SAINT LOUIS TRIP, OBSERVATIONS AND INSIGHT

The whole purpose of my Saint Louis trip was to learn something, to get ideas and a little bit of inspiration that I can bring back to Chess Club of Arlington. 1. I don't want a club that just meets at a diner somewhere on Saturday mornings. Although, there's certainly nothing wrong with that model. It's simple and builds a nice community of chess players. On the other hand, I don't think it's possible to reproduce what's happening in Saint Louis. There's only one Mecca. And when it comes to US chess, Saint Louis is where we make our pilgrimage. Certainly, there's  mystique with the chess tables at Washington Square Park, and there's the tradition of clubs like Marshall and Mechanics. However, in Saint Louis, we have a world-class modern chess facility and across the street an absolutely gorgeous World Chess Hall of Fame. Chess Club of Arlington must find its own identity somewhere in between.

2. It's not about the money, not entirely. I've heard a lot of people make comments about Rex Sinquefield and the millions of dollars in capital he used to create the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. As if all that's needed for a nonprofit to be successful is for a wealthy man to throw money at the problem. That's terribly inaccurate and simplistic. Yes, the money needs to come from somewhere. But without people invested in its success, CCSCSL wouldn't exist. It can't be just one person with a dream. This may be my greatest challenge with Chess Club of Arlington. I'll find the money. What I need is other people willing to believe in our mission and our goals, people willing to work.

3. This next point may be a little bit harder to communicate. I appreciate the autonomy of CCSCSL and yet their ability to work with other organizations. I believe the strength of the US Chess Federation is its affiliate program. These affiliates are independent organizations that collaborate and cooperate with USCF. A successful chess club, like CCSCSL, is able to work with and work independently. Their success is their own, but we all benefit.  We have a lot of great chess clubs and chess programs in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I don't want to take away from what they're doing. I'm trying to create something that is unique to our community and our needs. At the same time, we should be constantly searching for kindred organizations, innovative thinkers and leaders to partner with.

4. Speaking of leadership, I refuse to believe that every idea has been tried and all options have been pursued in terms of chess advocacy in the US. We have barely scratched the surface on what is possible. I'm certain CCSCSL will be a leader in new ideas, but they shouldn't be the only one. After this weekend, I'm convinced we need a leadership conference for chess organizers, and not just a workshop at a tournament. Curmudgeons need not apply.

5. Titled players (GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, NM, and CM) deserve a lot respect. That's all. Chess Club of Arlington needs to find a way to create meaningful experiences for the higher rated players. Until I talk with some pros, I don't even know where to begin in this regard. CCSCSL has the benefit of constant, daily, interaction with titled players.

6. A chess club needs to be more than a clearing house for Elo ratings. It comes back to chess, and the simple enjoyment of the game. Again, we need to create a meaningful experience for our members. We need to listen to our members and what they want.

7. For Chess Club of Arlington to be successful, Arlington itself needs to become "chess friendly" (similar to the bike-friendly initiatives). Offering chess as part of the city's culture, making it a point of pride, is important. Chess Club of Arlington needs to build something that improves the quality of life in Arlington and not just focuses inward on the quality of our club. CCSCSL has been incredibly successful in this regard.

8. I still have a lot to learn. I'd like to believe that Chess Club of Arlington will accomplish all its goals within a year. I'm not ready for that. Slow growth is probably going to be our path, quiet moves intermingled with some tactical surprises to make the game interesting.

What are your thoughts? Comments, disagreements, insights, kibitzing, and questions are all encouraged. Post below.

SAINT LOUIS TRIP, DAY 4

My last day in Saint Louis was a good one. I spent the morning packing my suitcase , trying to cram all my new swag into it. At 10 AM, I walked to the Lenox Room in the hotel for the Chess Fair, hosted by Chess Collectors International. Vendor had specialty chess sets and historical chess items. One vendor had the chess board used during the first World Chess Championship between Steinitz and Zukertort in 1886. Also, one vendor had the heaviest tournament-size wooden chess pieces I've ever held. After the chess fair, I drove to visit my friend Jeff Elden. I had lunch with him and his daughters.

I caught the 960 portion of Kings vs. Queens Day 2, before I had to head back to the airport. (All the details can be found here: http://saintlouischessclub.org/kings-vs-queens-tournament) I went upstairs to watch the last minutes of the Irina Krush and Kevin Cao match, then the Martha Fierro and Jacek Stopa match. I congratulated Martha on her win, and she had the biggest smile. It was cool.

I squeezed into my Fiat rental and drove to back to the airport. Time to go home.

The last photos from my trip have been posted to our Facebook page.

Later today, I'll post some commentary on what I've learned from this trip and how it applies to Chess Club of Arlington.

SAINT LOUIS TRIP, DAY 3

The third day of any long weekend trip is a dangerous one. By now, I feel like I live here at this hotel. This is my place, and I'm beginning to wonder where my wife and daughter are. Crepes Etc is my local hangout... even though I've only been there twice. I say hello to people I met yesterday and think we're old friends. In my head, I start making up friendly nicknames for the people I see. My entire world has been reduced to Central West End. And I've gotten a little too comfortable. Today, after a late breakfast at my local hangout, I went CCSCSL for the activities today. They've blocked off the street. They had booths and various chess activities set up. In particular, the Boy Scouts were getting ready for their live human chess match. They conducted the merit badge presentation. Astronaut Greg Chamitoff spoke to audience about the value of chess and the Boy Scouts. He talked about his time as an astronaut on the space station. We then watched a video on his experiences. Unfortunately, the video began with the song "The Final Countdown," and the moment was ruined. (Blame Arrested Development.) The event was well attended and well organized. I had a chance to talk with Bill Hall, executive director of USCF, for quite a bit. I met Lynn Hamrick who directed the Chess Kids movie.

(Me with Yasser Seirawan and Susan Polgar)

After the merit badge presentation, gears shifted to the first round of the Kings vs. Queens event. While waiting, I played chess with Jim Stallings. He destroyed me, but let's not dwell. It was good to play some chess.

Kings vs. Queens is an interesting event. Men vs. Women. First game is 960 (or Fischer Random) chess. For the second game, colors are reversed, and a rapid (G30) chess game is played. I stayed down in the chess club basement mostly to watch the commentary. Occasionally, I ventured to the top floor to watch the games live. I don't want to give a play by play. You can watch everything unfold here on the CCSCSL site.

After the games, I smoked a cigar, watched some men play chess outside, and then I went to Culpepper's Bar and Grill for a hamburger. Now, I'm back home (aka the hotel), typing this report and watching some boxing on HBO.

(Live Human Chess Match in St. Louis from Chess Club of Arlington on Vimeo.)

SAINT LOUIS TRIP, DAY 2

Today started like any other day. I woke up in a cozy king-sized bed in a luxury hotel. You know, because that's how I roll. (Update: That's not how I roll.) While ironing my shirt, my pant belt loop got caught on a door knob and I tore my pants, my brand new purchased-for-this-weekend-because-I-want-to-impress-people-I-don't-know pants. Then, I dropped a drinking glass in the sink and it broke. (Update: This is how I roll.) Fortunately, my tweed sports coat covered the tear in my pants. After my morning adventures in chaos theory, I had an omelette at a wonderful place next to the hotel called "Crepes Etc." I know, I should have had crepes. Tomorrow. This morning, it was also raining lightly outside, which was actually very pleasant. I'm sure it has everything to do with the fact that I haven't seen rain in months.

When the World Chess Hall of Fame opened this morning, their first official day open, it was without much fanfare. The fanfare was last night. A few people wandered in. I spent more time today, than last night, looking at the exhibits. Here's a few of my thoughts:

OVERALL: * The way they were able to coordinate the interior design between the Hall of Fame and CCSCSL across the street is so sensible. And yet, I cringe to think of what might have happened in less competent hands. * They use the three floors effectively. It's a solid layout, and makes for a pleasing experience. * The gift shop. Of course, there must be a gift shop. This one is nice. It's a nice counter balance to the CCSCSL store. Whereas the CCSCSL caters more to students of the game, the Hall of Fame offers items more appealing to the casual visitor who wanders in off the street. I bought a t-shirt.

FIRST FLOOR * The first floor featured an exhibit of modern artists and their interaction with chess "as strategy and mental process." * The collection is damn good. Diverse in form and yet completely cohesive. This floor will appeal to anyone (chess player or otherwise) who appreciates good modern art. * The large installation called "Anatomy is Destiny" is a bit terrifying, but in a job-well-done sorta way. There is a video to accompany it, an abstract theater/dance performance, pawns in burlap bondage, strange noises and movements. It gave me chills. * My favorite piece was Yoko Ono's white chess set. It was a powerful way to transform chess as a war metaphor into a metaphor for peace and collaboration. * I liked the large photograph of the symphony orchestra in the chess hall. * I also enjoyed the photo series exploring chess as a meditation on space and topography. Trust me. You'd understand it if you saw it.

SECOND FLOOR * The second floor featured highlights from the Dr. George and Vivian Dean Collection. This floor evaluates the design and development of chess sets. A truly well-designed set is a melding of form and function. This is why the Staunton design is such a triumph. * The second floor could keep you busy all afternoon. Seriously. I wasn't able to get to everything. Many of the chess sets were incredibly ornate. You discover something new that you missed with each viewing. The materials used, the ridiculously high level craftsmanship -- I greatly enjoyed the collection. * Each set on display was arranged to feature a famous chess position. The display cases showed a diagram of the position, and explained the moves. This idea deserves a gold star. It's a clever way to avoid the boring alternative: every set in the starting position.

THIRD FLOOR * The third floor is the hall of fame portion of the World Chess Hall of Fame. One wall features the world hall of fame inductees, and the other wall is for the U.S. hall of fame. I enjoyed reading each of the bios included with each framed portrait. * The third floor also included items of historical significance from the world of professional chess. It gave me a greater appreciation for this game's elite. * I really like the Paul Morphy silver cup set. These cups were given to him in lieu of a cash prize for winning a tournament. * I also liked the case that featured handwritten letters and notes from famous chess players.

Afterward, I went across the street to see if anything was going on at the chess club. I had a chance to meet Jennifer Shahade (twitter). It's always a little odd introducing yourself to someone who is famous only in certain circles. I know her from a cover story I read in Chess Life. I know her books, her chess-related performance art, and her commentary during the U.S. Championships. I read King's Gambit. "Hi. I'm a big fan of your... persona?" or "Hi. You work hard to promote chess for girls in U.S. and I donated $20 to 9Queens a few weeks ago." Jennifer is a very nice person, a point which would surprise no one.

I befriended Jeff from California. We went to lunch at an Indian restaurant. Great food and good conversation.

The Kings vs. Queens opening ceremony was at 6 PM at the hall of fame. The guest seating was filled. Overflow was allowed to watch the ceremony live on the flatscreens at CCSCSL. I went upstairs where they had catering and an open bar. Maybe I was better off at CCSCSL? I made a decent dinner out of the appetizers that kept coming to me on silver trays. After the ceremony, everyone came over to where we were -- and thankfully I didn't eat everything before the crowd arrived. I met Jean Hoffman, executive director with 9Queens and I greatly enjoyed talking with her. I also met Joel Berez, who I didn't know this while talking to him (thank you Google) but apparently he's the President and CEO of ICC. Wow. I gave Joel money this year, and didn't even know it. Bless the ICC. Susan Polgar, Yasser Seirawan, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and other well-known chess folk were there. They all left almost as soon as they arrived. I'm now in my hotel room, and I just know there is some craaazy chess party going on somewhere, and I'm missing it. I heard people in the hallway speaking Russian. So maybe I'm close?

Anyways. After the after party for the opening party (think about that one for awhile), I saw Columbiana at the movie theater in the hotel. Yes, the hotel has a movie theater.

Tomorrow is round one of Kings vs. Queens. Come back for the day 3 report.

Also, I loaded more photos onto our Facebook page.

SAINT LOUIS TRIP, DAY 1

I've been excited about this trip for a while now. I get to travel to Saint Louis for the World Chess Hall of Fame opening and witness a successful chess organization in action. I packed my best clothes, and I spent way too long deciding on which chess set I would bring. Winner: my Marshall Series plastic set from House of Staunton. It's the set I take with me to tournaments. Yes, I'm a big nerd (prefer the word "aficionado") when it comes to chess pieces. After school, I drove to DFW airport, parked my car, and took the shuttle to terminal C. I landed in Saint Louis around 7 PM, and took another shuttle to Enterprise Rental. I reserved an economy car. They upgraded me to this really cool Fiat. Maybe because it's a small car and there's just one of me? Either way. I took it. Then, I kid you not, as I was driving into downtown, there were fireworks going off near me. It was as if Saint Louis was welcoming this earnest visitor. Or at least, I'm going to think the fireworks were for me. I checked into the hotel. I chose the Chase Park Plaza because it was closest to the museum and chess club. It was a little more expensive, but I knew this was where everyone was staying. Holy crap. This hotel is nice. I have a living room with an office area (where I'm currently typing these words) and a separate bedroom. Two TVs. This is supposedly a single, but it feels like a lot of space for just me.

I dropped off my luggage and walked to the museum for the private opening event. Kelly Logue, membership and communications manager, was kind enough to invite me. As I walked to the museum, Anna Zatonskih walked by in the other direction. To you, that may not mean much. As someone who followed the US Championships closely on livestream, it was cool to spot a familiar all-star chess player. I was running a little late, and I got to the museum just as they were wrapping up. I was able to take a few photos, and I'll take more when I return tomorrow morning.

(I promise I was smiling a split second before the photo was taken.)

I also walked over to the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. It's such a beautiful facility. The photos just don't do it justice. Talked with executive director Tony Rich briefly, and he invited me to Bar Italia for dinner. Another upgrade. I sat next to Jim Stallings, a fellow Texan and director of the UTD chess program. At another table, I saw a few of the other tournament competitors: Irina Krush, Hikaru Nakamura, and Ben Finegold. Great restaurant and a great neighborhood. After dinner, I wandered back to my sweet, sweet hotel room -- and I've been relaxing here since.

I've posted photos to our Facebook page. I'll have another report tomorrow.

TEXAS CHESS ASSOCIATION MEETING

Yesterday, I attended the Texas Chess Association meeting in Dallas. It was a good opportunity to introduce myself to the other club and tournament organizers, tell them a little bit about what we're going to do in Arlington and learn how TCA operates. The votes were counted for TCA officers: Binny Nanavati is Secretary, Barbara Swafford is Treasurer, Lakshmana Viswanath is Vice President and Clemente Rendon is President. Clemente was not able to attend, so Lakshmana ran the meeting. We discussed the budget, and talked about vests for TDs at major tournaments to make them easier to identify. However, it was decided there are more cost effective options such as matching shirts or name tags. Tim Redman announced the upcoming Koltanowski Conference on Chess and Education, and thanked TCA for its support. Tanya Baker discussed the Tyler Chess Center. TCA went over the bids for upcoming major tournaments. Texas Knights magazine is moving from semi-monthly to quarterly, which is due to budgetary/content matters and also in keeping with the other state chess publications. Forrest Marler of Temple Chess Club announced plans for a trust fund to promote scholastic chess. And lastly, TCA needed some vector art of their logo in order to make banners and such for tournaments. I volunteered my wife to redesign their logo (thanks April!), which she's working on right now. I'll share the new TCA logo with everyone once it's available. So far, it looks incredible. And that's everything from the meeting. If anyone who was at the meeting noticed I forgot to mention something, please post in the comments.

After the meeting, I talked with editor Selby Anderson. Chess Club of Arlington has purchased a year's worth of one page ads in Texas Knights to promote our inaugural year as an organization.

Have a great Labor Day everyone. The weather in Arlington is perfect for chess outdoors at a park somewhere.

GOOD LUCK, ODUNAYO

My friend and our club secretary Odunayo Ajiboye is competing in the 77th Annual Southwest Open this weekend. He's rated 2107, 93 points short of earning a National Master title. I don't want to put any additional pressure on him, but I promised Odunayo a party once he reaches 2200. We'll order a cake and celebrate during one of our Thursday meetings. Here's a game Odunayo played against David Phillips at this year's Texas State Championship. I found it posted in the July-August 2011 issue of Texas Knights.

[pgn height=450 initialHalfmove=start autoplayMode=none] [Event "Texas State Championship"] [Site "Dallas Texas"] [Date "2011.05.28"] [Round "4"] [White "Odunayo Ajiboye"] [Black "David Phillips"] [WhiteElo "2028"] [BlackElo "2072"] [ECO "D31"] [Result "1-0"] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 O-O 6.Bd3 c5 7.cxd5 cxd4 8.exd4 Nxd5 9.Bg3 Nc6 10.Nf3 Nf6 11.a3 b6 12.O-O Bb7 13.Re1 Rc8 14.Bh4 Rc7 15.Qa4 Nh5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Nb5 Bc6 18.Qb3 Bxb5 19.Qxb5 Qd5 20.Qa4 Nf6 21.Ba6 Qc6 22.Qxc6 Rxc6 23.Rac1 Rxc1 24.Rxc1 Nfd5 25.Ne5 Rd8 26.Kf1 Kf8 27.Ke2 Nf5 28.Nc6 Rd7 29.g4 Nd6 30.Ne5 Rc7 31.Rc6 Ke7 32.Rxc7+ Nxc7 33.Bd3 a6 34.Bxh7 g6 35.h4 Nd5 36.Kf3 Nf6 37.Nxg6+ fxg6 38.Bxg6 Nc4 39.g5 Nd5 40.Bd3 b5 41.Bxc4 bxc4 42.Ke4 c3 43.bxc3 Nxc3+ 44.Ke5 Kf7 45.h5 a5 46.g6+ Kg7 47.Kxe6 Nb5 48.d5 Nd4+ 49.Ke7 Nf5+ 50.Ke8 a4 51.f3 Kh6 52.f4 Ng7+ 53.Kf7 Nf5 54.Kf6 Nd6 55.Ke6 Nb5 56.d6 Nd4+ 57.Kd5 1-0 [/pgn]

And Odunayo, I want some cake.

CHRONICLES OF THE AUSTIN HOMELESS HIPPY

There is a reoccurring minor character in WE'VE NEVER MET. In the scripts, he's dubbed the "Austin Homeless Hippy." He's made appearances inWNM #9, WNM #10, WNM #11, and more recently in WNM #38

The basic storyline is that the Austin Homeless Hippy hitched a ride with Alex from Austin to Denton, when Alex accidentally thought Inklings were performing at SXSW. Austin Homeless Hippy then gets left in Dallas. Liz makes the comment: "We need to get this guy home." Apparently, she never followed through, because by WNM #38 he's panhandling for bus fare. For people who pay extra close attention, the Austin Homeless Hippy did return in last week's WNM #57 in panel one (click here). Liz doesn't even recognize him. After a few months in Dallas, he's turned his life around, and works for a home insulation company.

Will we see him again in WE'VE NEVER MET? Quite possibly. (Yes.)

BLAH BLAH BLAH ME ME ME

I like my work, but I also like talking about my work. And the only thing I like more than talking about my work is telling people about instances where I talk about my work. While at the Dallas Comic Con, my friend Kyle interviewed me for the Tech Tards web show. So, go here: [UPDATE: LINK BROKEN. I'LL REPOST IF IT'S FIXED. SORRY.] (I begin talking at around the 24 minute mark, and I don't shut up until about 29:30.)

After you listen to me, I would recommend going back to the beginning of the show and watching the whole thing. It's a fun web program. I particularly like the review of the "fetus chooses own name" app for the iPad. Host Sarah Magee uses it, but since she's fetus-less -- she's just hits the iPad with her head.

TIME AND TABLE SPACE

Last month came and went, no posts. Sorry about that. The wedding is fast approaching. According to our wedding site, we have 52 more days to go. April has a wonderful blog (click here), which documents some of the hard work she's put into our wedding. April assures me that I've been helpful. I've been in charge of gathering addresses, booking the DJ (still need to send him our packet of information), the hotels, the rental car, and I'm sure that I've done some other stuff.

School is hectic. After Spring Break, until we reach the end of the school year, it's always hectic. Students get restless. Teachers get more sarcastic and short tempered. At this time of year, I always seem to go through deep introspection about the career I've chosen.

Dallas Comic Con is coming up, May 21st and 22nd. It hard to imagine that the show could get any bigger with a line-up like this: click here. I don't have anything new to sell. I'll probably reserve my table space for promoting WE'VE NEVER MET, published weekly in Quick.

I just sent in my latest rewrite of an essay that should appear in the Walking Dead Smart Pop (release date: November 1, 2011). My Smart Pop essays always seem to fall victim to poor timing. Exhibit A: In my Spider-Man Smart Pop essay, my thesis was that, more than any other superhero, Spider-Man holds onto his secret identity the tightest. As I wrote the essay, Civil War #2 came out. Peter Parker announces that he's Spider-Man. I had to add a little more to the essay to further defend my thesis. Exhibit B: My Walking Dead essay is about how Carl is the true protagonist of Walking Dead. For anyone who reads the series month to month, you know that I'm holding my breath about the next issue.

The Texas Amateur Chess Tournament is in a few weeks. I went last year, and now I'm in training for this year's tournament. Yes, chess players train -- books, instructional videos, tactic puzzles, practice games. I've been on a good run lately. 7-3 over the past two tournaments. I've won some games against much higher rated players. However, this blog is about writing. If you want to see my tournament matches, you can click here.

As far as big projects go, I've been scaling back lately. I'm working a few things here and there, but trying to find a more manageable pace. Hopefully, though, I'll have some announcements soon.

RAGE AGAINST ROB GRANITO

To every creative artistic soul reading this post, I want you to take a moment, stop what you're doing and pray. Even if you are not religious, I would encourage you to find a god and pray. If you can't think of a god, you may choose the ancient Roman snake god Glycon or pray to the Muse, Calliope. Pray that you will never ever incur the wrath that has been directed towards Rob Granito.

Rob is an art thief. For many years, he has taken credit for work that is not his. His claims are so absurd. It almost makes you think the story itself is a hoax. Among other things, he's claimed to work on Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes, the Batman stamp for the US Postal Service, the Batman Animated Series, a White House commissioned portrait for the President, A Christmas Story on Broadway, and X-Men. Several people have stepped forward to verify it. The hoax is no hoax.

Reading his online bio is equally painful:

"Rob Granito, internationally known artist and illustrator, has worked for over 15 years in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comic art. His name has been attached to major projects for companies such as Warner Brothers, DC and Marvel Comics, Disney, MTV, and VH1, where he has worked on comics, graphic novels, trading cards, animation, as well as book, CD, magazine, and novel covers."

Internationally known? Well, maybe now.

Here's the story. Here's a follow-up. And another follow-up.

Here's a Facebook page devoted to making fun of him. (As of 5:11 PM CST time, 586 people like this.)

On his DeviantArt page, here is a sampling of the most vicious comments:

"Shameful."

"LMAO You're FUCKED dude"

"you're a complete dick..."

"You bastard. Get out."

"I'm not kidding, I will punch you in the face, hoping to break your jaw. I'm pretty big, and with luck, I might shatter your cheekbone, you piece of garbage."

"Heres the douchebags # off his website if anyone cares: [no, I'm not re-posting it]"

"I would recommend everyone that was ripped off by that guy to contact your lawyers because this man deserves a Class A lawsuit!"

"I bust my ass every day, and you just prance around with stolen artwork... I wanna spit in your face. You disgust me."

"I want to curb stomp this guy!"

"You're a scumbag. You're a thief. A Liar and I hope your kids know that their Father is a piece of shit."

My good friend Jake Ekiss got downright biblical on him...

"May your whole existence drift into utter obscurity, not even a footnote in the annals of art history. May your name be spoken in hushed tones only as a cautionary tale to young artists. May your greatest achievement be that your flaming wreckage of a career serve as warning to other pretenders foolish enough to entertain similar thoughts. You are an obscenity made flesh, and I wish nothing more than for your whole being to be censored forthwith."

Jake, that is one hell of a roast.

Let me just say, I hate people who pad their resumé. I've called out friends who throw around the term "critically acclaimed" in their bios. I especially can't stand people who would go so far to steal other people's work. In the case of Rob, I look at his Facebook profile (his real one with 318 friends, not the profile to make fun of him, which now has 612 liking it). He has photos of him at conventions, him proudly holding up paintings, him with his daughters going to see Santa Claus. He looks happy, a big happy comic book geek. I look at him and wonder, "Why would you do it?"

What he did was wrong. It was. However, I think I know the deep dark reasons that pushed him to do it. I get that relentless insecurity tugging at any creative individual. I wish I was a better writer. The kind of writer who could have worked on the Batman Animated Series or X-Men. I wish I was as talented as some of the people at the conventions I attend. I wish I could make a full-time career out of something I love. I envy the people who are able to survive on their talent. And sometimes, do I wish Y The Last Man was my idea? Absolutely. Hell yes. Have I gone to Barnes & Noble, pointed out graphic novels by creators I've met once or twice, and pretended I was their peer? It's pathetic, but guilty as charged.

Rob, it's better to fail with your own ideas and on your own merit. Trust me. I've failed a lot. I would rather do my own thing and wallow in obscurity than be called out as a fake. My advice? Apologize. Publicly and profusely. Send out individual apologies to everyone you've ripped off. Make no excuses. Just say you're sorry. If you have the money, try to reimburse people. Take down your site. Take down your DeviantArt page. Lay low for a year or two, spend some time in reflection. And if you want to try again as a comic book artist, work your ass off and be humble. When you fail (and the odds are against you), at least you can say that it was with your own work. You.

I don't feel sorry for Rob. (Update: 634.)

He's an adult, and he brought this on himself. I don't feel sorry for Rob, but I understand. We all want to be important. We want to matter, so badly.

Pray to Calliope.

WE'VE NEVER MET: LISTEN TO INKLINGS

(originally posted here on Quick's blog) Some of my favorite bands are fictional ones -- Gorillaz, Josie and the Pussycats, the Archies, Jem and the Holograms, The Oneders, Weird Sisters, Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Monkees, Spinal Tap, Rex Manning and Wyld Stallyns. As I teenager, I would listen to bands like Pixies and Jane's Addiction and think to myself, "They're cool and all... for a real band." How I yearned to have my own fictional band.

When Quick approached me and Chad Thomas about creating an ongoing comic, I knew what I wanted -- a story about a girl from Dallas with a rock band. The story would focus on her friends, her family, her daily life and her attempts to balance it all with her creative pursuits.

If you're behind on WE'VE NEVER MET, you should raid the comic archives and check it out.

I talked with Lindsay Graham from Junius Recording Co., and he agreed to join the fun and produce Liz's band. Lindsay gathered together his super friends, talented people from talented local bands who helped Inklings find their sound. Inklings recorded five tracks. Here's the first single -- stream or download it!

Inklings - 'Faults' by QuickDFW

We'll release more songs soon.

We need your support. Inklings could be the greatest fictional band in Dallas. Call KXT and demand "Faults" be put in the rotation. Talk up Inklings among your friends, and act shocked when they say they haven't heard of them. And of course, keep reading every week. The story is just beginning.

WALKING DEAD SMART POP

If you've read my twitter feed recently, you could probably tell that I'm doing something with THE WALKING DEAD.

I just submitted a bio that included: "David once sat across from @RobertKirkman during a comic book convention brunch. It was cool." (link) @JasonCopland @kevincneece It's topical. I'm writing an academic essay on Walking Dead. Things I've noticed: Carl plays in the dirt a lot. (link)

Done. 18 pages of notes on Carl in the Walking Dead. (link)

@spiffy You'll like the essay I'm working on. I also like Michonne and Abraham, but Rick's "strong bigger comrades" don't seem to last long. (link)

@spiffy No kidding. Tyreese was great. (link)

Yes, I'm writing my third essay for Smart Pop. The past few days, I've been researching, taking notes, and outlining in preparation. Now, I have about 3,500 words to write by Monday. I'll have more information available as I'm able to release it. The important stuff:

Triumph of The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman's Zombie Epic on Page and Screen edited by James Lowder BenBella Books/Smart Pop November 1, 2011 trade paperback, $14.95 ISBN-10: 1936661136 ISBN-13: 978-1936661138

I'm excited about this one. As you might imagine, I'm a huge fan of the series. It's the best American comic on the shelf right now.

If Walking Dead has taught me anything, it's that you are never safe, but a samurai sword helps. Let's hope I survive the next few days, and I'm able to finish the essay on time.

ARTISTS AND MONEY

I found this excerpt of an interview with Francis Ford Coppola on Brian Denham's website (click here). I hope he doesn't mind if I re-post it. Of course, after you read this, you are obligated to visit Brian's site and Denham Shorts. His work is just too good to leave alone.

How does an aspiring artist bridge the gap between distribution and commerce? We have to be very clever about those things. You have to remember that it’s only a few hundred years, if that much, that artists are working with money. Artists never got money. Artists had a patron, either the leader of the state or the duke of Weimar or somewhere, or the church, the pope. Or they had another job. I have another job. I make films. No one tells me what to do. But I make the money in the wine industry. You work another job and get up at five in the morning and write your script.

This idea of Metallica or some rock n’ roll singer being rich, that’s not necessarily going to happen anymore. Because, as we enter into a new age, maybe art will be free. Maybe the students are right. They should be able to download music and movies. I’m going to be shot for saying this. But who said art has to cost money? And therefore, who says artists have to make money?

In the old days, 200 years ago, if you were a composer, the only way you could make money was to travel with the orchestra and be the conductor, because then you’d be paid as a musician. There was no recording. There were no record royalties. So I would say, “Try to disconnect the idea of cinema with the idea of making a living and money.” Because there are ways around it.

Read his full interview here.

ADAM WARROCK AND MC ROUTER

Yes, I'm re-posting the press release. I'm that excited about the show this Sunday.

ZEUS COMICS TO HOST NERDCORE RAP ARTIST ADAM WARROCK SHOW

DALLAS -- Zeus Comics and the hit Web series The Variants brings nerdcore rap artist Adam WarRock for his Dallas debut Sunday, February 27th at Alexandre’s Bar. Come see Adam’s deft lyricism and hip hop beats for this one-night-only performance.

Adam WarRock is widely known as the Internet’s foremost comic book nerdcore rapper. He has gained a following through his tireless song production, biting sense of humor, and sharp eye for geek and pop cultural topics to skewer in hip hop form. First gaining widespread attention after filmmaker Edgar Wright discovered his “Scott Pilgrim” recap rap, WarRock went on to gain further notoriety with the single “Ira Glass,” which turned the name of This American Life’s host into a verb for living life boldly. Mr. Glass personally gave the song his blessing.

WarRock went on to release his debut album, The War For Infinity, in the Fall of 2010. The Dallas concert marks one more stop on his nationwide tour of theaters and comic book shops.

Zeus Comics is a multiple national and local award-winning comic book store known for innovating in the field of comic book retail. The WarRock concert is partly sponsored by the Web series the Variants, which will be on hand for the performance to film footage for a future episode.

Zeus Comics has copies of Adam WarRock’s album The War For Infinity for sale in advance of the concert and at the show.

Admission is free. The show is 21 and up. Alexandre’s Bar is located at 4026 Cedar Springs Road in Dallas.

According to the Robot 6 post, MC Router will also be there. She's awesome.

DALLAS BURLESQUE

My article on Tammi True and Dallas burlesque is available on stands or read the article online...http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2011/March/Why_Dallas_Burlesque_Owes_a_Debt_to_Tammi_True.aspx

In September, I pitched the idea for an article on the re-emerging burlesque scene in Dallas. Tim Rogers liked it, and thus I began work on my first feature for D Magazine. I initially requested that the article be 3,000 words long. Tim asked for 2,000 words. In the end, I gave him 2,755 words.

I started by interviewing Shoshana Portnoy who I went to college with at Texas A&M Commerce. She's a show producer and editor for Pincurl Magazine. My process was I'd interview someone -- tape recorder, steno notepad, all that. Then I would go home and immediately write a story about my experience. Without any regard for the final product, I'd just jot down everything I could remember about the interview itself. An excerpt:

We met on Saturday, October 9th at 3 PM at Libertine Bar on Greenville Avenue. When I got out of my car, Shoshana was already there, sitting on a bench outside, talking on the phone and smoking a long cigarette. When she noticed me, she greeted me with “How’s your world?” to which I gave a standard recap of my difficulty finding a book on burlesque at Half-Price Books. Do I look in the women’s studies section or sexuality in culture? “Or I would think it might be in the theater section. Actually, you know why you couldn't find a book?” She gives an answer to my problem and another drag on the cigarette. “#### works there and she snags all the books on burlesque that arrive. I’ll talk to her and see if we can get some of those books to you.”

Shoshana put me in contact with almost everyone I needed for the article. That evening, I went to Teddy's Room to continue my research. The next morning, I met with Pixie O'Kneel. Pixie allowed me to sit in on a dress rehearsal for her upcoming Bewitching Burlesque production. An excerpt:

I parked my car at the corner of South Crowdus and Canton in Deep Ellum. It was Sunday, October 10th at 10:50 AM. I walked across the street to the Hub Theater. Two girls were walking in the front door, carrying various items – PVC pipe, a frilly dress, burlap cloth, a lamp, stilts, a straight jacket, and an axe.

Inside the Hub Theater, it couldn’t be more different than the squeaky clean exclusive Teddy’s Room. I walked past a curtain and into the seating area of the theater. I met Pixie O’Kneel, a short woman with thick dark hair cut short. I introduced myself, and we stepped back into the lobby to talk. She introduced me to her partner Glam’Amour, contrasting in height, she towered over Pixie and myself. Pixie then offered me a mimosa and muffins. There’s some girl asleep on the couch.

Back in the theater, Pixie worked with the girls helping them with their props and set pieces. She steps away to listen to the volume of the music for the show with Tony, the sound guy.

“More or less?” “I think right there is good?” She listens again as the music swells. “That’s a little too much."

A few nights later, I interviewed Angi B Lovely. Afterward, I drove to Denton for the Tiki A GoGo show.

I had a lot of material, and I probably could have continued interviewing performers and attending various shows, but I needed a perspective on old-school burlesque. Shoshana put me in touch with Nancy Myers (aka Tammi True). Nancy was impossible to Google search. There wasn't any information floating around on the Internet. Surprising, since she headlined at the Carousel Club that Jack Ruby owned. Now, if you google "Tammi True," my article is the first and second entry. I talked with her on the phone and then met with her in person. She's funny, candid, and foul mouthed. In other words, the perfect interview. It turns out she hadn't done any interviews in decades. The only other one she gave was to Esquire, which wasn't much of an interview at all. Her whole life, people had been asking her about Jack Ruby. No one asked Nancy about Tammi True.

The problem I encountered was, at this point, I didn't have a magazine article. I had two magazine articles: one about modern burlesque and one about Nancy. I called my editor for some guidance. He suggested one of the stories needed to be subordinate to the other. Either this is a story about modern burlesque with Tammi True as an interesting footnote or this story is about Tammi with modern burlesque as the coda (i.e., her legacy lives on). It was decided that the story needed to focus on Nancy/Tammi. Hours worth of research, interviews, and field trips on modern burlesque would go unused. Literary agents, call me.

I scheduled a second interview with Nancy. A week later, I sent my finished article to Tim.

Read it here: http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2011/March/Why_Dallas_Burlesque_Owes_a_Debt_to_Tammi_True.aspx

HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND EDIT PEOPLE

You can either write comic book reviews or you can write comic books, but you can't do both. Being a critic requires honesty, while being a comic book writer requires pretending to like everyone and everything they do. You shouldn't burn bridges as a comic book writer. However, a comic book critic must give a fair accounting of a book's merit... bridges be damned. Especially in comics, where everyone knows everyone, being a critic just isn't a wise course to making friends. I try my best to simply spotlight the comics I love. That said. I just read Adrian Tomine's SCENES FROM AN IMPENDING MARRIAGE. And I really want to give you a review of this book. Alas, I cannot. So instead, I'd like to share with you what the back of the book says:

You are cordially invited to witness the hilarious true story of one couple's long march to the altar. Best known for his cover illustrations for The New Yorker and for the critically-acclaimed graphic novel Shortcomings, Adrian Tomine now opens the pages of his private sketchbook to reveal a witty, intimate account of the heady months prior to getting married. Through a series of comic vignettes, Tomine captures the amusing, taxing, and often absurd process of planning a wedding, as well as the peculiar characters and situations that he and his fiancee encounter along the way. Filled with incisive humor, keen observations, and unabashed tenderness, Scenes from an Impending Marriage is a sweet-natured document of the little moments leading up to the big day.

Pretty nice, huh? Now, I would like to show you how I would edit this text to more accurately represent the book:

You are invited to witness the true story of one couple's long march to the altar. Best known for his cover illustrations for The New Yorker and for the critically-acclaimed graphic novel Shortcomings, Adrian Tomine now opens the pages of his private sketchbook to reveal an account of the months prior to getting married. Through a series of vignettes, Tomine captures the process of planning a wedding, as well as the characters and situations that he and his fiancee encounter along the way. Scenes from an Impending Marriage is a document of the little moments leading up to the big day.

Thank you.

ART BY GIGI

I have been fortunate to work with the talented Gigi Cavenago on OUTLAW TERRITORY, VOL. 3. He posted some pages from our short story "Judge Roy Bean" on his site. Thus, I thought it would be fine to re-post the pages here...

Since Gigi is Italian, can we call this a Spaghetti Western? This short story is one of my best. I especially enjoyed playing around with "Old West" dialogue.

Information on the OUTLAW TERRITORY anthology series can be found here. UPDATE: Volume 2 will be in stores next week. Make sure to pick up a copy.

FROM THE WEBCOMIC FACTORY

My friend and occasional collaborator (on KARMA INCORPORATED and ANTIGONE) Tom Kurzanski illustrates a wonderful webcomic called POST APOCALYPTIC NICK.

Nick Surrey has just survived the worst Tuesday of all time. Climbing out of his hotel three days later, he finds himself trapped in an apocalyptic landscape in California. His car destroyed and his phone dead, he starts a journey cross country to see if his wife was really serious about divorcing him back in New Jersey. Can a man who knows nothing about survival survive without his iPhone, Chinese Take Out and Cable TV?

Definitely worth reading!

BUFFY SCHOOL OF WRITING

I was cleaning out the office closet, and I came across one of my spiral notebooks from a few years ago (circa 2004). It was filled with notes from while I was watching BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER -- anything that as a writer, I could use. Yes, I took notes while watching TV. Here were some of my observations:

* Create stand-alone stories that work in an arc. * There's always room for humor. * Establish the character, then create a situation where they act out-of-character. * Good dialogue covers a multitude of sins. * Start off with a "mini-action moment." * Dating relationships are fun to destroy. * Create impossible challenges.

And class dismissed.