[Writing Post] All About the Editing
Welcome to Wednesday. I’m actually going to get a blog post done before Noon today – mainly because for the next three business days, I’m working an evening shift (2-8 pm) – which feels very…odd. So in this first State of the Writer (ish) post, I’m editing/feedback stuff. OH – and happy birthday to Amber Benson, an excellent writer, person, and convention friend. She has a new book out this week, Witches of Echo Park, go check it out. My pre-order Christmas present was shipping delayed. It’ll be here tomorrow.
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The “to do” list gets a bit longer. I’m finishing up first round feedback of the last Redheads section. We’re meeting on the 19th (yay, Federal Holidays) to discuss the sections for fixes. Then it goes to being put together, then read for flow. There are many stages to a Redheads book. I should have the paper notes done this morning. Then I need to put this batch into track changes to have a digital fingerprint for this batch. Yes, we each have our own ways of dealing with stuff.
Another of my collaborations has come back to roost. This is a full on Where We are Now edit and move forward. The plan is to have a full early draft done by ConDFW. Which means I need to get me rear in gear, but Redheads hit the desk first.
I have a friend coming in town this weekend and Saturday plans (if the weather doesn’t turn on us – which would really make the weekend interesting with the day job), so my weekend work time will be limited… but with this temporary shift change, I’ll have mornings to work on these projects. Then we’ll see where we stand on other things. But the house is mostly clean, I’m hanging with the dogs until it’s time to get ready for work, and I got to sleep in some. Yay. So, now it’s time to get back to work.
[Pen/Pencil Review] The JetPens Chibi Mini-Fountain Pen
Today’s pen review is another small fountain pen. This one is JetPens.com Chibi Mini-Fountain Pen. Which is a slight redundancy since “chibi” means “small” in Japanese. This cute little guy has JetPens.com embossed on the clip.
This cute little guy is a bit longer than the Pilot Petit fountain pens. The pen is about 4.75″ long capped, and 5.75″ with the cap posted. The barrel is a translucent yellow plastic with no real ergonomics, but that doesn’t really matter for something like this. For its size, it’s remarkably comfortable and balanced.
The fine point nib is Iridium from Germany for a smooth line. The barrel takes the short international cartridges. You do have to do some priming to keep the ink flowing consistently, but I find that in most pens that take fountain pen cartridges. I figure it’s air bubbles. The nib is firm but flexible.
This is a cool little thing. You can see the ink reservoir so you know how much ink you have left. I did get some ink in the cap, but that was me being fiddly with it. It doesn’t leak easily. It is also quite affordable through JetPens.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It works pretty well. The iridium nib is excellent. The fine point to the nib is smooth.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – For what it is, it okay. The diameter is decent, but no ergonomics and a few ridges to dig into the fingers. It’s also short – so that might not work for a lot of people, but I find it pretty cool.
3. Material – 1 – It’s plastic and iridium. It is what it is. Refillable, but inexpensive. I like the translucent yellow.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – It’s a good design for a small fountain pen. If you’re overly active with it, it might leak a little. I did have to prime the nib a few times to keep a consistent ink flow.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s just under $3 on JetPens. It is refillable with easily accessible ink. It’s a fun little thing.
I give it 4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Spotlight Post] Welcome 2015
If you believe in superstitions (or just traditions) – what you do on New Year’s Day is what you’ll be doing all year – for us that’s minor home repairs and eating (could be a lot worse). We also had greens, black eyed peas, and corn-based carbs (in fritters – not bread), so those traditional bases are covered. Oh, and the steaks were bacon-wrapped (so there was pork as well). Though I do want my 2015 to be a little more diverse than that.
I thought about writing. Does that count? It will when thought is put into action – which is part of the Grand Plan. And yes, there is a plan (of sorts) for 2015. In fact, I put together a “To Do” list for the weekend that’s rapidly expanded to a list for January.
Oh, I did just submit a story, so there’s that. I thought about resubbing the story the editor liked but didn’t buy (he did offer editing suggestions – which I implemented, but I’m not THAT person). So, finger’s crossed
So here’s to a productive 2015.
[Writer Post] Farewell to 2014
Last day of 2014. Wow. Who’d’ve thought we’d ever say that? I remember reading 2014 (and about to be 2015) as dates in Science Fiction. And look, here we are. It’s been a long and winding year. The writing community has seen quite a bit of upheaval in the industry. We’ve said good bye to some talented friends and fellow professionals. Neither thing gets easier – ever. Here’s hoping next year has a few less upheavals.
It’s been a productive year, for the most part. I’ve done fewer short projects by focusing on some bigger ones. I’ve finished and/or submitted two novels (one has been picked up by Yard Dog Press). We’ve finished a draft of a potential new Redheads novel – so that was a brand new novelette/novella. I’ve written a couple of short stories for specific projects. Sold a couple of stories that have been looking for a home for a while. Still have a couple of those that I need to see where they are and what I can do with them.
I still need to do some thinking/reimaging of some reprints and chapbooks, as well as come up with some new stories. There are two bigger projects I need to focus on next year (with some wiggle room for editing and publication prep and whatever short projects come to mind) one’s a YA novella/novel (depending on how long it turns out to be) and the other’s a new Christmas play for church – both of which are started (ish). It’s the ongoing New Year’s GOAL (I don’t do resolutions) of GETTING STUFF DONE, DARN IT!
Still working on the Convention Schedule for next year – even though my awesome new Day Job is very flexible – it’s going to be very busy during the summer. But I will be out and about in 2015. So let’s be safe out there. And Happy New Year!
[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot V7 Hi-Techpoint Roller Ball – Green Ink
The last pen review of 2014… where does the time go? And DUDE who’d’ve thought we’d be here? This is Science Fiction years. But here we are. This last pen for 2014 was something I saw in passing on JetPens and then bought as stocking stuffers for Jimmy and myself. I give you the Pilot V7 Hi-Techpoint roller ball pen.
The Pilot V7 is one of Jimmy’s all-time favorite pens. He has used the red ones for years and years. And though we both prefer the V5, this V7 needed to be explored. I bought the red for Jimmy’s stocking and the green for myself – and should probably get the blue and black. Just for kicks.
This pen has a 0.7mm roller ball point in a needlepoint tip. The barrel and cap are plastic with a view port in the barrel to see ink levels. The barrel and cap color match to the ink. The cap posts fairly securely for plastic. The pen is just over 5.5″ long with the pen capped and just over 6″ with the cap posted.
So what makes this pen different from a typical V7? One, it’s part of the BeGreen line – which means it’s made of 71% recycled materials. Two, it uses a liquid ink instead of a gel or other type of ink. And three, the liquid ink comes in a cartridge, making this V7 refillable. The write up on JetPens says it can be refilled up to 10 times. The refillable aspect ties into the BeGreen line – because you have less waste than a non-refillable, it’s also more economical. The pen itself is affordable – about the same price as the non-refillable, and the 3-packs of ink refills are very affordable.
The ink dries very quickly for a liquid ink. The rollerball is smooth – though I had to prime my point a few times when it didn’t pick up ink right away – which may have been air bubbles in the liquid ink. But the green ink is dark and rich.
The refills are marked for V5 and V7 – which makes me hopeful that there WILL BE a V5 version of this pen. If there is? I’m probably buying two of each color. The V7 is nice, but I’m really looking forward to a V5.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – It works really well – except for the fact that it did kinda skip on me a couple of times. I was able to prime the ink back into the tip, but it’s enough to nock a bit.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s a good length. There are no ergonomics, but the diameter it comfortable. It’s not bad for an inexpensive plastic pen.
3. Material – 1 – It’s a basic, plastic rollerball pen. The needlepoint feels sturdy so there is that. I don’t feel like I’m going to bend it.
4. Overall Design – 1 – I like it for the classic design with the refillable aspect. That makes it kinda cool and awesome.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s a good price. The pen itself runs $2.75 on JetPens – which may be a bit more than what you’d pay for a regular V7, but it’s worth it for the cartridge design. The refills are $1.70 for three ink cartridges. If you lose it (or it’s swiped) you’re not out a huge investment, but you can also very economically use it for a very long time.
That’s 3.5 of 5 bronze pencils.
[Spotlight Post] Cheryl DuCoin and Christmas
The one moment of sadness in this Christmas was learning of Cheryl DuCoin’s passing. She was a lovely lady I met through John Moore. She was active in the Texas convention circuit. She would dress up with the Redheads and was an artist. I liked her a lot and she will be sorely missed. Many of us didn’t know she had been ill.
On a happier note… Christmas has been achieved. Food and fun occurred with family. Presents were exchanged with gray merriment. I am looking forward to next year.
I did receive the present I needed most – about a month early… A new job in an organization that does seem to appreciate me and my skills. That makes everything better. I am learning a lot, on top of that.
So here’s to the end of 2014 and the approach of 2015. Though this year has seen loss, I know I am heading into the days to come with a lighter heart.
Thank you all for the support and the love. I can’t wait to do it all again.
[Pen/Pencil Blog] Jimmy’s Pentel Pencil Collection
Merry Christmas Week. We are as ready as we’re going to be. And as it’s Christmas Week, I’m going to do something a bit different. As I’ve mentioned in the past, Jimmy’s not only supportive of my pen blog, he can be something of an enabler. He also has a weakness of his own… he’s a collector of Pentel mechanical pencils. When I came home from work today, he was in the process of cataloging his collection.
He’s a connoisseur of the Pentel “P” series. He has nearly 60 of them – mostly in the various generations (and colors) of the P205 – he’s missing the Generation 4&5 of the BLACK Pentel 305 – and can tell you the different iterations of the styling and mechanics.
But his love of the Pentel 205 didn’t stop there. He has nearly all the incarnations of the Pentel P series of mechanical and drafting pencils – including those meant for FILM, one actually belonged to his father. Some of these are size oriented, some have other caveats for their designations – though the end number ALMOST always (but not quite) indicates lead size.
He spent part of his Christmas Vacation today measuring and detailing styles, mechanics, etc. of his collection. He told me about them, but most of it’s gone over my head. Mostly it comes down to how the barrel is marked to indicate the generation of the pencil – and occasionally changes in the metal clip.
I’m not sure how the fascination with the P205 series started, but I’m glad it’s continued because it lets me explore other writing instruments. He doesn’t have them ALL (yet). Besides the two generations of black P205 (he has nearly every other color known to man). He’s missing the P305S Stein line (with W being the final letter in the model) – which would have to come from Singapore – along with the P325, P327, and P329.
Now I know what to scour JetPens and other online dealers for – in future gift giving events – if he doesn’t find them first. It’s kinda a treasure hunt/race that way.
[Spotlight Post] Old Friends Rediscovered and Retiring Icons
This is NOT a memorial post – dadgumit. It’s almost Christmas and I want happier topics. I got them in the last couple of days.
I wish Terry Dorsey all the best in his retirement. Dorsey worked for KPLX when my dad started working in radio in Dallas/Fort Worth. Dad came to DFW to work for KPLX in 1986. The station was in Arlington at the time. Dorsey and KPLX split when KPLX moved its studios to Dallas. Dorsey went to work for the “competition” KSCS, where’s he’s been ever since. Dorsey is an icon in this area. His retirement will leave a hole, but we all wish him well in this new phase of his life.
Last weekend, my folks took in the Christmas show at the Arlington Music Hall, which got me thinking about an old friend. Randy Wills was the last music minister I ran sound for at McKinney Bible Church. I have thought about him off and on for several years, but in all the life changes, we’d lost track of him.
So color me surprised when I turn on the morning news (WFAA – Channel 8) and… there he is. He was (as I would always remember him) standing behind a keyboard (piano). He was playing with The Light Crust Doughboys – a Western Swing band playing Elvis-inspired Christmas music.
I was almost late getting ready for work catching the segments they played before commercials, but it was nice to see him looking well and happy on television. Hopefully we’ll have the chance to reconnect at some point. Randy’s good people.
So, hey, look! Good news this week before Christmas!
[Writer Posts] A Slew of Concerning Contracts
I really have to start writing these things the day before… Then they won’t be late and/or rushed.
In the last week, I’ve been made aware of a clause that’s been showing up in things like a DC comic related competition, an HBO Game of Thrones competition, and something else I saw today that I can’t remember (because…stuff).
It’s this…
(ii) waive all moral rights in the Submission which may be available to you in any part of the world and confirm that no such rights have been asserted;
Until Writer Beware explained it and I saw it mentioned elsewhere, I never knew about this clause, but you can bet your sweet bippy that I’ll be looking for it from now on.
What this clause means whoever is asking you to sign the contract not only doesn’t have to credit you the creator, they can put someone else’s name on it. Why? What’s this point? No.
It’s not bad enough that companies are trying to grab rights – HBO’s contract to all rights in perpetuity (yeah, NEVER AGREE to “in perpetuity” – you will NEVER EVER get that piece back again – it no longer belongs to you. You can’t do ANYTHING with that).
OH… DUDE… the third place was a literary magazine Nick Mamatas mentioned that took rights like this but at least offered something insulting like $50. At least it was payment – and then was snarky about it to Mamatas on Twitter (brilliant move).
The point is, read the contracts. Listen to people who’ve been around this block a few times, and if you don’t understand something – ASK. Because if you don’t understand what you’re signing, it can can come back to bite you. I didn’t know about this “moral” thing until this week (it showed up THREE TIMES!), I know about it now – and I won’t sign off on it.
It’s a GI JOE moment… “And knowing is half the battle… GO JOE!”
[Pen/Pencil Review] A Replica Blue Fountain Pen – Piston Fill
Like I said last week, I really need to learn to do these the night before. Monday’s are getting away from me. We had Day Job Departmental Holiday Dinner. Jimmy got to meet the new group of people I work with. But that means I’m woefully behind. This is one of the last pieces from the Dallas Pen Show. It’s (I think) a replica fountain pen.
The pen has a blue plastic body with gold accents. The clip is sturdy with ridges. The gold plated nib is a wide fine point or thin medium nib. The pen is a piston-fill type with a twist fill in the base of the pen. The cap is a threaded cap and posts relatively securely. The pen is about 5.5″ long capped and about 6″ long posted.
I put Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue ink in it. It was fine for a while, but I think I just have issues with piston fill pens. This one leaked all over me. I’ve gotten it cleaned up, but as I was getting the ink to flow again and testing the piston again, it dribbled.
It wasn’t expensive – $10 – so that’s not a bad price, but I’m not a fan of inking my fingers. Again, it could be “user error” or it could be a function of piston fills that have a better opportunity to link.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – It works. I think the line should be darker, but it does work.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s a good length with decent balance. The threads could dig in, but for an inexpensive fountain pen, it’s not bad.
3. Material – 1 – It’s blue plastic with a clear reservoir to see the ink. It’s inexpensive plastic with metal accents.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – Even if it’s user error, the leaking thing is an issue. I don’t know if I stored it wrong or have bad piston fill karma, but the leakage is a deal breaker.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s an okay price point – $10 isn’t bad for a piston fill fountain pen, but I wouldn’t do it again.
That’s 3.5 of 5 bronze pencils.
