Kyle Garret

01/22/10 -- Happy New Year!  Okay, so I can't imagine there are too many people actually reading this, particularly given that it's been nearly 1/2 a year since I've updated anything.  I'll be honest, Facebook seems to have the average personal web site; aside from removing any and all creativity, it does everything else you'd want a web site to do.  It's also just destroyed the vibrant world of posting boards (with some help from Twitter).  I suppose that makes sense, though, as that's what they basically are, just to the next level.

Anyway, what have I been doing with myself in the last six months?  Personal highs and lows aside, I've made some solid headway with my work.  I finally, at long last, finished the book about my grandparents.  Yes, I've made that claim before, but it's really done this time, and there are hundreds of agents and publishers currently getting an envelope full about it.

I also did some revision on my first novel, now called "By Sheer Strength of Will (And Blissful Ignorance."  I didn't really have to do too much to it, which was a good sign.  I think finally watching Showtime's "Californication" convinced me that a market really does exist for this type of book, this style of writing, as it feels very Hank Moody.  So we'll see how that goes (I've yet to start sending it out).

Right now, I'm a bit nervous: I am, at long lost, going to start my Young Adult Novel.  I have pages and pages of notes and, I think, a pretty good story to tell.  This will be my third (as of yet unpublished) book and it's a little daunting; these things are big undertakings.  But I'm just as excited as I am nervous, so that's a good sign.  And, hey, it's another genre!  I am a master of all forms of (unpublishable) writing! 

 7/20/09 -- Clearly, I'm going for the once a month update.  But, again, I stand by what I said the last time I updated: I just don't have much to say.  And, really, if you have any interest in me or my writing, you probably already follow me on Facebook, which, in turn, gives you a stream of my blog updates.

I will say that I find it interesting that sites like Livejournal have fallen by the wayside.  It seems that Facebook and Twitter are all the rage these days.  Clearly, we, as a society, enjoy character limits.  I wonder what that says about us?

Anyway, I'm finishing up my script for my comic book class, so I would imagine I'll post that at some point in the future.  I feel pretty good about the latest version of the book about my grandfather (which is more about my grandparents than my grandfather, at this point) and I feel pretty good at my query letter prospects.  I also just wrote a story specifically for a contest that Esquire is having, so wish me luck.  I think it turned out really well.

06/12/09 -- Let's face facts: There's no much to report when a) you're still trying to "make it" as a writer and b) you don't have any fans.  I would imagine that the former might lead to that latter or, heck, the latter could even lead to the former.

I also find that a social networking site like Facebook more or less trumps a site like this, basically because everyone I know through my site also has a Facebook account.

But I recently finished what I'm hoping is the final version of the book about my grandfather, which now more a book about my grandparents and about my relationship with my then-girlfriend-now-wife.  In other words, the book has a lot more levels to it now, and I think it makes it more epic -- and more enjoyable for anyone without a vested interest in my family.

That said, I thought I would mark the occasion by doing some maintenance on this site.  So here's hoping a few things change around here over the course of the next several days... 

04/03/09 -- Nearly FIVE MONTHS!  How does a man justify having a web site he only updates every five months? But at least I have a few excuses, namely the fact that I'm looking for a job and, oh, I'm also getting married in just 15 days!  There are quite a few things keeping me occupied.

Aside from those very important things, I recently started taking a comic book class at Meltdown Comics here in Los Angeles.  It's taught by Jim Higgins, former editor at DC and all around Guy Who Knows Comics.  I've only attended one class, but it was really great, not just because I learned a few things, but because it was nice to talk shop with a bunch of like minded people.

If I'm feeling bold enough, I might scan in the one page comic I did, glorious stick figure art and all.

11/17/08 -- Not so much with the updating, am I?  In my defense, the dreaded Real World has kept me away from the internets.  That said, I'm trying to get back on track, so look for new things in the works -- and don't forget about the posting board! 

08/01/08 -- I updated "The Weekly Dose."  Please check out the posting board -- it's starting to get busy in there! 

7/14/08 -- First and foremost, I'd like to mention that I'm now doing reviews for Comics Bulletins!  Please check that out.  Also, I updated "The Weekly Dose" -- a day late, of course. 

6/30/08 -- So, unbeknownst to me, Yahoo web building doesn't so much work with Firefox 3.0.  So for DAYS I've been trying to update this site with no luck.  Fortunately, I never got rid of IE, so I'm back to updating.

I made changes to the "Blog" page, featuring a new blog (of course) and a new update schedule. 

6/15/08 -- Updated "The Weekly Dose!" 

6/8/08 -- Added a new blog, so check out the "blog" page!  Also updated "The Weekly Dose!" 

6/1/08 -- Added "The Weekly Dose" -- check it out! 

5/25/08 -- Updated the "Comics and Graphic Novels" section, with more info to come!

5/19/08 -- Hey, I have a new web site!  Yes, it's very basic, but at least it's current!