Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Special Friends, Series to Watch, and February Movie Preview

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.

The awesome co-hosts for the February 1 posting of the IWSG are Jacqui Murray, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Gwen Gardner!

February 1 question - If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover?

My publisher will touch base with me to get a better description of a scene they are considering for the cover. Then I just wait and see what they design. And I’ve yet to be disappointed!

And thanks to everyone who participated or spread the word about #IWSGPit on January 25 – we were trending! (And trending so well, we were getting spammed with a ton of ads.)
If you participated and end up with requests or even a contract, let us know.

On February 1, WEP is back, better, bigger, bolder. We’re in our eleventh year, so Team WEP has learned what writers want.  If you’re a writer who practises your skills on a regular basis –- likes to try out your WIP -  get feedback on your writing - win an editing prize from professionals - be included in a book of the best of WEP writing, be part of a supportive online writing community -- WEP is for you.

This year our bi-monthly prompts are based on movies – so we give you the Year of Movies. We have a Challenges 2023 page packed with creative ideas.

Posting for this challenge is February 15 - 17.

Check out our new-look website here!

Special Friends!

My special friend, Robyn Alana Engel sent me a case of Hot Tamales and a wonderful note. She says her word of the year is gratitude, and I am certainly grateful for a friend like her. (Be sure to pick up one of her books.) She definitely rocks!

And no, these Hot Tamales will not last the year.

What to Watch

The Rig

A strange fog rolls in on a remote Scottish oil rig and crazy stuff ensues.
This one has great characters. A couple of them you really hope will make it to the end.
It does have a couple issues and missteps, but the storyline is still good and enjoyable.
If you like science fiction weird with a Scottish accent, this is the series for you.  Streaming on Amazon Prime.

Battlebots: Champions Tournament

Yes! More Battlebots. Battles with some of the best bots on the circuit.
The funny thing about Battlebots is when it ends, you just want more Battlebots.
Season ends soon so jump on this one quick!

February Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for February. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

17 –

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Director: Peyton Reed
Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas
Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.
They’re doing a movie based on an album by The Who? Oh wait, that’s Quadrophenia. (That one’s for the Boomers.)

24 –

Cocaine Bear
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Stars: Ray Liotta, Keri Russell, Margo Martindale
An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converge in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.
This will be a trilogy, followed by Crack Squirrel and Meth Badger.

Do you work on your own covers or have input? Did you participate in #IWSGPit? Watching either show? Either movie rock your boat?

Why Some Movies are Best Left as Memories, 18th Annual Golden Schmoes Awards, IWSG, and More!

Some Movies are Best Left in our Memories

My wife and I watched Mars Attacks this past weekend. We remember seeing it in the theater in 1996 and enjoyed it. The film wasn’t great, but we thought it was fun.

Seeing it again after all these years? Not fun, not good, and actually a bit of a train wreck. We should’ve seen it coming in the opening scene with all of the flying saucers headed toward Earth and special effects that looked like they came from the fifties. None of the characters were really that likeable. The story was a mess and it took forever to get to the Martians showing up on Earth. (We didn’t remember it taking that long.) What’s really sad is the amount of name actors Burton got for this crappy film - Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Jim Brown, Paul Winfield, Pam Grier, Jack Black, Joe Don Baker, Christina Applegate…

The point is we remember a much better film. And that’s where it should have stayed – in our memory. Now I’ll think of it as one of Burton’s worst films.

That’s the danger of watching a movie you haven’t seen in years. It might not be as good as remembered. It might not have aged well. Your fond memory of that film might be shattered forever by watching it again. (There are movies from when I was a kid that I know better than to watch again because I’m pretty darn sure weren’t that good and I’d rather keep my memory of them.) Why do we remember them so well if they weren’t good? Were we just wishing they were better?

Some movies are still just as good. Jaws is still great. So are Close Encounters, Aliens, and The Princess Bride.

Some aren’t as good as remembered. Return of the Jedi was a bit disappointing. (The Ewoks alone are horrible – their faces don’t move.) Lifeforce was beyond terrible! We remembered it as an okay science fiction flick, but watching it again recently, it was a total train wreck. And Dragonheart with Sean Connery. I was watching/listening to it at work recently and I could not finish. Awful movie.

Have you watched an older film recently that wasn’t as good as you remembered? Is there an older film you’re afraid to watch again and ruin it? Please share!

Ninja News

Lisa Buie-Collard summed up the IWSG monthly posting so well last week and I wanted to share it with everyone:
This is more than a "blog hop" which is defined by hopping from one blog to another. We do hop, but we are doing more than that. We visit each blog to learn, gain confidence, spill our guts, boast, grieve, and to give advice, our opinion, comfort, and encouragement. We don't just travel. We sit awhile, read, comment and "be" there for those on the list that we can reach. IWSG is a community and we are here for each other.

The WEP 2019 February Challenge - 28 Days

What to do with 28 Days? What does 28 Days bring to mind?

You can sign up now at the WEP site.

Damyanti is hosting a very special blogathon to raise money for a school in New Deli that’s in danger of closing forever:

We’ll start a Linky list on the 14th February, Valentine’s Day. You can participate in the blogathon on any day from the 14th to the 28th.
During the blogathon, write one or more posts to talk about love, any kind of love at all, and about honouring the ones you love. All we ask is at the end of your post, you mention the fundraiser, and add the graphic above.

You can support the #HelpMithuSaveSchool fundraiser HERE.

And it’s that time of year again!
Time to vote for your favorite movies in JoBlo’s 18th Annual Golden Schmoes Awards.
Visit JoBlo’s SITE to cast your votes.
Voting open through February 20.

What movies have you watched that fell short of your memory of them? Any you’d be afraid to watch now? Participating in the WEP Challenge this month? Can you help save the school? Who gets your vote in the Golden Schmoes?

Next Monday is a holiday, so I’ll post again on February 25.

Before that, I’ll have a post at Janice Hardy’s Fiction University on February 22 - Twitter Pitch Like You Mean It. Don’t miss it!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, December Movie Preview, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Overlord Movie Reviews, and Haken Concert Review

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.

The awesome co-hosts today are December 5 posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker, Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!


Today’s question - What are five objects we’d find in your writing space?

Let’s see…jar of candy (usually Hot Tamales), my iPad, a Starcraft Protess Pylon USB charger, some sports memorabilia, and on the wall hangs framed comic books and other movie artwork.

And yes - back from my break in November. I've over 23,000 words for my next story now.

The #IWSGPit Twitter pitch is once a year now.

And the next one is in January!

Don’t miss it.

The next WEP Challenge is December 19! 

It's much broader than a Christmas story! Give us ribbons - a race? Or candles - a tomb?
Sign up now at the WEP site.

We also have a winner for the February WEP theme challenge – Toi Thomas with the theme 28 Days.

Tyrean Martinson won the IWSG admin theme challenge for next December with the theme Footprints.

Congratulations, ladies!

Movie Reviews

Ralph Breaks the Internet

The sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, this one sends Ralph and Vanellope to the Internet to find a steering wheel for her arcade game.
The film pokes at all things Internet without linger long on any of it. As one reviewer said, it achieves what Ready Play One failed to do.
Some of the animation is stunning. The main character from the online game Slaughter Race (voiced beautifully by Gal Gadot) looks incredibly realistic.
Seeing all of the Disney princesses is funny and the pop-up crook and his sidekick are indeed both kicks. While it’s a lot of fun, the film is a bit heavy in places. It’s missing some of the first film’s innocence.
If you enjoyed the first one, you will enjoy this one.
Recommended

Overlord

On the eve of D-Day, American paratroopers drop behind enemy lines to penetrate the walls of a fortified church and destroy a radio transmitter. As the soldiers approach their target, they soon begin to realize that there's more going on in the Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation.…
It’s two thirds war film, one third horror movie. It’s also an excellent adventure film and very tense from start to finish. The movie has an 80’s vibe to it.
The beginning scene with the ships and planes approaching, and being bombed, rivals any straight war film. The effects and production values are excellent. This is not a B film – it’s big budget all the way.
The lead, actor Jovan Adepo, is really good and very believable. Plus it also stars Wyatt Russell (yes, Kurt Russell’s son), Pilou Asbaek (from Game of Thrones), and Iain De Caestecker (Leo Fitz on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
It’s not really original, but it’s done very well. A bit gory but not over the top and it doesn’t venture into too weird of an arena.

Recommended

Concert Review – Hakan

Made a road trip to catch these guys – never thought I’d actually see this British prog band in concert!
Bent Knee was the opening band. They were…interesting. But good and very inventive. I will give them that. And their lead singer’s voice was beautiful – even if the band doesn’t make it, she will.
Leprous followed. It was a band I knew just a little about and I couldn’t put my finger on why they didn’t click with me. And then the lead singer opened his mouth and it became crystal clear. They were way too loud and horribly mixed. Their sound guys should be fired. And the band should take music lessons.
Then came Hakan! They were spectacular. I so enjoy seeing a show with musicians at the top of their game. And these guys are elite level musicians. I watched them perform in total awe and fascination – how do they do that???? I’m still not sure how they achieved what they did. Plus their lead singer is fantastic and very engaging. It was a great show and sadly over all too soon.

Passing of a Great One

I usually don’t post sad news, but we lost a great friend recently. Gary’s beloved doggie friend, Penny passed away in October.

She was his and his son Tristan’s trusted companion for eighteen years. And she often blogged for Gary when he wasn’t feeling up to it.

Penny, you will always be an Internet Superstar and we will miss you!

December Movie Preview

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

14-

Mortal Engines
A mysterious young woman named Hester Shaw joins forces with Anna Fang, a dangerous outlaw with a bounty on her head, and Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from London, to lead a rebellion against a giant predator city on wheels.
Director: Christian Rivers
Stars: Hugo Weaving, Stephen Lang, Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan
A much cooler title than The City that Ate Paris.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man crosses parallel dimensions and teams up with the Spider-Men of those dimensions to stop a threat to all reality.
Directors: Bob Persichetti | Peter Ramsey | Rodney Rothman
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Liev Schreiber
Cool – Spider-Man comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders. Collect them all! (The more Spideys the better.)



21-

Aquaman
Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world.
Director: James Wan
Stars: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Dolph Lundgren, Nicole Kidman
I read Aquaman comics religiously when I was growing up. Now as a mature adult with objectivity and wisdom, I can say…Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy – I can’t wait!!!




28-

Holmes & Watson
A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
Director: Etan Cohen
Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Ralph Fiennes, Rebecca Hall
I’ve only found two Ferrell films to be funny – maybe Holmes can find some clues as to what makes a film funny.

What’s in your writing space? Participating in WEP or #IWSGPit? See either movie last month? Heard of Haken? And what movies catch your attention this month?

I’ll have two more posts this month, including a review of the new season of MST3K, which dropped on Thanksgiving!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, August Movie Preview, Big IWSG News, and Ninja News

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.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 1 posting of the IWSG are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Lee Lowery, and Susan Gourley!


August 1 question - What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

Write faster? Or at least don’t be as slow a writer as I am. One book a year seems like a good pace. More if you can swing it, but at least one.

So write fast and get way ahead.

And yes, during my break, I did write! I have over 13,000 words in my new story now.

Today we have a special reveal for the 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest! We are announcing the theme one month early. Here are the details:

Word count: 3500-6000

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Theme:
Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges, who will be announced September 5.

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.

So now you have a month’s head start on your submission! Go for it.

IWSG News

The IWSG has also formed an awesome new partnership with WEP – Write-Edit-Publish.
We encourage our members, blogging and Facebook, to join this month’s challenge.

The August WEP Challenge – A Change of Heart
Who hasn’t had one? This one’s easy, right?
A commitment made when a prospect looked attractive, a decision on a course of action, and then regrets and reluctance to follow through. It could be an engagement, a date, a diet plan, a chore someone said they’d do and didn’t follow through. A strip poker-game. Or maybe a gamble with super-high, panic inducing stakes. A break for independence that once made, gives pause for second thoughts. A bolt for the grass-always-greener pasture and then wanting to vault-n-turn right back. Something offered, then withdrawn. Myriad ways to go.

The IWSG Goodreads Book Club’s selection for August/September is The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr

This one is for our memoir writers and anyone who has ever thought of writing a memoir. The discussion will start September 19th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you're able.

Book club members have the chance to win a paperback copy of Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. This is a used copy, but it’s in great condition. One winner will be randomly selected on August 8th, and Chrys Fey will email the winner to get mailing details. All info will be kept private.

To enter, go to this Rafflecopter Form. It’s free to enter, but you have to be a book club member. We will verify this, so join us on Goodreads!

Ninja News 

A new Aquaman trailer is out! Going to be so awesome…

Available now:
Tempting Friendship by Patricia Josephine (Patricia Lynne)
Find it on Amazon, Smashwords, iTunes, and Kobo

August Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for August! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

3 –

Christopher Robin 
A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.
Director: Marc Forster
Stars: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Mark Gatiss
I’m not into toilet humor, but I do like the occasional Pooh joke…

10 –

The Meg
After escaping an attack by what he claims was a 70-foot shark, Jonas Taylor must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible.
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Stars: Ruby Rose, Jason Statham, Rainn Wilson, Bingbing Li
I’ll pay eight bucks to watch Jason Statham punch a shark!

17 –

Mile 22
An elite American intelligence officer, aided by a top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of the country.
Director: Peter Berg
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, John Malkovich, Ronda Rousey
It really only serves to set up the sequel, Mile 23...

24 – 

Slender Man
Slender Man tells the story of a tall, thin, horrifying figure with unnaturally long arms and a featureless face, who is reputed to be responsible for the haunting and disappearance of countless children and teens.
Director: Sylvain White
Stars: Joey King, Javier Botet, Annalise Basso, Julia Goldani Telles
Is this the sequel to Thinner?

Everyone have a good July?

What advice would you give? Ready to start writing now for the IWSG Anthology Contest? Joining us for WEP? Excited about Aquaman? (More cool trailers on Monday.) And what movies interest you this month?

Ant-Man and the Wasp Review, Movie and IWSG News, Devil’s Rock Review, and New Releases

Movie Reviews

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Very entertaining!
Two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Scott is finishing up his house arrest when a quest to find Hope’s mother (lost in the beginning of the first film) brings the two of them and Hank together again.
It’s light-hearted, funny, and the perfect popcorn movie. It’s breezy and fun – in line with the first Ant-Man film. You never feel anyone is in mortal danger, but that’s all right. It’s not that kind of a film.
There’s no central villain. It’s more of a caper as everyone is after the research lab. (Which conveniently shrinks to a rolling suitcase.)
Scott, Luis, and friends have also started a security system company, which is ironic since they were all once thieves. Luis also had some of the funniest lines again.
One of the strongest aspects is Scott’s relationship with his daughter. It’s very sweet and natural.
As always, stay through the credits for two bonus scenes. (They tie the film in with Infinity War.) Highly recommended!

The Devil’s Rock
From the IMDB: Set in the Channel Islands on the eve of D Day, two Kiwi commandos, sent to destroy German gun emplacements to distract Hitler's forces away from Normandy, discover a Nazi occult plot to unleash demonic forces to win the war.
This New Zealand film came out in 2011 and we caught it on Amazon Prime.
This is a quiet, atmospheric horror film. The giant bunker is dimly lit and strange sounds and screams carry eerily down the corridors. It’s as unnerving as it is gory. (And when it’s gory – wow!)
Basically there are only four people in the film, but they do a fine job of carrying it. You never know who to trust. Sometimes the accent is heavy, so you have to listen close.
If you can handle the gore, this creepy little film is definitely worth a watch.

New Releases

Landscape Love by River Ford (Charity Bradford)
Nathaniel Pierce ran away from home and the painful memories of his past. He's recreated himself in Eureka Springs. No longer a veterinarian, he's Nate the landscaper. When old Lilly Connor dies, the whole town turns to him to watch out for her granddaughter.
Find it on Amazon

Bluebonnet Ballerina by Carol Kilgore
Gracie Hofner returns, and chaos reigns—including a couple of ghosts trying to save their granddaughter.
Find it on Amazon

Movie News

JoBlo reported on Friday that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom had crossed the billion dollar mark worldwide.

An article on JoBlo states that production on Birds of Prey should begin January 2019. Actress Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn) says this Suicide Squad spin-off featuring an all girl gang should be rated R.


July DVD releases:
July 10 - A Quiet Place
July 17 - Rampage
July 24 - Ready Player One

IWSG News

IWSG Co-Hosts!
We need one more co-host for August 1.
We also need co-hosts for September 5 (the day we announce the genre and guidelines for the next IWSG Anthology Contest), October 3, November 7, and December 5.
If you can help any of those days, leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Thanks!

#IWSGPit happens Thursday, July 19!

You don’t want to miss this event.

Visit the IWSG site for the rules, time, and hashtags. The IWSG Admins will be monitoring the feed and encouraging participants.

Good luck to everyone pitching!


Today at the IWSG site we have a special guest - Mary Kole, founder of the award-winning Kid Lit site. She’s discussing editing and more, so check it out.

The next WEP – (Write...Edit...Publish) challenge in August has been announced – Change of Heart.
Sign-ups begin August 1.
How does this tie in with the IWSG? You’ll soon find out…




I will be gone for a few days next week, so I’ve made the decision to take the rest of July off. I’ll pop in now and then, and be active on Twitter, but it’s a chance for me to catch up on some IWSG stuff and work on my story.

Catch the new Ant-Man movie? Ever see The Devil’s Rock? Participating in #IWSGPit? Picking up some DVDs or books? And who can co-host the IWSG?

Have a great July!

IWSG, Solo and Annihilation Movie Reviews, IWSG Anthology Contest, Movie Trivia Answers, Retro Images, Write With Fey, and More!

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.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 6 posting of the IWSG are Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, Tonja Drecker, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!

Please note - the July posting will be on July 3, a Tuesday, due to the US Fourth of July holiday.

Today’s optional question:
What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?

Definitely titles! Characters are easy. Thirty minutes brainstorming simple alien sounding names and I’m done.
But titles? Forget it. My publisher had to name two of my books.
And people wonder why I don’t name my chapter titles…

Announcing the IWSG Anthology Contest genre and dates!

Young adult romance is the genre.
The theme will be revealed on September 5, along with the judges and other details.
Our previous anthologies were Parallels: Felix Was Here, Hero Lost: The Mysteries of Death and Life, and Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime.
Your short story might be included in the fourth anthology!

The next #IWSGPit is Thursday, July 19, 2018, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Over a thousand agents and publishers have been invited to tune in that day.
Polish your story and your Twitter pitch and be ready!

Movie Reviews

Solo
I caught it opening night and to my surprise, it was more enjoyable than expected. Solo takes place ten years before Rogue One and A New Hope and follows Solo’s quest to get his own ship.
The beginning seemed a bit off. It was similar in tone to Rogue One but not in a good way and perhaps a bit generic. However, by the train heist scene, it all started to change. I started to care about the characters and the action picked up. (Perhaps that is where director Ron Howard took over.) The movie grew on me from that point.
It was fun to see everything fall into place – Chewbacca, Lando, the Millennium Falcon, the rebellion… Of course, this meant less suspense wince you knew the key characters survived and how it would end. (As opposed to Rogue One where you didn’t know the fate of the characters, only the final outcome.)
It is a fun adventure ride. A science fiction Western like Firefly, although not on the same level as Firefly and Serenity. And not as memorable, either. It might end up being the first Star Wars failure. But the cast does their part well and gives you everything they can. It was a fun movie.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, it’s worth it to see this film on the big screen. Recommended.

Annihilation
Came out earlier this year – rental.
I give it credit for being very unique. If you need all the answers in a film, this one will frustrate you. Much is left to interpretation, including the conclusion. And I don’t think there are any wrong answers.
It starts with a feeling of unease that never lets up. It has a similar odd tone as the movie 2001, plus many what-the-heck moments.
I wasn’t invested in the main character (either in the movie or my attempt to read the book) despite the brief flashbacks filling in her past. Or maybe it was because of those?
However, it’s a fascinating and intriguing piece of science fiction. I wouldn’t watch it again, but I was hooked on the eerie and unique storyline. It’s a really distinctive take on alien invasion.
Be warned it is rated R and there are some very disturbing and gory scenes. However, they won’t be what you’d normally expect.
I’d recommend it to someone looking for something really different in science fiction.

Ninja News

My buddy Jeremy Hawkins has started a new business.
He’s offering mini 8x10 files from non-copy-written images from films, ads, etc. [prior 1931] but instead of selling prints, the customer gets the file .pdf/jpeg. Then they can print the images for themselves.
He’s done all the work finding these images and cleaning them up. Now, Jeremy has thousands of them!
Images are just $3.00 each.
Jeremy has gone through a rough year, mentally and emotionally, and is struggling. Please check out his Being Retro shop on Etsy and pick out a cool image that speaks to you.

The next Strangely Funny anthology was released.
It features a story by CD Gallant-King - The New Job.
Pick it up on Amazon







Released this week:
Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication by Chrys Fey
Catch the sparks you need to write, edit, publish, and market your book!
Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication offers an abundance of data in one handy book. From writing your novel to prepping for publication and beyond, you’ll find sparks on every page, including 100 bonus marketing tips. You’ll also discover how to write specific scenes and characters, adding depth to your work.
Find it at Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and iTunes
GIVEAWAY! Open to all from June 4th 2018 – July 6th 2018. Click HERE to enter.

The WEP – (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 June 1 challenge – UNRAVELED YARN.
We’re not necessarily talking knitting and crochet, but if that's what you want, fine! A yarn is a long and rambling, often improbable, story. But we’re not talking long and improbable - a crisp and convincing flash or non-fiction, or poem, or photo essay, whatever genre you choose, is what we’re after.
Serenity, meet Disaster. A lie found out, the unpicking of a tall tale. A crime taking an unexpected turn. A bad-hair day. An ordinary walk spiraling into a crisis. A romantic encounter ending in chaos. Take your pick with the unpicking!
The Top Three entries receive prizes!
Give us your yarn! Let your imagination unravel!

Movie Trivia Answers

The trivia was about R-rated films that made a ton of money.


1 – This is the second-highest grossing superhero film behind Deadpool. (At the moment.) Logan
2 – When he said ‘I’ll be back,’ he wasn’t kidding and the movie made over half a billion dollars. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
3 – Based on a book, this is the highest-ever grossing horror film. It
4 – This is the highest-grossing R film based on faith. The Passion of the Christ
5 – Director Quentin Tarantino’s highest-grossing movie. Django Unchained
6 – This Oscar winner is the highest-grossing war film. Saving Private Ryan
7 – George Miller’s highest-grossing movie. Mad Max: Fury Road

What’s easier for you – titles or names? Excited about the anthology contest and #IWSGPit? Did you catch Solo? Picking up some books or trying your hand at WEP? And did you get the trivia right?

Be sure to explore Jeremy’s Being Retro shop on Etsy and hopefully buy an image. You’ll make his day!