Last fall I began writing a screenplay about a cult-like ufology organization and its founder named Von Varagon. As this was my first crack at a screenplay I vowed I wouldn't do any editing until I finished the draft. I did so because I tend to edit content as go, which slows my progress and probably eliminates the wrong stuff.

This approach seemed to have worked for a while. I managed to get over 40 pages. I was pleased and confident enough in the effort that I even created a project site at www.vonvaragon.com and a cafepress store (say what you will. the coffee mug is awesome.)

I invented this.

I'm not nuts about most critics and it has very little to do with the thickness of my skin. It is because most critics offer very little criticism.

You'll notice I didn't put constructive before criticism. That's right, I'm one of those types who doesn't define it any other way. There is no good, no bad, just constructive criticism or self-serving gibberish.

Way back in 2002, shortly after moving back to the Black Hills, I found myself without a band. In the 16 years previous, since 1986, I had been actively engaged in some sort of musical collaboration. Sure, there had been brief lulls during that period, but I usually had a pretty good idea of what was coming next. This time, I didn't have a clue, although I was confident that I'd find something quickly, if I wanted. That turned out to be a false assumption.