Life, Love and the Movies Blogathon

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Last year, I participated in three of 5 stages in the 5 Obsturction Blogathon created by Nostra of myfilmviews.com. I enjoyed the blogathon because it made me look at movies and movie reviews in a different way.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t finished it because life got in the way, but I promised myself if he hosted another blogathon, I would be all in. MyFilmViews.com along with Karamel Kinema have created the Life, Love and the Movies Blogathon.

The rules are simple, answer the following 16 questions.

Life

1. What was the first movie you saw in the cinema and what do you remember about that visit? The first movie I remember seeing in the movie theater was 1977 Smokey and the Bandit. The movie stared Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason. I remember not really understanding it. I was really young.

2. Are there any movies you have very strong memories of which are not because of the movie (for example something which happened at the time you were watching it)? Smokey and the Bandit holds a strong memory. The story: “The Bandit is hired to run a tractor trailer full of beer over county lines in hot pursuit by a pesky sheriff.” That trailer of beer was Coors beer and my father worked for Coors at the time in the marketing department and it was shameless marketing how often they showed that truck full of Coors beer.

3. Which movies had a big impact on you and changed a (small) part of your view on life? 1980 Urban Cowboy because it took place in Houston and that’s were I was living at the time. It was cool to have a movie set in your own city. We got to share it with the word. Although the movie didn’t do much to dispel any of the Texas stereotypes.

4. Do you have any comfort movies which you return to because you are in a specific mood (for example if you are feeling down/nursing a heartbreak)? Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is my go to movie to put myself in a good mood. Not only is it southern and sexy it has some amazing dialogue.

5. If a movie would be made about your life, what type of movie would it be and who would you like to portray you? It would be some type of chick lit movie with a lot of humor, but at the center, it would be my journey to find my passion. Thandie Newton could play me. Although we look nothing alike.

6. Which existing movie best represents you?  The Matrix – I spent most of my life doing what was expected of me. I wasn’t unhappy, but I always thought I was supposed to be doing something else. I feel like I had been asleep for a long time, but two years ago, I finally woke up.

7. If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would be the last movie you would want to see? The Avengers. It is my favorite movie with my favorite movie character (Tony Stark/Ironman) and the dialogue is brilliant.

8. If you can spend your life working in the film industry, what would you be and why? (you know, director, producer, actor, cinematographer, costume designer, sound designer etc?) I would like to be a studio executive/executive producer. I would have the opportunity to make decisions on what movies got made and help to raise funding for those movies. If I did have this job, trust me, there would be a new Avenger movie out every six months for the rest of my life.

Love

1. Did you ever have a first kiss with someone while at the cinema and if so which movie was playing? I haven’t, but how cool would that be.

2. What is your favorite movie relationship and why? Anna Scott & William Thacker – not only is it the regular  person with the famous person, but the movie doesn’t just stop when they finally get together, you get to find out what happens after that. That movie had the most satisfying ending.

3. When did your love for movies start and how has it grown? I have loved movies as long as I can remember. A movie a week was normal for my family growing up. Often we had a movie day on Monday holidays, we would spend the whole day at the movies watching one after the other.  We got in four one time. It’s my favorite escape.

4. If you have to choose one film to watch with your loved one, what would it be and why? I have two depending on where we were in our relationship. He’s Just Not that Into You if I needed him to think differently about relationships and Titantic if I wanted him to see what never dying love is all about. (I know, most of them die, but it’s a feeling)

5. If you can choose one character from a movie to be your significant other who would it be and why? Legolas from LOTR and The Hobbit. Not only is he beautiful in the most masculine sort of way for an Elf, but he is loyal, understands tradition, spiritual and he will fight and die for you.

6. What was the first movie that made you fall in in love with film and cinema? I had an early love of movies, but I think The Breakfast Club made me recognize and fall in love with a perfect movie. It was the first moment I realize what an amazing script, amazing cast and an amazing director could create.

7. How did your passion for movies turn you into a movie blogger?  My friends used to play the movie quote game and I would pick the most obscure dialogue or line and stump them every time. On a trip to London when I was 15, I got home sick and the thing that made me feel better was reciting the entire script of The Breakfast Club. My love of quotes is where Sydney Quotes the Movies come from.

8. What is your favorite date from a movie? I don’t know if this actually qualifies as a date, but my favorite couple moment is from Notting Hill when Anna gives William the Chagall painting and says my favorite movie line of all time, “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”

Where did your love of  movies come from? Join the blogathon and tell us. 

Tattoo Tuesday – Pk Hrezo

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Butterman600x900Today on Tattoo Tuesday, I would like to welcome Pk. I got to know Pk when she let me beta reading her book, Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. It was my first beta read that turned into a published work of fiction and I even got my name in the Acknowledgements. How cool it that? haha. She is my indie published/writer/amazing person role model. 

Pk, welcome to Tattoo Tuesday. Tell us your tattoo story: 

When I was twenty—way back in ’93, I got my first and only tat. Here it is:

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Not very big, about the size of a silver dollar, right on the back of my neck. So this particular era was when the tattoo and piercing craze began. I was in college, and some friends had started getting tats, and I knew I wanted one, but wasn’t sure what. I knew I’d know it when I saw it.

This was also when I discovered I was artsy-phartsy, and drawing all the time. I also had friends who drew all the time. We’d do murals on our apartment walls and pretty much exploded with art anytime and anywhere. We had a distinct underground tribal style and were all about making creative statements.

Romantic relationships back then were a dime a dozen. We had such a vast group of friends, and were always meeting new people. I had heard through the grapevine there was this one guy who was into me. He was known for the tats all over his back. He was into bats, which I thought was cool and different, and had a bat on his back. Anyway, he finally asked me out, and coincidentally I’d just discovered the tattoo I wanted from my friend’s sketch book.

So where did we go on our first date? To get my tat.

Oddly enough, the woman who did my tat wouldn’t put it on the back of my left shoulder where I wanted it. I’m not sure why, but I’m really glad she didn’t. I like it much better on the back of my lower neck.

As for the relationship with “bat guy,” we dated for about a month and then moved on. Just wasn’t in the stars, I guess. But it was still the coolest, most unique first date I ever had. Over the years my tattoo has been a nice reminder of that time in my life when the world was my oyster. I used to get asked what it means and I’d say “Freedom of youth,” which is totally made up, but in a sense, it does mean that to me. Later I got my nose pierced and I’m pretty sure gave my parents some gray hairs with my newfound freedom. Lol

I wanted to get a tattoo this year since I just turned forty, and also because I published my first book, but I decided to wait til my trip to New Zealand and get something warrior-ish over there. Or maybe elvish? Haven’t fully decided yet. But I’ll be sure to share when I do.

Thanks so much for featuring me and my ink here today, Sydney!

Connect with Pk and pick up her latest release, Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc.

BLOG  WEB TWITTER ~ FACEBOOK ~ GOODREADS
            *Adventure through fearless creativity *

If you have a book coming out or just want to tell your tattoo story and want to be featured on Tattoo Tuesday, let me know by leaving me a message in the comments.  

“What Works” Marketing Symposium 2014

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Welcome to the Online Marketing Symposium. Another cool creation for the community from Arlee Bird, and hosted by Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

The rules are to share a marketing campaign that worked or didn’t work. Well, I haven’t published a novel, yet (hopefully I won’t have to stay that after April (nudge nudge wink wink)). There a few places I go as a reader to find books to read and I can only hope that other readers do the same.

If I need to find like minded people eager to help with anything from a blog post to spreading the word about a new release, I think Facebook Groups & Goodreads Books Clubs are great marketing outlets. 

I would love to hear if engaging your audience in these two forums translate into book sales.

Also, as someone who host blog tour stops in the form of book reviews, do they translate into book sales and how can you tell?

Well, as you can see, I’m not much help.

So, when it comes to marketing, “What Works” for you? Write clearly, I’ll be taking notes. 🙂

Quick shout out and Congrats to Peyton Manning and the Denver Bronco’s – Super Bowl Bound. I named my dog after Peyton Manning, so we are quite excited!!!!!

Sydney Reviews Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.18406008

Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe
Publication date: October 3rd 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He’s even easy to talk to.There’s just one problem: he’s her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn’t take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more.

Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan’s life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart.

Review: 

The lingering feeling I got after reading this book was ‘that was strange.’ And, it was complex and funny as hell. It was different then anything I had read before. It was totally secondary character driven for me. I loved the supporting cast. Evan illicits a pattern of hate him/love him/hate him reactions from me throughout. Lukas the shy, gay guy, side kick was witty and funny and you wanted to hear his entire story from the beginning. Even Sydney’s roommate,  Melanie and then later her sister Michelle were such intriguing character. I applaud Rowe’s ability to develop these characters by their actions and few words.  I loved that.

Sydney was close to being really annoying, but she had a good reason to be, considering her past.  She redeemed herself by having some crazy hot dreams (see tattoo reference below), funny self talk and an interesting history.

My only issue I had with the book was the ending. It was bizarre and happened way to fast.

The conclusion maybe a little unbelievable, but the book had a great mix of horror, humor, sexiness and psychos. I hope this  book is a series, because I can’t wait to read what crazy stuff Rowe will come up with next.

Tattoo References: One tattoo was the MC’s name tattooed on her love interested, but that turned out to be one of her lusty dreams. Then he had “a string of star tattoos, both big and small, ran from his nipples all the way to his left shirt.”  and “a tiny string of stars right below his neck line and a bald eagle that covered his upper back.”

I don’t like to judge people by their tattoo’s but the front tattoo I can’t picture and Evan didn’t seem like the old school americana design tattoo type of guy. I wish she would tell us what his tattoo’s mean. 

Movie References:  Blade Runner, The Matrix, Being John Malkovich, Sophie’s Choice, Defending Your Life, Transformers, The Proposal, Vertical, While You Were Sleeping, Vertigao – cool mix of movie references.

Favorite Line: “So he did you in a position where he didn’t have to see your face.” Great line from Sydney’s roommate and best friend Lukas.

*Just a few of my favorite things. 

Crashing Into You Purchase Links

Author Bio:  B.D. Rowe is a Sacramento native with a penchant for crafting tales of romance, mystery, and intrigue. You can often find B.D. at the local coffee shop drinking white chocolate mochas and writing into the wee hours of the night. This is B.D.’s first New Adult novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Insecure Writer’s Support Group – Confused

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I am so confused, I don’t really know my next step.  Thank you in advance for your advice. It is appreciated more then you know.

I don’t mean to sound so desperate, but just when I thought I had my insecurities in check, another annoying one pops up and takes over my brain.

I received feedback from five Beta’s on my current MS. Three of them are writers, one is a friend in my reader’s demographic and the other is someone who the person helping me publish my book sent it to.

While I know my book needs some work and isn’t close to publication, the feedback from the first four people have been constructive and positive, and they loved the story. But, the last person. Wow, well, my thick skin is being tested.

Basically she/he said it was 100 pages to long and not serious enough and basically she didn’t like it. Or maybe she did, I don’t know. I can’t tell. Her comments were completely different than the other four.  She hated things about my MC that other reader’s liked. Her impression of the book was so far on the other end of the spectrum form the other four.

Now, I know what your going to say. Why am I giving so much credence to the one? I don’t know. She had some valid point’s too, but so much of what she said was complete new to me and I am not sure how to proceed.

That’s why I am confused.  What would you do? 

Thanks to the awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG Bob Milne, River Fairchild, Julie Dao, and Sarah Foster! Take some time and visit other IWSG members. In my experience, we all share some the same insecurities. You may help someone or find a way to cope yourself.

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