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A friend of mine, Moses, did an audio interview with paranormal romance writer, Sherrilyn Kenyon. And, I got to give an assist!!
Here is the link (look for the audio play link at the bottom). The interview with Sherrilyn starts near minute 20 and ends at minute 43.
It was so much fun, and Sherrilyn is the sweetest, coolest lady - not to mention one of my favorite authors. Enjoy...
http://www.adventuresinscifipublishing.com/2011/02/aisfp-116-sherrilyn-kenyon/
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
"The King's Speech"
I haven't seen a new movie in several weeks. I was feeling wicked deprived : (
Today I saw The King's Speech starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. It was as good or better than I'd heard and what I'd heard was awesome.
Small stuff first - Helena Bonham-Carter is wonderful as Firth's wife. Guy Pearce is perfect for the role of King Edward (who abdicated his throne so he could marry Wallace Simpson). Timothy Spall is a convincing Winston Churchill (gold stars for all who remember him as Wormtail in Harry Potter). The casting across the board is so good. The setting and costuming are wonderful. The music - let's just say this: During King George VI's 'big' speech, Beethoven's 7th played in the background to brilliant effect - It gave me goosebumps and I teared up (be quiet).
Big stuff next - Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were brilliant. Really, truly, I'm-getting-chills-thinking-about-it-now brilliant. I was enthralled by this movie. Swept away and involved. And most importantly - inspired.
If you don't know, it's based on the true story of Bertie, the eventual King George VI (before and after he becomes King) trying to get over his stammer or stutter so he can give public speeches. Bertie is played by Firth and his speech therapist is played by Rush.
It made me want to fight any problem, tackle any quest, succeed at any venture - because anything is possible if you are brave and try. You will walk away a more motivated and inspired person for having seen this film. And there are quite a few very funny moments too - in case I was sounding too serious : )
Today I saw The King's Speech starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. It was as good or better than I'd heard and what I'd heard was awesome.
Small stuff first - Helena Bonham-Carter is wonderful as Firth's wife. Guy Pearce is perfect for the role of King Edward (who abdicated his throne so he could marry Wallace Simpson). Timothy Spall is a convincing Winston Churchill (gold stars for all who remember him as Wormtail in Harry Potter). The casting across the board is so good. The setting and costuming are wonderful. The music - let's just say this: During King George VI's 'big' speech, Beethoven's 7th played in the background to brilliant effect - It gave me goosebumps and I teared up (be quiet).
Big stuff next - Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were brilliant. Really, truly, I'm-getting-chills-thinking-about-it-now brilliant. I was enthralled by this movie. Swept away and involved. And most importantly - inspired.
If you don't know, it's based on the true story of Bertie, the eventual King George VI (before and after he becomes King) trying to get over his stammer or stutter so he can give public speeches. Bertie is played by Firth and his speech therapist is played by Rush.
It made me want to fight any problem, tackle any quest, succeed at any venture - because anything is possible if you are brave and try. You will walk away a more motivated and inspired person for having seen this film. And there are quite a few very funny moments too - in case I was sounding too serious : )
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Classic goodness, "My Man Godfrey"
There are two versions of this wonderful movie - the 1936 b/w version with William Powell and Carole Lombard and the 1957 version with David Niven and June Allyson. I love both. I can't even tell you how many times I've seen both of them. It's a lot.
The stories are slightly different, but essentially both are about a man, Godfrey, found living as a bum, who is rescued by a wealthy socialite. She is one of the two daughters of a screwball family and Godfrey becomes their butler. Did I mention it's a screwball comedy? It is. The nice daughter who saves Godfrey falls for him and makes his life a little uncomfortable, the other daughter is a vindictive wretch who tries to make his life a misery. The other fun characters include the housekeeper who also has a crush on Godfrey, the dingbat mother, her talentless protege, and the beleaguered father who has to deal with the insanity.
The thing with both of them is that they are both wonderful (did I already say that?). They are both funny, both different enough to make both worth watching, and have sweet messages. Like you never know where you might find love, that people can change, that you shouldn't take people for granted, and other stuff like that. They are really funny if you like screwball comedies and their silly humor. I do. I love old classic comedies. I love all the actors who star in these two great films. So, if this is your thing, or you just want to watch a movie with a nice story and good acting that has no violence, sex, swearing or special effects, then here ya go.
SPOILER ALERT!! I'm about to tell you the ending. So, stop here if you don't want a general idea of how they end. You probably know anyway, but still...
We eventually find out Godfrey is actually from a wealthy family, but hiding out from his status and past. And at the end, Godfrey embraces who he is and his love for our rescuing heroine.
The stories are slightly different, but essentially both are about a man, Godfrey, found living as a bum, who is rescued by a wealthy socialite. She is one of the two daughters of a screwball family and Godfrey becomes their butler. Did I mention it's a screwball comedy? It is. The nice daughter who saves Godfrey falls for him and makes his life a little uncomfortable, the other daughter is a vindictive wretch who tries to make his life a misery. The other fun characters include the housekeeper who also has a crush on Godfrey, the dingbat mother, her talentless protege, and the beleaguered father who has to deal with the insanity.
The thing with both of them is that they are both wonderful (did I already say that?). They are both funny, both different enough to make both worth watching, and have sweet messages. Like you never know where you might find love, that people can change, that you shouldn't take people for granted, and other stuff like that. They are really funny if you like screwball comedies and their silly humor. I do. I love old classic comedies. I love all the actors who star in these two great films. So, if this is your thing, or you just want to watch a movie with a nice story and good acting that has no violence, sex, swearing or special effects, then here ya go.
SPOILER ALERT!! I'm about to tell you the ending. So, stop here if you don't want a general idea of how they end. You probably know anyway, but still...
We eventually find out Godfrey is actually from a wealthy family, but hiding out from his status and past. And at the end, Godfrey embraces who he is and his love for our rescuing heroine.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Books and First Lines
I just read ten blog articles on the importance of first lines in books. They're important. A lot of suggestions were thrown out. I liked many of the ones they named. I couldn't think of any that stuck in my mind, but I may not be paying attention.
If I'm ready to read your book based on the blurb or excerpt, then you pretty much have me committed for at least the first 30-50 pages (less if it really, really sucks). If it kind of blows, then I'll stop. But as long as I really like at least one character, or the premise, or the story, or the writer's voice - I'll finish it. Some get better as the book goes on, some don't. Some I end up loving after being dubious for the first 50 pages. You just never know. It's only a handful that I don't finish at all - but boy-o, if you are one of them, I will never - never ever - read your writing again. Period.
Back to topic... I read the back cover blurbs, I read the tag lines, but I have never read the first line or even the first few lines and thought, 'Boring, I'll move on'. Many people do, apparently. So, I see the importance. You don't want to lose those readers.
But in all honesty, the first line is important, the first page is important, the first and last lines of each chapter are important. They say that the last page/paragraph/line of your book sells your next book. Don't ask me who they are. So, what part of your book isn't important? You gotta love the characters. The setting can pull you in. The dialogue can be authentic or witty. It all has a place and the combination of these elements is what makes you great or not.
This was compared to pick-up lines in a bar. I get that - to some degree. If a guy walks up and says, 'what's your sign, doll?' - I may think he is a jerk, but if he's cute enough or smells good enough or is wearing the concert tee that I have too - then I may give him a few more moments to prove that perhaps he is just clueless about meeting girls, but has charm lurking somewhere.
I am not dismissing the important first line. I want mine to be great whether it is the basis by which my entire book is judged or not. So, what's the point of my musings? I dunno - maybe that's it, just thoughts. I wasn't consciously aware that first lines mean nothing to me as a reader until I started thinking about this. As a writer, well...that's a different story.
If I'm ready to read your book based on the blurb or excerpt, then you pretty much have me committed for at least the first 30-50 pages (less if it really, really sucks). If it kind of blows, then I'll stop. But as long as I really like at least one character, or the premise, or the story, or the writer's voice - I'll finish it. Some get better as the book goes on, some don't. Some I end up loving after being dubious for the first 50 pages. You just never know. It's only a handful that I don't finish at all - but boy-o, if you are one of them, I will never - never ever - read your writing again. Period.
Back to topic... I read the back cover blurbs, I read the tag lines, but I have never read the first line or even the first few lines and thought, 'Boring, I'll move on'. Many people do, apparently. So, I see the importance. You don't want to lose those readers.
But in all honesty, the first line is important, the first page is important, the first and last lines of each chapter are important. They say that the last page/paragraph/line of your book sells your next book. Don't ask me who they are. So, what part of your book isn't important? You gotta love the characters. The setting can pull you in. The dialogue can be authentic or witty. It all has a place and the combination of these elements is what makes you great or not.
This was compared to pick-up lines in a bar. I get that - to some degree. If a guy walks up and says, 'what's your sign, doll?' - I may think he is a jerk, but if he's cute enough or smells good enough or is wearing the concert tee that I have too - then I may give him a few more moments to prove that perhaps he is just clueless about meeting girls, but has charm lurking somewhere.
I am not dismissing the important first line. I want mine to be great whether it is the basis by which my entire book is judged or not. So, what's the point of my musings? I dunno - maybe that's it, just thoughts. I wasn't consciously aware that first lines mean nothing to me as a reader until I started thinking about this. As a writer, well...that's a different story.
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