Maybe it's the cold medicine talking, but I'm having a Twilight issue today. Yes, that Twilight--the adventures of Bella, Edward, and Jacob.
With the recent release of the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack and the countdown to the film's release garnering more and more attention, it's as good a time as any to bring up an overlooked issue with the franchise. Yes, I've read the books and seen the first film. Yes, I'll go see the second film. And yes, I found them all entertaining. They aren't rocket science, they're escapism.
So if they are or aren't your cup of tea, great. But as you vocalize your praise/criticism please bear in mind this important fact: the author's name is Stephenie Meyer. Her name isn't Stephanie Meyers or any of the myriad of misspellings I've encountered. Seriously folks, she's sold more than 50 million books--have enough respect for that at least to get her name right!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
First Paragraph Contest
As a fan of hard-boiled detective fiction, it's the first genre I thought of when Curtis Brown literary agent Nathan Bransford announced "The 3rd Sort-of-Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge" earlier this week.
The task was simple: write a first paragraph. It's execution, however, illustrated why Bransford called it a paragraph challenge.
Amid a flurry of responses, I scribbled a paragraph and then edited it. I obsessively edited the poor thing over the course of two rather late nights (for me) before finally entering it today. Mine was the 2,363rd entry, and I don't harbor any illusions of winning -- that was never the point. The point was just to enter, a major victory in itself.
I'll post my entry after the contest closes this afternoon. It's not too late -- if you have a first paragraph ready, click on the links above and submit it.
UPDATE: Here is my entry:
After two punishing minutes of body blows and head shots, I didn't even feel the jab that finally broke my nose. Breathing was a chore and my left eye was swelling, so I focused on my legs instead. Hitting the canvas now would defeat the purpose of climbing in this ring. Everyone knows you don't get an audience with Angelo Bianchi if you can't earn some respect against his bodyguard, one of the city's best light-heavyweights. I took my beating.
My original paragraph was too long, so I edited it to the entry above. The material I cut from the end served to finish the thought of the paragraph, but I ultimately decided that it made for a better second paragraph. Here it is:
Spilled blood served as tithe and tribute--a universal currency in the neighborhood. Okay Angelo, I get it. But as the round neared its end, I also sent a message. My overconfident opponent dropped his left just enough, and I scored a right cross that sent him sprawling.
Should I have left it as one paragraph or is it better as two? Leave a comment below.
The task was simple: write a first paragraph. It's execution, however, illustrated why Bransford called it a paragraph challenge.
Amid a flurry of responses, I scribbled a paragraph and then edited it. I obsessively edited the poor thing over the course of two rather late nights (for me) before finally entering it today. Mine was the 2,363rd entry, and I don't harbor any illusions of winning -- that was never the point. The point was just to enter, a major victory in itself.
I'll post my entry after the contest closes this afternoon. It's not too late -- if you have a first paragraph ready, click on the links above and submit it.
UPDATE: Here is my entry:
After two punishing minutes of body blows and head shots, I didn't even feel the jab that finally broke my nose. Breathing was a chore and my left eye was swelling, so I focused on my legs instead. Hitting the canvas now would defeat the purpose of climbing in this ring. Everyone knows you don't get an audience with Angelo Bianchi if you can't earn some respect against his bodyguard, one of the city's best light-heavyweights. I took my beating.
My original paragraph was too long, so I edited it to the entry above. The material I cut from the end served to finish the thought of the paragraph, but I ultimately decided that it made for a better second paragraph. Here it is:
Spilled blood served as tithe and tribute--a universal currency in the neighborhood. Okay Angelo, I get it. But as the round neared its end, I also sent a message. My overconfident opponent dropped his left just enough, and I scored a right cross that sent him sprawling.
Should I have left it as one paragraph or is it better as two? Leave a comment below.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Hunnert Car Pile Up 2009
The 8th Annual Hunnert Car Pile Up is this Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the Grundy County Speedway and Fairgrounds in Morris, Illinois. An absolutely unique car show event, the Pile Up is a show of traditional hot rods, customs, and motorcycles.
Strict rules for entry are enforced as your vehicle must be a traditionally built, pre-1964 '40s, '50s, or '60s hot rod or custom. And yes, the organizers do turn cars away that don't meet the show's criteria -- they created a very specific (and very cool) type of show and you'll be glad they did when you see all of the roadsters, sleds, jalopies, coupes, and gassers that show up.
More than 1,200 cars were displayed last year, but the Pile Up is about more than just the cars, it's also a celebration of car "kulture" as well. Live music featuring surf, garage, and rockabilly bands join a variety of vendors to get everyone into the spirit of the day. Pinstriping displays and a flame-throwing pit are also planned.
The gates open at 9:00 am. Admission is $20 for show cars and $5 for spectators. Grease your hair back, grab your leather jacket, and join the fun!
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