blog 69: In which I recap 20 things that happened during May and June.

Posted on July 1, 2014 by mgbauer

1. My son Joe (illustrator of Eric Vale and Derek Dale) married his partner Rita. A very happy day for the Bauer clan!

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Illustration Joe Bauer.

2. I went to the CBCA Conference in Canberra where I was on the opening session with my very good friend, the incorrigible and annoyingly talented Barry Jonsberg. Check out Barry’s fabulous new book Pandora Jones: Admission – book one in an exciting new series.

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3. After the Conference, I was joined in Canberra by my sisters Cath and Helen, where we saw all the sights and took pictures of each other taking pictures of each other …

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4. While I was in the Nation’s capital, I met the PM!

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5. I spent a lovely week as Writer in Residence with the good folk at St Luke’s Grammar in Dee Why, Sydney and got to experience some of the beautiful Northern Beaches.
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6. I attended the launch of Christine Bongers‘ new book Intruder. Can’t wait to read this one!

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7.  I finished the manuscript for the second Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale adventure. And better still my publisher actually liked it!

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8. Joe started to work on designing the new characters in Derek Dale 2.2014-05-031

9. I spent a great week as Writer in Residence at beautiful Guildford Grammar School in Perth WA.

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10. While I was there, it crossed my mind that it might be time to update my author photo …

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11. I was Quiz Master at two Readers Cups regional Finals – one in Ipswich and one in Lowood. Both were heaps of fun and it was great to meet so many keen readers.

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12. I received my first copies of Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale: The Case of Animals Behaving Really REALLY Badly.

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13. My wife and I went to see GODZILLA in Gold Class and apart from Godzilla, we had the entire theatre to ourselves.

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14. Joe’s wonderful new trailer for Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale went up on You Tube.

 

15. My amazing and talented daughter Meg scored her dream job as Communications Co-ordinator for the Wilderness Society in Melbourne. Meg blogs about all thing Natural HERE.

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16. I received some copies of the Spanish editions of the first two Eric Vale books (Eric Valente Fracaso Inminente and Eric Valente Superheroe Presente) which will soon be available in nineteen Nth and Sth American Spanish-speaking countries. I also received copies of a new paperback edition of Don’t Call Me Ishmael from Italy.

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17. I went on plenty of walks around the surrounding suburbs and occasionally took a photo of the flora and/or fauna that caught my eye.

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18. Eric Vale Epic Fail was short-listed for, and eventually won, the CBCA Qld Branch BILBY AWARD. As you can see, Eric and Chewy were super-stoked!

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19. The Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale series gained its first overseas sale. Following in the footsteps of Eric Vale, a Portuguese translation will be published … in BRAZIL! Which of course gives me an excuse to post this!

20. And finally, after Australia’s shock elimination from the World Cup, I threw my support behind the birthplace of my Great Great Grand Father Augustine Bauer and my Great Grandfather Felix Bauer. And at the time of this posting they’re still alive and in the final 8! (By which I mean Germany, not Augustine and Felix.)

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Cheers
Michael

 

 

 

 

 

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blog 68: In which I post ONE picture and THREE videos that might just change your life! (Although I can’t imagine how).

Posted on June 19, 2014 by mgbauer

This big box of twenty copies of Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale: The Case of Animals Behaving Really REALLY Badly just arrived at my front door so to mark the occasion I thought I’d post some relevant VIDEOS.

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First up, here’s Joe Bauer’s fab Derek Danger Dale Trailer. As well as creating it all from his own illustrations, Joe also supplies the dramatic voice over. Hope you like it. Feel free to check it out on youtube and SHARE if you feel the urge.

When disaster strikes and evil threatens. When the world desperately needs a hero and no one else is currently available. The forces of GOOD are forced to turn to ONE MAN. The man who put the FOOL into fool-proof and the FAIL into fail-safe. He knows no fear. He knows no shame. And DANGER is his middle name …

 

This second video shows two and half hours of Joe illustrating a double page spread of an Agent Dale scene from Eric Vale Off the Rails, compressed into just a few minutes.

 

And finally, here’s a glimpse of Joe in his other role of comedy film-maker playing the role of FEX, a Special Effects ‘expert’.

 

Cheers
Michael

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REBLOG #3: blog 30 (or blog 29 unblocked!) In which I REALLY DO outline 10 sure-fire ways to beat writers’ block!

Posted on June 16, 2014 by mgbauer

Yes it’s another exciting dip into the ancient blog vault! PLUS it contains some never seen before added words and pictures!

Hey, ever suffered from WRITER’S BLOCK? You haven’t? Well no one likes a clever dick! But for the rest of humanity, I give you the benefit of my under-appreciated, and virtually untapped, wisdom.

TEN SURE-FIRE WAYS TO BEAT WRITER’S BLOCK!

1. Get someone to give you a short, sharp whack to the side of the head with a blunt object.

I know that this particular technique works well whenever I get a fuel blockage in the lawn mower so I’m pretty sure the same principle would apply to ideas stuck in the brain. (Just a word of caution. It might be wise to ensure that the person who you choose to administer the blow, is at least vaguely fond of you.)

2  Another way to beat writer’s block is ummmmmmmmm … aaaaaaaaaaaah … WHAAAAAAACK!!!!!! Hey, I know! Just think of your favourite writer and ask yourself what they would do in the same situation.

So for example if you’re stuck for ideas and you’re writing an action novel ask, ‘What would Matthew Reilly do now?’. If it’s a fantasy ‘What would Tolkien do now?’. If it’s a short story, ‘What would Margo Lanagan do now?’. If you’re like me, you might ask, ‘What would Markus Zusak do now?’.
The good thing about this solution is that no matter who you choose, the answer is always the same! “He/She would probably come up with some really brilliant idea that would dramatically advance the plot, reveal character and totally enthrall readers.” So, yeah, just do that.

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With Markus Zusak (The Book Thief) at Voices on the Coast.

3. Throw in the towel.

Stare at the blank page/computer screen and say, “Oh well that’s it then. I’m stuffed. I got nothin’. What a joke. I’m not a writer. What was I thinking? I must have been crazy to start this story! I’m gonna eat some worms.” (Warning: This option though effective, does not come highly recommended.)

4. Look on your writer’s block not as a problem but an opportunity!

Eg. ‘Hey while I’m temporarily bereft of ideas, I’ll have time to make myself a cup of coffee!’ Or, depending on the extent or your blockage, ‘Hey I’ll have time to clean the house/build that deck/study for my PhD/find myself/complete the map of the human genome!’ (Wait. Scrap that last one. Ard just told me it’s already been done. Probably by someone with writer’s block!)

5. Blame external factors for your inability to come up with any decent ideas.

Some possible options are:

‘It’s too hot/cold/mild to write!’

‘How can I be expected to think of any good ideas, watch Beauty and the Geek, check my emails, attend to my facebook page and take a selfie at the same time!’

‘This computer’s crap! I need the latest iPad. I bet Tolstoy never had to put up with equipment like this!’

‘All my teachers let me down. They should have MADE me pay attention in class. That’s their job!’

‘I blame my overwhelming external factors!’

Fabulous writing desk at a house a stayed at in Tasmania.

6. Steal an idea from another book, preferably one by a long dead author who can’t accuse you of plagiarism.

So for example: Not enough drama, emotion and tension in your children’s adventure story? Then why not have your protagonist lose a leg to a great white whale? (Tip: Maybe make it a beige whale in order to disguise the actual source of your inspiration.)

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7. Use the ‘come back later’ technique.

If you hit a difficult point in your story and you’re not sure exactly how to proceed just type in the line – Insert something interesting here  – in your manuscript and move on. This leaves you free to write the rest of the story and then ‘come back later’ to finish that tricky bit when you’re good and ready! However, if your story ends up sounding like this …

Darius felt his stomach churn as he entered the grounds of his new school, Desolation High for the first time … Insert something interesting here … ‘Phew,’ sighed Darius on graduation day, ‘I’m glad those five years are over!’

… you may still have some work to do.

8. Start asking ‘What if?’ questions to stimulate story-line ideas.

What if my main character inherited a million dollars? What if he/she had to face his/her greatest fear? What if he/she isn’t what he/she seems? What if he/she has a secret? What if he/she is a transvestite?

NB: Types of ‘What if’ questions you should avoid – What if I never come up with another good idea ever again in my entire life? What if I totally suck at writing but everyone is too nice to tell me so? What if all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? What if all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? What if all work and no play …

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From “The Shining”.

9. Use the power of positive thought.

Repeat the mantra: “There is no such thing as writers’ block. There is no such thing as writers’ block.” Which is true. It might just be that you’ve entered a time in your life where, for whatever reason, you may not be able to think of any good writing ideas for a very, very, very long time. If ever.

10.  Recognise that writers’ block might actually be a good thing. (This one’s a bit ridiculous but I’m running out of ideas here so I’d just thought I’d put it in for a laugh.)

Have you ever thought that having to stop and think for a while, even a long while, might actually be a good thing for your writing? That maybe you don’t “suffer” from writers’ block at all, but rather “benefit” from it. It probably just means that you’re so pig-headed and determined and passionate about your writing, that you’re stubbornly blocking out anything that’s not good enough. And surely that’s a good sign? After all, the worse thing you could possibly be as a writer is “easily satisfied”. Right? So look at it this way. You don’t have “writer’s block” at all. What you have there is “writer’s quality control”. You’re just telling your muse in no uncertain terms, “I’m still here you bastard and no matter how long it takes, I’m not going anywhere until you and I can come up with something really good.”

That’s it. I hope a tidal wave of words and ideas are now spewing forth! Brand new blog coming soon, I promise.

Just as soon as I can think of something to write … 

Cheers
Michael

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blog 66: In which I take part in a BLOG HOP.

Posted on June 5, 2014 by mgbauer

My friend and super-talented Brisbane-based poet, critic and editor Zenobia Frost has invited me to take part in a blog hop. It goes like this: I ask myself the following four questions, answer them and then pass the baton on to three fellow writers to do exactly the same, thus keeping the blog hop rolling for all eternity!

I first met Zen when I presented her with a poetry prize at the 2004 Literary Awards for school students. She was brilliant then and since has become even more dazzlingly brilliant. Check out everything about her here: A Storm of Tea Cups.

Anyway here I go answering my own questions:

  1. Michael, what are you working on at the moment?

Well Michael I don’t usually talk much about my current projects but I like the cut of your jib so I’ll answer you. At present I’m working on completing three stories for younger readers concerning the adventures of Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger’ Dale (SADDD). Derek first appeared in the Eric Vale series of books. I have written two of the SADDD stories and will be starting on the third as soon as I can come up with a bizarre enough storyline! As with the previous Eric Vale series, all these books will be fully illustrated by my amazing son Joe Bauer who as well as being an illustrator is also, with his wife and partner Rita Artmann, a film-maker (Artspear Entertainment). After the Derek Dale books are done I will be writing more YA.

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Cover of the first Derek ‘Danger’ Dale book due out July 2014.

2. Michael, how do you think your work differs from that of other writers in your genre?

You know Michael I’m little surprise, and I might say, slightly offended that you’re not more familiar with my work and therefore feel the need to ask these questions, but I will attempt to remain civil and respond appropriately.

I like to think that my work differs from that of other writers in my genre by being … well … better. Just kidding! I’m not sure really. I’d like to believe that my work for both older and younger readers has a nice mix of depth and intelligence and heart. But so do many other people’s works. I guess in the end, what makes my work unique, is what makes anyone’s work unique – each story is in some way a version of life filtered through my eyes, mind, heart and experiences.

3. Mike, why do you write what you write?

Mike? Let’s not get too familiar here. I don’t like the cut of your jib that much! But, to answer your question, I think I write what I write because it’s what I’m passionate about and because I love words and stories. I’ve never gone looking for a story. They have always found me – often in strange ways. I think like most people, I write what I write, because the thought of not doing so, is unbearable.

4. Mr Bauer sir, what’s your writing process, and how does it work?

That’s more like it!

It’s probably very generous to label what I do a ‘process’ but for what it’s worth basically this is it. A story starts for me with some tiny thing that I become curious about. In the past, stories have developed from a line in a book, a picture, a childhood memory, a name and an old movie. It’s like finding one interesting piece of a giant jigsaw puzzle where you’re not sure what the final picture will be, but you’re desperate to find out. In order to do that, you start to imagine what connects to that one piece you have and gradually, a bit at a time, the image and the story grows and forms.

I think about a story for a long time before I start to write it. I never type a word until I know the ending of the story. Often for me, the motivation for struggling with every other part of the story, is earning the privilege to write that ending. Most of the planning of the storyline, I do in my head. When that becomes too difficult or complicated, which it always does at some stage, I write rough and messy notes and outlines down on paper.

The other thing is that I never talk much about what I am writing or show it to anyone else until it is completely finished. Good or bad, right or wrong, it has to be just my story first. I also don’t think much about a target audience. I basically write for me. I write the stories that move me in some way – make me laugh or cry. After the manuscript is completed to the best of my ability, my wife will be the first reader, followed by my publisher and editor. If they like it, then I might be game enough to show it to my son or daughter.

Thank you Michael for those informative and entertaining responses. Just hearing you speak and being in your presence is a humbling experience and it has made me a better person.

Really? You’re not just saying that because you feel you should?

Actually I am.

Oh.

So there it is. And now it’s my pleasure to pass on the Question-Answering Baton to these three gorgeous and talented Brisbane writers and good friends. Click on their names to check out their author sites/blogs.

CHRIS BONGERS: Chris is a former radio and television journalist who is now happier writing fiction. Her latest Young Adult novel Intruder has just been released. Her other works include Dust, Henry Hoey Hobson and Drongoes.

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SHERYL GWYTHER: Sheryl is a writer for young people with a passion for reading, painting, printmaking and photography. She is also Assistant Regional Advisor for the SCBWI Australia E/NZ region. Her published works include Secrets of Eromanga,  Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper and Princess Clown.

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 SAMANTHA WHEELER: Sam loves to write about animals and adventure. I had the pleasure of launching her first book Smooch and Rose a story set against the continuing destruction of koala habitat. Her next book Spud and Charli is about ‘friendship, horses and bats’ and is due out in September 2014.

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Cheers
Michael

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