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How I Stopped Hating Sci-Fi:  My Homage to Spock

2/27/2015

8 Comments

 
The only time I’ve ever slept in a movie theater is when my parents took me to see Star Trek:  The Motion Picture.   My whole life I’ve hated science fiction.  In the 70s I would see Star Trek on the TV at my neighbors and would cringe and leave the room.  It bored me.  The ridiculous costumes were laughable (although I do admit to enjoying the episode “Arena”), and none of the aliens looked threatening in the least.  I wanted blood and gore.  Or at least something that looked frightening. 

When it came to Sci-Fi, even Star Wars couldn’t do it for me.  The only two things that ever stood out in that trilogy for me as a child were the scenes in Empire Strikes Back where Han splits open the belly of the tauntaun and when we get to see the back of Darth Vader’s sickly-looking dome.  See, I was a messed up kid. 

As the 80s came, there were a handful of movies that melded science fiction and horror.  Alien, the remake of The Fly, The Thing, and Lifeforce to name a few.  And who can forget the terror that was Event Horizon in the 90s.  But as far as I was concerned, that was as close to Sci-Fi as I was ever going to get.  I could not—would not—appreciate the genre. 
It wasn’t until my late 30s that I decided I was going to give Sci-Fi another chance.  After all, I was now a huge jazz fan--something that was finally able to tear me away from my punk rock and metal roots.  I do this with music sometimes--give certain bands a chance about every five years or so.  I do this with Grateful Dead.  I give them the opportunity a few times per decade and they fail to impress every time.  I don’t think I’ll ever get it.  But with trying to rediscover Star Trek, by this time there was a certain retro nostalgia for me. 

So about 6 years ago when I saw that Netflix had all three seasons of the original series (or the TOS as the Trekkies…excuse me, Trekkers call it), I went at it.  I watched an episode, and then another.  And then another.  I was smitten.  The writing was fantastic.  The characters, memorable and real.  The choreographed fighting…hilarious.  And the captivating story lines certainly made up for the low budget effects.  It was refreshing to finally have those old scales fall from my eyes, revealing a whole new world where I could fully appreciate this five-year mission (well, three-year mission). 

And what fan hasn’t had a man crush on the testosterone-fueled Captain James Tiberius Kirk? 

However, I think it was Mr. Spock in particular that helped me appreciate this long overdue experience—the mysteriousness that surrounded Spock and his Vulcan ways.   

Years later, and now knee-deep into Star Trek:  The Next Generation, it’s clear that the character, Data, was created to fill the void left behind by Mr. Nimoy and his character, Spock.  Shoes that will never be filled.

Today I pay homage to Leonard Nimoy and the character that helped turn this hater into a lover.  I would even go so far as to say that Spock and the gang made that muppet show that is Star Wars, much more palatable for this reformed Sci-Fi guy.  Living 83 years on this earth isn’t bad.  I’d say he lived long.  And indeed he prospered.
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Two Before Dawn Contest!

2/24/2015

12 Comments

 
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In anticipation of my anthology, Night as a Catalyst, today I released my two-story collection, Two Before Dawn.  This e-book is the first in my "double feature collection," which will be made available exclusively as e-books, complete with notes for those interested in bits of trivia involved with the creation of the stories therein. 

In celebration of the release of this small collection, I thought I'd give a few copies away for free.  The winners will also receive a free Kindle version of One for the Road. 

And here's how to enter:  You're only eligible if you have liked my Facebook page here, and from there everything else is just one more drop in the hat:

*Share the announcement of the contest via Facebook or Twitter (tag me in it so I'm able to see it).
*Follow me on Twitter @ChadLutzke.
*Sign up to receive Write-Brained Leftover announcements by entering your email address to the right, then checking your email and clicking the verify link in the body of the email.


For each one of these you'll be entered once (twice for signing up to receive Write-Brained Leftover updates). 
The winner will be chosen at random and announced on my Facebook page this Sunday, March 01, 2015.

12 Comments

Day-Off Drivel III - Bad Sex

2/21/2015

4 Comments

 
This weekend's drivel discusses some potentially dangerous situations involving sexual exploits.

Perfectly Organized and Purposeful Chaos

At first glance, the yard—adorned sporadically with large, colorful children’s toys and playhouses—spoke white trash.  It was void of any grass secondary to years of small, scuffling feet hard at play in the children’s trove.  It screamed disorganization, yet everything was in its perfect place.  A chain link fence kept the good safe and the bad out.  The van in the driveway confirmed there was always a little people party going on. 

“You kids go and have fun but don’t touch Mama’s flower’s, now.” 

Only one block away, an old small building stood.  In days past it housed sexual debauchery in the basement—the live action kind.  Bring your 18-plus-year-old boner and your wallet; the back parking lot speckled with hidden cars of shameful slaves to their loins.  The building now stands as a tobacco and head shop.  When the kids break free from the fence one day, they can get their first colorful glass pipe to match their old broken toys instead of a good old fashioned STD.

 

Twenty Dollar Bill

“I slept with a hooker last night” the dark-haired boy told his best friend. 

The best friend sunk in the car seat unable to digest what he’d heard.  His friend was always a momma’s boy.  And save for the nicotine habit, he did nothing wrong.  There was a vacuum in the car and the night sky turned darker.  There was a demonic presence with the confession.  The surrealism of the moment sent the best friend into near panic mode, like what he had heard triggered some sort of impending apocalypse. 

“Why?” As he asked the question, he could feel the respect for his friend diminish.

“I don’t know.”  He began to cry. 

“You can’t be doing that, man!  Now you’ve got a new nickname.”


NEWS UPDATE:  Today (February 21, 2015) is the final day you can download the Kindle-friendly version of my story "One for the Road."  If you enjoy it, please consider leaving a sentence or two stating so on Amazon and/or Goodreads.  Also, within the next day or so I'll be making a pretty cool announcement.

Now Reading: 
Famous Monsters of Filmland issue 278
The Night is Long and Cold and Deep - Terry M. West



4 Comments

One for the Road:  Free Story on Your Kindle

2/17/2015

5 Comments

 
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From today until February 21, 2015, I am offering my story "One for the Road" for free on Amazon.  If you've read it, download it anyway--for two reasons.  I've revised it recently complete with new cover and as an overall better read, and also it ups my Amazon rankings which certainly helps build my platform.

Know what else helps?  Reviews and spreading the word.  If you enjoyed One for the Road, I would encourage you to take the time to leave a sentence or two stating so on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

If you're still not convinced then check out the trailer below.

Thank you ahead of time for taking the time out of your busy schedule to support me.  You are a great blessing, and I hope you enjoy the story half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

~Chad

5 Comments

Day-Off Drivel II:  Men and Women

2/14/2015

6 Comments

 
Week 2 of my micro pieces.  A completely different side of my writing--the therapeutic, artsy side.

Testosterone
The newlywed wife ran screaming out of the house—slowed down from all her extra weight.  "Help me!  He's trying to kill me!" She pleaded at the oncoming truck as she ran from her yard out into the street.  The truck told her he didn't want to get involved and then drove off leaving her standing alone desperate in the street.  Who felt more like a man that day; the guy fleeing or the guy choking his new wife?

Pink Ain't Lady Like
The power went out.  Usually it was secondary to a storm or some fool hitting a telephone pole with their car.  This outage, however, was the result of failure to pay.  The home owners sat in the dead silence, as though parts of their brains had now been unplugged.  The next few minutes were filled with questions and cursing and with brain-unplugged actions, like attempting to switch on a light in order to look for matches to light a candle so they could see better.  Yes, parts of their brains were unplugged.  The electricity executioner stood on the front steps attaching a bright pink note to the door; a beaten leather tool belt wrapped loosely around her soiled jeans. 

The home owner spotted the executioner as she marched her boots back down the front steps.  "Ma'am.  Did you turn my power off?

"Yes, I did.  But I left you a pink note."

Now Reading:
*Carus & Mitch - Tim Major





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News Update:  Spring Will Bring the Book

2/10/2015

14 Comments

 
Nothing to see here but a quick update.  Upon awakening yesterday morning, I received an email from the only indie publisher I currently trust with the release of my book.  While waiting to hear back from said publisher regarding any kind of "yay" or "nay," I had gone ahead with obtaining blurbs, a cover, final tweaking, etc. with the intent of self publishing right away if denied.  The email I received was a request for more.  This means two things.  I'm closer to getting my book published through them, but farther from a release date.  I've sent them four pieces and now it's back to the waiting game.  This could take until mid spring before I hear anything.  That being said, Night as a Catalyst will not be released this month.  During the wait, I will be focusing on my contributions to Horror Novel Reviews, proofreading for Crystal Lake Publishing and others, and more than anything:  Writing an abundance of stories and/or the novella series I've been waiting to water. 

Thank you for the support with your feedback, your comments, your reviews, and your spreading the word.  Every bit of this helps more than you know.

Currently Reading: 
*Chazown - Craig Groeschel
*Servant of the Red Quill:  A Baker Johnson Tale - Terry M. West
14 Comments

Day-Off Drivel:  Weekly Flash Fiction I

2/8/2015

8 Comments

 
Though I've written notebooks full of songs--and even straight up poetry--poems aren't something I'm normally in the habit of writing.  I don't dabble too much in the that type of literary romanticism.  And I'm not a big fan of reading it.  Poetry can be so personal at times that no one else but the author can truly appreciate it.  Do take note.  I'm not bad mouthing it.    There is, however, a type of flash fiction that I enjoy that I would consider almost poetic.  And I suppose you can either see the beauty in it, or maybe it'll just fly right over your head.  Last year I wrote a blog entry (read that sucker right here) where I used the traffic view on Google maps to help jump start my imagination.  What resulted was my own made-up scenario based on evidences observed in a panoramic view on Google maps right in my home town.  That particular form of writing is far reserved from what I normally do, but I find it both therapeutic and entertaining.  It's a very satisfying form of art, if you will.  I'd like to start sharing some of my pieces here on the weekend in a little segment called "Day-Off Drivel." 

I suppose I would have to credit author/actor/speaker/opinionator/punk rock icon Henry Rollins for inspiration.  He's written some books with a similar style.  I hope you enjoy the micro pieces.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll publish a little book full of all this drivel.  Hope you enjoy it! 
Not Quite Six Feet Deep But Deep Enough
"Dig it deeper."  The drunk man commanded the two boys. 

The man's dog had died earlier that day lying in the sweltering sun.  Insects had started to find the corpse attractive; the sun helping lift the scent of death to their senses.  The hole was already 4 feet deep—a ridiculous depth for a pet.  But the grieving man's judgment was clouded with an alcohol-fueled paranoia, that one day people would move into the house he was renting and dig up his precious dead dog.  He would most certainly not have that.  Later, while the dog rested under the weight of 4 feet of soil, the man would treat the boys to BBQ for their suffering and sweat.

Facing a Wasteland
You knew painting your door red would show the world how mad you were; that painting your lawn with the blue petunias would show the world how sad you were.  And though you’d never let us see you, the dolls in your windows and your stone garden figurines told tales of your loneliness.  Keep your curtains closed and your bricks stacked tight.  It’s a mad, wild world.

Now Reading: 
Chazown - Craig Groeschel
All of the Flesh Served - Terry M. West
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The Puzzle Process:  Tightening Up Your Prose

2/6/2015

4 Comments

 
As of late, I've been dipping my pen into more of a freelancing ink.  I've found it surprisingly satisfying, in particular when praised for the piece.  Dare I say I may get nearly as much satisfaction writing an article or review than I do writing a story. 

Both of them include what I call the “puzzle process.”  The puzzle process is the tightening of the story, making sure each word fits properly and the sentences flow like honey…or if you prefer a different simile you can insert that right here. 

Imagine a rough draft as dumping an entire jigsaw puzzle onto a blank white surface.  Judging from many of the pieces and their colors, you get the idea of what’s being formed, but then you grab the edge pieces and build the foundation—the structure that all other pieces will adhere to.

Once the rough draft is done then comes rearranging and fitting the pieces ever so snugly, which often involves tearing out those little chunks that look good but they just don’t belong, or as William Faulkner so brutally puts it, you must “kill your darlings.”  That part can be pretty painful; that eloquent prose that comes straight from the heart and nearly jumps out in full color right there on the paper (or Word document).  Kill it.  It doesn’t belong.  Ouch!
After a story or article is published, I can barely bring myself to read it again for fear of finding something I wish I could change but it being too late.  I feel like the piece of work is never really finished.  Like an artist with his painting, there is always something he could change; add some dark or light values here or there.  However, there does come a time, at the end of the puzzle process, when I feel all is tightened, the honey is flowing, every piece fits securely and permanently, and I just sit back and revel in the work with a smile.

When I save the final draft, push in the chair, and walk away, I have to be careful not to look down.  I just know I’ll find a missing piece lying right there on the floor next to my desk.

4 Comments

A Few Words on Stephen King's "On Writing."

2/1/2015

8 Comments

 
Before I read On Writing, I stumbled across a complaint that someone had with the book.  They took issue with not every page having been dedicated solely to lessons on writing but also included a lengthy autobiographical section.  I take it the guy wasn’t actually a fan of Mr. King but instead a fan of the money King makes; apparently the life stories King told were just getting in the way.  I, for one, enjoy hearing factoids about people I’m interested in, and Stephen King happens to be one of those people.
Last year I took some of the money I won in a writing contest and bought myself a copy of Stephen King's book, On Writing.  I just finished it yesterday morning and have written some words to say about it.

First off, I'm giving the book 5/5 stars. 
It takes quite a lot for me to give something a 5/5; not that I’m overly picky, but that last star I hang onto dearly and it really needs to be earned.  The book, as a whole, is perfect for what it is:  a teacher and entertainer, written by one of this country’s most prolific and recognizable authors.  For me, the book is timeless.   

On Writing was published approximately 16 years before I read it, but until the occasional sentence would pop that referenced something that—at the time—had yet to released, I would forget it wasn’t a new book.  It felt fresh.  King references some books that aided him in learning the craft, and I’ve no doubt that On Writing will, itself, be a historic tome essential in any writer’s “toolbox” (a term King illustrates in the book) for decades to come.

The autobiographical section takes up approximately one third of the book.  We get to see exactly what Mr. King went through to finally succeed at what he loves doing most and the lessons he learned along the way.  In this section, he sympathizes with the beginning writer and shares his own failures as well as successes.  The anecdotes are humorous and entertaining, and if you’re an aspiring writer, they’re quite encouraging.

The next section of the book is the real meat and gravy; the reason the book was written:  Stephen King sharing his wisdom; all the tips on what King feels are essential for any would-be writer desiring an audience.  I saw the book as a thorough crash course in writing successfully entertaining pieces.  It’s not an English class.  King makes the assumption you have half a brain and clearly states that if you’re horrible at writing then maybe you should find something else to do, because nothing in his book—or any other—is going to help you.  However, he does give hope to the decent writer and encourages a strict reading and writing regimen in order to learn what to do, what not to do and, of course, to help that writing muscle avoid atrophy.
Section number three:  Something I feel was probably written more for therapeutic reasons for King personally.  This small section goes into explicit detail on the event that nearly cost King his life:  getting hit by a van while walking down the road.  This includes his recovery and the process of getting into writing again after a hiatus; all of which actually happened during the writing of On Writing.  

The fourth, and final, section shows us four or five pages of a rough draft of King’s short story tentatively titled "The Hotel Story" '(later named 1408), after which we are treated with the next draft, complete with felt pen markings, corrections, and changes.   The last few pages are dedicated to walking you through why each change was made.
It is my belief that reading this book will give any writer a better understanding of the craft and how to tighten up their written word.  If you’re not a writer but are a fan of Stephen King, then the first and third sections of the book are a must read.  If you’re both a writer and a fan, then whatever it is you’re reading now needs to be put on that literary back burner with the rest of your procrastination pile.  Hesitate no longer.

On Writing will encourage you.  It will get you excited about writing, and if you’re anything like me, it’ll dry out a few highlighters.



NEWS UPDATE:  Good news and bad news.  I'm no longer working with Ms. Abigail Larson concerning the cover of my anthology, Night as a Catalyst.  I certainly hope to in the future on some other projects, but as wonderful as Ms. Larson's work is, the stories in my book reflect a darker side than her art portrays, and ultimately--as bad as I wanted it to--it wasn't a great fit.  That being said, I have grabbed European artist "Toeken" for the cover art.  Toeken’s paintings reflect a darker side of things; be it creatures, mutated people, or landscapes.  I was attracted to his work immediately and right away saw three paintings that could have easily represented some of my stories.  The art for the cover of Night as a Catalyst is complete, and all it needs now is a little Photoshop work to incorporate the pertinent information:  title, back cover description, blurbs, etc., which has already begun.  I'd love to give you a sneak peek but you'll have to wait.  It'll be worth it.

Now Reading: 
*Modern Mythmakers by Michael McCarty (advanced copy courtesy of Crystal Lake Publishing)
*End of the World:  Zombie Apocalypse Fantasy Flight RPG rule book...yeah, I geek out at times.
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