Today I’m welcoming a Twitter buddy, Leo Wyld. In addition to being a Rocket Raccoon fan, he is an expert online gamer. Now, I’ve not played a lot of games online (although I am really digging the new Fallout 76), so I asked Leo to fill you in on etiquette and strategies. Take it away, Leo!
Cosmic Greetings! My name is Leo Wyld. It's not my legal name, but it's the name I use on my writing and nearly everywhere I frequent online. Here I'm representing two of my passions, writing and gaming. I'm not published as a writer but have worked as a contributor at a now-defunct Guardians of the Galaxy newsite called Guard the Galaxy. I also have designed and written my own sites, one of which is for fans of Marvel's superhero Rocket Raccoon. I dubbed the fandom Raccoonatics (combination of raccoon and lunatics) and raccoonatics.com is our site. Gaming is a hobby I've had since as long as I've had memories, starting with Atari back in the 80's. Today, though, I am writing about online gaming.
I had my first online computer in early 1999 and I've been playing some game or another online since then. Some advice and some of my favorite games:
Find friends and allies in the community. A good way to do this is to join a guild that fits your personality and playstyle. Even if you mostly play solo, having people to chat with. or group with when content requires, can make a game much more enjoyable.
Enjoy the journey. Not all players are the same and some people will enjoy simply focusing on numbers and being competitive. That said, a book is not as enjoyable by constantly focusing on page number or measuring how fast you read through it. So, enjoy your time in the virtual world as you would a good story. Read the quests. Learn some lore. Instead of a briefly-amusing pun name, think of a name and backstory for your character that fits in the game's world. That all might not be your thing, and that's ok, but you might also find a more profound appreciation for your time in the game. So give it a shot.
Learn, grow, but don't lose sight of the main goal. Everyone is new at some point. Don't be afraid to ask questions from the community. Some might be annoyed be frequently asked questions – see Mankrik's wife – but you'll likely find someone to give an answer. Don't forgot to use the Internet. Some of the toughest mechanics and quest-related quandries can be resolved by a quick web search. The more you play, you better you will become at the game. Keep in mind, there will always be players who are just better at the game and you will likely be judged at some point for your skill level (or lack thereof). Take advice when it is given kindly and work on improving where you struggle but always do so in a way you find enjoyable. Because above anything else I've said, a game is entertainment. If playing the game a certain way makes you miserable, it's just not worth it. Always put having fun first – if you can do that, you'll figure out how to navigate the other obstacles.
Now, for some online games I am currently enjoying... World of Warcraft –PC only Elder Scrolls Online –Is available on PC, PS4, and XB1. Guild Wars 2 –PC only Champions Online – PC only
I have some others I play less frequently, but I won't bother listing everything here (we'd be here a while). These listed are my most recommended. I think any of them you should at least try out. And, who knows, maybe you'll see me online. Have fun online!
Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man and teams up with other Spider-Men from different dimensions to stop Kingpin from destroying all dimensions.
One word - wow!!
It's unlike any animated film you've seen before. It's literally a work of art put on the screen. It's also one of the best Spider-Man movies.
Combining elements of 3D, cell, anime, comic book, and graffiti art creates an amazing visual experience. It's certainly a must-see in 3D.
It focuses on Miles' story, but the other characters are also fleshed out nicely. There are many major villains in the film, but they don't distract from the story at all.
One of the funniest moments involves a scene with an elevated train - you will literally laugh yourself out of your seat. There were a lot of really funny moments, along with many touching scenes.
Even if you're tired of the superhero genre, this film is a breath of fresh air and a must see. Very highly recommended!!
Latest Godzilla King of the Monsters Trailer and Posters
The second trailer dropped recently on YouTube. Wow! You get to see the monsters, including Ghidorah, in all their glory. They even made Mothra look bad-ass. And check out the new posters.
Monday’s Music Moves Me
Hosted by Xmas Dolly. And today it’s all about the Christmas music.
Our band has been really busy learning and playing new songs for Christmas. This is one of them – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by MercyMe. A rocking version that I’m sure is not what you are accustomed to! Watch on YouTube or below:
New Releases
Journey Through a Dark Forest: Lyuba and Ivan in the Age of Anxiety by Carrie Anne Brownian
This Russian historical is available in four volumes.
Find them on Amazon - Vol I,Vol II,Vol III, and Vol IV
Writing Secrets of the World's Most Prolific Authors by Sean McLachlan What does it take to write 100 books? What about 500? Or 1,000?
Find it on Amazon
Fate Summoner by Juliana Haygert
The Fire Heart Chronicles Book 5 “Magic never lies. I’m forced to make a choice. And once I decide, I can never go back.”
Find it on Amazon
IWSG News
The next post date for theInsecure Writer’s Support Group is January 2. We’ll be announcing the winners of the 2018 IWSG Anthology Contest, so don’t miss it! And we need one more co-host for that day!! If you can help out, please leave a comment or send me an email.
The #IWSGPitTwitter pitch is once a year now – and the next one is Tuesday, January15.
Don’t miss it, either!
TheIWSG Goodreads Group is currently reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The discussion will start January 23, 2019 and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you're able.
This will be my last post until January 2. I’ll be taking a break starting Friday. (And Aquaman was great! Such a fun movie.)
Everyone have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and enjoy your holidays!
On Thanksgiving Day, the next season of MST3Kdropped on Netflix. Turkey Day had returned!
While only six episodes, it was presented as The Gauntlet – a challenge for Jonah and the bots to sit through six movies back-to-back. (Fortunately, we managed to spread them out over three days.)
Mac and Me – 1988 film where a lost alien befriends a boy in a wheelchair. Why no, it’s not an E.T. rip-off…
The actors gave it their best, but this one suffers from a lot of nonsense (why is the alien drilling a hole in the wall?) and placing characters in mortal danger many times. Too dark for kids, too dumb for anyone over the age of eight.
However, thanks to Jonah and the bots, it has one of the best lines ever – “This film is exactly like a Pixar movie in that they both exist.”
Atlantic Rim – Exactly what it sounds like – an Asylum Films rip-off of Pacific Rim.
The robots are almost passable, but the monster is beyond horrible and the characters shallow and over-dramatic.
The folks at Asylum aren’t even trying to make a decent film. They must be stopped.
Lords of the Deep – A rip-off of The Abyss filmed in an office building.
Strange creatures surround an underwater office – I mean, research facility – while the characters do their best to be bland and boring.
Almost unwatchable if not for Jonah and the bots.
The Day Time Ended - A solar-powered desert home is visited by aliens and thrust into a time warp.
This is one of those cheap 70’s science fiction films that’s a bit of a drug-induced mind trip. Interesting idea but all over the map in story focus and effects.
You will believe a tiny alien can dance. Well, maybe not…
Killer Fish – Lee Majors, Karen Black, jewel thieves, and piranhas in this campy 70’s film.
Produced by Fawcett-Majors Productions, this was obviously a little pet project for Lee Majors. Over the top characters and a stupid title don’t help though.
According to the film, piranhas eat a hundred times their weight and never stop eating. Ever!
Ator, Fighting Eagle – Before The Blade Master/Cave Dwellers, there was Ator…
The son of Torren goes to avenge…oh, who cares? It’s a terrible Conan rip-off. Plus Ator wants to marry his sister. And there are explosions!
If spiders creep you out, don’t worry – the giant spider in this film is in no way convincing at all.
Will you survive The Gauntlet…?
Aquaman News
Early screenings of the film are coming in and people love it! Not perfect, but a lot of fun, great effects, and the second best DC film ever.
You can read some of the reviewer’s tweets at Screen Rant.
Aquaman's Jason Momoa takes on Jimmy Fallon in trident throwing challenge.
Avengers: Endgame Trailer
The next Avengers’ movie trailer dropped last week! It doesn’t give us much, but the ending is funny. Watch it here or on YouTube.
Christmas Gifts for Writers
Literary Book Gifts
is an online store devoted to showcasing unique literary designs on shirts and totes.
Authors range from Henry David Thoreau to Jane Austen.
There is truly something for every book lover in the collection.
And, as a special treat for my readers, a discount code of 20% off!
The code ALEXJCAVANAUGH20 can be entered at checkout for 20% off your order.
No minimum, no expiry.
So go check out Literary Book Gifts!
New Book Releases
Beware the Jade Christmas by Roland Yeomans Your past sins had teeth. This Christmas Eve, they bite back.
And while the Jade Christmas ghost isn’t real, the rest of the spirits in the book come from French Quarter legends!
Find it on print and eBook on Amazon
Are We Nearly Famous? by Patsy Collins, Sheila Crosby, Rosemary Kind, and Lynne Pardoe This collection of short stories is about journeys; literal, metaphorical and literary. Those both of the characters and the authors.
Pick it up for free at Amazon
Finding the Magic by Jack Lewis Baillot Belle is sent to the countryside to escape the London bombings during WWII. Find it on Amazon
It was interesting to see what everyone had in their writing areas.
The next posting is January 2 – the day after New Year’s Day. We’ll be announcing the winners of the IWSG Anthology Contest that day, so don’t miss it.
We also need co-hosts for next year – February, March, and April. All you have to do is visit twenty blogs within a section of the list. Leave a comment if you can co-host any of those months. It really is more fun on the host side…
Google+ is going away in January! If your icon, comment box, or follow widget is connected to Google+, go in and change it back to Blogger or Wordpress. Or no one will find you through your icon. Or comment on your site. (Sorry, all of your older comments will vanish...)
And finally, since so many commented that they had no idea Hot Tamales were a candy, here is Mini-Alex posing with some of my stash. They are chewy hot cinnamon bites of total delight!
Anyone else watch the new season of MST3K? Excited for Aquaman? (I think half of you commented last week that you were!) Looking for a gift for a writer? Some new books? Ready to try Hot Tamales? And can you co-host next year?
Just amazing!
I’m still trying to digest everything I saw. At two and a half hours, they pack in a lot.
All of the action sequences are amazing. There are so many that would be the grand finale in most films.
This movie had a lot of surprises. There were directions they could’ve gone but didn’t, and I appreciated that. There were also some reveals and yet more mysteries layered into the mix.v
Everyone is great in their role. (It is bittersweet to see Carrie Fisher in her last role though.) The characters are fleshed out even more, revealing their true nature. There are a lot of things addressed that I can’t touch on without spoilers, but safe to say the movie has depth.
The movie also has some great touches of humor. BB8, Fin, the porgs – they all have their moments.
Special effects? Amazing. And I appreciate that Yoda was a puppet again and not the cheesy animated thing from the trilogy we all want to forget.
Rogue One and Empire Strikes Back still edge it out, but this was a big favorite of the Star Wars movies.
Highly recommended!
Help Geekdom Housecreate a no-kill shelter for all the porgs purchased as Christmas presents and discarded.
Psych: The Movie
Shawn and Gus are back and it’s like they never left.
It’s three years later and everyone is now in SanFrancisco. Shawn and Juliet are living together, Shawn and Gus have a new office fashioned after the Chinese pawn shop in Gremlins, and Juliet has a stalker.
Everyone is back and it’s more hilarious than ever.
Timothy Omundson (Lassie) suffered a stroke just before filming began and the script was rewritten. He is in one small scene though.
The ending is for the fans. That’s all I’ll say.
If you are a fan, then you will delight in this reunion. And clamor for more!
Highly recommended.
(Did you hear about Pluto? That’s messed up.)
Alita: Battle Angel
A live action of this Japanese anime has been in the works for years. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, it’s due out next year. And it looks really good:
For comparison, here is the Japanese anime version which came out around twenty-five years ago. This was my first exposure to Alita and remains one of my favorite anime. It’s only an hour and two stories in one film, but it was well done. This is the entire movie, but you can watch a minute of it to get a feel for the film’s style. I think the live action one will stay true to the feel of the story.
Please welcome her to the team and follow us on Instagram!
I have an author website up at Carter Novels, featuring all of my books, audio books, and book trailers.
If you’d like to know more about Carter Novels, let me know.
Chrys Fey is hosting the Flaming Crimes Blogfeston January 3. What is something ridiculous you would save if there was a fire?
See her site for details and to sign up.
This month is all about Christmas music. I couldn’t find a traditional song I really dug, so I picked something different. I selected one that most people are familiar with – Trans Siberian Orchestra’s Wizards in Winter. Plus, this is the video with the house Christmas lights all in sync.
Have you seen the new Star Wars film yet? Giving anyone a porg for Christmas? Did you watch the Psych special? Excited about Alita? What Christmas music movies you?
Mini-Alex would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!
I’ll be offline December 22 through January 2, enjoying the holiday season. (I will check in on comments, Twitter, and emails though. And finally catching the wide release of The Shape of Water.) See you January 3 for theIWSG post and announcement of the anthology contest winners.
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.
December 6 question - As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?
I could certainly have written more (I bet that will be everyone’s answer) and at least cranked out a story or two.
I also could’ve done more with the IWSG. Yes, we are now a Writer’s Digest Top 101site, but we need to keep moving forward. We tried a few new things, some that worked better than others. The ones that didn’t work well – hey, at least we know not to do that again!
But we are brainstorming some new ways to better reach writers and give them the support they need.
Overall, it was a good year, so I wouldn't want to go back and mess anything up.
We need co-hosts for next year! If you can co-host on January 3, February 7, or March 7, please leave a comment below. (And January co-hosts will be announcing the winners of the IWSG Anthology contest!)
Coco Movie Review
We didn’t get out to this one the weekend it came out due to a busy Thanksgiving holiday. It’s rare we see a film on anything but opening night, but I’m glad we made an effort to see this one.
Miguel is an aspiring musician but his family has banned it for generations. An incident on the evening of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) sends Miguel to the Land of the Dead in search of answers.
This is probably one of the most visually stunning computer animated films ever made. Every scene is rich with colors and textures.
The story is very moving. (Sensitive souls, take Kleenex.) It’s all about family and its importance. Miguel’s struggle between his passion for music and his family is genuine and touching. It carries a positive message for everyone. And it pays great respect to the Mexican holiday.
Miguel’s whole family is loaded with personality, especially those he encounters in the Land of the Dead. Along for the journey is a pathetic but happy Mexican Hairless dog and a man named Hector who is determined to visit the land of the living again before he’s forgotten.
After a few years of hits and near misses for Pixar, they knock it out of the park with Coco.
Highly recommended!
Ninja News
Last week’s IWSG Newsletterwas truly amazing! If you’ve not signed up for it, you can do so HERE and you’ll even get a free eBook with some outstanding articles.
TheWEP – (Write...Edit...Publish) team, consisting of those much-loved bloggers, Denise Covey, Yolanda Renée, Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim, are open for submissions for their December challenge – The End is the Beginning.
Heading into the holiday season, our minds often focus on year's end and perhaps look forward to new beginnings. At WEP, we dedicate December to musing about life, taking stock, thinking about where we're at at this point in time.
Perhaps you'll be inspired to write a flashback, perhaps there's a change you're going through or one approaching, perhaps there's a branching off point that could be either an end or a beginning. Whatever strikes you, you have a choice in the way you submit – flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, a photo essay or get your feelings onto a canvas and show us some artwork...The Top Three entries receive prizes!
The End is the Beginning has any number of possibilities! Let your imagination run riot!
Available now – Dark Winds Rising by Mark Noce Three years after uniting the Welsh to defeat the Saxons and settling down with her true love, Artagan, Queen Branwen finds her world once again turned upside down as Pictish raiders harry the shores of her kingdom…
Find it on Amazon
Dom turns on his team, performing jobs for a woman bent on world terrorism.
The fate? A whole lot of fun!
This was probably one of the funnest rides so far in the franchise. Crazy car stunts and action scenes galore. Plus a sub and a rainstorm of cars! And much of it manifested by some computer wizardry and hacking.
The gang is all back, including Jason Statham now working with the team. Great to see Kurt Russell and Scott Eastwood as Little Nobody was a great addition. Most of the characters had moments of humor, but Tyrese Gibson’s character wins for all out hilarious. Charlize Theron as the bad guy – she was chilling. I think she’s found her calling.
It’s probably just a little too long (runtime 2:16) but eighth instalment and first without Paul Walker is worth the prices of admission. The action is balanced out by human moments, including some sad one. The effects are stunning as always. And of course, they left it wide open for number nine.
The movie also broke the worldwide opening weekend record with $532.5 million dollars.
If you don’t like the series, this one won’t change your mind.
If you do, then highly recommended!
Star Wars – The Last Jedi Trailer
In case you missed it last week…
Plus Rogue One came out a couple weeks ago and we snagged our 3D Blueray right away.
MST3K – New Season
The full season of the new MST3K was unleashed by NetFlix on Friday – and it was all I could do not to binge-watch them all weekend!
Could the new team pull it off? Safe to say, they did!
Since Joel Robinson, the original founder, is in charge, it feels like the earlier seasons of the old MST3K. They’ve reintroduced the kids’ letters to MST3K (although I don’t think kids really get many of the jokes) and it has a lighter feel. The segments in between still need a little work, but they'll get it eventually.
While not as edgy or snarky as the later years, it was still hilariously funny. I laughed out loud many, many times. The highlight is still the movie.
Some of the other cast members will be making appearances this season, and the second episode featured Mary Jo, Bill, and Kevin as Pearl, Brain Guy, and Professor Bobo. It’s still odd hearing different voices for the robots, although Crow is fairly close.
If you’re a fan of the original series or RiffTrax, check it out!
Blogger Feature
Today I’d like to draw your attention to a special blogger friend, Spacerguy aka Kieran O'Toole. He runs the Star Trek Sci Fi blogand the first time I landed there, I knew I would keep coming back. He’ll throw out other science fiction stuff, but if you’re a Star Trek fan like me, you’ll be in seventh Heaven. He’s participating in the Challenge, so there’s lots to see this month!
Where are you located?
I beam down to Ireland, Dublin occasionally, hehe- which is terra incognita actually I enjoy the privacy my Pen-name gives me. "Blogger" universal URLs have I think kept my location extra secret/mysterious.
Why the passion for Star Trek?
I got bit by the space bug which got me infected on the original shows alien anomalies and stories.
When did it begin?
At an early age the futurism of "Star Trek" made me dream. At first I puzzled over why so many black scratches flickered over the tv set and then, Ahh Haa! I had an epiphany. Thecamera lens was getting dirty from space dust, so trek's producers were filming in earth's orbit, Star Trek was real!
How many Star Trek conventions have you been to?
Here you've got me. In 1995 I was thrilled to meet Leonard Nimoy under the glare of paparazzi lights and cameras at Easons. People took my photo with Leonard and I don't have any!!!
In 2011, I trekked with my friend Nova to the Star Wars Invasion at the RDS. It took Star Wars to be the first!!! I was lucky enough to meet Julian Glover himself aka General Veers and Danny Baker aka R2D2 with Nova getting snapshots.
Do you own a Bat'leth or other Klingon weapon?
No I don't, I do have a Klingon Warbird with amazing sound effects and it took me two weeks to construct Captain Kirk's Starship with Lights and sound effects for the AMT USS Enterprise NCC1701.
What is your favorite Star Trek movie?
That’s easy, I'm going to talk Prime Universe movies only. At No1: The Wrath of Khan is the obvious winner. However Star Trek IV is good fun, doesn't take itself seriously and because its good, people like it, which gets my vote haha. I'm a sucker for all the light hearted comedy and saving whales. God bless them all.
Live long and Prosper, Spacerguy aka Kieran
New Releases
Joylene Nowell Butler is stepping down as IWSG Admin due to real life taking over. We will miss her so much! She also had a health challenge last week that has put her out of commission for a while – so much that she is not able to enjoy her book’s release day on Tuesday, April 18. So, we need to help her spread the word!
Maski: Broken But Not Dead By Joylene Nowell Butler
Psychological Thriller
$4.99 eBook ISBN 9781939844385
An IPPY Silver Medalist!
To the Breaking Point... When Brendell Meshango resigns from her university professor position and retreats to her isolated cabin to repair her psyche, she is confronted by a masked intruder. His racial comments lead her to believe she is the solitary victim of a hate crime. However, is all as it appears? After two bizarre days, the intruder mysteriously disappears but continues to play mind games with her. Taught by her mother to distrust the mainstream-based power structures, and with her stalker possibly linked to a high level of government, Brendell conceals the incident from the police. But will her silence keep her safe? Then her beloved daughter, Zoë, is threatened and Brendell takes matters into her own hands. To save Zoë, Brendell searches for the stalker and confronts not just a depraved madman but her own fears and prejudices.
Learn A Word in 100 Words by Patricia Josephine A collection of flash fiction inspired by unusual words. Each tiny tale is crafted around a word that is unique or no longer in use. Read them while waiting in line or before bed. They range from sweet and lighthearted to dark and disturbing. Look out for the supernatural, but don’t turn your back on the average human. A killer might be lurking underneath. Expand your vocabulary, and get some inspiration of your own.
Find it at Smashwords,Kobo, and Barnes and Noble
For those of you who celebrate Easter and the Resurrection, I hope you had a blessed Sunday.
Mini-Alex was hanging with his peeps of course.
I think a few of those peeps have since gone missing…
Anyone else see the Furious movie? Stoked for the next Star Wars film? Watched any of the new MST3K season? Following Spacerguy? Can you help Joylene spread the word? And did you have a good Easter?
Today I welcome fellow Dancing Lemur Press author, William Michael Davidson!
As an author, I obviously think it would be pretty awesome if The Remnant was made into a film. I've always seen it more as something that would make a good television series or an original show on Netflix. Having said that, I know there are some pretty sensitive issues that The Remnant deals with such as faith, belief in God, and where our culture is at with those issues. Because of this, a part of me would be surprised if someone ever did make this into an actual film. And if it was made into a film, I wonder how watered-down the whole book would be to make it "politically correct." To be honest, I don't see the book as just a Christian novel. Yes, I'm a Christian. Yes, I wrote the book. But I don't see this book as having an agenda. Still, however, I think there is a message beneath the surface and I wouldn't be surprised if a filmmaker would take some of those ideas out of a movie version to make it more mainstream.
So, could I see something happening with a film? Yes. But I would worry about what the end product would be and how much it would capture the original "heart and soul" of the novel.
But don't get me wrong. If I received a call from Steven Spielberg and he wanted to make it into a movie, I would be last one complaining.
Author William Michael Davidson is on tour with MC Book Tours featuring his new novel, THE REMNANT, being released Feb. 7 by Dancing Lemur Press L.L.C. You can follow Davidson’s tour schedule HERE for reviews, excerpts, interviews, features, and a chance to win a copy of his book.
THE REMNANT by William Michael Davidson
Release date: February 7, 2017
Science Fiction (FIC028000) / Christian Futuristic Fiction (FIC0402020)
Print ISBN 978-1-939844-29-3 $15.95
eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-30-9 $4.99
Blood Father
An ex-con finds his lost daughter and has to protect her from drug lords who want her dead. Starring Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, and William H. Macy.
This film came out last year and I’d heard good things about it.
It’s a man search for redemption with his daughter. Gibson always plays the perfect hero, but here he is damaged, vulnerable, and looking to turn his life around. The interactions between father and daughter were great and some of the best moments of the film.
It’s not overly violent, but it is punctuated with extreme moments of violence.
While I did have problems with a couple small aspects, overall I really enjoyed the film.
Available on NetFlix – recommended.
Ninja News
The IWSGis honored to welcome an award winning screenwriter, Erik Bork! Erik worked on projects such as From the Earth to the Moon and Band of Brothers – you don’t want to miss what he has to say.
Jeremy Hawkinsworks hard to produce the free online magazine, Six Strings.
And today, Six Strings Season 2 Issue 2 is available! In it you will find:
Interview with Composer... Tony Morales "DISNEY'S: ELENA OF AVALOR"
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by: Michael Giacchino (Review) by: Kaya Savas
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS (What if) STORY! by: Jason Lee Knight
Interview with Composer... Jasha Klebe “PLANET EARTH II” [2017]
Interview with Composer... Jacob Shea “PLANET EARTH II” [2017]
Where is #26? Mammoth’s Best New Horror Goes Hardback By KC Redding-Gonzalez
Listening for Romance in Horror By: Christina Persaud
Interview with Composer... Andre Matthias "On the film “The Drummer”
The Monkey King 2 [2016] [Review] Music by: Christopher Young By James Southall
Download your free copy HERE and please help spread the word.
February is kick-off month forWEP (Write…Edit…Publish)where a friendly group of like-minded bloggers astound each other and their readers every second month with their wit, wisdom, talent, sincerity and dexterity. The February WEP challenge is entitled 'Back of the Drawer'. Everyone's welcome to have a crack at it. Join the fun. We accept flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photo essays, artwork...1,000 word limit (but who's counting?) WEP (Write…Edit…Publish) is hosted by Denise Covey and Yolanda Renee
Valentine Pets & Kisses 2 boxed set
Including a story by JL Campbell
Pick up your copy for just .99 cents.
Heather Holden is hosting a special anniversary giveaway: Echo Effect premiered four years ago this month! It’s also been one year since I first launched my Patreon page.To celebrate, I'm offering free, personalized ACEOs of my characters! (ACEOs are art cards measuring 2.5x3.5 inches in size. Mine, specifically, are created with watercolor pencils and ink.)
Since it’s a freebie, I’m posting my favorite Haken song, Pareidolia. This band is my current favorite. (I reviewed one of their albums in December.) It’s a prog rock blend of sheer awesomeness!
When Fans Make Your Day
I want to give a shout out to two special ladies who made my day last week!
Tess Julia had this to say: I also wanted to give a shout out to Alex Cavanaugh for his book CassaFire, which I finished reading recently. I think I have a bit of a crush on the main character Byron, and trust me, if they ever made a movie based on his series I'd be in line to see it! Really well written, definitely on par with Star Wars and Star Trek. I'm not even a sci-fi fan but I enjoyed both books so far and will be getting the rest of his books.
Lauren Bambrey, who blogs HERE, sent out this tweet and reply: @LaurenBambrey - re read CassaStar a couple of weeks ago. Still reduced me to tears 6th time through! @AlexJCavanaugh - Sixth time reading CassaStar??? Oh wow. Thank you! Laura, you just made my day. Still sorry I made you cry though... @LaurenBambrey - One of my faves; will be read many more times too! Crying is good- sign of writing a beautiful friendship!
Thanks, ladies! You rock.
Movie Trivia
In honor of William’s book, today’s trivia is all about films set in Earth's future. Guess the film from the actors.
1 – Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, John Ratzenberger 2008
2 – Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Olga Kurylenko 2013
3 – Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, Chuck Conners 1973
4 – Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Taye Diggs 2002
5 – Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Ray Stevenson 2010
6 – Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Richard Jordan 1976
7 – Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis 2014
Answers next week!
Can you see your book as a movie? Or a world where belief in God is persecuted? Have you seen Blood Father? Going to download Six Strings or participate in WEP? Have you picked up your IWSG swag? (Mini-Alex is ready!) Has a fan made your day recently? And do you know any of the movie trivia?
Possibly the best Star Wars film ever!
Rogue One takes place just before Star Wars episode IV begins. It’s the story of those who risked everything to steal the Death Star plans.
Director Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Monsters) does an excellent job with tension and pacing. The film is 2:14 hours long, but it doesn’t feel like it. It's also the first Star Wars aimed fully at adults. (If you have really young children, I recommend seeing it without them first.)
Like Empire, it’s a darker film. But that’s balanced by a memorable cast of characters, including a snarky reprogrammed Imperial droid. (Voiced by Alan Tudyk of Firefly fame, who steals the show.)
The special effects are incredible, detailed, and full. The movie moves through numerous scenes and planets, each possessing its own distinct personality. And the space fights and battle on the beach – just wow!
The first two thirds are good, but it’s the final third that elevates the movie to great.
Highly recommended! And see in 3D if possible.
I plan on seeing it again during the Christmas break…
Trans Siberian Orchestra in Concert
It’s the concert going season and what better way to kick off the Christmas holidays than with a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert!
The show is just mind-blowing. I guarantee you have never seen a concert like it. Rising platforms, a catwalk, massive projection screens, moving lights, snow, flames, explosions, fireworks, and more laser lights than a hundred concerts combined.
The twenty-plus musicians and singers are also top showmen. They know how to play to the crowd and ham for photos. Every singer possesses an amazing and commanding voice. They even had Russell Allen from one of my favorite bands, Symphony X, perform three songs. And if you’ve never heard an electric violin, you are missing out.
In addition to songs from their albums, they also told the story from their very first video about a runaway girl in an abandoned theater. There’s a narrator in between songs who plays his part to perfection. Bookending this are Christmas and other songs from their multiple discs.
If you’ve never seen them, I highly recommend you go!
And I’ll leave you with this Monday’s Music Moves Me (hosted byXmas Dolly) song from TSO:
You should never judge someone based on appearances.
The human definition of a monster: an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening.
Please note, ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Beasts get very offended if you call them monsters. They are sentient, some much more intelligent than humans. Monsters act on animal instincts and kill for food. At first glance, beasts look different than humans, and fear is a common, instinctive reaction. Beasts understand this, but once humans realize beasts are logical beings, the term monster should never be applied in reference to them.
Beast is also a slang term the teenagers use in referring to each other or as an exclamation of surprise or loss. If a beast calls someone a monster, it is considered derogatory or a curse.
So when you come across a scary-looking individual, you can hide, but don’t call him a monster. You might be able to pull out his thorn and have a beastly friend for life.
Thanks for hosting me, Alex!
Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah! Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not. But when Ona goes missing, Gabe and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.
A NetFlix original film, it’s a mash of science fiction, horror, and war movie.
From the IMDB - A sci-fi/thriller story centered on a special-ops team that is dispatched to fight supernatural beings. Starring James Badge Dale, Emily Mortimer, and Bruce Greenwood.
It was a really unique concept, with actual science behind it. The suspense built as the creatures went from mere ghost images to real threats with their ability to flash-freeze anyone they touched. All hell breaks loose when the specialist who created the goggles that can see the creatures is sent in with a rescue team and it never lets up.
The effects were very impressive – handled by Weta Workshop, who did Lord of the Rings.
Something prevented it from moving up to the next level. But as a NetFlix watch, it’s definitely recommended.
Mini-Alex would like to wish all of you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and holiday wishes! May you all be blessed this holiday season.
Who else saw Rogue One? Have you seen TSO in concert? (And if the answer to either of those is no, why not?) Know some beasts or monsters? Ever seen Spectral?
I’ll be taking time off during the holidays and be mostly offline from December 24 through January 2.
See you Wednesday, January 4 for IWSG post day and the announcement of the IWSG Anthology Contest winners!
