Phil Giunta's Blog, page 120
May 5, 2011
Another Golden Talent Lost-Jackie Cooper
Today, well over thirty years later, I have less heroes in my life, yet Chris Reeve remains near the top of the list.
And as a passionate fan of the Superman films, I hold a special place in my heart for Reeve's fellow cast members. I've met Margot Kidder, Marc McClure, Jeff East, and Sarah Douglas over the last ten years. I was hoping to meet Jackie Cooper but alas, that chance is now lost.
His death comes in the wake of other recent celebrity losses, Bill Campbell and Elizabeth Sladen. I never wanted to believe that these things "happen in threes" yet here we are. It's sad to watch members from a golden era of Hollywood--one of class, charm, and dignity--slip away. You sometimes think these people will be around forever. After all, you grew up with them and you watch their movies time and again. They're always around, right?
Jackie Cooper was a Hollywood veteran, starting with Our Gang comedies and working in film and TV for decades. I enjoyed his portrayal of Perry White in the Superman films. God bless him.
Photos : The Champ, 1931, MGM. Superman, 1978, Warner Bros./Salkind Productions
Author Interview: Denise Jaden
1. First, let us know where we can find you online such as blogs, websites, Facebook, etc.
My website is www.denisejaden.com
I’m on Facebook at facebook.com/denisejaden and on Twitter at twitter.com/denisejaden
My main blog is on my website at www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html
2. What inspired you to write fiction? If you don’t mind, please tell us about your short story work previous to your first novel.
I actually began with novel writing, and only took a little detour into short stories as I was awaiting replies from agents on my queries. I began writing very late in life, in my thirties, and I think it all started with some journaling that I started playing around with – sort of, “What would happen if someone else went through what I was going through?” and from there I loved writing about other imaginary characters so much that I gave them their own plotlines.
3. Are there any particular writers who inspired or influenced you? What genres do you enjoy reading?
Laurie Halse Anderson is a huge influence of mine, both writing-wise and as a person. She’s so proactive in writing the truth and making the world a better place for young people. I enjoy reading all young adult fiction, and some adult fiction, but my number one love is contemporary YA.
4. Your bio is truly engaging, most especially your time as a professional Polynesian dancer as well as fitness competitor.
What sparked your interest in Polynesian dancing?
It was something I started when I was very young. My parents enrolled me after a family vacation in Hawaii, and I loved it so much I stuck with it.
Would you care to regale us with any highlights from your fitness competitions, such as awards that you’ve won?
That whole side of my life feels like a lifetime ago, so I feel a little like I’m making stuff up when I admit to awards. Let’s just say I did get first place in one fitness competition and I also did really well in some strength competitions. But oh so long ago!
5. Your first novel, Losing Faith (Simon Pulse, Sept. 2010) is a deeply emotional YA story of loss and mourning wrapped in an intriguing mystery that also deals with the theme of Christian fanaticism. What inspired the story?
My main inspiration was the loss of my own best friend when I was sixteen. I was left with many questions and I’ve always felt like there was a great deal to explore with losing someone at that very tumultuous time in life.
As for the religious aspects, I used to be a secretary of a church with a large group of very passionate young people. I think anything taken to an extreme and without proper support can be dangerous, and this was just a matter of writing about one area I knew about.
6. What can you tell us about your second novel, formerly titled Appetite for Beauty? Have you chosen a title yet? Has a release date been set?
We’re still working on a title for this one. It’s the story of the fragile relationship between two sisters: one, a gifted photographer, the other, a dancer who struggles with bulimia. It’s set to be released in summer 2012.
7. Can you give us a hint of other writing projects you have lined up?
I’m always working on something, and at the moment my project is a companion novel to LOSING FAITH. This one will be told in Tessa’s point of view and is tentatively titled FINDING HOPE.
8.
What does Denise Jaden do when she isn’t writing?
I’m still involved with my Polynesian dance troupe and love performing with them. I also homeschool my seven year old boy and keep active at the gym. That keeps me really, really busy.
Denise was also featured in the March 13 Writer's Digest eNewsletter article, Using Conferences to Your Querying Advantage
May 4, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
Was Your Idea Stolen? Maybe--But Maybe Not by Eileen Cook & Lara Zielin
How to Create a Free Author Website on WordPress by Meryl K. Evans
Dealing with Writer's Block by Brian A. Klems
Productive (and Sometimes Hilarious) Procrastination: 10 Websites for Writers by Zachary Petit
Three from Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest:
Why Do We Think Talent Ought to be Rewarded?
Determination: More Important to Success than Talent
Everyone Wants to Help Writers, but Whose Help Do You Really Need?
Three from Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest:
Getting to Know All About Agent Barbara Poelle
How I Got My Agent by Stephanie Barden
5 Pieces of Well-Meaning Writing Advice That I'm Glad I Didn't Take by C.C. Hunter
May 1, 2011
Chiller Theatre Convention - Hollywood Autograph Show
Back from Chiller Theatre autograph show in Parsippany, NJ. It was a gorgeous day for a two hour drive. Chiller brings about 80 guests from all over the entertainment business twice a year, April and October (typically Halloween weekend). On my list this year were repeat guests Ernest Borgnine and Dean Stockwell. I had my picture taken with these gents the last time they were here so I did not bother to do it again this time.
However, I finally got my Escape from New York picture signed by Mr. Borgnine and a nice Quantum Leap photo with Stockwell and Bakula together. Now to get Bakula's signature without breaking the bank.
In attendance for the first time, and on my autograph list, were Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati), Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Robbi Chong (Poltergeist: The Legacy) and Robert Knepper (Stargate: Universe, HEROES). Chris Sarandon from The Princess Bride was also on my list but he canceled at the last minute. All the guests were gracious and friendly.
Here is the entire guest list, just as a sample of a typical Chiller Theatre.
The sheer throng of fans at this show borders on intolerable. If you hate crowds, this show is not for you, but I never fail to have a great time! I've been attending the show for over 10 years now. In fact, since 1990, I attend about six to eight SF cons and autograph shows per year. I'm a celeb junkie and I collect autographs. So expect more convention reports and pictures down the road!
Hey, it keeps me out of trouble!!!
April 30, 2011
Actor Bill Campbell gone at 84
Photo courtesy of TrekMovie.com/Paramount Pictures.April 28, 2011
Saw The Mighty Ape reading my book in the Supermarket!
Came across a few more online booksellers carrying Testing the Prisoner!
If you're in New Zealand, you can get it from The Mighty Ape!
Or you can just go to the Supermarket...
April 27, 2011
Rebecca St. James Walks the Straight and Narrow Aisle
Rebecca's Music Rebecca's Books
Photo credit: Rebecca's website
April 26, 2011
About This Writing Stuff
Twist Ending Tips from Harlan Coben by Jessica Strawser
How to Recover from eMail Gaffes by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Ask the Agent: Kelly Mortimer posted by Jane Friedman
Kelly Meding's Dreg City series Comes to Audio! - My friend Kelly Meding is excited to annouce the audio version of her novels, Three Days to Dead, As Lie the Dead, and Another Kind of Dead. Check it out, yo!
Ann C. Crispin's Pirates of the Carribbean: The Price of Freedom - Veteran SF, Fantasy, and Media Tie-In author Ann C. Crispin's latest novel delves into the past of Captain Jack Sparrow himself!
The Chuck Sambuchino List
How $1 Could Make You a Bestselling Author by Carolyn Jess-Cooke
Agent Advice: Vicki Motter of Andrea Hurst & Associates
How to Jump on the Media Go-Round by Janie Reinart
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Rachel Friedman
New Agent Alert: Kathleen Rushall of Waterside Productions
How I Got My Agent: Paul Elwork
April 23, 2011
Testing the Prisoner continues on Audio with Chapter 12
My paranormal mystery novel, Testing the Prisoner, continues it's bi-weekly episodes with Chapter 12.
Daniel is briefly hospitalized after his rescue from the railroad bridge. After returning home, he encounters the ghostly boy one last time before reuniting with a surprisingly sympathetic Vicki.
If you enjoyed Testing the Prisoner on audio, please consider purchasing the paperback or Kindle version from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other online booksellers such as Powell's Books, Doylestown Book Store, Buy.com and others.
Thank you so much for your support!
April 22, 2011
Author Interview: Jon Gibbs
Born in England, Jon Gibbs now lives in New Jersey where he’s a member of several writers’ groups, including SCBWI and The Garden State Horror Writers. He is the founder of The New Jersey Authors’ Network and FindAWritingGroup.com. Jon can usually be found hunched over the computer in his basement office. One day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on. It's a pleasure to have Jon with us here for a little Q&A.
What's more, Jon is giving away a free copy of his eBook, Fur Face, to one random commenter!
Are there any particular writers who inspired or influenced you?
In terms of writers who make me want to write as good as what they can, I’d say my biggest influence is Terry Pratchett. I’m a big fan of his Discworld novels especially the ones featuring the city guards and/or the witches. His books are often thought provoking, but always great fun. One moment he has you laughing out loud, the next he’s tugging at your heartstrings, often on the same page.
For inspiration, it has to be Jonathan Maberry. I first met him three years ago (at the 2008 Write Stuff Conference). He always seems so enthusiastic and the man’s a writing machine. He’s also what my old gran would have called ‘A do-fer’ [as in ‘What can I ‘do-fer’ you?’]. A lot of folks chasing their dreams and goals only focus on the people who can help them get where they want, Jonathan Maberry always seems to make time for (and be willing to help) people further down the writerly food chain.
What genres do you enjoy reading and what have you read lately?
I enjoy Terry Pratchett’s brand of fantasy. I also like Bernard Cornwell’s historical fiction, in particular his Saxon stories. I just finished the nook version of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book – I guess that would be fantasy/horror for middle grade readers – which was fun. Before that I listened to the audio version of all seven Harry Potter novels – read by Jim Dale. People always (rightly IMHO) praise J. K. Rowling for her excellent world-building, but for me, her greatest strength as a writer is her ability to create such a diverse range of interesting characters.
Tell us about your short story work previous to your first novel.
Being the naïve idiot I am, it never occurred to me to write short fiction before attempting a novel. That said, I’ve been known to write micro fiction (100 words), four of which were published. One, WILD WEST JUSTICE, even made it into the second Every Day Fiction anthology. A couple of years ago, I had a go at a proper short story, a 4,000-word science fiction piece (it got an honorable mention in the GSHW’s 2009 short story contest), but otherwise I’m strictly a book-length writer.
I find it cool that you were once a lead singer for a rock band. Tell us about Gentleman Jones. When did the band form? Were you one of the founding members? How long did you remain with the band?
Lol, trust me, it was a lot of fun, but really not as cool as it sounds.
I first joined the band (then called Bad Taste) on keyboards/backing vocals back in 1988, taking over the lead vocals a year later. Over the next sixteen years we self-published three albums and had a hoot and a half, but we were very much a legend in our own lunchtimes. In 2004 we were actually working on our fourth album, Vene, Vidi, Capitulati, but then I left England for New Jersey, which is why we never finished it.
What brought you to the USA?
Two of my three children are severely autistic. Much as we appreciated the help and support we got for them in England, there was a far broader range of educational and developmental support to be had in New Jersey. My lovely wife (aka Senior Management) works for an American bank. She got a transfer from their London operation to the one in New York City.
Your debut novel, Fur Face (Echelon Press, June 2010), is a middle grade fantasy about 13-year-old Billy Euston who sets off on a mission to stop sinister animal experiments after he befriends Snowy (an outrageous talking cat that only he can hear). What inspired the story?
It started as a ‘What if…?’ I once had three cats that allowed me to look after them. As any cat lover will tell you they each have their own unique personality. I used to talk to mine all the time and often wondered what they’d say if they could answer back.
Was there a conscious decision to write Fur-Face as a middle grade piece?
Yes, I wrote it for my son, who was ten at the time, though I wasn’t really familiar with the term ‘middle grade’ back then.
Can you share any tidbits about your current projects? Are there are any future release dates you can announce at this time?
No future release dates as yet. I’m currently working on several novels: Waking up Jack Thunder (a science thriller); a fantasy/horror for boys aged 10-12 – tentatively called Bartholomew Jones and the Pirate from Hell; Dead Doris, a fantasy/horror for girls aged 10-12, and a sequel to Fur-Face entitled Barnum’s Revenge.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Aside from the boring day-to-day stuff we all have to do, I spend a lot of time blogging/social networking online, which is great fun. Since discovering the joys of streaming video via Netflix last year, Senior Management and I spend a fair amount of time in front of the telly, catching up on old shows and favorite movies.
Buy Fur-Face on or before April 30th 2011 and enter the Win-A-Kindle Prize Draw
