The Wonderful World of Was: November/December
The one time of year it's socially acceptable to listen to Mariah Carey
Yes, we’re at that lovely time of year where we feed the capitalist machine and promote mass consumerism in the names of those we hold dear. Trees are being erected and lights blink brightly, counting down to the annual break and enter we’ve been waiting for all year. It’s December and we’re rapidly approaching Christmas. For those who celebrate, I hope it’s fantastic; for those who don’t, I hope you manage to enjoy the time (and celebrate anything you may through the month); and for anybody who has a tough time this time of year, I’m truly sorry (this newsletter will invoke the silly season, and if you’d rather back away and avoid it, no hard feelings, I’ll see you in 2023).
Each December, I sit somewhere on the spectrum between Willie from Bad Santa and Buddy from Elf. The Christmas spirit has possessed me, particularly thanks to the excitable Christmas elves otherwise known as my children. Their excitement and display of the Christmas spirit is infectious, and for me, the magic of this time of year comes through them.
It’s been six weeks since the last newsletter, and following this, we’ll be back to regular scheduled programming with the next newsletter coming in the first weekend of the new year. Things will be a little quieter on the website in January, with me not posting reviews during the month. I may post one or two things, but it’ll be limited.
In the last six weeks, I’ve finished editing Till Death Do Us Party, draft 4, and have been getting a little ahead in my book reviews. I was hoping to be through the year’s reviews by the end of November, but as I look at the time as I type this, and see the month has 84 minutes left, I know I’ve blown it. And instead of working on those reviews, I’m writing up this newsletter—that’s dedication. Once the year’s reviews are wrapped up, I’ll get to work on Till Death Do Us Party, draft 4.1. Because iterations are awesome. Having said that, a short story might come first.
October and November Writings
After returning from holiday, I managed to slightly beat September’s word count in October, totalling 21,496 words. Thanks to Till Death Do Us Party’s edits (which comprise a good portion of those words), I spent 39 hours editing, the most time spent since February.
In November, I spent just over half as much time editing, at 21:30, but I also finished those edits a little after halfway through the month. I wrote slightly more words, at 23,493, a decent amount thanks to the book reviews I’m crashing through.
Going Fourth
I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I finished the latest draft of Till Death Do Us Party already, but I’ll mention it again: I finished the latest draft of Till Death Do Us Party! It’s exciting.
And because I just know you’re as excited as I am, I’m absolutely confident you’ll want to read all about it. Thankfully, I wrote a little bit about my experience with the fourth draft: I Went Fourth… and I Conquered. And I’m only mildly pissed off nobody’s taken me to task about my spelling of “fourth,” missing the pun.
A Very Marvel Christmas
Regardless of whether you think the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the peak of cinematic craftsmanship or a homogenised corporate machine pumping its audience for all it can, James Gunn has an entertaining voice that he brings to his work. And regardless of whether you think Disney+ is home to the world’s most magical media or a corporate streaming service pumping its IP for all its worth, it’s the natural place for Disney to combine the Christmas spirit with corporate synergy.
So naturally, it’s host to The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. And as someone who sees the MCU as a homogenised corporate machine pumping its audience for all it can, and Disney+ as a corporate streaming service pumping its IP for all its worth, naturally, I’ve already seen it. Guardians of the Galaxy fans will absolutely love it, and anyone who enjoys James Gunn’s work will find something to giggle at with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. It’s inoffensive fun, 45 minutes of entertainment designed to put a smile on your face. Which is perfect for this time of year. Regardless, I’m sure Disney will do its part to convince you it’s essential viewing before next year’s movie.
(And speaking of James Gunn, he’s now—with Peter Safran—responsible for guiding DC’s movies. Not a single one of my readers has hooked me up with WB to write a Batman movie, so James Gunn’s who you need to talk to. Consider it a Christmas present)
Batman Meets Santa
When Marvel’s homogenised corporate machine pumped my family for our hard-earned money to see Wakanda Forever (it was… okay. A lovely tribute to Chadwick Boseman that falls apart when it remembers it’s a Marvel movie), the cinema screened the trailer for Violent Night.
This looks like a hell of a lot of fun for its B-grade shenanigans. Unfortunately, I had to disappoint my ten-year-old son by telling him I won’t be taking him to the movies to see what he describes as “Batman meets Santa.” But because you’re all presumably over ten, check out the trailer above if you haven’t already seen it.
I Wrote a Christmas Story
Did you know I wrote a Christmas short story? It might be two years ago, but in the spirit of Christmas, I’m sharing it here. It’s the first of my dystopian smartworld shorts, so it mightn’t be infused with Christmas spirit. But there’s no better time to read it, right?
If you don’t want to read it because it’s December, you might want to read it in case I write its sequel and post it this month. My aim is to write it after I’m done with the year’s reviews, but it’ll depend on how easily it comes. Naturally, since my next newsletter isn’t out until January, you’ll have to stay tuned to my website for the sequel.
So before you potentially read the sequel, read The Twelve Days.
J.M. DeMatteis Wrote a Better Christmas Story
Many years ago, J.M. DeMatteis (author of many brilliant comics, perhaps none greater than Justice League International, a genuinely hilarious series) wrote a short Christmas story that remains my all-time favourite.
The Truth About Santa Claus is a story filled with magic that captures the spirit of being a parent at Christmas. And if you have a kid who’s struggling after learning a certain secret about Santa, it’s the perfect story to share with them, a position I found myself in a couple of years ago.
Are You Sick of Me Talking About The Sandman Yet?
If so, you’re in luck; this is the last time I’ll mention it for a while. Why? Because in late October, I posted my final article about Neil Gaiman’s classic, Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Dream: Beyond, looking at the collections that came after the core series. Don’t just click on that link though, check out my thoughts about the rest of the series in the earlier posts, The Beginning, The Middle and The End. As important as those posts are, they pale in importance to the series itself which is truly among the best fantasy you’ll read. These stories have inspired me, ruminations on life, dreaming and art.
With these stories done, I’ll need to get back to writing about my inspirations. I didn’t prepare one for November, and chances are, I won’t have one in December. But look for some thoughts about other stories in the new year.
Saturday Snippets
Yes, yes, I know it’s Sunday, but yesterday was Saturday, which was when I posted my latest round of Saturday Snippets.
And it’s because it’s Christmas, and not at all because it’s been six weeks since the last newsletter, I have double the snippety goodness for you. My October and November posts contain no less (and no more, to be brutally honest) than a combined 27 snippets, all from Till Death Do Us Party’s fourth draft. That includes the ones I erroneously attributed to the third draft in my haste with compiling them.
Book Reviews
Over the last six weeks, I’ve posted eleven book reviews. It’s an eclectic mix crossing a variety of genres and styles. If you’re in the market for a new book to read, if you’re considering giving the gift of books to family and friends, or if you’re simply planning on adding to your pile of shame, may I offer the following books for your consideration:
ShegoraTH by Dima Tsyptsiura
Lady Night: Chronicles of the Guardians, Book 2 by Rita A. Rubin
Popsicle by Christa Wojciechowski
Gateway by Juliette L. Dunn
Seserance by Juliette L. Dunn
Rebellion is Due: Ruarnon Trilogy Prequel by Elise Carlson
Bounty: A Beju Byteborne Interstellar Romp, Book One by Disa Dawn
A Swift Kick to the Thorax by Mara Lynne Johnstone
Myth of Five: Blood Brute, Book Five by Dixon Reuel
The Unseen Curse by Zachary Jeffries
Oblivion Black by Christa Wojciechowski
I’ll be posting more reviews throughout December, including a couple of Christmas stories. If you can’t wait until January, keep checking the website for them.
So, What’s Next?
The year’s almost finished, but I’m still going strong. I have a few more books to read and review, which I’ll share throughout December, before taking a break and resuming posting them in February.
Just because I won’t be reviewing books doesn’t mean I won’t be writing. Hopefully I’ll have a short story written up over the next couple of weeks. But the big thing I’ll be focusing on is seeing how far I can get through Till Death Do Us Party, draft 4.1. I suspect the edits will bleed over into the new year, and I’ll let you know how much work’s left in the next newsletter!
That’s a Wrap
And now I’m off to do some Christmas stuff. Whatever your December brings, I hope it’s full of happiness. Until I see you in the new year…
TTFN,
Was