Posted by: Author | May 28, 2011

Feeling Singularly Disgruntled

I’ve had one of the worst weeks in recent history. It was not the day job, it was not the writing work, rather, it was in interpersonal relations. I had my feelings hurt by a friend, my  mother interfered in my law office and my father, poor thing, got to hear all the things that bugged me in my whole life it seems.  I feel bad about all these things and I don’t have a clue how to fix any of it. All I know is I feel sad and singularly disgruntled.

It’s been a week of wishing I was on a desert island with no communication with anyone. Sometimes I think that might be better. I like to laugh and interact with people but this week, I should’ve been a hermit.  I don’t think I want to have another week like this one. Ever.

Southern Sizzle blog has an interview with Sue Perkins who I had here a couple of weeks ago. Check her out:  http://southernsizzleromance.wordpress.com/

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Posted by: Author | May 27, 2011

Friday Facts- May 27, 2011- Napkins

Ever been to a fancy restaurant and they remove your white napkin to give you a black one? Wonder why?  When my son graduated, we went to a posh restaurant for dinner after the ceremony. I had on a navy blue dress.  Everyone else in my group had on light colored clothes, including the men. The table was set with white napkins. The waitress came over and took mine and handed me a black one.  You know why??

LINT! The answer is LINT!!  They do this so that the person wearing dark clothes doesn’t stand up after dinner with white lint all over his/her clothes.  How’s that for service? Pretty cool, huh?

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Posted by: Author | May 26, 2011

TORCHWOOD

I love, love, love the show called Torchwood. It’s a spin off and acronym of  the sci-fi show Doctor Who.  They are coming back to Starz Network. The uber-sexy John Barrowman reprises his role as Captain Jack.   Thank you, God – And Starz. 

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Posted by: Author | May 25, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | May 24, 2011

“The Cellar”- a Review

This weekend, I read a zombie YA book called The Cellar – I enjoyed it. It was a fun little read.  The characters were acting out Romeo and Juliet as the school play. There was an element of the play as well in the plot of the  book as a whole- the star-crossed lovers with family issues. I enjoyed the  heck out of that Shakespeare tie in. 

There were definitely some icky scenes but what zombie story doesn’t have them? This book is by A.J. Whitten and it’s a quick read. If you like stories about monsters and also like Shakespeare, this is one for you. 

This book reminds me of a band I love called The National.  They have a song called Conversation 16.  One of the lines is “I was afraid I’d eat your brains”   check it out.  It’s a neat song.

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Posted by: Author | May 23, 2011

My Friend, the Psychologist

I spent the afternoon and evening yesterday with my dear friend that’s a retired psychologist whose specialty was treating combat veterans. She’s so amazing and cool. She really makes me think about things. One of the topics of discussion was my WIP based on the Queen Mary. I was telling her how it was whipping my butt and that I felt like it wasn’t going anywhere fast. We moved on to other things and talked about my trip to Los Angeles and Long Beach. Eventually, we got back to how I was feeling like the WIP was dull and unimaginative.

She had great insight as soon as I said that. She tied it all together for my little pea brain. The reason it was kicking my rear is because I knew too much. Having spent two nights on the Queen Mary and taking two tours and getting the real, true layout of where the elevators, dining room, pool, etc were is interfering with my ability to be creative. It’s too concrete.

She said a little research into your place is good but too much stifles the creative juices. So brilliant. Just brilliant.  I’m going to take another stab at it without focusing on all the details and see what I get.  Have I told you I adore her?? 

Corridor on the Queen Mary

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Posted by: Author | May 20, 2011

Friday Facts- May 20, 2011- The Righteous Brothers

I wrote a short story last weekend and part of the inspiration was the Righteous Brothers’ song that has lyrics about “If there’s a rock and roll heaven, you know they have a hell of a band.”  When I got the song stuck in my head, I decided to let you know this Friday Fact about them.

The Righteous Brothers aren’t brothers at all. They started as a multi member band called The Paramours. Eventually, Bill  Medley and Bobby Hatfield split off and made their own “group.”  Betcha you don’t know how they got their name. That info is your Friday Fact this week.  The two of them were onstage singing a duet when they were still in The Paramours. When they finished, a African American marine in the audience stood up and yelled, “that was righteous, brothers.”   AND there you have it.  How awesome is that?

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Posted by: Author | May 19, 2011

A Trend in YA Fiction That Has My Knickers in a Twist

There is a trend in Young Adult fiction that’s driving me over the edge. I like to read YA novels as they are usually quick reads and enjoyable escapism. The last few I picked up, though, have really ticked me off. I work hard to earn my money and I like to buy a book that is a complete story – with a beginning, middle and end. A denouement, if you will. 

I like a series of books as well as the next person. I like to revisit characters from the first story in a series in the second story.  What I don’t like and what is making me quite angry is this trend to not tie up loose ends in the first book in the series. In other words, try to manipulate the reader into being compelled to buy the next book in the series to see how the first one wraps up. I’ve read three YA novels in the last six months that have done just this- ended in media res- to find out how the character gets out of a situation, the reader must buy the next book.  This to me is cheating the reader.

It may be that the book publishers think this is the only way to insure readers for a series of books. Or they may think since kids have some discretionary funds that this is the way to get their dollars without having an adult question why the kid didn’t get a whole book the first time they spent $8.99. 

I say give me a compelling book that solves the problems of the character in a satisfying way and make me want to read the next one because I enjoyed the first one so much that I can’t wait for the second one, don’t try to manipulate me into buying a book. I won’t do it. I haven’t purchased the second ones on any of these and I won’t. I’ll go to the grave not knowing what happened to these characters just on the principal of the matter.

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Posted by: Author | May 18, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | May 17, 2011

Two Things

Yesterday I shared my easy recipe for chicken pot pie at Over the Back Yard Fence,  a group blog where I play a minor role usually once a month on the first Wed of the month. The ladies there are awesome.  Check out one of my kid’s favorite recipes:  http://llblog2010.wordpress.com/

Today is my day of the week on this group blog: http://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/  We have a weekly theme on that blog and this week’s topic is our favorite movie couple. People that know me and know who one of my favorite actors is may be able to guess who it might be. And no, it’s not Alan Rickman.

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