DONE and done....

Because I wasn't going to work on the book until evening, sit back with a glass of wine and read it, I was at loose ends most of the day.

I wrote a synopsis of the book, since that seems to be what agents want, and a cover letter. Both preliminary, but it's a start.

Getting everything prepared to present to the agents and publishers is the hardest part of writing for me. I wonder how many writers don't get any farther? How many try for only a while and give up?

I'm thinking as many writers as never actually finish the novel they started.

LATER: Read and edited the last 7 chapters of The Reluctant Wizard.

It didn't come as easily as the first 13 chapters, because the accumulated changes from earlier in the book caught up to me. Some motivations changed, a big 'reveal' which changed the tone of two later chapters.

It's a mix of saving what parts you can, changing what you can, subtracting what doesn't make sense, and adding what you need to make the scene work. Much more awkward than when the first draft just flows.

Still, this is probably the least number of changes I've ever had to make between a first draft and a second draft.

I'm up to 38,000 words, with a target of 40,000. Most young adult novels are between 40K and 60K, so this is on the lower end of that scale, but the story is complete.

I tend to add a few thousand words with every go through -- filling in, explaining, describing. Most often, a scene seems to shift abruptly, and I realized I'm missing a line or two of dialogue or an explanation or something, so it doesn't seem incomplete.

So the book will no doubt be over 40K before I'm done.


O.K. So.

Now I can start being critical of the book. Now I can let my editorial brain take over. Nowhere near as fun, but necessary.

I pretty much have to fool myself that I'm "DONE" and done, before I move on to the next stage, and then once again, I'm "DONE" and done, and so on.

I'm thinking this book is mostly done. I want to read it out loud, and catch any awkward phrasing, any repeated words, and tonal malfunctions.

Fiddle with it, as long as it's in my possession.

But I'm happy with it.

Does that mean it might get published? The odds are against it -- no matter whether I think it is good, or not. No matter if it really is good or not. There are so many other factors that I can't control.

But I'll give it a shot.

Oh, oh! I want to talk politics!!!

Last election at this time, Bendbubble 2 was up and running and I could indulge in all the politics I wanted.

I could even be Anonymous!

See, when I read some other blogs, and they start spouting stuff I disagree with, well, I just stop reading them. So, I'm pretty sure that would happen here, too, if I start letting my liberal freak flag fly. I don't want to lose half my readers, or more likely more than half, here in Bend.

Last election, I was saying Sarah was a joke, and I was being told, she was a winner. Hey, guess what.

Anyway, yesterday, I was looking at the picture of Obama being picked up in a bear hug by a small business owner, and thinking -- that's it. That's the election.

Some other columnist (Joan Walsh, Salon) was saying the same thing, and being told that was pretty pathetic.

But here's the thing. The critics are tone-deaf, just like Romney is. They don't get it. Romney can't keep his story straight because it isn't what he really believes.

Obama gets picked up in a bear hug, cause, well -- because Obama's a good guy.

That's the election.

I wrote another book.

Don't laugh.

Almost all the entries about novel writing I've made here have been about I'M ONLY HUMAN, the book I started last year around this time. When I say started, I mean started getting serious. I was about 50 pages in and going nowhere, so I took a writing vacation to Baker City and pushed through the blockage.

I was still struggling with it 8 months later, but finally produced a manuscript.

The book seems to have structural problems I can't quite solve -- the same kind of structural problems as the last book I wrote, 30 years ago. I get an idea, and go back and add it in. Then another idea, and add that. And pretty soon, it's unwieldy.

There are parts I really, really like, but it doesn't quite hold together. It's a clever, high concept sort of book. But it wasn't really written from the heart -- more from the head.

The manuscript has been sitting on my desk for most of the last few months, while I was hoping for a lightning bolt of inspiration about how to fix it. I still think there is a book there. There is a solution.

It was summer, and I was busy anyway.

Not so long ago, I decided that what I really wanted to write was another fantasy. At the time I thought it would be an "epic" fantasy. Fantasy is my natural inclination. I seem to have an aptitude for it.

I wrote the first scene.

Then the next scene came and the next, and then, one night, the plot, the themes, the characters, the background of the whole book came to me.

THE RELUCTANT WIZARD

I realized it was Part One of a young adult series. But was it Part One, or the first book in a three part series?

Dared I take the time to try to write it, when I wasn't finished with the last one? What if it didn't get done, what would that say about my stick-to-it-ness?

I decided to immerse myself in the experience, much like I used to do back when I was writing full time, when I didn't have a job 0r a business or a family.

I decided to write from the heart, from the inside out, and not show it to anyone but just to try to write a 'good' book, one that satisfied me. Every time a doubt would creep in, I'd shunt it aside and say, that has nothing to do with what I'm doing here.

I hinted at what was going on here on this blog, but never talked about it.

I cleared the decks and did nothing but writing, taking days off from work, spending most of every day either thinking about the book, or actually writing the book. It came together with almost no effort, almost as if it already existed.

There are no flashbacks, just a straightforward narrative. Just one viewpoint character, but written third person. No extraneous settings and characters -- it's all set in one place, with the same characters and friends.

I'm in Florence this weekend finishing it.

I had two chapters left to write before I left Bend on Thursday, and they came as easy as the rest of the book. It all seems to hold together, and it seems complete. I spent a day doing some embellishments and additions.

Lo and behold, a book!

Last night, I sat down with a glass of wine and started reading it, as a reader. Burnishing it, and smoothing it as I went along, but mostly just trying to get a sense of whether it flowed. I read 13 out of the 20 chapters.

And I liked it.

Well, I loved it, but I'm still in the honeymoon phase.

Tonight I'm going to read the last 7 chapters, but those are the chapters I worked on last and I already think they are pretty good. The beginnings are always the hardest for me -- later chapters, with the action scenes, are a bit easier, especially if I've prepared properly for them.

By the time I leave Florence tomorrow, I'll be finished.


Now I can let some of the more editorial, critical parts of my brain work on it. But I really don't think I'll be changing much. Linda has read most of it, and she seems to like it. "It's as good as anything you've ever done," was her comment, which might not be the hosanna's I was hoping for, but I'll take it.

At this point, I'm thinking I should dive into Part Two, while I still have this creative delusion going.


It probably doesn't surprise anyone who reads this blog that I can be a prolific writer.

I really don't know Eugene at all.

It's amazing how you can have memory assumptions that are just wrong. Not just false memories, it's a whole set of assumptions built on them.

For instance, I thought I knew Eugene, but I really don't know Eugene at all.

I've gone for years thinking that I did, assuming that I did. But evidently, I was wrong.

Blissfully wrong for 30 years.

What brought about this realization was a trip to Florence.

I was driving through Eugene and I just kept following the signs to the coast, thinking I'd go straight on through on the highway. Instead, I ended up on 6th St. somehow. Kept following 6th until it turned in Hwy. 99 and was soon approaching Junction City.

I knew that wasn't right, so I pulled over and asked a pedestrian.

"Turn right on Roosevelt, left on Seneca, and right on 11th."

(Got me right where I wanted to go -- some people really do know how to give instructions...)

Anyway, got back on track and saw the sign to the Beltway and realized THAT was the route I should have taken, the route I always took when I lived in Eugene.

So here's the deal. I lived in Eugene for over 5 years, not only that but I made dozens and dozens of trips from Eugene to Bend.

But all that was in my 20's.

As I was driving through Eugene it suddenly occurred to me that I've only been through Eugene a handful of times since. I mean, 30 years is a long time. Only it doesn't seem like that long ago.

Most of the last 30 years are a blur of working and family. But my time in Eugene seems to be like yesterday.

Anyway, while I was sitting stuck in traffic, it struck me that I didn't even know Eugene when I lived there. Not really.

I've mentioned that I used to be pretty agoraphobic. Let's put it this way, I'd go to class, and then scurry back to my dorm room. Later, I'd go to work and then hurried back to my apartment.

When I did get out, I really got out -- like out of town. Up into the mountains, or over to the coast, or back to Bend. Thus my familiarity with the Beltway.

Oh, well. You know what? I didn't really enjoy Eugene when I was there.

To heck with it.

Stinkin' town.


***This is off the subject. But sometimes I write a post and it's all wrong, all jumbled.

When I try to fix it, it only makes it worse, because now half of it is jumbled and half of it is normal.

The above is one of those posts, but there it is -- I write every day, what'ya want?

Speaking as an old white guy -- what happens to old white guys?

Maybe because I'm not that far away from being a middle aged guy with a minimum wage job, I'm still pretty liberal. I can still remember what it's like to work hard but still struggle. I can remember when it would have taken 40% of my income to have health insurance.

I hope when I'm 80, I don't turn into Clint Eastwood, who has gone are screwy and rogue and all. Kinda sad.

I was told for years that I would resent property taxes when I owned my own house, but it hasn't really made any difference in my attitude. As a small business owner I'm supposed to resent government intrusion, but I'll be damned if I know what that intrusion is supposed to be -- requiring I have two exits? Requiring I have a fire extinguisher?

I mean, I'm like everyone else -- I don't much like taxes. But I understand why they are needed.

I watched Obama get blocked every chance the Republicans could -- how could other guys my age, who should have heads on their shoulders and eyes in their heads -- have seen it any differently?

Hey, I understand the cranky. "Get off my lawn, you damn kids!"

I get the "Things were better when I was younger."

But as an 'old' guy, shouldn't I have some perspective? Sure that may be my knee-jerk reaction, but I know from history it isn't really true. I don't really think kids are all that different than 30 years ago when I first started interacting with them. Even the reading thing -- when I'm being fair, I can remember being a kid who read when most kids my age didn't really seem to want to.

I'm very careful not to talk politics in my store, especially to guys who look like me -- not unless we feel each other out and can be sure that we already reasonably agree.

Because what I seem to be hearing from cranky old white guys, especially wealthy cranky old white guys, sounds an awful lot like -- I've got mine.

Downtown Comings and Goings. 9/6/12.

Azillian Beads is moving downtown to the front of the old Boomtown building.

This is the very farthest corner of what I consider to be part of downtown, but I think it qualifies.

It's the first new business I can document since early July, but I expect to see a couple in the building across from my store. They never stay vacant for long...

NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN

Azillian Beads, Franklin Ave., 9/6/12.
Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails

(List begun, Fall, 2008.)

BUSINESSES LEAVING

The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro

(List begun, Fall, 2008 )

I take it back; conventions aren't a waste of time.

I've mentioned I think the conventions are a waste of time.

Well, I may have to backtrack on that.

After reading a ton of compliments to Clinton's speech, Linda and I Youtubed it and watched the whole thing.

I thought it was more a prosecutor's presentation at court than a speech. A point by point dismantling of the Republican agenda. This is the kind of speech we would make in high school debate -- point by point refutation of the opponents argument. Elementary. I was wondering why no one does this anymore.

Though coming from anyone else it would have probably seemed pedantic and rambling.

But every word counted -- even the folk-isms that he prefaced his biting remarks with. When he attacked, he seemed conciliatory. When he defended, he seemed to be on the offense.

Takes some brass.

I watched the conservative commentators for a few minutes -- but they apparently saw a different speech. Where I saw Clinton bow respectfully to Obama, they saw Clinton taking a bow. (heh, fair enough...)

Anyway, as much as I loved the speech, I don't think it isn't something that Obama could do, or a thousand other politicians.

But why bother, in most cases? The media is only going to pick 20 seconds of any speech for broadcast. The more any politician veers from the safe and tidy, already vetted, innocuous remarks, the more trouble he or she can get into to.

So the national conventions do still have a role. If they can get people to sit down and listen to a nicely reasoned, common sense speech for 48 minutes, more power to them.

Creative Euphoria/ Delusional Euphoria.

I have to be honest with you. I have been totally immersed in a new novel I'm writing. It's very near finished, and I really like it. I've sort of kept this one to myself, this whole time, reading it to Linda, but otherwise just kind of nurturing it.

I was talking about an "Epic" fantasy, but it quickly turned into a straight-forward young adult fantasy. It doesn't have the structural problems I've had with my last two finished novels.

Not sure what I'm going to do when I'm finished.

I need to finish it first, then perhaps contact an agent and try to get signed up.

I'm still in the throes of Creative Euphoria -- which is what I think you need to carry you through an entire novel.

I also call it Delusional Euphoria, because you need to think what you are writing is great.

Pegasus August results.

Another big month, about 23% better than last August.

That makes 14 months in a row of better than last year. The average increase over those 14 months is 18%, (January was only a 2% increase and dragged it down.)

However, it was in September of last year that most the major increases started -- and much of that was due to the introduction of the DC New 52 comics.

So from now on, we'll be comparing to dramatic increases in sales, versus either lower sales or slightly improving sales.

In other words, I'm not expecting the big numbers anymore -- the 20%+ in increases. In fact, I would not be terribly surprised if we see a down month or two. But if we can stay even with last year, considering that the DC New 52 comics have trailed off considerably, we'll still be accomplishing something.


COMICS: +40. Even though the DC New 52 numbers aren't what they once were, the whole effort gave comics a big boost. Which encouraged me to invest in other comics, such as the new line of Image titles (they are currently producing my favorite two comics, SAGE and MANHATTAN PROJECTS.)

Like I said, I think this kind of dramatic increase is probably at an end, because we are rolling over on one of the biggest boosts in comics we've ever seen.

I think -- though it's hard the quantify, that the big movies -- especially AVENGERS -- didn't hurt.

USED BOOKS: My register's button broke, and I'm combining them back with books overall.
However, I'm glad I tried to keep track for the last 8 months, because I found to my surprise that new books were outselling used books 4 to 1. Who'dathunk?

COLLECTOR CARDS: +40%, which sounds dramatic, but they are pretty small numbers so increases don't take much. About 4% of my total sales. Someday this category will take off again! (Which I've only been thinking for about 20 years now.)

GAME CARDS: -35%. Disappointing. Not sure why this happened. I've actually lost two competitors in the last six months. (It could be, this is one of those rare cases where competition actually helps, by keeping larger numbers of interested players in the game.)

These sales seem to have more to do with the overall world of gaming, the popularity of specific sets, and all kinds of factors beyond my control.
I'm going to consider this total an anomaly, unless it happens again for a couple months.

BOOKS: -4%. Not sure why this happened. But it is a minor decrease, within the margin of error, so to speak. I do feel like the customers who are most likely to buy books from me were being distracted as much as possible by those agencies who are supposed to be helping me. Still think the upside potential is strong.

GAMES: +13%. Still loving this category -- though I am starting to get concerned by the sheer numbers of new games. A boardgame bubble?

TOYS: Up three and one/half times over last year!! I've been really working on this category over the last year, and it's nice to see this reward. Bodes well for Christmas.

GRAPHIC NOVELS: +18%. Solid, solid category. A mature category, which I do my best to keep up.

Downtown Comings and Goings. 9/3/12.

The Closet has left Minnesota Ave., making a clean sweep this year of the four business on that end of the building.

I expected a few more, but I haven't been downtown in the last few days, so there might be.

Nevertheless, I now count 103 Comings and 102 Goings, the closest to equilibrium yet.

NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN

Earth*Fire*Art, Oregon Av., 7/10/12.
Pastrami Deli, Franklin Av., 7/10/12.
Bend Your Imagination, Minnesota Av., 7/10/12.
Paul Scott Gallery), Brooks St., 7/10/12
Natural Edge Furniture, Bond St., 5/10/12
Hola!, Bond St., 3/3/12.
Amanda's, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Barrio, Minnesota Ave., 2/12/12.
Rescue Moderne, Harriman, 1/12/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave. 2/12/12.
Navidi, Minnesota Ave., 2/9/12.
Mazza, Brooks St. , 2/9/12.
La Magie Bakery, Bond St., 1/6/12
Brother Jon's Ale House, Bond St., 12/10/11.
What Lola Wants, Wall St. , 12/2/11.
Jackalope Grill, 10/12/11.
Gypsy Soul, Wall St. 10/12/11.
Colour N' the City, Tin Pan Alley, 10/12/11.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St., 10/12/11.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 10/12/11.
Ruby, Minnesota Ave., 10, 12/11.
Kariella, Lava Road, 8/24, 11.
Plankers, Wall St., 7/11.
Faveur, Franklin, 7/11.
Dream Pebbles, Minnesota Ave., 6/15/11.
Bend Yogurt Factory, Franklin/Bond, 4/26/11.
High Desert Lotus, Bond St. , 4/4/11.
Tryst, Franklin Ave., 3/11/11. (Formerly Maryjanes, **Moved**).
D'Vine, Wall St. , 2/9/11.
Let it Ride!, Bond St., 1/29/11.
Gatsby's Brasserie Bar, Minnesota Ave., 1/8/11
Tres Jolie, Wall St., 12/20/10.
Caldera Grill, Bond St., 12/7/10
Bond Street Grill, 12/7/10.
Perspective(s), Minnesota Ave., 11/20/10
Toth Art Collective, Bond St. 11/20/10
Boken, Breezeway, 11/20/10
Dalia and Emilia, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Antiquarian Books, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Giddyup, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/10.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Ave., 8/11/10,
Red Chair Art Gallery, Oregon Ave. 7/13/10.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 7/12/10.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 6/2910
Common Table, Oregon Ave. , 6/29/10.
Looney Bean Coffee, Brooks St. , 6/29/10.
Bourbon Street, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
Feather's Edge, Minnesota Ave., 6/22/10
The BLVD., Wall St. , 6/13/10.
Volt, Minnesota Ave. 6/1/10.
Tart, Minnesota Ave. , 5/13/10
Olivia Hunter, Wall St. 4/5/10.
Tres Chic, 4/5/10 (Moved to Minnesota Av.)
Blue Star Salon, Wall St. 4/1/10.
Lululemon, Bond St. 3/31/10.
Diana's Jewel Box, Minnesota Ave., 3/25/10.
Amalia's, Wall St. (Ciao Mambo space), 3/12/10
River Bend Fine Art, Bond St. (Kebanu space) 2/23/10
Federal Express, Oregon Ave. 2/1/10
***10 Below, Minnesota Ave. 1/10/10
Tew Boots Gallery, Bond St. 1/8/10.
Top Leaf Mate, 12/10/09
Laughing Girls Studio, Minnesota Ave. 12/7/09
Lemon Drop, 5 Minnesota Ave., 11/12/09
The Curiosity Shoppe, 25 N.W. Minnesota Ave, Suite #7. 11/5/09
Wabi Sabi 11/4/09 (**Moved, Wall St.**)
Frugal Boutique 11/4/09
5 Spice 10/22/09
Cowgirls Cash 10/17/09
***Haven Home 10/17/09
Dog Patch 10/17/09
The Good Drop 10/12/09
Lola's 9/23/09
**Volcano Wines 9/15/09
Singing Sparrow Flowers 8/16/09
Northwest Home Interiors 8/5/09
High Desert Frameworks 7/23/09 (*Moved to Oregon Ave. 4/5/10.)
Wall Street Gifts 7/--/09
Ina Louise 7/14/09
Bend Home Hardware (Homestyle Hardware?) 7/1/09
Altera Real Estate 6/9/09
Honey 6/7/09
Azura Studio 6/7/09
Mary Jane's 6/1/09
c.c.McKenzie 6/1/09
Velvet 5/28/09
Bella Moda 3/25/09
High Desert Gallery (Bend) 3/25/09
Joolz
Zydeco
900 Wall
Great Outdoor Store
Luxe Home Interiors
Powell's Candy
Dudley's Used Books and Coffee
Goldsmith
Game Domain
Subway Sandwiches
Bend Burger Company
Showcase Hats
Pita Pit
Happy Nails

(List begun, Fall, 2008.)

BUSINESSES LEAVING

The Closet, Minnesota Ave., 9/1/12
Common Table, Oregon Ave., 8/11/12.
Honey Threads, Minnesota Ave., 8/11/12.
Bella Moda, Wall St., 8/11/12.
Giddy Up, Minnesota Ave., 5/10/12
Pottery Lounge, Oregon Ave., 5/17/12.
Boondocks, Newport Ave., 3/27/12
Game Domain, Oregon Ave., 3/27/12.
Toth Gallery, Bond St., 3/27/12.
Letzer's Deli, Franklin Ave., 3/22/12.
Clutch, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12. (Moving to Tres Jolie).
High Desert Gallery, Minnesota Ave., 3/22/12.
Tart, Bond St., 3/3/12.
El Caporal West, Franklin Ave., 2/24/12
Bo Restobar, Franklin Ave., 2/9/12.
The Lobby, Bond St. , 2/9/12.
Arts Central, Brooks St., 2/7/12.
Typhoon!, Bond St., 2/5/12.
Gatsby's, Minnesota Ave., 2/5/12
The Dog Patch, Minnesota Av. 1/9/12.
Bend Mapping, Bond St., 1/9/12.
Lotus Moon, Brooks St. 1/9/12 (Moving into Tres Jolie)
Bond Street Grill, Bond St., 11/20/12.
Mad Happy Lounge, Brooks St., 10/11.
Azu, Wall St., 10/25/11.
Showcase Hats, Oregon Av., 10/11.
Bourbon St., Minnesota Ave. 10/12/11.
Curiosity Shop, Minnesota Ave., 7/11
Luluemon, Bond St., 8/26, 11.
Shear Illusions, Franklin Ave., 7/11.
Crepe Place, Wall St., 7/11.
Pita Pit, Brooks St. , 6/28/11
Smith and Wade Salon, Minnesota, Av. , 6/3/11.
Perspectives, Minnesota Av., 6/1/11
River Bend Art Gallery, Bond St., 5/5/11.
Donner's Flowers, Wall St. 3/11/11. (**Moved out of downtown**)
Maryjanes, Wall St. , 3/11/11. (new name, Tryst, moved to Franklin.).
Di Lusso, Franklin/Bond, 2/9/11.
Earth Sense Herbs, Penny's Galleria, 1/2/11
Marz Bistro, Minnesota Av., 12/20/10.
The Decoy, Bond St., 12/7/10.
Giuseppe's, Bond St., 12/1/10.
Ina Louise, Minnesota Ave., 11/3/10.
Laughing Girl Studios, 10/21/10
Dolce Vita, Bond St, 10/21/10
Diana's Jewell Box, Minnesota Ave., 10/15/10.
Lola's, Breezeway, 10/8/10.
Oxygen Tattoo, Bond St., 10/3/10.
Great Outdoor Clothing, Wall St., 10/3/10.
Volcano Vineyards, Minnesota Ave., 10/3/10.
Subway Sandwiches, Bond St. 9/2/10.
Old Bend Distillery, Brooks St., 6/19/10.
Staccato, Minnesota Ave. 6/18/10.
Showcase Hats, Minnesota Ave., 6/1/10 (Moved to Oregon Ave., 8/10/11.)
Cork, Oregon Ave., 5/27/10.
Wall Street Gifts, 5/26/10
Microsphere, Wall St. , 5/17/10.
Singing Sparrow, Franklin and Bond, 5/15/10
28, Minnesota Ave. and Bond, 5/13/10.
Glass Symphony, Wall St., 3/25/10
Bend Home Hardware, Minnesota Ave, 2/25/10
Ciao Mambo, Wall St. 2/4/10
***Angel Kisses 1/25/10 (Have moved to 'Honey.')
Ivy Rose Manor 8/20/09
***Downtowner 8/18/09 (moving into the Summit location)
Chocolate e Gateaux 8/16/09
Finders Keepers 8/15/09
Colourstone 7/25/09
Periwinkle 6/--/09
***Tangerine 7/21/09 (Got word, they are moving across the street.)
Micheal Cassidy Gallery 6/15/09
St. Claire Coffee 6/15/09
Luxe Home Interiors 6/4/09
Treefort 5/8/09
Blue 5/2/09
***Volcano Tasting Room 4/28/09** Moved to Minnesota Ave.
Habit 4/16/09
Mountain Comfort 4/14/09
Tetherow Property 4/11/09
Blue Moon Marketplace 3/25/09
Plenty 3/25/09
Downtown Doggie 3/25/09
***King of Sole (became Mary Janes)**
Santee Alley
Bistro Corlise
Made in Hawaii
EnVogue
Stewart Weinmann (leather)
Kebanu Gallery
Pella Doors and Windows
Olive company
Pink Frog
Little Italy
Deep
Merenda's
Volo
***Pomegranate (downtown branch)**
Norwalk
Pronghorn Real Estate office.
Speedshop Deli
Paper Place
Bluefish Bistro

(List begun, Fall, 2008 )

All Tolkien, All the time.

The 75th Anniversary is coming up, and my distributor is offering higher discounts.

And of course, you know about the Hobbit movie, the first part of which is coming this Christmas.

I'm already getting requests for "used" copies of the book. I'm here to tell you, they'll be few and far between for the next few years, at least. Hell, they've been hard to get for the last few years.

There was a time, about 20 years ago, when used bookstores were awash with copies of Lord of the Rings books.

But no more.

Anyway, there are a ton of books by and about Tolkien. I figure I have a minimum of three years where these books are going to be in the spotlight.

So I'm going whole hog on them, and in a month or two, will probably turn my rack in front of the register -- the most prominent spot in the store -- over to All Tolkien All the Time.

Basic pop-culture knowledge.

Sometimes I forget what a different world I live in, than other people my age.

I was mentioning H.P. Lovecraft at the family dinner, and Klaus, my German born brother-in-law asks, "Who?"

"You know, Cthulhu and the Old Gods and all that." I look to my siblings for help, but they all look at me blankly. At first I think they're all just putting me on.

"Seriously?"

They all shrug it off.

"No, really," I insist. "You need to know this...look it up on Google."

Anyway, H.P. Lovecraft is everyday knowledge to me. I'm not talking about my siblings not knowing who the current makeup of the Avengers is -- I'm talking Necronomicon! He's even a character in the book I just wrote!

It kind of reminds of the time about 10 years ago that I realized that none of the younger people could tell me the first names of the Beatles ---"Uh.....John? Oh! Ringo! Ummmmmm.......Oh, yeah, wasn't Paul McCartney a Beatle?

What are they teaching kids in school nowadays!!! John, Paul, George, and Ringo. In that order. Memorize it, dammit!

I've not been teased by my family about my nerdiness in a long time. No one comments on the big Frazetta, 'Frost Giants" sculpture in my office. After all, I've made a living out of it, and the overall culture has moved more in my direction than I've moved toward it. So, who's the winner here?

I'm filled with arcane knowledge, I tell you.

That is of no use.

It might explain all the blank looks I get in my store when I talk to middle-aged people. We have completely different frames of reference.

Friday fuds.

I want Leonard Nimoy to narrate my life's story when the time comes. It could happen. Vulcans have long lives.

**********

I also tweeted the above. Is that even kosher?

**********

No thanks. I'd rather not have Clint Eastwood narrate my life's story.

**********

So the whole financial world waits for Bernanke's assurances, he doesn't give them.

Then the stocks go up.

The stock market is a weird critter. (Initially they went down, but they're up as of now.)

**********
I reorganized my Bookmarks yesterday.

I'm setting new standards for vacuous blog entries.

**********

I make up for it, by not watching the conventions.

Is there a bigger waste of time than political conventions? (Twittered that comment. This could get to be a nasty habit.)

**********

I like boardgames.

But I'm started to wonder if they aren't beginning to bubbletize. They're announcing new games everyday, it seems.

I really need to pay more attention to the Will Wheaton's Table Top podcasts, which are apparently having a rather dramatic effect on the market.

......

O.K. I just checked it out. Seems they are encouraging people to go to Target -- curse their money-grubbing little hearts-- but an interesting show. When did Will Wheaton turn into Everynerd? He was such a brat on Star Trek, but the writer's of that show didn't have clue how to write kids. (Just tweeted -- twittered? twitted? -- my Everynerd comment. Again, probably not kosher.)

**********

We've renewed our lease at the Bookmark.

Linda's been having a good year. There was a slight decline last year at the height of the e-book talk, after 8 straight years of increases, but we seem to have rallied.

We asked the landlords not to increase our rent, and they actually lowered it a bit, so that's good.

I think the biggest surprise about e-books is that they seem to be affecting used books more than new books. (That and the fact new books are outselling used books 4 to 1 at Pegasus. Who knew?)

I've been trying to figure out why that might be. I'm guessing that new books simply aren't that cheap, whether digital or paper, whereas if you're inclined toward older books, they can get very cheap on digital.

Still not worried. I just think people like to shop for books. Especially downtown, people walking in the door at Pegasus Books are inclined to buy a good book if they see one.

Was talking to the former owner of the Book Barn, and she was asking if people "knew" I was selling new books, these days.

"What can I do?" I said. "Fortunately, downtown is a pedestrian zone, so people seem to find their way to my books."

I'm sort of doubting I'll ever get enough locals (especially other downtowners) to realize I'm doing new books in a real way. (Not all the way, admittedly, but I have some good books in my store...)

I just don't make enough money to effectively advertise.

I am thinking about setting up an account with Ingrams, the biggest book distributor. Currently, I get my books in two to three days from Baker and Taylor, the second biggest. (Cause they really do seem to try harder.) I could shave a day off that by going through Ingrams, but even now I barely meet their minimum purchases on the slow months. And I feel loyal to B & T after they were so accommodating.

"To Serve Man" cookbook.

We're being offered a TO SERVE MAN cookbook. Apparently, it's a 'prop' book, with nothing inside.

I think they're missing a bet. They could have a nice barbecue book, only instead of saying, Beef or Pork, just use the words "mystery meat" or "meat of your choice" or "the meat", something like that.

I'm going to probably get one, and place it next to my Soylent Green crackers, Zombie jerky (it's expensive because you have to tie down the damn zombies before you slice them up), and True Blood bottles.

A visit to the Goblin Market -- Costco.

Linda was shopping at the Goblin Market when she felt an irresistible tug toward one of the fairy booths.

"Here, Mortal Woman, try a taste of this...." said the goblin, who was disguised as a chubby middle-aged woman.

Linda summoned all her willpower and said, "Sure!"

The goblin's eyes gleamed. "Yes. Just a bite. What harm could one little bite do?"

And so, Linda did.

And she was doomed.

The fairy glamour lasted long enough to catch Linda's poor unsuspecting husband.

"What are you eating?"

"Oh, nothing. Here, try a bite...."

And so I was doomed.

So now, dear readers.

Aren't you curious? Here....try a bite. Just one little bite.


"G.H. CRETORS: POPPED CORN. CHICAGO MIX: BUTTERY CARAMEL CORN AND RICH CHEDDAR CHEESE CORN. NET WT. 26 OZ.

We're the next Boulder! er.....whoopie?

Entrepreneur Magazine has a glowing article on Bend, touting us as the next Boulder or Austin. Do we really want to be the next Boulder or Austin?

Actually, the article made me shudder. Full of Californians bringing their blessings to the Hinterlands.

Besides, this magazine is a very dubious magazine in my eyes. Really. Always touting the next thing (that really is already on it's unsustainable way out) (Balloon shops, anyone? Scrap-booking? How about Pottery-painting? Hey, you can't lose!) with no regard to the poor saps who believe them.

So considering the source, I'd have to call this a puff piece.

Color me skeptical that we are getting huge numbers of these high-tech immigrants (over and beyond what towns like Salem, Eugene, Ashland, etc. are getting.) Color me even more skeptical about the amount of money -- local money -- they are generating for themselves and for the Bend economy.

Still.

Somethings happening.

I mean, it could be worse. They could not be coming at all.

Combine this with the article in the Bulletin about outsiders buying up cheap land (and buying inexpensive housing on it -- contradicts, slightly, the high-tech immigrant message, eh?) and you'd have to say that Bend probably isn't going backward.

I think there was a lot of damage done in Bend with the underwater houses, but it seemed to be smoothed over by our retirement and tourist industries.

It answers the question all us bubble bloggers had about the effect of the Great Recession. Buster thought the town would hollow out. I felt we might see a slight population decline and a lot of downtown stores failing.

What I didn't see is that there would be more stores opening downtown than closing -- and if I hadn't been keeping my "Downtown Comings and Goings" list, I probably still wouldn't believe it.

But I did allow as to how I thought there might be enough momentum to get us to the other side. I thought there would be more of a hole in the middle -- certainly, there were significant drops in my sales at the stores for a few years, but we seem to be recovering. Our sales this year will be below the height, but not by that much. (Of course, I think it's because of the resurgence in comics, and the additions of New Books and Boardgames, still...)

We will be at least 20% over last year again this month. That will be 14 months in a row.

"How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You."

Buying books by the title only.

"HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CAT IS PLOTTING TO KILL YOU."

How can I resist?

**********

We wore out our channel changer. I'm not sure if that's a good thing. I mean, other people wear out their changers, right? uh, right?

Anyway, actually being able to press a button and have it do what it's supposed to do is an unexpectedly smooth pleasure.

**********

I know this won't be a popular opinion, but Bend Roots Revival does have to pay attention to zoning laws.

In other words, you DO have to pay attention to your neighbors.

It's crowd bully behavior otherwise, which is why we have laws protecting minorities -- and individuals. Personally, I think Nosler could have bit the bullet -- heh, heh -- and let the the festival go on.

But I'm just saying that I've felt a whiff of that crowd bully behavior about the downtown festivals, that I should just take the street closures whether I like them or not, because it is what the majority want.

One of the reasons Oregon is such a pleasant place to live is because of our zoning and land use laws.

**********

Tuesday tings.

O.K. That was weird. I Googled myself, (no that's not weird, well, maybe a little...) and suddenly a whole lot of my blogs are in the listings. Used to be, they'd have a few, but most of them wouldn't be there.

What would have changed that? Is that just me, or is Google tailoring it to Bend or something?

**********

I've given up on Rocket Bomber, the site of a guy who manages a Barnes and Noble. He has a lot insights and experience, and at the same times, he promotes most ludicrous ideas I think I've ever heard about how to go about starting a bookstore.

I start to read his thoughts, and he'll say something so profoundly dunderheaded, that I can't concentrate on what else he's saying.

Plus, he seems to have a certain self-loathing about working for the "man" that leeches into everything he says.

It's hard to watch someone wallowing in self-pity who has grandiose illusions about how he's going to start a super bookstore.

**********

I was visiting Wendy across the street at Trivia Antiques, and she said, "I've got something for you."

She pulls out a beat up copy of Dr. Seuss's, HORTON HATCHES THE EGG. It has scribbles all over the front, and may even be an original 1940 edition. And on the front page in very fine handwriting is the name: Duncan McGeary.

How cool is that?

**********

The young kids at the nursery across the street are having a water balloon fight. Also very cool. We hear the sounds of kids playing throughout the morning. The best background noise ever.

**********

Actually started coughing last night, and my eyes started getting swollen. Somewhere a patch of sage is burning...

**********

I've been trying to talk one of the downtown merchants into staying in the small location she has. I think she's disappointed in the foot traffic and feels her rent is too high.

But I've told her I think moving to a cheaper rent is not the best of ideas, if it means losing what foot traffic she has.

Look, all you save is the fixed amount on the rent, which may seem attractive until you don't get any customers. It's the SALES you need to look for -- whatever it takes. A busy location can make up for the rent over and over again, but cheap rent can never make up for a loss of sales.

It's a problem lots of newer retailers have, of thinking the grass is greener somewhere else, instead of sticking it out and building the business.

Again: "Cheap Rent Can Never Make Up For A Loss Of Sales."

"A zap to the synaptic cleft."

If ever there was subject with more contrary advice than writing, I don't know what it is.

Revise -- don't Revise.

Outline -- don't Outline.

And on and on.

Couple that with a tendency to get too many ideas, to have too many approaches, and then to be torn by those choices, and it's a real recipe to do nothing.


At any rate, I'm going to dig into I'M ONLY HUMAN for one more draft and be done with it. Either I'll think it's good enough to put out there, or I won't. If I don't, then I'll start working on something else.


Meanwhile, I started reading the pile of New York Times Book Reviews I've saved up for the last four months. While I've stopped reading the actual paper, I am still intending to plow through the reviews.

Anyway, there was a review of John Leonard essays (a film critic) and this is what he had to say about books:

"Like lonely kids everywhere, I entered into book as if into a conspiracy -- for company, of course, and for narrative and romance and advice on how to be decent and brave and sexy. But also for transcendence, a zap to the synaptic cleft; for a slice of the strange, the shock of an Other, a witness not yet heard from, archaeologies forgotten, ignored or despised; that radioactive glow of genius in the dark; grace notes, ghosts and gods."

I flinch whenever someone says to me, "I don't read. (I don't have time to read, I have better things to do, whatever.)" I wince when they say, "I only read non-fiction. (Or online, or newspapers, or whatever."

I just don't understand it.

Good old-fashioned reading binge.

When I was younger, I'd often get into a reading jag that might last for days. Don't do that so much these days. Usually an hour or two before bedtime.

Spent the weekend reading the fantasy trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, FIRST LAW. Again, I'm not reading long fantasies as much as I used to, mostly because I rarely find them satisfying. These books fit the bill, and I just kept reading.

Employee Jasper was asking me why I don't talk about the books and comics I read; and that has always seemed a little strange to me, too. Something that should be a natural.

But unlike this blog, which I can usually toss off the top of my head, writing a review requires judgment and thought. (What does that say about the blog?)

So, here's a short review: These books had a bit of sword and sorcery, which has gone out of style, and I appreciated that. There are myriads of well-thought out characters, and an intricate plot. The mythology is substantive enough, and holds together enough, to be believable. The writing is good, and the story arc is obviously satisfying.

Funny, how for years I could see the influence of Tolkien in almost all fantasies, but now I'm starting the see the influence of Martin as well.

I was thinking about how I used to love burrowing in a series of books for hours upon hours, and days upon days.

The conditions just aren't the same.

Then I stumbled upon the blog entries from last year at this time. I was going to Baker City for four days on a 'writing vacation', which was the real jumpstart to my writing a novel again.
I stopped writing in June this year, because of a long vacation, then didn't get started in July because I knew I'd be forestalled by a busy August.

But the decks are clear. I'm starting to feel the urge.

I'm torn which direction to go. I think it's important to finish one of my projects -- of which I have many. I have to rewrite SOMETIMES A DRAGON, someday, because I think there is a book there. DEVILTREE is finished, but I'm uncertain if that is the first book I want to post.

I have the little space fantasy I've been writing, which was really just filling in for other writing.

And of course, there is I'M ONLY HUMAN, which I like most parts, but which isn't falling together quite right. There is always that moment when you know you have it -- and I'm not feeling that, and I'm not sure what to do about it.

Another writing vacation?

I was also thinking -- wishing -- that I could recreate the conditions in which I was so productive when I was younger. I wasn't working much, except on some lawn-mowing jobs that didn't require much thought. I was shut in for days, listening to music, drinking wine, and thinking all the time about my books. It was my focus, all the time.

Can't really go there, anymore. But I can go a bit more obsessive, though, so I've sort of warned Linda that I might get kind of hazy and distant if I go for the writing jag I have in mind.

As far as publishing is concerned -- I've decided to finish up some of the material first, before I even think about that.

Meanwhile, my other urge is to write the Epic Fantasy -- the big book. I'd like to get started on that, as well. But first, I need to finish up some of the other material.