Movie Influences by Elle Cardy/Lynda R. Young
The Princess Bride – Love, adventure, pirates, revenge, and the triumph of good over evil. What’s not to love? I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen this movie. Of course it’s going to influence my writing because it has everything I love in a story.
Firefly/Serenity – Awesome characters who do the best they can with what they’ve been given. Yup, this is another influencer, even though it’s a scifi and my debut is a fantasy.
The Pirates of the Caribbean – Because my book is set on the high seas, this is the more obvious influencer, but the story itself wasn’t the influence. It was the gorgeous tall ships. For research, I also went to the Maritime museum in Sydney and clambered all over the Endeavour replica and the James Craig, both ships originated around the 18th century. So much fun!
Some honourable mentions: The Dark Crystal, Ladyhawke, Ghostbusters (original), Fifth Element.
What are some of your favourite movies of all time?
Wielder’s Prize by Elle Cardy (the pen name of Lynda R Young)
Jasmine’s whole life is a lie. It isn’t until she’s snatched and forced to work on another ship that she learns how much of a lie it has been. Not only can she wield, but she’s a danger to everyone if she can’t control her magic. And worse: there’s another out-of-control wielder out there who wants her dead.
The ebook and paperback are available on Amazon
You can find Elle on her website or Instagram - @ElleCardy, her blog, and Goodreads
Edititis by Sandra Cox
Symptoms: Feverishly going over your manuscript just one last time…and then one more. And after telling yourself you can’t bear to look at it anymore, combing through it again.
Side effects if not properly treated: Headaches from banging your head against the wall. Thinning hair, from yanking it out. Hoarseness from continual cursing after finding a typo, missing punctuation, or a misused word on the story you’ve already edited a dozen times.
Treatments: Lots of caffeine or wine. Sleep after the caffeine wears off. Typing in bold for emphasis The End.
Like the flu, just because you’ve had it once doesn’t mean you can’t get it again. Unfortunately, there’re no inoculations available for it at this time. If you’re an author, chances are you’ll succumb with your next book.
I caught it AGAIN when working on TumbleStar.
Warning. Besides hand-tooled boots, content contains: a big-hearted, hasty-tempered cowboy, a homeless young woman, an orphaned little girl and a wild, white stallion. Available at Amazon
Sandra is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and several cats in sunny North Carolina.
Besides all things western, she also writes in several other genres. She is a category bestselling Amazon author, Eppie finalist and Golden Ankh Award winner.
Find Sandra at her blogsite and on Twitter
Movie Reviews
Origins story of a man’s descent into madness.
I didn’t want to see it and I probably won’t ever watch it again – but the film was brilliant.
It does tie into the DC Universe, coming from Detective Comics which focuses just on Batman and the Joker. It’s very dark, gritty, and grounded. Makes the Dark Knight Trilogy look like a comedy.
Phoenix’s performance is amazing and certainly Oscar-worthy. His descent into madness is very believable. He’s already unstable before a series of events pushes him beyond the brink. The story is pretty harsh on the state of health care for lower income people.
The cinematography is also amazing.
It’s a character study, so it’s a quiet and slow-paced film, interspersed with some rather shocking moments.
Not for everyone, but definitely a film to see.
Highly recommended
Picks up several years later with the gang fighting zombies and each other.
Did you like the first one? Your answer will determine whether you like this one or not.
It doesn't bring much new to the table, but it's still really, really funny.
Zoey Deutch as newcomer Madison steals the show. Can someone really be that dumb and still live, even without zombies?
Want zombie gore? Want it in slow-motion? Got you covered! Actually, there are some spectacular stunts and effects.
There's also Graceland. Well, not quite Graceland. But enough to get your Elvis fix.
Not quite as fresh as the original, as I expected all the meta and for them to be in on the joke with us. But this one is still a blast.
Recommended
New Release
Stone Man
And the Trail of Tears
By Charles Suddeth
Print ISBN 9781939844620
EBook ISBN 9781939844637
Find it on iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, Dancing Lemur Press LLC, and Goodreads
I enjoyed my vacation but it’s good to be back!
What are your movie influences? Do you suffer from edititis? Seen Joker? Picked up Stone Man? Been on any good vacations lately?
93 comments:
Thanks Alex for the guest post/ feature! You're awesome!!
I loved Zombieland so I expect to love Double Tap as well. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Looking forward to Zombieland 2!
Sure all good movie picks indeed. At least the first Pirates, the rest, meh.
haha I'll take edititis over the flu any day.
I may get around to Joker, have to be in the mood for a slow movie. Zombieland 2 I'll be giving a go though.
I think I'm about to start suffering from edititis later today!
Joker seems a little too dark for me and Zombieland a little too light, ha. Good to hear your takes on them, as always!
Welcome back, Alex. Congrats to Elle and Sandra!
Lynda, you're welcome!
Pat, it is very slow, but very engrossing.
Welcome back. Hope your time off was worthwhile. Still no Joker plans for me. Z-land 2 - heck yeah, and Maleficent also. Movie influences - I'm all over the map with oldies ( Casablanca), newbies (anything with Emma Thompson, Emma Stone, or Emma Watson), and throw in a Wonder Woman too.
Have a super good week.
Glad you had a good time, Alex!
Have The Joker on our To Watch list but not sure when/if we'll get to it.
We recently watched all three Annabelle movies - all good! - the newest Child's Play and Crawl - both were actually better than I thought they were going to be. :)
Co grays to Lynda on her new book. My favorite movies are LOTR.
Glad you thought Joker was so brilliant, Alex. It sounds too dark for me.
I'm a huge Firefly & Serenity fan!
Strangely my movie influences are almost sci-fi or fantasy while I write romance among other things :)
I also have edititis. There is no cure.
I am working on the third draft of my first novel and yes, I have a crushing case of edititis. The prognosis is not promising.
I'm very much looking forward to Double Tap. I love a good laugh with mindless gore!!
Glad you're back Alex. Great that you gave Lynda and Sandra time on your blog. I loved reading about Lynda's influences. We're all influenced to some extent. Sometimes research is such fun like an excuse to clamber over tall ships. Ended up being a great read, Lynda (Elle). And I'm with Sandra with her never-ending edits. I love editing and always find needed improvements.
Sandra's book was wonderful (Lynda's sounds excellent!). I love Westerns so read this in a day, maybe 1.5 days. Couldn't stop.
I'll probably check out Joker when it hits HBO. I'm so unimpressed with the story they chose for this character, but I'm sure Phoenix did something worthwhile with his role.
Alex, thanks so much for hosting. You are the rocking ninja!
Jacqui, Whew. You are my all-things-western barometer. If you like it, I can let the breath, I've been holding, out:)
Lynda, Ladyhawke is one of my all time favorites.
PS Thanks to all for the good wishes. Much appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed your vacation. I think my movie influences are bad movies that had an interesting premise. I figure I could make them better. And I find a treatment for edititis is to give the manuscript to others to read. Let them find the things that I'm not seeing.
Hi Alex - I highly recommend Lynda's book 'Wielder's Prize' - it's really well written and so I hope it'll be successful. Good luck to Sandra for her new publication. Joker is off ... but I've seen some good art-house movies here ...
Pleased you had a good holiday and time away ... I've just decided to take November off ... I'll be around, but not for posting - there'll be a #WATWBlog post and a Halloween one ... then I'll be trying to sort life out here ...
Love the word Edititis ... I am looking forward to spending some time clearing the decks here ... cheers and welcome back - Hilary
Glad you have a good vacation.
I'm not influenced by movies, just by TV (SNL).
Have a great, safe week, Alex.
Joanne, you are all about the Emmas!
Madeline, Crawl was good although a little bit Sharknado in the end.
Jacqui, Sandra will be happy to hear that.
John, it will surprise you.
Sandra, you're welcome!
Hilary, sometimes a break is good.
Congrats everyone with book releases and launches!
Welcome back - you were missed.
Congratulations (as always) to those with new releases.
I have to say, this is the first time I've heard a positive review involving Joker.
I really enjoyed Joker. Such a brilliant performance.
Best of luck to Linda and Sandra!
That is one thing I thought while watching Joker- that we do ignore mental health to our own peril. Bad things will happen and we will fight over the weapons that were used, but we need to ask ourselves why. We have to fix the why.
Movies influence me? Nah...hahahaaa. Of course, "It's A Wonderful Life" how can it not, when there are so many hurdles in life but you keep going and helping others. You realize how much you may have helped in the world. The Third Man-The music, the style of film right after WW2. What's Up, Doc-I wish my life was a screwball comedy...sometimes, I think it is. Under The Tuscan Sun...My dream is to live in Europe and simply enjoy each moment there. Congrats to Sandra and her new book. I hope you had a wonderful vacation Alex. I want to see both films-The joker looks good even though i will be comparing Phoenix to heath Ledger. I can't believe how much i enjoyed Zombieland since I am sick of zombie flicks so looking forward to the 2nd one
Pat, I know, right? What's not to love about pirates?
Sandra, thanks
Natalie, I love LotR too, but that's the book that got me started in fantasy worlds. Of course I'm going to love the movies too ;)
Jemi, I could keep watching Firefly and Serenity almost non-stop
Denise, any excuse to climb all over tall ships. I recently visited Brisbane's Maritime Museum, but they don't have any tall ships... so sad.
Jacqui, thanks
Patricia, thanks again for having me! :)
Sandra, oh my gosh!! I thought I was the only one who loved Ladyhawke! Yay!!!!!!
Liz, Oh! I know what you mean! I'm constantly pulling stories apart, analyzing them and thinking up ways to improve them.
Hilary, Thanks so much. I hope it will be successful too.
Rawknrobyn, tv is an influence too.
Juneta and Elizabeth, thanks
Birgit, I love It's a Wonderful Life. Such an awesome movie.
Lynda's movie influence list is identical to mine! Very cool. And I'm going to keep that new word, ediitis, if I can spell it.
Glad you have a good vacation and I can't wait to see Zombieland 2
Welcome back, you were missed! I am passing on Joker, it seems a bit rough for me.
Have a wonderful week!
JE, most of the critics and reviewers have loved it. I've yet to see a really negative review.
Sarah, it was!
Elizabeth, we need to find out why people go down that path...
Birgit, I hope you've visited Europe!
I'm sure there's a lot of movie influences in my writing, but all mashed up and mangled beyond recognition so I couldn't call any single one out.
Thanks for a most enlighening post Alex, can always expect all the latest news here albeit I'm a day late.
Yvonne.
I quite enjoyed Joker. But yes, it is definitely not for everyone
Glad you had a great vacay, Alex.
Here's to a quick work week.
Happy to see you back.
Yes, I'm well acquainted with Edititis.
Stone Man is on my list. Want to learn more about the Trail of Tears. Congratulations to Sandra Cox and other new books out.
Have a great week.
I'd like to get to edititis again some day.
I love The Dark Crystal and Fifth Element. "Lee-loo, multi-pass!"
So many movies have influenced my writing, most notably, MoonStruck which influenced my romcom It's Like the Full Moon.
Never had edititis. Is there a term for avoiding editing until your manuscript starts inching its way into traffic to put itself out of its misery?
I could use a good vacation.
Eternal swoon to the Princess Bride - and please never make a sequel or prequel or any other -uel.
Etiditis. Yup. I've never read my book since it was published.
Congrats and best wishes to Lynda and Sandra on their respective new books!
Congrats to Lynda, loved Wielder's Prize!! And Congrats to Sandra! I'm glad you had a nice vacation.
I do want to see Zombieland, but I think there is a greater chance of Trump resigning than me getting to the theater to see a movie any time soon.
Couldn’t resist the question about the favourite film - must be the first one I saw, The Wizard of Oz, always on tv at Christmas, much to the family’s annoyance 🤭
Toi, that's hilarious!!
Mark, or a remake!
Congrats to Lynda and Sandra! Edititis is definitely a problem. My older kids saw Zombieland and were disappointed (I'm not a zombie fan :) ). Alex - glad to see you back and hope you enjoyed the vacation!
Congrats to Lynda and Sandra. Highest of sales! Joker may have to wait for Blu Ray, but I intend to see Double Tap at the theater if work allows. Yeah, right. :-)
From my childhood, the movies that probably influenced me the most were any of the sci-fi films having to do with nuclear aftermath or mutant monsters. I still enjoy seeing those old fifties B movies. Of films seen as an adult I'd cite Apocalypse Now and any of Fellini films. I love surrealism that actually has something to say about our real lives.
I guess my life in retirement is always kind of a vacation and I must say that for the most part life is still good.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Glad your back dude, as for movie influencers? I've been watching Star Trek and Sci Fi my whole life. I really dig the fantastic science in movies which makes us think outside the box, handheld computers, iphones, medical-tricorders. Its all happening and out there right now and the biggie A.I's who's to say clones don't exist somewhere out there within the far reaches of another galaxy? We could be just sitting ducks!
Just by looking at Elle's/Lynda's cover I can see most of those movie influences.
I've definitely had Edititis. lol
Thanks to all for the book wishes.
Alex, have a great one.
Susan, we are kindred spirits
Toi, I so know that feeling...
Mark, while there has been talk of a remake of Princess Bride, I really hope it doesn't happen.
Cathrina, I'm thrilled you loved my book.
Chrys, Ha! I can see that now :)
Alex, Thanks again for having me :)
Everyone has been saying Joker was really good. I'll be watching it at some point. Glad to hear you liked it.
The Princess Bride is a true classic. I can't believe they're doing a reboot. No!!!!
I saw Double Tap last weekend and was so happy to see the theatre jam-packed. I loved it! You're right, not as good as the original (but when are they?) but still worth the movie ticket, which is rare for me to say. I'll be buying it when it comes out and maybe, just maybe, go to see it again in the theatre.
If only they'd do a sequel to Shaun of the Dead. But I suppose that'd be a bit difficult. (Trying not to spoil it).
Elsie
Spacer Guy, we could be!
Elsie, rebooting that movie should be a crime.
Heath's portrayal of Joker was amazing, so I, too wasn't sure if I wanted to see the new version. Your recommendation is appreciated, so I'll check it out. Thanks.
we love Princess bride and fifth element, a lot. We are SyFy people so we pay attn what is coming out.
We are waiting for November.
Zombieland 2 and Joker......we're split for choice!
Have a great weekend, Alex.
Idk how they would do it but I want a sequel to The Fifth Element. Now I need to see Joker after your review. I didn't care before but I care now.
Welcome back! I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation. (Now, it's time to "rest up" from the vacation...)
I'd never really thought about what movies may have influenced my writing, but reading about Lynda's influences was fascinating. Made sense, too!
That's a brilliant definition of edititis, a malady we've all suffered from a time or two.
I loved Zombie Land 2. It was a nice distraction earlier in the week, and seemed the better alternative to Maleficent 2. To the writer of the high seas adventure, I applaud you climbing around on tall ships in the Sydney harbor. Oh how life must have been different when those were in use. It sounds like very fertile ground to explore via a YA novel, and reminds me (honestly) of these little boat docks I ordered off Etsy for some of my diorama sets that I build (a hobby) complete with a pirate ship.
I'm glad you had a great vacation.
Bits and pieces from classic comedy films (shorts as well as features) sometimes slip into my writing. My favorite film, The Inner Circle (1991), based on the memoirs of Stalin's film projectionist, was also a huge influence when I went back to my first Russian historical after several years away. I created my storylines with the orphanage girls because of that film.
I'm a huge fan of all the movies Elle/Lynda mentioned, especially The Princess Bride which is oft quoted in my family. I haven't been on vaca recently but am going to Florida in December to visit my mom. Hoping for nice weather...
I hope you enjoyed your vaca :)
Welcome back, Alex! I'm so glad that you enjoyed your vacation. Right now I'm enjoying being home. I'm not planning to go anywhere for the next two months, and that feels awesome. The books you featured by fellow IWSG writers look great. I recently finished Jacqui Murray's "Survival of the Fittest." (IWSG#37 WordDreams) ~ Brilliant! Enjoy your weekend!
Anyone who loves Aliens and Ghostbusters 1984 has got to be a cool person. We all know Lynda is.
We're proud of you, Lynda!
Blue
Congrats to Sandra! I am so happy for her! Thanks for the review on Joker! Still not sure if I want to see it! Big Hugs Alex!
Lynda R. Young claims influences which all appealed to me. I therefore got hold of the book straight away. Sounded good.
Glad you enjoyed your vacation Alex.
So this weekend there were a lot of spooky type movies on and among them were old movies. I LOVE zombie movies but was skeptical when I started watching the badly written 1968 movie: Night of the Living Dead. And it was blk and wht. I was prepared to be bored, but I was scared and nervous. I was pleased and watched it to the disturbing ending.
Teresa
I'd like to read Stone Man. I also like The Princess Bride, but haven't watched it in a long time. I'm influenced by family dramas and teacher movies.
Congratulations to the authors and thanks for sharing! I love that Aliens was an influencer for Wielder’s Prize. And yes, edititis is a bad--and it's reoccurring.
I'm looking forward to Double Tap!
Edititis. Hahahaha. It's good to see you Alex. I'm doing my best to get back into blogging. Great list of movies. I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation. I'm sure you needed it desperately!
My movie influences on my writing I would say range from Star Wars of the 70s to Hammer horror films of the '60s. Maybe that's just wishful thinking but I tend to lean toward the Gothic and famial inheritence and the nostalgic in my Sci fi and horror. I don't plan to see The Joker, at least not anytime soon. It sounds like it was well-written but it comes a bit too close to reality for it being based on a classic comic book villain. Also, for me the Joker is the kind of villain who is such an archetype for nightmarish insanity and evil that to demistify his character in a movie such as this would ruin the effect he has on many of the Batman stories.
I hope your vacation was enjoyable. It's great to have you back!
I am happy you had a wonderful vacation and I am happy you are back~ So, many morsels over here...I do want to see The Joker. I heard it is brilliant~
I want to see Zombieland Double Tap...I am glad it is funny~
Congrats, to Charles!!
Most of your ‘influences’ are too frightening for me, Alex, but I find the Pirates’ series so funny and love the films! 😊
I think Joker is a little too dark for me.
Have a great one.
Susan, November first?
PTM, Willis might be just a little too old now.
Carrie-Anne, I'll look for that one.
Blue, yes!
Teresa, the remake was also good.
Steven, it did fit with the Detective Comics Joker though. They got that right.
Great to have you back, hope you had a good break!
I've a suspicion that books influence me more than films. But that being said, Pirates... is one of my favourites in the list above. GWTW is another, a lot of the Hitchcock films too.
Edititis is way more preferable than sinusitis or any other -itis of the physical kind.
Great guest posts! :)
I'm looking forward to watching Zombieland, but I probably won't watch Joker. I don't enjoy dramas and my sis-in-law said that is what it is. But it's good that it was well done!
So that's what I have - edititis?
Glad you enjoyed your vacation - but also glad that you're back!
No vacays in the near future here. Glad you enjoyed yours.
Welcome back, Alex! Congrats to Elle/Lynda and Sandra!
Congrats to Elle and Sandra! Love those movie influences. And I do get edititis. I haven't gotten out to see Joker or Zombieland yet, but I took my son to see the new Addams Family movie. He liked it, but I wasn't a huge fan, even though it has several callbacks to the original TV show and the comic. Have a Happy Halloween! :)
Congratulations to Lynda. It was interesting to see her influences. I've only seen some of those movies, but I especially liked Princess Bride, too.
Haven't seen Zombieland. Just not a zombie girl. I did read Zombie Complex by Alexander Pain and thought it was hilarious. You might enjoy it.
I love The Princess Bride and The Dark Crystal. Wishing Elle the best of luck.
Wonderful to see Sandra here today. I have suffered from the same sickness. :) Wishing her all the best!
~Jess
Definitely would like to see Joker. Wielder's Prize is a great read so it was fun to get these insights from Lynda. Aliens I didn't see coming, but I can see what she's saying!
Interesting to see the movies that influenced her book!
Yes, edititis can occur again and again!
Glad you enjoyed your vacation, Alex!
I totally forgot that Double Tap had come out. Jeez...I need to catch up. Been way too out of touch.
Edititis. A new word for describing that compelling force to edit, edit, edit! So cleverly explained by Sandra Cox. Love her humor. And yes, I suffer from that malady too.
Congrats to Lynda. (I did not know her pen name!) Sounds like a winner!
Thanks again to all for the well wishes. Much appreciated.
Alex, hope your day was productive and that your evening is pleasant.
Good luck with Nano and your short story!
Wow! And I thought the star-nosed mole was weird. This is a strange and wonderful world.
Welcome back from vacation.
Joker. No I won't see stuff like that.
Tim and his buddy went to see it.
I happily did not go.
Although, I did see Double Tap.
Those are just fun movies, to me.
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