Okay.

So I don't post here very often. My work and my passion keep me fairly busy. I do lurk at work, so I keep somewhat up to speed on the going-ons of my second favorite literary character, Repairman Jack, (sorry...Serge Storms comes up number one...sorry). My passion is my writing, as I am an amateur writer, poised to make a move into the land of published work. I am, (as I've said once or twice in the distant past), hard at work, lo these past 15 or so months on my inaugural novel, which is as yet unnamed, since I could care less what a publisher is willing to call it. Since the finish line is in sight, (I'm at 62000 or so words on my first draft), I've begun to research ways to get published. I've learned that its much easier to publish a novel if you've been published in the realm of short stories. Thus, I've taken a short leave of absence with my novel to work on a few short stories, since I've been advised to have several at the ready. The short stories are based on minor characters in my (kinda) coming-of-age novel which takes place during a zombie apocalypse, (its my passion, what can I say?).

So I look at the Horror Writers of America website. I click on a link that asks 'what is horror?' I learn that I do NOT in fact write horror. My writing, while entertaining, is more of an action/thriller, (i.e. pedestrian). I do NOT inspire feelings of dread, foreboding, or the like. I ask myself, who can I read that writes horror? While I love Repairman Jack, he inspries naught but excitement and anticipation in me. So who else? King? Nah. His writing, while the current standard, is long and intertwined. Not too easy to give myself a crash course in the genre. I could read Poe. However, as I was forced to read him way back in school, I choose not to do so at my leisure. Take THAT Mrs. Cartwright!

I then recall reading here, perhaps by the good doctor himself, about Lovecraft's influence on his writing. While quite familiar with the Cthulhu mythos, I have not actually read any Lovecraft. I realize that this is not unlike a football player not knowing who Joe Namath is, or an electrician unfamiliar with Tesla, but que sera sera. I will thank you not to judge.

That being said, I began reading Lovecraft. I first read The beast in the Cave. Uninspiring to say the least. I gave it another go, and read A Shadow over Innsmouth, because I used to love Metallica. Ah! There is the horror I was looking for! On a lark, I then read The Dunwich Horror. I was shocked! I read it again. I then had to read a certain FPW novel.

Doc, you magnificent man! If Reborn is NOT a wonderfully crafted homage of that short story, I'd be blown away. If it was, I salute you! About 1/4 way through it, I knew exactly what was going to happen, as a certain somebody in your universe parallels Wilbur Wheatley VERY closely. If not, then great minds think alike, etc etc and so forth.

For some reason, that realization tickled me pink.

As an aside, my writing managed to snag me a couple of dates with a cute English intern at the mental hospital where I work. I chatted her up, told her about my writing, and informed her that I do in fact have an English character. Furthermore, I demand authenticity in my dialogue, (the strongest part of my writing repertoire). Therefore, I needed to spend a few evenings with her to listen to her speak, hear her slang, and absorb her dialect. Ah, 'tis a storied life I lead! Of course, she got heatstroke on the 4th of July, but hey. Who knew that a pale English woman who didn't stay properly hydrated would have trouble in the midst of a Florida heatwave? I mean, other than those possessing decent sense. However, that is neither here nor there. Forgive me, I'm in the throes of a battle with a 6-pack of Franziskaner, and losing, but doing so with a joy and fulfillment that nary a man can achieve.

Howdy Wapikitev!

After getting my much coveted copy of "Ground Zero", I was shocked to see the special message that F. Paul Wilson put in the front. Allow me to transcribe it for you all:

You hold the pen-penultimate Repairman Jack novel.
That's right: I've decided to end the series with number fifteen (though Jack will make his final appearance in "Nightworld")

I've always said this would be a closed-end series, that I would not run Jack into the ground, that I had a big story to tell and would lower the curtain after telling it.

The end of that story draws nigh. (There's a highfalutin phrase.)
(End of author's note)

Now, here's where I have a problem with this. After "Nightworld" we need someone around to "pick up the pieces" and there's nobody better at survival than JACK! With all of the lawlessness and crime everywhere that is sure to be around, the whole blasted city would NEED Jack!
Plus, will the last several books, it has been made apparent that Jack is the "Chosen one" by the powers that be, so what happened in "Nightworld"? I mean, his brother, sister and father are dead because of some all powerful being decided that they would be a distraction to the chosen one, and now that's all thrown by the wayside?

F. Paul. I realise that it is hard to tell when you are going to run Jack into the ground, but I for one do not think that you could EVER run him like that. We, the readers, have faith in your writing skills, and you have always kept the novels fresh and different, and exciting. There is NOTHING to compare to them. Everyone that I have "Forced" to read the Jack novels, becomes addicted to them, and I have to tell you, some of the people that I have turned onto Jack come from the most varied groups out there! Not people you would expect to get crazy over a series of books. One woman said that she hadn't read anything like it since she was a girl, and insisted that I loan her EVERY Jack novel I had! Hey, I'm not THAT crazy (yet)

But after that Rowlings woman killed the Potter series, and killed off half of Harry's friends and teachers in doing so, you just CAN'T stop the series now!!!
It just wouldn't be the same without Jack!

Lexator

Castle Houska (Czechoslovakia)

Allegedly built to keep something in, not out.
Allegedly taken over by Nazis at some point during WWII.
Allegedly built to over a mouth to hell.

When I heard them describing the place on TV I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The other person in the room watching it with me is also a fan of FPW, and was just leaning sideways in his chair, chuckling at each legend in turn.

She makes and sells pendants and also does custom work. I thought she did a great job. (Rats - put this in the wrong section. Sorry - I meant to put it in the Off-Topic)

I just went to Amazon in hopes of downloading all of Wilson's Repairman Jack novels to my Kindle, but only 2 of them are available on Kindle.

Does anyone know when the entire series will be available? I don't buy books any more -- I carry my Kindle everywhere with me... and I desperately want the entire Repairman Jack novels on my Kindle!

Please, author: please put all the Repairman Jack novels on Kindle.

Jack is one of the best fictional characters created in a long time!

Hey, guess what was in my mailbox today? I got number 235, anyone here get number 1 or 500?

Let me preface this with "I am not trying to be a conspiracy theorist!"

I reread The Tomb this weekend and noticed a strong resemblance to a scene in it and in the movie Aliens...

Picture Jack and Vicky trying to get away from the rakoshi in the ship, him carrying her, walking among the creatures, carrying a flame thrower, getting on an elevator, one lone creature following, jumping and hanging on the bottom of the lift...

I just thought it was interesting...that's all.

For those of you that don't know, I am waiting until the appropriate time in the RJ series to read the rest of the AC (having previously read The Keep and The Tomb.) Paul has updated The Touch in a beautiful trade paperback edition that is on sale now. It is finally time!

I love this book. I don't know how else to say it. It was a very relaxing and quiet read. It wasn't the same frenetic pace as the RJ books are seeming to be lately - moving all the pieces into place for Nightworld - and it wasn't Paul's earlier style of the LaNague series, which is distinct in its own right. I'd have to say that this book is in a class of its own. Black Wind read like this too. I very much enjoyed it.

This updated version takes place during the events of Ground Zero, so now is the time to read it.

Paul, I have to say that your references to events that took place in By The Sword and Ground Zero were very well done. (One of them was a little sad.) Intellectually, I knew you wrote this book many years ago, and I was pleased that you integrated them so seamlessly. Thank you for that. This book definitely feels contemporary the the RJ series, and is a must read for any fan.

Thank you.

Stephanie

:dancing:

If anyone is interested in getting the Christmas Thingy I found it on Ebay where the seller didn't list Our Hosts name in the head of the listing - It is a Publishers Copy of the Lettered Edition - I would get it myself but am broke - but with Less than 2 days left it is still only bid up to $20

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Christmas-Thingy...1|294%3A50