Couple of Things
Posted by smokingpen in Fairfield University, Hollow City, family on July 29, 2010
First, I am back from the residency and it was good. I enjoyed the ten days on the island, liked riding a bike around Mystic, CT, and found the feedback on my work to be to the point, in line with the draft and amount of work put into what I’d sent, and also in line with where I’d thought the work was. So, good. Also, had several of the people who’s work I critiqued come back and thank me for the critique and notes and that was good as well. I think, at times, I come off a little too forcefully and I tried to tone that back some.
Second, I did give up Facebook for good. Sorry Facebook, number two website in the world. I decided that I didn’t need to make that website a part of my life or what I am doing and after a rather tense conversation with Erin decided that Facebook was not going to be one of the determining factors in my life as to whether or not I am happy, my marriage is going well, and my family is happy. Truth told, when I find myself checking an app or a website every ten seconds for no reason other than it exists, I think it is time to put it away. Besides, this website exists for most of those reasons and anyone I want in my life will remain in my life regardless of Facebook.
Third, still working through ideas for Hollow City (http://www.hollowcity.com/) and am trying to figure out how I want to start a) building traffic and b) find ways to establish a basic remuneration for contributing authors/artists and others.
Beyond that, looking for a new job, getting ready to start talking to universities with Masters of Library Science programs and applying, and started working on the Craft Thesis for the Fairfield University Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
-John
Goodbye Facebook, Hello abandoned blog
Posted by smokingpen in Hollow City, quick post on July 27, 2010
I deactivated Facebook this morning and am back on my blog. I’d imagine that this is where I will post things I am reading in the news and periodic this is what I am doing kinds of updates. You can also go over to my new website http://www.hollowcity.com/ and see the periodic and (quite possibly slow) updates over there.
-John
Pictures from around Mystic, CT
Posted by smokingpen in Fairfield University on July 23, 2010
Okay, I’ve been riding a bike around Mystic every couple of days and went past the draw bridge yesterday (last picture). When I did a circuit through a neighborhood and came back on the bay I saw this ship, nice three master that might (but probably is not) the Argia. 
Of course, this was followed by me seeing a really large boat in dry dock across the way (to the left of the three master up top) and so I road around and through the touristy area of Mystic (not pictured) to see a closer look. This is about a block or so away from the gate.
When I got up close this is what I saw. It’s an old whaling vessel that is being restored and can be visited by going into the Mystic Museum. On the left (out of picture) is a wooden enclosed stairs. The gate was propped open, but there was also a big sign telling me that only authorized people were allowed.
And then there is the drawbridge. I’ve been over them, I’ve seen pictures, but I’ve never actually seen one. So, here is the Mystic drawbridge about halfway up. As it closed to traffic there was the ringing sound of railroad arms coming down and then a klaxon horn indicating the bridge was going up. In the end, it stood completely upright and another sailing ship came through on motor power.
-John
The Day In Between
Posted by smokingpen in Erin, Fairfield University, codename: CAMPER on July 21, 2010
Today is the middle day of the residency and for the third time in three semesters (I only go to school every six months for ten days) I came home to spend the free day with Erin and CAMPER. This seemed more important this time through because CAMPER is actually recognizing that I am not around and that he’s not seen me in a few days. Guess that’s what becoming a toddler and starting to talk does for a little boy. On the other side, I like my wife and I love being around her, so coming home also means I get to spend one-on-one time with Erin too.
The residency has been good. Nothing like last time where I was dealing with feelings and the ramifications of death (all around). As a result, I am more into what is going on and less sensitive to the idiosyncrasies of the moment, the comments, and even some of the more abrasive people. I guess, abrasive is what you get (in equal parts to extremely outgoing and painfully shy) when you combine a group of writers and place them all on an island and then tell them to have fun.
I think, starting tomorrow, it is four more days and I leap (head long) into the next semester’s worth of writing, before the next residency. Next summer about this time, I expect I will be graduated and ready to leap into the next great adventure. Too bad it’s nothing like Scott Bakula’s journey in Quantum Leap.
John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West
Real Heroes Fly
Free time :: Not free time
Posted by smokingpen in Erin, Fairfield University, codename: CAMPER on July 17, 2010
I am back at school on Enders Island. The same at home things that existed when I came last time don’t exist this time, I had some writing samples I wanted feedback on and weren’t thrown in because they were the only things that existed, and I’ve read (almost) all of the other cohorts pieces before getting here and written up comments and printed off the first half with the second half waiting in the wings for my trip home to print off.
CAMPER finally became aware of my leaving this time. That was interesting as he likes to be with Erin or I all of the time anyway, but wanted to sit on my lap or play directly with me until it was naptime. In the periods between playing with CAMPER and packing I was able to get out just after noon and then ran a bunch of errands and had the oil changed on the car and was then able to get out of town complete with car, personal stuff, and one of Jim’s bikes so I can ride in my leisure time (not a lot of it until late at night or early morning).
Between re-connecting with people I get to see ten days every six months, food, errands, and sleep the first half day (leading into the first full day) all of it is combining into what looks to be a really positive experience.
John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West
Real Heroes Fly
The just prior to the residency
Posted by smokingpen in Fairfield University, Personal Entries, school on July 13, 2010
This week is a long one that started, it feels, about three weeks ago. Last Saturday I took the GRE in preparation to apply to different Masters of Library Science programs and spent quite a bit of time studying for that. This Friday I back to Ender’s Island where I will spend ten days working on fiction and learning more about the writing process while also critiquing other people’s writing and having my own writing critiqued. For a variety of reasons the last residency proved to be very hard on me and I am hoping the specter of the last residency with the knowledge that I am going into the scholarly aspects of the program just prior to finalizing my craft submission (in six months) and then graduating. Truth told, with the GRE and the residency coming back up it actually feels like I can see the end of this portion of the journey I am on.
Also, for those that don’t know, I have started Hollow City :: Science Fiction & Fantasy, a website that will be dedicated to news and information about science fiction and fantasy and will, money willing, be a source of exciting, new short fiction in the genres as well as artwork, commentary, reviews, and more. There isn’t much over there but if you get a chance head on over. And if you know of some forums or websites that focus on this subject matter let me know. I’d love to visit them.
-John
Trying to return to something in my past
Posted by smokingpen in Personal Entries, school on July 9, 2010
I can’t guarantee I am going to write in this very often. What I can promise is that I will try.
Tomorrow I take the GRE so I can apply to Masters of Library Science programs. I am currently working through the Quantitative section of studying and hope to do well in both Verbal and Quantitative.
In just under a week (now) I head back to Ender’s Island for the next ten days of the Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. That should prove to be fun, interesting. Erin seems to think I am better prepared this time, though admittedly the last time a lot of tragedy was happening all around me and it felt, constantly, that my job might be coming to a sudden and unexpected end. On the positive side, I am not dealing with other people’s tragedies and my job isn’t so tenuous anymore. Now if I can just get a job that pays significantly more life might prove to be a little more bearable.
John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West
Real Heroes Fly
New website
Posted by smokingpen in quick post on July 6, 2010
I launched a new website called http://www.hollowcity.com/. This is a website dedicated to news, information, and reviews of the science fiction and fantasy genres as well as publishing and promoting new short fiction and authors. Please go and visit and if you have some skills and want to be a part of this exciting venture drop me a line.
John