Changing Things Up

This blog has become something of an ignored bastard of late.

The problem with blogging for me has always been having too many different things to write about, but they’re all over the place topic-wise.

Going back to 1999, I’ve drawn and published comics, and written about the following: comics, writing, TV, movies, parenting, weight loss, humorous stuff, gaming, and, of course, rants.

I’ve always felt a need to separate the content I create, rather than put it all in one spot.

I figured people who know me for one sort of thing won’t necessarily like another. For instance, people reading my old humorous parenting blog might not care too much for my horror stuff.

I had planned earlier this year to post more here, on various subjects. But I got so overwhelmed with thinking about what I should put here, that I didn’t bother posting much of anything.

But recently, I’ve been inspired by Austin Kleon’s blog (and tumblr), which covers a number of things that inspire him.

And I thought, “This is what I want to do!”

In addition to all the different stuff mentioned above, I also want to talk a bit more about the creative process, and … talk with other creatives.

One other thing I’ve done a lot in the past (both as a journalist and as a blogger) is interview people. I like to think I’m pretty good at it, especially when it comes to asking questions you might not see in your standard interviews.

I’ve interviewed everyone from politicians to musicians to syndicated (and non-syndicated) comic strip creators, to writers, to actors, and I tend to ask not so much about what they’ve done, but the hows and why’s which led to where they are.

So, I’m going to be doing some of that here, too. I’ll be launching a podcast at some point in the coming weeks where I’ll be interviewing people whose work inspires me in some way. It might be writers, artists, photographers, musicians, or almost anyone who creates something which catches my eye. It is my hope that the interviews will offer something to both the casual reader and to fellow artists.

ALSO, A NEW BOOK DIRECTION

As hard as it is to believe, I’ve yet to write a full book. Along with Sean Platt, I’ve co-written 12 full-length books in 6 different serials, and nearly 18 short stories in the past two years, but I haven’t yet written a self-contained novel.

After wrapping Z 2135, Sean and I got to talking, and were contemplating our next project.

We have a few titles we need to write a new season in, including ForNevermore, but we decided we needed a change of pace was in order.

Let’s write a standalone book!

So, this week I’m starting the first draft of a novel that’s been in my head for more than 20 years. It’s the book I’ve probably tried to write more than any other, and had always given up on it at some point.

But that was before I was writing millions of words a year.

I think I’m ready to finally tackle this story.

I’ll talk a bit more about it in the coming weeks. I will say this much about it, though: it is a ghost story.

That’s it for now. I just wanted to touch base and let you know what’s going on, and what’s coming next.

As always, thank you for reading,

Dave