Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Hobbs and Shaw Review, August Movie Preview, and Lots of News

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.


My awesome co-hosts today are Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner!

August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

This whole author thing in general I never saw coming.

But having a couple of my books hit the top of science fiction on both Amazon US and UK definitely took me by surprise!

Plus all the support when I got online surprised me.

What’s surprised you?


And quick report – I did get a lot written last month!

Don’t forget, only one month left to enter the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Annual Anthology Contest!
Genre is middle grade historical – either adventure or fantasy – and the theme is voyagers.
See the site for full details.

Here is August’s IWSG Instagram:

 

The WEP Challenge for August is Red Wheelbarrow.
Use the time between now and then to write and edit your entry, so you're ready to post your direct link at the WEP site between August 21 - 23.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw – Movie Review

It continues the story with Hobbs and Shaw working together to find a deadly virus.
You know what you’re going to get with this franchise. If you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy it. If not, skip it.
I’m capable of leaving my brain at the door and just enjoying the crazy stunts and ridiculous, over-the-top action sequences. And those bat-crap crazy moments are spectacular.
The interaction between the leads is filled with funny insults and snarky comments. Toss in Ryan Reynolds (playing himself so well) and Kevin Hart and it’s funny from start to end. Idris Elba is a convincing and ruthless villain, and Vanessa Kirby is a kick-ass heroine.
As with the rest of the franchise, it’s all about family bonds.
And lots of wild car stunts.
Highly recommended.

New Releases!

Peel by Angela Brown
Published by Book Jaunts
Find it on Amazon and several other sites

Fractured Princess by Debra Renee Byrd
Available on Amazon in paperback eBook

Emergency Transmission by Sean McLachlan
Fourth book in the Toxic World series
Find it on Amazon

August Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for August! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

9 –

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
A group of teens face their fears in order to save their lives.
Director: André Øvredal
Stars: Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Dean Norris
PG-13 – they might actually have to rely on scares rather than gore.





16 –

47 Meters Down: Uncaged
Four teen girls diving in a ruined underwater city quickly learn they've entered the territory of the deadliest shark species in the claustrophobic labyrinth of submerged caves.
Director: Johannes Roberts
Stars: Nia Long, John Corbett, Sophie Nélisse, Brec Bassinger
Because there were so many unanswered questions from the first film…



23 –

Angel Has Fallen
Secret Service Agent Mike Banning is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Stars: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Piper Perabo, Lance Reddick
How many things can fall in one guy’s lifetime?



Anything about your writing surprise you? Catch Hobbs and Shaw yet? Entering the IWSG Anthology Contest? (Less than a month!) Writing for WEP? And what movies will you be seeing this month?

My next post will be August 19 when I report on the final RiffTrax of the summer - The Giant Spider Invasion!

Geekdom House, IPad Pro Update, Into the Badlands Review, Mini-Alex, Christmas Blog Hop, and Ninja News

Geekdom House

Two months ago, I was asked to contribute a story to Geekdom House for their quarterly magazine, Area of Effect, and website. Today, my contemporary piece, Dungeons and Cookies, appears at their site!

What is Geekdom House?

Geekdom House is a Christian non-profit organization which celebrates the bridge between one’s Faith and one’s fandom—science fiction, fantasy, comics, anime, board games, video games, computers, and all the art and creativity that comes along with these things. The Area of Effect magazine is published four times a year.
Geekdom House’s three-fold Mission Statement:
The first is for the nerds and geeks who identify as Christian believers.
The second is for the nerd and geeks who do not have a faith-filled community.
Lastly, the third is to build the bridge and bring these two groups closer together.

My story also appears in their Winter edition of Area of Affect. You can check out the magazine HERE.

Big thanks to Allison from Geek Banter for recommending me!

I’m also visiting Elizabeth Seckman - it’s Christmas with the Ninja!

IPad Pro with Pencil Update

Now that I have the accessory to go along with it, I’m pleased to report that my ‘like’ might have slipped into ‘geek-boy puppy love.’

With the addition of some graphics apps (including Autodesk Graphic, and Sketchbook), the iPad Pro has morphed into a very good production tool.

How does it compare to the Surface Pro? While the Surface is a great tool, you’d have to spend $1800 for the mid-range version to match what the iPad Pro does. (In comparison, it’s $899 for the Pro, plus $250 for the pencil and keyboard, for a total of $1149.) I didn’t even bother with the keyboard, so I spent less than that. What it really comes down to is the eco system you’ve already invested into.

Since I’ve been with Apple since the Nano and the iTouch, might as well stick with them! (Although all of our computers are PCs.) Besides, I’m so close to an iPad for every room of the house…

Into the Badlands Review

From the IMDB - A mighty warrior and a young boy search for enlightenment in a ruthless territory controlled by feudal barons.
It’s an ultra-cool show set in the future.
The action sequences are unparalleled on television. They’re as good as anything from The Matrix or Crouching Tiger. They simply drip with style.
The storyline and characters are also compelling.
This show just reeks of coolness. If you haven’t seen it, check it out!
Highly recommended.

Ninja News

Today’s Themes That Rocked the Challenge feature at the A to Z Blog is Diane Gordon from Part Time Monster!

New Releases:

Heart in a Box by Catherine Stine

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters by Donna McDine
Find it on Amazon

Crimson Earth by Anna Soliveres

Coming December 18
Six Degrees of Boss by Rayven Godchild (Angela Brown)
He was the shadow who saved her life. She was the spark who reawakened his soul.
Find it on Amazon

Christmas Joy Bloghop

Hosted by Elizabeth at Liz’s Random Ponderings

Tell us what makes Christmas special for you. Here are some things you could include:
- A special Christmas memory
- Favorite Christmas song/carol
- Share why you celebrate Christmas
- Favorite decorations, favorite food or treats, etc.v - The best gift you ever gave or received
- Traditions

My favorite Christmas tradition is spending Christmas Eve with my wife, munching snacks and watching Christmas movies.

The best gift I ever received was a guitar. Two, in fact! (My wife is awesome.)

And the reason I celebrate Christmas is because it is the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever checked out Geekdom House’s site? Interested in the iPad Pro now? Watching Into the Badlands? See some new books you want? And what makes Christmas special for you?

Mini-Alex and I would like to wish you all a most Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

We’ll be lurking some and then taking a break – see you January 4.

Cool Geek Christmas Gifts, How I Miss You Blogfest, and Ninja News!

Cool Christmas Gifts for the Geeks in Your Life

Christmas is just one month away! Don’t panic – I found some cool, geeky stuff that Santa can bring…

Dancing Groot – only $9.99 from Toys R Us

Star Trek t-shirts – only $28.64 from RedBubble

Captain America Minion iPhone case – only $7.05 from Ali Express
(And they have a lot more Minion super heroes.)

The Ewoking Dead t-shirt – only $15.00 from Gifts.com

Pre-order for 2015
Melting Nazi from Raiders of the Lost Ark candle – only $31.29 from Firebox

And of course, retro t-shirts from Jeremy Hawkins’ Neat-O-Shop, including the Better Off Dead hamburger and the Ninja Army!

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Joss from Dreaming of Publication, talking about her theme for the Challenge – dogs!

It’s time for the second annual Holiday Food Drive! Started by MJ Joachim and the late Tina Downey, MJ is continuing the tradition with Jeremy Hawkins again providing the graphic. Check out how you can participate HERE and at the Effectively Human Community on Google+.


Are you a self-published indie author? Then you need to check out this giant list of indie book reviewers – over five hundred! Courtesy of laekanzeakemp.

Want to know what it’s like to be a full time writer? Then you need to read this post by Steven Symes.

Thank to everyone who has added Dragon of the Stars to their Goodread lists and voted for it in the Most Anticipated Science Fiction of 2015 list. It’s climbed to number three!

New releases!

Tarsier Man – A War Like None Before
By Pat Hatt

Dead Wrong
By Patricia Stoltey

Beacon
By Angela Brown

How I Miss You Blogfest

Hosted by Andrew Leon, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Matthew MacNish

The bloggers you miss and the ones you would miss.
List one to three bloggers you really miss.
List one to three bloggers you would really miss if they stopped blogging.
And then go let them know!

The three bloggers I miss are…

Mark Means at Left and Write
Mark still posts now and then, but not at the same pace he used to post. The dude is a cool geek and I miss the geeky updates. Plus his A to Z Challenge themes always rock.

Old Kitty at Ten Lives and Second Chances
One of my first blogger buddies was Old Kitty. She’d post photos of her cat Charlie, now joined by Gumtree. It’s been many months since she posted and I really miss her. No one is as upbeat and positive as Old Kitty.

Tina Downey at Life is Good
I couldn’t do this list without mentioning Tina. I think about her often and there is still this void where her snark and humor used to reside. There are people you can’t imagine being gone, can’t imagine dying, and that’s what I always thought about Tina. I know she’s having a grand time in Heaven, running through the sunflowers, but the world is just a little bit dimmer without her light. Love you and miss you, Tina.

People I would miss if they stopped blogging:

This was tough! I’d miss all of you. Rather than play favorites, I thought I’d list three people who might not realize how much I’d miss them…

LG Keltner at Writing Off the Edge
LG, you are a fellow science fiction geek and writer, and you are so faithful to your friends. You always have the best A to Challenge themes and have dedicated yourself to the IWSG. (And you’re one of my best co-hosts.) You would be sorely missed, so don’t ever quit!

Ivy at The Happy Whisk
Ivy, I count on you for my daily laugh and chuckle. We’ve followed each other for years and I enjoy both your posts and our email banter. You paused in your blogging once before, and it really sucked. Don’t do it again. You are indeed Wonder Woman. And you always make me laugh.

Heather Gardner at The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Heather!!!! If I ever posted and there wasn’t an ‘Alex!!!’ in the comments from you, I’d send out a search party. You are one of the funniest, snarkiest, most spirited and strong-willed people I know. You rock the A to Z Team, keeping us in line. You’re such an awesome supporter and someone I can count on a hundred percent. You’re also one of my best friends. You ROCK!

Who do you miss? Who would you miss?



See some geeky gifts you just have to buy? Joining the Holiday Food Drive or picking up some new books? And who do you miss and who would you miss in the blogging world…?

I will be traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday, so I’ll be very sparse here online Wednesday through Saturday. To all my American friends, have an awesome Thanksgiving!

Retro A to Z Challenge: U – Underworld 2003 (plus updates on Godzilla, Jurassic World, and Bioshock Movies)

Underworld – 2003

Released in January, usually the dumping ground for movies, this film was a complete surprise. Following a war between vampires and werewolves, it featured a sexy, leather-clad Kate Beckinsale. (I still want that outfit for my wife. She still says no.) Three sequels have followed (with another in the making), but nothing beats the fun and adventurous original.

2003 fun facts –
*Cost of a new house - $246,300.
*Cost of gas - $1.83
*The Do Not Call Registry was implemented
*The Concorde made its last commercial flight
*Apple launched iTunes, selling ten million songs in the first four months
*The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first Super Bowl

Movies released –
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions
X2
Finding Nemo
School of Rock
The Italian Job
Elf

Music released –
Rush in Rio (live)
Anthrax – We’ve Come For You All
OSI – The Office of Strategic Influence

Games released –
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

And why is 2003 special?
Because 2003-2004 Angela Brown’s life was wonderful and she was blessed with her daughter, the Chipmunk!

Angela is an author and has a daughter she fondly refers to as the Chipmunk. She helps with several other blogs and publishes books under a second name, Rayven Godchild. Angela is just a delight, and so thoughtful and caring. Find her blog HERE

Three New Books!

Pat Hatt just released three more Tarsier Man books.
Not one, not two – three!
Get the full scoop on all of them at his site.
Congratulations, Pat!

Movie News

The game Bioshock’s road to the big screen seemed doomed. However, JoBlo reported yesterday:
Kotaku has noticed that about a month ago, Sony registered multiple domain names with the words "Bioshock" and "movie" in the URL. While this is far from a confirmation that the movie is back in development, it is definitely intriguing. Unlike specific domain names with subtitles, this clearly has the word "movie" which means we cannot misconstrue it as another video game or other type of project.

Jurassic World News – there may be sequels!
From Blastr:
Director Colin Trevorrow, who takes over the franchise with the upcoming Jurassic World, told the print edition of Empire they’re already eyeing plans for more sequels to this semi-reboot of the franchise.

And in Godzilla News –
From The Epoch Times, a few words from director Gareth Edwards about the time and care that went into designing Godzilla:
He said creating Godzilla–one that appears fresh and original–took about a year. “Forget the giant monsters,” he told them. “If this really happened, it would be a life-changing experience. You have to take it seriously.”
“I grew up watching Spielberg movies,” he said, referring to director Steven Spielberg. “What they did so well — as well as having epic, fantastic spectacle — they made the characters feel real and human. We were trying to do the same thing here.”

Fan of Underworld? Following the talented Angela Brown? Picking up Pat’s books? Think we’ll ever see a Bioshock movie? Do you want more Jurassic World films? As excited as I am for Godzilla next month? And what do you remember best about 2003…?

I’m also at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website today!

Escalation and National Wormhole Week! Plus 300: Rise of an Empire Review, Wormfest, and Ninja News

I am triple posting today! (Not to be confused with triple dipping.) At the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, I posted Where to Advertise Your E-Books – Discounted, Free, and Otherwise and at the A to Z Challenge Blog, I posted A to Z Tips – Making Friends and Building Relationships.

Escalation!

Today is the day! Stephen Tremp is kicking off his Escalation Blog Tour right here. And we’re celebrating with a potluck for the entire population of Blogdom.

Bring a dish cleverly named as a pun. Example. Stephen Tremp is binging Square pies (pi) and Interstellar Cookies. They’re out of this world. You can choose a food inspired by science, sci-fi, a book, movie, or music. But it’s open to any and all food puns. You can leave the food you’re bringing in my comments.

Example: Stephen’s bringing Square Pies (Pi) and Interstellar Cookies. They’re out of this world.

Other examples could be:
Harry Potter jelly beans
Motley Crutons
Souper Salad
You should get married if you cantaloupe
A salt and battery Fish and Chips
Tequila Mockingbird
Locks Stocks and Bagels
Lettuce enjoy this salad
Iggy Popsicles

Use your imagination or Google food puns, then stop by my blog Monday March 10th and leave what you bring in the comments.

Stephen Tremp is the author of the Breakthrough series. Together, Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation follow the lives of the unlikely participants from innocence to a coming of age through sacrifice, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, and hope. Escalation will appeal to fans of modern-day science fiction, action, horror, and even romance.

Stop by Stephen’s Blog for more information on the Breakthrough series.

To download Escalation: The Adventures of Chase Manhattan CLICK HERE.

Movie Review

300: Rise of an Empire
Blood, boobs, and carnage! And all in the first minute of the movie.
This film overlaps the first one, following Themistokles as he defends Greece against the Persian navy, led by Artemisia.
The first battle, which sets the stage for the Persian invasion later, is very cool. Visually it’s stunning (and best viewed in 3D) but we’ve seen it before. The characters aren’t as compelling, and while there is nothing wrong with the film, it won’t leave much of an impact. (It does feature the angriest sex scene you’ll ever witness.) It will appeal to young men looking for some bloody carnage. (And boobs – don’t forget those.)
Recommended as a rental, although you’ll miss the 3D.

Ninja News

Last week my March preview movie theme was blood, boobs, and carnage. I like to say a special thank you to Heather Gardner for making that the title of her IWSG post! Thank you for the laugh, Heather.

Thanks to everyone who offered to co-host the IWSG in April! I was overwhelmed with offers, so many of them I will save for future months. You guys are so supportive and awesome.

Worlds on Edge, Backworlds 5 by M. Pax is now available! Pick it up here - Amazon US Amazon UK Smashwords


Are you a slow writer? That’s actually a good thing according to Anne R. Allen. (She also had me explain why I’m a slow writer. She says I have a real life!) EJ Wesley quoted her and went over some other good points. Check out their informative posts!

Confessions of a Sex Fiend: Retreat Bound by Rayven Godchild is now available. (a.k.a. Angela Brown )

Epic 2000 Followers Giveaway!

Crossed 2000 GFC followers this weekend! Thanks to everyone who spread the word. This week I will compile all the entries and announce the winners on March 17.

Wormfest!

Today is the Wormfest blogfest, hosted by Stephen Tremp, L. Diane Wolfe, and Alex J. Cavanaugh. (Yes Mark, I just hyperlinked myself.)

The rules:
Name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where technology with unforeseen consequences will go too far and set mankind back. (And they can be the same thing.) Example: De-Extinction, or bringing back extinction species through back breeding, genetic engineering, and cloning. With all the breakthrough discoveries mankind is on the cusp of, are we playing God?

My choice – the cell phone. In particular, the smart phone.

Yes, smart phones are a huge advancement. We can do so much on them – play games, watch movies, listen to music, take photos, and even talk to people. (Yeah, imagine that?) We are always connected and much safer.

However, it sets us back because we are losing the ability to communicate with others. Everyone is too busy looking at their phones to talk to the real people around them. (Adults as well as kids.) And no one needs a brain anymore – the answer is just a Google away on the cell phone.

Am I right or what?

Visit others participating in Wormfest!



What dish are you bringing today? Picking up Escalation? Did you see 300? Are you a slow writer? And what would you say advances and/or sets back mankind?

Be sure to visit the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and the A to Z Challenge Blog!

House of Cards Review, Game of Thrones in Legos, Mini-Alex, IWSG, Movie Trivia, and Ninja News!

The IWSG is all over today!

The wonderful Karen Lang asked several questions about the IWSG, and I am a guest on her blog today.

For those of you who want to know more about the IWSG and what it can offer to writers, I am also a guest of Lori’s at How to Write Shop. This site is one of the many great resources listed at the IWSG, so come for my guest post and stay for the valuable information Lori offers!

House of Cards – Season Two

The next season of the NetFlix original series is available now and it did not take me long to devour it.
Season two follow’s Kevin Spacey’s character, Francis Underwood, as he maneuvers his way through DC, crushing everything in his path.
Just when you don’t think the show can get any darker or more twisted, House of Cards finds new ways to unsettle you. It’s like a train wreck – fascinating to watch.
By the end of the second season, I had just one thought – the only way this will all ultimately make sense is if Underwood’s revealed to be the antichrist.
And I really hope and pray DC really doesn’t operate like this!

Mini-Alex

On the copier!

I wouldn’t let him use the clone machine, so he tried to improvise.

Didn’t really work though.



And now I have all these copies of his butt…

Real Alex News

I’m still making progress on my current manuscript, although not at the speed I would like. I really am a slow and lazy writer. Will take part of this week off to work on the story. I might actually finish the first draft by the first week of March!

I’ve also prepared almost all of my A to Z Challenge posts! I’ll continue to add to them, but the Challenge portion is ready. (When you see the first one, you’ll understand.) I always prepare them before the Challenge begins, but I’ve never been this far ahead of the game! (And if you haven’t signed up yet, please join us!)

Haven’t been to a movie in a while, but excited that Thor: The Dark World and Gravity come out on Tuesday. Both will be available in 3D Blu-ray, which is just awesome!

The Epic 2000 Followers Giveaway is just a few followers away from ending! If you’ve never clicked the Google Friends Connect, now is a great time to do so.

And sad to see the Olympics come to an end. Always a lot of fun to watch.

Ninja News

Available now - Confessions of a Sex Fiend: A View to Ecstasy by Rayven Godchild, a.k.a. Angela Brown.

Available now – Pale Moonlight by Tony Laplume, an epic vision of vampire literature.

Cover reveal – Bloodlust by Nicole Zoltack

Bloodlust is a NA epic fantasy with a hint of forbidden love when Barbarian-Princess Ivy makes an alliance with the despicable Lukor the goliath in a desperate attempt to save her race from extinction.

Cover reveal – Vampire Lies by RaShelle Workman

Eyes like violet sapphires. Wings of smoldering fire.
Consume your true love's blood.
Become the Eternal Vampire.

Cover reveal – Blood Crown by Ali Cross.

WormFest is in a couple weeks!



And for those of you who are fans of Game of Thrones – The Red Wedding in Legos, courtesy of MsMariah at A Space Blogyssey.
Don’t look if you haven’t seen this insane scene from season three yet!

(From the Huffington Post. )

Movie Trivia

Name the actor/actress who provides the voice!

1 – Title character from The Iron Giant, 1999

2 – Z from Antz, 1998

3 – Title character from Puss in Boots, 2011

4 – Moses from Prince of Egypt, 1998

5 – Sulley from Monsters, Inc., 2001

6 – Rocky from Chicken Run, 2000

7 – Fozzie Bear from Muppets From Space, 1999

8 – Emperor Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000

Answers next Monday!

Anyone else watching House of Cards? Working on a manuscript? (Hopefully writing faster than me!) Working on your A to Z Challenge posts? Ready for some new books? Know any of the trivia? And where should Mini-Alex go next…?

Be sure to visit Karen Lang today!