Mostly writing, an evil iguana and a picture

It's been a large gap once more since my last post, for the few of you that actually follow me, I apologize. For those who don't and are reading this now, shame on you, because you really ought to follow and share it.

"Make Good Art" -Neil Gaiman

I found this speech immensely inspiring and entertaining. It was given to the University of Arts graduating class of 2012 by Neil Gaiman, who gave advice on entering the world of "The Arts."

Laundry basket beds and writing

I'm sitting here next to my wife, who is currently facebooking and deciding which pictures of William she wants printed up, while William himself is currently laying in a makeshift bed of blankets, pillows and a laundry basket. There's lasagna in the oven which a friend of ours is currently making, we're all huddled around the TV attempting to watch Grimm on Hulu (it isn't working) while sharing loveseats and couches with beagles and a greyhound.

I'm writing on a netbook I recently bought off of this same friend and I'm quite enjoying it, though still working on getting everything more.. me. I got it to write wherever and whenever I can. I've been doing better on that front, though there's still room for improvement. I haven't been keeping track of a word count because I've been writing in a regular old notebook (made of sheets of paper, college ruled... with a pen) and I've been too lazy to count the words myself.

Bootstrap is doing great, he had a bit of a cold but seems to be getting better, he's just stuffed up. He may have gotten me sick, more than likely I got him sick but I hope not, I have a runny nose and a very sore throat, I'm not looking forward to work tomorrow and I'll feel bad if he's suffering my same fate.

CONduit is almost here. I finally decided that I'll be attending and I'm eagerly looking forward to it. For any of you who have previously attended. Any tips or advice?

I am still looking for a writing group, if you know of one please let me know.

Finally a blog post I found through Neil Gaiman's twitter (@neilhimself):
http://howpublishingreallyworks.com/?p=26

Mostly just an update

Becky Green Photography

So it's been just over a week since Bootstrap, a.k.a. William, arrived and I'm delighted to let you all know that he's happy and healthy. As is his mom, who now glows in a way she never did before. He's a quiet and calm little tyke for the most part, for which I'm grateful. Hopefully he'll stay that way!

I meet up with an old friend of mine who was kind enough to do some newborn photos for us. It was great seeing her again and she did a fantastic job. You can see more of Master William here at Becky Green Photography's facebook page under the photo album Baby Wiliam.

 I also recommend visiting Becky's new website and checking out her other works: http://www.beckygreenphotos.com/


It's been a busy week and then some with the small bundle of joy and poop but it's been inspiring in more than many ways.

Mom and Baby (Beck Green Photography)

I recently continued my writing on the novel I'm currently working on, a young adult fantasy by the looks of it, and I'm finding myself rather motivated. It's a great feeling feeling. I think that reading has added to it, kind of like a fantastic potluck where each dish seems to fit just right with and compliment the others.

I recently finished Vodnik, the new book from Bryce Moore, who himself is new to the published author world, a place I hope to find myself one day. I have to say it was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it. You can find a great review of the book if you click this and read an awesome interview with the author if you click that. My bottom line on the subject is read it.

Before I go, I wanted to quickly touch on two subjects.

First: CONduit 2012 is fast approaching (a convention for fantasy and sci-fi. This is their link) and I'm debating on whether or not I should attend.

Second: I'm currently looking to join a writing group (or maybe I should start one?) if there are any of you out there who belong to, or know of, one (or several) that may be looking for members or would be willing to welcome another. Please let me know by either commenting or emailing me at here.is.elsewhere@gmail.com

I'd greatly appreciate ideas and suggestions for either, thanks!

Bootstrap is born

      Another addition has arrived to the Nevarez family and will join Ashley (my wife) and I, along with Midna and Muta (our kittens), tomorrow afternoon in our humble home. He's quiet, gentle and has so far captured the hearts of everyone he's met. His name is William Morgan Thomas Nevarez and was born April 26th at 10:29pm. He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and measured in at 22 inches.

William (Bootstrap) Nevarez

      He's a beautiful addition to our little family and has already commanded the attention of most extended family quite a few friends. He'll fit in perfectly. If you'd like to see more pics, check out my Facebook here.

      It was really something spectacular, his being born. Due to certain unforeseeable circumstances my wife had to have a cesarean section (c-section) and accompanied her to the O.R. I have to confess that I stayed up by her head, holding her hand, and didn't venture further south. Though I did sneak a couple peaks around the curtain. Lots of blood and other things are what assaulted my eyes, and though I didn't get woozy, it was probably safer that I stayed behind the curtain. I know my wife appreciated it.

     I didn't see much of him initially, there were about nine people involved, eleven counting my wife and I, and bodies just seemed to get in the way as they went about doing what they do in order to ensure baby is healthy and stays healthy. When they were finished however, he was handed to me. There was an instant of uncertainty and very real fear as the doctor (or nurse or whoever) placed him in my arms, but as I looked down at his little face any doubts I may have had vanished. My fears were replaced with a warmth and a sudden understanding of what being a parent is about, though it may be daunting, it is a very real honor and privilege.

      Over the past few days I've spent in the hospital with Ashley and William I've been astounded by how much love such a tiny little person can inspire not only in family and friends but strangers as well. I look forward to the adventures that lay ahead, and though uncertain, I meet them head on with both my wife and son beside me.

Any parents out there that have any advice for a new father?

Same ol' story

  Its been awhile since my last post (as usual) and once again I'm hoping to have a readily accessible internet source aside from my phone (it will happen eventually if I keep hoping, right?)
  I've been on a downhill slope lately as far as my writing goes, I got into it for a few days, the ideas and words just seemed to spill out my brain and down my arm to my fingers and then finally to my pen, pages of chicken scratch filled and a feeling of accomplishment began to build and then it kinda wilted away.
  I could say that I've been busy, that I've been distracted by things like work, family and a baby boy who refuses to join said family out in the real world (though I can hardly blame him, it's probably warm and comfy in there) I could say that I've had writers block or that once again mutant zombie rodents have tried to attack my humble abode and all of those things would be true (except the ones which aren't [oh, and that they weren't rodents this time])
  Mostly, however, I'm just lazy, a habitual procrastinator and really good at making excuses as to why I can't do it now and why it's better to do it later. These things tend to get in the way and the more I do them the easier it is to do them again, kind of like how it gets easier and easier to do things we believe are wrong once we start down that road. Same principle, though not quite the same moral issue.
  My wife is busy catching up with and old friend who came to visit and I suddenly found myself alone, finishing another book (and feeling guilty about not finishing my own.) So I'm here, writing this now, so I don't feel as guilty about it (at least I'm writing, right.) The basic idea behind starting this blog was to keep writing, even if I wasn't working on a current story or novel, and to write about writing. So I'm doing it, working up the nerve to ask my story back out onto the proverbial dance floor.
  I have goals, dreams and aspirations. Things I'd like to see form into a type of reality. It's going to take some changes in my daily ritual to make these things happen and I imagine that my soon to be new born son will steal many an hour of potential writing time, but I will write when I can and blog when I can and continue to strive for more regular posts.
  What are some of the things that interfere with your own writing (novel, short story, blog or otherwise), or dreams and hobbies, and how do you deal with them? When do you find time to do what you love.

Hello again

   It's been almost a full