Under the Dome versus Under the Dome

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

Have you read Stephen King’s UNDER THE DOME? Are you watching the series on television? Are you doing both at the same time?

I often read a book and then watch the movie. (Can you say Harry Potter or Hunger Games?) Seldom will I watch a movie and then look for the book. But right now, silly me, I’m reading AND watching UNDER THE DOME.

Usually, because some time has passed between the book & the movie/series, I’m okay with the deviations. (True Blood has not followed the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries since like half way through season one.) But both at the same time means they are both very vivid and real in my mind. Wait! Big Jim Rennie doesn’t look like that! What about the relationship between Barbie and you know who? Etc, Etc, Etc.

I think every author would love their books to be so popular (or at least sooo loved by the guys who have the $$ to make the films) but seriously, what if they put hair on my hero Oz? (They wouldn’t, would they?) I’m not sure I could handle it.

One of my favourite authors, Kelley Armstrong, writes the Women of the Otherworld series which is currently being made into a t.v. series. She has been blogging lately that she has NOTHING to do with the show. To quote her “Zip, zero, zilch….and I’m fine with it…they have their reasons for making changes”

I wonder…does Ms Armstrong plan on watching it? Or is it better to keep her distance?

And Mr. King, in case you’re surfing the web and come across my little blog, how do you feel about the differences between your books and the films/shows that they have turned in to?

p.s. should there be anyone out there with the $$ that really does want to turn my novella into a movie, please do not let this blog stop you from asking.

Enjoy what you have accomplished

Posted on July 14, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

I’ve been down on myself a lot lately because I haven’t had time to write.

Then I went to my monthly Toronto Romance Writers’ workshop, and listened to a wonderful panel of multi-published authors who talked about all the time they spend writing, their daily word-count goals, etc. And yes, everything you read and hear says that a writer must have daily goals. Sigh. I haven’t even had a chance to do anything with my writing in the last few months.

But then I read something yesterday that helped. It went something like this:
“If your writing isn’t a priority, then writing is your hobby. There is nothing wrong with that…but as a hobby, writing will tend to take a back seat to other more important aspects of your life. Your expectations must take that into account.”

And for me that is true. The ladies on the panel all wrote-full time. Even a number of people in my writing group don’t have fulltime jobs. My full time job keeps me busy from 7 – 4 each day, and then after that I’m usually running The Daughter to volleyball practice or tournaments. In between, I do the usual work around the house, do the payroll for my husband’s business, and yes, do my other hobbies. The latest, you can see here…

Does that mean that writing is not important to me? That I don’t want to continue to be published? No, not at all. I love writing. I’m thrilled to be published. And I want to write more and share my stories with all the wonderful readers out there. But I need to cut myself some slack.

I used to write in my head on my drives to work but now I work from home. I spend an hour or two each day following other writer’s blogs, staying involved with my writers’ groups, and taking courses. That is 7++ hours a week that previously might have been spent writing. I also seem to be reading a lot more lately, especially books by other authors of The Wild Rose Press.

So have I written anything lately? No. But I do feel I am still learning and growing as a writer.
Will I get back to my writing soon? I sure hope so. In fact, The Daughter goes away with her father for two weeks, maybe I need to schedule a day or two off the regular job just for me and my writing.

Regardless, I need stop getting down on myself and enjoy what I have accomplished. Silver Blade is available on Amazon now, with a general e-release date of July 24th. A lot of unpublished writers would love to be able to say that, and I should take joy from the fact that I can.

Roll the film…

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Charlotte Copper

A month ago I wrote about my love of summer movies, and I’ve seen one movie a week since that post.

The first movie after my May 18th post was Fast & Furious 6 (rated 71% on rottentomatoes.com). I think 71% is about right. I’ve seen most of the F&F movies except 2 & 3, which didn’t have Vin Diesel, in which case what was the point? I have to say I was surprised at the “exit” of a couple of the cast at the end of the movie, but I still can’t wait to see what F&F #7 has in store. I also can’t help but be amazed that both Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson can walk around with their muscles flexed for that long. (Not complaining about it, just amazed.)

Next was Now You See Me, the movie about the magicians that pull off a huge bank heist while on stage. The movie only got rated 49% on RT, which while considered a failing grade does mean that 1 out of every 2 people liked it. The Daughter and I were both in the LIKE category. (Didn’t bother bringing The Husband, because I know his taste and he would have been in the DISLIKE.) I wasn’t prepared for the trick ending (magicians = tricks, get it?) but I’m also not the kind of person that tries to figure out the end ahead of time. When I’m at a movie (a good movie) or in a good book, I…AM…THERE. I’m not looking ahead, I’m actively involved in what is going on.

This is the End, although not my usual kind of movie, was next. The Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy got 85% on RT, but I’d probably rate it closer to 70. Again, however, I don’t usually go for funny, guy humor movies, and that is exactly what it was. I think I laughed hardest at all the penis and ejaculation jokes that seemed to be pervasive.

We went to an early showing of World War Z last night, opening night. (The Husband won’t admit to it, but I think he has a man-crush on Brad Pitt.). Anyway, RT had it at 66% which I think is typical for a zombie movie. I saw Warm Bodies at the start of the year that got 80%, and I think WWZ was much, MUCH better.

Also on my list but which I didn’t make it to were Man of Steele (56%), Hangover 3 (20%), After Earth (11%) and The Bling Ring (58%). I still might make it to Man of Steele and The Bling Ring, but at 20% Hangover can wait until its free on t.v. I was also VERY disappointed that After Earth got 11%. That is a case of a movie I REALLY wanted to see but just couldn’t justify the $$ on THAT bad a rating.

Next up? Heat (with Bullock & McCarthy; Bullock being my girl-crush) and Whitehouse Down (with Channing Tatum, need I say more?) are both due out at the end the month. I know I’ll be going to see both with The Daughter, leaving The Husband at home.