Titan's Musings

So, after some thought and watching Avatar: The Last Airbender for the first time, I believe I'll be returning to Guntram and Jakob from "The Sacrifice" and see if they've got another go in them.

I have been remiss in posting. Since my last post, a pair of reviews have trickled in. They've both been very positive in regards to my entry in Demons: A Clash of Steel.

From the review blog Luke Reviews:

"“The Sacrifice” by Jason Irrgang: A fast-paced tale of a last stand against the armies of Hell, Irrgang’s story is engaging, exciting, and pulled off a conclusion that was neither neat nor clean, thus perfect for the tale. Well done."

From the website Bookstove, a review from John Harmon:

"Three strong warriors, all members of a religious clan but different from one another, stand toe to toe against the ultimate evil. Can they survive against such seemingly unstoppable power, let alone win? This fine tale provides the answer, but it is not a simplistic answer and it is one that comes with sacrifice, thus the title. This tale, perhaps stronger than any other in this collection, examines the bonds of brotherhood in combat. Quite surprisingly, this was writer Jason Irrgang’s first published short story. With such talent, more can be expected from him in the future."

I have no way to respond to these appropriately, but I'm excited that there are such positive responses to my work.

I'm officially networking with others authors... what a strange milestone. Maybe this means someone will read my LJ?

Perhaps leave a comment?

Who knows! It's a brave new world... for me at least.

you can't break me, i'm bulletproof

My copies of Demons: A Clash of Steel arrive in the next few days.

Now I'm keeping an eye out for reviews...

Demons: A Clash of Steel arrives in early July. Fuck yeah.

I have this story in my head. It frightens me. Not in a "fear of success," or "fear that I suck" kind of way, but in a "I think about it and it makes me look over my shoulder".

Maybe I'm just a pussy, hm?

Maybe it's really that scary.

Either way, I have to write it.

Well, not really. I've got a metric fuck-ton of reading to do this term. Four books for Survey of Asian Lit, as well as a packet of assorted excerpts. Aside from that I have weekly reading from my history book "The West in the World," and then I have to read All Quiet on the Western Front. Actually, I get to read All Quiet on the Western Front.

Check out this passage...

"To-day we would pass through the scenes of our youth like travellers. We are burnt up by hard facts; like tradesmen we understand distinctions, and like butchers, necessities. We are no longer untroubled -- we are indifferent. We might exist there, but should we really live there?

We are forlorn like children, and experienced like old men, we are crude and sorrowful and superficial -- I believe we are lost."

Beautiful, in a terribly grim way.

Well, I suppose I do, since I want to make a career out of it.

But we don't have to look very far for inspiration, at least. There are storms on Neptune and Jupiter (probably elsewhere, too) that are large enough to engulf out planet, that last for centuries. I know this isn't news to anyone with an internet connection but... just think about that for a minute. Howling wind, lashing rain, stabbing lightning, and roaring thunder. For centuries.

There's a story in that somewhere.

Fuck yeah.

"Jason,
 
I'll tell you what, I'm going to send this story on to John O'Neill for
his thoughts, so don't consider it rejected just yet.

<snip>

Sincerely,
 

Joseph McCullough
Assistant Editor
Black Gate Magazine"  

Dear Jason,
 
Thank you for your submission to Black Gate magazine, unfortunately, I'm
going to have to pass on this one. I think the story was very well told
and well written, I just didn't feel that it was quite tight enough for
its length. I was excited to see the team fight the herd, but I thought it
took too long to get to this action and that it was too short when it did.
 
I hope you will submit to Black Gate again, as I think your writing shows
a lot of promise.
 
Sincerely,
 
Joseph McCullough
Assistant Editor
Black Gate Magazine

These guys are a semi-pro outfit, so this actually makes me feel pretty good.