Into the Ether

Good writing weekend.

I wrapped up three new pieces.

Two short stories, now submitted to editors at two anthologies. I'm really pleased with how both turned out. Fingers crossed the editors agree.

Also completed the final rewrite on a four-page script for The Midnight Hour. Jason Whitley and I have concocted a breezy little origin story for Madeline Night and the Midnight Hour. I wrote the initial script a couple months back and waited for Jason to turn in his stunning artwork before tightening up the text and kicking it over to lettering madman, the Devil Genghis. Since we're eventually going to be posting this on the Midnight Hour web site, Jason will be finishing it up in full color in his usual amazing style. Here's a sneak glimpse:

And, lastly, I got word that Bad-Ass Faeries has rolled off the presses and copies will be released soon. This anthology features my short story, "Sally Smiles." I promise cover art and much more detail in just a couple of days as the editors have cooked up a contest and a launch event at Balticon next month to get things rolling.

Ravencon Wrap

The last day of Ravencon proved pretty quiet. But, of course, that's when they get ya...

My last panel of the con was a 10 A.M. discussion of artificial intelligence and computers as villians in science fiction. I was a bit apprehensive as the topic falls outside my usual areas of expertise, but I was happy to serve as moderator and ask questions. Turned out to be one of the best panels I've ever sat on. Guest of Honor science fiction author Robert Sawyer, author Stephen Euin Cobb, and podcasting pioneer Paul Fischer were the panelists. Thanks to their erudite comments and the input of an exceptionally well-informed audience, we maintained a lively discussion despite the early hour. The upshot (and I'm simplifying greatly here) was 2 votes in favor of the likelihood that computers will take over and turn against us in the future to 1 vote against. Me, I'm looking forward to reading the Robert Sawyer novels I snatched up in the dealer's room. That guy knows his stuff.

The gents were kind enough to pause for a photo after the panel with, from left to right, Paul, Stephen, myself, and Robert.

After the panel I had time enough to bid farewell to a few folks and then hit the road back to New York. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive for several hours--until the traditional jam up around exit 6 off the New Jersey Turnpike and a couple of hours of stop and go, topping off at 35 mph when things really picked up. But then if I didn't get delayed in Jersey, I suppose I wouldn't really feel like I'd been out of town. Way to go Garden State...!

Highlights from Ravencon

Last night's Mystery Panel turned out to be a blast. I was one of the panelists subjected to random and often bizarre questions lobbed at us by moderator Tony Ruggiero and the audience. The capper was a question from artist Cort Skinner asking panelists what bodily function they would use to describe their writing. In another panel Elizabeth Massie led us on a great discussion comparing classic Gothic horror literature with modern horror writing. And tonight I just wrapped my last panel, about how book titles and covers are created and how they work, while just outside our room the costume party carried on with riotous enthusiasm.


Here's a snapshot from my afternoon panel, a discussion of how writers create their characters. From left to right are myself, Edmund Schubert, David B. Coe, Dennis Danvers, and Elizabeth Massie.



And here's a shot of me hanging out with Danielle Ackley-McPhail, author and one of the editors of the forthcoming Bad-Ass Faeries anthology (to be released in May), which will include my short story "Sally Smiles."

Ravencon Bound

Off to Ravencon tonight. I'm hoping hotel Internet access will be better than it was in Toronto for WHC, so I can actually post while I'm there. I've got a full line-up of panels, and it looks to be a great show. Taking along some work, as well. Two new short stories now in the editing stages and some reading I've fallen behind on...

Gut-Check Movie Review: Burn The Wicker Man (2007)

I gave it a shot. Even knowing the odds were a million to 1 or worse that it could possibly be any good, I gave it a shot....

The original The Wicker Man is a good movie. Entertaining, atmospheric, and intelligent, it tackles some unique themes that perhaps are as relevant today as they were during its orginal release. I wouldn't go as far as calling it great. A B-movie classic, maybe. Even an important, if somewhat minor, benchmark in the horror genre. And, hell, it's got Christopher Lee, as Lord Summerisle, at his aristocratic best.

The remake is none of those things. And Ellen Burstyn (Lady Summersisle) is no Christopher Lee.

With Neil LaBute in the director's seat, I held out a sliver of a chance for the movie to be at least interesting if not good. I've seen a couple of LaBute's other movies and read some of his short fiction. It's not really to my taste. He writes nasty stuff. Unlikable people doing detestable things and treating each other badly. But he's got an unmistakable voice, and I was curious to see how that might manifest in a horror movie.

But apparently LaBute decided to play this one by the Hollywood numbers with a script that barely qualifies as fit for direct-to-DVD filler. In fact it's quite typical of what passes for horror in Hollywood among people who don't know or understand the genre (which seems to be most major studios, their scriptwriters, and the majority of big name movie stars).

Deviating from the original only to capitalize on every opportunity to dumb down, sanitize, or otherwise diminish the original story, there's nothing unique or distinctive onscreen here. Nicolas Cage overacts. Burstyn struggles to let us know she actually has a pulse. And a ham-handed metaphor involving bees and sexism replaces the original's creeping sense of dread, which was born of a much deeper and more primal cultural and religious conflict.

The final image of Cage trapped and screaming in the burning wicker man aptly captures just how I felt when the credits began to roll.

I wished I could pull the disc from my player and chuck it on the flames...

Website Redux

My newly redesigned and reconfigured website, www.jameschambersonline.com, is now live.


Give 'er a surf, eh?

Gut-Check Movie Review: The Black Dahlia

The Black Dahlia was my introduction to James Ellroy, and my love of the book made me really want to enjoy this movie. Sadly, it was not to be. Director Brian DePalma almost never fails to disappoint, and though this proved one of his more competent outings of recent years, it still fell miles short of the mark. There's the uninspired casting to blame, the tepid pacing, and a script more hollow than a jack o' lantern on November 1, but really it's the combined weight of all these flaws that drives this film to the greatest of sins when it comes to film noir--it is forgettable. Granted there are moments of brilliance and the movie posseses more style than it knows what to do with. Parts of it are fleetingly poignant or wonderfully atmospheric. But in the end, with a rushed and very clumsy conclusion, it simply adds up to a big nothing. I recall hearing somwhere around the time of the theatrical release that a three-hour version of the film played much better and even earned kind words from Ellroy. It's conceivable that with more of Ellroy's story translated intact, the movie could have taken on greater depth, but even if an extended version comes down the pike someday, I still think I'll opt to reread the novel instead.

Wolrd Horror Con--The Recap

Okay, so blogging from the con didn't really pan out. No problem. I'll just catch up now.

It was a good con, a really good one.

Toronto is an expensive city (that's coming from a lifelong New Yorker), so there were few book purchases this trip. Only one, in fact: the special hardcover edition of Postrcripts # 10. I even had to pass up a nice, signed copy of Joe Lansdale's Savage Season (next time for sure). Luckily, folks were generous, and I wound up coming home with some top-notch reading to keep me going for awhile. Gave away a few copies of The Midnight Hour in return, and I hope people enjoy them.

At the top of the con reading pile: Via Dolorosa by Ronald Damien Malfi and Gifted Trust by John Paul Allen.

Con events such as the mass signing, the Stoker awards, and the general run of panels all proved enjoyable and interesting, but the best part of this con was getting to meet a mob of great people. The World Horror Con has always struck me as just about the most laid back con I attend. The weekend is about kicking back, hanging out, and getting to know people. The amazing thing this weekend was how many writers and readers I wound up talking to and just having a casual conversation. They ranged from aspiring wordsmiths just starting out to folks at just about the same point as me to international best-selling authors to Stoker winners and the con Grandmaster. There were worlds of writing experience on tap, and it was great to plug into it all.

The Canadian location attracted a healthy crowd of Candian horror folk (of course) and many from the UK. Interesting to get a different perspective on things from our colleagues north of the border and across the pond.

The heart of the con, as usual, rested in the after hour activities--the parties, the improptu gatherings, the bar. Every night was a late night.

By Sunday morning I was pretty well drained and eager to make the trip home.

A lot of people hit rough ground going or coming through customs, but I lucked out with an easy enough time both ways. A special tip of the hat to Donna and Steve of Ego Likeness, who kindly gave me a lift to the airport (I'm listening to Water to the Dead as I write this.) and Jennifer and John of Raw Dog Screaming Press for introducing me to Donna and Steve.

Next year: Salt Lake City.