Hello all,
Just wanted to point anyone who might come looking for me toward my new blog McAfee Land. I started a new blog to go along with the book deal. I will still post here, but I'll be more active over there. :)
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Scott Sigler's INFECTED
Howdy, all. I'm back in the blogosphere after ...wow...6 weeks? Man, time flies!
OK, if I have any readers left, I want to apologize in advance if the language in the following review upsets anyone. One thing about this book, it definitley cranked up my Swear-O-Meter. It's a guy thing...I posted pretty much the same review below on Amazon, but I toned it down because I'm not sure if they have a No Bad Word policy. But here in McAfeeville, I figured, hey...it's my blog, and I'll say what I want, right? Right. OK, so here goes:
The first thing I have to say is Wow! Really. W - O - W. I've been a Sigler fan for a while, and this guy just keeps getting better. Having emailed him a time or two, I can also say he's a decent sort. (Even if he does *seem* to express a rather unfortunate affinity for the Detroit Lions...so sad, that.)
This is one seriously bitchin' thrill-ride of a book. Very fast and furious, and some really freaky shit! I especially liked Perry Dawsey; a huge, monster of a man with some major emotional issues, I even felt sorry for him for a little while. The book starts with these microscopic little seedlings that land on him and cause a maddening itch. From there, Dawsey's whole world goes downhill so fast you wonder how the guy manages to live through it.
Then there's Dew, the government lifer. You gotta love that guy, hunting for a live victim of these seedlings and trying to reign in his own temper with his years of training and dedication to duty. I can't tell you what happens when those two meet, but it surprised me.
And that's not all; There is some really sick, twisted shit along the way that will catch your attention and keep your eyeballs glued to the page. Two Words: Chicken Scissors. 'Nuff said!
INFECTED is a fantastic, Ferarri of a novel that speeds along so fast you'll get to the end long before you're ready to stop. Read it, it's brilliant!
OK, that's all for now, folks. Next up in the TBR pile, SAINT, by Ted Dekker. :)
See Y'all!
OK, if I have any readers left, I want to apologize in advance if the language in the following review upsets anyone. One thing about this book, it definitley cranked up my Swear-O-Meter. It's a guy thing...I posted pretty much the same review below on Amazon, but I toned it down because I'm not sure if they have a No Bad Word policy. But here in McAfeeville, I figured, hey...it's my blog, and I'll say what I want, right? Right. OK, so here goes:
The first thing I have to say is Wow! Really. W - O - W. I've been a Sigler fan for a while, and this guy just keeps getting better. Having emailed him a time or two, I can also say he's a decent sort. (Even if he does *seem* to express a rather unfortunate affinity for the Detroit Lions...so sad, that.)
This is one seriously bitchin' thrill-ride of a book. Very fast and furious, and some really freaky shit! I especially liked Perry Dawsey; a huge, monster of a man with some major emotional issues, I even felt sorry for him for a little while. The book starts with these microscopic little seedlings that land on him and cause a maddening itch. From there, Dawsey's whole world goes downhill so fast you wonder how the guy manages to live through it.
Then there's Dew, the government lifer. You gotta love that guy, hunting for a live victim of these seedlings and trying to reign in his own temper with his years of training and dedication to duty. I can't tell you what happens when those two meet, but it surprised me.
And that's not all; There is some really sick, twisted shit along the way that will catch your attention and keep your eyeballs glued to the page. Two Words: Chicken Scissors. 'Nuff said!
INFECTED is a fantastic, Ferarri of a novel that speeds along so fast you'll get to the end long before you're ready to stop. Read it, it's brilliant!
OK, that's all for now, folks. Next up in the TBR pile, SAINT, by Ted Dekker. :)
See Y'all!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MySpace, Facebook, and A Couple of Other Things
Well, it finally happened. After months of cajoling by friends and family, in addition to months of procrastinating by yours truly, I have finally thrown my hat into the MySpace and Facebook rings. I’m easy to locate on Facebook as David McAfee in Knoxville, TN. There’s even a very bad picture of me there. I’m not so sure about MySpace, where my name is David L. I’m not sure how that happened, but that’s OK. I can always edit the account later on, or so I’m told.
I really haven’t done much to either account except for add a few friends. There are no pics or blog entries yet, but there will be. Probably in the coming weeks.
I have sold another short story to Necrotic Tissue magazine. This makes 4. This particular sale is especially interesting because it is slated for their July issue. Why is that interesting? Well, up until now, Necrotic Tissue has been strictly a free, downloadable e-zine. However, starting in July, they are moving to print. That’s insanely cool to me for some reason. This will be my first print publication, and I’m excited about that. Go, me! Yeah, I know…I’m a dork.
It’s also interesting because they are the only market I have sent any of my short stories to, and they have accepted 4 out of 6 of my submissions. Makes me think I should start peppering the market and expanding my short story horizons. I am going to begin work on more short stories in the near future, possibly as early as next week.
But right now my spare time (what there is of it) has been devoted to editing and formatting an existing novel that may just end up self-published (I refuse to hang this one up, even if I have to release it myself). I’m gearing up to print a few private copies just to see how they look.
Lastly, a pity moment. I’m beat! I was sick with a nasty bug for two weeks, and that was right after we got back from vacation, so I missed three weeks of the gym. I never would have guessed that those three weeks could hurt so much, but I guess once you get used to going to the gym on a regular basis any extended time away can set you back. Now I’m sore, and tired. Again. Feels like starting from scratch.
Ugh. I was just beginning to get used to it, too.
I really haven’t done much to either account except for add a few friends. There are no pics or blog entries yet, but there will be. Probably in the coming weeks.
I have sold another short story to Necrotic Tissue magazine. This makes 4. This particular sale is especially interesting because it is slated for their July issue. Why is that interesting? Well, up until now, Necrotic Tissue has been strictly a free, downloadable e-zine. However, starting in July, they are moving to print. That’s insanely cool to me for some reason. This will be my first print publication, and I’m excited about that. Go, me! Yeah, I know…I’m a dork.
It’s also interesting because they are the only market I have sent any of my short stories to, and they have accepted 4 out of 6 of my submissions. Makes me think I should start peppering the market and expanding my short story horizons. I am going to begin work on more short stories in the near future, possibly as early as next week.
But right now my spare time (what there is of it) has been devoted to editing and formatting an existing novel that may just end up self-published (I refuse to hang this one up, even if I have to release it myself). I’m gearing up to print a few private copies just to see how they look.
Lastly, a pity moment. I’m beat! I was sick with a nasty bug for two weeks, and that was right after we got back from vacation, so I missed three weeks of the gym. I never would have guessed that those three weeks could hurt so much, but I guess once you get used to going to the gym on a regular basis any extended time away can set you back. Now I’m sore, and tired. Again. Feels like starting from scratch.
Ugh. I was just beginning to get used to it, too.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Totally Bummed Today....
Here's why.
OK, I get where my lack of previous publishing credits is a hindrance to sales figures, but if new authors are such a big deal to a publisher, why have a slush pile at all? Barring that, why request the full manuscript written by an unknown author if you are not publishing first time authors to begin with?
This really, really made no sense to me.
But I'm not here to judge; I'll leave that the the 500 million disappointed Dallas Cowboys fans who want Jason Garrett (their savior only a year ago) fired. Sheesh. Give the guy a break, would ya? No one is perfect on the job every day. He'll probably skip town at the first opportunity, anyway. Yeah it sucked that the Cowboys lost that last game (it sucked A LOT!), but the world, somehow, kept turning. It's totally inexplicable...even if it DOES suck.
Man...how do you like that? I managed to fit TWO pitiful whines in one post!
Two for one. Y'all got your money's worth today.
See ya!
OK, I get where my lack of previous publishing credits is a hindrance to sales figures, but if new authors are such a big deal to a publisher, why have a slush pile at all? Barring that, why request the full manuscript written by an unknown author if you are not publishing first time authors to begin with?
This really, really made no sense to me.
But I'm not here to judge; I'll leave that the the 500 million disappointed Dallas Cowboys fans who want Jason Garrett (their savior only a year ago) fired. Sheesh. Give the guy a break, would ya? No one is perfect on the job every day. He'll probably skip town at the first opportunity, anyway. Yeah it sucked that the Cowboys lost that last game (it sucked A LOT!), but the world, somehow, kept turning. It's totally inexplicable...even if it DOES suck.
Man...how do you like that? I managed to fit TWO pitiful whines in one post!
Two for one. Y'all got your money's worth today.
See ya!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Woohoo! Timothy and the Dragon's Gate is out today!
Wow. Has it really been since August of 2008? My, how time flies when you have so little to say. :)
A lot has happened in the last 4 months. A lot, and not enough. But all that is another story. This blog entry isn’t about me; it’s about the oh-so-lovely-and-talented Adrienne Kress. More specifically, it’s about her sophomore MG novel, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate.
Having read and loved Adrienne’s debut MG novel, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, I have been waiting patiently for Timmy and his dragon to leave the mysterious world of Coming Soon and emerge into the delightful land of Available Now.
That day has finally come!
Yes, folks, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate is available now through all normal book-buying avenues, and I for one will waste no time acquiring my very own copy (yay!). I’m looking forward to curling up with Adrienne’s prose, should be a treat.
Anyway, I’m just passing this along to anyone who may stumble onto this blog from the Netherworld of Lost Bloggers (I’m not lost, I’m just very, very slow!). If anyone is around and reading, do stop and grab a copy of Timothy for yourself. And if you haven’t already read Adrienne’s first book, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, you really should. It’s great.
To quote my favorite character from Alex, the book is “Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack.”
‘Nuff said.
A lot has happened in the last 4 months. A lot, and not enough. But all that is another story. This blog entry isn’t about me; it’s about the oh-so-lovely-and-talented Adrienne Kress. More specifically, it’s about her sophomore MG novel, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate.
Having read and loved Adrienne’s debut MG novel, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, I have been waiting patiently for Timmy and his dragon to leave the mysterious world of Coming Soon and emerge into the delightful land of Available Now.
That day has finally come!
Yes, folks, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate is available now through all normal book-buying avenues, and I for one will waste no time acquiring my very own copy (yay!). I’m looking forward to curling up with Adrienne’s prose, should be a treat.
Anyway, I’m just passing this along to anyone who may stumble onto this blog from the Netherworld of Lost Bloggers (I’m not lost, I’m just very, very slow!). If anyone is around and reading, do stop and grab a copy of Timothy for yourself. And if you haven’t already read Adrienne’s first book, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, you really should. It’s great.
To quote my favorite character from Alex, the book is “Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack.”
‘Nuff said.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ooooh, I Got A Trophy!
This weekend was the 19th Annual East Coast Regional Z Car Show. I entered my car, a 1991 Red 300 ZX (non-turbo). It was up against a few very nice cars, too. Well, I didn't win 1st place, but I did take 2nd. I've never gotten a trophy in a car show before, so this was pretty darn cool. Here's a few pics:
Um....did I mention (and this was NOT my doing, just so y'all know) that the local Hooters donated a couple of waitresses to the trophy ceremony? They did:
Ok, now that the sexist photo is out of the way (no...of course I didn't enjoy that! It was required. You win a trophy, you take a pic with the Hooters girls. Really. It's a rule), here's a pic of the trophy:
Oh, I also won this T-Shirt (it was a door prize):
Aside from the car show, my wife and I also started doing some remodeling in our house. We've been planning it for some time, so it was nice to get it under way. This weekend we painted the dining room. During the week we'll be putting the baseboards back on and touching up a few things. Fun!
We aren't going to make it on one of those cable channels where everyone cries and talks about how their new house is going to change their lives, but it'll still be a nice improvement, anyway.
Unfortunatly, it means I didn't get any writing done this weekend. Going to have to crank out some verbiage over the week to make up for it. Oh, well, there are worse things that could hapen than spending more time writing.
See Y'all!
Um....did I mention (and this was NOT my doing, just so y'all know) that the local Hooters donated a couple of waitresses to the trophy ceremony? They did:
Ok, now that the sexist photo is out of the way (no...of course I didn't enjoy that! It was required. You win a trophy, you take a pic with the Hooters girls. Really. It's a rule), here's a pic of the trophy:
Oh, I also won this T-Shirt (it was a door prize):
Aside from the car show, my wife and I also started doing some remodeling in our house. We've been planning it for some time, so it was nice to get it under way. This weekend we painted the dining room. During the week we'll be putting the baseboards back on and touching up a few things. Fun!
We aren't going to make it on one of those cable channels where everyone cries and talks about how their new house is going to change their lives, but it'll still be a nice improvement, anyway.
Unfortunatly, it means I didn't get any writing done this weekend. Going to have to crank out some verbiage over the week to make up for it. Oh, well, there are worse things that could hapen than spending more time writing.
See Y'all!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sorry For The Long Silence - I Do Have Some Good News, Though...
It's been an...interesting..couple of months. My birthday has come and gone (35...how did that happen?), and another year ahead. I'm feeling good about the upcoming year, though. Confidence is high. Here are some of the cool things going on over in McAfee Land right now:
I'm reading for a small start up press. This is really neat, I get to see some of the stuff that comes in. I don't get the slush, which is even better. I get stuff that has already passed the first tier or two. In one case, I was the tie-breaker (I passed on the project, btw). This is a good opportunity for me to see what else publishers get and it gives me a chance to separate myself from the pack, so I'm thrilled to do it.
Also, I got an email from one publisher that said so far everyone there who has read my book has loved it. I haven't gotten an offer from them yet, but this is just about the closest I've come so far. With luck it will turn into an offer. I'm not holding my breath, of course, but it's a nice thought.
Lastly, I finally have a pub credit to my name. OK, it's a small one, but I'll take it. The small horror e-zine Necrotic Tissue publishes an issue every quarter. For their October issue, they asked for 100-word stories (100 words exactly...not 99, or 101, etc.) for their first annual 100-word horror story contest. The winners would be published in their October issue, paid a flat fee of $25.00, and receive a few other prizes.
My entry was not only selected for publication, but it won first place! I got a Help anthology (The P&E book), an Abominations anthology (Shroud Publishing), a Necrotic Tissue T-Shirt, a Necrotic Tissue hoodie, and of course, the $25.00. That was nice. A paid credit. Wheee! So be sure to check out the October issue for my short story. It's great, of course. ;) Here's a few pics of me in the T-Shirt:
I tried on the hoodie, too:
This is...after I put on the hoodie, something started happening to me. I'm not sure what, but I felt...different...
I found out later the hoodie is cursed. So, uh...I only put it on now when the Met Life guy knocks on the door...
Anyhoo, sorry about the long silence, folks. Personal stuff. :(
I'll be sure not to let it happen again.
See Y'all!
I'm reading for a small start up press. This is really neat, I get to see some of the stuff that comes in. I don't get the slush, which is even better. I get stuff that has already passed the first tier or two. In one case, I was the tie-breaker (I passed on the project, btw). This is a good opportunity for me to see what else publishers get and it gives me a chance to separate myself from the pack, so I'm thrilled to do it.
Also, I got an email from one publisher that said so far everyone there who has read my book has loved it. I haven't gotten an offer from them yet, but this is just about the closest I've come so far. With luck it will turn into an offer. I'm not holding my breath, of course, but it's a nice thought.
Lastly, I finally have a pub credit to my name. OK, it's a small one, but I'll take it. The small horror e-zine Necrotic Tissue publishes an issue every quarter. For their October issue, they asked for 100-word stories (100 words exactly...not 99, or 101, etc.) for their first annual 100-word horror story contest. The winners would be published in their October issue, paid a flat fee of $25.00, and receive a few other prizes.
My entry was not only selected for publication, but it won first place! I got a Help anthology (The P&E book), an Abominations anthology (Shroud Publishing), a Necrotic Tissue T-Shirt, a Necrotic Tissue hoodie, and of course, the $25.00. That was nice. A paid credit. Wheee! So be sure to check out the October issue for my short story. It's great, of course. ;) Here's a few pics of me in the T-Shirt:
I tried on the hoodie, too:
This is...after I put on the hoodie, something started happening to me. I'm not sure what, but I felt...different...
I found out later the hoodie is cursed. So, uh...I only put it on now when the Met Life guy knocks on the door...
Anyhoo, sorry about the long silence, folks. Personal stuff. :(
I'll be sure not to let it happen again.
See Y'all!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Lesson Learned: Having Issues? Talk To Your Agent
I've had concerns about the work my agent has put into the novel, as well as the saleability of the novel itself. It's been over a year since she asked for those first thirty pages, and still no sale. No huge advance, no writing groupies, no Ferrari in the driveway (you laugh, but that's what all my friends seem to think is going to happen when I finally do get published).
Sometimes it gets me down, and I start to wonder why there haven't been any bites, or why she didn't send the novel to this house or that house. Basically it all boils down to this: David, still unpublished, is feeling insecure about his ability and his future. Hey, it happens. I can admit it.
So I've been asking my friends for advice. Hey, should I say this? Do you think I should move on? What do you think...etc. etc. etc. Several of them (much wiser than I) gave me this simple bit of advice: Talk to your agent.
Sounds good, right? Sounds like something I should have come up with all on my own, right? Yup.
Well, in case y'all haven't figured it out yet, sometimes I can be a real dumbass (ask my wife; she'll tell ya!). So of course I never said anything to my agent, instead letting all that stuff eat at me while I pestered friends and associates for their thoughts.
So today I finally wrote her after seeing an announcement in Publisher's Lunch for a book sale along the same lines as mine. I won't go into the email in detail, but I asked her a few questions about why we hadn't tried there, and why she thought I might not be getting any bites. It was both a confused and a mildly paranoid email. Was it my writing? The genre? Is the idea too ambitious for a debut novelist? What, praytell, was happening?
She wrote me back less than two hours later. I just had time to go home from work, walk the dogs, and eat dinner. Wanna know the first line of her reply? Here it is:
"Dear David: Your writing is wonderful."
There was more to the email (good points, too), but the bottom line is she knew what was wrong, and she addressed it right off the bat in a manner that both soothed my frayed nerves and made me feel a little better about where I am and where I am going.
She didn't take my email as angry or accusing, or anything other than just a poor guy in need of a little reassurance (the kind that doesn't come from friends or family - you other writers out there know how important that kind of thing is). And even though I haven't made her a cent, she took a moment to give it to me, right away, and let me know I'm still in the running and she still takes me seriously.
That made me feel a lot better.
It's good to have an agent. Now I just gotta give her a better book.
Gonna go work on that right now.
See Y'all!
Sometimes it gets me down, and I start to wonder why there haven't been any bites, or why she didn't send the novel to this house or that house. Basically it all boils down to this: David, still unpublished, is feeling insecure about his ability and his future. Hey, it happens. I can admit it.
So I've been asking my friends for advice. Hey, should I say this? Do you think I should move on? What do you think...etc. etc. etc. Several of them (much wiser than I) gave me this simple bit of advice: Talk to your agent.
Sounds good, right? Sounds like something I should have come up with all on my own, right? Yup.
Well, in case y'all haven't figured it out yet, sometimes I can be a real dumbass (ask my wife; she'll tell ya!). So of course I never said anything to my agent, instead letting all that stuff eat at me while I pestered friends and associates for their thoughts.
So today I finally wrote her after seeing an announcement in Publisher's Lunch for a book sale along the same lines as mine. I won't go into the email in detail, but I asked her a few questions about why we hadn't tried there, and why she thought I might not be getting any bites. It was both a confused and a mildly paranoid email. Was it my writing? The genre? Is the idea too ambitious for a debut novelist? What, praytell, was happening?
She wrote me back less than two hours later. I just had time to go home from work, walk the dogs, and eat dinner. Wanna know the first line of her reply? Here it is:
"Dear David: Your writing is wonderful."
There was more to the email (good points, too), but the bottom line is she knew what was wrong, and she addressed it right off the bat in a manner that both soothed my frayed nerves and made me feel a little better about where I am and where I am going.
She didn't take my email as angry or accusing, or anything other than just a poor guy in need of a little reassurance (the kind that doesn't come from friends or family - you other writers out there know how important that kind of thing is). And even though I haven't made her a cent, she took a moment to give it to me, right away, and let me know I'm still in the running and she still takes me seriously.
That made me feel a lot better.
It's good to have an agent. Now I just gotta give her a better book.
Gonna go work on that right now.
See Y'all!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Time For Another Long, Boring Football Post
I’d like to take a moment to do yet another football post. This post will get into scheduling (sort of) and historical Super Bowl results, so you non-football types may find it a little long winded and boring. Sorry about that, non-football types. I still love ya. Angelle, if you come across this post, you’ll probably either (A) find something interesting or (B) at the very least agree with me.
First, some quick basics as to the structure of the NFL (for you non-FB types). The NFL is divided into two conferences – the NFC and the AFC. Each conference is divided into 4 divisions of 4 teams each. The winningest team in each division is the division champion, and moves on to their conference playoffs. The playoffs are sudden death, and the last two surviving teams from each conference compete for the conference championship. These two conference champions face off in the Super Bowl. Got it? OK.
So. Anyway, down to business. Someone (a Pats fan) once told me (quite seriously, I might add) the only reason the Cowboys have won so many division championships (14), conference championships (8), and Super Bowl championships (5) is because they typically have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. I have heard this echoed a time or two, usually by fans of losing teams (big surprise there).
Well, I have to defend my ‘Boys, here. You want proof that the Cowboys NEVER have an easy schedule? Here it is:
42 Super Bowls have been played. That’s right. 42. Now subtract 20 Super Bowls, because that’s the number of SB’s that have been won by AFC teams. That leaves 22 Super Bowl victories in the NFC. Here’s the breakdown of those 22 SB wins:
Dallas Cowboys: 5
San Francisco 49ers: 5
NY Giants: 3
Wasington redskins: 3
Green Bay Packers: 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1
St. Louis Rams: 1
Chicago Bears: 1
Okay, so what does that tell you? What if I told you that Dallas, NYG, and Washington all play in the same division; the NFC East? Here’s what that means: of the 22 SB victories for the NFC, 11 of them (that’s right, HALF of the total NFC SB wins) have been won by teams in the NFC East. Dallas’ division.
Look at the remaining 11 and you’ll see 5 of them (almost half) were won by San Francisco. Throw in the Rams’ win and that’s over half of the remaining eleven wins for the NFC West.
Green Bay and Chicago are both NFC North teams, so that takes care of 4 more wins. Leaving the Bucs as the only team in the NFC South to ever bring home a SB Trophy.
Looking to the AFC’s 20 victories, you see a much different picture.
AFC East: 6 (Pats – 3, Dolphins – 2, Jets -1)
AFC West: 6 (Raiders – 3, Broncos – 2, Chiefs – 1)
AFC North: 6 (Pittsburgh – 5, Ravens – 1)
AFC South: 2 (both Colts)
Over in the AFC you see a much more even spread across the divisions. Granted, Pittsburg is hogging most of the SB Wins in the AFC North, but that's ok.
All right, ya followin' me so far? Good. Now, you may be wondering just what this has to do with the Cowboys’ schedule. Simple: each team is required to play the other three teams in their division TWICE during the regular season. Not once, but twice. That means Dallas has to play a total of four games against the other two SB winning teams in their division every year, and another two against the last team in the division, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been to the SB twice but have yet to win.
Now add to that fact that all teams in the NFL are required to play against the teams from the other three divisions (in their own conference) whose divisional standing for the previous season equaled their own. Eample: in 2008 Dallas, the NFC East Champions for 2007, will have to play the three other NFC division champions during the regular season (the Bucs, the Seahawks, and the Packers, to be specific). If Dallas had placed last in their division, they would play against the other three last-place teams. Ya follow me?
Now take into account that Dallas has won 14 Division Championships (more, by the way, than any other NFL team). That means they have had to face these other division champions 14 times. 14 seasons facing the NFC’s best teams, IN ADDITION to those SB winning Redskins and Giants.
So taking all that into account, I think it’s safe to say that anyone who says Dallas historically has one of the easiest schedules in the NFL is full of poo poo. If anything, Dallas statistically has one of the hardest schedules in the NFL year after year.
So there you have it, folks. Irrefutable evidence (that probably only one or two of you care about) that Dallas is no fair-weather, wimpy team. The Cowboys earned their spot at the top of the NFL. :)
Thank you. I'll step down off my soap box now.
See Y'all!
First, some quick basics as to the structure of the NFL (for you non-FB types). The NFL is divided into two conferences – the NFC and the AFC. Each conference is divided into 4 divisions of 4 teams each. The winningest team in each division is the division champion, and moves on to their conference playoffs. The playoffs are sudden death, and the last two surviving teams from each conference compete for the conference championship. These two conference champions face off in the Super Bowl. Got it? OK.
So. Anyway, down to business. Someone (a Pats fan) once told me (quite seriously, I might add) the only reason the Cowboys have won so many division championships (14), conference championships (8), and Super Bowl championships (5) is because they typically have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. I have heard this echoed a time or two, usually by fans of losing teams (big surprise there).
Well, I have to defend my ‘Boys, here. You want proof that the Cowboys NEVER have an easy schedule? Here it is:
42 Super Bowls have been played. That’s right. 42. Now subtract 20 Super Bowls, because that’s the number of SB’s that have been won by AFC teams. That leaves 22 Super Bowl victories in the NFC. Here’s the breakdown of those 22 SB wins:
Dallas Cowboys: 5
San Francisco 49ers: 5
NY Giants: 3
Wasington redskins: 3
Green Bay Packers: 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1
St. Louis Rams: 1
Chicago Bears: 1
Okay, so what does that tell you? What if I told you that Dallas, NYG, and Washington all play in the same division; the NFC East? Here’s what that means: of the 22 SB victories for the NFC, 11 of them (that’s right, HALF of the total NFC SB wins) have been won by teams in the NFC East. Dallas’ division.
Look at the remaining 11 and you’ll see 5 of them (almost half) were won by San Francisco. Throw in the Rams’ win and that’s over half of the remaining eleven wins for the NFC West.
Green Bay and Chicago are both NFC North teams, so that takes care of 4 more wins. Leaving the Bucs as the only team in the NFC South to ever bring home a SB Trophy.
Looking to the AFC’s 20 victories, you see a much different picture.
AFC East: 6 (Pats – 3, Dolphins – 2, Jets -1)
AFC West: 6 (Raiders – 3, Broncos – 2, Chiefs – 1)
AFC North: 6 (Pittsburgh – 5, Ravens – 1)
AFC South: 2 (both Colts)
Over in the AFC you see a much more even spread across the divisions. Granted, Pittsburg is hogging most of the SB Wins in the AFC North, but that's ok.
All right, ya followin' me so far? Good. Now, you may be wondering just what this has to do with the Cowboys’ schedule. Simple: each team is required to play the other three teams in their division TWICE during the regular season. Not once, but twice. That means Dallas has to play a total of four games against the other two SB winning teams in their division every year, and another two against the last team in the division, the Philadelphia Eagles, who have been to the SB twice but have yet to win.
Now add to that fact that all teams in the NFL are required to play against the teams from the other three divisions (in their own conference) whose divisional standing for the previous season equaled their own. Eample: in 2008 Dallas, the NFC East Champions for 2007, will have to play the three other NFC division champions during the regular season (the Bucs, the Seahawks, and the Packers, to be specific). If Dallas had placed last in their division, they would play against the other three last-place teams. Ya follow me?
Now take into account that Dallas has won 14 Division Championships (more, by the way, than any other NFL team). That means they have had to face these other division champions 14 times. 14 seasons facing the NFC’s best teams, IN ADDITION to those SB winning Redskins and Giants.
So taking all that into account, I think it’s safe to say that anyone who says Dallas historically has one of the easiest schedules in the NFL is full of poo poo. If anything, Dallas statistically has one of the hardest schedules in the NFL year after year.
So there you have it, folks. Irrefutable evidence (that probably only one or two of you care about) that Dallas is no fair-weather, wimpy team. The Cowboys earned their spot at the top of the NFL. :)
Thank you. I'll step down off my soap box now.
See Y'all!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Why, Yes. I Am A Nitwit.
Oh, my…where does the time go? For those of you familiar with Miss Snark, you may be saying “Yer too late, David. The anniversary was yesterday. Moron!” To you I say, I am not a moron, but I am a nitwit.
Sometime in the early days of this month, I was informed via comment that the talented and wonderful Patricia Wood was going to have a tribute to the gin-guzzling, Clooney-chasing, advice-giving Snarky One. The comment Pat left for me is still there, go look at it. I left it there as proof of my nitwittery. Seriously, go look. I’ll wait right here.
Are you back? Good. So you see…I have no excuse for missing the beautiful post by Ms. Wood. I had plenty of warning and lots of time to prepare. My excuse? Other than sheer Nitwittery, my in-laws arrived from Maine yesterday for their annual visit. I was kinda busy with them and forgot all about the Miss Snark Anniversary post.
Bummer.
I really wanted to sneak in there and let her know I got an agent, too. Even if my book hasn’t sold yet. Hey, I’m partially there, right? What? No? I’m still a nitwit?
Ah, crud. Some things never change…
Well, Miss Snark, I would like to take this opportunity to add my voice and my thanks to the many others you have received, even if I am too late to chime in to Pat’s post (I tried…it’s blocked). Thanks for putting up with all us nitwits and wannabe snarklings. I still go back and read your blog every once in a while just because there is so much information to be found there (those 300,000 hits since you closed up shop that Pat was talking about?. Yeah…prolly half those are yours truly).
Anyway, for all you folks out there who miss the Great Snark, go check out Pat's blog, and also Tyhitia’s. They both have tributes, as I am sure many, many others do. The key difference between theirs and mine, of course, is they managed to get their tribute posts in on time.
Leave it to the Nitwit to forget.
Sometime in the early days of this month, I was informed via comment that the talented and wonderful Patricia Wood was going to have a tribute to the gin-guzzling, Clooney-chasing, advice-giving Snarky One. The comment Pat left for me is still there, go look at it. I left it there as proof of my nitwittery. Seriously, go look. I’ll wait right here.
Are you back? Good. So you see…I have no excuse for missing the beautiful post by Ms. Wood. I had plenty of warning and lots of time to prepare. My excuse? Other than sheer Nitwittery, my in-laws arrived from Maine yesterday for their annual visit. I was kinda busy with them and forgot all about the Miss Snark Anniversary post.
Bummer.
I really wanted to sneak in there and let her know I got an agent, too. Even if my book hasn’t sold yet. Hey, I’m partially there, right? What? No? I’m still a nitwit?
Ah, crud. Some things never change…
Well, Miss Snark, I would like to take this opportunity to add my voice and my thanks to the many others you have received, even if I am too late to chime in to Pat’s post (I tried…it’s blocked). Thanks for putting up with all us nitwits and wannabe snarklings. I still go back and read your blog every once in a while just because there is so much information to be found there (those 300,000 hits since you closed up shop that Pat was talking about?. Yeah…prolly half those are yours truly).
Anyway, for all you folks out there who miss the Great Snark, go check out Pat's blog, and also Tyhitia’s. They both have tributes, as I am sure many, many others do. The key difference between theirs and mine, of course, is they managed to get their tribute posts in on time.
Leave it to the Nitwit to forget.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Flash Fiction Stuff - Fun In 100 Words!
If you zip on over to the Absolute Write Water Cooler, you may find that Haggis, one of the mods, has issued a flash fiction horror challenge.
This is purty darn cool. I've never done any flash fiction before, but Tyhitia talked me into submitting one, so I did. Then I did another...and another...and another. It was pretty fun. A short distraction, yes...but still fun. You can all read them at the Absolute Write Water Cooler, I just gotta say two things first:
1) The flash fiction challenge has really shown me what kind of sick minds (like mine) write this stuff. More than one of them got a nice, fat "EEEEEW!" from me.
2) Some of them (including mine) have strong language. Fair warning.
See Y'all!
This is purty darn cool. I've never done any flash fiction before, but Tyhitia talked me into submitting one, so I did. Then I did another...and another...and another. It was pretty fun. A short distraction, yes...but still fun. You can all read them at the Absolute Write Water Cooler, I just gotta say two things first:
1) The flash fiction challenge has really shown me what kind of sick minds (like mine) write this stuff. More than one of them got a nice, fat "EEEEEW!" from me.
2) Some of them (including mine) have strong language. Fair warning.
See Y'all!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Likes and Dislikes (aka, Scare Me!)
What do you guys like to read?
For the most part, I like books that scare me. Now, I read a lot of different genres, but if I get a shiver while reading a book, or if I am thinking to myself “Don’t go in that room CHARACTER, you’re gonna regret it!” then I’m happy as a pig in…well…you know the rest. Southern colloquialisms…ya gotta love ‘em.
I also like some fantasy. It has to be done a certain way, though. I used to love the Xanth books, but I had to stop reading somewhere around The Color of Her Panties. I just couldn’t get past all the puns. For my fantasy book-buying dollars, I’ll take Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman, R.A. Salvatore, Robert Jordan, and Terry Goodkind (although Goodkind does get a little long-winded from time to time).
Then there are thrillers. Yeah, I like those, too. Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Lisa Gardner, Alex Kava, and Robert Liparulo are just a few of my favorites in this genre. There are also some up-and-comers like Jeremy Robinson and Scott Sigler. Anytime you can read about a character getting eaten by a creature that hasn’t existed on this planet in several hundred million years or so, you have my undivided attention. Aaaah…good times. Goooood times.
But what most of those books have in common is that, at some point in the book, they creeped me out or even scared the poo outta me. THAT’s what I like. Like in Scott Sigler’s Ancestor when that fetus attacked a camera while still in the womb. Ooooh…shivers. Or in Steven King’s The Stand when a group of loincloth-clad black soldiers led a rebellion of sorts against the rest of the company, executing all of them in game-show fashion (the set up resembled The Price is Right). I still have nightmares about those two scenes.
One of my proudest moments as a writer (especially since I’m not published yet) came when one of my beta readers told me she had to sleep with the lights on after reading a scene I wrote. Big smile in McAfee Land that day. Shortly afterward, another beta told me she actually had nightmares about the same scene. Ooh! I scared TWO people with it. You can insert the theme from Rocky here, if you want to.
Alas, that book was not able to snag an agent, for all its charms (personally, I still love that book…but what do I know?).
But these things are selective, aren’t they? I mean, watching an unborn prehistoric animal fetus stare at a camera and attack it (with a mouth full of razors…a frickin’ FETUS, mind you!) might not have the same effect on some of you as it did me. So you guys tell me….when it comes to horror (or thrillers with horror elements), what does it for you? Are you a creep-factor reader? Do you like to read about some heretofore unknown critter chomping down on people’s vital organs? Maybe you like the psycho in the bathroom with a butcher knife theme. Or maybe you just pass on that stuff altogether in favor of Mitch Albom (who is friggin’ GREAT, BTW) or Nicholas Sparks.
You tell me. What floats your boat?
For the most part, I like books that scare me. Now, I read a lot of different genres, but if I get a shiver while reading a book, or if I am thinking to myself “Don’t go in that room CHARACTER, you’re gonna regret it!” then I’m happy as a pig in…well…you know the rest. Southern colloquialisms…ya gotta love ‘em.
I also like some fantasy. It has to be done a certain way, though. I used to love the Xanth books, but I had to stop reading somewhere around The Color of Her Panties. I just couldn’t get past all the puns. For my fantasy book-buying dollars, I’ll take Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman, R.A. Salvatore, Robert Jordan, and Terry Goodkind (although Goodkind does get a little long-winded from time to time).
Then there are thrillers. Yeah, I like those, too. Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Lisa Gardner, Alex Kava, and Robert Liparulo are just a few of my favorites in this genre. There are also some up-and-comers like Jeremy Robinson and Scott Sigler. Anytime you can read about a character getting eaten by a creature that hasn’t existed on this planet in several hundred million years or so, you have my undivided attention. Aaaah…good times. Goooood times.
But what most of those books have in common is that, at some point in the book, they creeped me out or even scared the poo outta me. THAT’s what I like. Like in Scott Sigler’s Ancestor when that fetus attacked a camera while still in the womb. Ooooh…shivers. Or in Steven King’s The Stand when a group of loincloth-clad black soldiers led a rebellion of sorts against the rest of the company, executing all of them in game-show fashion (the set up resembled The Price is Right). I still have nightmares about those two scenes.
One of my proudest moments as a writer (especially since I’m not published yet) came when one of my beta readers told me she had to sleep with the lights on after reading a scene I wrote. Big smile in McAfee Land that day. Shortly afterward, another beta told me she actually had nightmares about the same scene. Ooh! I scared TWO people with it. You can insert the theme from Rocky here, if you want to.
Alas, that book was not able to snag an agent, for all its charms (personally, I still love that book…but what do I know?).
But these things are selective, aren’t they? I mean, watching an unborn prehistoric animal fetus stare at a camera and attack it (with a mouth full of razors…a frickin’ FETUS, mind you!) might not have the same effect on some of you as it did me. So you guys tell me….when it comes to horror (or thrillers with horror elements), what does it for you? Are you a creep-factor reader? Do you like to read about some heretofore unknown critter chomping down on people’s vital organs? Maybe you like the psycho in the bathroom with a butcher knife theme. Or maybe you just pass on that stuff altogether in favor of Mitch Albom (who is friggin’ GREAT, BTW) or Nicholas Sparks.
You tell me. What floats your boat?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Egads! I've Been Double-Tagged!!
Yo-Ho, me hearties, Yo-Ho!! Ok, why did I say that? oh, I know, it's because I've got the lovely and talented Adrienne Kress on the brain. That's why. And as we all know (and if you didn't know, you should have known...what's wrong with you, anyway?), Adrienne is the author of Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, which is a phenominal book about a clever and resourceful little girl named Alex who has a remarkable adventure that involves...oh, life and death, treasure and a huge talking octopus (that's Extremely Ginormous Octopus, thank you very much), and...and...what else? Oh, yeah...Pirates! Right...that's where the Yo-Ho comes in. Ok, full circle now. I got it. Anyway, the book really is great, and if you don't have it you should go buy it. Right now.
Seriously, go buy it. I'll wait for ya.
You back? Good.
Now, where was I?
Oh, yeah...double-tagged. Well, the other person to tag me with this is Michael from Avatar Lore. While Mike didn't write Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, he did write Sanctuary of the Mind, which you should also go and get if you haven't already read it. Hey, and it's free, no less! Go. Go now. I'll wait (again...yer such a slacker for not having these two books already...sheesh!).
You back? Good. Now no more interruptions.
Shit. I got lost again...wait...let me reread what I've written. Gimme a sec...
OH YEAH! Ok. Hey...I said Yo-Ho. That could get me slapped under some circumstances. But y'all forgive me, don't ya? Please? I knew you would.
But anyway, thanks for bearing with me (hey...do you think bears ever get offended by that phrase? I mean, no one ever says "Please, onion with me" or "Hey, rhino with me for a moment while I collect my thoughts."). As I said a few minutes ago, I've been tagged! Twice. With the same tag. Yeah. Me. Mr. Quiet. Go figure.
So, the rules are thus:
1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences and write them down.
4. Invite five friends to do the same.
I am going to cooperate with rules 1-3, but I'm gonna leave 4 alone. Yeah, I know...spoilsport, right? So, hey...if any of y'all feel like joining in, consider this your open invitation. IOW - TAG!
But for the rest of us, here we go...
The book closest to me is Dawn, by the late, great Octavia Butler. I actually have not read this particular Butler book yet, but I doubt the 5 sentences will ruin the book for me. So here we go...the first five sentences on page 123 of Dawn (I should note I am going to do the first five FULL sentences...the rules were vague on that part):
She really was bright; she had memorized poetry, plays, songs - her own and those of more established writers. She had something that would help future human children remember who they were. The Oankali thought she was unstable, but not dangerously so. They had to drug her because she injured herself trying to break free of what she called her cage. She had broken both her arms.
Wow. That sounds cool, doesn't it? Ok, now I have to read it. What's her name? I dunno. I like this exercise. Thanks Mike and Adrienne. Try and imagine me slapping the palm of my hand on my monitor in an impromptu high-five. I say try and imagine it because (A) you wouldn't see if it I did and (B) I ain't actually gonna slap my monitor. You crazy? Darn things are expensive...unless you steal one. But then you go to jail and have a big ugly cellmate who thinks you're "Mighty Purty" and so I guess it ends up costing you anyway, so...uh...no. No monitor slapping.
Sheesh, how do I get so sidetracked? Must be the crack.
In any case, thanks for stopping by, folks. Thanks Mike and Adrienne for chiming in and tagging me even though I've been in strict lurk mode online the last few weeks. Feels good to be included. :)
A'ight, all. It's bed time for moi. Y'all have a great night and a great tomorrow!
See Y'all!
Seriously, go buy it. I'll wait for ya.
You back? Good.
Now, where was I?
Oh, yeah...double-tagged. Well, the other person to tag me with this is Michael from Avatar Lore. While Mike didn't write Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, he did write Sanctuary of the Mind, which you should also go and get if you haven't already read it. Hey, and it's free, no less! Go. Go now. I'll wait (again...yer such a slacker for not having these two books already...sheesh!).
You back? Good. Now no more interruptions.
Shit. I got lost again...wait...let me reread what I've written. Gimme a sec...
OH YEAH! Ok. Hey...I said Yo-Ho. That could get me slapped under some circumstances. But y'all forgive me, don't ya? Please? I knew you would.
But anyway, thanks for bearing with me (hey...do you think bears ever get offended by that phrase? I mean, no one ever says "Please, onion with me" or "Hey, rhino with me for a moment while I collect my thoughts."). As I said a few minutes ago, I've been tagged! Twice. With the same tag. Yeah. Me. Mr. Quiet. Go figure.
So, the rules are thus:
1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences and write them down.
4. Invite five friends to do the same.
I am going to cooperate with rules 1-3, but I'm gonna leave 4 alone. Yeah, I know...spoilsport, right? So, hey...if any of y'all feel like joining in, consider this your open invitation. IOW - TAG!
But for the rest of us, here we go...
The book closest to me is Dawn, by the late, great Octavia Butler. I actually have not read this particular Butler book yet, but I doubt the 5 sentences will ruin the book for me. So here we go...the first five sentences on page 123 of Dawn (I should note I am going to do the first five FULL sentences...the rules were vague on that part):
She really was bright; she had memorized poetry, plays, songs - her own and those of more established writers. She had something that would help future human children remember who they were. The Oankali thought she was unstable, but not dangerously so. They had to drug her because she injured herself trying to break free of what she called her cage. She had broken both her arms.
Wow. That sounds cool, doesn't it? Ok, now I have to read it. What's her name? I dunno. I like this exercise. Thanks Mike and Adrienne. Try and imagine me slapping the palm of my hand on my monitor in an impromptu high-five. I say try and imagine it because (A) you wouldn't see if it I did and (B) I ain't actually gonna slap my monitor. You crazy? Darn things are expensive...unless you steal one. But then you go to jail and have a big ugly cellmate who thinks you're "Mighty Purty" and so I guess it ends up costing you anyway, so...uh...no. No monitor slapping.
Sheesh, how do I get so sidetracked? Must be the crack.
In any case, thanks for stopping by, folks. Thanks Mike and Adrienne for chiming in and tagging me even though I've been in strict lurk mode online the last few weeks. Feels good to be included. :)
A'ight, all. It's bed time for moi. Y'all have a great night and a great tomorrow!
See Y'all!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I Just Wrote A Scene That Is Going To Haunt Me
Howdy all. I'm back. Sorry for the long silence...it's been one of "those" months. Mike - I saw that you tagged me. I wasn't ignoring ya. I'll do the tag in my next post. Promise.
So after a very unproductive last 4 weeks, I sat down tonight to write a scene I have been dreading. Not because I didn't think I could write it, but because it's something that, in striving for authenticity, I knew I was going to be writing something that would turn my stomach.
My current WIP involves the spirit of an adolescent African American boy who died in the rural south not long after the civil rights movement. What bothered me about it is the boy's death. It's bad. he dies at the hands of a group of white supremacists in a time and place where there just isn't much law. Now, the nature of his death is supposed to be violent, that's part of the story and a primary motivator for revenge, but damn it all...I didn't want to write it.
Not the least concern was the language. We all know the kind of filth those folks spew, and I have to say I found the prospect of writing any of it down to be one of the most distasteful things I've done as an aspiring writer. But I guess that's kid of the point, isn't it? If I, the writer, can make myself cringe, then the reader should get just as angry, right?
Well, that's what I was going for. I dunno if I pulled it off. But I do know I am going to have some ugly dreams tonight. That's probably my cosmic payback for thinking up this darn scene in the first place. This poor kid's death is just so damn wrong. LAPD with less restraint.
ugh.
As an aside - Thank you Tyhitia, for the "sorta" pep-talk about this scene. I took your advice.
Now I need to go wash my hands.
See Y'all!
So after a very unproductive last 4 weeks, I sat down tonight to write a scene I have been dreading. Not because I didn't think I could write it, but because it's something that, in striving for authenticity, I knew I was going to be writing something that would turn my stomach.
My current WIP involves the spirit of an adolescent African American boy who died in the rural south not long after the civil rights movement. What bothered me about it is the boy's death. It's bad. he dies at the hands of a group of white supremacists in a time and place where there just isn't much law. Now, the nature of his death is supposed to be violent, that's part of the story and a primary motivator for revenge, but damn it all...I didn't want to write it.
Not the least concern was the language. We all know the kind of filth those folks spew, and I have to say I found the prospect of writing any of it down to be one of the most distasteful things I've done as an aspiring writer. But I guess that's kid of the point, isn't it? If I, the writer, can make myself cringe, then the reader should get just as angry, right?
Well, that's what I was going for. I dunno if I pulled it off. But I do know I am going to have some ugly dreams tonight. That's probably my cosmic payback for thinking up this darn scene in the first place. This poor kid's death is just so damn wrong. LAPD with less restraint.
ugh.
As an aside - Thank you Tyhitia, for the "sorta" pep-talk about this scene. I took your advice.
Now I need to go wash my hands.
See Y'all!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Okay, I can announce it now!!!!
My friend Jeremy Robinson has been signed to a three book deal by St. Martin's Press!
WOOOHOOOO!
Jeremy has worked very, very hard for this, and he deserves it. He's had several books published through a smaller press, and has marketed each one aggressivly and proven to be a solid investment for any of the big boys, and now, at long last, SAINT FRIGGIN' MARTIN'S!!!
Oh, man! This was awesome news, and I hated keeping it bottled up, but I couldn't say anything until he posted it himself.
I'm so excited! Not just for him but for me. There IS hope! I CAN do this! That's what these stories tell me. Aprilynne, Jeremy, Scott Sigler...they all prove it can be done.
Thanks to all three of those I have mentioned. You guys are what keeps me pecking away at the comp. Someday...someday I'll be able to join you up there on that lofty plateau.
Congratulations, Jeremy! You EARNED this!
See Y'all!
P.S. Here is the announcement posted on Jeremy's site. I lifted it right from the website. Hope he doesn't mind...
WOOOHOOOO!
Jeremy has worked very, very hard for this, and he deserves it. He's had several books published through a smaller press, and has marketed each one aggressivly and proven to be a solid investment for any of the big boys, and now, at long last, SAINT FRIGGIN' MARTIN'S!!!
Oh, man! This was awesome news, and I hated keeping it bottled up, but I couldn't say anything until he posted it himself.
I'm so excited! Not just for him but for me. There IS hope! I CAN do this! That's what these stories tell me. Aprilynne, Jeremy, Scott Sigler...they all prove it can be done.
Thanks to all three of those I have mentioned. You guys are what keeps me pecking away at the comp. Someday...someday I'll be able to join you up there on that lofty plateau.
Congratulations, Jeremy! You EARNED this!
See Y'all!
P.S. Here is the announcement posted on Jeremy's site. I lifted it right from the website. Hope he doesn't mind...
03/10/2007 - BIG NEWS! I can now confirm that I have landed a THREE BOOK DEAL with St. Martins Press! I've been working on this for a year now and all the hard work has finally paid off. The three books are a series based on a team of Delta Force operatives known as the Chess Team: King, Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop and their handler, Deep Blue.
The three novels are tentatively titled ROUSE, PULSE and SPEAK. Here's the description of book one published in Publisher's Marketplace:
Jeremy Robinson's, ROUSE, book one of the Chess Team series, combines the twisting plotlines and high adventure of James Rollins with the frantic pacing of Matthew Reilly. The team of Delta Force operatives battle a terrorist-friendly biopharmaceutical company working on human limb regeneration, whose experiments unleash the pinnacle of physical regeneration-the ancient creature known as the Hydra.
This is an amazing, career making deal and I'm thrilled and honored to have been signed by such a great publisher. For those who don't know, St. Martin's is the publisher of Matthew Reilly, Stel Pavlou, David Lynn Goleman and Robert Ludlum. Now that is good company!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Brett Favre (Yes...Another Football Post)
I had to take a couple of days before I talked about this. Not because I am emotionally distraught or anything, but because I really wasn’t sure what to say. If you look around online you’ll see plenty of sports writers who have already weighed in with their comments. But I’m not a sports writer. In fact, I’m barely a sports fan. I like football and, to a lesser extent, baseball, but that’s just about it. I’m not one of those guys who spends their free time glued to ESPN watching the US Open, or the Rock, Paper Scissors championship on ESPN2 (NOTE: I didn’t make that up…there really IS a professional Rock, Paper, Scissors league, complete with coaches, sponsors, spandex attire, and…er…athletes).
Still, as a football fan, it would be almost impossible not to have an opinion on Brett Favre’s retirement. Even as a Dallas fan, I like Favre. He’s hard not to like. Green Bay is my 2nd favorite team after the Cowboys, and it’s sad to see a legend like Favre pack it in. But at the same time the guy has had a long career, much longer than most NFL quarterbacks (Vinny Testaverde notwithstanding), and he deserves to walk away if that’s what he wants. But it’s not just the length of his tenure as starting QB that sets him apart, it’s the accomplishments he made during that time.
Favre loved to throw the football. I think if you look back on his career, that is one statement you will find to be true above all else. He loved to throw, and he was good at it. The numbers back him up, too. Most passing yards ever in a career, most TD passes ever in a career, most passes completed in a career, most passes attempted in a career, most career wins, the list goes on and on. These are all records held by Favre, many of them he broke this past year. There’s also his record for most passes intercepted by an opposing team…yep, he holds that rather dubious record, as well. Which all points to the simple truth…Brett Favre loved to throw. And when he did, it wasn’t so much a throw as it was the firing of a football from a cannon. Brett's arm was (and is) just plain dangerous. When he first started in Green bay, one of his receivers actually commented to the effect that when Brett threw, he was trying to put holes in people. Yeah. The ball came that hard.
He played every game like he was having a great time, and it showed. I truly believe it was never about the money or the fame for Brett, but simple love of the game. And the game loved him back, to the tune of two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win. Many great QBs never get that win; look at Jim Kelly and Fran Tarkenton. But the folks in Wisconsin knew early on that Brett would bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown someday, and Brett proved them right in 1997. It was the first time since 1968 that Green Bay was able to lay claim to the trophy named after their own legendary head coach, Vince Lombardi.
So when he says he has nothing left to prove, I get it. He holds just about every record worth having and he has that lovely Super Bowl ring and legions of Farve lovers all over the world. He’s a lock for the Hall of Fame, and his career is already legendary, from playing after losing 30 inches of his intestine to playing just days after his father’s death. If you ask some of the younger QBs in the NFL these days, many of them will point to Favre as someone who inspired them when they were kids (including Tony Romo).
Aaron Rogers, Brett’s backup, has a mighty big pair of shoes to fill as the new starting QB for Green Bay. Luckily, he’s good, and I think he will do well. BUT, he is replacing one of the NFL’s greatest living legends. The folks in Green Bay used to say that Brett was good, but he’s no Bart Starr. I think Rogers will be plagued by statements that he is good, but he’s no Brett Favre. I also think he has enough talent to overcome them, but that’s just my opinion. In a town with streets named after Bart Starr and Brett Favre, is there room for an Aaron Rogers Blvd?
We will see what the future holds for the Green Bay Packers, which, for those who don’t know, is actually the NFL franchise with the most championships (they were winning the Big Games long before there was a Super Bowl). But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Favre on the sidelines before too long. Maybe as a QB coach or an offensive coordinator.
He does love to throw the football, after all.
Still, as a football fan, it would be almost impossible not to have an opinion on Brett Favre’s retirement. Even as a Dallas fan, I like Favre. He’s hard not to like. Green Bay is my 2nd favorite team after the Cowboys, and it’s sad to see a legend like Favre pack it in. But at the same time the guy has had a long career, much longer than most NFL quarterbacks (Vinny Testaverde notwithstanding), and he deserves to walk away if that’s what he wants. But it’s not just the length of his tenure as starting QB that sets him apart, it’s the accomplishments he made during that time.
Favre loved to throw the football. I think if you look back on his career, that is one statement you will find to be true above all else. He loved to throw, and he was good at it. The numbers back him up, too. Most passing yards ever in a career, most TD passes ever in a career, most passes completed in a career, most passes attempted in a career, most career wins, the list goes on and on. These are all records held by Favre, many of them he broke this past year. There’s also his record for most passes intercepted by an opposing team…yep, he holds that rather dubious record, as well. Which all points to the simple truth…Brett Favre loved to throw. And when he did, it wasn’t so much a throw as it was the firing of a football from a cannon. Brett's arm was (and is) just plain dangerous. When he first started in Green bay, one of his receivers actually commented to the effect that when Brett threw, he was trying to put holes in people. Yeah. The ball came that hard.
He played every game like he was having a great time, and it showed. I truly believe it was never about the money or the fame for Brett, but simple love of the game. And the game loved him back, to the tune of two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win. Many great QBs never get that win; look at Jim Kelly and Fran Tarkenton. But the folks in Wisconsin knew early on that Brett would bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown someday, and Brett proved them right in 1997. It was the first time since 1968 that Green Bay was able to lay claim to the trophy named after their own legendary head coach, Vince Lombardi.
So when he says he has nothing left to prove, I get it. He holds just about every record worth having and he has that lovely Super Bowl ring and legions of Farve lovers all over the world. He’s a lock for the Hall of Fame, and his career is already legendary, from playing after losing 30 inches of his intestine to playing just days after his father’s death. If you ask some of the younger QBs in the NFL these days, many of them will point to Favre as someone who inspired them when they were kids (including Tony Romo).
Aaron Rogers, Brett’s backup, has a mighty big pair of shoes to fill as the new starting QB for Green Bay. Luckily, he’s good, and I think he will do well. BUT, he is replacing one of the NFL’s greatest living legends. The folks in Green Bay used to say that Brett was good, but he’s no Bart Starr. I think Rogers will be plagued by statements that he is good, but he’s no Brett Favre. I also think he has enough talent to overcome them, but that’s just my opinion. In a town with streets named after Bart Starr and Brett Favre, is there room for an Aaron Rogers Blvd?
We will see what the future holds for the Green Bay Packers, which, for those who don’t know, is actually the NFL franchise with the most championships (they were winning the Big Games long before there was a Super Bowl). But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Favre on the sidelines before too long. Maybe as a QB coach or an offensive coordinator.
He does love to throw the football, after all.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Down With The Flu!!!
Eeew, the flu. A curse from the heavens if ever there was one. Sickly, nasty, phlegm-producing flu. Bain of all who have too much work in their universes already. Get rid of it, I say. Mankind has no need of such a vile, contemptuous little bug! Join me, all, as I call for the flu's forceful ejection from Planet Earth. Down With The Flu!!!
I’ve been laid up with it for four days now. I’m finally back at work, but UGH! That was a rough four days! 101 temperatures and nasty body aches…I can live without them, thank you very much! The worst part was my wife and I were both sick. Normally, when she is sick, I take care of her, and when I am sick, she takes care of me. But when we are both sick, we are totally useless. Bleaaacchh!!
Anyway, I’m better now. Not 100%, but much, much better. And while we were out the Direct TV guy came and set up our HD package. NFL Network is awesome! I may never watch another station again…except when Lost is on (Lost looks friggin’ awesome in HD, BTW). Oh, and Spongebob, too. Now he’s on more often, which is cool. I luv that little guy!
Anyhoo, y’all are probably wondering about the Big News I mentioned last time, right? Well...me, too. My friend hasn’t announced the news yet, and I am still waiting on the details myself. Which stinks. Again, it’s not MY big news (wish it was), but it’s always nice to see lightning strike so close to home, y’know? Lets me know it can be done, as long as I don’t give up. So I’m anxiously awaiting the opportunity to let y’all know which friend of mine is next in line for the big time. It’s coming…don’t you worry.
Last, but never least, my friend Tyhitia finally sent me her MS to beta read. Woo hoo! I’ve been waiting on that one for months. No, I can’t tell y’all anything about it, but as I read it I’ll be sure to tease you about how I can read it and you can’t (hehehe).
See Y’all!
I’ve been laid up with it for four days now. I’m finally back at work, but UGH! That was a rough four days! 101 temperatures and nasty body aches…I can live without them, thank you very much! The worst part was my wife and I were both sick. Normally, when she is sick, I take care of her, and when I am sick, she takes care of me. But when we are both sick, we are totally useless. Bleaaacchh!!
Anyway, I’m better now. Not 100%, but much, much better. And while we were out the Direct TV guy came and set up our HD package. NFL Network is awesome! I may never watch another station again…except when Lost is on (Lost looks friggin’ awesome in HD, BTW). Oh, and Spongebob, too. Now he’s on more often, which is cool. I luv that little guy!
Anyhoo, y’all are probably wondering about the Big News I mentioned last time, right? Well...me, too. My friend hasn’t announced the news yet, and I am still waiting on the details myself. Which stinks. Again, it’s not MY big news (wish it was), but it’s always nice to see lightning strike so close to home, y’know? Lets me know it can be done, as long as I don’t give up. So I’m anxiously awaiting the opportunity to let y’all know which friend of mine is next in line for the big time. It’s coming…don’t you worry.
Last, but never least, my friend Tyhitia finally sent me her MS to beta read. Woo hoo! I’ve been waiting on that one for months. No, I can’t tell y’all anything about it, but as I read it I’ll be sure to tease you about how I can read it and you can’t (hehehe).
See Y’all!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Big News Is A' Comin'
No, not MY big news. That big news hasn’t shown up…yet. Soon, hopefully.
No, THIS big news is for a friend of mine. I have promised not to say anything until everything is final, so I won’t. But I can’t help but be excited. I AM starting to feel a little bit like the old saying “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” only…you know…male. Yeah. Always a groomsman, never a groom. That’s it.
Something manly like that. :)
Anyway, good news for another friend of mine. I can’t wait ‘till I get to tell more.
No, THIS big news is for a friend of mine. I have promised not to say anything until everything is final, so I won’t. But I can’t help but be excited. I AM starting to feel a little bit like the old saying “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” only…you know…male. Yeah. Always a groomsman, never a groom. That’s it.
Something manly like that. :)
Anyway, good news for another friend of mine. I can’t wait ‘till I get to tell more.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Is It Just Me?
The following incident is not a recent event, but it has been rankling me for a little while, so I thought I’d seek alternative opinions on the matter (and moonrat, if you are still reading I Have A Blog?, your input would be much appreciated).
Some time ago, the first three chapters of my novel found their way to the desk of an editor (we’ll call her Ed A). Three days later, Ed A emailed me, and told me she very much liked those 3 chapters, and would like to see the rest of the novel. So, needless to say, the remainder of the story was sent to her.
A month later I received another email. It seems Ed A read it, and she liked it, but felt she wasn’t the best choice to edit it. Another editor (let’s call her Ed B) who works at the same press had expressed an interest in reading it, so ED A forwarded the novel to Ed B.
Another month goes by, and I get a rejection from Ed B. Now, that in itself is nothing to stew over. Writers get rejections. It’s part of the business. But this was a bland form rejection.
Don’t get me wrong, I am used to getting form rejections (what writer isn’t?), but it seems to me, after requesting the full and then sending it to another editor in-house, to send a form rejection is just poor form (pardon the pun). I feel since they requested the full I should have gotten at least a brief explanation for the rejection. Too controversial, or not enough sex, or something like that.
This is not a big press, but it is a good press, and I wouldn’t hesitate to accept a contract from them in the future, should they ever extend an offer to me. I don’t have any hard feelings toward them, but I am confused. I could be way off base, but I can’t help but think with as few manuscripts as editors request it would not have been too great a strain on this person’s schedule to let me know the reason the MS didn’t pass muster. Am I wrong in thinking so?
What do y’all think? Is it just me?
See Y’all!
Some time ago, the first three chapters of my novel found their way to the desk of an editor (we’ll call her Ed A). Three days later, Ed A emailed me, and told me she very much liked those 3 chapters, and would like to see the rest of the novel. So, needless to say, the remainder of the story was sent to her.
A month later I received another email. It seems Ed A read it, and she liked it, but felt she wasn’t the best choice to edit it. Another editor (let’s call her Ed B) who works at the same press had expressed an interest in reading it, so ED A forwarded the novel to Ed B.
Another month goes by, and I get a rejection from Ed B. Now, that in itself is nothing to stew over. Writers get rejections. It’s part of the business. But this was a bland form rejection.
Don’t get me wrong, I am used to getting form rejections (what writer isn’t?), but it seems to me, after requesting the full and then sending it to another editor in-house, to send a form rejection is just poor form (pardon the pun). I feel since they requested the full I should have gotten at least a brief explanation for the rejection. Too controversial, or not enough sex, or something like that.
This is not a big press, but it is a good press, and I wouldn’t hesitate to accept a contract from them in the future, should they ever extend an offer to me. I don’t have any hard feelings toward them, but I am confused. I could be way off base, but I can’t help but think with as few manuscripts as editors request it would not have been too great a strain on this person’s schedule to let me know the reason the MS didn’t pass muster. Am I wrong in thinking so?
What do y’all think? Is it just me?
See Y’all!
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