WCMarchese

WCM: Last week we discussed Black Friday, this wonderful American tradition where people punch and kick their way to great steals and deals. Unbelievable. They would even go so far as to strike a child with a shoe. JD: but it's a tradition that offers countless examples of how savage we can be just for some discounts. Want them discounted PS4s? Best be packin heat. It would be nice if people had enough sense to NOT bring their babies! Anyone thinking a baby would shield them from ape shit aggression is just a damn fool. WCM: This despicable tradition even moved into Europe, where the retail industry has been taking advantage of the sales. The only difference is they don’t go as crazy as in America. Though, I have to say, even though I’ve seen a few articles depictingthe treachery, I know it’s not the case everywhere. Some stores have safeguards to stop the madness. But enough of this. We discussed Emenem and how he is mad Trump isn’t paying attention to him. JD: Eminem trie...

I'm thinking how things aren’t always as they seem. You find some writers fluff themselves up with accolades and other “achievements,” yet they never appear to be anywhere.  I bring this up not to put those artists down, but to put some at rest when it comes to how they perceive themselves. I co-host a radio show, The Deadman’s Tome podcast. I like to think of it as a literary program meets sort of shock jocks, as they are called. We laugh, express our opinions, and interview guests—mostly authors. One week we had on Jonathan Maberry. What a show that was. I came ready with questions to ask. And even a guy who has had as much success as Jonathan didn’t sweat the small things. I asked what he thought about followers, and he said he just follows who he wants and it’s really just to start conversations. He actually follows more than follows him. (Which proves a point about that following scam a lot are doing where people you know nothing about have tens of thousan...

This Monday I'm thinking about how close the holidays are. How fast this year went. All the times I wished my life away by wanting the work day to go by fast.  Whatever holiday you celebrate, it is a time to come together with family and be grateful that we're all here another year.  It's important for a writer to know they have someone there for them. Sometimes writing can be a secluded task. To know someone is there when you come out of that sequestered zone in your mind is comforting. Some don't have that. But there is always someone.  It's important to make acquaintances, or friends, as well. It can get pretty lonely in this line of work.   If they aren't there for you, then they aren't true friends at all. And if family doesn't care? Well, that's something you have to decide. But probably not worth the effort.  Support can be the difference between having the courage to submit, or procrastion and fear. It's not easy being a writer. I...

This Black Friday I'm playing it cool and checking out sites for sales. Cyber Monday, as well. I don't like shopping in retail stores as it is, imagine when there are a ton of people fighting to get at sales.  Not for me.  I'm working anyway. Should be slow, so i'll catch up on some writing and editing.  Things didn't go as expected with my Turkey. The aluminum pan I used for my mammoth bird had some sort of slit in the bottom and all the chicken stock leaked out as I inserted it all into the oven. Mixed juices went everywhere. I was pissed. Badly. Chef Ramsey comes to mind. Though I might have made him blush.  Everything I tried to do did not work. My wife and I decided to run to the supermarket. We needed a few things, anyway.  Other things Hindered my goal, but I persevered. And that is my point in this post.  You don't give up because of a set back--not even a major one. Because these times are what define you on the road to your dreams. The...

If you're like any other writer, things can feel as though a blindfold grips your sight and the lights are out--no peeking. You seek with hands that never touch anything,desperate for the slightest indication there are others around. But it doesn't have to be like that. Writing is a learning process. I look back and can see my writing progression. It's cool, and sometimes cringe worthy, to see my development. But you can always learn from it.   I've scoured writing magazines, done continuous research on website and within huge books about agents and such.  But you can't just listen to anyone. Sometimes, even though they may be right with some of the downfalls of your writing, they may go too far with it. You don't want them to steer you in the wrong direction. If enough people say the same thing, then you may want to tweak what you're doing. But don't take one person's critique to heart.  See, sometimes someone can give you advice that pushes...

This week is Thanksgiving in the States and everything is winding down. People slowing and getting ready to see family in other states, or simply at home. There is a rush to leave at certain points, but it's not too bad--unless you are the one in the traffic. I have thanks because I was going to send a story out and asked some fellow writers to beta before. Good thing I did.  It was sort of a let down, when I realized how much work lay ahead. But no one said this would be easy.  Plus, the suggestions by by buddies Gary Buller and Jesse Dedman were awesome and just what I needed to go off in another direction. Sometimes that's just what you need, a different perspective.  The world is moving fast, kids, spouse, work, etc. Sometimes we can't think if things because our minds are wound up so tight. But then along comes that spark and bam!  Now, this Monday, I type this out on my phone while I shove a donut and coffee down my throat, and mentally plan out w...

One more week until Thanksgiving. Next Musing will be Black Friday. I’ll work that day, but it will be like getting paid for nothing. The highways are free flowing and Manhattan is a ghost town. Well, except for retail outlets. Those I wouldn’t go within at least a 30 foot radius. Even though there are things wrong with it, and we probably won’t even fully understand what those things are for years to come, I still find solace in shopping online.  Last week I had a story release in Aphotic Realm  Banished . I'm pushing hard on the final level of a story I’m working on for Crystal Lake Publishing titled The Cat . And I'm almost done with editing the stories for Deadman’s Tome  Christmas Cthulu.  So many things going on, you’d think I was doing a full time job, but all that goes on in between (lunch) and after (editing until I wake up at 2 in the morning wondering why my phone is in bed with me, or why my laptop has been drained). The main job keep...

WCM: We had a very special guest on this past Friday's show. Jonathan Maberry joined us for a very informative episode. We discussed his many projects. He’s worked on the Marvel zombies universe and even has multiple novels involving those dastardly beings that eat brains. So, yeah, zombies came up once or twice during the conversation. JD: Jonathan Maberry is a cool cat and made for a great guest. How does someone go from professional thug to best-selling author? The details are all in the show! WCM: We talked to Kentucky Bob’s wife, who had some colorful words for Deadman. We had to censor because it became a bit inappropriate. JD: I do not like that word. When someone tries to censor it feels limiting. Growing up, my favorite show was South Park, my favorite talk show was Stern, and my favorite comedian was Jack Black and Ron White. Those guys are at their best when allowed to fly free! T hat moment with hillbilly bob would've been funnier if I was allowed to go to the...

When you have nothing left, things don't seem to be going right. You're tired. It's Monday... There's something that can keep you going. Some call it their muse. That inner voice, calling out to you to do your thing. It can feel like a good friend has come to visit when this denizen of creativity appears. Let it happen.  Embrace it.  When it comes to some they get giddy, overcome with emotions. Because it's back. You see? And it's going to help. He/she/whatever it may be.  This Monday, don't just think it's about starting a week at work, and you've got nothing done. Take out that story you've been editing (or movie, or anything you've been doing) and get to work. Your muse will be out soon. Listen to what they say. You may like what you hear. WCM

The news today can be a landmine of information. If you're not careful, Boom! You've just succumbed to someone's opinion, or read a story that has half truths to it. All designed to in site feelings and sculpt what you think. Not all do this, but most do.  Reading news should be, in my opinion, a well rounded practice of reading from a few different angles. Some news outlets are bent a certain way, whether it be "left" or "right." So you want to try and obtain the full picture. Read the same story from a few sources.   It's OK to have opinions, no problem at all. Just remember there may be downfalls to how you express them.  When you use the brand you have built to preach about views and ideology, then you run the risk of alienating your fans.  Most consumers of entertainment do not want to get caught up in politics, or current events. Most of the time these are depressing stories to the consumer who are probably trying to escape it all in th...

I say often to those who fail to save their work, or to those who's computer crashes, that it happens for a reason. And I do believe that. Yet when it happens to you it's totally different.  But it may just be a sign.  It's happened to me before, and as far as I can remember, it's always worked out for the better, especially if you get down and work hard to redo the lost work. Most of the time you end up creating something even better.  Just recently I received notes from fellow writers in my group about a short story I'm working on. One if them told me something about the ending which caused me to realize something. I then outlined a better ending.  I don't remember if I replied to them with it, or if I wrote it down somewhere, but I lost the info.  So, I got myself into the exact same situation I tell people is no big deal. I had no other choice but to dig into the practice of redoing what I had already done.  I looked over the info I had and g...

WCM: Another great show, this time around. Kris McFadden,  aka: Tha Pessimist, joined in with the jest fest. This time he toned it down a few thousand notches from the previous times he'd been on.  JD: Tha Pessimist only toned down because of the sheer power of Tony Robbins. Tony was the real star of the show.  WCM: We tried to get through some news and an article about what makes editors reject stories, but ultimately kept drawing back to conspiracy theory topics and Kris.  JD: True, we tried to go over somethings like David Farland's ten reasons why your story will get quickly rejected, but that topic took a backseat for conspiracy theories. Tha Pessimist came on wanting to talk about Halloween conspiracy, so my good friend Tony Robbins came in to assist with a thorough exploration.  WCM: We even made a small show for the middle of the week with Kris, and it ended up going almost an hour. Kris just has that charisma.  JD: Aww, yes. Kris Tha Pess...

So you want to be a writer. You want to write that piece that everybody fawns over. Right?  Be honest with yourself.  Of course you do. That's what we're all striving for endlessly posting on Twitter and Facebook, etc. Searching for the coveted formula that pushes you into super stardom.  And where, exactly, can you find this formula you ask? Is it listening to what others tell you--and knowing when not to listen? Is it knowing when something doesn't work and just nixing the whole thing and starting over? Is it constantly learning new things every day, and not saying, "Oh, I already have what I need?" maybe all of that and maybe none of that.  You see, there is no specific formula for anyone. Writing is like what they call in the gaming world "grinding." You do little things, learn things, read, put out posts, get reactions, then having built enough power to put out a short story, novella, or even a full novel.  There are those who call themselv...