Over the past few years, I’ve realized a fascination I have with listening to people who are experts in a specific field talk about their area of expertise. For example, I really enjoy listening to the Joe Rogan Experience. Lots of it has to do with the UFC, a sport that I really don’t have any real interest in, but Rogan is so knowledgeable about the subject, I just can’t help but enjoy listening to him talk about it.

It’s kind of a roundabout way of saying this, but that’s why I’ve started this blog. I know that if I had the opportunity to read a blog that began during the early, fledgling days of an author whose work I enjoy, I’d jump on the opportunity immediately.

Let me note here, that I make absolutely no assertions about my being an expert in my craft. I’ve got many years of hard work ahead of me before I could consider myself anything more than a student. But that said, it’s possible that what I write today may be of use to somebody out there down the road–so here I am.

I suppose that’s a rather arrogant thought isn’t it? The thought that not only will I have one day written a novel somebody else actually wants to read, but that somebody may have enjoyed it so much that they would have an interest in read the thoughts I had as I was going through the initial writing process.

It’s very possible (or, rather likely) this blog will never be read by anybody aside from my lovely wife who will shower me with praise I don’t deserve (but to be fair, if I can impress her and make her proud than I’ve succeeded. So if that’s the case, then that’s fine.)

However there is always the chance, slim as it may be, that someday, someone may read this and be interested or even (may I be struck down for my abject egotism) inspired by it. If you are that person, bless you and thank you. I will strive my hardest to be worthy of your interest.

I’m currently almost at the conclusion of the first major rewrite of Penumbra part 1. It’s a story I’ve been writing for years now, a journey that has been fraught with many trials (the worst of which was losing an entire rough draft to a failed hard drive) but as I work through the final touches, I really feel as if the story is all the better for it. I would never want to repeat the process of rewriting a first draft as often as I’ve done this one–but I feel like Penumbra is truly better for it. I’ve had a lot of practice in writing it and I think it is paying off.

I’ve been asked by a couple of friends what the hardest part of writing is. It’s a question I’ve mulled over quite a bit and I believe it comes down to motivation. But it’s not as simple as a matter of wanting to write rather it’s continuing to work despite the harrowing doubts that seem to accompany such a large undertaking as writing a novel. The question of  whether or not I’m writing something  that will be good enough for somebody else to enjoy. I’m sure this entire blog entry will attest to these misgivings.

The phrase Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they’ll come applies here more than any other. Though I would adjust it to say: Just because you write it, doesn’t mean anybody will read it. It’s a thought that must plague every fledgling author, at the very least, I have to believe it does, because it certainly haunts me.

I’ve just finished reading Neuromancer by William Gibson and I’ll be honest, I’m not certain how I feel about it. Gibson is undoubtedly a visionary man and Neuromancer is certainly a strong forerunner for the cyberpunk genre that I really enjoy, but as a whole Neuromancer came across as somewhat disjointed and even confusing at times. I don’t say this for many books, but I would love to see what a talented director could do with the material. As I think about it though, an anime film under the direction of Mamoru Oshii (director of Ghost in the Shell) really seems like the way to go. Gibson is incredibly talented in expressing characters and dialogue, but particularly towards the latter half of the novel the setting of each scene became less and less clear. The novel certainly merits a second, and likely a third read before I’ve finalized my opinion on it though. It’s certainly a novel that requires more than one read to really get a solid grasp of. Despite this, I’m confident in saying the novel as a whole is a masterpiece. It seems like a piece of work in which something new is discovered regardless of how often you read it.

I’ll wrap this up here, as I have a lot of work to do. I intend to have Penumbra part 1 out to test readers by the end of the week. I’ll close by adding a couple of links to videos I’ve thoroughly enjoyed related to experts talking about their fields.

Talking Funny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiZwlltsJ8c

A HBO special in which Ricky Gervais, Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK and Chris Rock discuss the art of comedy. Fascinating.

Half in the Bag: http://redlettermedia.com/half-in-the-bag/

I’m an enormous RedLetterMedia fan and Half in the Bag is by far my favorite show they produce. Mike and Jay are incredibly knowledgeable about film, from the perspectives of both filmmakers and as part of the audience. Even if you don’t agree with everything they say, they consistently produce solid discussion. Warning – Strong Language

Joe Rogan Experience: http://podcasts.joerogan.net/

It would seem disingenuous to start this entry with discussion of Joe Rogan and not include a link to his podcast. The topics of discussion can be almost anything, but it’s always enjoyable. Warning – Strong Language