Maurice Broaddus's Blog, page 51

Some of My Highlight Blogs of 2009

I'm still stunned about how many words I commit to this blog in a year. As is the tradition around this time, each year I manage to summon enough ego to come up with a list of my best or favorite blogs that I've written over the course of the year. I define "favorite" as blogs which elicited the most discussion/angry e-mails. It's a bit of a jump on point and, as usual, there's a mix of spiritual, race, and writing discussions. In no particular order:

Emotional Affairs (AKA No Longer Just ...

Are You there, God? It's Me, Maurice

This year has sucked.

It's been filled with a seeming unending list of disappointment and unanswered prayer. There have been marriage issues and employment issues which has often left me pissed at You (OF COURSE we reserve the right to complain: because we value our free will until our choices make a mess then we're all "why didn't You do something?"). This year has seen the drama and trauma of us switching churches, has been a relational nightmare as circles of friendships broke and realig...

Snowmen – A Review

"The unending year of the snowmen"

DISCLAIMER: I saw an early version of this film. Final editing hadn't been done.
Snowmen is a movie of good intentions. It is aimed squarely at the wholesome family fun crowd and makes no secret of it having warm fuzzies to impart and lessons to teach. And it barely escapes the orbit of feeling like an afterschool special.
"I don't have to be remembered forever as the pathetic bald kid." –Billy

Written and directed by Robert Kirbyson, 10-year-old Billy Kirkf...

Blessed are the Peacem--ack!!

A one to grow on conversation:

"Daddy, why don't we talk to so and so anymore?"

"Sometimes life happens. People get mad, hurt each other, or misunderstandings build up to where relationships get damaged."

"Have you tried talking to them?"

"Yes. A couple of times. Sometimes talking just makes things worse."

"You need me to talk to them?"

"I appreciate the offer and how your heart works. I'd like to just say that making up is 'easier said than done', but really, sometimes adults just … act stupid...

Merry Christmas from the Broaddus Family

(And yes, this is the actual Broaddus family creche scene, complete with black Joseph, white Mary, and a mixed baby Jesus). May God bless you with the very best gift during this Christmas season ... Himself.

Of the Father's love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

Hanging with My Sons

So after watching How to Train Your Dragon, I've been reflecting on my relationship with my sons and how each of them have such different relationships with me. My oldest likes to engage me intellectually, a bit of a schemer, and do what I do. He asks questions, talks to me, challenges boundaries at every turn, writes, believes he's more charming than he is, and watches television like it's an interactive event. He's his father's son.

My youngest is a daredevil, physically and emotionally a...

How to Train Your Dragon – A Review

"The Dragon Whisperer"

DISCLAIMER: I viewed an early screening of this movie. Not all of the animation was completed in spots. That said, my capsule review is: boy + Vikings + dragons = WIN!!!

When you hear words like "computer animate" and "Vikings", your first thought might be Beowulf. From DreamWorks Studio (Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda) comes How to Train Your Dragon. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the movie tells the story of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), who doesn't exactly...

Look Upon My Cover, Ye Mighty

I love what Angry Robot has to say about Cover Love.

KNIGHTS OF BRETON COURT Book One: King Maker

U.K. debut ... March 2010
U.S. debut ... September 2010
from Angry Robot/Harper Collins UK

Ninja Assassin – A Review

As a quasi-professional movie reviewer, it is rare that I pay actual money to see a movie. Such occasions are reserved for movies that I want to experience, usually in the company of men. Real men watching a real men type movie. Enjoying the secret things that men do. Such a movie was Ninja Assassin (another such movie was The Hangover, but I saw that with my wife).

"Perhaps the path you've chose is not the path for which you are suited." –Tattoo Artist

Hopes were high. We're talking execu...

Looking for a Few of My (free) Stories?

People are always asking me where they can read my stuff. You know, without having to actually PAY for the privilege. So I thought I would list the stories of mine that are available online as free reads:
Pimp My Airship
- "I think I'll write a steampunk story with all black characters and call it 'Pimp My Airship'". Which Apex Magazine published August 2009

The Ave
- from the now defunct Horror Literature Quarterly (November 2007). Originally, this story was the second half of the story "Rite of...