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This Writer’s Journey . . .
Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.
I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!
I wasn’t really sure how to start this segment ofThis Writer’s Journey because I couldn’t figure out what to mention about how she inspires me since she inspires me in so many ways. But here’s my feeble attempt. . .
We met at a local critique group about seven or eight months into my writing journey if I remember correctly. She sat near me and another one of my friends in the group.
And we clicked.
There really isn’t another way to describe it.
She writes fantasy (check out her blog: HERE), and I don’t really read a ton of fantasy, but we decided to start swapping chapters.
She’s got such an elegant style of writing. Her characters are endearing. The worlds she creates are intriguing and beautiful. There’s a bit of her heart and soul in every single word she writes.
KM has a strength about her, too. She hasn’t had the easiest life. All that she endured during her years of addictionand breaking free from it shaped her into a fabulous, loving, and self-less woman. Her smile brightens my day and inspires me to continue on even when the path to publication seems too tough to navigate.
Thank you, KM.
Previous weeks on This Writer’s Journey: Nicole Baart,Coleen Coble,Diana Sharples,Michelle Sutton,Christian Miles,Kendall Grey,Michele Trent,Cari Hawks Foulk.
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Cinema Sound Off
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My good friend,KM Wilsher, and I are heading out toHarkins Theatres each month to watch a choice movie.
We’ll let you know if it’s worth you spending your hard-earned money or not.
CLICK HERE for our rating system
Now…onto the movie.
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Funny little story to start this off. We’d originally chosen Machete to watch and review. Less than FIVE minutes into the movie, we walked out. Couldn’t stomach it. I suffered from post traumatic flashbacks the rest of the day, too. Okay, really, I didn’t, but almost. It was that disturbing.
So, the fantastic staff at Harkins Theatres let us go into a different movie and we chose Going the Distance.
Let’s just say, we were batting zero on our movie choices that day, but at least we made it through Going the Distance.
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Okay, onto the movie for REAL this time
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Teaser from IMDB:A romantic comedy centered on a guy and a gal who try to keep their love alive as they shuttle back and forth between New York and San Francisco to see one another.
My Review:
This was the second worst movie I’ve seen. I made it through the entire movie, but it’s the second worst because even after only five minutes of Machete, it wins that honor!
Okay, sorry, tangent. I’m not here to talk about Machete.
Going The Distance could have been way up on there on the best movie list had they not riddled the dialogue with more F-bombs than I could have tabulated with a freaking calculator.
Seriously.
Look, I totally understand the language thing–if it fits with the character. Heck, some of my characters swear in my novels. Lots of the novels I read, both published and unpublished, have swear words. But they fit the character and aren’t constant–as in every single sentence. You know? There’s a difference!
There’s no faster way to ruin a movie in my eyes than with dialogue that makes everyone look like total idiots who can’t form a semi-intellectual sentences. Oh, and then top it off with random/lewd/gross sex jokes and scenes–that just made the movie even more pathetic in my eyes.
Some of the writing was rather witty, Drew Barrymore looked fantastic, but overall, I was put off within the first thirty minutes of the movie.
I mean, come on, they had a story line that could have carried the entire movie, they didn’t need to resort to such vulgar and ridiculous stuff–But they did.
Sorry, guys…you get my lowest rating
1 ticket -Don’t go see it. Give your ticket away
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Did you guys see this? What’d you think?
Now run on over toKM Wilsher’s blog and see what she thinks of it!
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Five things I’ve Learned. . .
No, the picture has nothing to do with the post.I just thought it was really pretty.
Don’t you?
Now, back to business. . .
My friend, Danica, tagged me in this fun post!
The post was about the five things I’ve learned this year. To pick just five was difficult, but hey, here’s my attempt:
1. Patience. Now, I can’t say I’ve learned it, cuz I’m still learning it. But, it counts as one, right? And how have I been learning it? Oh, the waiting game. Several publishers have requested several full manuscripts from my agent, and now the waiting game is on full force. But it’s all good, cuz I’ll just write some more . . . 🙂
2. I can get through heartache. I had a publishing contracted signed, my book cover, AND my first round of edits for Violet Midnight—but then the publisher closed its doors. I blogged about it HERE, but the reason I bring it up today is that I learned I can get through disappointment. God’s faithful, I trust that. It was a bit easier to swallow, too, when a couple other publishers requested it shortly after my heartbreak. Oh, and then I wrote another book after that. . . so, yeah, I learned I can get through heartache.
3. I can survive without caffeine. Okay, not totally without caffeine, but with significantly less than what I’d been consuming. Sure, had a wicked headache for a day or two, but now, Chrystal Light is my friend. Grape and Fruit Punch. YUMMY!
4. Friends are important. I’ve met so many friends online and in face-to-face writers groups and I’ve come to realize how valuable they are. Such a constant support in this endeavor! They make me smile when I’m not feeling like it. Encourage me with well-timed, uplifting words. And most importantly, love me for me. Even with all my character defects.
5. God is ever faithful. Through months of unemployment, the heartache of losing a publishing contract, and various other interesting developments over the past year, God has been faithful through it all. And like the video I played on yesterday’s post, I’ve landed on my feet every event thrown my way so far this year. Woo-Hoo!!
Now it’s time for me to pass the buck. Are you ready? Three lucky people will get the chance to share their learning experiences with the rest of us. And you are: Lori Lundquist, KM Wilsher, and Kat Harris.What have you learned so far this year?
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Cinema Sound Off–Week of Love
This is the week of love here on the blog, but today is the scheduled Cinema Sound Off movie review. . . believe it or not, the movie we’re reviewing has a bit of LOVE in it. . .so I’m sneaking it into this week’s lineup.
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My good friend,KM Wilsher, and I are heading out toHarkins Theatres each month to watch a choice movie.
We’ll let you know if it’s worth you spending your hard-earned money or not.
CLICK HERE for our rating system
Now…onto the movie.
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SALT, starring Angelina Jolie.Now, you’re probably wondering–if you’ve seen it or at least the movie trailer–how the heck this action movie could have a little love in it.
Trust me. It does. I can’t say much about it as to not ruin the movie for ya, but there is. Maybe I picked up on it because I’m a writer of romance, but still. As I write in all my novels, Love can conquer all. But that’s all I’ll say about that.
Synopsis from IMDB:
As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”
My review:
This movie is now listed as my favorite. I know favorites change for me, but up to date, this one has now claimed the number one spot.
I love action movies. You could ask any of my friends. It’s true. I love the RUSH of a good action scene. My writing reflects that as well, hence the phrase, Catch the Rush, so you get my drift.
This movie is JAM packed with action. It started out with a bit more backstory in the beginning than I would have preferred, but after that, it was non-stop.
Despite the fact that I guessed the bad guy within the first five minutes, the movie still held my interest because I sometimes doubted my guess. In the end, I was right, and I cursed myself for doubting my initial assessment, but still. To have a movie that had me thinking, squirming with excitement, and hoping it wouldn’t end, I was ecstatic.
Finally, a chick–Angelina Jolie (one of my favorite actors)–who can kick some serious butt stars in a movie that keeps me engaged for nearly every minute, and it wasn’t riddled with steamy-make-me-blush-love-scenes and F-bombs every other word. It was an intelligent, challenging, and overall fantastically engaging movie.
I am giving it FIVE tickets. Our highest rating.
5 tickets: A must see. Buy a ticket for everyone. Here’s the trailer if you wanna see:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ40WlshNwU]
Now, run over to KM’s blog and check out her take on the movie.
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Have you seen SALT? Did you like it? Do tell….
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Musical Monday
I was introduced to this group on KM Wilsher’s blog. She’s got rockin’ taste in music. A little bit on the hard rock side for me, but this group, she’s got me hooked!
She played Crow and Butterfly on her blog last week. I’m so glad she did. I went out and downloaded four of their songs. This one, I Dare You, has got me (along with Crow and Butterfly)
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I Dare You, by Shinedown
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iazu5htQT4I]
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They have such a great sound. I had them playing when I did a thirty mile bike ride the other day, and it powered me up a hill!
Thanks, KM! Hope you all enjoy the song!
Do you guys have any songs to suggest for me? My playlists are getting boring!
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Iron Man 2—here we come
Hey there movie fans.
My good friend, KM Wilsher, and I are heading out to see Iron Man 2 this weekend!!
Stay tuned for our report on our Cinema Sound Off review next week.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNQowwwwYa0]
Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!
