R.B. Wood's Blog, page 25

The Word Count Podcast Episode 27

Welcome to Episode 27 of “The Word Count” podcast!

The show is posting later than expected due to strange personal circumstances.  No more need to be said about that because the show is here!

What is The Word Count Podcast?

It is a free broadcast by writers for writers.  Simply put, a theme for each show is announced via this site, Twitter and Facebook and writers are given a week or two to write AND RECORD their stories based on said theme.

Why?

Why not, says I.  It’s a great way to practice writing and public speaking.  It’s another way for writers to get their work “out there.”  And I love to meet fellow authors and have a blast putting the show together.  It’s just that simple.

Okay.  Where can I find it?

You can listen to the latest podcast below, subscribe via iTunes or listen at the show’s site.

 

Direct: http://thewordcount.libsyn.com/webpage

 

iTunes (and remember, iTunes takes their sweet time in posting.  If you don't see it yet, keep trying!): http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-word-count/id392550989

 

What's this week's theme?

I'm so glad you asked!  The theme for episode 27 is:

" Mistaken identity at the pub...”

Our guests this week:

Bill Kirton “Jim and Frank”

 

Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Material Evidence, Rough Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.

 

He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC.  His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories.

Writing as Jack Rosse, he’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery.

He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.

Twitter: @carver22

Website: www.bill-kirton.co.uk

Blog: www.Livingwritingandotherstuff.blogspot.com

 

Angelica Dawson “Beautiful”

Angelica Dawson isn't new to sex, just publishing stories about it. She is also familiar with blood sucking fiends, but those of the insect variety rather than vampiric. She is the author of the Vampire BDSM novella Blue Moon House and promised prequels to come. She has published a short story in Campus Sexploits 3 as well, both with her publisher, Naughty Nights Press.

 

Twitter: @AngelicaDawson

Website: http://angelicadawson.blogspot.com

 

M. A. Fink “Incident at Squeaky's”

M. A. Fink estimates he has read aloud 25,000 pages of text in his lifetime to date, on stage and in more intimate settings. He is the author of the soon-to-be-published illustrated novel The Found Diary of Avery Alexander Myer, as well as number of published poems and flash fiction pieces.
 

Twitter: @onetarot 
 

 

 

Websites:

 http://thefounddiary.wordpress.com/      (my novel's page)               

http://onetarot.livejournal.com/        (writing/art page)                 

http://alternativerealism.wordpress.com/       (site that explores the themes of my novel)

 

M. Holder “Diary of an Assassin”
 

M. Holder currently shares her life with two men, an eight-year-old and three cats, her two boys grown and gone. The first sci-fi book she can remember reading is “Stranger in a Strange Land” with a dictionary near by if she didn't understand a word. She disappears mentally every November for NaNoWriMo and has completed the challenge four times.
 

Some of her obsessions are origami, anime, terrible movies and tea. Not in that order. Her family worries about her taste in music.
 

She writes because there are stories laying all over the place and she just collects them. “The Diary of an Assassin” is an example of one she found in the bottom of a teacup.
 

Twitter: @runawaylolrus

 

Eden Baylee "Mistaken Double Identity"
 

Eden Baylee writes literary erotica and infuses erotic elements into many of her stories. Incorporating some of her favorite things such as travel, culture, and a deep curiosity for what turns people on, her brand of writing is both sensual and sexual.
 

Her latest release is a book of erotic flash fiction and poetry called HOT FLASH.SPRING INTO SUMMER is her second collection of erotic novellas and the companion piece to her first book, FALL INTO WINTER.

Connect with her via her website | blog | twitter @edenbaylee | facebook

 

 

OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS! The Word Count Episode 27

Well, after the unexpected success of the last episode (and it was a good one.  Go listen FOR FREE.  I’ll wait…).

Before we announce the theme and post the guidelines, a little bit about The Word Count project.

I put together the podcast to feature writers (new and "old hands," famous and just starting) as a way to get YOUR writing out there.  The show is simple; based on a prompt, you create an original short story, then record yourself reading it.  That's it.  No ads, no hard sell.  Just a podcast with great stories.

Why do I do it?  It's a hobby.  And I've been meeting wonderful authors through the show.  It's all about networking and friendships.

The show has been downloaded nearly 10,000 times since it started, an average of about 500 per episode.

Easy, fun and you'll pick up a few more fans.

So...you'll be needing the prompt and the guidelines then.  Right.

 

THE WORD COUNT EPISODE 27

PROMPT:

" Mistaken identity at the pub...”

Submission Guidelines (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

GENRE: Any.

DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by MIDNIGHT (Eastern Time) Friday, 25 January

THE DETAILS: The work must be an original of yours. It could be a poem, short story, song---anything really as long as you write something based on the stated prompt ("Mistaken identity at the pub...”). Do NOT exceed ten minutes. As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link. 

Your submission should also contain the following (via e-mail):

Your pen name
Your latest bio
Links to your website(s) - Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
A photo of you I can use for the show notes
Permission to use your recording in the podcast.

At the end of the recording, please add the following: “This is <YOUR NAME> author of <YOUR WORK(s)> and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast”? Send your file to me@rbwood.com (or via the dropbox link I can provide) by Friday the 25th of January. You can also e-mail me with questions before hand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case.

I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.

 

Peace

The Word Count Episode 27 - Prompt

Well, the last show was a bigger success than I thought after a sixth month break...

And since the holidays are behind us and the rest of winter ahead, I thought a new set of prompts to vote on would get those creative juices flowing and warm the blood.

Off to the LEFT, I've posted five potential prompts for the next Word Count.  The poll will remain open until Friday, 11 January 2013.  You can vote once per day and make SURE your vote counted by checking the results!

I think there are a few good ones to choose from...so vote often an early and get your friends to help YOU pick the theme for the next Word Count!

Peace

Happy Christmas 2012!

Well, the world didn't end on 12/21/12, so I guess I have to finish what I started this year! :-)

While we are enjoying friends, family and the pleasures this time of year often brings, I wanted to take a few moments to wish you all Happy [insert your holiday here].  I celebrate Christmas, so I have no issues wishing everyone I see a 'Happy Christmas.'  It's my way of saying "enjoy the season!."  Just like I have friends who wish me "Happy Chanukah" and one lunitic who likes to scream "Festivus for the Rest of Us!" on my mobile phone voicemail.

But whatever you celebrate, and even if you dont, the end of the year is a great time to reflect on the past, plan for the future and stop the daily grind for a moment to look around a bit. 

I hope 2012 was everything you wanted, and I wish you a Happy Christmas and an exciting 2013.

Peace

R. B. Wood

The Return: The Word Count Podcast

Yes, dear friends!  The Word Count Podcast RETURNS with Episode 26:

"Those last few steps seemed the most difficult I had ever made in my life."

That's this week's theme, and here are the links:

Direct: http://thewordcount.libsyn.com/webpage

iTunes (and remember, iTunes takes their sweet time in posting.  If you don't see it yet, keep trying!): http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-word-count/id392550989

 

Guests this week:

 

EDEN BAYLEE

Eden Baylee writes literary erotica and infuses erotic elements into many of her stories. Incorporating some of her favorite things such as travel, culture, and a deep curiosity for what turns people on, her brand of writing is both sensual and sexual.

Her latest release is a book of erotic flash fiction and poetry called HOT FLASH.

SPRING INTO SUMMER is her second collection of erotic novellas and the companion piece to her first book, FALL INTO WINTER.

Connect with her via her  website | blog | twitter @edenbaylee | facebook

 

 

ALEX KIMMELL

From his website: "   I grew up in Los Angeles, California during those heady days when kids could still trick-or-treat outside instead of walking around from store to store inside the sterile safety of shopping malls. My friends and I could run and play without any thought of being shot or kidnapped leaving riderless skateboards spinning their lonely wheels. 

Though I grew up in that relatively safe environment, the nightmares still came to find me every night. Pulling the covers over my head, I welcomed them. I enjoyed reading stories of monsters and ghosts lurking in the shadows. I loved the terror and suspense of good scary movies. Constantly daydreaming that something horrible awaited me around every street corner of this beautifully manicured suburban neighborhood.
When I wasn’t reading I played music. It took over my life, though my love affair with words never strayed far from my fingers. Writing and performing provided me with the keys to an education and the ability to see the world. With incredible luck, my musical journey brought me to a gig in a dingy Irish pub near the ocean in Santa Monica where I would meet my future wife.

Even then, the nightmares continued to flow through me. I scribbled down a poem here or wrote a song there. There were ideas for stories running through my head at all times of the day or night. Eventually my wife suggested I take writing fiction more seriously, since it featured so prominently as a creative outlet for me. 
My first novel “the Key to everything” was released by, Booktrope Publishing in June of 2012. In the midst of building momentum and promotions for that, I continue to write down my nightmares and those mysterious sounds coming from just behind my shoulder."

website:  
http://www.alexkimmell.weebly.com/
twitter:  @alexkimmellauth










M. A. FINK



M. A. Fink is a writer and photographer living on the central coast of California. His first novel, The Found Diary of Avery Alexander Myer is due out in early 2013, published by Tornado Skin Press.


Twitter: @onetarot
Photo portfolios: http://mafink.zenfolio.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KIMBERLY GOULD

Kimberly Gould is the author of Thickness of Blood and the Cargon series. She is a wife and mother surviving the dark months in northern Canada and dreaming of a return to Summer.

 

 

 

C. THOMAS SMITH

I am an Irish male of some thirty years. I enjoy sports, more so watching others struggling than actually taking part myself. I was born in Drogheda (pronounce that ye foreign types), raised in Dundalk and am told I have a polite phone voice. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, here’s the bit. What ever happened to the Irish horror story (not the economy that’s more of a saga)? You can’t walk ten feet in this country without being told of witches, ghouls, and zombies, dead armies rising from the turf or corpse carrying. The country has old and twisted written all over it. Howie P. Lovecraft even has an Irish ghost story. It bothers me that’s all. And what the hell is up with shiny happy vampires and werewolves? How are you supposed to be chilled to the bone by walking disco balls and teenagers turning into Saint Bernard’s? Forget it. I write things, yadda, yadda, doodle stuff or whatever. Look, all I’m saying is there’s a lot of ripe nastiness in Ol’ Eire and it wouldn’t hurt for the odd Éireannach or –insert preferred demonym here- to scribble down a story that doesn’t take place in Montana, or Washington. We have plenty of sociopath’s right here. Pipe bomb manufacturing was almost on last year’s syllabus for five to twelve year olds and smack is a national past time. Christ I’m ranting.There once was a fella from LouthOf this verse he isn’t so proudBut to cover his rantAnd to glean a second chanceHe dumped a limerick over the mess like a shroud I am also quite professional. Even if I did waste a perfectly good opportunity to write a totally obscene smirk begetting limerick. Balls.

Twitter = @KRSTVR

Web = krstvr.com

 

JULIA MAE STALEY

"Apparently, when I was a baby, I whistled clear as day while in the waiting room of a doctor's office.  Everyone stared.  But I think that's just a story.

I took interest in the piano at 18 months and started singing by the age of 5.  I wrote my first song that was any good (that I recall,) at the age of 8.   That one song started it all.  I fell in love with the classic singers and the new songwriters.  I learned to play piano, harp, guitar, ukelele and auxiliary percussion. I love everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Frank Sinatra, Carly Simon to Billy Joel, Tori Amos to VAST to Adele.  I love those that express their emotions and soul through their music, like me.  I graduated in 2010 from a major music conservatory with an unofficial composition minor, fighting the system the whole way.  I also traveled the world as a little harpist child-diva, but that's another life and story.  For more info, see my website. 

I write a lot: words and music.  Just whatever comes to me.  I have some novels in the works, which sometimes creeps into my songwriting (like with "Lullaby".)  I have also been involved with theater so my music can get very dramatic and cinematic sounding.  In writing news, my fantasy YA novel is with an editor and on its way to agents.

These days, I'm working on my debut album "Lock and Key", and singing pop and jazz music around town to try and make my mark on the world.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Oh, and I totally support indie musicians and authors.  To prove it, listen to my exclusive version of my newest track, "Lullaby" on the Word Count Podcast. 

If you'd like to support an indie musician, please download my single "Beautiful Lies".  All profits go towards my album!"


Personal Site: http://www.juliamaestaley.com; Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julia-Mae-Staley/190435407695?ref=ts&fref=ts;  YouTube http://www.youtube.com/juliamaestaley;

 

Quick Update

Just back from Charleston, South Carolina for a mini vacation and research trip.  They'll be a couple of upcoming blog posts on that (a couple pics below) and WAIT until you hear what happened on the Ghost Tour!

In the meantime, today is the LAST day for submissions for the latest Word Count Podcast (have four stories and a song for the show so far--it's gonna be OUTSTANDING) and I have a blog up at the Orange Karen Anthology site check it out:

 

R. B. Wood's Blog - Black and White

 

Enjoy a few pics from Charleston, be back soon!

Peace

Panarama Shot of the Missleton Plantation- Rice Processing, stream and swamp

   A Shot of the Magnolia Plantation and the final resting place of all three crews of the CSA Hunley

Open for SUBMISSIONS! The Word Count Podcast Episode 26

The readers have spoken and after a six month break, a theme has been chosen for the next WORD COUNT PODCAST!

All caps must mean I'm a bit excited.

Before we announce the theme and post the guidelines, a little bit about The Word Count project.

I put together the podcast to feature writers (new and "old hands," famous and just starting) as a way to get YOUR writing out there.  The show is simple; based on a prompt, you create an original short story, then record yourself reading it.  That's it.  No ads, no hard sell.  Just a podcast with great stories.

Why do I do it?  It's a hobby.  And I've been meeting wonderful authors through the show.  It's all about networking and friendships.

The show has been downloaded nearly 10,000 times since it started, an average of about 500 per episode.  

Easy, fun and you'll pick up a few more fans.

So...you'll be needing the prompt and the guidelines then.  Right.

THE WORD COUNT EPISODE 26

PROMPT:

"Those last few steps seemed the most difficult I had ever made in my life."

Submission Guidelines (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by MIDNIGHT (Eastern Time) Friday, 7 December
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original of yours. It could be a poem, short story, song---anything really as long as you write something based on the stated prompt ("Those last few steps seemed the most difficult I had ever made in my life.") Do NOT exceed ten minutes. As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link.

Your submission should also contain the following (via e-mail):

Your pen name
Your latest bio
Links to your website(s) - Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
A photo of you I can use for the show notes
Permission to use your recording in the podcast.

At the end of the recording, please add the following: “This is <YOUR NAME> author of <YOUR WORK(s)> and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com by Friday the 7th of December. You can also e-mail me with questions before hand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.

Peace

 

You pick the prompt: The Word Count Podcast RETURNS!

It's BAAAAAAACK!

After a bit of a hiatus, it's time for The Word Count Podcast to return to the airwaves!

What IS The Word Count?  Has it been that long?  Well, dear sinners, allow me to explain.

The Word Count podcast is a free show.  It's all about writers building a short story based on a prompt, recording said story and the 'cast compiles the best of the submissions for a show hosted by yours truely. With 25 episodes in the can, 8,000 downloads and dozens of stories, this is a GREAT way to promote your work.

 

Subscribe to the show via iTunes.  

 

And yes, it's absolutely free.  And ad-free as well. It is all about the opportunity for authors to read one of thier own original stories for listeners to enjoy.  No tricks.  No gimmicks.  Pure originality at it's best.

Guidelines are always posted when the call for submissions goes up.  But first, we need a theme.

Off to the left is a poll with five potential themes for the next show.  Which one wil it be?  Well unlike the recent elections in the States, your vote will determine the winner!  And you can vote once every 24 hours, so how cool is that?

The poll will remain open until Friday the 23rd of November.  Once the winner is selected, I'll post the theme and the guidelines and submissions will officially open.

Simple.  Easy.  and loads of fun.  So please vote.  Get your friends to vote.

I'm R. B. Wood and you better believe I approve this message.

Peace

Orange Karen: Tribute to a Warrior

It is a sad reality in today’s world that here in the U.S. medical care is a major cost concern for most Americans.

I promise this is not a political post.  God knows I’m sick all the pundit mudslinging in 30 second spots that have invaded our lives for the past half year.

This is a blog about a woman who should’ve died, but didn’t.  A woman so filled with strength and life that, despite the odds, survived.  Something her husband and two little girls are very grateful for.

Recently I mentioned that a short story of mine had been picked up for an anthology.  But this soon-to-be collection of amazing stories by brilliant writers is more than words or tales woven for your pleasure.

It’s a fundraiser for fellow author and survivor Karen DeLabar.

This past summer, Karen contracted TSS or Toxic Shock Syndrome, and is still undergoing treatment to this day.  As you can imagine, the medical bills are mounting.

Many of you have no idea how much this woman is loved and adored.  Not just for what she pens, but because of who she is.  I want to share a few quotes from fellow authors about Orange Karen:

"There are aspects of this life we will never understand, forces beyond our human intelligence that will forever remain a mystery. Karen's miraculous conquering of an illness predicted to take her young life is one such thing. She defied odds. She continues to defy medical expectations. How is this possible? If I were to guess, I would venture to say there are certain people made of something more formidable than others, something stern and tenacious and absolutely unwilling to give into darkness. This, in combination with her unwavering love for her young daughters, pulled her from the abyss. I stand in awe every day for this woman made of orange fire and silver steel as I watch her fight hard through pain and surgeries and physical therapy. I look forward to watching the rest of her life unfold, especially her work.” – Tess Thompson

"Karen and I met in Twitter Jail. We spent a long time in and out of the system. That sorta thing changes a gal. Two, three profiles to keep up with the Twitter habit. We wear Orange well. Friends in Twitter Jail; friends for life." – Quill Shiv

"Karen has a strength and resiliency that is unfathomable. I can't imagine how she endured, and is still enduring, all of her rehabilitation: hyperbaric chambers, amputation surgeries...She has done it all with gumption and grace. My heart goes out to her, her two young children, her husband and her family. When I heard what she was going through in the hospital and what she was going to have to go through in terms of rehab, I just wanted to do something - anything - to take just one ounce of her pain and suffering away. I'm not a doctor, I don't have a trunk full of pain patches, but I can write. And if my story can bring a smile to Karen's face and let her know that she is loved, then I'll feel I was able to help somehow." – Christina Esdon

"I am one of those old souls that believes in miracles. And Karen DeLebar is a living, breathing example of one. Not just for surviving an infection that would have killed most anyone else, but because she has retained her sense of humor and that spark of life that says 'I refuse to give in!'." – Shay Fabbro

I was sitting in a virtual bar somewhere in the south pacific. It was a Friday night. I was sitting at the piano bar listening to "a candle in the wind" when I was interrupted by a snortle and a laugh. I turn to find a young pantless redhead rising from her bar stool. I still remember the way her hair glistened from the moonlight. She turned to the bartender and shouted "Another Glinlivet on the rocks" to this day those words still send shivers down my spine. I screamed "no" as I rushed for the bar. I pulled the bottle from the bartender's hand just in time. I grabbed her glass and tossed out the ice. I turned to see fire in eyes of the orange haired lass, she was no ordinary pubaholic, she was something more. I quickly filled her glass and extended it to her. "By all that is holy and scotch, try it straight" I shouted. She snatched the glass from my hand and swirled it under her nose. She brought the glass to her scowled lips and hesitated. The way she finally downed the shot brought tears to my eyes. I waited and watched as a smile came to her face. Three bottles later we were friends. As she rose and headed for the door, her hair still glistening in the moonlight, I shouted, "Wait what is your name?" She glanced back and said Karen, Karen DeLabar" – Glenn Skinner

“If you’ve ever been on an offshore sailing trip in stormy conditions, you’ve seen it: mental toughness, inner strength, grit. When the waves grow to scary heights and the wind shrieks through the rigging, some people lose their nerve. But other folks become resolute, determined. They know the boat needs a steady hand to get through the storm. They hang tough and do what must be done. Recently, Karen found herself caught in an epic storm. Supported by the stalwart crew of her husband and her girls, Karen showed her grit. She brought the ship back to port with strength and good humor and love.” – Tim Queeney

This is a very small sample.  There are more…loads more.

There is an open submission for this anthology.  The theme is simple: Orange.  I ask writers out there to head over to the link below to read, review and write to the submission guidelines.  The deadline is 15 December.

Many have already sent in stories.  Christina Esdon is organizing the submissions and is generally running the show. Jennifer Gracen, Quill Shiv and Susan Ethridge have donated their prodigious skills as editors for the anthology.  Kip Ayers (the cover artist I use for The Arcana Chronicles) is donated artwork for the cover.  What we are looking for now are great story donations.  If you’re a writer, consider putting pen to paper.  On social media, I would appreciate it if this article was shared across the net.

We want to produce an anthology worthy of a warrior.

 

ORANGE KAREN: TRIBUTE TO A WARRIOR SUBMISSIONS

31 Days of Halloween: All Hallow's Eve

Well- I didn't achieve my goal.  That fickle bitch Sandy (and preperations before hand) threw a curve ball into the 'movie a night' plan for October. But no worries, all are safe and minimal damage here in my neighborhood. I hope this post finds all those who were in the path of Sandy well, and my prayers go out to those hardest hit.

However, had to post the last of my reviews come hell or high water....actually, they both came, but (double entendres aside) I had to post the review for the last one.  Saved this for Halloween night and I'm sure you've guessed which story it is.

Before the review, I will mention that the Word Count Podcast WILL return in November, as well as a very special post regarding an upcoming short story anthology where a story of mine will be published.  So stay tuned!  Meanwhile...

Halloween (1978 - rated R in the US for frightening and intense scenes, violence, gore, nudity and my thoughts about a young Jamie Lee Curtis)

Summary (from IMDB):

The year is 1963, the night: Halloween. Police are called to 43 Lampkin Ln. only to discover that 15 year old Judith Myers has been stabbed to death, by her 6 year-old brother, Michael. After being institutionalized for 15 years, Myers breaks out on the night before Halloween. No one knows, nor wants to find out, what will happen on October 31st 1978 besides Myers' psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis. He knows Michael is coming back to Haddonfield, but by the time the town realizes it, it'll be too late for many people.

This is John Carpenter at his finest. This Godfather of slasher movies was made on absolutely minimal budget (the cast wore their own clothes).  Carpenter's use of lighting and suspense building set the bar for a generation of flicks--and he didn't need a massive special effects budget to do it.  Lighting techniques, sounds, camera angles, moving shadows, and a haunting score.  Little touches that clue in the audience while the characters are still clueless.  Fantastic stuff.

The character of Michael Myers  is such a phenomenal monster in this movie that he inspired scores of imitators, such as Jason Vorhees (Friday the 13th), The Miner (My Bloody Valentine), and Charlie Puckett (The Night Brings Charlie), to name but a few.

The acting is surprisingly good. PJ Soles provides much of the films limited humor (and one of the best deaths), Nancy Loomis turns in a decent performance and then there is the young "queen of scream" herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. Her performance at first seems shy and un-assured, yet you quickly realize that it is perfect for the character, who is herself shy and un-assured and not at all prepared for what she is to face. And of course there is the perfectly cast Donald Pleasence as the determined (perhaps a little unstable) Dr. Sam Loomis.

This is a classic that is still imitated today, nearly 35 years later.  If you want to see an oldie, but a goodie and the one that really started the genre, then put the candy out doors for the kids, turn out the lights and enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

 

Peace