Guardians of the Galaxy rocked!

So I saw Guardians of the Galaxy yesterday, and it was so much fun! Now, I have a very forgiving "sense of disbelief" for almost anything I see. I usually am not overly critical, nor do I really overthink movies or TV shows I see. I just sit back and enjoy the ride.

And what a ride it was! The entire gang is back and the jokes seemed to roll off even more in this second installment. They are a family now, and with that, no one gets a break - well, Gamora does because she would kick anyone's ass who dares tease her too much.

Baby Groot made this movie for me. Who would have thought I would say a tiny tree with huge eyes would make me laugh, cry, cringe, and everything in between?


Picture courtesy of Nerdist.com

I wasn't sure about Mantis, but she grew on me quickly. Her sense of innocence carried her through the entire movie. The rapport between her and Drax was classic.

I appreciated the fact that Gamora and Nebula hashed out their deathly issues, but they didn't become best friends. It eased a little bit of the tension, but I still wonder, if given the chance, if Nebula doesn't attempt to kill Gamora again. I must admit I am a huge fan of Karen Gillan from Doctor Who, so I am ecstatic to see someone from the Doctor franchise continue on to be part of a great thing.

The team is such fun, and I didn't want it to end. I look forward to more adventures from the Guardians, and maybe, just maybe! Nathan Fillion will be somewhere in their future. (A girl can hope, you know!_

The Doctor's New Companion

I must say I thoroughly like Bill Potts, the Doctor's newest companion. Pearl Mackie breathes fresh life into Doctor Who. In "The Pilot," Bill comes to learn the Doctor's secret - he's not from this earth. Bill's love interest happened to be taken over by aliens that warped her into a water-spewing terror. The fact that Bill is attracted to women makes her that much more likeable.

It's not like Doctor Who is new to television. It can afford to take chances, and I am willing to bet the most avid followers of the show are pleased the writers are taking chances with the new companion. I find Bill bright, full of questions, and excited to be around the Doctor.

Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts courtesy of Wikipedia

In the second episode "Smile," Bill brings a sense of humanity to the doctor. She is genuinely concerned about the doctor's lack of feeling for the loss of human life. In his defense, he has been alive for too long to get too worked up over it. It almost harkens back to Mary Poppins, when Mary tells the students that she isn't attached to them. After all, what would happen to her if she loved all the children she took care of.

I am excited to see what other adventures the Doctor and Bill will experience. I am ecstatic to go along for the ride!

Kentucky Derby right around the corner!

It's almost time!  I can't believe it's been a year already. The Kentucky Derby will run this Saturday, with the fillies competing for the lilies on Friday to kick it all off. I won't be attending, but definitely going to watch it on TV. I love to watch all the in-depth looks at the contenders. I am sad I won't be able to go to Dawn at the Downs.

My long shot of the Derby: Patch


Hope everyone gets out of the gate safely and across the finish line! Happy Derby week!

LaGrange Author Fair - April 29th

Today, I went to my first author fair and was astounded at how great everyone's work looked. The cover art on some were just incredible. I also learned the importance of banners to be used for behind the table. I didn't have a banner. I think I would like to get a banner for future fairs.

So I didn't have huge results on sales, but I networked like a champ. This was a major accomplishment for me, since I tend to be quiet and let others talk at social events. Today, I just went up and asked them questions about their publishing/ printing/ marketing experiences, and all were only too happy to tell me everything!

My goal for the next couple of weeks is to get a Facebook Author page and get on Twitter. I know! I am not on Twitter. Shame on me, but I will work on fixing that. I will keep everyone posted on how it goes and if anyone would like to join me in my writing escapades I will let you know the details when I get them.

Also this week, I am going to try really hard to come up with a name for my time travel adventure to ancient Greece. Wish me luck!

Rough draft finished for book #5!

Whew! What a year! I have just completed my rough draft for my fifth full length fantasy/ adventure manuscript. I know a lot of things need to be done, but it is a relief to have the general story written. Now it is in the hands of my husband and my writers group to help me make it that much better and let me know if I've gone way off base.

I still have no idea for a title. Hopefully something will come to me. Heck, I may start asking Facebook for some ideas. I'll be looking at cover designs soon, but that will come later. Kind of need to have the title ready for any cover design, but I can start looking for cover images.

I'm trying to decide if I want to take a chance with the new Amazon publishing option - Scout. I am leery that it is more like a popularity contest. Since I'm antisocial, I don't think it sets me up for success.

April is winding up to be pretty busy. Of course the Easter bunny is coming to visit next Sunday. After that I have the Kentucky Writers Workshop and I will be pitching  to an agent. My very first, and I am crazy nervous. The usual thought run through my head: "Why do I possibly think I'm that good to be picked?" I will chalk it up to added experience and the fact that I get to pick the mind of an active agent on what the publishing world is looking for.

My problem is I usually go against what the public wants, which is a little troublesome!

Anyways, happy writing!
Angie

7th Annual Authors Fair- LaGrange, KY!!

Join us as we celebrate our 7th Annual Authors Fair on April 29th.

 

Location: LaGrange, KY - YMCA

 Schedule of Events

FRIDAY NIGHT APRIL 28th
Discussion Panels at Karen's Book Barn
4:00 PM Children's Books "Educational or Entertainment"
5:00 PM Young Adult "What's Hot"
6:00 PM Romance "Naughty, Nice, or Somewhere in Between"
7:00 PM Speculative Fiction
8:00 PM Mysteries
...
SATURDAY APRIL 29th
10 AM - 5 PM Authors Fair

Attending Authors:

Tony Acree
Heather Adkins
Marian Allen
Arlan Andrews
Matthew Barron
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Eric Beebe
Elizabeth Bevarly
Mitch Bensel
Steve Bradshaw
Lynn Brown
Belinda Buchanan
Eva Caye
Lisa Colodny
Trace Conger
Jane Conrad
Nelda Copas
Robert Stephen Craig
Dave Creek
Molly Daniels
Danny Davies
Brenda Dexler
Elizabeth Donald
Juliette Douglas
Michael Embry
Georgia Evans
Frank Feger
Rita Fleming
Kenn Grimes
T Lee Harris
Pamela Horner
Shannon Houff
Tim Jackson
Maddie James
Ginny Jolly
KA Jordan
Savannah Kade
Abigail Keam
Anetta Keys
Greta King
George Kramer
Donia Lawson
Sara Marian
Lacy Marie
Brick Marlin
Jeri Fay Maynard
Rebekah McAuliffe
J L McCanS
Joe McConahy
Angela McPherson   - THAT'S ME!!!!
Chad Mcpherson
Amy Metz
Jim Miller
Marlene Mitchell
Leslie Moise
Lori Moore
Angel Musk
Gail Nall
Bill Noel
Jay Noel
Mysti Parker
Ray Peden
Linda Penn
John Pesta
Cheri Powell
Carol Preflatish
Leah Pugh
Mary Ellen Quire
Kathy Ragle
Victoria Raschke
Rachael Rawlings
Teresa Reasor
Janet Reyes
Teresa Richards
NE Riggs
Lori Roberts
Lenora Rodgers
Patricia Rose
Jan Scarbrough
A. J. Scudiere
Jen Selinsky
Becky Shamhart
Lydia Sherrer
D. B. Sieders
Don Smith
Ronald R Van Stockum, Jr
Birgit Stubblefield
Charles Suddeth
RJ Sullivan
Lynn Tincher
Stu Thaman
Sara O. Thompson
Leslie S. Townsend
Gail Truax
Steve Vest
Tom Wallace
Lawrence Weill
Michael West
Michael Williams
Stephen Zimmer

 

Realizing I Am Writing My Quirks into My Characters

Sometimes I think I am writing too much of my “qualities” in my characters, and have to wonder if this is common. I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I think it’s okay. Otherwise, how can I be sure of a certain reaction if I haven’t experienced it? It goes back to my Dale Carnegie days where lessons were taught that one has to earn the right to talk about something.

So my characters have earned the right to own dogs, ride horses, have red hair (okay, not natural, but still red), go goth, and jump at nearly anything that startles them. It could be a loud sound, stray bolt of lightning, or even a Pop-Tart popping out of the toaster. I am still the champ at the Limbic System and its flight or fight reaction. I found this interesting answer that explains how such a reaction occurs.

I knew I was a survivor!

The next time I am torn between writing about a personal response, I will be sure to think further into it. I do sometimes like to envision a new character that is entirely unlike me, but after a while, I realize traits start coming out that pulls her back into my sphere. Sometimes it feels like I am just writing an extension of myself into my stories, and I love that fact. The idea I get to experience such fantasy adventures is pretty cool since my life in Indiana isn’t that exciting!

And who knows were the stories over the years will take me? I’ve lived vicariously through my characters in California, New Orleans, Michigan, Purgatory, and Greece! I’ve dated vampires, wizards, half angels, and demigods. Not too shabby!