Nick Kyme

Morning all!

Apologies for the lack of bloggage of late. More on the way, I promise.

In briefs, ‘Feat of Iron’ is in and off to the copy editors and I’m presently hammering the synopsis for The Great Betrayal (might be able to sneak the cover image into the blog soon – watch this space).

Saw Batman: Year One on Bluray (which was great, if perhaps not as good as Batman: Under the Red Hood).

Survived Halloween with only one band of trick or treaters (one of which was dressed as Batman, as it happens; I suspect that’s why I yielded sweets to them…)

And finally, I was recently interviewed for the excellent Civilian Reader blog and here’s the linky…

Ta, ta for now.

I don’t know where you are in the world, hopefully it’s nice and sunny. Here in Nottingham, it’s pretty dreadful. It’s damp and rainy; not that invigorating sort of rain but the really limp, rubbish kind that just makes you feel kind of sad.

So, I’m still slogging away on Nocturne(I hope to Vulkan that people will like it – it’s nearing the end and I’m pretty much out of any useful objectivity on this project now). I’ve reached the 101,000 word mark and still have a lot to go. I’m thinking this will reach the 110 – 120,000 word mark (sorry, Christian – that’s my editor, by the way).

It’s tough and getting myself motivated for the sprint over the finish line isn’t easy. I don’t think I’ve ever so so bone-tired writing a novel. Even Firedrake with all the associated rubbish that was going on at the time wasn’t as tough as this. In all honesty, it’s making me wonder if all of this trauma is actually worth it.

Some good, bizarre news this week. I sort of (and I say this with a fairly huge amount of salt) became a NYT bestselling author. Well, I was in the collection Age of Darknessthat hit the list. I’m sure it’s nothing to the likes of some of the proper BL luminaries that have hit the list under their own steam with their own books, but for me it was kind of a big deal. Bwoop.

It seems Promethean Sun is finally reaching everyone who ordered a copy. I got mine last week if you can believe that. Thanks to everyone who said nice things about it and enjoyed it.

Fall of Damnos has gone to its second printing, which after only two months on sale is pretty awesome. I glad there are people enjoying it. To those who gripe about the story (i.e. there’s a lot of battling), I would just say: do one. The book’s obviously not for you (apologies – feeling slightly belligerent today).

As a writer, especially one who works for BL, you really do open yourself up to the blades of the public. A thick skin is essentially, especially if you have misguided leanings towards trawling blogs and forums, or reading reviews. My advice? Don’t do it. The nice stuff is kind of affirming and does spur you on, but the not so nice stuff just tends to piss you off and demotivate.

When you work full time like I do and are also trying to look after a house rabbit, clean up the house and have ‘a life’, there’s not a busting lot of time to actual be a writer. I really don’t need that time curtailing in any way by some douche bag who thinks Space Marines should only be written in a certain way or that his/her ideas about a certain race are the only valid ones and all others are rubbish. No thanks, mate – I haven’t got time to read/listen to that crap. Grr.

So today I’m writing what will hopefully be the last few chapters of Nocturne. The plan was to finish it by the end of the bank holiday but birthdays and a bit of much-needed socialising got in the way.

E3 kicks off very soon and though I sadly won’t be in LA to enjoy it, I am looking forward to reading/hearing/seeing some of the games that are heading up the show. Arkham City, Uncharted 3, Modern Warfare 3 and Gears of War 3 are probably my main draws but there’s bound to more stuff that’ll float my boat too.

On the fitness/training front (which I know some people ask me about from time to time), I’m on an occasional running schedule at the moment. I aim for about three times a week, roughly 5km per session. In Spring/Summer I usually run exclusively outdoors but I tried a new treadmill in the GW gym last week. It was quite a beast. I maxed it out at 12mph and ran for about 25 minutes (apparently the maximum time limit is 40 mins, so when I have a bit more time and are free of writing for a bit I’ll give this a go too).

In other fitness news, I plan to return to my running club the week after next. I figure this week is all about Nocturne and getting it finished. I’ve also just started swimming, which is bloody knackering. I’m pretty fast (ish) but my body is definitely not conditioned for this sort of exercise yet. Still, I’m going to stick it out until it is and enhance my all-round fitness that way.

Right, I’m going to make another cup of coffee and see if I can get kick started on the novel. Wish me luck.

PS Shakespeare rabbit is all well and good. He’s actually going to rabbit slimmers club on account of that fact that he was looking a little portly. Aside from being a scruff bag in need of a good brushing (my bad), he’s starting to look pretty svelte like his dad. He’s actually sad behind in the kitchen as I type.

I blame Andy Smillie. I do. It was all his fault.

You see, we’ve started this tradition (or rather, I’ve now inveigled my way into an existing tradition) of one a week having ‘Games Day’. The plan being we dust off the Xbox or the PS3 and played some games – simples. This was the plan going into last night. That all changed when Andy suggested a trip into Nottingham Market Square to partake of the deeeliciouse (not a typo) delights on offer at the German Market which sets up shop there every Christmas.

We were joined (or should that be ‘aided and abetted’) by Rich Packer, a fine gentleman and, as it turned out, pancake connoisseur. After a bit of a trawl around the slowly shutting stalls, we settled on some bison steak and chips and other mystery meats. Despite the bison having the toughness of boot leather, it wasn’t too bad. Time for desert and here’s where the pancakes came in. Check out mine and Rich’s technique below…

Not sure what that guy behind me is looking at. I suspect he's marvelling at how deeliciouse that pancake looks in my mouth. Yummy!

Here's Rich showing us just how much he enjoyed his cherry and syrup pancake. Winner!

After chowing down on our dessert, it was time for the next stage of the evening’s entertainments. As it was a bit chilly (though nowhere near as cold as it has been), we decided to head over to Cineworld and see what was showing. After a brief discussion establishing the virtues and otherwise of the various cinematic delights on offer, we opted for Megamind in 3D.

Apart from the fact Andy was on the verge of braining some douche bags who couldn’t stop talking and crunching their lame-ass popcorn at the start of the movie, it was a pretty decent film. Unlike a lot of 3D films, the effects and the use of 3D was actually pretty good. The story had some twists. It had some good gags and made us laugh throughout. It was about super heroes and the animation was great. Hats off to Will Ferrell who kicked celebrated ass as titular Megamind.

Good times.

Now, there’s something you need to realise about Andy and Rich – they have history. There is a complex lattice of shared experiences, nights out and various… err… deeds that fosters a fascinating shared language and history of tradition. I felt genuinely privileged to have a tiny window into their world. My view was further expanded when we went to Chiquito’s, a Mexican bar/restaurant in the Corner House complex where Cineworld also lives. You see, there was a beverage I had to try, one that would change my life forever and the lives of those around me…

Expressotini.

Yup, that’s right – it was probably one of the most limp wristed drinks I’ve ever had (and I’ve ordered a Grande Latte before), so much so that it wasn’t actually even on the cocktail menu. After some heckling and a bit of mild pleading, the good people of Chiquito’s offered to make us three of this fine beverage (essentially coffee in a Martini). Clutching my dainty glass and manfully as I could and sipping on my little red straws with all the machismo of Chuck Norris I took a pull of this nectar. It was surprisingly good. We all wanted more, but something different.

Following a bit of banter with the barmen and barmaids (and bless ‘em, they were up for it), we were dissuaded from my original choice of a Woo Woo and went with a Key West something or other. This one was like a set of traffic lights, layered up with booze and all things nice. Chug-a-lug.

That’s pretty much the tale, I guess. I can’t relate to you all of the banter we engaged in. Some of it was just plain wrong (Ride the Thunder?) and frankly I can’t remember it all. A good time was had by all (though I suspect this little taster was but a pale shadow of the antics my companions usually engage in of a Friday night). Shout outs go to Laura (aka ‘Monday’), James (’probably gay’) and Tanya (’a bit wide at the sides’ – not my words, I hasten to add…), who were a good laugh and took our gibing in the way it was meant. Here we all are, one big happy family.

Putting out love and keeping it there – that’s how we roll. Ta, ta.

From left to right then... Rich 'Blue Steel', Nick 'Goliath', Laura 'Monday', James 'Probably Gay' and Andy 'Ride the Thunder'.

How do peeps of all shape, size and designation – what’s shakin’?

Figured I should provide a little weekend light relief. It’s been a warm and humid one in Notts, let me tell you. I dig the sun, but humidity I’m not a fan of. Especially when I’ve got deadlines of justice to chase and I’m sweating my ass off, hunched over my desk.

Still, I have an uber-oscillating fan so I should probably shut my cake-hole and get on with the post.

As well as the writing (which I’ll come to in a bit… promise), I’m back in training. The Robin Hood half-marathon (and marathon, as it happens) is looming and I’ve got my name of the list of nutters/athletes who are going to run the bast. To be truthful, I didn’t run this weekend – a couple of days off are just what my legs need to recover their muscle mass and all that jazz-ola. I have been doing some light weight work and crunches, though – all good for core strength, don’t you know. Ask my pal, Chris Wraight – he’s a runner and knows all about that stuff. Chris, if you’re this – how do, sir (I had the great pleasure of reading the first half of Chris’s next book – it’s 40K and it’s fookin’ awesome – ask about on his blog, no thunder-stealing here… no, siree).

Films! Yes, I do like to watch the odd movie. Been to the silver screen (aka ‘the flicks’) once this week (or should that be last week? Just when does the week begin anyway? I’ve heard Monday and Sunday both being touted as possibilites – anyway, who gives a crap). Toy Story 3 was the animated delight of choice and it was indeed animated and did in fact delight. Got a bit of a soft spot for animated flicks, Pixar especially, and this was great. Seen in 3D it was a lot of fun, but I don’t really think the extra dimension was necessary (please, oh, please, lofty film-making gods, stop slapping 3D onto your films if they don’t warrant it – you are devaluing an already gimmicky gimmick – ’nuff said). The story was great (about some toys, don’t you know) and actually had some pretty dark/moving moments in it. Top drawer – heed the reviews that’ve been banding around and go see.

On the small screen (aka the TV), I watched Whip It!. The good lady and I both enjoyed this coming of age sports comedy (and I say, huh? Huh?), starring Ellen Paige (who I always want to call Elaine Paige, because I am an arch-douch bag) and directed by Drew Barrymore (who’s also in it) and very ably co-starring the slightly mental but eminently watchable Juliet Lewis (who I had a bugger of a time remembering the name of, but got there just before the end credits were about to roll – almost an epic fail). The sport in question is roller-derby of all things, on account of which the film had a quintessential small-town America feel and the whiff of the independent movie about it (though, it did get cinematic distribution). I think ‘charming’ would be the word I’d use to describe. Very nice, a little light of plot, but lots of fun and Paige does a cracking job in it. Honestly, I found her a little insufferable in Juno but I guess that was her character – she’s much more endearing in this, and also has a great turn in Inception. Rent it if you fancy a light hour and a half-ish of nice, fuzzy entertainment with pretty girls in tight shorts and roller skates (did I forget to mention that part? My bad… ).

Speaking of Inception, I hold my hand up and accept that my shit-baggery has bubbled like a used diaper to the surface of this post. Yes, I did say I’d write a review of this film, and no, now that it’s been out for yonks, I’m not going to do that. Apologies, unlike Aladdin’s Lamp everything that you wish for (and I promise) on the blog doesn’t always come true. That’s not to say I hadn’t intended to, life and work and all that other mad stuff, just gets in the way sometimes. In lieu of that, I will say this: Kicks. Ass. Someone told me the other day that they didn’t like it and I nearly spat out my tea. Don’t listen to them (as if you would, discerning listeners…). Inception is probably one of the best, most intense sci-fi thriller/action/intrigue movies you’re ever likely to see. That and Moon are my top sf movie pics of this year (he says, sounding like some kind of bona fide critic – charlatan Kyme, charlatan!).

Hey! I watched the final episode of Spartacus: Blood and Sand this morning. Bloody hell (literally, ‘bloody’), it was a visceral feast! This show has grown on me. It started out as a sort of sexy 300 (and, boy, was there a lot of sex and titilation in this one – not for the under 18’s, yer hear!), riddled with foul language and I wondered if I was going to bother continuing watching after the first few, fairly, gratuitous episodes. But, as the show ground on and sub-plots were seeded in, paid off, layered up etc, etc, I found myself really liking it.

Yes, there was the odd bit of profanity that made me chuckle (some of John Hannah’s lines were classic and you can tell he was hamming it up to the max and loving every minute), but this was a series that had a denser narrative than it at first appeared. Characters were developed, some of the action and SFX (for a TV show) were simply stunning and if you like gore there was plenty of that too. I was sad to see it end, but it had one of the best finales ever. Good news is the show will be back next year (it airs on Bravo – home of the brave, apparently – which also boasts the excellent Sons of Anarchy), albeit with a slightly different moniker (well, the suffix, anyway), Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. If you’re an adult and like the gory, sexy stuff in loin cloths and sandals, go see.

Dexter is back, and I whoop in delight at its return. With Spartacus on the way out, TV was becoming a cold and lonely refuge once more and my V+ box was starting to feel distinctly unloved. The show about Miami’s favourite serial killer and forensic pathologist is a cracker. Personally, I think the producers have outdone themselves with each successive series, so I have high hopes for this one in which the titular character is balancing being a new dad with his predilection to slice up bad guys and microscope slide their blood for his air vent collective. Top drama indeed. Gawd bless Michael C Hall.

What news of Shakespeare then? No, no, no – I don’t mean the bard. That guy’s been dead for ages. Nope, I’m talking about the legend that is my live in house rabbit. Well, in a nutshell (or should that be carrot patch), he’s fine. The little bugger had been eating waaaaay to much, so over the last few months I’ve been cutting back his feed. As a result, he’s thinner and more sprightly but he’s also turned the extra energies towards destructive tendencies. See exhibit A through F.

Yep, that’s right – he chewed the bejesus out of my DVDs. Even the plastic ones! Oh, the horror, the horror! He actually went and snagged them from my DVD case – something he hasn’t taken the blindest bit of notice off for months and decide to have it. I mean, he even had a go at Scrooged. It’s Scrooged! Where’s the heart, I ask you.

These examples of Shakespearean carnage (maybe the rabbit was aiming to pen a tragedy with me as its central protagonist – ‘Is this a cooking pot I see before me?’ ‘To bite or not to bite – that is the question!’) pale in comparison to exhibit G…

The first rule of DVD Fight Club? Never let your house rabbit near Fight Club!

But, despite his rampage, it’s impossible to stay mad at the little fella (I managed twenty minutes before capitulating in the face of his cuteness – the mourning for the DVDs goes on, however…).

This is the little chap on his new cushion, which I purchased for him today. I think he likes it (chew that you little so and so…).

Thanks to all for the action flick/buddy movie suggestions. Loving Heat and Alien Nation, in particular (man, I had forgotten about that one). But I have another for the mix: anyone remember Dark Angel? No, not that dodgy sf show with Jessica Alba in it, but the cheesy 80’s (I think) flick with Dolph Lundgren. Top stuff!

Work-wise. I’m on with Fall of Damnos right now. I figure, once I’ve got a bit more to say on the subject, I’ll do a dedicated post. Suffice to say, righyt now I’m just over 12,000 words in and planning like a crazy thing to balance all the lore and make it into a compelling story. More to follow on that soon-ish (maybe… ).

Well, I reckon that’ll do for now. I’m just about to go and check this afternoon’s footy results (Fantasy Football is back on with a vengeance now the Prem has begun anew and I aim to raise my standing in the BL mini-league). Tonight, I’m cooking gnocci. Yum!

I’m sat at home ill today. I’m nursing a bloody annoying cold (yeah, it’s man-flu – shut up, okay), thanks to my plague-ridden desk editor at BL.

I wish crush you, Davis. Crush. You.

I watched Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths again (and the DC Showcase: The Spectre – both of which are awesome), have eaten breakfast, lolled about feeling sorry for myself, taken max-strength flu tablets and am Lemsipped up to the freakin’ eyeballs – now I’m bored.

So to the blog cave, Blog Man, for some bloggage – o’h yes…

So, what’s new?

Well – he says between sniffles and coughs – again, Davis I will snap you in two for this (I’m Best Man at a best mate’s wedding at the weekend and really need to write my speech…) – I’m officially past my word count on ‘Forgotten Sons’ (that’s the Heresy short I’m doing for Age of Darkness). It’s gonna be a mite longer than 12,000 words, methinks (sorry eds, but that’s the way I’m rolling at the mo – sometimes you write short; sometimes long – I’m on ‘long’ right about now, so suck it up ‘kay). I’m chuffed with the way it’s panning out; part legal drama (but in a cool way), part thriller – I think/hope you’ll all likey.

Fretting over Fall of Damnos (though there was a saweeeet looking dps in our latest trade catalogue of this bad boy, complete with quote about how someone really liked my writing and characters – woot!), not because it’ll be tough to do; yeah, it’ll be tough but that’s not why – I just need to get this Heresy short nailed and my speech written and my health back in order so I’ll be able to get somewhere in the ball park of the deadline. Arggh!

Okies, so I’ve been watching a few films lately, taking advantage of my membership to Lovefilm.

Most recently, Youth in Revolt and Edge of Darkness. The former was very funny, quirky and odd (a typical Michael Cera movie of an independent bent); whilst the latter was Mel Gibson dullness, dressed up as political thriller – yawn.

On the silver screen, I watched Inception (a separate post on that is in order, given it’s sheer awesomeness) and Shrek Forever After (yes, I’m still a sucker for 3D, and yes I will be going to watch Toy Story 3 in the same medium – do one).

Culturally, I had my first ever experience of Cirque du Soleil (my girlfriend informed me, a few weeks prior to the performance, that there was more than one type – ignorant beast that I am, I had no idea), the Saltimbanco show. It had a real street festival feel to it, apparently a little smaller in scale and grandiosity than some of the other shows, but was charming, mischievous and wonderful all in the same colourful, flashy hat. Recommended.

Last week I was out with the BL posse (the entire gang, barring Davis who was busy brewing up his lurgy to infect us all with – Crush. You.) on an ‘away day’. Lot’s of team bonding and crazy-ass antics ensued – photos headed to the blog in the next day or so.

Got some signings coming up. There’s UKGD, of course in September (27th, methinks?), but I’ll also be doing a mini-tour for the release of Firedrake - that’s going to be in early October in Oxford, Aylesbury and Uxbridge. If you’re around or can be around and can’t make GD then I hope to see you then. Oh, and don’t forget that in early September (see previous post of the exact date – I will update the events diary soon, I promise…) that I’ll be crossing signs pens with the big dogs: Abnett, McNeill, Swallow,Vincent and Mitchell (and possibly more besides) at the Forbidden Planet mega-signing of Sabbat Worlds - that there big anthology with Mr Dan’s name on it. Banzai!

That’s about it for the non-specifics. I may be back later with some other guff; for now, I’m going to make lunch and have a little sleep in the vain hope that when I wake up my head won’t feel like it’s filled with play dough.

PS Grimblades is now officially released and just want to give it a quick shout out. As I was saying to the missus the other day, I am very proud of this book and while it won’t get the same attention as a Salamanders novel I still hope that folks go out and get a copy. I’m supposed to be writing a guest blog spot about it for BL, so if you’re still undecided, take a look at that and see the light…