A to Z Challenge – Underworld and Under a Glass 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!

Underworld

I’m sure this selection comes as no surprise! (Had it not been for Kate in black leather, I would’ve picked The Usual Suspects.) Vampires versus werewolves – just can’t go wrong with that combination.

Selena is loyal to her clan and justice. She’s there in the shadows, ready to take down evil, and proud of who she is. Selena is also just bad-ass cool. Who wouldn’t want to hang with someone like her?

Who is Selena?

Allison at Geek Banter!!

(Minus the leather outfit, although it wouldn’t surprise me if she knew how to use a sword and crossbow.)

Her profile states right up front that she loves Jesus, which is very admirable. And from that point, she becomes even more cool as she reveals her geeky side. For those into games, fantasy, science fiction, and other geek pursuits, that makes her beyond awesome. I’d definitely hang with Allison.

Allison is a writer, reviewer, gamer, and resident geek expert.

To you I dedicate Under a Glass Moon by Dream Theater. (Song title leads to YouTube.)

You will appreciate the music and the imagery. “Beneath a summer sky, Under a glass moonlight, Night awaits the lamb’s arrival…”

Trivia and Facts:

In Greek mythology, “Selene” means what…?

T’s trivia answer - The largest independent college of contemporary music in the world is Berklee College of Music, located in Boston.

Ninja News

Yesterday, I was captured by Mark Twain’s ghost and taken into space on a questionable ship, courtesy of Roland Yeomans. If you want a good laugh at my expense, read on! (And for the record, I DO NOT shrill.)

Terri Rochenski is offering some cool downloads for her upcoming book, Eye of the Soul, at her site. Check it out!

Julie Luek posted about the 30th Annual Colorado Gold Writing Contest of 2013: “For unpublished writers of COMMERCIAL novel-length fiction. Here’s your chance to get your novel in the hands of an acquiring agent or editor.” Check out her site for details.

The Wednesday Movie Quote returns next week!! Action-adventure quote this time. Post your favorite quote here next Wednesday or on your own blog.

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts next Wednesday, May 1!

CassaStorm is on the Goodreads list for “Can’t Wait Sci-Fi/Fantasy of 2013." Would be cool to see it bumped up a little higher! If you have a second, I’d appreciate a vote HERE.



Fan of Underworld? (Or sexy vampires in leather?) Following the awesome Allison? Know the trivia question? Want to read about my abduction by Mark Twain’s ghost? Entering the contest? And can you help me out on Goodreads? (You guys rock!)

Ninja News, Peaches D. Ledwidge, Novel Pimping, Lincoln and Life of Pi Movie Reviews, and CassaStorm Update

Gossip Girl is pimping my blog and books today! Thank you so much for the honor. See what she has to say at her site, Whatever.

Ninja News

Thanks to the almost hundred people who signed up to embarrass the snot out of me on December 10. You rock, my friends! (And in case you missed it - The Day the Ninja Died.)


Trisha at WORD and STUFF is hosting the Baby Faces Blogfest on December 2-3.

Mary Montague Sikes’ new book, Daddy's Christmas Angel, came out last week, and her publisher's designer created the cover using one of her art images. Congratulations, Monti!

Julie Luek at A Thought Grows had an awesome proposition – Writers for Readers. FirstBook is an organization that donates books to children, and she put out the call for others to make a donation. Good stuff, Julie!

Cindy Borgne runs a book review site called Good Book Alert, and for a very limited time she has opened up submissions to her fellow authors and bloggers. So if you need a book review, check out Good Book Alert.

Authors Angela Orlowski-Peart, Angela Brown, and Gwen Gardner are all part of Black Friday-Cyber Monday Indie Deals It ends today, so visit their sites for a list of books on sale.

CassaFire is up for Goodreads’ Best YA Covers for 2012. (And it’s not even young adult!!)

Special Feature

Peaches D. Ledwidge recently launched her website and her book, Day Laughs, Night Cries: Fifteen.


Peaches is currently on a blog tour giving bloggers a glimpse of her past in this amusing and sad mother-daughter story, so check it out. Congratulations, Peaches!

Movie Reviews

Life of Pi
Based on the novel (which I haven’t read), a man recounts to a writer his tale of being the only survivor of a shipwreck, trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger.
There is so much going on with this movie. At its heart, it’s the story of a young man finding God. It will wrench every emotion out of you by the end as you watch Pi struggle to survive while taking care of a tiger named Richard Parker. That he finds God after losing everything is a true testament to faith.
The visuals are stunning beyond words. I can imagine the challenge of the author trying to bring those to life in the book. On the screen, everything possesses depth – the power of the storms, the vastness of the sea and sky, and the beauty of the Bengal tiger. Not to mention the wide range of emotions.
In the end, we are asked which story we believe – the one of God and love or the one of the devil and hate. I believe the former.
Highly recommended!

Lincoln
The film focuses on Lincoln’s attempt to pass the 13th Amendment and a race to abolish slavery before the war ends.
And it’s not only likely to win Best Picture, but Daniel Day-Lewis is a shoe-in for Best Actor at the 2013 Academy Awards.
Watching all of the events unfold as the day to vote on the Amendment approaches is incredibly tense. So many driving forces, political dances, and turn of events - we know the outcome, but still sit on the edge of our seats. Most of this is achieved in quiet moments of reflection and discussion, which is no small feat.
Day-Lewis nailed Lincoln. He’s perfect. Sally Field is great as his wife and Tommy Lee Jones chews up scenery. The cast is huge – Hal Holbrook, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader – and everyone is outstanding.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, it’s an incredible piece of historical fiction and highly recommended!

CassaStorm Update

I forgot to mention last Monday – I send the finished manuscript to my publisher! Just waiting to hear back…

Hope my American buddies had a great Thanksgiving! Lots of news this week – see any enticing books or blogfests or need a book review? Donating to FirstBook? Anyone else see Life of Pi or Lincoln this weekend? (Or another movie? I’m still considering Wreck it Ralph.) And how are you NaNo people doing?

Don’t forget to visit Gossip Girl!

Ninja News, Show & Tell in a Nutshell, 2013 Movies, Movie Remakes, and More Critique Comments!

Today I have the honor of a guest spot on Ellie Garrett’s site! I’m discussing critique partners, so if the thought of others reading your work scares you, visit Ellie today. Or if you just want to read more great critique comments from Cassie and Rusty!

Ninja News

Today’s Special Challenge Participant Feature at the A to Z Blog is Nick Wilford. His Challenge theme was “26 Things that Made Me a Writer,” so visit the A to Z Blog for some inspiration.

Christine Rains revealed the cover for her upcoming book, 1301 - The Marquis, which will be out December 13. Congratulations, Christine!

Sean McLachlan has a new article series, Destination: Iraq, about his 17-day trip through Iraq. It’s over at Gadling and the first article is Going on Vacation in Iraq

Julie Luek at A Thought Grows called for revision tips from blog visitors. She compiled them into one post on Monday, and there were some good ones. You’d be amused by her favorite…

 Don’t forget the I Miss You Blogfest is this Friday! Show appreciate for the bloggers you miss and those you would miss.

And my co-hosts for the December 5 posting for the IWSG are Livia and Tasha Seegmiller. Thank you, ladies! I know you will rock.

Show & Tell in a Nutshell

Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

Not only is this pocket guide an excellent learning tool for aspiring writers, but it is a light, convenient, and easy solution to honing your craft no matter how broad your writing experience. Keep it in the side pocket of your school bag, throw it in your purse, or even carry it around in the pocket of your jeans or jacket, to enhance your skills, keep notes, and jot down story ideas, anywhere, anytime.

If you purchase the e-book, you will be armed with the convenient hyper-linked Contents Page, where you can toggle backward and forward from different scenes with ease. Use your e-reader's highlighting and note-taking tools to keep notes instead.

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US or £3.99 on Amazon UK
Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US, £1.99 on Amazon UK, or $1.99 on Kobo

For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit: Website, Blog, Twitter, or Facebook

Movies in 2013

It’s not 2013 yet, but there are some amazing movies coming out next year! Just a few to whet your appetite:

May 3 – Iron Man 3 – Guy Pearce is in the cast. Been a while since he’s been in a movie that didn’t suck.
May 24 - The Fast and the Furious 6 – After the awesomeness of the fifth movie, I’m ready!
July 12 – Pacific Rim – Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Need I say more?
November 8 – Thor: The Dark World – Thor battles an ancient race of Dark Elves. Yes, it’s a year away, but get excited, people!

Movie Remakes

Since Hollywood is determined to remake every film, thought we’d have some fun with it. What’s one of the worst remakes you’ve ever seen? What’s one of the best? What film would you like to see remade? And what film do you pray no one ever remakes?

Worst remake – Clash of the Titans
Yes, the original is campy, but it had heart and Ray Harryhausen creatures. The remake was a soulless piece of special effects.

Best remake – The Thomas Crown Affair
The original was good, but with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, it’s perfect.

Please remake – The Relic
Including the main character, Agent Pendergast, would be a big plus!

Never remake – Aliens
Cameron’s masterpiece is the ultimate roller coaster ride. Remake my favorite movie and I WILL go all Ninja on you!
(And while I’m at it, don’t remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, either.)

See some things you’d like to read? Ready for the blogfest this Friday? Did you pick up Jessica’s book? Excited for the 2013 movie season? And what movies were the best/worst remakes and what do you want/not want remade?

Be sure to visit Nick at the A to Z Blog and Ellie Garrett for more Cassie and Rusty comments!