INVERTED VERTIGO

abandoned moon station

2010-07-31T00:49:00.000-07:00

wow. been a long time since I posted anything here. I just never think of this journal anymore. lots of stuff going on though. too bad I'm too tired and blah to write about it all right now. there are new books aplenty, with more on the way. it's been a cool summer so far and destined to get even cooler.

........static.............

shit. I can't even be weird or witty right now.

zZzZzZzZ

awesome sauce

2010-05-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

Yeah, not much going on that you probably don't already know about. My novel House of Fallen Trees will be released next month from www.grindhousepress.com. Really excited about that. Working on a new horror novel too, in addition to a bizarro novel and trying to find a publisher for a collection. We'll see how that goes. Collections don't usually sell that well, so we'll see.

K's mom just had both her knees replaced. Ouch! You know how sometimes when an old person will be bummed about their failing health but then say, "But it beats the alternative!"? Well, fuck that. I think just the opposite. I'm more afraid of old age than of death. I definitely want to die before I get old and then I can say, "It beats the alternative." Old people are the bravest people I know. I'm not brave enough for that shit.

Bury me in a nameless grave, please.

anyway...

2010-05-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted here in a while for a couple different reasons. The first reason is that not much has been happening writing-wise. Things are in the pipelines but moving very slowly. I had hoped to have a new book out by now, but I guess it hasn't been in the cards yet. But next month should see the release of the tp version of House of Fallen Trees. That'll be cool, especially for the readers who couldn't afford to pick up one of the limiteds. Another book should follow soon after that, but I'm not sure. We'll have to wait and see.

The second reason I haven't posted here in a while is because I started a new blog and have been there more than here. The new one is not at all writing related though, and so, I won't be sharing it with you guys. It's more about my activist work and because I tend to get harrassed for those things, I'd rather just keep it away from the writing gig. I don't need some asshole fucking with something that has nothing to do with the issues I fight for and against.

Anyway, I hope the second half of the year is more eventful than the first half has been. I definitely need to get some new work out there before everyone forgets me completely.

hangnail

2010-04-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhh, baby!

Isn't it funny that some people consider me a "real" writer? Like, I get paid and everything. What a crazy hoax I have managed to pull off. I wonder when they will all discover what an imposter I really am, that my work is just so much silliness scratched into wet sand with a soggy stick.

Won't they be surprised?

No sleep again. Total delirium. Two days now.

I forget what else I was going to say...

When the Foam Solidifies

2010-04-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

Trust me, you don't want that to happen.

Spring break is over and it's back to work.

Who wants to stay up all night with me?

Let's Be Bored Together

2010-04-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

There is a wind storm going on right now. I'm wondering if we'll lose power. Also wondering if I should have more coffee.

I've decided that I probably have to stop drinking because of the meds I'm on. Even just a few beers makes me violently ill now. The other night I went out and shared a couple pitchers with a friend and thought I would die afterwards. I even passed out, waking up with hallucinations a little while later. Bad mojo for sure. Really sucks but this has been happening for a while. Unless I get off the med...

So, another pointless journal entry from the queen of pointlessness. There is a rabid raccoon in my ear.

gah!!!

2010-03-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Editors! Nag, nag, nag. Then, when they get what they want,-nothing. Dead silence. Some of them treat you like a one-night-stand they are ashamed they ever had. I understand being busy-I really do. But come the fuck on. Months go by. And the kicker is, most of them are also writers, so they KNOW they are treating you like shit. It's just so rude. And I'm sure I'm the bitch for complaining about it, but that's okay. It's a role I'm getting used to playing.

Seriously though. I only have so much patience. "All I'm asking for-is a little repect."

Okay. I feel better now. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

BUT I DON'T WANNA!!!!

2010-03-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Can you hear me whining/screaming that from wherever you are in the world? If not, that's pretty surprising.

I'm editing a book (my own) which is never fun. Making the changes that an editor has requested isn't the problem though. It's the fact that, if I'm working on a book I haven't read for a while, then I want to change EVERYTHING. I can't believe I wrote such crap. Must make it prettier, nicer, more gory, less gory, italics or no italics? What was I thinking!!!???

Yeah, that's my job. If you want to trade, I'm open to discussing it.

Here's something off the subject:

I wonder how guys feel about being called "son" by other guys-particularly ones who are not their fathers or grandfathers. I think that would annoy me. As in, "Put down the weapon, son." Or "Did you know you have a tail light out, son?" Or "TV will make you puke green chunks, son."

You get the idea.

That would drive me crazy. I think the female equivelant is "young lady," which I can't stand. It's so condescending. The last person to call me young lady was yelling at me and as a result I replied with "old man." It wasn't that long ago either. Maybe a few years. The guy is a serious asshole. Not a funny one. A SERIOUS one.

I'm just rambling in an attempt to avoid work. Did I mention I don't wanna?

Severe Rope Burn & Death

2010-03-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

That's what's been happening with me lately. I was out walking my dog and she decided to run AT a car that was also running AT her. The leash locked in a weird way, so I grabbed at the rope part and then three of my fingers were practically smoking. The chucks taken out of two of them-well, let's just say the rope actually cauterized the wounds, it was moving so fast. Not sure if that's common or not, but it's the first time it ever happened to me. The whole time this was going on, I managed to continue having a conversation with one of my neighbors.

We were talking about another neighbor-a guy who I've shared a wall with for the last seven years and who had committed suicide the day before. No one really knows why he did it. His sandals are still sitting out on his back steps-his various gardening tools. I can look up at the window of his spare bedroom at night and see that his computer is still on, the monitor glowing just like always. All these little things. I think about him being on the other side of my wall, first desperate, then dying, then dead. And I was just going along like always, without a clue.

He was happy and cheerful all the time. Or, at least, he pretended he was. He certainly had me fooled.

I hope they're playing disco for him, wherever his is. He loved ABBA and had the license plate to prove it.

Oh, yeah. The dog is fine.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People

2010-02-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

You want to know the secret? Just do what I do. Call out stupid wherever you find it. Trust me. Works every time.

The Infinite Question

2010-02-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

I was having a conversation with a friend last night and "the question" came up again. The same one that is so often put to me. It's this: "Gina, why are you so angry about FILL IN THE BLANK." And here is my answer: "Because no one else is and someone needs to be."

At least it seems like no one else is sometimes, though I know that's not literally true. But it's close enough to piss me off. I would love to be able to just kick back, relax and watch someone else be angry about, say, sexism or racism or speciesism. I would love to say, "Right on! You tell 'em!" But rarely does that happen. What I see is people ignoring it. They can't be bothered. No one steps up to the plate, so I have to. SOMEONE has to.

I know people who say, "Oh, yeah, that's wrong, but I can't focus on that because I don't want that negativity in my life." Which to me is lazy, cowardly and selfish. Completely understandable though. Who doesn't want to be that person sometimes? I would LOVE to be that person.

But I don't have it in me and I think that if more people felt the way I do, then maybe more change would start to happen in the world.

Last night I joked that I was probably born into the wrong era because it seems like all the important, winnable (sp?) wars have already been fought. Not completely won, of course-there are aways more little battles to fight-but others have thrown themselves down on the sword already. The fight to live in a world that is kinder to animals and the environment will not be won. People are just too selfish and will not listen. That is heartbreaking to me, but there it is. It will be the end of us but not enough people give a shit about that. They just want their steaks and for me (and others) to shut up about it.

But, I'm an opinionated bitch and I will never shut up.

I was also told last night that all this "righteous anger" and worry can't be good for my heath. That's probably true but, like I said, if not me, then who?

Yes, I'm sure I'm a huge asshole, but feel free to tell me so anyway. Let it all out. Get pissed. It will do you good.

new month, new guitar

2010-02-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

Reminds me of TRON, so I'll be shaking my fist at the calendar all month. Yep.

explode

2010-01-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

soon, I will explode. listening to lies and bullshit while smiling and nodding and keeping your mouth shut will do this to you. but eventually, the truth will come out. the question is, will I nudge it along or blow the fuck up? probably both.

I demand to see the manager!

2010-01-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Who's running this joint, anyway? The service is terrible! An update, what? Once a month? At best? This place sucks!

Wow. I'm sleepy. And all the caffeine in the world doesn't seem to be helping. I picked a bad year to quit doing lines. (That's a joke, btw. As if I could afford coke. I'm a fricken writer!)

I should have a regularish (I just made that word up--go me!) update in the nearish (!!!) future. You know, about stories and stuff. But right now, I got nothing to share. Editors, right? Pokey, pokey, pokey! And here I sit, waiting by the phone (not really).

So, blah. See you next month(ish)!

2010

2009-12-20T21:28:00.000-08:00

I remember this time last year, thinking that 2009 was going to be amazing. Well, it really wasn't. In fact, it pretty damn well beat me into submission. So much so that I'm scared to be hopeful for 2010, which in itself is very depressing.

Blah.

And blah again.

I'm so tired...

Poetry and Oprah

2009-12-10T14:05:00.000-08:00

I had a dream last night that Oprah was asking to see some of my poetry. I didn't want her to be disappointed so I rummaged through notebooks, pretending to see if I had any examples and tehn had to tell her, "Sorry. I don't have any with me."

She was disappointed anyway, which bummed me out. I told her, "But I've written a bunch of books." I was going to give her copies but she didn't seem that interested and said, "Yeah, maybe I'll pick those up." But I knew from the way she said that she probably wouldn't.

It's important to note that I don't really write poetry and evidently, neither does Dream Me. Dream Me didn't want to tell Oprah that though.

Am I spelling her name right? It looks weird to me. Not as weird as the dream though. Any dream experts out there who feel like explaining this to me? Because I am baffled.

But, she was nice nonetheless. There was other shit in there too, but I think that was the most important part.

You know what I hate? Soft toothpicks.

That is all.

K's New Toy

2009-11-18T09:48:00.001-08:00

So, K bought an espresso machine yesterday. Today, while examining the tiny one ounce cups, I noticed that they were very high quality. Thick, heavy glass. I said, "Wow. You could huck one of these at someone's head and probably kill them."

I kinda got yelled at. "Only YOU would think of something like that!"

I probably made a face in response. Sheepish? Maybe. Befuddled? Probably.

But, really. Am I the only one who would think of something like that? Really?

I wonder...

The Shower Popper

2009-11-14T00:55:00.000-08:00

Did I ever tell you about the spooky being I have come to call The Shower Popper? No, I know I didn't. Because it's embarrassing. But, in my house, there are several bathrooms. In one, where I like to do my thing, every so often-but not that often-once in a while, a shadowy figure will POP out of the shower while I'm on the john. That's pretty scary, right? Even more scary-the Shower Popper will sometimes even snap my picture just as it POPS out.

Usually, I scream. It is quite terrifying, as anyone who has ever been surprised while on a toilet will attest to.

Here is a picture of me the first time I was assaulted by the Shower Popper:

Yes, my hair was blue. It was a while ago.

Then, several months later, after I shaved my head from embarrasement, BAM, the Popper got me again:

And, later that same day, after I'd gathered my courage and talked myself into thinking I must have imagined the whole thing (Twice) the Shower Popper struck again!

As you can see, going into that bathroom is no picnic for me. But at least I have the photographic evidence of some sort of foul play. Or maybe it's PARANORMAL ACTIVITY?

You be the judge.

Oh, and why I wear enormous black shades with flames on the sides while I'm in the bathroom is none of your damn business. (It's a REALLY bright bathroom!)

my new pet

2009-11-12T17:05:00.001-08:00

A little green and black bug flew into the pocket of my hoodie while I was outside walking my dog through the woods behind my house. I've named him Roger after my father outlaw and am feeding him extra strength Tums Smoothies (assorted fruit flavors) which he seems to like quite a bit. That and Komodo Dragon blend coffee, which makes him (or her I suppose) buzz even louder.

We're happy together. Nibble your hearts out.

new horizons

2009-11-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

damn. I have been sick with H1N1 for two weeks, I think. maybe longer. hard to keep track of days when you spend most of them sleeping. but I'm getting a little better every day and should be back to (close to) 100% pretty soon. sweet throat and lung gunk, I'll miss you. don't forget to write now and then.

other cool shit on the horizon that I can't talk about in detail yet, but I'm pretty excited without getting my hopes up too much. needless to say, new, fun projects await, if all goes well.

I have stories to write now. godess bless understanding editors. I would be nowhere without them...

Witchy Poo

2009-10-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

Poor neglected blog. I just wrote a nice little post but it was eaten and I'm not going to retype it. Blah. But I am alive. Just super busy and trying to get caught up. Will get back to this soon!

Hope you're all having a wonderful fall and beware of the spookies that come out to bite! <3

A Waterfall of Pus

2009-08-05T20:00:00.001-07:00

That is how the back of my throat was described by my doctor the other day. Nice visual, eh? So, yeah, I've been super-sick and no one knows exactly what's going on, but I don't care anymore. I'm getting better now-or at least I FEEL better now-but I'm on lots of drugs, including prednisone, amoxicillin, and tramadol, among other things.

I had to miss a reading in Portland the other night and for once I was actually looking forward to doing one, since it was a vegan gathering, but I was in no mood or shape to drive 7+ hours to maybe sell a couple copies. Plus my voice was shot anyway.

I think I might almost be ready to get back in the saddle as far as work goes, so that's cool. It's been one delay after another this year, but I'm still trying to be positive about everything.

Guess I'm too tired to write more than this right now. Be back later with more...

Mite of the People

2009-06-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

High!

I think this blog has a virus or something. Well, not this particular blog, but blogger. My computer hates it. So, I don't know how much longer I'll be keeping up this journal. I might switch over to Xanga or something like that. If so, I will definitely post a link here though, so fret not little lambs.

Unless someone can tell me what the frog is up with this thing and how to fix it. That would make me even happier than the time I found a little green kitten outside my door. She's actually gray, but she was covered in green paint. I think she was pretending to be a lizard. Cats do stuff like that all the frigging time. They think it's funny.

Ok, I'm out. Go pinch your wife's/husband's butt for me. When they give you a weird look say, "Gina told me to!"

Alive

2009-05-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

To all who have asked, yep, very much alive over here. Thanks for noticing my absence and for your concern! It's very much appreciated!

K's vasculitits is back though, which is the ultimate in suckage. Doctors remain clueless, but there are more appointments in the near future, so I guess you never know. Just trying to keep the faith that this will all clear up sooner than later.

Trying to get back to my zombie book, now titled PRAISE THE DEAD. Need to bury myself in it and do my best to put everything else out of my head.

That's it for now. LOVElovelove YOU!

Live Chat TONIGHT

2009-05-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

If you've got nothing better to do, why not come chat with me over at the Haunt tonight? 8:30 PM EST. There will be spiked punch and cookies and probably a stripper or two. Hilarity will ensue, then we'll all bond and cry and hug and pretend it never happened the next time we see each other. You won't want to miss it!

http://www.horror-mall.com/haunt/

Another Biopsy

2009-04-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Apparently the results of the first one were "suspicious." So, they're gonna punch yet another hole in her. A bigger one.

Also, she has been really sick-running a high fever, blowing her brains out her nose, coughing, etc...

I think I'm on my way to a nervous breakdown.

fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

Norwescon

2009-04-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

I just spent the last couple days at Norwescon in SeaTac, Washington, having fun with my bizarro clan and meeting new friends and just generally having an awesome time at this sci-fi/fantasy convention. I'm happy to report that due to the hustle, humor and cute-ness factor of Jeff Burk and Cameron Pierce, ALL the books I brought ending up selling. First time that's ever happened, so thanks guys!

Incidentally, you should all buy Cameron's novella, Shark Hunting in Paradise Garden, and be on the lookout for Jeff's book ShatnerQuake, both from Eraserhead Press.

I planned writing more here today, but I'm just dead. Too much beer, next to no sleep and intense happiness makes for a very tired, sore G.

More later...

Update

2009-04-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, K's tests came back fine. Nothing wrong that they could see. BUT--her legs are getting worse and the vasculitis is spreading upwards, all the way to her lower stomach now. And a really weird thing--even the slightest scratch anywhere on her body gets all inflamed and angry looking, spreading out and growing wider. The doctors are baffled at this point and took a biopsy from her leg. Also, she is scheduled to see a dermatologist Monday. So, we'll see how that goes I guess.

She's been really tired and is sleeping a lot.

I'm feeling a little better, but not a whole lot. Too worried to work, which sucks because I have deadlines. Meh.

If you don't know what vasculitis is, do a google image search to get an idea of what we're dealing with. Not pretty and scary as hell.

So...

2009-04-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

K has been diagnosed with vasculitis. Sunday afternoon she was fine, Sunday evening her lower legs were covered in red dots and welts. Thinking it was an allergic reaction to something, I gave her some benedryl and assumed whatever it was would be gone by morning. It wasn't and our regular doc is on vacation. We went to the walk-in clinic and saw a nice guy who told us what it was and said it could be basically nothing or "something very bad." They took blood and urine from her and now we've been waiting for the results of those tests.

I'm trying very hard not to freak the fuck out. Usually, I'm the most calm person in the world. Even when I had a leukemia scare about a decade ago, I was perfectly calm and took the attitude "don't worry until you know for sure there is something to worry about." That is usually my motto.

Of course, that was me, not her.

The brave faced, tough chick mask that I wear is not holding up so well right now. I just hope it turns out to be nothing and I'll be able to laugh at how frightened I was.

Why aren't they calling back??????

Let There Be Light

2009-03-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

I got tired of my dark, dark, dark all the time. What am I, a Goth? Nope. So, I think I'm gonna go with light for a while. But don't think this means I've gone all goody two shoes. I still roll for the Empire. Never doubt it! I'm just chilling with the Storm Troopers for a bit. Vader can hold down the fort in Tatooine while I'm gone.

(Is that right? I'm not as up on my Star Wars trivia as I should be.)

jojojojojojojojojojojojo

2009-03-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

I'm dedicating this blog entry to the wonderful Jodi Lee because, not only does she kick ass and is a very cool woman, but I'm pretty sure she's the only one who ever reads this thing (except for, once in a blue moon, Bradley). And beyond that, this is my blog and I can do whatever the hell I want here. I can get verbally naked and dance around singing Go Tell It On The Mountain if I so choose.

But anyway, how are you Jodi? We have this place all to ourselves, so feel free to cuss out the whole planet if that's what you want to do. I know it's what I want to do sometimes. Damn planet. And it's not like those redneck Americans who always-like a broken fucking record-say "If you don't like America, leave!" I can't really leave the planet, though once in a while I wish I could. The moon, for example, would be a much more peaceful place to live. No neighbors cranking Abba, like the guy next door is doing right now. He sure does love his Abba. I wish I could make the first B backwards, like they (Abba) do. Those crazy Swedes.

I have a bit of a belly ache right now, probably from eating too much yellow curry. My stomach can't take spice like it used to.

So Jodi-where in Canada do you live? I know I probably already know the answer but I can't think of it right now for some reason. How are the kids? The job? The weather? I think I'll change the name of this journal to the Jodi and Gina Chat-A-Thon.

Believe it or not, I'm completely sober right now. I know--scares me too.

Bye for now, Jo-jo! Have a spectacular evening!

Shout it out, sister!

2009-03-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

I love this chick. She's way fucking cooler than me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Zpv3g8N6E&feature=channel_page

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Don't Trip

2009-03-01T23:54:00.000-08:00

Awesome and freaky:

http://www.geekologie.com/2009/02/end_of_the_world_perspective_s.php

Easily Amused

2009-02-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

I just bought a flashlight that's smaller than a cigarette. What will they think of next, eh?

Sleep is not my friend lately. Can't sleep during night hours for some reason, so--up all night, sleep all day. The life a rockstar, right? Kinda blows, actually. Might pull an all-nighter to try to break the cycle. Gloomy dark days probably aren't helping...

I keep looking at my strat in the corner. It's distracting. Saying "Play with me, damn you!" It's so pretty, how can I resist?

Ok, enough nonsense. Please visit www.ginaranalli.com for the real news of the day. It's 100% Premium News-Not From Concentrate.

Have my toes always looked like this?

Check this out!

2009-01-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

http://www.aftonbladet.se/webbtv/sport/article4208764.ab

The video is in Swedish, but I think you'll get what's going on. 72 year old woman, way more buff than I'll ever be. Started training at 46-doing 55 push-ups. Amazing and inspiring.

In Mourning

2009-01-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

Someone very close to me died two years ago today and it's hitting me like a fucking truck. I don't know what to do with myself. Trouble concentrating. There is no place dark enough to hide.

"I'm over...I'm over...I'm over...I'm broken."

Work Area

2009-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Just fiddling around here, tossing ideas back and forth with my editor and trying to get some work done. Sucking down some java, transcribing hand-written pages to the computer. Sat back and for some reason wanted to mark the moment with a pic. I took it just minutes ago and here is it, folks: where the magic happens. Exciting, eh? You can see I have my collection of Boogily Heads for inspiration, plenty of vitamins (because they are GOOD for you!) and even some deodorant because you just never know. And, yes, I scribble on pretty much everything.

Ok, that was fun for a minute. Back to work.

What It Takes

2009-01-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

I'm really beginning to wonder if I have what it takes to "go all the way" in the writing biz. Whatever that may mean--which is different things to different people. I'm not even really sure what it means to me. But even at the level I'm at now, I'm finding certain things more than just a little unsavory.

I'm just not comfortable with the amount of self-whoring (for lack of a better term) it seems to entail. I see people, whose work I like and some I even consider friends, just whoring themselves to the point where it makes me nauseous and embarrassed for them. It is painful to see people begging for attention, begging others to buy their books, begging, begging, begging. Nominating themselves for things, for crying out loud.

The whole thing is distressing to me. Is that really what I'll have to do to get people to notice my work? Probably. Will I do it? Never to that degree. I'd rather go back to working a cash register, truth be told.

So maybe I don't have what it takes, after all. And I'm actually glad of that fact. Take it as you will, but I like my dignity exactly as it is, thanks.

hmm

2008-12-04T02:59:00.001-08:00

Your rainbow is intensely shaded green, orange, and red.

What is says about you: You are a strong person. You appreciate energetic people. You get bored easily and want friends who will keep up with you. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

G-Zone

2008-11-29T23:10:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd leave a little love note to my new kick-ass phone, the Verizon G-Zone (I know--how fitting, right?) made by Casio. I needed something that could take being dropped, thrown, kicked, buried, burned, eaten by a python, sunk in a ship 4 miles beneath the ocean's surface and have it's heart cut out by a vicious native tribe making a virgin sacrifice. And this is it, baby!

I had a hell of a time getting one, since they've been discontinued and ebay sellers are very much like the aforementioned native tribe, but I finally have one now and it will never leave my side. I'm gonna shower with this thing. And then once it's all shiny and clean, I'll play hackeysack with it in my oldest toughest boots and kick it off my deck onto the concrete ten feet below.

This is gonna be fun.

If you need a tough phone, get your mitts on one of these things. I don't know if they use them in the military or not, but they definitely should.

The G-Hawk

2008-11-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, the rumors are true. Though I am too old and dorky for a mohawk, I now have one just the same. Behold:

Also, those are Transformer sunglasses to boot. I'm morphing into Tank Girl more and more every day.

Special thanks to Angie, the girl who cut it for me. Super-cool chick; hope to hang out with her and her gang again soon.

RAWR!

Bizarro Con

2008-11-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are, on the eve of my great adventure to Portland and Bizarro Con. I'm going down a day early--hopefully I'll be able to make myself useful somehow. I'm pretty excited. I'll be getting to see some amazing peeps--and make new friends to boot. Always a good thing.

Should be a lot of fun. I'll be doing at least one panel that I know of, judging a reading contest, attending an awards ceremony (two of my books are nominated) and drinking, drinking and--oh yeah--drinking. I also intend to pick up some new books, because you just can never have too many bizarro books in your library.

Other than that, I finished my novella SWARM OF FLYING EYEBALLS and with any luck that'll be seeing the light of day in the nearish future of 2009. Nick sent me a possible cover for it and I nearly fell out of my chair. It is THAT fucking awesome! I can't wait for everyone to see it.

Now I just have to decide which project to tackle next. I have a bunch of things in various stages of completion, so I should probably work on one of those. We shall see...

Currently reading The Tormenteds by Andersen Prunty (great stuff!) and just started Widdershins by Charles de Lint. Listening to a good bit of metal lately, as I tend to do in the winter for whatever reason.

Now, I think I'll go drink some coffee and fiddle with words until it's time for Fringe. Until next time...

g.

Gays get fucked over again

2008-11-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks a lot, California. Stellar show of bigotry yet again.

You know what I think would be awesome? If straight people who support gay rights would just simply stop getting married themselves until EVERYONE is treated fairly and allowed the same basic human rights. That act of rebellion would hit enough people in their precious wallets and be such a show of solidarity that it would be impossible to ignore. It would be interesting to see how many put their money where their mouth is. Do you truly support gay rights? Prove it.

I know it won't happen but I'm pissed and it sure does make a nice fantasy.

Cool Beans

2008-11-04T21:39:00.000-08:00

I think my lucky bandana cinched the deal. That and my skull collection, of course.

mail in deed is done

2008-11-04T14:27:00.001-08:00

Very tempted to vote for McKinney but in the end I just decided that this election is too important, and regardless of what some people will have you believe, there IS such a thing as a wasted vote. Sorry, but it's true. I hope Obama is at least a little bit of what he claims to be. I hope he really does care. Like my old friend Agent Mulder used to always say, "I Want to Believe." Time will tell, I guess, the way it always does. Let the games begin.

my guy

2008-10-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

up on the roof

2008-10-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

We've been having our roof worked on for the last week, which is something that needs to be done but at the same time is a huge annoyance. Constant pounding, drilling, and who knows what else. I haven't been able to think straight, since of course, the dog is pretty much about to have a nervous breakdown--as is the cat, but at least she doesn't spend all day, every day, barking.

The only cool thing about is that the guys doing it are all Hispanic and sometimes one of them will start singing in Spanish, which is nice. They whistle and talk and seem like a pretty happy bunch, despite the fact that my dog is barking up at them and most likely wishing she could taste their blood.

Concentrating on work has been difficult. The book is moving at a snail's pace right now. (Sorry Nick!) Hopefully I'll be able to get back in the saddle in the next day or so and just pound the hell out of the thing and get it over with. That'll be a huge load of my mind and then there's November. Oh, boy. Good times ahead.

Hope everyone is well and getting ready for Halloween. The spookies are on their way, slithering up the street and across your yard to knock at your door and climb in your windows. They're coming for you, Barbara! Ha. How over-used is that line anyway...???

BODYSLAM

2008-10-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, it seemed like writers lived on another planet. They were as inaccessible as movie stars. Yes, supposedly you could write to their publishers and supposedly the letters would get passed on to the writer. Just like movie stars. I figured if you actually did take the time to write one, you might get an autographed photo or something, but probably not. I was clueless.

But now--NOW--things are much different. Writers are everywhere and I'm not just talking about the twenty-five zillion people who just fancy themselves writers because they paid Lulu a ton of money or Mom told them they wrote a darn good poem when they were 12. I mean the writers you know and admire. The "successful" writers. No, you can't (or at least I can't) just bump into Stephen King at some con, but short of him and others of his caliber, you really can bump into just about anyone. Write to them--they usually write back. Talk to them, hang out with them, drink beer them, etc... In this age, you can actually know your heros and find out they're just regular guys and gals, which is awesome to me. I still doubt it's possible to do that with movie stars though...

Anyway, this was just longwinded way of saying "Holy shit!" I logged into my Facebook account to find that I'd been bodyslammed by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Me and a few hundred others probably, but still. How cool is that? I love her book A FISTFUL OF SKY. It's amazing. You should definitely check it out. And to get bodyslammed by her, even virtually, made me smile.

Here's to hoping one of your heros bodyslams you sometime soon. It's pretty fucking cool. haha.

Birthday Girl

2008-10-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

In a couple of days it will be my birthday and I get to be 24 again! Hooray for me! That was kind of a shitty year and also kind of an awesome year, so I decided to go back in time and make the whole thing awesome. Thank goodness I found the genie in that magic blow-up doll. She comes in handy every so often (the genie, not the doll). (as an aside, I really am writing story about a genie in a blow-up doll--she's quite a trickster--again, the genie, not the doll.)

Back in reality, I received a most excellent gift already. A grab bag from Cemetery Dance, which included three signed and numbered hardbacks, a few back issues of the mag (too cool!) a tote bag, a frisbee and the best thing: a T-shirt with a short-short by none other than the great Brian Keene on the back. Yippie! I'm never taking it off, which means by the time I actually see Brian again and get him to sign the thing, he'll probably want to do it with a VERY LONG Sharpie. Not sure if they've been invented yet--I should get on that asap.

Anyway, not much else going on. Still wrestling the muse and getting my ass kicked. I seriously hate that bitch lately. Maybe I should just give up this whole writing nonsense and just go to law school or something. It certainly couldn't be any harder than this. Not that I'm complaining (much). Writing is a damn cool gig, usually. I just think if I'm going to crack my head open every day, I should at least be getting a decent wage for it. Crazy, I know. But that's me. Dreaming my life away.

So, wish me a happy birthday if you feel like it. Buy a book, leave a review, blow me a kiss. Whatever. I promise to blow you back. (hahaha!)

Cats and Bugs

2008-10-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

My cat is pretty much the coolest kitty on the planet. That is, I personally don't know of a cooler one, but, of course, I'm biased. She's my best buddy--staying with me when I'm sick, when I have insomnia, when I'm depressed. I think she was a really great nurse in another life.

I took this pic yesterday while unpacking some stuff. She's no kitten anymore but you'd never know it. Always looking for trouble, which she has an uncanny ability to find. She's meowing beside me as I type this, which always causes the dog to want to chase her. Then they get into a boxing match, which the cat always wins. She's a little bad-ass. (I wonder where she gets that from?)

Anyway, I'm avoiding working because I have some lame-ass stomach bug that's making me feel like crap, but I am too stubborn (i.e. DUMB) to go lie in bed, telling myself I will feel better at any moment and be able to continue working on SWARM OF FLYING EYEBALLS, which I am woefully behind on. Good thing I can write like a bat out of hell when the need arises. It will be arising soon, I suspect.

Anyone know the best thing for a stomach flu? Maybe some warm gingerale? Blah. Kill me.

My Brain is Possessed

2008-09-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

So, as soon as I decide I'm not going to write anymore short stories for a while, what do you think happens? That's right, boys and girls, my lovely and homicidal muse decides to shit upon my head with countless ideas for short stories and begins to electrocute my brain until I start writing them down. On my pc, my laptop, in longhand in note books and even scribbling notes on the steamy bathroom mirror, which I have to get to by jumping out of the shower and racing over to it before the thought is gone, whisked away like a dandelion seed in a hurricane. WTF?

My brain is not my own. My thoughts are not my own. My stories are not my own. They come from somewhere else. I'm now positive of this. Perhaps it's a future me, zapping ideas into my head now to ensure that I have something to show for myself when that day comes that I too am whisked away like the aforementioned dandelion seed. Otherwise, the eternally-wise future me knows that instead of doing what I'm supposed to be doing--stringing words and sentences together to form some semblence of what I laughingly call A STORY--I'll instead busy myself with things like counting how many pairs of Chucks I have (a lot!) and trying to learn the lyrics to Bree Sharp's classic tune "David Duchovny". (But, really, why WON'T he love me?)

Anyway, I think I need more coffee and perhaps another set of hands. Maybe then I could write two stories at once, doubling my pleasure and doubling my fun, but most importantly, shutting up that damn "haha, look at me, I'm so amusing" smug little muse.

I may have to start swatting at her with a rolled up magazine again. Which, of course, means hitting myself in the head and causing people to look at me weird. But, they don't know. They aren't writers. But, you guys understand, right?

RIGHT????

LAZY

2008-09-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

I feel like a total bum today. It's going on 7 pm and I have done absolutely nothing except mess around on the web. No writing, no walking, no nothing. Part of it is that my hips are really hurting today. It started last night, so I took a bunch of meds, which totally zonked me out, causing me to sleep really late and feel sluggish all day. I think the house could have burned down around me and I never would have woken up. Another potential OD I guess. That brings the tally up to a few dozen, I think. But, alas, I am evidently impervious to drugs, even when mixed with alcohol. I AM IMMORTAL!!!

On a more serious note, (not really) I've been kind of digging that new Fox show Fringe. I hope the network gives it a chance.

I've been working on the book for Nick Cato, which is goofy and fun and I hope he likes it. Hoping to get it done soon and then it's on to another project for a Canadian publisher I really like. I actually might make November be the month for that novel. We'll see...

Reading The Spider's House by Paul Bowles. Just started it but so far, so good. I was in the mood for something a little more dense than the usual stuff and this definitely fits the bill.

Think that's about it in terms of updates. No witticisms today, probably because my brain is tapioca. MMMM. Yummy! (But not allowed)

BUSY

2008-09-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Whew! This writing gig is growing by leaps and bounds, which has taken me by surprise, to say the least. I never thought I'd be one of those people who have to start saying no to things, but here I am, completely overwhelmed by the amount of requests for stuff lately. And it's not even that bad, really. I don't know how others do it. Requests to read manuscripts is the first thing that is going to have to stop. As much as I love reading new stuff, it's just way too time consuming to have to read entire novels for the purposes of giving blurbs or writing introductions. I'm flattered beyond belief that some folks want things like that from me, but it's keeping me from my own work lately and until I'm caught up with that, the answer is going to have to be no for a while. It sucks, I know. But there it is.

Another thing that will probably not be happening for a while is short stories. I need to get caught up on all the books I'm supposed to be writing for various publishers, not to mention I'll soon be drowning in the editing pool for books that are already complete but need various degrees of revamping.

The next few months are going to be crazy. Big stuff is happening and I couldn't be more excited about it. Viva Ranalli!

love everywhere

2008-08-24T23:42:00.000-07:00

I love my life. I love my friends, my animals, my job and I especially love the love of my life. I love my movie collection, my art--both created and collected--my big soft bed, the spring I play with (really a small Slinky) when I'm at my desk just fiddling around. All my little toys. My books, which are stacked everywhere I look and are bound to take over the whole house one day. I love my weird lava lamp (it has a personality!!!) I love the grapes I've been eating almost constantly for a few days now. I love the rainy Washington weather and the huge-ass slugs and worms it brings out every night. I probably even love you, if I know you at all, and if I don't, I'd probably love to be your friend.

Am I a love-crazy hippie chick? Probably, but love is better than hate any day of the week and life is just too short for that shit.

New interview

2008-08-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

Conducted by none other than the great Mickey Z. himself.

Check it out here:

Mother Puncher: An interview with Gina Ranalli The Smirking Chimp

Mickey Z.

2008-08-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Mickey is a brilliant, brave man, an amazing writer and a fantastic public speaker. Listen to his words--pay close attention. He speaks the truth in a world where most people definitely do not want to hear it. Please take the time to watch these videos. You'll be glad you did.

Transmissions » Blog Archive » Mickey Z LIVE!! Bringing Sexy Back To Radical Politics

Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that he is also a seriously sexy beast!

I'm tagging all your asses (but especially Jodi's)

2008-08-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

name: gina
dob: oct 14
loc: seattle WA
hometown: quincy MA

five details about you...

[x] vegan
[x] writer
[x] feminist
[x] democrat
[x] insane

five details about your appearance right now...
[x] element hoodie
[x] messy hair
[x] pleather boots
[x] jamba juice T
[x] yawning

five things you did today
[x] rolled out of bed
[x] walked the dog
[x] stared at the computer
[x] stressed about shit
[x] drank lots of coffee

five favorite groups...(in no particular order)
[x] rhcp
[x] marley
[x] dk’s
[x] misfits
[x] gorilla biscuits

five favorite movies...
[x] nightmare before christmas
[x] fear and loathing in lv
[x] fight club
[x] deathproof
[x] the big lebowski

five things that make you happy...
[x] writing
[x] not writing
[x] animals
[x] positivity
[x] guitars

five things that disgust you...
[x] cruelty
[x] apathy
[x] sexism
[x] racism
[x] homophobia

five things that don't impress you..
[x] skeletal women
[x] stuck-up writers
[x] fat wallets
[x] the state of florida
[x] suv’s

five things you can't live without...
[x] creativity
[x] my better half
[x] books
[x] coffee
[x] art

five things you'll do when you complete this...
[x] scratch my forehead
[x] drink my gatorade
[x] resist the urge to take a nap
[x] check my email
[x] work on my book

dumb old survey

2008-07-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is from Jan. 8 '08:

Q: Kissed someone on your friends list - uh...no
Q: Been arrested?- hmm
Q: Kissed someone you didn't like? - probably when I was younger
Q: You like someone?- I "like" lots of someones
Q: Held a snake?- yep
Q: Been suspended from school?- haha...NEVER
Q: Sang in the shower?- nope
Q: Sat on a roof top?- a long time ago
Q: Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on?- no, thank god
Q: Broken a bone?- does my nose count?
Q: Shaved your head?- yep!
Q: Played a prank on someone?- haha..pretty much every day
Q: Had/have a gym membership?- nooooo
Q: Made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?- unfortunately
Q: Donated Blood?- probably...can't remember
Q: Had your heart broken?- yes :(
Q: Broken someone's heart?- yes :(

"Who was the last person.......?"
1. You hung out with? THE SPECIAL K
2. You texted? K most likely
4. You went to the movies with? (what happened to 3?)I don't need no stinkin' movies!
5. You went to the mall with? are you crazy?
6. You talked to on the phone? K...she woke me up!!
7. Who made you laugh? everyone makes me laugh
8. You hugged? K again---

Would you rather...
1. Have white bread or wheat? wheat
2. Be serious or be funny? BAH HAHA...funny
3. Drink whole or skim milk? soy
4. Die in a fire or get shot? jeeze...shot I guess

---Choices---
1. Sun or moon?-- moon
2. Winter or Fall?-- fall...no, winter...no, fall. yes, definitely fall.
3. Left or right?-- huh?
4. Sunny or rainy? I like both
5. Hugs or kisses? both rule
6. Where do you live? washington STATE
7. Rock or Techno? definitely rock
8. Do you want to get married? I hope to someday
9. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? twirl! silly survey, what kind of Italian do you take me for???
10. Do You Cook? with poor results...so, no
11. Current mood: groggy

In the last 72 hours have you...
1. Kissed someone? yep
2. Sang? haha...no
3. Been hugged? yep
4. Like someone you can't have? nope

Space Shot

2008-07-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

So....I just came out of a five day cleanse. Very little food (mostly just fruit) or drink, except for water. No caffeine, which I thought would kill me and the first day I had the headache from hell but it slowly petered out until the last day when it was only vaguely annoying. Last night I finally ate a little bit of bread and pasta and my body said "WHAT THE FUCK????" haha. Drinking a cup of coffee now and feeling a bit spacy, but it's all good. I really missed my good buddy Java. It is probably the one vice I could never give up completely.

I did absolutely no writing during this time, but read quite a bit of Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, highlighter always close at hand. The book is rather simplistic and far-fetched but still is full of good wisdom and beauty. I would recommend it to anyone seeking spiritual enlightenment. Just try and get past the almost childlike prose and you should be okay.

But, I think today is the day I get back to putting my own words on virtual paper and continue on with SLWV, which should have been finished eons ago. It's never taken me this long to finish a book, which is kinda pissing me off and I'm gritting my teeth and forcing myself forward out of sheer stubbornness. This book WILL be finished, hopefully this month.

Anyway, may these words find you in light and love, where and whoever you may be.

LOVE TO ALL!
g.

Jodi tagged me!

2008-07-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

And I just now noticed. Well, here goes nothing...

My ex - is a psychopath
Maybe I should - get busy on that damn July novel!
I love - The mighty K, guitars, my animals...
People would say I am - pretty weird
I don’t understand - apathy
When I wake up in the morning - I usually discover that it is actually afternoon
I lost - my cellphone. again.
Life is full of - change. change is a law.
My past is something - that taught me how "not" to be.
I get annoyed when - people are intolerant idiots
Parties are - usually too crowded for me.
I wish - I had a cup of coffee. Oh wait. I do!
Dogs - are the court jesters of the animal kingdom
Cats - are the royalty of the animal kingdom
Tomorrow - is the 4th of July. Ugh.
I have a low tolerance for - intolerant idiots. still.
If I had a million dollars - I'd die of shock.
I’m totally terrified of - nothing. That doesn't mean I'm brave. It just means I'm not terrified of anything. ;)

Getting Better

2008-06-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

It has been sunny here in Washington and that is a good thing. I haven't written anything in days and that is a bad thing, but I'm not getting down on myself about it. I'll be writing my ass off in just a few days, creating a brand-new bizarro horror novel along with my pals David, Jodi and Kody, who I think are writing straight-up horror novels. Not positive about that though. Either way, it's gonna be cool to get back in the saddle and see what floats to the top of the old noggin.

I seriously can't wait until we get a new president. It will be nice to be happy with our leader, to be proud to stand beside him (metaphorically) and not be embarrassed by his war and hate mongering and other various antics. That's assuming America has the brains to vote in the right guy and that said right guy doesn't turn into something besides what he says he is. Fingers crossed on that one.

I wonder if the people of China feel the same way about their government as some of us US citizens feel about our current one. I really despise the Chinese government and not only for what it has done to Tibet. They have commited so many travesties...it really bothers me if I think about it too much.

I also wonder if China had been invading a Christian country instead of a Buddhist one, if the US would have stepped in. Food for thought. I don't claim to know a lot about politics but I certainly know right from wrong.

Anyway, I guess it's all just flotsam in the wind, eh? The sad part of doing time on planet Earth.

On a lighter note, here is an interview I did with Ash Lomen over at Bizarro Central. Bizarro Central Forums - My interview with Gina Ranalli
One of my more oppositional moments. I thought he was just being goofy (he was!) and I was giving him goofy replies. I think it's funny though, even if no one else does. Ash is a cool dude and always cracks me up. I hope he writes a book one of these days.

I think I might have Thai food for dinner. Or homemade pizza. And beer. I am REALLY craving a beer.

PEACE, BABY!

Negative Space

2008-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

For the last week or so I've been in this negative head space that I can't really seem to shake. I've been getting bombarded with all kinds of work-related requests, which is making me feel overwhelmed and sort of stressed, in addition just getting some bad vibes from someone who I consider a friend. I think part of feeling crappy might have to do with the weather--it is nearly July and still cold around here. Fucking blows.

I've been trying to improve my diet a lot too and have been pretty successful at it so far. Eating lots of good organic stuff, a lot of raw fruits and veggies. Cutting out as much processed food as possible, create as little waste as possible, etc... Most people don't stop to think about all that plastic and cardboard and such that come with their processed foods, so it's not only bad for them, but bad for the environment as well.

Also decided to go back to meditating, which should help a lot too. Getting back into the practice of it takes time though. We'll see how it goes.

I'm reading a whole bunch of books right now too. Five, I think, all of which are enjoyable in their very different ways. One of the books is Only Begotten Daughter by James Morrow, which kicks much ass and I find totally hilarious. My guess is that Morrow probably pisses off a whole lot of Christians though. It reminds me quite a bit of the Vic Mudd book Deity, actually. God's children sure know how to have a good time. haha.

But with all this reading I've been doing, I realize just how much growing I still have to do as a writer. Grow and grow and grow and never stop. That is the point of this insane life, I think. That and to surround yourself with special, loving, kind people and to recognize the bullshit when it comes your way, which it always does eventually.

LOVE TO ALL!

love love love love
love love love love

2008-06-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was going through some old boxes about a week ago, which contained ancient notebooks and writings, mostly from my teenage years. Talk about hilarious and embarrassing both at the same time. Most of the stuff, I couldn't get past the first couple of paragraphs before groaning or giggling before moving onto the next thing. Talk about angst and waxing poetic. Good grief.

Most of my stuff was not very bizarro back then, though I did find one thing that had quite a few bizarro elements in it. The story is called GASOLINE STREAM and is basically about the whole world being on fire. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense but parts of it are very weird and funny. I thought I might release it as an APA novella, but as the APA is being revamped, I'm not really sure. I'm wondering if I should release it on my own, selling it as a very limited edition (but very inexpensive) chapbook. Or maybe offering it as a freebie to folks who buy a certain number of my other books at once. OR, maybe I'll just do nothing with it at all.

The rest of the stuff I found was mostly crap. A couple of pretty cool short stories, but not much else worth noting.

I'm also kind of stumped over the novel I'm supposed to do in July. I REALLY want to start a new one, but I really HAVE to finish an old one. Damn this being a libra crap! Making a decision--even a simple one--becomes this torturous, glacial process. Bah.

But, life is good. Allergies still suck, but life is good. :)

Hope whoever may come across this blog is having an outstanding day! Let's hug!

Beneath Seattle Skies

2008-06-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Washington weather. It's been raining all day and this makes me happy. I love sunny weather too, but sometimes rainy days seem so perfect. Especially when it's not winter rain. I grew up in the Boston area where winters could get pretty damn nasty but now I always miss the snow. It snows here maybe a few times a year and never very much. A dusting here is a HUGE deal, which I find hilarious. "OH MY GOD! HALF AN INCH OF SNOW! LET'S DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND CLOSE DOWN THE ENTIRE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE!!!" Pretty amusing.

Why am I going on about this? I have no idea...

I've concluded that I'm insane. Even though I already have roughly a gazillion things on my literary plate, I've decided to move forward with a micro-press I've been thinking about for some time. I just love the punk DIY ethos and know so many talented writers who should be read more widely and shared with any readers who have the balls to try someone/something new and different. This project will be very small-scale; no one will be getting rich--especially not me, but I don't give a shit about that and hope the writers get it too. We'll see, I guess. I probably won't even make a website for it. Just a myspace page: www.myspace.com/blooskize :)

I should mention that a piece of flash fiction I wrote was accepted by Coscom Entertainment for their upcoming zombie antho BITS OF THE DEAD, available for pre-order at Horror Mall. I'm really excited about the project and hope everyone else digs it too. (You'll find links in the--you guessed it!!--link section!!!)

Guess that's it for now. Love and best wishes to all and thanks for reading!!

If I Wasn't Vegan

2008-05-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

I swear, I would eat my dog right now. She has been driving me frigging insane all day. Actually, for several days now. I have no idea what's gotten into her. She is a Border Collie/Australian Shepard and was so hyper/insane/needy as a puppy that I seriously thought I was going to need therapy to keep from killing her. Lately, she's been acting the way she did back then. (She recently turned five.) I've been trying to finish a book and I guess there is something about the sound of my keyboard because every time I start typing, she comes running with a ball, a squeaky toy, a plastic bottle she stole out of the recycle, a dish towel from the rack. (Did I mention she is also a thief? Worse than a ferret.) If I ignore her demands for attention, she will nudge me with her muzzle. Then whine. Then proceed to barking. Then jumping on me and barking some more. As I type this, she is barking. I keep having to keep deleting typos due to the fact that my chair goes rolling off and slamming into the bookcase to my right because she keeps leaping on me, sending me flying.
But, all things considered, she is very cute. At the moment, though, I think she would be even more cute if she were stuffed. Just sayin'.

The Third of Three

2008-05-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I remembered my password for this thing. Lucky guess, really.

Anyway, I just thought I would jot down some of the happenings in my life these days. Anyone who would read this probably knows that the first bit of news is that my bizarro novel CHEMICAL GARDENS has been optioned for film. I guess you could say its "in developement". It was purchased for a young actress named Selena Gomez. I think her people are shopping it around to studios right now. The ones that were mentioned to me were Disney (uh oh!) and Warner Bros. (sweet!) The only director's name I heard was Tim Burton, but I really can't imagine that that could actually happen. That would just be KOOKY TO THE MAX!!! haha.

So, there's that. More info as it becomes available to me...

I also have a few books coming out soonish. The first one, from Afterbirth, called MOTHER PUNCHER, should be out within a month or two. I think...I'm just guessing here. Then there's SKY TONGUES, coming from Eraserhead in the fall, I believe. The last one is called RUMORS OF MY DEATH and will be released through Afterbirth's absurdist imprint, Bloo Skize. This one I'm pretty nervous about because it's actually the first full-length novel I ever wrote and is many years old. I sense a major re-write in my future.

Also, there are a few short stories coming out in various anthos, including one in the Graveside Tales' THE BEAST WITHIN and another in Horror Library Vol.3. I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can't remember what now. Ugh.

I'm spaced because of the amount of Benedryl I've been having to take lately. The weed pollen here in Washington has been through the roof for about a week, I guess. Maybe longer. It's making me miserable as hell. I'm considering getting allergy shots since I've been taking about twice the recommended dose of those pills and still feeling like crap.

Let's see..anything else...hmm...

My mind just went junkie blank so I suppose that's it. Tune in next time when I'll be talking about Particle Men and The Alone Hole. Or maybe not. Maybe I just made up those titles on the spot. In fact, I think I did. haha.

The Second of Few

2007-12-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, I really thought I'd use this blogger a lot more than I do. The thing is, I also thought I'd have more announcements to make, even though I know full well that the book biz movement is glacial at best. So, while there are new things happening, I don't like to announce anything until it is actually available to order. This comes from announcing release dates and then having to explain to folks why said product is still not available. Release dates are mostly just guess work when it comes to the small press...

BUT...my new book (Wall of Kiss: Gina Ranalli) can now be found at any of your online favorite book seller sites and can be ordered in any brick and mortar store. Also, as always, you get free shipping when you order from afterbirthbooks.com, as well as signed copies and sometimes various random goodies if I have any around.

Also, if you go down to my links you'll see one for Punk Horror. Follow that there doodad and order up a copy of The Vault of Punk Horror, which features a brand new story by me called Kamikaze Christ. I'm pretty sure it will be available on amazon pretty soon though, if you prefer to do your shopping there.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be back to update this blog with more stuff soon. At least sooner than five months, I hope. I plan to be busting my ovaries in the new year, so keep an eye out for some unexpected stuff by me. Good times are ahead, even better than those behind, and they were pretty fucking good too.

As always, thanks for reading and supporting my writing. It's Christmas Eve and I have some libational celebrating to do! Ho ho and all that!

The First of Many

2007-07-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my brandy spanking new journal of the ages. In the future, this will be the place where I discuss all things related to my professional life and perhaps some that are completely unrelated but are for whatever reason of interest to me. Maybe they'll be of interest to you as well.

There will be progress reports on my various projects, if there is any progress to report, perhaps a few rants and plenty of rambles. I will do my best to not post while intoxicated, seething with rage or overly sleep deprived. Beyond that, I make no promises.