Twilight: The Spelling Bee

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!

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.

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!

What I Read for Fun

In a list of the people who know you the best, of course you'd include the typical round-up of family and friends. But you should also include those people who receive regular glimpses into your personal world like your barber/hairdresser and the barista at your favorite coffee/tea shop. Your unique interaction with them gives those people an interesting perspective.

Another person who should make that list is the proprietor of your local bookstore.

I know. Your list didn't include that person, but think about it. I'm not talking about the check-out person at Books-O-Zillion who only took the job for some extra pocket money and hasn't actually read a book since sophomore English. I'm talking about the person who runs that small independent bookstore down the street -- the one who made the dream of owning a bookstore come true 20+ years ago and has struggled through thick and thin to keep it going. I'm generalizing, but you get the idea.

Sandmeyer's Bookstore, located in Chicago's Printer's Row, is one of my favorite bookshops. Getting to know the shop's owners has reaped significant literary rewards, because they know the types of books I've written, the types of books that I edit, and the books that I read just for me. (When they first asked what kind of books I read for fun, I wasn't sure how to answer. I'm always reading with writing in mind, so I hesitated.)

They caught on to my tastes quickly as I placed orders for science fiction titles from the Del Rey Star Wars line, the latest from Terry Brooks, five copies of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book (stunning -- you should read it immediately and give copies to all of your friends, I did), and Terry Pratchett's brilliant Nation. On a recommendation from my students, I read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, and the Sandmeyers made an interesting note: this is one of the only series of books where they have watched interest spread from kids to adults.

Then there were the detective stories. I'm up to "J" is for Judgement in Sue Grafton's mystery series. The Sandmeyers quickly recommended Michael Harvey's The Chicago Way and when its follow-up The Fifth Floor debuted, my copy was waiting for me the same day. I could have kicked myself last Friday when I realized that Sara Paretsky's newest V.I. Warshawski novel, Hardball, came out Tuesday and I'd been distracted because I was pouring through Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. I'd heard about Hardball months ago and made a mental note to pick it up but dropped the ball on the release date. The shop had plenty of copies, however, and I cracked it open yesterday.

Make friends with the proprietor(s) of your local independent bookstore -- I didn't miss out on a book I'd been looking forward to all year because they know what I read for fun.

What are you reading for fun right now? Click "comments" below and share.

Toy Auction

Today and tomorrow (Sept. 25 and 26, 2009) Bertoia Auctions is holding part II of its auction of the Donald Kaufman collection. A noted collector of pristine prewar toys, the Kaufman collection hosts many rare cast-iron, tin litho, European, and early toys. The tractor above is an Arcade John Deere A with its original box and is just one example of the beautiful toys available in this auction.

Vehicle toys present include a wide assortment of airplanes to trucks, cars, farm toys, and motorcycles. It's not too late to get in on the action, get your checkbook and click the link above to join in on the fun.

On The Air

As a lifelong toy collector, I have enjoyed all aspects of the hobby. I've edited and authored books on different areas of the hobby, attended toy shows all over the country, and written articles (and blogs) about toy collecting. It has also been a pleasure to share this hobby at talks in libraries and on radio shows.

Aside from finding a long sought-after piece for my collection, hanging out with other collectors at shows and talking about toys is my favorite part of this hobby. I never fail to learn from these knowledgeable people and they revitalize my enthusiasm with every conversation.

I hope that enthusiasm translates to my appearances on radio talk shows. When callers request information on the toys of their childhood, it's a pleasure to be able share a bit of toy history with them -- because that knowledge is part of the unique heritage of this hobby.

If you're in the central North Carolina area, I'll be appearing this afternoon on the Allan Handelman show on FM Talk 101.1 WZTK from 4:00 to 6:00 (or so). Allan is a wonderful guy and a very gracious host -- he's also a toy enthusiast -- and I always enjoy appearing on his show.

Chicago Toy Soldier Show

Though I don't collect toy soldiers per se, I do collect the drummers that toy soldier companies have been considerate enough to release through the years. As a drummer myself, I can't pass up Barclay snare drummers, especially if they still have their hats. I've found a few at the Kalamazoo Toy Show and the Chicago Toy Show -- soon I'll have a nice drumline across my desk!

On Sunday, September 27, 2009, the Chicago Toy Soldier Show will be held at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield hotel in Schaumburg, IL (1800 Golf Rd.). This is North America's premiere toy soldier event, and one not to be missed if you collect miniature soldiers. The doors open Sunday at 10:00 am and the show continues through 3:30 pm, though this show is famous for its room trading in the days before the actual show. Click the links above for more information.

If you're interested in learning more about collecting toy soldiers, I highly recommend you pick up a subscription to Old Toy Soldier magazine. Its articles are well researched and always informative. You'll be able to keep up with toy soldier shows and get acquainted with the international network of toy dealers who can help you find just about everything you'd want for your collection.