Monday, February 8, 2010

Winter Word Games


So if anyone has a hankering for some word games, head over to Sacred Dirt where the games have just begun.

Sacred Dirt happens to be a nearly brand new blog started by my very own sister/newly-agented writer/artist/mystery-nut/musician/Leonardo Da Vinci of modern women who I call Faithy, but who you can call Faith or numerous other names.

More to come on her later but for now, head over for the Winter Word Olympics, aka The Writer Games, with prizes too apparently.





Thursday, February 4, 2010

In which I nearly sacrifice a kidney to the blogosphere

Melodramatic. Who, me? What's the going rate for a kidney nowadays?




















Hi-ya. How are things going? I've missed my blogging buddies a lot. But here I am and, hopefully, there you are too. What's new? What'd I miss? Really. Lay it on me.

I received a blog award yesterday which I'm sure will make some of you chuckle, perhaps even snort. CKHB at Heim Binas Fiction gave me and seven others the coveted "Over the Top Award". Well perhaps coveted is in the eye of the beholder. However, CKHB has an awesome writing blog as good as any out there. I highly recommend you check it out and have been planning on gushing much more about that particular blog and it's creator for quite a while. Stay tuned on that.

Well, in my acceptance speech (read: short-ish comment), I assured Carrie that I would blog today or forfeit a kidney. Which got me thinking. I know. Uh, oh.

Everyone knows it takes sacrifice to pursue your dreams or, in our case, to finish a story. Giving up one's social butterfly status. A regular paycheck. An easy answer when people ask what you do.

So I started wondering, how much would I give up to finish my long-suffering novel? Internet time, tv time, Sid Meir's Civilization time? Hmm. Then I started wondering, what about body parts? Would I give up one kidney? Don't really like messing with internal stuff so much. But still, I think I could survive on one kidney.


















What's your answer? What body part would you give up to finish your novel.

I've decided my answer is my left middle finger, any fingernail or toenail except for my right thumb, my left fourth toe (that I don't remember if it went to the market, stayed home or what) and/or either ear. It's a no for now on the kidney but that's not to say it's off the table. I'm a reasonable guy, usually.

Now I can already hear my mom's voice telling me, like she has so many times. "The journey IS the destination." And that's true. If we're just given something, no matter how important, it's not really ours. We haven't experienced it, earned it. Allegedly. And maybe that is especially true in writing.

The process is everything. The struggle is the joy. And all that.

But if anyone sees or talks to my muse. See if he/she is in the market for a left middle finger. I can still flip people off just fine with my right.


PS Good to be back.
PPS This kidney sculpture pic was swiped from here and the photographer is Ken Ilio.


Thursday, November 12, 2009

Its Rightful Place


The Incomparable Stephanie Perkins posted two great videos on her blog Natural Artificial that both made me laugh very hard. And then...

And then.

She pushed--no reached--too far. She posted a third video that she claimed, let's see, ah yes...

"It's only THE GREATEST VIDEO EVER, EVER, EVER CREATED EVER IN THE HISTORY OF TIME EVER:"

Aforementioned video is entitled "Then he kissed me - Jim Sturgess". Feel free to find it through the above link for comparison or to drool if you're into Hot British Men. Stephanie is, admittedly, the HBM Connoisseur and Writer of Good Words but apparently expert on best video of all time she is not.

I am throwing down the children's book blog gauntlet right now. Certainly if ever such a GREATEST VIDEO EVER (etc, etc) existed it would have two components. FIRSTLY, it would have a timelessness to it (sorry Sturgey) and SECONDLY, it would have Christopher Walken in it. And THIRD, wait there was no third, THIRD, it would be THIS video. Which unfortunately I'm afraid you'll just have to click on through the link because the embedding feature has been disabled.

So there Stephanie Perkins, do your worst. This gauntlet is certainly directed AT YOU! Now if there ARE any other combatants, err, GREATEST VIDEO EVER (etc, etc) claimers, let's have it. Pipe up.

PS Congratulations to Stephanie and my brother for kicking butt in their NANOWRIMO endeavors to date. I wish you the best. Love to hear more success stories for the rest of us writing schlubs.



And finally a photo op from a sorta recent meeting of the minds. Another chapter in the saga of the Watson Brothers take on the children's book publishing world. Amazing what a few late night beer brainstorms will help you come up with. Ninety percent of which would be unfit for children or any civilized society of any sort. But who's counting. We certainly weren't.

Brother collaboration. 34 years in the making.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Catching Up

So I've obviously been a little behind. Perhaps some of you have noticed. Perhaps some of you have even started an online petition to get me writing again (ahem, Jaime!). Well all of your kind words is deeply appreciated and also motivating. Wonderful to feel missed.

THE Stephanie Perkins at Natural Artificial has sad a lot of very nice words about me and my book. Stephanie, AKA, The HBM Connoisseur And Writer of Good Words was the last poor soul to get Dubbed. Thank you so much Stephanie. ANYBODY who has or has not yet checked out Stephanie's amazing blog should quit this one and RUN at the speed of DSL over there right now. Wonderful, hilariosity. Thank you Steph. Did I mention that Steph has her first of two novels coming out next year? Already on my Good Reads list (I think, better check).

My pops. Ricardo Jesus Watsonius. Or Richard Jesse Watson did a very nice post about a certain missing blogger son so he put up some of his(my) kid art. Sorry no naked pictures of me in the bath as a baby, but you get the picture. Thanks Dad for reminding me why I write. I appreciate it dad. Thanks pal.

The immortal Effeminator, and high-up member of the Children's Book Cosa Nostra did a very generous and kind post about me. Also known as Jaime, Jaime is starting another really cool looking blog-thing or msn superfan site called Bound, which I haven't completely figured out though did look at it and it is really cool like EVERYTHING Jaime does. Highly encourage you to check out that too. Jaime has a wonderfully hilarious and wicked sense of humor. Enjoy and thank you so much Jaime. By the way, if any of authors are ever doing book signings in Seattle, Jaime's your gal. She has a business helping authors do their book tours, even including muffins. It's called First Edition Media Services and like I mentioned before, Jaime's connected up the yin-yang. I've heard of editors giving Jaime lip before, they had union problems within the week. True story (you know but completely fictionalized).

I'm sure I'm missing some but these will do for now. Really cool guys.

Big News

Hi.

Hello there blogging pals. Have you missed this mug? I've sure missed you. I'm reading a book right now by Humphrey Carpenter called The Inklings that I borrowed/stole from my dad. How does that relate to missing you?

Well, the Inklings were a group of Oxford professors and other pals, mostly of C.S. Lewis, who got together to read stuff they were writing or to have discussions about all sorts of things. One of these pals was J.R.R. Tolkien and another was Charles Williams amongst a small group of others. They'd read their poetry aloud and Tolkien regularly read from his new hobbit book (not The Hobbit but the sequel of sorts). There was mostly beer, tea or stronger stuff involved and it usually took place in Lewis' Magdalen College rooms or at the "Beer and Baby" pub amongst others.

What I'm getting at is that I've always envied this group of incredibly talented writers that were able to hang out, share things they were working on with each other, and above all, encourage each other as writers. They started off as an informal literary group, and perhaps that was always at the core, but ultimately it was really just a group of sort of like-minded friends all passionate about literature and writing, particularly the idea of mythopoeia, or the making (and power) of myth. "On the other hand there is, the belief shared by Tolkien and Lewis that myth can sometimes convey truth in a way that no abstract argument can achieve: a very important notion behind both men's work, and an idea that was certainly shared in some degree by Williams." (Carpenter, p. 157)

"Blessed are the legend-makers with their ryhme
of things not found within recorded time.
It is not they that have forgot the Night,
or bid us flee to organized delight..." Tolkien from Mythopoeia

Writing is a solitary battle. Sure there is joy and discovery, but it is also hard work and the promise of daunting criticism and rejection. Which is why I've envied the Inklings. And yet, through this funny thing called the internet, I've found (or been found by) my own Inklings. While it may not be JUST as good as getting to see you in person and shoot the breeze, drink good beer and or/coffee (or tea I suppose) and read our stories aloud to each other, it nearly is. And who knows, maybe we can even have a beer night where we toast each other and submit a piece of anything. Who knows. And for those who don't drink, coffee, ginger ale, or tea work fine too. Maybe this will happen soon. Let me know what you think.

BUT, All this is really saying that I have missed you all and am very glad to be back now.

And in HONOR of the occasion of our reunion, I have brought a tasty piece of news with me for you. You didn't think I'd come back empty-handed did you? In fact, I've sort of been waiting to post until I could share this with you.

The long and short news is that Amy is prego. Yep. The bun is in the oven, her eggo is prego. Been hard keeping that secret, though a couple of you might already know. She just had an ultrasound done (for free love ya Canada) and she's about eight and a half to nine weeks (or so) along. Accompanying the two inch (or so) baby, apparently the boob fairy and the nausea fairy have also visited, though the nausea fairy is much less welcome.


















Now, I'm not saying I'm suspicious or anything. But I'll just add that our baby better not come out with a tail and golden fur.

We were very surprised and now are very excited. We, especially me, were still getting used to the whole concept until I saw this.

















That pretty much did it for me. This is happening. Whew.

And Amy's reaction after she heard I put her uterus on the world wide web?



Wednesday, September 9, 2009

09/09/09 09:09 Day

So today in honor of Studly Super Spouse Jarrod's visit on the last comment section and all other awesome spouses of our writing/illustrating community, I have an idea. Let's face it. We just couldn't do it without your encouragement and support. So today on 09/09/09 09:09 day, I'm opening it up to all of you. Tell me about your hunk-a-burning love, your confidant, your best pal. For those not hitched or attached at the hip an any way, tell us about your best pal anyways, whoever they are even if not the romantic kind.

To get us started on this special day, here's something to get us started. Yes I did post a link to the trailer a long time ago, but here's a refresher. Not the best, if you want that I recommend this link here and load the high def trailer. But that's just me. (Dangit just watched the imbedded clip and I think it's cropped a little for some reason. Go to the link for much better preview.)


I'll start.
My best friend also happens to be wife Amy Irene Watson. Well, best if we're excluding our dog, because otherwise they kind of have a co-best friend status with me. Don't worry, the other night Linus and Amy were on the couch (yeah) and I was on the floor (yeah) next to them and she says, "You're the love of my life," in that cute sweet lovey-dovey way. I didn't even have to look to know who she was talking about. After she was done cuddling with Linus, she leaned back on the couch and gave me a "hi, what's up" look. As I gave her my, "you know damn well what look" the lightbulb went on and she gave me a big hug and said, "well, you are too!"

Right. Linus and I know where we stand. Son of a bitch, literally. (this joke never gets old cuz if you don't know and I don't know how you couldn't unless this is your first visit, Linus is our dog-son).

Amy is my live-in writing coach, editor, boss, best pal, encourager, beautiful distraction, task master, gourmet chef, all-pro cuddler, hard ass, muffin ass (it's a Watson thing), goof ass, and resident go-go girl. Amy is a dancing queen and gets fully into it as she dances around the joint. She has a pretty good arsenal of moves too as she grew up as a figure skater. She has some pretty decent Michael Jackson moves. Linus is her dancing partner of choice. They're working on a ball room routine right now.

Amy's a bit on the shy side, though not at all at home or once you get to know her. She is mildly addicted to UsedVictoria.com and The Dog Whisperer. She thinks Bobby Flay, Matt Damon and the Seahawks new tight end, John Carlson are all pretty easy on the eyes. And luckily for me, me too. It's the gap tooth smile, gotta be.

Amy is the best person I've ever known. She's humble and cool and I think we suit each other pretty dang good.

All right now it's your turn. Wanna gush about your stud-muffin or stud-muffin-ette. Now's your chance. Gush away. If you want to include a picture I will post them on the next post. You can email me them at bwatson23@hotmail.com or put them on your own blog and give me a link in the comments section and i'll swipe it.

So gush away. Romantic, interesting, whatever tidbits you want us to know, throw it in. Funny, even better. Happy 9 day everybody. Tell me/us about your lovebug.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

I DUB THEE...



So it's not Saturday. It's Sunday. And I'm late. Deep apologies to those in need of their dubbing fix. Jaime. (yes she constitutes my entire dubbing fan base) Sorry Jaime.

This Dubbee comes all the way from the right coast and the land of Sweet Tea and Krispy Kreme (it originated there). Oh Sweet Tea how I miss you so. And Hot Now, what I wouldn't do to be there for you when you are turned on.

I found out about Stephanie Perkins from reading her comments on somebody else's blog (I think Natalie, a ninja star in her own right) and they drew me to her blog, Natural Artifical where I planned just to give it a glance and a peek but was instead "BVVVVVV tractor beam, sucked me right in." She is funny, very nice, passionate about writing and reading but especially about her HBMs. If you're going to get to know Stephanie you're going to have to also put up with all the HOT BRITISH MEN that are hanging all over her.


















One more thing I like about Stephanie? She had the whole country to choose from but she decided to pick the best regional SCBWI conference to attend where she had one of those special magical connections happen with two people, Laini Taylor (you'll just have to read about it, really cool connection with these two, one more reason Laini is awesome) and an agent, Kate Schafer Testerman and so on and now is debuting as a writer with a TWO BOOK DEAL with Dutton (Penguin). Her first novel which I am incredibly excited to read is Anna and the Boy Masterpiece which will be released in Fall 2010 (because it just got bumped UP a year, SWEET!) and her second novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door which overlaps the first book but isn't a sequel. There will be kissing.

Stephanie's writing adventure is very inspiring to me and I encourage you to go read it if you want to feel good about getting published. She is refreshingly honest about her writing struggles over the years and gives some excellent thoughts about the process. And she was a librarian. And has a golden retriever (or is it two dogs?) and I think a cat named Mr. Tumnus... (is this true too?)

So to business.

I BJW, admirer of elephant-sized English Mastiffs and Hot Now gooey Krispy Kreme donuts, do with the deep admiration and another case of funny-clever writing envy, with a shared love of good movies and great books, under great illusion of my own importance and garish ramblings and with utter contempt for any suggestions for self-restraint...

DO DUB THEE...

The HBM Connoisseur and Writer of Good Words.

You've earned it. You are now The Authority. Your quest for the betterment of children's books and attractive Brits has enriched us all. We here at I, uh, think I killed my muse think that you very well may outshine us all. To say that I--err--we foresee good things in your writing/publishing future is an understatement. And if I was abandoned and stuck in a fully-stocked and cozy coffee shop for years and could only read ONE blog, out of the oh-so-many great ones that I love, I would read yours. I'm certain that I will enjoy your books just as much. Carry on HBM Connoisseur and Writer of Good Words, the future awaits.



Sorry fellas she's taken by this lucky guy. Though if you're really really good looking and a brooding sort and have the right sort of accent, she may be able to fit you in as a live-in imaginary boyfriend but you probably need some fame to boot. How, let's call him "Jarrod," managed to do this maneuver is beyond me. And yes, that is the Wienermobile.


I really like "Jarrod" and I've never even met him. Apparently he's this sort of guy.

And he rocks. Literally.







Another cool thing about Stephanie. She goes to Boston and the only picture she takes are next to Robert Mcloskey's ducks.




If you haven't yet read Stephanie's blog. DO IT! Warning, it is addictive and there's that tractor beam thing too.