One of the guys had written a novel while in the band and surprised us with it one day. We were all excited for him. We had no clue he ever wrote anything besides songs. (He wrote quite a few.) Anyway, he thought it would be a cool idea if a couple of us pooled our thoughts together in order to come up with a killer idea for a second novel. I was up for the challenge. Over the course of the next couple weeks three of us got together to begin mapping out this piece of literary genius. Needless to say, we didn't get very far as we kept using the get-togethers as an excuse to talk about music, girls, band stuff, just about everything except "The Next Great American Novel."

What did come out of it was a few disjointed scenes (2-3) and a direction. We were going to write a story called "The Three Days Of Darkness," A biblical end of the world battle between good and evil, God and the Devil. Real original, right? Yeah, I doubt it. That theme has been played out several times in the past; "Megiddo", "The Omen," The Warlock series, "The Stand," etc, etc... you get the picture. Not that a good biblical end of the world, doomsayer movie wouldn't be a good idea, it just needed to be approached in a unique way. Well, we lost our enthusiasm and drive in short order and the project faded into the dark recesses of the ethereal plane. The year was 1984.

I was always excited about new books and continually looked for reviews of new titles that were either out or soon to be released. I admired the perseverence that writers exhibited in the face of that nasty enemy, the "Blank Page." My favorites, of course, were Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. (Gee, what a shock.) So, seven years after that failed attempt to conjure up the endless stream of letters that would form a story, I stared the Demon in the face and decided that no blank page was going to keep me from one of my life's goals. Suddenly, I began to write.

Next week I'll tell how writing the novel inspired the desire to see it become a movie.

Comics
Anyway, before I go, I just wanted to say that a long lost friend has returned to my life. Last week the long anticpated Superman/ Batman team-up book hit the stands. Simply titled "Superman/ Batman," this comic brings together two of comicdoms most recognizable heroes ( yeah, I know, don't forget Spidey , Cap, and Wolvie) in a monthly title together. Basically, "World's Finest" has returned and I, for one, have been counting the days. The first story is aptly named, "World's Finest." The first issue came out with two different covers, one featuring Batman, the other, Superman. This comic is in the capable hands of Jeph Loeb, Ed Mcguinness, and Dexter Vines. It looks to be a good one so run out and get a copy (or two). Have a Great Week. C-Ya!!!

P. S.   HHHAAAPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY NOLAN!!!    'Nuff Said!