Goodnight, Neil...

I copied this picture from a Twitter post. I have no idea who posted it first, or to whom should get the photo credit. And I apologize for not securing permission before I posted it here, but it is a time for reflection, a time for mourning.

I remember seeing a bumper sticker in 1981. It's a memory I can distinctly recall. The bumper sticker said simply, "John Lennon Lives," and my fifteen-year old self thought, "No he doesn't--get over it."

Of course I never told the owner of the car that--I was too sky, and to be honest, it would have been an incredibly rude and inconsiderate thing to say to anyone, let alone someone who loved John Lennon and felt that terrible loss so personally. I don't know who owned that particular car, but I suspect it was a person who grew up and had their formative years in the late 1960s. It wasn't just the man they mourned, but the way the music affected their life.

Those who are left behind, after an artist dies, are left to ponder what that person and their art means to them. And when an artist creates art--or in this case, music--for more than four decades, generations of fans feel the pain.

Neil Peart was more than just one of the best drummers who ever lived. He was a poet, an author, a philosopher--as important and prolific as any author of books, or professor at a university. If he were just a drummer, that would be one thing, but it was all the other things that made him elite, a true genius. And in speaking with friends who actually knew the man personally, Neil was one of the nicest gentlemen ever to lay down a track, or pen a song, or rip a ten-minute drum solo that few if any could best.

Years ago, I was in a band. I played bass. My job was to keep a beat, but not like the drummer. The drummer's job is as important to a song as the heart is to a living organism. Today, the fans lost the heart of what we love, and we'll never be the same. Goodnight, Neil. And thank you for everything.

Kevin J. Anderson's And Neil Peart's "Clockwork Lives"...A Book Review

Many of my author friends take the opportunity at Comic Cons and other writing symposiums to buy as many books from their friends as they can afford. I suppose you could say I do the same thing. Unfortunately, many of us authors don't have the disposable income to buy all the books we'd like to buy. 

Such is life.

What does this have to do with Kevin Anderson's and Neil Peart's Clockwork Lives? That's a fair question. At the last Salt Lake Comic Con back in September, I bought my most expensive work I've ever purchased at one of these events; it was this big red book. It's such a great read!

I have not yet read Anderson and Peart's Clockwork Angels. In Clockwork Lives Kevin Anderson explains how the book came be. There were just too many untold stories that needed a voice. The book is a collection of short stories that takes place in this world. We meet Marinda Peake, daughter of a man with a mysterious past. After her father's death, Marinda inherits a book full of blank pages. Her charge, if she wishes to inherit her father's fortune and remain in the home she adores, is to fill the book with stories. To do this, a drop of blood unlocks the secrets of the one giving up that drop, and the blood magically writes the person's story in the book. The greater the story, the more pages are filled. And since Marinda's charge is to fill the book as quickly as possible, her quest is to find the most interesting people possible to share their live's tales.

There's intrigue, terrorism, personal redemption, death, betrayal, revenge, inter-dimension travel--even a spelunking story added to the mix. Each story is fascinating and as varied and colorful as the characters themselves. Which is the point, after all. I can definitely understand why the authors needed to write this book. 

I'm glad I was able to read this book. I'm also glad I could buy it from one of the authors and have him sign it for me. It's an honor, really. I follow Kevin on social media and he has several times mentioned what this book means to him. He also expressed as much within the pages of the book. I knew if was important to him before I started it and as I read it, this thought kept going through my mind. It's hard to explain, but I think I understand why it means so much to him. The stories are honest, the characters real. They hurt, they feel, they love and, perhaps most importantly, they bleed. And through that blood we learn of them.

Yes, this book was one I usually wouldn't buy, choosing instead to go the Kindle route or wait for it at the library. But I'm glad I bought it. I 'm glad I have it signed because I now know it's more than just a book to my friend. As always, Kevin--excellent job!

Kevin J. Anderson's "Clockwork Lives"...One Of The Best Books He's Ever Written!

I should say from the outset that the quote, "One of the best books [Kevin J. Anderson] has ever written," is not my quote.

It's Kevin J. Anderson's.

That made me sit up and take notice when I saw his post on Facebook yesterday. Because if you know anything about Mr. Anderson, that's quite a statement. Sure, the author could be tooting his own horn, but he really doesn't need to--he's earned the right to be able to judge what's good and what's not as good when it comes to writing.

I've written about Kevin before. Back in 2012 I heard him give a keynote address at the LDS Storymaker's Conference in Provo, Utah. As he spoke of his accomplishments I was amazed at how many books he had written and the incredible experiences he had while writing them. His stories of dealing with George Lucas and his contributions to the Star Wars world alone will blow your mind.

I had no idea that a few years later I would be having lunch with him in the Green Room at a Salt Lake Comic Con. Each time I've seen him since then he's been more than gracious to me--always friendly with a smile and a strong handshake.

I've read several of his books since first hearing him speak. If you've also read his books you know how good they are, and I've only read a few of the genres in which he writes. Few authors writing today can be successful in more than one genre. Kevin has mastered a dozen or so.

The announcement on Facebook was for us fans to help spread the word about his latest project. He wants to paint the internet Red! I'm trying to do my part. And I haven't even talked about the co-author, Neil Peart! The man's a rock god!

Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be able to get a signed copy of this book when Mr. Anderson comes to town. If you're attending the Salt Lake Comic Con this month, I would highly recommend doing the same. Even though I haven't read this book, from what I do know about the man, when he says it's one of the best books he's ever written, I believe him and I know I'm in for a great reading experience.

Rush...Timeless, And Simply Amazing!

I met an international best selling author and Rush fan at the Salt Lake Comic Con FanX last month. I knew Kevin J. Anderson was a best selling author. I had no idea what music he liked.

Back in the day I used to listen to a lot of music. In fact, I even attended many, many rock concerts, back when I was younger and when concerns didn't cost a lot of money. I even found some of my concert tickets from some of the Rush concerts I attended 30 plus years ago.

Can you believe it used to only cost $10 or $12.50 to see live acts?

Yes, there was a time when this was true.

During the week I listen to something almost all day long. When I figured out how to download and play podcasts, I went a little crazy. And when I realized how much I could "read" by listening to audiobooks, I went crazy again. Basically for the past few years, I've only listened to audiobooks and podcasts.

But at Comic Con I attended a talk given by Kevin and he talked about how he became a best selling author. He explained how much the band Rush influenced him, so much so, he's now collaborating with Neil Peart on literary projects. 

How cool is that?

Answer--pretty cool!

Because I've got a goal to get a novel written by next September, I decided to put on the Best of Rush and do some writing.

Listening to that music transported me to my childhood when we'd put the albums on my mom's record player and listen to Rush in my mom's front room with my friends, the speakers my dad made blasting the poetry and sheer art that is Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

Thanks Kevin for the suggestion!

Apparently, 30 years ago from this upcoming Wednesday was a Monday...