Tally ho …
I just did a quick check of my files. Aside from stories I know will be published, which are detailed on my author site, I have seven short stories pending decisions from editors. I also have the novel on an editor’s desk in New York.
Here’s the breakdown: One legitimate science fiction tale; one semi-literary vampire tale; five heroic fantasy/sword-and-sorcery tales with varying degrees of literary merit.
That’s not too bad. I’ve been trying to keep a lot of stories in circulation, and so far I’ve been able. The weird thing about that tally is the utter lack of detective stories.
You see, way back when I dreamed of becoming an author I was going to write mysteries. I used to devour them: Sherlock Holmes, Ellery Queen, Travis McGee (still my favorite), Steve Carella and the gang, you name it. Then my buddy Deven turned my attention toward science fiction and fantasy. I’d read some prior to that, but Deven steered me toward the good stuff — and that’s where my mind has been ever since. (Thanks, Deven.)
I still read mysteries, although infrequently. I still enjoy them immensely. I still have a great cop thriller plot running through my mind. But when I sit down to write, it’s going to be fantasy or science fiction.
I have several works in progress now, all fantasy or science fiction. I’m writing a comic-book inspired novellette I hope to see in a proposed anthology; the eighth (but not the last!) tale of Calthus, my pure sword-and-sorcery hero; and, of course, novel number two (which is completely and totally unrelated to novel number one.)
See? I have a lot of stuff going on. If anyone out there wants to aim a federal arts grant my way so I can give up actual work and just write for a living, feel free.
In the meantime, I’ve added a blog page where readers can leave comments about my stories. Praise or criticism, both are welcome. Questions are fine, too.
– Steve
Hello, and welcome to the blog of a sword-and-sorcery writer. Most of the stuff here is about writing fiction, but you'll also find some stuff about beer and Godzilla, a few bits of Zen, really short film reviews and my now-and-then rants about social injustice.You can find topics by category, using the list further down in this sidebar.
You are welcome, Steve. But remember, you are the one that picked up DragonQuest and set us on the path where we all stretched our minds.
Count on me jumping over to the new page to comment on your stories.
Doris is an avid mystery reader (almost a book a day) and she turned me on to Sharyn McCrumb. Yes, McCrumb writes the softer style mystery that would drive Mike Hammer nuts, but her two SF fandom based books, “Bimbos of the Death Sun” and “Zombies of the Gene Pool” are well crafted and a hoot especially for those of us who have been to SF Conventions and know anything at all about the early Futurians fanclub years of Asimov, Blish, Kornbluth, Pohl and Wollheim. I got a chance to chat with Fredrik Pohl for about a half hour back around 1993 or so. I still have a story bouncing around in my head that was inspired by my Granny Atkinson’s green grape jelly and Polh’s “Gateway” series. Maybe I’ll try to write it…yet again.
I am still mainly an SF nut, but I will read anything. I prefer the shorter forms to novels, and still devour Asimov’s SF Magazine when it arrives each month. Asimov remains my favorite author, just because. I am slowly attempting to collect all of his works. I enjoy his non-fiction almost as much as his SF. I also like Barry B. Longyear’s work from the 80’s mainly because of the tightness of his tales and his third person style. Steve, your style in the two Calthus tales I have read so far reminds me of Longyear. It is a shame he was not able to produce more. David Brin’s work appeals to the scientist part of me. Allen Steele’s “Coyote” trilogy was just a fun romp and reminded me of a softer science version of Brin. I have latched on to Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories. If anyone is an American Civil War nut and an SF nut, then his “Guns of the South” is a must read. The only fantasy I have read over the past few years is Lynn Abbey’s stuff. I also enjoyed her new Thieves’ World novel “Sanctuary” and the new anthology.
I was able to meet Harry at last year’s Origins gaming convention. I am afraid I acted like more of a fanboy than I did when I met Joe Haldeman at ShuttleCon back during our OSU years.
Speaking of Origins, it is this weekend in Columbus. There is a group that still plays DragonQuest and I will be joining them for a session or two. I have collected nearly all of the DQ related gaming materials as well. Mostly I play GURPS based games now, and am currently giving serious thought to helping a friend develop a supplement for GURPS version 4. We are going to discuss this at Origins. Fingers crossed.
And John, if you read this, remember when we stumbled into each other at Origins several years back? I searched and searched for you at the agreed time, but could not find you. I always felt bad that we didn’t get a chance to catch up on each other’s lives.
I am so glad Doris found your blog Steve. Memory Lane is just the medicine I needed.
Well, hey, look at the time. Time for me to duck through that VPN tunnel and get to work.
Hey, I’m glad Doris found the blog, too. (If you are reading this, Doris, howdy to you, too!)
I’ve read “Bimbos of the Death Sun.” I picked it up at a used-book store, on the basis of the title alone. I thought it was hilarious, so I’ll keep my eyes open for “Zombies of the Gene Pool.”
Origins is out of the question for me. I work a lot of weekends, and don’t really have the vacation time left to squeeze that one in. But maybe we can all make an appointment for Origins 2007?
– Steve
By the way, Deven, we still play DQ at the Goble household from time to time. Just often enough to sort of keep an ongoing campaign alive. We were averaging a session every couple of months there for a while.
My buddy Tom and his two sons are frequent players in those sessions, plus another friend — Cindy, who hasn’t found this blog yet — and rare appearances by a couple of others. With Gere playing, too, we usually have a good-sized group and a rip-roaring good time. Gere and Tom runs sessions, too, and sometimes we zig from DQ into a Marvel RPG or even a James Bond RPG (great system, loads of fun, but if you have more than two players it saps all of the Bond flavor out of the game).
We tend to schedule sessions way ahead, and block off a whole afternoon and evening.
Next time we do, I’ll let you know. Maybe Giles the Treacherous could make an appearance … but watch out for Smugli Thisletoes. He’s crankin’ up his crossbow.
– Steve
Origins 2007 - July 5th-8th.
I’ll try to remember to send you 2007 info and weblinks when I get them next year. I put in for vacation time about three months ago for this years Origins.
I am really looking forward to this year. I am signed up for a nine player minitures war-game “The Battle of Five Armies” based on that battle in Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”.
I really need this vacation.
Smugli might actually post-date Deven.
I’ve never seen a character that has repulsed every other game as thoroughly.
I mean, we start out games with Smugli and before the first word is spoken, the other gamers are trying to figure out how to ditch him.
Where’s the love?
And he’s an awful bore — definitely a one-trick pony.
I think it’s time for him to die. Horribly. Something to do with body parts or projectile vomiting, or perhaps a monster who eats Smugli and projectile-vomits HIS body parts.
It’s long past time for Smugli to die …
I do remember that Deven. I love’d Origins. Last time I went I ran a couple of DQ session. One guy ran DQ using one of those 3D tack maps with walls and stuff for the minis … I still a fan of grease pencils .. hehe
I ran Andy and a few of his friends on a campaign a couple of years ago. Things kinda fell off after we found MMO’s .. You’r not playing WOW are you Deven …
Next time we come back to Ohio … (maybe Christmas) we all need to get together and do some gaming … I miss the old 01,01,01, chant ..
Steve, I still have Giles’ character record, so it is possible for the paranoid punk to make a cameo
John, I have to stay away from the MUD and MMO gaming. Damn addictive things. No WOW for me, thank-you.
Derek, my youngest, is doing art for a 2D MMO called Illutia and has been part of the design team that is doing its current redesign. He is headed off this fall to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for a degree in Computer Game Art and Design.
John: It’s been too long, dude. The chant is “Grievous, grievous, grievous …”
Deven, AIP .. Oh I have fond memories of that school.
He will love it.
Steve, to long indeed. LOL .. At least it wasn’t 09 … Wait, No! “That’s Tom’s Campaign”.
Deven: Wow, sounds like Derek got a big old dose of his dad’s geek genes. I don’t play those games myself (much for the same reasons you cited; I’m sure I’d love them, but then I’d never get anything written). But if you want, I’ll bet you get the chance to play-test some really cool stuff, having a kid who majors in computer game art and design.
– Steve
Play testing his stuff would be more than cool. I would be *#%(&*@ fantastic!
I am sure my memory embellishes a little, but as I recall it was…
“Grievous, grievous, grievous…”
Dice roll, and stop. O1. Everyone cheers.
Doug grins. “Ubu hits!”
Steve peers at the NPC sheet. “Let’s see. A Giant Glave does 9 damage… staight to endurance… (pause) Ubu chopped him in half!”
“Does that mean he doesn’t get to roll for grievous?” Everyone does a slow turn to stare at Deven.
Everyone laughs.
… I swear that is how I remember it.
Gentlemen,
The Goble household stands ready to host large (or small) gatherings of gamers at any given opportunity. Pick a date to show up and we’ll have plenty of dice, food, bourbon and beer waiting.
With enough warning, we might even be able to farm out the 5-year-old for the night.
We have a spare bed, a comfy couch and a whole lot of yard for campers who don’t fear swarming mosquitoes.
Come gnash things with us.
My oldest DQ memory was from the first night I played. We were at Deven’s house I think and Clark was there. I am fairly sure we were headed out to Camp Alla Ak’abar (sp?) and during a random encounter with a couple of Dire Wolves, this little kid who I had just met named Clack saved our asses ..
I think that was the same night Doug asked “How far apart are my fingers spread?” LOL … Classic!
Gere: I’m in, but someone will have to give me a ride, unless we drive up from Florida.
Ah, yes, the old “how far apart are my fingers spread” conundrum. Oddly enough, I was unable to find a “Finger Spread Table” in the rules …
[…] Since Deven’s arrival in our little circle of blogs, old memories are rising to the surface. A particular discussion on DQ (DragonQuest for the uninitiated) over on Steve’s blog is quite refreshing. But our old High School Band “Four Lane Highway” was mentioned as well and it gave me pause to think. […]