Tuesday, April 19, 2016

My problems with The Walking Dead



I welcome guest blogger, Kalee Christian, to my blog today! Feel free to comment and discuss her problems with The Walking Dead!



The Walking Dead universe has been a rather large part of my life since the very first day the television show aired. I remember sitting around with my father, grandmother, and grandfather to watch what would soon become my favorite thing on air. However, when you get past what an amazing job Robert Kirkman does, there’s a few things that irk me to the core. With how season six ended (Spoilers from here on down! You’ve been warned!), I figured now was a perfect time to work out the issues I’ve been experiencing.

  1. How are you still driving?
Gas has an expiration date, and it’s typically not this far into the fall of humanity. On average, gas can last about four months, but maybe up to eight if you add in a stabilizer. So, let's assume everyone knew that the dead was coming back to live, headed on over to their local auto store and bought the aforementioned stabilizer. That would still, at the very most, provide up to eight months. Now, even though the Walking Dead doesn’t date anything, it is a pretty safe bet to assume that more than eight months has passed in the six seasons. Lori’s baby drama proving this alone (but let’s not get started on that and how Judith is still around). While I’ll still take into account the fact that it is a television show, I’d still like some real aspects. It’d also change our character’s world right around if they couldn’t magically drive everywhere. It also would have saved one of our character’s from Negan, and Lucille wouldn’t have taken the place of Sammy Sosa’s corked bat for everyone’s least favorite bat scandal.

        2.) Speaking of cars, lets talk about Rick’s rides.
Again, assuming the predictability of the impending apocalypse, it’s safe to assume that car deals promptly launched all of their newest vehicles as soon as possible. That’s the only way it would make sense for Rick to be driving a car that wasn’t released until 2013 in season four. Keeping in mind that the show started in 2010, something that could perhaps be pushed back until 2011, it still seems odd that a shiney new little car would come about. Again, still know it’s a TV show, but does Robert Kirkman know that reality is sometimes way cooler than pretend? Sometimes.
       
        3.) No one can shoot until we need them to shoot.
This is true for any production, but nonetheless still irking. Take the best shot in this hypothetical universe, and they’ll just so happen to miss the main character in any situation. While no one wants their favorite to die, no one should be able to miss fifty shots in a row when it comes to aiming at the aforementioned character. Most recently, an example of this would be the sneak attack that occurred when Rick and company come into contact with the Red Rover set of walkers blocking their RV’s path. Sneaking up on an unsuspecting group that are located under you, it’s pretty damn hard to miss the shot but that’s just what happened.
        
        4.) Carol’s suicide (Super spoiler for books too!)
In the comics, Carol does herself in by becoming too friendly with a hungry walker. It’s a big change from the Carol we see in today’s TV verse, but still a huge plot that comes along in the comics. Sophia’s alive, Andrea becomes Rick’s ‘wife’, and Carl takes nine zombie filled years to sleep with a girl. The question of would these things still occur, and in what order, certainly come up with the idea of Carol still being around. It makes for one of the most iconic Walking Dead deaths - perhaps right after Glenn’s unfortunate end.

      5.) Why can’t The Walking Dead be on HBO?
Now, this isn’t something that Kirkman or any other show runners really had a say in, but it’s still a damn valid question. There’s a lot of plots that couldn’t make it on to TV, like how during the time in the prison, a child rapist comes in to sexually assault then behead Hersel’s children. It would have been perhaps one of the most interesting plots to see acted out, but isn’t safe for AMC. It’d be interesting to see an unedited Walking Dead be on the same level as Game of Thrones, and something that I can only hope for. 

Kalee Christian is an intern for Four Phoenixes Publishing, which houses, among many great books, my novel-- Rabbit in Red! Check it out, especially if you're a TWD fan. It's the book readers say horror fans must read!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Episode Two Recap

On Wednesday, January 27, the 2nd episode of All in the Reflexes went live! My special guests were the amazing trio of Kyle, James, and Logan from the pop-punk band Terribly Happy.

You can watch the show in its entirety here, and it's most definitely worth checking out!



But for those of you more limited in time, let me recap my five favorite moments from episode two, presented to you here in nice bite-sized portions!






The above clip comes from our round of "fill in the musical lyrics" trivia. James provided my absolute favorite answer, and I'll never forget it! "Party Rock is in the BUILDING tonight." Thanks for the laughs :)






In the above clip, you get to see Kyle imitate Logan in a Whose Line style improv game. James, as someone possessed by the devil is great, too. But the look on Logan's face when he figures out that Kyle is impersonating him: Priceless!




One of the reasons I enjoy working with these guys is because it's so clear the enjoy working with one another. In this Q & A about the band, Logan says something very meaningful: they're friends first and band mates second, and that's why they work so well together.






And of course, don't forget to preview their new song, officially releasing on Valentine's Day!

What can you do now?

I'd love for you to give Terribly Happy a like on their Facebook page HERE! Plus, visit their Bandcamp site to listen to their music.

I'd love it also if you followed me on my Facebook page where I'll post updates about my writing projects and upcoming All in the Reflexes episodes! You can also subscribe to my NEW exclusive newsletter-- you'll be the first to hear about upcoming guests and get a chance to win prizes every single month! Just go to my website and fill out the form.

All in the Reflexes is a LIVE talk show hosted by author & professor Joe Chianakas. The purpose of the show is to talk to cool people doing cool things. You can apply to be a guest here

Friday, January 22, 2016

What's All in the Reflexes?



It’s a question that is destined to come up every time I do a show: What the heck is All in the Reflexes?

GO HERE TO WATCH THE SHOW!

So, here’s a summary for you.

It’s a live talk show that I’m streaming on the web. I want to focus, initially, on central Illinois guys and girls doing incredible things. We’ll talk about life’s passions, we’ll play games, and we’ll chat about pop culture. It’s a grab bag of fun, but the focus will be on a person or persons from our community doing cool stuff.



Episode one featured ICC student and motivational speaker, Ruben Ramirez. Episode two will feature local pop-punk band, Terribly Happy—Logan Kiesewetter, Kyle Hamon, and James Wylie.

The shows air the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. I’ve been inspired by lots of things—like podcasts—but I wanted to put my own spin and twist on it. So it’s a webcam show, and it’s LIVE. You can always watch it later, too, but there’s something special about live shows, don’t you think? Anything can happen, and there’s no editing!

Why am I doing this? I like connecting with people. I'm a communication professor-- it's kind of my thing! I’m also an author with his first book on the shelves. It’s called Rabbit in Red, and it’s an exciting first story in a horror trilogy. The web show allows me to connect with more interested and interesting people! You can learn more about Rabbit in Red here.

What can you do if you’re interested? I hope you’ll do a few things.

1.       Like my page on Facebook HERE. This is where I’ll be posting updates about All in the Reflexes, including the links to each live show, as well as info on some of my other projects.

2.       SUBSCRIBE, please, to THIS YouTube channel. This is where you will be able to find and watch episodes of All in the Reflexes.


3.       APPLY to be a guest. You can do it officially on website HERE. Or, if we already know one another, just shoot me a message on Facebook.

4.       Finally, SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter HERE. Just enter your e-mail on my website. I’ll be sending out info once a month, including the guests that will be featured on All in the Reflexes that month. Plus, you’ll be the first to hear news about upcoming projects, and there will always be prizes to give away. Always. I like prizes.

 
The show will certainly evolve, and I already have many ideas. But for now, I hope you’ll follow, watch, and give some love to cool people from our community.

Thanks.

Here's the Facebook event invite for episode two-- click "JOIN" and you'll get a reminder and any updates about the show!!! CLICK HERE. 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Episode One and a New Newsletter

Last night was the first episode of All in the Reflexes, a live web talk show that I'm hosting twice a month. It was beyond fun! My special guest Ruben Ramirez talked about his passions, including motivational speaking to Tupac and more. He performed Al Pacino's "One Inch" speech from Any Given Sunday. If you don't have time for the whole episode, at least jump to 16:45 to see that.

Check out episode one here!


We end with a silly game where we can only talk in questions with Kayla Fast. I'm amazed at how horribly I did at my own game, but it was fun.

I'm doing this show to talk about people in our community who are doing cool things. Ruben's a student of mine, and I can't help but take a lot of pride in everything he's doing. I hope you'll take a look inside the episode to learn all about him.

The next episode will be Wed Jan 27 with the pop-punk band Terribly Happy! I'll be interviewing the three band members-- Kyle, James, and Logan-- about all sorts of fun topics.

I've also created a new newsletter, and I hope you'll take the time to sign up. I promise not to spam your e-mail. It will be a monthly newsletter sometime during the first week of each month.

I want the first one to be extra special, so I'm giving you all a special short story called "Whispers and Flames!" Yep, giving it away! It takes place in between books one and two in the Rabbit in Red series, and it will give you a teaser of what you can expect from book two.

In addition, I'll use the newsletter to preview each month's guests on All in the Reflexes! Plus, we'll do giveaways and prizes. I've got some awesome new swag on its way right now, and I'm going to give away a swag bag of goodies to a new subscriber, but you'll have to subscribe and read the first newsletter to learn how to win!

Sign up here:

Subscribe here!

* indicates required

I'll also make sure subscribers are the FIRST to know about new projects and will receive exclusive content (like book excerpts) that I won't share anywhere else.

I'm excited about the future! I get to interview lots of cool people in All in the Reflexes, and I'm working very hard on the Rabbit in Red series, in hopes that it genuinely becomes one of your favorites.

Thanks for following this journey.

Follow me on Facebook here!

Get the new & improved Amazon e-book of Rabbit in Red here for only $3.99!

And don't forget to subscribe the new newsletter above!


Monday, January 11, 2016

An Interview with Author Chad Ballard

What feels like thousands of moons ago, I was once a high school English teacher. During the ten years I spent trying to teach teenagers a thing or two, I met lots of incredible young people who have turned out to be even more amazing adults.

Pictured: Author Chad Ballard


One such former student of mine is Chad Ballard. Chad and I share a great passion: writing. When I was working on my horror novel, Rabbit in Red, he helped me out with the live-action trailer. See him play the great Hannibal  while enjoying a piece of brain in this video!

Chad and I talked about writing and publishing. I got to preview his novel, Sentinel, while he was shopping it around to publishers. I knew from the very first chapter that he’d find a publisher and success. His writing is crisp and fresh. His voice is that of a matured, professional writer, not the voice I would have pictured coming out of a twenty-something. He’s got talent way beyond his years, and I’m happy to know him.

Let me tell you a bit about Chad and his first book, Sentinel.

Chad Ballard is 23 years old and lives just outside of Peoria, IL. He’s a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in creative writing (ISU should be proud—be sure you contact them to do an author event!).  He has a cat named Stark and lives with a small menagerie, courtesy of his roommate. His debut novel, Sentinel, was released on December 8th through Realmwalker Publishing Group.

I sent Chad a bunch of questions so that my readers could get to know him, too.

Tell us about your book:
        Title: Sentinel
        Genre: Fantasy
        Back-of-the-book blurb: 

Aelathil is on the brink of civil war! Once pampered and spoiled as the only heir to one of Aelathil's most powerful lordlings, Callan's world has been tipped upside down by Kin Ramsey and his mighty dragons. Now he must join the growing resistance or watch as everything his family stood for crumbles away to nothing.

After her father is mauled by one of the massive lion-men of the frozen north, Pyra must do her best to hold his seat as Lord until he recovers - all while teaching herself to control the magical spark smoldering inside her.

Together, Callan and Pyra will shape Aelathil's future. For better or worse, they will stand Sentinel over the people that the King as targeted for destruction. Should they fail, Pyra's people will be buried in the northern wastes and Callan's family legacy will be turned to ash.



Where can we get a copy of Sentinel?

For now, Amazon, Barnes and Noble's website, and Realmwalkerpublishinggroup.com! Also on any of the major e-book stores. We're always looking to branch out, so keep an eye out!


What kind of writing (genre) do you enjoy the most?

Fantasy, without question. I've never been good at writing non-fiction and I've always felt like writing fantasy was an escape from real-world problems. Besides that, it lets you express yourself in literally any way that makes sense. Sentinel has 8-foot tall, talking lion-men in it and nobody questions it! And I think that's awesome.


What kind of literature (genre) do you enjoy reading the most?

Again, fantasy. For the escape from life. I don't have to read about people who are stressing out about work or paying bills or wondering what their grocery budget is going to be for the next month. I get to read about guys and girls whose biggest issue is the dragon that just burned their castle to the ground or the tribe of trolls that just moved in next door and are eating anyone who walks out of their house.


Favorite author? Favorite reads?

Ever? J.K Rowling. Harry Potter was my favorite book series growing up and I attribute my love of reading and writing to the time that I spent at Hogwarts in those books. 

Currently? Anything that Brandon Sanderson puts out is gold. The Way of Kings might be my favorite book ever. I've also been reading a lot of books by my fellow Realmwalker authors. The Shadows Dance by Patch Middleton, The Summerlark Elf by Brandon Draga, and The Realmwalker Chronicles by Lee Aarons are the ones I've read so far. I've enjoyed every one of them. There are plenty more for me to sink my teeth into, though. I just have to find time to get to them.

Write a favorite line or two from your book:

I don't know that I have a favorite. It's hard for me to be complimentary of my own writing. So I'm going to open up the book and read the first couple of lines that I see. 

“Callan would never know who it was that screamed first, but before long the air was filled with nothing but terrified cries and prayers to the gods.”

Oh, good. I grabbed a nice, happy line for you.


What are you currently working on?

Book 2 of The Ashen Court! I have a few titles in mind, but nothing concrete yet. I'm working on finishing it as quickly as possible.


What advice do you have for other writers?

Write for you. Not for anyone else, not to get published, not because you think that someone else will like it. Do it because it's what you love to do. The rest will come.


What advice do you have for those who wish to be published someday?

Be ready to work hard. Not only on your writing, but on editing and finding an agent or publisher. It's not an easy road and it has its ups and downs. Stick through the pain, though, and it can be incredibly rewarding.


What’s next on your to-read list?

The Hunger by Dave Atwell


What motivates or inspires you to write?

I try to find inspiration in anything. Movies, TV, comics, other books. When i'm writing, it's usually rock music. It helps me get in the zone and start getting words on the page.




What other passions do you have besides writing?

Lots, but the big one is baseball. I love the history and the pageantry of the sport. I'm a stats nut and I could tell you just about anything regarding baseball from the last hundred years. The Cubs are my favorite, but I'll talk any team for hours and hours.


What’s the hardest or most challenging thing about writing?

Getting motivated. I have a hard time convincing myself that what I write is any good, even after I've been published and sold a bunch of copies. So for me, sitting down to write, whether I'm happy with what I'm writing or not, is the toughest part. 

Also, having a cat. His name is Stark and he likes to sit on my keyboard. That's not easy.


What’s the most rewarding thing about writing?

A few months ago, I don't know that I would have had a good answer. Now, though? Seeing my cover for the first time. The fact that someone visualized what I had written and done such a fantastic job with it blew me away. It made the whole experience feel real.


Do you have a favorite character that you’ve written? Tell us about him/her.

Callan is probably my favorite. He's got the most of me in him of any character that I've written. Not so much in that he's a big hero. But the fact that he's not super confident in himself and thinks similarly to me really makes the two of us similar. I had a lot of fun writing all of my characters, but I'm really looking forward to continuing Callan's story in the next book.


If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Super strength. It's lame, but I don't want to be able to fly or run really fast. Just give me a slightly more chiseled body and the ability to throw a truck across the country and I'll be happy.


Where can we find you and/or your books?


Thanks, Chad, for taking time to answer my questions. I look forward to finishing Sentinel, especially since what I read was last year, back before it found its publishing home!

Thank you to my readers for supporting other authors and artists! Be sure to get a copy of Sentinel

About me:

Joe Chianakas is the author of the novel Rabbit in Red and is a professor of communication at Illinois Central College. Follow him on Facebook here