Michael Offutt's Blog, page 129

Is it too early to say that the biggest sci-fi movie of 2014 will be Interstellar?

Interstellar is the next film by Christopher Nolan. Yeah, he's the director that brought us The Dark Knight series and Inception. The film apparently tells a story of space voyagers traversing both space and time.

A synopsis of the film's plot from the press release says it "chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage."

The list of celebrities that have signed on to Nolan's project are:

1) Matthew McConaughey
2) Anne Hathaway
3) Jessica Chastain
4) Casey Affleck
5) Topher Grace
6) John Lithgow
7) Wes Bently
8) David Oyelowo
9) Ellen Burstyn
10) Matt Damon
11) Michael Caine

So yeah, I want to know if you guys think Interstellar has the makings of the best sci-fi movie of 2014 cause I sure do. Oh and Patrick, I'll probably be talking about Interstellar for a year now that I know about this (the same as I did with Prometheus and Pacific Rim). So get used to it. Have an awesome Thursday.

The cover for Sacrifice Her by Sheena-kay Graham sure looks incredible

The day has finally come. Time to reveal the cover of Sacrifice HER. Be amazed.
Title: Sacrifice HER by Sheena-kay Graham
Goodreads:  Sacrifice HER
Release Date: December 2013

Summary: When a city is at stake, is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.
Author Bio: Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels, poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen, or in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to unleash her creativity to wow the masses. Links Website: http://queendsheena.blogspot.com/Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448863.Sheena_kay_GrahamFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheenakayGrahamAuthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/queendsheena
Cover Design: Image of woman with flowing hair (purchased): © Transfuchsian | Dreamstime.comCover Designer:  Langao @ http://fiverr.com/langaoAnd for a final bit of wow factor. Look at what I got for free without asking. You scored big time, Sheena-kay. I love this cover reveal! What do you guys think?

Neil Gaiman at the age of seven talking about Scientology is interesting

I discovered this Easter Egg the other day. It's a recording of Neil Gaiman at the age of seven talking about Scientology, and it's quite "interesting." If you're a fan of Neil and have read Ocean at the End of the Lane, you should listen to it. If anything he speaks with eloquence. I can't say that I'm surprised.

If you are looking for a good read Hat Trick by Jeff Adams is well worth your time

Today, I want to introduce you to my writer friend Jeff Adams. I think I started stalking him on twitter because he lives in New York City and loves hockey. I also love his writing. He creates such visceral characters that they just leap off the page for me, and I become completely involved in these fictional lives. If you haven't heard of Jeff, take a moment to read about his latest book. I seriously couldn't put it down and read it in two nights.******************************* Thanks, Michael, for letting me drop in on your blog to talk about Hat Trick , my debut YA novel, which is just out from Queerteen Press. You can find it for download HERE .Michael and I met on Twitter a while ago and have become long distance writing friends. I was intrigued by his A Crisis of Two Worlds series since it’s got a super smart, dimension-traveling hockey player. I had the pleasure of beta reading both Slipstream and Oculus and am eagerly looking forward to Caledfwlch because I desperately need to know what happens next. I like the series so much, there’s is a brief nod to it in Hat Trick.Hat Trick’s first draft was written during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November 2006. It was my first time trying to do NaNo and I combined some of my favorite things: hockey, young adult fiction and romance. I had never read a gay YA novel that had hockey players or featured teammates as the featured couple. Even six years later, Hat Trick is the only gay YA story I know with that combination (if you know of a book that has these attributes, please let me know as I’d like to read it).Hat Trick plays out over the course of the hockey season at Central High School, set in a town outside of Pittsburgh. Central is working to get the state championship back to the school for the first time in years, and its senior lineup is key to that success. Simon Roberts has been on the team since he was a freshman. What his teammates, even his closest friends, don't know is that he's had a crush on Alex Miller since Alex joined the team in their junior year.Simon keeps his feelings to himself. It's not until during the first game of senior year that everything comes out. Except it's Alex telling Simon that he likes him, which Simon wasn't expecting at all.Once the guys are forced out of the closet, they do their best to stay focused on the game. There's the state championships to work for, plus the each want scholarships. For Simon, that's a paramount importance since he wants to get out of state and away from his overbearing father and brother.Simon and Alex have a supportive coach in James Archer. When I started writing Hat Trick, the You Can Play project didn't exist yet. Coach Archer, however, subscribed to the project's mission from the earliest drafts of the story. He doesn't tolerate any sort of  hateful language from his team. He also tells Simon and Alex that their place on the team is secure because what matters is the high quality game they play, not that they are dating each other.I am a firm believer in the  You Can Play project and that's why I'm giving one dollar for every copy of Hat Trick sold to the organization. That way they can make a difference for the real Simon's and Alex's in the world.If you pickup a copy of Hat Trick, I hope you enjoy it and tell your friends about it too. You can also learn more about Hat Trick at www.HatTrickNovel.com and you can follow me on Twitter for more as well, @hockeyguynyc. This is Jeff in his hockey gear. Ask him
about the bruise he got from blocking a
slapshot. Yikes!-- Twitter: @hockeyguynyc

Walter White as Heisenberg is the greatest villain of all time

Noir fiction for American audiences is when a protagonist (usually a victim, a suspect, or a perpetrator) is tied directly to a crime. In other words, the protagonist is not an outsider called to solve or fix a particular situation. Another quality of noir has to do with the self-destructive qualities of the lead characters. With this in mind, Breaking Bad definitely fits the bill.

With only four episodes left to go in what I am going to say is one of the most spectacular stories I have ever discovered, Breaking Bad is nothing short of a masterpiece of noir. The absolute corruption of Walter White from season one as a chemistry teacher at a high school unable to lie to his own wife into Heisenberg, the ruthless head of a drug empire, is at once astounding and terrifying.

The evolution of this character from merely wanting his medical bills taken care of and securing a financial future for his young wife and children into someone who probably has close to a billion dollars in cash buried in the New Mexico desert has been riveting to watch. We've seen meth heads crushed by ATM machines, human heads mounted on the backs of turtles and wired with explosives, innocent boys shot and then dissolved (along with their dirt bike) in giant vats of acid, and meth cooking in suburban residential homes being fumigated by corrupt insect company "Vamonos Pest." Along the way, Walter White's lies got better and better and even his wife, Skyler, joined him to become Mrs. Evil.

Her evolution is complete as well. In the last episode that aired Sunday, she basically orders Walt to kill Jesse while sitting on the bed drinking some vodka. "What difference does one more make at this point?" is what she asks. It's cold-blooded, calculating, and very logical. How do you argue with that? It's like trying to answer critics of Syria that say, "What does it matter if people are killed with chemical weapons, a bomb, or with a bullet to the head? Dead is dead." I suppose they're right; I have no answer to that question either.
The storyline of this show unfolded with nuanced precision, chapter by chapter, with no detail too small to overlook. Each season of Breaking Bad presented its unique challenges to Walter White. There was Tuco, the small-time drug lord of Albuquerque, who was scary enough to probably frighten any one of us (on the other side of the tube) to death were he to appear on our doorstep. There were the Juarez Cartel assassins who killed those they met with shiny axes while holding blank-faced unemotional stares. I dare to say, their pulse probably never got above 60, even when they bashed someone's brain in. There was the Juarez Cartel and Gus Fring of Los Pollos Hermanos. One by one, each of these villains disappeared in a unique way, because none of them had what Walter White had: pure evil genius.
If anything, Breaking Bad has shown me that the scariest villain is the smart villain. It's the one that outwits you at every turn, who poisons you with ricin, who strips away every avenue of escape leaving you no choice but to stew in silence or be destroyed. In this respect, the character of Walter White as Heisenberg is the greatest villain of all time. With his "Nobel-sized" brain and the ego to go with it, I find it totally believable that he would embrace darkness because the world in which he lived looked down on him, disrespected him, and did not appreciate how smart he truly was. So he seized upon infamy and the pride that goes with it. The world will never forget Hitler, right? Walt probably has similar aspirations for the entity of Heisenberg.

And in the end, there is no soul blacker than Walter White (although his wife comes a close second). Even Darth Vader loved someone. I don't think Walter White truly loves anyone but himself (does he truly love his kids?). He is pure evil. Jesse Pinkman even calls him "the devil," and rightfully fears Mr. White. He should. Everyone should. I've never seen a psychopathic character brought to life in such vivid color. We have been with him every step of the way and only now that we can see the end in sight do we (as the audience) ultimately realize that this has been a story of evil incarnate--the story of an evil so powerful it's capable of destroying anything and anyone that dares to cross its path.

Dean Norris Spoils Breaking Bad from Dean Norris I suppose that kind of legendary power would make Heisenberg smile if he were a real person. As much as I admire what the writers of Breaking Bad have created, I hope he doesn't get away with it. Walt is a serial killer, responsible for the destruction of countless lives. To see him go unpunished for this would be too real because I know bad people do bad things all the time and get away with it Scot free. But I guess that begs the question: can Breaking Bad even have a happy ending? Will I be happy to see Walter White vanquished by Hank? Not only would a happy ending be unsatisfying, but I don't think it's even possible. AMC has given us a show that is destined to become a legend in the annals of T.V. history and just like any good story, it's the quality of the villain that made it all happen.

The Dr. Who episode that never happened but should have

Matt Smith is no longer the Doctor, but that doesn't mean visionary artists like K.K. Jordan can't think up some pretty awesome scenarios. For example, how would this episode have ended? For those of you that don't know, the Doctor's sonic screwdriver is the ultimate deus ex machina. It can literally do anything. But it's the ultimate nod to the writers because it's also completely incapable of doing whatever the writers don't want it to be able to do. Does that make sense? You writers should be nodding your head yes.

So yeah...could it turn off a lightsaber? Absolutely. Enjoy the art, I know I sure do. Just for fun, tell me who you'd think would come out on top in an epic clash between these two sci-fi titans!
Art by K.K. Jordan

All the parts of me want different things from my writing but I really don't have a concrete plan

Well, it's been almost a year since I subbed my fantasy novel to the Harper Voyager open call, and everything that I can gather from online forums suggests that the editorial staff at HV has winnowed the 4500+ entrants down to less than 400. There hasn't been an update since May on HV's own site, but I expect one to pop up soon. So far, I am still in. It's exciting to think that I am in the top 10%. I suppose there's also that nail-biting insecurity that comes from checking my email every day (as I've done for the last eleven months). One goes through the paces of asking the big question "what if?" a lot.

For example, I ask myself if I would change as a person. Do I really need the validation that would come from a multiple book contract with a Big Five publisher? The answers are ambiguous at best. Yes, I might change because I've felt like a loser most of my life and the sudden success of "hey I'm actually good at something" might make me gloat when I don't mean to. A different part of me looks at all the perceived setbacks I've embraced in the seasons of my life. It's that section that's been beaten down by the reality of life and would just be thankful for a cold glass of water and a spot of shade when halfway across the Sahara desert.

Maybe the key here is to not get one's hopes too high, but it grows increasingly more difficult with each passing day and a shrinking number of those who remain in the pile. They are taking just 12 authors from that open call and making it as far as I have gives me roughly a 10% chance to get in the money. I would just welcome the opportunity to be published by HV as an interesting opportunity filled with all kinds of possibilities. And there's also another part that would be comfortable with yet another rejection. It's a part that says I'm pretty comfortable being where I am as a writer and "no thanks, I'll pass on the external validation. I already know I'm awesome."

So yeah. Insecurity at this point means that all the parts of me want different things from my writing. I guess I have stories to tell just like all of you, but I really don't have a concrete plan. I'm just trying things. It seemed like a good idea to sub to Harper Voyager 11 months ago, and it still feels like a good idea now. I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop.

Debut author CD Coffelt tells us about Wilder Mage and why you should buy it first thing Friday.

I've got some blogger news I want to touch on this Monday. First off, my blogging friend Carol (known as C.D. Coffelt a.k.a. Huntress who runs the blog Spirit Called is putting out her very first book.

Huntress is a fantastic writer. I've followed herfor over a year now, and this debut offering looks exceptionally exciting. I can't wait to read it. So without further ado, here is what the book is about:
This cover is very exciting
Justus Aubre is a wilder: a mage unbound to the Imperium and therefore a dangerous wild card in their eyes. The Imperium wants him, wants his power, but Justus has hidden for many years and now has some semblance of a normal life. All that’s about to change when Sable Rounds walks through the door of his antique shop looking for work. Justus instantly knows what Sable is, he just doesn’t know the danger he’s in.

Alone, also on the run from the Imperium, Sable longs for a normal life. For somewhere to belong. She finds this when Justus hires her, but she knows it’s temporary and fragile, an illusion. Though she hates to think about it, she knows that one day she will have to move on.
The Imperium is always behind her, waiting. When they finally find Sable, they find Justus. And all hell’s about to break loose.

Doesn't that sound intriguing?

A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
My friend C.D. Coffelt lives outside Maryville, Missouri with a bemused husband and way too many cats. She adores all things fantasy with a special love for urban and epic.
With a passion for good writing and Doritos as companions, locating Middle-Earth on a dusty road in rural Missouri wasn’t difficult. All it took was a little Magic, hours of reading, and an overactive imagination.
"Wilder Mage" is due to be released this Friday (that's the actual day of my move to my new apartment). I unfortunately will be away from the internet as I'm canceling the one to set up the other. I want to get satellite television and go cable for my internet so there's probably going to be some downtime while I wait for that to happen.
Please check out CD Coffelt (Huntress) in the following areas:Musa PublishingBlogGoodReadsManic ReaderBook Trailer
I will be away from my computer until the September edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Hopefully at that time, I'll be back online. I appreciate those of you who have sent me emails querying how things are going. As any of you who have moved, you know it's stressful. I've got 70% of my apartment all packed up and the big day is Friday. I just hope I don't forget to cancel anything and get all the addresses changed. Sigh...so much to remember.

Party hard. I'll be back in September.

Lately I've been feeling a little crushed by life, so to help with that, I'm going to take a blogging break. I'll be back in September. In the meantime, I'll be visiting your blogs and commenting. I'm moving to another apartment this month and that is always very stressful. So barring any "out of this world" news that might crop up, my blog will be quiet.

Oh yeah...and I'm having a birthday, so party hard peeps!

Dennis Rodman you are the new Jane Fonda. And that sir is not a compliment.

This is a rant.

For those of you who may not know, Jane Fonda toured North Vietnam in 1972. She cozied up to the enemy, posing for photo ops with communist troops, and broadcasted anti-American propoganda over Radio Hanoi.

She also participated in a staged press conference with American servicemen held captive by the Viet Cong, the purpose of which was to "prove" that the POWs were not being mistreated by their captors. Years later when the released POWs described the very real torture and degradation they suffered at the hands of the North Vietnamese, Fonda called them "hypocrites and liars."
"I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize." Her behavior at the time, considered treasonous by some, earned her the nickname "Hanoi Jane." I really do think that what she did was unforgivably idiotic and that she should be reminded of that every single day. Tried for treason though...I probably wouldn't go that far. However, I digress. I thought all of that could NEVER happen again.

But then, I underestimated Dennis Rodman.

Now admittedly, we are not in a "state of war" with North Korea, so the situation isn't exactly the same now as it was then. However, I view North Korea as a totalitarian dystopian society in the grip of an all-powerful despot who is definitely "not on friendly terms" with the United States. They recently had television commercials showing our president burning in flames. Make no mistake...this isn't flattering. It's meant to insult every single one of us because our president is the elected representative of the majority of the people in this country.
Sure, we make fun of them too. Just look at the movie "Team America." However, that's what you get when you're the one house at the end of the block that's chosen to surround itself in barbed wire and filled the rooms up with explosives so that you can threaten every other house on the block that you'll blow everything up if they don't bring free food to your door. That's what you get for being a crazy "nut bag" that no one likes.

Anyway, seeing Dennis Rodman over there in North Korea (and going again in August), calling Kim Jong Un a "friend for life", getting photo ops with him, and then inviting him to come and visit the U.S. (WTF?!?) at a time when their leader on a daily basis threatens "miserable destruction" is the most IDIOTIC THING SINCE JANE FONDA.

It really does gall me that he's going back again in August. Yes, you read that right. He's crossing the border once again to go and party it up with his bud in the palace where (I'm sure) there are lots of skinny Korean women waiting for him to have sex with in Kim's palace (some of them are probably there against their will).

Dennis Rodman you are the new Hanoi Jane. And that sir, is not a compliment. I just hope the Nobel committee has enough sense to never award Rodman the Nobel Peace Prize like he suggested in July of this year.