Alyssa Linn Palmer's Blog, page 26

Re-blog: No Freedom ‘Til We’re Equal

Please go read this post over at Manhattan Nest, entitled ‘No Freedom ‘Til We’re Equal’. It’s one of the best posts I’ve read on marriage equality in the USA.

A quick sample:

When my dad proposed to my mom all those years ago, I doubt either of them thought much about the possibility of having a kid who would someday be their age, over three decades later in the year 2012, and that he would be a second class citizen of the country in which he was born and raised. I don’t think it occurred to them that they would have a son who, through no fault of his own, would be denied the same rights that they had taken for granted. But that’s exactly what’s happened.

I remember vividly the night that New York passed The Marriage Equality Act in June 2011. Max and I took the subway into the West Village and joined the celebration outside of the Stonewall Inn. We shook hands, hugged strangers, took pictures, bought a polyester rainbow flag (or was it given to us?), and let ourselves feel the weight of what New York had accomplished. Neither of us had ever been close to getting married ourselves—had never personally felt the sting of being told we couldn’t—but still I remember the feeling on the subway ride back home. There was a certain lightness, an indescribable feeling of knowing that our city—our state—regarded us as equals.

Today is election day in the USA, and I hope that its citizens will vote for basic civil rights, not against them. I don’t live in the USA (obviously), but as a citizen of Canada, where I can choose to marry a person of either sex, I am glad that I have that choice, and that my choice holds the same weight either way.

I’m at Vagina Antics!

Do you know how long I’ve wanted to say that? Quite awhile.

I’m guest posting over at the VA blog today, in anticipation of the release of the FELT TIPS charity erotica anthology (12/12/12). Check out my post, and here’s a teaser:

Morrabrød.*

Probably one of the most remarkable words I learned while traveling. Of course it’s sexual. Same with the delightful ‘bollemus’†. Can you guess where I learned them?

http://vaginaantics.com/?p=866

Link Round-up: What caught my eye

Here are some of the articles I’ve been reading this week, about writing and other topics. I try to read for breadth as well as depth, and some weeks it’s more about breadth! Below are a few of my favourites this week:

J.M. Ney-Grimm talks about effective cover design.
Vaughn Roycroft talks about the grittiness factor in writing.
The Author’s Red Room blog talks about using the word ‘almost’ in your writing.
Cory Doctorow talks about his new book ‘Pirate Cinema’ and does a reading.
Life Edited blog talks about 10 tips for living in a small apartment.
Manhattan-Nest blog talks about lighting design and options.
Gluten-free Girl and the Chef demonstrate how to make mayonnaise from scratch.
And finally, my favourite Cute Overload post this week.

 

Talk like a gangster!

I’ve been watching an old gangster film, the 1939 Warner Bros. picture “King of the Underworld”, with Humphrey Bogart and Kay Francis. What always catches my notice in these films (aside from the occasionally TSTL gangsters) is the language they use.

“All right, doc, don’t get sore.”

“Hey, fella, don’t tell ‘em that a dame tripped me up.”

“Maybe he’s got a gat!”

“Nice gams!”

“Say… whaddya mean?”

“You’d better scram!”

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AlC...)

Of course, the movie gangsters (or rather, their writers, mostly) stole from the real gangsters. In his article on Huffington Post, Jeffrey Gusfield notes that the actor Edward G. Robinson sat at the back of the courtroom during part of Al Capone’s tax evasion trial and took notes.

Some of the phrases they used are still heard today, but most have gone by the wayside. Or, if they are used, it’s purposefully, to seem old. Phrases like “it’s the bee’s knees” or “the cat’s pajamas”  originated in the 1920s (though I’m pretty sure a gangster wouldn’t be caught dead saying such silly things!) When’s the last time you heard someone called a “Mrs. Grundy”? Probably never, except maybe in an Archie comic book. (Mrs. Grundy = a priggish, prudish, person.) Of course, don’t call a gangster that–he’s liable to take you for a ride if you do.

It’s pretty tempting to write my gangsters this way, and to use lots of the 1920s and 1930s slang, but a few choice phrases can go a long way. However, I know I’m going to have to work in a “You ain’t sore, are ya?” into the dialogue somewhere. It’s just too classic not to use!

Check out some more 1920s slang here, and below is a clip from the film ‘The Roaring Twenties’, starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart.

Guest Post: Kerry Freeman, author of ‘Pine Tar & Sweet Tea’

Visiting my blog today is the awesome Kerry Freeman, author of the upcoming m/m contemporary baseball romance, Pine Tar & Sweet Tea. I asked Kerry about her favourite baseball film, and she has obliged (especially after I admitted I’d never seen it. Oops.)

Here’s the blurb for her book, and scroll down to read her post!

After playing eleven years in the Minor Leagues, Coach Matt Hawley has returned to his tiny Alabama hometown to lead his old high school baseball team to their first state championship. At the other end of the state, René Días, who left the Major League after one season, is getting his team ready to defend their state title for the second straight year. One is in the closet. The other is between relationships. Neither has any intention of hooking up at the state tournament.

Then they see each other.

Pre-game lust turns into an intense one-night stand neither man can forget, and when their best friends embark on a romance, Matt and René are thrown together again. This time they decide it won’t be for just a single night.

But the fear of disappointing his minister father and shaming his family forces Matt to keep one foot in the closet, even as he and René find their lust is maybe something more. Will Matt endure a life of hiding or will he surrender and become free?

Why Crash Davis Is the Perfect Romantic Hero

Recently, I was shocked to learn that not everyone has watched Bull Durham. *cough*Alyssa*cough* It is not just the Best Baseball Movie Ever (TM), but it also features one Crash Davis, the perfect romantic hero. And I am ready to back up that statement.

1. He is flawed. Oh, God, but is he flawed. He drinks too much. He fights too much. He’s a smartass. (Although I don’t necessarily consider that a flaw.) Besides, perfect people are boring.

2. But he tries. He’s been in the minor leagues for 12 years. His body has taken its share of abuse. Still, when he’s asked to go to single-A ball to train a young pitching phenom, he does. Because he’s a ball player, and that’s what true ball players do.

3. He wants the girl, but he won’t make a fool of himself to get her. He makes it clear what he wants and waits for her to choose. Because he knows she’s gonna choose him. Eventually. Right?

4. He has a way with words. And boy does he.

5. When things don’t go his way, he creates a new path. I don’t want to spoil the end of the movie. Let’s just say Crash doesn’t drown in circumstance. He takes action.

So, go rent the movie. Don’t make me wag my finger at you. *cough*Alyssa*cough*

—-

Thank you Alyssa for having me on your blog! And everyone, please visit the tour kickoff post (http://kerryfreeman.com/2012/10/pine-tar-sweet-tea-virtual-tour-kickoff/) to enter the super-duper tour giveaway.

Buy Pine Tar & Sweet Tea, at: Amazon, Loose Id, ARe.

Kerry was born and raised in Alabama, and she grew up swearing she was going to get the hell out of Dodge the instant she could. Turns out Dodge ain’t so bad, and she never left. Alabama’s version of a city girl, she married a country boy, and the adorkable couple lives in a small town with their two socially awkward dogs.

Kerry loves to write about love, and it turns out most of the voices in her head are men. She also loves to write about the South, so most of her stories end up there, one way or another.

A tomboy and a geek from way back, Kerry has a day job but dreams she will one day write full time. She has a weakness for yaoi, Japanese stationery, YA, and ginger-haired singers from Britain. She owns an impressive t-shirt collection. Nowaki & Hiroki are her homeboys.

Links

Website: http://kerryfreeman.com/
Blog: http://blog.kerryfreeman.com/
Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/pkZ95
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kfwritesbooks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkerryfreeman
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4759363.Kerry_Freeman

A tasty little snippet in time for Thanksgiving…

Here’s a little snippet from the first draft of my 1920s gangster novel, The Orpheus:

Finally, she felt his hands on her hips, his fingers dipping beneath the lace of her underwear, finding the hollows of her hipbones. She opened her eyes as his hot breath brushed her stomach. He kissed her there, just above her bellybutton, and she carded her fingers through his dark hair.

“Please,” she whispered.

And I’m going to leave you with that. Happy Thanksgiving! (for my Canadian friends)

My first blurb, and guest blogging!

I’m blogging today for ‘Wordy Wednesday’ at Kerry Freeman’s blog, and talking about sticking your butt in the chair. Check it out here: http://kerryfreeman.com/2012/09/wordy-wednesday-guest-post-by-alyssa-linn-palmer/

And, I’ve had my first ever blurb! It’s for the very excellent parody, Fifty Shames of Earl Grey, by Fanny Merkin (aka. Andrew Shaffer). I reviewed it upon its release, here.

Wednesday Cat Blogging

Zowie’s taking it easy.

Movie: Rust & Bone (De rouille et d’os)

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this film, having only read the barest of blurbs before I saw it as a part of the Calgary International Film Festival. It caught my notice because it was French language, and it stars Marion Cotillard, who has become one of my favourite French actresses in the last few years. (See in her ‘La Môme’ as Piaf, and in ‘Public Enemies’ as Billie Frechette, among other films, if you are not yet acquainted with Ms. Cotillard.)

This film did not disappoint. Well, maybe a tad. Everything was great except for the character of Ali. Now, I’m going to get into spoilery detail, so click below to continue at your own risk. Aside from my criticism of Ali’s character, I highly recommend going to see this film. It is fantastic. (Check out the trailer on Youtube.)

The basic premise is that Ali (Alain) moves with his son to the south, and meets Stephanie, a killer whale trainer who has suffered a tragic accident and lost her lower legs. Stephanie’s journey and the progression of her journey is incredibly compelling, and Marion Cotillard plays it subtly; her emotions are portrayed in her body movement and in her face. It’s hard to explain, but she is so fully Stephanie, and I was completely entranced. But Ali… I just don’t know….

My problem with Ali was that he is so incredibly selfish and that there is really very little progression and growth to his character until the end. He takes his son from Belgium to the south, and essentially leaves the boy with his sister. He spends more time fighting, shagging women, and working nights than he does with his son. He forgets to pick him up from school, and cannot even really be bothered to pay attention to him.

He does only very rarely think of others, and though he is kind to Stephanie (Cotillard), he shows little kindness or sensitivity towards others, such as his son and his sister. Even with Stephanie, he is thoughtless (such as when he left her at the club and went home with another woman), and it took her own courage to tell him what the score was for him to start to realize how poorly he’d treated her. It takes his son nearly dying for Ali to wake up, and while I can understand that such an event would be the one to do it, it just seemed a bit contrived.

But still, overall it was a good film, and perhaps upon a second viewing I might be just a bit more generous with Ali as a character.

The Three Rs. (Reading, ‘Riting, and Researching)

The editor in me cringes at that title, but I’m amused enough at the riff on ‘reading, writing, and arithmetic’ to let it stay. And it’s what I’ve been up to lately, if you’re wondering where I’ve been.

Reading:

Lots of beta reading for friends (including Scarlett Parrish’s upcoming book ‘Bring Me to Life’, which is excellent!)
Scarlett Parrish’s ‘Burn’
Tiffany Reisz’s ‘The Angel’
Heidi Cullinan & Marie Sexton’s ‘Second Hand’
The Paris Lawyer, by Sylvie Granotier
Collected Poems, by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Simone de Beauvoir: A Biography, by Deirdre Bair

Writing:

Finishing a novella (‘The Artist’s Muse’)
Finishing the first draft of ‘The Orpheus’
Starting a new novella

Researching:

Lots of articles on Paris during the Nazi occupation in WWII.
Suite Francaise, by Irene Nemirovsky
And the Show Went On: Cultural Life in Nazi-Occupied Paris, by Alan Riding

So that’s what I’ve been up to, mostly. It’s been a productive few weeks, though I feel a bit like a magpie as I flit between books, reading a chapter here in one, a chapter there in another… trying to balance out research reading with fun reading. With a few exceptions, I’ve stuck to novellas for my fun reading, if only because I can finish those in one or two sittings, and they don’t linger on for days as I try to fit them in between everything else. I think that’s partly why I love ereaders and ebooks so much: those shorter works of fiction wouldn’t ever have been published before, or only within a collection of stories. I love short fiction as much as nice big novels, and ebooks let me indulge.

Upcoming: more on Scarlett Parrish’s release; a review of ‘The Angel’; and little snippets from my work-in-progress.