I’ll say it again: “I love my job.”
Make no mistake, it is a job, and it is a difficult one. For three weeks now I’ve been wondering what I was going to do with the storyline once The Longshoreman of The Apocalypse wraps up, which wrap-up I wrote three weeks ago. I haven’t scripted a word of comics since, because I don’t want to start digging a hole I can’t get out of.
I had kind of decided on a vignette format for the next book, with much shallower, shorter, faster story arcs. I had almost made up my mind to make them discontiguous, though my precious continuity would take a bit of beating. So I sat down and started scribbling vignette “mini-mission” ideas, and suddenly it came to me, that idea, that single piece of narrative cement that would hold the whole thing together.
No, I’m not going to tell you what it is.
But once *I* knew what it was I was able to re-scribble the vignettes into a cohesive plot that not only advances the overall continuity of the Schlockiverse (we’ll see Petey and the Fleetmind again) but also allows for character development, lots of BLAM, lots of different situations, and a cheerfully triumphant ending.
Oh, wait. I just gave away the ending.
Well, no. What I told you was more like saying “dinner will be followed by dessert, and the dessert will be very rich, and will include chocolate.” You’re still going to have to clean your plate, young man…
Schlock is ending?
*sniff*
No. Just that particular book of Schlock. After that there will be another book. And another. and onward.
Ah. He made it sound like it was a series finale. My bad.
Schlock is ending?
*sniff*
No. Just that particular book of Schlock. After that there will be another book. And another. and onward.
Ah. He made it sound like it was a series finale. My bad.
Howard, I don’t know if you realize how much the words “we’ll see Petey and the Fleetmind again” made me. I was just discussing them with a friend.
Howard, I don’t know if you realize how much the words “we’ll see Petey and the Fleetmind again” made me. I was just discussing them with a friend.
I for one am looking forward to cleaning my plate, because I know that will be a tasty, tasty meal.
I for one am looking forward to cleaning my plate, because I know that will be a tasty, tasty meal.
That riotous sound you hear would be the celebrations of an obsessive fanbase welcoming the return of their favourite self-made-god psychobear.
I wouldn’t ask if any of us have a thermobarrel, though.
That riotous sound you hear would be the celebrations of an obsessive fanbase welcoming the return of their favourite self-made-god psychobear.
I wouldn’t ask if any of us have a thermobarrel, though.
That sounds delicious.
That sounds delicious.
um.. firstly. Yay!
Secondly.
Geeze! How many other jobs are there where you can say, you just figured out what you were doing for the rest of the year…in an hour!
Heck, you didn’t even have to hold a meeting or do a presentation or anything! not to mention, even though you’ve got it all sorted, you can be pretty damn sure of having job security too! [and it’s not like there’s that many of us who say that now!]
Howard.. you are one very very smart guy! I salute you.
um.. firstly. Yay!
Secondly.
Geeze! How many other jobs are there where you can say, you just figured out what you were doing for the rest of the year…in an hour!
Heck, you didn’t even have to hold a meeting or do a presentation or anything! not to mention, even though you’ve got it all sorted, you can be pretty damn sure of having job security too! [and it’s not like there’s that many of us who say that now!]
Howard.. you are one very very smart guy! I salute you.
Any chance we’ll get to see into the inner workings of the Collective?
That would make me extremely giddy.
–G
Any chance we’ll get to see into the inner workings of the Collective?
That would make me extremely giddy.
–G
another reiteration of “yay!” to Petey’s return. also, i love chocolatey rich endings. w00t! very much looking forward to all of it.
another reiteration of “yay!” to Petey’s return. also, i love chocolatey rich endings. w00t! very much looking forward to all of it.
Heh, I thought it took a lot of episodes to cover short periods of time on Lost, but the current Schlock book is taking that to extremes. The last several weeks have covered maybe, fifteen minutes in time? 😀 Love it.
Sounds like the next plot will be a bit of a contrast.
Freefall will take months to cover a day. The weird bit is how this isn’t that noticable until you go archive-diving and realise how far back you have to jump.
Some sci-fi comics just know how to pace things.
Heh, I thought it took a lot of episodes to cover short periods of time on Lost, but the current Schlock book is taking that to extremes. The last several weeks have covered maybe, fifteen minutes in time? 😀 Love it.
Sounds like the next plot will be a bit of a contrast.
Freefall will take months to cover a day. The weird bit is how this isn’t that noticable until you go archive-diving and realise how far back you have to jump.
Some sci-fi comics just know how to pace things.
Just making sure that you know your fan base things your bombdigady.
Keep it up mate, you’ve replaced many other, older comics in my heart.
Just making sure that you know your fan base things your bombdigady.
Keep it up mate, you’ve replaced many other, older comics in my heart.
I do hope Schlocktober 2009 gets to be macabre again. 2008 seemed like a bit of a break with tradition in that department.
Although, it was nice to break the formula of “Something happens in Schlocktober that the crew spend the rest of the year (barely) recovering from”.
I do hope Schlocktober 2009 gets to be macabre again. 2008 seemed like a bit of a break with tradition in that department.
Although, it was nice to break the formula of “Something happens in Schlocktober that the crew spend the rest of the year (barely) recovering from”.
Hmmm, sounds like there will be bits of chocolate interspersed throughout the meal. Yummy.
I too love my job. But then it also involves lots of BLAM!
Hmmm, sounds like there will be bits of chocolate interspersed throughout the meal. Yummy.
I too love my job. But then it also involves lots of BLAM!
How do you feel about your job?
So, Howard, how exactly do you feel about your job? It wasn’t quite clear in your post. 🙂
I love Schlock. It keeps me coming back every day, year in and year out. I’ve been reading it almost as long as you’ve been writing it, and it just keeps getting better.
How do you feel about your job?
So, Howard, how exactly do you feel about your job? It wasn’t quite clear in your post. 🙂
I love Schlock. It keeps me coming back every day, year in and year out. I’ve been reading it almost as long as you’ve been writing it, and it just keeps getting better.
that old plot?
Okay, if Petey’s in his heaven, who’s in the details?
Sounds like a great hero’s journey. Act one, to be followed by Act two, leading up to . . . Act three, where we promise you an exquisite climax!
Yeah for dessert! And even for the pease porridge in the pot, nine days old. Can I have some more, sir?
that old plot?
Okay, if Petey’s in his heaven, who’s in the details?
Sounds like a great hero’s journey. Act one, to be followed by Act two, leading up to . . . Act three, where we promise you an exquisite climax!
Yeah for dessert! And even for the pease porridge in the pot, nine days old. Can I have some more, sir?
Wow sounds awesome, I’m excited to see where this goes!
Wow sounds awesome, I’m excited to see where this goes!