Now that UNBOUND Book Two: Air has been safely released, and just before diving into the final polishing of Book Three: Water (for release at month’s end), it’s time to squeeze in the second part of UNBOUND-like anime, this time of the darker variety. In UNBOUND Anime Part Onewe covered the lighter, fanciful and more dramatic and romantic titles, this time we turn it over…
“Balance” is a key element in the novel, and here we delve into the more psychological and horrifying themes. In a suspenseful book, you can’t have Good without the Evil, including the misguided, traumatized and broken characters in these shows, those avengers swept away in the tumultuous currents of justice and revenge.
First, I ought to warn the more gentle Visitor that, being darker, these videos (and anime) are mostly on the violent side, and all that that entails. While I dislike over-the-top gratuitous violence, that definition may be a bit subjective, so venture forth bravely
That being said, I’d humbly suggest you watch these full screen for maximum effect; it helps greatly. Also, each bold-faced title links to the Anime News Network Encyclopedia entries for information on each show, some with samples to watch. All of these entries are acclaimed for one reason or another; use the ANN ratings for guidance, as well to see if the genres suit your tastes. While these are mostly on the dark side, I won’t enjoy a show unless there’s something redeeming about it, and these delivered in spades!
As I mentioned previously, these series have in common an element (or several, more likely) with UNBOUND. It may be a huge but well-developed cast (Monster), or a psychological mind-bender regarding Identity (Lain), or a jigsaw-puzzle of a story where, disoriented, the witness stumbles desperately towards a likely-grisly but hopeful end (Higurashi). These series were chosen out of the 300+ shows I’ve seen, so this six and the previous are notable in that they evoked a sense of “belonging” for my story where really there is little elsewhere!
One of the most realistic and harrowing series ever, this masterpiece is a must-see for crime/detective/suspense fans, and those with a strong backbones, because the tension gets thick at times and the going rough. The horror here isn’t fantastic or supernatural but psychological; it’s all the more horrifying because the cause is quite human, if monstrous. While the animation isn’t flashy, it’s effective with its spareness and somewhat dull palette; these actually compliment its style. The direction was gripping and at times breathtaking, and the story spreads out over many locations. At 74 episodes, this is the longest series I tackled, but it was SO well worth it. You can Watch It Now (legally) via the ANN link in the title
But the characters are what drive this story, and nearly every supporting actor is Oscar-material, from the Ahab-like pursuer Inspector Runge, to the troubled grown-up child Nina Fortner, and the unforgettable Mr. Grimmer (one of my favorite supporting characters). But Monster features one of the most cruel villains ever in Johann; beautiful, manipulative, and very cruel. This AMV sums up the atmosphere nicely:
The first anime series I saw, that first ten horrifying minutes are ingrained in my memory, especially coming after the beautiful cathedral-like Opening Theme, “Lilium”. That song, sung in Latin, alone caught my eye (and ear), with its homage to artist Gustav Klimt, but when the story began unfolding I saw a few similarities with UNBOUND. It’s tricky to mention without spoiling my story, but I saw more than a little of Lily in Lucy. Being that Lily isn’t anything at all like a psycho-killer, the similarities are pretty subtle though LOL
The dual nature of Lucy/Nyuu fascinated me; the tragic vengeful former experiment and cold-blooded killer Lucy, and the naive, childlike and amnesiac Nyuu. You might find it echoed throughout UNBOUND
It’s difficult to find an AMV for Elfen Lied that doesn’t spoil something or else cover the viewer in gore, of which there is plenty, so here’s the official (and slightly less bloody) trailer. This (and Higurashi) are two of the most envelope-pushing anime in my collection, so be warned! Both are brutal. This clip features Lucy freeing herself from her bindings in bits and pieces from that notorious first ten minute gantlet. Despite its abject cruelty and “who-really-are-the-monsters” theme, Elfen Lied‘s power lies in its as-effective portrayal of love and forgiveness, something lost on those attracted to it solely for its violence…
I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year while it’s still fresh in the AIR
As an aside… to the Readers and Writers who may be unfamiliar with anime, the above pic is from a classic 2005 series, AIR. It’s one of my favorites, and its heroine Misuzu is probably my most-favorite character (out of soo many!). See if you can glimpse the elements of its story just from the synopsis and the beautiful presentation in this next AMV. (The Story spans 1,000 years, at least.)
This clip minimizes spoilers pretty well but there are still a few; if you full-screen it you’ll enjoy it much better (as with all of these). If you do watch the 13-episode series, which I highly recommend, be sure to have plenty of Kleenex… it’ll be the quickest six hours you’ll spend, and probably among the most-memorable. It has that effect…
…which is the effect I wanted UNBOUND to have, and which is why anime has endeared itself to me so deeply. It portrays beautifully and horrifyingly the stories I want to tell, and leave you feeling breathless. Simple as that
Now that Unbound’s Book One: Earth has been released, I’m working on Book Two: Air, and have finished NUKE-ing, re-formatting, and re-adding italics and such. Man, is there ever a lot of thinking going on in these pages! So, LOTS of italics to put back in. Happily, they all fit
While it’s only available on Kindle for now, after the exclusivity period ends I intend to publish to the other e-Readers as well. Ultimately, a Book! Made of paper!!! This is the only opportunity to begin that marathon, so I’m acting now to aim for that… goal. That’s a hard word to type after writing about Air-TV ;_;
Misuzu Kamio, such a brave girl…
Next up is to do a final tightening-up and polishing to make it nice ‘n’ pretty for your eyes in time for its release at the end of January. Not having an editor prior to publication was never something I thought I’d have to deal with, but I’ve scrupulously gone over it as well as four other First Readers have, and all are very happy with it. My biggest hope is that you will be too, and will want to share it with friends and family.
Next up for the website will be the opening chapter of Book Two: Air, Chapter 3.1, The Inside; I also will try to squeeze in new Character Snaps for the many new actors as well. Some of them blow trumpets…
Normally I keep the book’s news on the website, and the anime, music, and AMVs over here. But Alastor was pissed that I put an “UNBOUND Music” post over there, and wants a little action of his own. So, to mark the next phase of UNBOUND, some airy videos for your Visiting pleasure
Speaking of Visitors, we’ve gotten a huge increase over the past two months, many of them from China and no doubt here for the anime (unless there are a lot more English-readers over there than I know), and I’d like to thank them for their time. But they probably won’t be able to read this. Thanks anyway xD
Another increase is due to the redesigned website (thanks to my webmaster), plus an influx of curious readers and writers to whom I’m grateful for their kind (if quietly curious) attention. I’m happy to see that the website’s articles are being read; it makes the work so much more worthwhile. It’s such a difficult project to discuss, which is why the words are mostly all over there, and the more visual over here. So, I can tell there, and show here! Hopefully some Blog-visitors will flit over to the website, and Readers from the website will wing to the Blog, and the cross-pollination can continue! This is a rather deliberate slow-growth project
Constant tumult = broken creative mode; can’t concentrate long enough to give proper attention to the MS, so I’m waiting for the interruptions to cease so I can continue towards my target release date of 12/21/12. It’s just a target, but it is a fitting date for this fitting book! Since I can’t make enough time for a good session on the MS, then a shorter session allows this timely little “hello” from Alastor’s. The curious writerly/readerly sort will find an assortment of info and excerpts on the UNBOUND website, after hopefully enjoying this little collection of AMVs. And if you’re not one or the other… well then you should be
Incidentally, I had to cancel my Garden of Sinners Limited Edition box set mentioned in the post below; I just couldn’t justify spending that kind of money during this crisis. It’s totally worth every penny; I’m simply not fond of starving. One reason why I hate limited editions: you just can’t eat ‘em. If the GoS box set doesn’t sell out like the original release did (and like hotcakes at that), then I will have it one day…
I was going to do up a whole Thanksgiving Post, but given how many things I am grateful for the scope became too overwhelming! And, in light of the “difficult” living arrangements I’m dealing with, my gratitude rings kind of hollow. Nevertheless, I feel very grateful for so many things… not the least of which is You, for visiting and spending your valuable time here. I’ll continue to try to fill it with things to make its expense worth your while
Hopefully, it’ll be this little Story, which I’m pushing out into the World in little fits and starts! I’m hoping that by Christmas, the first volume will be under your tree. (Or in your eBook reading devices!) Things are always evolving…
So, I’ll be preparing a proper Thanksgiving-appropriate gratitude post for the website, while Alastor’s can continue to spiral and orbit in its own dervishness (such as the video below)! Please enjoy your day of Reflection; I’m sure that you have lots to be grateful for
(Maria and Sakutarou from Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Higurashi’s follow-up)
Lately I’ve been re-typing, re-formatting, and excising lyric-snippets from my MS (with the plan-of-the-day to go Kindle), and clearly need a break at this point as my eyeballs and brain are both bleeding buckets. Vitality loss is excessive; sure feels that way. So, pardon the pools if you step in anything… unpleasant o.O
I guess that horror stories were the first I really got into thanks to classics like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the works of Poe and others, including Ray Bradbury, whose collected reprints from E.C. Comics were out in pocketbook form which I bought around the age of 12-13. Pocketbooks of “The Twilight Zone” stories were also eagerly devoured at that tender young age. I guess there’s nothing like a good scare (in fiction, anyway)!
Lest I forget Alastor’s what with all the reading and (re-)writing going on, I thought it’d be a good time for a seasonal post, ‘cos I’m a seasonal kinda guy. Since Halloween’s right around the corner, we’ll be offering up some tricky-but-treaty AMVs for your monster-ous entertainment. (Hey, they can’t all be gems ) They’re listed in no particular order, aside from train-of-thought. Yes, we do wing it here from time to time xD
Suggestions & Disclaimers Dept: Some content may be objectionable, but it’s not something you couldn’t see on television. ‘cos, y’know, these shows were on television. In Japan. Some of them you might see here. On cable. Be advised! So: animated blood, torment, death, scary stuff & etc follows, so sensitive souls who may be discomforted perhaps oughta pass (OR, go to my novel’s website where you can do some reading instead, about a story that’s possibly scarier than what you see here).
If you do like that horror-show sort of thing though, please dive into the following Post! And if you do so, then I also suggest watching these in gory-ous Full Screen; the Devil’s in the details
(*) Some of the links to the Anime News Network’s Encyclopedia entries include legit “Watch It Now” buttons, so please do that too if marked (*)
SOUL-EATER (2008, 51 episodes) (*)
First up is the classic creepy combination of Marilyn Manson’s “This Is Halloween” with the anime Soul Eater. I doubt a better Halloween AMV exists! But I’ll keep looking… over my shoulder, most likely :-O
SHIKI (2010, 22 episodes) (*)
Shiki was probably the most-sustainable scariest anime I’ve watched. The other nominee would be Higurashi no naku koro ni (aka “When They Cry”), but it at least had many lighter moments to balance out its pitched horror. Shiki is grueling from start to finish, with a definite darker tone throughout. A village is slowly overrun with vampires, and the show presents a double-sided look at both sides in a graphic, unsettling and very real way…
HIGURASHI NO NAKU KORO NI (2006, 26 episodes) (*)
Speaking of Higurashi, here’s a bloody taste of that unforgettable series using a lovely piano piece that stands in stark contrast with the visuals. Hinamizawa is another of those seemingly quiet, peaceful villages, but several not-so-deeply-buried secrets and ever-shifting sinister plots bubble to its surface much as noxious gas from its legendary swamp. The story is simply brilliant; a supernatural (or is it?) mystery of shifting perspectives and points-of-view, and at times a very difficult show to watch. It is absolutely NOT for the squeamish!
There, I feel better now now that I’ve warned you. So: Our hero, Keichi, moves to Hinamizawa village and soon meets the locals, all of whom harbor secrets of some type, and soon comes to doubt his own sanity in this genuinely psychological horror show. That’s just the first four episodes…
MONSTER (2004, 74 episodes) (*)
Since it is (almost!) Halloween, we must discuss monsters, right? How about one Monster in particular; the oddly monster-less series entitled Monster. A straightforward and very real-feeling show that evokes the tension and pursuit of “The Fugitive” with considerable rumination on the nature of evil and its influence on man. In this case, one man, named Johan, who has indeed turned into a monster; a human one. He may have been born one, or become one; no matter. He is as scary as a zombie, any day. Yet has the aspect of an angel…
Many years ago, as children, he and his sister were found in their home, both their parents shot dead. Young Johan had an unexplained bullet wound to his head, and the brilliant surgeon, Dr Tenma, is assigned his surgery when another emergency arrives. This time it’s a local official, whom he is ordered to attend to, possibly leaving the boy to die. Tenma refuses, and performs the boy’s operation anyway. He was then dismissed, disgraced, and framed for murder. When it becomes apparent that the series of murders might be linked to Johan, Tenma decides to right the “mistake” he made in saving the boy’s life. But what is right? In light of his Hippocratic Oath, is the taking of a life, and one that he’d saved no less, justified in any case? As the deaths pile up and the riveting story reveals itself, Tenma is irrevocably hurtled into the Monster’s abyss to make the final choice. That is what you call a nutshell!
This 74-episode series, the lengthiest one I’ve watched, had me hooked right from the start; it never felt overlong to me, or padded out. Despite its drab palette and run-of-the-mill animation, the cast, storytelling and direction were all superb, and it clearly deserves its masterpiece rating. The David Sylvian ending theme also was a very nice touch. Very highly recommended, especially to those new to anime who prefer more mature, realistic fare.
Last year I devoted the fourth installment in this series to the work of Nostromo, and thought it’d be nice to check in with him again. (If curious, the article is here.) I’m pretty picky about AMVs so haven’t seen more than what look to be the best (and the award-winners as well). So I don’t know who ”the best AMV-maker” is, but whenever I watch an AMV by Nostromo I’m guaranteed that it’ll be a dazzling experience.
This time around, I thought it’d be cool to take a look behind the scenes by using his “Making-Of” videos, which aren’t so much tutorials as they are companion-AMVs with a twist, which will show you the identity of each anime used in his video, for each “camera”, for every shot, for each edit. Simultaneously! :-O Really insightful, and it’s fantastic to finally be able to ID which anime is used! Not to mention the mind-blowing glimpse at the complexity of editing all elements into one awesome clip!
I especially like how he seems to pick my favorite anime to use (those from Studios SHAFT & Kyoto Animation mainly), and the “Making-Of” vids identify more wonderfully-animated shows to check out. I’ve also never considered myself a techno/trance music fan, but his chosen tracks are equally intriguing and complement the anime perfectly
Up first is “Magic Pad”, followed by its “Making-Of” video. This won 1st Place Best AMV award at the Japan Expo in 2007:
Here’s 2008′s “Auriga”, followed by its “Making-Of”. This is another 1st Place Best winner from Japan Expo 2008:
Apologies to Nigel Planer (Neil the Hippie from The Young Ones) for the title mutilation, but the kinship is oddly appealing, and even relevant to the case at hand! That would be music, and in particular its use in Anime Music Videos, through which I’ve discovered some great artists and songs, many of whom are included below. It’s about as bizarre a collection as Neil’s album, in fact! Okay, maybe not. And not much “concept” about it either, for that matter. But still!
Lately I’ve been in a mood for epic and powerful videos powered by music to match, and so picked out eleven solid ones from my favorites and serendipitous YouTube luck. I chose the order and content to flow as if a concept album might, with a side one and two, with the songs’ placement accordingly “moving” (mainly as in movement and progression but yeah, that too). It’s kind of an experiment at this point, but if it works I’ll do others with different themes. Should be fun xD
I didn’t begin assembling this with a theme in mind, so it’s not as “tight” as I’d like it, but from the 15-16 I picked out these eleven played better with each other than those rejected. The ordering sure was tricky though, as I wanted the visuals to connect each song as the music did and complement the video before and after it in some way. Next time I’ll be a bit more deliberate
By the way, a BIG YouTube thanks toBestamvsofalltime and their associated channels which made finding and crediting these a LOT easier. Check ‘em out, and if viewing on YT you can usually get a link to the video’s HQ Download page at Animemusicvideos.org! Thumbs up
So, I guess this weird hybrid is some kind of a video-record! Dunno what it would look like but… *puts the needle down*
1. OVERTURE: Act of Genesis (amv created by Aggressor; music by Yuki Kajiura, ”Storm is Coming / A Song of Storm and Fire”) (in the beginning/…/ a new beginning)
2. Age of Man (amv created by sini; music by Hans Zimmer,”Time”) (turn it up; face the music; keep watching; don’t despair…)
3. Greenpeace (amv created by archivist; music by Michael Jackson: “Earth Song”; also Howard Shore featuring Liv Tyler: “The Houses of Healing”) (after the suffering… the potential for healing)
4. The Price of Freedom (amv created by Creed_FR; music by Sigur Ros, “Saeglopur”) (repeating forgotten pasts… forging fractured futures)
5. The Stage (amv created by Crossfade; music by Two Steps From Hell, “Clock Tower Parade”) (promise is kept in the battle for freedom)
*pause to flip sides* Glad I saved my turntable -Let’s start side two with a bang:
The discovery of that dazzling new Nostromo Anime Music Video is all it took to suck me deeply back into the YouTube void, where (after a few hours) I uncovered a very nice assortment of gems for your viewing & listening pleasure! Many of these videos are entrants and winners in the most recent AMV contests, and each is a labor of love and worthy of sharing
(By the way, Part Four in this series features a half-dozen Nostromo vids that have to be seen to be believed!)
Incidentals: (a) Please watch in Full-Screen and high-quality if possible; it makes a BIG difference! (b) I pick videos mainly of characters and shows I connect with and/or care about, so it’s somewhat biased here (c) The selection of music equally so, as I’m just as choosy about likable sounds that accompany the visuals. (But I’ll accept any “good song” in the spirit it which it was created if it resonates with mine in pretty much any sense, and the same goes for the visuals.) And (d) where I add that I try to assemble these in an order that flows to ensure smooth transitions between moods; it takes some time but makes for a more enjoyable journey, I hope
The careful, thoughtful and hopefully heartfelt blending in the resulting AMV, if it gets widely shown and shared, can help promote both the anime and the musical talent by exposing fans of either to appreciate the other. So I hope to share what works for me in the hopes that it resonates with You
Like this well-deserved winner in the Drama category at this year’s Anime Boston contest, where it cleverly depicts Alice (from Kami-sama no Memo-chou) seemingly guiding the fates of several characters from Toradora, AnoHana, Mawaru Penguindrum, and others. Brilliant and very moving, especially if familiar with the characters:
Studio SHAFT’s Bakemonogatari is such a visually striking show that it’s a natural choice for AMV-makers (maybe a little too often if you ask me but who’s complaining as I love Bake and Nise and all the little -monogataris so you didn’t hear it from me!). I’m very fond of the cute-and-dangerous little 500-year old vampire Shinobu (in a distant sort of way), who gets a few moments to shine here:
Dunno why I passed on Guilty Crownwhen it aired, but this AMV bolstered my interest in Inori to the point I’ll just have to track it down; the show looks epic though looks can be deceiving
One show I did check out, and consider one of the best of 2011, was Steins;Gate; what a mind blower [and just as weird seeing two semicolons separated by just one word]! Melding time-travel with a surprising love story flavored with portents of an impending apocryphal near-future, this well-scripted, funny-yet-dark suspense series kept the viewer mercilessly on the rails and on the hook throughout. Kinda like this vid (NSFW, probably):
Sometimes an AMV doesn’t have to be doing anything other than to show a cavalcade of classic characters in… well, character! Here we have everyone from Sakura Kinomoto (1998′s Cardcaptor Sakura) to Hime (from this year’s Accel World ) and many others in between, seemingly playing in a missing person case (or something) in this touching AMV…
I really should do one of these AMV posts a week just to keep “current” with what’s been posted on YouTube, and not get so far behind! A very nice crop of new vids has popped up on my radar, and I’d like to share a few of them before they get lost, deleted, or otherwise vaporized.
The other day I got sent to YT by someone totally unaware of what a time-sink that place is for me (OR WERE THEY), and sure enough, after I finished with theirs and before I could very quickly leave had glanced at the suggested videos and saw just one… I… hadn’t seen… before…
Hours later I finally extricated myself. (If one is ever freed from that place!) Not helping one bit at all, I’m about to share with you some of the better AMVs I’ve come across on my latest expedition. There were quite a few gems among the mundane stuff, running the gamut from rom-com to action to horror and back again. Unless not in that order. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE (let’s hope)!
If possible, please watch them Full-Screen and in the highest quality your rig’ll run for maximum enjoyment. Also, if you’ve the time, check out the video-maker’s info for further credits, and visit animemusicvideos.org for The Real Thing(s). These aren’t necessarily the best, but what caught my fleeting eye…
Also, I’ll only post a vid if I dig the music. It might not be a song I’d buy, or even in “my genres”, but a good song is a good song, and if suited to its visual component, is just right enough
Let’s kick it off on an up-beat with “Make Us High” and yes, it will If you wanna dance, now’s your chance to shake your booty!
I dunno who that green-haired girl is, but I like her
So you think you can keep dancing? Okay, hereyago: The massively-talented Nostromo with “Auriga”…
Wow, his AMVs always leave me mindblown :-O (And another unknown cutie at 4:13-4:16; anyone know what anime she’s from?)
Two benefits of AMVs is that they introduce me not only to new music (for this out-of-touch music-junkie), but also turn me on to a great many shows and characters I’d not otherwise have seen. And this is healthy for the industry, so I’m glad to see more AMVs surviving on YT -And here *cough*
One show that I passed on for some reason was Okami-san and her Seven Companions (I need a break from typing those long-ass Japanese titles LOL) I think I might’ve viewed it as just another high-school problem-solver’s club show which is what it… is, actually. On Davecat‘s recent visit and our adventure in Japantown’s Kinokuniya store I came across a postcard handout featuring the cast of Okami-san, and something about the character designs (including wardrobe) appealed to me. And then I saw this AMV:
That sold me to at least check it out; AMV-mission accomplished! It looks like Studio JC Staff came with their top game, and as long as I can keep from those Okami-Taiga impressions it might prove to be a very funny series, although problem-solving type shows are usually episodic with not much of a central plot. That’s where thoughtful character development comes in, and as long as some characters progress, that can carry a series for a dozen episodes or so.
Okami’s voice actress, Shizuka Itou, has played a few memorable characters (Shana‘s Wilhelmina, Nagi in ef-a tale of melodies, and currently Koko Hetmatyar in Jormungand) and it’s fun to hear a new (and hopefully different) role from a talented seiyuu. Some of them have quite a range in pitch; Yukari Tamura comes immediately to mind. A short dramatic sampling of her Rika Furude from Higurashi no Naku koro ni:
Yikes. And that doesn’t even feature her lower register :-O But as for the Okami attraction, it might just be the resemblance to Toradora‘s Taiga. I expect that effect to diminish the more eps I get in; I dislike comparing shows, but sometimes it can’t be helped. The following Toradora AMV contains a few spoilers, but I like it for integrating a few lines from Taiga for effect. Her seiyuu, Rie Kugimiya (another big favorite), is another one who can really let it loose:
I’m @UnboundAngel. I think. Hm… okay, maybe a little bit of a twit. It’ll all work out in boomland though xD
Anyway, as part-and-parcel of the aforementioned 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, it was recommended to me to open a Twitter account to communicate (and commune!) with fellow writers. Just as with Facebook, I’d long ago decided to not entangle my Internet entanglements any further with social media distractions. But these are indispensable tools for marketing and promoting one’s work these days, so I went onto FB, and now the Tweet Machine. *rubs bleary eyes* WHERE DID MY LIFE GO???
WHY I’m doing all of this at this most low and tenuous point in my life I do not know, as I definitely don’t need any distractions from trying to survive in this country with no income and a “safety net” with more holes than a sieve, and just as effective. Writing, or rather storytelling, elevates me into another beautiful, fanciful World that I love and would gladly stay in, but I must keep my eyes on the ground of this crumbling land, making sure not to slip or mis-step. One slip will send me over the edge, and I get distracted so easily. I’m interested in everything LOL! So I’m very careful, these dark days, with my footsteps. But I wrestled the elements of the contest into shape, began assembling the disparate parts of the Story into MS shape, and now the first breaths of promotion raise the sheet and it falls, and rises… The cocoon is cracking.
The Fool has yet to land off the mountain, and is not sure what awaits him on the plain. That can surely be fodder for adventure, but I can’t even risk that; no time to explore. No money for even bus-fare tends to cause a hunkering-down in one’s den, and I’m safe here for now, in this small cave called “home”, entrenched in this figurative mountainside. “Now” equates to about three days though, since my rent wasn’t paid. I’m trying like hell to create a miracle from behind the scenes by selling stuff to stave off eviction, so creating a peaceful place to compose is out of the question (I moved 900 miles away in order to write my novel free from this poisonous RL BS, if you know what I mean). But here I am, gathering the energy from somewhere to push for publication through whatever means necessary. I have to think that it’s Lily-the-Muse, tending to Lily-the-character’s story. And, of course, I do tend to both of them
(By the way, if any of the ABNA followers have come here looking for the novel’s bits, they scroll off pretty quickly over time, as infrequent as they are. I keep the website specifically for the UNBOUND-related material, and all else goes here at Alastor’s Reflection. The last Blog-post from earlier this month is here. And, thanks for your kind attention I’m a … little unconventional, so please be kind to my mistakes ) I’m unapologetic about pretty much anything else
I’m still learning the Twitter ropes, so taking my time with it, and already have had some delightful contacts with other writers. (I do have a hard time considering myself a “writer” though; rather more of a storyteller, which is fine too.) I was happy to see my favorite writer (yes a *real* writer!), Neil Gaiman, with an account, so naturally I Followed him. (And his Journal has been a Blogroll link for as long as the site’s been up, so do check it out!) Almost on cue, he Tweets about Leonard Cohen, which regular visitors know I equate with the Dalai Lama (who, coincidentally, I found and Followed too!). Neil posted this YouTube video of L.C. reciting from “Democracy”, and it’s delightfully chilling:
He also speaks about battling depression which should be eye-opening to all those real twits who dismiss it with typically-stupid “get over it” statements and the like. This isn’t “oh, I feel sad” moments but real, Marvin-like Major Depression. It’s not something you “get over” with the snap of one’s fingers. I’ve been battling it for years (runs in the family) and the only drug-free way to do it is through creating. That’s what allows me the freedom to write my stories, and I don’t want/need those goddamned pharmaceutical company’s peddled junk, or “those drugs that keep you thin”. Junk is junk, period. Please hear Mr. Cohen address the Issues:
So thanks Neil, I applaud your good taste but already knew you had some! (And this thank-you probably has about as much chance of being seen as it would on Twitter with Neil’s 1,685,339 Followers o.O ) That’s okay; I just like saying “Thanks!” and giving credit where credit is due. Doesn’t have to be seen, read, or answered; just the Sending matters xD
And speaking of credit, The Sandman is the greatest story I ever read. Relevant note: In UNBOUND, Lily wears a ***** T-shirt that says “You get what anyone gets… You get a lifetime.” I like that to death (well, it IS my T-shirt LOL), and Lily likes it too, being a fan herself -Still keeping things close to the vest, heh…
Now he posted a link to a spoken-word/poetry site *sigh* -I’m NEVER gonna untangle myself at this rate! *resists urge to investigate; surreptitiously Bookmarks it, sneaks back in*
Okay Neil, one for you and the Tweets: Here’s Ken Nordine reciting “Flibberty Jib”, probably his most well-known piece. It was used in a Levis commercial in the early ’70s, I think:
Another favorite is Kevin Smith, who totally freaked me out with “Dogma” (one of my fave all-time films). Not because of its freakiness, but little parallels with Lily’s story. Can’t say which though; spoiler territory, dammit. Not that there’s any in this Trailer *cough*…
Loved the appearance of Jay and “the guy with the beard” Apparently the guy stays up all night Tweeting! Yay Today he tweeted or re-tweeted (wtf do I know?) a Teddy Roosevelt quote that really knocked my socks off, regarding critics (critical persons): Of course, President Theodore puts it in much better wording than I:
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.
The man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic – the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done.
Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable;
but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it.
The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness.
It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger”
Awesome fucking quote, and right on the money. No doubt some critical person will pipe up that “it’s overwritten; I can’t read it!!!” Sheesh. No pleasing some folks :-/
Gotta go; things to Do
Thanks for stopping in and most of all, for Reading. Your comments are welcome and appreciated
"When early youth had passed, he left his cold fireside and alienated home to seek strange truths in undiscovered lands. Many a wide waste and tangled wilderness has lured his fearless steps; and he has bought with his sweet voice and eyes, from savage men, his rest and food." (from 'Alastor, or, The Spirit of Solitude', by Percy Bysshe Shelley,1815)
For info on our novel UNBOUND, please see our website in the Blogroll!
You can appreciate why she needs the support, and I like to “spread the...
) They’re listed in no particular order, aside from train-of-thought. Yes, we do wing it here from time to time xD
