Greg Close's Worthless Novel(s) Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:40:00 +0000

art by Mike Nash (www.mike-nash.com)

The Cover is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:13:00 +0000

The Hero Always Wins by Robert Eaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I would give it 2.5 stars, if the option were there, because it hovered on the brink of 3 (NOTE: I amended the rating to 3 stars, because I thought it more fair to round up than down). This is a pretty fun book (a great value for the price), and the author shows a lot of potential, certainly in the realm of ideas. The magic system is one of the most imaginative, yet simple, systems I've read of late. There is a lot that can be done with the concept. However, the execution of the ideas could have used a little more polish through beta-readers and another pass by an editor, perhaps. Some of the world-building could have been expanded a bit, or expanded in less expositional ways (the chapters describing the past of Kale Dorian, in particular, while interesting and obviously well thought out, interrupted the flow of the plot, for me.)

Robert Eaton has his flashes of brilliance and his ups-and downs throughout, but for a first-time author without the resources of a major publishing house, I think he should be proud of his work. The Hero Always Wins is a mostly entertaining read with a pretty satisfying story arc (and teaser for the sequel).

The potential is here, I'll check in with the sequel when it comes out to see how it goes.

View all my reviews

Editing Away...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Making pretty good progress on the final edits to manuscript - still on target for submission/publication this year. For your (questionable) entertainment, I have dramatized the process of hunting down and killing adverbs in true Epic Fantasy style:

"Effortlessly paled and backed away at the sight of Adverb's Bane. She had escaped the pogroms, the culling, the scourges, and the bloody brutal murders over the years - but now she saw her doom reflected on the gleaming blade. She could only hope her children, Luckily and Haltingly, would fare better. She closed her eyes, and it was all over... ."

- Excerpt from DARKBLOOD SHADOWSTALKER: ADVERB'S BANE, Chapter 5

Publishing Soon & Quest for Cover Art

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:13:00 +0000

There is a very good editor hard at work on In Siege of Daylight (I think he's about 800 some odd pages into the manuscript, with only a couple of hundred to go). His help has been invaluable, and once he's finished fixing all my grammar issues (thought I'd fixed those, but boy was I wrong - I have nightmares about the phrase "period, not comma after...") and provided his genre expertise on plotting and mechanics, the book will finally feel finished and not just done. I'm quite excited by that. And then...

PUBLICATION!

Where? A query will be off to a couple of traditional publishing houses the moment I have the full edits punched in. One specifically asked for a completed, fully edited manuscript, and one is a new query attempt. If traditional publishing does not work, I've got my eyes set on a direct-to-Kindle release immediately. I'm going to publish in 2011 one way or the other, and that's that.

So... I need a cover, and therefore I need cover art. I've been scouring DeviantART and other on-line sites and galleries for the right combination of talent and vision, and I've found a few possibilities. I sent an inquiry to my first choice, because he seems to have a great talent at both fantasy and science fiction, and the merging thereof, and I would love to develop an ongoing relationship with an artist who can bring my characters and settings to life on a consistent basis (for the Light, Dark & Shadow series as well as for Greyspace). Book covers cannot be underestimated in importance, especially in my genres. I have a budget set aside specifically for art, so I hope both that the artist is available and that I can afford him!

Monkey... prepare to disembark from my back! Thank you for you flying my friendly shoulders these last twenty years or so!

New chapter published... zero - scuttled | GREYSPACE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Yup, you read it right. Chapter Zero. This is a product of me going back to add a prologue (to get in some backstory, establish some standard sci-fi in addition to the magical element, etc) and being too lazy to renumber and rearrange all the completed chapters. So... sci-fi prologue = Chapter Zero. Since this falls within purview of my "free sample" chapters, it's not a Writer's Cafe exclusive.

zero - scuttled | WritersCafe.org

nine - chief concerns | WritersCafe.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 26 May 2011 23:40:00 +0000

Done at last, done at last... Chapter 9 is done at last. The world ended, yes it's true - but the story is just beginning.

nine - chief concerns | WritersCafe.org

My iPhone is better, but Chpt 9 is ailing...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 20 May 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Chapter Nine was supposed to be done last week. In fact, it was done, at least temporarily. Then I went to "take one more look" and decided it needed more work. Which, of course, results in me still working on Chapter Nine right now... just one pesky paragraph. Stupid paragraph.

My iPhone is alllll better now, though. That's something.

In this photo, wannabe author Gregory Close proudly displays his iPhone.

Greg's Geek-in-Pain Haiku of Suffering

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:59:00 +0000

iShattered my phone

numb... pain... darkness... cruel, cruel fate

iPhone 3 out when?

Although, I think I purchased the additional warranty, so that should defray the cost of replacement.

In related news, my 5 year old is now up on eBay with no reserve! Just kidding sweetie!! OF COURSE, there is a reserve! ;)

File Photo (Sabine on Strike)

I am now going to go back and take a fresh look at the description of the world's smoky demise in Chapter 9, to make sure I have captured all of the pain, angst and rage that accompanies loss of your iPhone... I mean civilization. Same thing. Sigh.

eight - over the river and through the woods

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Chapter 8 is up, and Chapter 9 is on the way. At this point, if you are actually interested in reading further but are not a Writer's Cafe member, just email me at gsclose@lightdarkandshadow.com and I'll be happy to provide a link to the draft for you to take a look. I really can't "publish" anything further unless its membership-restricted, or I lose "first publishing" rights. Technicality. Irritating. Inconvenient. But, that's what technicalities are there for... right?

Or, you could always join Writer's Cafe - membership is free! :)

eight - over the river and through the woods

A New Film You Can't Afford Not To See

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:39:00 +0000

An Alderaan Truth Production

Loose Credits is an eye-opening quest for the Truth behind Alderaan. It explores the story that the government of the New Republic doesn't want you to see. Or hear. Or read. Or experience holographically. Or through a mind-link. Or by semaphore.

Or any... combination... thereof!!

Did the so-called "Death Star" really fire a directed energy weapon into the core of Alderaan? Or is the destruction of this entire planet, and it's peaceful populace, merely a tool of deception aimed to enrage and embolden the Imperial public into action - into open rebellion and sedition against their rightful government?

You be the judge...

"Death Star? No, no... it was nicknamed Darth's Star, in honor of Lord Vader, for his many humanitarian missions and his unwavering focus on helping those less fortunate than him."
- Grand Moff Daga Nor, Smego Systems

"It would be impossible for a directed energy weapon to cause an explosion the likes of which the Rebellion claim. It defies all physics. My analysis of the so-called "weapon" reveals that it was, in fact, a molecular re-energizer of some sort, akin to a vitamin ray, which could improve the health of an entire planet with one massive dose."
- Syd Crau Min, Professor Emeritus of General Nutrtion at City College, Corsuscant

"How could a one-man snub fighter piloted by a whiny farm boy bring down a battle-station... er... I mean Managed Care Facility, like Darth's Star? This was an inside job of Rebel saboteurs. They blew up Alderaan, lured Darth's Star out to a supposed industry Forum on Preventive Healthcare at Yavin IV, and then - somehow - with some magic "force" they blew up the most powerful weapon... ahem... um... weapon against malnutrition in the galaxy? Prove it! I'm not saying Bail Organa blew up Alderaan and planned the destruction of a key Imperial asset. But I am saying I'm not saying it, and that's almost the same thing, but without the liability."
- Gobbo Nast Smith-MacIntosh, Imperial History Re-constructionist expert at the Imperial History Reconstruction Museum and Think Tank.

Alderaan, pre-obliteration.

After you see Loose Credits, your mind will be blown! Just like Alderaan! BLOWN!

Coming Soon...

A review of a review for HBO's "GAME of THRONES"

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:16:00 +0000

I read the following review of Game of Thrones on the NY Times website. I was amazed at how flippant and condescending it was. It was high on self-righteous snark and low on objectivity. The link is included below.

NY Times review by Ginia Bellafonte

It's clear that the reviewer took a prejudiced and condescending notion of fantasy literature and its adaptations into this review. The shallow analysis of the plot and poor understanding of the role sexuality plays in the narrative, not to mention why it is there, reveals to me a reviewer looking to find fault rather than provide an objective viewpoint on the merits of the series. The reviewer might also wish to look up some facts regarding the appeal of fantasy to women readers. While science fiction has been pigeon holed as a male dominated fan base, fantasy is a genre well represented, if not dominated by, females. The assumption that women avoid it, or prefer mainstream serious fiction, is actually more than a little sexist.

It's okay not to like the genre. It's unfair to allow that prejudice to overwhelm what should be an objective review of the finished product. I don't want to learn more about the reviewer's personal tastes and preferences in a review than I learn about the actual subject of the review.

That, I'm afraid, is just pathetic.

seven - cold reception | WritersCafe.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:02:00 +0000

seven - cold reception | WritersCafe.org

G R E Y S P A C E (new chapter posted)
Okey dokey, well - not much to say. I haven't stewed on this one enough to know yet whether or not I like it. I'm getting concerned that in my effort to streamline and avoid needless exposition I'm getting a little carried away and not filling in the geeky bits and pieces of the world. A little bit of that world building type exposition is kind of expected in the genre. So, either I'm failing miserably or I'm pioneering a new way establish a science fictional setting. If you are in Vegas, first option is probably the safer bet...

Oh - and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother, the Honorable Stephen Son of Max Son of Max.

Concept Art for G R E Y S P A C E

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:34:00 +0000

The HMS Morrigan is an important part of the Greyspace story-line, particularly it's rather unique Faster Than Light drive system (a captive demon). So I did a little doodle to map out the basics.

It helps me visualize what's happening while I'm writing and also stay consistent with prior descriptions. You might note that I am not an excellent artist, or even a good artist, by any measure.

As luck would have it, one of my peers on Writer's Cafe (writes under the pen name Grendel) is fairly accomplished at 3D computer modeling, and provided me with some spiffier concept art pieces of the Morrigan. Which is pretty darn cool as far as I'm concerned.

Original starship design for HMS Morrigan by Greg Close
All rendering and improvements HMS Morrigan by Paul B. Spence (aka Tebrey and/or Grendel)
Software: 3dsMax

six - relative peace | WritersCafe.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 22:50:00 +0000

Well, here we go with the rough draft of Chapter Six. One paragraph took me like 5 hours last night, and it's not a good enough paragraph to have taken 5 hours.

These chapters are exceedingly short for my usual verbose and over-wrought prose, so maybe this is a good thing. I'm worried maybe it's too short. Maybe in a few years I'll hit that Goldilocks zone and get the chapters juuuuuuust right! ;)

six - relative peace | WritersCafe.org

G R E Y S P A C E : chapter five - uninvited

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:16:00 +0000

five - uninvited

New chapter up in very rough form on Writer's Cafe. So, if you like it a little rough... oh, never-mind, I'm not going there.

G R E Y S P A C E: four - dislocated now @ WritersCafe.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:41:00 +0000

First draft of Chapter 4 is up, working on 5 now. I think Chapter 7 is done, because I got ahead of myself, but I'm posting them in order.

G R E Y S P A C E : four - dislocated | WritersCafe.org

TV Pilot Finished and Delivered to WorldView Pictures Corp.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:32:00 +0000

Dave Allison did the lion's share, but HEY - there's a writing credit on there with my name on it. I wish WorldView the best of luck in selling it because: a) I think it's good stuff and could be a really fresh take on the whole tv science series thing; b) I wrote part of it; and c) I'm married to the talent.

It will be really, really, really super if people now clamor to start PAYING to have my name on stuff. :) In that spirit - if you are looking for a great science series and have piles of cash laying around...

Has this EVER worked?

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:40:00 +0000

So... I get a lot of spam, like everyone else. Lots of herbal supplements, suggested procedures to adjust the size of various body parts (gender not-withstanding, apparently), and of course there's the plain old random crap that comes in which I won't describe in detail out of respect for my wife's sensibilities.

But THIS... THIS is special. Sometimes, since my resume is posted on some on-line job boards, I get a doozy that starts like this one:

"Good day, Gregory Head
Given enterprise avails of an opportunity to suggest Mystery Shopper vacancy at the MoonStep Inc. With your resume being disclosed at CareerBuilder, the Human Relations of given partnership put best leg foremost to explore the personal history report you presented at the employment assistance web-service and went to be pleased. given business fosters a hope that your achievements will come into use to the total benefit of the entire business."

First of all, I'm not sure who Gregory Head is, or why they think I might be Gregory Head, but if you're going to spam someone in the hope of scamming them, I suggest you at least get the name right. It's a credibility thing.

The rest of it pretty much speaks for itself, doesn't it? I like to just read it in a variety of funny accents for entertainment value. Go ahead, try it. Now, of course, do the only other sane thing you can do with such an email...

D E L E T E it!!

G R E Y S P A C E | WritersCafe.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:32:00 +0000

The first three chapters are on-line for perusal, critique and whatever...

G R E Y S P A C E | WritersCafe.org

Harry Potter and Tron

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:53:00 +0000

Hey! I actually got out to see a couple movies!

Part One of Deathly Hallows was decent. It definitely felt like a "part one" - not really a complete film in and of itself as the others have been. The palpable, creeping, doom tripped over into melodrama just a bit, but it was forgiveable because there is a good story in there and if you've been with the franchise long enough to be watching this film, you care about the characters and that's enough to engage you with the movie. I look forward to Part II later this year.

Tron is another story entirely. Or rather, it's the lack of another story entirely. As a card-carrying geek (literally, I carry a Yoda Master Card) I had a mixture of high and low expectations for this one. The original, as corny as it was, still had a pretty fresh take and original story. When bits and pieces of the new Tron leaked a couple of years ago, I was intrigued. The effects footage looked promising - the updated graphics were slick and there seemed to be a cool dynamic there with Jeff Bridges playing both pro and antagonist roles. As it turned out, the story was weak, or at least weakly defined in the narrative, and despite the more solid special effects and 3D the computer generated world of the sequel actually felt less real to me than that of the original. It never fails to surprise me that such great technical work is used to prop up such poor story-telling. Very sad. If there is a sequel to this sequel, I might take a pass.

There are a whole slew of potential screw ups coming out this summer. It can't be possible for all of them to be good. It's not even likely most of them will be good. Thor, Green Lantern, Cowboys & Aliens, Captain America... it'll be a summer of Geek Movie Roulette!

Users help me!

Professor Sigrid Close (aka My Smart Beautiful Wife) hits ABC NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Well, this is pretty darn cool!

Best of luck on getting that funding!

TV Pilot and Geeky ERISA Love

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:08:00 +0000

So... working on a TV pilot as of this morning with an experienced producer and another writer (one who actually knows what he's doing). This is interesting. Discussing the script, concepts, where CGI would go in a shot, how to convey ideas through film medium... loved it. It reminds me why I got a degree in Film way back in the heady days of my youth.

Then... having a phone interview and talking about all things Benefits-related later in the afternoon reminded me that I am a hopeless ERISA geek. I don't know why or how I became enamored with all of the abbreviations and acronyms and nonsense involved in government regulations on employer health and retirement plans, but I can't really escape it. Just talking about past challenges and successes with the recruiter and remembering the teams of talented people I've had the privilege to work with - it reminded me how incredibly rewarding work in Benefits can be.

What an interesting day.

Possibility is an interesting thing, that's for sure.

Back in Business

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:17:00 +0000

New resume is revised and ready to go. All compliments for that to the great folks at Brightside Resumes. They do fine work taking all of your work experience and expressing it in the most engaging and relevant way for your job search. I've already received a positive response for a great opportunity as a Benefit Analyst. First phone screen/interview in a few days. I'm hoping to hear about a Benefit Manager position soon, also.

On the creative writing front the new book is coming along pretty well. I didn't get anything done on it while on vacation with the family last week, but I still have high hopes that a presentable draft will be complete in about 30 days.

Also, I have a TV project to work on which has a lot of potential. I'll not comment much on that right now because I'm not sure I'm supposed to. But having opportunities, however fleeting or uncertain, is better than not having opportunities at all.

Apparently, Size Does Matter... and New Endeavors

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:37:00 +0000

I've been resisting any updates on the blog for a few months, basically since I decided to can the idea of self-publishing for now. Initially, I dropped the concept because it's not the best business model if you want to make any sort of money as a writer and because I kept getting pretty nice feedback on the prose and style of the Worthless Novel from agents and publishers.

Who then went on to decline publication because of manuscript length.

You see, apparently, if you are a brand new spanking debut author and the first thing you want to bring to market is a sprawling EPIC fantasy of 1000 pages (i.e. about the right size and weight for a doorstopper) then you are out of luck. It makes sense from a publishing stand point. Each page costs money, as does the increased shelf space all those pages take up at a bookstore. Why take a chance on a new writer when the risks outweigh the gains?

The suggestion: write shorter stuff, build up a good sales record, and eventually longer works might get published. Might.

So, to make a long story short (ha ha) - that's what I'm doing. The Epic Worthless Novel is now on the shelf, awaiting such time as it might be marketable. While taking a Writer's Digest class on writing and marketing science fiction and fantasy, I happened (quite by accident) on a story idea that has really engaged and excited me and caught the interest of John De Chancie, the author who is teaching that WD class. So, I am flipping over to this shorter, tighter, narrative (ONE POV, damnit!) to see if I can indeed sell books for a living. I hope to finish it in a month or two and then hit the agent/publisher/conference circuit again in early 2011.

Oh... and I have an interview on Monday with BeneSys, a Third Party Administrator who is interested in me. Not sure for what position, in fact it sounds suspiciously like benefit temp work, but that might be just perfect for my current situation. And if its something more than that, it could be perfect too. You just have to see how these things go.

I have no plot, but I have a website...

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Close) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:23:00 +0000

Perhaps this is just a case of nervous jitters. I have been working on this evil beast of a novel for so long, the thought that it's actually a week or two from actually being done is just hard to comprehend. So, if you are an agent, publisher, or independently wealthy patron of the arts, please join me in a quick laugh and rest assured that this is a fine work that will sell millions and you should definitely sign me...

The last few days I have been struck with this appalling fear that I have no plot. I have a gazillion plot-lines, mind you. You can't turn around without bumping into a plot-line or it's sneaky little forshadow, but what is the overriding, elevator-pitch, getcha-gimmick plot of the novel? The "Luke Blows Up Death Star" level plot?

There's a climactic battle (or two or three) that ties up a lot of those plot-lines, leaving a few dangling in the water for the sequel (and boy, in another 20 years, you'll love that one!) but I'm afraid that I've essentially created an epic medieval-inspired fantasy version of Seinfeld. The characters walk around uttering questionable witticisms and doing their thing, and of course the good guys are trying to stop the bad guys, and the bad guys are trying to do all sorts of very, very, bad things - but there is no quest for anything, there is no big castle to blow up, no magic sword that will save them all. So, in my quest to stay true to a concept of people in a novel should behave in believable ways, and even in fantastical settings have mostly normal lives I'm left with a mish-mash of characters and ideas but no over-arching plot? How do you write 250 THOUSAND words before you realize this?

See picture below of author's sudden realization:

And, in other news, I have a website now to a) promote the book for when it is published (either by traditional or self-publishing); and, b) advertise my services as an Employer Benefit Consultant so that I can transition into a paying job again while the book publishing drama plays itself out. You may visit it below:

http://www.lightdarkandshadow.com