My Name in Lights on Broadway

My famous comic book artist friend (and The Black Tower cover artist), Jason Badower, did yet another Heroes online graphic novel, which was published to the Internet last Tuesday (click HERE). Jason tries very hard to put out his absolute best work on these webcomics -- even when he's sick as a dog -- and this issue was no exception. The poor boy was practically on Death's door while toiling away at his computer, trying to have it done on NBC's deadline.

As an added bonus, Jason managed to slip in several shout-outs in this issue, which are like semi-secret "Hey, wassup? Love you!" messages to family, friends and fans. What a thrill it was to see my name in one of the pages.

Did you spot me?

I'll give you a hint: right-hand side.

Jason's been a long-time supporter of The Black Tower, so I fully intend to return the shout-out to him in the next issue of my webcomic. When that will be, exactly, I don't know. Hopefully around October/November, but with the economy the way it is, I may not have the sponsorship money to put out Issue #2 until early 2010. Sorry, gang. I know you're all anxious to read the next issue, if the hundreds of fan emails I get are any indication, and I sincerely appreciate your patience and your support!

KJC

The Allure of the Older Man

When I was a kid, in the late ’70s and early ’80s, I had the usual school girl crushes on Tiger Beat regulars such as Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett and Mark Hamill. Y’know, young, hot, puppy-dog cute celebrities that were maybe 10 to 15 years older than me. But, at the same time, I found myself gravitating more and more towards the “mature gentlemen”, shall we say.

My first older man crush was on Michael Nouri. I was 11 when I first saw him in the short-lived 1979 TV series The Curse of Dracula and, boy, did I fall hard for this smoking hot 34 year old actor. So much so that I started a fan club devoted to him. It only had three members, me and my two best girlfriends at the time. We called ourselves the “Brides of Dracula” and used red magic markers to dot little bite marks on our necks to signify that we were his loyal servants. Looking back on it now, I can see just how silly we must’ve seemed to everyone at school and at home. But, at the time, the feelings I had for Michael seemed very real. I still get a little thrill watching him on Damages. The man may be 63, now, but he’s still smoking hot!

My next crush was on the very sexy and distinguished British actor, Terence Stamp. I first saw him in Superman II as General Zod in 1980. I was 12, he was 41 and every inch the smouldering and seductive older man I had, by then, developed an attraction to. I have followed his career ever since, and every time I see the soon-to-be 70 year old actor in a movie or on TV I think back to that moment in Superman II when he commanded everyone to “kneel before Zod!”. Oh, yeah, I’ll kneel…and while I’m down there I’m gonna do things to you that’ll have Ursa taking notes, baby!

When I was 15, my attraction to tall, dark and handsome older men continued with Canadian actor, Duncan Regehr. He was in his early 30s when he first co-starred in the campy fantasy TV series, Wizards and Warriors, followed by V a year later. Oh, those eyes…that voice! I greatly enjoyed his work in Star Trek: Next Gen and DS9 but, lately, it seems he’s put acting on the back burner in order to concentrate more on his artwork. Not too many people know this but Duncan is a very talented and successful painter. Hopefully, the still-gorgeous 56 year old will return to the small screen as a regular on one of my favourite TV shows. Hey, I hear they’re shooting a remake of V. Quick, somebody call his agent!

My crush on the delectable Malcolm McDowell came much later. I had watched some of his earlier work (Clockwork Orange, Time After Time, Cat People) on video when I was in my early 20s and thought he was good-looking but kinda geeky. Not really my type. But then along came Star Trek: Generations, the movie that first blended the folks from classic Trek with the gang from Next Gen. When I first saw Malcolm, dressed head to toe in black leather with spikey white hair, in the role of Dr. Tolian Soran, I fell madly in lust with the then 51 year old actor. Malcolm will be 66 in a few weeks and his career is still going strong. I loved him in Entourage and Heroes, and hope he’ll consider taking a role in The Black Tower TV series, should it ever go into production.

All my life I’ve been attracted to older men. My ex-husband was 10 years my senior, and the three men I’m dating now (a TV star, a movie star and a rock star) are all much older than me – although I don’t think I’d turn down a date with a 20 year old, either. I like to balance things out, y’know. Just to be fair. :-)

KJC

Hot Chicks with Light Sabres

Just go. NOW!

You can thank me later.

KJC

So, Why Isn't Issue #2 Online Yet?

A lot of people have been asking me when Issue #2 of The Black Tower will be released, as it's been about six months since the webcomic series made its debut last August. Well, the script is almost complete but the problem now is money, plain and simple. The Black Tower is ad supported and each issue costs about $6,000 CAD ($7,000 USD) to produce. After the North American economy tanked last summer I've had the absolute worst luck trying to get sponsors to help pay for the second issue. I've contacted dozens of companies. Everyone from multi-billion dollar mega corporations to small operations with less than 100 staff members. Nobody's got the cash to "waste" advertising on a webcomic (especially one about demons and vampires) when they're closing up stores and laying off workers. So, until I find sponsors willing to help out, or until I manage to scrape together $6,000 to $7,000, Issue #2 will remain on hold -- and I can't tell you how sad and frustrated that makes me feel. :-(

On the upside, there is a very slight chance that The Black Tower will be nominated for an Eisner Award later this year in the Best Webcomic category. It's currently under consideration by a committee of my industry peers. Wish me luck!

KJC

Women in Comics

As a follow-up to my recent post about nudity in comic books, I'd like to talk more about women in comics. Specifically, those who write or draw them, review and critique them as journalists -- or just love them as devoted fans.

I've been reading comic books since I was 8 or 9 years old and enjoy a wide variety of them. Mostly horror comics, followed by the classic superheroes such as Batman (all-time fav), Superman and Spiderman. I was never really into the goofy/funny stuff, like Archie. I like my comics dark and heavy, with lots of action and intrigue. The Dark Knight, Spawn and Witchblade top that list.

I've been a writer for over 20 years, only the last year of which has been as a comic book writer, and in that time I have received much praise from regular comic book fans as well as a few famous industry pros, who've not only wished me best of luck with The Black Tower but have asked to be a part of my writing team for both the webcomic and TV series (which is still in development for network television).

But in addition to that praise I've also experienced some really irritating, contemptuous and condescending attitudes among regular comic book readers and a handful of pros (all of them men) who think that my work is too thoughtful and introspective, too much attention paid to relationships and communication amongst the characters. Not enough action, killing and destruction. They dismiss me and my work as "Chick-Lit" which I really, really hate because I don't like movies geared to women, such as Beaches, Terms of Endearment or Fried Green Tomatoes. I love kick-ass action movies! But I want to see action movies with full-fleshed characters, rich with emotional turmoil and human weaknesses. Stuff like Batman, Spiderman -- even Iron Man. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

For the most part, people who've read the first online issue of The Black Tower, love it and email me asking to buy a print version, whenever I decide to get around to doing that. Then, occasionally, I get emails from people saying my work is touchy-feely drivel geared strictly to women -- or raunchy smut, like the last few pages were just something I threw in to appease my male readers.

Huh? You mean women don't like sex? We're too pure and delicate for that, are we?

Look, I like porn just as much as the next guy. I can fix my own car, take my own trash out to the curb, and chug a beer down the hatch just like one of the guys. So, don't peg-hole, categorize or dismiss me as an insignificant female comic book writer. I've got 12,000 fans around the world (some of them Eisner and Emmy award winning writers) who think my work is equal to, if not better than, some of the stuff written by the world's best male comic book writers over the past 30 years!

KJC

Star Wars...Sorta

Oh, God, I'm in pain! I laughed so hard, my stomach is aching and my eyes are burning from the tears.

You gotta check THIS out.

KJC (may the Farce be with you)

Always Late for Work? No Prob!

That seems to be a growing trend in the younger work force today. Being late for work every day -- and fully expecting to be forgiven for it by bosses and co-workers.

Holy crap, are you kidding me?

After I read THIS STORY in the Ottawa Sun yesterday I emailed Cathie Edmond, manager of Algonquin College's Co-operative Education program, to ask for clarification on some quotes in the article. Specifically:


"Millennials" (people born between 1990 and 2000) are usually running late.

"Punctuality is not something that this generation worries a great deal about," she said.

She had an employer complain about one student, who was very smart and talented, but was showing up consistently five minutes late.

"I told him, 'You're not going to attract the young talent if you do that.' "


I just couldn't believe it when I read that, so, assuming it was a misquote, I contacted Cathie Edmond. She suggested that she may have been misquoted or taken out of context -- but then reiterated her stance on the issue: today's employers are expected to excuse their employees for being consistently late for work and, in fact, should adjust their schedules to allow for it (i.e. don't start meetings until the employee finally decides to show up, or make another employee stay later to cover the shift until the late worker finally saunters through the door). And if the employer has the unmitigated gall to insist that the employee respect his/her time and that of their co-workers, the slacker can just laugh them off because, apparently, there is such a shortage of highly qualified and well-educated workers that the employer would have no choice but to keep them on, despite their bad habits.

Really? Well, not if you worked for me, you lazy, selfish, inconsiderate asshole!

Look, I've been an employee, a minimum wage slave, for dozens of good bosses and a few really, really bad ones since I was a teenager, and unless I had car trouble, got caught in a traffic jam or had to stay and help police as the only witness to a car accident right in front of me, I was never late for work. In fact, I always tried to be at least 5 minutes early.

Now I'm in my 40s and that work ethic has stayed with me. I don't keep clients waiting, I don't keep potential new employers waiting, and I don't create a situation where co-workers are forced to pick up the slack on my behalf because I was too lazy to get my ass out of bed or off the couch in a timely manner. If I was personal assistant to the president of NBC or CTVglobemedia, do you think they'd mind if I was 5, 10, 15 minutes late for work every day? I'm thinking, yeah. Make that, "Hell, yeah!"

I'm also an employer with two personal assistants (well, three if you count Patricia, my convention assistant, who lives on the other side of the country). They know damn well they'd better not be late for work more than two days in any given week or I'd fire their ass. I don't put up with shit like that.

Am I being too rigid? Am I asking for too much? Should employers today forgive slacker employees for disrupting the work environment on a daily basis?

What do you think?

KJC

Bad First Dates

I don't get out much, anymore. Too busy with work to bother trying to forge serious romantic relationships with men (Yeah, yeah, poor me. Whatever!). I do get together with some of my guy friends now and then, for dinner & drinks...maybe a show. No big deal.

Anyway, I was thinking earlier today, about my younger days, back when I was a night club dancer and lead singer of a pop/rock band, remembering some of the boys/men I knew and dated back then.

The first name that popped into my head was Gavin "Smith", born in England, kinda looked like a very young Hugh Grant. We'd known each other since high-school and socialized with a large, close-knit group of friends. We liked each other but one of us was always dating someone else, so it was a constant case of bad timing.

Finally, long after I'd graduated high-school, we decided to go out on our first real date. I was almost 20 by that time, Gavin was 17. After he and I had dinner at a really fancy restaurant, I took him to the night club where I worked to introduce him to all of my co-workers. Remember...he's 17. We weren't there 3 minutes when all of a sudden the police burst through the doors. At least 10 of 'em, all looking for underage drinkers. I tried to hide Gavin in bathrooms and broom closets, moving him around from place to place, as a rebel sympathizer would try to hide a resistance fighter during a Nazi raid. But, alas, they did eventually find him. Not only did he get a $50 fine for being in a night club -- even though he didn't have a drop of alcohol to drink, he also got a permanent police record. All because I wanted to show off my hot new boyfriend to my friends.

Thankfully, Gavin laughed it off and we remained friends for a couple of years afterward -- but not boyfriend/girlfriend, as I realized that night that he was just too young for me. I later heard through friends that he took up a life of crime. Shoplifting, break and enter, robbery, possession of stolen property...I think perhaps I may have set him on the wrong path, corrupted him, turned him into a criminal.

No wonder I'm still single. A man can get arrested just by standing next to me!

KJC

Nudity in Comic Books

My friend and The Black Tower collaborator, Jason Badower, made some very interesting observations in a recent blog post about nudity in comics. Specifically, controversy over the depiction of naked women.

There's nothing that irks me more than the ridiculously unrealistic portrayal of women in comics, with those large, gravity-defying, perfectly round orbs, and barbie doll thin waists. I don't come at this from a feminist stand-point. I'm thinking like an artist who strongly feels that works of art should have at least some grounding in reality. Otherwise, I can't relate to it. I can't relate to the character as a human being. It just becomes a fleshy, humanoid-looking...thing. An object.

When I was drawing/colouring the last pages of the first issue of The Black Tower, I got really nervous about how those hotel room scenes might go down -- both with die-hard comics fans and the general public at large. I was expecting a huge backlash, scorn-filled emails from people who didn't want to see that kind of "filthy porn" in a webcomic that was other-wise very family friendly. Well, I'm very relieved to report that, out of the 12,000 + people who've read the premier issue, I got a total of 3 scathing emails, and 5 more from folks who said they were unprepared to see that kind of thing (drugs use and naked prostitutes) but nonetheless found the issue very entertaining. They'll continue reading future issues, so long as I put some sort of parental warning up on the website, so they can check it out before letting their kids see it. I did just that, and there have been no complaints since.

I'm very proud of my work, and especially proud of the realism I showed in all my depictions of various women found in The Black Tower webcomic.

KJC

You Know You've Really Made It When...

...you're featured in COSTO magazine. Page 72 of the Jan/Feb 2009 edition of the Costco Connection. Since the magazine was delivered to thousands of homes across the country over the past few days, visits to The Black Tower website have shot up 700%.

How's that for a nice start to the new year?

KJC

A Really "Special" Holiday Special

I watched the Star Wars Holiday Special when it first aired back in 1978. Keeping in mind that I was just 10 years old at the time -- and a mega-major Star Wars fan -- I liked it. George Lucas, however, did not, and he's been trying to destroy every copy he can get his hands on ever since.

Now, 30 years later, I have to say that I totally agree with him. It's really a huge embarrassment to everyone who was involved in making it, including stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. Dudes...I feel your pain!

Click HERE to experience the hilarious agony for yourselves.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

&

BEST WISHES FOR 2009!

Good Day / Bad Day

Right, so very early this morning I sent out the official press release announcing the launch of The Black Tower project to all the major showbiz & comics media outlets (i.e. Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Playback, Comic Book Resources etc.)

Horay!

Except that five hours later I had to sign an execution order and watch as a beautiful young life was extinguished from this world.

Fuck!

On my way home from work at 4:30 this morning I found a 4-5 week old kitten cowering at the side of the road. I picked it up and took it home (I sometimes rescue strays) but it wasn't until I examined it closely in the light that I could see it was in bad shape. REALLY bad shape. Most of its back paws had been torn (maybe bitten?) right off, its left eye was swollen closed and ooozing puss, and it was covered in dirt, feces and about 200 maggots, which were eating it alive from the inside out.

I stayed up all night with the kitten. Bathed it, fed it, gave it some water. Stayed up all night trying to keep it comfortable until I could get to the vet this morning. The doctors didn't give the poor little thing much hope -- at all. I was looking at a vet bill exceeding $5,000 -- and even after aggressive treatment, it only stood a 20 percent chance of living. Minus two back legs.

So, I signed the order and paid to have it euthanized. Man, that was really, really hard. Right now, I'm on my sixth glass of wine -- and it doesn't help that I've been awake for 28 hours straight!

I'm a complete basket case, and now, because of the press release, I'm getting calls for interviews and people asking for more info about the project. I can't think straight right now. Heck, I can't even walk in a straight line.

I'm going to bed. :-(

KJC


EDIT: It's now a week later and I'm feeling better. I still feel a little sad and guilty about what I had to do, but a few people have taken the time to email me, and share their painful experiences, having to put down a loved one, and for that I truly thank you.

Oklahoma!

Jeff Johncox, a reporter for Oklahoma's Norman Transcript newspaper, did a fun interview with me a couple of days ago. HERE's the link to the article he wrote.

KJC

Issue #1 is Now Online!

After eight months of pure hell, I'm thrilled -- not to mention extremely relieved -- to finally be able to announce that issue #1 of The Black Tower interactive graphic novel series is now online at:

www.theblacktowercomics.com

I'm exhausted. Physically, emotionally and financially spent. There were times, in recent weeks, when I was working 20 to 30 hours straight, without sleep and only a few cookies to fill my tummy, as I sat at my computer working on various aspects of the project, most notably the digital colouring of the pages. My artist/illustrator, Donald Jackson, coloured the people but I did everything else...backgrounds, textures, highlights, shading and other details. It nearly killed me!

I'm so glad it's over with. For now, anyway. I'll start working on a first draft of issue #2 next week and then, after getting my co-writer Jeff Mariotte's input on the final draft, it's off to the drawing board once again for me and Don.

Somebody, please...shoot me now. :-(

KJC

Image Has Passed on The Black Tower

Well, I just got the official word from Eric Stephenson, the new publisher at Image Comics. They're not interested in the project. So, until I run out of money, The Black Tower will remain a web-only graphic novel series, while I continue to explore other options.

Thanks for your continuing support, gang.

KJC

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Remember back in grade school, at the very start of the new school year, the teacher would ask the class to write a page or two about what they did on their summer vacation, to help them get back into the groove of putting thought to paper using proper grammar, spelling and punctuation?

Well, HERE's what The Black Tower cover artist (and all-around nice guy) Jason Badower just did on his summer vacation. Jealous much?

KJC

I'm Going to the Polaris 22 Convention

Gang:

I've been invited to be a guest at the Polaris 22 sci-fi/fantasy convention, July 11th to 13th. Accompanying me to the event will be Stargate actor (and the model for the character of Kyle Raines in The Black Tower) Cliff Simon.

My schedule's going to be pretty tight, as I am expected to attend 6 to 12 panels on various sci-fi/fantasy/showbiz-related subjects, sign autographs and pose for pics, host a Main Stage Q&A panel about The Black Tower with Cliff, and mingle with fans at various parties and charity events the entire weekend, including Friday.

I'll also be selling some Black Tower merchandise, some of it signed by the folks involved with the project, such as my co-writer, Jeff Mariotte, my artist, Donald Jackson, my cover artist, Jason Badower, and character model, Cliff Simon. Since I have yet to forge an agreement with a major comic book publisher (still working on it), I'll be offering some limited series, self-published, full-colour editions of the premier issue of The Black Tower for sale, some signed, some not. There'll also be T-shirts, cover mock-ups and copies of Jason's original art for the project etc. for you to buy at varying price points. I'm also giving away free Black Tower bookmarkers, but if you donate some spare change to the two charities I'm representing at the con (David Suzuki Foundation, World Wildlife Fund) I'll sign the back of it as a thank you for your kind and generous support!

Please note, I'll sign anything you put in front of me at the con for free, but Cliff charges a (fair) $20 fee for his autograph, whether it's on Black Tower merchandise, Stargate...whatever.

I'll keep y'all updated as I learn more.

KJC


ADDENDUM - July 9, 2008
I tried. Oh, Lord, how I tried. After working 22 to 34 hours straight, sleeping for a few hours, and then getting up and spending another 22 to 34 hours working on the first issue of the comic, for the past two weeks, I finally have to admit that it's just not going to be ready for the convention two days from now. I still have the last two pages to colour (I'm also a colourist on this project) and then it has to be lettered (only the first 7 pages are lettered at this point). So, what I'm doing instead of offering full issues for sale at the Polaris 22 convention, signed by the creative talent involved, is handing out FREE 10-page previews of the premier issue, with a link to the website so you can read the rest of it when it finally debuts on July 22nd. So long as my letterer can keep up with me, that will definitely be the launch date. I'll sign these free hand-outs if you want me to. Cliff Simon will sign for $20.

Since I have yet to forge an agreement with a print publisher (my proposal is currently in the hands of Image Comics), I will offer self-published copies of the premier issue for sale on the official website (I'll be setting up a merchandising section), signed by myself, Jeff Mariotte and Donald Jackson, and maybe a few things signed by cover artist extraordinaire, Jason Badower, and actor Cliff Simon, as well.

The New IMPROVED Cover for Issue #1!

I'm a perfectionist and a control freak, I admit that. And while I very much liked the cover that my artist, Donald Jackson, did for Issue #1 of The Black Tower, is wasn't...perfect.

Enter artistic genius, Jason Badower, most beloved of all the artists working on NBC's Heroes online graphic novel series (he really is the best out of everyone, trust me). Right out of the blue one day, he offered to do a cover for me, since he had some time to kill in between Heroes gigs, and without a moment's hesitation I asked if he wouldn't mind redoing the Issue #1 cover. Thankfully, he said "yes!"

Less than a week later, this is what my dear friend and artistic mentor delivered to me via email:

Gorgeous, isn't it? I cried when I first saw it. It's 100 times better than I'd imagined it could be -- and it looks fan-freakin-tastic in poster size (I had one printed up this morning). If you'd like to know step-by-step how Jason pulled this off, click HERE to read his fascinating blog entry about it.

So, below is Jason's artwork incorporated into what I expect will be the standard template for this and all future issues of The Black Tower, both online and in print.

Man, that is one sexy cover, eh?

Thanks a million, Jas!

A Sneak Peek at the Cover

The premier issue of THE BLACK TOWER won't be out 'til later this spring. But here's a sneak peek at the cover art, lovingly crafted by artist Donald Jackson.

KJC

Forty & Fabulous!

When I was 19 years old I had a bitch of a time getting into nightclubs because I was 5 feet tall and looked about 16/17. Even after I showed the doorman my I.D. they assumed it was fake and wouldn’t let me inside to drink and party with my friends – some of whom were actually 17/18. Bastards!

Then later, in my early 20s, I was married to a man who was ten years my senior. He looked like he was in his 30s but I looked like a college-age kid. Needless to say, my husband got a lot of dirty looks from people when they’d see us walk by, hand-in-hand, at the mall or grocery store. Pervert! Cradle-robber!

I was just starting to hit my stride as a woman when my 30th birthday rolled around. I was becoming more confident, expanding my horizons and exploring my options after a depressing 12 year marriage and painful, financially devastating divorce. I started to eat better, exercise more and treat myself with more respect. My skin still looked amazing. Fresh, flawless and wrinkle-free. But I knew it wouldn’t stay that way forever so I really made a conscious effort to avoid things that would have a detrimental effect on my complexion (drinking, smoking, sunbathing etc.). This, ladies and gentlemen, is what a 40 year old non-smoking, non-drinking chick who stays out of the sun looks like.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

How "V" Changed My Life

A few days ago I heard that "V" creator/writer/producer/director, Kenneth Johnson, was launching a new book based on the mega-hit mini-series from the early '80s, with plans for a new mini-series, based on the book, already in development.




I was a huge fan of "V" and was so happy to hear about the new book and TV project that I tracked him down yesterday and emailed him this letter:

Ken:

I don’t often write fan letters, but after hearing about the recent resurrection of “V” as a new novel and potential TV mini series, I felt compelled to introduce myself and thank you for everything you’ve done in the past which helped get me to this point in my own career in the industry.

I’m a huge fan of your work, starting with the Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Incredible Hulk and Cliffhangers: Curse of Dracula. These shows sparked what would eventually become a life-long passion for the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genre. I had a major crush on Dracula star Michael Nouri and, at age 11, founded a fan club devoted to him and the show. We called ourselves the “Brides of Dracula” and used red magic markers to dot little bite marks on our necks. Needless to say, our parents and teachers were not the slightest bit amused. (LOL!)

Then, in the 80s, “V” came along and totally rocked my world. It changed me. No longer satisfied with simply sitting down with snacks and a drink and watching my favorite shows during prime-time, I became more involved in dissecting the characters, themes and stories from a writer’s perspective. Up to that point, I had dabbled in Star Wars & Star Trek fan-fic and it was pretty good, considering it was written by a 13/14 year old. But I decided to try something different with “V”. Are you familiar with those old Choose Your Own Adventure stories for kids? Well, I wrote one for “V” when I was 16, with the reader/protagonist having to make some hard choices about their role in the war between the Visitors and the Human race. I drew the illustrations, designed the cover, typed out every single page of the 200+ page fan-fic story which, of course, was never shown to anyone but friends and family. But, nonetheless, it sparked my interest in writing TV tie-in/promotional material and television scripts.

I’m now a screenwriter, television producer and comic book writer, with one project in the works, called The Black Tower. It’s a comic book series about a wealthy teenage girl who discovers she’s half-god/half-demon/vampire (think high-school age Ivanka Trump living a secret life as Selene the vampire warrior from Underworld). This interactive webcomic will also feature actors as live versions of the comic book characters, acting out dramatic scenes in various YouTube/MySpacetv videos, and some of the people involved with the project are the same folks who work/worked on X-Files, Star Trek, Buffy, Angel, Stargate, Supernatural, Blade, Charmed, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes and Lost.

I just wanted to thank you, Ken, for creating/writing/directing some of the best shows ever produced for television. You got me hooked and sparked an interest which eventually evolved into a successful career in the entertainment industry.


He just emailed me back with a very lovely and heart-felt thanks. A very sweet man! Next time I'm down in L.A. I might just take him out for lunch.

If you like reading sci-fi novels, go buy Ken's book, OK?

KJC

Close Encounters of the Tasty Kind

I just had a Roy Neary moment while eating a piece of cheesecake.

I think "they" are trying to communicate to me through frozen desserts. Don't laugh. Roy was right when he started playing with his mashed potatoes. Maybe it's time for me to head out on a road trip to Wyoming, eh?

KJC

'The Black Tower' Website

Gang,

After weeks of development, research and planning, the official website for "The Black Tower" graphic novel series is finally up and running.


This is just the beginning of what's to come. When the comics launch in late Spring you'll be able to read entire issues online at the official webite. By that time, I will (hopefully) have secured a partnership with a print publisher, and be well on my way to writing the next few scripts for the proposed 36 issue (6 year long) series, with partner Jeff Mariotte.

KJC

Isn't She Adorable?

I finally caught one of my little darlings doing something worthy of I-Can-Has-Cheezburger.

My personal toilet paper dispenser.

Isn't she adorable!? :-(

Times, They Are A-Changin'

I can't believe it took the disaster that is the writers strike (3 months and counting) before Hollywood finally started implementing fresh new changes in how they operate. While the Internet remains the bastard cousin of the industry, for the time being, at least a handful of forward-thinking TV neworks execs are experimenting with new methods of financing, producing and airing new projects.

KJC

Better Sleep With One Eye Open

Sanctuary Goes Prime Time

Sci Fi Channel has given the official go ahead to Sanctuary, with an order of 13 episodes. The series originally debuted online as a hi-def web series, before going to cable. The story follows a doctor and her protege, working to provide sanctuary to the elusive and strange creatures on earth. The television series will use the full webisode cast, and the series is scheduled to begin production in March with a two hour pilot episode.

Mucho congrats to Damian Kindler et al.

Torchwood

This show really thinks outside the box.

And I love it!

An Interesting Dilemma

I watched an old movie on TV over the Holidays. Strange Days, starring Ralph Fiennes. I've had the hots for Ralph since 1993's The Cormorant, about a man's twisted obsession over a bird. I thought he was drop dead gorgeous back then -- those laser-beam blue eyes! -- and he only seems to have gotten better looking with age.

I mingle with a lot of celebrities, date actors, writers, producers and musicians occasionally, and have had to beat a few of them off with a stick when they get too "familiar" with my personal space, if y'know what I mean. Some are complete dick-heads that I just want to shoot in the head and bury in a shallow grave, while others are just the sweetest, most sensitive and intellectually stimulating people I've ever known. Ralph Fiennes is in the latter category.

So, anyway, after watching Strange Days I did a little poking around on the Net to find out what Ralph's been up to since his stint as Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies, and up popped a near one-year old story about a very brief fling he had with an airline stewardess while flying at 30,000 feet, and later that night, again, in his hotel room in Mumbai. The scandal came and went in a matter of weeks last winter, but if you read the details of her side of the story, or watch the 60 Minutes interview, you start to get a picture of a woman in a terrible mental state, spiritually, morally and financially bankrupt. She wasn't dealing with a full deck before she and Ralph did the quick and nasty in the jet's lavatory, and afterward, when the scandal broke and she lost her job, things got much, much worse for her.

It got me thinking about relationships, that spark of attraction and sexual tension that a man and woman feel when they first meet and get to know each other. It can be intoxicating, exciting...from what I remember back in my late teens, anyway. I'm a practicing celibate, so I don't engage in that social ritual of man-meets-woman/man-fucks-woman's-brains-out-at-every-possible-opportunity. That's not to say I don't feel that sexual attraction when I meet someone new and really take a shine to them. It's just that, unlike Lisa Robertson, I don't throw caution (and good sense) to the wind, pull them into a dark alley, rip their clothes off and fuck them until they can no longer stand upright. With me, it stops at dinner and a show, topped off with a good-night kiss.

But what if you were Lisa Robertson? What if you were there on that plane with an absolutely ravishing, intellectually stimulating and hilariously funny man, a passenger, who made it quite clear with his words and actions that he was really enjoying your company -- and was hoping to get to know you better, preferably while the two of you were naked? Would you risk it all...your job, your financial stability, your home and car, would you be willing to ruin your reputation and put yourself up to humiliation and ridicule on an international scale just to have a 20 hour sex romp with this man?

I wouldn't. Not a chance in Hell. I adore Ralph and, from time to time, fantasize about he and I doing it in the coat check room at a Vanity Fair after party, or in the boiler room in the basement of a hotel in Monte Carlo -- BUT there is not a man on this Earth that is worth that kind of risk. I have a great career, decent apartment and car, I have dignity, self-respect and a strong spiritual centre -- and I'll be damned if I'm going to throw that all away just so I can enjoy multiple orgasms resulting from having a 9 inch dick shoved inside me.

KJC

Cliff Simon Joins the Project

As mentioned in an earlier blog entry, I've been busy over the past couple of weeks, hammering out the details of a very important contract. Well, now it's official. Stargate: SG1's favourite bad-ass Goa'ud, Cliff Simon (Ba'al) has signed on to allow his image to be used for the character of billionaire Kyle Raines in The Black Tower comic book series, the first issue of which is being written and drawn at this very moment.

Artist: Chris McFann

Although I intend to pitch the comic book series proposal to Image Comics sometime in late January/early February, if they reject the proposal (and they'd be very foolish to do so) I intend to launch The Black Tower as a long-running (6 year) online webcomic series. The official website for the comics is already in development (EDIT: it's now up and running), so it won't take much effort to add a comic book page reader to the mix.

One way or another, this bird is going to fly!

KJC

A New Interview with J.M.

I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog as well as I should, lately, but work on The Black Tower comics is in full swing, so it's taking up pretty much every spare moment I have. Check back in a week or two (or three) when I'll have a special announcement about some high-calibre talent that's signed on to the project. We're just putting the finishing touches on the contract at the moment. In the meantime, check out THIS interview with my co-writing pardnah, Jeff Mariotte (yes, he really is that sweet and laid-back).

KJC

Those Omega-3s Are Really Kicking In

As some of you are aware from reading previous posts, I have memory and concentration problems. It's not unlikely for me to forget the names of people I've known for years, or forget something they've just told me less than a minute later. If I don't enter information into my PDA (or write it on my arm) the moment I think of it, five seconds later...poof!...it's gone. I also have a nervous disposition and equate myself to a chihuahua (feisty, vicious, yappy, freaks out at the sound of loud noises).

Recent health issues have forced me to go on a mega-vitamin binge to combat these nagging problems, most of them related to being a fat, middle-aged woman (yes, I'm a smokin' hot babe...but I'm also the size & weight of a newborn beluga whale). So, I've been taking daily doses of multi-vitamins, plus extra doses vitamins C & E, iron & calcium suppliments, aloe, echinacea and Omega 3.

And you know what? I'm really starting to notice a difference. Not just in how I look, with smoother, healthier-looking skin, stronger nails and silky hair, but also in how my brain is functioning. I surprised the hell out of myself this morning when I glanced at an advertisment poster on the way to work and then, three hours later, recalled the company's rather lengthy website address. Three hours later? For me, that's fucking amazing!

And despite the added stress of having to develop and put out a very expensive comic book series (yes, things are still on track), I've been waking up every morning, lately, feeling even tempered, sharp as a tack and ready to get cracking. Usually, it takes three cups of coffee -- with 5 tablespoons of sugar, each -- for me to shake off that morning fog.

excerpt from the Omega 3 wiki page:
ω−3 has shown to aid in other mental disorders such as
aggression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).

I can vouch for that!

KJC

Mayor Abducted by Satanists

Well, now, HERE's a story you don't read about every day.

KJC

Jack Bauer Saves the World -- with AOL 3.0

It's hard to believe that we once had to live our lives with THIS kind of technology available. Ugh!

KJC (who cries like a baby when her Internet connection goes down)

My Soundtrack

In his blog, Jim Henshaw talks about the music that gives him story ideas, inspiration or the motivation to write. He had some great examples, some of it country music, which I love.

I have problems focusing and concentrating on the task at hand, be it ironing a blouse, preparing budget reports or writing a script (I think I have ADHD), so I have to be very careful when I have music playing in the BG while I'm doing something important. My mind wanders. I start to sing...dance. Next thing you know, I've completely forgotten about what it is I was supposed to be working on and have now started four other projects -- all of which will probably remain unfinished for days...weeks, even.

For example, over this past weekend I was supposed to be working on finishing up the first draft of the first script for The Black Tower comic book series. I have a deadline. There are other people counting on me to get this puppy wrapped up so they can contribute their talents to the project before the deadline hits. But I made the mistake of listening to this totally kick-ass song from a new band I recently discovered. I listened to it over and over again for about an hour, singing along (I'm a professional vocalist, so damn if I didn't sound totally awesome in my backup performance) instead of writing. Then, that got me thinking about another song I like from a different band in the goth-rock genre, so I watched the music video, which then got me thinking about other songs in their repertoire that I might want to acquire for The Black Tower TV series. Next thing you know, I'm shopping at the iTunes Store, downloading about 20-25 songs from various artists over the next five or six hours. Meanwhile, that script draft stays untouched on my desktop taskbar at the bottom of my screen. It's now two days later and I haven't written a single word.

Suffice it to say, I have to be very selective about the music I have playing while I work, so I mainly listen to classical (no words to sing along to, that helps!) and Loreena McKennitt, whose music has provided spiritual enlightenment and inspiration for my work as a sci-fi/fantasy writer ever since I first discovered her back in 1989.

KJC (who spent over an hour writing this post because, once again, she got distracted)

Murder Most Foul...er, Feline

Thanks to Diane for this one.

I have three cats so, boy, can I relate to THIS YouTube video. My young'uns are by no means subtle when it comes to "wake the fuck up and feed me!" time. They sit on top my head, smothering me until I wake up, gasping for breath.

If you ever read in the news that I died in bed due to suffocation from an unknown cause...well, it was murder, plain and simple.

KJC

The Comic Book Industry & the Writers Strike

I've worked in show business for over 20 years and have had lots of different jobs in this industry. While I consider myself equal parts TV writer/producer & publicist/talent manager, now that I'm writing a comic book series based on my TV show-to-be, The Black Tower, I also consider myself a member of the comic book community, which includes such esteemed writers as Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Mariotte and Brian K. Vaughan.

BKV posted his thoughts on the writers strike, and what it means to him and the comic book industry, on his MySpace page. It pretty much sums up how I feel, as well. HERE's the post, if you'd like to read it.

KJC

A 'Supernatural' Book

I'm very pleased and proud to announce that a new novel by my comic book writing partner, Jeff Mariotte, has just launched across Canada and the U.S., called Supernatural: Witch's Canyon. It's a Supernatural tie-in novel.

Don't those Winchester boys look yummy?

It's available at bookstores all over the U.S. and Canada, so please check it out, if you're looking for something fun and interesting to read as we inch our way toward Christmas (it would make a nice stocking-stuffer for the Supernatural fan in your family).

KJC

Ellen Dubin on Blood Ties

My dear friend, Ellen Dubin, guest starred on an episode of Blood Ties, which just premiered on Lifetime a few days ago. The writer of the books, upon which the fantasy TV series is based, Tanya Huff, has posted her review of Ellen's episode, entitled "Wild Blood".

HERE's what she had to say. ** SPOILERS! **

EW's 11 Great Hollywood Vampires

Interesting list. I would've added Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandrige in Fright Night, and Michael Nouri as Dracula in the Curse of Dracula TV series but, otherwise, I think they got it right.

KJC (who will be playing a vampire on her own TV show someday)

30 Days of Night

My comic book writing partner, Jeff Mariotte, did a Geekerati podcast interview a couple of days ago, mostly to discuss his involvement in the 30 Days of Night tie-in graphic novel series. You can listen to the interview HERE.

KJC

Remembering Jon-Erik

Twenty-three years ago today I suffered a devastating loss when actor Jon-Erik Hexum accidentally shot himself in the head with a prop gun while on the set of his TV series Cover Up. After failing to recover from the brain trauma, he was declared dead six days later, his organs donated to those in need.


That was a really rough week for me. I was 16, studying to become an actress, and had been following Jon-Erik's career since his starring role on Voyagers!, one of my favourite shows, back in 1982. I took his death very hard, because I sorta knew Jon-Erik. While he was working on Voyagers! I wrote him a fan letter, just gushing about him and the show. He wrote me back a few weeks later and included some personal photos of himself on the set. Not publicity shots but candid pics of him and his co-star Meeno Peluce goofing around on set. I wrote him back to thank him, and told him I was studying to become an actress, and he wrote me back again, gave some career advice and even more photos of himself and Meeno (I think I may still have an autograhed picture of him somewhere. I should try to find it.). Anyway, as the months passed and Voyagers! wrapped production, Jon-Erik and I continued to write to each other, right up to the month he passed away.

I found out about the accident on Entertainment Tonight and was absolutely sick with worry, praying that he'd recover. The day his parents pulled the plug I went into a deep, near suicidal depression. Jon-Erik Hexum was the kindest, most thoughtful and giving actor I had ever encountered up to that point. I'd hoped that he and I would work together -- or at the very least, meet -- someday. So genuine, caring and compassionate, he revealed many private things to me in his writings, and I will never forget how much he trusted me, a 16 year old nobody from Canada, with his secrets. I still think about Jon-Erik from time to time, and wonder what he'd be doing now, if that prop gun hadn't blown a hole in his temple.

The world lost someone special when he died. :-(

KJC

Your Ass Looks Great in Those Genes

I really don't think we should be messing with THIS. :-(

KJC

A Buffy/Smallville Crossover

Click HERE to see this very cleverly edited "movie trailer" for a Buffy/Smallville crossover, created by a fan of the two shows. It's really cool!

KJC

The Happiest Boy

My comic book artist friend, Jason, has a friend named David Blumenstein who's just made a really cool 4 minute animated music video for the Bedroom Philosopher, an Aussie folk musican. It's really quite funny and clever. Please check it out HERE when you have a sec.

KJC

A Black Tower Update

After a string of rejections from pretty much every major prodco in Canada, and a handful in the States, over the past three years, I've decided to move Phase II (comics series) to the top of my "To Do" list and put Phase I (TV series) on hold. I'm not admitting defeat. I'm just altering my strategy. Right now, comics/graphic novel properties are hot, hot, hot, and if all the buzz I've been hearing about television producers swarming SD ComicCon 2007 looking for new projects is true, then the only way I'm ever going to get any serious offers on The Black Tower is if I lay everything out in a book, with pretty pictures and short 'n' snappy word bubbles.

I've already pitched the project to a few comics publishers over the past couple of years but have either gotten a "not interested, thanks" or absolutely no response whatsoever, despite repeated email and phone inquiries (unprofessional dipshits!).

But a few months ago, when I was first forced to acknowledge that the TV series phase of the project was quickly running out of steam, I started doing some serious networking in the comics community (Warren Ellis, Neil Gaiman, Jimmy Palmiotti, Geoff Johns, Brad Meltzer, Brian K. Vaughan...). In a stroke of amazing good luck I met and befriended extraordinarily accomplished comics writer/novelist, Jeff Mariotte, and graphic artist, Jason Badower, who has a regular gig on the Heroes graphic novels. The guidance and advice these two men have given me over the past few months has made it possible for me to pursue comic book publishing companies more aggressively and better prepared.

Although it's not official yet, Jeff Mariotte and I have decided to partner-up and co-write the three-issue prequel to the TV show, which will introduce a few of the main characters and lay the ground-work for several plot arcs that will be explored on the TV show. It is my greatest hope that, by the time the 3rd issue in the trilogy rolls off the presses (maybe in 7-9 months), production on The Black Tower TV series will be in full-swing.

Jason Badower was going to be my artist on the project but a great opportunity recently presented itself elsewhere, so he had to bail on me. Of course, I'm thrilled for him, but it's kinda left me in the lurch, as I am already writing the first draft of the first issue of the comic that I expect to present to Image Comics later this year. So, I've posted a few "help wanted" notices on message boards frequented by comics artists and expect to solidify an agreement with one before the end of October.

So, that's where things stand at this point. Thanks to all of you for keeping the faith, keeping me motivated to continue with your constant words of praise and encouragement. I really appreciate it.

KJC

Seth Green Strikes Again

Y'all have seen that wacky YouTube video that Britney Spears mega-fan, Chris "off his rocker" Crocker posted after Brit-Brit's lackluster performance on the VMA's, right?

Well, HERE's Seth Green's hilarious take on that strange display of displaced emotion.

KJC


EDIT: This just in...
Reality show producer 44 Blue Productions signed a TV development deal with "Leave Britney Alone" star Chris Crocker, who hit it big online when his tear-filled plea generated nearly 8 million views in one week. His MySpace friends total doubled yesterday alone!

Free at Last?

I'm an animal rights activist and support many animal welfare causes. Although I do wear leather for health reasons (pleather makes me break out in a rash), I absolutely will NOT wear fur because I know all about the hellish conditions those animals are forced to live in before they are brutally and unceremoniously executed in the name of fashion -- unlike Michael Vick who brutally executed dogs that did not perform well in the fighting ring. But that's another story.

Anyway, I read in the news today about someone (or a whole bunch of people) who decided that he/she/they were doing the right thing by releasing thousands of mink from their cages on a Newfoundland mink farm. The very first thought that went through my mind when I read this was Horay! Run free, my pretties. And then, a few seconds later, the true ramifications of their actions hit me.

I really wish that whoever did this had thought it through, first. The carnage, the suffering, not just of the hundreds of minks who've been struck by cars but of all the animals (ducks, cats, dogs, bunnies) they will attack on their journey to freedom in the wild.

Big mistake!

KJC

Rainbows?

I don't care why there are so many songs about rainbows.

Get the fuck off me!

Fun With Faces

On her blog, Diane linked to a website (the University of St. Andrews computer science department) where you can upload a picture of yourself and, after following a few steps, watch it be transformed into various other ethnic, animal, cartoon and artistic faces.

Here's me:

as an Alfon Mucha painting

(oooh, pretty!)

as a manga character

(I am Illuminesa, Defender of the Universe!)

as a man

(I could've been a member of Duran Duran -- or The Cult)

as an East Indian woman

as an Asian woman

as an Afro-Caribbean woman



as a baby

(I kinda look like Tammy Faye Baker)