Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus Reviews of Kingsman, Night at the Museum III, and Muppets; The Listing Hop; and Ninja 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 TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!

Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1! The theme is Alternate History/Parallel Universe and any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging (must post for the IWSG at least once in September or October) or Facebook member. Winners will be published in a royalty-paying anthology next year.
If you write speculative fiction, you need to enter!

We are still trying to get the IWSG site listed as one of Writers’ Digest’s Top 100 Best Websites for Writers! Please email them at writersdigest@fwmedia.com, subject line 101 Websites, and suggest the IWSG - http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Now, from the guy who thought he was done writing…

Last month, I wrote and edited not one, but two short stories for publication! And both are due at the end of this month.

One is for an anthology with the theme of ‘turning points.’ I decided going back to a point before CassaStar began would be a good place for a turning point. That one is over four thousand words and just came back from my critique partners this week.

The second one was an invite from Geekdom House. At their core, they aim to bring together Christians and geeks. This one was to be much shorter, under a thousand words, and involving Christmas. I decided on a contemporary theme with humor and it was a lot of fun to write. I’m polishing it now and will be bugging my critique partners soon.

After writing CassaFate and Dragon’s Destiny, I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t focus more on short stories. At least I can crank them out faster than my novels, which is about every eighteen months.

I’ve also been trying an experiment. Randi Lee posted about her success with images for her novel, and I decided to try something along those lines. Since I already had the thirteen graphics for my WhatAreTheKargrandes site, I used those to create images I could Tweet. I started almost two weeks ago and it has made a difference in sales.

Today is this one, if anyone cares to Tweet it for me!

http://www.whatarethekargrandes.com/ Find out in Dragon of the Stars! http://tinyurl.com/pel2mun #scifi #spaceopera

Reviews

Kingsman: The Secret Service
It plays like those old Matt Helm 60’s spy movies, except with gratuitous violence and language.
The whole movie is over the top, which makes it fun because you can’t take any of it seriously.
It is a bit dark and mean spirited, though. And it moved a little slow at times.
Worth a rental if you can stomach the extreme violence.

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
The Tablet of Ahkmenrah is corroding, taking away the magic that brings the museum to life, and the group travels to London to stop it.
The third installment is probably the smallest of the stories, but it’s still a lot of fun.
In addition to the regulars (including Robin Williams in his last onscreen role), there are appearances from Ben Kingsley, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Hugh Jackman.
If you enjoyed the first two, you’ll enjoy this one. Worth a rental.

The Muppets
I think Jim Henson is rolling over in his grave right now.
The whole shtick of the Muppets was their wholesome, light-hearted family fun. This show has lost that innocence though. Let me give you some examples. I don’t remember much from the first episode outside of the fact it was dark and depressing. So, let’s look at last week’s episode. This is what you got:
Pot smoking Muppets.
Fozzie bear is a kleptomaniac.
Josh Grobin is sleeping with Miss Piggy. (Yeah, just try to get that one out of your head.)
One Muppet drew a penis on a card and then claimed he could make it a saxophone instead.
Gonzo has a mother. (He has no mother here on earth – he’s an alien, remember?)
The show is trying to be edgy and relative and it lost everything the Muppets stood for in my eyes. Remember, those are some of the same Muppets your kids watch on Sesame Street. Imagine how they will view them now?
This show is a big fail in my book.

Ninja News

Toi Thomas had the most amazing review of CassaStar – she loved it! And she got it. That’s so satisfying for an author.

Despite the rain lately, Dragon and Ninja remain best friends:

If you’ve been thinking about buying Dragon of the Stars but you’re not sure, you can take a sneak peek at the first chapter at Jessica Therrien’s site!

And thanks to everyone for checking in on me. My area received a lot of rain, but unfortunately I was further south due to a band commitment on Sunday. And was there ever flooding! They say this was a thousand year flood for most of South Carolina and I believe it. Prayers for those affected by the flooding.

New Releases:

I’m a Little Green Witch by Kelly Polark
Find it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Childhood Fears
Featuring the story The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave by J.H. Moncrieff

The Christmas Pets and Kisses Boxed Set
Featuring The Vet’s Christmas Pet by J.L. Campbell

The Listing Hop!

The brainchild of Bish Denham to celebrate eight years of blogging. I am helping co-host this blogfest – and it’s beyond simple!

The rules are:
Sign up, grab the banner and make a list.
Keep your list to between 5 and 25 items. You can list whatever you feel like (except for adult type content.)
Post on October 26 and visit fellow participants.
That’s it!

Sign up below:



What are your writer insecurities this month? Submitting to the Anthology Contest? Can you help us make the Best list? Seen either movie or the Muppets? And what list would you create for the Listing Hop?

Why Speculative Fiction Kicks A$$! Science Fiction Recommendations, New Releases, Ninja News, and Rock Music Trivia Answers

I have two epic guests today! And both ladies are discussing a favorite topic of mine – speculative fiction. First up is the awesome Terri Rochenski, followed by the multi-talented Jessica Bell.

And can a Ninja rhyme? You don’t think so? Find out today at Pat Hatt’s It’s Rhyme Time.

Ten reasons Spec Fiction kicks @$$

Spec Fiction has been a love of mine since I learned to read. I wanted to BE Lucy and enter the wardrobe. I wanted to BE Princes Leia and kiss Han Solo.

Why?

I had my reasons back then, but more have sprung up as my reading tastes developed AND I started writing the stories gnawing away at my brain.

In no particular order, my top ten reasons Spec Fiction kics @$$...

1. Who DOESN’T like to ask, “What if”?
2. Because as kids, we KNEW our Barbi, stuffed animals, and Stretch Armstrong could carry on a conversation.
3. It’s an outlet for the creative mind.
4. ESCAPE FROM REALITY!!
5. I saw Spec Fiction described once as being the cheapest way to travel. In my case, I’ve always wanted to fly among the stars. Thanks you ninja leader!
6. Its stimulating.
7. Can give a new outlook on life or insight into human nature.
8. Instills an appreciation for unique, beautiful imaginations.
9. It’s outside the norm.
10. From a writer’s perspective – unlimited possibilities.

How ‘bout you? What is the ONE reason spec fiction rocks your world?

Secret of the Souls (Pool of Souls #2) by Terri Rochenski
J. Taylor Publishing - Adult Fantasy

Thrust out of their homes by a human High Priest on a vengeful mission, the Natives of Derlund no longer have a place to call their own. One escaped capture, however, and now she, Hyla, is the only one who can save her people.

Find Secret of the Souls Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and enter the giveaway HERE

Find Terri at Blog, Website, Facebook, and Goodreads




 

MY SCIENCE FICTION MISHMASH by Jessica Bell

If you know me well, you know I’m not an obsessive science fiction book reader. I do, however, like to read science fiction if written by authors I love, and the story is captivating, for example, The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, and Neuromancer, by William Gibson are two of my very favourites. I have also dabbled in writing science fiction myself, but in a very different form— a cyberpunk short story in verse.

And my current WIP is speculative fiction. So I’m not not a fan. I’m just fussy.

(Btw, I was told to add some humour to this post, but I can only be funny when I don’t try to be, so I’m really sorry this post isn’t going to make you laugh. I might however, be able to make you smile if you watch this video of me in a dressing gown, and my fabulous Dalmatian, dancing to Joan Jett.)

Right, back to the science fiction stuff. Regardless of what I said above, I am a HUGE fan of science fiction film and TV. I really can’t get enough.

So here’s my top five list of movies, and top five list of TV shows, in no particular order:

MOVIES

Blade Runner (the director’s cut, of course!)

Contact

The Fifth Element

Edward Scissorhands

Barbarella

TV

Orphan Black

Fringe

Red Dwarf

Lost (I know, I know ...)

The X Files

What science fiction books, TV series, or movies have you read/seen lately? Got any recommendations for me?

COMMENT TO WIN JESSICA BELL’S THRILLER, WHITE LADY!

To celebrate the release of Jessica Bell’s latest novel, WHITE LADY, she is giving away an e-copy (mobi, ePub, or PDF) to a random commenter on this blog.

Sonia yearns for sharp objects and blood. But now that she’s rehabilitating herself as a “normal” mother and mathematics teacher, it’s time to stop dreaming about slicing people’s throats…

Click HERE to view the book trailer.

Click HERE for purchase links.

Connect with Jessica online: Website, Retreat and Workshop, Blog, Vine Leaves Literary Journal, Facebook and Twitter

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Carrie-Anne Brownian, whose awesome theme took us on a tour of Asia and Europe – check it out!

I was one of the Shelfie Blog Hop winners!

Pat Hatt also continued his zombie story and my clones were involved…

New Releases!

A Lizard's Tail by Bish Denham

When a feral cat threatens the lives of all who live at Stone Wall, Marvin knows his destiny has finally arrived. But how can a young, vain lizard get rid of such a dangerous enemy?

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads

Soulless (Maiden of Time Book 2) by Crystal Collier

Find it on Amazon

Her tour starts today – follow along!

Tales of Firelight and Shadow - anthology from Double Dragon Books with retold folk tales, some very, very creepy.

Featuring Patricia Stoltey’s first traditionally published short story, "Three Sisters of Ring Island" is a retelling of a Norwegian tale, "Three Billy Goats Gruff." Find it at Double Dragon

The Adventures of an Arkansawyer by Charles Gramlich 

Find it on Amazon

Music Trivia Answers!

1 – Persistence of Time (1990) - Anthrax

2 – Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995) – White Zombie

3 – …And Justice For All (1988) - Metallica

4 – Jar of Flies (1994) – Alice in Chains

5 – The Art of Balance (2002) – Shadows Fall

6 – Hold Your Fire (1988) - Rush

7 – Empire (1990) - Queensryche

8 – Images and Words (1992) – Dream Theater

9 – Flying in a Blue Dream (1989) Joe Satriani

10 – Vulgar Display of Power (1992) - Pantera

Whoa! What are some of your reasons speculative fiction kicks a$$? What shows and movies can you recommend to Jessica? (Don't forget your comment could win a book!) Picking up some new books? Get any of the trivia right?

Don’t forget to visit Pat Hatt’s It’s Rhyme Time!

Wednesday – more fun stuff, trivia, movie reviews and news, Mini-Alex, and… I have an awesome announcement!!!

Retro A to Z Challenge: M – Megadeth 1985 (and SyFy's Face Off)

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! – 1985

This was the first Megadeth album and featured the title song and Rattlehead Rock. The band was founded by Dave Mustaine after he was thrown out of Metallica. While not my favorite, it ushered in a new era in thrash metal. The band continues to produce albums, and Mustaine has since cleaned up his act. (He's a husband, father, and born-again Christian.)

1985 fun facts –
*Cost of new home - $89,330 / UK - $40,169 pounds
*Cost of gas - $1.09
*First class stamp - .22 cents
*The first version of Windows 1.0 was released
*Compact Discs made their first appearance
*The wreck of the Titanic was located

Movies released – 
Fright Night
Young Sherlock Holmes
Day of the Dead
Cocoon
Better Off Dead
Real Genius

Music released –
Dokken – Under Lock and Key
Dio – Sacred Heart
Rush – Power Windows

Game released –
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego

And why is 1985 special?
It’s the year Bish Denham met her husband and they were married that same year in September.

Bish is an author and a storyteller. She grew up in the Virgin Islands and often features moments and images from that time. Bish is also the master of synonyms and overused words. She’s a sweetheart, devoted friend, and doesn’t look old enough to have grandchildren. She also has a great sense of humor! Bish blogs at Random Thoughts.

Ninja News!

Carrie Butler is celebrating her third blog anniversary with a very special blogfest project:
I want to compile a free e-book for writers who are just starting on their road to publication, using advice from the most brilliant, up-and-coming voices in the industry: you guys!
See her site for details.

Available now!
Destruction by Sharon Bayliss
Buy it on Amazon

Face Off

Not your ordinary reality show – Face Off is a special effects make-up artist competition.
It’s fun to watch the contestants design and build their creations using silicone and whatever they find in the studio. Each week they are given a prompt and must design an ‘outfit’ to be worn by a model. The focus is on concept as much as execution. It’s an excellent show for creative types.
Catch it on the SyFy Channel.

Fan of Megadeth? (And can you believe they’ve been around that long?) Following the talented Bish? Can you contribute to Carrie’s book? Have you watched Face Off? And what do you remember about 1985…?

Pat and the Cat - Festivals for All! Plus Trivia, Ninja News, and National Wormhole Week - Wormfest!

Today I have for you a special treat
A funky rhyme that can’t be beat.
Because today Pat and his cat
Are here to amuse at my mat!

Please welcome Pat Hatt of It’s Rhyme Time, who will show you a proper rhyme.

Festival Time In Rhyme!

So since the cat is all done the A to Z he figured he'd fill some time with a guest post for the ninja wannabe. But what could he do? Why give festivals to visit for all of you.

Frozen Dead Guy Days.
Catch some sunny rays,
In dead guy land.
Wouldn't that be grand?

Tomato Fight Festival should be on your list.
Then just make sure you are good and pissed.
Take a tomato and whack one in the head.
They could join the above if they turn out good and dead.

Monkey Buffet Festival sounds yummy.
Don't you want monkeys in your tummy?
Could get a neat disease,
Or maybe just fleas.

This one I'd avoid,
Of them the cat is paranoid.
Although Crying Baby Festival may be for you,
Especially if you have one or two.

And if that isn't your cup of tea,
You can grab your baby and flee.
Going to the Baby Jumping Festival around the corner.
Just don't step on little Jack Horner.

I bet some could pass this test.
They have such zest.
They would prove they are the best,
By winning the National Hollerin Contest.

Don't come near my OCD, bud.
I do not want any mud.
But Boryeong Mud Festival could be fun,
If you like that type of thing under your sun.

This one will be all the craze.
You will get there and gaze,
Maybe even graze.
Soaking up Mike The Headless Chicken Days.

I'll skip the Festival of Near Death Experiences this year.
Although I have been there I fear,
The dress code is rather strict.
Bring your own coffin the rules depict.

Ewww ewww ewww.
But that is all the more for you, 
As you go to the Testicle Festival event,
Joining 10,000 people eating 4,000 pounds of bull testicles under a tent.

See, there are lots of other fun things to do, and surprisingly, none of these were made up at my zoo. So if you ever need a good festival at your sea, you can now find one thanks to me. On most though I would pass, especially the last one, as it scares my little rhyming ass.

Enjoy your winter, smash a printer.

Pat is the author of over twenty books and his latest is Fight for the Light, available on Amazon.

He also had a little fun with his IWSG post last week!

(Sorry, it’s not real!)

Trivia Time!

And in honor of Pat and his cat, today’s trivia is all about cats.

1 – How fast can a housecat run?

2 – True or false – cats can drink seawater.

3 – What’s the technical term for a hairball?

4 – How many different sounds do cats make?

5 – Which pet is more popular in North America – the dog or the cat?

Answers on Wednesday!

Ninja News

Thanks everyone for another amazing Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day. I wish I could visit every person on the list, but I do give it my best effort to reach as many as possible.

Bish Denham released her first book last week, Anansi and Company. Congratulations, Bish!!

Cate Masters’ latest is out now, A Wedding at the Blue Moon Café. Congratulations, Cate!

Angela Orlowski-Peart revealed the cover for her next book, Almost Broken Up. Looks great, Angela!

Chasing Anya by JL Campbell

Available today!

Been there. Done that.

Feisty and independent, Anya Davies lives by her own rules. The one thing she’s hell-bent on avoiding is a conventional relationship.

Enter Christophe Mondesir…

J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican, who is always on the hunt for story-making material. Find her: Website, Goodreads, Twitter, and Amazon.

Michael di Gesu is hosting the Coffee Hop this Friday!

Visit him for details and your chance to win Columbian coffee.

Wormfest! 

That’s right, it’s back – National Wormhole Week, March 10-16!

Hosted by Stephen Tremp, L. Diane Wolfe, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Kicking off Wormfest week will be the release of Stephen’s third book in the Chase Manhattan trilogy, Escalation.

2014 National Wormhole Week: Name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where technology will go too far and set us back. They can be the same thing or different.

Example:
De-extinction or bringing back extinction species through backbreeding, genetic engineering, and cloning.
With all the breakthrough discoveries mankind is on the cusp of, are we playing God?

Where do you see science moving us forward and where do you see it moving us back? Feel free to quote a movie. (Jurassic Park is a great example.)

Join us below for Wormfest!



Follower of Pat and his rhyming cat? Know any of the cat trivia? Excited about the new releases? And who’s up for Wormfest?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Ninja News, Looper Review, and Location Results

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.


I’m in the waiting phase right now, as my third and final book, CassaStorm, is with my critique partners.

My final book? Well, unless something epic hits me, yes. I had one story I wanted to tell. That was it. Then readers wanted more. I have now written two books past my initial goal. Heck, with both CassaStar and CassaFire now Amazon US & UK best sellers, I am way beyond what I imagined! Tens of thousands of people have purchased my books. Whoa! And I didn’t even want to be an author…

When I started to think about what’s happened with my books and this blog, and how it all came to be, I realized it could only be God. I know this blog is no longer about me, and I’m sure my books aren’t either anymore. I wasn’t even online until a year before my first book was released - look how far He has brought me. The friends I have made on this journey are priceless to me. Now that I am in a band and very involved in my guitar playing, that may be the direction God takes me instead of more books. Whatever is expected of me, I’ll be at peace with it. And I'll try not to mess it up!

But rest assured, the Ninja isn’t going anywhere for a very long time! I am here to serve, inform, and amuse. Sometimes more of the latter…

Be sure to click HERE or on the tabbed page above for a list of other participants. Someone is waiting for a word of encouragement from YOU!

Ninja News!

Today’s Special Challenge Participant Feature at the A to Z Blog is author Cherie Reich! Be sure to stop by and check out her answers to my ridiculous questions.

Bish at Random Thoughts is hosting her Second Annual BlogtoberFest! And she’s giving away five prizes this month to celebrate five years of blogging. Congratulations, Bish!

Jamie at Dancing Down Serendipity Street is having a birthday bash! She has her own line of jewelry she makes and is celebrating her birthday with a giveaway. Visit her site for details. And happy birthday, Jamie!

Livia honored me with Blog of the Month! Thank you so much, Livia. Your kind words just blew me away.

Movie Review

Looper

WOW!
The story starts simple and grows complex and intricate as it progresses. Set in 2044, Loopers are killers hired to assassinate those sent back thirty years from the future. Closing the loop is when you kill your future self. Fail to close that loop…
I was completely blown away – this movie exceeded my expectations and then some. It’s a brilliant piece of filmmaking. Looper is smart and creative in the same vein as Noland’s Memento. It leads you down one path only to provide a scene later that changes everything.
The entire cast is brilliant. Every character is complex and flawed. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is young Joe and Bruce Willis is older Joe. Emily Blunt is awesome as well.
I can’t tell you much about the film without giving away any key points. However, very few films in recent memory contain a scene as powerful as one near the end of this movie. Do note it is rated R for a reason!
One of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Smart filmmaking at its finest – go see Looper!!!

Where are all the writers?

Thanks to everyone who commented Monday! In addition to Utah, many other states have a large population of writers. I discovered there are a lot more in the Carolinas and after that, Ohio had the largest representation. (Not just for lovers I guess!) Texas, California, and Florida also hosted many writers. As for countries, Canada and the UK dominated. Thanks guys – it was cool to see all of the states and countries represented!

What are your writing insecurities today? Excited about the contests? Did you see Looper yet? Discover there are more writers in your state than you realized? Think my next book will really be my last…?

Don’t forget to visit Cherie at the A to Z Blog!

Ninja News, Video Feature, Movie Remakes, 2012 Movie Grosses, and Interesting People!

Teresa at Journaling Woman has a special feature called “Friday’s Interesting People.” And guess what? Today I’m the interesting person! (Hey, one day out of the year’s not bad.) So stop by her blog and check it out.

Ninja News!

Want to know what’s involved in setting up and running a writer’s retreat? Just ask author Jessica Bell. She’s also running a special Wednesday feature, so leave your question HERE.

Melynda’s Labor Day Blogfest and Bookfair – “This September, Wayman Publishing is honoring Melynda Fleury for her brave fight against diabetes by offering a 3 part giveaway to get everyone involved in reading and this giveaway!” See Siv Maria’s site for details.

Overused words! Want some alternatives? Bish Denham posts a great list of alternatives every Thursday as she makes her way through the alphabet. See the full list of overused words HERE.

Sean McLachlan at Civil War Horror is having a birthday sale until the end of August! Check out the details on his blog.

Video Feature!

I had issues with C. Lee McKenzie’s book trailer last week, so posting it for her today!

Movie Remakes Question

Hollywood has been pumping out the movie remakes lately. Some have worked well (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) some have failed (Total Recall.) Most of us would prefer they made some new films, even if they are based on books. (Hollywood, feel free to contact my publisher about movie rights to CassaStar and CassaFire.)

However, since they appear determined to continue remaking older films, here’s my question – what old film would you LIKE to see remade?

My selection – 1979’s Buck Rogers.
Yes, I had a huge teen crush on Erin Gray, but the film is as cheesy as hell.
Make one that is more serious, with great effects, and no Twiki noises, and it just might rock. (Maybe Erin can make a cameo appearance?)

Movies – the Money-Makers so Far

With two-thirds of the year gone (when did THAT happen?) here are the biggest money-making movies so far. All totals are world-wide because that’s what really matters.

1 – The Avengers - $1.48 billion

2 – The Dark Knight Rises - $900 million

3 – Ice Age: Continental Drift - $800 million

4 – The Amazing Spider-Man - $692 million

5 – The Hunger Games - $623 million

6 – Men in Black 3 - $623 million

7 – Madagascar 3 - $565 million

I’ve seen six of the seven! How many have you seen?

And quick movie trivia – one movie series has TWO films in the top ten of all time – name the series.

Lots of good news today! Did you like the book trailer for Alligators Overhead? What movie do you want to see remade? Surprised by the top movies so far? (Ice Age 4 – really???) And do you know the answer to my trivia question?

Don’t forget to visit Teresa at Journaling Woman!