Z-End - A to Z Challenge

Last day of the A to Z Challenge!

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.

Z-END!

And today is for those that need to know it’s not the end, it’s the beginning!

Angela Brown
A single mom trying to fit writing into her busy day. Do not give up on that dream, Angela!

Katie at Creepy Query Girl
She’s had some setbacks and been at this query thing a long time. Katie, you are so close – don’t doubt who you are!

Liza at Middle Passages
She began her blog after suddenly finding herself unemployed. Liza, we’ve grown with you on this journey – keep moving forward!

Ted Cross 
An epic fantasy writer trying to find a fit. Ted, don’t give up on that book!

EPIC NINJA THANKS!

A big thanks to everyone who visited and commented during the Challenge! At over a hundred comments a day, I know I couldn’t keep up with all the new people. Thanks to those who visited the bloggers I highlighted – it was awesome to see those people with new followers from the Ninja Army.

Special thanks to the A to Z Team, starting with Arlee Bird. Lee, two years ago you invited your followers to join you on this wild ride, and a hundred of us fumbled our way through the letters. But that first Challenge changed my blog forever and I am in your debt!

It took one heck of a team to pull off the Challenge this year. Jeremy Hawkins created many of the badges and banners, and he jumped in several times to help with emails and such. Tina Downey managed the Challenge email and kept us straight with posts. Damyanti Biswas was our Twitter Master. And everyone else who helped with the project - Stephen Tremp, Jenny Pearson, Matthew McNish, DL Hammons, Shannon Lawrence, Konstanz Silverbow, Karen Gowen, and Elizabeth Mueller. You guys rock!

NINJA NEWS!

This Wednesday, May 2, is the next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! I was able to clean up the list so we have a good core group of participants now. If you haven’t signed up, please join us!

Next Monday is the A to Z Challenge Reflection post. Let us know what you thought of the Challenge – the good, the bad, and the surprising.

The following Monday is my First Loves Blogfest!

And the winner of my Epic Ninja 1500 Followers Giveaway is...Arlee Bird!
Congratulations, Lee! Now is that not fitting?

Whew! We made it. Feeling sad that it’s over? Ready for a nap? Going to share your thoughts on the Challenge during the Reflections post? Ready for Wednesday’s IWSG post? (Hey, you get Tuesday off! You can do it.)

Origins Blogfest, Movie Review, & Valentine's Day

It’s time for the Origins Blogfest! I am honored to host this blogfest with DL Hammons, Matthew McNish, and Katie Mills. We are to describe the origins of our writing – where did it all begin? The sign up list is below if you care to join the fun. Be sure to visit others participating in the blogfest. That’s why we do blogfests!

Where did it all begin?

In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth…

Oh wait, too far back! I’m supposed to start with the origins of my writing.

I’m sure by now you’ve read some really amazing origin stories of writers inspired by deep and meaningful events in their lives and by a passion to write and express themselves.

My inspiration’s not so deep.

I watched a ton of TV and movies - Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, Buck Rogers… I also read a lot of superhero comics and books by Alan Dean Foster and Terry Brooks. I played D&D. I’m sure some Saturday morning cartoons factored into the equation as well.

I began writing because some of the adventures I’d imagined weren’t available in any of these formats. I penned a few short stories, jotted down some ideas, and even wrote a partial, crappy novel. It wasn’t really a passion, just a way I could channel my imagination. (And avoid boring stuff like homework.)

Writing faded before college though. It was never my goal to become a writer or an author so I forgot about it. It wasn’t until decades later I picked up that crappy novel. The story sucked but the characters were strong, so I decided to rewrite my tale of two brothers in a war.

And the rest is history!


Now, aren’t you all inspired?


Be sure to visit others participating today!

Movie Review

Chronicle
Finally saw it this past weekend, and it was no more than what previews promised. It was impressive for the size of budget (read: tiny!) and the characters were realistic. I think we can expect more good things from this director, as he made the camera angles fresh. (Although I do hope it’s the last found footage movie for a while.) It was good and captivated me while watching it, but the film wasn’t earth shattering nor did it stick with me for long.


And guys – don’t forget Valentine’s Day on Tuesday! You may not be as fortunate as me (I have a wife who says don’t get me anything and she means it) so don’t mess up and forget. Ladies, may there be chocolate or wine involved. Or if you’re Talli, both!

What’ the origins of your writing? Or your passion if it’s movies or something else? Have you seen Chronicle? Did you remember Valentine’s Day? If you vanish, we’ll know you didn’t…

Contests, ORIGINS, Pop Culture Answers - and More!

Over at the A to Z Challenge blog is a big announcement regarding our video challenge/contest! See the site for rules and guidelines.

David Powers King just hit five hundred followers, and to celebrate he’s hosting a giveaway!

Only two more days to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for CassaFire and don’t forget to sign up for the Catch Fire! Blog Party for more chances to win.

I’m happy to announce the ORIGINS blogfest!

The brain child of DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, I’m proud to be a co-sponsor along with Katie Mills aka Creepy Query Girl and Matthew MacNish at The QQQE.

On Monday, February 13th, post your own origin story. Tell us all where your writing dreams began. It could be anything from how you started making up stories as a child, or writing for the school newspaper, or even what prompted you to start a blog. How about stories about the first time somebody took an interest in your writing, or maybe the singular moment when you first started calling yourself a writer. It all started somewhere and we want you to tell us your own unique beginnings.

Sign up below!

And now, the answers to the Pop Culture Trivia, with a couple new ones for you…

Movies:
Quote – name the movie: “Three weeks, twenty papers, that’s two dollars.” Better Off Dead
What now famous actor was killed in his bed in A Nightmare on Elm Street? (1984) Johnny Depp
What actress appeared in Less Than Zero, Twister, and The Lost Boys? Jami Gertz
In True Romance, who plays Christian Slater’s vision of Elvis? Val Kilmer
Quote – name the movie: “You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?” Pulp Fiction

Music:
What famous guitarist for Ozzy was killed March 1982? Randy Rhodes
Where did the band White Zombie get its name? From a 1932 movie called White Zombie
Milton Berle was in two of Ratt’s music videos – what was the connection? The band’s manager was Berle’s Nephew
What album spent a record-setting 778 weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart? Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Who was the hot blonde in the video for the Grammy winning song, Rosanna, by Toto? Cynthia Rhodes

TV:
Before it was a hit series, The Simpsons debuted as a short skit on what FOX show? The Tracy Ulman Show
Which actress replaced Shelly Long when she left Cheers? Kirstie Alley
What award-winning two hour show parodied other movies from 1988 to 1999? Mystery Science Theater 3000
Director Michael Mann produced what TV series, later directing the film version? Miami Vice
What actor was on Saturday Night Live, hosted two TV shows, Monday Night Football, and even hosted a game show? Dennis Miller

Bonus Game question:
What is the best-selling game console ever? Playstation 2

How’d you do? Want a couple more? Guess these movie quotes:

“The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

“I call it blood, detective. I suppose you’ll write it up as ‘graffiti.’”

“Anything else that’ll keep this elevator from falling?” “Yeah. The basement.” 

Know any of those answers? Signing up for the blogfest? Know any other events around the blogging world? Still waiting for me to explain ‘progressive rock?’