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andrewfarago) for The Comics Journal. Like all Journal interviews, it was (or at least it felt) pretty exhaustive, and Andrew was great to talk to, and all-in-all, I think it came out well, and I even managed to avoid saying anything I was sure I'd regret later. I can't speak for Steve Lieber, who was also interviewed by Andrew for the same issue, but I can guarantee that Steve had more interesting and insightful things to say than I did.Excerpts of both interviews have been posted, and they'll be available in their entirety in The Comics Journal #287, which, I am told by Mister Farago himself, most likely hits shelves...uh, today, actually.
The timing on this is interesting. I've been in a slump for the last six-to-eight weeks or so, dealing with a variety of issues related to writing in general, and my writing in particular. Continued frustrations in dealing with people who really ought to know how to do their jobs properly, for instance, and the lethargy that seems to always set in just in time to really complicate the already exceptionally complicated rush into the holidays. I don't know if it's just SAD from living in the PNW during weather like this (and for a wonderful write-up on just how, uh...wet it's been for some folks, take a look at
mercuryeric's journal) or something else, but, like clockwork, my mood and my productivity both go to Hell in a handbasket around my birthday.I was in LA on personal business the last two days, and I got to spend some time with my brother and his bride, and I got to see Andrew and Xtie, and that was good for the soul, especially opposite the contortions I've been going through the last several weeks. I feel better. I've made some decisions. One of them is that I'm not renewing my exclusive with DC. Others less deserving of announcement at the moment, but of no less import to myself and my family.
And last night was the beginning of the Festival of Lights, and for all the crap that swirls around the historical truth behind the holiday, it's still wonderful to fill your home with candles and to light them eight nights in a row until there's a riot of tiny, dancing flames reflecting in the windows. One solution to seasonal affective disorder, at least.
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Comments
Did you and yours survive the storm with out harm? I got drenched but other than that I'm fine. The area between where we live is going to need some serious help, though.
There is a giant star down town this time of year, takes up the whole side of the Bon Marche (now Macy's) building. There is very little that can consistently make me smile like that giant star. I usually perk up in the winter months, as I find summer oppresive most of the time. Candles and all of the lights really do a lot to cheer a person if you let them.
I've always found SAD to be a curious thing, as my productivity and mood improve *significantly* when fall and winter come. Spring and summer are my mortal enemies! Give me the snow, sleet and rain (in humane amounts)any time!
I'm not claiming SAD, btw -- I've got a very clear idea of what it is that's been chewing my tail, and I think I've gotten a handle on it, now. But this time of year is always hard -- the assault of Christmas, what it does to the schedule, always complicates things.
And I absolutely get where you're coming from. I do believe that SAD is a real thing for those who suffer from it. That being said, the stress of the last quarter of the year is enough weight for anyone, never mind any other matters that may be occupying your mind.
My best to everyone out that way.
However, I should note that my mother-in-law's store WILL reopen, so hope springs eternal...
Hope is worth having. Even when it hurts.
I tell myself over and over that winter is pretty. Snow is pretty.
It doesn't work so well on days like today when I had to spend over an hour chiseling my car out of an ice bubble about half an inch thick, in 20F cold.
My car wears a Decepticon insignia. I kept telling it how dare it let ice encase it. A true 'Con wouldn't let mere weather stop it.
It wasn't listening. I swear it even giggled.
Winter is pretty, snow is pretty....
The flooding is pretty crazy. I was going to do a post myself of what I went out and did to help the locals pack up and get out, but it paled in comparison to Eric's. I was about ten feet from the river in Sumner, I think it was (I'm bad with town names and I followed a caravan) and it scared the shit out of me...and it was about four feet below where it eventually got.
The holiday lull is just something I've learned to deal with, given that it's meant to be a time to pace yourself. You've got deadlines, no doubt, which means you can't. My advice, ergo, is shit. BUT, I can speak to crunching, horrid, awful deadlines when you want to be doing something else or when your passion may not be in the work at hand. I'd say, "You can..." but all I have is, "You poor, poor bastard." Joking aside, I don't know what to say. I still haven't taken a solid day off since September 23.
In January, however, for me there's always this insane burst of energy. Don't know why, don't know how. But I hope you get that.
When I first read "festival of lights," I thought for a second there that you were celebrating Diwali, too.
I'm intrigued to hear of pending directions in your writing, particularly who you'll be writing for, and await further announcements.
Because it never gets old:
Once again, my brilliant idea for a family gift for your kids will be late this year (why break a batting average of 1000?), but something will make its way to the sodden Northwest eventually.
All the best.
Then came along Amazon.com and we no longer had an excuse.
The sad thing is that I am ALWAYS forgetting my other sister's birthday. .... it's two days before mine.
The DC thing is huge. I hope you're not leaving the business altogether, that would be incredibly sad, and a pretty big loss for the medium.
I've been meaning to mention, I love the new Question series! (though I have to more or less tell everyone who comes in the shop I work at to ignore the title and call it "The Question") Seems to do better that way, in my opinion.
Guy with brain rationalizes: I understand your actions. If you feel like work pressures are mounting because of factors outside of your control, its downright sensible to walk away.
As for the weather, it seems as if both coasts are getting whacked. Where I leave, most everything is shrouded in snow and trucks threaten to hit me as I walk to school.
- Zachary -
And, yeah. It should've been called The Question.
And then the internet blows up.
I wish you luck, Greg. Not that you'll need it, but take it anyway. You're one of my favorite people to talk to who, what a coincidence, is one of my favorite writers. Maybe one day we'll be able to talk about this one-on-one, but I'm glad to see it was on your terms instead of someone else's.
You've got my email, right? Fire me off your mailing address when you have a minute.
My dream world is you working on Checkmate, Queen and Country, Stumptown, an ongoing Question [even if I still miss Charlie] and the next Atticus novel.
Hope that doesn't contribute to more burnout... glad to hear you're feeling lighter, metaphysically speaking.
Please stay on your DC books Greg, even if you're not exclusive...
There are ALWAYS plans.
Although you forgot to type in the appropriate maniacal cackling laughter - "Bwahahahahahahhahaha!" - though I'm sure you meant too.
Oh, and I also asked Santa to bring me the next Q&C novel and an ongoing Batwoman. See if you can do something about that too, kay?
Happiest of holidays to you, good sir!
No typing before coffee, clearly.