Thanks, Technology, and August Movie Preview

Thanks to everyone who commented on CassaFire's cover and synopsis HERE! I just found out the release date has been bumped up a bit – February 28, 2012. I have six months to panic…

Today’s Fantastic Friday Writers topic is technology.

It’s a given that science fiction involves technology. Whether set in present day, the future, or a distant galaxy, new devices and gadgets will appear. Some people revel in technology. Some want it simple so the story moves along. Others shy away from it.

It’s no secret I dig computers, tech toys, and gadgets. Heck, I’ve hooked up so many components to the TV, my wife doesn’t even know how to turn it on! But since I work with it every day, I didn’t want to focus on it in my writing. Sure, there are spaceships and teleporters, but I don’t delve into the details. I put in just enough to make it plausible. It’s there, just simple.

Besides, I have no idea how a teleporter works, do you?

Check with my FFW partners Elizabeth, Anastasia, J. D., Deirdre, M. Pax, and Jeffrey, and Charlene for their take on technology.

Time for August movie releases! It’s a quiet month for movies, so I threw in two DVD releases as well. All descriptions courtesy of the IMDB.

2 -

DVD - Rio
Very colorful and fun animated flick. I reviewed it HERE.



5 -

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Stars: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto
The Plot: In present day San Francisco, a scientist (Franco) looks for a cure for Alzheimer's disease by experimenting on a chimpanzee named Caesar. The development of animal intelligence brings about a war for supremacy between humans and apes.
Not impressed with the trailer - the CGI apes do not look real. I also don’t buy that there are enough apes in San Francisco to take over the city. This one will need outstanding reviews to get me into the theater.


16 -

DVD - Priest
“Eh” reviews meant I skipped it in the theater, but will catch on NetFlix.



19 -

Conan the Barbarian
Director: Marcus Nispel
Stars: Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan
The Plot: Muscle-bound warrior Conan the Cimmerian (Momoa) seeks to avenge the murder of his father and the slaughter of his village.
Conan the Barbarian. Momoa from Stargate:Atlantis. Need I say more? Oh, and it’s rated R - can’t have a PG13 barbarian film! They do it right, this could be the start of an awesome franchise.

Fright Night
Director: Craig Gillespie
Stars: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, David Tennant
The Plot: Teenager Charley Brewster (Yelchin) guesses that his new neighbor Jerry Dandrige (Farrell) is a vampire responsible for a string of recent deaths. When no one he knows believes him, he enlists Peter Vincent (Tennant), the opportunistic host of his favorite TV show, to help him take down Jerry and his guardian.
The first Fright Night was fun. This remake is going to have to do something really awesome to even come close, especially without Roddy McDowall. Again, a wait and see what the critics think…

Cowboys and Aliens this weekend! Who's with me? And what movies catch your interest? Or are you still confused about the technology...?

CassaFire Cover and Synopsis!

I am guest posting today at Little Pickle Press about my geeky childhood science fiction experiences.

Bur first! I just received this yesterday from my publisher and I am so stoked.

After dozens of rewrites, help from Rusty (thanks, dude!), and my publisher’s editor making more changes, here is the working synopsis for CassaFire:

CassaStar was only the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren's civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan's technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves, the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

And the working cover art:

Hot Tamales for everyone!

What do you guys think?

Okay, now you can go visit Little Pickle Press for my guest post…

Captain America, Comic Con, and More!

Thanks again to Karen Walker for amusing the Army last week with her guest post – and for your awesome comments!

With temperatures around a hundred degrees, it was a good excuse to go hide in a cool movie theater for a couple hours. And I’m glad I did!

Captain America

This film was a lot of fun and one of the best times I’ve had in the theater all year. The story flowed well with solid action scenes, and the WWII setting gave it an old-school vibe. There is a certain innocence to the film, due in part to the time period and the main character. It sets up next summer’s Avengers movie, but it also stands well on its own.

The cast was great. Chris Evans really fit the role. (I’d also like to know how the CGI guys made him look so scrawny in the beginning.) Hugo Weaving did his usual great job as Red Skull and Tommy Lee Jones had some of the best lines. Howard Stark’s character is in the film, and the storyline centers around a magical cube from Thor’s world – again, setting things up for the Avengers movie.

Marvel keeps hitting them out of the park – Captain America is a great movie. Next summer’s Avengers promises to be huge!

Comic Con was this past week in San Diego and all sorts of interesting news, videos, and images were released. (Did you know they are making a Jurassic Park IV? And that Spielberg is involved?) For the best coverage, visit G4TV’s site.

Did you see Captain America? Any Comic Con news catch your attention? Did you melt in the summer heat? (And if so, can I have your Hot Tamales?) Oh, and I'll announce my next big blogfest in August. Care to make any guesses?

Ten Ways to Keep Sane While Writing

Today, Karen Walker from Following the Whispers is going to amuse you!

Her book, Following the Whispers, came out as an eBook recently and I downloaded my copy last week. I confess, I’ve never really read a memoir before, but so far hers is really powerful! This is her final tour stop, so please show Karen how much the Ninja Army rocks!

Karen would like to share with you 10 Ways to Keep Sane While Writing…

Alex, thank you so much for hosting me on this, the 10th and last stop on my book blog tour. I appreciate all you do for other writers. Here are 10 ways to keep sane while writing:

1. Even if you feel like it, don’t pull your hair out during revisions. You will need it while waiting for responses to your query letters.
2. Keep a journal of your feelings as you write, re-write, query and wait. Your family and friends will be forever grateful that you have another outlet for your whining and crying.
3. Even if you think you are finished, remember either a critique partner or an agent or an editor will most likely find more revisions, so don’t throw away the valium just yet.
4. Did I say valium? I don’t drink or take drugs, so I stay sane by stuffing my face. Oops, no, I don’t do that anymore either. Sheesh, I’ve run out of addictions to keep me sane.
5. Do take mini breaks throughout the day. Not kidding here, folks. Mini-breaks really do preserve sanity and help creativity and energy flow.
6. Honor your distractions: TV, blogging, computer games, doing laundry, defrosting the refrigerator, whatever will keep you from pulling out your hair because you want to listen to #1 above.
7. No matter what anyone tells you, Spider Solitaire is not an addiction. It will keep you sane. I promise.
8. Listen to your inner voice, but make sure it’s the wise one, not the one that screams at you, “Who do you think you are that you believe you can write?”
9. The way you know which voice to pay attention to is your insides feel calm when one is speaking and they usually churn upside down when the other shouts.
10. All kidding aside, get yourself a good, solid support system--this online community is great for that. Sharing with others is the best way to keep sane.


Visit Karen at Following the Whispers

Any other suggestions for keeping sane? I vote Hot Tamales and lots of them!