Rare First Sedition
In a sort of backward approach to commemorating Banned Books Week, I'm reposting one of my favorite curve balls: a 'book review' I wrote for the Santa Barbara Independent, which originally appeared on June 24, 2004.
In anticipation of our forthcoming Independence Day, I took to spelunking the political science shelves for some appropriate reviewing material. Imagine my complete lack of surprise...
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In a sort of backward approach to commemorating Banned Books Week, I'm reposting one of my favorite curve balls: a 'book review' I wrote for the Santa Barbara Independent, which originally appeared on June 24, 2004.
In anticipation of our forthcoming Independence Day, I took to spelunking the political science shelves for some appropriate reviewing material. Imagine my complete lack of surprise...
Read More
Craig's Review of "The Dark Knight"
Holy. Fuck.
-Craig
P.S. If you're wondering whether that's a good or bad "holy fuck," let's just say it's only bad if you're Jack Nicholson.
Holy. Fuck.
-Craig
P.S. If you're wondering whether that's a good or bad "holy fuck," let's just say it's only bad if you're Jack Nicholson.
[Insert Catchy Title Here*]
*still drawing a blank
If I am to believe the myriad spambots pooping their little bot larvae into my email, then I'm in serious need of a bigger, harder... watch. Perhaps I underestimate their intelligence and the spammers actually know I pawned my Breitling Colt to pay the bills while writing the Handbook, years ago. On the other hand, it's just...
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*still drawing a blank
If I am to believe the myriad spambots pooping their little bot larvae into my email, then I'm in serious need of a bigger, harder... watch. Perhaps I underestimate their intelligence and the spammers actually know I pawned my Breitling Colt to pay the bills while writing the Handbook, years ago. On the other hand, it's just...
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Deus Ex Noir
I suppose it should be ex noctum or noctis. Maybe atrum. I don't know.
So anyway, in the midst of a schedule packed tighter than a hash smuggler's colon, I stole an evening of brief leisure time the other night. A couple of friends and I drove to the rendezvous point for the secret premier of the latest Dark Knight...
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I suppose it should be ex noctum or noctis. Maybe atrum. I don't know.
So anyway, in the midst of a schedule packed tighter than a hash smuggler's colon, I stole an evening of brief leisure time the other night. A couple of friends and I drove to the rendezvous point for the secret premier of the latest Dark Knight...
Read More
nicolelee:
You... SAW the trailer? I'm pleased that you are marveled at the scheme of the marketing behind the movie. Even moreso - it boosts my initiative just a tad to become a part of the promotions by myself.
You'll find out what I mean later.
You'll find out what I mean later.
"What's the most you've ever lost in a coin toss?"
The above McCarthy quote has nothing to do with anything, other than that I'm stumped for a title for this quick update. From the Short Notice Files: Any San Francisco locals curious about Vincent Louis Carrella's Serpent Box, you're in luck. He's reading tonight at the Booksmith on Haight St. That's in just a...
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The above McCarthy quote has nothing to do with anything, other than that I'm stumped for a title for this quick update. From the Short Notice Files: Any San Francisco locals curious about Vincent Louis Carrella's Serpent Box, you're in luck. He's reading tonight at the Booksmith on Haight St. That's in just a...
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Serpent Box
My friend and I sling drinks in a post-1906 quake building, an historic ex-brewery within a Bermuda Triangle of upscale nightclubs. Places with no signs and big doormen manning the velvet ropes stretched out into panhandler territory. We're on the no-man's edge between San Francisco's Silicon Gulch and its self proclaimed advertising ghetto south of the Financial District. Friday afternoon, we have about...
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My friend and I sling drinks in a post-1906 quake building, an historic ex-brewery within a Bermuda Triangle of upscale nightclubs. Places with no signs and big doormen manning the velvet ropes stretched out into panhandler territory. We're on the no-man's edge between San Francisco's Silicon Gulch and its self proclaimed advertising ghetto south of the Financial District. Friday afternoon, we have about...
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The Job
The LitCrawl was a blast. Thanks to all who made it. That piece I read was a specimen taken from my work in progress, and I can't be certain it'll make the final cut, so I'm glad y'all had the chance to hear it. For those of you who missed the earlier short piece I had on this site a few weeks ago...
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The LitCrawl was a blast. Thanks to all who made it. That piece I read was a specimen taken from my work in progress, and I can't be certain it'll make the final cut, so I'm glad y'all had the chance to hear it. For those of you who missed the earlier short piece I had on this site a few weeks ago...
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fatality:
Foreword: I am working on my first novel right now.
Commentary:
-In the process, I am so terrified of becoming that ''self-righteous 'literary' author" that I often paralyze my progress. I think I'm learning, though, and focusing on some zen ways of getting through my writing anxieties.
-The same self-criticism keeps me from ever believing my writing is good, despite what - as you alluded to above - others may tell me. In fact, though, I tend to just write and write without letting others read my words, so that my processes and products are influenced by expected perceptions.
-I agree with you about the importance of narrative and storytelling. It's definitely one of the most coherent ways we have of unifying the self. At the same time, my story seems to veer far from storytelling and narrative progress...dwelling instead in conceptual interplay and flat character sketches.
Conclusion: ...we shall see...
Addendum: The above conclusion is not an attempt at the aforementioned open-ended finish, just the truth.
Commentary:
-In the process, I am so terrified of becoming that ''self-righteous 'literary' author" that I often paralyze my progress. I think I'm learning, though, and focusing on some zen ways of getting through my writing anxieties.
-The same self-criticism keeps me from ever believing my writing is good, despite what - as you alluded to above - others may tell me. In fact, though, I tend to just write and write without letting others read my words, so that my processes and products are influenced by expected perceptions.
-I agree with you about the importance of narrative and storytelling. It's definitely one of the most coherent ways we have of unifying the self. At the same time, my story seems to veer far from storytelling and narrative progress...dwelling instead in conceptual interplay and flat character sketches.
Conclusion: ...we shall see...
Addendum: The above conclusion is not an attempt at the aforementioned open-ended finish, just the truth.
LitQuake '07
They asked me if I'd read from the new book. It's a dog's light year from being finished but I said, sure. So, I'll be reading at the Make-Out Room with fellow MacAdam/Cage authors Angela Mi Young Hur, Susan Ito, Eric B. Martin, Janis Cooke Newman and Sheldon Siegel from 8:00-8:45 p.m as part of the Mission District LitCrawl, the finale of...
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They asked me if I'd read from the new book. It's a dog's light year from being finished but I said, sure. So, I'll be reading at the Make-Out Room with fellow MacAdam/Cage authors Angela Mi Young Hur, Susan Ito, Eric B. Martin, Janis Cooke Newman and Sheldon Siegel from 8:00-8:45 p.m as part of the Mission District LitCrawl, the finale of...
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I'm back after almost a year. The first two novels have both been optioned for film and I'm neck deep in writing my third. In the meantime, my latest short noir piece is on my site for the next six days: The Numbers Game. Spread the word.
Back soon.
-cclev
Back soon.
-cclev
enmity_:
yay I love the contortionists handbook, can't wait to see it and I have to read your other stuff also, nice to see you back. 
Book Reviewers and Porn
If you missed the fanfare, it's because there wasn't any, and what it wasn't about was the paperback release of Dermaphoria a couple of weeks ago, which has quietly slipped into bookstores near you. Or not. If I sound a little irked, it's because I am...(cont'd.)
If you missed the fanfare, it's because there wasn't any, and what it wasn't about was the paperback release of Dermaphoria a couple of weeks ago, which has quietly slipped into bookstores near you. Or not. If I sound a little irked, it's because I am...(cont'd.)