Joe Borri's Blog

Journalist, moi? I think not

2009-04-15T05:53:00.000-07:00

Not sure if anyone even reads this blog anymore, but I've been contributing columns to a new sports' website, www.motorcitysports.net. If you come across this blog, check out the site. It's devoted to Detroit and its teams, athletes and news. The writers are mostly journalists. I am certainly no journalist, nor do I pretend to be. My intent is to write a fun, interesting column for people to read. Please take a minute or two to check out the site. My latest piece is called Millen Memories. There are three others; The Sport of Fishing, Bleacher Creatures, and a Q&A with comedian/tv star Dave Coulier. If you read them, send me a comment, even if it's disparaging, just to let me know you care.

Eight Dogs goes international

2009-03-25T17:04:00.001-07:00

So my friend sends me a couple photos telling me about his gal friend that recently went on a mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. He says that the city is known for its famed Masai Warriors; the tall guys in robes that kill rogue lions with spears. He says that now those guys are seen chatting on cell phones and drinking triple espressos at Starbucks. So he sets me up even more by saying that his friend spotted one of these revered warriors reading a book...
Love it. Is that great or what?

New Job!

2009-02-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

I started working as a rep for Indigo Studios in Atlanta on February 1st. It is nothing short of divine intervention that I went fom working at a studio full of unique talent to another studio with equally stellar creatives on staff. After 19 years at a great company, the automotive crisis and the economy hit us, and the time was right for me to make a move. Indigo is based in Atlanta and I'm fortunate to be able to work from home via remote desktop. It's been a challenging transition to acclimate to the new studio culture, namely that I am physically the only one in the new studio culture! Thankfully, because of the Skype camera, I am able to teleconference every day with the folks in Atlanta. It's an exciting time but getting acclimated has found me behind in my writing and the pursuit of agents and national publishers for my next two books. I'm back at it though, slowly and surely. Stay tuned.

Beating winter

2009-01-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

Not entirely possible but after feeling absolutely boxed in the last week due to frigid temperatures, the balmy 18 degree day, with a brisk 20 mph wind beckoned my two youngest daughters to ask, "Can we go sledding, dad?"
How do you say no to that? Answer: you don't! You through on the long ones, thick socks and load em up. We had a right. Them, flying down the hill, and me watching. Believe it or not, they are at the Jonas Brothers concert at Joe Louis. Evidently, they're some kind of "pop band" that is marginally popular amongst young girls.

Popeye Knows Best

2009-01-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

I think about this vocation I'm in, the arts. And it brings up questions. For instance, why was I born right-brained? Why didn't God just switch things, so I wouldn't be filled with all these images and ideas, these ridiculous stories and dreams of what life has in store for me on a creative front. I think it would be so wonderful to have the kind of mind that understands math, science, that can figure out a mechanical problem and apply the principles learned through proper schooling.
Of course, it's a ridiculous wish.
I can't change what I am. Working at an art studio for 19 years, and struggling to break into the writing game is proving as difficult as was getting that first paying job as a free-lance illustrator.
The city stumbles and struggles, but as Detroiters, we keep our head down and trudge forward.
One step at a time.
The footing is precarious. And the temptation to flee is there.
But for me anyway, it's a siren song I'll never answer.
Family and friends.
The beauty of the north country.
All of it keeps me trying to make it here.
So like Popeye was fond of saying, "I yam what I yam."

2009

2009-01-06T20:29:00.001-08:00

Bring it.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T10:44:00.001-08:00

Wanted to wish everyone in cyberspace a Merry Christmas and a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.
God bless.
Joe

2008-12-07T18:44:00.000-08:00

Blogging hasn't been a top priority of late. I've been writing a third book, working on a treatment for Flight of the Hopper and supplying notes on a treatment someone wrote for Measure of a Man. So I'm wondering, do I blog once a week? Month?
I have no idea if anyone reads them. Anyway, felt like I had to post something, though. Maybe it's the negative atmosphere in the city, the economy. I don't know. I saw a girl in Ann Arbor wearing a t-shirt that read, "No One Cares About Your Blog."
Maybe that says it all.

Dave Coulier in Romeo

2008-11-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Went and checked out Dave Coulier at Youngers in Romeo on Saturday. Amazingly funny show, and not one expletive. It's hard to imagine in today's culture that someone could be so entertaining and not use racial epithets, curse words or salty language to make everyone laugh. It was a really fun night, and I had an opportunity to talk with Dave for about 20 minutes after the show to talk about future projects he's working on and what I'm trying to do. He's a local guy that made it big and hasn't let success spoil him. A great guy that I love to see doing well. Check out his website at Cleanguys.

Traverse Magazine Interview/Bow Season

2008-10-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

I had the recent honor of being interviewed by Traverse Magazine's Emily Tyra. She first did a piece on the book last November, when she recommended my story, Measure of a Man to be excerpted in the magazine. I was introduced to Emily from a good friend, writer Patty LaNoue Stearns. Patty hooked me up with Emily and fortunately for me, she liked the story. Now I'm excited to say that in addition to the interview, the online version of Traverse, www.mynorth.com is posting the entire short story, Bow Season as well. The story has been edited for "strong language". I know, hard to believe, but totally understandable! Anyway, my thanks to Patty, my thanks to My North, but a heartfelt thanks to Emily Tyra, for continuing to believe in me and support my work.

Aunt Agatha's Bookshop Review

2008-10-24T22:22:00.003-07:00

I'll be there today, from 1:30-3-ish. If you're around Ann Arbor, come on by.

NaNo WriMo at Schuler Books & Music

2008-10-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to be a participant in the NaNo WriMo Boot Camp Author Series at Schuler Books & Music in Lansing. The event is this Wednesday, October 22nd. Here's what Schuler's web posting says:

Join us for the second in our series of author panels leading up to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November. The Fiction Author panel will feature Joe Borri (Eight Dogs Named Jack); Colleen Gleason (The Gardella Vampire Chronicles); Jill Gregory, award-winning author of over 30 novels; Jim Hines, (Goblin Hero series); and Karen Tintori (Unto the Daughters, co-author with Gregory of Book of Names).

From what I've been told, there will be a discussion held regarding the publishing experience from an author's standpoint. I believe there will be a Q&A session followed by a book-signing.

ADDRESS:
2820 Towne Center Blvd.
Lansing, MI 48912
888-612-6657 (Michigan only)
517-316-7495

Hope to see anyone that may live in the Lansing area.

Aunt Agatha's Bookshop Review

2008-09-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

Robin Agnew and her husband Jamie own Aunt Agatha's, a bookstore in Ann Arbor that is a favorite among crime fiction and mystery lovers. While my book isn't necessarily full of mysteries (except how it ever got published! HEY-O!), there's enough Michigan in it for her to have been kind enough to give it consideration. Here's what she said:

Eight Dogs Named Jack, Joe Borri, Momentum Books, $24.95.

Joe Borri is new to writing — or published writing, anyway, I doubt he's new to writing — he's instead long worked as an artist. His collection of short stories, Eight Dogs Named Jack, are illustrated as well as written by him. The black and white illustrations look very much like woodcuts, but I encourage you to ask him the actual process, which he explained to me and which, like the man himself, is both original and unique. The stories are set either in urban Detroit or in the wilds of Michigan, and all seem to include some kind of life defining moment for the character as well as a real richness of tone, atmosphere and character detail. These are very Italian stories, and their very specificness lends them an extra air of originality.
The opening story, "Honest John", is set in the Detroit of 1968, and told from the point of view of a seven year old boy, who gives the nickname "Honest John" to his uncle, a nickname that, to judge by his family's reaction, is an entirely inappropriate one. Borri doesn't deviate from the understanding of events that a seven year old would have, so while uncle John's lack of honesty may have been apparent to an adult, to a child it's vague. What isn't vague are the details of the Italian neighborhood in Detroit where Richie lives, and the catholic school he attends, with this classic description of the nun who is his teacher: "The nun was an evil, broad-shouldered woman just shy of six feet with ringlets of oily, jet-black hair. She looked like a man in a habit..." The rest of the story is equally vivid.

The title story, "Eight Dogs Named Jack", is just as distinct, though it's told not from a child's point of view, and rather than being set in Detroit, it's set in the thumb. Two friends, Tom and Mike, take Tom's new dog, Duke, out for his first attempt at hunting. Mike, who has eight dogs named Jack (it's a perfectly good name, after all), razzes Tom about naming his dog after Duke Ellington. By the end of the story, both men and the dog have come through a life changing event of sorts for all three. It will stay with you after you finish it. While these aren't mystery stories, they are terrific and memorable stories, and the Michigan setting couldn't be more vivid.

Millen FIRED!

2008-09-24T07:09:00.001-07:00

YES!!!!

Kerrytown BookFest and Hemingway

2008-08-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to be on a panel of short story writers at next week's Kerrytown BookFest in Ann Arbor. This is my first time being on any kind of panel, and to be honest, I have no idea what to expect. Oh, I'm sure there will be a few folks that might ask a question or two, most likely regarding how to get published, process, etc. But in terms of reception, not a clue if anyone there will have ever picked up my book for other than a cursory glance. The other authors on the panel are Peter Ho Davies, Dorene O'Brien & Lolita Hernandez. Dorene is a good friend, and I'm hopeful the other two are as giving and supportive as she has been.

I also was asked to judge a cover contest for The Nick Adams Stories, submitted by high school students. There was a lot of great design work at hand, and I had the opportunity to do that alongside Steve (forgot his last name-sorry Steve!) at Huron River Press and get this--Edward Hemingway, a descendant of Ernest! I believe Edward is a children's book illustrator. In any case, that was a lot of fun, too.

Please come to the event and say hello this Sunday, September 7th. The info is linked on the title. The book cover award winner is being presented at 11 am, but the panel is at 1 pm and books are available for signing and purchase. Hope to see you there.

Kwame Please Cop a Plea!!!

2008-08-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

i just want him to go away. He's ruining anything good he ever took credit for. God, what a mess.
He will set race relations back in this city 30 years with his race baiting antics. Good riddance.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-31T20:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just got back from The Dark Night at the IMAX at Henry Ford. HOLEEEEE CRRRAPPPOLA!!! One of the only movies I've ever seen that has lived up to the hype! I won't bore you with my review, because I know I'm late to the party, but some impressions:

*IMAX!-Can't imagine seeing this film on anything other than IMAX. Absolutely visually assaulting. Tremendous cinematography, design, the whole thing.
*Heath Ledger-Honestly, I think even had he lived, this performance would go down as one of the absolute most memorable one on screen. Riveting, compelling and as complex as any method actor's performance. What a shame he died, and wasn't able to witness the celebration for his performance come Oscar time. I would hate to be an actor nominated this year in a best supporting role.
*Screenplay-What a great story. I told the buddy I went with, that it seems to me when they hit a point in the script that required drama or sensitivity, they went a 180. This especially true with the Joker. Great lines, tension, playful repartee between characters.
*Cast-Freeman and Caine, can't beat them. Bale is sensational, although I would prefer his voice be a little less forced. I actually like Keaton's Batman voice a bit better. But it's what he does with his face that makes it so watchable. That Maggie Gyllenhall, strange looking woman, and I almost wonder if they used her instead of a more classically beautiful actress who could've proven too distracting and not "complex" enough for a man of Wayne's tastes. Aaron Eckhart was very good, as was Gary Oldman, whose ability to shape-shift into roles as varied as he's played is nothing short of staggering.
*Sound-The use of natural sound, and high-pitched noise to convey terror, pain, sorrow was a real throwback. IMAX enhanced it dramatically.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
TOM LONG, local movie reviewer from The Detroit News, gave this a B-!!! WTF movie was he watching? This guy also gave "Over Her Dead Body" with Eva Longoria-Parker the same grade. Huh? He said not enough Ledger, too long and Batman too dark and serious. Right. Sorry Tom,you are wrong on all counts. And the restrained use of Ledger was genius as the anticipation of his re-appearances was made even more tantalizing and anticipated.

Swimming season over

2008-07-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

This year's swim season went by quick! Bad weather at the start of the season caused for make ups and that gave the whole summer a quickened pace. It never felt like we had a spring, instead slipping between rainy, cold and brutal hot weather.
The kids had a great A Finals meet, and Marina is in Maryland now competing in the Y Nationals. My free spirited son, Gino, proudly displayed his back tattoo, designed by yours truly (rendered in Sharpie). It reads, El Gino, Spanish for The Gino.
(apologies to the late Chris Farley).

Dog Days Coming

2008-07-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Summer has flown by, and I wonder if it's more because of the awful start we had. There was never that nice transition into spring. It seems that now all we have is fading winter then BOOM! Hot summer days. This year it was cold/hot/cold/hot then boatloads of rain. I can't believe all the rain. Everything looks so much greener than normal. The canopies up north are more lush, the grass at home is greener. But now I'm starting to feel that drag-ass weather coming, where soon we'll just melt the days and wait for fall.

I'm polishing my novel, working on the 3rd rewrite. It's around 123,000 words, though I have no idea what it will be pared down to.

Michigan Authors Homecoming

2008-07-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to attend the Michigan Authors Homecoming last night at the Wharton Center in East Lansing on MSU's campus. Was I glad I went. Seeing and listening to Jim Harrison, Thomas McGuane and Richard Ford talk about their experiences as writers was nothing short of inspirational. Unbelievable and historic, to have three of the nation's most celebrated authors, and Michigan State graduates, on the same stage. The three are good friends, and it was apparent in the way they played off each other. Harrison didn't disappoint with bawdy sexual banter and stories of Hollywood. McGuane was polished and very witty, telling hilarious stories of flyfishing adventures and his time at MSU. And Ford was a southern gentleman with a cutting wit and self deprecating way about him--I'm eager to read his book, The Sportswriter, the first of his famous Bascombe trilogy.

Afterwards, I was able to get Harrison to sign his Memoir, and got him to mumble something about our mutual friend and owner of Dog Ears Books, Pamela Grath: "Arrr, a lovely woman. How's she putting up with that husband of hers?" Delightful. McGuane was gracious as was Ford, signing my copies of Gallatin Canyon and The Sportswriter, respectively. What a night.

Vacation

2008-06-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Taking a week to chill up north with the family. Looking forward to doing nothing but fish, golf, write and relax. Hope everyone is safe and healthy. God bless.
Joe

Mission work

2008-06-23T11:58:00.001-07:00

My son, Gino, is off for several days on a mission trip with a local church. He's in Gulfport, Mississippi with a group of 60+ kids from our area, helping rebuild homes destroyed or torn up from Hurricane Katrina. We talked to him yesterday and he told us that the first thing his crew and him would do was rebuild a porch and put up a wheelchair ramp. This heartened me. Realizing that even though much of the community service kids do these days is motivated because colleges require it for consideration, it's my hope that he's changed by it. Seeing others out there who by geographic chance had their lives turned upside down can only help ground him to the fact that there is so many blessings in life that can't be bought. I miss him already, and know that the young man who returns will be different than the one who got on the bus last Friday.

Tiger!

2008-06-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Did anyone think he wouldn't make the shots he needed to make, when he needed to make them? The guy is steel.
Gotta give it up to Eldrick. The man can flat out play. Even with a bad leg, he's better than almost anyone out there. Get ready for the "clever" Nike commercials. They're coming.

Happy Birthday Toby

2008-06-11T21:54:00.001-07:00

This is a shout out to a great friend of mine, Toby. The man, the myth, the legend. He stands tall, battling bad men from the Pacific Northwest and abroad. One of the brightest, funniest and most honorable men I've ever known. It's been over 20 years, but our friendship remains strong.

Happy Birthday good friend. Hope to share a cold Leinenkugel or two one day soon.

Happy Birthday Marina!

2008-06-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late with this post, as I've been doing caricature portraits for my oldest daughter's aunt (40th Birthday) and favorite teacher's farewell. My lovely daughter turned 14 the other day. She was the first girl of our four children, and as oldest daughter sets the most wonderful example to her younger sisters we could ever hope for. She's a tremendous friend, beautiful person inside and out and a great student. We're proud of her swimming and academic accomplishments, but it's her character and soul that we are so proud to have been blessed with. Marina, you're one of the shining lights of my life, and I love you with all my heart. God bless you little lady. Dad.