I’m not going to comment much. I worked on this in a small way with the folks at Dalmation Coast. We made this movie in 48 hours. It was a great learning experience and it’s something that I’m proud to have done.
One more thing: This won’t be the last video on the site. I guarantee it.
JP
Every thursday, from here on in, I will write about what I’ve done at other websites or even some writing news as things happen. This week is short and sweet.
I wrote a column for Comicbloc. You can read my column here. In it, I talk about the importance of branding. Personally I wish I had written it in not quite such a rush, but it’s good to get back into the habit. I’ll have more news next week.
Friday and Saturday Nemesis will make his return. Promise. I will have a more regular schedule for the story next week.
JP
Before we begin, here’s a trailer for you to watch.
Welcome back.
I first saw this book at the Calgary Comic Entertainment Expo when I met Jo-Anne and her kids. Jo Anne seemed very friendly, and her kids were awesome. We managed to keep in touch and with the release of Aberrant, I asked Jo-Anne if she wanted to be interviewed. She agreed. I talk to Jo-Anne about her books, her influences, covers and ADHD.
Joshua Pantalleresco: Why did you become an author? Who influenced you?
Jo-Anne Sieppert: My head has always been full of stories, I felt like if I didn’t get them out my head would explode. Once I started writing, there was no way to stop. My biggest influences are, William Shakespeare, JK Rowling, Stephen King and Stephanie Myers.
JP: Which Shakespeare stuff in particular? I was always partial to Shakespeare’s tragedies. And I just love The Tempest. What are you favorites with him?
JS: It’s the tragedies for me also. Romeo and Juliet is my favorite.
JP: What are you writing right now?
JS: Right now I am writing the second book in the Aberrant series, while editing the third in the Nytstars series, and writing the fourth Nytstars.
JP: I just did my first workshop with you. You say the characters come up to you and talk to you when you’re writing. That’s intriguing. Can you explain your general process with writing?
JS: I mostly write a night, I like the darkness and total quiet. I just open my mac and start writing. No plan, no outline, nothing. I write my stories the same way as reading them, one word at a time, it’s just as exciting to see it come together.
JP: You use no plan or outline. Wow. What about the ending? Does there get a point when you have an idea where the story goes? Or do not find out until the very end?
JS: Usually I find out the ending at the end as I write it. However, I do already know how the final Nytstars will end. That one came to me halfway through writing the second book.
JP: That’s a pretty cool way to come up with something like Nytstars. So are you writing those books in particular for your kids?
JS: Nytstars is definitely for my kids, and all kids really, anyone that has had nightmares.
JP: In Nytstars, are Tyler and Michael in any way inspired by your kids?
JS: The characters, Michael and Tyler are 100% inspired by my two sons, Michael and Tyler. Tyler was the main inspiration for Nytstars, he suffered from terrible nightmares since he was very young. He would tell me what he was afraid of and I would tell him a story of him defeating his fear. Eventually I started writing the stories down, and Nytstars took off from there.
JP: When is Nytstars book 2 coming out?
JS: I’m not too sure to be honest. I am going to re-release the first one, (next year) so the second will come out 9-12 month’s after that.
JP: Okay. we talked about Nytstars a bit here, now tell me a little bit about Aberrant.
JS: Aberrant came to me when Houseboating in the Shuswap. I am not a camping, rough-in it type of girl, at all!!! But it was such a beautiful place. I was sitting on the sun deck watching the sun set on our first night on the boat. The idea came to me and just started writing, the next thing I knew, I was watching the sun rise, and Aberrant was born.
JP: You told me where Aberrant comes from. Now tell me what it’s about.
JS: Aberrant is a modern day Stephen King’s Carrie, with a Twilight twist. Not Vampires, though. Delilah is a young girl who gets bullied. She seeks refuge on an island that the small town she lives in surrounds. On the island she meets Jack. When the bullies kill Delilah, Jack brings her back. Not to life per say, just back. Jack is Aberrant – think Vampires without the blood. Now Delilah wants her revenge on the bullies.
JP: Why are all your teachers evil? I’ve noticed that trend in your work so far.
JS: I didn’t have a very good experience in school. Being diagnosed with Dyslexia and undiagnosed with ADHD, I was labeled a bad kid, I’m sure I lived up to the title. Most of my experiences with my teachers were not good.
JP: Can you tell me a little bit about your cover work. I really like it for Aberrant in particular. Can you explain where the idea for that cover came from?
JS: I get a vision of what the covers should look like as I am writing, I really enjoy designing the covers, whether I actually do the final cover myself or just send the idea to an artist. The cover for Aberrant just came to me one day. The hands symbolize Jack aka Art, the frozen rose symbolizes Aberrants, because they only age to a certain point then they are frozen.
JP: Consequently, Nytstars is an amazing book with a not so amazing cover. Can you tell that story?
JS: The Nytstars cover did not go as planed. My publisher sent me a terrible cover, the characters on the cover did not resemble the characters from the book what so ever. I was given a very short time line to come up with my own new cover or I would have to use the one they did. I hired an artist who sent me a rough sketch, then seemed to disappear of the face of the earth. So I did the best I could with what I had and created my own cover. Drawing is not a skill of mine, obviously lol. Now I am having another cover designed by a new artist, and the book is being rereleased
JP: You’ve done Nytstars through traditional publishing and you’ve done a few books on your own. What do you like about both routes? What do you wish was different?
JS: I didn’t have a very good experience with publishing Nytstars traditionally. The publisher didn’t really do anything at all for me. Except print the book. Self-publishing I am in complete control, and I like that. I want to be the one to say what it will look like in the end, it’s my story. I am sure there are better traditional publishers out there, and I would be willing to try that route again. I would really like to find a way to publish that I didn’t have to front all the money, but I still have control. I want my cake, and to eat it too, but really, don’t we all?
JP:You don’t just write fiction, but non fiction as well. Can you tell me about your book Distracting the Distractions?
JS: Distracting the Distractions I wrote to help people understand ADHD. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 22 and my youngest son was diagnosed at 5. I found out quickly that not only do many people not understand what it is, but they have very strong opinions of how to deal with it. I wanted to give a real understanding of what ADHD is, and how it effects someone.
JP: Did Distracting The Distractions accomplish your goal? What did you learn about it writing it?
JS: I have had many people say that Distracting the Distractions did help them to understand ADHD, that it opened their eyes and made them look more closely at what is best to help their child. Which makes me happy that I could help someone, simply by doing what I love to do.
JP: What advice would you give writers?
JS: My advise to other writers, is follow your own path, what works for someone else, may not work for you. You have to stay true to your stories, they came to you for a reason, you wrote them the way you wrote them, for a reason, don’t edit them to death, edit them to life. And most importantly, if you were born to write, then write. Don’t let anyone, including your own inner terrorist stand in your way. You can’t write, wrong.
JP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JS: Thank you Joshua for giving me the opportunity to share about my work and myself. I really enjoy connecting with other writers and artists.
Thanks Jo-Anne!
You can find out more about Nytstars and Distracting the Distractions at Jo-Anne’s webpage: http://jo-annesieppert.com. As for Aberrant, you can purchase the ebook here right now. Jo-Anne’s fiction are fun reads, for the kid, and kids at heart. I can’t recommend them enough.
Nemesis was coiled and resting in his cage, dreaming about the little mice that would soon be dinner. He loved mice. They always dangled in front of him right when he felt famished. His owner must have worked hard to catch them. She would dangle it over his head. With one rapid shot he enjoyed that first bite to hold it in his coils. Once they were coiled and that skull brain stuff was sufficiently crushed (the owner never thought to do those things, he’d have to point that out sometime.) he would start to swallow them a bit at a time until they found themselves inside of him. Just thinking about it made him hungry now. They were his favorite thing in the world. He wondered when he’d get his next one.
It didn’t matter. The mouse would come sooner or later. Until then, he could just lay here all day with not a care. And why should he? Life was good and he knew it.
“Alright Nemmie! Come on out of there.”
Oh no. Anything but that. He was so comfortable in here.
“Come on lazy get up!”
He didn’t want to. Didn’t she realize she was interrupting quality nap time? Still, she was the owner. And he supposed that he could allow such a thing. His hiss was only half hearted as the owner picked him up. She handled him. It had seemed unnatural at first to allow this, but she was good at handling him. Dare he say he liked this?
No. No no no. That wouldn’t be snakelike at all! No. He tolerated it. Yes, that is the world these silly humans use. Tolerate. It means to endure something. She handled him all the time. Still, she was good at it. Nemesis stopped there. He tolerated it. That’s all.
Afterwards she set him down. Since he was out, he wandered. He glanced at the cages with the other creatures that he allowed to dwell in his domain. There was two two geckos who referred to themselves as May and The Thing. They seemed to be clamoring about. Crocodile tears were on their faces as Nemesis passed them by.
“No fair, “ May said. “It’s not right that you’d be allowed out of the cage. You got handled too. Thing! They got handled!”
“I know May.”
“We have rights too you know!”
“Yeah but we’re not snakes. They need to be handled more than we do.”
“Sorry guys,” Nemesis said graciously. “I’ll put in a good word for you next time?”
“Sure you can acting so high and mighty. You got handled! We loved being handled! Hey owner! We need love and attention too!”
“You just want to touch her boobies Thing!”
“Quiet May! I just want attention and love. The boobies thing is a bonus.”
“Right.” May and the thing were two lizards that always wanted the attention Nemesis got. They always complained about it. Nemesis for the most part was amused by them. He kept looking. Luna seemed to be sleeping. She just sat there in a daze. Afternoons really weren’t her time of day. She was an early riser. She always called herself Luna the great hunter. She would spend hours practicing her pouncing. One day, she said, she’d be the greatest hunter of all.
Then there was Raven, the other snake. Nemesis at first felt a little threatened by Raven . He like Nemesis was a snake. And snakes as he knew were the greatest creatures on the planet. Raven though wasn’t quite like Nemesis. For one thing he never fights the owner for attention. He lavishes it and embraces it. He was so pitiable.
He was just so happy. It was the happiness that drove Nemesis crazy. I mean sure happy was all fine to be at times, but there were something to be said about moody. It was good to change moods . It gave variety to life. Being happy all the time was just this bright colour of sunshine. What was worst, happiness was a disease. It was contagious. If he wasn’t careful he would smile too. That wasn’t snake like at all!
“Come on owner,” Raven said so nicely. “Let me out too. I’ll be good. I’m always good.” Yes he was. Maybe that was what bothered Nemesis. He was too good. There had to be a rebellious streak somewhere inside of Raven.
“Why are you always so good?” Nemesis hissed at him.
“Why are you always so grouchy? You are getting all the attention and love here.”
Nemesis couldn’t find a response to that. Why wouldn’t he be happy? He was always loved by the owner. Would always be loved by the owner.
Wouldn’t he?
The infernal device buzzed off. Nemesis didn’t understand it. Why did the owner put this device on her ear every time it vibrated or buzzed?
“Hello? Oh good! It’s here! I can’t wait!”
What’s here? What can’t she wait for? Nemesis wanted to know.
She looked down at Nemesis her snake. There was an excitement in her eyes. If Nemesis didn’t know better he thought she’d be jumping up and down.
“I’m getting another pet Nemmie! I can’t for you to meet him.”
Nemesis' Great Escape by Joshua Pantalleresco is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
I’m pretty happy with the interview so far. There will be one up (if I can help it) Every week. I have a few authors lined up and the second interview is well under way.
My next feature is a rotating arc. I’m going to tell stories. Occasionally, I’m going to do some experimental and fun stuff. And maybe even have a few other surprises as well. For now, I’m going to be starting a short installment called Nemesis’ Great Escape. Look for it starting this saturday.
Also, if you are interested, I wrote my favorite column ever this weekend. This saturday I published a feature on City Lights Bookshop in London Ontario. It’s worth a read.
More to come.
JP
I’ve known Jeremy Beal for a long time. Our association began in history class a long, long, time ago in the hidden recesses of London Ontario. We’ve somehow managed to keep connected in the years past and Jeremy to his credit has published his first novel Johnny Kicker. You can buy the book at this link here.
I had a chance to talk to Jeremy about his book, and a myriad of other things. The following interview did happen over emails and facebook. Jeremy is charming, quick witted and filled with a million ideas.
Joshua Pantalleresco: What book made you want to write?
Jeremy Beal: It’s the strangest thing, but I knew I wanted to put pen and paper together for a living after Naked Lunch. Not the book, I probably read the book well before I was ready to process what was going on, but in the version I had bought/stolen they included the transcript from the congressional hearing they had on whether or not the book was smut. Norman Mailer defended Borrows in absentia, talked about the importance of having this boundary pushing stuff around. I was in Ms. Holtz class, that really sealed the deal.
JP: the same Ms. Holtz who taught creative writing? What would you have done if you hadn’t found writing?
JB: The same. I’d probably still be at my old job, As a locomotive conductor for Canadian Pacific. It was a decent enough gig, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
JP: So what is your white whale your casting for?
JB: “If his chest had been a cannon he would have shot his heart upon it…”.
I guess the big deal for me is lifestyle, having the freedom and the resources to chase my interests, and being able to say “fuck it” when I’m bored.
I have a project that’s sitting out there waiting for me, an anime-styled animated series, an aboriginal re-imagining of the Iliad set along the shores of the St. Lawrence 6000 years ago. It’s a sysiphean pitch thanks to my unfortunate/fortunate pigment, but if I’m ever at the helm of that show, you’ll know I’ve done what I came to do.
JP: So is television your endgoal or do you have other aspirations? What did Johnny Kicker teach you as writer?
JB: It seems to me that you can do impressive things with Television nowadays. I think though the medium of animation has conquered comedy doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be an effective medium for drama, or even sci fi/fantasy, in prime time before a Western Audience.
Johnny Kicker taught me about how much of a craft writing is, how art isn’t flippant. And it taught me about the business behind everything. The curtain got pulled back a stretch. It was a series of demystifications, it was good.
My aspirations are to be able to do whatever takes my fancy, to get it made.
JP: So what are you fancying right now? I disagree with your view on animation a little. Japanese anime has some amazing dramas. Ever see Fullmetal Alchemist or Codegeass?
JB: Oh yeah, of course, I’ve watched all the FullMetals, I’d argue of course that it’s never been set up attract an adult (see: Female adult) Western Audience. Fullmetal has great themes, but let’s not kid ourselves that we don’t love it for the geek factor. Right now I’m writing a screenplay for a Friend of mine, He’s got funding for a heist film in Northern Ontario.
JP: Nice. What Era?
JB: Today.
JP: Could be fun. Enjoying screenwriting?
JB: I do. It’s a different skill set, you hand over a blueprint in a lot of ways. It’s not the most precise intrument for passing on your ideas, but it’s fun and it holds you more accountable to your themes.
JP: I love cutting scripts. That whole necessity thing is good. I start mine soon – probably next week. I’m nervous.
JB: That’s it though. You have to keep it all tight. If you weren’t nervous you wouldn’t be taking it seriously.
JP: Yup. So what else are you working on?
JB: I’m pitching an Augmented Reality concept that I think is a game changer. I’m editing up a reality television pitch about a family business in Burlington, and I’m getting really getting into wine writing. Completely Epicurian.
JP: Why wine?
JB: Wine isn’t a bad thing to be tasting for a living. It’s a very interesting cast of characters that produce, sell and buy at the moment. Such a ripe place for creativity.
JP: Any stories about any of the characeters? And yes, that’ misspellign will be in the interview. So will that one.
JB: I’ve been batting around coming up a collection of short stories.
JP: Sounds awesome. You should submit them to Prairie Fire.
JB: Nice idea.
JP: I’m good with this idea stuff. Final two questions – what advice would you give to other writers?
JB: If you want to make a living writing, make it a habit. Write a Thousand words a day, if you don’t, you probably won’t get success.
JP: I’m a failure. I only do five hundred then.
JB: Better than nothing.
JP: True. we’ll have to debate writing sometime I think. My final question is to simply say something about Johnny Kicker that hasn’t been said elsewhere.
JB: Johnny Kicker is all I think about Rock n’ Roll. How I always have to catch myself falling for the message.
Starting this Sunday I’m adding a new feature to the blog. I love interviewing creative people and finding out what makes them create such wonderful works of art – whether they be words, pictures or both. This sunday this begins when I interview Jeremy Beal about his Book Johnny Kicker and whatever else we talk about. It’s an interesting read, I promise.
My vacation went very well. I got to see some family and do some book signings while I was in London and Windsor respectively. LA Mood is a class act comic shop and I can’t recommend it enough. They even bought me lunch and I got to sell some comics, and even meet some old friends I haven’t seen since high school in some cases.
As for Windsor, it went well, but maybe it could have gone better. It turns out David Finch was also signing at another shop that day in town. I sold some books don’t get me wrong, but I wonder how well I could have done without that other signing taking place?
And how many people can honestly say that? Cool huh? And for my birthday to boot.
I had fun, but now it’s time to get back to the grindstone. I have a lot of columns to write – All Pulp in particular I’ve done a bit of neglecting with. I intend to remedy that all this weekend.
More to come.
JP
This will be a semi regular weekly thing where I discuss the comics I’m reading. It’s the first thoughts and random thoughts and just my opinions. Enjoy.
So far I have to admit that this DCnu thing has been great for comics. While I have to admit that I’m curious about the long term impact, this month can’t be denied. I have four number ones to look at plus some other good ones.
Green Lantern 1 – This was the book that gave me the most to hope for, but was the one that felt like the biggest let down. It wasn’t bad, but just wasn’t what I thought it would be. Sinestro as Green Lantern and Hal on the ropes seemed good in theory but there was something off about the execution. Not bad, not great. The art was awesome.
Red Lanterns 1 – Ironically, I had the least amount of expectation with this book and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t just about the blind rage the red lanterns represent. Atrocitus is a complex character and Milligan added a nice voice to the book. Pleasantly surprised. Hopefully the rest of the GL books have the same different voices.
Superboy 1 – I’m enjoying the change of the status quo with all the superman books – it feels very fresh. The VR program seemed a little bit of a reach but the plot was interesting and I’m curious enough to come back for another issue. Congratulations DC, a book I wouldn’t have normally read is now on my pull.
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest 4 – I love American Vampire. Stephen King may have drawn me to the book, Snyder’s take on Vampires is fun and fresh. This is a side story, but it adds great depth to the AV universe, and who cannot love Sean Murphy? Awesome book.
Doctor Solar Man Of The Atom 8 – I’m really disappointed with this book. I really wanted to like it. The Gold Key books I thought would be a nice reimagining of characters I loved in the Valiant Universe. And while I think Jim Shooter had some great ideas, these books never got off the ground. This story felt like a rushed finished. It’s too bad. It wasn’t a bad book by any stretch of the imagination but nothing great.If
Starborn 10 – This is the best of the Stan Lee books from BOOM!. This book has a ton of action as the human race is about to be annihilated from four different species frightened, because the main character may become like his father. Chris Roberson has won me over. Hopefully Khary Rhandolf will be back next month. Great book..
Fly 4 – This was my favorite book this week. I love the concept of superpowers as a drug, and the repercussions of pain and remorse are felt with each issue. The character development is really well done. The growth is progressive and feels good. Especially with Eric. It turns out there is an answer to the Fly; it’s a matter of getting the shot into an unwilling patient. The last page is simply tragic. Raven and Eric J. are evil, but I can’t wait for issue 5.
Ultimate Spider Man 1 – I curse marvel for wrapping it in a poly bag. That said, it’s a good book. I think the Osborne pages were a little over the top but I kicked myself for not buying Ultimate Spider Man the first time. I will not make the same mistake here. If you can find one buy it.
Overall, Fly, Starborn, Superboy, and Ultimate Spider Man were my favorites.
JP
Just a nice weekly review of my comics for the week. I hope you enjoy.
Elric: The Balance Lost 3 – Roberson really enjoys working on multiple plots. In all fairness, if my toys were Elric, Hawkmoon, Corum I’d have my fun using them too. That said, I am beginning to understand the nature of the jumping of back and forthness between the worlds. In the Balance Lost, the multiverse is collapsing and the last time I’ve seen anything quite like this is Crisis on Infinite Earths. Best of all for this series, is this is coolest multiverse in literature. Roberson respects the toys and delivers. A character moment or two wouldn’t hurt this book, but it’s been a fun ride so far. Can’t wait for the next one.
Jennifer Blood 4 - It’s a popcorn book, but a fun one. Case in point why I say that – Why the ninjettes? And the last page with the neighbour just convinces me that this book is just Ennis having some fun. While the battle is predictable in this story, it’s the little things that make this book work. Especially the parts where Jen is rationalizing to herself why she is drugging her family.
Batgirl 1- I enjoyed it. I’m not part of the continuity so I feel like this issue was designed for me. Unlike others, I have no issue with the concept of a miracle at this point. I’m just enjoying the story so far. My favorite moment? When Mirror points the gun at Barbara and she freezes. That’s great stuff.
Morning Glories 12 – I have no idea what’s going on with the book and in this case that’s a good thing. Spencer is just keeping on building layers upon layers by introducing the school’s guidance counselor. No spoilers but the last page definitely is a good hook for the next arc.
Action Comics 1 – I never thought I’d see an Action Comics 1. Yet here I am holding one. Not the expensive one, but one nonetheless. This felt like part homage part modernization. The book is wall to wall action start to finish. I understand the anger in the current superman. It’s him from a younger period so sure and confident in himself. It’s nice to see him make mistakes. Lex was my favorite. The way he delivered superman was awesome. My favorite book this week.
Fun week and not a bad book among them.
Have a good one.
JP
As stated, I write columns about pulp at All Pulp. You can view my interview with Bobby Nash here.
But now I want to talk about Veritas. Veritas is a four year journey – which is about two ybears too long. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to make a comic. At the time, this seemed appropriate. I had acquired a job working for one of my heroes who had gotten his start by publishing his own work. I couldn’t think of a better tribute to him, and a fulfillment of a dream of my own.
Unfortunately, while it was the creative experience of a lifetime, it was a financial disaster. This project got buried into the background as I contemplated some weeks just how exactly I was going to eat. No matter how passionate I am about my work, eating trumps your dreams. After being dragged into financial armaggedon, I was forced to confront some of my own personal issues.
I left Arizona, went back to Calgary and have slowly rebuilt myself to the point where I could finally produce my comic. So behold! it’s done and it’s out and I’m really proud.
Take a look here. You won’t be sorry.
JP
