The Writer Flu

GIVEUPITIS

THROWINTHETOWELOSIS

or maybe it's just

THE END OF THE SUMMER BLAHS.

Endforward

What ever it is, it's infected the Blogosphere.

Writers in alarming numbers are complaining of
Lackofconfidence fever,
Chuckingeverythingandstartingover Syndrome,
Procrastinationitis,
and Iwritecrapola.

Personally, I have Chronic Editingitis. I take all the motivation remedies and fight it off for a while. But when I let up it comes back--sometimes with a vengeance.

So what's the inoculation against this writer's malaise? Perhaps prevention is the answer. Maybe the reason why a writer writes is the problem.

I find Holly Lisle's Writing Diary a big help when I'm flagging and hate everything I've done and want to start over, or go to something else.

"Write only because you love to write, because sitting down and weaving a tale out of thin air makes your heart sing and your pulse race. Write ONLY because it makes you happy."

Holly Lisle--Official Author Home Page

That's a lot better than a flu shot.

Dragons and Girls #1

RED DRAGON

David Wenham - The Two Towers - Take Three

THE LORD OF THE RINGS

The Two Towers

Departure from Tolkien's book

David Wenham as FARAMIR

In the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, Faramir is played by David Wenham. The actor jokes that he got the role because he and Sean Bean, who played Boromir, both had large noses. [Cameras in Middle-earth: Filming The Two Towers, DVD Documentary]

Faramir and his brother's appearances were slightly altered from the book: in the films, they have fair hair and are slightly bearded, whereas in the book they were dark-haired and, following a statement in Unfinished Tales, lacked beards. [Tolkien, J. R. R. (1980), Christopher Tolkien, ed., Unfinished Tales, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, "History of Galadriel and Celeborn": "Of Amroth and Nimrodel", ISBN 0-395-29917-9]

The plot of the second film, The Two Towers, introduces a significant deviation from the book: Faramir does not at first let Frodo, Sam, and Gollum go, but decides to bring them and the Ring to Gondor.


He takes them to Osgiliath and not until the Nazgûl attack the city and Frodo comes under the threat of capture does he release them. This change received some criticism, and the character in the film was jokingly dubbed "Filmamir" or "Farfromthebookamir", among other names. ["The Reading Room". Caption Contest 33!!!!!!!!!!!! - Filmamir! er... Farfromthebookamir! No wait... it's Faramir!.]

Jackson's explanation is that he needed another adventure to delay Frodo and Sam, because the episode at Cirith Ungol was moved to the third movie, and so a new climax was needed.


In fact, according to the time line given by Tolkien, Frodo and Sam had only reached the Black Gate at the time of the fall of Isengard. Jackson also argues that it was necessary for Faramir to be tempted by the Ring because in his films everyone else was tempted, and letting Faramir be immune would be inconsistent in the eyes of a film audience. ["The Next Reel"]


A scene that received additional criticism is the Rangers' treatment of Gollum, who is beaten up, and Faramir's implicit compliance. ^{["The Nature of Faramir: A Response". Old Special Reports. TheOneRing.net.] ["The Faramir Changes: Arguments Against". Old Special Reports. TheOneRing.net.]}

In the book, Faramir called the creature Sméagol instead of Gollum, and told his men to "treat him gently, but watch him".
[Two Towers 1954b, "The Forbidden Pool", p. 300]

Co-screenwriter Philippa Boyens and actor David Wenham defended the changes to Faramir's character in order to increase dramatic tension: Faramir's "sea-green incorruptible" nature in the book would not have "[translated] well filmically". Wenham also found Tolkien's original "dramatically dead", despite having not read the book until after filming had commenced. [The Lord of the Rings film trilogy - From Book to Script: Finding the Story. [DVD]. New Line Cinema, 2003.]

David Wenham - First Post
David Wenham - How can this be the Second Post when I was so wrong
David Wenham - The Two Towers - Third Post
David Wenham - The Two Towers Extended - Fourth Post

Contest - Win a cd from Lori Cunningham

Win a cd of UNSEEN

by
LORI CUNNINGHAM

Here's the deal... Listen to these promos from the coming cd Emeria, a project that she's working on with Adam Amos. Then leave a comment about the overall sound and what is unique about them. Plus, what other groups or projects they sound like.

From Lori: "Please help Adam and me write a biography for Emeria. I will give anyone and everyone a copy of my solo album, “Unseen,” if we use even a part of a bio you submit. There’s a potential for a lot of cd’s to be given away this month!"

I'll send your comments on to Lori Cunningham's blog, Reflections. They'll be added to the comments there and she'll pick the ones she likes.

See her blog [Reflections] for more information.

Kreativ Blogger Award

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD

Golly gee Ali, thank you. I'm really honored. This is the second Blogger award that has come my way.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might not know.

5. Nominate 7 Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.



Ali Cross: Author - Writing Young Adult Sci Fi and Fantasy that transcends the ordinary.



7 things about myself people might not know.

1. I went for several years refusing to listen to any music at all.

2. Then I went completely the other way. I suppose playing the Batman Begins soundtrack all day long, every day for nine months is as opposite to refusing to listen to music as you can get. Or maybe it's just plain odd.

But I always listened to music that way before I took my musical vacation. (boycott, really.)

A while back Nightwish was a four month listening stretch. The song Marooned by Balligomingo was the only thing I listened to for four weeks while I revamped my novel Prithiel.

Lately it's been Manic Bloom, see my play list on the sidebar.

Manic Bloom.com
Manic Bloom Myspace page

3. I have a real obsession for super cars. I spent four years in a mechanics shop learning everything there is to know about cars. I'm always on the look out for my favorite vehicles, all of which I can't possible afford. One can hope, right?

800px-Mercedes SLR C199 2007

Lamborghini Reventon Limited

Just yesterday I got a real, up close ogling of a genuine Spyker. Really fun.

2008 Spyker-C8-Aileron
(In the small town where I live, cars like these don't come along very often.)

4. I can spend days on the computer looked for pics to use for inspiration in my writing.

5. I'll stop anything I'm doing to watch a move with Karl Urban: Doom, Chronicles of Riddick (it doesn't hurt that Vin Diesel is also in it) The Bourne Supremacy, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King. And soon (squeal!!!) Star Trek when it comes out on DVD in October.

Karl Urban

6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE dragons...

Roost by eic

7. My favorite character in any book or movie, is usually the bad guy-- you know, the one who gets killed in the end. Then I'm real bummed for a while.

I'm going to nominate 7 Blogs.

Lori Cunningham - Reflections
Lori Cunningham - Fan Club - Ourstage
Lori Cunningham - Official website
Lori Cunningham - Myspace page

Jaime Theler - Bookmom Musings
Jaime Theler - The Theler Five

Cory Bickmore - Blogmo

Finally a Release Date for the Star TrekMovie DVD

OCTOBER 27th
on DVD and Blu Ray

Trekmovie.com is reporting that Star Trek may indeed be released in October 27th. there will be 3 versions:

Basic Version DVD: just your basic Widescreen version.


2-Disc DVD (possibility Directors or Special Edition): This is must get if you have DVD because of Disc-2 Features.


Blu-Ray 2-Disc Edition: this is a must out of all of them.

also Trekmovie is reporting that Generations-Nemesis will be released on Blu-Ray on the same date, October 27th. time to go after people

See http://www.startrekmovie.com

68 days until October 27.

Twitter - Not a Waste of Time

TWITTER UNIVERSITY

Just say "I've been accused of being a tease. But that's not true: it was suspense. And that's an honored writing skill. " [see last post 8/17/09] So here is the reveal.

Since I've joined the Twitter world, I've been following several agents and authors. From them I've learned valuable things about the book writing business.

I like following authors best though. They Tweet about what they're doing, such as cooking, attending writing conferences and their conversations with other writers. The one thing the published writers all have in common from the majority of the unpublished writers, is their approach to writing.

They write... All the time.

Once in a while they come up for air, Tweet about what they've done, then tell the Tweeterverse what they're going to do next.

Reading their Tweets has been a huge lesson in reality. These writers treat writing like a job, and it's obvious in what they Tweet.

For example:

* "Writer's block" isn't an option. I got kids to feed, man.

* Books don't write themselves. You might think they do.

* Time for lunch (finally.) Then more words. I can't play all day, much as I'd like to.

* Writing the worst piece of dreck ever is still an improvement over "not writing." You can't get better unless you actually DO IT.

* (continue) Besides you have to have something to edit.

* And the timer has rung, so it's time to turn off the modem and focus on writing. Wish me luck.

* A few more words, then I can finish cooking dinner. Just a few more words...

* Choices, choices. A night spent adding another few thousand to the book, or reading? The agony of decision.

Okay... So I really need to change a few things.

And you can learn something from Twitter.

The Blog Post I'm Not Going To Write

THE ONE ABOUT---WHAT'S HER NAME

I was going to write it. Really.

I mean--I was going to tell how her example gave me encouragement and everything.

I thought I would tell how I compared myself to her and decided I needed to make a change.

And how I kept telling myself if she could do it, I could too.

I thought I would write about what made her such a success.
That's a really nice car.

And all I had to do is what she does--everyday.

But I'm not going to write about all of that.

Robot Dragons

AFTER THE DRAGONS HAVE DISAPPEARED

dragonwizards20119

Trading my Clunker for a Lamborghini - The Sequel

THE FAMILY CAR

The new Lamborghini-Estoque 4 door sedan

Would I change my mind about the Cash For Clunkers program and let my car be crushed if I could have one of these?

Well, it is TECHNICALLY a family car, right?
You know -- four doors.

You betcha.
I'D TRADE IN A HEART BEAT.
They can keep the girl.

Cash for Crunching My Car - Trading Up

TRADING UP TO A HUMMER

The guidelines in the House-passed bill state that large SUVs and trucks, typically considered gas guzzlers in everyday conversation, qualify for the $3,500 credit, and in some cases the $4,500 credit, depending on the trade-ins that come through the door for them. New Category 2 trucks -- like the Hummer H-3, Ford Explorer, Chevy Silverado, and Toyota Tundra -- qualify if they get at least 15 MPG combined, and get at least one mile per gallon more than the car or truck being traded in.

WOW - I could get a $4,500 rebate for trading up to a Hummer.

My government in action. Saving the environment (and the automobile industry) by selling more Hummers.

Who am I to argue with that?

I want the ultramarine blue limited.

You think we can talk them into letting me have an H2?

David Wenham - The Two Towers Extended Version - Fourth Post

LORD OF THE RINGS

The Missing Scene

David Wenham as FARAMIR

This scene is barely two minutes long, but its exclusion from the theater version of The Two Towers left out an important piece of the puzzle that made Faramir who he is.

Brothers - Faramir and Boromir

"Faramir has grown up in a strange situation...but not an uncommon one. Growing up in a family where he has a father who obviously prefers the oldest son. Sometimes fathers prefer the youngest son but not in this case."

Faramir, Boromir and their father Denethor

Denetor wants Boromir to go to Rivendell and get the ring for Gondor. Boromir thinks his place is with his people not in Rivendell.

Faramir: "If there is need to go to Rivendell, send me in his stead."

Denethor: "You? Oh, I see. A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality. I think not. I trust this mission only to your brother. The one who will not fail me."

Faramir being called by the ring

Faramir: "So… this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild I have you. Two haflings and a host of men at my call."

Faramir: "And the Ring of Power within my grasp."

[Faramir reveals the Ring with the tip of his sword.]

[The Ring calls.]

Faramir: "A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality."

A few changes were made for Faramir between book and film for The Two Towers. In contrast to the film, Faramir never had any desire to keep the Ring for the use of his people, nor did he take Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath.

David's view on the rest of the cast: "Wonderful. Peter was very brave to choose only the actors that he wanted to choose for the movie, despite the fact that a lot of big stars wanted to be involved in it. Peter chose not very famous actors, like me for example, just because he thought that we were good for the roles." [fortunecity.com]

David Wenham - First Post
David Wenham - How can this be the Second Post when I was so wrong
David Wenham - The Two Towers - Third Post

Winner of the Superior Scribbler Award

DRAGON WRANGLER HAS WON A "MAJOR AWARD!"

YEA!!!

It's the Superior Scribbler Award!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't know what to say. This is such a surprise.

Actually, it is. I didn't even know there was such an award. But I'm so honored. I'm really excited to have been accepted into such a worthy group (whoever they are). I'll try really hard to keep the expected standards (whatever they are). Some are usually attached to getting such a tribute.

It was [Jaime Theler] who passed this on to me. Jaime is a fantastic writer herself, who I've tried to emulate. She can take two pages of text that took forever to perfect and condense it into two sentences that say the same thing. I feel so small in her shadow, so her giving me this award really means a lot. *sniff*

I'd like to thank her and all my fans for their unwavering belief in me.


Anyway, here is the boring detail type informational stuff:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Here comes the hard part--awarding this on to 5 other people (who haven't already had the award). I'm going to pass on this "major award" to:

Cory Bickmore who can come out with Ye Olde English as easily as breathing air.

Hannah Thomas who can say a lot in a few short words.

Lori Cunningham whose words have become beautiful music.

And (ha ha) the writer of The Theler Five. In keeping with *shaking things up*. Besides this is some of her best writing.

And to stay in the realm of shaking things up, I'll pass the torch on to Cory Bickmore to nominate his friend Ryan Byrd. He has a fantastic blog. You really should check him out.