Cindy Brown's Blog, page 2
February 23, 2015
Famous Misquote Quiz!
I realized the other day that I had been misquoting a famous line in literature, for a long time, maybe forever. But I’m not the only one. In fact, misquotes have even been used as product names and book titles. Think you’re immune to misquote-itis? Test your knowledge below!
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING LINES ARE MISQUOTES?
A. Out, damned spot!
B. Out, out, damn spot!
C. Would someone let the damn dog out?
B. Though Shakespeare never wrote this line, I’ve definitely heard it used. I swear I saw it on a bar of gift shop soap once, and you can still buy Out, Out Damn Spot – Activated Charcoal Blemish Treatment on Etsy.
A. Lead on, Macduff!
B. Lay on, Macduff!
C. Lay off, Macduff.
A & C. – I suspect that someone somewhere wanted to tell Macduff to lay off, but it doesn’t seem to be in print.
A. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.
B. Double, double toil and trouble.
C. Double your pleasure. Double your fun.
A. Maybe this isn’t a misquote since you can buy a paperback copy of Bubble, Bubble, Toil, & Trouble: Mystical Munchies, Prophetic Potions, Sexy Servings, and Other Witchy Dishes on Amazon. And C. was a tagline for Doublemint gum, though sadly we don’t get to actually hear the tagline in the famous commercial (but it’s still worth watching):
A. We are such stuff as dreams are made of.
B. We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
C. We are made of star stuff.
A. Bet you’ve heard this misquote a lot, unless you’re around actors or Shakespeare enthusiasts (BTW, isn’t it cool to have Shakespeare and Carl Sagan in the same question?)
A. Please sir, I want some more.
B. Please sir, may I have some more?
C. Thank you, sir! May I have another?
B. This is the misquote I will admit to. Guess I was combining quote A. (from Oliver Twist) with quote C. (from Animal House).
A. Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.
B. Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.
C. Water, water, everywhere. Of course it’s everywhere. I live in Oregon.
A. Another famous misquote. And C. is an actual quote. From me.
The CindyBrownBlog – A Slightly Silly Look at Mystery , Drama and Writing
I realized the other day that I had been misquoting a famous line in literature, for a long time, maybe forever. But I’m not the only one. In fact, misquotes have even been used as product names and book titles. Think you’re immune to misquote-itis? Test your knowledge below!
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING LINES ARE MISQUOTES?
A. Out, damned spot!
B. Out, out, damn spot!
C. Would someone let the damn dog out?
B. Though Shakespeare never wrote this line, I’ve definitely heard it used. I swear I saw it on a bar of gift shop soap once, and you can still buy Out, Out Damn Spot – Activated Charcoal Blemish Treatment on Etsy.
A. Lead on, Macduff!
B. Lay on, Macduff!
C. Lay off, Macduff.
A & C. – I suspect that someone somewhere wanted to tell Macduff to lay off, but it doesn’t seem to be in print.
A. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.
B. Double, double toil and trouble.
C. Double your pleasure. Double your fun.
A. Maybe this isn’t a misquote since you can buy a paperback copy of Bubble, Bubble, Toil, & Trouble: Mystical Munchies, Prophetic Potions, Sexy Servings, and Other Witchy Dishes on Amazon. And C. was a tagline for Doublemint gum, though sadly we don’t get to actually hear the tagline in the famous commercial (but it’s still worth watching):
A. We are such stuff as dreams are made of.
B. We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
C. We are made of star stuff.
A. Bet you’ve heard this misquote a lot, unless you’re around actors or Shakespeare enthusiasts (BTW, isn’t it cool to have Shakespeare and Carl Sagan in the same question?)
A. Please sir, I want some more.
B. Please sir, may I have some more?
C. Thank you, sir! May I have another?
B. This is the misquote I will admit to. Guess I was combining quote A. (from Oliver Twist) with quote C. (from Animal House).
A. Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.
B. Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.
C. Water, water, everywhere. Of course it’s everywhere. I live in Oregon.
A. Another famous misquote. And C. is an actual quote. From me.
February 9, 2015
Theater Jokes!
I love bad jokes, puns, and just plain silliness. And I love theater. So here goes:
How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?
None. Just complain to the director at notes.
How many stage managers does it take to screw in a light–
Done.
How many designers does it take to change a light bulb?
Does it have to be a light bulb?
A photo posted by Olivia Grace (@dreams0in0blue) on Feb 7, 2014 at 7:23pm PST
How many producers does it take to change a light bulb?
None. Why do we need another light bulb?
How many playwrights does it take to change a light bulb?
Change? Why does it have to change? No changes, it’s perfect just the way it is.
How many theater critics does it take to change a light bulb?
All of them. One to be highly critical of the design elements, one to express contempt for the glow of the lamp, one to lambaste the interpretation of wattage used, one to observe how trite the use of a light bulb was, one to critique the performance of the bulb itself, one to recall superb light bulbs of past seasons and lament how this one fails to measure up, and all to join in the refrain reflecting on how they could build a better light bulb in their sleep.
And lastly,
Don't get your haircut around here… Get it? #musicaltheatrejoke #barber #geek #boston #signs
A photo posted by Stephanie Mallick (@bellabombshel) on Mar 16, 2013 at 2:48pm PDT
The CindyBrownBlog – A Slightly Silly Look at Mystery , Drama and Writing
I love bad jokes, puns, and just plain silliness. And I love theater. So here goes:
How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?
None. Just complain to the director at notes.
How many stage managers does it take to screw in a light–
Done.
How many designers does it take to change a light bulb?
Does it have to be a light bulb?
A photo posted by Olivia Grace (@dreams0in0blue) on Feb 7, 2014 at 7:23pm PST
How many producers does it take to change a light bulb?
None. Why do we need another light bulb?
How many playwrights does it take to change a light bulb?
Change? Why does it have to change? No changes, it’s perfect just the way it is.
How many theater critics does it take to change a light bulb?
All of them. One to be highly critical of the design elements, one to express contempt for the glow of the lamp, one to lambaste the interpretation of wattage used, one to observe how trite the use of a light bulb was, one to critique the performance of the bulb itself, one to recall superb light bulbs of past seasons and lament how this one fails to measure up, and all to join in the refrain reflecting on how they could build a better light bulb in their sleep.
And lastly,
Don't get your haircut around here… Get it? #musicaltheatrejoke #barber #geek #boston #signs
A photo posted by Stephanie Mallick (@bellabombshel) on Mar 16, 2013 at 2:48pm PDT
January 18, 2015
Woo hoo! MACDEATH will be out January 20th! Giveaways all week!
The past few months have been a whirlwind of dreams come true (and a lot of work), but it’s true, Macdeath will be officially published as of Tuesday, January 20th!!! (lots of exclamation points, I know , but I am pretty dang excited!)
Here’s what people are already saying:
“A delicious romp with plenty of humor and suspense.” Rhys Bowen, New York Times best- selling author of the Royal Spyness mysteries
“Funny and unexpectedly poignant, Macdeath is that rarest of creatures: a mystery that will make you laugh out loud. I loved it!” April Henry, New York Times best-selling author
“Vivid characters, a wacky circus production of Macbeth, and a plot full of surprises make this a perfect read for a quiet evening. Pour a glass of wine, put your feet up, and enjoy! Bonus: it’s really funny.” Ann Littlewood, award-winning author of the Iris Oakley “zoodunnit” mysteries
“Satisfyingly clever and rich with unerring comedic timing. Without a doubt, Macdeath is one of the most entertaining debuts I’ve read in a very long time.” Bill Cameron, Spotted Owl award-winning author of County Line.
Want a free copy? Stop in on my blog tour in the next week:
January 19 – Back Porchervations – Review
January 20 – Kelly P’s Blog – Guest Post
January 21 – Latte Da! – Interview
January 22 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review, Giveaway
January 23 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
January 24 – Mystery Playground – Interview, Giveaway
January 25 – The Gal in the Blue Mask – Review, Interview, Giveaway
January 26 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Giveaway
January 26 – Jungle Red Writers – Guest post, Giveaway
Of course, if you’d like to buy a copy, you can purchase online, or at fine independent bookstores, including Annie Blooms and Another Read Through in Portland, Changing Hands (both locations) and The Poisoned Pen in the Phoenix area, and Clues Unlimited in Tucson.You can also ask any store to order it for you.
And if you’d rather get a copy from the author (that’s me, can you believe it?), I’ll be at Annie Blooms on Jan. 22, at Happy Knits in Portland in March (date TBA), at Clues Unlimited on April 8, The Poisoned Pen on April 9th, the Sun City West Library on April 14th, and Another Read Through on April 26th (Shakespeare’s b-day!) – whew!
As always, thanks for your support, and happy reading!
January 12, 2015
Meet the Cast of MACDEATH!
As a playwright, I loved seeing my characters come alive, to see how the director visualized them, and how the actors heard their voices. Who knew I’d have the same chance with a novel? At rehearsal for our book launch/Fertile Ground Theater Festival performance (coming up on January 22nd!), I met the actors from Portland Actors Ensemble (the free-Shakespeare-in-the-park folks) who will play the main characters in Macdeath. I was blown away! Sure, it is my book we’re talking about, but I’m also a theater director and picky about casting. Without further ado, I introduce you to the marvelous cast of Macdeath!
Ivy Meadows – An actress,private investigator in-training, and the star of Macdeath. Ivy’s real name is Olive Ziegwart.
“My father used to tell us that Ziegwart meant ‘victory nipple’ in German. I don’t why he thought that would make us feel better.”
Played by, well, me. I couldn’t resist.
Simon – A former movie star and Royal Shakespearean. After decades of drinking and womanizing, he’s trying to get his career back on track by auditioning for the role of Duncan in Phoenix Shakespeare Theater’s production of Macbeth.
“My apologies for my tardy arrival. My AA meeting ran a bit late.”
Brian MacEwan has performed with theatre companies in Santa Fe NM, Ashland OR, and Los Angeles CA in productions including Brecht’s Threepenny Opera and Orchids in the Moonlight by Carlos Fuentes. He is a permanent company member of TheaterWork in Santa Fe and Theatre West in Los Angeles. He has a high regard of, long history with, and passion for the works of William Shakespeare.
Bill Boxer (The Face of Channel Ten) – An aging newscaster who’s concerned that his broadcasting career may be winding down. He’d kill for a new career in theater. Also auditioning for Duncan.
“Horrible lighting in here, too. Yes, just a rehearsal room, but fluorescents? Even the young men look vaguely green. Good thing I wore bronzer.”
An ‘alumnus’ of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Curt Hanson has been acting in Portland since 1973 in such parts as Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Prospero in The Tempest, Baron Van Swieten in Amadeus and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Included, this century, is his work as James Tyrone, Sr. in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Lear in King Lear and Polonius in Hamlet. A member of SAG-AFTRA, Curt has appeared in supporting roles in fifteen TV / film productions, including “Mr. Perkins” in the feature film The Goonies and as Judge Tim Alexander in the NBC mini-series Killing at Hellsgate.
Jason – Macbeth’s titular character. “The perfect male animal,” he’s everyone’s love interest, and well-cast as the man who hungers for power.
“There’s something about it, about taking that walk to the dark side. When I kill Duncan, even though it’s offstage, I can feel the power and rawness of it, smell fear and sweat and the metallic scent of blood.”
Patrick J. Cox is an actor/producer from Los Angeles and a veteran of over 20 productions in Shakespeare’s canon. Actor credits: Cassius in Julius Caesar, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Diomedes in Cressida, Banquo in Macbeth, and Albany in King Lear. Patrick is the Operations Director for Portland Actors Ensemble.
Edward – The show’s director. He’s decided to set this production of the Scottish play in a 1930’s traveling circus.
“I did consider making our hero a pirate and setting the whole thing at sea, but I feel this is much more original, don’t you?”
Michael Godsey is no stranger to Portland–area Shakespeare fans. Michael is the Artistic Director of Portland Actors Ensemble, this year celebrating its 46th season of free Shakespeare-in-the-Parks. He has appeared for PAE as Bottom in last summer’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Brutus in Julius Caesar and Cornwall in King Lear, among others. He has also appeared in outdoor Shakespeare shows with Post5 and Willamette Shakespeare. Dr. Godsey also is a structural biochemist specializing in protein X-ray crystallography, teaches biochemistry and acting as a professor at Concordia University.
Genevieve – The actress playing Lady Macbeth. Beautiful and a little too intense.
“My reputation as a Method actor is well-known. The Republic even did a story on me once, when I was in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. They seemed to think my preparation extreme, but how else could I truly understand Nell without living in a garbage can, as she did?”
Sarah Keyes Chang earned her MFA degree in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College and the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA. Favorite past roles include Rosalind in As You Like It, Marie Leroux in Is He Dead?, Prince Arthur in Shakespeare’s King John, and Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird. She is also a proud member of the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival core company here in Portland. When not performing, Sarah teaches Shakespeare at an online high school. She is very excited to participate in this staged reading of Macdeath!
Linda – The stage manager. Efficient and no-nonsense, she doesn’t let her personal feelings get in the way of running the theater.
“My old friend Simon. He…threw up on my shoes.”
Jennifer Zubernick hails from Connecticut and earned her Theatre Arts degree at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. Since then she has worked with theatre companies in New York, Virginia, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan and Oregon, as well as several national tours that have brought her all over the U.S. She is thrilled to be a part of this exciting show for Fertile Ground and in bringing Macdeath to life!
A Slightly Silly Take on Mystery, Drama, and Writing
As a playwright, I loved seeing my characters come alive, to see how the director visualized them, and how the actors heard their voices. Who knew I’d have the same chance with a novel? At rehearsal for our book launch/Fertile Ground Theater Festival performance (coming up on January 22nd!), I met the actors from Portland Actors Ensemble (the free-Shakespeare-in-the-park folks) who will play the main characters in Macdeath. I was blown away! Sure, it is my book we’re talking about, but I’m also a theater director and picky about casting. Without further ado, I introduce you to the marvelous cast of Macdeath!
Ivy Meadows – An actress,private investigator in-training, and the star of Macdeath. Ivy’s real name is Olive Ziegwart.
“My father used to tell us that Ziegwart meant ‘victory nipple’ in German. I don’t why he thought that would make us feel better.”
Played by, well, me. I couldn’t resist.
Simon – A former movie star and Royal Shakespearean. After decades of drinking and womanizing, he’s trying to get his career back on track by auditioning for the role of Duncan in Phoenix Shakespeare Theater’s production of Macbeth.
“My apologies for my tardy arrival. My AA meeting ran a bit late.”
Brian MacEwan has performed with theatre companies in Santa Fe NM, Ashland OR, and Los Angeles CA in productions including Brecht’s Threepenny Opera and Orchids in the Moonlight by Carlos Fuentes. He is a permanent company member of TheaterWork in Santa Fe and Theatre West in Los Angeles. He has a high regard of, long history with, and passion for the works of William Shakespeare.
Bill Boxer (The Face of Channel Ten) – An aging newscaster who’s concerned that his broadcasting career may be winding down. He’d kill for a new career in theater. Also auditioning for Duncan.
“Horrible lighting in here, too. Yes, just a rehearsal room, but fluorescents? Even the young men look vaguely green. Good thing I wore bronzer.”
An ‘alumnus’ of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Curt Hanson has been acting in Portland since 1973 in such parts as Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Prospero in The Tempest, Baron Van Swieten in Amadeus and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Included, this century, is his work as James Tyrone, Sr. in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Lear in King Lear and Polonius in Hamlet. A member of SAG-AFTRA, Curt has appeared in supporting roles in fifteen TV / film productions, including “Mr. Perkins” in the feature film The Goonies and as Judge Tim Alexander in the NBC mini-series Killing at Hellsgate.
Jason – Macbeth’s titular character. “The perfect male animal,” he’s everyone’s love interest, and well-cast as the man who hungers for power.
“There’s something about it, about taking that walk to the dark side. When I kill Duncan, even though it’s offstage, I can feel the power and rawness of it, smell fear and sweat and the metallic scent of blood.”
Patrick J. Cox is an actor/producer from Los Angeles and a veteran of over 20 productions in Shakespeare’s canon. Actor credits: Cassius in Julius Caesar, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Diomedes in Cressida, Banquo in Macbeth, and Albany in King Lear. Patrick is the Operations Director for Portland Actors Ensemble.
Edward – The show’s director. He’s decided to set this production of the Scottish play in a 1930’s traveling circus.
“I did consider making our hero a pirate and setting the whole thing at sea, but I feel this is much more original, don’t you?”
Michael Godsey is no stranger to Portland–area Shakespeare fans. Michael is the Artistic Director of Portland Actors Ensemble, this year celebrating its 46th season of free Shakespeare-in-the-Parks. He has appeared for PAE as Bottom in last summer’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Brutus in Julius Caesar and Cornwall in King Lear, among others. He has also appeared in outdoor Shakespeare shows with Post5 and Willamette Shakespeare. Dr. Godsey also is a structural biochemist specializing in protein X-ray crystallography, teaches biochemistry and acting as a professor at Concordia University.
Genevieve – The actress playing Lady Macbeth. Beautiful and a little too intense.
“My reputation as a Method actor is well-known. The Republic even did a story on me once, when I was in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame. They seemed to think my preparation extreme, but how else could I truly understand Nell without living in a garbage can, as she did?”
Sarah Keyes Chang earned her MFA degree in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College and the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA. Favorite past roles include Rosalind in As You Like It, Marie Leroux in Is He Dead?, Prince Arthur in Shakespeare’s King John, and Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird. She is also a proud member of the Original Practice Shakespeare Festival core company here in Portland. When not performing, Sarah teaches Shakespeare at an online high school. She is very excited to participate in this staged reading of Macdeath!
Linda – The stage manager. Efficient and no-nonsense, she doesn’t let her personal feelings get in the way of running the theater.
“My old friend Simon. He…threw up on my shoes.”
Jennifer Zubernick hails from Connecticut and earned her Theatre Arts degree at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. Since then she has worked with theatre companies in New York, Virginia, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan and Oregon, as well as several national tours that have brought her all over the U.S. She is thrilled to be a part of this exciting show for Fertile Ground and in bringing Macdeath to life!
January 5, 2015
What’s In a Name?
I love unusual and lyrical names (I secretly rejoiced when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their daughter “Apple”). When I meet people with great names, I immediately ask them if I can use their names in my writing. And even though I let them know that I may kill them or make them a murder suspect, they always very graciously consent. And yes, a few real names have made it into my books, but I have several more that I’d like to highlight here.
Some are just lovely first names:
Sable
Treasure
Wonder
Some are names that have a wonderful sound to them:
Amelia Beanblossom
Vern Fonk
Penelope Sweet
Others put me in mind of specific characters:
Drew Derrix Templeton – sounds like a Southern gothic writer
Athena McElrath – a warrior princess
Castle Rieke – a female chess champion
And a few have stories behind them:
When I saw that the hardware store guy’s nametag read “Wiley Trusty,” I asked him if I could use it. Not only did he say yes, but he wrote something on his business card and passed it to me. “It’s even better with my middle initial,” said Wiley B. Trusty.
And years ago on a ski trip, I met a woman whose real name was Candy Treat. When I asked her how she felt about her name, she said, “Oh, my whole family loves playing with our last name. In fact, I have a niece named Trixie.”
A Slightly Silly Take on Mystery, Drama, and Writing
I love unusual and lyrical names (I secretly rejoiced when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their daughter “Apple”). When I meet people with great names, I immediately ask them if I can use their names in my writing. And even though I let them know that I may kill them or make them a murder suspect, they always very graciously consent. And yes, a few real names have made it into my books, but I have several more that I’d like to highlight here.
Some are just lovely first names:
Sable
Treasure
Wonder
Some are names that have a wonderful sound to them:
Amelia Beanblossom
Vern Fonk
Penelope Sweet
Others put me in mind of specific characters:
Drew Derrix Templeton – sounds like a Southern gothic writer
Athena McElrath – a warrior princess
Castle Rieke – a female chess champion
And a few have stories behind them:
When I saw that the hardware store guy’s nametag read “Wiley Trusty,” I asked him if I could use it. Not only did he say yes, but he wrote something on his business card and passed it to me. “It’s even better with my middle initial,” said Wiley B. Trusty.
And years ago on a ski trip, I met a woman whose real name was Candy Treat. When I asked her how she felt about her name, she said, “Oh, my whole family loves playing with our last name. In fact, I have a niece named Trixie.”
December 29, 2014
Dictation Poetry
As the owrst typist in the world (typos ledft intavt as porffof), I often rely on dictation software. Works great. When I forget to turn it off, it records whatever noise there is. Every so often, it creates little nonsensical poems that I love, sort of the opposite of Austin Kleon’s fabulous blackout poems (Austin’s are created by redacting words, the dictation poetry by stringing lots of random words together). A few of my favorites:
The house here in the windows that are thinking O is that I noticed that one I’ll hold your letter last year.
Turbulence. First first time today. Wow that is making yeah yeah completely different business
You asked questions that I don’t want to lose there soon Jim at any given Star Trek
Pictures of you should need to be read as Jetstar jitters went from green to yellow bright yellow
A still silly Joey jumped into the low jelly Jenkins.
Are you inside the only year that really works.
I love you I’ll walk for the last few times of.
And my new personal favorite, not as poetic, but evocative all the same–I was in the middle of writing a work email when my husband came home:
There are several places where corrections have not been addressed. Woo hoo all alright busy workday very busy work is going to down there that I love you
