News to the Page, Goodbye Dear Tina, Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja News

I have the awesome Julie Musil here today!

I also have a special tribute to a dear blogger buddy who is no longer with us…

From the News to the Page

I remember the moment when inspiration struck for my latest YA release, The Summer of Crossing Lines. I was watching the local Los Angeles news. A small white pickup truck led police on a high speed chase, and by the end of the chase, two teens were splayed out on the freeway. Spotlights shone down on them as cops moved in. A cache of weapons had been found in their truck.

My writer brain went into overdrive. That news event became a major scene in my book.

How can authors steal “ripped from the headlines” events and make them story-worthy? Try asking these questions:

Who are these people?
How old are they?
Where did they get those weapons/bruises/ratty shoes/extra children?
What led them to that point in their lives?
What happens next?

Once we’ve brainstormed intriguing answers to these questions, we can take a regular news article and build an entire story around it. If you’re watching a crazy news event you may first wonder, Who in the heck would do that? and then you could think, My character, that’s who.

Have you ever based a story on a real-life news event? Which one? Did you add it to the beginning, middle or ending of your book?

Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her YA novels The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire are available now. For more information, or to stop by and say Hi, please visit Julie on her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
Find The Summer of Crossing Lines on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.

Ninja News

Today’s Themes that Rocked the Challenge features Rhonda Albom who posted AmaZing Photos from around the world. Check it out at the A to Z Blog.

Found a cool site called Book Goodies and already have CassaStorm listed. (Still need to fill out the interview.) But I think it’s something a lot of you guys could benefit from using, so check it out.

Michael Di Gesu is putting together an anthology to benefit Melissa Bradley and Gilda's Club Chicago, an organization that helps women fight cancer. See his site for details. You can also click on the big button in my right sidebar to donate directly to Melissa.

Out now in print and eBook – A Sawmill’s Hope by David Silexare

Sean McLachlan got to attend the seventy-second world science fiction convention, WorldCon. He shared this photo and you can see many more and read about WorldCon in his article at Blackgate.

Out now – The Real Thing by Cassie Mae

80’s Trivia Answers

1 – What city did the LA Clippers move from in 1984? San Diego
2 – This band’s debut single was Goodbye to You. Scandal
3 – This famous actor played Chris in the soap opera Another World. Brad Pitt
4 – This MLB manager managed a National League (Phillies) and an American League (Indians) team in the same season. Pat Corrales
5 – Robert De Niro said the line ‘Sarrano’s got the disks’ in what movie? Midnight Run
6 – Comedian Sam Kinison released a remake of what Trogg’s song? Wild Thing

Goodbye Dear Friend

Many of you saw this on Sunday – we lost a very dear member of the blogging community on Saturday, Tina Downey. She was a huge part of the A to Z Challenge Team and her blog was called Life is Good because she really believed it. Tina experienced some health challenges this year - you can read what happened at her blog.

What I want to share isn’t what Tina did or even who she was to everyone online. Many of you knew her and realized how much she touched the lives of others. She leaves behind kids and a husband, and I can't imagine the pain they are enduring. I could not go on without my wife. But that's not what I want to share.

What I want to share is what Tina meant to me.

Tina was more than a friend. She was like a sister. She was the rock of stability. Within the A to Z Team, I always said Tina was the one who held us together. Which is why it’s so hard to think that glue is gone. Her wit and whimsy are silent. Never again will I get a long, snarky, no-holds-barred email from Tina, one that makes me chuckle for hours afterwards. Right now it feels like a really deep void. I’ve lost blogger buddies in the past, but this time is the worst.

I’ll make it no secret I loved and adored Tina, and I shed tears for her and her family this weekend. She told me once that I was as real to her if not more so than any real-world friend, and I felt the same way about her. If I had to count the blogger friends on one hand whom I trusted as the dearest friends on earth, Tina would've been one of those people.

I know you’re with the Lord now, Tina, but I am really, really going to miss you. I hope your family leaves your blog in place so we can continue to enjoy the wonderful stories you shared over the years. I promise to keep giving my all to the A to Z Team, although I am certainly no super glue. Not like Super Tina.

You’ll always rock, Tina. And we’ll meet again one day.




Have you based a story on real life events? Can you contribute to the cancer anthology? Get any of the trivia right? Did you know Tina? Feel free to share your thoughts here...

Due to Labor Day, I won’t be posting again until September 3 for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I hope you’ll stop by then, as we have an incredible announcement for our three year anniversary.

RiffTrax – Godzilla, 80’s Trivia, Women’s Bodies, Monuments Men Review, and Ninja News

RiffTrax!

I hit the road Thursday night to see a live broadcast of the RiffTrax guys tackling 1998’s Godzilla. And as always, it was worth it!

It’s not a truly awful film, but it was incredibly cheesy. Some of the effects don’t hold up well, either. And no, that was definitely NOT Godzilla. (Although the babies did look a lot like velociraptors.)

If you’re a fan of RiffTrax (or Mystery Science Theater 3000) it’s a lot of fun going to see one of these films on the big screen. They do a live performance at one theater and broadcast it to many others across the US. Being surrounded by other fans while Mike, Kevin, and Bill make fun of the film is an incredible experience.

They also show slides before it begins – enjoy!

Ninja News

This Wednesday at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site is the amazing Angela Ackerman! You don’t want to miss it.

Author Sean McLachlan is having a sale – on August 18-19, Radio Hope will be only $2.99 on Amazon and Scavengers is free August 18 at Amazon.

Check out the book trailer for Loni Townsend’s 38 Seconds at her site!

Snatched in Gullybrook by Kim Van Sickler is out now.

Fight the Beard of White by Pat Hatt is available.

Milo James Fowler’s latest short science fiction story is out, Memory Lane. You can purchase it on Amazon OR to get a free copy, sign up for his newsletter, The Crew.

Next Ninja blogfest – Underrated Treasures Blogfest
On Monday, September 22, post about your favorite unknown –
MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK
Post about one or all four – dealer’s choice!
Sign up HERE


Last Monday was Father Dragon Al’s birthday! I’d volunteered to go pillage and plunder with him, but there were stipulations…

Women’s Bodies

Stephanie Faris posted about the trend in a women’s body image, which included skinny ankles and the thighs not touching. After I left my comment (where I stated I preferred healthy curves) the truth of the matter hit me.

Men don’t care!

We don’t care if your thighs touch. We aren’t measuring ankles. Yes, looks are what attracts us to a woman, but it’s more about does she have a pretty face and some nice shapely curves. And after that, is she a nice person and fun to be around. (Because if not, that negates the physical stuff.)

So ignore the media, ladies. We don’t care.

Hope that clears things up.

Movie Review

The Monuments Men
A group is tasked with rescuing stolen artwork from the Nazis during World War II.
An interesting aspect of history, although don’t go expecting historical accuracy.
The plot was all right, although non-existent at times, and the pacing occasionally glacial. There were some good and funny scenes, just nothing coalescent enough to make a great movie.
See it for the cast, because they got some great actors for the roles.
Worth a NetFlix rental.

Trivia Time!

80’s trivia – enjoy!

1 – What city did the LA Clippers move from in 1984?

2 – This band’s debut single was Goodbye to You.

3 – This now famous actor played Chris in the soap opera Another World.

4 – This MLB manager managed a National League (Phillies) and an American League (Indians) team in the same season.

5 – Robert De Niro said the line ‘Sarrano’s got the disks’ in what movie?

6 – Comedian Sam Kinison released a remake of what Trogg’s song?

Answers next Monday!

Anyone else seen a RiffTrax movie in the theater? Picking up new books? Signed up for the blogfest? Seen The Monuments Men? Know any of the trivia? And what’s your thoughts on women’s bodies? (Please keep it PG13) 

I also updated my blogroll - if you're a regular here and don't see your blog listed, please let me know.