Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Fifteen Years, The End of Oak Street Review, and September Movie Preview

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkinsdale, SE White, JS Pailly, Olga Godim, and Natalie Aguirre!

Note we need one more co-host for each remaining month - October, November, and December. Co-hosting is fun and if you can do it one of those months, leave a comment.

September marks the fifteenth anniversary of the IWSG! We began as a monthly blog hop before implementing a website for writers that would be the databases of databases of writing information. While some of our activities have ceased (anthology contest, Twitter pitches) we are still going strong on Facebook, X, and Instagram, plus we have a live writer’s group that meets in Virginia.

For this special occasion, we are asking members to do two things. If you have books for sale, include links to them in your post. Second, as you are visiting members, select five (or however many you can) to purchase. No pressure to read and review, just support a fellow member by buying a couple books.

Links to my books: CassaDawn, CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, CassaDark, and Dragon of the Stars

Thanks to those of you who have stuck with us. We couldn’t have done it without you!

The question for today - Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing?

I guess my main characters all fall into the category of hero – one who faces a big challenge and grows. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.

The End of Oak Street Movie Review

Residents wake up one morning and discover their neighborhood now resides in a prehistoric past.
Sadly this movie did not do well at the box office and I have no idea why. People love dinosaurs! And this is one fun dinosaur movie.
It is set in the 80’s but the movie itself has a very 80’s movie vibe, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The special effects are really good, despite the very modest budget. Their version of dinosaurs (with feathers and fur) is refreshing as well. And if you thought the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were scary, these guys are downright terrifying.
It takes a little time to set up the main characters – a family of four with mom about to leave them – but once the dinosaurs appear, the roller coaster begins.
Do note that while it is PG-13, it’s a strong PG-13. There are some gruesome dino deaths. If your seven-year-old loves dinosaurs, this just might scare him out of that.
Overall, it was a ton of fun and one scene three-fourths of the way in really surprised and shocked me. Add to the fact it’s run time is 1:39 and it’s the perfect length for this type of film.
Highly recommended!

September Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for September. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

11 –

Runner
Director – Scott Waugh
Stars – Alan Ritchson, Owen Wilson, Leila George
A former soldier and his unlikely partner become the targets of a ruthless cartel while racing to complete a critical medical delivery and save the life of a little girl.
Jack Reacher and Shanghai Noon’s Roy O’Bannon go on a road trip – looks like fun!

The Uprising
Director – Paul Greengrass
Stars – Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane
Based on the true story of the uprising that inspired the legend of Robin Hood, Andrew Garfield stars as the leader of a rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II in a fight for justice.
It looks gritty and violent, but I prefer my Merry Men in Tights.


18 –

Resident Evil
Director – Zach Cregger
Stars – Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry
Follows a hapless courier tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital. He soon finds himself caught in the middle of an outbreak and must fight through hordes of mutated creatures to survive.
Someone should send Reacher and O’Bannon to Raccoon City to take care of that problem.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom
Directors – Steve Cox, Matthew Walker
Stars – Nina Sosanya, Paul Whitehouse, Justine Fletcher
On Halloween Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm, excitement turns to dismay when the clumsy Farmer ruins the pumpkin patch. Shaun tries fixing it with science experiments, but things go wrong when a wild beast appears in the woods.
This film and Resident Evil should be a great double-bill for you and the kids!

What do you regret? What does the IWSG mean to you? Seen The End of Oak Street? And what movie catches your attention this month?
Now, go buy some books!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Movie Reviews, and August Movie Preview

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!

August 5 question - As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process?

I regret the time between my fourth and fifth books. Dragon of the Stars came out in 2015. CassaDark came out 2022. Seven years later and almost nine years after the third book in the Cassa series.

If you are an author, I really don’t recommend going that long in between release. Yes, I had a short story Cassa prequel during that time, but it was not enough. I lost all momentum with my readers. I’m sure most don’t even know CassaDark exists…

What is your regret?

We are good for September, but if you can co-host the IWSG in October, November, or December, leave a comment or shoot me an email. Thanks!

Movie Reviews

The Odyssey
The beginning was a bit slow and difficult to get into, but once it got going I found it fascinating and compelling. Also frustrating and at times breathtaking.
The subtitle could have been ‘Odysseus Runs Away a Lot.’ It almost gave me Monty Python giggles (Run away! Run away!) even though the situations were often dire.
I liked the film and was emotionally invested and moved by the powerful narrative. Most of the special effects are practical as opposed to CGI (which made it look more real) and the scenery stunning. It’s a very ambitious film, like Interstellar but better.
Recommended

Masters of the Universe
I didn’t grow up watching the cartoon and found overall it was fluff but enjoyable fluff. And like most movies today, too long.
All of the actors were game for their parts. I’m sure fan boys would geek out at all the Easter eggs I missed.
Glad I didn’t go to the theater to see it but it wasn’t a bad way to pass a couple hours. Certainly better than the 1980’s movie!
Mildly recommended

August Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for August. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

7 –

Ice Cream Man
Director - Eli Roth
Stars - Eli Roth, Darrin Baker, Ari Millen
An idyllic summer town descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.
Takes creepy ice cream man to a whole new level.

14 –

The End of Oak Street
Director – David Robert Mitchell
Stars – Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, PJ Byrne
The Platt family bands together to navigate their new surroundings after a cosmic event transports their suburban neighborhood to someplace unknown.
Jurassic Park in your neighborhood!

The Brink of War
Director – Michael Russell Gunn
Stars – Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris, JK Simmons
President Reagan races to save a nuclear deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as pressure mounts all around him. Every word spoken could move the world closer to peace - or destruction.
Two old men talking. Go to your local retirement home for a free preview.

21 –

Mutiny
Director – Jean-Francois Richet
Stars – Jason Statham, Annabelle Wallis, Adrian Lester
After his billionaire industrialist boss is murdered in front of him, Cole Reed is set up to take the fall for the crime -- leaving him on the run as he works to uncover an international conspiracy.
This might come as a surprise but Statham punches and shoots a lot of people…

28 –

The Dog Stars
Director – Ridley Scott
Stars – Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Jacob Elordi, Guy Pearce
In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus wipes out humanity. Survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Protagonist Hig, a pilot, survived the flu but lost his wife.
Post apocalyptic romp with Josh Brolin, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Benji, and Digby the World’s Biggest Dog.

What do you regret? Seen either movie? And what film catches your attention this month?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Disclosure Day and Project Hail Mary Reviews, and July Movie Preview

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

July 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

I wish there was an easier way to get reviews. Outside of begging fans and book bloggers. It’s just so difficult to get one’s book in front of readers who actually write reviews.

Movie Reviews

Disclosure Day

Two people connect on their journey to find their place and disclose the truth about aliens.
I went into this movie with hope. I will say the special effects are better than I was led to believe. Although the CGI fox was a bit iffy.
I had two big issues with the film. First, it was too long. Many slow, contemplative scenes that could’ve been shaved. Second, Disclosure Day comes long before you see the film – way too much is revealed in the trailer, including the ending.
I really wanted to like this film. But the more I thought about it, the more issues I noticed and the less I liked it. Spielberg is so good with human connections and yet that was so absent from this film. Not that some of the actors don’t try – Emily Blunt is great in her role. And the stakes never seemed that big. (Especially since I already knew how it ended from the trailers.)
Spielberg still has a thing for aliens. But if you’re seeking that special encounter, watch Close Encounters again. Almost fifty years old and it’s still amazing.
Not recommended

Project Hail Mary

A microbe is killing our star and others. Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) comes up with a theory and is sent (unwillingly) to the one star not affected. It’s a one way trip and he arrives alone. Or is he?
Gosling is mostly the sole character of the movie except for the CGI alien he encounters. (Who is also there to study this one star.)
And there is the key component of this movie – their evolving relationship. For all the great special effects and solid plot, it is the moments spent with ‘Rocky’ that gives the story depth.
It also has some very humorous moments. It’s quirky and offbeat, which adds to the film’s charm.
A solid, well-executed science fiction adventure that didn’t feel over long. Highly recommended!

July Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for July. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

1 –

Minions and Monsters
Directors: Pierre Coffin, Patrick Delage
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Allison Janney, Bobby Moynihan
Follows the Minions in 1920s Hollywood as they search for frightening creatures for their monster movie, partner with a green creature, and must save the planet after unleashing monsters.
You had me at Minions. You really had me at Monsters. But baby Cthulhu puts it over the top!

10 –

Moana
Director: Thomas Kail
Stars: Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui
Live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film 'Moana.'
Call me when Toy Story becomes live action.

17 –

The Odyssey
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
Jason Bourne battles sparkly vampires with the help of Spider-Man.

31 –

Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Director:Destin Daniel Cretton
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink
A forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.
Brand new day? Then Spider-Man uses Lysol to clean the streets of NY.

What changes would you like to see? Have you seen Project Hail Mary or Disclosure Day? And what movies coming out this month catch your interest?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Story Ideas, June Movie Preview

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

And co-host/IWSG Admin C. Lee McKenzie has a new book out - That Moonwater Witch! Find it here.

June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

A lot of my story ideas come from shows and movies. My Cassa series was inspired by the original 1970’s Battlestar Galactica series. With a hint of Star Wars and Star Trek thrown in. The Frank Frazetta drawing for Battlestar Galactica stuck with me and formed the basis of the story.

Dragon of the Stars came from a song by Ayreon, Dragon on the Sea. I took the lyrics to heart – what if the queen sends out with her finest man not a sailing ship but a star ship?

Where do your ideas come from?

June Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for June. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

5 –

Masters of the Universe
Director: Travis Knight
Stars: Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba

A young man on Earth discovers a fabulous secret legacy as the prince of an alien planet, and must recover a magic sword and return home to protect his kingdom.
I HAVE THE POWER…to skip this movie!

Signal One
Director: Jonathan Sobol
Stars: Isabelle Fuhrman, Dennis Quaid, David Thewlis, Josh Hutcherson
It tells the story of a computer scientist who is recruited by a tech billionaire to work on a project that could change humanity's place in the universe.
Sports a good, solid cast…oh, and that kid from The Hunger Games.

12 –

Disclosure Day
Director: Steven Spielberg Stars: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Eve Hewson
If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?
A movie about Spielberg’s tax audit.


19 –

Toy Story 5
Directors: McKenna Harris, Andrew Stanton
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Tom Hanks, Annie Potts, Tim Allen
Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they're introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.
Didn’t the toys all grow old and die in the fourth movie? Or am I thinking of another film?

The Death of Robin Hood
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård
Grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, Robin Hood finds himself gravely injured after a battle he thought would be his last. In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance at salvation.
It’s Robin Hood minus all the fun…

26 –

Supergirl
Director: Craig Gillespie
Stars: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Momoa
Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice when an unexpected adversary strikes too close to home.
Helen Slater looks great for her age!

Do your story ideas come from mostly one place? Anyone else get ideas from movies or music? And what movies coming to theaters catch your attention this month?
Catch you next on July 1!