Sunday, April 22, 2018

Isle of Dogs

Isle of Dogs is a great film. I went in with limited expectations. My six year old wanted to see the movie after watching a billion previews on this film. I love dogs. I love movies. I really like Wes Anderson. I love all the voice actors. But when the previews for Isle started, I began to second guess bringing my six year old.

This movie wasn't necessarily for little ones. Dogs = cute, but (SPOILERS!!!)... watching a dog bite the ear off of another dog = kind of gross. Then watching rats carry away said ear = double gross. But the movie kept mine and the little ones attention. She didn't really even care when the adults spoke Japanese. Her imagination was captured, and so was mine.

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What began as a search for a boy's dog turned into something bigger. And all I can say is, damn those cat people! (No offense cat people, it's just that dogs are way better! No, kidding, I promise! I have some pretty cool cats.) The dogs were terribly entertaining, and by the time the movie ended, I wanted the dogs to stay with me a while longer. Even if one isn't a Wes Anderson fan, this movie manages a bit of light hearted comedy that is delivered by abandoned beasts amidst the backdrop of desolation and bleakness.

Sgt. Stubby - An American Hero review

We saw Sgt. Stubby today. I stumbled across the movie as I was looking for show times of another movie. I had never heard of Sgt. Stubby. I've been to a TON of movies, and not once have I seen any previews. It was a CGI feature, and I was intrigued because I thought I could take my six-year old to see.

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Animated Sgt. Stubby
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The real Sgt. Stubby
 
This is a true story of a stray dog who found a friend in a soldier heading off to fight Germany in World War I. This was a great movie for young kids because it introduces the horrors of war in a somewhat simplistic way. It got the point across, but there was no blood or really disturbing scenes; even when Stubby got hurt, you really couldn't see his injuries, but his whimpers of pain spoke volumes.

Stubby was an amazing animal, and the fact that he was a stray hits home, especially since all  my dogs are rescues. His presence during the war for the troops lifted spirits and saved lives. This was such a good movie, but I did cry a few times. Granted, this film is no where as brutal as War Horse (we all try to forget the barbed wire scene). It adequately conveys the misery and comradery of war.

Sgt. Stubby is on the top of my "should see" list for parents of young kids, owner of animals, and almost everyone else. It educates, and it amuses.












Monday, April 9, 2018

Reviews and Future Events!

I just received my third official review for A Girl's Guide to Time Travel! And with a huge sigh of relief, so far, everyone seems to like it. I can say I don't like the nervous feeling I get in the pit of my stomach every time I check for submitted reviews. My book is strange and "out there," so I really appreciate the early good news.

According to various sources, the number of Amazon reviews accumulated help get your book promoted more often at Amazon. I'm trying not to beg everyone that buys my book to give me an honest review, but on the inside, I'm begging, while wringing my hands pitifully.

As Spring emerges, I have author fairs and book signings in mind. I am thinking out of the box and contacting coffee shops and local pubs for possible events. One coffee shop said they'd never done a book signing, but are willing to talk to me about it. I have my foot in the door, now I just have to sell myself!

Stay tuned for more!

Friday, April 6, 2018

Sometimes my brain scares me!

So, sometimes, I wonder where I get my creative flair. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bragging. It's just that I've never heard my mom, dad, brother, anyone, look at a strangely shaped log as they pass by and declare it to be a scarred skeleton crawling up from its grave.

Yep, that's me. Seer of dead imaginary things. I really appreciate my weirdness, though. Without it, I wouldn't be able to write about Countesses possessing people, voodoo warlocks, half-angels, zombies, vampires, ghosts... geez. Creepy, much??

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Just some weird pic on the internet, but exciting to stumble across if I were hiking!!


I still stare at this one cemetery moment EVERY DAY for the last two years as I drive to work and tirelessly think of a story in which that amazing dedication to the dead can take center stage in my next manuscript.

For anyone that wants to chat, let me know if there is some weird item in your daily life that sets your imagination on fire. I'd love to hear about it!