Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus RiffTrax Live, December Movie Preview, Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, MST3K Movie Trivia Answers, and New Releases

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.

My awesome co-hosts today are Sandra Hoover, Mark Koopmans, Doreen McGettigan, Megan Morgan, and Melodie Campbell!
 

First, I have to announce - CassaStar on sale! The first book in my Cassa Amazon best-selling trilogy is only .99 this week at Amazon. If you can help spread the word, that would be awesome.
Tweet:
Amazon Best-Seller CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh on sale for .99 cents http://www.amazon.com/CassaStar-Alex-J-Cavanaugh-ebook/dp/B0045Y261I/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= #99cents #scifi

I’ve been tossing around my next story idea. I’d like to take on a couple more short stories, starting with one set in either universe I’ve created. I could continue with stories about the Dragon or follow one of the many secondary characters in the Cassa universe. (Any requests?)

After that, I just might try a little fantasy…

Be sure to visit other IWSG members and be watching January 6 when we announce the winners of the IWSG Anthology Contest!

The Wizard of Oz: Book vs. Movie

Hello all! We’re the DMS¬ Fairday Morrow, Lizzy Mackerville, and Marcus “aka Brocket the Rocket” from the new middle grade book THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW, and we’re here to talk about The Wizard of Oz, the movie vs. the book. There are a lot of differences between them. The slippers are the most obvious. Everyone thinks of them as ruby slippers, because that’s how they’re portrayed in the movie, but in the book, they’re silver. Isn’t that crazy! All this time you thought of them as red. ;)
FAIRDAY: I have my grandma’s copy of The Wizard of Oz, which is very special to me. I remember her reading me the story when I was little, and how she did the characters voices perfectly. I will always cherish the book, BUT I also really like the movie. I mean, it’s just so fun! Plus, my little sister, Margo, belts out the lyrics to the movie soundtrack when it’s playing in the Morrow family cruiser.
LIZZY: I like the movie more than the book. The power of the ruby slippers being divided between each shoe in the book was cool, but I loved the Emerald City in the movie. I thought that part was awesome when they first walk in and the horses change colors and everything is sparkly green.

MARCUS: I haven’t read the book, so I can only talk about the movie, and it’s the best! The flying monkeys are AWESOME, and so is the part when Dorothy throws the water on the wicked witch and she melts. You have to wonder what the witch was made of to fall to pieces just by getting wet.

DMS top 10 favorite things about The Wizard of Oz/ the movie
1. Ruby Slippers
2. Flying Monkeys
3. Awesome music
4. Munchkin Land
5. Toto
6. Flying over a rainbow in general
7. Hot air balloons and wizards
8. The Emerald City
9. The wicked witch¬ needs a shout out.
10.Traveling in a bubble like Glinda.

- Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson

Find The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow at Penguin Random House
Find Jessica and Stephanie: website, blog, and on Twitter - @DMSfiles and @mrsrobinson229

Ninja News

Don’t forget RiffTrax Live is December 3 with an encore on December 15!
Santa and The Ice Cream Bunny is one of the most bizarre and popular RiffTrax titles of all time and a cheesy holiday classic. This rare version of the film includes a never before seen Jack and the Beanstalk story as told by Santa for an as yet unknown reason. Join Mike, Kevin, and Bill as they present it live on the big screen for the very first time!

New Releases:

Lovelorn Spirits by Christine Rains
Find it on Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, and Goodreads

She also has a short story in the just released 9 Tales Told in the Dark. #7

The Reader, Rifters Book 3 by M. Pax
With the rift closed for the season and no more monsters to fight, Daelin Long gets bored as librarian in the podunk town of Settler, Oregon.
Find it on Amazon, iBook, Barnes and Noble, and more!

Guardians of Telesma by River Fairchild
Find it on Amazon

Aced (Blocked #2) by Jennifer Lane
Find it on Amazon

A Clueless Woman by T.B. Markinson 
Find it on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon AU, and Goodreads

The Water Holds No Scars: Fly Fishing Stories of Rivers & Rejuvenation
Edited by Dean K. Miller
Find it at Tulip Tree Publishing

Beverly Stowe McClure’s story, A Tiger-Sized Heart, will appear in an upcoming anthology.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat will be published February 9, 2016.

Movie Trivia Answers

All have been riffed by MST3K:
1 – 1975, eight legged creatures, Alan Hale Jr. in the cast – The Giant Spider Invasion
2 – 1955, sequel to fish man hit, Clint Eastwood’s first role – Revenge of the Creature
3 – 1959, starring James Best of Dukes of Hazzard fame, featuring giant rodents that were actually just dogs with carpets draped over their backs – The Killer Shrews
4 – 1957, directed by Bert I. Gordon, and featuring a really big bald guy – The Amazing Colossal Man
5 – 1965, first in a series of many, this Japanese monster gave Godzilla a run for his money - Gamera
6 – 1957, another Bert I. Gordon classic, starred Peter Graves, featured really large insects – The Beginning of the End

December Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for December! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

11 -

The Big Short
Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Finn Wittrock, Karen Gillan
If you’re not already disgusted by our lending institutions, then just watch this film.

In the Heart of the Sea
Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw
Man versus Dick – the Real Story.




18 –

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
Director: J.J. Abrams
Stars: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver
Wait, there’s a new Star Wars film? Why haven’t I seen any advertising for it?




25 –

The Revenant
In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Stars: Tom Hardy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter
The director of Birdman is at it again to bring you a fascinating yet most likely bizarre film spectacle.

The Hateful Eight
In post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunters try to find shelter during a blizzard but get involved in a plot of betrayal and deception. Will they survive?
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Tarantino on Christmas Day! Give the gift of gallons of bloodshed.

Concussion
In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.
Director: Peter Landesman
Stars: Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Stephen Moyer
I bumped my head on a cabinet and I honestly can’t remember what this movie’s about…

Whoa! So, what should I write next? Grateful for any help I can get promoting CassaStar’s sale. Which do you prefer - Wizard of Oz book or movie? Seeing RiffTrax: Live? Picking up some awesome new books? How’d you do on the trivia? And what movies perk your interest this month?

Realms Faire – Trapped in the Vortex! Blog Comments – What’s Right? Plus Deadpool Video, Fargo Series and Let Us Prey Movie Reviews, Six Years of Blogging, and Ninja News.

The 2015 Realms Faire!

Hosted by author M. Pax

Twitter Hashtag – #RealmsFaire

Riddle Me This ~ Dueling Bards ~ Phasers ~ Unicorn Hunt ~ Who Roams Here? ~ Beware the Vortex ~ VelociRaffle ~ The Hero’s Dilemma ~ Stockade Brigade ~ Hall of Doors ~ The Joust ~ Drench-a-Wench/Soak-a-Bloke

Today, I am trapped in the Vortex!!

Alex needs your help. He’s trapped in Lucien’s Bar, the gateway to the Underworld, and challenging War to a sword fight is his only way out. Please come over and cheer him on. Your comments will improve his chances. The Immortals aren’t above cheating so here are three magic words to give Alex an edge in the contest: ninja, light, steel. Use these words in your comment to give him an added boost on Monday, Nov 9th, at River Fairchild's site.

Ninja News

Elizabeth S. Craig is visiting the IWSG today! Always an honor to have Elizabeth, and today she is discussing author newsletters.

Today’s Themes That Rocked the Challenge feature at the A to Z Blog is Jennifer Hawes! She posted about her hometown of Hannibal, MO, which also happens to be the boyhood town of a certain author named Mark Twain…

New release – The Deep Dark Woods Anthology
Featuring The Blue Mist by Shannon Lawrence
Find it on Amazon



Edi’s Book Lighthouse had some great links this past weekend regarding author blogs and social media importance. (Not to mention the world’s first underwater museum!) Edi mentioned that he enjoys blog tours as long as the content differs from blog to blog, and I have to agree. A blog tour should not be the same posts over and over or just an announcement.

And Edi and I will both be excited Tuesday, November 10 – Fallout 4 releases! Such an awesome series.

Deadpool Video

This funny promotional piece for next February’s Deadpool movie came out recently. There are words bleeped out, but my wife and I don’t think Ryan Reynolds was really cussing at the kids. (At least, we hope not!)

Fargo Series Review

Season two is a separate story line from season one. Rest assured though, the characters are just as quirky!
The acting is spectacular and the writing top notch.
It even includes some kind of alien intervention. (Yes, you read that right!)
This show will leave you scratching your head in confusion, but in a good way.
Recommended!

Let Us Prey Movie Review

This Irish film was highly rated on NetFlix.
It has a great style that covers up not a lot of substance. It’s a horror/psychological thriller that stretched plausibility, but not enough to stop watching.
Many will recognize the stranger from Game of Thrones. You’re never exactly sure who the stranger is, which is part of the reason you’ll keep watching.
Worth a NetFlix rental if you’re curious.

Blog Comments – What’s Right?

This is part of Jeffrey Scott’s monthly R.A.N.T. series.

This isn’t going to be just about returning comments, but will encompass other clog comment topics as well. Just some things I’ve been tossing around in my mind and with certain groups.

It is good manners to return a visit, but sometimes we miss a comment from a new person. Or maybe the person posted something that day we really just don’t relate to. Or maybe we just ran out of time. But if someone visits our site several times, then it’s rude not to return the visit. (And there are bloggers out there who just won’t visit a site outside of their comfort pool no matter how many times we comment, which is sad.)

What about those who follow and comment, enticing you to do the same, and then they just stop visiting? Maybe even unfollow you? I’ve noticed a lot of these types of bloggers lately. Are they just after followers to build their blog? They amassed a lot of followers and are now being choosy who they visit?

And how often should we expect our friends to comment? Every post no matter what? Some days, people are just busy! Maybe on vacation. Maybe it’s a topic that they can’t comment on. We can’t expect a comment every single time. I follow over 2000 blogs and my blogger buddy list is twice what’s in my sidebar – I just can’t visit every post of every single person. (The clones have tried, believe me. And then half of them went on strike during the A to Z Challenge.)

Blogging is still about being social and making friends. It’s not expecting everyone to come to you, or taking advantage of others, or possessing unrealistic expectations. It’s building new friendships and maintaining old ones. It’s being a genuine person who cares.

What do you guys think?

Six Years Ago Today…

And to end this on a happy note – today, November 9, marks six years of blogging for me!

I cannot begin to tell you what a wild ride it’s been. I started with no followers and a book release looming almost a year away. I had no ambitions of building a huge following or writing more books. No plans to become a part of the A to Z Team or host dozens of blogfests. And certainly had no idea I’d start something like the IWSG.

The bottom line – I couldn’t have done it without all of you. Thank you. You guys are the reason why this Ninja won’t quit. You haven’t given up on me and I won’t give up on you.

Don’t forget to visit the IWSG and A to Z Blog today.

Excited for Fallout 4? What did you think of the Deadpool video? (I really don’t think he said anything bad to those kids.) Watching Fargo? Seen Let Us Prey? Can you believe it’s been six years? And what are your thoughts on blog comments?

And please save me from the Vortex!!

RiffTrax, October Movie Preview, Alien Movie Trivia, Battle of the Banned, Ninja News, and New Releases!

RiffTrax Thursday!

This Thursday, it’s RiffTrax Live - Miami Connection!

The show will be broadcast live from Nashville. (If you live in that town, for God’s sake, go see them live!) And they are being broadcast live into over a hundred movie theaters across the nation. Go HERE to find a theater near you.

You’ve heard me rant about RiffTrax before. Go and enjoy!

Blogroll Restored!

It took hours of work, but I built back up my blogroll in my side bar.

I may have missed someone, so if you are a regular visitor and blogger buddy, please let me know if you don't see your blog listed.

Ninja News

Jessica Therrien is hosting the READ AND REVIEW CHALLENGE! The event runs from October 1 to March 31, 2016. It challenges readers to read and review ten or more books from the list. Each review will enter the readers into a raffle for a monthly giveaway and those who review ten or more will be entered into the grand prize raffle. To add your book to the list (you have to supply a copy to the readers) fill out the form HERE. This is open to both traditional and self-published authors.

New Releases!

Static by SK Anthony
Find it on Amazon

We Had Flags by Sean McLachlan
The third in the Toxic World series of post-apocalyptic novels.
Find it on Amazon

Ghost Dancer by Christine Rains
The Paramours - ghost hunting with a kiss.
When Nina Azure’s talent as a ghost dancer doesn’t persuade a handsome phantom to talk, she entices him with sizzling sexual energy…
Find at Ellora’s Cave, Kobo, and Goodreads

Ghost for Sale by Sandra Cox
Find it at Kensington Publishing

The Art of the Sparkly Fart by Pat Hatt
Find it on Amazon

Demon in the Basement by River Fairchild
Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

Alien Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde – 2011- Cowboys and Aliens
2 – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura – 1987 - Predator
3 – Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rihanna – 2012 - Battleship

4 – Kurt Russel, Wilford Brimley, Keith David – 1982 – The Thing

5 – Scoot McNairy, Whitney, Able – 2010 - Monsters
6 – Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Abigail Breslin – 2002 - Signs
7 – Joel Courtney, Ellie Fanning, Kyle Chandler – 2011 – Super 8

Battle of the Banned

This is Shady Del Knight’s Battle of the Banned. (Yes, Banned, not Band.) It pits two songs against each other and you vote for your favorite.

It might seem unfair to pit an original version against a remake. But VH1 lists the remake as one of the best ever – even better than the original. The band made it their own. So, you tell me – which version of Holy Diver do you like best?

Original Ronnie James Dio version -

Killswitch Engage’s version -

You know the routine – vote for your favorite!

October Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for October! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

2 –

The Martian
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
Director: Ridley Scott
Stars: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara
Sometimes, when I’m on a trip, I wonder if I forgot to turn off the oven. I can’t imagine how these people must feel…

The Walk
In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Kingsley, James Badge Dale
This is a must-see in Imax. I heard it’s jaw-dropping. (And I hope that’s all that drops…)





9 –

Pan
12-year-old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.
Director: Joe Wright
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Jimmy Vee, Rooney Mara
Lots of bad buzz and a grim story line. I don’t think it will pan out well…

Steve Jobs
Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter.
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook
I’ll probably wait for this to show up on iTunes.





16 –

Crimson Peak
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds...and remembers.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska
Del Toro and a horror film dripping with atmosphere – a must see!

Bridge of Spies
An American lawyer is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Tom Hanks, Peter McRobbie, Alan Alda, Billy Magnussen
It’s a film about a group of spies who live under a bridge like trolls. Wait, that might not be right…




23 –

The Last Witch Hunter 
The last witch hunter is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history.
Director: Breck Eisner
Stars: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Michael Caine
The Iron Giant and Groot team up to kick some witch butt!

Going to see RiffTrax on Thursday? Participating in the Read and Review Challenge? Picking up some new books? Get any of the movie trivia right? Which version of Holy Diver do you like best? And what movies are on your radar for October…?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group Big Announcement! Plus September Movie Preview, Movie Trivia Answers, and New Releases

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.

My awesome co-hosts today are Julie Flanders, Murees Dupé, Dolorah at Book Lover, Christine Rains, and Heather Gardner!


Today marks four years since the group began and two years since we opened the website. So what better way to celebrate than offer our members an amazing opportunity! Presenting…

The IWSG Short Story Contest 2015

After the success of last year’s IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, we decided to create another book. This time it’s a short story competition with the top ten stories getting published in an anthology. (Authors will also receive royalties on sales.)

Eligibility: Any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging or Facebook member. The story must be previously unpublished. Entry is free.

Word count: 5000-6000

Theme: Alternate History/Parallel Universe. That’s right, we’ve decided to go the speculative route. This theme has plenty of scope and we’re open to pretty much anything along these lines, except erotica or graphic violence.

Story deadline: November 1st 2015

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted, previously unpublished story to TheIWSG at gmail dot com before the deadline passes. Make sure to include your contact details.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges:
Laura Maisano - Senior editor at Anaiah Press for their YA/NA Christian fiction
Russell Connor – Author and owner of Dark Filament Publishing Startup
Candace Havens – Editorial Director for the Covet, Select, Select Otherworld, Select Historical, Embrace, Indulgence for Entangled Publishing. She is also a nationally syndicated columnist and award-winning and best-selling author.
Dawn Frederick – Literary agent and the founder of Red Sofa Literary
Alice Speilburg – Founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency
Michelle Johnson – Literary agent and the founder of Inklings Literary Agency
Kendare Blake - Author
Lydia Moëd - Associate agent at The Rights Factory

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. The winners will also receive an exclusive badge to display on their blog.

We’re excited to see the creativity and enthusiasm that’s such a part of this group put into action. So don your creative caps and start writing. And spread the word!

The #IWSG short story anthology contest is open! For details - http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2015/09/iwsg-post-day-and-special-anniversary.html #contest #shortstory #anthology

Ninja News

Battle of the Banned results:
The song was Powerslave and the votes were close. With my vote for Maiden…
Iron Madien - 12
Testament - 8

Truedessa wrote a beautiful poem about the Dragon and posted a shot of the book and swag she won!


Rhonda Albom’s daughter had this exciting news:
I have been accepted into the AFS student exchange program! I will be going to Argentina for the 2016 year. One of several ways I am fundraising for my portion of expenses is by creating an online Zazzle store and selling some of my photography works on different products. I started Sarah Albom Photography a few days ago.

Interesting article at Tiny Tickle - Leeds and the World's First Science Fiction Convention. Arthur C. Clarke was one of the attendees.

New Releases!

Garden of Lost Souls: A Collection of Flash Fiction by Madeline Mora-Summonte 
Find it at Amazon and Goodreads

Tiamat's Nest by Ian S. Bott
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBookstore

Just Another Day in Purgatory by River Fairchild
Amazon. iBookstore, and Barnes and Noble

Re-release:
Oppression by Jessica Therrien

Movie Trivia Answers 

1 – Where is your drill sergeant, men? Blown up, Sir! – 1981- Stripes
2 – In Mexico, you know what they call Twinkies? Los submarions. – 2009 - Zombieland
3 – Wild Thing, you make my heart sing. You walk everything. – 1989 Major League
4 – Hey, get a room guys… Oh that’s not right! – 1999 Galaxy Quest
5 – I’m going to call her Lunch. Hello, Lunch, hello! Ew! Avoid the green ones-not ripe yet. – 1988 A Fish Called Wanda

September Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for September! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

4 –

The Transporter Refueled
In the south of France, former special-ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme-fatale and her three sidekicks who are looking for revenge against a sinister Russian kingpin.
Director: Camille Delamarre
Stars: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol, Ray Stevenson, Lenn Kudrjawizki
Now refueled with even fewer stars…



11 –

The Visit
A single mother finds that things in her family's life go very wrong after her two young children visit their grandparents.
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Kathryn Hahn, Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan
It’s actually getting good buzz – it’s the director’s apology for the past four films.



18 –

Everest 
A climbing expedition on Mt. Everest is devastated by a severe snow storm.
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Stars: Elizabeth Debicki, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright
It looks good – I actually want to see this one.

Sicario
An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal, Josh Brolin
Good buzz and could be another hit for Blunt.




25 –

Hotel Transylvania 2
Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Stars: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Nick Offerman
Adam Sandler – insert your own suck joke here.

What are your writer insecurities today? Picking up any of the new releases? Get any of the trivia right? Which movies are you seeing in September? And who plans to enter the IWSG contest…?

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review, Wonder Woman, Random Alex, Ninja News, and More Movie Reviews

Movie Review – How to Train Your Dragon 2

Hiccup, Toothless, and the gang are back for another great adventure!

The characters have grown and now face new challenges. This tale takes them far beyond the boundaries of home and really expands the world in which they live.

There’s a good balance of funny and serious. Be warned though that the serious is often dark, dealing with death, abandonment, and intense situations. This film is not for really young children.

Animation is stunning and awesome in 3D.

And no, Hiccup does not lose any more body parts!

Recommended

If I Wasn’t a Writer, I’d be Wonder Woman

From the awesome Annalisa Crawford!

Thanks for inviting me to your blog today, Alex, it’s an honour to be here, and I’m very excited. I always wondered what it looked like from this side. It’s nice, especially the glitter ball!

When I was little, one of my favourite shows was Wonder Woman.

I’m just a rookie-geek when it comes to comic books and superheroes, and I wouldn’t dare hold a conversation with a real aficionado – I have never read a comic book, they’d probably spot that!

Everything I know about Woman Woman is what I knew when I was four – she’s got indestructible bracelets, a tiara that works as a weapon and a lasso (along with cool lasso skills).

And, really, what more does a girl need?

She was strong enough to lift cars, bend metal, and throw men across a room. I loved the way she spun around to get changed, and – as with all superheroes with secret identities – how she could disguise herself with just a pair of glasses!

There weren’t many women in my childhood that I could look up to. The boys tied their jackets around their neck to be Superman, they climbed up the slide to be Spiderman, and they growled to be the Hulk. The girls just got saved, a lot…

Until we discovered Wonder Woman, and span ourselves into a dizzy heap. But we looked cool while we did it, honest.

I am pretty ecstatic that she’s going to be making an appearance in the Batman vs Superman film – just a year or so to wait!

Annalisa’s new mirror

Find Annalisa and Our Beautiful Child at Blog, Website, Amazon and Smashwords

Ninja News

The talented Ella has had her artwork featured in many magazines. To gain more exposure, she needs your help – can you LIKE her work on the magazine’s Facebook page? Thanks!

River Fairchild has released another tantalizing morsel of creepiness - Darkest Days, Blackest Nights: Tales of Lust, Greed, Vengeance, Death.

Juliana Haygert’s latest book is out – Breaking Fences.

Rachel Morgan’s book, The Faerie Guardian, is now part of this amazing boxed set, Girls on Fire.

Decadent Kane’s Steele Your Soul came out last month and you find it at Breathless Press




And a cool blog if you haven’t found it yet is Sleepy Bison’s MEKANIKAL, which features futuristic stuff like Bitcoin, emerging cryptocurrencies, science/tech projects, and sometimes silly stuff.

Random Alex Stuff

The issues with Feedly last week meant I was relying on my sidebar to catch new blog posts. (My apologies to everyone I missed. Using the sidebar is time consuming and not always effective.) Since some of you were not listed in my sidebar, I made some adjustments. If you are a regular visitor here and you don’t see your blog listed, please let me know!

For the release of Annalisa’s A Beautiful Child, Rachel Schieffelbein asked about what she’d want named after her. Since both Annalisa and Rachel selected a food item, Iwent with the flow and picked a breakfast cereal:
Ninja Captain Choco-Bits!
What would pick?

All three of my books are on the Best Space Opera list at Goodreads. If you enjoyed them, please jump over and vote. CassaStar is still in the top five, but CassaFire and CassaStorm could use some love.

Quick Movie Reviews

Some DVD reviews since this was the weekend for movie sequels…

Red 2

I’m not sure why the critics were so harsh on this film. It’s another fun instalment, full of action, wit, and humor. It’s a bit too long, but other than that, a really good film.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

The storyline is very simple but it works. This film is as fun as the first one, with many laugh out loud moments. It’s definitely aimed at kids but will keep adults amused.




Anyone else see Dragon 2 this weekend? Have you seen the other two films? Picking up some new books? Annoyed with Feedly last week? What food item do you want named after you? Can you help on Goodreads? And if not Wonder Woman, how would you decorate your mirror…?