All work and no play makes for a grumpy Angela. To remedy that, I went out with friends last night for our monthly girl’s night out. No matter how busy things get, I make it a point to make this one evening. Friends are soothing to the soul and we all love catching up.
And now… back to work!
Things have been a little busy—pirantulas, newspapers, paperbacks, publishing, prop lists… and, of course, work!
As I scurry to clear away the back log on my desk, I offer you a spooky, Halloween appropriate poem for your entertainment. I originally wrote this last April for a poetry challenge.
Lullacry
The night is dark and so am I
so let me sing a lullaby
of slippery souls and fading faces,
empty eyes and haunted places.
The rusted gate shrieks I love you
to each and every passer-thru
who came to see you lying here
with stifled cry and crusted tear.
The night is dark and so am I
as I hear your final, lulling cry.
I confess, I am politically apathetic. I generally feel like a small cog in a larger machine, and whether I agree with the machine or not, I can do little about it. The Muzzle and the Leash by
The protagonist is a dog named Jack who lives in an America where animals and people live side by side as equals. In this story, animals pay taxes and have jobs. The political climate in the story echoes our real life situation.
The media has turned into an unofficial political player unto itself, tossing itself to the feet of the biggest players in pandering support. The book’s government, while spouting messages of democracy and freedom, holds a double standard. When Jack voices dissatisfaction and asks the wrong questions the tide turns against him.
I enjoyed reading The Muzzle and the Leash. It was well written and professionally edited. It pushed through my own apathy and made me realize I don’t care because I feel like I have no other choice and my apathy is more akin to acceptance. Perhaps we all need to strain against the leash we are on and, like Jack, fight against the muzzle.
Kudos to Isaiah Hawke for writing a political satire we can chew on. Those that enjoy Animal Farm will most likely enjoy The Muzzle and the Leash.
Today I’m putting the focus on Sebastian Bendix, a Los Angeles-based writer and musician, as well as host of a popular midnight horror film series, Friday Night Frights at the Cinefamily.
He attended school at Emerson College for writing and has had pieces published both in print (Mean Magazine, Sanitarium Magazine) and online (CHUD.com and Encounters Magazine). He has written several screenplays in the fantasy/horror genre, one of which, The Black Cradle, is in development as an independent feature.
The Patchwork Girl was his first foray into the world of prose fiction. His second novel, The Stronghold, is nearing completion and will be out to publishers in 2015. I’m happy to have a quick interview with Sebastian to satiate your curiosities.
Sebastian, how did you come up with the concept of your story?
I wanted to write a “monkey’s paw” type story, and hit on the idea of using action figures as the predictive element because I collect action figures. The rest just sort of fell into place.
How did you come up with the title?
It seemed the most logical. Plus I liked the pun-potential of “Die-o-rama”.
Can you give us a secret insight about your story?
Years before I came up with the idea, I used to give my friends “readings” using my action figures as a sort of Tarot. It was eerily effective.
Very spooky. What was the most surprising part of writing this book?
How easily my story came to me and how quickly I had a first draft.
What was the hardest part of writing your book, and how did you overcome it?
Learning to really dig in and cut out everything that was non-essential, and, thanks to the editing staff, getting a handle on my over-usage of passive verbs.
A recent argument after a work out resulted in sweet, guilt free compromise.
I stepped on the scale for my weekly weigh in and saw the same 155 pounds from last week and I felt discouraged and wanted to quit. My to-do list has eaten my workout time this last week, and the results glared up at me from the scale. Time for a pep talk. I stared my reflection in the eye sternly.
“I want it all off. You are so close. The to-do list needs to back off while you vanquish these last 20 pounds. You can do this. Seriously, get with the program here. I have a lot riding on this.” My reflection listened to my scolding without enthusiasm.
“I’m tired of you being so mean to me all the time. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore. I really want some chocolate ice cream,” said Mirror Me. The tone was whiny and pathetic. When a house this close is divided, the only way to peace is through compromise. I made Mirror Me some chocolate ice cream and ate two bowls.
Nothing but bananas, cocoa powder and unsweetened soy milk made this delicious dessert. No sugar.
Now we both feel better. Mirror Me had a treat and no longer feels deprived. I have no guilt because the recipe I used only has bananas, unsweetened soy milk and Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder. The result? A rich, chocolately frozen treat that I have absolutely no guilt over.
The trick is frozen bananas. I cut them in chunks and froze them overnight. I tossed the chunks into a blender with some soy milk and a tablespoon of cocoa powder and blended. The result is sweet and creamy with a rich, soft serve texture. Freeze it for a firmer, more scoop-able texture. I can eat this all day long.
I’m excited to try this different ways. Recently I’ve discovered the amazing-ness of afregatto where I work at Cafe Bienville. This involves a scoop of handmade gelato in a coffee cup in a bath of steaming espresso.
I haven’t indulged much because of the whole losing weight thing, but I have thought about this gelato/espresso combination probably every day with longing. Now I will try my guilt free ice cream in a bath of espresso. Probably for breakfast. Every day. For the rest of my life.
I also want to try making it with my 310 meal replacement shake instead of soy milk. I think the natural sweetness of the shake will go perfectly with the bananas. A dusting of cocoa powder across the top and I suspect I will have discovered guilt free perfection.
I think the bottom line here is that I have had to make concessions. I’m not immune to being discouraged. It doesn’t matter if I trip up and stumble as long as I get back up again and keep going. If I keep going without quitting, I will eventually get there, no matter how many arguments I have in the bathroom mirror.
Having little indulgences, especially harmless ones, just helps get Mirror Me to shut up and fall back in line. Helps when her mouth is full.
The big book signing day is one week away. Robin Wiesneth and I will be signing copies of the books we’ve done together (two signatures for the price of one!) as well as our solo books.
We’ll be starting at Artful Things, Niceville, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. We will be reading The Literary Lizard and The Christmas Spiders to young visitors who would like to hear the stories.
From 1-4 p.m. we will be at Cafe Bienville, Niceville, where anyone who walks in the cafe with a signed book during the signing will get a complimentary cup of freshly brewed coffee to enjoy with their new book.
We hope you will stop by and visit—bring your friends and share the fun.
After the last few days of Panhandle Focus, sending out press releases for book signings and reading Pirantulas! last night at LJ Schooners, it’s time for some mental catch up.
It’s a struggle to stay balanced and not get capsized by activity. Since I’ve been attending Tai Chi classes, I have been better able to handle stress and stay centered.
A new class starts tonight at Cafe Bienville, Niceville. If you’re in the area, stop by and give it a try—I will be there relocating my zen.
I just finished the fifth issue of the Panhandle Focus and it will be up on the website at some point today. This is the best issue yet.
The first papers were hurried affairs as I tried to adjust myself to the craziness I had started. I had new email to check while my personal email is usually more than enough to manage alone.
I started the paper and my once-a-month story publishing schedule at the same time. I fought with myself and my computer until I figured out how to publish the Square² paperbacks and lay out a design for the Focus.
During this time I managed to attend most of the local poetry slams, jams and a good deal of other events (Crestview Library, I will be there one day soon!) and work a new job. I have a patient family that I tried not to ignore too much and a dog who did miss a few walks—but never more then two a week.
It was a solo adventure in the beginning, but a solid team has been building steadily around this publication with every issue. The support from readers and the community has been far beyond what I had hoped for. I have been awed by the kindness and patience extended to me on this project, and the past few months.
I won’t lie. Most of the time I was afraid all of this was going to swamp me. Where I once felt calm and confident, the past few months have left me feeling flustered. I’ve missed a few appointments, been late to more than I’d like to admit and in general, have gone insane.
As I adjust, organize and prioritize I feel like this careening train is starting to stick to the track and move smoother. The core team that has formed around the Focus has been patient, kind and forgiving. Their support has has made the difference between collapse and progress. Thank you, you are appreciated.
There are four more issues for this year and I look forward to seeing the Panhandle Focus move from being the small paper it is now to being a genuine asset to our community. It’s a publication all about the good stuff we do—celebrating our creative endeavors, our giving spirits and our adventurous natures.
It’s October, the month for being spooked, and I find myself for the first time since I began this, not afraid. Looking forward!
A while ago I was excited that I can claim being a paid poet when my poem was accepted into the HWA Poetry Showcase Volume II.
The highly anticipated volume was finally released today just in time for the spooky reading required this time of the year. The rest of the year it’s just preferable.
I am honored to be included alongside some great names in the horror community. I’ve loaded mine onto my phone already and I’m off to do some reading. You can get your copy on Amazon.
Alyssa making a pirantula face. We were all terrified.
Today went much better than I expected and we got a sizable amount of filming accomplished. This is all due to the amazing Pirantulas crew—they worked together and everyone brought their own experience and wisdom to the table. This could not be happening without each person’s involvement.
Thank you to everyone, and especially the last minute step-in by Rachel and Lucas who both added a lot to the group. I look forward to seeing the something wonderful that comes out of this.
