Something that pleases me no end is when somebody buys an ad on gneech.com that catches my eye and turns out to be very cool indeed. Such is the case with The Three Micahs, a blog by M.C.A. Hogarth (a.k.a. “Haikujaguar”) about the business end of creative pursuits. In an engaging and perky writing style she gives artistic types — often less-than-stellar businesspeople — useful tips for getting their heads out of the clouds long enough to actually succeed and hopefully even prosper at their vocation. My first introduction to the blog was a banner ad at the top of my own site (proof that advertising works :D ).

I am particularly impressed at the holistic (and pragmatic) approach she takes to the artistic life, including the necessity for most of having a day job. Far from seeing this as a curse, she spends a lot of time showing how to integrate the day job into the whole package and use it to fuel your art.

Above all, your #1 strategy: if the job isn’t working for you, start looking for a new one. This Day Job is not your career. Your goal is to make enough money to free yourself from some (or all) of your financial anxieties and to get out of the studio… not to chain yourself to a miserable existence. Remember the mindsets: I am not my Day Job, and I am allowed to choose the work I do. Arm yourself with these realizations and keep looking until you find the right fit.

She also illustrates the blog with cartoon jaguars, so what’s not to love? All my fellow woolly-headed artistic types, I heartily recommend you check it out.

-The Gneech

Where has this comic been all my life?

Hark! A Vagrant blends history, literature, and utter goofiness to create something that reads a bit like Edward Gorey doing Black Adder. Do you like history? Do you like things that are incredibly, intensely silly one moment and then wistfully poignant the next? Do you like Canada? Then you’ll like Hark! A Vagrant. Go forth and devour!

Some choice selections:

• Go Get ’em, Bess
• Party Time with Richard III
• Robespierre You Are a Fine Young Dandy
• Dude Watchin’ With the Brontës

Enjoy!

-The Gneech

What writer hasn’t been here?

-The Gneech

From a review of “Black Dragon Codex” … put out (if you trace it back far enough) by WotC of all places.

“Enough!” Gneech barked. “You two, always fighting! Traps are good. If we find no traps, then they had nothing to protect–or someone been here before. Traps mean this right way!” His voice raised into a screech as the little goblin beat both of them lightly with the length of his weapon. “So you both stop fighting and shut up, or the ogres will find us from you making . . . so . . . much . . .”–Gneech’s staff slowly came to a frozen halt, and his wide, flat eyes peered down the corridor behind him–“. . . noise. Uh-oh.”

Apparently somebody’s written an unauthorized biography of me … or something.

-The Gneech

I am attempting to crosspost to my Facebook fan page via gneech.com. I apologize for a zero-content post that you may end up seeing in seven or eight different places … such is the nature of configuring social media.

-TG

Short but sweet interview with fantasy author Tanya Huff (best known for Blood Trail et al.). Very standard ten questions every interviewer asks an author, but they’re questions worth reading the answers to!

-The Gneech