ARTISTE

July 6th, 2006 at 11:40 pm | Writing

Over at the ol’ Novelogue, you can now read the prologue for Thirty Well Spent, as well as the aborted first chapter.

I’m looking into setting up a mailing list for the Novelogue . . . just not very hard. If I stick with WordPress, I’ll set one up. But if I go with Typepad, like I think I will, then what’s the use? (By-the-by, WordPress, while easy to install, is a bitch when it comes to working with their templates, which is why the ‘Logue still has that minty-fresh, “just installed” look. I could learn how to do it, I’m just busy doing other shit that I don’t hate.)

In the mean time, stay tuned . . . .

JAB

NOVELOGUE

June 11th, 2006 at 7:06 pm | Writing

I have a sideblog going on now, called Josh Bales’s Novelogue. Instead of describing what its about, I’m just gonna send you to the inaugural post, and you can read about it there. JBdN is still my main blog (or “online writing utensil” as Nate calls them), and it’s certainly not going anywhere. The Novelogue is an experiment, just like the Trinity test in New Mexico sixty years ago.

Here’s the link to the first post, entitled “Nothing Wrong With A Little Experimentation.”

JAB

I'M SORRY

June 1st, 2006 at 10:59 pm | Writing

Dear Tim Horton’s,

I’m not sure how to break this to you, but . . . I have a new favorite place to write now. I can’t explain it — just sort of happened, I guess. It first started a few days ago. This very attractive table moved onto the patio in my backyard. It had a cute little umbrella and comfy chairs. Anyway, it was in the evening, and I needed to do some writing. You just seemed so far away, Tim Horton’s, not to mention probably occupied by annoying teenagers. Then I glanced out back, saw the little table, and took a chance. Before I knew it, I was happily plugging away at Lappy.

And no, it wasn’t a one-time thing either. Not just a fluke I could pretend never happened. I went out today again,this time in the bright sun. The umbrella kept the sun out of my eyes and off Lappy’s LCD screen. Again, the words just poured out of me in heaping amounts of productivity. It was glorious.

I know this is asking a lot, but I’d like to still be friends. I understand that you probably don’t want to see me for a while. But maybe in a few months, after you’ve moved on and stopped hating me (and when the weather has become cold and unpleasant), we could hang out. Until then, good-bye.

Sincerely,

Josh

REBIRTH 2: THROUGH THE PORTAL OF TIME

May 19th, 2006 at 4:34 pm | Writing

I can’t believe that it’s not even five yet, and I’ve already had a very productive day. Aside from going to the gym and doing yard work, I also went to Tim Horton’s to get some writing done. Before writing a thousand or so words on a much longer project that I’m really not ready to much discuss yet*, I did one last edit on a story I wrote a couple-of-two months back. It’s a — what else — sci-fi story called “The Last Echo of Humanity.” I believe I posted the first paragrpah of it some time before.

As I said in that post, this is technically a “reimagining” of another story I wrote four years back that was called “Rebirth.” Except stylistically that story sucked, whereas though this one has same plot — albeit much expanded — it’s a lot better written. Before I send it off, I’d like to get the opinions of two of my readers, just in case Nate and I missed some gaping plot hole or otherwise important aspect of the story. But apparently they both hate me, which is the only reason I can come up with as to why they haven’t returned “LEOH” to me yet.

This makes five short stories I’ve written this year**, which is far more than I’ve ever done before. I’ve improved in leaps and bounds in just six months. Like I’ve evolved from Homo erectus to Homo floresiensis. One day I’ll reach Homo sapiens. Of course I must still be pretty stupid since I just opened myself to any number of “homo” jokes. Maybe I should delete this little metaphor all together. Fuck it; I’ll leave it.

So yeah. “The Last Echo of Humanity.” I’m proud of it. Maybe someone will actually buy this one.

JAB


* Primarily because if I do so publicly, then more people will be able to watch me (or read about me) fall flat on my face like I inevitably will.

** One of which is still awaiting editing, and another which I might abandon completely, because I think it sucks. So it goes.

DICTIONARY.COM ROCKS

March 23rd, 2006 at 9:15 pm | Fiction/Excerpts, Writing

I finished a story recently entitled “The Last Echo of Humanity.” It’s a much-improved redo of an older story of mine, one that was called “Rebirth.” Like writing articles for a newspaper, with short stories one has to come up with a strong opening paragraph to grab the reader’s interest, ’cause if that first paragraph is boring, the read will move onto something else. Admittedly, I’m guilty of this sometimes. I think I came up with a pretty nifty intro paragraph (ack — cue the unpleasant flashback to WSU’s basic English classes) for “Last Echo”:

The rum had long-since stopped burning his throat, he idly realized as he took another huge swallow from the bottle, right before he put his fist through the face of the Mona Lisa. The poplar wood shredded his knuckles. He only abstractly felt the throbbing in his hand, filtered as it was by his drunken haze. It only served to make him angrier. He wanted to feel something, anything to break him from the unyielding torpor that he’d been in for the past few millennia — even if that something was just pain.

What do you guys think?

JAB

"A LAMENTATION OF SPRING"

March 21st, 2006 at 10:45 pm | Fiction/Excerpts, Writing

“I’ll be ready in a minute, sweetheart,” Mother Nature (Em to her friends) called out from the bathroom. “I’m just finishing up my make-up.”

Her husband, Ted, god of the Midwest, was putting his cufflinks on. He was dressed in a rented tuxedo, and looked pretty damn sexy if he thought so himself, which he did.

“Take your time, hun. Fashionably late is always cool.” He started humming “Bawitdaba” softly to himself.

The happy couple was preparing to jet off to attend one of the more exclusive social events of the year: the annual Spring Gala, hosted by the goddess Gaia. Winter had just ended two days before, and the warm embers of spring were now heating the world of Man back up. It was time for a grand celebration.

That’s when Ted eyed the unusual object laying on the bed. “Uhh, Em… Why is there a strap-on dildo on the bed?”

Mother Nature stepped out of the bathroom, putting in an earring as she did. “Oh, I picked that up at the store earlier. I thought we might use it after the party.”

Ted was still regarding the novelty-size strap-on with no small measure of dubiousness. “Huh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just…we experimented with that a lot this past winter, right? And frankly, I’m not sure I’m up to task for this one anyway. So, since it’s spring and all, why don’t we put away your little…ish new toy and try something new.” His eyes gleamed. “Like…you being with someone else,” he said, “while I watch.”

She giggled coquettishly. “Oh, Ted,” she said. “You’re so silly.” But then she considered the idea for a moment. “Well…how about a compromise?”

He arched an eyebrow. “Whadja have in mind?”

“How would you like me to use that”—Em pointed at the sexual apparatus—”on Guy while you watch?”

A devilish smile formed on Ted’s face. Guy was high deity of the region commonly known to humans as “New England”—and he was a close friend. An attractive, close friend.

“Now that sounds hot,” Ted said. He went over to his wife and took her in his arms. They passionately kissed for a long moment, until she suddenly broke away and looked him in the eye.

“But once I’m done with Guy,” she said firmly, “I fully intend to use the device on you too.”

Ted sighed in defeat. “Yes dear.”

You see, friends, the moral of this story is that, even though we are two days into spring, Mother Nature can quite easily—and with wicked delight—use a strap-on dildo to fuck the state of Ohio in the ass.

That, and I really hate cold weather and all that it brings.

"CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY"

March 1st, 2006 at 11:27 pm | Fiction/Excerpts, Writing

He was sitting alone at a corner table in the HappyMart cafeteria, reading a cheaply photocopied ‘zine called Fascist America that extolled the virtues of the Self Exile movement. A half-eaten tuna sandwich lay ignored in front of him, next to a Styrofoam cup of coffee. It was a little before midnight, and the cafeteria was only sparsely populated. To keep the illegal reading material hidden from any coworkers, he had concealed it within a red binder. No one would be the wiser that he was engrossed in such an antisocial and reactionary document; to the outside world—those persons also trapped in the iron grip of the unforgiving corporate machine—Duncan was simply studying his department’s planning reports.

He caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Someone was approaching the table. He glanced up and saw an expressionless face looking down at him—another blandly anonymous bureaucrat dressed in a navy blue suit. He and millions more like him filled up the vast echelons of the HappyMart empire. On the fellow’s upper-right arm was a stylized green patch indicating that he was from the Home Office.

A flash of annoyance coursed through Duncan. This was one of the Old Man’s flunkies.

“The Vice President would like to see you.”

With exaggerated casualness, Duncan took a sip of his coffee and had to mask a grimace. The once scalding liquid had grown cold with neglect. Just how long had he been sitting here, absorbed in the sweetly illicit ‘zine?

“Sure. Let me finish my coffee. I’ll meet him in his office in five minutes.”

The flunkie didn’t move. “He wants to see you now. And he’s not in his office—he’s in the LP Annex.”

“Loss Prevention?” Duncan asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

He swallowed hard. Anything involving LP was never good. He stood up slowly, the coffee forgotten once more.

“Then we better not keep him waiting.”

(more…)

APROPOS OF NOTHING

February 24th, 2006 at 11:06 pm | Daylog, Writing

I used a new variety of toothpaste today, and it keeps leaving my mouth with a peculiar minty aftertaste, one that I can’t quite place. Maybe the forbidden lovechild of spearmint and … mango? Spearmango?

A short while ago, Sarah and I went to Arby’s. She was craving some cheese sticks, a roast beef sandwich didn’t sound disagreeable to me, and my mom had coupons, so it was on. The food was good, but now when I burp it tastes like roast beef and spearmango. I can’t say I enjoy it. Before Arby’s, Sarah and I talked on the phone for an hour or so while browsing Myspace simultaneously. We were browsing kids that went to Northmont the same years we did. It was really quite pathetic, but hey — what else is there to do on a Friday night? Nevermind, don’t answer that. It seems odd to me that most of the people I graduated with are married and/or have kids. Then I realize that they’re 23 or 24, and it doesn’t seem that strange. And still I slave away at Wal-Mart …

Actually, I’m feeling a little bit better about still being at Wal-Mart. My resume is out at several companies, none of which will probably call me, but at least it’s out there. I’m also planning on going back to WSU this fall to attend grad school, with seemingly everyone else I know. And on a more fulfilling note, I’ve got the feeling that this year might be the year my writing career goes somewhere. I’ve already written far more this year than I’ve written in years past (excluding 2002, the year of Destiny), and I think my mad skillz have improved a great deal. Most importantly, I’m finishing what I’m starting, an integral part of being a writer. If I can get a couple of stories of published, hone my self-confidence, I might actually start work on a novel I’ve been kicking around for a while. Many times, if you can produce three or so chapters and a detailed outline, a lot of agents and publishers will consider taking you on. Three chapters is something I could probably pull off. So we’ll see where I am by the end of the year. Already this one’s been a hell of a lot better than last year.

I didn’t intend for this post to be so introspective, but I guess that’s what happens. How apropos.

JAB

WHAT THE HELL IS ARRAKIS?

February 9th, 2006 at 10:01 pm | Daylog, Writing

David Lynch’s Dune: the Extended Edition arrived from Netflix a few days ago, so I’m going to watch that in a few minutes. I saw Dune years ago as a child, and didn’t understand what the fuck was going on it. Now, older and wiser — and also having read the first two books — I anticipate that, even with the extra half-hour of added footage … I’m not going to understand what the fuck is going on.

I’ve gotten all sorts of shit done today. I worked out, helped Bill build his very own blog (visit http://www.randomcreepery.com, click on “Rants”), and went to Tim Horton’s and wrote a new story called “Corporate Responsibility.” It’s about a future where a Wal-Mart-esque company basically rules the country. It’s pretty different from the stuff I usually write. Most of my stories usually end on at least a slightly happy note. This one, while concluding satisfactorily for the protagonist, is kind of depressing when you consider how it ends and what is implied. I’m quite excited about it.

So that was my today. And now, the desert plains of Arrakis beckon me …

JAB

SECOND-RATE WRITER CONDESCENDS TO LIMITED READERSHIP

January 29th, 2006 at 6:43 pm | Daylog, Writing

It’s been a busy last few days.

Hung out with some people from work on Thursday, eating at the exquisite Dewey’s pizza. Friday I hung out with Nate. We drove around, played some Need For Speed: Something Involving the Underground, and tormented Trevor. It was a lark. Yesterday, I worked till five. Afterwards, Jason, Bill and I went to O’Charley’s, which has sweet chicken tenders, and waited for Adam — who was in town for some family thing — to call. Around ten or so, we met him at Tim Horton’s and spent three hours there. Adam and I talked at length about web design, and I think we bored the shit out of Bill and Jason. I swear I saw the exact moment when Jason’s eyes glazed over.

Today I did family stuff, and set up my brand-new-fucking-awesome laser printer. It’s sooo cool. Currently as I write this I’m, yet again, at Tim Horton’s. I felt the beginnings of a headache forming, so I got the fuck outta Dodge while I could. Plus, I wanted to get some work down. After reviewing the edits and suggestions from Jason and Nate, I applied the finishing touches to “Yesterday’s Ghosts” (formerly “Another Door Opens”). Now that I have a handy-dandy laser printer, I’ll print it out tonight or tomorrow, instead of waiting till Thursday and using Habitat’s printer, as I’ve done in the past.

Speaking of…

I want to solicit y’alls help again. I’ve mentioned before how I didn’t like “Another Door Opens,” so consequently changed it to “Yesterday’s Ghosts,” but I’m not yet 100% satisfied with it. A few more possible titles have come to mind, so I thought I’d get your opinion(s). Here is the pool of Potentials:

“Yesterday’s Ghosts” (current title)

“Another Door Opens” (former title)

“Ghosts of Yesterday” (a derivation of the current title)

“Ghosts Past”

And the one I’m currently leaning towards…

“A Planet Behind” (corresponds to the final line in the story)

I’m also willing to entertain any other suggestions from the peanut gallery (in reference to this entry’s “headline”).

But seriously, thanks in advance.

JAB

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