the good, the bad, and the groovy movie news!

First, we get the bad news out of the way.

• Many of you might have heard, but Google Reader is going bye-bye! I do not like how fast things change these days. Technology seems to be on drugs - faster, faster, faster!!! more, more, more!!! Well, at least there are alternatives, here are some articles with recommendations - one, two, three  ... what a pain in the behind!
• And in other bad news... Jane Friedman, had this post on her site about when we should quit blogging! At first, I was like, "Quit blogging? Never!" But after thinking about it, I admit that I can see myself easing back as I turn the corner to dedicate time to marketing and more writing. Newer bloggers have so much to gain, while seasoned bloggers may start to see repetitive posts and feel like, been there done that. I think you just have to evaluate what you want from blogging. Julie got a discussion going about this on Friday. I don't feel ready to give it up any time soon, but I also don't see me doing it forever. When it becomes more of a chore than a joy, then it might be time to move on... but my bloggy friends will stay friends if I can help it!

Now the good news!

• DL Hammond has come up with another way to pass on encouragement! The Blog Blitz! Everyone who particpates will gang up and surprise one blogger with positive comments all day. Go sign up or at least check it out. It's easy and fun!
• Angela Brown is hosting a Reader Appreciation event on Goodreads - lots of prizes! go see!

And now the groovy movie news!

Here are my top ten movies for Alex's Movie Blogfest! (in no particular order)

1. Star Wars (4, 5, 6)
2. the Avengers
3. the Incredibles
4. Pirates of the Caribbean (1, 2, 3)
5. Matrix (1, 2, 3)
6. Indiana Jones (1, 2, 3)
7. Sherlock Holmes (1, 2, +)
8. Despicable Me
9. Disney - Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Hercules
10. How to Train Your Dragon

I am all over those animated movies - apparently action/adventure and comedy are essential, plus a little heartstrings. And as a bonus, here are some other movie favorites...

Favorite B&W stars: Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers

Favorite Musicals: Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Wizard of Oz

Favorite Rom Coms: Housesitter, French Kiss, The Holiday

There are so many fantastic movies and I know I'm going to see some of yours and want to add them to my list, but these are the ones I watch over and over again.

So heard the bad news? Got some good news? And I will be checking out your groovy movie news!!

play with me!

I love games!
Thank you to Jamie & Allison for letting me talk about games! And who can choose just one? I give you my top ten game list (plus a couple)

Board Games:
1. Apples to Apples - so fun with my witty family and great for all ages (just tried a new version with pictures at xmas - hilarious!)
2. Scrabble / Words with Friends - a given, right?
3. Pictionary - but I don't get to play it very often, not enough interest. I tried Draw Something for a bit, but it had too many glitches...eh
4. The Amazing Labrynth - love logic & puzzle games!
5. Blokus - my son and I challenge each other by using two colors each

Video Games:
6. Any Lego video game - challenging, funny, and revolve around my favorite movies! Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter!

Xmas 2009

7. Rock Band - love to sing and play guitar, though it has lost its lustre for my boys...not to mention we never have time!
8. Solitaire games - Mah Jongg, Sudoku, and newer What's the Word (reminds me of one of these things is not like the other...) I was playing Candy Crush, but you have to bother other people to play farther levels - I hate that!

Action Games!
9. Table games - ping pong, air hockey and pool (see how I fit all those in!)
10. Volleyball - can't remember the last time I played, but I love that game. I'd probably break something and definitely would embarrass myself if I tried to play today - but I'm game!!!

Today is also book club day!

Thank you, ML Swift, for hosting this online group! I learned so much and it's only the first book!

BIRD BY BIRD

by Anne Lamott

Based on her voice, I'd say Ms. Lamott is a tough bird! She's offered her challenging life experiences as positive examples of how to write and live. Humor is essential in her healing and dealing process - we shouldn't take ourselves or others opinions too seriously.

Her thoughts on bearing your soul in your precious story, to someone you hope will validate this and that person tells you it still needs more work. You have to, at this point, question your assessment of this person's character...and decide whether or not you want them in your life at all. (p. 163) I love her sarcasm!

I had to stop reading several times to run over to my WIP and apply it! So here I share my favorite tips:

• Her images of letting things distract you while trying to get started reminded me of Spongebob trying to write his essay... She suggests narrowing what we start with to as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. (p. 17)
• Love the draft definitions: first draft is the down draft - you just get it down; second draft is the up draft - you fix it up; third draft is the dental draft - check every tooth (p. 25-26)
• Favorite chapter - Character. It is the most important piece of a book. Don't make them perfect - a person's faults are largely what make him or her likable. and perfect means shallow and unreal and fatally uninteresting... (p. 50)
• This was my biggest problem with whether to write: deciding what is interesting is about as subjective as things get. (p. 51)
• Plot concerns Characters. **Find out what each character cares most about in the world because then you will have discovered what's at stake.** (p. 55)
• Dialog has to define Characters. They should not all sound like you; each one must have a self. And good dialog gives us the sense that we are eavesdropping... and tells what is said and what is not said. (p. 66-67)
• Another perfect summation of perfection - perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor. (p. 93)
• Lastly, on jealousy of other writers doing well, historically when people do too well too quickly, they are a Greek tragedy waiting to happen. (p. 128) 

I immensely enjoyed reading this and learned a lot about what makes good writing. Now to apply. And next month we will be discussing SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder. I'm excited!

I leave you with my "alternative" Sensational Haiku Wednesday...

go against the flow

find a better way

im such a rebel

Never say I can't

Try alternative method

Always have options

Bands that go beyond -
Cake, Incubus, Linkin Park,
Muse, Weezer, Offspring

What do you like to play? What's your favorite craft book?

And I'm always looking for a good game of Words w/Friends - find me on facebook!

winter is on the outs

Hope my friends in the Northeast made it through the big blizzard! I remember camping out in our basement by the pot belly stove for a blizzard in the 70s! I was born in Plymouth, MA and loved all that snow as a kid.

Well, Winter is almost over and usually I say good riddance, bring on the Spring! But today I am seeing the bright side of Winter...

Top 10 Winter Cheers!

10.  Sweater weather - I like cardigans. I wish could wear a pretty pullover sweater, but I tend to overheat, so I dress in layers. And I can't stand static!
9.   Watching snowball fights
8.   Basketball, baby! (my boys and college)
7.   Fun socks and cozy slippers
6.   Seeing your breath
5.   Icicles!
4.   Warm beverages =P
3.   Bunny and other critter tracks
2.   Snowflakes!
And the number 1 reason I like winter,
1.   Not shaving =)

Too much information?

Since it's Monday, I will leave you with just a few notes and notices...

You might have heard that Alex is revealing his CassaStorm cover on Feb 22 AND announced his blogfest details - March 18th we will share our top ten favorite movies. This will be tough with so many great ones!

I've seen a bunch of mushy, gushy, romancy blog hops I'm sure some of you sweethearts are participating in, but those aren't for me. I'll sit back and enjoy some chocolate <3

Next week - Don't forget Mish & Elise's Blog-o-versary

And Jamie & Allison's Level Up Blogfest

Some great college basketball moments this weekend - incredible buzzer beater, quintuplet overtime, and upsets! Our home courts were pretty intense too. Only a few games left...hope I can take it!

Do you keep up with basketball? What's your favorite part of winter? And are you doing anything special for Valentine's this year? Whatever your plans, have a lovey-dovey week!

Sister time

I miss my Sis! I'm so excited to see her if just a few days!

Things have changed so much since we were kids. We grew up with our cousins, knew our aunts and uncles, and our grandparents babysat us. Our lives were so rich.

Now we have had to move here and there, farther away from relatives, uprooted from friends, and I feel we are missing out on quality relationships. So I say again, I miss my Sis! And my parents and nieces and nephews, etc. I am going to cherish these upcoming days.

And since I will be tuning out for the next week or so, I leave you with a list and a request...

My top 10 writerly events in 2012...
10. I went to my first writer's conference and had a face to face pitch
9.  I saw one of my favorite books, The Hunger Games, turned into a movie
8.  I also saw the culmination of the legendary Harry Potter series, final movie
7.  I got a short story published in Bewildering Stories e-zine
6.  I finished my second book at Camp Nano (editing!)
5.  I've been requested a bunch for my banner/caricature making skills - surprising and unexpected!
4.  I co-hosted a successful blog hop with my most excellent new friend and CP, Vikki
3.  I am excited for so many friends reaching writing and publishing goals
2.  I have over 500 followers - thanks!!!

and the number one achievement this year, a fulfillment of my 2012 New Year's Resolution!...

1. I got a publisher!!

2012 has been an awesome year!

And here's the request. If you get bored over the holidays and feel like writing a post, here's a prompt: I'd love to hear your top ten of 2012 - it can be about anything! I've seen some movie choices, book favorites, favorite characters, shows, etc. Have you done anything new and exciting? travel? (hint, hint, Rhonda) Lists are awesome blog posts!

Merry Christmas, everyone!