IWSG News, Movie Remakes and Box Office, Ninja News, Super Blogger, and Thunderstruck on Bagpipes!

A lot happening today!!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Many of you participate in the IWSG every month, but there may be some things you don’t know about it. Or you might wonder what the IWSG is all about. Well, I’ve taken over Lee’s Tossing it Out today and you can find your answers there!

Does the IWSG really matter to writers? Livia had Celeste Holloway as a guest last week and her whole post was about the IWSG. You can read it HERE. Celeste, thanks – you are the reason why I started this group.

Don’t forget – we post this Wednesday!

Ninja News

Today at the A to Z Blog is an interview with a very special blogger - Father Dragon Al. It’s the Challenge Participant Feature, and Al had one of the coolest themes for the Challenge. We cover everything from dwarf tossing to X-Files to Angry Birds and learn a lot about the heart of one awesome dragon. Visit the A to Z Blog HERE

Laura at My Baffling Brain announced that the anthology she helped create with her Creative Writing Masters friends has now been published. Congratulations, Laura! You can check it out HERE.

And Wednesday I hope to reveal the book trailer for CassaStorm!! Yes, the suspense is killing me. I also have some big news about my third book as well, so be sure to stop by.

Super Blogger Award

The ever-awesome Mark at Left and Write created the Super Blogger Award – and honored me with being the first recipient. Mark, you rock!

I am passing this on to another man who is a super blogger, Mark Koopmans! What he lacks in hair he makes up for in heart and dedication. You’re the man, Mort!

This award also stipulates that the recipient is to reveal one secret. I really couldn’t think of anything interesting though, and of course Ninja Secrets cannot be revealed. However, this might make you chuckle – the first album this metal head ever owned was by Peter Frampton. Of course, back in the day, the man could jam. And he’s still an excellent guitar player. Sorry, best I could do! Maybe Mark will offer something better.

Entertainment News

September 24 will be a big release day – Iron Man III on DVD and Dream Theater’s next album. (One week after CassaStorm’s release – awesome!)

Hollywood just can’t stop remaking films. Here are some of the remakes scheduled:
Jacob’s Ladder
Robocop
Suspiria
Ghost in the Shell
Jumanji
Point Break
Dirty Dancing
Time Bandits
Heavy Metal
West World

On the World Wide Box Office Chart:
Fast and Furious 6 passed Fast Five and has made $682 million dollars.
Star Trek Into Darkness is #147 with $438 million.
Man of Steel has already made $520 million plus.
And out of the 527 movies on that list, I’ve seen 471 of them. I really am nearing the end of NetFlix…

And if you haven’t seen the Australian bagpiper playing AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, you are in for a treat!

Flames and everything! Now that is just wild.

Ready for July’s IWSG? Want to learn more about dwarf tossing at the A to Z Blog? Know someone who is a Super Blogger? What did you think of the bagpiper? And which of those movie remakes annoys you the most…?

Don’t forget to visit Tossing it Out!

And be sure to come back her Wednesday for CassaStorm’s trailer and some cool news!

A to Z Challenge – Jurassic Park and Journey on the Waves of Time, Plus Ninja News and Another Blog Reader - Bloglovin'

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

Jurassic Park

One of the best action films ever. Spielberg did an amazing job capturing the book and bringing it to life. The special effects still hold up, even after twenty years. The performances are so good they invest you completely in the story.

Dr. Ian Malcolm is Mr. Logic. He sees the holes in any plan and isn’t afraid to poke more holes. Armed with a wicked sense of humor and a sharp tongue, he’s very unique.

Who is Ian Malcolm?

Andrew Leon at Strange Pegs!

He’s very analytical and known as the Grammar Nazi for a reason. Andrew sees more than most of us and can never be accused of going with the flow. That’s the very thing that keeps conversations with him refreshing and memorable. You want an intelligent discussion? Go see Andrew! (Dry humor included.)

Andrew is the author of The House on the Corner, The Shadow Spinner series, and others.

To you I dedicate Journey on the Waves of Time by Ayreon. (Song title leads to YouTube.)

Because you are like the Universal Migrator, looking for truth. “Give me the answers to questions, Reveal to me secrets of life…”

Trivia and Facts:

Ayreon founder, Arjen Lucassen, has started and controlled many projects and bands over the years. After the success of the debut album Embrace the Storm, he let the members of this band continue on their own, and they now have several albums – name this Dutch progressive metal band.

I’s trivia answer – when Tina mentions “The Engineer,” she is referring to her husband.

Ninja News

Chuck at Apocalypse Now had an awesome post for I – Imagination – and he named four authors, most of whom you all know, as those he felt had the most imagination. To my surprise, I was one of them!! Thanks, Chuck – you the man!

He was the blogger featured for A, but you may have missed some of Al Diaz’s amazing creations. Look at this dragon:

He was also at Julie Luek’s yesterday and revealed a piñata that won him third place in a contest hosted by Museum of Popular Art:

You can see more details by watching the YouTube Video.

Al, you have an amazing talent!

I also discovered a new reader to replace Google Reader - Bloglovin’ At the moment, I like it even better than Feedly. You can transfer your Google Reader files directly, but if you follow even half as many people as I do, it will take a few minutes. You have been warned…

Dig Jurassic Park? Following Andrew? Ever heard of Ayreon? Know the trivia answer? Think Al’s artwork is amazing? And anyone else tried Bloglovin’?