Colton Verne

I started out with a very vague idea for the main character of my Sophisticuffs series, Colton Verne. I wanted him to be a post-apocalyptic lone ranger with daddy issues and a smart mouth. Oddly enough, a Wolf Parade Song entitled "You are a runner and I am my father's son" provided some inspiration (I've had Spencer Krug on loop when I write, especially during the inception of this book).

Here are the lyrics:

I got a number on me
I got a number
Won’t make it through the high noon sun
Well I am my Father’s Son
I am my Father’s Son
His bed is made

I was a hero
Early in the morning
I ain’t no hero
In the night
I am my Father’s Son
And I’ll build a house inside of you
I’ll go in through the mouth
I’ll draw three figures on your heart
And one of them will be me as a boy
And one of them will be me
And one of them will be me watching you run
Watching you run
Into the high noon sun
Watching you run
Farther than guns will go
You are a runner
With a stolen voice
ou are a runner
And I am my Father’s Son
I am my Father’s Son
I am my Father’s Son

An Odyssey of Sorts

As I write my first pulp/sci-fi/western/horror/adventure novel, I am finding myself structuring it like an epic, episodic poem. I think my current chapter is my "Night of the Lotus Eeaters." Well, they eat something, anyway, and its creepy. Cannibalism: always a must in my opinion. I mean, why not go there? Is there a reason not to? I don't think so.

This first book (I'm planning a series of four or five) jumps around from adventure to adventure as the main characters establish their role in the world. From then on, the plot thickens, and no-one is safe.

I've been reading a lot of Haruki Murakami. That guy will change the way you think about the novel. Check him out, seriously!

Loft!

Kory and I are moving into a loft this weekend. It has been a rushed deal, but it is a cool space with ample natural light, and I am looking forward to setting up a little writing nook in one of the corners.

Once we have everything moved over there I am planning on putting all my Tom Waits on the ipod dock and arraning and decorating until it is finished. Should be a good time.

Chchchchchchcchanges!

My life has been....fluid, as of late. I just started a new job at a great non-profit organization as a grant writer, and I am also looking for a cool loft to rent with my fiancee. As you can imagine, my writing has suffered, but I am determined to get back on the horse this week. I have too many ideas that I will soon forget to not get them down on paper (or word processor--paper just sounds better, don't you think?).

Anyhow, back to work. If you are reading this, I hope you had a pleasant Easter full of chocolate bunnies, plastic eggs, ham, and ressurected zombie sonsofgod.

Skin Deep

Hey, while I'm shamelessly self-promoting, my fiancee has a kick-ass webcomic called Skin Deep that you should all read.

Find it at skindeepcomic.com

It's well worth your time. It's got a Sasquatch of sorts. There is a reason we are getting married.

Check it out!

I'm published! Check out my story "A Coat of Many Feathers" at redinkjournal.com.

It's got a foul-mouthed angel, what's not to like?

First Post

I'm getting serious about my writing, so I thought I would create a blog where I post random thoughts and ideas pertaining to my current projects. This is the virgin post--isn't it glorious. It's over now. More to come.

Ben