Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 1:42am

It's somewhere around 3:30 in the morning and I'm waiting for the rest of my bedclothes to dry after getting eaten alive by a variety of the lovely Texas bugs that have sprouted this summer, so this may be somewhat on the incoherent side. But uh... hi there!

Poked around Lit Reactor a little here and there but never bit, and have lately come to think that my antisocial tendencies as a writer have done nothing but hurt and at times demotivate me. So here I am. I've relocated to Texas from California due to quitting my job and making some rather questionable choices, so here I am with lower cost of living and a metric fuckton more bugs.

I like what I've seen around here and am excited to try it out. I'll hopefully figure out what to use for my first submission before I head back to Cali for a couple weeks (will be the first time I've been home in over a year), and then, if all goes as planned, offer some feedback to others while I'm there.

Nice to meet you all. This place seems like an endless source of amusement... hopefully inspiration too. Look forward to getting to know you guys.

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human June 12, 2012 - 1:50am

Welcome!

What do you write about?

 

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 2:02am

Lately a lot of it seems to have turned to humanity's interest in and my own personal struggles with the concept of God. I often find myself writing about the pull between responsibility and the pursuit of art, mostly born from how many years I've spent writing, drawing, recording music, but never doing anything with it, always favoring the choice to work the day job. After my divorce I went a tad nuts and quit the day job to live off of savings and do nothing but write for a while. I write a fair bit of what might generally be termed horror, especially in short stories. I'm working on what I guess would be classified as a transgressive novel. I've written some dark sci-fi in the past, though it tends to involve elements of horror and what probably amounts to a lot of philosophical navel-gazing.

I see you're reading A Wild Sheep Chase. That one threw me for a loop. I still have almost no idea what it was I read. Reading 1Q84 now, and still too early to know if I'll love or hate it.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 12, 2012 - 2:49am

Welcome dammit! 

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 3:01am

Goddamn thanks!

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 12, 2012 - 3:11am

Goddamn thanks!"

Bwhahah! Perfect! You're going to fit right in. Enjoy this picture, you've earned it. 

 

Chris Davis's picture
Chris Davis from Indiana is reading A Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews June 12, 2012 - 3:48am

Welcome, at some point in the near future Dave, Avery or some combination of the two will be by to give you the official welcome.

Since you write horror make sure to check out the recent magazine article i think titled "scare us" that details an upcoming open writer workshop that focuses on horror.  And if for any reason you feel you need defended in your time here, contact Utah. Since you are a person, your defense falls under his jurisdiction.

So welcome to the Lit.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 4:53am

Welcome!  I have arrived with your official welcome.  Doesn't this make you feel somewhat loyal to me?  So, in the fututre, you might see a seemingly random and unimportant argument/debate arise.  In that event, it's pretty important that you agree with me instead of Dave.  Keep that in mind.

Here you go!  Welcome!

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 12, 2012 - 6:35am

So here I am. I've relocated to Texas from California due to quitting my job and making some rather questionable choices, so here I am with lower cost of living and a metric fuckton more bugs.

Cali is cheaper than Texas? Wow. That's cool. I see you're a night owl too! Welcome! Don't let Davery fool you! They're really nice people! Davery = Dave + averydoll

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 12, 2012 - 6:49am

I think he's saying Texas is cheaper (and less expensive).

And by "really nice people," I assume you mean: watch your back.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 6:55am

We are really nice people, Gary. 

Now watch your back.

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 12, 2012 - 7:07am

I think he's saying Texas is cheaper (and less expensive).

Reread the first posting. Oakland is cheaper! But it is also more dull! That's just my opinion though. I would never be caught in Oakland, so uninspiring.

(Read Michael's profile.) I see that you are from Fort Worth. That makes sense, I guess. I'm not very good with facts, more into feeling. I would guess that Oakland would be cheaper than Fort Worth? If I had to choose, I'd go with Oakland. Thus, good choice on the move. The only good thing about Oakland is the Bay Area. Yay!

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 12, 2012 - 7:16am

And by "really nice people," I assume you mean: watch your back.

They are really nice people. They just hide it from everyone else.

In other news, Davery roll in eel sauce and tempura flakes, with a hint of wasabi.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 7:12am

"Davery roll"

Um, when did the "ry" get added to this?  I think this is a strictly Dave on his own thing.  No "ry" in the soylent green.

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 12, 2012 - 7:24am

Um, when did the "ry" get added to this?  I think this is a strictly Dave on his own thing.  No "ry" in the soylent green.

Darn it! I thought no one would notice, so I deleted it. And then you comment on it and now I have to put it back on. Sighs. It is much different than the Dave roll because it has a hint of wasabi in it. More of a kick to it.

Random test: if you eat wasabi and pickled ginger in the Pacific Northwest (primarily in the areas where hay fever sucks) on a regular basis, it is like a "natural" remedy for sneezes and runny noses and watery eyes. I know, I've taken no more allergy pills (stupid Claritin) and have tested on this theory. It's not 100% perfect, but I love it. It's cheaper too if you make it your own and buy in bulk. Going back to the topic....

Yes, Michael! You will LOVE the West Coast! (Just not the Pacific Northwest. Seattle sucks. Oregon is neglected all the time, so you won't have to worry about that state. Not a lot of people know where Oregon is, actually. It's pretty funny.)

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 11:33am

I'm afraid you got it backwards, Jen. I originated in California (in the most literal sense) and moved to Fort Worth a year and a half ago. Texas is... not so much my cup of tea, but mostly just due to the obscene heat and the fact that I'm living with a disgusting and often incontinent old woman—I imagine you guys will enjoy those stories when I get around to telling them. But yeah, I do love the west coast and I miss it horribly.There are days when I'd sacrifice an organ or two just to see a large body of water. It is, however, a million times cheaper than California. My rent here for a master bedroom and office in this person's house is less than half of what I paid for a studio in Lafayette before I moved.

Also, I've heard Oregonians hate Californians (perhaps you could comment on this?), but I thought Oregon was beautiful country when I traveled up that way. I love the pacific northwest in general. I miss it sincerely... there's nothing that compares out here, though I've had some nice walks through the Fort Worth nature preserve.

It's now 1 in the afternoon and I'm just getting up. For some reason I feel like drinking. This is probably not a good thing. I haven't written anything in two days due to People™, so I should probably go walk the dog in the now 89 degree heat that probably feels like a humid 117 and get something done. Yes, I'm a total pussy when it comes to heat. I can deal, but I'm an Irishman. My ideal day is sitting under an awning with a glass of Murphy's while it rains.

Oh and thanks Chris, I did see the article. I think my first submission may indeed be a horror story. I probably shouldn't have given the impression that all I write is horror, as I'd like to think that a lot of my darker stuff might fall into that wasteland category of "literary fiction" even, but who knows. If I'm going to make it as a writer, I probably need to do a better job of identifying the genres in which I write, because I spend basically no time thinking about it.

Thanks for the welcome, all. And the whole "Davery" thing makes sense now. Actually, a lot of things make more sense just after this flurry of posts. I'm a tad offended that Dave hasn't shown up yet, though, so you win, Avery. In the future, you may call on me to bolster your forces in any argument not requiring me to do any serious thinking and/or posting. Physical violence is okay. I'm less fond of being part of a mob, but I enjoy breaking things with a bat enough to offset this.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 11:38am

"so you win, Avery"

It's all I've ever wanted anyone to say.

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 11:41am

I should really just distill that last post to its essence and save everyone a lot of reading, then.

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 11:45am

Just leave the part about how disappointed you are in Dave.

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 12:00pm

First draft of revision:

"So you win, Avery. Dave is a severe disappointment of a human being."

 

Good?

 

 

(Sorry, Dave, I'm just trying to fit in because I'm socially inept, and apparently your crucifixion is an in-road. You understand, right?)

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 12, 2012 - 12:09pm

LOL!!!!!!!

I'm trying to decide if Dave will find this adorable or not.

He's really a great guy, and very handsome.  He just takes the wrong side of arguments...and then foolishly goes to sleep.
 

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human June 12, 2012 - 2:18pm

@Michael

Yeah, I read that awhile ago. I haven't had the chance to update it.

It was great! The thing with that book is that there are two prequels, which altogether make the Rat Trilogy.

The problem is Murakami didn't want them released here, for whatever reason. Anyways someone did translate them, but the copies are somewhat of a pain to get or are pricey. They're also pocket-sized.

I read Norwegian Wood after which is way different. Right now I'm reading Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 2:50pm

Now I thought that Dance, Dance, Dance was part of that. Am I wrong? I liked elements of both that and A Wild Sheep Chase but was ultimately left very, very confused. I did download a copy of what is supposed to be the first book in the Rat Trilogy which I hope to read at some point.

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 12, 2012 - 4:45pm

Also, I've heard Oregonians hate Californians (perhaps you could comment on this?), but I thought Oregon was beautiful country when I traveled up that way. I love the pacific northwest in general. I miss it sincerely... there's nothing that compares out here, though I've had some nice walks through the Fort Worth nature preserve.

I must confess that I am actually a wannabe Californian. Sure, Oregon is more beautiful than California...cheaper too...but it's all about the people...SoCal. I've got one BFF in North Hollywood, and another in San Diego. I'm very lonely up here because all my besties are anywhere but here.

Yes, I think we pretty much hate everyone that takes away job opportunities here. People hear how "hip" Portland is and how cheap it is...and everyone flocks to the hot spot!

 

I'm a tad offended that Dave hasn't shown up yet, though, so you win, Avery. In the future, you may call on me to bolster your forces in any argument not requiring me to do any serious thinking and/or posting.

Oh no, what happens if there's a time when it would be Dave versus Avery? I would probably not take any sides. It's best to not vote in this election.

PandaMask's picture
PandaMask from Los Angeles is reading More Than Human June 12, 2012 - 4:47pm

Yeah it's the sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase, but it's not part of the trilogy? Idk it's weird.

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 12, 2012 - 9:40pm

Yeah it's the sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase, but it's not part of the trilogy? Idk it's weird.

 

How strange. I'll have to look into this further.

 

I must confess that I am actually a wannabe Californian. Sure, Oregon is more beautiful than California...cheaper too...but it's all about the people...SoCal. I've got one BFF in North Hollywood, and another in San Diego. I'm very lonely up here because all my besties are anywhere but here.

That's always tough. One of my very best friends is (thankfully) a girl I'm dating here... I basically don't know anyone else. My BFF lives in Florida, and I can't see her or really even talk to her for the most part due to some very complicated personal bullshit. It sucks to be so disconnected from those you care about.

Michael J. Riser's picture
Michael J. Riser from CA, TX, Japan, back to CA is reading The Tyrant - Michael Cisco, The Devil Takes You Home - Gabino Iglesias June 13, 2012 - 3:42pm

My first submission is up. If you guys have any desire to give me a welcome-aboard roast by telling me just how quickly I should give up, now's your chance! This is the first fiction I've ever workshopped (I've submitted this story and some others to deviantART, but that doesn't even remotely count). Is it normal to feel slightly giddy?

Also, I'm sad that Dave still hasn't said hello. He's not making a very good nemesis thus far.

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 13, 2012 - 4:47pm

Ah, but that's the mark of a good arch-nemesis. You never know when or where he's going to strike.

Utah's picture
Moderator
Utah from Fort Worth, TX is reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry June 14, 2012 - 8:49am

Why do you want Dave to be a nematode?