Monday, March 19, 2007
Novelspot Talks To...
...it's been a while since I talked about Hertzan Chimera's role in my continued anonymity in the publishing world but Novelspot recently gave me the chance to rant on again about the decedant good old days and two new H.C. books.
Novelspot Talks To... Mike Philbin.
At the reins, Ilona Hegedus - nice work on some intriguing questions, Ilona.
:)
Novelspot will be running a companion interview about Chimericana Books next month. Stay tuned for all the latest gossip.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Hertzan Chimera trembles AFTER THE QUAKE:
..it's been a while since me old mucker Hertzan Chimera was out on day release but here's further proof of his immortality. This time we see him taking on the likes of Haruki Murakami's short story collection AFTER THE QUAKE over at the Open Critic forum.
In other news, a new series of the infamous Hertzan Chimera Interviews are about to make a spectacular comeback via a pornolicious-grindhouse of a magazine out of New York some time in late 2007 - more details nearer the date.
Friday, December 08, 2006
HERTZAN CHIMERA ASTROCHART: opposed in Jupiter
I've always wondered what made Hertzan Chimera 'tick', so I wandered off and had this star chart done, enjoy:
Rising Sign is in 13 Degrees Virgo You tend to be very shy and not very self-assertive. You are supercritical about how you appear to others. Even though you may think you are uninteresting and dull, you are actually quite soft- spoken, orderly, neat and very likable. You are a perfectionist with high standards, and at times you can be quite tactless in pointing out the faults of others. Very practical, efficient and purposeful, your appearance and bearing reflect your need to appear graceful, sensible and reserved. You have a crisp, no-nonsense approach to dealing with others. Never lazy or self-indulgent, you tend to be dedicated to the work ethic.
Sun is in 24 Degrees Capricorn. Extremely serious and mature, you are capable of accepting responsibilities and do so willingly. Others expect you to be dutiful as a matter of course. You tend to get angry when people get rewards after not having worked anywhere near as hard as you. You are goal-oriented and an achiever by nature -- you're a hard worker and are justifiably proud of the tangible results of your efforts. You tend to have "tunnel-vision" -- this allows you to block out extraneous matters that might distract others and to concentrate totally on the matter at hand. As such, you are the ideal one to manage or administrate any ongoing project and to be practical and efficient at it. You are not a fast worker, but you are quite thorough. You are known for being totally persistent, tenacious and tireless in reaching your goals.
Moon is in 07 Degrees Scorpio. Your feelings are very intense, never superficial. You tend to be either very angry or very sad or completely and totally happy. Your moods are deep, extreme and not always completely understood by yourself or by those with whom you have to deal. Emotionally, you tend to prefer to live at the cutting edge of life, pushing your reactions to the ultimate extremes, even if the results are dangerous or upsetting. You are easily jealous and very suspicious -- you require a great deal of emotional reassurance. A good detective, you are very curious about deep and mysterious things, especially human nature and motivations. Be careful not to be ruthless, tactless or too overly frank or you will meet with much resistance from others.
Mercury is in 10 Degrees Capricorn. You are a careful thinker, very cautious and conservative. You are quite skillful at organizing, directing and planning activities. Practical and useful things interest you -- you are not attracted to abstract thoughts or ideas. With your tendency to be highly focused and very goal-oriented, you have a good head for business. But beware of a tendency to be narrow-minded and dogmatic. Your sense of humor tends toward being earthy and slapstick crude.
Venus is in 12 Degrees Aquarius.
You are a friendly and outgoing individual, but close relationships are difficult for you to maintain due to your fear that they will cause you to lose your freedom. You attract friends and associates who are exciting, different and sometimes a bit odd. You are popular with others and enjoy working within a group toward group goals.
Mars is in 17 Degrees Aquarius. Your ideas and opinions are usually inventive and original, but sometimes they are merely eccentric and offbeat. You are altruistic -- you will work hard for the attainment of group goals, as long as they meet your high standards. You tend to resent traditional authority figures because you think that your ideas are better thought out and more valuable than theirs. Very idealistic, you are a rebel WITH a cause!
Jupiter is in 22 Degrees Gemini.
You have a logical, detached, objective view of most things. Your interests are wide-ranging and you are an avid student, with expertise in many different areas. You love to work things out in your mind -- everything you do is reduced to an exercise in logic and reason. You have the ability to grasp abstractions and to deal successfully with the larger issues of life. Your overemphasis on developing your powerful intellect can cause your emotional and intuitive abilities to atrophy unless you consciously choose to exercise them.
Saturn is in 13 Degrees Pisces.
Your tendency to think that your life is out of control is based on an unreasonable fear, probably connected with an unfortunate experience with the person who filled the father figure role in your early life. Learn to take responsibility here and now for your own life. Try to stop having unrealistic expectations about guide figures. Remember that they are merely human, with all the same faults and self-doubts that you have. When you get confused or uncertain, try to simplify your lifestyle -- things will then become easier to bear.
Uranus is in 19 Degrees Virgo.
You, and all your peers, will be known for the degree of intensity with which you dislike normal everyday routines and chores. You will go out of your way to invent innovative, unique and timesaving ways to perform the various mundane routines and duties of living. You will be attracted to all manner of practical and useful gadgets -- anything that will make your daily life more exciting.
Neptune is in 21 Degrees Scorpio.
You, and your entire generation, are extremely interested in anything deep and mysterious. You will explore and idealize the benefits that can accrue from the study of the occult, healing and psychology. You are willing to experiment with substances like drugs in order to push your understanding of your inner being to the extreme.
Pluto is in 18 Degrees Virgo. For your entire generation, this will be a time when profound changes in society's attitude toward work, duty and responsibility will be initiated. Radical changes in attitudes toward personal health and general nutrition will be promulgated and gain wide acceptance and practice.
N. Node is in 03 Degrees Gemini.
You will consciously seek out many different contacts with others throughout your life. Many of these will be of very short duration, not necessarily because you're fickle, but just because you always seem to be more excited by the prospect of meeting someone new rather than prolonging your present relationships. At any rate, you will learn something new from almost everyone you come across -- intellectual stimulation is what you crave from others. You will be well known to neighbors and relatives, partly due to your curiosity about what they're doing -- you delight in keeping up-to-date about the latest news (and gossip).
Rising Sign is in 13 Degrees Virgo You tend to be very shy and not very self-assertive. You are supercritical about how you appear to others. Even though you may think you are uninteresting and dull, you are actually quite soft- spoken, orderly, neat and very likable. You are a perfectionist with high standards, and at times you can be quite tactless in pointing out the faults of others. Very practical, efficient and purposeful, your appearance and bearing reflect your need to appear graceful, sensible and reserved. You have a crisp, no-nonsense approach to dealing with others. Never lazy or self-indulgent, you tend to be dedicated to the work ethic.
Sun is in 24 Degrees Capricorn. Extremely serious and mature, you are capable of accepting responsibilities and do so willingly. Others expect you to be dutiful as a matter of course. You tend to get angry when people get rewards after not having worked anywhere near as hard as you. You are goal-oriented and an achiever by nature -- you're a hard worker and are justifiably proud of the tangible results of your efforts. You tend to have "tunnel-vision" -- this allows you to block out extraneous matters that might distract others and to concentrate totally on the matter at hand. As such, you are the ideal one to manage or administrate any ongoing project and to be practical and efficient at it. You are not a fast worker, but you are quite thorough. You are known for being totally persistent, tenacious and tireless in reaching your goals.
Moon is in 07 Degrees Scorpio. Your feelings are very intense, never superficial. You tend to be either very angry or very sad or completely and totally happy. Your moods are deep, extreme and not always completely understood by yourself or by those with whom you have to deal. Emotionally, you tend to prefer to live at the cutting edge of life, pushing your reactions to the ultimate extremes, even if the results are dangerous or upsetting. You are easily jealous and very suspicious -- you require a great deal of emotional reassurance. A good detective, you are very curious about deep and mysterious things, especially human nature and motivations. Be careful not to be ruthless, tactless or too overly frank or you will meet with much resistance from others.
Mercury is in 10 Degrees Capricorn. You are a careful thinker, very cautious and conservative. You are quite skillful at organizing, directing and planning activities. Practical and useful things interest you -- you are not attracted to abstract thoughts or ideas. With your tendency to be highly focused and very goal-oriented, you have a good head for business. But beware of a tendency to be narrow-minded and dogmatic. Your sense of humor tends toward being earthy and slapstick crude.
Venus is in 12 Degrees Aquarius.
You are a friendly and outgoing individual, but close relationships are difficult for you to maintain due to your fear that they will cause you to lose your freedom. You attract friends and associates who are exciting, different and sometimes a bit odd. You are popular with others and enjoy working within a group toward group goals.
Mars is in 17 Degrees Aquarius. Your ideas and opinions are usually inventive and original, but sometimes they are merely eccentric and offbeat. You are altruistic -- you will work hard for the attainment of group goals, as long as they meet your high standards. You tend to resent traditional authority figures because you think that your ideas are better thought out and more valuable than theirs. Very idealistic, you are a rebel WITH a cause!
Jupiter is in 22 Degrees Gemini.
You have a logical, detached, objective view of most things. Your interests are wide-ranging and you are an avid student, with expertise in many different areas. You love to work things out in your mind -- everything you do is reduced to an exercise in logic and reason. You have the ability to grasp abstractions and to deal successfully with the larger issues of life. Your overemphasis on developing your powerful intellect can cause your emotional and intuitive abilities to atrophy unless you consciously choose to exercise them.
Saturn is in 13 Degrees Pisces.
Your tendency to think that your life is out of control is based on an unreasonable fear, probably connected with an unfortunate experience with the person who filled the father figure role in your early life. Learn to take responsibility here and now for your own life. Try to stop having unrealistic expectations about guide figures. Remember that they are merely human, with all the same faults and self-doubts that you have. When you get confused or uncertain, try to simplify your lifestyle -- things will then become easier to bear.
Uranus is in 19 Degrees Virgo.
You, and all your peers, will be known for the degree of intensity with which you dislike normal everyday routines and chores. You will go out of your way to invent innovative, unique and timesaving ways to perform the various mundane routines and duties of living. You will be attracted to all manner of practical and useful gadgets -- anything that will make your daily life more exciting.
Neptune is in 21 Degrees Scorpio.
You, and your entire generation, are extremely interested in anything deep and mysterious. You will explore and idealize the benefits that can accrue from the study of the occult, healing and psychology. You are willing to experiment with substances like drugs in order to push your understanding of your inner being to the extreme.
Pluto is in 18 Degrees Virgo. For your entire generation, this will be a time when profound changes in society's attitude toward work, duty and responsibility will be initiated. Radical changes in attitudes toward personal health and general nutrition will be promulgated and gain wide acceptance and practice.
N. Node is in 03 Degrees Gemini.
You will consciously seek out many different contacts with others throughout your life. Many of these will be of very short duration, not necessarily because you're fickle, but just because you always seem to be more excited by the prospect of meeting someone new rather than prolonging your present relationships. At any rate, you will learn something new from almost everyone you come across -- intellectual stimulation is what you crave from others. You will be well known to neighbors and relatives, partly due to your curiosity about what they're doing -- you delight in keeping up-to-date about the latest news (and gossip).
Saturday, October 28, 2006
HERTZAN CHIMERA LIVES:
this is the news you've all been waiting for - two new Hertzan Chimera novels!
This Halloween, in a scene reminiscent of Robert Powell's ZeffirelliChrist, I shall resurrect the old hater of mediocrity. These two never-before-seen Hertzan Chimera books TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING and THE HOO-HOO ARE COMING will be available by the end of this weekend, be there lightning in the sky and spirit in the heart of men. Click the book covers to BUY NOW, dear fanatics, follow the link...
this is the news you've all been waiting for - two new Hertzan Chimera novels!
This Halloween, in a scene reminiscent of Robert Powell's ZeffirelliChrist, I shall resurrect the old hater of mediocrity. These two never-before-seen Hertzan Chimera books TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING and THE HOO-HOO ARE COMING will be available by the end of this weekend, be there lightning in the sky and spirit in the heart of men. Click the book covers to BUY NOW, dear fanatics, follow the link...
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Thursday, May 19, 2005
HERTZAN CHIMERA @ FICTIONWISE.COM
I know ... you've got a shiny new PDA and don't know what to fill it with - did you know you can pick up all Hertzan Chimera's ebooks at FICTION WISE (the business for ebooks).
Details below in order of highest sales:
1 Animal Instincts [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Animal Instincts started out as a concept very similar to some of the key themes in Doctor Moreau's island of genetic freaks--although it became more of a social than genetic study of cross pollination. What would happen if you transplanted animal mores, needs and, yes, instincts into contemporary cultural settings. How would the reader perceive the twisted narrative? Could this animal mentality affect the way the stories were actually written. The way a panting gazelle is torn apart by hyenas, ... more info>> 2003
Words: 66891 - Reading Time: 191-267 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 United States [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
From the Pushcart-nominated author of "Szmonhfu", comes another grim tale of personal humiliation and social disease. "United States" was written in the late 1980's in the north of England when Goths ruled the world, parties were the only reason to go on drawing dole and this yet-to-be author clearly should have known better. The novel is split down the middle like a pickled brain. Part One: The Founding Fathers is an inexcusable effrontery, exploring contemporary attitudes towards personal spac... more info>> 2003
Words: 83700 - Reading Time: 239-334 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SZMONHFU [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Jane Templeton Rice is the highest paid fashion model in her industry. Her whole life stretches out in front of her like extravagant courses in a Chinese banquet. The night of the Gaultier show why did Jane go 'walkabout'? We follow this delicate young redhead on a blistering erotic adventure of discovery. But we soon find out that Jane has a problem. Her ability to dredge up the very deepest fantasies from her lovers is both an erotic firestorm and a millstone around her slender neck. How pure ... more info>> 2003
Words: 96720 - Reading Time: 276-386 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 3 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Spidered Web: Hertzan Chimera Interviews [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Let the controversial Hertzan Chimera delve into the minds of some of horror's brightest writers, and then to turn the trick, let them ask Chimera a question or two. Interviews with Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Charlee jacob, Tom Piccirilli, Michael Arnzen and many others. 2003
Words: 46443 - Reading Time: 132-185 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Chim + Her: Collaborations with Hertzan Chimera [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera & 8 female collaborators
Twenty-four collaborations between the controversial Hertzan Chimera and eight of horror and mysteries best women writers and poets. 2004
Words: 76644 - Reading Time: 218-306 min.
Category: Horror 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Be Mine [MultiFormat]
by L. Marie Wood & Hertzan Chimera & Stephen D. Rogers
Twenty-six terror and suspense tales for Valentine's Day. Edited by L. Marie wood. Foreword by Anthony Beal. 2004
Words: 71320 - Reading Time: 203-285 min.
Category: Horror 5 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 ChimeraWorld #1: 23 Tales of the Strange [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
The ever-bizarre Hertzan Chimera presents 23 tales of lust and horror. Features Ken Goldman, Alex Severin, L. Marie Wood and many others. 2004
Words: 64096 - Reading Time: 183-256 min.
Category: Horror 7 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Chim+Him: Collaborations With Hertzan Chimera [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera & 7 male collaborators
Seven authors join the bizarre and ever-fascinating Hertzan Chimera for tales of weirdness and terror. 2004
Words: 66641 - Reading Time: 190-266 min.
Category: Horror 3 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
I know ... you've got a shiny new PDA and don't know what to fill it with - did you know you can pick up all Hertzan Chimera's ebooks at FICTION WISE (the business for ebooks).
Details below in order of highest sales:
1 Animal Instincts [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Animal Instincts started out as a concept very similar to some of the key themes in Doctor Moreau's island of genetic freaks--although it became more of a social than genetic study of cross pollination. What would happen if you transplanted animal mores, needs and, yes, instincts into contemporary cultural settings. How would the reader perceive the twisted narrative? Could this animal mentality affect the way the stories were actually written. The way a panting gazelle is torn apart by hyenas, ... more info>> 2003
Words: 66891 - Reading Time: 191-267 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 United States [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
From the Pushcart-nominated author of "Szmonhfu", comes another grim tale of personal humiliation and social disease. "United States" was written in the late 1980's in the north of England when Goths ruled the world, parties were the only reason to go on drawing dole and this yet-to-be author clearly should have known better. The novel is split down the middle like a pickled brain. Part One: The Founding Fathers is an inexcusable effrontery, exploring contemporary attitudes towards personal spac... more info>> 2003
Words: 83700 - Reading Time: 239-334 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SZMONHFU [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Jane Templeton Rice is the highest paid fashion model in her industry. Her whole life stretches out in front of her like extravagant courses in a Chinese banquet. The night of the Gaultier show why did Jane go 'walkabout'? We follow this delicate young redhead on a blistering erotic adventure of discovery. But we soon find out that Jane has a problem. Her ability to dredge up the very deepest fantasies from her lovers is both an erotic firestorm and a millstone around her slender neck. How pure ... more info>> 2003
Words: 96720 - Reading Time: 276-386 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy 3 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $5.99 $5.09
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Spidered Web: Hertzan Chimera Interviews [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
Let the controversial Hertzan Chimera delve into the minds of some of horror's brightest writers, and then to turn the trick, let them ask Chimera a question or two. Interviews with Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Charlee jacob, Tom Piccirilli, Michael Arnzen and many others. 2003
Words: 46443 - Reading Time: 132-185 min.
Category: Dark Fantasy
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Chim + Her: Collaborations with Hertzan Chimera [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera & 8 female collaborators
Twenty-four collaborations between the controversial Hertzan Chimera and eight of horror and mysteries best women writers and poets. 2004
Words: 76644 - Reading Time: 218-306 min.
Category: Horror 2 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Be Mine [MultiFormat]
by L. Marie Wood & Hertzan Chimera & Stephen D. Rogers
Twenty-six terror and suspense tales for Valentine's Day. Edited by L. Marie wood. Foreword by Anthony Beal. 2004
Words: 71320 - Reading Time: 203-285 min.
Category: Horror 5 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 ChimeraWorld #1: 23 Tales of the Strange [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera
The ever-bizarre Hertzan Chimera presents 23 tales of lust and horror. Features Ken Goldman, Alex Severin, L. Marie Wood and many others. 2004
Words: 64096 - Reading Time: 183-256 min.
Category: Horror 7 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Chim+Him: Collaborations With Hertzan Chimera [MultiFormat]
by Hertzan Chimera & 7 male collaborators
Seven authors join the bizarre and ever-fascinating Hertzan Chimera for tales of weirdness and terror. 2004
Words: 66641 - Reading Time: 190-266 min.
Category: Horror 3 Reader Ratings:
Great Good OK Poor
Regular Club
You Pay: $4.99 $4.24
Saturday, May 14, 2005
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HERTZAN CHIMERA:
It's been a loooooooong while since anything was posted to this defunct blog. As of August 2004 Hertzan Chimera is dead (python parrot sketch officionados have your moment) and will no longer be writing any more of his off-the-wall wheel-rebuilding books. The story of his genesis and demise will soon be outlined in the 60,000 word paperback THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HERTZAN CHIMERA coming from Cyber Pulp Books in June 1, 2005.
The second annual edition of CHIMERAWORLD (with Mike Philbin as editor) is also to be released on the same date by the same publisher. So, in summary, the memory of Hertzan Chimera lives on even if his creative life has come to a sticky end.
It's been a loooooooong while since anything was posted to this defunct blog. As of August 2004 Hertzan Chimera is dead (python parrot sketch officionados have your moment) and will no longer be writing any more of his off-the-wall wheel-rebuilding books. The story of his genesis and demise will soon be outlined in the 60,000 word paperback THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HERTZAN CHIMERA coming from Cyber Pulp Books in June 1, 2005.
The second annual edition of CHIMERAWORLD (with Mike Philbin as editor) is also to be released on the same date by the same publisher. So, in summary, the memory of Hertzan Chimera lives on even if his creative life has come to a sticky end.
Friday, August 27, 2004
HERTZAN CHIMERA, R.I.P.
It's about time an' all. I was never comfortable with this funny writing name - nobody ever understood what I was trying to achieve with it and I could never bring it out into the public without a twinge of discomfort.
My name is Mike Philbin. I have also dropped the SURREALIST sub-moniker. It was all too corny - confrontational is good until it becomes corny. This will be the last Hertzan Chimera post and from this point on, people interested in reading more of my work will have to look for the name Mike Philbin on the mass market book shelves. It may take some time to get back up to speed but that's the whole idea.
go here to continue this blog
It's about time an' all. I was never comfortable with this funny writing name - nobody ever understood what I was trying to achieve with it and I could never bring it out into the public without a twinge of discomfort.
My name is Mike Philbin. I have also dropped the SURREALIST sub-moniker. It was all too corny - confrontational is good until it becomes corny. This will be the last Hertzan Chimera post and from this point on, people interested in reading more of my work will have to look for the name Mike Philbin on the mass market book shelves. It may take some time to get back up to speed but that's the whole idea.
go here to continue this blog
Thursday, August 26, 2004
THE JECKYLL'S HYDE OF MODERN FICTION
I usually don't give a shit what people think about my writing; it's none of my concern. What I don't like is misunderstanding about my motives or belief. One well known writer Ray Garton responded to an announcement I made about the exclusive PRETTY SCARY feature interview of the 8 co-writers of CHIM + HER (my new book from Cyber Pulp). He was wondering (quite understandably, I guess) if I talk the same as I write, he was also wondering if I talk about myself in the third person, "like the Royal WE the Queen of England might use" (as he put it) in real life. Was he really calling me a queen? His question did come across as an attack, or at the very least a hugner for blood (maybe Ray is a vampire - I'm sure he won't find this in the least bit funny either). I sometimes don't understand the American psyche or their humour (and I'm sure this is mutual in the other direction across the Atlantic). I'm not sure what riled Ray - maybe it's that I sign on to writer boards as Hertzan Chimera (I have to, nobody knows Mike Philbin in writing circles, nor should they, he hasn't written a word) but then talk about Hertzan Chimera in the third person, something I do a lot when talking about Hertzan Chimera fiction...
HERTZAN CHIMERA does not exist.
Hertzan Chimera is a writing entity; a label, a ghost in the machine. In the same way that Nike doesn't exist other than to describe a brand of sports wear, so I attribute the name Hertzan Chimera to those things I write. It's not like Mike Philbin writing something (I don't even know what a piece of Mike Philbin writing might be like). Mike Philbin lives in the realworld, he has to take public transport and talk with people in shops on a one-to-one level. He certainly doesn't lead anything like the surreal life of the characters in his Hertzan Chimera books. Nobody could. And that's the point, they're fiction.
The joy of going through the fiction-al Hertzan Chimera 'writing membrane' is that I don't need to concentrate on ANYTHING. These extreme pieces of writing aren't dreams as such, they're not transcribed directly from a dream diary (though I used to keep dream diaries to enhance surreal content).
I do feel a little 'uncomfortable' when I am greeted in person as "Hertzan" or "How do you pronounce 'Chimera'?" at some trade show or writerly get together here in the UK. I tell them, "Mike, my name's Mike." I KNOW in my own mind that the Hertzan Chimera identity only exists when my fingers move across a keyboard. He's not even there when the interface with the keyboard is not necessary (like when I'm eating my tea or riding a bike). I can think of subjects, I can plan things to write but it's the Hertzan Chimera entity that actually puts the words in the sentences and attributes mood and motivation.
Yep, this is dangerous and can lead to delusion.
I live once and with that life I will do as I please.
I am happy that the 'invented' Hertzan Chimera entity is allowing me to fully explore ANY subject without censorship, editing or self-debate. I feel like a landlord with a skeleton key to every door imaginable. It's a liberation. But also strange because when I talk about 'it' (the writing persona) I have to use the third person.
And that's the way our 'relationship' has to be. I often look back on pieces of writing I have done using the Hertzan Chimera free-form and sometimes do not recognise it at all. It IS as if somebody else has written it. And I like that. I like the fact that those things can rise automatically from the psyche. Though I don't publicly associate my self with the output of the Hertzan Chimera writing device, I do realise that it is transcribing a silent partner or never-normally-used part of my self.
This is fine, but doesn't have to be integrated into my daily persona. It is a separate thing. A machine that I only switch on when I need to write Hertzan Chimera fiction (which I always do at a keyboard in one sitting). I know I am the power behind the Hertzan Chimera writing label but I don't feel subservient to it's personality. I am in control and it only exists when I let it.
famous last words, eh?
I usually don't give a shit what people think about my writing; it's none of my concern. What I don't like is misunderstanding about my motives or belief. One well known writer Ray Garton responded to an announcement I made about the exclusive PRETTY SCARY feature interview of the 8 co-writers of CHIM + HER (my new book from Cyber Pulp). He was wondering (quite understandably, I guess) if I talk the same as I write, he was also wondering if I talk about myself in the third person, "like the Royal WE the Queen of England might use" (as he put it) in real life. Was he really calling me a queen? His question did come across as an attack, or at the very least a hugner for blood (maybe Ray is a vampire - I'm sure he won't find this in the least bit funny either). I sometimes don't understand the American psyche or their humour (and I'm sure this is mutual in the other direction across the Atlantic). I'm not sure what riled Ray - maybe it's that I sign on to writer boards as Hertzan Chimera (I have to, nobody knows Mike Philbin in writing circles, nor should they, he hasn't written a word) but then talk about Hertzan Chimera in the third person, something I do a lot when talking about Hertzan Chimera fiction...
HERTZAN CHIMERA does not exist.
Hertzan Chimera is a writing entity; a label, a ghost in the machine. In the same way that Nike doesn't exist other than to describe a brand of sports wear, so I attribute the name Hertzan Chimera to those things I write. It's not like Mike Philbin writing something (I don't even know what a piece of Mike Philbin writing might be like). Mike Philbin lives in the realworld, he has to take public transport and talk with people in shops on a one-to-one level. He certainly doesn't lead anything like the surreal life of the characters in his Hertzan Chimera books. Nobody could. And that's the point, they're fiction.
The joy of going through the fiction-al Hertzan Chimera 'writing membrane' is that I don't need to concentrate on ANYTHING. These extreme pieces of writing aren't dreams as such, they're not transcribed directly from a dream diary (though I used to keep dream diaries to enhance surreal content).
I do feel a little 'uncomfortable' when I am greeted in person as "Hertzan" or "How do you pronounce 'Chimera'?" at some trade show or writerly get together here in the UK. I tell them, "Mike, my name's Mike." I KNOW in my own mind that the Hertzan Chimera identity only exists when my fingers move across a keyboard. He's not even there when the interface with the keyboard is not necessary (like when I'm eating my tea or riding a bike). I can think of subjects, I can plan things to write but it's the Hertzan Chimera entity that actually puts the words in the sentences and attributes mood and motivation.
Yep, this is dangerous and can lead to delusion.
I live once and with that life I will do as I please.
I am happy that the 'invented' Hertzan Chimera entity is allowing me to fully explore ANY subject without censorship, editing or self-debate. I feel like a landlord with a skeleton key to every door imaginable. It's a liberation. But also strange because when I talk about 'it' (the writing persona) I have to use the third person.
And that's the way our 'relationship' has to be. I often look back on pieces of writing I have done using the Hertzan Chimera free-form and sometimes do not recognise it at all. It IS as if somebody else has written it. And I like that. I like the fact that those things can rise automatically from the psyche. Though I don't publicly associate my self with the output of the Hertzan Chimera writing device, I do realise that it is transcribing a silent partner or never-normally-used part of my self.
This is fine, but doesn't have to be integrated into my daily persona. It is a separate thing. A machine that I only switch on when I need to write Hertzan Chimera fiction (which I always do at a keyboard in one sitting). I know I am the power behind the Hertzan Chimera writing label but I don't feel subservient to it's personality. I am in control and it only exists when I let it.
famous last words, eh?
Monday, August 23, 2004
I, ROBOT IS THE SHIT
Just spent my Uk-equivalent of $10 and I must say, cut off the first five minutes of sickeningly blatent adverts and the last five minutes of wet-eye, and what an enjoyable film this way. They even had that kid in it Shia LeBeouf out of Even Stevens - he's probably the funniest actor in America right now.
Great fun - but I still wonder why it's okay to show full-frontal animal sex on "Natural History" shows and fully-explicit-robot violence on a 12a certificate film.
:)
Just spent my Uk-equivalent of $10 and I must say, cut off the first five minutes of sickeningly blatent adverts and the last five minutes of wet-eye, and what an enjoyable film this way. They even had that kid in it Shia LeBeouf out of Even Stevens - he's probably the funniest actor in America right now.
Great fun - but I still wonder why it's okay to show full-frontal animal sex on "Natural History" shows and fully-explicit-robot violence on a 12a certificate film.
:)
THE GIRLS OF CHIM+HER SPEAK OUT
Pretty Scary dot Com - the site for women in horror have just uploaded their latest feature, an interview with the co-writers of CHIM+HER.
Women are strange beasts. Under their skins lie terrors, fears, desires and horrors the likes of which men never see, can never understand. In this unique collaborative collection, Hertzan Chimera takes on eight of the most extreme female authors ever.
thanks to Heidi Martinuzzi and Elizabeth Blue for putting this together.
Pretty Scary dot Com - the site for women in horror have just uploaded their latest feature, an interview with the co-writers of CHIM+HER.
Women are strange beasts. Under their skins lie terrors, fears, desires and horrors the likes of which men never see, can never understand. In this unique collaborative collection, Hertzan Chimera takes on eight of the most extreme female authors ever.
thanks to Heidi Martinuzzi and Elizabeth Blue for putting this together.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
THE PLANET OF THE OWLS
I think I've broken the middle finger on my left hand. I can't be sure but I went to Cambridge last weekend (like ten days ago) and played some volleyball, no it wasn't the volleyball. There was also an American football. There were four or five of us over the course of that Saturday who enjoyed throwing that ball around the field. Right at the end (isn't it always the way, making errors when you're tired) I caught the ball as it came in from altitude and the tip of my middle finger on that left had bent back. It swelled up real red all through Sunday and still now nine or ten days later, it's still swelled on the knuckle there. I am not sure if it's broken but the joint there is still a bit sore and swollen, the colour died down though, so I'm thinking it's just a bad bruise.
Despite this, I've been tapping away at my new story THE PLANET OF THE OWLS. I don't wanna say too much about it but it's going real well. I don't wanna even say if it's a book yet or just a very long story. It's at a stage now where I have the first part of the book done now, a comfortable 11,500 words. This could live on its own, as is. Or I could get further inspiration and write the second part of the story, I am not sure yet if it will sustain itself through, there's potential though. Some place like Interzone might go for such a long, kafka-esque work. I've had the sketch of "Owls" for a few months now, gestating - finally, the little chick has pecked its way out. It's gonna scare some people and I like that.
more updates as/when they occur.
I think I've broken the middle finger on my left hand. I can't be sure but I went to Cambridge last weekend (like ten days ago) and played some volleyball, no it wasn't the volleyball. There was also an American football. There were four or five of us over the course of that Saturday who enjoyed throwing that ball around the field. Right at the end (isn't it always the way, making errors when you're tired) I caught the ball as it came in from altitude and the tip of my middle finger on that left had bent back. It swelled up real red all through Sunday and still now nine or ten days later, it's still swelled on the knuckle there. I am not sure if it's broken but the joint there is still a bit sore and swollen, the colour died down though, so I'm thinking it's just a bad bruise.
Despite this, I've been tapping away at my new story THE PLANET OF THE OWLS. I don't wanna say too much about it but it's going real well. I don't wanna even say if it's a book yet or just a very long story. It's at a stage now where I have the first part of the book done now, a comfortable 11,500 words. This could live on its own, as is. Or I could get further inspiration and write the second part of the story, I am not sure yet if it will sustain itself through, there's potential though. Some place like Interzone might go for such a long, kafka-esque work. I've had the sketch of "Owls" for a few months now, gestating - finally, the little chick has pecked its way out. It's gonna scare some people and I like that.
more updates as/when they occur.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
A NORMAL WORD COUNT?
Well, the weather this week here in the U.K. has been absolutely horrible. Torrential rain, floods, mud slides, thunder & lightning. But still, I managed to reach the 50,000 word limit on A NORMAL LIFE? after two weeks of effort. I decided at the end of last week that I would actually start naming names. I began by making up some names for people in my life, people you know only through my subjective view of them - I decided to call them names like Moustache Man and The Twitcher (this gives sufficient description of the person in question. Pure subjectivity rules, remember). That's what a diary/journal is all about. Nearly truth, subjective observation. I decided to actually name all the towns and cities I had lived ina during the first 38 years, it was getting a bit too disorienting even for me calling them Northern Town 1 and Southern Seaside Town. If you work it out, that's a mere 1000 words for every year on this planet. Not a lot is it? But that's all I can manage to want to put into it anyway it's not really about the whole year. As long as I have at least one or two memories to jot down from each year, I'll have a sense of achievement if not fulfilment. Just those examples of what I've got out of life so far. I'm sure there are writers out there who could expand my short and normal life to well over 400-500 pages but for me that's the majority of the problem with fiction (or auto-biographies) today - 50,000 words of added filler or "editor-advised expansion".
fuck all-a that for a game of soldiers.
Well, the weather this week here in the U.K. has been absolutely horrible. Torrential rain, floods, mud slides, thunder & lightning. But still, I managed to reach the 50,000 word limit on A NORMAL LIFE? after two weeks of effort. I decided at the end of last week that I would actually start naming names. I began by making up some names for people in my life, people you know only through my subjective view of them - I decided to call them names like Moustache Man and The Twitcher (this gives sufficient description of the person in question. Pure subjectivity rules, remember). That's what a diary/journal is all about. Nearly truth, subjective observation. I decided to actually name all the towns and cities I had lived ina during the first 38 years, it was getting a bit too disorienting even for me calling them Northern Town 1 and Southern Seaside Town. If you work it out, that's a mere 1000 words for every year on this planet. Not a lot is it? But that's all I can manage to want to put into it anyway it's not really about the whole year. As long as I have at least one or two memories to jot down from each year, I'll have a sense of achievement if not fulfilment. Just those examples of what I've got out of life so far. I'm sure there are writers out there who could expand my short and normal life to well over 400-500 pages but for me that's the majority of the problem with fiction (or auto-biographies) today - 50,000 words of added filler or "editor-advised expansion".
fuck all-a that for a game of soldiers.
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