Thursday, July 3, 2014
COOL CREATURE OF THE DAY
Corpse Flower
This lovely monster got it's name because it gives off the smell of rotting flesh.
This lovely monster got it's name because it gives off the smell of rotting flesh.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
INTERVIEW WITH KARIN SLAUGHTER
On The Seventies, Sexism, and Selling 30 Million Books
Every now and then, I've had the privilege to interview someone truly unique. Karin Slaughter is one of those people. Maybe because she doesn't give in to convention. She really tells it like it is, shining a light on the ugly part of the world, without any pretense.
In our interview she talked about her upcoming book, COP TOWN, and what the 1970's was like for women police officers, when sexism, racism and homophobia was rampant.
Even though I was a fairly young kid in the 70's I do remember my mother talking about feminism, equal rights, marches on Washington. She left a lot of political buttons scattered around our liberal household, and had quite a few friends who were gay and mixed-race. They were mostly artsy-hippy types who would come over for pot-luck dinners and a side of Nixon-bashing.
In my small, suburban, politically-correct town, I never came in contact with prejudice outside of Archie Bunker, who we all thought was hysterical, because of course no one could ever be like him. But they were, and right under my nose. People say things to adults what they don't say to children, and when I grew up I heard a lot. That's what I was thinking about when I read COP TOWN. Why did people put up with it back then? And, why do they now?
Slaughter had a lot to say about all that, as well as her thoughts on writing. Check out the interview, this month's cover story in The Big Thrill.
Click here for The Big Thrill Interview with Karin Slaughter
Every now and then, I've had the privilege to interview someone truly unique. Karin Slaughter is one of those people. Maybe because she doesn't give in to convention. She really tells it like it is, shining a light on the ugly part of the world, without any pretense.
In our interview she talked about her upcoming book, COP TOWN, and what the 1970's was like for women police officers, when sexism, racism and homophobia was rampant.
Even though I was a fairly young kid in the 70's I do remember my mother talking about feminism, equal rights, marches on Washington. She left a lot of political buttons scattered around our liberal household, and had quite a few friends who were gay and mixed-race. They were mostly artsy-hippy types who would come over for pot-luck dinners and a side of Nixon-bashing.
In my small, suburban, politically-correct town, I never came in contact with prejudice outside of Archie Bunker, who we all thought was hysterical, because of course no one could ever be like him. But they were, and right under my nose. People say things to adults what they don't say to children, and when I grew up I heard a lot. That's what I was thinking about when I read COP TOWN. Why did people put up with it back then? And, why do they now?
Slaughter had a lot to say about all that, as well as her thoughts on writing. Check out the interview, this month's cover story in The Big Thrill.
Click here for The Big Thrill Interview with Karin Slaughter
Monday, June 30, 2014
Cool Creature of the Day:
The Satanic Leaf Tailed Gekko
This little guy masterfully mimics a dead leaf. Its twisted body, veined skin, and tail look like it's been nibbled at by insects or rotted by decay. Reminds me of the fungus in SEEDERS.
This little guy masterfully mimics a dead leaf. Its twisted body, veined skin, and tail look like it's been nibbled at by insects or rotted by decay. Reminds me of the fungus in SEEDERS.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
THIS WEEK'S SURVEY
WHICH IS THE SCARIEST DOLL HEAD?
One of these heads was an inspiration in my new novel SEEDERS. Doll Number Two was the winner in my Facebook survey. I've added a few more to see if it's still the reigning winner of creepy doll heads. Choose one, or if you can find a scarier head, leave a link.
One of these heads was an inspiration in my new novel SEEDERS. Doll Number Two was the winner in my Facebook survey. I've added a few more to see if it's still the reigning winner of creepy doll heads. Choose one, or if you can find a scarier head, leave a link.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
COOL CREATURE OF THE DAY
Naked Mole Rat
This is the cutest picture I could find of the naked mole rat. Not a beauty pageant winner, but all of their weird physical characteristics allow them to survive a harsh life underground. They feels no sensation of pain on their skin and those protruding teeth are great for digging. Ick. Just, ick.
This is the cutest picture I could find of the naked mole rat. Not a beauty pageant winner, but all of their weird physical characteristics allow them to survive a harsh life underground. They feels no sensation of pain on their skin and those protruding teeth are great for digging. Ick. Just, ick.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
NEWS FROM COMIC CON 2013
New Book on Schedule!
It’s been a while since I blogged back in July.
Basically, I’ve spent all this time finishing my latest novel, SEEDERS. I handed it in a couple weeks ago to my
editor and her changes should be coming in a couple of days. So glad things are moving quickly! I’m excited about this book and can’t wait to
get it into the hands of my readers.
Turns out, this is a great time to get back to
blogging. Just got back from New York Comic Con 2013, where the cosplay was
fabulous. If you like to people-watch,
this was the place to be. In a ten-block
radius of the Javits Center, there were wacky characters everywhere. The streets looked truly bizarre, even for
New York City.
Of
course, once we got inside the convention center, it was wall to wall nerd
heaven…
The
only bad part of the day was not seeing The Walking Dead Panel. I LOVE THE WALKING DEAD!
Apparently,
people lined up at the door all night, raided the Main Stage first thing in the
morning and camped out in the room until 6:30 that night to see Rick, Daryl, Glen
and the rest. Apparently the room is
never cleared between panels so few have a chance of seeing the main
attraction. We got on line at about 4:30
when it was 2,000 people long and the ushers pretty much laughed at all of us
thinking we’d actually get in. Okay, most were sympathetic, but my kids were crushed.
Thankfully,
The Walking Dead producers saved the day by setting up a traveling museum a few
blocks away. I doubt many people knew
about it, but we stumbled across it on the way to lunch. There were a lot of props from the series,
including Rick’s hat, Daryl’s crossbow, Merle’s hand, a casting of T-Dog and
even the bloated guy in the well.
It wasn’t as good as
seeing Norman Reedus in person, but it was the next best thing.
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