Saturday in the City

This weekend I get to fulfill a dream of mine, one that I first imagined some fifteen years ago when I first set foot into Books of Wonder on 18th Street in New York. Back then I was a NYU Literature student, just getting into the magic of children's books and hoping to some day contribute to it. No other store that I had ever been in seemed to capture that magic as well as Books of Wonder. I knew one day I would love to have a book that I wrote sitting on a shelf in that store.

When I was invited to be part of their YA panel this weekend, I couldn't say yes fast enough. Not only are my books in the store, but I will be there to sign copies of them. Needless to say, I'm super excited. So if you're around the New York City area this Saturday, please come by and share the moment with me.

Books of Wonder

18 West 18th Street  

New York, NY 10011

Event from 12:00-2:00pm

I Like You, You Like Me

Lately I've been seeing a lot of book reviews that state the reader didn't like a certain title because he or she "didn't really like" a character. I wonder when it happened that we started to think we're supposed to like every main character or that every one of their actions is supposed to make us happy? Isn't an intriguing character supposed to challenge the reader...just as a book is supposed to (though that seems slightly out of favor as well).

Personally, I blame Harry Potter and other mega hits of our time for having an all too clearly defined sense of right and wrong, good and evil. In my experience the differences are often more blurred and characters, like people, are far more dynamic. 

If you're interested in hearing me discuss this and other such literary fluff, you'll have the chance tonight...provided you're in the L.A. area. 

TONIGHT ONLY: I'll be reading & signing @ Miss Nelson's Toy & Book Shop

1030 Bonita Ave.

LaVerne, CA 91750

High Flying Birds

So next week I take off for my West Coast trip. The Missus and I will be driving up from L.A. to the great north regions. I'm so looking forward to a road trip and seeing new places and old friends. There's nothing quite like a car adventure to get the creative tank refilled. 

The Pacific Coast seems especially potent to my imagination for some reason. After all, Life is But a Dream is set around L.A., inspired by my last trip out there. The Heights is set in San Fran, drawing heavily from my visit there in 2001. Dirty Liar is set in an unnamed place near Portland...but was based on my drives through Washington state a few years before writing it. We'll see what emerges this time around.

While I'm out there, I will be making a few book appearances. So if you around, definitely stop by. I'll also be making a NYC appearance when I get back. The details are listed below.

On April 18th I'll be reading & signing @ Miss Nelson's Toy & Book Shop

1030 Bonita Ave.

LaVerne, CA 91750

*

On April 21st I'll signing books at the L.A. Times Festival of Books

1pm @ Once Upon A Time Bookstore's booth #774

*

On May 1st I'll be making an in-store event @ Third Place Books

17171 Bothell Way NE

Lake Forest Park, WA  98155

 *

On May 19th I'll be back in NYC to sign books @ Books of Wonder from 12pm-2pm

18 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011 

Barking at the Moon

Since when did reading become something that was supposed to be easy and uncomplicated? Sure there's a place for so-called 'light' reading. That place is mostly in magazines, online, and even some books. But not everything is supposed to be a quick entertainment. 

While the reviews of Life is But a Dream are overwhelmingly positive, I once again see myself pitted against the insatiable appetite for an action-filled plot that is easily digestible. The handful of readers who haven't liked the book seem to keep mentioning the 'slow pace' of which I expected. I've dealt with that one my entire career. I don't write books that ooze plot and I don't apologize for that. My books are about character and perception and language. Plot is secondary, just as plot is secondary to our thoughts in real life. 

The one unexpected criticism that I've seen is that some readers have been turned off by the fact that the book forces you to actually think. They falsely confuse that aspect of the book with it somehow being confusing. I wonder how they would do with Gravity's Rainbow or Ulysses? Just because you have to pay attention, doesn't mean something is confusing. However, I guess this shouldn't have been so unexpected. But it saddens me that some people aren't willing to concentrate when they read. (And then have the nerve to publish a book blog!). 

The truth is, some of us don't aim to write fiction, we strive to create literature. There's a difference. Not everything in this world is meant to be pure spectacle and entertainment. And when you pick up a book about a severe mental illness, can you really expect the story not to challenge you? If I didn't, would I really be doing my job?

This isn't a rant on negative opinions. I've said many times before that I actually enjoy a well-written critique of my writing. This is more of a sad observation on the state of reading and those who profess to cherish the activity, yet don't want to do the heavy lifting. 

Dream Away Life

The finished copies of Life is But a Dream arrived this morning and I have to say, the book looks beautiful. Seeing a book with the dust jacket for the first time is something I'll never grow tired of. It's as if even though you know the book will be published, it never truly seems real until you're holding the printed copy and open the crisp spine. Here it sits on my desk, next to my Yoshitomo Nara clock and the Denny's mug I stole in 1994. Syd Barrett is looking on from the background. You can't tell from the picture, but Syd is all scratched nearly to shreds. My one cat really has it in for Syd for some reason. Luckily Albie the three-legged goat is there to watch over him.

When We Start To Care...Things Can Change

One of the themes that runs throughout my novel Life is But a Dream revolves around bullying and another touches on the subject of school shootings. I've dealt with the concept of being bullied in several of my novels, mostly because I think it is one of the aspects of teen life that takes place almost completely outside of the world of adults. It's done in the halls, in whispers, and increasingly online. And as we continue to see, school shootings seem to be inevitably linked to the practice of bullying.

Every time a new incident occurs, my heart goes out to the victims, and more often than not, to the shooter as well. It's the same story every time. A kid from a broken home who gets picked on to the breaking point. How many times to we have watch the same nightmare take place before we, as a society, do something to protect these kids? And I'm not talking about metal detectors or some kind of fascist 'singling-out' process. What we need to do is find a way to bring civility to our High Schools and create an environment of respect. For kids from a broken home, school life is really the only life they have. And when school becomes a place where one gets dumped on all day, then home to nothing, what is left? Everyone knows this is going on and for the most part, nobody cares until several lives are ruined.

Part of the reason why I write the kind of books I do is to expose readers to these kind of characters and create a sense of empathy and understanding. Hopefully, they also serve to show kids who identify with the characters that there are people who know what they are going through. Sometimes all they need is a friendly voice, even if that voice stems from a work of fiction.

Criticizing the Critics

As any reader here probably knows by now, my new novel Life is But a Dream comes out next month. The first reviews are starting to come out in from the journals and they are mostly positive evaluations of the book. Normally, I'm not one to complain about negative things said of my work. I've never written for the typical reader and as a result, there are often people who don't appreciate the way I write. I'm fine with that. That said, there is one review that really bothers me:


Sabrina lives in a beautiful world that no one else can see. Whether it is fanciful colors in the sky or whole vistas, she believes in their power but cannot convince anyone else. Through a series of flashbacks while she is at the Wellness Center, backstories are revealed about a near-perfect childhood and trouble at school as a young adult. Separated from her parents and classmates, Sabrina is drawn to outspoken Alec, who accepts her dreams simply because they are real to her. Life Is but a Dream is a fast read with extensive dialogue and fantastic visual descriptions. Troubled Alec adds believable romance and danger when the young couple struggles to be together. Though Sabrina and Alec are strongly defined characters, their parents are simply overprotective and overachieving. Sabrina's parents do not see her issues stemming from schizophrenia—it would be too hard to admit that their perfect daughter is mentally ill. Alec's parents cannot conceive that their strong-willed teenager is simply rebellious, and search for a diagnosis to explain his behavior. The word crazy is not used often in the book, but seeing it twice on the cover seems judgmental, an automatic assumption that a neurological imbalance deserves scorn. Because mental illness is rarely discussed at home or school, Life Is But a Dream should have resources at the end to help young adults identify friends who might need help or to look for more information about schizophrenia. from VOYA

This review is actually quite positive, aside from the slight about the characters' parents, which naturally I believe to be an oversimplification. The struggle that Sabrina's parents go through is more than just denial. But, that's not what really irks me about this review. What really gets under my skin is the the critique in the final sentences about the word "crazy" and about the lack of resources in the back.

First of all, they are reviewing an Advanced Reader Copy of the book, which as a professional journal, they are fully aware that it is not final. For all they know, there are resources in the final book. And as a matter of fact, the line they point to on the cover has indeed been changed on the final book. That is why a review is supposed to focus on the content of the novel, not things such as tag lines on the cover and lack of back matter. These aren't critiques of the work I poured my soul into for a year, they are attacks on the marketing plan of the book. As an industry journal, I believe they should know better.

By the way, there is still time left to enter the contest to win a signed ARC. Details below:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Life Is But a Dream

by Brian James

Giveaway ends March 01, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Life is But a Dream (Teaser 4)

There is gravity in Kayliegh's laugh that pulls everyone around her into orbit. Her gravity is strongest with me--I am the planet revolving closet to her star. (page 121 Life is But a Dream)

When she smiles, the lavender walls in my room turn to gold. Sparks fly up around her. I want to feel them on my skin. Part of me wants to reach across the bed and trace her smile with my fingers but I now better than to act on every whim the way I used to when we were younger.

(page 123 Life is But a Dream)

It's only a month now until Life is But a Dream will be in stores. The waiting has been harder with this book than others, but finally the wait will be soon be over. Of course, the book is about a girl diagnosed with acute schizophrenia, and naturally most of the early reviews have dealt with that. But one of the things I'm most proud of about this book is how other everyday struggles of teen life radiate outward from this central issue, because Sabrina is still first and foremost a teenager trying to deal with the same issues as her friends.

One of those issues revolves around her best friend. She is at that age when her childhood friendships begin to shift and change, sometimes leaving her not knowing where she stands. I really tried to capture the conflicting nature of these evolving relationships...the constant pulling away and pulling back and self-adjustments made to feel as though you are keeping up. I think it's one of the more painful themes in the book, but also one of most relevant. A recent reviewer touched on this aspect of the book and how powerful they thought it was. It's a really nice feeling to know you've affected somebody in that way.

Meanwhile, if you haven't entered to win a signed Advance Reader's Copy of the book on Goodreads yet, there's still one week left to do so. And if you haven't, really, what are you waiting for? It's as easy as clicking a button.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Life Is But a Dream

by Brian James

Giveaway ends March 01, 2012.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Life is But a Dream GIVEAWAY

I know I've been promising to have a giveaway contest for a Advance Reader's Copy of my upcoming book Life is But a Dream and I'm happy to announce the contest is now up on Goodreads. If you're not a member yet, and you're a book fan, then this is the time to sign up. It's one of my favorite sites, offering reader's a forum to express their thoughts without the burden of selling as on Amazon. You can enter the contest HERE.

I'm also planning some author events on the west coast for April and will be filling you all in on those details as soon as I have them. I'm really excited about this book and all the positive feedback that has been coming in over the past month. I hope all of you will be just as excited when and if you have the chance to read it.

Dream Memories

So it finally happened...a week went by without a post. I'm not sure how that happened, though it's been building toward it. Time has had a way of getting away from me lately. Or more appropriately, I suppose I've been allowing time to take me on its current without fighting the waves as is our usual habit in this modern world.

One thing that has haunted me all week is a dream I had Wednesday night. Every detail was so exact and real. I had flashes of it the entire next day. And more intriguing was the incredible emotional connection I had with one character in the dream, someone who doesn't exist in real life. But in the dream, it was someone I'd known and I had clear memories of this person and our relationship. I've had dream memories before, but never quite so vivid. I could remember circumstances, visits, time spent together, etc. An imagined life to be sure.

The main character in my novel Life is But a Dream has dream memories of someone she's never met. It's a major part of the book. Perhaps it's gotten to that point where my life is now imitating my art rather than other way around. If so, that's not an entirely bad place to be.

Life is But a Dream...(Teaser 3)

- In the center of my collage is a black-and-white photograph of a mother and young daughter hugging in the snow at night. They are wearing heavy winter coats and ribbons in their hair because the picture is supposed to be of a scene in the 1800s and that was the way most girls and women wore their hair, I suppose. Around the photography, I glued pictures of flowers I'd cut from the stacks of magazines Mrs. Weaver set out for us to use. The flowers are bright and colorful against the black-and-white snow. I painted the sky with watercolors, I used dark purples and blues and painted them really wet so that the colors ran together in interesting shapes. I used a little bit of pink paint on the girl's cheeks. - Life is But a Dream pages 71-72

It's now only two short months before my novel comes out. I'm still very excited about it. It seems most readers are responding positively. I enjoy that. It's not so much about wanting something you write to be adored, it's more about knowing that people out there really got what you trying to say. So far, I'm pretty happy about that.

One of the big subplots in the book is the main character's struggle to separate art from reality. In a way it mirrors my own struggle of doing that during my teenage years. That's a theme that runs throughout my books, this idea that we dream so hard for what we imagine that sometimes we get lost in what is truly around us.

* The quoted passage was inspired by a photo still of Meet me in St. Louis which I manipulated to look like the above picture.

Life is But a Dream...Teaser (2)

-Don't worry about that. I'm not going anywhere without you.- He says it like a promise that will last long after the sun dips down just below the taller trees on the tallest hills. The nurses will come then and take us away, but it doesn't matter. They can take us to different wings of the hospital but they can't really separate us. Not anymore. We are connected in a dream--that can't be broken. Life is But a Dream page 85

In three months, my new novel will be out and available in stores. Over 700 people already marking it 'to-read' on Goodreads, and several nice reviews have already been written there. I chose the quote above for this teaser because it really captures that sense of teenage love that I wanted the characters to feel in the story. The love story is a major part of this book, not just the excitement of falling in love but also how love, though it can feel so wonderful, can also lead us to misguided decisions and unintentional hurt.

After the New Year, I will be holding a contest to give away a signed ARC, so stay tuned.

Life is But a Dream...Teaser (1)

I've always been different from other kids my age--from everyone, really. Special is one way to put it. The word is attached to me like a shadow. It's a halo hovering over me as I sit in class or walk through the halls at school. My parents always said that I was special too. Special in a good a way, like I was delicate or rare--not special like something's wrong with me. Not before. Not like now. -Life is But a Dream page 5

In four short months, my new novel will be out and available in stores. In honor of over 500 people already marking it 'to-read' on Goodreads, I've decided to share a few quotes from the book on selected Tuesdays between now and its release on March 27th. I'm also planning a giveaway of a signed Advanced Reader's Copy sometime before the holidays...more on that to come.

I'm pretty excited about this book...it's been nice to see so many others excited about it too.

In the Realms of the Unreal

Henry Darger spent nearly his entire life writing and creating art for his novel, In the Realms of the Unreal: The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion. At over 15,000 pages, it is believed to be the longest novel ever written, though it has never been published, excluding excerpts to be found in many of the wonderful books of his artwork.

I've been fascinated with this story since I first encountered it as a college student. Along with the artwork, it's been one of the major influences on my imagination over the last fifteen years or so. Darger's work showed me how it was possible to stretch the imagination without limits. Elements creep into my work frequently, appearing in odd ways, most notably in Thief and my upcoming book Life is But a Dream.

Another aspect of In the Realms of the Unreal that fascinates me is Darger's real life obsession with a missing photograph that weaves its way into this brutal playland he creates. He had once possessed a newspaper clipping with a photo of a murdered Chicago girl named Elsie Paroubek. Somehow or other he lost it and spent years afterward trying to track it down. He prayed daily to find it again and grew angry when it never materialized. He was so angry with God that he wrote himself into the story on the side of evil.

After encountering the story, I set off on my own search for the photograph. Even in the digital age, it wasn't easy to find. Librarian friends of mine searched with no avail (though they did manage to get me the actual article that accompanied the photo). A few years ago I met someone who worked with one of Darger's biographers and she was able to send me the picture.

It's haunting.

Elsie has since influenced quite a few of my character since.

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Computer

It's only a few short months now before Life Is But a Dream is released. That means it's about time for the nerves to kick in as I wait to see how it will be received.

Though I've promised myself not to get worked up about reviews, I imagine that I probably will. It's kind of inevitable not to be curious what the reaction is to a story you've spent so much time creating.

Lately, the book has shown up on a good number of blogs and there seems to be a lot of anticipation and excitement for the book. I also noticed that a lot of Advanced Reader Copies were shipped recently as it turned up in a number of In My Mailbox posts over the past few days. So the good news is, it's getting attention. The bad news...potentially more reviews to avoid.

In the meantime, I recently did an interview on Trisha's Book Blog that you can read here. I'm sure this will be the first post in many concerning my neurotic worries that seem to come with the territory of putting your work into the world.

Unseen Worlds Connecting With Our Own

It's been a little while since I reviewed any books and seeing that I've been reading quite a bit lately, I figured it was time to amend that oversight. Over the past year, in my own writing, I've been focused on illustrating these inner worlds, or unseen worlds that swirl all around us but which very few of us ever take notice. My upcoming novel Life is But a Dream focuses on the main character's delusional world which is just as real to her as any of the things that actually surround her. In the manuscript I recently finished, the main characters are detached from our world, yet constantly tethered to it by their memories. The two novels below share a similar thread, dabbling either directly or indirectly in the mysteries of what remains invisible to naked eye. Enjoy.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

When sad sack Richard has an accidental encounter with a wounded young girl named Door, he suddenly finds his life vanishing before his eyes and becomes a citizen of an the intriguing world of London Below. In the tradition of Oz or Wonderland, this world is populated by curiouser and curiouser people. But unlike those two fantasy worlds, this one exists side-by-side with our own even as it goes unseen. Within its boundaries, Richard and Door set out on a quest that is the one part mystery and one part pure adventure.

Neil Gaiman recently wrote a wonderful episode of Doctor Who, and it wasn't a surprising pairing at all. In many ways, this story captures the same whimsical sense of the newest incarnation of the long-running series. The danger is always accompanied by a light-hearted humor that makes the book nearly impossible to stop reading. This is the first adult novel I've read by Gaimen and was sort of surprised to find more light-hearted touches here than in his books for children. A really enjoyable read.

Angels of Destruction by Keith Donohue

As with Keith Donohue's first novel, The Stolen Child, the most intriguing aspect of this novel is his remarkable ability to blend supernatural elements into his stories without ever making the reader feel as though they are reading fantasy fiction. In The Stolen Child, he tackled goblins (or changlings) and here he introduces the reader to Norah, a peculiar kind of angel that feels original and genuine. Donohue knows how to highlight subtleties in order to create a larger portrait. His magical moments are not grande, and they are all the more beautiful and effective for it.

At it's core, this is a story about redemption, both personal and familial. The angel acts as a catalyst to bring estranged mother and daughter together after years of separation. However, I found the more interesting story to be that of Norah as an angel trying to fit in with her fellow third graders. Her struggles and her friendship with a boy named Sean are the most touching and emotional scenes in the book. On the other hand, the adult relationships in the book didn't resonate with me. They felt more surface level and contrived.

There's also an odd choice in the narrative structure in the book. Divided into three parts, the middle section is essentially a separate, connecting novel stuck between the two halves of another superior novel. It was surprising simply because Donohue's previous book did such a fantastic job of telling two stories in alternating chapters that made the book impossible to put down. I can certainly understand not wanting to construct the same type of narrative in your next book, but honestly I think Angels of Destruction would have benefitted from it. Still recommended, especially for the insights on childhood friendship.

Life is But a Dream (Advanced Reader's Copy)

Late last week, I received a few of the first ARCs for my new novel Life is but a Dream (due out next March). In some ways, this is always a little more exciting than when the actual finished book arrives because this is the first time I get to see the words on a page that wasn't spit out by my computer. Maybe it's just me, but words read different from a book. I suppose that's why I could never see myself reading an e-book.

Typically by the time a book gets to this stage, I've read it about twenty times in various stages. I've mentioned before that by the last pass which comes through my way, I can barely stand to look at the book. If you read anything that many times, it will inevitably sound horrible. But seeing the story printed in a book, with different font and different layout has a way of allowing me to look at it with fresh eyes. I spent part of Friday flipping through it and was really happy with every scene I wrote. Honestly, I think this is easily the best book I've written (so far).

A few things to note, mainly that is not the cover that will be appearing on finished books. The cover will be similar but there were some issues about rights when it came to using the photo. When the final cover is finished, I'll be sure to share it.

Also, I will be giving one of these away in a contest...as soon as I figure out how exactly I want to do that. Details will be posted once I have them. (In the meantime, if you're a book review blogger and would like a review copy, let me know and I can put you in touch with the right people.)

Watching the Watchers

One of the themes that runs through my upcoming novel Life is But a Dream has to do with this concept of being watched. The main character, Sabrina, feels as though she is always been watched. She assumes every street light is recording her movements, that every eye is a camera and that every bit of her that is seen is somehow stolen and lost forever.

As I enter the last phase of writing on my newest manuscript, I'm realizing that this theme is also very prevalent in this work as well, though it manifests itself in a different way. It's a concept that I think all of us victims of the modern age can relate to. The idea of Big Brother seems to move ever closer. Whether it's the blanketing of the world under CCTV or even just traffic cameras and store security, we are always being watched. But what's more disturbing perhaps is how much we volunteer to the world for viewing and how willingly we give access.

Like the child demanding attention, there is a part of all of us that enjoys being seen. But what happens when the watchers don't have the best intentions? And what are the implications of growing up under surveillance? These are the ways I've been approaching the subject. I think this is going to be one of the biggest questions facing society over the next twenty to thirty years. But then again...maybe I'm just paranoid.

Saying Thanks

Seeing as this is my 500th post on this blog and since I recently received the type set pages for my next novel Life is But a Dream, I thought it would be a nice gesture to share the Acknowledgments page of the book.

Though in many ways a book is written in the vacuum of one's own head, there's a lot of outside contributers that may or may not even realize they are contributing to those thoughts which string themselves together in the author's head. Often times it's something that seems insignificant at first and then gradually builds. So I just wanted to take this chance and say thank you to all the ideas big and small that spark my imagination.

We Are Always Being Watched by the Watchers

(street art Zurich)

We are all spies and we are spied upon in the world today. Everything is being watched by someone. And though some may complain and cry for privacy, they are taking part in the storm as well. Whether it's for some false sense of security or a simple narcissistic need to broadcast yourself to the world, we all watchers watching each other.

There's a sense of anxiety that comes with living in a world like ours and its something I've tried to tap into with my novel Life is But a Dream (coming out this winter). In that book, I dealt with the invasive nature of being watched and turned it into a element of horror for the main character as she struggles with reality.

In the book I started writing last week, this idea of ever present watchers has crept in again. This time it's even more of an outright horror element. After all, it's the stuff of horror--from the dystopian world of 1984 (mistakenly dated 20 years too soon) to Nazi school text books that encouraged spying on your neighbor. But we've chosen this for ourselves. It's funny how mankind tends to indulge in its own nightmares.