R.I.P. Gary Gygax

For those of us that grew up with Dungeons & Dragons, the news that its creator, E. Gary Gygax, had passed away was a shot to the heart.

I remember many a winter day, hanging out in my basement in the company of good friends; a table full of dice, paper, and lead miniatures.

The creativity this game instilled I carry still, and the love of fantasy it imparted has never waned. And we owe it all to the genius of one...Gary Gygax.

For those about to roll, we salute you!

Change of Command

Free-lance writing can be a pain in the ass. I had one customer verbally offer $500 per page, then published my work and insisted I had agreed to do it pro-bono. Another magazine accepted my article (an interview of a World War II soldier) and sat on it for two years. When I finally inquired as to its status (i.e pay me!), I was informed that the magazine had changed editors and the new one was passing on my work. Another magazine asked for re-write after re-write and, once I got everything just right (about 60 work-hours later), they closed their doors. I asked the editor when they found out about them shutting down and she told me, "right before you submitted your work." Thanks for nothing and a big waste of time.

Dealings with editors can be a double-edged sword. They are the gatekeepers and you do not want to bug them. However, you also need to get your work published and be paid. So, balance these two things. Make sure to check Writers Digest for how long you can expect to wait after submitting queries or manuscripts, then double it to be realistic. I had one article accepted and it took three years to be published and paid. Patience is a writers best friend.

Please share your writing horror stories in your comments...

Keep writing!

Pete's Patented Primo Blackberry Sauce

Every writer needs a BBQ recipe! Here is mine:

Ingredients:

- About 5 lbs. baby-back pork ribs
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 ¾ cup fresh blackberries, rinsed.
- Fresh ginger.
- 1 teaspoon pepper.
- ½ teaspoon salt.
- Fresh mint sprigs.
- 1 ½ teaspoons hot sauce.
- Blackberry sauce (recipe follows):

In a food processor, combine 1 ¼ cups blackberries, ¼ cup each of ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and minced ginger; 1 teaspoon pepper; and ½ teaspoon salt. Puree. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of hot sauce.

Pour into 1 quart glass container. Cover loosely with microwave-safe wrap. Microwave on high power for about eight minutes, or until mixture reduces to about 1 1/3 cups, stirring intermittently.


Instructions:

1. Rinse/pat dry ribs. Trim excess fat.
2. Prepare ribs until well browned (indirect grill heat best)
3. Baste 1 side of ribs with half the sauce. Turn ribs sauce side down and cook until sauce browns and forms a thick glaze (about 10 mins.) Baste top with remaining sauce and turn ribs over, cooking until sauce browns and forms a thick glaze (about 10 mins.)
4. Transfer ribs to platter and garnish with remaining blackberries and mint.

Enjoy with ice-cold beer and coleslaw.

Sorry, Indy...

So many years we await the return of the fedora and whip; and it finally comes in the form of, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Of course, I had to see it the first day of release. Being a big fan of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' tolerant of 'Temple of Doom,' and satisfied with the the 'Last Crusade,' I thank Lucas and Spielberg for bringing back the franchise. But, I have questions and concerns, and, since Steven won't take my calls, I will ask them of other fans:
1. Where is Sallah? The old side-kick was conspicuously missing and no reference to his whereabouts offered.
2. If Indy drank from the Holy Grail -- the Cup of Life -- at the end of 'Last Crusade,' why has he aged so? And how could Henry Jones, Sr. -- his father, James Bond -- have died so soon after partaking from the chalice himself?
3. The Crystal Skull -- the so-called MacGuffin of the film -- is not sought out through mysteries, legends, and excavation, but is found in the first scene and then pursued.
4. How does Indy survive an atomic blast by being violently thrown in a lead-lined refrigerator and then bask in the glow of the mushroom cloud without losing his hair and teeth?
Of course, the film brought back old friends and was entertaining though barely believable. However, this fan expected more, especially for the time it took. I knew I should worry when David Koepp was brought on board to pen it, What happened to Lawrence Kasdan (screenwriter of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark)? And, damn it, can't anyone build a set anymore?! As good as these guys think digital is, it's just not the same.