Time is On My Side! (Yes it is)

Sorry I've been away for a while, but I've managed to complete my fifth semester at City College in grand style. Now that I've got more time I can return my focus to working on a few projects. As of today, the second edition of Falling Down is now complete. My copy editor has given the thumbs up on my last submission, with some edits here and there on his own. My graphic artist has completed a strikingly beautiful cover. As for Mystery, Malevolence & Murder - Vol One, I've nearly completed my edits and will send that to the copy editor once they're done. The cover should be done soon as well.

As for school, 2011 will be the year I finish my Master's degree. I'm starting this year with a bit of sadness. I've really enjoyed my time at City College. For someone who didn't have a bachelor's degree back in 2006 to be looking at an MFA by the end of 2011 is really something. I've had a lot of hustle in me for the last four, going on five, years and my MFA will be the crown jewel of all my hard work. If you would've told me years ago that I would be in this position I probably wouldn't have believed you. But through the support of so many wonderful people who believed I could do it, I doubt if any of this would be possible. City College is such an underrated place. It's recognized as a great school, but I don't think it quite gets the respect it does. I subscribe to Poets and Writers Magazine and for the last two years they've done a ranking on the top MFA schools. In last year's edition CCNY finished 94th or 95th in the top 100. The latest P&W only did the top 50 and we didn't place. These rankings have been criticized heavily by magazines like The Writer's Chronicle and members of writing faculties across the country because it appears biased and incomplete. That's why I feel City is underrated. Every class has been chock full of talented writers who bring real live perspectives to their work. Many of us have careers that we tend to everyday and we bring that gift into our school and breathe life into it with each stroke of the keys. I've seen a lot of good people in my classes, all of whom could be very successful, and I feel blessed to be in their presence - learning and listening to them share such wonderful works of art. My last class in particular had several talented writers and I hope and wish the absolute best for all of them. While I'm looking forward to graduating next year, I will miss seeing them, as well as the beautiful campus of CCNY, which has become almost a home away from home for me.

I'll make sure I enjoy the remaining time I have. Meanwhile, it's back to work - writing, designing and managing my time so I can make my own way. One day at a time.

db

The Guide: AWP's 2011 Ranking of MFA Programs

The Guide: AWP's 2011 Ranking of MFA Programs

I mentioned AWP Writer's Chronicle Magazine in a recent post. If you're interested in MA/MFA Writing Programs I think it bears your consideration.

Dave

Cuckoo's Ghost! The Short Film

Special thanks to Christopher Harris on his fine directorial and editing skills.  Thanks Chris!  Happy Halloween everybody!

Progress

I'm working on several new projects for the upcoming year.  I've recently completed Mystery, Malevolence & Murder - Volume Two, which will be released under Another Shore Press sometime late 2011 or early 2012.  I'm also working on "The Merchant Chronicles", a short series about an old man who owns a Curio Shop in Chicago and sells strange "knickknacks" that seem to have a life of their own.  At the moment "Lux Ex Tenebris" is entering its third re-write, and since I'm in graduate school it will end up being my thesis project.  I'm expected to graduate on time (December 2011).  I love City College very much and the experience has been wonderful, but I'm ready to get out there and hustle, make my own way.  My time will come, I just need to be a little more patient.  I was once told that you should be careful about wishing away your life.  I agree wholeheartedly, and since I'm now a year away from my goal at CCNY I need to absorb every moment.  I certainly plan on it. 

Stay tuned, folks.  I've got a lot more in store in the near future. 

Dave

Dedication!

Last Saturday I went on a 600 mile journey from New York to Baltimore to Washington, DC and back, walking around until my feet ached in 95+ degree weather.  The blistering sun loomed overhead, making me feel like a rotisserie chicken.  I wasn't feeling well that week, having called off work two days prior so I could get some rest.  I slept on a friend's hard couch (thank you Dave) and surprisingly felt well enough to meet dear friends for dinner where I shared my busy day.  All of this done because I feel the passion, the love, the desire to make my longtime dream of being a successful writer and business owner a reality.

Every day I wonder if this was meant to be.  I wonder am I on a path that will allow me to fully become the person that God meant for me to be.  Through prayer, self-discovery and sheer will (not to mention help from caring people) I'm slowly beginning to realize how lucky I am, how I believe I'm mean to do great things.  I may not become the greatest writer or the smartest or most successful businessman, but if there's one thing I hope to gain from all of this, it's the ability to inspire others to do big things.  With my business, besides printing and selling my work (and eventually the work of others), writing contests and other typical "literary stuff" my hope is to set up scholarships and conduct seminars for young minorities who are interested and love to read and write.  Success without service is hollow, and I plan on really doing something special that's well-rounded and worthwhile.

But it all starts here, right now, with me hustling around in 95 degree weather, sometimes in shaky health, sleeping on hard surfaces and logging heavy miles. And I'll do it gladly out of love for the written word.

Stay tuned, readers.  Good times are on the way.

The "Devil" made me do it: A Review of M. Night Shyamalan's latest work.

About two weeks ago I watched Trilogy of Terror, a 1974 collection of three short suspense/horror tales all starring Karen Black, whose virtuoso performance introduced us to Julie, Millicent, Therese and Amelia - all very different but compelling characters.  The film was directed by the legendary Dan Curtis of Dark Shadows and The Night Stalker fame.  The stories were penned by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet).  While watching this movie I remember thinking how the genre seemingly has lost its way into the twenty-first century and wondered if this kind of "Poe-ish" style of writing would ever make a comeback.  The days of watching fun TV shows like The Outer Limits, One Step Beyond, Night Gallery and The Twilight Zone (which Matheson wrote numerous scripts) would forever be lost or the stories themselves uninteresting. 

Evidently someone has heard my prayers.

This afternoon I went to see Devil, the first of three short tales in the The Night Chronicles series based on ideas by Writer/Director M. Night Shyamalan.  Given his track record of late, I was hesitant about spending my hard earned money on anything related to Night, but after reading an interview with Bokeem Woodbine, who starred in the movie, and watching the trailers I decided to give it a shot.  The performances were great and the action kept my eyes glued to the screen until the end.

The main plot of Devil surrounds five seemingly random people who become trapped in an elevator of a large office building in Philadelphia.    Being stuck in a crowded space by itself can be nerve-wracking, but there's another problem: one of them is The Devil.  Yes, THAT Devil.  Outside the elevator there are additional issues: no one knows the identity of those trapped inside, the building staff and the fire department have found themselves unable to rescue the passengers with any degree of simplicity, one of the security guards is a devout Catholic whose passed-down tale about how the Devil "works" is unfolding before his eyes, the lead detective has a past that haunts him to this day.  And, oh yeah - every time the lights go out in the elevator something really bad happens.  You can't see it, but the presence of evil is clearly there.  I know all of that seems like a lot to digest at once, but that's actually the point.  These people seem to not be related to one another, but as time passes the truth, and the Devil, both come forth.  I won't give anything away, but as a fan of old school horror, I thought the timing and the implied "frights" that were all over this movie worked well, even down to little details like everyone wearing "red."  Night did the right thing in trusting someone else to expound upon his ideas and I hope it's something he does from now on.

The second film of The Night Chronicles is called Twelve Strangers.  There is no release date as of yet, but it appears to be well on its way.  I look forward to seeing it, and based on what I've seen today, this series could be a throwback to the great horror flicks of the past. 

Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!

David T. Boyd gives Devil: *** and 1/2 Stars.

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New Website!

After several months of work, I've finally completed my new website.  This is one of many things I've been up to this summer.  Go to www.davidtboyd.com and take a look.  Be sure to send me comments.