monkeybrains

Apocalypse Now...Or Later

2011-05-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Well, looks like we’re still here. Either no one in the entire world is worthy of the rapture or someone made a little miscalculation.

About six months ago I noticed a billboard on my way to the gym that stated: “You CAN Know.” It casually announced that May 21, 2011 was set down on the great celestial calendar as Judgment Day. I cracked a smile as I read this, briefly wondering what mook paid good money to buy ad space. Then the billboards started popping up everywhere! I couldn’t drive the grocery store without being reminded that the apocalypse was on its way and that I should be quaking in my heathen boots (I will admit that I was a little nervous because Skynet recently became self-aware, but looking into this group’s philosophy, I was reassured that it wasn’t THAT Judgment Day). Then I saw people preaching on street corners and handing out flyers. They started getting national coverage (Time Magazine wrote an article about them, news channels covered them). When I made jokes about May 21, everyone knew what I was talking about. This was serious!

So why exactly is it that people buy into these prophecies of doom and panic? I mean, these people don't just believe it, they donate their hard-earned money to the cause and stand on Hollywood Boulevard with a megaphone even though the guy they're following has a track record of bogus predictions! What gives? Wizard’s First Rule: "People are stupid…because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true."*

I’ll be the first to admit that the world is unbelievably scary. The state of the economy is terrifying, wars are raging out of control, natural disasters are rocking the earth to its foundations. Don't even get me started on gas prices! While I believe some people fall into doom and gloom because they are afraid, I think many find the idea of the end of the world to be comforting. It releases them from their earthly responsibilities. If I'm not here for much longer, then who cares about my failing relationships and ballooning debt?

So now that Judgment Day has come and gone with the world little worse for wear, I imagine that believers in yesterday’s non-rapture must be feeling disappointed, perhaps even abandoned. We’re still here. We still have to keep pushing forward. Somehow, we all have to rustle up the courage to face life's challenges without knowing what's to come. But hey, the world is once again scheduled to end next December. So I guess there’s always something else to latch onto. I for one believe that the Winchester brothers will continue to avert the apocalypse. That’s what gets me through the night! But to each his own.

*From Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

Let the Games Begin!

2011-05-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

After months of whirlwind casting announcements and preparation, shooting for The Hunger Games is slated to begin today in the small town of Hildebran, North Carolina (rumored to be the set of District 12). I for one am already marking the release date on my calendar! I will be at the midnight show.

For those of you who are behind the times, The Hunger Games is based on the first book in a trilogy by Suzanne Collins set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia where impoverished citizens of 12 districts under the rule of a sinister capitol are required to send randomly selected children (called “tributes”) to fight to the death on live broadcast. Enter Katniss Everdeen, an intrepid 16-year-old with a sharp tongue and some mad bow hunting skills who becomes a contestant in the Hunger Games when she steps up to take her little sister’s place. Awesomeness ensues.

The books are a quick, exciting read, and while the series has been called "the next Twilight", please don't let that fool you! Yes, the story is about teenagers and it has a huge fan base, but that's where the similarities end. The Hunger Games and its sequels are dark, complex, and extremely relevant. I spent most of my time reading in an adrenaline charged tizzy, and when I was forced to put them down for a minute (damn you work!), I continued to obsess over what would happen next. The film is set to be released March 23, 2012 (yes, I know the world is supposed to end, but I'm hoping that it will wait until December...). I highly recommend picking up those books before then. You'll thank me.

The film’s casting has been a source of heated debate since the moment the big screen adaptation was announced. After long months of speculation, Jennifer Lawrence, the 20-year-old Academy Award nominee from Winter’s Bone, officially took up Katniss’ bow. While many fans have loudly protested that she’s “too blonde” or "too old" or “too pretty” for the role, I am just relieved that the casting directors have chosen an actress worth her salt (unlike some other film adaptations that I won’t go into). She will star alongside Hollywood veterans Woody Harrelson (Haymitch; a genius piece of casting), Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman), and Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinkett) as well as rising stars Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (aka Thor's little brother; Gale).

If you would like to read more, Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Jennifer Lawrence you can check out. Happy reading! May the odds ever be in your favor.

We are the Dreamers of Dreams

2011-05-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to announce that I am writing this from my very own laptop. I am no longer at the mercy of another computer owner. I am free to write and surf the internet at my own leisure. It’s such an intoxicating feeling; I am positively mad with all the power! MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Ahem, excuse me.

Yesterday my little brother (if you can call six foot two little…) graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He is the third member of my family to go through the two-year program at the top acting conservatory in the country. My mom was among the graduating class of 1986. I graduated last year. Now it's my brother's turn. My father also studied at the Academy in the evening program while working to support my mom’s enrollment in the full-time program.

Aren't we pretty?

So as the four of us posed for pictures and said hello to familiar faces, I paused to think about how incredibly strange and unique my family really is. How many actors can say that their parents completely understand what they are going through? Well, other than Colin Hanks and Meryl Streep’s daughters, not too many! In fact, most of my friends’ parents are constantly asking them when they’re going to stop chasing a pipe dream and come on home already.

What an overwhelming number of people don’t seem to understand is that we artists can’t help what we do. Why else would we take menial, soul-killing jobs that barely keep starvation at bay? Why else would we endure on a daily basis intense scrutiny and rejection of a kind that would leave a battle-hardened veteran a quivering mass of raw nerves? Who in their right mind would choose to go into a profession where 99% of those attempting it can’t even make a living? We can’t help it! We are driven by an incomprehensible force that demands our utter devotion. When we try to ignore it, it eats away at us—an irritating burn that constantly reminds us that there is something vital missing from our lives.

To an outside perspective, that may seem like utter insanity. How can a life in show business actually be worth all the hassle? Well, have you ever been swept away by a moment in a movie where you suddenly find yourself transfixed to the screen, and tears rush into your eyes because something in that moment has touched you in a profound and personal way? Those are the moments that stick with you long after the credits have rolled. Now imagine being part of the creation of that moment! There is nothing that can compare to the intimacy of knowing a character to her innermost depths and allowing her to live and breathe through you for a time. When you get to share that experience with a group of people with the same drive and passion, it’s absolute magic!

There are those that believe (and relish self-righteously pointing out to me and my fellow actors) that acting is not a real profession. It is merely a bunch of egotistical, overgrown children playing dress-up and has no merit in the real world. Nothing could be farther from the truth…well, okay, so we can be egotistical, and we do tend to keep hold of our inner child, how else would we be able to create an entire world from scratch? However, anyone who says that what we do is unimportant has missed the point entirely. Whether it is in a film, or a television episode, or a piece of theater, a great performance possesses the power to transform us, to shift our way of thinking, to transport us from our mundane lives for the space of time that we are watching. What else can make us laugh one moment and cry the next? What else can evoke compassion in the most cynical of humans, or soften an angry soul with humor? It is the actor’s job to entertain and thereby remind us of what it means to be human in all its beauty and ugliness. What could be more important?

I am unbelievably blessed to be part of a family that appreciates my life calling. If anything in the world ensures our success, it is that we have each other to lean on in tough times, to push each other forward, and to celebrate our triumphs with. To actors everywhere: your sacrifices and struggles are absolutely necessary to the survival of our society. Even if those closest to you can’t fathom why you didn’t give up and go to law school, there is a whole community that knows exactly what you are going through. You are not alone. You are needed. Never give up! Never surrender!

Sending off Smallville

2011-05-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Happy Friday the 13th! I've been completely MIA this week due to a horrible allergic reaction that laid me out for several days. Whenever I take Benedryl I can no longer read or walk. It's extremely ridiculous. However, today is a very important day, and not just because of the unlikely correlation of the day of the week with the day of the month. Tonight is the series finale of Smallville (8:00 on the CW)!

Why get excited? First of all Michael Rosenbaum is finally returning as Lex Luthor (he was my favorite part of that show, and I've missed him horribly). Second of all, there is a very real possibility that we will actually get to see Clark fly (and I know some people are dying to see him in the suit, but if they're going to break down the no tights, no flights rule, I'd rather see him fly!). With Clark and Lois broken apart, Oliver still marked by Darkside, and Lex Luthor returning I have no idea how they're going to tie it all up in only two hours. Needless to say, I have been super pumped over this historic event for weeks!

This show means a great deal to me because it came into my life in a time when everything felt like it was falling to dust in my hands. Each episode brings me back to a particular place in my past where, despite overwhelming odds, I still managed to endure. Being able to escape to a place where someone could hear your distress call and be there to catch you before you fell to oblivion was just enough to keep me holding on. It also brought me closer to some of the people I love most in the world. It was our connection point before we knew just how much we had in common.

In preparation for the big event, my buddies and I have been watching each season premiere and finale (as well as some selected episodes), and seeing all the old, familiar faces again, spending time in the beautiful world that has come to mean so much, I'm not sure if I'm ready to say goodbye! But since I have to, I will say thank you to the cast and crew for creating such a fantastic story. It has meant more to me than you will ever know!

OCE: Obsessive Compulsive Editing

2011-05-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Good morning! I just got back from a brisk, early morning hike (I’m so proud of myself! I got up before the sun!). I’m doing laundry. I paid the bills. It's shaping up to be a good, productive day!

Yesterday I was editing a project, and I realized that I spend about as much time (if not more) editing a piece as I do writing it.

Here’s the drill:
I finish the first draft of a chapter or episode and breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Then I print out a copy and run around the house with it giggling madly. A trusted family member or friend will shoot me with a tranquilizer dart before things get out of hand (okay, so I made that last part up). Once I’ve calmed down a little, I will take a pen to the first draft, slashing paragraphs, writing notes and drawing arrows until the page looks like it’s been assaulted by an inebriated kindergartner (disturbing). Then I’ll put all the changes into the computer and print out a legible copy for my parents to read (yes, they are my parents, but they don’t pull their punches!). Repeat the above.

When polishing a finished product, my mantra is always BREVITY. I believe that good writing doesn’t draw attention to itself. It says exactly what it needs to say, no more, no less. That is not to say that there is no merit in a beautiful description or in attention to detail. Those are both integral to allowing your audience to immerse themselves in your world. However, most readers can tell the difference between a skillful turn of phrase and an author that is showing off his/her vocabulary. Most of the time, your average, everyday word will better communicate what you are seeing in your head than a big, fancy word fished out of the Thesaurus (something I had to pound into my head with a mallet). Save the ten-dollar words for special occasions!

If on the third or fourth reading a story starts to feel stale, odds are it needs to be revamped. Do something crazy with it just for funzies. I have been known to cut up my stories into little sections, spread them out all over my bedroom floor, and rearrange them into different configurations. Sometimes all it takes is tweaking the order of a few scenes to make the plot flow more dynamically. In other cases you’ll discover that you’re missing a scene (or have a scene too many). I will also rewrite certain scenes from another character’s point of view just to get a fresh perspective.

A friend of mine once told me that a writer’s work is never done, we just make a conscious choice to stop. There will always be another comma out of place or a repeated word or not enough variance in sentence structure. If at the end of the day, you like what you’ve written, then let it be. Of course if you take it out in a month or a year or ten and feel differently, break out the old red pen. I have reworked Shards at the very least fifteen times all the way through. We writers may never hit perfect, but damned if we’re not gonna try!

Daydreams

2011-05-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my mom thinks I don’t love her. She’ll start talking about something then suddenly realize that my eyes are glazed over, and I’m staring up into space like I’m listening to an otherworldly message that only I can hear. It’s not because the conversation was boring (although when the subject of tile comes up, I zone out on principle). Something she said triggered a jump into the imaginary world that’s always running on overdrive inside my head.

I find it easier to cope with life if I’m making up a story about whatever circumstances I’m in. When I’m hiking a narrow ridge, I see an epic helicopter shot as I journey across a treacherous wasteland. When I’m working out, the elliptical machine becomes a power source for a makeshift spacecraft, and it’s up to me to get us home. When I’m laying in bed in my rundown apartment, I’m a holed up in a derelict building hoping that the zombies won’t break through my barricade. Yeah, it doesn’t take much to send me spinning into a full-scale, Scrubs-worthy daydream (I’m pretty sure J.D. is my soulmate).

I do a lot of writing on the move. It’s very easy for me to visualize a scene if I’m standing on a cliff top under a sprawling sky or walking down a shady path. Something about the clean scent of trees and the soft touch of wind in my hair makes everything become clear. When I get my heart pumping and my lungs expanding, my mind opens up to all the possibilities. I am free to wander anywhere and everywhere without direction or obligation. My characters start speaking to me. Different threads of the storyline suddenly come together. Problem scenes develop into something dynamic and useful. It’s exhilarating!

Now the trick is keeping my brain focused while I’m with other human beings so they don’t think I hate them! It’s difficult, but I’m learning.

There and Back Again: Shaping Character

2011-05-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Every person undergoes a journey. Not necessarily an epic quest into the fires of Mordor, but an inner journey. The most evil warlord started out as an innocent baby, and yet a saint may begin as a petty, vicious child. It is our experiences that determine who we ultimately become. We have the scope of an entire lifetime to undergo our transformations, but in fiction, the characters do not have that luxury. It is the writer’s job to discover each character’s journey within the space of the story.

One of my favorite character arcs belongs to Sawyer from Lost. In the beginning of the series, he is a callous, abrasive man only concerned with his own well-being. As the series progresses we get to see what made him the way he is when we first meet him, AND we see him transform into a steadfast leader willing to throw himself into danger to save the people he loves. This obviously doesn’t happen overnight but through tiny changes that we observe throughout six seasons.

A completely different arc (but just as fascinating) happens for Lex Luthor in Smallville. He begins as a slightly jaded young man desperate to do the right thing and to overcome the black mark on his family name. We watch him struggle to be a hero, but his obsession over discovering Clark’s true identity, his love for Lana, and his deranged father’s schemes all push him over the brink into madness (the brilliance of this writing and Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal is that we all know how the story ends, but we hope that somehow things will turn out differently).

I was asked once which was better: a character driven story or a plot driven story. I don’t believe you can have one without the other. Character drives plot and plot drives character. Every experience, every loss, every happiness will shape them into something new and will determine how they react to any given circumstance, propelling them toward their journey’s end.

And Then They Met a Ghost: Defeating Writer's Block

2011-05-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

“You can fix a bad page. You can't fix a blank one.” ~ Nora Roberts

Every writer dreads the days where s/he sits down at the computer and nothing comes. The cursor blinks at you like a judgmental little metronome that’s just clicking away the seconds before you die in penniless obscurity.

You glare at the cursor for a while. Pick at your fingernails. Go look in the mirror, sigh, and walk back to the computer. Watch the blinker. Worry about bills. What am I wearing tonight? Will I look fat in those jeans? Maybe the skirt would go better. Crap! I’m supposed to be writing! Blink, blink, blink...failure...blink, blink, blink.

So, Step 1 of defeating writer’s block: get your mind into the zone. I like to start by going back and reading a page or two of what I’ve written before. That relaxes my brain and helps me tune into the style and flow of that particular story.

Step 2: Once you’ve got your head back in the right space, get something written. I don’t care if it’s the most stupid, clichéd sentence you’ve ever thought up, get something down on that page. You can fix it later. I find that 90% of the time, once I get past putting down the first sentence, the floodgates open and it's smooth sailing from there.

Step 3: There are times when Step 2 absolutely doesn’t work. Everything has come to a screeching halt, and you just can’t figure out what to do next (god, I hate those days!). When this happens, I will play a game. Let's call it “And Then They Met a Ghost…” in honor of one of my best friends. To play, start making a list of every possible thing that could happen next. And I do mean every possible thing. Does a spaceship land? Does A punch B in the face? Does C spontaneously combust? I try to come up with an idea that would make even a narcoleptic reader snap to attention. My lists will run anywhere from five to twenty possibilities, and generally it’s that twentieth option that makes the ‘Aha!’ light go on.

Step 4: When it's a really dry day and even ghosts don’t get the creative juices flowing, I will take my characters and write a random scene that may or may not end up in the story. One day I was extremely, hopelessly stuck while I was working on Shards, so I started goofing around with a what-if scene. Suddenly, my palms got all sweaty and my mouth went dry. I had just written the end of the book! The entire fourth act of the novel sprang up out of the ether, all because of this one little scene that I hadn’t intended on writing.

Step 5: Go work out. Do some yoga. Go for a hike. Do pushups. Stand on your head. Just get the blood flowing. You’ll feel better (endorphins are my drug of choice!). Your mind will quiet down, and you’ll burn calories, which is always a win.

Happy Tuesday!

Why I love fantasy

2011-04-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

This age of information, technology and independence that we live in is a truly astounding achievement for mankind. We can learn pretty much anything we need to know with the click of a button. It's amazing! However, it seems like knowledge and advancement also foster intense cynicism. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's gotten to the point where we become jaded before we even have a chance to experience the wonders of the world (and I include myself in this). When entering a fantastical realm, you have to leave your cynicism at the door. You have permission to open up with a childlike sense of belief that anything is possible.

The problem with technology is that the more we have at our fingertips, the less we need to rely on others (or even leaving the house) in our daily lives. We start to become disconnected. Even though we have cellphones and Twitter and Facebook, which allow us to communicate instantly with people halfway across the world, we lose the intimacy of a face-to-face conversation. We become more comfortable sitting alone in a room wired in than physically interacting with other human beings. Fantasy takes us to a place where people have to pull together and depend on one another for survival. It reminds us of how much we need (and want) human interaction--real, tangible interaction--for balance and for our own happiness.

There's no doubt that we live in a tough, scary world where people do unspeakable things to one another and where the daily grind can be enough to kill a person's soul. The epic themes of fantasy--good versus evil, an all-important destiny, an ordinary person rising up against overwhelming odds--are so universal that we can all imagine ourselves the hero fighting against the forces of oppression. Through the characters, we can feel powerful. We can feel that we are not alone, even if our battle is only against the tyrant in the office or the teacher from hell.

Fantasy gives our imaginations room to stretch out and fly free. It gives us an escape and a reminder that there is more to life than work, bills and sleep. Life is full of infinite possibilities. We can be whoever we want to be. Anything that brings us hope in the face of cynicism and despair is worth its weight in gold. I believe that fantasy is just that: a reminder of humanity at its strongest and most alive.

2011-04-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Last night we sent off Michael Scott with many tears (that scene between him and Jim about killed me; I won't spoil it for those of you that haven't seen it). This morning we witnessed the union of William and Kate (which was a fascinating hat-gazing experience if nothing else!). However, it is tonight's episode of Smallville that has me breathless with anticipation. Tom Welling in armor? Um, gulp! Yeah, that little promise has gotten me through a tough week. Also, has everyone seen the Lex trailer for the finale?! I'm soooo ecstatic that Michael Rosenbaum is back! I've missed him terribly.

In other news, The Shards of Morning is available in Germany! So, now all my lovely cousins overseas can read it (and hopefully others too!). Have a great weekend everyone, and don't forget to catch Smallville and Supernatural tonight (if you don't know what that is, we need to talk)!

The Supporting Cast

2011-04-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Most of my all-time favorite characters are not protagonists but quirky or mysterious side characters that only appear briefly. They manage to completely steal my heart within the space of a scene or two (they also have an irritating habit of dying and leaving me devastated...yes, I'm talking to you, Stephen King!).

Even though they don't get the screen...er...page time that the lead character gets, the supporting cast is actually more challenging to write. I tend to create my heroes from the inside-out (letting their emotional/inner lives dictate their physicality), but for "lesser" characters I often begin with a single, defining trait. This could be a physical attribute (i.e. a hooked nose or wild red hair), a distinctive speech pattern (not necessarily a Yoda-esque reworking of the English language, but a catchphrase or unique word choice that sets the person apart), or an interesting quirk/tic -- something that gives me an immediate, memorable impression of that character. Eventually, you as the writer need to know just as much about your supporting characters as you know about your protagonists, but when the story only allows for a quick snapshot, it is important that the reader has something that sticks out in his/her mind.

The outside-in approach to character allows for a lot of fun. It challenges you to climb out of the box and take off running. You can be as wild and crazy as you want. Take risks! The traits you come up with will unfailingly give you insight into the person underneath. They raise questions and make you hungry to dig deeper.

Tip for dealing with obnoxious side characters that show up unannounced:
Let them do whatever they want. They may completely destroy the outline you spent all day slaving over, but I guarantee you it'll be a thousand times better than what you came up with. Also, they won't shut up until you do what they say.

Meeting the Hero

2011-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Writing always starts with the characters for me. Since they're the heart and soul of the story, it seems fitting. A lot of them just pop up into the story without my meaning them to, however, the protagonist is a different matter altogether.

Meeting my hero is like the first time I meet a potential love interest. It starts out a little cautiously. Possibly a little awkwardly. I'm shy. There's a lot at stake. Can this person carry my story? Will I stay interested? I only get the first impression. I see what he/she looks like, I see her first interaction in her first scene (which may or may not ever get used). I get a small taste of how he talks or how she moves. But, as in any relationship, it takes time to get to know them, to see his little quirks and to discover the things that drive her.

Approaching character as a writer is extremely similar to approaching character as an actor (except as a writer you are responsible for all the characters down to spear carrier #5). I ask questions. What is his history? How did she grow up? Was he raised in privilege or squalor or somewhere in between? What events shaped her life? What people? What is it that drives this person? What is his dream? What is his biggest fear?

After answering the initial questions, I start to obsess. I'll come up with images/animals/smells that remind me of the character. I start to look at situations through her eyes. I'll research the things that she is interested in. I'll daydream and daydream and daydream some more about scenes from his life or from the story (which often get discarded, but sometimes I'll find a gem). Then, after a while, he starts talking to me. If I have a question, I'll sit down to address it, but it no longer feels like I'm in control. If something isn't right in the dialogue or in a reaction, I'll see it instantly and rewrite it because I know his voice, his sense of humor, his fears and passions. Yet even after knowing a character for a long time, she still can surprise you! There are so many moments when I had a very clear idea in my mind about where the story was going, but then one of my heroes will say or do something that completely blows away anything that I previously imagined.

Writing, like acting, is about discovery. It is an amazing process that runs much deeper than the technical aspects. You get to know your characters in such an intimate, emotional way that they become dear friends (including, no, especially the villains). They become an extension of your soul. There's really nothing like it!

Shards on Smashwords!

2011-04-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

The Shards of Morning is now available in most epub formats on Smashwords! Download for Kindle, Nook, other e-readers and phone aps. Have a little adventure on the go!

2011-04-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today someone stole my debit card and spent twice as much money as I even had in my account. I was livid for about an hour (I considered finding a voo doo priest and putting a curse on the little twerp). But then I started thinking about who this person is and what kind of circumstances they must be in. My card was only missing for 15 minutes total, so you, whoever you are, didn't even bat an eyelash before cleaning me out. That tells me you are one of three things:

1. Desperate: I totally understand. I know what it's like to have rent come due when I've got nothing in my wallet and no prospects for a job. I know what it's like to try and ignore my empty stomach, to wear my shoes into the ground, and wash my clothes in the sink. So, I hope that you can enjoy a second of relief because I know that I will make it out of this rut. I'm not so sure about you.

2. Greedy: I don't think I even need a voo doo priest to curse you because you're stuck with being yourself. You'll probably die alone.

3. Dr. Horrible: You are awesome. You can use my money for your freeze ray any day.

2011-04-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I spent some time catching up on the new HBO series Game of Thrones (airs Sundays). It's based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series which has been on my must-read list for years, but I've never had a chance to pick it up. The show is only two episodes in and I'm already addicted. Intriguing plot. Check. Engaging characters, check. Spectacular costumes/sets, check. Violent sword play, check. It's good to have a promising fantasy series on TV again! I need to get a move on reading those books!

Got a thing for swords? Curious about the people who use them? Check out this week's L.A. Times article on Brian Danner, Hollywood stunt choreographer, and the owner of Sword Fights Inc. (the very awesome stunt team that I work with).

Working Hollywood: Crossing Swords With Brian Danner

Shards on Kindle!

2011-04-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that The Shards of Morning is now available in a KINDLE EDITION for 2.99! Thank you a million times to my brilliant mother for being my formatting angel!

A secondary side note: did everyone watch the season opener for Dr. Who? I've been desperately needing my doctor fix! The only problem is that now I have to freakin' wait until next week to find out what happens! I hate waiting!

Happy Easter, everyone!

2011-04-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re missing something really important? Like for instance what you’re supposed to do with your life? I mean, you graduate from high school and they hand you your diploma like it’s gold, saying, “Good job, kid, the world is your oyster,” then they boot you out into the cold without ever explaining what the hell an oyster has to do with anything.

Right now life feels like the first time I forgot to put on water wings. I’m just sitting at the bottom of the pool thinking, “Jeez, I hope someone pulls me out before I drown.” Pursuing dreams aside, finding a soul-killing, so-basic-a-blind-monkey-could-do-it job that will pay the bills is a complete nightmare. Last week I got called in to interview for a position at a small coffee shop. When I got there, the owner told me, “Well, we’re not going to hire you, we just wanted to meet with you.” Apparently I wrote an excellent cover letter that stood out from the hundreds of applicants, but they’re not looking to train, so I’m not a good match. Well, duh, I’m a writer, not a barista. Why did I just drive forty-five minutes?

So while I’m looking at the cockroaches scuttling around my bare cupboard, trying to ignore my groaning stomach, I wonder where did I go wrong? Would things have been any different if I had studied engineering or medicine or something useful? Probably not. I’d be looking at my diploma wishing that I had gone after my passions instead of wimping out.
I don’t have any answers, but I do know that I’m not the only one stuck in this boat. So many of my friends and colleagues are floundering, trying to figure out how to be happy while struggling just to pay the rent. What did we miss?

Just a word in closing, I found an oyster on the beach recently, and I (being a five-year-old boy) pried the shell open. All I found inside was a shapeless bloody mass. Maybe next time I’ll find a pearl.

2011-01-11T10:09:00.001-08:00

To Struggling Writers Everywhere:

It's not the publisher that makes you a writer. It's that far-off look you get when you're staring up into the sky. It's that other world always running inside your head that no one else will experience unless you choose to give them a glimpse. It's that surge of elation that makes you dance madly around the house when you finish a chapter or discover the missing piece. A writer scribbles on restaurant napkins when she can't afford a scrap of paper this week. A writer hides his notes under "work appropriate" items while suffering through another damn day at the survival job. A writer goes on working at three o'clock the morning even when she isn't earning a dime. We are what we are, no matter what low point we've hit or how far our path seems to have taken us from our dreams. You never know where that side trail is actually going to take you. It might be better than you ever imagined (and I'm sure you can imagine a lot). Write on. Don't give up.

Monkey out.

SHERWOOD - Episode 5

2010-12-20T22:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the silent week! I've been extra busy with work and preparing for the holidays. I get to fly home to the family (which includes catching a shuttle to the airport at 3 AM). As a booster to your holiday cheer, why don't you read the fifth episode of Sherwood?

Previously on Sherwood
On a dark and stormy night, subject 432 breaks out of a secure lab. While evading Force soldiers through the abandoned Kansas countryside, he takes refuge in a crumbling farmhouse. There he befriends Mac, a tiny badger girl who has also escaped from a research facility. Together they travel to the barrier separating Oz from the rest of the Range. The two fugitives are intercepted by Force soldiers. Mac is gravely injured before 432 manages to bring down their assailants:

Mac lay with her hands clutched to her chest. She gasped desperately, her eyes gaping. Her shallow chest was crushed. 432 knelt beside her, touching her face lightly. She stared up at him, reaching for his hand.
“Mac,” he whispered pleadingly.
“Cah-lihb,” she sighed. The breath rushed from her lungs, and she stared vacantly up at the sky…
His insides were numb as he climbed the tower once again. The box at the top opened easily; the maze of wires remained exactly as he remembered. He quickly rerouted the system, and the barrier dissipated with a low moan.
He climbed back to the ground stopping for a last look at the tiny creature that had given up her life to save him. A few paces away, the stuffed monkey lay in a heap on the ground. 432 lifted it, fixing the skewed bowtie before laying it in her arms.
“I’m sorry, Mac,” he said.
He straightened, fixing his eyes ahead. The heaviness lifted from his limbs as he crossed into freedom.

Episode Five: Sanctuary

Merry Christmas!

SHERWOOD - Episode Four

2010-12-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

It's finally here! The next installment of my blog saga, Sherwood, is up and ready for your viewing pleasure (for anyone needing a more extensive recap of the last three episodes, check out the December 7 post). Grab some coffee (or your choice of refreshment; for me it's orange juice and toast), and enjoy!

Previously on Sherwood…
After accepting a job transporting live cargo through the most treacherous territory in the Range, Jackson Cole and his team meet a contingent of Force soldiers led by Lieutenant Peters and cross the barrier into Oz. When they stop for the night on the highway, Dustin and Archer discover that their cargo is actually healthy human beings packed into crates like sardines. Dustin wants to walk away from the job, but Jackson is determined to see it through. Dustin is about to leave when badgers attack. Six of the seven trucks are blasted to hell, and Dustin is critically injured. The remains of the transport drive frantically for Topeka:

Topeka Institute rested along the riverbank outside the urban reaches of the city. Jackson’s stomach began to unclench when he caught sight of the great concrete wall that separated the five square mile facility from the ghostly ruins.
“What’s that?” exclaimed Peters.
Thick black smoke billowed from within the stronghold’s walls. As they neared the entrance, they saw that the massive gates were warped and mangled. Beyond the breached entryway smoldered the wreckage of Topeka Institute.

Episode Four: "Ward 6"

Happy reading!

The Walking Dead

2010-12-08T10:17:00.001-08:00

I just finished the season finale for AMC's The Walking Dead. That show is AWESOME! It's only six episodes long (luckily they've been approved for a second season!), but they manage to suck you in immediately with the chilling opening sequence. The Walking Dead tells the story of Rick Grimes, a sheriffs deputy who wakes up from a coma to discover that the world has been overrun by the relentless, flesh-eating dead. He eventually connects with a group of survivors led by his best friend (who happens to be sleeping with Rick's wife, but those complications haven't fully come into play yet). The cast is fantastic, bringing to life the many wildly different people that would have to pull together to survive the end of the world. This in itself brings to light many moral dilemmas that would have to be faced (do you save the violent white-supremacist or let him die in the worst way possible?). They even have you feeling for the zombie (there's a very memorable sequence where this decaying creature with only bones for legs is crawling exhaustedly through a field. It is clearly in a great deal of pain, but whatever is animating its broken body will not allow it to stop). Of course there's plenty of guts-flying action and nail-biting suspense, but The Walking Dead has managed to focus on the last semblances humanity left after a world-altering cataclysm. Also, it revealed to me that the weapon of choice in this situation is actually a crossbow, which has me completely rethinking my zombie apocalypse survival plan! This show is definitely not for everyone. It's easily the goriest show I've seen in a while--Mom, you probably won't like it--but if you've got a strong stomach and are looking for action, memorable characters, and a great story, then watch The Walking Dead.

THE SHERWOOD PROJECT IS OFFICIALLY BACK ONLINE!

2010-12-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

This Friday, December 10, we're returning to a perilous, desolate future Kansas with Sherwood Episode 4. So! In preparation for its release, here's a little recap of the first three episodes. WARNING: contains spoilers. If you haven't read the episodes yet, go back and read them. You'll be glad you did!

THE TEAM:

Jackson Cole: the fearless, gunslingin' leader
Dustin Cole: the younger brother, just as skilled but bogged down with a conscience
Archer: a beautiful sharp-shooter
Gus: a Mexican gunman and part-time magician
Maddy: a spitfire mechanic

BLOOD MONEY PART 1
On a dark and stormy night, subject 432, believed by his captors to be catatonic, escapes from a secure facility.

Jackson and his team of desperadoes rob yet another train of its worthless cargo. After barely escaping a Force squadron attack with their skins, they return to the rotting ruins of Tucson empty handed. A marshal named Harker follows them to a saloon to offer them a job transporting live cargo through Oz, the most treacherous territory in the range. In addition to money, Harker offers information about Jackson's missing wife. Jackson takes the job against Dustin's better judgement.

BLOOD MONEY PART 2
The team (minus Maddy) joins a contingent of Force soldiers led by Lieutenant Peters and cross the barrier into Oz. When they stop for the night on the highway, Dustin and Archer discover that their cargo is actually healthy human beings packed into crates like sardines. Dustin wants to walk away from the job, but Jackson is determined to see it through. Dustin is about to leave when badgers (frighteningly deformed humans) attack. Six of the seven trucks are blasted to hell, and Dustin is critically injured. The remains of the transport drive frantically for Topeka. They arrive at their destination to find it in smoldering ruins.

THE FUGITIVES
Subject 432 evades Force soldiers through the abandoned Kansas countryside. While taking refuge in a crumbling farmhouse, he befriends a tiny badger girl who saves him from two badgers trying to kill him. He names her Mac. Together they travel toward the barrier separating Oz from the rest of the United States. 432 begins to teach Mac to speak and she helps him to remember his real name: Caleb. The two fugitives reach the barrier, but are intercepted by Force soldiers. Mac is killed before 432 manages to bring down their assailants. 432 disables the barrier and escapes into freedom.

ON FRIDAY DEC 10
Jackson and the team find themselves at the mercy of the sinister regime at Topeka Institute.

Come back and enjoy!

This is War

2010-12-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we've pretty much established at this point that I have some blog commitment issues. In my defense, I don't actually have a computer, and the one I was borrowing got trampled. That's no excuse for neglecting my poor monkeybrains for three months. However, I am determined to turn over a new leaf. In fact I am determined to turn over a treefull of new leaves.

The past few months have been gritty and grueling. It's amazing to me how living in Hollywood and trying to survive the daily grind makes a person doubt who they are. This town in particular has me constantly putting myself under a microscope, examining every part and deeming them all unworthy. However, when I hit my lowest point, a wise and wonderful friend told me, "Never let anyone take your dreams away from you." So I guess there are two options. When it seems like the whole world shouting, "You can't do it!" you can either 1.) melt into a puddle of self-pitying despair, or 2.) stand and fight. Well, I've already tried the melting option and it doesn't help at all. It just makes a gigantic mess. So today I choose to fight. And to all the the people telling me, "It's impossible. You can't do it!": challenge accepted.

2010-08-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

It's funny how you don't appreciate time until there's not enough of it. I have the highest respect for the people who somehow manage to balance work, family, play, and relaxation. I certainly haven't figured that one out yet! Unfortunately finding time to write in my hectic schedule has been a difficult task. Trying to meet my deadline for Sherwood and juggle everything else was stressing out my system so much I could actually feel shocks of adrenaline pumping into my system throughout the day. I finally decided that a once a week deadline in the midst of all the madness was just way too much. So episodes will resume very soon, but they'll be coming once a month instead of once a week.

Not everything has been a struggle. I've done some pretty awesome stuff in the past few weeks besides just working. I got to see my family up north, raft down the Trinity River, catch up on some Smallville, AND I just wrapped an amazing shoot in Lebec (there are some incredible production photos on Facebook for anyone who's interested. Take a look at the Sword Fights Inc. page). In all, I think I have a pretty sweet life. Monkey out.

SHERWOOD - Episode Three

2010-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a long hectic week of work, working out, and more work. I could use a break! I bet you could too. Why don't you kick back and read the next episode of Sherwood!

Previously on Sherwood…
On a dark and stormy night, subject 432, believed by his captors to be catatonic, is wheeled into an operating room at a secure lab. As they lay him on the table, he jumps into action, making quick work of his captors:

Two minutes, he thought, tearing the lab coat from the orderly’s shoulders. He snatched up the gun from the floor and dashed from the operating room. His cramped leg muscles seemed to sigh with relief. God it feels good to move!
The wind howled as he burst into the courtyard. Rain encased him in driving sheets. Above, forked lightning slit open the sky. He charged through the mud toward freedom, his laughter swallowed by the raging storm.

Episode Three: "The Fugitives"

Have fun! And please come back to let me know what you think :) Tell a friend! Help Sherwood pick up steam!

Back on the Range

2010-07-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

Episode Two of Sherwood is ready! For anyone whose week was as long and stressful as mine, here's a little refresher to jog your memory:

Previously on Sherwood…
On a dark and stormy night subject 432 escapes from his prison, blowing it to smithereens behind him. Meanwhile, a few states over, Jackson Cole and his team of desperados rob yet another train of its worthless cargo. After barely escaping a Force squadron attack with their skins, they return to the rotting ruins of Tucson empty handed. A marshal named Harker follows them to the saloon. He’s been tracking their career for a long time and has a job for them transporting live cargo through the most dangerous territory on the Range. And he’s not only offering money:

Harkam’s eyes narrowed wolfishly. “We have information on your wife.”
Jackson’s face drained of color. “I don’t have a wife,” he said flatly.
Harkam lifted a small recording device from his inside jacket pocket. “Recorded three days before Miranda Hawthorne disappeared.”
Harkam pressed a button. The familiar voice, melodic even on the grainy recording, brought Jackson’s heart quivering into his throat. “June 21, AO 55; 0200 hours. Blood samples from subject 432 have—”
Harkam stopped the recording. Jackson stared motionless.
“So,” said Harkam with a triumphant sneer. “Do I have your attention?”

Sherwood - Episode Two: "Blood Money" (Part 2)

Have fun! :D

SHERWOOD HITS THE WEB

2010-07-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

So here it is! Episode One is ready to read. It was a long Pilot, as it were ;) so this one's a...two parter...with Part Two posting next week. For those of you who haven't heard, Sherwood is a post-apocalyptic western "blog saga" presented in weekly episodes. So get a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and follow the link.

Sherwood Episode One: "Blood Money" (Part 1)

If you like what you read, let me know here on monkeybrains. Tell your friends, post it on your facebook, tweet it on your twitter. Talk, talk, talk! Off for some sparring. Talk to you soon!

Life on the Trail

2010-06-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of hiking lately. With the remains of June gloom congesting the valley, trekking up out of the smog is absolutely necessary. The trail is also a great place to people watch. The way people exercise opens a little window into their personalities. Take the shriveled little man who kept shouting to himself, "Come on!" as he stumped up a steep, rocky bit of trail, or the two musclebound guys trying to one up each other in picnic table pushups. Or if you catch me out there you'll see an oddly pale woman stomping intensely up the trail as if she's going to kill someone...you'd probably think she takes herself WAY too seriously. I'm smiling on the inside. It's also astounding how many people spend their time out in nature discussing business. If the trees could talk...they'd tell you of a thousand merger deals, broken hearts, and possibly a few assassination attempts.

Then there are the sights. Theres the old zoo walls that look like the crumbling remains of some ancient civilization. There's the murderous hill that I like to call Purgatory leading up to the bridge where we catch our breath...erm..."stretch." There's the not so secret hiding place tucked away in an oasis overlooking the city, and on the last stretch we have Mickey the Monkey Rock that we wave to as we pass by. A morning on the trail is a good reminder that no matter how hectic life is there is still a quiet place where it's okay to slow down, breathe, and take things in.

And So It Begins...

2010-06-23T20:37:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Soooo this is my new blog, you know, to share my monkey brains with you. This first post is primarily to introduce a little something special! But first -- here's an update on what's been going down in the jungle...

My book (The Shards of Morning for those who haven't heard) was released last October. We had a very successful book signing at the mighty Trinity Theater in Weaverville, California (thank you Ken and Ann!). I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest and encouragement, not to mention sales ;) Recently, Shards has been distinguished as a finalist in both the Indie Excellence Awards and the International Book Awards. A very exciting accomplishment!

On the school front:

Something...something...something AADA. Something...something...something...complete. Translation: I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts! I am now a trained actor...wait...now what? Day job! @$#(%^$#%(@# Okay, so aside from being a nanny to an energetic three year old boy (he's adorable, I love him!), I am hard at work on the sequel to Shards (as well as other projects; keep reading). AND I'm training with a professional stunt team. So don't mess with me. I have a sword.

Now that I have more time on my hands (hahaha not really), we're hitting the pavement to start promoting Shards. To those of you who have already read my book, thank you so much for all your enthusiasm and support! Also, thanks to those of you who wrote reviews on Amazon -- it really helps boost visibility. If you haven't posted one yet, it would be much appreciated :D You can still pick up your copy at http://www.ekmartens.com/ or at Amazon. Tell your friends! Spread the word! Thanks!

As for the little something special, here's what's in my monkey brain. I am addicted to TV. ADDICTED! Specifically awesome, epic, mind-blowing episodic TV (yes, I cried my eyes out during the Lost finale, it was embarrassing). Now in the olden days writers used to deliver their books to readers a chapter at a time. However, they were just ordinary chapters not complete episodes. So, I decided to combine my two obsessions, writing and TV, to create a blog-based episodic saga just for YOU, my beloved friends and readers!

Starting Tuesday, July 6th, I will launch the first episode of my new blog-saga, Sherwood, a post-apocalyptic Western set in 2070 America. Links to the weekly episodes will be posted on monkeybrains each Tuesday. But just in case you miss me, I'll post other musings in between. So visit me often! Monkey out.