Week 2: Jan. 8, 2010 to Jan. 14, 2010
Total number of movies watched: 13
13. District 9 -- I absolutely LOVED this movie! I'll have to find a time this year to watch it again, and soon. I loved the characters, the story, the setting -- I loved how the special effects didn't take over the movie. They were only a part of the movie. Too many movies nowadays rely too heavily on effects and don't worry as much about story, or character. This one was a perfect mix. If you haven't seen this movie, watch it.
14. Cashback -- I really enjoyed this small budget indie film. It was charming and funny and I had no idea what to expect when I started watching it and when it was done, I was truly impressed. A really good movie.
15. Edward Scissorhands -- An old favorite. After what, 20 years, this movie still gets to me. And the music...
16. The Fog -- This remake was 'okay'. The idea of the movie was kinda cool, but I'm not sure if the ending worked for me. I haven't seen the original so I don't know if that was the original ending or not. For a horror movie, I wasn't really 'scared'...
17. Sleepless in Seattle -- A great romantic comedy. What more is there to say? Though, I have to add, there is quite a difference watching this when you have no kids vs having kids. Now that I have kids, the scene where Tom Hanks' son flies off to NY on his own (at age 8) now really bothers me. I can only imagine (and hopefully that's all it will ever be) the horror of a parent in losing a child like that, even if only for a few hours. In real life, that flight from Seattle to NY in hopes of finding your missing son would have seemed like an eternity. A horrible eternity... That aside though, I love this rom-com. Great movie.
18. Breaking and Entering -- An interesting and thoughtful movie staring Jude Law. Each character in this small movie was flawed, and the 'victim' of the actual crime was perhaps the most flawed of all. Another movie I started with no idea what to expect. In general, I liked it.
19. The Blair Witch Project -- Oddly enough, I had never seen this movie before. I know, I couldn't believe it either. My friend suggested it to me so I gave it a try. Perhaps after all these years of hearing how scary this movie was, I went into it with high expectations, and they weren't entirely met. For a low budget film, it was good, but for much of the movie, I just wasn't that scared. And as the movie went on, I began to like the main characters less and less, until finally, I got to the point (and this has happened in many horror movies for me), where I couldn't wait for the characters to get bumped off. And the ending. I 'get' the ending. But...again, I guess I was expecting more. If, as this movie was trying to pretend, these tapes were 'real' the cameras would have continued filming even after they were dropped (at least until the batteries died, the cameras ran out of film, or they were switched off), and yet, as edited, the movie just stops. So...again, going on the premise that the footage was supposed to be real (I realize they were not), there should have been more footage of the carnage after what 'we' saw--and yet the people who edited the "real" film footage together didn't include it? Why not? It's supposed to be a 'horror'. If there was 'real' horror footage afterwards, it should have been included. Long story short, I felt the ending short-changed the viewers.
20. Leon, The Professional -- This was the director's cut of The Professional. I love this movie. Sharp action. Deeply emotional. Dark at times. Excellent performances by all the lead actors. Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman. Wow.
21. Splinter -- An intense 'monster' movie. Thrilling. Fun and at times, actually scary. I liked this 'monster' movie.
22. Hang 'Em High -- Clint Eastwood's first American western, according to the outside cover. Good movie. I like most of Clint's movies. Will have to watch 'Unforgiven' again soon.
23. Con Air -- An enjoyable movie with lots of great actors having fun. Cage, Cusack, Malkovich...the list goes on and on with this movie. Wild action. I really like this movie.
24. City of Ember -- A fun adventure story set in a unique world. The kids will probably like this movie in a few years (they're just a little too young to truly enjoy it now). I went out and found the book that this movie was based on and read it afterwards. A good read, too.
25. Fallen -- A great paranormal/cop film starring Denzel Washington. Excellent story. Nice twists. Dark, eerie movie. Watch this movie if you get the chance....'time is on your side, yes it is...' (the song sticks after watching this!)
A week of excellent movies! Again, too many to pick out one favorite, though District 9 would be near the top of my list for not only this week, but of all movies I've seen. And I'm glad I took a chance on a few of the smaller budget films--Cashback, Breaking and Entering and Splinter. Sometimes those little-known movies really do work out well.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
About Movies and Exercising and Cleaning...oh my.
In regards to watching a movie every day, some days are easier than others. I know, compared to many people, watching a movie a day is a luxury. I'm not complaining. I usually attempt to watch the day's movie while exercising, or cleaning the house. (My wife is a fan of either--though I think she prefers the house cleaning more--no big surprise!) In an effort to get into better shape before I get too much older, I have been trying nearly every day to exercise to some extent--riding the exercise bike, lifting free weights, or simply a doing a variety of stretching exercises. Writing can become such a sedentary job--and often while I'm writing or editing, I have to remind myself to get up and walk around. Something just to get out of the chair!
Cleaning can be quite a physical work out too. Sometimes I'm able to get quite a bit done while the movie is playing--and other days, I use the movie as my reward. Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of house cleaning. I'm reminded of a scene in 'The Break-up' where Jennifer Aniston's character and Vince Vaughn's character are discussing cleaning and she basically says something along the lines of: I want you to want to clean...and he replies: why would I want to clean? I don't know about you, but I think that's true for many people. I clean...but it's not like it's something I 'want' to do. The movie treat after is my "spoonful of the sugar to help the medicine go down".
So, the moral of the story, if there needs to be one, is: don't complain about something you enjoy doing, even if you don't feel like doing it every so often, 'cause you could be doing something a whole lot less fun all the time instead.
Wait, is that kinda like 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence'?
Hmmmm...
Yeah, I suppose that's the 'deep thought' for the day. I know, it's not impressive. But on only a couple of hours of sleep and one can of Mt Dew, it's not bad.
Watch out if I ever sleep eight hours in a row!
Cleaning can be quite a physical work out too. Sometimes I'm able to get quite a bit done while the movie is playing--and other days, I use the movie as my reward. Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of house cleaning. I'm reminded of a scene in 'The Break-up' where Jennifer Aniston's character and Vince Vaughn's character are discussing cleaning and she basically says something along the lines of: I want you to want to clean...and he replies: why would I want to clean? I don't know about you, but I think that's true for many people. I clean...but it's not like it's something I 'want' to do. The movie treat after is my "spoonful of the sugar to help the medicine go down".
So, the moral of the story, if there needs to be one, is: don't complain about something you enjoy doing, even if you don't feel like doing it every so often, 'cause you could be doing something a whole lot less fun all the time instead.
Wait, is that kinda like 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence'?
Hmmmm...
Yeah, I suppose that's the 'deep thought' for the day. I know, it's not impressive. But on only a couple of hours of sleep and one can of Mt Dew, it's not bad.
Watch out if I ever sleep eight hours in a row!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Year of Movies
Week 1: Jan 1, 2010 to Jan 7, 2010.
Total number of movies watched: 12
1. The Usual Suspects -- I love this movie. I've watched it a number of times and I think Kevin Spacey is impressive as Verbal Kint. A great way to start off the new year.
2. Four Christmases -- My wife wanted this movie for Christmas (she likes movies just not as much as me). In general, I liked this movie, though I thought Vince Vaughn was basically playing another Vince Vaughn character. Has he ever played a character that wasn't a smooth-fast-talking funny guy? I'll have to check imdb... Anyway, it was a decent enough movie with some funny parts.
3. Jennifer's Body -- Okay movie. I'm a big fan of Juno, and was probably expecting a bit more from this movie, but it was what it was--a movie to show off Megan Fox. Wasn't sure if I was supposed to be scared...or laugh...or...?
4. The Wrestler -- Great movie even if mildly depressing. Mickey Rourke did an amazing job. I won't spoil the ending, but it totally fit with the rest of the movie. It's good to see Mickey again. I liked him in Sin City and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (will have to watch both of them again this year sometime), but in this movie, he was the star.
5. Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past -- Another movie my wife wanted for Christmas. Matthew being his normal charming self and Jennifer Garner being someone I can't help but watch. She lights up the screen--big or small. Loved her in Alias, and 13 Going on 30. Was surprised by the scene between Matthew's character and his brother. I wasn't expecting the emotional bond between the two of them in this film.
6. Frost/Nixon -- Excellent movie. It was like watching a verbal boxing match. Really great performances by the two main lead actors.
7. Ed Wood -- A friend suggested this movie to me. I've seen quite a few Johnny Depp movies, but I'd never seen this one. So many times, Depp disappears into his roles. He's an amazing actor. Good film.
8. Mars Attacks! -- A nice homage to cheesy '50s sci-fi (or is it SYFY now?) movies. I'd seen this on TV off and on over the years but I think this was the first time I saw it on DVD. Better on DVD.
9. The Ring -- Another suggestion by a friend. I'd never seen it before. Had watched Paranormal Activity at the end of December and thought it was pretty good (though I didn't think it was the scariest movie ever). This movie was scarier. (Yes, I know, it also had a budget!) Creepy movie. Eerie from start to finish.
10. 1408 -- Another good horror movie. John Cusack is really great in this movie (he's really good in so many movies...Grosse Pointe Blank, Identity, High Fidelity, American Sweethearts). Dark. Depressing. Entertaining.
11. Star Trek -- I had wanted to see the Star Trek movie when it came out in the theater last year, but I never had the chance. And though I am typically a fantasy/sci-fi (SYFY) fan, I never really got into the original Star Trek series (it came out before my time). Perhaps it is blasphemy to say this, but I actually tend to like both Star Wars and Star Trek fairly equally...(hmmm...will this be the beginning of 'the hate'?). As for this movie, I generally liked it quite a bit. It had lots of good action, a good story, and with one simple twist at the beginning, a way for J.J. Abrams to completely reboot the original characters' history.
12. Touch of Evil -- Another friend's suggestion. I hadn't watched many Orson Welles movies, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was able to watch a director's cut or at least a version that was supposed to be closer to what Welles intended. I liked the movie. Welles and Heston were really good in this.
Overall, a pretty good week. I can't really pick a single favorite out of these twelve. The Usual Suspects, The Wrestler, and Star Trek would be near the top.
Total number of movies watched: 12
1. The Usual Suspects -- I love this movie. I've watched it a number of times and I think Kevin Spacey is impressive as Verbal Kint. A great way to start off the new year.
2. Four Christmases -- My wife wanted this movie for Christmas (she likes movies just not as much as me). In general, I liked this movie, though I thought Vince Vaughn was basically playing another Vince Vaughn character. Has he ever played a character that wasn't a smooth-fast-talking funny guy? I'll have to check imdb... Anyway, it was a decent enough movie with some funny parts.
3. Jennifer's Body -- Okay movie. I'm a big fan of Juno, and was probably expecting a bit more from this movie, but it was what it was--a movie to show off Megan Fox. Wasn't sure if I was supposed to be scared...or laugh...or...?
4. The Wrestler -- Great movie even if mildly depressing. Mickey Rourke did an amazing job. I won't spoil the ending, but it totally fit with the rest of the movie. It's good to see Mickey again. I liked him in Sin City and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (will have to watch both of them again this year sometime), but in this movie, he was the star.
5. Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past -- Another movie my wife wanted for Christmas. Matthew being his normal charming self and Jennifer Garner being someone I can't help but watch. She lights up the screen--big or small. Loved her in Alias, and 13 Going on 30. Was surprised by the scene between Matthew's character and his brother. I wasn't expecting the emotional bond between the two of them in this film.
6. Frost/Nixon -- Excellent movie. It was like watching a verbal boxing match. Really great performances by the two main lead actors.
7. Ed Wood -- A friend suggested this movie to me. I've seen quite a few Johnny Depp movies, but I'd never seen this one. So many times, Depp disappears into his roles. He's an amazing actor. Good film.
8. Mars Attacks! -- A nice homage to cheesy '50s sci-fi (or is it SYFY now?) movies. I'd seen this on TV off and on over the years but I think this was the first time I saw it on DVD. Better on DVD.
9. The Ring -- Another suggestion by a friend. I'd never seen it before. Had watched Paranormal Activity at the end of December and thought it was pretty good (though I didn't think it was the scariest movie ever). This movie was scarier. (Yes, I know, it also had a budget!) Creepy movie. Eerie from start to finish.
10. 1408 -- Another good horror movie. John Cusack is really great in this movie (he's really good in so many movies...Grosse Pointe Blank, Identity, High Fidelity, American Sweethearts). Dark. Depressing. Entertaining.
11. Star Trek -- I had wanted to see the Star Trek movie when it came out in the theater last year, but I never had the chance. And though I am typically a fantasy/sci-fi (SYFY) fan, I never really got into the original Star Trek series (it came out before my time). Perhaps it is blasphemy to say this, but I actually tend to like both Star Wars and Star Trek fairly equally...(hmmm...will this be the beginning of 'the hate'?). As for this movie, I generally liked it quite a bit. It had lots of good action, a good story, and with one simple twist at the beginning, a way for J.J. Abrams to completely reboot the original characters' history.
12. Touch of Evil -- Another friend's suggestion. I hadn't watched many Orson Welles movies, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was able to watch a director's cut or at least a version that was supposed to be closer to what Welles intended. I liked the movie. Welles and Heston were really good in this.
Overall, a pretty good week. I can't really pick a single favorite out of these twelve. The Usual Suspects, The Wrestler, and Star Trek would be near the top.
A YEAR OF MOVIES
If you follow me at all on Twitter, you might have noticed that lately I've talked about watching movies this year. I love movies. I've loved them ever since I was a kid. I started collecting VHS copies of movies years ago, and as time and technology advanced, I switched over to DVDs. I haven't gone over to Blu-ray (yet), but perhaps someday...
Anyways, back to "A Year of Movies".
My goal: to FINISH at least one movie every day for the entire year.
I say 'finish' because due to my odd work and sleep cycles, and my day-job as a Stay-at-Home Dad, it's hard to watch an entire movie start-to-finish in one day. However, I'm usually able to start a movie before I head off to bed for my first 'nap' before work, and finish the movie (the following day) after I'm home from work and awake from my second 'nap'. Occasionally, as you'll see, I am able to watch a second (or third) movie while I'm exercising or cleaning the house during the day (with DVD and VHS players in multiple rooms of the house it's quite easy to movie either the DVD or VHS movie around with me), but as I've said, I want to finish at least one movie every day from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010.
What's the point of watching all these movies? Besides the fact I love movies...?
Well, as I said, I own a lot of movies, and my wife suggested to me near the end of last year that if I were going to own a lot of movies, perhaps I should actually watch them. Good point!
Second, there are some movies I've meant to watch but for one reason or another I haven't and so I'm trying on a number of new directors, genres, etc in this pursuit of a Year of Movies. Also, my friends have from time to time suggested certain movies to me, and this year, I'm intent on trying to watch most of them.
Third, I don't watch a lot of general TV. I'm usually trying to sleep while prime-time TV is on and I don't watch much daytime TV--I'm not into daytime talk shows or soap operas--so having a movie on while I work around the house is my little entertainment.
Fourth, I'd love to write spec scripts and watching movies, lots of good movies, I think, is a good way to study movies. I have the rough draft of a low-budget indie script done for myself and a few of my friends who want to help me to make a movie later this year. As that develops, I'll discuss it here.
Finally, I just want to know if I can do it. There are some days when I really don't feel like watching another movie, but I stubbornly search out for a movie that changes my mind. After watching these movies, I make little notes about each--I'm not a film critic--rather, I generally look at whether the movie worked for me in the way it was intended. Was the comedy funny? Did the drama make me stop and think, then or later? Was I wowed by the action or scared by the horror? Also, I like being entertained.
In my next post, I'll start with the first week of 2010. As the year progresses, I'll attempt to catch up my posts to the current week. As of today, 3/2/2010, the 61st day of this year, I've watched 102 movies, finishing at least one per day.
Whew.
Anyways, back to "A Year of Movies".
My goal: to FINISH at least one movie every day for the entire year.
I say 'finish' because due to my odd work and sleep cycles, and my day-job as a Stay-at-Home Dad, it's hard to watch an entire movie start-to-finish in one day. However, I'm usually able to start a movie before I head off to bed for my first 'nap' before work, and finish the movie (the following day) after I'm home from work and awake from my second 'nap'. Occasionally, as you'll see, I am able to watch a second (or third) movie while I'm exercising or cleaning the house during the day (with DVD and VHS players in multiple rooms of the house it's quite easy to movie either the DVD or VHS movie around with me), but as I've said, I want to finish at least one movie every day from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010.
What's the point of watching all these movies? Besides the fact I love movies...?
Well, as I said, I own a lot of movies, and my wife suggested to me near the end of last year that if I were going to own a lot of movies, perhaps I should actually watch them. Good point!
Second, there are some movies I've meant to watch but for one reason or another I haven't and so I'm trying on a number of new directors, genres, etc in this pursuit of a Year of Movies. Also, my friends have from time to time suggested certain movies to me, and this year, I'm intent on trying to watch most of them.
Third, I don't watch a lot of general TV. I'm usually trying to sleep while prime-time TV is on and I don't watch much daytime TV--I'm not into daytime talk shows or soap operas--so having a movie on while I work around the house is my little entertainment.
Fourth, I'd love to write spec scripts and watching movies, lots of good movies, I think, is a good way to study movies. I have the rough draft of a low-budget indie script done for myself and a few of my friends who want to help me to make a movie later this year. As that develops, I'll discuss it here.
Finally, I just want to know if I can do it. There are some days when I really don't feel like watching another movie, but I stubbornly search out for a movie that changes my mind. After watching these movies, I make little notes about each--I'm not a film critic--rather, I generally look at whether the movie worked for me in the way it was intended. Was the comedy funny? Did the drama make me stop and think, then or later? Was I wowed by the action or scared by the horror? Also, I like being entertained.
In my next post, I'll start with the first week of 2010. As the year progresses, I'll attempt to catch up my posts to the current week. As of today, 3/2/2010, the 61st day of this year, I've watched 102 movies, finishing at least one per day.
Whew.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Welcome Back
Hey, I'm back.
I'm going to try and use this blog more often this year. Last year really got away from me. A combination of health issues and a new computer kept me offline and away from this blog since my last post (almost eight months ago).
I'm feeling much, much better now. Over last summer, I injured the tendons in the bottom of my feet. Suffice it to say, that hurt.
And then, just when I was starting to feel better, I started to get a pain in my right side, just under the ribcage. Initially, I thought I'd banged into something, but the pain never seemed to completely go away. Finally, when the pain got so bad I couldn't lie on that side any more (and with some prodding from my wife who had had enough of seeing me suffer), I went to see a doctor.
Turns out, my gall bladder needed to come out.
October 30th, I had it taken out.
I feel SOOOOOO much better now.
I began eating a healthier diet and in the process, I lost 25 pounds. I started exercising every day (since 12/31/09) , and I'm looking better now than I have in years. I have more energy (despite getting less sleep), and I'm a happier person living with much less pain.
And I'm writing again.
Last year, I edited The Legend and the Fall again--and in the process, I found out that it still needs a bit more tweaking. Not much more--but there are still a few chapters that need work.
However, before tackling another round of edits on that book, I'm taking a mini-break to work on a very low budget indi movie with a couple of my friends. I've always loved movies, have always wanted to work on movies, and now, I have the time and the opportunity to follow a dream. Hopefully, something good will happen when we begin filming it later this year.
Also--since I'm such an avid collector of movies, I've decided to watch at least one movie every day for the entire year. So far, three weeks into the new year, I've kept up with that goal. In fact, I'm averaging slightly better than one a day. It's during my movie watching that I also keep to my other goal -- (the exercising every day). I do a variety of stretching and strength-training exercises while the movies play out. Last weekend, I impressed my wife with some house cleaning while watching a movie. (She has stated that she doesn't mind if I watch all these movies as long as I keep up my share of the house cleaning. That's only fair!)
Ahhh. I just checked the time. I need to get a little writing done on the movie script before heading off to bed.
Have a great weekend, all.
I'm going to try and use this blog more often this year. Last year really got away from me. A combination of health issues and a new computer kept me offline and away from this blog since my last post (almost eight months ago).
I'm feeling much, much better now. Over last summer, I injured the tendons in the bottom of my feet. Suffice it to say, that hurt.
And then, just when I was starting to feel better, I started to get a pain in my right side, just under the ribcage. Initially, I thought I'd banged into something, but the pain never seemed to completely go away. Finally, when the pain got so bad I couldn't lie on that side any more (and with some prodding from my wife who had had enough of seeing me suffer), I went to see a doctor.
Turns out, my gall bladder needed to come out.
October 30th, I had it taken out.
I feel SOOOOOO much better now.
I began eating a healthier diet and in the process, I lost 25 pounds. I started exercising every day (since 12/31/09) , and I'm looking better now than I have in years. I have more energy (despite getting less sleep), and I'm a happier person living with much less pain.
And I'm writing again.
Last year, I edited The Legend and the Fall again--and in the process, I found out that it still needs a bit more tweaking. Not much more--but there are still a few chapters that need work.
However, before tackling another round of edits on that book, I'm taking a mini-break to work on a very low budget indi movie with a couple of my friends. I've always loved movies, have always wanted to work on movies, and now, I have the time and the opportunity to follow a dream. Hopefully, something good will happen when we begin filming it later this year.
Also--since I'm such an avid collector of movies, I've decided to watch at least one movie every day for the entire year. So far, three weeks into the new year, I've kept up with that goal. In fact, I'm averaging slightly better than one a day. It's during my movie watching that I also keep to my other goal -- (the exercising every day). I do a variety of stretching and strength-training exercises while the movies play out. Last weekend, I impressed my wife with some house cleaning while watching a movie. (She has stated that she doesn't mind if I watch all these movies as long as I keep up my share of the house cleaning. That's only fair!)
Ahhh. I just checked the time. I need to get a little writing done on the movie script before heading off to bed.
Have a great weekend, all.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Quick Update
I'm still alive.
Not that anyone thought I was dead...right...?
Life suddenly got busy, or perhaps I suddenly forgot how to manage my 'free' time, or perhaps I just needed more sleep--regardless the reason, I've not found time to keep this blog updated. Sorry about that. I will try to be better. Really.
How are my year-long goals coming along, you ask. Don't ask. While others were catching the swine flu, I caught a bad case of procrastination. Or maybe it was cabin fever. Whatever it was, is, hopefully, I'm getting better soon. I miss my bike, and my computer, and 'free' time...
Yes, I think it is a time management problem. I'll have to talk to management about that.
I hear my wife and little girl coming in from walking my little guy to the bus stop. Time to get to work on cleaning the house and getting it in shape for a combined Mother's Day/Birthday Party for tomorrow afternoon.
Quick writing note. Have considered and taken some notes on a new beginning for The Legend and the Dark. Many readers have commented that though the book starts out fine it really gets going in later chapters and perhaps I need to make the main character more relate-able and heroic earlier on. Good advice (thank you). Will hopefully find (make) time to work on a first draft for that new beginning in the next few weeks.
Must go. Have a great weekend all - and Happy Mother's Day.
Not that anyone thought I was dead...right...?
Life suddenly got busy, or perhaps I suddenly forgot how to manage my 'free' time, or perhaps I just needed more sleep--regardless the reason, I've not found time to keep this blog updated. Sorry about that. I will try to be better. Really.
How are my year-long goals coming along, you ask. Don't ask. While others were catching the swine flu, I caught a bad case of procrastination. Or maybe it was cabin fever. Whatever it was, is, hopefully, I'm getting better soon. I miss my bike, and my computer, and 'free' time...
Yes, I think it is a time management problem. I'll have to talk to management about that.
I hear my wife and little girl coming in from walking my little guy to the bus stop. Time to get to work on cleaning the house and getting it in shape for a combined Mother's Day/Birthday Party for tomorrow afternoon.
Quick writing note. Have considered and taken some notes on a new beginning for The Legend and the Dark. Many readers have commented that though the book starts out fine it really gets going in later chapters and perhaps I need to make the main character more relate-able and heroic earlier on. Good advice (thank you). Will hopefully find (make) time to work on a first draft for that new beginning in the next few weeks.
Must go. Have a great weekend all - and Happy Mother's Day.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Welcome Back...
Hey. Welcome to 2009. A bit late, I know. Sorry about that. I don't know what happened to the time. Where does it go? Can we get it back? No? Huh...
I really don't have a great excuse for being gone for so long. Life happened. I guess that sums it up fairly well. Too vague? Ummm...okay. Specifically, I spent a lot of time with the family and they got used to hanging out with me more. They're spoiled! After spending most of my free time last November working on the Nano book, (and thank you wonderful wife for allowing me to use all that free time for writing) I thought it only fair to spend time (especially around the holidays) with the family. I love my family, so I've enjoyed the extra time with them as well.
But now...I'm looking to find a happy medium. Time with the family AND time for writing.
Yeah....we'll see how well that turns out!
In addition to hanging out with the family, I've also worked to reorganize our unfinished 'basement.' My office is now nicely tucked into one corner and I'm surrounded by my books, both fiction and non-fiction. I like my new digs - and I'm looking forward to spending more time here writing. With my office moved out of the family room, it opens up that space and makes for more play space for the kids. I've learned something about their toys--the two-year-old's toys are big, the five-year-old's toys has many pieces. In short, all their stuff takes up a lot of room (and rather than having toys scattered all over the house, I'm working towards locating their toys in two rooms - the family room and their bedroom. We'll see if that 'plan' works!)
As for the writing front, I have worked towards improving my writing by reading. I've read Stephen King's book, "On Writing", Donald Maass's book, "Writing the Breakout Novel", Les Edgerton's book, "Hooked: write fiction that grabs readers at page one and never lets them go", and I'm currently reading Jessica Page Morrell's "Between the Lines: master the subtle elements of fiction writing" and Nancy Kress's "Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint." I've picked up a lot of great ideas along the way--ideas hopefully that will improve my writing and reduce the number of rejections I receive this year.
Ahhh, the children are demanding my attention now. Must go.
Have a great day, all.
I really don't have a great excuse for being gone for so long. Life happened. I guess that sums it up fairly well. Too vague? Ummm...okay. Specifically, I spent a lot of time with the family and they got used to hanging out with me more. They're spoiled! After spending most of my free time last November working on the Nano book, (and thank you wonderful wife for allowing me to use all that free time for writing) I thought it only fair to spend time (especially around the holidays) with the family. I love my family, so I've enjoyed the extra time with them as well.
But now...I'm looking to find a happy medium. Time with the family AND time for writing.
Yeah....we'll see how well that turns out!
In addition to hanging out with the family, I've also worked to reorganize our unfinished 'basement.' My office is now nicely tucked into one corner and I'm surrounded by my books, both fiction and non-fiction. I like my new digs - and I'm looking forward to spending more time here writing. With my office moved out of the family room, it opens up that space and makes for more play space for the kids. I've learned something about their toys--the two-year-old's toys are big, the five-year-old's toys has many pieces. In short, all their stuff takes up a lot of room (and rather than having toys scattered all over the house, I'm working towards locating their toys in two rooms - the family room and their bedroom. We'll see if that 'plan' works!)
As for the writing front, I have worked towards improving my writing by reading. I've read Stephen King's book, "On Writing", Donald Maass's book, "Writing the Breakout Novel", Les Edgerton's book, "Hooked: write fiction that grabs readers at page one and never lets them go", and I'm currently reading Jessica Page Morrell's "Between the Lines: master the subtle elements of fiction writing" and Nancy Kress's "Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint." I've picked up a lot of great ideas along the way--ideas hopefully that will improve my writing and reduce the number of rejections I receive this year.
Ahhh, the children are demanding my attention now. Must go.
Have a great day, all.
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