A Station Eight Fan Web Site

Gargoyles

The Phoenix Gate

Ask Greg Archives

Rain of the Ghosts Book Two - Spirits of Ash and Foam

Archive Index


: « First : « 10 : Displaying #26 - #35 of 75 records. : 10 » : Last » :


Posts Per Page: 1 : 10 : 25 : 50 : All :


Bookmark Link

Todd Jensen writes...

I read "Spirits of Ash and Foam" over the weekend. Here are my thoughts on it.

*BEWARE! SPOILERS FOLLOW *

I really enjoyed it. You continued the story of Rain's quest, had her seek out the second zumi, but added some variety by having the quest revolve as much around rescuing the Kimlets and learning the sad story of Aycayia the Cursed as around the second zumi itself - but with Aycayia's story being linked to the second zumi - and the subplot of Miranda becoming part of the group.

I don't know much about the Taino myths and legends, but your book certainly encouraged me to find out more about them, if I can (just as the quest within the story has encouraged Rain to learn more - complete with surprising her teacher in a good way with her report on them). I liked the touch of the Taino vampire being linked to mosquitos rather than bats (and it certainly makes sense, when you think about it), and also Rain's discovery of the true story of Aycayia as a grieving mother rather than a temptress - not to mention the revelation that the true villain of the story is also the hurricane Julia (which was a good way, I thought, of tying things in together). we also got references to legends I was more familiar with, such as the notion of manatees being the origin of mermaid myths and about selkies.

The style of the legends themselves reminded me of the "Panther Queen" story in "Mark of the Panther" - more in the general atmosphere than in the details - I could even imagine that, if this was animation, the legends would have had their own animation style, different from that of the main story, just as the "Panther Queen" story did. I especially liked the touch of everything in the legends being "First [insert noun here]", emphasizing how they're set at the world's beginning.

A few other parts I particularly enjoyed were Rain, Charlie, and Miranda discussing the Kimlets' first names (and I could see why you named them after characters from "Peter Pan" as the story progressed), Rain's reading list for English class including "The Tempest" (how appropriate) and "To Kill a Mockingbird" (that one brought back memories; it was the first book on my 8th grade English class's reading list as well), and this bit from page 122: "[Rain] put [the book] back on the shelf. (And Charlie moved it back to where it *belonged* on the shelf.)" I work as a shelver at the library, and those two sentences rang true to me after so many times I'd found a book in the wrong place on the shelf and restored it to its rightful position.

Thanks for sharing this second book with us. I hope you get to have the other seven books published. (This time, the local bookstore had "Spirits of Ash and Foam" on the shelf; I didn't have to specially order it as I had to last time. That may be a good sign.)

Greg responds...

Zemi not zumi. And, yes, I think there's definitely some Panther Queen influence in there.

Glad you liked it!

Response recorded on July 30, 2015

Bookmark Link

Just a Nerd writes...

Wow. I was going to preface this with other questions, but upon searching the unanswered queue, all of the other questions had been asked, one by myself. So, I'm just gonna dive in.
2. Would you please, please, oh great and powerful and wise man (sorry for the terrible pun (wise man, Weisman)) tell us one, some or all of the owners of designations 27, 28, A06, A07, A08, and A09?

... Yeah, I didn't think you would. Thanks anyway. Can't wait to read Spirits of Ash and Foam!

Greg responds...

Honestly, I don't remember. And I don't have my YJ files here at Nickelodeon. And, in any case, if I haven't already revealed this, I'm unlikely to now.

But I hope by now, you've read and enjoyed Spirits of Ash and Foam!

Response recorded on July 29, 2015

Bookmark Link

Quindar writes...

At CONvergence, you mentioned that you have a written list of things to keep in mind while writing scenes for Rain of the Ghosts: what music Rain is hearing, what's the light source, what's the weather, etc. Would you mind posting the complete list?

Greg responds...

The "Cheat Sheet" for Rain of the Ghosts wound up being about 27 pages long, by the time I was done.

In contrast, the "Cheat Sheet" for the third novel in the series, "Masque of Bones" is already 98 pages long, and I've barely scratched the surface in terms of research and planning.

I don't have the Cheat Sheet for Spirits of Ash and Foam handy, but I have a vague memory it was about 180+ pages.

Anyway, I'm not going to post a 27 page document here. But I will cut and paste the first page, which (in extra large font) I kept right in front of me to keep things in mind as I wrote:

CHEAT SHEET
What all characters look like:
--Skin color,
--Hair length, style and color.
--eye color, eye shape?
--Build, height, weight. Etc.
--CLOTHES -- LOCAL COLOR t-shirt

--Weather or PENDING weather. MOON status.

Sights. Smells.

Sounds. Soundtrack.

Motion.

Plant Life Animal Life

Response recorded on July 29, 2015

Bookmark Link

Anonymous writes...

I recently began to compile a shelf of the best books I have ever read. Rain of the Ghosts was the 8th book on that shelf, preceded only by the exploits of a certain Mr. Potter. She is joined by the likes of the Pevensie siblings, the gods of Greek myth, and Sherlock Holmes. Thank you for creating a fantastic new series. And know that there is a spot reserved for Spirits of Ash and Foam, Masque of Bone, and the other six books yet to come.

Greg responds...

Thank you! That's pretty august company! I hope by now (13 months later), you've had a chance to read Spirits of Ash and Foam!

Response recorded on July 10, 2015

Bookmark Link

MomoCon 2015

I leave tomorrow for MomoCon 2015. More information on it can be found at their website: http://www.momocon.com/

But here's MY schedule for the weekend:

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015
BREAKING INTO ANIM 12:30pm - 01:30pm
Main "Villains" Room Omni-International
w/Floyd County Productions

SIGNING 03:30pm - 05:30pm
Autograph Area

YOUNG JUSTICE 08:00pm - 09:00pm
Main "Villains" Omni-International
w/Crispin Freeman

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2015
SIGNING 11:00am - 12:30pm
Autograph Area

ANIM CREATORS 02:00pm - 03:00pm
"Underdog" A-313
w/Ben Mangum, Mike Reiss

SIGNING 05:30pm - 07:00pm
Autograph Area

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015
SIGNING 11:30am - 01:00pm
Autograph Area

GARGOYLES 02:00pm - 03:00pm
Main "Villains" Omni-International
w/Keith David

That's right! Both Keith "Goliath" David and Crispin "Red Arrow" Freeman will also be at MomoCon!

As usual, at my autograph sessions, I will happily sign anything you bring along with you for free. But I will also be signing and selling copies of my two novels RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM. ($10 per book, cash only.) If you purchase both books (signed and personalized for $20 cash total), you get a FREE art surprise. I will also be signing and selling copies of my animation and radio play scripts (from GARGOYLES, MEN IN BLACK, STARSHIP TROOPERS, TEAM ATLANTIS, W.I.T.C.H., THE BATMAN, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, DC SHOWCASE: GREEN ARROW, BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN MEETS GARGOYLES, YOUNG JUSTICE, BEWARE THE BATMAN, GARGOYLES MEETS THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN MEETS YOUNG JUSTICE and KIM POSSIBLE). Each signed and personalized script is $20 cash. I'll also be giving away #RainoftheGhosts AudioPlay postcards for free!

So please stop by and say hello!


Bookmark Link

WONDERCON 2015

I am fortunate enough to have been invited to be a spotlight guest at WonderCon this year at the Anaheim Convention Center in California from Friday April 03 - Sunday April 05. Here's my schedule for WonderCon 2015:

FRIDAY, APRIL 03, 2015
SIGNING
ARTISTS ALLEY - Table A-31, 11:30am - 12:30pm.

As usual, I will sign anything you bring for free. But I will also be signing and selling copies of my two novels RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM. ($10 per book, cash only.) If you purchase both books (signed and personalized for $20 cash total), you get a FREE copy of Kuni Tomita's original development artwork designs from when we developed RAIN as an animated series back at DreamWorks in the '90s. I will also be signing and selling copies of my animation and radio play scripts (from GARGOYLES, MEN IN BLACK, STARSHIP TROOPERS, TEAM ATLANTIS, W.I.T.C.H., THE BATMAN, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, DC SHOWCASE: GREEN ARROW, BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN MEETS GARGOYLES, YOUNG JUSTICE, BEWARE THE BATMAN, GARGOYLES MEETS THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN MEETS YOUNG JUSTICE and KIM POSSIBLE). Each signed and personalized script is $20 cash. I'll also be giving away #RainoftheGhosts AudioPlay postcards for free!

WORKING IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE
Room 207 04:00pm - 05:00pm
I'm moderating this panel with panelists: Kevin J. Anderson, Sam de La Rosa, Braden Lamb, Mike Mayhew, Rebecca Moesta & John Ostrander.

SIGNING
ARTISTS ALLEY - Table A-31, 5:30pm - 07:00pm.

SATURDAY, APRIL 04, 2015
SPOTLIGHT ON GREG WEISMAN
Room 213, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Gary Mierianu interviews me about Gargoyles, Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Kanan: the Last Padawan, Rain of the Ghosts (novels and AudioPlay) and more. Plus we'll open it up to an audience Q&A at the end.

SIGNING
ARTISTS ALLEY - Table A-31, 1:00pm - 02:30pm.

SIGNING
Mysterious Galaxy Booth 908, 03:00pm - 03:45pm.

MARVEL: NEXT BIG THING
Room 300AB 04:00pm - 05:00pm
I'll be talking about Star Wars Kanan: The Last Padawan, but other panelists will include Sam Humphries, Will Moss & Rick Remender, talking about their stuff.

SIGNING
ARTISTS ALLEY - Table A-31, 5:30pm - 07:00pm.

SUNDAY, APRIL 05, 2015
WARNER ARCHIVE MORE THAN SIDEKICKS!
Room 300AB 01:00pm - 02:00pm
I'll be talking Young Justice and other sidekick stuff with J.M. DeMatteis, D.W. Ferranti, Loren Lester, Gary Mierianu & Matthew Patterson.

SIGNING
ARTISTS ALLEY - Table A-31, 2:30pm - 05:00pm.

That's it. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello!!!


Bookmark Link

Gallifrey One 2015

My next convention appearance is at GALLIFREY ONE 2015, a Doctor Who Convention in Los Angeles.

What does Greg Weisman have to do with Doctor Who, you ask?

Well, nothing really, unless you count being a fan myself as having something to do with it, but I will be doing a number of things while I'm there that aren't Doctor Who related, because, well, because as my friend Chris Jones says, "They keep letting us."

Here's my schedule for Valentine's Day, i.e. Saturday, February 14, 2015:

Autographs - Saturday, February 15, 1:00pm-2:00pm, Autograph Alley
Kaffeeklatsch - Saturday, February 15, 3:00pm-4:00pm, Board Room
A Day in the Life of a TV Writer/Producer - Saturday, February 15, 4:00pm-5:00pm, Program D
Women of Young Justice - Saturday, February 15, 6:00pm-7:00pm, Program D
Young Justice Meet-Up - Saturday, February 15, 7:00pm-8:00pm, Program D

The Women of Young Justice is likely to be a real treat. There's more info (and a terrific graphic) on Chris' Tumbler here:
http://christopherjonesart.tumblr.com/post/110749267743/so-some-of-you-know-greg-weisman-and-i-have-been

But to sum up, we've got:

Stephanie Lemelin - Voice of Artemis
Kelly Hu - Voice of Cheshire
Vanessa Marshall - Voice of Black Canary
Masasa Moyo - Voice of Bumblebee
Lolita Ritmanis - Composer
Greg Weisman - Writer/Producer
Christopher Jones - Comic Book Artist

After the panel, we'll have a more informal meet-up where folks can get a picture taken, an autograph or just chat with Chris and myself (and maybe a couple of the other guests).

As you can see, earlier in the day (and maybe at the Meet-Up), I'll be signing (for free) and selling signed copies of my novels RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM and copies of selected animations teleplays (including GARGOYLES and YOUNG JUSTICE). Scripts are $20 cash. The novels are $10 each, but if you purchase both, I'll throw in signed copies of the original RAIN OF THE GHOSTS development artwork by artist Kuni Tomita for free, as well.

Hope to see a few of you there!


Bookmark Link

Magic City Comic Con

I'm leaving in a few minutes for Magic City Comic Con in MIAMI at the Miami Airport Convention Center!!

Here's my schedule:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015
SPOTLIGHT Q&A 02:30pm - 03:20pm
Ballroom 1.

ADAPTING MEDIA FRANCHISES FOR COMIC BOOKS 04:00pm - 05:00pm
Ballroom 2 w/Mike W. Barr, Terry Cronin, Dan Slott.

SIGNING 05:00pm - 06:00pm
Booth #???? - 900 Aisle

AUTOGRAPH SESSION 06:30pm - 08:00pm
Celebrity Autograph Area,
West Hall - Exhibition Room.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2015
SIGNING 10:30am - 11:30am
Booth #???? - 900 Aisle

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER AND WRITE YOUR
FIRST NOVEL 11:45am - 12:45pm
Ballroom 2 w/Mike W. Barr, Terry Cronin, Philip Lee McCall II.

AUTOGRAPH SESSION 01:45pm - 03:00pm
Celebrity Autograph Area,
West Hall - Exhibition Room.

WRITING SPIDER-MAN 03:15pm - 04:15pm
Room 210 w/Dan Slott.

WRITING: FROM TV TO COMIC BOOKS
Room 202 05:15pm - 06:15pm
w/Mike W. Barr, Terry Cronin.

SIGNING 07:00pm - 08:00pm
Booth #???? - 900 Aisle

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015
SIGNING 10:30am - 11:20am
Booth #???? - 900 Aisle

LEGACY OF GARGOYLES 11:30am - 12:30pm
Room 210

WRITING BATMAN 01:45pm - 02:45pm
Room 210 w/Mike W. Barr, Francis Manapul.

AUTOGRAPH SESSION 03:15pm - 04:30pm
Celebrity Autograph Area,
West Hall - Exhibition Room.

THE BUSINESS OF ANIMATION
Room 210 05:30pm - 06:30pm
w/Christy Karacas, Chris Prynowski, Melissa Warrenburg.

I will be selling personalized signed copies of my two novels RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM for $10 in cash each. If you buy both books, you get signed copies of the original development artwork by Kuni Tomita from when we attempted to sell RAIN as an animated television series back in the 90s.

I'm also selling signed copies of my animation scripts for $20 in cash each from series including GARGOYLES, THE BATMAN, BEWARE THE BATMAN, ROUGHNECKS, MEN IN BLACK, TEAM ATLANTIS, KIM POSSIBLE, DC SHOWCASE GREEN ARROW, W.I.T.C.H., THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, YOUNG JUSTICE and more - including scripts from a couple of convention radio plays.

Autographs from me and photos of or with me are always free.

If you're in the Miami area, I urge you to stop by and check it out!


Bookmark Link

Steve writes...

Hey Greg, I happen to have a question for Rain of the Ghosts that got me curious.

Sense 'Bastian became a ghost does he levitate? I'm going to assume that sense he is a ghost he can go through walls, he can't have contact with humans, though you can correct me if I'm wrong. The book wasn't really specific about that and there was one part that said he ran up some stars if I remember correctly so I got a little confused.

Thanks for reading my question and I enjoyed Rain of the Ghosts, can't wait to get the sequel!

Greg responds...

In the second book in the series, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM, all the rules of what 'Bastian can and cannot do are laid out in a chapter entitled, appropriately: GHOST RULES!

Response recorded on December 18, 2014

Bookmark Link

Comic Fan of Many Genres writes...

Hi, Greg! This may be a little late, (or, well, very late), but I wanted to tell you that I'm a big fan of your work. (Though, you've probably heard that a lot.)

You did a great job with Young Justice, (and, I'm sure, your other works). You, Brandon, and all of the other people who put there all into collaborating and working on the show. It was one of the most well done and tasteful cartoons I've ever seen; entertaining, suspenseful, and worth watching. I was sorry to see it go, and I still have high hopes for a third season some time in the future.

Again, you, (and the others, because I don't want to sell them short), did a great job with the show. I can't imagine how hard it is to take DC comic characters, (iconic ones like 'Nightwing' and 'Kid Flash' and countless others), and to try and put them into an alternate timeline, making them similar but different, too. You all did a fantastic job with it, though.

I'm sorry that I can't say more, (but it would probably all sound the same with the general them of 'I love Young Justice). I just want you to know that you guys made me week(s) with your episodes, so, thank you for all of the time and hard work you all put into Young Justice, because it definitely showed and was truly a high caliber show.

(Also, I just found out that you wrote a book! "Rain of the Ghosts", right? I'll definitely check it out; I've heard great things about it, so I'll make sure to leave my own reviews and recommend it to my friends, too! Keep up the fantastic work, and good luck on 'Rebels' ,too!)

Greg responds...

Thank you for the kind words.

And please do check out RAIN OF THE GHOSTS and its sequel SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM. Both are now available at bookstores, on Amazon, etc. Plus, I'm told (however you purchased it) that reviews on Amazon are VERY helpful. Especially if you liked it. ;)

Response recorded on December 06, 2014


: « First : « 10 : Displaying #26 - #35 of 75 records. : 10 » : Last » :