We just got back from seeing Lord of War. It was a decent movie with a pretty disturbing message. By disturbing, I mean it was based on true events. I didn’t know that going into the movie. Nicolas Cage is well cast as the lead in this picture. He plays the whole thing straight, which works for this character. Dh said it could’ve been a great movie if they would’ve only made the character someone conflicted by his choices. I hadn’t thought about it, but he’s right. It’s entertaining, but difficult to feel anything for Cage’s character because he’s dead inside.
Also, picked up ‘What the Bleep do we know?’ yesterday. I really have no idea what this movie is about, but so many people online have recommended it that I thought I’d try it out. I normally only do that with books and only after I’ve read the blurb, so this is a first for me. 
Have you ever bought a movie or a book that you knew nothing about based solely on online ravings?
Archive for September, 2005
My critique has finally been posted to the site to benefit Larissa, who among thousands of others, has lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. I’m not claiming to be the greatest critique person, but I will do my very best to help you with your manuscript.
Also, I’m going to make an offer here on my blog that I didn’t make to the auction. If you bid and win my critique, I will look at the first three chapters of 2 of your manuscripts, not just one. So go bid now.:-D
On a completely separate note, have I mentioned how much I LOVED Supernatural the television show? *ggg*
I know it’s pathetic, but I’m so excited about the upcoming fall television schedule. If you hadn’t noticed there is a plethora of sci-fi and paranormal shows coming on. I have my fingers crossed that at least half are good. I’d love to have a week of cool shows I can tape. (I rarely watch shows while they’re playing because I like to skip the commercials.)
For all you TV addicts out there, is there a particular show you’re looking forward to?
I know I discussed this subject recently, but I have been giving it more thought. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of Bombshell books and I can’t believe how much voice matters in them. I’ll admit most of the books I’ve picked up have been written in first person. I didn’t choose them for that reason. I picked them based on back cover blurbs. (Yes, I’m a blurb slut.) The difference between authors is striking (at least in the books I’ve read). Let me explain.
When I pick up a book written in third person for the most part I’m reading for the story, not the voice. If you can tell a decent story, I’m hooked. I can’t say the same thing about a book written in first person. For some reason, the ‘voice’ in first person books comes through like a stereo cranked to ear bleed levels. Some make you want to bang your head to the music, while others make you clutch your ears and run screaming from the room.
What I’m realizing is that first person is much harder to write than third. Let me correct that by saying ‘write well’. I know reading and writing is subjective. I really do. I’m just shocked that I don’t give a first person book the same fifty pages that I allot to third person novels. (I give most books fifty pages to grab me before I put them down. Years ago I’d read the entire book whether I hated it or not.)
As a reader, how many pages do you give a book before you put it down and never finish it? If not pages, do you have a different yardstick to measure a book? Or do you always finish books that you buy?
So last night I’m lying in bed, dog tired and having trouble falling asleep. (I know everyone has experienced this sometime or another.) I start to drift off and mentally I think ‘yes, sleep, finally’.
I should’ve known better. What do you think happened in that glorious moment between awake and asleep?
Some chick, whose story I don’t know yet, starts talking. Not only does she start talking about what she’s doing, but she’s changing the story as she goes. No, I’m not crazy. (wg) Really. (Looks around for reassurance.)
I reach over for the paper and pen I keep next to my bed for these rare occasions and start taking notes like a friggin’ secretary. I’m tired, but this isn’t so bad since I think she’s telling me the opening of a book. I write it all down because I’ve learned from experience that these little voices won’t let me sleep if I don’t. I put the paper and pen back on my side table and turn over ready to find that lovely floating sleep feeling again. I barely get my eyes closed and the voice starts once more. This time it’s revising and editing the opening sentences I just wrote. Grr… “This is the last time I’m going to do this tonight,” I say to no one in particular. Yes, I talk to myself.
I grab the paper and pen again, while grumbling curses under my breath. I’m tired and I want to get some sleep. “Start talking,” I demand and for a second I think the little voice isn’t going to respond. Fortunately, after a couple of beats it starts again. (I really didn’t want to toss the pad across the room.) I write down everything she says and then I read it back for accuracy. She doesn’t respond, which is almost always a good sign. (It means that I caught everything.) I put the pen and pad back down. Blissful silence reigns and I eventually succumb to elusive sleep.
Now that I’ve expressed my insanity to the world, it’s ‘your’ turn. What behavior (reading/writing) do you do that you know others would consider crazy if they ever saw or heard you do it?
I’m not going to link to ALL of the news sites that have begun the finger pointing/buck passing process. There are seveal other blog sites that have already done that. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that someone, or in this case, many ’someones’ dropped the ‘human’ ball here. I hope that if nothing else comes from this tragedy that ‘we’ as a people and government take a much closer look at how things are run and what needs to change.
On a positive note, JC Wilder has said that the Red Cross has finally reached them. I’m not sure exactly what that entails, but it has to help their bleak situation. She can still use all the aid she can get, so please give what you can.
My writing over the last week and a half has ground to a standstill. I tend to be the type of person who absorbs emotions, good and bad. When it’s bad, I have a difficult time functioning. Considering the news…I’ve turned into a ‘wee dark cloud’ as my dh likes to say.
I’m going to take the rest of the weekend off from blogging and blog hopping. Need a little distance from the negative ‘vibes’. 
I’d like to wish my aunt, whose 84th birthday is Saturday, a very Happy Birthday! Love you. Everyone else, keep your loved ones close, be grateful for the roof over your head, and the food in your bellies. Have a nice weekend.
This letter came from Jaid Black this morning. Any help you can send JC Wilder’s/Dominique Adair’s way is GREATLY appreciated. As you will see in this letter, they are currently receiving NO aid.
JC Wilder went to Louisiana to help at the shelters as soon as Katrina hit. The stories she just told me brought me to tears and I hope everyone can pitch in and help.
First off, JC Wilder needs cash ASAP. Cash is the most fundamental need as the needs at the shelter change daily if not hourly. JC has maxed out her personal credit cards buying supplies that the homeless victims there need. I have known JC for many years and can vouch for her honesty, integrity and compassion. I implore you to have people send anything they can afford to her paypal account, knowing that JC will use that money for the shelters’ many sufferers. Her paypal account is wilderwriter2005@cs.com and anything that can be sent - even a few dollars - is appreciated.
JC was in tears on the phone, telling me that the Red Cross is NOT there, FEMA is NOT there. They cannot get through and the National Guard won’t let them in. Please forward this post to everyone and anyone you can think of.
OTHER ITEMS
JC said that they are desperately in need of LARGE men’s and women’s clothes, the bigger the better. (3-5X) She said that many of the women are getting on their buses to the shelters naked, only a sheet wrapped around them, because they have NOTHING to wear. She also needs duffel bags to put the clothes in and children’s toys…anything to distract the children from their harsh reality. Because the predominant number of children are African-American, if you choose to send Barbies, dolls, or anything of that nature, please give them a toy to snuggle with that they can relate to. Send all items to:
Bent Pages Bookstore
JC Wilder
1422 Barrow St.
Houma, LA 70360
Please do not mark the outside of the packages as anything noteworthy.
I’ve never heard JC so distraught in my life. My stomach is still in knots from the horrific stories she told me. JC said she will try to blog about what’s going on as time, energy, and electricity allows. Her blog is at JC’s Blog.
Time to dig deep folks.
***Just received this from Vicki Hinze.
There’s a lady fro New Orleans in Houston with dementia and cannot give the medical staff any information on her family. Her name is Malinda Williams (or maybe Melinda Williams).
Anyone with any information about Malinda can call
SPRING BRANCH MEDICAL CENTER
8850 LONG POINT
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77055
713-984-3605
Ask for MICKI
Please pass this on to all your lists. I’m guessing this lady would be a lot better if her family could find her.
For those of you asking to see an excerpt from Atlantean’s Quest Bk. Four: The Return, I’ve put one up. (It’s unedited, so be kind.;) All you have to do is go to my books page and click on the book cover below (not the paperback version). It’ll take you to my ‘Atlantean’s Quest Bk. Four: The Return’ page. There is a link at the top cleverly titled ‘unedited excerpt’, which will take you right to the excerpt or you can simply scroll down to the bottom of the page. Have a safe and fun Labor Day.
I’m so excited! My editor, Bree just sent me my new Atlantean’s Quest Bk. Four: The Return cover. (Click on the picture for a larger version.) Please let me know what you think (even if you hate it). It won’t change my opinion.
If you’d like more, go to the books page to see the paperback version of the cover. I’ll put up excerpts and blurbs soon. 
