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Just a Nerd writes...
Damn it, Greg. It happened with Young Justice. It happened with Gargoyles, though I was a (very) late comer. It happened with YJ: Legacy. I told myself it wouldn't happen again. But, once again, I am obsessed with a Greg Weisman production. Rain of the Ghosts was fantastic! An amazing story, a perfect amount of humor, mysteries that made my head ache, and lovable characters. I won't say anything plot-wise, due to not wanting to spoil.
But one thing I found interesting: I found myself atributing voices to the characters, taken from YJ and Gargoyles. Rain's dialogue came out as Elisa's voice in my head. Charlie was Jaime/Blue Beetle, while Bastian became Peter Maza. Callahan changed often, jumping from Vandal Savage to Macbeth to Deathstroke, though none of those are Australian. Probabley shoulda gone Dingo. (I'm an odd, odd person.) And I don't say this to say the characters were carbon copies, or even a little similar; it's just what my brain did.
Overall, a very enjoyable read. Don't think i spoiled anything but character names. (And, by God, I love Maq and Opie already.)
Greg responds...
Thanks. That's so gratifying. (And a bit of a relief too. I've never been as nervous about the reception of something I've worked on as I am about Rain.)
If you wouldn't mind, please consider PRE-ordering the next book in the series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, available here: http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Ash-Foam-Ghosts-Novel/dp/1250029821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379918087&sr=8-1&keywords=spirits+of+ash+and+foam+a+rain+of+the+ghosts+novel+by+greg+weisman
And please consider posting (or reposting) your review on Amazon, and marking a few of the many 5-Star reviews as "Helpful".
Anything that can help spread the word/create a buzz about Rain would be great.
As for the voices, I usually cast parts in my head. But though I hear their voices clearly, I can't name the actors so much on Rain, because the lead characters are only thirteen, and I don't know enough actors of color in that age range to help me cast. Would definitely have to hold auditions.
But Maq is W.C. Fields. Definitely. (Doesn't look like him. But that's the voice.)
Opie's kinda me for now. But I think I could do better.
More reviews of RAIN OF THE GHOSTS
My new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, has been getting some great reviews. Here's just a sample:
http://www.themarysue.com/review-greg-weisman-rain-of-the-ghosts/
If you haven't checked out RAIN, please consider it. If you've liked my work on Young Justice, Spectacular Spider-Man, W.I.T.C.H. or Gargoyles, I can guarantee you'll like this.
If you HAVE already read the book - and especially if you liked it - please consider posting a review on Amazon, and marking a few of the many 5-Star reviews as "Helpful".
Also, we're not that far away from the second book in the series. SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM is out July 8th. And I've started work on the third book: MASQUE OF BONES.
Coffee With Kenobi Podcast
I'm a guest on the Coffee With Kenobi Podcast. It was a fun interview, covering Star Wars Rebels, Gargoyles 20th Anniversary, Young Justice, Rain of the Ghosts and Spirits of Ash and Foam. You can find it here:
Diversity
Diversity in pop culture has always been an issue that concerns me greatly. I've tried to do my share to increase diversity on series like Gargoyles, W.I.T.C.H., The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice.
Now, that I've entered the world of publishing, my sister Robyn brought this article to my attention:
The article asks valid questions, and - yes, to toot my own horn - I'm going to provide at least a piece of the answer with my new books, Rain of the Ghosts and Spirits of Ash and Foam. Both feature protagonists of color. Rain Cacique is Native American, as is her grandfather Sebastian Bohique. Her best friends are Charlie Dauphin, who's African American and Miranda Guerrero, who is Hispanic-American. Many - if not most - of the other characters are also of color. This reflects the Caribbean setting of the novels, i.e. the fictional Ghost Keys and the actual mythology of that region.
The books are available here:
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
and here:
I urge you to check them out, and to suggest them at schools and libraries.
Giant Boy writes...
I've been rewatching The Spectacular Spider-Man, mostly the second season so far, and decided to rewatch "Subtext".
I really like Molten Man's character and looked him up. I also by chance happened to come across Blackie Gaxton in Betty Brant's page on the Spider-ManWiki.
It said that her brother was put in a similar situation with Blackie that ended similar to what happened between Spidey, Mark, and Liz in "Subtext".
After thinking about it, I'd have to say it was brilliant that you decided to do that story with Mark and Liz, whether or not Betty's brother would have appeared since Molten Man had his story.
Looking foward to Young Justice Legacy, Rain of Ghosts, and Star Wars Rebels.
Greg responds...
Yeah, we conflated Betty's brother with Liz's half-brother.
And by now, I assume you have YJ Legacy and Rain. What did you think?
Todd Jensen writes...
I bought my copy of "Rain of the Ghosts" at the local bookstore yesterday, and just finished reading it.
Thanks for mentioning me in the Acknowledgements; it was a pleasant surprise.
* SPOILERS FOLLOW *
I enjoyed reading it. I was put off a bit by the "head-hopping" (switching from one character's point-of-view to another in the course of a chapter), until I understood that the narrator was able to tell what all the characters were thinking.
As I'd picked up from the blurb, a lot of references to Shakespeare's "The Tempest" - even more than the names mentioned in it (Prospero, Miranda, and Sebastian), with Alonso, Ariel, Sycorax, Setebos, and maybe Iris (since the Iris of Greek mythology turns up in the play during the masque Prospero conjures up). Plus a different Shakespeare reference (or at least, one to 15th century history) in Charlie Dauphin's name, and a Mark Twain allusion with Rebecca Sawyer from Hannibal. (The preview of the next book also had a J. M. Barrie allusion with the Kim children's names.) And, to top it off, another Terry Chung.
I found Rain, Charlie, 'Bastian, and those around them vividly-characterized, and the adventure, especially the last flight of the "Island Belle", exciting. (Was that part of the story, incidentally, inspired by the loss of Flight 19? The time period and location in the area of the Bermuda Triangle both reminded me of that.) And I can see why you plan it to be a nine-book series, with the other eight objects to be found. There'll obviously be more developments to come (such as finding out more about the objects, what Callaghan and Setebos are up to, Judith Vendaval, and, of course, the true nature of your narrator - apparently a dog, but a remarkable dog - and Maq), and I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book next year.
*SPOILERS END *
Congratulations on becoming a published author, Greg.
An effective story with Rain and Charlie vividly characterized.
Greg responds...
And my first ASK GREG Rain review!!
Thanks, Todd. I'm glad you liked it.
I don't think Flight 19 was a major influence, but you never know what all is crowding around in my brain!
James Musgrove writes...
Caught your appearance on the nerdy show (linked from bleedingcool.com) and I'll be honest...I wasn't looking for a new book series. It was your passionate talk about how you wanted to tell Rain's story that got my attention and I just picked up my copy today. Tearing through it! Very relatable dialogue and clear narrative! Anyways, I had a few questions regarding this book:
1) Rain Cacique...how is this pronounced?
2) is Charlie's last name pronounced the French way?
3) while I definitely wouldn't expect it anytime soon because you're selling the book now, but would you give some thought to posting the script for the radio play/pilot some time in the future, after book nine comes out? :)
I don't suppose the audio of this exists and would ever be postable?
4) without SPOILING (of course), can you give any insight to elements that were changed/dropped/added in the rewrite of book one from the original manuscript?
5) all I can add right now is that I'm spreading the word and I haven't event finished it yet. That and WE NEED EXPANDED UNIVERSE RAIN OF THR GHOSTS COMICS!!! :)
Thanks so much. I'll probably be around here quite a bit!
Greg responds...
MY FIRST RAIN OF THE GHOSTS QUESTIONS!!! YAY!!!
1. Rain's family pronounces Cacique: kah-SEEK.
2. Charlie's family pronounces Dauphin: DAWF-in.
3. I don't know if anyone recorded it way back when. I might, down the road, post the script. Not anytime soon, though.
4. One major character was added. (Not to the series as a whole but to the first book.) A few minor characters were also added.
5. THANKS!!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS signings
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS signings
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Had two great signings for RAIN OF THE GHOSTS over the last few days.
On Saturday, at Gallifrey One, I coerced a roomful of Young Justice panel attendees to buy my new novel. And I sold out!
Then last night, had a reading, discussion and signing at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. We had a full house, and again, we SOLD OUT!
I want to thank all the friends, family, fans and strangers who attended either or both and bought books and generally put a smile on my face.
But there are still books out there to buy, so...
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS is the first book in a nine-book series of adventure, intrigue, mythology and mystery with a touch of horror. Rain Cacique is a thirteen-year-old girl, who lives on the tropical island of San Próspero - one of the eight Ghost Keys - where she goes to school and works for her parents in the tourist service industry. She feels trapped. But she's soon going to discover that she has a special ability - she can talk to the dead - and a destiny to fulfill. The second book in the series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, is already written and will come out on July 8th, 2014. The other seven books are in limbo, dependent - frankly - on sales of the first book.
If you've enjoyed my work on W.I.T.C.H., Gargoyles, Spectacular Spider-Man or Young Justice, I can guarantee you'll like Rain!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS can be purchased here:
SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM can be pre-ordered here:
http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Ash-Foam-Ghosts-Novel/dp/1250029821/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y
Thanks...
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS Reading and Signing
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS Reading and Signing
As many of you know, I will be reading, discussing and signing my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, at Vroman's Bookstore, tonight, Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 at 7pm.
Here's the address:
Vroman's Bookstore
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, California
91101
United States
My wonderful wife is bringing refreshments, so if the book isn't incentive enough, come for the Sparkling Apple Cider, cheese, crackers, cookies, grapes and/or Red Vines.
Honestly, I'm more nervous about this appearance then I've ever been about pretty much any appearance ever. So there's more incentive: come and watch me sweat!
More information here:
Allison writes...
Hello, Greg! Super-excited to get my hands on Rain of the Ghosts and ready to come to you for questions but first, a question about the London Clan:
Since the clan runs the shop Into the Mystic, does that mean that they have to pay taxes on it? If so, how are they registered in the system? Do they have aliases, or do they have the human employees do all the work?
Thank you very much, and I hope Rain of the Ghosts sells a kajillion copies!
Greg responds...
They pay taxes. They're in the system. But there's some subterfuge involving tax attorneys (solicitors?) who have never met their clients in person.
And I hope you're right about RAIN!!!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS Book Signing
Hello Friends, Fans & Family,
I'm having a reading, discussion and signing of my first novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014, starting at 7:00pm. More details are below.
I'm terrified I'll be sitting in a room by myself, so whether or not you've already purchased the book - or ever intend to - I'd still appreciate any moral support your attendance might provide. (And it would provide a lot.)
No R.S.V.P. is necessary, but I'm hoping to see at least a few of you there. (And if you wanted to buy a book, I wouldn't complain. No, really. I swear I wouldn't.) Oh, and please feel free to bring along additional victims bodies friends and family to the event - children are especially welcome - and please help spread the word, forwarding this to anyone you think might be (even vaguely) interested.
Thanks!
Greg Weisman
Greg Weisman reads, discusses & signs Rain of the Ghosts at VROMAN'S BOOKSTORE
Start: 02/18/2014 7:00 pm
Location:
695 E. Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, California
91101
United States
Growing up in the tropical paradise of the Ghost Keys, a (fictional) chain of islands near the Bermuda Triangle, should be paradise, but for twelve-year-old Rain Cacique, it feels more like a life sentence that dooms her to a future of bending over backwards for ungrateful tourists. Her beloved grandfather, 'Bastian, is the bright spot in her world, so when he passes away, Rain immediately attributes her newfound ability to see dead people to grief. Eventually, however, she discovers a hidden world of mystery and adventure. RAIN OF THE GHOSTS.
Philip Anderson writes...
Greg, congratulations on [i]Rain of the Ghosts[/i] and [i]Spirits of Ash and Stone[/i]! I'm looking forward to reading them and hoping to see the rest of the series, too.
As a writer myself (search [i]Pirate Journey[/i] on Amazon) I know that writing the manuscript is only part of the challenge. I've found that finding a publisher can be just as hard, in different ways. So here are my questions:
1. How did you get connected with St. Martin's?
2. If you have a publishing agent/agency, how did you connect with them?
If you have time, either here or in future rambles, I'd like to read your thoughts on your publishing experience (aside from your writing experience which you've chronicled pretty well with your chapter updates). Any information or advice or encouragement for aspiring and struggling novelists would be appreciated.
Thanks, and congratulations again!
Phil Anderson
Greg responds...
1. My situation may be unusual. My editor at St. Martin's was already a friend. He and I would have breakfast at San Diego ComicCon once a year to talk geek stuff. He knew that I had written Rain and that I had stalled out on a rewrite, and he would urge me every year to finish. So when I finally did in February of 2012, I sent it to him. Personally, I'm lousy at networking usually, but there's no doubt it can pay off. And this time I got very lucky.
2. I have an agent. Their main expertise is in animation, but they handle books, as well. When I originally wrote Rain, twelve or so years ago, they sent the book out to various publishers, who all rejected it.
I'm still figuring stuff out. For example, now that the book is out, I need to teach myself how to get the word out about it. That's the main reason I'm on Twitter, but clearly that's not going to be enough. I'm learning this stuff in fits and starts myself. Feel free to ask other questions, but following my progress will probably be equally instructive. (If anything is.)
Todd Jensen writes...
I noticed that in the blurb for "Rain of the Ghosts" a) there are a few names borrowed from "The Tempest" (such as the Ghost Keys also being called the Prospero Keys, and your protagonist has a friend named Miranda), and b) the story is set in the area of the Bermuda Triangle. Was this influenced by the theory that one of the inspirations for "The Tempest" was a shipwreck in the Bermudas in 1609?
Greg responds...
I don't think it'll surprise anyone to learn that "The Tempest" will play a role in the Rain series as a whole, though not so much in the first two books. Beyond that, I'm not going to spoil.
Masterdramon writes...
ASK GREG LIVE! - WONDERCON 2013 REPORT
First, a little background. I'm going to quote a section from the introduction I made to to Station 8 Comment Room, waaaaaay back in July 2010:
"Given that I was three when Season 1 of 'Gargoyles' first began airing, I was obviously quite outside the target audience at that point, and if I watched any of the episodes on first airing I definitely don't remember them. Rather, my first clear memories of 'Gargoyles' were watching it during the late 90s when Toon Disney was first starting up. This produced some interesting experiences; for example, I never saw and indeed never even had a clue that 'Deadly Force' existed until Toon Disney started airing it again in 2002 or so.
At the time that I first was watching this show voraciously it was amongst a litany of dozens of other cartoons, some well-written ('Batman: The Animated Series,' 'Darkwing Duck,' etc.) and some...well, not so much (here's looking at you, 'Captain Planet'). To an eight year-old, there was little differentiation between the relative qualities of these shows, and it was not until a few years on that I really began to appreciate what a true gem 'Gargoyles' was.
I'm not entirely sure when my perspective changed, though it might have had something to do with the aforementioned first viewing of 'Deadly Force.' By this point I was a pre-teen, and old enough to understand the basics of S+P...so to see one of the protagonists shoot another one in the chest accidentally, nearly causing her to die was an absolute revelation to me. Around this time I began watching the entire series with new eyes, and what I saw astounded me.
The depth, the complexity, the characterization was unlike anything else I had ever seen on the small screen, live-action or animated. The little things that escaped me on the first, second, or even tenth viewing (yes, I watched a LOT of Toon Disney) suddenly rared to life and showed me how amazing this show was, is, and always will be. Everything from the sheer emotion that Tony Shalhoub brought to the show's single greatest cameo role to the little nuances about Lexington that made me think, 'Oh, of course!' when I learned that Greg considered him to be homosexual all became clear to me, and clearer and clearer with each viewing.
'Gargoyles' did much for me over the years. To take a particular example, when I first began really reading Shakespeare during mandatory reading times in high school, I went with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' then 'Macbeth,' and then, after the obvious 'Hamlet,' moving to 'Othello.' It shouldn't take too many guesses to figure out what attracted me to those plays specifically.
I have many obsessions in my life, some that have faded and some that have stayed with me forever. 'Gargoyles' stayed with me forever, and by the time I was about 13 or so it overtook virtually all of my other obsessions to become forefront in my fiction-dominated mind. I began searching around the internet for various little tidbits and behind-the-scenes stuff, and was blown away when I first discovered Greg's Master Plan. That someone could have so intricately designed such a massive and complex fictional universe intrigued me to no end...particularly 'Bad Guys,' since Dingo was at the time my favorite character.
On one of my frequent revisitings of the Master Plan in 2004, I ended up clicking around some links that brought me to the FAQ...and consequently to AskGreg. If the Master Plan had blown me away, then this site caused my mind to spontaneously combust. So many hints and clues to what the future might hold for the series, should Disney allow it to somehow continue...straight from the mouth of the creator himself! In all the years since that I've been up and around the world wide web, never have I again seen such a direct, easy-to-access method of communication to the artist behind such a masterful work.
Over the years, I have read virtually every single post in the AskGreg archives, some of them several dozen times. It is one of the websites that I frequent several times a day without fail, and I have gained an uncountable amount of enrichment from reading it constantly. It was through this site that I first learned of the DVDs and comics, all of which I purchased as soon as I could possibly get my hands on them, and of the Gathering, the scope of which shocked and awed me.
One of my greatest regrets is that I was never able to attend one of these amazing events; convincing your parents to let you fly out of Hawaii to the mainland for a convention on a 90s cartoon isn't the easiest thing in the world. And although I WAS actually in town for the final one, Gathering 2009 happened to fall on the EXACT same weekend as my college orientation. If the Gathering had been just one week later, or my introduction to Pomona College just one week sooner...but I guess it's pointless to deal with hypotheticals.
In any event, my praise goes out to all of you unbelievably dedicated individuals who kept it alive for so long. If ever you are able to arrange some sort of smaller event in the future, you have my word that I will attend.
AskGreg also gave the chance to really get to know Greg Weisman (or at least, as much as this is possible without real-world contact), and he is currently one of my absolute greatest heroes in all of entertainment. I am not using hyperbole when I declare him to be the single most talented writer in animation history, and in my mind absolutely anything he touches turns to solid gold. I avidly watched 'W.I.T.C.H.,' 'The Spectacular Spider-Man,' and the various episodes he freelanced for favorite shows of mine like 'The Batman,' 'Kim Possible,' and 'Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!'...many of which turned out to be some of the best in their respective series. And I wait with bated breath (and fanboyish panting) for 'Young Justice.' Spider-Man is my favorite Marvel superhero and DC is my favorite comic book universe...so to have Greg interpret both with his usual flair for complex, multi-layered story arcs and deeply involved character development has left me positively salivating."
Now, as you can probably tell from these words, this was a moment I've been waiting on for nearly 10 years. So as you might expect, I was...anxious. Despite my personal contact with Greg over the past couple years due to my moderating duties here, as well as friends who had met him previously who assured me that he was a really nice guy in-person, I was still a little worried I'd screw this up somehow.
Thankfully, ASK GREG LIVE! turned out to be a great experience, and truly the highlight of the weekend. There was somewhere between 15-20 guests in attendance, including myself, my girlfriend, and Blaise (whom it was awesome to meet in person). Kudos to Matthew for holding up the event sign for over an hour, and to whoever it was that cosplayed as Batgirl.
We pretty much just jumped straight into an hour-and-a-half of questions, which I hope I didn't hog too many of. A few highlights from the revelations presented therein:
- Following the Season 1 finale, Vandal immediately called up Hugo Strange and told him, "Open all the doors." Which explains a lot. Now, Greg W. ALSO said that by Team Year Five, Belle Reve was fairly full again...but at least it explains why so many imprisoned villains were walking the streets again in Season 2.
- The Joker was originally considered to appear in "Auld Acquaintance," controlling the Justice League. But for a variety of reasons (mainly budgetary; they needed Klarion anyway for the "magic stuff"), they switched him out for Klarion.
- Greg also responded to my question about whether the Joker of Earth-16 knows he's in a cartoon show by saying, "I think he's crazy enough to believe that, even if he's NOT."
- Lieutenant and Sergeant Marvel were originally considered to be on the Team in Season 2. But with only 20 episodes, several intended arcs were cut or reworked to have occurred during the Time Skip: a Marvel Family arc, a Red Tornado arc, and a Zatanna arc. With nothing to do anymore, Mary and Freddy were slotted into the Time Skip.
- He hinted pretty damn strongly that we'll be hearing more about "poor, disgraced Ocean-Master." Presumably in "Legacy," which I am personally excited as all hell for.
- Clone!Roy, post-"Satisfaction," is a stay-at-home-dad. For the most part. He and Cheshire are "trying to make it work," to the degree that people like them can.
- I asked if working on YJ had made him give more thought to who the 16 Sixteens in the Illuminati are. He basically said, "not really," while adding that he's got most of the major players in the Illuminati pretty well figured out, and has for a while. Which isn't to say he doesn't leave a fair few slots open for moments of epiphany.
- Darkseid has been the Light's silent partner since Season 1. Which most of us had assumed, but it's nice to have firm confirmation.
- Victor Cook did a fly-by. No time for questions, just said hi and name-dropped "Mecha-Nation." But still...really cool.
- He described Jason Spisak's last recording with them. Jason came up afterward and said that it was rare for an actor to be able to end his role on such a great, final note, "instead of just flying off into the sunset, with no one having any idea if you survive or not." Having now seen "Dark Matter," Greg believes that may have been coded snark.
- Oh, and surprising no one with a head on their shoulders...Greg disproved the rumor that DC wanted Wally killed off because of the New 52. Though it WAS amusing to hear him call those rumors, and I quote: "Complete horse"...baloney.
- He said he's deliberately keeping mum on "Rain of the Ghosts" until he knows if his publisher is doing any advertising. If they don't, he may start teasing some plot tidbits on Ask Greg.
- He talked a bit about availability issues...about how it came to be that Wentworth, Kittie, and George were replaced toward the end of the season. Just a whole lot of REALLY bad luck regarding other projects. But he also revealed the replacement that almost was...if it wasn't for the fact that no one on Earth could do an impression that did justice to him.
That's right...they once almost lost Tim Curry.
He was shooting something or another toward the middle of the season. They simply could not get him before the episodes had to ship. So what they did...was Greg recorded the lines. Taaaaaaaaalking liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis sooooooooooo thaaaaaaaaat theeeeeeeey cooooooould AAAAAAADR iiiiiiiiiiiit aaaaaaaaafteeeeeeer theeeeeeey reeeeeetuuuuuuurned froooooooom ooooooverseeeeeeeeeeas.
Which they would NEVER do otherwise. For no one but Tim Curry. Greg had to do a bunch of takes, because Jamie kept having to stop him and shout, "SLOWER!" Needed the mouth movements SO exaggerated that no one would notice it was ADR'ed. Which I don't think anyone did.
- I think those are all the big revelations, but there was lots of real fun little stuff on Greg's writing process, the backroom thinking that went into Darkseid's cameo, and Greg's hopes for the future. As he said at one point, "I still haven't given up on Gargoyles, and that's going on 20 years at this point! Why would I give up on a series that ended THIS month?"
Beyond that, it was just an incredible experience to be in the presence of the guy - to hear him speak, to ask questions (even utterly silly ones) directly answered to our faces, to shake hands, and to be personally thanked for my years of hard work on Ask Greg...which, needless to say, was incredibly gratifying.
The atmosphere was great - casual, friendly, and with no pressure on either the askers or on Greg. We chatted, we laughed, and we got to hear Greg at his absolute "frankest." Which is to say, a little...off-color. And oh it was glorious.
At my request, we also did an impromptu signing at the end; I got my Clan-Building Volume 1 trade, my SpecSpidey Season 1 DVD, my Young Justice Volume 1 trade, a Captain Atom comic, and the essay I wrote for Contemporary Political Theory last semester (and submitted to Ask Greg afterward) signed, and pretty much geekgasmed into the floor. SOOOOO utterly wonderful.
[If you want to see pics of said signed stuff and/or other stuff I snagged at the Con, you can go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94547312@N04/sets/72157633137324644/with/8608204054/].
We also got to chat a bit privately, which was of course very good fun. And he even indulged my stupid, silly, obsessive request...to pose with my Fluttershy toy and say, "Fluttershy is best pony." His response was golden, too.
Greg: I have no idea what that means.
Me: I didn't expect you to.
Greg: Nah, what I mean is, am I saying something that will get a thousand angry bronies coming after me?
Me: No, most bronies tend to agree that Fluttershy is best pony, anyway.
Unfortunately, my girlfriend's phone appears to have recorded only the first second of the line. But I still posted it to YouTube because the image is gold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qVVtIsNeb4
Overall, my first in-person meeting with Greg Weisman proved to be everything I was hoping for it to be, and more. He's a massively cool guy who doesn't operate on any pretense; he is what he is, and what he is is a genius at writing/interpreting fiction.
It was truly an honor to spend that time with him, and I very much hope it won't be the last.
Greg Weisman, you rock (woo-hoo!). Don't let anybody tell you different. Because this kind of treatment of your fans makes me truly proud to be involved with helping out here.
Thank you for ASK GREG LIVE!
Thank you for all the wonderful shows you've brought us over the years.
And thank you for never giving up hope. I await "Rain of the Ghosts" with bated breath, and I can't wait to here the announcement when you get your next television gig.
Because it's coming. And I look forward to watching the hell out of that show, whenever it comes.
Greg responds...
Wow. Dude, do you really want to stoke my ego THAT MUCH?
Anyway, it was great meeting you too. You're contribution to Ask Greg has been invaluable.
I hope you're thinking about coming to ConVergence this July for the Gargoyles Reunion convention within a convention. More details on that should be forthcoming this month.
Steel_Goliath writes...
Hi Mr Weisman
i was wondering do you feel any anger towards the shows you work on get canceled before you can finish all the plot lines
also what do you plan to do now that young justice is cancelled
Greg responds...
Anger isn't the right word. Frustration, certainly. Sadness. Melancholy. Resignation. It's not a happy feeling, but there's nothing and no one to be angry about.
By now, you probably know that I'm one of the Executive Producers of the new STAR WARS REBELS animated series, which premieres in 2014 and that I've written two novels: RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS TYPO CONTEST
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS TYPO CONTEST
It's been a long time since we had a contest here at ASK GREG, so here we go:
There are two typos in my new novel RAIN OF THE GHOSTS that make me crazy - especially since they were both things I caught, which should have been corrected. (Most mistakes were corrected, but these two were not.)
Since there are two typos, I'm expecting two winners. So the first person to find each of these typos will receive a free signed copy of the book AND copies of the inspirational art drawn by Kuni Tomita, which we used to help sell RAIN OF THE GHOSTS to Nickelodeon back in the late 90s. (The series was indeed sold, but they ended up pulling the plug.)
[A caveat: I'm looking for two specific objective errors, which are the only two I'm aware of in the book. If you find another error that I've missed, I am theoretically willing to issue more than two prizes. But I reserve the right to decide for myself if it is an actual error as opposed to a stylistic choice or something along those lines. My decisions will be final.]
If you are searching a hard copy of the book, please indicate page number and be very specific about the error. I'm aware that some of you may be reading the book on Kindles, iPads and the like, where page numbers aren't clearly identifiable. If that's the case, indicate the chapter number and carefully count the number of paragraphs from the top of the chapter where you believe the error has occurred. If you're looking at a pirated copy of the book, please be aware that those copies contain many errors that were corrected in the final product. Those errors will not be awarded prizes, obviously.
And if you don't know where to find the book to search, try asking for it at your local bookstore. They can always order it for you. Or of course, you can order it online:http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377806211&sr=8-1&keywords=rain+of+the+ghosts
Good hunting!!
TODAY'S THE DAY!
TODAY IS THE DAY!
Nope, this isn't a reference to Young Justice.
This is another shameless plug for RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, which was released today as a paperback and e-book.
I'm hopeful all of you have or will buy a copy. But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, help me spread the word about the book! I'd hate for it to do badly simply because people hadn't heard about it.
It can be purchased here:
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rain-of-the-Ghosts/23564294
Also, please think about pre-ordering the second book in the RAIN series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM:
http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Ash-Foam-Ghosts-Novel/dp/1250029821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379977280&sr=8-1&keywords=spirits+of+ash+and+foam+a+rain+of+the+ghosts+novel+by+greg+weisman
http://www.walmart.com/ip/29091756
And finally, check out:
https://twitter.com/RainoftheGhosts
http://rainoftheghosts.wikia.com/wiki/Rain_of_the_Ghosts_Wiki
Thanks,
gdw
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS is out TOMORROW!
Some of you have already received word that your copy of my first novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, has shipped. I'm even informed that the book is on the shelves of some bookstores (like Barnes and Noble) now.
For those of you who haven't pre-ordered or purchased, this is just a reminder that the book officially becomes available tomorrow, December 3rd, 2013. You can order on sites like Amazon:
Or you can go into any brick and mortar bookstore and either buy it there - or if they don't have a copy - order it from them.
I hope all regular and casual readers of this website will consider purchasing either a hard copy or an e-copy. (Or more than one. They make great stocking stuffers. Plus they're arriving just in time for the end of Chanukah!) If you've liked my work on GARGOYLES, W.I.T.C.H., THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN and/or YOUNG JUSTICE, I truly believe you'll like RAIN, as well. I've done my best to stuff it with world-building, mythology, action, comedy, drama, MYSTERY and just a little bit of horror.
[SPOILER WARNING: Speaking of mystery, I've been privy to a few advanced reviews. Most are positive. Some are more lukewarm. One was scathing. (The phrase "graceless grammar" will stick with me for awhile.) But nearly every single one reveals/spoils some or all of the story's mysteries. (The scathing review seemed to have so much contempt for the book that the reviewer had no compuction about revealing EVERY mystery possible.) This is not to say you shouldn't read reviews, but I thought I should offer fair warning. The tradition of not spoiling in a review seems to have fallen by the wayside.]
In any case, my fervent hope is that you will all help me out by using every means necessary - but particularly social media like Twitter, Facebook, etc. - to SPREAD THE WORD about the book. The second book in the RAIN series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, is written and will come out on May 13th, 2014. But it's a nine book series, and there's currently no commitment to publish the other seven. That will depend on sales. And sales, of course, depends on folks KNOWING ABOUT THE BOOK IN THE FIRST PLACE. So, please, please, please, help me by letting every one you know in on our little secret. Because really, I don't want it to be a secret, but it still feels mostly like it is one.
Thanks!
gdw
FallenLegend writes...
Hello greg
You previously said that you don't like gran finales and you don't intend to really give closure to any of your shows/stories. Not even gargoyles that as you described it is your "baby" even if you don't own it.
Does that mean that we will always get cliffhanger endings from your tv show when they get canceled?
What about your new book series, will it end in a cliffhanger too?
As much as I am a fan of your stories Greg, It feels empty not to have any closure at all.
No offense but basic story telling has beginning-conflict-resolution and as fans we never get to see a resolution of the overall plot.
I mean having an ending that gives the illusion that "the story never truly ends" is great (that's not what I am critical of).
But I think that not having an ending that acknowledges that the story has to end for real life reasons(maybe becuase you simply can't write stories forever, becuase you aren't getting more episodes, becuase you have to move on etc)... is disrespectuful to your fans that expect to have a complete story.
Take JLU unlimited ending. It even ended with wonderwoman saying "...and the adventure continues" and even left two unresolved plot points, But at the same time it ended the main plots and acted as a send off/good bye to it's fans and it didn't feel empty.
Sorry for being so critical, you are a big inspiration and even if I don't agree with you always I think you are a fantastic story teller (an inspiration for me in fct) and I am planing on buying our new book.
Greg responds...
I NEVER leave a season with a cliffhanger.
I ALWAYS leave a season with open-ended closure.
I don't mean to sound disrespectful to you or any of my fans, but that's how my mind works. If you don't like it, I can't really help you, because you'd be asking me to change the way I tell stories.
But perhaps we're not so far apart. You cite the JLU ending, which I haven't seen. But you state that, in essence, it has open-ended closure, even noting it had unresolved plot points. That's EXACTLY what I do at the end of EVERY season. Not everything is going to be tied up into a neat knot, but every major plot point of that season will be, as happened at the end of Gargoyles, WITCH, Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice.
So what exactly are you looking for from me that's any different?
And thank you for buying RAIN OF THE GHOSTS. It's much appreciated! Sincerely!!
KenRD writes...
Im interested in reading your book Rain of Ghosts because of my respect and fondness of you as a storyteller. I have yet to pre-order it however because I have not yet been able to find a summary for the story, so I was wondering if you had any idea when the details would start comming out?
Speaking of books what are your favorite authors?
My favorite is Sir Terry Pratchett, have you read any of his books? If not I would always recommend them as he has such and interesting take on the world and twists things in the most wonderful way.
Greg responds...
By now, I hope you've seen the synopses of RAIN OF THE GHOSTS on Amazon and here.
My favorite authors are William Shakespeare and William Faulkner. I'm also a fan of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, and many others.
I've never read Pratchett.
My genre of choice tends to be detective fiction. Among my favorites in that arena are the works of Ross MacDonald, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain, Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, Michael Connelly, Walter Mosely, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle.
DanM writes...
Hey there Greg, 1 - how are you?
DanM again here, I'd like to thank you for spending your time to answer my questions. Much appreciated.
I know quite a bit from the comics' market, industry and its works, and used to assume that it wasn't that much different from the animation universe. But your answer really enlightened me a lot about it. For instance it never crossed my mind that being a Producer would earn you nothing, financially speaking, this certainly made the level of respect I already had of you go way up to the stratosphere! And thank you for that! To me that doesn't just show how much you care for your stories and characters but also to you fans. Really man, thank you very much!
Said that, I do know that the characters and the show itself are not your property to do as you please, I just thought that you might have certain leverage w/ the guys at DC comics, you know, seeing how awesome and well received, for the comic fans, your work has been. I've gotta say that so far the New 52, for me at least, has been ok… w/ one or another good story popping up. But YJ bests them all easy. Seeing how Geoff Johns went on board w/ Ivan Reis to do that new Aquaman title, when the character wasn't really in DC's plan at all (That I DO know for a fact). It was really a shocker to me that he did not sign you to keep working w/ DC, you know w/ him being said to be the Chief Creative Officer and all. Especially when I could see the same kind of treatment both of you gave the characters. Well anyways, I'm really sorry your pitches didn't really hit jackpot, like I've said before I would certainly enjoy them.
And perhaps we all are mourning a bit more than it is healthy, but if the Teen Titans show is coming back, then to me there is still a chance for YJ too. Just hope that that chance doesn't come without you and/or your team.
I really wish you the best of luck on your upcoming novel and of course your work hunt, I'm sure it won't take long for you to land your next solid gig man! And as soon as Rain hits the shelves here in Brasil, you can count I'll definitely do my part to make sure you're properly rewarded. That's the least I can do for all your work in YJ, which gave me and the family lot of good times.
Just so not to miss this opportunity here are a few more questions:
2 - Could I send you my copy for you to sign? (That is when I get it, of course).
3 - Do you work with movie scripts also?
4 - What do you think of Tolkien's work? Have a favorite?
That's all for now… Once again, thanks!!!
Greg responds...
1. I'm good.
1a. I clearly have no leverage at all.
2. I'm sorry. I don't give out my personal address. But I come to many fan conventions throughout the year. Maybe you could get it signed at one of those.
3. I've never had one of my scripts made into a movie, but I've tried.
4. I'm a fan of THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
Brandon & Greg talk YJ Legacy on Nerdy Show!
Brandon Vietti & Greg Weisman talk about YJ, YJ Legacy, Rain of the Ghosts, Scooby-Doo, WWE and more on Nerdy Show!
Here's the link: http://nerdyshow.com/2013/11/episode-160-the-legacy-of-young-justice/
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM covers!!!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM covers!!!
That's right! You can now see both the front and back covers of my new novel RAIN OF THE GHOSTS (with its new correct coloring) here:
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
AND you can now see the front cover of the second book in the RAIN series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, here:
http://www.amazon.com/Spirits-Ash-Foam-Ghosts-Novel/dp/1250029821
The first book comes out on December 3rd, 2013. The second on May 13, 2014. But both are available for pre-order now at the above websites!!!
Thanks to Phoenician for pointing out that the SPIRITS cover was up! (I'm always the last to know.)
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Progress Report
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Progress Report
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
There's not too much to report about the first book right now - though as stated in an earlier ramble, you can now see the book's front and back covers up on the above website.
And in the meantime, I'm happy to announce that earlier today, I e-mailed off the SECOND BOOK in the RAIN OF THE GHOST series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, to Michael Homler, my editor at St. Martin's Press. As you can imagine, hitting send was a pretty momentous moment for me. It took me just two weeks shy of a year to research, outline, write and proofread the entire novel. Fifty weeks. Of course, if I had stayed unemployed, I would have been done sooner, but I can't say I'm unhappy that I got the job on STAR WARS REBELS. I'm thrilled about that. But it did make finishing the book more of a challenge.
But it's done. They'll be some editing and maybe a bit of tinkering, but we're on track for SPIRITS to come out on May 13th, 2014. It can also be pre-ordered at:
Of course, I'm really hoping that you guys not only buy copies of these books, but that you help me SPREAD THE WORD about them. It's a nine book series, but if these first two don't sell, you won't see the other seven any time soon. And even if everyone who ever stops by ASK GREG bought two copies, I'm not sure that'd be enough. So, please, if you've ever liked my animation work, trust that you'll like this book, and in any case, again, help SPREAD THE WORD!
Thank you.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS: NEW FRONT AND BACK COVERS!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS: NEW FRONT AND BACK COVERS!
Back with another shameless attempt to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Even if you've already pre-ordered, go check out the above website to get a gander at the newly recolored updated front cover AND the never before seen BACK cover of my first novel.
And if you haven't pre-ordered, please think about doing it now. Hey, you can even save a little money by purchasing both the first and second books in the RAIN series. That's right. The SECOND BOOK in the RAIN OF THE GHOST series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, which is due out on May 13th, 2014 and can also be pre-ordered both at the above website and here:
If you've liked any of my previous work, with influences from mythology and Shakespeare, an exciting story full of surprises and characters that matter, I think you'll like Rain.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Countdown, Chapter Forty-Five
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Countdown, Chapter Forty-Five:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
There's not too much to report about the first book right now - but at the above website, you can see the new gorgeous revised coloring of the first book's cover.
And in the meantime, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND BOOK in the RAIN OF THE GHOST series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, which is due out on May 13th, 2014 and can also be pre-ordered:
I just finished Chapter Forty-Five. This one combined what I had originally planned as two chapters (45 & 46 - or if you've been keeping count since last March, 41 & 42). And I will NOT be starting on Chapter Forty-Six tomorrow, because there is no Chapter 46. Forty-Five is now officially the last chapter. My first pass is done. And THAT. Is a VERY. GOOD. FEELING. Believe me.
Of course, I'm not done-done. I still have to write the acknowledgments, and then I need to go through the entire book, rereading and rewriting from top to bottom. I've been constantly revising and rewriting as I go, but I'll need to do a lot more of that, and I'll need to proofread very carefully too. But now I know I'll make my drop-dead date, and that's a huge relief.
I'll start on the acknowledgments tomorrow! But now that YOU know the book is essentially finished, there's nothing to hold you back from pre-ordering a copy! Right? RIGHT!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Countdown, Chapter Forty-Four
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM Countdown, Chapter Forty-Four:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, which is due out on May 13th, 2014 and can also be pre-ordered:
I just finished Chapter Forty-Four. Actually I finished writing it a few nights ago, but I've been working with Demona Taina on the translation of a passage into Spanish. Really wanted to make sure I got the Spanish right... and Taina has been just great working with me on it.
I'll start on Chapter Forty-Five tonight. I'm definitely in the home stretch now!
Tya writes...
Please Mr. Greg, I know that you're a very busy man and I am in love with you guy's work, especially Young Justice Series. Ever since the very first episode I have been in amazement by how good the series is. It really brought back how much eveyone truly loved all DC Heroes. I was extremely happy about the whole focus on the sidekicks,who proved to be much more than that. Now I have seen the finale now, and I hope this wont get my question deleted or anything, but I was wondering what was now next for you guys,since the unpredictable and sad ending to such a great series?
Greg responds...
I'm currently working on STAR WARS REBELS and on the second novel in my RAIN OF THE GHOSTS series: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM.
Anonymous writes...
I just finished watching "Endgame" and, as expected, it was golden. It's too bad Cartoon Network/DC didn't request more episodes so that concepts such as Tim/Cassie or Static or the whole...you know...Darkseid-Light plot.
Anyway, I was wondering. Obviously you had plans for a third season, but can DC allow you to at least release your plans for the show?
If not, I wish you good luck in whatever projects you do next. I hear you're writing novels soon. At least you can write whatever you want in them, from Shakespearean references to Xanatosian plots, and they won't be cancelled by higher powers.
Greg responds...
As always, I have hopes of revisiting these characters someday, so no one is preventing me from releasing my plans but me.
I'm very hopeful about the novels. The first two will definitely be published, but whether we see the third book in the RAIN OF THE GHOSTS series will totally depend on sales of the first two.
Which, at least, is a pretty straight-forward uncomplicated criteria.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-Three
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-Three:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, which is due out on May 13th, 2014 and can also be pre-ordered:
Last night, I finished writing Chapter Forty-Three. This one combines two chapters (43 and 44 - or from the original plan 38 and 39). Things are starting to wrap up. But I still wouldn't say I'm in the home stretch yet. One last really tough chapter to get through...
I'll start on Chapter Forty-Four tonight.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS BOOK TWO: SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM
So I revealed this at MechaCon and was positive that it would be all over the web in no time.
NOPE. But time passes, and all stands revealed. Well, maybe not ALL, but something.
Yes, the title and release date of the SECOND book in the RAIN OF THE GHOSTS series is confirmed:
SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM
I'm fond of the title. I think it sounds pretty cool. I hope readers do too. The book is scheduled to be released on May 13, 2014, which is also my wife's birthday. So if it sells well, it's a great present for her too. And she needs it, given all she's put up with over the years. ;)
You can pre-order it here:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/29091756
or here:
And, of course, you can pre-order the FIRST book in the series, i.e. RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, here:
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
The first book is still scheduled for release on December 3, 2013 - which is fast approaching. Reserve your copy now.
And, as always, find out all there is to know about Rain here:
http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/archives.php?lid=687
or here:
http://rainoftheghosts.wikia.com/wiki/Rain_of_the_Ghosts_Wiki
or here:
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RainOfTheGhosts&src=hash&f=realtime
More updates to come!!!
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-Two
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-Two:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
I just finished writing Chapter Forty-Two. It's very short and sweet. (Like this post.)
I'll start on Chapter Forty-Three soon.
Melissa writes...
Hi Greg! I hope you know how much we appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. Anyway, I love Young Justice and will be devastated to see it going off the air as of tomorrow. I was wondering however, if you or Brandon or any of the other writers have given a thought to continuing the story of our favorite characters in Earth-16 through novel format? I know you would probably have to go through the proper channels to even get approval for something like that, but I know myself and most of the fandom would love to get our hands on anything YJ once the show ends, especially in a written format. Would you be even interested in doing something like this or are you more intent on saving any and all material for possible future projects? It's just a thought. Thanks for giving us this great show!
Greg responds...
I'd love to, especially now that I'm a novelist. <cough cough> Rain of the Ghosts available for pre-order now <cough cough> But it's not up to me and neither DC nor WB seems all that interested in pursuing the property right now.
The best bet for getting more new material - assuming you already have the DVDs, Comics or Trades and Soundtrack - is to purchase Young Justice Legacy when it comes out.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-One
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty-One:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
I just finished writing Chapter Forty-One, a longish chapter that would have been the single longest chapter in the book, if I hadn't already split it twice. So what was once Chapter 39 (or, if you've been keeping track of all the splits and merges in my outline, Chapter 36), is now three chapters, i.e. 39, 40 and 41. This one was pretty emotional, I think. (I hope.) If I've done my job, it's all come together here.
Anyway, I'll start on Chapter Forty-Two tomorrow.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Forty:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
I just finished writing Chapter Forty, which looks like it won't be the longest chapter in the book afterall, as I've just split it for the second time. (I warned that there might be something amoeba-like about this chapter.) So what was once Chapter 39 (or, if you've been keeping track of all the splits and merges in my outline, Chapter 36), is now going to be three chapters, i.e. 39, 40 and 41. So 39 is more ramp up to the climax now, ending just as the gladiators enter the arena (figuratively). Then 40 is the battle itself. And 41 will be the immediate aftermath. (And there's still a handful of denouement chapters left to go after this. That's right, lots of tags.)
Anyway, I'll start on Chapter Forty-One tomorrow. I can't imagine this one splitting again, but really - who knows? (I mean, if I don't know, how could you?)
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Nine
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Nine:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Tonight, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Nine. I'm back with this update way sooner than I anticipated, NOT because I suddenly began writing like the wind, so to speak, but because, once again, I've opted to spilt a chapter in two. So what was Chapter 39 (or, if you've been keeping track of all the splits and merges in my outline, Chapter 36), is now going to be two chapters, i.e. 39 & 40. So 39 is more ramp up to the climax now, ending just as the gladiators enter the arena (figuratively).
Anyway, I'll start on Chapter Forty tomorrow. And, again, this one could take me a while. For even with this first part pared away, it's STILL looking to be the longest chapter in the entire book! (Unless, of course - amoeba-like - it splits again.)
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Eight
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Eight:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Today, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Eight. This one was pretty intense, as the forces stacked against Rain launched their attack.
Anyway, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Nine tomorrow. This one could take me a while. It's looking to be the longest chapter in the entire book. (Pray for me.)
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Seven
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Seven:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Today, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Seven. The $%!#$ about to hit the fan for Rain now. Also, as of this chapter, I've officially written more than double the amount of words in this book than I did in the first book. And I'm not done yet. Not close to reaching latter day Harry Potter proportions, but there's definitely a LOT more story packed into the second novel than there was in the first.
Anyway, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Eight tomorrow.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Six
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Six:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Today, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Six. I know in my last post - less than 24 hours ago - I emphasized the need for speed. But that doesn't mean I'm rushing. The reason I was able to finish this chapter so quickly is simple: it's the shortest chapter yet. It's designed to be transitional, sliding the focus of my cast from one major even (in Chapters 34-35) to the next - to the coming climax, really. And in some ways, this chapter is even more important for books 3-9 in the RAIN series than it is for this book. But, in any case, it's short, sweet and DONE.
Tomorrow, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Seven.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Five
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Five:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Today, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Five. I'm picking up speed - not because it's getting easier, but because I have to. Since it's past midnight, I've officially missed my second deadline on this book. Originally, I was asked if I could have it done by the end of May, 2013. Back in October 2012, that seemed possible, but by the time I started writing in March, 2013, it was clearly not. So I got a new deadline of the end of August, 2013. And I think I might have made that - if I hadn't gotten the STAR WARS REBELS gig in May. So now, I've got what's been described as a drop-dead date of October 20, 2013. I HAVE TO BE DONE BY THEN. I've broken it all down, and I believe it's doable. Just. But that means no more thumb twiddling or blowing off a night here or there because I've already burned through my creative juices working on SWR. This is not a bad thing. I'm a deadline writer. I need the external time pressure, or I procrastinate. Of course, I'm not at all used to missing deadlines. Wouldn't get far in this business if I did. But this book is bigger than anything else I've ever written - including the first book in the RAIN series, so it was hard to estimate exactly how long I needed. Now, I know. I need until October 20th. And that's all the time I'm gonna get.
So stay tuned. Let's see how I do.
Meanwhile, I've already started on Chapter Thirty-Six.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Four:
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Four:
And here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Today, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Four. Starting with this chapter, pretty much EVERY chapter is a bit daunting. I'm not quite sure if I'm in the home stretch, but at this point, every chapter is telling crucial story, bringing threads together... and it's anyone's guess whether I'll wind up weaving something special with these threads - or strangling on 'em.
Tonight, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Five.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Three
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Three:
You've heard it before: here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Tonight, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Three. This was another longish chapter, as Rain begins to figure a few things out and sets a plan in motion to solve at least one of the many crises she's facing.
Tomorrow, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Four.
Kevin writes...
1. What is the premise for Rain of the Ghosts?
2. How many books will be in the series?
3. Is this your first novel that is being published?
4. How different is it writing a book from writing television?
5. Which medium do you prefer your stories to be told?
Greg responds...
1. Rain Cacique is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives on a Caribbean Island that's one of the eight islands that make up the Ghost Keys (a.k.a. the Ghosts). She has the ability to see and hear dead people; she has multiple mysteries to solve and an over-arching mission to complete.
2. If all goes well, NINE.
3. Yes. (At least in part because it's the first novel I've ever finished.)
4. In some ways it's very similar. I'm still plotting things with index cards. I'm still writing bibles and timelines. I'm still trying to create fully fleshed-out characters and worlds. In other ways, it's very different, but the main difference is that animation is a VERY collaborative medium. Writing a novel is about me and the blank page. I am truly enjoying bouncing back and forth between these two states of mind.
5. Uh, see the last sentence in answer #4.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Two
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-Two:
Here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Tonight, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-Two. This was one of the longer chapters with a number of revelations - or at least a lot of clarity presented on subjects already raised in earlier chapters. The first few bits were difficult to get through, but the last couple nights I was really on a roll, writing the last two-thirds of the chapter pretty rapidly.
And so, tomorrow, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Three.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-One
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty-One:
Here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book right now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain series, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Tonight, I finished writing Chapter Thirty-One. It took me a little while, mostly because I was bit exhausted from all the travel I've been doing recently (including San Diego Comic-Con) and from working in a galaxy far, far away. But also I had to research some hard science necessary for the chapter. I wound up only using the research in three short paragraphs, but I think it was worth it.
Oh, and also this week, I saw a rough mock-up cover for the second book. Very cool! (And I hope to reveal it soon.)
Anyway, tomorrow, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-Two.
Eli writes...
Question for Greg, Are you doing any work in the future? After Young Justice that is. HUGE fan of your work.
Greg responds...
Thank you. And, yes. I'm currently working with fellow Executive Producers Dave Filoni and Simon Kinberg on STAR WARS REBELS, a new animated series from Lucasfilm and Disney, which should begin airing in Fall, 2014.
And my first novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, will come out this December. It can be pre-ordered here:
I'm currently writing the second book in the RAIN series.
In addition, I've written an episode of Beware the Batman and a few Octonauts.
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty
RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, BOOK TWO COUNTDOWN, Chapter Thirty:
Here's another of my shameless attempts to maintain buzz about my new novel, RAIN OF THE GHOSTS, due out in stores and on-line on December 3rd, 2013 (but available for pre-order NOW on Amazon, etc.):
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Ghosts-Greg-Weisman/dp/1250029791
Since there's not too much to report about the first book now, I'm counting down my progress writing the SECOND book in the Rain franchise, which should come out sometime in 2014.
Two nights ago, I finished writing Chapter Thirty. THAT'S how busy I've been. I haven't even had time to do this short ramble about it until now. Anyway, this is another chapter that performed its own mitosis, splitting into two - due in large part to one of the two characters that post-outlining has really taken on an importance to the narrative I never anticipated.
So tonight, I'll start on Chapter Thirty-One (which used to be just the second half of Chapter Thirty).
Twitter vs. ASK GREG - To the Death!!!
Twitter vs. ASK GREG - To the Death!!!
So for the first time in nearly a month, I lurked on a few sites and someone was bitchin' (that's right, I said it) about the fact that I was tweeting a lot but hadn't spent much time here at ASK GREG.
Mostly, the responses that person received from other fans were dead obvious, but they bear repeating:
1. Twitter is a lot more convenient. I can tweet with my phone during downtime. (I tend to do it while I'm doing my isometric neck exercises.) I can also do Ask Greg with my phone during downtime (as I did yesterday when I was stuck at an airport), but (a) it's much more difficult because the screen is so small and (b) I have no access to the materials that some questions require. So Ask Greg answers done on the phone tend toward the short and unsatisfying.
2. Stop acting so entitled. Greg Weisman has NO obligation, explicit or implicit, to answer any questions on ASK GREG ever. Let me repeat that: Greg Weisman has NO obligation, explicit or implicit, to answer any questions on ASK GREG ever. I do it because I enjoy doing it (most of the time). But if for any reason I take a break for however long, that's life. I will not be made to feel guilty about it.
Those are the two main points, but there are a couple others:
3. I've been traveling A LOT. Since the end of May, I've taken four trips up north to Lucasfilm, one trip to Denver Comic Con, one trip to Oregon for their Shakespeare Festival and a family trip to EUROPE. I still have both San Diego Comic Con and New Orleans MechaCon (http://www.mechacon.com/) coming up in the next couple months, plus at least one more trip to San Francisco for Lucasfilm. When I travel, internet is a dicey prospect at best, and that's on top of the fact that the reasons for the trip tend to preclude me having the free time to post on ASK GREG.
4. I've been SWAMPED with work. That's a good thing. (In fact, these are all good things.) I have tight deadlines on Star Wars Rebels, a looming deadline on the second book in the Rain of the Ghosts series, plus a few other random freelance things that I'll mention (perhaps) when they're finished. Lots of work means less free time to post at Ask Greg.
As for Twitter, I'll admit I might be a little addicted, but the bald-faced truth of the matter is simply that I was basically coerced into joining Twitter by my book publisher, my agent/manager and my family. I am making an extremely conscious attempt to raise my profile there (and gain followers) for the sake of RAIN OF THE GHOSTS. I make no bones about that. I'm not trying to hide the fact AT ALL. I want/need the book to do well, and Ask Greg just was NOT reaching enough people. Hence Twitter.
Having said that, I have no interest in using or allowing Twitter to replace ASK GREG. Folks have asked me questions on Twitter, which I've either ignored or used as an excuse to nudge the askers over here. It's a tad difficult, since the ASK GREG Question Asking Function here is currently down until I catch up, but whatchagonnado? ASK GREG still matters to me, and Twitter hasn't changed that at all.
So really, the title of this ramble is a sham. The two resources are not in conflict at all. I'm hoping Twitter brings MORE people to Ask Greg and maybe, vice versa. (And maybe that's the real reason for this post. Heh heh heh.)
Anonymous writes...
What is your book about?
Greg responds...
A 13-year-old girl who lives on a Caribbean island and can see ghosts.
Pre-order Rain of the Ghosts now!
GARGOYLES NEWS - DVDS and CONvergence/Gathering
Well, I've been out of the country and OUT OF THE LOOP, but we have some REALLY BIG news on the GARGOYLES front.
Season Two, Volume Two of Gargoyles has been released on DVD as a Disney Movie Club exclusive. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm planning on getting at least a couple copies, as I'm told by reliable fan sources who have already received their disks that these are the uncut and correct versions of the last twenty-six episodes of Season Two, including such fan favorites as "M.I.A.", Future Tense" and all three parts of "Hunter's Moon".
Wish I knew more. I've e-mailed a Disney contact for more info but haven't received a response yet. But you can probably find all the information you need by asking the fans in the comment room:
http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/comment/index.php
Anyway, as always, I'm not asking you to spend money you don't have. But if you can afford it, please help us prove to Disney that Gargoyles is a viable property with a strong fanbase. You can do that in two important ways. (1) Buy the DVDs, of course. And (2) SPREAD THE WORD! Use Tumbler, Twitter, Pony Express, whatever. Just help us let people know that these DVDs exist and are out there for sale.
AND MORE BIG NEWS...
I was waiting until CONvergence was over on Sunday to announce this, but it seems they've already made the announcement here:
https://twitter.com/GargoylesNews/status/353393780675715074/photo/1
Next summer, one of my favorite conventions, CONVERGENCE in Minneapolis, will be dedicating their annual convention to the theme of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". And a major part of that theme will be the celebration of the TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GARGOYLES!!! I'm going to be a guest of the convention, and we've already begun discussions to create a Gargoyles convention within the convention. That's right, folks, the GATHERING OF THE GARGOYLES is back!! There will be a RADIO PLAY! There will be a BLUE MUG!! There will be the ROCKY HORROR GARGOYLES SHOW-ING OF THE TRADITIONAL VIDEOS!! There will be ASK GREG LIVE!! And there will be other Gargoyles related guests to be announced!!!
If you came to any one of the thirteen Gatherings that we held between 1997 and 2009, you know how much fun this can be. You'll want to be there again! If you missed the Gatherings and always wished you had had the opportunity, now is your chance! If you've never heard of the Gathering, but like Gargoyles (or any of the other shows I've done or am doing - including W.I.T.C.H., Spectacular Spider-Man, Young Justice, Rain of the Ghosts and/or Star Wars Rebels, etc.) then this is an opportunity to talk with me and other like-minded fans about them. (We'll probably have panels on them all!)
And if you're interested in just attending a great comic book and science fiction and fantasy and genre convention, then Gargoyles aside, you just can't beat CONvergence:
The camaraderie of the Gatherings was truly something wonderful, and the closest I've ever come to that outside the Gatherings is CONvergence. I honestly can't think of a better con to merge with, even if it's just for one year. (For starters, the ENTIRE hotel is rented to the convention, and the parties go on all night. No more being told by management that we have to stop talking and/or move to some other location. We can and will continue until we drop!)
Now, let's think. Let's strategize. CONvergence is going on NOW. As I type this. And it will last through the end of this July 4th weekend. Next year's convention is exactly one year away. That's plenty of time to plan, to save up money, make travel and hotel arrangements etc. But mostly, what we've got to do in that year is SPREAD THE WORD!!! I want to see a HUGE GARGOYLE FAN TURNOUT at CONvergence 2014. Let's stun CONvergence, the world and DISNEY by showing them how immensely popular Gargoyles still is. And for sure, I don't want any Gargoyles fan saying, "Gee, I didn't hear about it."
So help me, please. I'm sure there are a lot of old fans out there that long ago stopped reading ASK GREG. Contact them. Contact EVERY Gargoyles fan you know, young and/or old. (Don't assume they must already know.) I want to see all my old friends. And a lot of new ones. So, please. Help me. SPREAD. THE. WORD!!!!!!
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