Retro A to Z Challenge: G – Groundhog Day 1993

Groundhog Day – 1993

Bill Murray is the cynic reporter trapped in Punxsutawney, reliving Groundhog Day over and over again. At first he takes advantage of the situation, something I’m sure we’ve all wished we could do at some point – a day without repercussions – before becoming a changed man and finally escaping the loop. One of Murray’s funniest movies and a sweet romantic comedy to boot.

1993 fun facts –
*Cost of a house - $113,200 / UK - 67,856 pounds sterling
*Harley Davidson celebrated ninety years
*The first Dyson vacuum debuted
*The NFL awarded two new teams, the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars (Their first season was 1995)

Movies released –
Jurassic Park
The Fugitive
Cliffhanger

Music released –
Anthrax – Sound of White Noise
Def Leppard – Retro Active
Type O Negative – Bloody Kisses

Games released –
Myst
Magic the Gathering

And why is 1993 special?
Because that’s when PK Hrezo was twenty and she remembers a life full of friends, music, and possibilities!

And she still looks twenty, doesn’t she? PK is an author, a mom, and an airline agent. She’s incredibly creative and very generous with her blog and her time. She’s very involved in this blogging community, and her observations are honest and wise. PK is one of those happy friends you’d want to hang out with! You can find her blog HERE

Ninja News

I’m at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group website today, posting about genres. There have been some great topics there for the Challenge – if you’re a writer, I recommend following the site.

I also need a couple more co-hosts for the IWSG in May, and for the months following. If you would like to co-host, let me know what month(s) you are available. Thanks!

Available now – Boom Town by Milo James Fowler. Buy it on Amazon HERE

Coming soon – Secret of the Souls by Terri Rochenski!







And over at Blastr, they have a dozen images and posters from X-Men: Days of Future Past that blend the past with the present.

Seen Groundhog Day? (Over and over and over…?) Following the wonderful PK Hrezo? Picking up some new reads? Excited about the upcoming X-Men movie? And what do you remember best about 1993…?

ORDERLY/OPTIMISTIC - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

ORDERLY/OPTIMISTIC

Elizabeth Spann Craig at Mystery Writing is Murder
This mystery writer is one of my very first followers. Her blog is so orderly and professional, I have to admit I was very intimidated at first. She founded the Writer’s Knowledge Database, the largest collection of writing information I have ever seen. I’m not sure how she finds and organizes it all, but I am impressed beyond words. She’s also a full time writer, something that is difficult to achieve. If you’re not following her Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers, then you need to get with it!

Ciara Knight
What strikes me first with Ciara is her optimistic attitude. It’s genuine and solid. Her feature “Did I Notice Your Book?” speaks volumes of her feelings towards her fellow authors. I imagine that after time in her presence, one would walk away feeling confident and ready to conquer the world. Ciara, sometimes we wonder if we are making any difference. Well, rest assured – you are making an amazing impact!!

Andie MacDowell as Rita in Groundhog Day
Here was a character of such unfettered optimism that it even prompted Bill Murray to utter the line “Gosh, you’re upbeat.” Anytime I hear someone spout overly optimistic jargon it calls to mind the classic words of Bill Murray and the hilarious movie “Groundhog Day.”

NINJA NEWS!

Laura Pauling signed a contract for How to Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings. Congratulations, Laura!!

Just to highlight another great A to Z theme – Jamie at Mithril Wisdom is highlighting metal and progressive rock bands with a fantasy/horror/science fiction edge. He's Welsh, so Jamie has only stumped me on a few of them.

And just to clarify yesterday’s post – my wife is far hotter than Kate Beckinsale! Yes, I am damned proud of that fact.

Finally, this is for those who never saw Chris Phillips’ post over a year ago. (Which I imagine is most of you.) He’d asked what songs influenced the writing of the author’s book. Most selected three songs, but I went with only one. “Street Spirit” by Stream of Passion was the emotional drive behind a key scene in CassaStar. I wrote revisions to that scene, the most difficult I’ve ever written, while listening to this song. If you don’t have time to listen, I understand. But for those who’ve read CassaStar, you’ll know what scene I mean:



Are you following Elizabeth and Ciara? Watched Groundhog Day? Digging Jamie’s metal A to Z posts? Know what scene “Street Spirit” embodies? Do you have a scene in your book/manuscript that will forever eat at your heart? And who do you know that is orderly or optimistic?