I Think You Answered Your Own Question

“You could also probe an A.I. system,” he said, “by observing its behavior, watching how it chooses to operate in certain environments or accomplish certain tasks, which things it seems to prefer and avoid.” I came across this quote in Kevin Roose’s excellent article in the New York Times today titled “If A.I. Systems Become … Read more

Taking Stock (Part 1)

26,150 words in. That’s how far I am into my new novel, and, much like the first, I’m having way too much fun writing it. How much fun? The kind where each day you can’t wait to see what the days writing session will reveal. It’s one thing to create a fictitious person in your … Read more

Oblivion, Here I Come!

Before you get all bent out of shape because no agent seems interested in the book you wrote, just remember two things. First, remember how much fun you had writing it. How fulfilling it was to carry this story around in your head for three years, then watch it grow from a sliver of an … Read more

Catch-22

“Nowadays, you have to know exactly what a movie will be before you start making it, which means, usually, you end up with something that’s already been done.” This quote is from an article in the New York Times written by Sam Wasson, about Francis Ford Coppola’s movie “Megalopolis.” I couldn’t help but substitute “book” … Read more

Immersed

5264 10,000 words into my second novel — I’m deep in it now. Safe to say these posts will be sporadic until further notice…

The Power of Names

5266 I once studied with a brilliant teacher from Juilliard, an older gentleman born in the early twentieth century with an interest in the supernatural and the occult. He would often talk about a close friend’s wife, relaying how she had a special gift for naming people and objects to ensure their success, so much … Read more

Writing Aphorism Bullshit (Part 1)

5267 Writing only has meaning if someone reads it. Sounds true, and god knows I do want people to read and get something meaningful out of my writing, but this is just complete and utter bullshit. How so? Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, writing is an act of self discovery. … Read more

Checking In (Part 1)

5268 I started writing my new novel on Monday, so this is the end of day three. Quick thoughts? Well, first off, I’d have to say that, at least at this stage of my life, nothing engages me more than this. There’s just no other experience that even remotely compares. The closest was back when … Read more

Daily Affirmations

5271 Each day, after I meditate, I repeat this affirmation to myself like a prayer. Even though I am, of course, an atheist. Today is a wonderful day. A day where I am grateful for every moment of life I have. A day where I strive to live and enjoy each moment to its fullest. … Read more

Independent Filmmaker Shoutout

5272 As a lifetime film aficionado (with a particular love of everything horror-related), I always get excited when I discover something new and fresh. So imagine my surprise and delight when I recently watched “The Deeper You Dig,” from 2019, on the (highly recommended) streaming service “Shudder.” The story essentially follows three people: a woman, … Read more