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I'm Nick Kelly, one of many Nick Kellys out there in the world wild web, but I'm the only ME that you'll ever know, and most folx are thankful for that. I'm a musician, a writer, an artist, a motorcycle rider, a hockey fanatic, a horror movie lover, a father, a husband, a son, and an overall lunatic. I've got some good stories so far on this wild ride I've called life and more comin' seemingly everyday, so hang out, pour yourself one up to the brim, and buckle up for safety.
It's going to be a fun ride.
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Lords and Ladies of the Court,The following is a list of words which I could go decades without hearing. Please adhere to these rules and refrain from usage of these terms until this decree has been lifted:"economic downturn", "financial crisis", "bailout", "stimulus package"*, "layoffs"**,"foreign dependency" and "recession".*(including all emails about male enhancement and discount adult DVDs)**(unless in the context of the Good Times theme song....R.I.P. Esther Rolle)I've heard them all, and I've heard them enough. Including these terms in every conversation does nothing to promote positive thinking, and keeps everyone miserable. So, that's it. They're gone from my vocabulary until I'm talking to my grandkids about the horrors of the early 21st Century.I like bleak. I like dark. I like ominous. (I also like spicy tuna rolls, but I digress). I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-release copy of Jack Kilborn's novel, "Afraid". It is all these things in abundance. I'll get my horror and suspense from great writing and great music. That's enough for me. Besides, the characters in "Afraid" are much more likeable than talking heads like Wolf "Show me the burning bodies" Blitzer.Horror has played a large influence on my writing, both as a novelist and as a lyricist. As we continue the vocal sessions on the upcoming Division CD, "Control Issues", I'm delighted to dig into the macabre and sadistic. This CD is largely a compilation of stories, each of which has its origins in something dark and frightening. Some folks use music to help them write (myself included). In this case, I've used books and movies to help me write the music that inspires books and movies. Art comes full circle, and in this case, that circle has burning candles and chants to evil spirits involved.I hope to have some great new tidbits of information to you this month about music, writing, writers and some special announcements. "Control Issues" is still being created. If you'd like to hear some of the songs performed live, check out the Division site for show details.In the meantime, stay so black that people may ask "how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black. " as Nigel would say.One love,nKLabels: CNN, Division, Esther Rolle, Good Times, J.A. Konrath, Jack Kilborn, Nick Kelly, nK, Spinal Tap, Wolf Blitzer
Did I really just reference Chiliwack lyrics? Yeah, I guess I did. There's a clear sign I've been spending too many hours watching the bug zapper and drinking Jack Daniel's.Things are going slow and steady here at Camp Catwalk. The edits for Lineage were completed a while back and I'm bringing myself to rinse off the scalpel and take a run at Messiah before I start shopping for an agent. I've learned so much from some of my fellow writers like Joe Konrath and Heather Brewer, and I'm excited to be taking the step into full-fledged novelist.Both JWP and Division are recording and I finally have the home studio set up the right way, so it looks like I'll be cutting vocals for most of June and July, while juggling the family, writing, the day job, and all the other band necessities like management, booking, networking, artwork, layouts, web design and more. If that sounds incredibly busy, let me reinforce this: EVERYONE in Division is doing at least as much as I am. There is so much going on behind the scenes right now to make the upcoming CD as great as possible. We're very excited about the chance to have a killer product that shows our identity and our passion as effectively as possible.Just Wanna Play's new demo is really coming together also. We're saddened at the closing of a number of places we have played in the past or were planning to play in the future. Bogey's and O'Meara's come to mind immediately. With the economy in the tank, these places are going under and live music is suffering as a result. God forbid we get to the point where artists will only stream shows and not tour because the expenses outweigh the turnout.Okay, one last check of school work tonight (Criminal Procedure - gonna be a tough one!) and then it's off to crank up the tunes and kill orcs. Oh yeah, I got talked into playing Lord of the Rings Online, which is a great game. Now I just need to find a pill that gives me eight hours of sleep.One Love!nKLabels: Division, Heather Brewer, J.A. Konrath, Just Wanna Play, JWP
Joe Konrath was right. Editing is like being a serial killer. I'm on page 33 of Catwalk:Messiah at the moment, and I've sliced away so many words, it's silly. I apparently had a love affair with the word, "instantly" for no good reason. Anyway, things are flowing much better. I'm in need of a cover artist for the Chapbook, then I'm lookin' for an agent.As for life, I got back from the P.R.O. convention in Camden, New Jersey today. It was three days of being on the Motorcycle Club set and learning sooooo much. Special thanks to C. Money and Teddy B from 502, and to T.C., who has been on iron longer than I've been alive. It was a humbling experience to meet several individuals this weekend.I finished my next class in Criminal Justice, got to catch up with some cousins, aunts and uncles, and I was home to get some things done, hit the hot tub and re-acclimate with the real world. Now that I have all that done, it's back to edits.Oh yeah...Just Wanna Play @ Bogey's, Feb 2nd...spread the word!One love!nKLabels: Bogeys, Catwalk, J.A. Konrath, JWP, Lou-Evil Psycles
As I eagerly await my turn at recording my parts for the new Division CD, I'm still pounding away on the classwork and preparing to edit "Catwalk: Messiah" for consistency and adrenaline. I like what I have, but every time I read J. A. Konrath's blog, I feel like I'm in grade school again. The most recent post had me howling.2008 has entered with a bang, and Sybir and I decided on a new tradition for ringing in the new year. Hopefully we can continue it. If I could say more, I would, but this is a family show.Speaking of, I had a chance to write about schools of crime causation for a paper in class. That was a fun week of researching, drafting, editing and re-writing. I wound up handing in a 2000-word piece on Albert Fish. Read the linked article if you want to read about a gross killer and massive sexual deviant. This week is a team paper week, so I'm limited to mentioning Armin Meiwes, the German cannibal, but I take my shots where I can get them."Dexter in the Dark" was a great follow up to "Dearly Devoted Dexter" on my reading list. Now, if Showtime will get to releasing the Season Two DVD, I can get caught up on the show as well as the books.No real goals or resolutions in this post. I've been far too scattered to have that degree of focus. That changes this week, since I have so much to do!One Love,nKLabels: Albert Fish, Armin Meiwes, Catwalk, Dexter, Division, J.A. Konrath, Jeff Lindsay, nK, Sybir
It's almost the end of 2007, and I'm spending my few days off entertaining, researching and cleaning the house after the Christmas excitement. Fortunately, I have some time to read the stories that really interest me, and use that as something to chew on as I develop and improve my own writing.So what is Cat reading these days? First up is the second Jeff Lindsay novel, Dearly Devoted Dexter". Since someone bought me the first book (and I devoured it on the plane to Vegas), I have really grown into a fan of Lindsay's whimsical (yet horrific) style, and the titular serial killer. The second book is even better than the first, IMHO. The Showtime series based on the character does a remarkable job of expanding the happenings from Dexter to his team and his family. Two thumbs up...as they say.The second book I've been digging through is an anthology titled "Gratia Placenti : For the Sake of Pleasing". It's warped. It's nicely, disgusting, gagging, shaking your head warped. GP is a collection of short stories by some very talented authors, including Jim Reilly, my editor-in-chief at Horrorview.com. I had no idea the bastard could actually write. haha! J.A. Konrath also has a short in there, written with a perfect mix of comedy and gag reflex.After those, I'll be pouring over "Dexter in the Dark", "These Guns for Hire" and a new Harold Schechter book. I do enjoy his work, especially his serial killer stuff, since it's all historical. I based my last paper on Albert Fish, the nasty old bastard I read about in Schechter's "Deranged".That's about it. Time to drink about New Year's resolutions...I mean think. Ahem. Tomorrow night is another "get out and research" night, so I'm sure I'll be in touch soon. Cheers!One Love,nKLabels: Albert Fish, Christmas, Dexter, Gratia Placenti, Horrorview, J.A. Konrath, Jeff Lindsay, Jim Reilly, New Year
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