My buddy John Hood keeps giving away free stuff on his blogsite, Generation Star Wars. He just can't help himself! This time around he's running a comp for a cute Galacula mimobot. You can find out more about how to enter here: http://ping.fm/iMd1m

I wrote the following during one of Charleston Library's monthly fiction writing workshop. The organizers have done a mighty fine job of keeping the group running for over a year now. You can find out more about their efforts here: http://ping.fm/k3kqR

WHY WRITING IS DIFFICULT

Writing’s difficult because I don’t see it as a proper job. I don’t get paid enough. I always feel like I should be doing something that pays better. I have a family to support and bills to cover, yet I’m paid less than pulp writers back in the ‘30s. (The Charleston City Paper pays as little as 3 cents a word; that pay is better than the Post & Courier’s rate for me).

Maybe I should grow up, be a man and go work in a cubicle – but who am I kidding? I’ve been fired from jobs like that for writing while I should be officing, my pad tucked on my lap, my pen furtively scribbling whenever I thought no one was looking.

Writing’s also hard because I try not to repeat myself. When you put pen to paper every day, it’ inevitable that the same thoughts and phrases will crop up. That attempt to find a new way to express ideas is a constant struggle. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I just run out of notions. Big ideas are no problem for me – it’s the minutiae that get me.

WHY WRITING IS EASY

Writing’s easy because the ideas are there. Some are more original; than others but there are always stories to tell.

The words are there, too – I love words and I’m compelled to read them and use them. I have a desire to share those words with others, even though feedback from my readers is relatively rare (write me please!).

It’s not like stand-up comedy – you don’t get an instant laugh for a funny sentence. Readers don’t finish a novel and applaud. Unlike any other kind of work, writing has a level of self satisfaction (when you get it right) that is unmatched. Let’s hear it for all those smug self-satisfied writers out there!

What, no applause?

Here's a survival story that should warm the cockles of any art gallery owner's heart: Danny McSweeney has been running SPARK STUDIOS & GALLERY at 12 Hagood Ave., Charleston for over 2 years now.

Danny deserves his success. He's a humble sculptor who likes to kayak in his spare time - not that he has much of that at the moment. He's about to open "DROLL," an exhibition of works by
Nancy E. Lemon and Nina Rego. The show starts on Saturday, October 25th at 6 p.m.

Visit sparkstudiosandgallery.com for more info.

A taster for the new movie from Clandestine Films, "Cold Soldiers." www.clandestinefilms.com

I shot this for Boone Hall's Halloween attraction, "Saw's Scream Farm."

Eenie Meanie

I shot this for Boone Hall's Halloween attraction, "Saw's Scream Farm."