AMBER LOVE 30-AUG-2014 Tons of our friends are in Atlanta, Georgia right now for Dragon Con where they have the nerd version of Mardi Gras. It’s our understanding that D*C also stands for “debauchery in costume” which Caico and I fully support. Alas, we are not there nor ever had the pleasure. We are home watching movies and reading. Ok, Caico is sleeping through most of it but we’re hanging out together; she seems to loves when I’m unemployed. It’s fine that we miss Dragon Con, Baltimore, or any con for that matter because every weekend is #CaicoCon.
CaicoCon: Reading Track
As you may know if you follow me on Twitter (it’s mostly a joint venture of the two of us) Caico loves to be around books. She loves action movies too but unlike other felines, she doesn’t “chase” or paw at things on a screen. I’ve caught her watching professional wrestling. Don’t even ask. Besides high energy tales by Duane Swierczynski and crime noir favorites, Caico and I also recommend the brand new ongoing comic series DOBERMAN by Darby Pop Publishing, distributed by IDW. It’s a 80’s inspired cop action movie like LETHAL WEAPON, DIE HARD, and TANGO & CASH.
Caico has fully endorsed the new ongoing series HERO CATS published by Action Lab Entertainment. The series was created by Kyle Puttkramer who also plays the role as Executive Producer, occasionally turning over the series to a backup team for extra story content. Marcus Williams is on regular feature pencils and colors with Ryan Sellers on inking duty.
HERO CATS is narrated by Cassiopeia, a lovely ginger and white lady who was was first adopted by her favorite writer. Yes, indeed. Just like Caico and many other cats, Cassiopeia loves books. Lillian eventually gave Cassiopeia to her daughter’s family to keep them company.
Not only has Caico given HERO CATS two paws up but the household’s other feline has as well. Dear little Oliver was supposed to be only be here for a month in a sort of foster situation, but he never left. His original adopter said that while he tried to sell Christmas trees at a yard sale, Oliver made good use of them for his parkour training. Moments like this are why Oliver has connected deep down in his soul with the Hero Cat known as Rocket. Caico is fond of that other Rocket you may be familiar with.
But when it comes to Hero Cats, Caico is utterly convinced that her (our) Twitpics inspired Puttkramer and Williams in their cat Belle. She’s also the brains of the Hero Cat operational team. The team may be lead by Ace, an expert in tactics, but Belle has superior intelligence and can read minds.
CaicoCon: Cosplay Track
Before GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY broke the record as the most successful movie of all time, Caico was enraptured by Rocket Raccoon. I’m a terrible seamstress, especially when a customer can’t be fitted so in the case of Caico’s Rocket costume, the sleeves were too tight and too long. I also didn’t mod the prop gun as she wished.
Caico loves to lead panels that inspire creative types. She’s a great model too and considers herself a Muse of this generation. She encourages sculptures and towers of whipped cream to be made in her honor.
CaicoCon: Writing Track
At #CaicoCon, after the hours of reading and promoting books she loves, she knew she had to host a panel on writing. It’s not easy. People make it look easy by cranking out three novels a year, but others admit that it can take several years to make one book they feel is ready to release to the wild.
STEP 1: DIET
Caico encourages creative types to maintain a healthy diet…
STEP 2: EXERCISE
…and she supports your efforts in fitness though it suits it her more to coach from the sidelines.
STEP 3: COCKTAILS
Caico does love her junkfood. She’s fond of chips and whipped cream. Like anything, you can enjoy your junkfood in moderation, which goes for my intake of strong cocktails. I interpret this to mean I can’t eat a can of Pringles every single day but I do it whenever they’re around. That’s moderation in my book.
STEP 4: FRESH AIR
Remember, the second actionable step after getting a cocktail that any writer does is look outward for inspiration. Getting distance from a project can give you new perspective. Going for walks or changing your environment can help.
STEP 5: AFTER PROCRASTINATING, GET STARTED
At some point, you need to get to work or at least try your best for the day. If you don’t hit your word count, it’s okay. Forgive yourself and try again tomorrow.
STEP 6: BOOK TOURS!
After the writing process, you’re still not done working. This author stuff is more than writing. You need to promote your work, promote your fellow authors and publisher, thank anyone who helped you, celebrate, and go on tour. Fans love book signings.
STEP 7: SLEEP
Chances are that your life on the road visiting your adoring fans means you’ve missed out on some sleep. Perhaps you over-indulged a bit in every area possible. You need rest. Everyone needs a nap. Naps are good. Naps are GREAT!
STEP 8: DOCUMENT FOR YOUR MEMOIRS
Hey! People might find you fascinating. Caico doesn’t but someone might. Document your writing or art process including all the bad shit too. Memoirs are favorites of ours. We recommend the memoirs by Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, and Malala Yousafzai. Take lots of pictures! Being on Twitter actively is kind of like releasing your memoirs in real time. Sure, some people like Instagram, but they crop things without giving you any control of it. On Twitter, you can post 140 characters of texts, links, short vines, and photos. We like it better. Don’t forget to hashtag like this: #CaicoCon.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of AmberUnmasked.com and Vodka O'Clock Podcast. Author of The Farrah Wethers Mysteries, comic book short stories, prose, and non-fiction. Cosplayer and figure model.