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 May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!
May 7 question - Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?
I guess lack of talent weighs on my most. For those who don’t know, I am the author of five books, a short story, contributor to numerous anthologies, and several magazine articles. And while I was really nervous the first couple of books, the last ones weigh on me the most. For better or for worse, my first two books sold huge. Four digits worth for many months. The others have not lived up to that success. Which bums me out as the next books were far better. So, I wonder if I was ever a decent writer.
And if you are curious, these are my books:
CassaDawn (free short story)
CassaStar
CassaFire
CassaStorm
CassaDark
Dragon of the Stars
We need co-hosts for July 2, August 6, and September 3. Anywhere from three to five co-hosts for each month. If you can help out, leave a comment or shoot me an email. Remember, it’s a ton of fun on the host side!
Movie Reviews
Companion
Directed by Drew Hancock and starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, and Harvey Guillen..
Begins with a group of friends gathering at a remote luxury cabin, and when one of them accidentally kill another, things get interesting.
I can’t give away too much and the less you know about it going in, the better the experience. What sets this apart from the obvious is the unique direction the film takes. It’s a mix of mystery and thriller, with a dose of drama and a dash of horror. Who is really more human and decent?
This one surprised me. I definitely recommend watching it.
Havoc
On Netflix, directed by Gareth Evans (who also wrote it) and staring Tom Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker.
A messed-up detective, in a messed-up web of corruption, has to rescue a politician’s messed-up son.
I used messed-up a lot because that pretty much defines this film.
The action scenes are great. They really kick in during the second half of the film and are very impressive.
The problem lies with the writing. It’s a good story idea, just not well executed. (And since the writer was also the director, you would think he would’ve looked around and asked the actors if any of it made sense. I guarantee they would’ve said no.) So the story line is convoluted and challenging to follow.
If you like action films, give it a shot and keep your expectations very low.
May Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for May. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
2 –
Thunderbolts
Director: Jake Schreier
Stars: Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
Thunderbolts are go!
9 –
Clown in a Cornfield
Director: Eli Craig
Stars: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac
A fading midwestern town in which Frendo the clown, a symbol of bygone success, reemerges as a terrifying scourge.
All I can think about is MST3K…Kitten with a Whip! Puppy with Nunchucks! Dik-dik with Brass Knuckles!
15 –
The Lost Princess
Director Hicham Hajji
Stars: Eric Roberts, Robert Knepper, Cillian O'Sullivan
A Billionaire discovers his true destiny after stumbling upon a haunted castle and fights to protect the castle's legacy.
I watched the trailer and just like the princess, I am lost…
23 –
Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Vanessa Kirby, Janet McTeer
Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning.
At this point, the tagline should be Ethan Hunt has fallen and he can’t get up.
30 –
Karate Kid Legends
Director: Jonathan Entwistle
Stars: Joshua Jackson, Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio
After kung fu prodigy Li Fong relocates to New York City, he attracts unwanted attention from a local karate champion and embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition with the help of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso.
Kid moves to new city, is bullied, and competes in a Karate tournament. Sound familiar?
What are some of your fears as a writer? Have you seen either movie? What movies might you go see this month?
And can you co-host this summer?
And can you co-host this summer?
