The Hollywood writers’ strike

Normally I don’t take sides when it comes to Hollywood squabbles—I mean, who really cares?—but this writers’ strike is different. In the end it comes down to the very simple fact that the writers, anticipating that the Internet may be the future of entertainment, want a cut of the action. A very, very small cut: 2.5 percent.

It works out like this: If the Internet is the next big thing like, say, VHS and then DVDs were in the ’80s and ’90s, respectively, then the writers would get a very small and fair share of the action. If the Internet turns out to be the equivolent of Laserdisc or Betamax, they’d get 2.5 percent of nothing. It should be a win-win situation.

So what’s the problem? Greed on the part of the studios, that’s the problem. Massive, enornmous, all-encompassing GREED (yes, all caps). Greed is going to keep Hollywood at a standstill for weeks or, more likely, months and months.

And that really ticks me off, because I was really looking forward to seeing Joss Whedon’s return to TV sooner rather than later. (And not just because it also features Eliza Dushku, contrary to what Penny may tell you.) But I can wait—because the writers are on the side of truth and justice this time. Or, at the very least, they’re on the side of fairness.

So yes, I support their right to not write. After all, I’m a writer and I haven’t written in months. Laziness? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just solidarity, brother.

I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you!

What, you’ve heard that one before? Okay, it’s true. I’m not Luke Skywalker. I’m not here to rescue you. And while we’re at it, I’m probably a little short for a stormtrooper, too. Sorry.

I am here to blog, though. So what if I’m five years late to the party? So what if I’ve kicked it off with an out-of-left-field Star Wars reference that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

The important thing is that I’ve finally gotten around to doing a blog, and I’ll be using this space to write about the creative frustrations rewards of…

• Writing a great (or even pretty good—or, heck, I’d probably settle for thoroughly mediocre at this point) scifi/fantasy novel. There’s a 99.9 percent chance I’ll post bits and pieces of my writing here, too. Please be gentle.
• Designing a point ‘n’ click computer game, Rise of the Hidden Sun, which has been “in production” for years and years and years. (And years.) I’m still working on it, really!
• Raising a child. Trust me, it’s a creative process all its own. And since I’ve just recently become a dad (Hi Ethan!), I’m sure that part of my life will find its way into this blog more often than not. But no stories about baby poo, I promise.

What else…? I’ll probably end up talking about sports, and TV, and movies, and music, and books, and politics, and all sorts of other pop culture things as well. And I bet I’ll find a lot of things to complain about, too. Can’t help it. It’s who I am.

Lastly… The story behind Chapter 11 Studios. Here’s the quick version: I would go absolutely broke chasing after all my creative pursuits, and the term “Chapter 11″ refers to the bankruptcy code here in the U.S. It also sounds kinda literary, right? So: No Money + Lots of Creativity = Chapter 11 Studios. Mystery solved.

And that, friends, is my blog in a nutshell. Hope you’ll join me.