In many ways, this blog has been a long time coming. It’s the first blog I’ve created in a while that has nothing to do with blogging and internet marketing. I’ve created this blog because I’m a writer. I always have been, but instead of writing fiction, I’ve been writing blog posts and information products. And all this time, the stories have stayed inside me. They have grown stronger and more insistent: they want out, and I can’t deny them any longer (not that I wanted to, mind you, but there is this practical little matter of food and shelter which must be paid for). I’m sure turning 40 or separating from my wife have nothing whatsoever to do with this {clears throat, rolls eyes}.
The name and domain of this blog relates to one particular story, which takes place in a world rich enough to be the setting for many stories. The stories I write are speculative fiction: mostly fantasy, but I’ve got at least one big juicy science fiction tale in me, as well. If you were expecting snobby MFA literary fiction, dah-ling, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Move along, nothing to see here, except some magi and unusual creatures (did that tree just move?). So, on the one hand, Dreamwalkers are a particular invention of mine, a people in a story. On the other hand, when we read a fantastic tale of fantasy, we are all of us dream walkers: we submerge ourselves into another world. We surrender to the story. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the middle of a great book, it’s like I’m not even here. I have a hard time “waking up.” I keep looking over my shoulder and seeing an alternate mileu in the corner of my eye while I supposedly operate in the “real” world.
I plan for this blog to be a public journal of my story notes as I work on this particular story, but I’m sure it will end up being more than that. Obervations about what I’m reading or about the genre ghetto of fantasy are sure to appear here as well. Other than that I make no promises and do not claim to know anything about writing or fantasy literature. I’m not here to please or impress anybody, but you’re more than welcome to hang out with me here if you like.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Michael! I musta missed this prior. Congrats on the new site. I look forward to seeing what you produce here. Sean Platt and I have been writing about writing over at Collective Inkwell and also posting our book (which has elements of fantasy and horror) as we write it.
Have you read Clive Barker? While known initially for his horror, he is probably more a fantasy writer than anything. Imajica is absolutely the best book I ever read.
Nice to see this other side of you.
Thanks, David! I haven’t officially announced this site, yet. I will at some point, but there’s no hurry (and it’s not a secret, either, obviously). I have read Barker, yes, but not Imajica. Brilliant man. He’s on Twitter, ya know.
Other than snippets, I don’t think I’m going to put the entire story online here, just the notes and other musings. I want to finish it first before I decide about that stuff. My goal is to have it published in the old-fashioned way.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I discovered that Clive was on Twitter today, actually. Last time I looked, he wasn’t.
Sean and I decided to put our book online as we write it to do two things – create some buzz and get some interest and also to ensure we stay on track and actually complete the book by a certain deadline. We are also looking for print publication, though we are contemplating additional methods.
Have you read much of Cory Doctorow? He releases his content for free and still manages a lucrative print career. He argues that giving the product away creates more consumers than locking it behind copyright and sales. While yes, you are giving away the product, you are also reaching people who might not otherwise sample you. I am sure I am missing some of the finer points of his theory, you can visit his site for more information.
Perhaps we can discuss this in the interview I will be sending you. I look forward to your posts.
Oh, yes, I’m familiar with Doctorow. I even like some of his writing.
He more than anyone has really proven the case and moved forward the cause for free access to fiction. All I’m saying is that I’m not going to write it on here. When it’s finished, I may make it available for free or as a for-pay ebook (and there’s Kindle, now, too). Traditional publishing companies are looking for sure bets, and a writer who already has a raving audience ready to buy is a very sure bet, a safe risk in their eyes.
By releasing his works under Creative Commons licensing, some really great stuff has resulted, like illustrated versions, and such. I really like that idea, too. But I don’t recall or know of him having works in progress available for people to view. William Gibson talks about what he’s writing as he writes it, and he puts snippets of it on his blog. That idea I really like and will emulate here.