7.24.2006
TRAMBLINGS. . .
Great interview with GEORGE PELECANOS. Completely agree with his take on the N-word in Tarantino films, particularly in PULP FICTION. The Crown Prince has always maintained that the JULES WINNFIELD character, as portrayed by SAMUEL L. JACKSON, would've busted somebody in the mouth for such careless usage. THE NIGHT GARDENER is the latest from PELECANOS. Thanks to SARAH for the link.
Nikki Finke has an interesting take on NINA JACOBSON'S FIRING over at Disney. FINKE references DAWN STEEL, a producer I worked for back in the 90s. Here's a PICTURE of Steel on the cover of her book, THEY CAN KILL YOU, BUT THEY CAN'T EAT YOU. I'd read the book before I moved to Los Angeles, I knew Steel's reputation, but it was still intimidating to meet her in person. IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET: WOMEN'S EXPERIENCE OF POWER IN HOLLYWOOD continues where Steel's book leaves off. It even includes her final years when she battled a brain tumor. Both are interesting reads.
Just got back from a hellacious trip to the Bay Area. The power blew in my mom's town and it was 101 degrees INSIDE the house. We were in a blackout from 4p.m. Saturday afternoon until 7 a.m. Sunday morning. I think I might have cried. Kobe was miserable but we all made it through. The drive home along highway 5 included three raging roadside fires and a blaze in the grapevine. I have never been so excited to see my own four walls in my life. Despite all the drama, I was able to get some writing done and even more editing. The book is changing once again but it feels more full-bodied and honest this time around. We shall see.
I also managed to read two new books while on the six hour trip. On the way up, THE BAD BOY'S WIFE by KAREN SHEPARD kept my attention from Los Angeles to Berkeley. Just loved it. The publisher did her no favors with that title (or the cover) but I urge you to look past both. Years ago, Shepard published one of my favorite SHORT STORIES in the Atlantic Monthly but this is the first novel I've read by this author. I just put in a request for DON'T I KNOW YOU and AN EMPIRE OF WOMEN at my local library.
On the way back, I jumped into KING OF LIES by JOHN HART. Southern murder mystery in the vein of John Grisham and Greg Iles. Perfect summer book. PAT CONROY blurbed KING OF LIES as well as BACK TO WANDO PASSO by DAVID PAYNE Payne wrote EARLY FROM THE DANCE which I've read twice. During my years at the WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, there was a huge push to get that book turned into a film but nothing ever came of it. Anyway, I just cracked open BACK TO WANDO PASSO. Here's an EXCERPT to help you pass the time.
In other news, the Author Q&A will resume in a couple weeks. From here on out, I'll post them once or twice a month. We still have some great folks coming up but with two deadlines the editing and formatting take up too much of my time.
Also, here are a couple cool new websites to add to your BLOGLINES.
INSIDE A BLACK APPLE is the blog of an artist that I found on another site. Her work is perfect for my nieces and the prices are beyond reasonable. I bought THIS for the 11-year-old aspiring writer in my family. And THIS for one of my best friends, my phone buddy.
EATING OUT. JAY MCINERNEY'S food blog for HOUSE AND GARDEN magazine.
I READ A SHORT STORY TODAY is the blog of a fella that reads a new short story every single day. Gotta love that.
And SCRIPT RADAR which tracks Hollywood script sales.
Lastly, my favorite mystery writer, JAMES LEE BURKE, has a new title, PEGASUS DESCENDING out this month. And GCC Author JENNIFER LYNN BARNES is on tour with her young adult novel, GOLDEN. She blogs HERE.
Until next time. . .
Great interview with GEORGE PELECANOS. Completely agree with his take on the N-word in Tarantino films, particularly in PULP FICTION. The Crown Prince has always maintained that the JULES WINNFIELD character, as portrayed by SAMUEL L. JACKSON, would've busted somebody in the mouth for such careless usage. THE NIGHT GARDENER is the latest from PELECANOS. Thanks to SARAH for the link.
Nikki Finke has an interesting take on NINA JACOBSON'S FIRING over at Disney. FINKE references DAWN STEEL, a producer I worked for back in the 90s. Here's a PICTURE of Steel on the cover of her book, THEY CAN KILL YOU, BUT THEY CAN'T EAT YOU. I'd read the book before I moved to Los Angeles, I knew Steel's reputation, but it was still intimidating to meet her in person. IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET: WOMEN'S EXPERIENCE OF POWER IN HOLLYWOOD continues where Steel's book leaves off. It even includes her final years when she battled a brain tumor. Both are interesting reads.
Just got back from a hellacious trip to the Bay Area. The power blew in my mom's town and it was 101 degrees INSIDE the house. We were in a blackout from 4p.m. Saturday afternoon until 7 a.m. Sunday morning. I think I might have cried. Kobe was miserable but we all made it through. The drive home along highway 5 included three raging roadside fires and a blaze in the grapevine. I have never been so excited to see my own four walls in my life. Despite all the drama, I was able to get some writing done and even more editing. The book is changing once again but it feels more full-bodied and honest this time around. We shall see.
I also managed to read two new books while on the six hour trip. On the way up, THE BAD BOY'S WIFE by KAREN SHEPARD kept my attention from Los Angeles to Berkeley. Just loved it. The publisher did her no favors with that title (or the cover) but I urge you to look past both. Years ago, Shepard published one of my favorite SHORT STORIES in the Atlantic Monthly but this is the first novel I've read by this author. I just put in a request for DON'T I KNOW YOU and AN EMPIRE OF WOMEN at my local library.
On the way back, I jumped into KING OF LIES by JOHN HART. Southern murder mystery in the vein of John Grisham and Greg Iles. Perfect summer book. PAT CONROY blurbed KING OF LIES as well as BACK TO WANDO PASSO by DAVID PAYNE Payne wrote EARLY FROM THE DANCE which I've read twice. During my years at the WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, there was a huge push to get that book turned into a film but nothing ever came of it. Anyway, I just cracked open BACK TO WANDO PASSO. Here's an EXCERPT to help you pass the time.
In other news, the Author Q&A will resume in a couple weeks. From here on out, I'll post them once or twice a month. We still have some great folks coming up but with two deadlines the editing and formatting take up too much of my time.
Also, here are a couple cool new websites to add to your BLOGLINES.
INSIDE A BLACK APPLE is the blog of an artist that I found on another site. Her work is perfect for my nieces and the prices are beyond reasonable. I bought THIS for the 11-year-old aspiring writer in my family. And THIS for one of my best friends, my phone buddy.
EATING OUT. JAY MCINERNEY'S food blog for HOUSE AND GARDEN magazine.
I READ A SHORT STORY TODAY is the blog of a fella that reads a new short story every single day. Gotta love that.
And SCRIPT RADAR which tracks Hollywood script sales.
Lastly, my favorite mystery writer, JAMES LEE BURKE, has a new title, PEGASUS DESCENDING out this month. And GCC Author JENNIFER LYNN BARNES is on tour with her young adult novel, GOLDEN. She blogs HERE.
Until next time. . .
