Lori Johnson's Blog, page 5
March 18, 2011
Must See Movie: I Will Follow
If you get a chance this weekend, it might be worth your while to check out an independent movie that's been getting a lot of buzz of late: I Will Follow.
I'd been hearing positive things about the movie for a while and I knew it featured Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Omari Hardwick and Blair Underwood, but I wasn't sold until I watched the trailer. A death in the family. A woman at a crossroads. A bit of romance. A serious movie with performances that aren't over the top. I can't wait! *lol*
Recently, I Will Follow expanded to 22 theaters in 15 cities. Fortunately for me, Charlotte, NC is one of the cities and I plan to catch a showing this weekend. Check your local listings for details.
February 4, 2011
Signed Book Giveaway . . . After The Dance by Lori Johnson
SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY! In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’d like to giveaway some of the mass market editions of my novel, AFTER THE DANCE. If you’d like a free, signed copy, email me your response to the following question:
How many times do Carl and Faye slow dance in my novel, AFTER THE DANCE? Feel free to guess.
The contest ends on Monday, (February 7th) at 5pm. AFTER THE DANCE is a love story and would make a great Valentine’s gift. Unfortunately, the contest is not open to my overseas friends, fans or readers but all others, including past winners are welcome to respond . . .
**You can find my email address on my blog's profile page. You can also contact me via Facebook or my website .**
January 17, 2011
HAPPY MLK DAY!
November 4, 2010
Thursday Thirteen #50 . . . 13 Changes In My Reading Habits
Over the last ten years or so, I've noticed a number of changes in my reading habits. Sadly, most of the changes haven't been for the better and "sad" is also a good way to describe what I felt while compiling this list. Will I ever regain the same sense of joy I once felt when I curled up in bed with a good book or my favorite magazine? Will Nooks and Kindles ever come close to duplicating the warm and fuzzy feelings of contentment I experience when my face is buried in the pages of a book that I can't put down? I'm not hopeful.
1) I no longer read or subscribe to the local newspaper on a daily basis.
I've been reading the newspaper on a somewhat regular basis since I was twelve. However my desire to read and subscribe waned upon my move from Memphis, TN to Cleveland, OH, approximately 9 years ago. I've since moved to North Carolina, but I still haven't reclaimed the time or desire to read the paper on a daily basis.
2) I do subscribe to the weekend (Fri-Sunday) edition of the local newspaper.
Still, often times, I don't read any of the papers until Sunday.
3) I no longer purchase or attempt to read the Sunday New York Times.
Back in the day, the hubby and I used to love picking up a Sunday NY Times before paying a visit to our favorite pancake house. Eating pancakes, drinking coffee and discussing what we read in the Times used to be a treat.
4) I no longer purchase or attempt to read the NY Times Book Review.
For years, even after I stopped reading the Sunday NY Times, I'd still purchase a copy of their book review. Think that stopped around about the time my son came into the picture.
5) I stopped subscribing to "O" magazine several years ago.
When I started accumulating large piles of unread copies, I knew it was time to call it quits. I still like "O" and occasionally I'm moved to pick up a copy, but I really wish it was a bit thinner and/or came out every other month.
6) I still subscribe to "ESSENCE" magazine.
But the writing on the wall isn't good. Like "O" in recent years I've begun accumulating large piles of unread copies. Unlike "O" though, I think I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the magazine's content.
7) I no longer read several novels and non-fiction titles in a single month.
Once upon a time, it wasn't unusual for me to read 6-7 books (and sometimes more) in a month. Now, if I manage to read 1 every other month, I'm happy.
8) I no longer visit the library on a regular basis.
Visiting the library was once something I once did at least a couple of times month. Sometimes I'd visit and read magazines and journals for hours. These days when I visit, I feel like I'm lost in a forest.
9) I no longer visit the bookstore on a regular basis.
Visiting a bookstore used to be something I very much looked forward to doing at least once a week. I still enjoy my visits, but they don't occur quite as often and I don't browse as long as I once did.
10) On occasion, I still purchase a number of magazines and journals, but I seldom read them in a day or even a week's time.
I hate throwing them out unread, so I've been keeping them in boxes and hoping my stash doesn't land me on an episode of "Hoarders."
11) Once upon a time, I routinely read in bed before calling it a night. I can't remember the last time I took a book or a magazine to bed with me.
Even if I tried, I'm sure I'd be asleep after a paragraph or two.
12) I used to give my reading material my undivided attention. These days, when I read, either the TV is on, I'm listening to music or I'm simultaneously engaging members of my family in conversation.
Oddly enough, on those rare occasions when I do find myself alone with a book, rather than relish the moment, I start feeling guilty, as if I really need to be "doing" something . . .
13) More and more, the news and information I read is coming from online sources.
Ah yes, the computer. It's making our lives easier, providing us with a variety of entertainment outlets and allowing us access to all kinds of information, but might it also be stealing and/or stifling some of life's simpler pleasures in the process?
Does anything on my list sound familiar? Have you noticed similar changes in your own reading habits?
If you'd like to visit other Thursday 13 participants
START HERE
October 13, 2010
Lots of Links . . . Some Informative, Others Just For Fun
Who do you write like? Find out @ I write like. My son introduced me to this site. After you type in a writing sample, it will give you the name of the author it thinks you write like. When I typed in a passage from one of my... novels, it told me I wrote like Stephen King. If you try it, let me know your results . . .
Some great advice HERE from Author Tananarive Due. Among the things she mentions in this speech are 4 ways writers sabotage their work: 1) You want to write, but you don't write; 2) You write, but you don't finish what you write; 3) You finish what you write, but don't submit for publication & 4) You submit what you write, but you don't re-submit. Check out the link for details.
Lots of useful info for newbie writers in the following Youtube clip. In Ask Marita!, Author Marita Golden provides answers to the following: 1) How do I write with regularity; 2) What do I do after my manuscript is finished? 3) What does an agent do?; 4)How do I get an agent?; 5) Is self-publishing a viable option? Check out the clip for Ms. Golden's responses.
The following is a clip of my favorite Muppet, Grover, doing a spoof of the Old Spice Guy commercial.
September 15, 2010
Natural Women: Our Hair, Our Stories (Brandi F.)
(Brandi F.)Background / I am 30 years old and I live in Memphis, TN. I conduct health research in African American communities with the intent of addressing community and individual factors that cause poor health among minorities. One of our recent projects focuses on increasing access to healthy foods in communities that do not have supermarkets. I have a great husband, but no kids yet . . .
Hairstyle / I wear a variety of styles—a wash and go, twist-outs and curly fros...
September 4, 2010
My Knotty Truths
If you're interested in learning more about my natural hair journey, do stop by Michele George's blog "The Knotty Truth." Recently, she asked me a series of hair related questions and posted my responses. So, if you'd like to know how I answered any of the following:
Where are you from and what is the natural scene like where you are from?
Did you transition to natural hair? If so, what were your experiences?
Did you have any support?
Has there been any differences in your life after going...
September 1, 2010
Thursday Thirteen # 49 . . . My 13 Writing Essentials
WRITING ESSENTIALS ( 13 Things I need/want/like having at my disposal when I write)
An article in the September 2010 issue of Writer's Digest, "Essentials To A Writer's Life" by Erik Larson inspired me to come up with my own list of writing essentials. Larsen and I share a need for coffee, but some of the other items on his list were things like "Blocks of Undisturbed Time" "Oreo Cookie" and "A Fireplace."
Even though I wrote down the first things that came to mind, I wouldn't necessarily rank ...
June 23, 2010
A YouTube Review of After The Dance (by Lori Johnson)
Wow, a reader was kind enough to send me a YouTube clip of her review of my debut novel, After The Dance. Of course, she just earned herself a free, signed copy of my next novel, LOL!
YouTube Review of author Lori Johnson's debut novel After The Dance
June 18, 2010
"Happyness is Nappyness" (Natural Hair Expo 2010 in Raleigh)
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Will I see you there? (Saturday, June 19, 12 noon- 8pm) For more info click on the link--
Happyness is Nappyness!
