Welcome to a long overdue roundup of articles and publications. The exact reason for this delay is a simple matter of being distracted by work. I’ve been trying to stay on top of production of the new Beerfinger album, penning articles for Film and Horror Obsessive, and work is also about getting better. That last bit is a reference to the nerve pain that’s been slowing down a lot of my efforts lately. However, I’m happy to report, every month it gets a little better making other projects able to finally advance.
Still, that isn’t to say I couldn’t be more on top of certain things. The sad truth is that no artist is above a bit of burnout, and months of chronic pain made it hard to dive into things. Turn around, two months are gone. That said, there’s no shame in falling behind in order to recharge. What matters is getting back on track even if the pace isn’t as quick as it used to be. With that in mind, here are some of the latest wins.
Still, that isn’t to say I couldn’t be more on top of certain things. The sad truth is that no artist is above a bit of burnout, and months of chronic pain made it hard to dive into things. Turn around, two months are gone. That said, there’s no shame in falling behind in order to recharge. What matters is getting back on track even if the pace isn’t as quick as it used to be. With that in mind, here are some of the latest wins.
First of all are a pair of articles over at Film Obsessive. That’s where I’ve been focusing a lot of my nonfiction efforts lately. The two I recently did involve a look at Rushmore by writer/director Wes Anderson and a cult classic called SLC Punk. I really enjoyed writing both, though the latter hit home with a certain degree of nostalgia. Not only for the film but the thrill of finding a gem that speaks to you—the joy of niche movies meant for a small audience.
Rushmore allowed me to take a look at the movie as well as the career of Wes Anderson. Though I celebrate the auteur a bit, there’s also some criticism. Mainly, I managed to pen a piece that praised Anderson, while acknowledging that, perhaps, his style has run its course. Read the article and comment on the site if you agree or disagree.
Rushmore allowed me to take a look at the movie as well as the career of Wes Anderson. Though I celebrate the auteur a bit, there’s also some criticism. Mainly, I managed to pen a piece that praised Anderson, while acknowledging that, perhaps, his style has run its course. Read the article and comment on the site if you agree or disagree.
Around the start of January, Horror Obsessive released another of my paranormal articles. This time I took a tour of the Chicago street known as Prairie Avenue. It’s a spooky spot full of history, madness, true crime, and supposedly ghosts. Most of the article is informed by a walking tour I took which included a stroll through the Glessner House, a purportedly haunted mansion. Though I didn’t encounter anything supernatural, the home itself is lovely. Plus, I love any article that gives me an excuse to indulge my inner shutterbug.
I also got in a few reviews the last two months. One is for The Pale Blue Eye which I enjoyed. The exact things which made this mix of history and mystery work is all in the review. Suffice it to say, if you’ve ever wanted a well done murder mystery featuring a relatively real Edgar Allan Poe, this is the film for you.
Then there’s my review of a flick called The Civil Dead which was a bit harder to write. Although I didn’t entirely care for the film, I could see how some might. So, I did my best to pen something honest as far as my feelings about the feature but which kept the window open for those inclined to give it a chance. What didn’t work for me and what might appeal to others is all in the article.
Horror Obsessive gave me the chance to put my history degree to work. This involved writing about the recent release Troll. For those unaware, this is a Netflix film about, well, a giant troll recking havoc across Norway. Some criticism from the reviewer at Horror Obsessive complained the film featured some anti-Christian elements. I wanted to explore why filmmakers may’ve felt a need to go in that direction, and my article establishes a solid basis for such a sentiment. Check it out.
Finally, I managed to sell a short story to an upcoming Shotgun Honey anthology. More details on that as they become available such as where to get a copy. Meanwhile, it’s my first fiction sale in a long time. The upside to that is I’ve gotten back in the habit of writing things in that vein. It feels good, especially as the Beerfinger album is coming together again. As my nerve pain becomes less of a dominate presence in my life, and I can work on creative projects again, I find the lack of chronic agony has changed the tone to a lot of projects. That’s a good thing. Though I’m far from a sunny person, there’s something about focusing too much on the darkness which can limit artistic vision.
Regardless, things are going fairly well. At least, there’s less to complain about than in days recently past. Beta readers are wrapping up their look at my big book Killing Lake Michigan and I’m hopeful that will be making the rounds soon. With any luck someone will buy it, and I’ll have that news to share. But meanwhile, the focus is on getting better as well as completing the Beerfinger album. Until next time, thanks for stopping by, my best to you and yours; stay weird and be safe out there!
Regardless, things are going fairly well. At least, there’s less to complain about than in days recently past. Beta readers are wrapping up their look at my big book Killing Lake Michigan and I’m hopeful that will be making the rounds soon. With any luck someone will buy it, and I’ll have that news to share. But meanwhile, the focus is on getting better as well as completing the Beerfinger album. Until next time, thanks for stopping by, my best to you and yours; stay weird and be safe out there!
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