, after I had a piece go up at A TWIST OF NOIR. Aspects of the drawing surprised me upon seeing it again--surprised, as in, <em>I don't remember doing that</em>--although I just drew it a month or two ago.<br /><br />_____<br /><br />I now have the photographer, guest introducer and full line-up of writers in place for FLASHDRIVE 2. Three stories already. On track for the May 1 publication date. <br /><br />I have a list of writers I want for FLASHDRIVE 3, which I'm hoping will be kind of a Scary Twilight Zone Edition. <br /><br />_____<br /><br /><br />Sent off a few things the other day. I'm going to have another story at IN BETWEEN ALTERED STATES and a poem up next week. I should have a comic up soon. I'm also waiting to hear back on whether a new Candy Sangria tale will be posted.<br /><br />This weekend, I wrote a poem about a night I spent at a Long Beach oil refinery and the bulk of a short crime story inspired by a trip I'll take to Wyoming next month. By the prospect of it. Not the trip itself, since I haven't taken it yet. I'm driving someone out, then flying back solo. I don't mind the traveling--looking forward to the drive and I'm fine with flying--but there are lots of loose ends and details to be worked out and a certain amount of dread involved. I would like to get some road trip pics, jot down a couple story ideas. And I've never been to Wyoming before.<br /><br />This morning. I may work on the crime story and type up a few poems. I want to do a pen-and-ink portrait today, but am undecided on the subject.<br /><br />Coffee pot, come to me....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-32483307780434314202011-02-28T06:45:00.000-08:002011-02-28T06:58:52.325-08:00I REMEMBER FALLING....I have a new poem entitled "the fall" at <strong>The Camel Saloon</strong>. My first appearance there. It's also archived at their annex site, <strong>The Second Hump</strong>, which you can link to from the homepage....<br /><br /><a href="http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/2011/02/fall.html">THE FALL</a><br /><br />I just began to submit written work again, after quite a layoff. I'll have another poem in a small press mag soon. About to email a short story.<br /><br />The list of contributors for FLASHDRIVE 2 (being released internationally as SON OF FLASHDRIVE) is coming together. Very excited about this. People I haven't published or worked with before. Plus, I'm asking about half of them to do what they ordinarily would not, which almost always leads to innovation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-19471356414141831192011-02-16T11:20:00.000-08:002011-02-16T11:45:30.991-08:00FLASHDRIVEFLASHDRIVE, the first <strong>disenthralled</strong> E-book, is up at issuu. Photos by Sarah Bloom. Flash Fiction by Peggy McFarland, Robert Crisman, Laurita Miller, Carrie Clevenger, Quin Browne and Me (I included the story that gave me the idea, which was inspired by the work of Nicole Hirschi).<br /><br /><a href="http://issuu.com/pitchbrite/docs/flashdrive">FLASHDRIVE: Flash Fiction and Images from the Road</a><br /><br />My first time dealing with issuu. I found out the hard way you can't edit what is posted there. There are a few typos/brainslips/format glitches, but the material is strong. Read the Foreword, if you must, at a skim.<br /><br />I found it much easier to layout the file prior to uploading it than dick around with it for hours on end, like I've been doing at the main Wordpress site (http://disenthralled.net). The e-zine/website version consumed far too much of my life. Issuu offers a way for me to continue <strong>disenthralled</strong> without it becoming a full-time job again.<br /><br />_____<br /><br /><br />Sarah Bloom, who provided all of the photographs, has a Kickstarter campaign, "Totally Exposed," that you should check out. If you like the work she has contributed to disenthralled and my other projects, please consider supporting her:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sadandbeautiful/totally-exposed-solo-exhibition">TOTALLY EXPOSED</a><br /><br />_____<br /><br />Opened the windows in the office today. It's beautiful out. The wind is gusting, but not nearly as bad as yesterday. Belle, one of our Siamese kittens, hopped right up to watch the birdies.<br /><br />"Look at the little birdie...."<br /><br />Pop!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-54967885379230547162011-02-15T03:56:00.000-08:002011-02-15T04:13:01.897-08:00WINTERKILLDid a new piece for A TWIST OF NOIR yesterday:<br /><br /><a href="http://a-twist-of-noir.blogspot.com/">SNOW'S NOT COLD TO A DEAD MAN</a><br /><br />That was the working title. I don't really give my drawings titles. Call it whatever you want. "Nice Job Backing Out of the Driveway in Fresh Snow" would do.<br /><br />I sketched the clouds and lower half in pencil, then started inking from the top with micron pens. The skylines were done freehand. My favorite part, I think, is the mailbox.<br /><br />Yesterday, I picked up some ink and an India ink brush-pen to try on large blacked-out spaces. I've been eating up the micron pens; I love them for inking these small pieces, but they don't give the kind of flat, opaque coverage I want.<br /><br />Next, I'm going to work on a new comic for PULP METAL. I have a few things ready, but need something different before I post the Quin Browne short story I adapted.<br /><br />I'm also finishing up a little e-book called "Flashdrive" (Sarah Bloom photography and various writers). Should be up soon. Today, if I can place the photos and upload it to the site correctly.<br /><br />And with my free time, unless something comes up, I'll be either be watching bad Horror or 70's Crime movies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-89447028336501069622011-02-14T04:53:00.000-08:002011-02-14T04:59:54.601-08:00BAD BLACK HEARTNew Valentine's Day story, "Mine," by Rizzy Rodham at <strong>YOU WOULD SAY THAT, WOULDN'T YOU?</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-day-guest-blog-mine-by-rizzy.html">MINE</a><br /><br />_____<br /><br />Working on some new crimescene artwork and a stippled portrait of Charlie Patton today.<br /><br />Wrote a poem last night, for the first time in months.<br /><br />I'm sliding back towards music and martial arts training and have no idea how this year is going to play out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-6972544790807460312011-02-07T06:20:00.000-08:002011-02-07T06:29:57.642-08:00BACK IN BLACK (LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS RE-MIX)BLACK BETWEEN THE FRAMES #2 is up at <strong>Pulp Metal Magazine</strong>. Lots to read. So go read it....<br /><br /><a href="http://pulpmetalmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/black-between-the-frames2-by-walter-conley/">BBTF #2</a><br /><br />_____<br /><br />Submitted a poem last week that will be appearing in a print microzine this spring. I have a slew of poems from last year that I never sent out. May get on it this week.<br /><br />Finished the pencils on a new version of the Quin Browne story I adapted for BBTF.<br /><br />There are a few things I could work on, but I think I'd rather draw a picture of Lightnin' Hopkins today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-60886961448507451212011-01-31T03:07:00.000-08:002011-01-31T03:45:09.663-08:00NOT THE COFFEE, DAMMITNew drawing, "Why you should always sit at a table, rather than a booth, with a clear view of the door," at Twist:<br /><br /><a href="http://a-twist-of-noir.blogspot.com/">A TWIST OF NOIR</a><br /><br />Sakura micron pens on a sketchpad. I almost painted it, but decided to go with lines and heavy blacks. Still undecided whether I should do greyscale or straight B&W on this kind of image. Black and white, I think, if I can pull it off. There are an infinite variety of effects you can achieve with straight B&W. Not always logical or accurate--often stylized, suggestive, even surreal--but my primary concern is eliciting a reaction, not winning a prize for photo-realism.<br /><br />I'm reminded of Cornell Woolrich, one of the progenitors of Noir. His stories were often contrived, overwrought, at times nonsensical, but he dragged you into the heart of his existential nightmare and didn't let up until you almost couldn't stand it.<br /><br />Finishing up a new BBTF today. Have another ready. Keeping an eye out, while I wait for details on an upcoming illustration.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-30676193123178898112011-01-18T15:08:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:25:44.624-08:00METALHEADSBLACK BETWEEN THE FRAMES, the monthly crime comic for <strong>Pulp Metal Magazine</strong>, now has a homepage: <br /><br /><a href="http://pulpmetalmagazine.wordpress.com/black-between-the-frames/">BBTF</a><br /><br />I plan to do a few single-panels, then a longer story or two this spring. I'm already at work adapting the short story of a friend.<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Just finished an illustration for a periodical that I have never appeared in, as a writer/editor/anything else. Excited to be part of it.<br /><br />Next are an illustration for a comic-themed book, new artwork for A Twist of Noir and a wicked little story for Valentine's Day. And I may get <strong>disenthralled</strong> up and running again soon--I discussed it with a guest editor and contacted a new photographer this morning.<br /><br />What's on Chiller tonight....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-30076533596149836942011-01-10T03:46:00.000-08:002011-01-10T03:54:23.473-08:00PULPSTERMy monthly crime comic for <strong>Pulp Metal Magazine</strong>, BLACK BETWEEN THE FRAMES, is up and running. Here's the proposed intro (should be added soon) and a link:<br /><br /><em>You took a wrong turn and nothing makes sense. Left or right, the streets get darker. You double-back, retrace your steps, only to find the last intersection gone. <br /><br />Don’t stop. <br /><br />Don’t even slow down. <br /><br />Because that noise you heard was something, all right. That blur in the alley more than a shadow. <br /><br />This is the City of Wellesport. It plans to do more than welcome you. And the slip that brought you in may be the last mistake of your sorry life....</em> <br /><br /><a href="http://pulpmetalmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/black-between-the-frames-1-by-walter-conley/">BLACK BETWEEN THE FRAMES</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-10613953261123976762011-01-03T04:14:00.000-08:002011-01-03T04:23:14.836-08:00YOU LITTLE PUNKOnly too happy to do something for Paul Brazill's blog. That guy hauling ass across YOU WOULD SAY THAT, WOULDN'T YOU? was inked with Sakura Micron pens, painted in watercolor, scanned, then drained of color and tweaked to make it appear greyscale....<br /><br /><a href="http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com">"Hightailer"</a><br /><br />Working on some new stuff for A Twist of Noir and considering a few other projects.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-78790927044577941172010-12-27T07:57:00.000-08:002010-12-27T08:34:24.118-08:00Back in Black (and White)I have a new drawing up at A TWIST OF NOIR today: <br /><br /><a href="http://a-twist-of-noir.blogspot.com/2010/12/contest-20-book-gift-card-hangs-in.html">Matchstick Man</a><br /><br />Tried a method I saw Andrew Loomis use, black pen with inkwash around the figure. The ink, a Speedball acrylic/pigment, was very thin and grey. I had to paint several layers to get it dark enough (also tossed in acrylic paint and Sharpies to see what would happen), then went high-contrast after I scanned it. Lost a touch of the subtlety and detail of the original. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do greyscale crime comics and illustrations. By hand. Colored pencils look good on paper, but don't scan well.<br /><br />I've transitioned from writing prose to using art as a storytelling medium or combining scripts with illustrations. Although I have been writing straight fiction and poetry all my life, I also used to draw cartoons and have been yearning to get back into comics lately. It's more satifying for me to have more than one thing going at once--I'd rather sing and play music at the same time than just play, etc. You can achieve a more sophisticated effect when combining disciplines (imagine what the right score does for a piece of otherwise silent cinematography). The creative process is different for me, as well, broadier and dreamier than when I exclusively use words. It's a looser focus. Meditative. Time flies by at a startling rate. <br /><br />If anybody wants an illustration, let me know. I'm open to whatever you have in mind. * pitchbrite@gmail.com *Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-83353923239883631792010-11-30T07:10:00.000-08:002010-11-30T07:17:40.729-08:00ALTERED STATES, PART TWO: THE BEGINNINGHave a new piece of flash, "Over the Hill," in Episode #7 of <strong>IN BETWEEN ALTERED STATES</strong>. I'm pretty sure this is the only brand new short story I've written to completion since July (about 2/3 of the way through another novel at the moment, adapting a short story as a web comic and fooling around with Manga-style portraits). Interesting project. Nice work all around....<br /><br /> Read <a href="http://inbetweenalteredstates.wordpress.com/category/episode-7/">"Over the Hill"</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-70022841850502084952010-11-03T04:13:00.000-07:002011-01-10T04:05:32.023-08:00RIZZ IS....New story, "Amanda," by Rizzy Rodham, at Paul Brazill's YOU WOULD SAY THAT, WOULDN'T YOU. Went up Halloween night. Based on some poetry I had published in print and online over the past year or so (through Oustider Writers, Shoots and Vines, Full of Crow)....<br /><br />Read <a href="http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-guest-blog-amanda-by-rizzy.html?spref=fb">AMANDA</a><br /><br />I may just have to hand my keyboard over to her at some point.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-11589503316229253692010-10-26T05:14:00.000-07:002010-10-26T05:32:33.318-07:00DID YOU FEEL THAT?Up today, a little horror story of mine called "Touch" at FLASHES IN THE DARK: Horror Flash Fiction in Daily Doses:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://flashesinthedark.com/">FLASHES IN THE DARK</a><br /><br />There's a permanent link to the story in the sidebar.<br /><br />On Halloween, Rizzy Rodham's short story "Amanda," based on some poetry and prose-poetry I published over the last year, is scheduled to go up at Paul D. Brazill's YOU WOULD SAY THAT, WOULDN'T YOU?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-67175731937624899462010-10-25T08:07:00.000-07:002010-10-25T08:31:22.021-07:00TWITCHING THUMBSThe following poem, "the witch," appeared in a print anthology of New England poetry last year. I think. I got an acceptance letter, but no contributor's copy. The life of a writer. Anyway, Happy Halloween....<br /><br /><br /><strong>the witch</strong><br /><br />our neighbor<br />the widow mcdowell<br /><br />--whose husband<br />worked hard for<br />sixty-odd years<br />was kind and quiet and<br />steady as they come<br />then spent his <br />retirement<br />running naked from the<br />groton town police—<br /><br />used to set<br />baskets full of apples<br />from her own backyard <br />over the wall<br />and <br />into ours<br /><br />my brother and i<br />would both yell <br />“witch!”<br />and run<br />into the house<br /><br />looking back<br />i felt terrible<br />until i remembered<br />how she’d smile<br />when we ran<br />light right up<br />maybe even laugh<br /><br />i realized<br />she wasn’t just <br />trying to be nice<br />but also<br />trying to<br />scare us to death<br /><br />she did a <br />pretty good job<br />that witch<br />which <br />in a way<br />makes me<br />feel good too<br /><br />________<br /><br /><br />Otherwise...<br /><br />I'll have a short story published online tomorrow, another in December.<br /><br />This morning, I hit page 87 on the adult Horror novel, NOW AND THEN. Itching to finish so I can revise the YA Horror novel I just wrote. <br /><br />As for drawing, I'm about to do some serious work on negative space. I started an album called ART? at my facebook account to track my progress.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-6746170121937255942010-10-19T06:40:00.000-07:002010-10-19T06:54:27.378-07:00CONTOURSJust posted an interview with Katashi Katsu, by Juliette "Rizzy" Rodham, at <strong>disenthralled</strong>:<br /><br /><a href="http://disenthralled.net/2010/10/18/rodhamkatsu/">STALL</a><br />_____<br /><br />I'm on page 68 of the new book, NOW AND THEN. I've only been shooting for 5-10 pages a day on this, because (1) it's a more sophisticated novel than the last one I wrote and (2) I want to devote as much time as possible to learning how to draw. I turn out a decent sketch from time to time, but have never gotten serious about art. It's time I did. My goal is to be able to illustrate my own comics or cartoons. (I have always wanted to do a daily, horror comic strip. I did have one running online, about six or seven years ago, with an artist who manipulated photos of live models. It's where I first used the title BACK AGAIN AND GONE. Ramsey Campbell gave me permission to use the name of one of his early characters--Render of the Veils, from a Lovecraftian short story--as the name of my own sinister antagonist. It's tough coordinating with an artist for an ongoing project, especially when it's published strictly for fun. Perhaps being able to illustrate one myself will open some doors for me.)<br /><br />I don't have much coming out this fall, since I haven't been submitting, but I may send out a horror story or two this week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-83929863411605675602010-10-06T07:09:00.000-07:002010-10-06T07:23:02.767-07:00ED & THE DEADI have a little rhyme called "ED" in issue #40 of Danse Macabre, one of the ezines I appear in somewhat regularly:<br /><br /><a href="http://dansemacabre.art.officelive.com/MoreXLntPoetry.aspx">ED</a><br /><br />_____<br /><br /><br />This morning, I tried to choose what type of book I'd write next. It's a toss-up between a crime novel (for which I have @ 70 pages of raw material) and an adult Horror novel with the working title NOW AND THEN. I'm leaning towards NOW AND THEN. Wrote a couple pages. The idea feels like it's ready to go. NOW AND THEN is a ghost story, told in the past and present simultaneously, with a vicious little twist at the end.<br /><br />Britt and I may go out to a local diner for breakfast to celebrate the completion of my YA novel, THE CALL.<br /><br />_____<br /><br />Yesterday, I submitted a new short story, "Over the Hill," to a site I haven't published at yet. Should know before too long if it's what they're after....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-214705946389961156.post-67518881642807180282010-10-05T06:45:00.000-07:002010-10-05T06:48:08.124-07:00CALLED OUTThis morning, I completed the Young Adult Horror novel I’ve been working on. It’s the first in a series I had in mind based on the Cthulhu Mythos tales of H.P. Lovecraft.<br /><br />I started it 8/20/10. The major difference between writing this and the other novels I’ve written this year was the pace. I recently changed schedules at work. Instead of banging out 3-5 pages a day, every day, like usual, I wrote 20 pages a day, Mon-Thu. Weekends off. It took about a month and a half to write. <br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable this set-up was. The book came in at 348 double-spaced pages—59,717 words. At this rate, writing a novel is far less daunting for me. I can keep the momentum up. The ending is always in sight—meaning that I don’t have that feeling of not knowing how long the project will go on. Plus, committing myself to write 20 pages a day FORCES invention, which is one of the key ingredients to making a long work interesting.<br /><br />I kicked it off like this:<br /><br />“You believe in that stuff?” Michael asked.<br /><br />And then ran with it. I had the main character and basic framework of the novel in mind, but none of the other details. I just let it come. It’s great to be surprised yourself as you’re writing and some of the plot turns and revelations really caught me off-guard. As a rule, I don’t plot out much. Almost all of my poems and short stories begin with a simple line that pops into my head; I plunge in with no idea how things will turn out. If you trust yourself this way, I find, say what you mean and stay true to the rhythm and mood of the piece, the rest will take care of itself. <br /><br />The first thing I noticed, upon completing it, was that I didn’t have the bittersweet, manic postpartum let-down that tends to accompany writing a book. I was happy to type THE END, extremely satisfied with how it went.<br /><br />So what’s next?<br /><br />I’m going to write one more book right away. I’ll figure out over the next couple days what kind of novel it will be. I have two or three ideas stirring. Then I’ll clean up the first three chapters of this one and pitch it, along with an outline of the series and the next installment.<br /><br />This has been a good time for me. I’m in a creative free-flow like I haven’t experienced in quite a while. The painting. Photography. Music. Writing. Fashion madness. Everything is working and working together, with no one activity cutting into the others. 2010 has been the worst year of my life in many ways, but the love of those around me and the almighty power of Creative Expression have pulled me through. Here’s to even more of it as I head into 2011.<br /><br /><br />Walter Conley<br />Louisa, VA<br />10/5/10Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1