John Brizzolara

John Brizzolara is a Reader contributor. See staff page for stories and blog entries.

Comments by johnbrizzolara

Toys and Props to Inspire

Squeaky, -- You know, I think it was a Star Roamer. I'm not absolutely certain but that sounds familiar. -- John Brizzolara
— August 30, 2011 12:32 p.m.

Everything's Happening, But Nothing's Going On

SDaniels, -- "...there interposed a fly/with blue, uncertain stumbling buzz/between the light and me./And then the windows failed/and I could not see to see." -- Emily Dickinson. It seems a fly interposed between yourself and your enjoyment of Lily's. A shame. I lived in Mexico for some time, writing two, contracted novels. I was alternately distracted by flies in my seaside home -- then set about killing them in mid-air with rubber bands. At some point I realized they were an excellent distraction from what was important. Since then I have learned to -- subliminally, I suppose -- edit them out of my experience. -- John Brizzolara
— August 17, 2009 4:16 p.m.

A Con Love Story

Eric, -- You are right, of course. And what are you wearing, ... you know, right now? Thanks for telling me who McCoy was. Who the hell is Dan Heyeda? -- John
— August 11, 2009 12:21 p.m.

A Con Love Story

Eric, Refried, -- You guys are great. Thanks. Those are all Photoshop photos (I'm assuming you know this but not everyone does -- one idiot asked me a while back, "How did you get yourself in that clothes dryer for that picture about the spin-dry thing?") and I've never worn a Star Trek uniform. I would not have turned down a turn as an actor if I'd been offered one on Star Trek in the '60s -- that is if McCoy hadn't been on board.By the way, did you see the guy that played the young McCoy in the latest Trek movie? Where did they find this guy? He was perfect. Thanks for the fun. -- Brizzolara
— August 8, 2009 11:08 a.m.

You Must Keep Reading

SDaniels, -- Eric Temple Bell, I'm guessing, is the guy who also wrote under the name William Tenn. I met him once and can't remember his real name -- but he published under his real name too. I'm thinking an anthology called WANDERING STARS which he may have helped edit along with Jack Dann but I believe he has a story in it as well. Good luck finding that. Hah! I could be way wrong too about Bell and Tenn. Actually, it's likely. As far as sf about crystals, I've got a novel with a gigantic crystal in it which is referred to as a "psychocosmogram." Whatever the hell that might be. That one is called EMPIRE'S HORIZON from DAW Books/ 1989. Good luck finding that too. Hah! The absolute best, though it has nothing to do with any New Age associations, is J.G. Ballard's THE CRYSTAL WORLD -- 1960's, I believe. Out of print probably as well. It is a wonderful extended metaphor of an epic poem and inner adventure story. Loved that thing; can't recommend it enough. Good luck and all best, -- Brizzolara
— August 4, 2009 10:26 a.m.

You Must Keep Reading

Eric! -- Saints preserve you, lad! Advance action and reveal character could well be construed as hack advice but what the hell. Sometimes when you're writing for money things get fast and dirty as you and Greg B. may know. The novels I mention in the column are -- none of them -- written ostensibly for money. Thanks for consistently encouraging words, my friend. -- John
— July 31, 2009 1:14 p.m.

You Must Keep Reading

SDaniels, -- Thanks for commenting so often. I've always meant to read Beckett and haven't. I will seek this stuff out. Thanks. -- Brizzolara
— July 31, 2009 1:10 p.m.

You Must Keep Reading

Gringo, -- I certainly did read Exley's "A Fan's Notes." It was in the early '90s and recommended by a librarian friend. Yeah, I loved it. -- Brizz
— July 31, 2009 1:08 p.m.

Like Young

Wow.
— May 2, 2008 10:01 a.m.

Like Young

Eric -- I guess we don't really need to telephone each other the way this is going. Although, I do remember laughing an awful lot and riffing on the phone for 20 - 40 minutes -- back and forth when you were doing research down here, LIVING here. Even when you were teaching in L.A. I look forward every Wednesday to your message. They're all complimentary. Maybe you should be more critical, brutal. You know, "You've outdone yourself again with this infernal whining. Buck up, man! Suck it up! For godssakes, old age isn't for sissies like you!" What do you think? Actually I heard that last line delivered by Manly Wade Wellman just before he died, at a convention in Berkeley. -- Brizz
— May 1, 2008 6:40 p.m.