Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, October Movie Preview, CassaSeries Tour, Screen Rights, and New Releases

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.

My awesome co-hosts today are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

October 2 question – It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

We need to read to see how it’s done – both well and poorly –we just can’t adopt another author’s style as our own.
Of course, if you’re reading a genre outside your own and a style very different from yours, then it’s cool. But if your sweet love interests suddenly turn maniacal killers, then there’s a bigger problem…

Important dates:

This month’s Write…Edit…Publish challenge:
As you sow so shall you reap. What will your character sow - dragon's teeth, elven bones, gouged eyes from tormented souls? Most of our members go with horror or speculative for October. But that's not written in stone ... or blood.

January’s IWSG post day will be on January 8, the second Wednesday. The first Wednesday is New Year’s Day – do not post that day! Note it in your calendars now – January 8.

The next #IWSGPit - our Twitter pitch event – is January 15, the third Wednesday. This will be our fifth one and last year there were thousands of agents and publishers watching, ten thousand Tweets sent out, and #IWSGPit became a trending topic. Polish your pitches and check the site for full details.



CassaSeries Tour

Silver Dagger Tours is hosting a month-long tour for me that includes a giveaway for an Amazon gift card and swag.
Here are the final dates:

Monday – Guest post at Daily (w)rite and stops at Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author and 4covert2overt-A Place In The Spotlight
Tuesday – Guest post at Inside the Insanity and stops at Defining Ways and Speculative Fiction Spot
Wednesday – Stops at Better Read Than Undead, Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin', and Sylv.net
Thursday – Stops at Casey's Corner, Taryn Jameson, and Teatime and Books
Friday – Guest post at Introspective Press and stops at The Book Dragon and Twisted Book Ramblings
Monday October 7 – Stops at The Bookshelf Fairy, Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed, and Yearwood La Novela

Screen Rights by Damyanti Biswas!

Thank you Alex for the support on my debut novel, You Beneath Your Skin. It is a literary crime novel—a story that raises various social issues within the framework of a crime thriller. A woman from Delhi upper classes suffers an acid attack, and this case is investigated amid the backdrop of a crime spree. Unclad bodies of slum women are found stuffed in trash bags, their faces disfigured with acid.

This story is now being represented for screen rights by a top agent in Bollywood, and I’m writing a summary for adaptation pitches. It is so very different from a literary summary.
More pacey, more sensationalised, some literary parts suppressed. I’ve been at it for the past two days but am not even close to finishing.

I’m told that I need:
· a better logline,
· a short character sketch of the main voices
· less setting and characterization, and more action
· good handle on the beginning middle and end.

To the audience of this blog, and to Alex, my question and request would be for advice. Has anyone written a screen treatment? How do you go about it? Do you have any advice for me? Have you read You Beneath YourSkin?

Damy, here’s hoping you get those screen rights!

New Releases

One Good Catch by Heather Gardner
The next book in the Maguire’s Corner series
Find it on Amazon


A Sampler of Shadows by Roland Yeomans
Find it on Amazon

For a great laugh, visit Roland’s IWSG post today – he has some fun with me.




And here is the main character in Roland’s Dark Hollywood Cycle who's spoken of in several stories and appears in the last one in this collection:

September Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for September! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

4 –

Joker
A gritty character study of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society.
Director: Todd Phillips
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Jolie Chan
Yes, I’ll go see it. No, I don’t think I’ll like it. (And have to add after seeing it, while I'll never watch it again, the film was brilliant. Set in DC's Detective Comics world. Phoenix will get an Oscar nod.)




11 –

Gemini Man
An over-the-hill hitman faces off against a younger clone of himself.
Director: Ang Lee
Stars: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Will Smith, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong
Didn’t we see this already and it was called Looper?

The Addams Family
An animated version of Charles Addams' series of cartoons about a peculiar, ghoulish family.
Directors: Greg Tiernan | Conrad Vernon
Stars: Catherine O'Hara, Charlize Theron, Finn Wolfhard, Chloë Grace Moretz
From television show to movie to television show to animated movie – what next, Claymation?

Parasite
All unemployed, Ki-taek's family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.
Director: Joon-ho Bong
Stars: Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Woo-sik Choi
The true story of kimchi gone bad…




18 –

Zombieland: Double Tap
Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Zoey Deutch, Bill Murray
Zombieland Two – Electric Twinkieloo

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Maleficent and her goddaughter Aurora begin to question the complex family ties that bind them as they are pulled in different directions by impending nuptials, unexpected allies, and dark new forces at play.
Director: Joachim Rønning
Stars: Angelina Jolie, David Gyasi, Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer
Are we sure this isn’t just an Angelina Jolie biopic?





25 –

The Aeronauts
Pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) and scientist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne) find themselves in an epic fight for survival while attempting to make discoveries in a hot air balloon.
Director: Tom Harper
Stars: Felicity Jones, Eddie Redmayne, Himesh Patel, Tim McInnerny
Rogue One meets Harry Potter meets Jason and the Argonauts.



What do you think about writers who don’t read? Participating in WEP this month? The CassaSeries tour coming to an end – have you visited a stop or two and entered to win? And what movies catch your attention this month?

We are going on a family vacation, leaving next Monday and coming back the following Monday. So I won’t be posting those two weeks or visiting anyone next week. See you on October Twenty-first!

125 comments:

  1. I have a friend who considers himself a writer. His only reading is the form guide. I DON'T consider him a writer.
    Enjoy your vacation.

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  2. I suspect that most of the time a writer who doesn't read either won't have anything to say, or won't be able to express themselves in a way that people will want to read. Most people simply don't have the depth of originality to go it alone in the way that the question suggests.

    Of course, once in a while someone will come along who genuinely breaks the mold, but IMO they are the exception that proves the rule. For most of us, other people's writing is the air that allows us to breathe life into our own stories.

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  3. My "Try" at writing poetry always have seemed to be what I've experienced in life. I read other people's books.....yours included Alex and enjoy settling down to a good read.
    Have a great vacation.

    Yvonne.

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  4. We definitely need to be reading!!

    Congrats to Damyanti!!

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  5. Zombieland 2, lets go with the undead shenanigans!

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  6. I'm a slow reader, so I feel like I don't read. It could take me months to read one book. I know other authors read a new book every few days, or even a new book every week. But, I prefer not to read in the same genre as the project I'm currently writing in. When the final draft is done, then I go back to reading what I want. The reason being is that when I'm writing and reading the same genre at the same time I tend to compare my writing to the author I'm reading, and feel like my work is crap, and why bother? Lucky for me I like most genres. So its not a problem.Congrats on the blog tour. Enjoy.

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  7. Hi,

    Congrats on your book tour. That's a lot of good exposure, and thanks for moving the IWSG Day in January 2020 to the 8th.
    All the best.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G

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  8. I know absolutely nothing about writing a screen treatment but that's so awesome that Damyanti is working on one! That must be so exciting! I don't dream about my books being made into movies or anything...
    Hubby loves all things Batman and is a stand-up comedian so we'll definitely be seeing Joker.

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  9. None of the movies aside from Zombieland 2 look all that interesting. A screen treatment is a whole different ballgame, as it is go go go for the most part. Helped with one a while back, less is more I find with it as they don't want a lot of description and such.

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  10. Hi, Alex!

    Any guess as to what percentage of writers don't read? I'd be interested in knowing. I loved Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 10 Cloverfield Lane and S-3 of Fargo, and would watch her in anything, even Gemini Man. Emma Stone is must see as tennis great Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes. I look forward to seeing Zombieland: Double Tap.

    Enjoy your Vacation, good buddy. I hear that Holiday Road is passable and Wally World is open.

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  11. Ian, well said.

    Thank, Yvonne!

    Murees, reading a different genre is smart. And I'm a slow reader as well.

    Pat, thanks and moving it only made sense.

    Sarah, I didn't know that! Rather cool he's a comedian.

    Pat, I write bare bones description - maybe I'm missing my calling?

    Shady, I imagine less than one percent.

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  12. It was only on a recent creative writing course that I realised I’d neglected my reading, and I was hoping to be an author 🤭

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  13. How could anyone know how to write without reading? They are partners. Best wishes to Damyanti Biswas. Hope she gets her screen rights.

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  14. Congrats on your book tour and...the true story of kimchi gone bad? Hahahahah Good one.

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  15. Since my muse has abandoned me, I've been reading more than ever hoping to spark it into action. A writer must read.

    I hope the book tour is spreading the word of your CassaSeries!! Good Luck.

    As far as movies goes, I'm not thrilled with any new releases as yet.

    Have a wonderful family vacation!!

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  16. Congratulations to those with new releases. A special shout out to Damyanti wishing you much success with the book and the movie deal. You'll tackle it with ease. Not so sure about the upcoming film releases.

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  17. I am in a movie watching drought. I might start going back and watching old ones, like the first two Annabelle movies then finish with the newest one which I haven't seen yet. Hmm, sounds like a good plan for Halloween...or any weekend, really :)

    Enjoy your vacation, Alex!

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  18. Congrats to Damyani and those with new releases!

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  19. Your snarky comments about the movies crack me up. I saw the first Zombieland. Not sure I'll see the next one.

    Malificient kinds of bugs me. First she's bad. Then it turns out she's the victim. In the trailer I've seen, it looks like they want to make her evil again. *sigh*

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  20. I'll stop reading... as soon as I stop breathing.

    You cracked me up. You don't think you'll like "Joker," but you plan to see it, anyway? None of the movies you mentioned this month float my boat, but that's okay. Give me more time to read. HA!

    I haven't read Damyani's book yet, but I just now ordered it. Congrats to her and to all the others for their new releases.

    Enjoy your vacation! I hope you find some autumn weather. It seems to have gotten lost this year.

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  21. Congrats Damy, Roland and Heather! Lots of good news this month.

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  22. I read more than I write at this juncture. Too overwhelmed by how excellent some writers are, and I realize I need to work harder to get to that level.
    Meanwhile, enjoy your book tour, your family vacation tour, and any movies. (Maybe Joker isn't the one to see right now - it looks quite strange, and I guess that's the point. I'm torn). Your Angelina Jolie comment made me laugh out loud. Have a great time off, Alex!

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  23. I hope your tour goes well, Alex! Congratulations.

    An acid attack sounds very creepy.

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  24. I think reading is an essential component of being a writer. But then, I cannot imagine my life without books. I'd hate for my life to be confined to the tiny corner of the universe I physically inhabit.

    Must see the next Maleficent! Angie is such a wonderful bad guy!! I agree - she may well draw her supernatural evil from within! :-)

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  25. I always love your snarky comments about new movie releases. Laughed out loud at the one about kim-chi going bad :)

    Congrats to everyone on their new releases and fingers crossed that Damayanti's book gets picked up by Bollywood. It's a great read.

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  26. Em-Musing, I am here to amuse!

    Donna, I thought the same thing. I thought she wasn't bad?

    Susan, everyone is raving about it, but what is the Joker without Batman? They took everything superhero out of it.

    Joanne, glad I made you laugh.

    Thanks, everyone!

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  27. I hope your tour has been and continues to be a big success, Alex! And congrats to Damyanti - her book sounds excellent and I wish her the best on the screen pitch - how exciting. :)

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  28. Addams Family might be cute but Zombieland 2 is a must.

    Enjoy your vacation.

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  29. Another great post, Alex.

    Congrats to Damyanti Biswas for having a screen pitch. Never done that. Hope some great advice comes rolling in.

    You joke, but I'm totally down for a claymation Addams Family.

    "Zombieland Two – Electric Twinkieloo"- Lol! I love that reference.

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  30. I'm a believer in reading to at least know what has been done. How do you know the idea is new and original if you you don't know what's been done?

    I haven't written a screen treatment. Quite a while back, I tried my hand at writing a screen play. That was an adventure. I can certainly understand Damy's experience. Things for the screen, even the treatment, seem a bit different from the novel writing process.

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  31. Lots of fun stuff this week to absorb! I commented (um, ranted?) on the IWSG page about writers who don't read—spoiler alert: they're difficult to work with, among other things, so I won't repeat it all here.

    I'm excited for Damyanti and all the hubbub that's surrounding her new book! That's gotta feel good after all the years of work.

    The Addam's Family should have left it at the original series. But you might want to wait another year, because they're sure to do a flannelgraph presentation next, right? After the claymation, of course.

    Enjoy your vacation and get refreshed!

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  32. Have a great time on your vacay. Well deserved. The movie line-up looks bad. D., keep us informed about the movie rights. I hope you see your book come alive on the big screen. Sounds like a good book, very relevant.
    Mary at Play off the Page

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  33. I hadn't thought about how different things would be from a screen perspective. Interesting - and challenging!! Good luck, Damyanti!
    Congrats to Heather & Roland as well!
    Enjoy your vacation, Alex!

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  34. Hi Alex, I agree that we need to read all kinds of books to see how it’s done – both well and poorly. Even not so great books teach us, about what not to do in a story.

    Congratulations to Damayanti. Her book looks lovely.

    Enjoy your family vacation. But knowing you, you will probably write something new even during your vacation :)

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  35. I'm just not sure about Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker...

    Damy, I don't know about screen treatments, but this post may help (the concepts are supposed to be key): https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2015/05/06/screenwriting-lucy-hay/

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  36. You missed the part of the Addams family originally came from a comic strip - and the new movie appears to be returning to those origins (at least in look and design).

    It's weird, the Addams Family is easily the movie on your list I'm most excited for. Probably because I loved the show and movies as a kid and it's something I can actually watch with my own kids.

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  37. I agree that one of the benefits of reading is to see when a story works and doesn't. Though I have a hard time slogging through a bad one.

    Joker sounds too scary and violent for me. And I'm disappointed they are yet again remaking The Adams Family. I liked the TV show and the movies, but I think that's enough stretching this one out.

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  38. That's awesome about Damyanti's book, congrats to her! Can't say any movies have my interest this month, which means more writing for me instead. :)

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  39. JOKER will not be what most expect, but the critics I respect have liked it, though the end disturbed them by its truth. ZOMBIELAND 2 I hope will be as good as the first. Thanks for pointing out my new collection of short stories, Alex. The ghost of Mark Twain is still chortling over our adventures on my blog. :-)

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  40. Enjoy your long holiday!

    Agree about how we can't just adopt someone else's style. It's normal for young or new writers to copy what they see, but there has to come a time when they translate that into their own voice and style, and cut out embarrassing outright, mindless copying.

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  41. Good luck on getting the screen rights Damyanti! Haven’t read You Beneath Your Skin but added to my TBR list.
    There aren’t any new upcoming movies that caught my interest. At the moment, I wish it was 2020 already so I can binge Stranger Things 4. And watch Bad Boys 3 and Kingsman 3.

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  42. Congratulations on your book release!

    How anyone could be a writer and not read is beyond me...

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  43. Congrats to Damyanti Biswas! I had to write a film synopsis. In doing so, I also researched film treatments and they are a unique animal. As with anything, the internet provides. Go forth and Google, DB.

    Congratulations, Alex, on wrapping up your tour.

    I could not be a writer if I were not a reader.
    I don't watch enough film, though. So little time.

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  44. Ooo, that's exciting for Damyanti! Have a good vacation, Alex!

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  45. I can't imagine not having books in my life. I think it is important for writers to be readers too.

    Enjoy your vacation, Alex.

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  46. Hey Alex,
    Congrats on your blog tour! Have fun on your vacation!
    I'm a reader - right or wrong, that's just a reality.

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  47. Hi Captain!
    I don’t believe it’s possible to write and not read. I’ve never met anyone who could effectively do so.
    A relaxing vacation seems in order after such a fabulous tour – enjoy!
    “The true story of kimchi gone bad…” Haha!
    “A Sampler of Shadows” sounds interesting. His post was truly funny!
    Best wishes, Damyanti!

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  48. Enjoy your vacation!

    Nice zinger on the Jolie film.

    I'm waiting for Dr. Sleep in terms of films to see. I hope this trend for Stephen King continues. My dream would be a Netflix series bases on The Talisman.

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  49. Toi, glad someone got it!

    Lynda, you are proof they need to read!

    Elizabeth, I'm not either...

    CD, it needs a novel now.

    Roland, I bet he is!

    Diedre, glad I could make you laugh.

    Thanks, everyone!

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  50. I used to love reading, and still read a variety of genres as well as non-fiction true adventures or explorers, etc. Lately, I'm finding that I enjoy reading less as my editor brain overrides my focus on the plot and characters. If there's a flaw or error, the alarms bells ring. Damn! If nothing else, it encourages me to edit, edit, edit, LOL. Blessings

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  51. Have a lovely vacation, Alex!

    Thanks Sandra, JH, Toi, Angela, Lynda, Mary, Rachna, Jemi, David, Lidy, CV Grehan, Cherie, Diedre,

    Elizabeth Thanks for the link!

    Susan, thanks for the book! If you read it, I’d love a fair and honest review.

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  52. I think it is possible but not recommended to not read and write. Enjoyed the little quips on the movies reviews.

    I could access your personal site here without problem but still cannot access IWSG site. It says it gives an "invalid response" and it is a SSL Protocol error. There are only a few blogger sites that give me that message--most I have no problems. I also have same problem with CovertKit links in emails same message, so because it is isolated and not widespread, I believe it is the site as I have tried numerous fixes and different browsers--They also recommend for me to notify the site admin that it is happening FYI.

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  53. I did find only one writer who 'confessed' to not being a reader--in the Guardian. I hadn't heard of him. There could be a causal relationship there.

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  54. Firstly, have an awesome vacation!

    And Secondly, a big congrats to Damyanti! I mean wow! I have no advice but it's interesting to see what they want, so different from novels.

    As for writing without reading? I'm not saying it can't be done but I thing as a writing it's a huge handicap not to read.

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  55. Lost my comment. Blogger has been doing weird things for me of late. Anyone else having Blogger problems over the past week?

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  56. Enjoy your time away Alex! My brother wants to see Joker, I don't! I think it's because he likes Joaquin Phoenix! I think you have to enjoy reading, that doesn't make sense to me? Take Care Alex!

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  57. I have hated Joker from the get-go.
    Zombieland might be dark funny? Harrelson is standing next to another actor from Now You See Me?
    I never liked Addams Family, why I don't know. Claymation would be too expensive. Maybe Legos?

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  58. Have a great vacation, Alex. And congratulations on all the good news.

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  59. I personally don't know any writers who aren't readers. Hope you have a fantastic vacay! I'm ready to go somewhere fall-ish. Still feels like summer around here. Those movies do not entice me. However, the announcement of Stranger Things 4 makes me very happy.

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  60. I got to see Parasite at an early screening and it's a genuinely special movie. One of the most powerful and engrossing movies I've seen in recent years. Ample humor, viciously clever, and unafraid to go where it's right for the story rather than where the audience wants.

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  61. I hope the tour is going well, Alex!

    Reading and writing? I'm a reader first. I didn't plan on becoming a writer. For me, writing came after reading and I can't imagine not reading. Now I also can't imagine not writing...

    Congrats to Damy!
    I've just finished her book and now I need to post a review.

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  62. That sounds like a really interesting book.

    Ugh, Joker looks awful. Everything I hear about it makes it sound worse.

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  63. Happy Wednesday! Be gone insecurities. You may want to visit my blog today. I just had to....

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  64. I love to read and You Beneath Your Skin is very high on my must read list. Congratulations to Damyanti!

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  65. To be honest I can't wait for the second Zombieland. Woody Harrelson is an automatic win for me! And thank you for the clear note about January's IWSG posting, I appreciate the advance warning! Happy IWSG day.

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  66. I just don't see how someone, who does not read, can write a book that is an actual good book. We gain more and more knowledge every time we read. Congrats on being showcased throughout the week. Ahh for the movies, Zombieland 2 looks like fun but wondering how Bill Murray can be in this one? Adams Family looks funny so I am on board but I would love to see The Munsters, they were my favourite. Angelina needs to put on a few pounds. I am unsure of the rest. Have a great time away!

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  67. You're right, Alex. We need to read to know what doesn't work just as much as we need to know what does. And nothing does that better than reading through bad books.

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  68. Hello from McCarran Airport, Alex! I'm squeezing in IWSG visiting whenever, wherever I can. I hope that you have a blast on your family vacation!!! You do so much for everyone, so you deserve it!! I find it hard to believe that someone who doesn't read can actually write.

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  69. Sometimes, I might take a story of another writer and turn it on its head by switching the genre (e.g. from modern romance to medieval fantasy with magic) and changing the lead character's age and/or gender. Or going for the POV of a daughter or a neighbor of the hero. The story surely becomes unrecognizable at that point.
    Damyanti, good luck with getting your screen rights.

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  70. Hope you packed extra clothes. You've been on a long tour:)

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  71. I haven't gotten up the guts to try WEP, yet. It's like going to a party and not knowing who is going to be there, or even the host. This is also the reason I haven't submitted to an anthology. One of these months I will give it a go. Happy IWSG Wednesday!

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  72. There was a time when I was starting writing when I didn't want to read. I needed the distance. But that was years ago now. I think we all go through phases, and we need to do what's right for us at the time. A writer who has never read would be a different story.

    Have a great vacation.

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  73. Feather, I hear you!

    Damy, hope you get some rest!

    Juneta, I think I know what it is - will email you.

    Lee, yes - Juneta has been having issues.

    Susan, Legos! There you go.

    Jennifer, it makes me really happy!

    John, my wife really wants to see it.

    Truedessa, I did - huge thank you!

    Birgit, maybe Murray is a zombie...

    Heather, hope you do!

    Thanks everyone.

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  74. You have to read to write-just my opinion! Reading inspires, jump starts one's memory, and invites your muse to show up~ Wow, so many great new books and movies. I agree about Gemini Man being like Looper.


    Oh, family vacation sounds fun~ I hope you go where there aren't any allergies~ Ragweed and cotton are killing me my sinuses. Stay Cool Captain AC and enJOY your time away!

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  75. As always, Alex, our blogger friends are so creative and so much is happening. A lot to 'read' about.

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  76. That is an amazing blog tour. I'm really thinking of contacting Silver Dagger at some point.
    Definitely going to see Zombieland 2. Not likely to see any of the others.
    Enjoy your vacation.

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  77. If ever you want to visit the Windmill it's in Geneva, IL Look it up and it will give you days and hours. Let me know we'll all go together! Woo Hoo! Glad you liked it and have a great weekend!

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  78. I am very intrigued by Gemini Man. I saw Looper, I thought it could have been better. I love anything Time Travely.

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  79. Have a great vacation and I hope your tour does magnificently :)

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  80. "But if your sweet love interests suddenly turn maniacal killers, then there’s a bigger problem" LOL.
    Maybe I'll watch the new Maleficent movie...

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  81. Definitely good to read across genres because there's something to learn from everything. We're like magpies picking up shiny trinkets!

    I have no experience in screen pitches, but I want to wish Damyanti the best of luck anyway.

    Have a great trip, Alex!

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  82. Hi Alex!

    That Joker movie just looks weird. It's like watching a man's mid-life crisis instead of a super-villain. Maybe its cause I don't like Joaquin. He's weird, too.

    Thank you for posting about my second book. I appreciate the support you always give. :)

    Heather

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  83. Congratulations to all the authors! Especially Damyanti. That's amazing!!

    I'm so excited about Zombieland Double Tap. Much to my family's annoyance, I can quote most of the first one, I love it that much!

    Elsie

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  84. Ella, cotton season is in full bloom now.

    Susan, it seems lots of writers are using that tour service.

    Marie, thanks!

    Ronel, glad I could amuse.

    Heather! You're welcome. And that's an apt description of the film.

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  85. Thanks for pointing us to Roland's post. Hilarious. Best wishes on the new book. As always, I enjoy your movie "reviews." Pithy and funny.

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  86. I think reading immensely important for an author. Though I really liked Juneta's post in that we get stories from everywhere these days. So if someone isn't reading, they're getting it elsewhere. Congrats to Damyanti and good luck! Wish I could offer some advice, but thank you for sharing your experience with us. I don't know if I'll get to any movies this month as it's a busy one. Yet you'll be proud to know that my son was introduced to Rifftrax and laughed so hard. He wants to keep watching it! (We turned on their Twitch channel and that was hilarious!)

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  87. I'm not sure if I'll watch Joker, not sure if it really looks good at this point. But Gemini Man and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil look really good.

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  88. I loved Damyanti's book. It was such a powerful inditement of a cruel poverty and exploitation. Loved Roland's newest as well. We have such talent in this group.

    Enjoy your time off.

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  89. I can't imagine anyone even wanting to write if they don't read.

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  90. ZombieLand yes, please. Joker, nooooo. I just can't handle those kinds of movies. The Adam's Family. I dunno. Undecided. Might wait for it to land on streaming. But ZombieLand - yes please!

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  91. The Aeronauts looks like it might be good. I think I'd be more willing to see The Addams Family if it was claymation. In the past 20 years I've become skeptical over movies based on old TV shows and humorous comics, they seem to want to nothing but exploit the characters to the fullest extent. But there have been exceptions.

    You and your family have a fun and safe vacation!

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  92. You know Alex, I wish I could get into reading all the time, but it's only when I get the bug so to speak. I have finished a few books in my time, but I'm ashamed to say I can count how many on one hand... maybe two, but that'stretchin' it for sure! I LOVE movies, but there again I have to say it's only when I'm in the mood. I've seen many movies, but alas my friend my husband has put in for early retirement because of his illness, BUT... he's decided to go try to get a job at Home Depot. God, I hope he gets the job. We can sure use the extra buck-O's!!!! It's like I said I love me some movies. Love OLD movies I've seen sooooooooooooooooo many go ahead ask me one... go ahead!!! hehehehe~ But there's so many I'd like to see that has recently come out. Oh well, guess I'll wait until they come out on DVD and maybe I'll get it for Christmas or my birthday. hehehe Well, my friend, have a great day and I hear you're going on vacation... you lucky dog. HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. I remember I took my 4 kids on a vacation. The guy I was dating let me use his camper and I took them all to Indiana Beach. It was affordable and a blast! You really need to take your kids there some time. Anyway, Hope you have a great day! hugs

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  93. Good luck on your tour! I hope you have fun with it. I'm not really excited about any movies out right now, but looking forward to the new Terminator and a couple upcoming horror movies.

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  94. Alex, I hope the book tour is going well. Congrats to Damy!

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  95. Diane, I am here to amuse!

    Christine, that's awesome! A young fan - just what RiffTrax needs.

    Lee, yes we do!

    Marie, if only I had kids!

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  96. I can't imagine not reading and writing. It's not as if I read a couple of chapters and jump on the computer to write, but the two are intertwined.

    Enjoy your holidays!

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  97. I can't imagine being a writer and not reading!

    Congrats to Damyanti on the adaptation/screenplay for You Beneath Your Skin. That sounds exciting- and hard. I wish I had some advice- but I don't. I can only wish her good luck!
    ~Jess

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  98. So much happening this month from 'congratulations' to writers with releases, good luck to Damyanti, WEP's Horrible Harvest, and all those films. Especially, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - enjoyed first one - and The Aeronauts sounds intriguing.

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  99. I didn't know Joker was out. I may see it. I want to see Malificent.

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  100. Dear Alex. Thanks for your hard work again this month. Unanimous response in favour of read, read, read. Heart lifting.
    Congratulations on your book tour. Enjoy. Have a restful family holiday. See you for the WEP ?

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  101. We definitely need to see how other authors write and tell a story. It helps us learn as writers. I can't wait until I get to the pitching level after I finish my memoir about attending college as a mother of five. Good luck to all who pitch in January. All best, Alex!

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  102. The #IWSGPit is something I'll participate in. Haven't in the past but I have plenty of time to prepare for this one.

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  103. Unless the sweet love interest was really a maniacal killer all along... lol

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  104. Rosey, Joker is dark but brilliant.

    Stephen, hope you do.

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  105. To Damyanti, I have no clue, but how exciting! That's awesome. I suppose I can see where there would need to be more action since movies are well, visual!

    Heather, talk about a hot cover. Why did I think this was a cozy mystery series? Or maybe it's a really cozy mystery?

    Roland's books sounds like a fun quirky read! Must check out his post too.

    I saw Downton Abbey. I give it a thumb's up.

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  106. oops I forgot to mention Maleficent: Mistress of Evil!

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  107. Such exciting news for Damyanti. I have been following her blog tour a bit and hope she'll get the screen rights. I'm sure it's quite a lot of work and change in voice and writing style, to adapt the story for the screen. Good luck with that, Damy. Unfortunately, I have no advice. I can't even get my first book published on paper, let alone the screen. Yet! :-)

    And, you've been busy as well and getting traction with your blog tour, Alex. Congratulations as well. I wish you a very enjoyable and well-deserved vacation!

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  108. Liked that Joker movie more than I'd expected. Did I believe he was the Joker? Not really, except when he started laughing again.

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  109. Blue, I certainly liked it more than expected.

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  110. Just popping by to make sure I didn't miss a new post. Have a great weekend, Alex!

    Elsie

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  111. I haven't been to see a movie in forever at this point. There's almost no way I'll make it to Joker in the theater.

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  112. Wow... you have moderation on?
    Did someone do some "stuff"?

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  113. Congratulations Damyanti. Also, Alex, I hope your tour goes super well.

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  114. Damyanti's books looks great! :)

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  115. Congrats to Damyanti on the screen rights :)

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  116. Writers who don't read are doing themselves a disservice - there's much to learn from reading as widely as possible.

    So pleased for Damyanti - all the best to her! And to you! for the tour.

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  117. Andrew, I've always had moderation on for posts over a week old.

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  118. I thought I had commented on this but reading it seemed new. :) I need to take my youngest grandson to the movies. He's nine. I thought about the Addams Family but there are supposed to be some over the head content and cursing. Anyway, I'll leave it up to his parents and him.

    I could have sworn I answered this with thoughts on writers and reading.

    Teresa

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  119. Hope your enjoying the break, I've read all of Alistair Mcleans novels who died in 1987 when I was 17. I used to race through his stories then hungry for clues and information taking 2, 3 days between studies to finish one book and it was the best ever way back when. It felt like I was climbing the cliffs of Navarone with Andrea, Mallory and Miller who met with resistance fighters Gia Scalia tortured by the Germans before escaping. When asked what was his secret for success, Maclean said he wrote visual stories because they were easy for readers to imagine. Which IMDB says made it easy for film makers to make into movies. I'd say people since 1987 made more money out of Macleans books and movies than he did himself.

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  120. That's cool about Damy potentially getting screen rights for her book. I wish I had some advice for her, but I don't.

    Enjoy your family vacation!

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  121. A writer who does not read is like a butcher who does not eat meat... you cannot truly know your product if you do not partake of it...

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  122. Thank You Sinclair, Patricia, Olga, Nick, Elsie, Christine, McKenzie, DMS, Roland, Elizabeth, Liesbet, Michael, Mark and Nilanjana!

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  123. Yes, we did and it was called Looper.

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