A Great Blog

I Am Radley

2011-12-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

RIP Radley
200? to 2011

Radley survived Hurricane Katrina and cancer, but in the end the one-two punch of Cushing's Disease and Diabetes was too much for him.

Radley died Sunday morning from an adverse reaction to his Cushing's medication and a severe diabetic episode.

He rallied briefly around 5 am, allowing Jamie and me to spend an hour with him.
He was his old self. Talking to us and giving us kisses.
But by the end of the hour he was beginning to get wobbly again.
He laid down beside us, resting his head on Jamie's leg and in my hands.

Within minutes, he was gone.

I first saw Radley on the web. He'd survived Hurricane Katrina and needed someone to adopt him.
Something about him spoke to me.

After six years, something about him still speaks to me.

RADLEY'S FAVORITE PASTIMES

Being Pet

Sleeping

Eating

He loved the park. And hated rain.

He was a sweet, good-natured dog who just loved being part of the pack.

He'd stay up all night with Jamie while she worked on her doctorate. Three tough years made easier by greeting the dawn together.

He traveled with us from Texas to Virginia to California.
He was always up for the journey. Always happy to be along for the ride.

Even after cancer surgery, he was a happy dog.

A loving dog.

Mostly he loved Jamie and me.

Thank you, Radley. You were our best friend.

If you knew Radley and would like to share you memories please leave your comment in the section below.

Lonely Chainsaw Maniac

2011-10-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Lonely Chainsaw Maniac
by: RsoBob

First Readable Draft Complete!

2011-06-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Huzzah!

My writing partner and I just finished the first readable draft of our latest screenplay.

It's now in the hands of our first readers -- who'll tell us how far we are from final draft of our latest screenplay.

Monster Librarian Digs Monster and Me

2011-05-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Monster and Me series just got a new -- and positive! -- review on MonsterLibrarian.com.

Check out the review HERE.

And check out Monster Librarian's complete site HERE. Or follow the informative blog HERE. Lots of recommendations for fun, scary reads -- whether you're a kid or somewhat more adultish. If you're a reader, librarian or teacher you'll find both blog and website informative and helpful.

My favorite part of the review is where the reviewer, Kirsten Kowalewski, mentions why it took her a while to review the series: her kids kidnapped the books for almost a year. Ha! I love that I have fans willing to commit felonies just to read my stories. Is there any higher form of praise?

5 Weeks = Rough Rough Draft

2011-03-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

The overly-long, unreadable, horrifically-excruciating-to-write First Rough Draft of the new script is done!

Now to the job of creating the first READABLE draft.

A couple more weeks to that happy day.

In the meantime, the world outside my cubby hole has turned vicious over the past couple weeks. If you want to make a donation to help the Quake/Tsunami victims in Japan, iTunes makes it easy. Click on the image below.

If you want to get something for yourself while you're at it, the New York Dolls just released their newest album: Walking Backwards in High Heels. That's album number 3 from the new New York Dolls - which means there's now more albums from the new New York Dolls than the first New York Dolls. If you don't count compilation, live, or rare track discovery albums. In that case, the new New York Dolls have 738 albums to go before they catch up.

You can check the album out at iTunes by clicking on the album cover below.

Good stuff to help you forget what's going on outside your window.

Cool n Crafty Projects To Fight Off Bordeom

2011-02-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I'm proud to be associated with Capstone? They make some cool shizzle.

Case in point, the newest Make Stuff pages on their web site.

Afraid you or a loved one might be in danger of becoming bored? Hop over to this web site for project and craft ideas, lessons on folding or drawing things. Learn recipes and magic tricks. While away those hours and have something to show for it!

To get you started, click on a pic below and Voila! Boredom Be Gone!

The classic Aces on Top magic trick.

The Long Ranger paper airplane.

And my personal favorite - Intestines In A Jar!

Wheeeeeee and Yee-ha!

Happy VD!

2011-02-14T07:22:00.000-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

The Full Immersion

2011-02-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

Expect the posts to continue being hopscotchy for a bit.

My writing partner and I just finished the outline for our next script. Scene cards are divvied up and we're throwing ourselves into the first draft.

More soon when we come up for air.

No

2011-01-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

The old lady didn't make it.

Her name was Evelyn Worthington. She was 68 and suffered from MS.

Sometimes the story doesn't have a happy ending.

Sorry.

Ongoing Coverage with CBS local affiliate here.

Fire in the Neighborhood

2011-01-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

This is the sight that greeted me and Radley on our walk this morning.

Just a few hours ago that smoking pile of rubble was a multi-million dollar home. It towered over the block complete with third story porches and turrets. It had a four car garage with a garage apartment.

Word right now is the guy who lived in the apartment got out all right. But the old woman who lived in the house in unaccounted for. I hope it turns out she was visiting relatives.

As you can see -- despite the poor zoom on the Flip Cam -- the house is completely gone.

I was struck by a handful of images:

The tired firefighters, crossing the street to get coffee and water. Their clothes, arms and faces covered in soot.

The lookyloo mother smiling and pointing out the smoldering ruins to her three kids, treating it like a trip to the penguin exhibit at the zoo.

And weirdly, one lone potted plant. You can just make it out at the end of video. It's center frame, highlighted by the white smoke billowing behind it. Not only did the flower pot survive, the flowers survived. The bright red petals jumping out in stark contrast to the blackened wood and swirling smoke. How strange that it should be surrounded by devastation and yet remain untouched.

If I was a glass half full kind of guy I'd take that as a sign the old lady is safe.

For more on the story, the Houston Chronicle has pictures. And the local CBS affiliate has what little info is currently available.

Happy Boxing Day!

2010-12-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

As promised: The Second Christmakwanzika Posting!
For your holiday pleasure, here is Gerry Phillips the Manualist performing his hand fart rendition of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes."

What's that got to do with Christmas? Who cares! It's hand farts. It's funny!

If you love Gerry -- and who doesn't -- then you might want to considering dropping by his web site and buying his DVD. For yourself or that certain very special someone.

And if you love The Who, their latest album is one of the best albums of 2010.
Live at Leeds, the Super Deluxe Edition. Yes, one of the best albums of 2010 is a new version of an album from 1970!

But don't consider that a knock against the music of 2010. This is just one really great album.

What was once a 6 song LP is now a 4CD, 65 song set. An entire extra concert is now included -- the long-thought-lost second night performance in Hull. If you're a Who fan, you need to buy this album. Townshend, Moon, Daltrey and Entwistle are all in top form here. Both nights. And mixed into those 65 songs, you get two live performances of the entire rock opera Tommy. Great stuff.

Merry Christmakwanzika!

2010-12-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

The first of two Christmakwanzika posts!

Holiday love sent your way from The Ramones.

And congrats to The Ramones on their Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. I'm dying to see the end of the night jam when Julie Andrews sings I Wanna Be Sedated.

Till then, Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight) will do nicely.

And if you haven't bought that certain special someone a gift yet, consider giving the gift of Timeless Rock and/or Roll:

What Do Kids Like To Read? Ask Them.

2010-12-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

Number One Question I'm Constantly Asked: How do I get my kids to read?

Obvious answer: Give them books they'll enjoy.

Obvious follow up question: How do I know what my kids will enjoy?

Obvious final answer: Ask them.

In case you don't trust what your kids tell you -- or you want a wider sample -- Renaissance Learning has asked about 6.2 million kids that exact question.

The answers appear in the newest annual report called What Kids Are Reading: The Book-Reading Habits of Students in American Schools. It includes a section devoted to struggling and/or reluctant readers complete with a list of popular high-low books.

My publisher, Capstone / Stone Arch Books, is featured prominently in the report. Which makes sense. Their speciality is creating books for kids who think they don't like to read. Books that turn reluctant readers into enthusiastic reading fans.

So download the free report, peruse it with a highlighter, then drop by your local bookstore or library and check out some promising titles.

Or better yet, have your kids do it.

They can treat it like one of those flyers from Scholastic Book Club. Remember those? Good times.

Close Call

2010-12-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

What do you do when your hard drive decides it's going to become unreadable and your backup glitches out on you?

Besides panic.

Or cry to your Facebook friends.

Luckily, I've bought all my computers from the same place since the 80s: Manco -- on Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale, CA. And I haven't bought from them just because they were around the corner from me in Burbank. I bought my last Mac from them when I was living in Virginia. And took the time to ship them my old Mac so they could port my computer life over to the new one. Smooth and clean -- and fast.

Why do that when there's an Apple Store nearby?

The best reason is because they are fantastically kind and bright people. Les, Jerry and Margie treat you like family. But for those of you who don't do business based on warm and toasty feelings (and shame on you if you fall into that category!) there's an obvious practical reason.

For as long as you own your computer, you can call or email them for help. With anything.

You're having trouble opening your email? Call them.

iTunes suddenly can't find your 30,000 song library? Email them.

You foolishly decide to defrag your hard drive and it fritzes out during the process becoming completely unreadable? And the backup disk image you made of your drive just to be super-safe winds up having a glitch and it too is unreadable?

Email and phone them. With repeated questions. Over the weekend even.

And Voila! Your hard drive and backup are resurrected. Disaster avoided.

They've saved my hardware, data and butt more times than I can count.

So there you have it -- two Big Reasons I've bought from Manco since Flock of Seagulls was considered relevant.

What more do you need?

How about they know their stuff -- more so than the supposed Gurus at your local Apple Store.

Les turned my wife into a Mac convert, making her move from PC super-easy. He's like the Rick Steves of the Mac World. He sat with her and showed her everything she needed to know to become an ex-PC-Pat and make the permanent move to MacLand. She loves her Mac now like it's her high-school sweetheart -- and would never buy a PC again. Or buy from anyone other than Manco.

My writing partner has given into my harping and is set to abandon his PC and buy the new MacAir. From Manco. And he doesn't even live in Los Angeles.

See. You don't have to live around the corner to buy from them. If you do live in Los Angeles, it's foolish to buy from anyone else. But the guys at Manco are there for their customers even if you don't live around the corner.

Of course, if you can't just drop by their offices, you'll be missing out on some seriously tasty food. Les, Jerry and Margie are serious foodies and usually have some majorly tasty snacks -- and they share freely!

Like I said, they treat their customers like family.

If you want more thumbs up endorsements, feel free to check out the comments at yelp or insiderpages.

Now, I'm going to get back to work on my freshly restored Mac.

Thank you, Manco!

Typing Away

2010-11-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

By Sommeregger http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Continental_typewriter.jpg

Hello Dear Reader!

Sorry I've been incommunicado for bit of a time slip.

I'm whirling through several projects that will provide more lengthy entertainment for you than a quick, web/diary entry here.

The two optioned scripts are making their way through the funding maze, so my writing partner and I are diving into a new one. Outlining is almost complete and we should start the actual writing in a few weeks.

I've also got some solo projects in various stages of completion -- middle grade, YA and adult. Graphic novel and prose. Enough of a mix to keep things interesting. And busy.

I'm also way behind on a promised comic to a friend with a superhero website. Story done, but my Wacom tablet died on me and I'm having to draw old-school. It ain't pretty. Sorry, Blake. I'll get something semi-comprehensible to you soonishly.

Finally, there was a rumored school visit in the works. Some folks on the East Coast really love Dwight and Gabby and are anxious to have me come do a shindig for their students. I think that's making its way through funding channels too.

So lots of things doin'. I'll keep you posted. And make a solid attempt to make those postings more regular. Ish.

Happy 70

2010-10-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Dear John,

Thanks.

original photo by zugaldia at http://flickr.com/photos/23526149@N00/53723490

Theme Song for the Day

2010-09-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have a meeting with my writing partner in about an hour so the longer post I'm working on will have to wait till later. But in keeping with my promise to post two to three times a week...

Here's the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain having a go at Ennio Morricone's classic theme to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly -- one of my all-time favorite films. Mucho Excellente! Sing along!

Or better yet, set aside three hours and immerse yourself in one of the coolest movies ever made.

Whoopsie-Daisical

2010-09-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Man, what a wild and bumpy month just slid down the worm hole. At least I'm assuming it was a worm hole because it feels like a major time slippage.

It's almost October? How'd that happen?

So new pledge. I'll do my best to make posts on average of two to three times a week. Doable? You have my most lackadaisical pledge!

When last we spoke, I promised some titles for those of you trying to build a library for reluctant readers. I gave my friend a list designed to build that library fast. I'll gussy that list up and post it over the next couple of whiles for those interested.

Honest. This time for sure.

And The Winners Are...

2010-08-20T00:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! That was fast! Goodreads just sent me the names of the winners.

So without further ado, congratulations to:

Eric T of Provo, Anna S of Lake Mary, and Kady L of Oceanside!

I'll package up your books and send them out pronto.

Thanks again to everyone who participated. I truly appreciate your interest in Gabby and Dwight.

For those who didn't win but still really want to read the book, please consider requesting a copy from your local public or school librarian. LIbrarians are an endangered species these days and they could definitely use your support.

Mucho Thanks!

Goodreads Contest Closed

2010-08-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

That's it! The week is over and the Goodreads contest is closed. I'm amazed and humbled that over 650 people entered for a chance to win a copy of Dwight's latest adventure, Monster Speller.

I'll let you know who won just as soon as Goodreads picks the winners and notifies me.

Stay tuned...

...And thanks to everyone who participated!

One Day Left to Enter Contest

2010-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Heads up everyone! There's just one day left to enter the contest over at GoodReads.

Over 550 people have already signed up for their chance at a copy of Monster Speller.

Golly!

And good luck!

Dwight says, "You LAAAARG Me! You Really LAAAAAARG Me!"

2010-08-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's only the second day of the Goodreads Monster Speller Giveaway and already over 200 people have entered the contest.

I'm floored. And honored.

Plus, it's a big boost to Dwight's fragile self-esteem.

There's still several days to go in the contest. Just click on the button above to enter for your chance to win a copy of Monster Speller. Good luck!

Contest Starts Friday the 13th!

2010-08-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

Enter to win one of three copies of Monster Speller that I'm giving away on GoodReads.com.

Contest starts this Friday and runs for one week only!

So remember to come back here between Friday the 13th and Friday the 20th! Then click on the button at the top of the page for your chance to win a copy of Dwight's latest adventure!

Winners will be chosen at random by GoodReads from the pool of entrants.

Good luck!

Rules of Engagement or 3 Paths to Derelunctize the Reluctant Reader

2010-08-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

So you want to build a library that stands a reasonable chance of tempting your Reluctant Reader. Good for you! But what if you want more than a reasonable chance? Are there any guidelines to help you do that?

Yes!

Here are your rules. Reluctant Readers love books that are:

1. Funny
2. Filled with Action
3. Full of Freaky Shizzle

If you can find a book with all three, you're gold.

Okay. 1 and 2, those are pretty straight forward. But 3? What's Freaky Shizzle?

Freaky Shizzle means anything paranormal, scary, horrific, gross and/or likely to induce vomiting. This includes tales of unbelievably over-the-top child abuse. Especially includes.

Kids eat up stories where other kids are forced to endure physical and psychological trauma that would make a Green Beret break down and cry for his mommy. A mommy that, in one of these books, would arrive on the scene just in time to beat him senseless then yell at him to stop his x#@&*!@ crying.

Back when I taught middle school, A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer (and its sequels!) passed through my class like Ebola. I had to replace that set of books four times in one year because they were being checked out and read so often the paperbacks were disintegrating.

Personally, I didn't get it. Every time I heard the title, I thought of Charles Addams and The Addams Family.

How I wish the book could have been A Cousin Called It! THAT I would have read!

Which leads me to Rule Number 4 in your 3 Rule set.

4. These books aren't for you

They are for the Reluctant Reader. You need to turn off your inner snob and not pass judgment on these books. Oh! I hear you say. I can't let my kids read junk!

Why not? They're reading. Isn't that the point?

And besides. Who says the books are junk? To you maybe. But these books aren't for you. They're for that Reluctant Reader. The one who started out the school year telling you he hates reading. The one who just enjoyed that "junky" book so much he's gone back into your library to see if you have any more books just like it.

You should consider that a success.

I've Had A Request!

2010-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine just found out he'll be teaching three periods of reluctant readers this fall. Not something he was expecting. Or prepared for.

He asked me if it was possible to find a book that a non-reader will actually read. Are there any books so enjoyable a reluctant reader will buzz through it -- then consider reading a second book?

In short, are there any books that will kick-start a Reading Nuclear Reaction in a kid who hates reading?

My short answer -- Yes!

Longer answer -- each kid is different, so the book that starts that reaction will be different for each kid. Which means filling a library (school, classroom or personal) with as many books as possible in order to reach as many kids as possible.

According to a recent report from Google, there are about 129,864,880 books in the world. That's a lot to choose from.

My friend wondered if I could narrow that down a bit. I said yes.

Then it dawned on me. This is my chance to give my blog the semblance of semi-coherency! At least temporarily.

After all, I know a lot of teachers and parents. Many of them have asked me this very question. Why not post my suggestions here?

So that's what I'll be doing. For the next couple of whiles, but especially over the next few weeks as students start back to school, I'll post titles of various graphic novels and books I recommend to reluctant readers. In fact, I'll tag these entries Reluctant Reader Recommends. That should help anyone who's interested find the entries.

Now if you're thinking why should I listen to him? I first say, Woo-Hoo! Someone who doesn't know me is reading my blog! At last!

Then I say, OK. If you insist on a Justification Bio, here it is:

In my not-so-distant past, I taught both middle school and high school Language Arts. My specialty was working with reluctant readers. I've also written a few books for Stone Arch Books, a publisher with a reputation for hooking reluctant readers. Basically, I at least know enough about the subject that I was able to help out a panicked friend.

I hope my recommendations prove useful to you as well.