A List of Weird Things I Researched For This Latest Book: Flickers

Flickers will be released tomorrow! Get the pre-order goodies if you're so inclined (it's the last day). Here's a list of all the weird and sundry things I researched.

1. The History of Lethbridge, AB

2. Why do people float on water when dead but sink when they are alive?

3. Slang of the 1920s.

4. Fashionable 1920s Swimwear:

5. Beelzebub.

6. Early Movie Make-up

7. Hearst Castle

California travel expert Veronica Hill of http://www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com explores the magnificent Hearst Castle in San Simeon in this episode of "California Travel Tips." CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ELEPHANT SEALS NEARBY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ0-kz-x4Mc Perched on a hilltop 1,600 feet above the crashing waves of the Pacific, Hearst's magnificent Castle is located halfway between LA and San Francisco near the town of Cambria.

8. The first horror film.

The Haunted Castle (French: Le Manoir du Diable which means "The Manor of the Devil") is a 1896 three-minute-long French film by Georges Méliès and number 78-80 on the Star Films catalog. The film contained many traditional pantomime elements and was intentionally meant to amuse people, rather than frighten them.

9. The Awesome Buster Keaton

10. How to Start a Model T Ford

Shows steps required to safely start any Model T Ford built between 1908 and 1927 using hand crank or electric starter

And somehow it all turned into a novel called Flickers!

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Funny Answers to Odd Writerly Questions

These are inspired by a few questions I've been asked...

Q: Arthor, I read your book DUST. Tell me the symbolism in it. I have a paper due tomorrow so I need to know now. A: I will tell you the symbolism. But first I'd like you to cut my lawn. It needs to be cut now. I'm waiting.

Q: I have an idea for a book that you should write. It's my life story. Some really interesting things happened, so far. I can't tell them to you because you might steal the ideas. I'm too busy to write it. A: I'm not busy at all! Would love to sacrifice a year of my life writing your book. Is 2071 too soon?

Q: Why does your book suck so much? A: This may seem hard to believe but writing a book that sucks takes years of work. First I take anything that is remotely interesting or exciting out of the book. Then I add all the boring characters and have them sit around doing nothing. Finally, I inject suckiness into the prose using a special method taught to me by a suckiness master. It's like becoming a kung fu master, without the exercise. Glad to know my hard work has paid off.

Q: Really, I'm not joking, what is the symbolism in your book? I need to know. I got an extension. A: My lawn still needs cutting.

Q: I have some really great ideas. How do I stop people from stealing them? A: I don't want you to feel paranoid, but I'm reading your mind right now. Those are amazing ideas. If you want to prevent others from stealing your ideas wear a tinfoil hat.

Anyone else have questions? Post them below...

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