Insecure Writer’s Support Group / Retro A to Z Challenge: B - Blazing Saddles – 1974

Double dose today - Insecure Writer’s Support Group AND A to Z Challenge!

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 Hart Johnson, Chemist Ken, Candilynn Fite, Terri Rochenski, Clare Dugmore, and Lilica Blake!

I’d hoped to complete my current manuscript by the time the Challenge began. Between an overload at work and a health scare with my parents, I did not have time to finish. Since the Challenge will consume all of my energy this month, I probably won’t reach the end until May. Which makes it highly unlikely I will get the manuscript edited and to my publisher this summer.

I’m really bummed. I should’ve taken a month off and written NaNo style. Or just give up as the slowest writer ever. Yes, it’s all right that I don’t crank out books every month, but I’m in danger of falling so far behind that no one will remember.

Someone remind me why I picked this gig in the first place? Being a guitarist in a band isn’t half as stressful…

Be sure to visit other IWSG members.

Over at the Facebook page, a thread will be started for the "letter of the day" and we invite members to share A to Z post links in the thread.
We’ve also put together guidelines for the Facebook Group, and those are posted at the site. Please remember the focus is support and promotional news is to be posted on Saturdays.

Blazing Saddles – 1974

Released on February 7, 1974, Blazing Saddles spoofed Westerns in a unique manner. Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a small town, Gene Wilder as his deputy, and every funny, crude, and over-the-line joke you can imagine. Directed by Mel Brooks, this movie is hilarious to this day.

1974 fun facts –
*Cost of average of house - $34,900 / UK - 10,990 pounds sterling
*The Sears Tower became the tallest building in the world
*The world’s population was four billion
*The MRI scanner was developed
*The Miami Dolphins won their second consecutive Super Bowl

Movies released –
Young Frankenstein
The Godfather Part II
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
The Towering Inferno
Dark Star

Music released –
Rush’s debut album
Kiss’ debut album
ELO - Eldorado

Games released -
The earliest first-person shooter games are released – Maze War and Spasim

Why is 1974 special?

Because that was the year Karen Lang accepted the Lord while at a Methodist church youth group meeting. (She also prayed for her parents and a few weeks later, they got saved.)

Karen is a wonderful person and author. She is steady in her faith and devoted to what she believes in and those she believes in. You can find this caring spirit at Karen’s blog, Write Now.
 

What is your writing insecurity today? (And does it involve Challenge posts or slow writing?) Fan of Blazing Saddles? Have any of those movies or albums? Following Karen? What do you remember about 1974…?

The A to Z Challenge – Blazing Saddles and Big Bad Moon, Plus Ninja News

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!

Blazing Saddles

Bottom line – it’s hilarious! It skewered racism and homophobia back when such a thing was frowned upon. It was really bold for its time. The cast is outstanding and it makes me laugh every single time I watch it.

Bart is the sheriff, and he’s walked into a potentially explosive situation. Regardless, he still has a great attitude and a sense of humor. He’s slick and surrounds himself with good people.

Who is Bart?

Mark Means at Left and Write!

Mark has swagger and he’s quick on the draw. (You think I’m fast to comment?) He’s a solid individual with an awesome attitude. Mark understands what this community is all about and he’s sworn to protect it.

Mark is a writer with a bit of a geek edge.

To you I dedicate Big Bad Moon, by Joe Satriani, because you are just as bad ass!

“Big bad moon’s looking down on me tonight.”

Facts and Trivia –

Satriani was recruited to play lead guitar on the solo tour of the lead singer for one of the biggest bands ever – name the band.

A’s trivia answer – Joe Johnston directed the Rocketeer in 1991.

Ninja News!

Special thanks to Medeia Sharif - I and my book were her post for A yesterday! That was an awesome surprise. Thanks, Medeia!

Win a Twenty dollar Amazon gift card by nominating/voting for an A to Z blogger you appreciate! See CM Brown’s SITE to vote.

Carol Kilgore’s latest, Solomon’s Compass, releases today!

The lure of buried treasure. A sexy former SEAL. Could USCG CDR Taylor Campbell want more? Don't ask. A story of love, loyalty, and the value of keeping a promise,

Coming May 30 from Rachel Morgan - The Faerie Prince! 

Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life…

Coming this June from Hart Johnson, a.k.a. Alyse Carlson, at Confessions of a Watery Tart - The Begonia Bribe: 2nd in the Garden Society Cozy Mystery series!

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to some of the country’s most exquisite gardens, and it’s Camellia Harris’s job to promote them. But when a pint-sized beauty contest comes to town, someone decides to deliver a final judgment …

Challenge Opens With A Bang!

Didn’t yesterday just rock? So many participants (over 1900) and so many comments. (Crap, I had over two hundred and fifty comments – even I can’t keep up with that!!) Thanks to everyone for your efforts, including my Ninja Minions, because I saw your comments everywhere.

And I would like to apologize in advance, but I will not be able to visit as many as I did on Monday every single day. Between blogger buddies, commenters, and my section of the Challenge list, I’m just not going to be able to visit everyone every single day. So if I skip a post, please don’t be offended. I just need to maintain my sanity this month without burning out either myself or my clones. (Or Al’s dwarves! He will want them back intact.)

Fan of Blazing Saddles? Fan of Mark? Know the rock band? Excited about the upcoming releases? Forgive me if I can’t get to everyone? I’ll still give it my best effort!

Don’t forget – the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts tomorrow! And come back to see who I feature next...