Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, What to Watch, 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 1 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Tonya Drecker, Bish Denham, Olga Godim, and JQ Rose!

March 1 question - Have you ever read a line in a novel or a clever plot twist that caused you to have author envy?

Not so much envy as admiration. Several Agent Pendergast (authors Preston and Child) have clever twists. Such as in Relic. (Spoiler alert.) The creature was originally human. Did not see that coming! And such brilliant writing. Yeah, I admire those guys.


We may not be doing anymore IWSG anthologies, but the IWSG Anthologies blog shall continue to rock on! The anthology authors and IWSG admins will continue to contribute to the site with some awesome articles. So don’t miss any!



What to Watch

Right now – not much! However…


Clarkson’s Farm, Season Two


Yes, Jeremy Clarkson is back and farming badly for a second season!

Right off the bat – he decides to give up the sheep and instead buys cows for a restaurant project that he’s not even gotten approval for from the city council. (Who by the way, hate all the traffic his farm shop and celebrity status have brought to the area.)

There’s the pole he runs into, the tractor on two wheels, badgers with TB, and impregnating cows. (Not that I saw that last one!) Plus Gerald, whom no one understands due to his thick accent. And of course his helper Kaleb who is a smart ass, but he does know his farming. Much, much more than Jeremy. Thus, the hilarity ensues.

Highly recommended!

March Movie Preview

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



3 –


Creed III
Director – Michael B. Jordan
Stars – Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors
Adonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.
Creed III making the bold assumption I even knew there was a Creed II.



10 –


65
Director – Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Stars – Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman
An astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he's not alone.
Does the Force work on dinosaurs?



17 –


Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Director – David F. Sandberg
Stars – Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu
The film continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word "SHAZAM!" is transformed into his adult Super Hero alter ego, Shazam.
Shazam family goes on road trip to fight evil gods – now, where’s the Winnebago?



24 –


John Wick: Chapter 4
Director – Chad Stahelski
Stars – Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard
John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Perhaps two hours and forty-nine minutes of Reeves shooting people in the head is a bit excessive?


31 –


Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Directors – John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Stars – Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Hugh Grant
A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people.
I hope this movie doesn’t roll a 1…


Something in a novel give you author envy? Watched Clarkson’s Farm? And which movies catch your eye for March?
Tune in next Monday when I have a special guest!


59 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

There are many occasions when I read a story and wish I had been clever enough to think of it. That goes for songwriting as well.

As you can tell by the series currently running at Shady's Place, I love dinosaurs. 65, with a story about being stranded on Earth 65 million years ago and encountering dangerous prehistoric creatures, looks like a fun adventure.

Enjoy the rest of your week and have a great month, good buddy Alex!

A Hundred Quills said...

Hi Alex. While I see clearly where this question leads us, I think it's hard to harbor an emotion like envy for someone you wouldn't know personally. I've wanted to be able to write like many of my favourites. Not sure if that would be envy. Thank you for the IWSG.
Sonia

Mary Aalgaard said...

I'm in constant envy of other authors and playwrights, especially the ones who can write a gripping mystery with plenty of plot twists.

Liza said...

Admiration. That's a nicer word than envy. I might add in "gratitude" for the entertainment. There is just nothing like reading a great book.

Cathrina Constantine said...

I also suffer from author envy, and like you said, I admire all those authors that I envy.

Have a great Week!

Bish Denham said...

So many authors have both inspired me and caused me to be a bit envious. Thanks for letting me co-host!

Donna K. Weaver said...

I noticed Farm show on the Amazon Video banner, but never checked it out. I'll have to do that now.

Jennifer Lane said...

When plot twists blow your mind, you know they're great. Creed II was excellent! I didn't know there is now a Creed III.

C.D. Gallant-King said...

That is a ridiculous crop of movies this month... I'm actually keeping my fingers crossed for the D&D movies (but don't have my hopes up), and I really like the first Shazam! movie. Plus, the Adam Driver looks stoopid, so it will probably be awesome...

PT Dilloway said...

When I read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (something like 9 times in about 15 years) I always admire his use of language. The same when I read Faulkner in high school. I'd like to be that good but I'm just not.

Creed 2 was OK with a lot of Rocky tie-ins but this doesn't sound like it has any of that--not even Stallone.

65 sounds like a Planet of the Apes thing only with dinosaurs. Too bad there won't be a Statue of Liberty for him to scream at.

I'm sure my sister and brother-in-law will watch the new John Wick but I gave up after the first one.

I'm not sure about the D&D movie but maybe it'll be better than previous attempts. Still, it sounds more like Vox Machina (season 2 of which I'm watching on Amazon) than an old-school fantasy story.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I love a clever plot twist - in books/stories and in movies. :)

Nick Wilford said...

Admiration is the right word to use. I always think my twists aren't clever enough but hey, you don't know how someone not in your head will perceive it.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi, Alex,
Yes, I too admire people who take words and weave them into beautiful stories, but I don't envy them.
Shalom shalom

Nancy Gideon said...

I confess - I've been a John Wick junkie ever since all that black pleather in the first one. I love a well done action movie and with Keenu, Donnie Yen (a chopsocky favorite!) and Bill Skarsgard I'll be in the theatre with greasy popcorn. Shazam and Creed, I'll catch on cable.

diedre Knight said...

Howdy, Captain!

Most good stories will have that one breathtaking line that sets up a riveting twist. I love it when that happens:-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Shady, I can think of several bands who have songs or whole concept albums that have written brilliant stories I wish I could write in book form - except they've already been done.

Bish, thanks for co-hosting.

Donna, you have to watch it!

CD, a group of are going to hit the D&D movie so hope it's good.

PT, be wild if there was the Statue of Liberty. And this D&D film has to be better than the one that came out thirty years ago!

Nick, well said!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I admire writers who have good lines, strong plots, and plot twists, but like you, I don't envy them. I appreciate that they write books I enjoy so much.

Beth Camp said...

Your comment about that Wicks' movie made me laugh out loud! I'll go prepared with two boxes of popcorn and a pillow! And thank you, as always, for being the reason why we connect every month. Your leadership means a lot to so many writers who don't have an easy connection to others in the writing community. Write on!

Diane Burton said...

Alex, I agree that the better word is admiration. You didn't mention the 3rd season of The Mandalorian. That's okay. I made up for it on Paranormal Romantics blog.

Birgit said...

Keanu Reeves can fall of a very tall building, hitting many objects along the way but, somehow, still survives to kill another day. I will watch this. I'm not sure about the others and I gave not seen this version of Green Acres but it sounds hilarious.
I like what you said about not being envious but admiring the twists in the novels. That's how I think too. Have s great day!

Tonja Drecker said...

Admiration is the better term. The kids will want to see Shazam, and it's about time I dove into the John Wick ones. They sound interesting.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Alex, clever plot twists always make me envious, making me wish I could write like that particular author.

cleemckenzie said...

I love it when a line or phrase catches my attention and makes me want to re-read it or think about it. Like you, I admire that kind of writing.

Is Keanu getting darker and darker as he matures?

Truedessa said...

Happy Wednesday! I am surprised that there will be no more anthologies. Is it too much work or not enough entries that helped sway this decision?

Talking about great lines! There are some great ones from movies that we all have embedded in our brains. Perhaps, that might be good for a post. Favorite movie line.

What would yours be?

Computer Tutor said...

Great question, Alex. Often, readers tend to populate one side, a few on the other. This question has an equal amount on both sides--and I find myself persuaded by all.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nancy, looks like you will get your John Wick for as long as Keanu can do the action.

Beth, thank you!

Diane, yes, third season is coming!

Tonja, prepare for violence overload.

Lee, he might be!

Truedessa, tons of entries! Just a lot of work for everyone.

Olga Godim said...

I want to watch Dungeons & Dragons. No expectations though.

J E Oneil said...

Two hours and forty nine minutes??? I am greatly concerned that you are not exaggerating for comedic effect. I don't think the John Wick movies are bad, but... "Excessive" is putting it mildly.

Jemima Pett said...

Is that an official announcement of no more IWSG Anthologies or did I miss something? (always possible...)

Love the idea of that Agent Prendergast twist - must seek them out.

And can I thank Bish and Diedre for cohosting today via you? Diedre I forgot when I visited, and have to limit my typing at present, and Bish needs a Google sign-in to comment, and Google won't let me sign in on some blogs these days, although I'm already signed in, as with you. I know... it's ridiculous.

Jemima

Mary Kirkland said...

I love the John Wick movies so I'm looking forward to that one.

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Admiration. The better answer for this month's question. Thanks, Alex. Ooo...some gritty movies coming out, huh? Thanks for all you do, sir, to help your fellow writer. All best to you!

Sandra Cox said...

Ooh. Ooh. I hear you on Preston and Child. The Pendergast series is amazing, isn't it? I got some author envy/admiration going on there too:)

Fundy Blue said...

It's fun to see how many other members chose the word "admiration." I was sad when I realized there might not be more IWSG anthologies, but I was happy to see that we're going to keep the blog going. Movies? I haven't been to the theatre since before the pandemic. Now that my eyes have improved a lot, I'm going to be able to drive myself to the movie theatre and see movies again. I haven't watched Clarkson's Farm, but I am a "Homestead Rescue" junkie. Have a great time today!

Carol Kilgore said...

I think admiration is a great word for how I feel too.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm with you on the admiration, not envy!
My husband is enjoying Clarkson's Farm as well :)

Toi Thomas said...

Too bad about the anthologies. I always really enjoy those.
My husband loves Clarkson’s Farm
I'm not terribly excited about the movies coming out right now, but I'll still probably watch some of them.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JE, it really is that long. Too long for me.

Jemima, sorry you have issues logging in. We are done wit anthologies for now.

Victoria, thank you!

Sandra, you get it!

Jemi, it's just so funny!

Toi, we watched the last one the other night and it was very sad. We want more!

Denise Covey said...

Hi Alex. You've read about my plot-twist envy. It's a real thing. Some writers are geniusus.

Loni Townsend said...

I can't wait for Dungeons & Dragons! It looks like such fun.

Wow. I hadn't known you all were discontinuing the anthologies. I guess I should keep up on the news more.

talklady said...

Thanks, as always, for inventing and perpetuating this blog hop. Sorry I couldn't participate this month - jet lag is gruesome. Though the two-week vacation was sublime, I haven't caught up with the writer life yet!

Mega author envy, yet I plod on -

Liz A. said...

I have not heard of that series. I am looking for something to watch. I'm currently caught up on pretty much everything I watch, sigh.

Yolanda Renée said...

65 anything with dinosaurs, of course! :) Can't wait.

I agree, admiration is how I feel when I read a great author. Steven King, Margarett Mitchell, etc. So many!

kimlajevardi.com said...

Admiration is a better word for it.

jabblog said...

Admire, aspire but don't attempt to copy. Individuality is necessary in all things.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I haven't watched Clarkson's Farm, but I'll have to check it out.

Lynn La Vita said...

Hi Alex,
I apologize for my late start for me this month. I admire Lee Child's writing style.

After a bit of research I learned the Agent Pendergast series is co-written with a different Child.

The character, Special Agent Pendergast is over the top with unique expertise and accomplishments. A must read, for sure.

Lynn La Vita

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Loni, we really hadn't announced it formally, so you didn't miss it.

PJ, no worries!

Jabblog, exactly.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

65 sounds like it might be good. The first Shazaam movie didnt look that good to me so didnt bother seeing it. However, this one sounds like it may be good. I'm kind of a Shazaam fan though as much as I am a Bat fan.

Arlee Bird said...

Seems like we have a consensus concerning author admiration as opposed to envy. So far all the posts I've read have a similar perspective. That's a good thing.

"John Wick" for nearly 3 hours excessive? Maybe a 4th chapter is excessive.

Lee

J.Q. Rose said...

I really believe I could widen my movie-watching horizons with these movies. Not interested in Creed. Sadly I don't have amazon prime--Hey, we seniors can go to a movie and sit in cushy leather recliners for $5. But that farming movie is right up my husband's alley. "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy." Sorry..just had to add that.

Rhonda Albom said...

First off - YES to author envy, but to the point that it often stops me from working on fiction writing.

As for what to watch, Farm 2 sounds right up my alley. Too bad we don't have Amazon. And, I am sure my daughter, who loves D&D will be into that last movie.

Sandra Cox said...

I haven't seen Clarkson's Farm. Sounds fun.

Susan Kane said...

We have not been out to a movie in ages. Covid last May set the tone for the rest of the year. ONe thing or another made it hard to get back to our movie going. Almost all are ones that we would enjoy.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

They all look okay, but I think I'm ready for a chick flick.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Steven, we just re-watched the first Shazam. It is a great film! Similar to Ant-Man, it's got a lot of humor to it.

JQ and Rhonda, Clarkson's Farm is awesome.

Janet Alcorn said...

Admiration is closer to how I feel than envy--and a much more positive way to look at the great work of others.

I'm sorry to hear there won't be another IWSG anthology.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I came across this introductory sentence from a refugee who came over the Channel in a rickety boat ... 'Before I died, I contemplated how drowning would feel.' I will be writing about the book and the author in due course. I cannot get to grips with Clarkson ... rather self-promoting - butI guess if you're in that profession then you need to self-promote. Cheers Hilary

Annalisa Crawford said...

Jeremy Clarkson has done a lot with that programme to highlight the plight of farmers in the UK.

There are a couple of authors who leave me wondering if I have any talent at all. Luckily, I'm stubborn and thick-skinned, so I usually talk myself around!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Definitely admiration.

The D&D movie looks like great fun. I hope.