Grey Bard's Journal

7:25PM - Taking prompts! Sort of.

Okay, so. I've recently become a member of the Comic Book Artists Guild - which, yes, includes writers as well as arttists. And they have an upcoming comic book anthology project for members for comics about public domain or historical characters. Accepted scripts are then hooked up with a member artist. Guys, I don't need to draw *or* hunt down an artist! You can see why this interests me.

Comics can be about characters in their usual context (Sherlock Holmes) or wildly outside of it (Sherlock Holmes in orbit.)

So, my question to you is: What historical or out of print character(s) would you like to see me write a comic book about? In any particular plot or concept?

10:22PM - Share your peeves! Colors Don't Work Like That.

Wanted: Characters frequently described in fic as having blond or red hair who clearly do not. 

Also, characters often described as having a totally different eye color than the truth, particularly when the truth conflicts with stereotype or is not seen as glamorous. I.E. A blond with brown eyes described as having blue, a black person with green eyes described as having brown, a person with brownish-hazel eyes usually described as having bright green etc.

And any other such suspect physical inaccuracies. Big, strong 5'9" women described as delicate and tiny. People described as pale who... really aren't. Characters frequently referred to as members of a racial group to which neither they nor the actor belong. Yes, comic characters too. This is the time for your pet peeves!

Why: For secret vidding purposes.

So step right up and jump right in! I don't need to know you from Adam, I'm just looking for suggestions.

P.S. Please feel free to share any pictures you feel are particularly instructive.

ETA: I know it looks like I got a lot of comments already on the LJ post, but seriously, please keep the peeves coming. I need as many as you can dredge up.

2:45AM - Your Chance to Custom Order a Fic!

Sort of.

Do you like Trek - of any incarnation? Do you, in fact, HATE Trek? Do you just think it is silly? This is your golden opportunity!

I'm taking part in the treknovelfest ficathon, and signed up to write humorous, satirical in-universe "educational" or "nonfiction" material on some topic like Dilithium and you! A film strip.* 

So the question is, what should it be about? Any suggestions?

Where would you like me to sharpen my wits? What would amuse or vindicate you ?


*Only not about Dilithium, because that one has already been written and my prompt is to do something like it. 

6:24PM - Okay, I'm confused

Okay, here's what I'm not getting about the latest round of the warnings controversy. How, exactly, are the people who don't want to warn being oppressed by the people who want them to use warnings? It isn't like there's some magical fandom enforcement agency that can *make* them warn, is there?

You have a right not to warn for stuff, and other people have a right to call you a jerk.

6:01PM - Not so giant Trek Frankenpost ETA: AND! Merlin on TV tonight

This was going to have a bunch of things in it, but... I can't remember what they are. So! Here's what I remember.

Trek Novel Fest. Old school new school!

To those of you with any interest in this. Trek Novel Fest! Basically, a leave prompts, choose prompts sort of fic fest for story ideas in some way related to Trek novels. You don't need to commit to fic to leave prompts. Use of TOS novels to generate Reboot fic prompts is not only allowed but encouraged! C'mon, you *know* you want to find out what Diane Duane's Rihannsu make of the Narada. Room for more Number One and Pike! Deadline for prompts is TONIGHT at midnight

If you don't have a Dreamwidth ID, don't worry! You can comment using Open ID - the Dreamwidth.org opening page will tell you how. Alternately, bother me and I shall give you an invite code.


Your Chance to See Grey Bard Looking Silly.

( Remember that Trek Movie outing? Now on video for your amusement.  )

ETA: NOW I remember the other thing! Merlin on American broadcast tv tonight! Premiere on NBC at 8pm EST, followed by episode two, "Valiant" at 9pm. Hop on board! Ridiculous slashy and femslashy fun for the whole family! *Literally* the whole family, the thing was produced to be safe for kiddies too.

Note: This post will eventually be locked down for obvious privacy reasons.

7:14PM - Okay guys, time for a consult. Are they playing with us?

You know, I was going to have a whole post about this, but the posting interface ate it, so hell with that.

Basically, Marvel Comics has announced they will be putting out a collection this August entitled, I kid you not, Marvel Bromance #1.

Guys, is this for us? Or is there actually an intended straight male audience that wouldn't be too embarassed to buy this book?

I present to you the solicitation copy:
http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?id=12656

4:01PM - Pop Quiz! (How not to be a fictional amnesiac Take Two)

Pop Quiz! You live in a science fiction setting where time space anomalies and mind-mucking is common. You fall unconscious among friends and wake up among friends, but something is different.

You are surrounded by scientific and medical professionals who are used to the idea of people with altered memories / from other realities / etc and would be happy to help you in any way that you desire.  It is not the universe where everyone is evil.


Do you

A) Pretend to still be suffering the after effects of being knocked out while you try to learn more about what's going on.

B) Ask one of the friendly scientific professionals for help.

C) Attempt to go about your business as if everything were normal and hope that no one notices you are not on the same page.


True, this is totally different from my thoughts on How To Be A Fictional Amnesiac Part 1, but it's kind of a little different when this sort of thing is less crazy and more business as usual in your day job. 

 Why are fictional characters so dumb?

6:20PM - So.. If you were going to make a Star Trek XI drinking game...

...What would you put in it?

I'm going to see it again tomorrow with a friend and I have every intention of playing one. Well, only with something else instead of booze because we'll be in a theater and neither of us are particularly drinkers. Both of us have watched Star Trek TOS, although not obsessively.

So far I have:

- Kirk falls off of something and clings dramatically

and

- Kirk wades into a fight cockily and loses hilariously thus needing to run away or be rescued

Suggestions?

11:35PM - So. Star Trek.

I'm predisposed to like this movie because I liked original Trek and I universally hate Trek movies.

Hold up, what?

Well, I universally hate Trek movies. Even Wrath of Khan, aside from the bits with Spock being awesome. But Spock is *always* awesome, so I feel this does not count. They should have done more with the incredibly cool potential of Khan Noonien Singh than: I shoot your ship, leave you for dead, you fix it and shoot my ship, leave me for dead, wash rinse repeat several times.

BAH, I say.

So I was primed to like a Trek movie that, er. Tried a different approach than the other ones, so to speak.

And I did like it, I liked it way more than any other Trek movie ever, I will totally see the sequels, but I have a few comments. Only moderately spoilery.

( Oh really, Star Trek? )

Current mood: amused

3:48PM - Hellblazer, anyone?

A number of you know or have guessed what I do and where I work.

Anyone here like Hellblazer and want a fun surprise item? I promise you that you haven't already bought it, because, um. You can't yet.

This item should only go to someone suitably discreet. Either someone who can keep their squee under f-lock or understands the joys of euphamism. (I.E. Flying Rodent Man, A certain amazon princess, Mr. What I Do Ain't Pretty, the wall-crawler etc.)

I'm not giving this first come first serve, but instead anyone who comments wanting it in the next 24 hours will go into a hat and one will be chosen. No, I don't need to know you particularly well, you just need to be a fannish type I can trust to keep your word about the discretion thing.

This post will be locked after the item finds a home.

ETA: Yes, it *is* better than the last 4-5 years of crappy Hellblazer, I assure you.

4:10PM - Anybody want to see Franz Ferdinand?

No, not the dead historical figure, the band.

They're coming to New York's Roseland Ballroom next Thursday, and I have an extra ticket that would be a shame to waste. Anyone want it?

No, you don't need to be my most close personal friend ever. You just need to want to see Franz Ferdinand.

11:54PM - Ever want to create a superhero?

Okay, for a comic writing course I'm taking, we need to write a full length comic script. Only problem is, it has to be for a character we "created" in class. Which would still not be a problem, were it not for the fact that all it is is the barest bones of a character with no actual personality on them.

And I only have a little under a week to write it, so the usual long contemplation and characterization process is out.

So you guys probably know what that means, right? Time to steal a character! Oops, I mean borrow and become inspired by one.

Here are the stats. The character is female and has the superhero name of "Loner". This right there is a problem, because that means she has to somehow escape the gravitational field of that name to not appear in any way to be a cheap Batman ripoff. Also, Woe Is Me I Am Filled With Gothic Romantic Angst is right out. (Other kinds of lonerness are obviously fine and welcome, of course.)

So I need a character to steal - of any gender, and the more vivid the better - who you think would make an interesting superhero with some of the serial numbers filed off. Any character, from myth, legend, fiction, movies or television. I'm really open to anything here.

This is your chance to rescue a secondary or tertiary character from a canon that does not love them! Or to reincarnate an old favorite in a way. Obviously the end result won't be *exactly* that character, but I need a soul to hang a story on, and I just don't have the time to spontaneously generate one.

Any suggestions? Feel free to share as many as you want, no matter how outrageous or obscure, even if I have no clue who you are.


ETA: The character doesn't necessarily need to be *particularly* lonerish, some powers I have in mind that I may or may not choose to use could partly take care of that, just... not attached to the hip to a giant crowd of people. Basically, go crazy! Any character that's not already a superhero, that you think might be interesting, I want to hear, no matter how off the wall. You never know what will click.

1:40PM - OMG WTF Amazon?!?

It looks as though Amazon is pulling sales rankings from books with gay and lesbian content. And it appears, not even necessarily sexual content, and regardless of literary or historical merit. Confirmed targets include Brokeback Mountain, The Well of Loneliness and work by James Baldwin.

Maybe this isn't as pervasive and offensive as it looks, maybe it isn't what it looks like, but... If it *is* what it looks like, I am most decidedly peeved.

More information is available here. Be sure to read the comments, some of the most important information comes out there.

ETA: Yes, I completely acknowledge that they are a private company with a right to run their company any way they like. That's the way it should be. And I am a free citizen with a right to spend - or not spend - my money wherever I please. Hopefully, it won't come to that.

P.S. Amazon Rank. No I am not above Google Bombing.

Current mood: infuriated

5:09AM - Multitopic Megapost with Added Muskrats

Okay, it is reasonably apparent to anyone reading my livejournal that I'm lazy about posting. My opinion is that the internet is better off for it, but there you are. So one post for all the things I was thinking of posting on.

My reaction to the Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles season finale can be quoted as follows:

Aaa! Aaaaaaaaaa! Aaa! OMG.

If this doesn't come back next season on some network, Fox or not, I will be a sad, sad puppy.

Gaelic Storm:

I had to miss the concert because I had family obligations and it just wasn't practical. Oh well, maybe next time?

And last but *decidedly* not least, ( Muskrat Jamboree! )

Some highlights of the con included:

( Life )

( Leverage )

( Alternate Universes )

( Assorted Wackiness )

( The Best Dim Sum in Boston )

Current mood: chipper

5:04AM - Let's play a game...

Let's play a game. I call it: "You know you've been in fandom long enough to warp you when..."

The rules are simple - finish that sentence with something true.

I'll start.

You know you've been in fandom long enough to warp you when... You find a character's outfit much, much more unbelievable than the seven chapters he spent changed into a girl.

Okay, now you!

2:55AM - Muskrat Jamboree 2009... Anybody spare a room?

So, beyond my wildest dreams, I actually got into Muskrat Jamboree from the waitlist! Still don't have anywhere to stay, though.

I need a room for Friday and Saturday, and it doesn't need to be the same room both nights. I'm willing to share with anybody. The more roommates the better , but I won't sneeze at even a single roommate. Anyone willing to help me out and save a little money in the bargain? 

Also, if you live in New York City and are planning on taking the cheap bus up to Boston early Friday morning... want some company? Because I'm totally doing that too.

<i>(Yes, I'm still going to Tribal Forces. I'm going El Cheapo style and taking advantage of the fact that my parents live an hour away to avoid getting a hotel room.)</i>

12:20AM - Promote your local artisans! And for me, local is the internet.

So I was out tonight with some great fangirls, and astolat asked me about my locket. I told her that it had an antique watch movement on it, and she asked me to put up a picture and a link to where I found it online.

I found my locket through a link on  sharpest_rose 's livejournal to the BirdsNBees Etsy store. The listings of jewelry made with watch parts are marked "Once Upon A Time".

The picture below is not my locket. It is a similar locket by the same maker with a fancier necklace setting.

6:16AM - Dear Feral Ficcer,

Dear Feral Ficcer,

You've been professionally published with a mystery novel I have actually heard of. That's why I'm scratching my head at the ending to your Nero Wolfe crossover fanfic novel.

Given that your dead character was a blackmailer and you spent most of the novel unravelling his plot in detail, I was surprised to see some random young guy in Armani show up and take pot shots at Archie for daring to investigate the apartment of the deceased, get killed by Archie for his trouble, and be pronounced the murderer ten pages before the end of the story. This guy, who had never appeared before in the story, you then revealed to be the boyfriend of the deceased. Only no one had ever heard of him and the dead guy was out of the closet, and no motivation for this murderous lover's spat was ever given.

Then, in a random passage a paragraph before the end, one of the dead guy's acquaintances who Wolfe and Co. had interviewed, also gay, turned up in Archie's bedroom stealing Archie's underpants. The man was previously depicted as a law abiding professional blogger with only a minor Archie crush. Now, suddenly, he's broken into a second story window for the sake of a cheap gag?

WTF?

Sincerely,

Me


Seriously guys, up until ten pages before the end, the whole thing made sense and didn't seem particularly anti-gay or anything. Do you think the guy who wrote it thinks that gay people are somehow prone to random murders and underwear theft? Or do you think that he was just tired of the story and Deus ex Machinaed his way out, and it only *accidentally* came of as freaky deaky?

Current mood: confused

11:44PM - Fic: Like It Says On The Box (Leverage/crossover) PG-13

Title: Like It Says On The Box...
Co-authored by mosellegreen
Summary: A man walks into a bar. He says "Ouch."
Genre: Gen with canonical lesbians.
Fandom: Leverage and ( surprise crossover, click on cut-tag for fandom. )


( The most gorgeous brunette he'd seen since... well, since he finished work yesterday )

Current mood: happy

Current music: Leverage opening theme

6:26PM - Yuletide Reveal: Seven Bells (Abhorsen series) Gen, PG

I wrote Seven Bells for coffeebased in Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. Post-Sabriel PG-rated gen with mentions of canonical marriage. Action and Sabriel-centric.

In one of those little coincidences that has had writers headdesking since the dawn of time - or at least desks - loneraven also had the very same idea this Yuletide for structuring her Abhorsen fic around the necromantic bells.

Since Nicolai Ivanovich Lobachevsky is not my name and I don't know a man in Minsk who knows a man in Pinsk... I believe it is safe to say we both came by the idea honestly. Both stories are considerably different, but I thought it was only fair to mention hers.