Robotic spider monsters, live!

Chapter 3 entitled 'The Gap is calling' has been written. Things are moving at pace now and I hope to get at least a chapter a week done, which means I should have a first version by summer.

I noticed the other day that a man in Vermont is attempting to turn himself into the Professor from 'DarkFather'. His spider machine is rather on the large side compared to the professor's and less steampunk, but ten out of ten for trying. I'm wondering when to put my order in.

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'Baltimore or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire', is an old fashioned gothic tale given a new lease of life. The story takes place during the first world war only this is our world given a little bit of a makeover. The future Lord Baltimore is attacked by a strange flying creature whilst out in no mans land. He wounds the creature that then wreaks revenge on his family. At the same time a strange plague sweeps across Europe decimating the population. Having returned to his island stately home to find his family dead, Baltimore becomes a vampire hunter. All told via stories from friends meeting in a bar, this is a haunting cleverly crafted novel. 

What's more it come illustrated by Mike Mignola of Hellboy fame and the book itself is nicely produced on thick rough cut paper. It's a shame there are not more books like this.

Also read another Doctorow book. 'Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves to Town', is a fantasy for adults. the premise does not work when stated here, Alan the son of a washing machine and a mountain is trying to write a book in his new house until his Russian Doll brothers turn up and are then dragged away by another brother who is a shrivelled baby body. At the same time he meets a girl who lives next door and has wings and he helps to cover the market with a wifi network. Also all the brothers use names that change (but stick to the first letter, A, B, C etc.) It's strange and magical and yet wonderful and brilliantly written with the characters drawing you in. Do not be put off by the idea as this is great writing.

MadameVin bought me a Shaun Tan book for Valentine's day so I know that at least one person reads these ramblings.

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Read this week:

Baltimore or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire by Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves to Town by Cory Doctorow (read via Stanza on the iphone)

Rabbit Holes

I managed, at about 10.00pm last night, to get my Alice down her proverbial rabbit hole, except she’s not called Alice, she was called Sarah but is now Susan (or Sue to her mates - thanks to Joy and Lorraine who helped with the name change), and it’s not a rabbit hole but a large metal door in a brick wall that doesn’t go anywhere. 

The first bit of the novel has been a bit sticky but I now feel I’ve found the voice I’m looking for and now that Sarah is in the Gap all sorts of mayhem can take place, which is the fun bit of writing.

Found some interesting photos about disused places photographed by Urban Explorers. The empty fun parks are particularly surreal places. Devoid of the children who once ran around them they are haunted sites slowly decaying. Beautiful and yet lonely, I’m surprised about how many fun parks in the Far East have been left to ruin. 

I know that urban Exploring is technically illegal but their belief and tenacity in photographing these places has to be admired. I can’t find any Urban Explorers in Edinburgh, but then I don’t imagine they advertise. I’d would love to speak to some.

As usual Charlie Brooker has something funny to say about the modern age. I particularly like:

dwindlethink (dwin-dull-think) vb. The process by which a member of the public forms an opinion on a subject of national importance after viewing a plebbledashed (qv) news report, then finds themselves passing it on to the nation when stopped in the street for another plebbledashed (qv) report the following day.

If you don’t read his Monday column, you really should. Clever and angry.

And finally Shaun Tan has a good interview over at Drawn. I love his art work, a simple palette but so much is going on. I really must seek out some of his work.

I’ve been Twittering and Tweeting for a week now. It’s fun, however I started on a bum note with trying to turn it into a medium for a story, which to be honest has just not worked. Therefore I’ll just join in with the odd comment with those people who I’m following. If you want to follow me look for @MiddleManLost.