Have Authors Killed Blogging? Plus 2014 Box Office, Horror Movie Trivia Answers, Mini-Alex, and Ninja News

2014 Box Office So Far…

Nine films have grossed over a half a billion dollars so far this year. With Interstellar and the final Hobbit film still to come, there will undoubtedly be more. Here is the breakdown so far:

1 Transformers: Age of Extinction - $1,087.3 billion
2 Maleficent - $757.4 million
3 Guardians of the Galaxy - $752.6
4 X-Men: Days of Future Past - $746.0
5 Captain America: The Winter Soldier - $714.1
6 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - $709.0
7 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - $707.2
8 How to Train Your Dragon 2 - $615.0
9 Godzilla (2014) - $525.0

(Guardians leads the US box office with $328.6 million.)

Ninja News

At the A to Z Blog today is Nicki Elson with her awesome 90's Pop Culture Favorites Challenge theme.

Available now –
Mage Revealed by CD Coffelt
Book two in the Magic Withheld series
Find it on Amazon
Check out the trailer on You Tube



Lisa Regan is celebrating the one year anniversary of her first novel’s release by holding a t-shirt fundraiser:
Buy a Finding Claire Fletcher t-shirt and all profits will go to Operation Underground Railroad or O.U.R., a non-profit organization founded by a former CIA/Homeland Security agent. They use cutting-edge technology to locate and track child pornographers and human traffickers. They use their findings to assist law enforcement all over the world to stop these monsters and rescue kidnapped children.
IF I DON'T REACH MY GOAL, THE T-SHIRTS WILL NOT BE PRINTED AND YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED.
YOU HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 12, 2014 TO PURCHASE A SHIRT.
You can purchase one HERE

Milo James Fowler’s Creepy Freebies is back! Check his site for a list of participants, plus keep an eye out for those joining the giveaway, such as Roland Yeomans. Creepy Freebies lasts through Halloween.

Horror Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost 2004 – Shaun of the Dead
2 – Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David 1982 – The Thing
3 – Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci 1999 – Sleepy Hollow
4 – Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner 1976 – The Omen
5 – Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox 2002 – The Ring
6 – JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke 1982 – Poltergeist

Mini-Alex

In a piles of leaves, as requested! (Sort of - I don't rake leaves, I mow them.)

Have Authors Killed Blogging?

For the past six months there has been a lot of discussion about blogging losing steam and dying out. While I doubt it’s dying, there have been a lot of changes and a slowdown in growth. New blogs still appear, but fewer bloggers are returning comments and follows. Since blogging is all about being sociable, that’s a problem.

Are authors and writers putting a damper on blogging? Are the constant book announcements, cover reveals, book releases, blog tours, and reviews drowning out interaction and interest?

I pull up my Feedly reader, and over two thirds of the posts are just that. It looks almost like a Twitter feed of promos and links.

We all want to help each other, but I’ve begun to wonder if we are the only ones paying attention anymore. I follow almost two thousand blogs and used to have an eclectic following, but it seems that many who weren’t writers have fallen away. (And yes, I do know I gained a lot more writer followers when I started the Insecure Writer’s Support Group three years ago.) They aren’t blogging much anymore, if at all. (I know a lot of writers and authors who aren’t blogging, either.)

I’ve always tried to offer a variety here, because no one wants to read all promo. (Besides, I’m not a book blogger site or a review site – that’s not what I do.) I want to focus on entertainment and fun, and yes, I am trying to work more of me into the posts.

What do you think? Have authors and writers put a damper on blogging? Have we hit promo overload?

How many of those top films of 2014 have you seen? (I’ve only missed the top two.) Any news that interests you? Get any of the trivia correct? Ready to dive into a pile of leaves? And do you think authors are hurting blogging…?

Movie News and The Book of Life Review, Horror Movie Trivia, Mini-Alex, BOTB Results, and Ninja News

Movie News

The Book of Life movie review
Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
The animation is truly unique and I recommend seeing it in 3D. The Land of the Remembered is colorful and stunning.
While the story won’t be the greatest thing you’ve ever seen, it did have several refreshing aspects. One is the Mexican setting and the legend of the Day of the Dead festival. Another was that although the two friends, Manolo and Joaquin, are vying for Maria’s hand, neither is perfect nor a villain.
The best characters are the two Gods. La Muerte rules the Land of the Remembered and Xibalba rules the Land of the Forgotten, and their love-hate relationship is charming to watch.
Death plays a major part in the story and there is some violence, so not recommended for the really young.
For something refreshing and new, The Book of Life is a fun watch.

According to Blastr, there could be more John Carter movies, just not with Disney. Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. regained the rights to the books and is seeking other opportunities.
"We will be seeking a new partner to help develop new adventures on film as chronicled in the eleven Mars novels Burroughs wrote," Burroughs Inc. President James Sullos said. "This adventure never stops."
I enjoyed the books and really dug the 2012 John Carter film, so I hope it happens.

Have you seen the trailer for Tommorrowland?

Ninja News

The amazing Sarah Allen is our guest at the IWSG Site today, discussing how helping other writers helps you.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Survive and Thrive Blogfest, and my other co-hosts, Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, and Diane Wolfe!

DL Hammons is hosting his Déjà vu blogfest again.




New releases –

The Initiate by M. Pax
 

Secret Keepers by Gwen Gardner

Blocked by Jennifer Lane

Battle of the Bands Results

Last Wednesday I pitted Thin Lizzy against Metallica with the song Whisky in the Jar.

Stephen T. McCarthy made it interesting when he voted for Thinallica. (I split the difference.)

However, after casting my vote for Metallica, we have… a tie!

Thin Lizzy – 18.5 votes
Metallica – 18.5 votes

Mini-Alex

We found this large display of sunflowers recently and thought of Tina Downey…

Movie Trivia!

Since Halloween is approaching, today we focus on horror movies. Name the film from actors and year listed:

1 – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost 2004

2 – Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David 1982

3 – Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci 1999

4 – Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner 1976

5 – Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox 2002

6 – JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke 1982

Have you seen The Book of Life? Want more John Carter Movies? Excited about the new releases? BOTB results surprise you? Know any of the trivia? And where should Mini-Alex go next…?

I also received edits for Dragon of the Stars from my publisher, so I will be busy working on them the next week or so...

What Constitutes Quality Blog Content? Plus All I Want for NaNo (Everybody Sing!), Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja News

I’m welcoming J. A. Bennett today to tell you about a couple amazing things that are happening in conjunction with NaNo. I’ve participated in NaNo and visited the site often, (I wrote CassaFire during NaNo 2010), but I had no idea what the organization was doing for the writing community.

All I Want for NaNo

I first heard about NaNo WriMo three years ago shortly after I started blogging. I thought people were nuts for even attempting to write 50k in a month. Yet, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try it out for myself. Since then, I’ve done NaNo (including camp NaNo) 4 times--this November will make 5.
Because of this, I’ve spent a considerable about of time on NaNoWriMo.org and they’re doing some amazing stuff for people. I have a 14 yr old cousin who went to LTUE last year because NaNo came to his school, and he decided he really liked writing. If that isn’t awesome, I don’t know what is.
In these past three years I’ve felt awful for not giving back when NaNo has been doing so much for writers everywhere. That’s why I decided to write an anthology with a few awesome friends and donate all the proceeds to NaNoWriMo. Since the stories are about Christmas, we’re doing a bloghop entitled “All I Want for NaNo”.

I wanted to kick things off today on Alex’s blog with the Twelve days of NaNo (make sure you sing along)—

On the Twelveth day of NaNo my critique partner gave to me:
Twelve pens a scratching
Eleven beats a beating
Ten backed up hard drives
Nine pages of notes
Eight sprinters sprinting
Seven new ideas
Six hours of writing
Five thousand words
Four plot bunnies
Three metaphors
Two awesome hooks
And a climax that takes place in a tree

The bloghop and book release are taking place on November 1st. Please join us!
On November 1st post what you want for you NaNo and put a buy link to The Spirit of Christmas Anthology, as well as the blog hop code in your post. Get as creative as you like, pictures--flash fiction--video, think outside the box.
Get all the information and the code HERE at JA’s blog.

Congratulations to the contributing authors and good luck to all NaNo participants!
Now to go find that tree…

Ninja News!

Available Monday, October 22nd!

Just in time for Halloween, here's the cover of the latest installment of E.J. Wesley's Moonsongs series, Dragon's Game! (New Adult - speculative - Novelette)

Add Dragon's Game to your Goodreads shelf. And for a limited time, you can catch up on the entire Moonsongs series for just .99 cents (regularly $2.99). Moonsongs Anthology 1 (books 1, 2, & 3) is on sale October 15th - 20th at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Available now – Courage by Carrie Butler!

Rena Collins never thought she'd long for the past…

Buy it now at Amazon
Also, you can pick up the first book in the Mark of the Nexus series for free through Friday - Strength

Chicken Soup for the Soul - It's Christmas was just released and includes "The Treasure Hunt" by LD Masterson.



Congratulations to all three authors!

Movie Trivia Answers!

1 - “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.” (1978) - Dawn of the Dead
2 - “Be afraid… Be very afraid.” (1986) - The Fly
3 - “Smile, you son of a b____!” (1975) - Jaws
4 - “I will not be threatened by a walking meat loaf!” (1981) – An American Werewolf in London
5 - “Who’s laughing now?” (1987) – Evil Dead II
6 - “Mrs. MacNeil, the problem with your daughter is not her bed, it’s her brain.” (1973) – The Exorcist

What Constitutes Quality Blog Content and What About Hits?

Monday Arlee Bird tossed out a post about being respected as a blogger, most viewed posts, and what makes a post go viral. The comments were just as interesting and went off in several new directions. It sparked some thoughts in me (which can be dangerous) and I thought I’d continue a few idea streams here.

When it comes to page views and viral posts, I’ve blogged long enough that I know what topics are going to generate the most attention. (I know which ones are likely to kick my comment count over two hundred as well.) However, when it comes to page views and hits – I don’t really care! That’s why I don’t have a stat counter. They aren’t accurate anyway. And what does an extra five thousand views really do for me? I don’t get new followers or new people commenting, nor does it do anything for my book sales. Blogging is about community and friends – you guys – not about racking up the page views anyway.

(You want impressive when it comes to blogging? Someone led me to a blog that had 58,000+ followers and each post racked up 5000 comments (the maximum allowed) in one day. And as far as I could tell, it wasn’t someone famous, and the posts weren’t anything out of the ordinary. Heck with page views – that’s just amazing!)

Another aspect discussed was what makes for valuable blog content. Is it information? Controversy? Thoughtful, reaction-inducing posts? I guess it all depends on what you are looking for in a blog and what your goals are with your own.

As you know, I post a variety. My bio on the left states my interests up front, and it’s those things I usually discuss. I feature a variety of things, just so there is something for everyone. (If you come here and can’t find something on which to comment, then I am at a total loss.) It’s rarely anything like this or something that would stir up controversy. This blog is about fun. As it reflects my books and my writing, as I write light space opera, it’s a good fit.

And it’s by no means easy. It takes me two – three hours to put together a post. I put forth the effort because I want to present the best to you guys, my readers. You guys are important – you’re my friends, and that trumps all. And once I get through this month, there will be a little less promo and more cool Ninja stuff here

So there you have it. And I promise never to cop out on a post and slap a kitten photo up just to get hits. (Unless Pat’s cat Cassie poses as a Ninja for Halloween…)

Are you participating in NaNo this year? (Did you sing the song for JA?) Stoked about the new books? Get any of the trivia correct? And are you happy with your blog? What content matters to you? Do you care about page views? What matters most to you when it comes to blogging?

Infusing Character into Places and Objects! Plus Horror Movie Trivia, Movie Review, Sharcano, and the Ninja News.

Today I am a guest at Untethered Realms where I explain how to bring a character full circle. (Without going in circles, because that just makes me dizzy.)

MY guest here is the awesome and talented author, Christine Rains!

PERSONALITIES OF THEIR OWN

If you're welcome on the 13th floor, the door will open for you. You'll find comfort and protection from whatever is troubling you. The lights will dim or brighten to match your mood. Doors will lock to keep you safe or open to allow you freedom. If there's a stubborn reporter messing up your immaculate apartment, well, you best get out the rubber gloves and cleaning supplies.

The 13th floor is as much a character in the series as the tenants who live there. It isn't the first of its kind either. There are famous fictional haunted places like Stephen King's Rose Red or the Stanley Hotel in The Shining. I'm sure many of you know the tale of the Amityville horror house, and let's not forget Hogwarts. These places have personalities of their own, and sometimes become more memorable than the human cast of characters.

Buildings aren't the only things that are sometimes brought to life. I can list a few sentient spaceships that I adore: The TARDIS (Doctor Who), Nostromo (Alien), and Moya (Farscape).

Yet it isn't only the spirit in the buildings or ships that make them memorable. There are many more that gain life as a character through the love of the rest of the cast in the stories and the readers. Here are some famous ones: Tara from Gone With the Wind, the U.S.S. Enterprise (Star Trek), the Millennium Falcon (Star Wars), and Serenity (Firefly).

Places and vehicles are just as important to a story as the characters with a beating heart. I find a lot of writers do this unconsciously. Just like people name their cars or get teary-eyed when they move because they'll miss their old house. Since these things are so much a part of our lives, we imagine them with personalities of their own.

What's your favorite fictional place or thing that you consider a character?

The 13th Floor Complete Collection – out now! Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and on Goodreads

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has eight novellas and twenty-one short stories published.
Find Christine: Blog, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Ninja News

Nick Wilford is celebrating two years of blogging with a huge giveaway that includes a full manuscript edit. Check it out!

WITCH TIME, volume 3 in The Cindy Chronicles is now available from RaShelle Workman. 

RaShelle’s books have sold around half a million copies – she rocks!


Pacific Rim comes out on DVD Tuesday! 3D Blu-ray, here I come…

If you’re looking for some cool Halloween t-shirts (or any occasion) check out Jeremy Hawkins’ store at the Netoshop.

Lots of new designs! And of course, my favorite…

And this news from Curiosity Quills Press - they signed screen-writer/director Jose Prendes and revealed the cover for his new novel, Sharcano.
Yes, it’s for real!

Movie Review

My wife and I ended up spending Friday night with friends, so we didn’t get to the theater to see Captain Phillips. However, we did watch a horror flick from NetFlix.

Mama
Executive produced by Guillermo del Toro – a man and his girlfriend find themselves caring for his nieces who were left alone in the wilderness for five years… or were they? Starring Jessica Chastain from Zero Dark Thirty and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from Game of Thrones.
An effective movie, it follows the Spanish horror film style of a sad and tragic storyline. There were some plot holes, including the fact the girlfriend was completely unqualified to take care of the girls. (Not to mention one of the girls should’ve stayed in therapy for a very long time.)
Fortunately, the director is skilled enough that these don’t completely ruin the film. It’s very creepy with some unusual effects and scares, especially the portrayal of ‘Mama.’
If you’ve ever considered adoption, this film will make you think twice!
Available on NetFlix and worth the rental.

Horror Movie Trivia!

Guess the horror film from the quote:

1 - “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.” (1978)

2 - “Be afraid… Be very afraid.” (1986)

3 - “Smile, you son of a b____!” (1975)

4 - “I will not be threatened by a walking meat loaf!” (1981)

5 - “Who’s laughing now?” (1987)

6 - “Mrs. MacNeil, the problem with your daughter is not her bed, it’s her brain.” (1973)

Answers on Wednesday!

Do objects and places in your stories possess personalities? Have a favorite? Picked up one of Jeremy’s shirts yet? Getting Pacific Rim this week? Have you seen Mama? And do you know any of the trivia answers?

Don’t forget to visit Untethered Realms!

Ninja News, iPad 4, Guest Post Controversy, and Movie Trivia

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who signed up for the I Miss You Blogfest on November 16!

Ciara Knight’s final book in the Battle for Souls series is now out - Ascension of Evil. Congratulations, Ciara!

Next Monday is Tim Brannan’s Monstrous Monday Blogfest

Siv Maria’s short story was accepted for the anthology, OPEN DOORS-Fractured Fairy Tales and she revealed the cover this week!

White Cat Magazine is introducing a mystery magazine soon! Plus they have science fiction and fantasy magazines in the works. Good stuff, Rick!

Next Wednesday is Budd’s Scare Me Blogfest – just in time for Halloween!

Rachel Morgan has just released An A to Z of Creepy Hollow Fae. Those of you who’ve enjoyed her series will want to pick this one up!

And for those of you who read my guest post earlier this week, Jamie posted the answers to my music-movie questions at Mithril Wisdom.

The iPad 4

Yes, the next generation of iPad will be available soon! It’s twice as fast as the iPad 3, with improvements to camera, Wi-Fi, and LTE. While games and graphics won’t be noticeably faster, if you live in a city with LTE access, the Internet will be much faster. This is the tablet Apple wanted to release last spring but it wasn’t ready. It also brings the iPad up to speed with the latest iPhone.

Will I get one? I’ll probably skip this upgrade and just wait for the iPad 5. Yes, my goal is an iPad in every room of the house, but I have my eye on a new guitar right now and that purchase comes first. (Soon I’ll have a guitar in every room in the house, which is just as cool!) And who knows? There’s always Christmas…

Guest Post Controversy and Update

Two reasons for this topic!

First, I adjusted my guidelines one more time. A request a couple weeks ago clued me in to the fact it still wasn’t clear enough:

Due to the high volume of requests I receive, guest posts are reserved for my regular blogger buddies ONLY. (Most of whom are listed in my sidebar.) Other followers I will mention in a Ninja News update.

The controversy? I’m really sorry if that offends anyone! But my blogger buddies are the ones who visit and support me (and I them) on a regular basis, and since I only post eleven to thirteen times a month, they deserve first consideration. I am more than happy to do a shout-out in the Ninja News for anyone else.

Second reason – my calendar is full through February right now. (I still have one opening in January.) So, if any of my blogger buddies have a book coming out next spring or want to do a guest post at that time, please contact me soon!

Any questions? Am I being unfair? Do you need to contact me really soon?!

Movie Trivia

With Halloween right around the corner, these questions all have a horror slant:

1 – Which actress is known as “The Scream Queen?”

2 – The category of Best Makeup began in 1981 and was won by this film.

3 – Who did the music for Dario Argento’s Suspiria?

4 – What actor has been in almost every single Sam Raimi film?

5 – What horror/thriller won five of the biggest Oscars in 1991?

Are you ready for the upcoming blogfests? Excited about the new releases? Getting an iPad 4? Are my guest post guidelines clear and fair? Care to share your guidelines? And do you know any of today’s trivia?

IWSG Help Needed, Ninja News, Rachel Morgan’s Faerie Guardian, Guitar Playing Ninja, and Horror Movie Trivia!

IWSG Help Request

The posts for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group were beyond amazing this month! So many uplifting, positive posts. And your comments encouraging me to continue writing were very much appreciated. The one that really made me laugh came from Edi – “I think with your first book a dream came true. Then you have been so polite to write two more for your fans.”

However, it has come to my attention that it’s impossible for me to visit every participant. (Yes, even with clones – I wore them out on Wednesday.) When you add up the close to three hundred participants, plus my regular blogging buddies, it’s just too much for me.

So I am asking for help!

I need two co-hosts every month. This will be a one-shot deal, so you only have to do it for one Wednesday. But I need someone to visit the blogs in the lower middle of the list and someone to visit the new participants at the end. This would mean an extra twenty to twenty-five blogs.

If you are interested in co-hosting in November, let me know! This Ninja has finally hit his limit. And I still can’t find a teleporter to send me back for a few extra hours…

Ninja News!

DL Hammon’s Write Club continues, pitting one short story against another – have you been following the contest and voting?

Friday October 5 only – Patsy Collins’ publisher is offering her book as a free download! Get your copy of Escape to the Country at Amazon US or Amazon UK.

Rusty Webb has a new book out – War Angels! Get it now at Amazon. Trust me, the dude can write!

October 5 only - "Part Six: The Man with No Eyes." of Andrew Leon’s Shadow Spinner is free! Got to Amazon to get your copy now.
Note cool artwork is also done by one Rusty Webb.

Today is Christine Rains’ birthday! And she’s hosting a birthday bash. Happy birthday, Christine – you rock!


We watched Cabin in the Woods again the other night. I stand by original review – the movie is hilarious and the ending bat-shit crazy.

And I have some really awesome guests coming up in the next few weeks. October 19 is also a special day, so be sure to stop by for the awesomeness.

Cover Reveal and a Giveaway!

The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan

Release date: November 5, 2012
Add on Goodreads

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian…

This novel was originally published in four separate parts: Guardian, Labyrinth, Traitor, and Masquerade. It includes bonus scenes at the end.

The bonus scenes at the end of the book are NOT written from the main character's point of view. If you'd like to win a $10 Amazon gift card, all you have to do is guess whose point of view these scenes are written from! Head on over to the cover reveal post at Rachel Morgan Writes and fill in the Rafflecopter form. There's a list of characters there that you can choose from. Good luck!

The Guitar Playing Ninja

Many of you have asked about my guitar playing. And yes, there will be an opportunity to hear me in December. (You’ll find out about that on November 19.)

Several asked about the band and what I play. On my own, I play a lot of progressive rock. Not well, as I’ve only been doing it for six years. But I can play a couple Rush and Mastodon songs. With the band I play contemporary Christian and a few contemporary rock songs. And it’s a rush. Nothing like performing God’s music in front of a crowd.

Horror Movie Trivia!

Since it is October! Name the movie from the quote.

1 – Be afraid. Be very afraid.

2 – I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf!

3 – I met this 6-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and the blackest eyes… the devil’s eyes.

4 – Listen to them, the children of the night. What sweet music they make.

5 – Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.

Anyone up for helping me co-host the IWSG next month? See some new books you like? Still want to hear me shred on the guitar? (In ten years, maybe!) Know the horror trivia quotes? Any big plans for the weekend?