maxbarry.com
Fri 27
Apr
2007

The Joy of Creation

Writing So I’m almost finished the last pre-publisher draft of my new book, and I’m watching the TV show Heroes. Where I live we’re about three months behind the US. Well, a few weeks ago on Heroes they introduced a minor character with a super power that’s very similar to one of mine. Uh, I mean, similar to a particular talent that one of my characters has. It’s not particularly original—it’s a form of mind control—but in the show it’s described in an atypical way, the exact same atypical way I’ve used.

Last episode, this character shot herself in the head. On the sofa, I said, “Yes!” It was a terrific moment.

Hopefully by the time my book comes out, nobody will remember her.

Comments

This is where site members post comments. If you're not a member, you can join here. There are all kinds of benefits, including moral superiority!

Reene Ho (#3031)

Location: Singapore
Posted: 6180 days ago

It's only 3 months.. It only started showing in Singapore on Jan 31..

Well, she might not actually DIE and come back with an increase in that power of hers. Haha.

Karan (#1376)

Location: Sydney, Australia
Quote: "Quid Quid Latine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur - Anything said in Latin sounds important"
Posted: 6180 days ago

Max Max Max! Now you've gone and spoilt your book for us!

Yenzo (#829)

Location: Secret underwater pyramid base in the Pacific
Quote: "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe (Carl Sagan)"
Posted: 6180 days ago

IGN.com reports that she was based on a comic book character called Persuasion en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Girl. You might check that one out.

Here in Germany, Heroes won't be released until later this year, and it will be dubbed. So I'd recommend you to do the same thing I do right now: just download the latest episodes right after they aired in the US.

I'd love to read a comic-like novel from you, especially since you've mentioned you liked Astonishing X-Men.

Machine Man subscriber Max

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Quote: "I'm my number one fan!"
Posted: 6180 days ago

I should really post all my novel ideas here and let you guys do my research for me.

Maybe you can write them, too. I'll call it "Max Barry's Op Center."

Yenzo (#829)

Location: Secret underwater pyramid base in the Pacific
Quote: "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe (Carl Sagan)"
Posted: 6180 days ago

That's kinda how Rembrandt did it. And he got pretty famous, didn't he? So go, Max, go! The MBOC is waiting for your orders.

Tim Ashwood (#595)

Location: Sydney
Posted: 6180 days ago

But you have to name the characters after the researchers name - it would be our only claims to fame.

Phill Sacre (#1822)

Location: London, UK
Quote: "Computers are like air conditioners. Both stop working, if you open windows."
Posted: 6180 days ago

Max, we would be happy to write your novels for you... if we are also entitled to a share of the royalties :p

Maybe we could write it using the collaborative feature Google Docs docs.google.com...

Can you imagine what a nightmare a collaboratively-written novel would be? It makes me shudder just thinking about it!

Machine Man subscriber Max

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Quote: "I'm my number one fan!"
Posted: 6180 days ago

Penguin started a collaborative novel here: http://www.amillionpenguins.com/

It's pretty much like you'd expect.

Narain (#824)

Location: Los Angeles, right between civilization and a desert
Quote: "NI!"
Posted: 6180 days ago

hey max, she was hot. Will your character be equally as hot, please say yes

JB (#2465)

Location: Southern Illinoise
Quote: "I love you so much, now let's get something to eat."
Posted: 6180 days ago

I was writing an early draft of a story where two characters, a male and a female, discuss the metaphorical value of Super Mario Bros. (yeah, I know, whatever.) A few months after I started it, I picked up Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis. I start reading and there is a paragraph, spoken by a couple, on the same exact topic. My heart is broken. I ditch the whole idea, which may have been a blessing in disguise, I guess.

shabooty (#637)

Location: D.C./V.A/M.D.
Quote: "I will shake your foundation. I will shake the f**cking rafters. Nobody'll be the same -Danny Bonaduce ....& go visit my blog @: http://www.shabooty.com"
Posted: 6180 days ago

as george takai would say...
OH MY -NOW THAT'S RIDICULOUS,
my cuddely love-muffin...
$

Machine Man subscriber Adam (#24)

Location: Morristown, Indiana
Quote: "Why do I blog? Simple, because Max Barry blogs."
Posted: 6180 days ago

Fri. 27 April, 2007

MY SCHEDULE FOR THE NEW FEW DAYS...

Saturday -
BUS K 201 Practical Final
Monday -
Accounting Final
Microeconomics Final
Tuesday -
BUS K201 Lecture Final
Wednesday -
Intro to Business Final
Thursday -
A little bit of freedom...but not too much
Friday -
Calculus Final
Intro to New Testament Final

I've been trying to think of ways that will make this seem not so bad....

Maybe if I rename each of my finals something more friendly...

NEW AND IMPROVED SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS!


Saturday -
Panda Bear Practical Final
Monday -
Kitten Final
Bunny Rabbit Final
Tuesday -
Panda Bear Lecture Final
Wednesday -
Intro to Turtle Final
Thursday -
A little bit of freedom...perhaps I'll go visit the zoo.
Friday -
Hamster Final
Intro to Puppies Final
Saturday
TEA PARTY!!!

-adam speicher

Raul Gonzalez (#2625)

Location: Colombia
Quote: "I need an ebook crack house..."
Posted: 6180 days ago

I'm all for collaborative work, with the only downside being that when the book finally hits our hands, it will be spoiler-ified.

In Latin America, we are about 4-6 months behind. You get used to it...

Adam A. (#256)

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Quote: "Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." -George Carlin"
Posted: 6179 days ago

Does this mean you're delving into the sci-fi/fantasy genre? Awesome, can't wait. Since Jennifer Government was sort of 'speculative' fiction, and was amazing, what you're working on sounds pretty cool.
Heroes is a great show. It finally came back from hiatus here in the states last week. Have you ever thought of scripting a comic book? Seems like your dialogue and action sequences would translate well. I'm not talking about Superman/Batman, but something like Brian K. Vaughan's 'Y: The Last Man'. You guys have similar style.

Lottie (#3093)

Location: Sheffield, UK
Posted: 6179 days ago

If this book doesn't come to Britain, I'll be angry. Real angry, liiike.

Stephanie (#2098)

Location: United States
Quote: "Going crazy. Care to join me?"
Posted: 6179 days ago

You all are lucky your so far behind in Heroes. It drives me bonkers when Heroes gets really intense then they say "watch for new episodes in 2 months". Then for two months we're stuck with lousy gameshows that require no skill to play.

-I'm still waiting for Heroes to have twin heroes with the same powers as the Wonder Twins.

Jeffrey (#2286)

Location: Right here
Quote: "Mathematics is a powerful language. Just look at how mathematicians destroyed the housing market."
Posted: 6179 days ago

I'm not really a big fan of Heroes so I will forget her by tomorrow.

Kit (#850)

Location: UK
Posted: 6179 days ago

"Hopefully by the time my book comes out, nobody will remember her."

Or maybe you could just change the diaglogue a little;)

Machine Man subscriber Tim Hodge (#1275)

Location: Canberra
Quote: "My copy of Syrup is made from magic paper."
Posted: 6179 days ago

Max, if the atypical aspect you mention is the verbal bit, the same power was also possesed by the hero of the long-running, insanely successful and I believe currently-being-developed-for-TV Vertigo comic "Preacher".

Of course I'm not trying to make you feel bad. Sorry?

Have to echo the sentiment that if you are writing about people with superhuman abilities... well, I want that book.

Elisha (#1577)

Location: Ontario
Quote: "I am on the next page, the next book."
Posted: 6176 days ago

aaah yes!
it was so valiant of her.

i love heroes.

austin (#2462)

Location: rhode island
Quote: "hmmm...bleh..."
Posted: 6176 days ago

Heroes is on it's like, final episodes right now. Oh, Australia...

Chez (#419)

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Quote: "Keep Thinking, Question Everything"
Posted: 6175 days ago

Well Just letting you know that you've been nominated for The Blogger's choice award!
see here:
http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/12729
and
http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/12728
and
http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/12727

You should get as many people to vote as possible!

Comments are now closed for this post.