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April 28, 2006
Eternally Yours
Every so often I open my e-mail and find a nice surprise. A few weeks back, Jeff Youngquist, a colleague from my Marvel days, dropped me a note and asked if I’d write two pieces about The Eternals, the old Jack Kirby series that is being revived by Neil Gaiman and John Romita, Jr. this summer.
One piece would be about Kirby creating the series, the other about how it got shoe-horned into the Marvel Universe after he left the company in 1979. The articles would run on the Marvel website and maybe get collected somewhere down the road.
Sure, I said. Then, having a light day, I dove right into the work. Despite deadlines of April 24 and May 1, I delivered both early and then waited to hear back from my editor.
Today, after returning home from NYC (an interesting meeting that may lead to something cool), I did a quick check on line to see what I missed and I found this.
Fortunately, the comments have been mostly positive about the piece, including one from another old colleague, Rob Liefeld. (How many recall the one time we teamed up for a story?)
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 05:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 27, 2006
Congrats to Katie
Normally, I don’t brag a lot about the kids, letting them either do it themselves, or work information into general posts.
Today, I’ll make an exception.
Kate received word yesterday that she has been selected to receive a 2006-2007 National Security Education Program David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship. Now, I don’t know who David L. Boren is, but I thank him.
This basically means the Federal Government has selected Kate out of who-knows-how-many college students to be one of a select few (only 128 last year) to receive a big chunk of money to use for her study abroad next year in Cairo and more or less guarantee her a job upon graduation. Basically, the Scholarship winners are placed in some government database and during her senior year, various agencies and departments will recruit students from this database. Kate will then be obliged to take a position for a one-year minimum which she is perfectly willing to do.
Kate has worked very hard at GWU’s Honors Program, studying Arabic and absorbing a ton of information about the Middle East. Along the way, she has also steadily waitressed and taken to competitive ballroom dancing. This has resulted in two solid years of crushing schedules with insane amounts of collegiate work. Atop it all, she had to apply for this program, write an essay and get recommendations.
This pretty much validates her efforts and recognizes her accomplishments as her college career reaches the halfway point. There’ll be a more tangible acknowledgement of this during the NSEP Orientation and Convocation in late May.
We could not be more proud of her.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:53 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
April 26, 2006
Balticon
This just in…
Seems that despite getting a late start on the arrangements, I will be a guest at next month’s Balticon. It’ll be a first for the family but we’ve always heard wonderful things about the show. Being over Memorial Day weekend though, we’ve tended to stay home, either watching or marching in the annual parade. Timing and opportunity has allowed us to make the pilgrimage south.
We were waiting for several variables to fall into place, including the folk running the long-time event making sure there’d be room for me on the schedule. There’s quite a guest list starting with Guest of Honor Neil Gaiman. I haven’t seen Neil in quite some time so it’ll be good to meet up once more.
Kate and her fellow Boogie Knights will be performing Sunday evening while I’ll be doing the Trailer Park previews Monday morning at 10 (certainly a familiar timeslot).
While Deb is disappointed it won’t be in Baltimore proper, we’re more than ready to spend yet another weekend at the Hunt Valley Inn (which Robbie has come to consider his home away from home). She is looking forward to meeting her fellow knit list pal Brenda Clough, who is also a fan of several trades I’ve edited. All proving the world remains a tiny place.
Whoever is attending, please make sure you say howdy.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 11:03 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 25, 2006
The Budget, Night the First
Well, that wasn’t as bad as I expected.
Last night was the RTM meeting when the public got a chance to weigh in on the budget. As in the past, no one came to debate any item on the town side. Clearly, no one cares one way or the other until their tax bill arrives. The room, though, was packed with parents, teachers, principals, Central Office and the Board of Ed. We also had a higher percentage of the Board of Finance in attendance, which makes sense given their fingerprints being on the budget.
As usual, the Democrats caucused at 7 to make sure we knew of any issues or concerns that may turn up on the agenda. We grew concerned when it was learned the Republicans turned up at 6:30 – we thought that meant there’d be a lot of partisanship brought to the agenda. Fortunately, as the night wore on, I was wrong.
Walking to the APR for the meeting, I was amused by the industriousness of one Brownie troop. To raise funds to attend this year’s Jamboree, they set up a station with baked goods and bottled water. Just before the gavel went down, one RTM member bought out a platter of brownies and passed them among the 47 of us.
We approved some appointments (which no one ever challenges) as well as a change in some contract language for one of the unions. So far so good.
We then moved on to the first of several bonding issues for non-recurring capitol projects. This was money for new computers and software for the schools plus some seed money to start a study on replacing the town’s 10 year old management systems, a program no longer supported by the manufacturing. We’re about a year behind on this so I’m glad it was getting done. However, for the last two years, a growing number of RTM members had been objecting to bonding for such items, since we spend about the same amount on these items every year. After lengthy debate, it got voted down, not because the RTM didn’t want to improve technology, but to show its displeasure to the budget makers that their objections had been ignored for too long. Now the scramble begins to find a way to actually buy the computers.
On the other hand, the next bond issue for things like new high school bleachers and a fire truck passed with much less debate and rancor.
We then tackled reallocating unspent bonding authority from two now completed school projects to allow a third school building to get a much needed new playing field. At caucus we were alerted to possible Republican concerns but fortunately they weren’t aired.
Then came the Tax Liens. For the first time since 1996, the town had decided to sell the liens on some 40 properties that owed over $10,000 and were more than a year delinquent. Apparently, the town felt enough was enough and it was time to clean the rolls and put some money back in the coffers. At the discussion portion, we learned that some of these properties owed taxes going back 7-8-9-10 years. The Republicans wanted a 90 day delay so we spent a lot of time debating the amendment. Frankly, after waiting six or seven years, I doubted 90 days was going to change anything. Everyone spoke about foreclosing on seniors and other horrible scenarios but it had been made clear each owner had been contacted repeatedly, social services were involved as necessary and it was time to act. The amendment was shot down and then the sale of the liens was narrowly approved with voting along party lines. Honestly, this is a non-partisan matter so I was surprised that this was the first real show of political muscle.
Finally, we came to the budget for both the town and schools. The Board of Ed had formally appealed $641,000 be restored out of a $2.6 million budget cut and that would be commented on last night but voted on at a special meeting next Monday. Each committee had to get up and give a report on the portion of the budget under their purview. Since I played acting secretary at the last meeting, I wound up speaking throughout the night, reporting on our discussions. Here, I finally cracked wise commenting we got the more interesting parts of the budget like the Assessors office, and I got a good chuckle out of that.
Anyway, after all the presentations we got into the comments, first from the body, then the town officials and finally the public. I’ll make it clear: no one was out to cut the budget; no one was out to hurt programs or affect the students. The key question seemed to be, was the $641,000 truly necessary or was there further fat to cut from the school budget to afford the appealed items? Just before we began, I buttonholed the Superintendent to confirm that the Special Ed and Gifted Student items on the appeal were not the only programs for those students. She confirmed that these were extras so Special Ed and Gifted students would be fine.
I’ll admit I walked in waffling on the issue. I think the Board budget has fat in it, I suspect they’re top heavy on administrators and they could absorb this cut. On the other hand, looking at how much of the budget was taken up with salaries, insurance, utilities and the like, I saw how little there was for the programs. The debate back and forth didn’t sway me and by the time the night ended, I still wasn’t sure.
As the parents spoke, we heard the same litany of appeals and arguments we heard at last year’s budget meeting as well as at last week’s committee hearing. Then came the One Parent. I saw it last year, the One Parent who will stand there and bare their soul with a very personal appeal on behalf of their child. In both cases, it was a child with Special Ed needs. The eloquence and raw emotion cut through the nonsense and made as compelling case as you could ask for. This mom was followed by the most passionate of the PTA leaders and you think this is the kind of guy you want as a teacher in all your kid’s classes. He was terrific.
When the final words were spoken, we were left with food for thought. Next week, we’ll handle the appeal at 7 and the final budget at 8. Meantime, the night wrapped around 11:45 and then a bi-partisan sub-committee reconvened to the Bear & Grill for a “socialable soda”. There, we decompressed for an hour or so and it was great having a chance to review what we heard and what we thought and learn a bit more about each other.
While next week shouldn’t be as long, I suspect it will be a bit more contentious. And no doubt, the lobbying e-mails, letters and phone calls will continue.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:21 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 23, 2006
Wrapping up the Book Club
Now that most of the Star Trek hoopla has died down, I wanted to comment on the fourth and final meeting of the mystery book group.
We discussed P.D. James’ An Inconvenient Job for a Woman, which was written in 1972 and introduced readers to her character, Cordelia Gray. Interestingly, I found the writing good, the structure sound but all the characters, especially Cordelia, exceedingly flat or two-dimensional. Cordelia was said to be 22 but nothing about the way she acted or was treated or thought or spoke indicated she was a 22 year old. When I voiced this, several people around the room (totaling nearly 50) nodded. One, though, said the opposite which surprised her since she normally agreed with my comments, which came as a pleasant surprise.
Anyway, our leader did not give us the usual context including biographical details about James, which I found a bit of a shame. He also actually let the conversation flow and didn’t keep us to his normally rigid agenda. As a result, we were kind of all over the place which was interesting.
Overall, I found myself pleased to have attended the sessions, glad to have sampled three authors I never thought I’d read. We closed the session with news that he will be back, probably in the fall, with another theme and set of books. Based on what we’d read, I’m inclined to return.
On my way in, the Librarian grabbed me to say that the baseball book leader has an idea for a third go-round and is putting the plans together. I was particularly pleased to hear that since his passion and knowledge is terrific.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 11:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 22, 2006
More Trek Opinions
In this small world of ours, it’s amazing how things come together. I had cut and pasted the Variety story about Star Trek and posted it to one of the newsgroups I participate with. Jackie Bundy, the moderator and all-around swell gal, dropped me a note thanking me for doing it while she was inundated with e-mail. She then mentioned a reporter from the LA Times was looking to talk to people for reaction, including authors.
I dropped the reporter a note, referring her to this site. She called and we spent a good 20-25 minutes talking. She called back and fact-checked a few things with me. The story ran today, and there are some fan reactions, including Jackie’s, and then this from me:
Robert Greenberger, Author of 4 "Star Trek" novels, and former editor of "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: Next Generation" comics for D.C. Comics.
How did you get into "Star Trek?"
I remember coming downstairs late one night and my father was watching TV and I saw people sparkling in and out of existence. One year later I got to stay up late enough to watch with him and I got fascinated. I blame my father.
What do you think about JJ Abrams helming the Star Trek 11 film?
This morning when I heard the news I thought, "JJ Abrams? "Star Trek" 11? Thank God! Fresh blood who knows how to tell a story!" When I read further that it was another backwards looking story I was disappointed. That's not what the franchise needs. "Star Trek" is so much bigger than just Kirk and Spock. You feel you are running in circles instead of growing, so there is some concern.
Were there any rumors circulating in the fan world about the next film?
It was not rumored at all. There are rumors -- the actors talk at the conventions and all. Rick Burman was talking about an 11th film, and when they named the guy writing the screenplay, everybody said, "Who?" But this is big and it came totally out of left field.
Is it possible for Kirk and Spock to have been in Academy at the same time?
Somebody just pinged me with a note about this…. There is a book in print called "Star Trek Chronology," published by Pocket Books and it says Spock entered Starfleet Academy in the year 2249 and that Kirk was admitted to the academy in 2250…so it is plausible.
How would you rate your star trek fandom on a scale of one to ten?
Oh boy, I can't speak Klingon. I'd put myself a notch or two below the top. Although I've been a big fan for a long long time.
The quotes are essentially accurate but not necessarily the best opinion and information I provided her. But, as they say, they spelled my name right. I’ll also tip my hat to Howard Weinstein for being the one to ping me with the accurate timeline info just when I needed it.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 21, 2006
Star Trek Gains New Life
For the last year or so, I’ve been at various conventions and one of the recurring panel themes has been “Star Trek at 40 – What Next?” All along I held to the conventional wisdom that the franchise got beat into the ground through Voyager and Enterprise and it was time for fresh blood. I then theorized that Paramount would be content to count revenues from the original series’ 40th anniversary and its licensing in 2006 and then the 20th anniversary hoopla in 2007 for Star Trek: The Next Generation and finally in 2008, with the money flow drying up they’d finally figure out what to do with either a film or TV series in Fall 2008 or early 2009.
Silly me.
Today’s Variety breaks the news that J.J. Abrams will produce and direct the eleventh Star Trek film. Abrams will be joined as co-producers by Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk. Abrams will write the script with his Mission: Impossible 3 writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The story will deal with the early days of James T. Kirk and Spock at Starfleet Academy.
The good news is that Paramount is finally getting past the Rick Berman years, which clearly didn’t work. Okay, they did in the beginning but clearly Berman failed with the last two franchises and certainly the last film so the studio is best with fresh blood.
Further, Abrams and team have done remarkably good work with Lost and Alias and the material seen to date on M:I3 looks great. Abrams, starting with Felicity, has shown an understanding of character and story structure, plus great pacing. I can easily see these guys producing a compelling Star Trek that will actually bring people back to the franchise.
But then what?
Is Paramount intending this as a one-shot to reinvigorate the franchise or the beginning of a new cycle of Kirk and Spock stories with a fresh cast? The article doesn’t address this point and that’s where the concern comes in. Star Trek is a rich universe with characters, races, technology and a timeline ripe with raw material for new stories. Going backwards, though, seems irresistible for Hollywood. First there was Harve Bennett’s attempt at a Starfleet Academy story with Kirk, Spock and McCoy which had a horrible script (I know, I read it) then there was Berman’s last gasp attempt at an eleventh film, also looking back to the time before Jonathan Archer.
To me, Gene Roddenberry got it right when he co-created TNG by moving everything a chunk of years forward. And that’s what’s needed for the franchise now. Come up with some status quo changing event, drop in a new crew with some new forward-thinking technology and let a talented crew of writers and producers go. I’ve suggested all along such an event could be the culmination of Spock’s goal: the reunification of Vulcan and Romulus, which changes the galactic balance of power. It honors the past and moves things forward.
I’ll be buying popcorn and awaiting the Abrams production but still worry about the franchise’s long-term health.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 09:02 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 19, 2006
A Step Forward, a Step Backward
A step forward, a step backward.
Today, I completed and delivered the manuscript to Cutting Edge Careers: Artificial Intelligence. My editor wrote back, “WOW. THIS LOOKS GREAT. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.” So, that pleases me. She also offered me another one of their database updates, this one on growing up in an inter-faith family. Since I know a little something about that, I accepted.
On the other hand, two publishing leads for freelance writing/editing that looked really hopeful in February finally got back to me in the space of 24 hours. One totally fizzled, one requires some more thought.
A step forward, a step backward.
A few job leads that looked promising also vanished in smoke this week. But, there were a bunch of new possibilities from my routine web search that I applied to.
A step forward, a step backward.
So, on the one hand, I feel like I’m treading water, getting nowhere with finding work. On the other, I continue to produce work and earn some money. I continue to be amazed by the sheer variety of work I have performed since January 7. Fiction, non-fiction; for print, for the web; for new companies, for the tried and true – a terrific mix and one I should never complain about.
Wish I just felt a little more settled but I’m also coming to realize it’s an adjustment. Last night Deb and I had dinner with my old college roommate. It is possible Deb and Michael haven’t seen each other in over a decade, none of us can recall the last time. Anyway, he asked me if I’d prefer being back in the office environment and my gut reaction was yes. Then I stopped and thought about it. With the exception of my time between Marvel and DC in 2002 and the current time, all I’ve known is the office environment. Now, I’m a social creature and love getting a gang together for lunch or being able to bop into people’s offices to shmooze or work. The isolation of sitting in the basement office, connected to the world via e-mail, IM and the phone, is a bigger adjustment than just the work. However, as I add more freelance assignments and stay busy, I’m making that adjustment to being home. There are also the home obligations that have become a positive factor – being here to see Robbie or having a fresh dinner ready when Deb returns home.
It’s a balancing act and one that won’t be solved today or even tomorrow.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 05:03 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
The 37.5 Hour Easter Weekend
A whirlwind weekend. Good Friday should have been a day of rest, but instead, it was packed as I tried to fit in work around shopping and prepping for our weekend visit to Washington, D.C. to see Kate. Since we were hosting a Sunday brunch, we needed to be really well prepared to avoid a last minute shopping trip while down there. This involved a second trip to the supermarket in the rain while rushing to the Post Office to get the taxes in the mail so we don’t forget in the expected exhaustion of post-weekend reality. Once we thought we had it all together, Deb carefully assembled each element of the meal on the kitchen counter, checking it against the menu, surveying supplies and deeming us complete.
It wasn’t until 8 p.m. we collapsed with our dinner (which I had fortunately made the night before).
Saturday, we were up and out by 6:40 a.m., stopping to pick up fresh bagels and much needed coffee. Despite the horrible fog, we actually sailed south and got to D.C. in well under 5 hours with two stops.
We stayed at One Washington Circle Hotel, one of two owned by GWU, and Deb sweet-talked the desk clerk into upgrading us to one of the suites with a nice kitchen. The room was very spacious, with a dining table for six as well as complete kitchen set-up. We stuffed everything in the fridge, unpacked and took a deep breath.
Kate and her dance partner Mikey had just finished a practice so they joined us for lunch. Kate selected a Thai place which meant Robbie, the adventurous one, could finally try this cuisine. It was quite good food which pepped us right up, and best of all, he liked what he sampled.
We spent the afternoon walking from campus to the Mall where we checked out the recently opened World War II Memorial. It’s a very nice, tasteful addition to the memorials dotting the city. I took full advantage of our stroll to pay my respects at my favorite, the Lincoln Memorial – appropriate since it was the anniversary of his death. We delightedly watched a family of ducklings swim the in the reflecting pool and listened to several bagpipe bands rehearse.
Back to campus, we grabbed a cool snack and then relaxed back at the hotel, time necessary for Deb to assemble part of the brunch which needed to soak and chill together over night. We changed for dinner and then went to the Bistro where Kate waitresses. I wanted to check out where she’s spent some fine hours over the last two years and sample the fare. I was very impressed by the varied menu and inexpensive pricing. Of course, she knew everyone working so chatted a bit.
The evening was devoted to Easter Vigil mass. Father Bob in Fairfield had spent time in D.C. and based on the service Deb wanted, recommended a church near the Georgetown campus. The place was packed by 7:30 and we got what were probably the final four seats together. It was wall to wall people and a wee bit warm so Rob and I both fought off nodding to sleep. The two-and-a-half hour mass was also an opportunity for some three dozen people to be baptized, receive first communion or be confirmed – they came from all walks of life, all ages, shapes and sizes. Speaks well for the parish, I suppose.
Afterwards, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert and finally collapsed back at the hotel.
Sunday, Deb woke up early and decided to take her camera and go for a walk back to the mall to grab some exercise and take pictures without so many people crowding the scene. She felt invigorated by the walk while Robbie and I woke a bit later. While Deb was out, I got stuff into the oven and we starting setting up for brunch. Just after noon, Kate and friends arrived. Initially, we were told all total, we’d have 10 people for brunch. By Saturday we had some friends vanish and by Sunday, Kate walked in with Mikey and Bernadette from across her hall. So, in typical Deb style, we had food for at least a dozen and we were only six.
Her baked recipes worked out well – there was a savory strata and a sweet strata, bagels, homemade chicken salad, cold cuts, fruit salad, green salad, and Easter eggs plus bowls of jelly beans and assorted sweets. Every one ate and talked and enjoyed the experience.
While Deb and I cleaned up and readied to check out, Robbie and Bernadette accompanied the ballroom dancers to their open rehearsal. The first hour, I gather is for prospective newcomers to come and learn with the real practice starting at 2. We got there after practice had begun and watched as Robbie quickly mastered the beginning steps, impressing his teachers.
By 2, we said our goodbyes and headed for the car and home. I dreaded the trip back, recalling our 7 and 8 hour excursions. We had hoped the timing was in our favor so we’d be burning miles while people had their Easter Dinners. Well, with three stops, and some volume, we returned home in five hours and fifty-eight minutes so we consider that a good trip. Within 20 minutes we had the car unpacked, everything put away, and was ready to have some late dinner and relax.
All in all, a successful trip which all four of us enjoyed. I’ll be repeating this experience in a mere four weeks when I head back to collect Kate and her belongings – what a concept.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 11:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 14, 2006
Happy Passover/Easter
And another week comes to a close.
For the book on AI careers, I’ve conducted several interviews with some fascinating people. I only get the gist of what they’re talking about never having studied higher math or philosophy or programming. What they’re doing is remarkable and the changes to our lives in the years ahead look pretty bright. I have no clue how they’re doing this, but I know that people who read this book will see an endless horizon of possibilities so that’s cool. Conducting the final interview on Monday and then I can complete the manuscript and make the deadline.
Meantime, my marvelous pals in midtown have offered me a little writing for a project and we’ll chat about that once things are further along.
This morning I received the copyedited manuscript to “The Landing Party”, my story for Star Trek: Constellations and my editor, Marco Palmieri, did a fine job. Nothing to quibble with here and the story is likely stronger for his ministrations. In reviewing it, I remain quite pleased with the tale.
We’re off to Washington this weekend for Easter with Katie. The weather promises to be warm, damp but warm, and spring will certainly be in the air.
May everyone have a peaceful, joyous weekend.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 03:26 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
April 12, 2006
Into the Jungle
Some good news for a change. Yep, one of those irons in the fire is ready to come out.
I will be writing a story featuring the Ghost Who Walks for Moonstone's forthcoming Phantom anthology. Currently, there’s enough in the works that they are projecting this as a two volume project, the first of which is tentatively slated for a December 2006 release.
Growing up on Long Island, I was drawn to the Phantom’s adventures in the pages of the long gone Long Island Press and have been a fan of the character ever since. I’m sure the fact that he was the only costumed adventurer on the comics page initially drew me to him. Then, I was captivated by the jungle setting, the notion of the 20 Phantoms that preceded him and even the clean art by Sy Barry.
I later learned that Barry lived in the same neighborhood. My best friend Jeff and I interviewed him for a fanzine and he gave us a souvenir Sunday page, which we foolishly cut into pieces so we could share it. That interview never saw print since the zine folded but when I created Comics Scene I had Jeff re-interview Barry and the article ran in the first issue.
I have all the novels from the 1970s and was thrilled to edit the character at DC. Hell, I got Joe Orlando to return to the drawing board for the miniseries, written by Peter David, and had some fun with that. Then I launched the monthly with Mark Verheiden and Luke McDonnell and think we did some terrific material.
During the process, I met a few times with the Phantom’s creator, Lee Falk who appeared a character out of the past. He always wore an ascot and was very clear on how he wanted his character portrayed. As a result, he felt the stories Mark was writing were too violent and we had to pull back from traditional comic book mayhem to something closer to the strip.
When Joe Gentile at Moonstone made the offer, I was thrilled. He’s also allowed each writer to suggest or lineup an artist for the 1-2 spot illustrations each story will sport. With luck, another old pal will agree and this will be even more fun. I’ve done my research and refreshed myself on his world and will be starting the writing today.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:25 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 11, 2006
The Political Scene (this week)
Well, I’ve had my dose of politics for the week and it’s only Tuesday morning.
On Sunday, the Democratic Town Committee held its biggest fund raiser of the year, the Century Club (so named for the century-note, $100, it costs to attend). The event was an opportunity to honor one veteran with the Eunice Postol Public Service Award and a rising star got the Young Turk Award. From what I gather, few other DTCs in the state do something on this scale so it’s kinda cool.
It was held at the posh Patterson Club in the rich part of town, deep in a Republican-dominant district. From 12-3 we hobnobbed, chatted, ate a fine brunch and heard from many people.
Given the density of the party faithful, it was a magnet for candidates so it was interesting watching New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy work the room, lining up support for their bid for the Democratic nod to oppose Jodi Rell in the Governor’s race. Diane Farrell was there, stumping in her quest to unseat Chris Shays in Congress and Ned Lamont, the loud voice challenging Joe Lieberman’s Democratic credentials, was also briefly in attendance. On the more local front, current state rep in the 132nd, Tom Drew, was of course with us as was the Democratic challenger for the 133rd, Kim Fawcett. Our Selectmen, Ken Flatto and Denise Dougiello, were almost eclipsed by the star wattage.
All the pols walked the room, pausing at tables and chatting up the familiar and the new. I had a chance to finally meet our Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal, whose work I respect. We’d attending various meetings and functions together in the past but never spoke so he confessed I looked familiar and was surprised we hadn’t met. He immediately added, “And if there’s anything I can do for you, just call.” Deb wanted to know if I asked for a job (I did not).
There were cameras on every table so I wound up in a group shot with Blumenthal and took a bunch of the people at our table. In all, a fine afternoon and I gather we had a great turnout and will have cleared a nice sum for the upcoming campaign season.
Last night I attended my first District Leaders meeting, prior to the monthly DTC meeting. One member carefully constructed two lists, one of standing sub-committees for things like recruitment and canvassing, while another listed campaign-centric activities that needed manpower. We were supposed to discuss the list, finalize it and then have people sign up during the meeting. Sadly, we meandered all over the place so a few things got accomplished but nowhere near enough to justify the hour of my time.
Our DTC meeting was more interesting as DeStefano once more spoke to us in his campaign. We also briefly touched on whether or not the DTC should endorse any candidate currently running for any office. Instead, we passed a resolution that the DTC urges the party and the losers in the contested races to support the actual nominee and work for the greater good. While it sounds self-evident, apparently, a certain Senator has made noises about running as an independent should he somehow lose the party’s endorsement. There was some additional chat about how delegates to the various conventions were selected since they were to represent the will of the DTC but we don’t know how the delegates were leaning, especially since at the time we were picking candidates, most hadn’t made up their minds. An interesting dilemma without a clear answer.
With the rah-rah stuff now past, it’s back to governing. Last week the Board of Finance showed their partisanship with a series of moronic budget cuts intended to hamstring the current administration’s ability to function. Their true purpose and agenda remains unfathomable but it may force the Board of Ed to appeal the proposed $2.6 million budget cut which would fall to the RTM. The political wheels are churning, spoiling a chance to pass a lean budget designed to keep the tax increase down without hurting essential services and programs.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 08:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 10, 2006
Quick Update
We haven’t chatted about work in a while so I figured I’d clue you in.
Last week was one of those critical mass weeks where a number of projects finally got done. None of them were started and finished last week, but they were done in bits and pieces, and just by chance they got wrapped.
So, last week I managed to complete my article for Fairfield Magazine and my essay for BenBella. I also did my two usual Weekly World News pieces and then was asked for a third. In many ways, these unexpected pieces are the most enjoyable in that I get a line or two, or even just a headline, and then have to come up with a story, plausible in its grounding but over-the-top in its execution. With each one, I’m getting a little more comfortable.
Meantime, I also conducted a number of interviews for my book for Cutting Edge Careers: Artificial Intelligence. The book will be made up, primarily, of fresh interviews with people holding AI jobs in different fields. It turns out there are few primary sources to gather information on careers in the discipline. Thanks to regular reader Tom Galloway, he’s helped me get in touch with people and one has been so gung ho, he’s put me in touch with others. I have two more interviews, at least, to conduct this week.
Still to come, there’s a bunch of irons in the fire, some taking longer to heat than I’ve expected. And a few things have been delivered for months now but my various editors have been mum so I can’t tell if I need time for rewriting.
Looking over my log, I’m very pleased by the breadth of material I have tackled and the larger-than-normal number of places I have landed work. During those times when I had a day job, you know like most of my adult life, I could only manage one or two projects at a time.
Now, I find I need to strike a regular balance between job hunting, freelance assignment hunting and actually doing the work I’ve netted. Then there’s the issue of over committing – I’d hate to keep accepting work then have one of my irons actually come out of the fire and demand attention that complicates the schedule. It’s certainly a learning process. Fortunately, I have other fulltime freelancers I can turn to for advice.
This does not mean, in any way, that I have stopped job hunting. However, it’s been a slow process and the interviews few and far between. I still think I can make my best contribution as a guy on someone’s staff since I so enjoy the collaborative environment. Everyone keeps telling me this has happened for a reason, and I will be happy whenever I land, but that it will take time.
Fortunately, I keep finding interesting ways to fill that time.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 03:55 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 09, 2006
Happy 18th Robbie
What a long, unusual day.
Saturday the 8th began at midnight as we celebrated our son turning 18. Eighteen is one of those milestone ages – the beginning of legality. He can register to vote, has to register for the draft, can actually use gym equipment without an adult’s approval.
For something like two years, he’s been planning this celebration. He got everything he asked for: he rented out the Community Theatre, where he volunteers, for a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some three dozen pals attended and were served popcorn, cupcakes and soda – many arrived carrying their own caffeine, hoping to stay awake into the wee hours.
The marquee read “Happy Birthday Robbie” and we had everyone crowd the lobby to sing before the showing began. We warned everyone in advance this was a non-participatory screening since I had little desire to clean up rice and toast at 2 in the morning. Also, many hadn’t seen the movie at all and should at least experience it once before interacting with it.
Deb left soon after it began and I grabbed a seat away from the kids so they had some semblance of privacy. The movie played and during the “Time Warp”, Robbie led a group in the rear for the dance. Much giggling ensued and then the movie played.
By the time everyone left and we got the place in shape, we returned home around 2:45. Deb woke me at 9 so we could give Robbie, who was already awake, his present which was a Nintendo DS system.
Deb and I took care of stuff until we left for Long Island. We went to the nursing facility where two of Deb’s oldest aunts resided, and where her mother was up from Florida to check on them. Deb’s brother Jeff was also there, having taken Grandma out for a slightly late birthday lunch. We all visited for a bit, sharing in leftover cupcakes from the night before.
We then took Grandma with us and headed for Chinatown. She hadn’t been in Manhattan in ages and Rob thought seeing Chinatown again would be fun. We actually found street parking and then went wandering in and out of shops that remain remarkably alike (so I wonder how any of them stay in business). Around dinner time we let Robbie select a restaurant and he chose wisely. We beat the dinner rush and the food was fresh and tasty.
Afterwards, we wandered some more, eventually working our way towards Little Italy for dessert. Grandma suggested Farrara’s which was crowded but the tables turned over quickly so we got seated not too long after arrival. The stuff there is pricey but very well made and incredibly good.
(All the while, I kept checking my phone, expecting a call from my proxy during the Federal League’s auction. At 9:45 I finally got a call – it was over, and Drew Friedman, scion of Mike – reported my roster for the 2006 campaign. He got me the hitters and some speed I asked for but none of the starters I wanted which I think will put be in a bind unless my rookies come through.)
We dropped Grandma back at the home then returned to our own beds at 11. Long day, fun day, and a happy birthday for the youngest member of the family.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:01 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 07, 2006
Mystery Musing
Last night was our third book discussion in the Detective, the Reader and the Author series. We discussed Josephine Tey’s Daughter of Time, her final novel featuring recurring detective Alan Grant. (I admit, reading that name again and again kept me thinking about the long-time comics writer and acquaintance.)
I enjoyed the book, moreso than the previous two. Largely, I think that had to do with the historic nature of the mystery. For those unfamiliar with it, the book has Grant lying in a hospital, recovering from injuries, and he begins to investigate King Richard III and whether or not he was the monster history decided he was. As a result, we were treated to the peeling away of various histories and got down to the source material and Tey makes a convincing argument that Richard was anything but a monster. Most likely, she reasoned, he had no reason to kill the two young princes, the heirs to the throne who vanished.
Anyway, our discussion leader brought to the room his usual well-prepared information about Tey, the story and put it into context. After all, as written in 1951, it was a product of its time, a post-World War II England, and in an era before readily accessible information on the net. Unlike the previous two meetings, he allowed the room to have its say and allowed himself to be dragged off course by the discussion. One woman in the room had read the book nearly four dozen times through the years, finding the historical material utterly fascinating. She even brought in a print of the Richard III painting that got Detective Grant curious about the mystery.
What I found interesting about the conversation and comments made during the break, was that while I readily enjoyed the book, others found it difficult because of the dense history being covered. We’ve all reacted very differently so while I enjoyed Tey, I found myself cool to Ngaio Marsh and only so-so about Raymond Chandler. I signed up for this to expose myself to other mystery writers and our leader, a dean at Yale, clearly has done a good job with the variety.
Next up is P.D. James, and I snagged a copy on my way out last night, sitting with it while waiting to collect Deb. A third British novelist, but a product of the 1970s and thus a different look at the society. Should be fun.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 09:12 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 06, 2006
Guidelines for Writers
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Steven York, but we are both active members of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. He shared with us something he posted on his own blog. I, like many others, have found this a useful set of guidelines and with his kind permission I share it with you.
Writers and other delusional people
By J. Steven York
I heard yet another story the other day of a writer being scammed by a so-called agent. What was most horrifying about the story was not that they were paying the agent to rewrite their stuff, but the sheer glee and delight with which the writer was submitting to the process.
Rule #1 in this business is: Money always flows towards the writer. If it doesn't, something is seriously wrong. If you fail to recognize this, or worse, mistake it for success, you are playing the fool.
There is no more gullible, self-delusional, fog-headed being on the planet than an aspiring writer. So predictable and common are their delusions that an entire industry of crooks, con-men and scam artists exists to exploit them, and such a sweet deal it is for them, too. Not only are most of their scams perfectly legal, their marks are actually grateful to be scammed! It doesn't get much better for a predator than that. It's like the entire herd of antelope crowding around the lion shouting, "Eat me! No, eat me!"
Wait. No. Keep reading. You may resemble this remark. Fact is, most of us do at one time or another. And if it does describe you, take comfort that you have plenty of company. I hear from these people all the time. Some of them I've had extended correspondence with, and I've learned some things.
Most of the writers getting scammed aren't dumb. They're nice, intelligent people who sincerely want to be writers, and have simply lost their way. Most of them are so invested in whatever flavor of Kool-aid they've swallowed that they not only can't see the truth, they don't want to. Yet most of them are aware, on some level, that something is wrong. That's usually why they write me. They have concerns. They have questions. Just not enough to wake up and look around. The correspondence, in antelope-terms, usually goes something like this: "This lion has actually agreed to take me on! Right now, it's chewing on my leg. And it's great! Although, I'm concerned about the bleeding. And the dismemberment. But really, it's good! It's great! Uh, should there be so much pain? But I'm good!"
Okay, here are the truths, some of them anyway, that every writer should know. Read them. Memorize them, Live them. And please, do so before you graze among the scam agents, book doctors, vanity publishers, and the various flavors of publishing delusionaries who, with the best of intentions, invite you to participate in their own mad delusions, and partake of their special Kool-aid.
Truth Numero Uno - Being Published vs. Being Read
First truth, and maybe even more important than rule #1 above (or at least as important): Writers do not need to be published. Writers need to be read. This should be obvious, but it's not. Having a pallet full of expensive hardcovers in your garage is not getting you read. Being in an ebook that's downloaded thirty times isn't getting you read. Going out through a small press or a literary zine with a print run of a hundred copies isn't getting you read (not in the way that you want to be, anyway).
Being read means selling to a national magazine, being published through a real book publisher and showing up on chain-store shelves, or at least being published on a high-traffic web-site with thousands of visitors daily. Yet again and again writers are seduced with the notion of seeing their manuscript in print between two covers. If this is you, my advice is this: Go to Kinkos and pick out a nice font, and some pretty paper. Then, once you have a book to look at, get over it and get back to the real work of getting read, or forget being a writer.
Corollary to Rule Numero Uno: The markets that will get you read most are generally also the markets that can afford to pay you the most money. Refer to Rule Number the Second.
Rule Number the Second – Payment
If you don't get paid, and I mean up-front, then it isn't a sale. People who don't have money to pay you generally don't have money because they aren't selling books. Refer back to Rule Numero Uno.
Corollary to Rule Number the Second: "Paid in copies" is an oxymoron.
Second corollary to Rule Number the Second: An advance is the only money you can ever count on, and even then, the check has to clear.
First Royalty Statement of Rule Number the Second: 6% of nothing is nothing.
Second Royalty Statement of Rule Number the Second: 100% of nothing is nothing.
Third Royalty Statement of Rule Number the Second: 110% of nothing is still nothing.
Rule Third, Third, Third - Editorial Opinions
Rule Third, Third, Third: Ultimately the only opinions about a manuscript that count are yours and the person who can actually buy the manuscript.
Rule Third, Third, Third Corollary One: Your mother cannot buy the manuscript.
Rule Third, Third, Third Corollary Two: Your workshop cannot buy the manuscript.
Rule Third, Third, Third Corollary Three: Your agent cannot buy the manuscript.
None of which means you can't listen to these other people, but the responsibility to apply (or not apply) their opinions is ultimately yours.
Scofield's Axiom (a superset of Rule Third, Third, Third): You are responsible for your own career.
Rule the Four - The Secret Handshake
Rule the Four: There is no secret handshake.
Rules 5 – Agents
Rule 5a: Any agent you can get as an unpublished, unsold writer is most likely not anybody you want as an agent. There are rare exceptions, but they are rare, and they are exceptions. Do not assume the agent courting you is either, until you have done much research.
Rule 5b: The primary job of an agent is to submit manuscripts and make deals. Agents do not sell manuscripts. Manuscripts sell themselves. If your manuscript is not equal to this task, the best agent in the world cannot help it.
Rule 5c: Anyone can call themselves an agent (just as anyone can call themselves a publisher). Saying it does not make it so. Neither does a business-card, letterhead, a web-site, or a line of snappy banter.
Rule 5d: Agents make their living off a percentage of the income stream of the writers they represent. Any deviation from this, either in terms of your own money or anyone else's, is at best highly suspect.
Rule 5e: Agents work for you, and not the other way around. That still doesn't mean you pay them, except as described in 5d.
Rules VI – Ideas
Rule VIa - Ideas are cheap. Ideas are plentiful. Stop thinking of them as being made of gold. A good writer can turn a bad idea into a good book far easier than a bad writer can turn a great idea into a good book. If you have only one great idea for a book, the best thing you can do is put it aside and think of a dozen more, because until you can do that, you probably aren't going anywhere as a writer.
Rule VIb - Nobody is going to steal your silly idea. Probably it isn't worth stealing, and if it is worth stealing, you probably aren't the first one to come up with it. In any case, so what if they do steal it? If you had an "idea for a house," and somebody else built it, would the house belong to you?
Rule VIc - Stealing words is a crime. Stealing ideas is frequently a smart thing to do, but always steal from the best. Start with Shakespeare and work your way forward.
Rule ala Seven - The Easy Genre
Rule ala Seven: There is no easy genre. Romance is not easy. Science fiction is not easy. Fantasy is not easy. Writing children's books is not only not easy, it is very, very hard. People looking for an "easy" genre don't want to write, they want to have written. They are pretenders. If you are the real deal, don't worry about what is easy, or what is hot. Write the stories you want to write, and the stories you want to tell. Practice. Develop your skills. You can worry about marketing later.
Rules da 8 - How Becoming Published Will Change Your Life
Rule da 8: When you make your first sale, your problems are only beginning.
Rule da 8.1: Publishers don't buy books, they buy careers. If you aren't thinking past your first book, you are of very little value to anyone. Pray the publisher forgets to ask.
Rule da 8.2: Wash, rinse, repeat. Repeating is the hard part.
Rule da 8.3: The only time a second book can be easier than the first book is when the second book is already written, and even there lie pitfalls.
Rule da 8.4: You can't rest on your laurels unless you have some, and even then, laurels don't pay the electric bill.
Rule da 8.5: Sharks gotta swim, writers gotta write. Sharks stop swimming, they die. What does this tell you about writers?
Statement of Limitation
Those are only a few of the truths that aspiring writers need to know, but they're enough for you to chew on for a while. Pretty much, success in this business boils down to do the work, submit the work, and keep learning. Don't waste your time looking for shortcuts, because none of them preclude these three basics and the search will waste your time.
And remember that you don't even have the right to call yourself a failure if you don't try, and you still don't have the right unless you've stopped trying. Until then, you're still a success waiting to happen.
Good luck out there. Just remember, you make your own luck.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 02:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 04, 2006
Some Opening Day
Opening Day at Shea Stadium is a tradition Deb and I have upheld since 1989. Despite my current status, we were determined to be there. Additionally, we were going to let Robbie play hooky and join us as a senior year treat.
Normally, we drive to Shea in the morning, park and take the subway to NYC. This way, we have a car awaiting us for when the game is over. This year, Robbie and I drove down from Connecticut. Normally, it should take an hour (my best time was about 50 minutes). We left at 10:40, figuring to arrive in the 12 noon range for a 1:10 start. The idea was to be there for the Opening Day events, relaxed and happy.
Instead, name an impediment, and we probably encountered it. It all stated to slow down when we were stuck for a drawbridge on the Hutchinson River Parkway. Once that ended, we hit an endless line of traffic across the Whitestone Bridge and crawled along the Whitestone Expressway until we finally got to Shea. During all this, I was relatively calm but with each passing minute, I was losing that calm and getting more and more agitated at the morons who cut in front of me or the inability of NY’s finest from controlling the traffic or the gods from laughing at me.
Robbie began to score the game for me as we crawled. Yes, that’s right, the game had started.
We got to Shea and were waved away from it, to follow a snaking line deep into Flushing Meadow Park. Finally, we were allowed to park on a field well behind the Unisphere, with the stadium in the distance. For this privilege, I had to fork over $13. You’d think there’d be a discount based on distance and inconvenience.
Robbie and I trudged to the Stadium at as brisk a pace as possible in the raw, gray weather. We got to Gate B only to be waved on to the Press Gate and there we stood on another line as one guy checked tickets and another waved the metal detector over us. So we waited our turn. Once we entered, the promotional schedule magnets were all gone. Then the escalator to the Upper Reserve level was out so we continued our trudging.
As we took our seats, it was the top of the sixth inning and the trip from home took us 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Deb got there well before the ceremonies and quietly froze in her seat, enjoying the view, waiting for us (and our picnic lunch).
We actually sat in our seats for something like 1:20 minutes as the game ended in the top of the 9th as Billy Wagner made his Mets debut by collecting his first save. Now, we missed most of the scoring although we were settled enough to watch David Wright smack the team’s first homer in the bottom of the sixth.
Turning around, we hiked back to the car. Once we got settled back in the vehicle, Robbie called Kate to proclaim that while she may have been jealous of this “treat”, it was nothing to miss. We then crawled through rush hour back to Connecticut. Total round trip was 8 hours and 20 minutes.
There’s definitely something wrong with this system.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 02:54 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack