Red Light Bytes: 11-3-22
Updates, Op-Eds, Culture, & More!
The News
SERIES NEWS: Art for the series rolls on, all five of the main stories are in the revision phase, and promotional releases have begun, with a teaser for The War III having debuted on Wednesday. The cover story promises a venture into horror as Gibson and General Knox go on a tumultuous journey through the desert and into the furthest reaches of a terrifying, artificial insanity.
EXCLUSIVES NEWS: Episode 1 of Alan Firedale: Desert Delinquent has been fully written! This electric chapter in the forthcoming in-world audiobook drama chronicles the rebellious vagabond’s team-up with an officious urbanite, both of whom get caught up in the mysterious destruction of a string of small towns. Recording and production continues on both this paid original and the free pilot. Exclusive prose for the paid subscription is also being penned, with a potential release date as soon as mid-to-late December, post-launch.
Battlefield Thoughts
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum: I stopped caring.
Not that I stopped caring about quality of output or about my message, or about my life in general, but that I finally stopped worrying.
Arts and entertainment are probably one of the funniest places to be stressed out about things, because at the end of the day, you have to put your life into perspective. You’re not curing diseases, you’re not bringing about world peace, you’re not even running a soup kitchen. You’re making cool stuff that’s turned loose on the world. It has meaning and purpose, and what I’m saying isn’t meant to diminish that, but I recently had a moment to step back from it and realize what it is I’m doing.
I tend to be a worrywart in the Nth degree. And in my mind, I have plenty to worry about. I’m juggling written work, audio production, and film production, with classes, a job, and IRL shenanigans taking up the background bandwidth. The fact I’m not a total driveling mess is perhaps a testament to both the rejuvenating quality of passion projects, and a testament to sheer stamina.
And the power of coffee. Massive quantities of coffee.
But I’ve reached a point where my time is so devoted to the completion of the projects, the If-factor never crosses my mind. “What IF it doesn’t work?” “What IF I fail?” “What IF things go wrong?”
There is literally no time for me to ponder it. And I think that’s the best I could ask for. I still find time to relax, sure, but I’ve realized that finding your workflow is key to alleviating that stress. Get into a good strong habit and work that like there’s no tomorrow. It gives you something steady, something you can count on beyond the outstanding factors, like collaborators or the challenges life flings your way.
No real profound moral here other than this: if old habits die hard, make sure your work ethic is the kind that comes with a complimentary shell of Adamantium. Because in the end, when you’ve got your eye on the prize at all times, come hell or high water, the prize is yours.
Get out there and get on it.
Streetwise Caviar
I’ve got a wild few weeks ahead of me, so I want to streamline this section in way that makes it easier for me to assemble, yet still enriching for readers. And I think I’ve got the solution.
For the month of November, I’ll be dishing up a weekly set of music that inspires me and the series. 10 tracks compiled in a YouTube playlist. There will be hits, there will be deep cuts, but it will give you all a window into my creative process.
This Week’s Set: Ten-Ton Radio
The theme is AOR and AOR-adjacent. A bit on the lighter side, sure, but with an undeniable edge. While the production and songwriting might lend itself to dreamier fare by the likes of UK outfit FM, but there are some wall-to-wall runs with powerhouse vocalists. From living legends like Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz) to underrated demigods like Benny Mardones and Clyde Holly of Biloxi.
Crank it to 11 and have a killer time!
A Tale to Tell…
Or a poem rather. This week’s slice of short fiction takes the form of a poem, penned by a soldier under the command of General Leonard Ford Godred, written at the time of the General’s funeral.
“For the A #1” is a humorful ballad eulogizing one of the most formidable in the Force, then rechristened by the black wolf as the Ambiorixians. I sometimes balk at rhyme scheme in poetry, having penned free verse so often prior to writing 365, but I’m rather pleased with the flow of this in particular, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
May God bless you and this Force. Until next time!
Keep It up JC hopefully I'll catch up on the back log of your stuff I need to read before the next part of your story is out. And God's speed