Twenty questions + twenty somethings

Man, this has been a crazy week for interviews. Two radio, one print, and one online 20 Questions type of deal. If you're bored and want to play along, you'll find it right ------->> Here.

In other news, I've crossed the 50,000 word mark on the new novel. Still no title yet. But soon, very soon...

Coyote Ridge Blues

The CRCC library. Escape from Alcatraz, not allowed. Last week I had my most interesting book event to date, inside the walls of the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center.

Corrections Center is a delicate way of saying prison. It's not a Supermax. Nor is it even old-school like Walla Walla. But it is a real-deal federal penitentiary where nearly 2,400 inmates are serving sentences from five years to life (and as Prince once said, "Electric word, life, it means forever and that's a mighty long time").

I was invited by a wonderful prison librarian named—actually, her name is identical to an actor on Little House on the Prairie. I'll let you figure it out. Only this is a Big House on the Prairie, with biometric key-logging and concertina wire.

And oh, how I wish I could show you pictures, but phones, cameras, and wallets, aren't allowed—nothing that could be MacGyvered into some other device. And yes, the security was impressive, but not necessarily foreboding, even when I visited one of the units (cell blocks) where more than one-hundred and fifty prisoners were hanging out.

The book gig itself was held in the Visitation Center and honestly, it was a joy to be there. I was impressed by how interesting, well-read, and thoughtful these guys were. They had deep questions about metaphor and symbolism, race relations, and of course, queries about the craft or writing. Granted, everyone was on their best behavior, but it was apparent that books are an amazing common denominator. And prison libraries (and the people that work there) are making this sad, battered world a better place.

Readers are readers, wherever they are, regardless concrete walls and razor wire.

Portrait of the artist as a middle-aged collector

I write for a living these days, but my background, oddly enough is in art and design. So it's been a strangely ironic, pleasurable, and fortuitous few weeks with regards to my former career catching back up to my present one.

It started when I was researching flop-houses in Seattle during the depression. This is one of those weird, esoteric moments like in Ghostbusters where Harold Ramis says with complete seriousness, "I collect spores, molds, and fungus." So...YES...I was eagerly reading about the economics and practical realities of flop-houses (don't judge me), when I stumbled upon an interview with one of my old art teachers—the late Bill Cumming. He grew up during the depression and waxed poetically about that time and those humble four-penny hotels (actually about 15¢, inflation, I suppose). Two weeks later I step off the elevator at some strange, nameless hotel, and there are three of Bill's paintings. I swear they were winking at me.

Known for his shoes, Louie Gong has created a few skateboards as well.In between those moments I happened to purchase some artwork. First was the original cover drawing for DC Vertigo's UNWRITTEN #14, by Yuko Shimizu.

And later I picked up a painting by Seattle artist Kathy Liao, and also this skateboard deck by Salish/Chinese artist Louie Gong.

Plus I donated to Molly Crabapple's Kickstarter campaign for Shell Game, her series of paintings about the pending/ongoing/future economic meltdown.

Now if I can just finish this new manuscript I can get around to buying that Bill Cumming painting I've had my eye on...

Yuku Shimizu, not to be confused with the Hello Kitty creator with the same name.

Get Lit at the Beach

Paranor? The Oregon coast? See for yourself.I'm currently in Seattle for the Wing Luke Art Auction (a few tickets are still available, by the way) but it's definitely worth mentioning another noble endeavor—next month's Get Lit at the Beach.

When asked to participate I immediately said, "YES! PLEASE! OH, PLEASE TAKE ME! TAKE ME NOW!!"

That's because I'm a huge fan of Terry Brooks, who will be there along with authors Elizabeth George, Susan Wiggs, and others. And the aforementioned beach is none other than Cannon Beach, and I love the Oregon coast. In summer, in winter—all year long, the Oregon coast is vast, brooding, evocative, and gorgeous. This is a unique event in a very unique place.

I hope to see you there, walking through the mist...