Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Insecure Writer's Support Group and March 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 March 2 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!

March 2 question - Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

You know, I never have. Must be my moral compass, but everything has lined up with what I wanted to convey. I can’t think of any added scene that was an issue, either. Usually I'm so busy adding stuff to my bare-bones manuscripts to even notice if I'm conflicted. It was once suggested I needed to add stronger curse words, but that's something I just couldn't ever do.

We are good with co-hosts in April, but we need three more for May, two more for June, and three more for July. Let me know if you are up for the challenge and some fun!

March Movie Preview

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



4 –


The Batman
When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city's hidden corruption and question his family's involvement.
Director: Matt Reeves
Stars: Zoë Kravitz, Robert Pattinson, Barry Keoghan, Paul Dano
Let’s hope Batman doesn’t sparkle…



18 –


Unwelcome
Londoners Maya and Jamie who escape their urban nightmare to the tranquility of rural Ireland only to discover malevolent, murderous goblins lurking in the gnarled, ancient wood at the foot of their new garden.
Director: Jon Wright
Stars: Hannah John-Kamen, Douglas Booth, Colm Meaney, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell
You had me at malevolent, murderous goblins...



25 –


The Lost City
A reclusive romance novelist on a book tour with her cover model gets swept up in a kidnapping attempt that lands them both in a cutthroat jungle adventure.
Directors: Aaron Nee | Adam Nee
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe
Guess they hope no one remembers Romancing the Stone...



Have you ever been conflicted? Can you co-host in May, June, or July? Seeing any of those movies?
One month until CassaDark is released! Let the nerves kick in…



100 comments:

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Thanks for the movie reviews, Alex. As always, they're very appreciated. Happy IWSG Wednesday.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - another IWSG Wednesday ... they do rock around don't they. No films yet - still being wary about the main stream cinema. Good luck with Cassa Dark and its release ... Cheers Hilary

Shannon Lawrence said...

Romancing the Stone was exactly what the preview for Lost City reminded me of! It looks funny and horribly stupid, so of course I'll watch it. I hadn't heard of the goblin one, so will have to check that out.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

One month until release? Wow and Congratulations!!! !! Very exciting. I need to preorder Cassa Dark.

I DO remember Romancing the Stone. Loved it. I will be watching Lost City because I watch all Sandra Bullock movies even if it's a bad one. And there was one....

Teresa

Liza said...

It's good that you stick to what feels right for you. Hooray for your pending release!

Jennifer Hawes said...

I hope Batman doesn't sparkle...I'm dying! I can't help but wonder how this will turn out.

Kalpana said...

Unwelcome looks like the most attractive of those movies. Malevolent, murderous goblins...yummy.
Adding curse words?! Hmmm that's interesting - I empathise, I couldn't add a lot of those either.

Donna K. Weaver said...

The Lost City looks like a fun remake of Romancing the Stone.

A Hundred Quills said...

Hi Alex. Wow, you never faced conflicts while writing! I face a lot of those. Thank you for the reviews.
-Sonia

Jennifer Lane said...

I am way too in love with curse words, ha ha! Happy writing.

Cathrina Constantine said...

No conflicts in your writing is a good thing!

As soon as I saw the trailer for The Lost City, I was immediately reminded of Romancing the Stone, which was a good movie.

Alex, I'm available for any of those months to co-host.

Jemi Fraser said...

I stick with my moral compass when writing too. Not including anything that makes me uncomfortable.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that you follow your moral compass and don't write what you're not comfortable with. I'd be glad to co-host as many additional times as you need me to. Just let me know which months you need the help.

Tonja Drecker said...

The 'malevolent, murderous goblins' made an immediate 'I want to see this' in my head, too. And wow, that release is coming up fast! Huge congrats!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hilary, if I could survive the crowds last December for Spider-Man, I can survive anything. The Batman is next!

Teresa, she probably had more than one. And thanks!

Cathrina, thanks!

Thanks, Natalie!

Thanks, everyone!

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Is it... is it normal for novelists to go on vacation with their cover model?

I think I've been doing this wrong...

Carol Kilgore said...

There are only a few lines I won't cross while writing, but anything I do include must fit the story and the characters. I know there's a problem if the scene doesn't flow right on the page. Sometimes it's because of POV or attitude. Other times it's because it's not needed in the story. It's up to me to figure it out. That's the kind of conflicts I have. Sometimes I can figure it out right away. Other times I have to rewrite a few times before I figure out whether to keep it. The best outcome is walking away for a few minutes and coming back knowing that I was headed down the wrong path and need to go in a different direction.

Nick Wilford said...

I look forward to CassaDark as a refresher on your world! It's a while since I read the Cassa books. No point shoehorning in unnecessary cursing if it doesn't fit.

Chemist Ken said...

My wife is always ready to see a movie because of the popcorn. We'll probably see The Batman and The Lost City. I mean, how bad can they be? I survived Falling Moon. I can survive anything with enough popcorn.

Count me in for co-hosting whenever you need me.

Melissa said...

I'm looking forward to CassaDark.

You can pencil me in as a IWSG co-host for May.

Janet Alcorn said...

"Let’s hope Batman doesn’t sparkle…" almost made me spit out my Diet Pepsi. Blahahahahaha!

I loved Romancing the Stone and malevolent, murderous goblins, so I might have to see all three of these.

I'm happy to co-host anytime, so feel free to slot me in wherever you need me.

Mary Aalgaard said...

The Lost City looks funny, even though it also appears to be a remake of Romancing the Stone, which was also funny.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

One more month!

Batman better not sparkle.

Nancy Gideon said...

Went to see Uncharted with Tom Holland as young Nathan Drake in the theatre. My son and I were the only ones there. Very fun in an Indy Jones way. The best part was Mark Walberg and the cat. The movies on your list I've added to my watch at home agenda since popcorn is now too expensive except for special screenings.

Be happy to co-hosting in any of your listed months. Let me know . . .

Pat Hatt said...

Good to stick to your morals indeed. I can curse just fine though lol but not excessively.

Hopefully there are no large bat nipples either.

Joanne said...

I'd say you've found your perfect zone and it's successful. That's very lucky for a writer. I've done more flash fiction - keep it short, less need for protracted conflict. Whew!
Love your Twilight ref for The Batman - ha!!!

Sadira Stone said...

I can't wait to see The Lost City, an unabashed rehashing of/tribute to Romancing the Stone. I read that, when confronted with the similarity between the two films, Sandra Bollock said something along the lines of, "I know. Isn't it great?" We seem to be living in the era of remakes. Maybe, in these troubled times, we're all feeling nostalgic? Happy writing in March, Cap'n!

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

I think we have enough Batman iterations to last the next 50 years or so. No one has matched Adam West's campy portrayal, IMO. Unwelcome will be very welcome on my TV screen when it becomes available. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorites, so I'll be hunting for The Lost City.

Thanks for the reviews, good buddy Alex, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Lynn La Vita said...

Hi Alex,
My hope is when I'm writing, more than once a month, my flow will be just as natural as yours.
Thanks for keeping me in the game through IWSG monthly blog hop.
Lynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

CD, you have indeed!

Carol, a little distance always helps.

Thanks, Nick!

Ken, thanks!

Melissa, appreciate it.

Janet, glad you are enjoying it today!

Nancy, thanks. And outside of Spider-Man, most of the shows I've seen have been mostly empty as well.

Pat, you had to put that in my brain...

Sadira, well, if Sandra is all right with it...

Shady, this one is supposed to be dark like the Nolan films.

Kim Elliott said...

I need to rewatch Romancing the Stone! It’s been years. I’ll definitely check out the new copycat too.
Oh man, your Batman comment! I’m trying to reserve judgment on that casting choice, but it’s hard to picture Rob Pat as the caped crusader.
I’m fairly new to the blog hop. What is involved in being a host?

diedre Knight said...

Howdy, Captain!

I recently watched a preview for The Lost City and have vowed to see it ;-)
You must be so excited about the upcoming release of CassaDark - congratulations!
I once had two editors with completely opposite opinions as to the timing of a particular subject matter. As if time could alter the outcome, I thought. What the passage of time did do, however (because I did shelve it for a while), was allow healing and fresh perspectives on both sides of the issue. I'm glad I waited.
Have a terrific month!

cleemckenzie said...

Cursing is highly overrated, and when it's gratuitous, I close the book or switch to another program on the TV. Glad you stick with your convictions.

Congratulation again on your new release.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
That's great news to hear Alex. Not all writers can say that.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Diane Burton said...

The Lost City sounds like a good movie. I'll look for it. As always, thanks for setting up IWSG. I'm always happy to be a cohost. dmburton72@gmail.com

talklady said...

Hi Alex - thanks for rocking the group with your movie reviews and for creating a group to which insecure writers can cling!

I can co-host in May or June or July, whatever you need. Pleased to be a part!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'm kind of wondering if I'll even bother to go and see "The Batman." I've kind of got Batman fatigue. I think I may sit this one out, which seems weird of me to say given that I like comic book movies so much.

kjmckendry said...

I'm sure it will be cheesy but I'm looking forward to Lost City. I think the Sandra Bullock-Channing Tatum combo will be adorably funny!
I think I can co-host June!

Sherry Ellis said...

I haven't experienced much conflict in deciding whether or not to write a scene. Like you, I have more problems with having enough content.

The Lost City sounds good. May check that one out.

Olga Godim said...

The Lost City sounds wonderful. The cast is certainly excellent. I wouldn't mind a reiteration of Romancing the Stone. With Sandra Bullock, no less.

Jemima Pett said...

Hi Alex.I think the scene I mention on my blog this month is the only time I've been conflicted about a scene. Most of them sort of write themselves. Maybe it's the scientist background :)
Romancing the Stone revisited eh? No, the target audience will have no knowledge of it :)
Good luck with CassaDark :)

Birgit said...

Congrats on your new release...you must be excited. As for conflicted...I was in my post today since I decided not to use "Springtime For Hitler" considering what is happening in Ukraine. Putin needs to go. These movies...I'm not sure if this latest Batman won't cry when he gets a booboo on his finger. Bad goblins? Nope...not for me. The last flick sounds like a fun one but very much like Romancing The Stone.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Kim, I will send you an email later! It's easy and fun.

Diedre, waiting is sometimes best.

Diane, thanks!

PJ, appreciate it!

Michael, JoBlo gave it a 10! No way I'm missing it.

Sherry, exactly!

Jemima, good point - most people won't know that movie exists.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm sure many of your readers appreciated the fact that you didn't add stronger curse words.
My mom drilled in my head as a kid to never use the word ain't. To this day I have problems using it:) In one of my sentences my proofer insisted I change the correct word to ain't and she's an English instructor. Heh.

PT Dilloway said...

One time I cut some scenes from a story because an agent called it "too far out." Of course the agent did not pick up the book after I made the changes, but they were probably for the better.

The Lost City seems like something I would watch if it were on Hulu or Amazon or some other streaming service for no additional charge, but I wouldn't pay money to watch it.

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo on CassaDark! And I, as one reader, greatly appreciate the lack of "stronger curse words."

So yes, I not only remember Romancing the Stone, I can recite most of it, sort of like the Rocky Horror Picture Show cult. I'll definitely watch The Lost City, because I love Sandra Bullock. And if it's terrible, what a great excuse to spend an evening drinking wine and ripping yet another horrible remake!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Awesome ad in Publisher's Weekly. I'm excited for you, Alex.
Congratulations again and again.
Be well, friend.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

PS Er, quote from Publisher's Weekly. Awesome ads by Dancing Lemur!

Patsy said...

There's a sex scene in one of my novels. I was conflicted over writing that! What persuaded me was the realisation the story would have been weaker without it.

Liz A. said...

When I saw ads for The Lost City, the first thing I thought of was Romancing the Stone. I guess for those of a certain age, that would be the first thought. Alas, we're not in the majority, so the youngers won't get the reference.

J.Q. Rose said...

I always enjoy your movie announcements and some snarky comments...Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actors.

Batman again????

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sandra, I'll never use that word either.

PT, crappy that happened. And I'm not paying money for that film either.

Lee, you're welcome, and that made me chuckle.

Robyn, it is exciting!

Patsy, sometimes it works!

Computer Tutor said...

Count me in, Alex. Any of those dates.

Fundy Blue said...

I can't wait for your book to come out, Alex! It will be fun to read. If you need someone to co-host in June, let me know. I am usually able to help. I'll be in Nova Scotia in July and busy in May. Thanks for the movie reviews! Enjoy your day!

Samantha Bryant said...

It's best to listen to your inner voice and vision for these things, I think. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm not a big fan of Batman, but The Lost City looks like fun.

S.E. White Books said...

Happy IWSG day! If you're still looking for a co-host in May or June I can volunteer.

Can't even explain how happy the idea of The Lost City makes me. It looks hilarious, and I have zero problem with re-doing Romancing the Stone. Why not? It was great the first time and the second take looks like a ton of fun. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actors to watch, too. Sign me up. Cautiously optimistic about The Batman. The twilight movies did Rob dirty, I'm interested to see what he can do with some real writing.

Steph W. said...

That is awesome, I know you are excited!

mail4rosey said...

Batman is the one I am most looking forward to seeing. I always like the DC and Marvel movies. :)

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congrats on CassaDark's pending release!

J Lenni Dorner said...

The Batman should be interesting. Congrats on the book coming out!
Hope you're having a great day! My latest blog post has my theme for the April #AtoZChallenge (I'm writing speculative fiction and looking for prompts).
At Operation Awesome we have the #PassOrPages query contest going on (friends or enemies to lovers Romance).
Looks like I'll be very busy the next few weeks!
March quote: "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." - Mark Twain

Jenni said...

I'm looking forward to Lost City. The trailer reminded me of Romancing the Stone, which is a plus for me.
If you still need a co-host for July, I can do it.

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

A wonderful and amusing reply, Alex. Keep writing in that carefree fashion! Carole.

G. B. Miller said...

I've had some moral conflicts back in the day with one particular manuscript I was working, but the conflict got to be too much to ignore, so I stopped working on the story. Sad to say, no more conflict, although I did love the premise of the story. Just not the nitty-gritty to get there.

Congrats on your upcoming release. Sometimes, a good series never really goes away, does it? It just stays dormant until the need for a triumphant return arises.

H. R. Sinclair said...

I've never been conflicted either. I've know where I want to go (even if I'm not sure how to get there.) :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Jacqui!

Fundy, appreciate both!

SE, thanks. I think we might be covered now.

Rosey, same here!

J, and in April, you will be really busy.

Jenni, thanks!

GB, thanks, I will look at it that way.

John Wiswell said...

Good hearing from you, Alex! I'm certainly curious about the new Batman movie. I'd read that 45 days after the theatrical release it'll drop on HBO Max, so I'll probably for wait for that.

Lisa said...

I want to see Lost City! Also, I can co-host in May if you still need May people... Just let me know!

J E Oneil said...

I still can't tell if The Batman is going to be good or not.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

I try keeping extreme curse words out of my stories where they have no need to be and so where they don't enhance the story or character. I have my Hopes for the upcoming Batman movie yet my doubts about it. It may be one I'll have to hold off on until it comes out on video. Now the one about the goblins sounds like it could be neat, I may go see that one.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Still watching on the small screens only, look forward to getting back to proper theatres...hopefully sometime this year?

Best of luck with Cassa Dark!

Jean Davis said...

Please don't let Batman sparkle. Please.

Good luck with your upcoming book release!

Al Penwasser said...

I'm looking forward to "The Batman." I'm a little skeptical about Robert Pattinson, but then again I was skeptical about Heath Ledger. And he was the best Joker IMO.

Gwen Gardner said...

No scene conflicts with me either. Everything I write is too lighthearted for that. I will throw a "bloody hell" into the mix on occassion though. LOL.

Nicole Pyles said...

That's awesome you stick with your moral compass!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

John, means I get to watch it again!

Lisa, thanks!

JE, JoBlo gave it ten out of ten.

Al, he was! Although the following two also did a good job.

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Don't laugh, Alex (I'm sitting here with a silly grin om my face) but I recently discovered the 1950's are now officially classified as history and I was born in the 1930's...

Sandra Cox said...

Doesn't sparkle. Heh. I am anxious to see Pattinson playing Batman.

Mark said...

Getting close to your release date. Let me know if you need nay shout out when it comes out! :)

Cherie Colyer said...

I can't think of a time I was conflicted. But I haven't added anything to my books that I wasn't comfortable with. We probably have similar moral compasses. :-)

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Ha - I remember Romancing the Stone. :)

Truedessa said...

A great cover for CassaDarK - The countdown begins...wishing you a peaceful week.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

The Lost City sounds fun, but I hope that they don't make the writer a spazzy quirky mess as most movies portray us as--or obsessive about "ideas". lol :P

Andrew Leon said...

Hey, I like Romancing the Stone!

Mary Kirkland said...

My daughter and her friend went to watch The Batman last night and they both said it was so boring they they decided to leave before it ended.

I still plan on watching it at some point.

Yolanda Renée said...

Missed this one, but decided not to publish late either. I'll catch the next post. A busy life with too much going but had to take time to realize my situation means nothing in the larger aspect of the world. How to proceed? On prayer and with hope!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Congrats on the new book!

It's okay to remake Romancing the Stone as many times as they remake Spider Man. LOL.

Denise Covey said...

All the best for your upcoming release, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lost, oh my!

Mark, appreciate it!

Andrew, that's just it - we already have a great movie like this.

Mary, the horror! I thought it was great.

Yolanda, no worries - I understand.

Elizabeth, touche!

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for another great hop.
I'm excited about The Batman but if I miss it in the theater, I'll be okay watching it on streaming.
The Lost City looks funny but it does remind me of Romancing the Stone, but maybe that's the point.
I'm so excited for the rest of the world to enjoy CassaDark.

Murees Dupè said...

Hey, Alex. I hope you are still doing well. I've experienced the self sensoring demon many times. There were certain scenes, for my second book, I had a fear of adding to the final manuscript. But luckilly I had a sudden thought of "so what if people read "this" , or "that" scene?" In truth, I haven't heard, or talked to anyone who thought certain scenes were too graphic, which had been a big concern. I think those things we feel afraid of is mostly our own fear or sensitivity... But one does get braver with time. At least i think I did. Keep well.

Carrie-Anne said...

I used to write curse words, in my longhand manuscripts and then when transcribing them, by keyboard symbols. It took awhile for me to feel comfortable typing those words out, though I now realize I severely overused them in my Atlantic City books in the past. Strong words lose their shock value when they appear over and over on every single page. If they only appear (in English or any other language) a few well-chosen times throughout a book, they make more of an impact.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Toi, thanks! And you won't have to wait long to see The Batman streaming.

Carrie-Anne, yes they do.

Susan Kane said...

We have mixed reviews from friends for Batman. We will see it this p.m.

Sandra Cox said...

Put me anywhere you need me:)

mail4rosey said...

Okay, we saw Batman. My teen said it's the best one yet. I'm not sure about that, but I did enjoy it, start to finish. And that car!!!! Wowza!

Sandra Cox said...

It's almost release day.....

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Me, Me!!! Add me to your list of help. Whatever you need shared, I'll share it.

Deniz Bevan said...

Off to pre-order my copy!
If there's still a spot available for July, I'd love to be a co-host!

DMS said...

I have been conflicted sometimes- but usually just trying to decide if something is right for a MG book or not. :)
~Jess