I'm Allan Weisbecker, the author of Cosmic Banditos (Outgonzos Hunter S. Thompson! proclaimed the UPI book review headline), a semi-autobiographical novel and an absurdist tale of a band of crazed modern (or post-modern, or post-post-modern) fugitives including a dog named High Pockets. They're all on a deranged quest to confront a physicist who holds the secret to The Meaning of Life, plus they have a question or two for a nymphomaniac named Tina, who also knows some things Its a funny book. I'm also the author of In Search of Captain Zero (A dangerous tale, filled with humor, insight, lawlessness, heartbreak, and some wicked cool waves raved the Chicago Tribune), which is my memoirist chronicle of my real-life Heart of Darkness journey through the wilds of Mexico and Central America in pursuit of a missing old buddy, who had disappeared somewhere beyond the end of the road and my relentless need to understand the inner dreads I would seek to shake. And it's funny, too, believe it or not. Both of the books have been optioned for the movies: In Search of Captain Zero by Sean Penn and Cosmic Banditos John Cusack, with myself doing the initial screen adaptations. In the past I've collaborated in screen and TV writing with the likes of Michael Mann [Miami Vice, The Insider, Heat, theLast of the Mohicans] and Robert Chartoff [Rocky, Raging Bull, The Right Stuff]. How the movie deals are actually going is another story. (A hint: Sean Penn has wished me something resembling death.) Yup, funny too. Speaking of which: Now there's my third book; another goddamn memoir. (If **** would quit happening to me, Id quit writing memoirs.) This one is aptly titled Cant You Get Along With Anyone? A Writers Memoir, and in it I take my need to know everything to my personal end of the line, nearly paying the ultimate price when my inner dreads surface with a vengeance. (Truman Capote had it right: what seemed paradise is mere scenery, a curtain that, lifting, reveals pitchforks and fire.) Six years in the living of the events and in the writing of them, and by far my most ambitious work, Cant You Get Along With Anyone? A Writers Memoir interconnects my passion for writing, for wave riding, for finding someone to love in this world, and ultimately, for truth, in a heart-rending account of my improbable life. And as I say, it's funny, albeit in a harrowing Doctor Strangelove meets Franz Kafka meets The Endless Summer way, if you can wrap your mind around that convoluted allusion.
Hello Allan, Welcome to the Writing Forums. First off, please note that advertising on the site is prohibited. Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize reviewing as a critical writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
