C.J. Sullivan's Blog, page 16
July 16, 2013
Alton Bock's 'How to Write a Novel'
Writers, you will totally get a kick out of this... ;)
July 11, 2013
C.J.'s Top 10 Movies Countdown (#6)
I thought it'd be fun to share my top 10 favorite movies with you. These are the shows that I have to watch at least once a year or I'd go into withdrawal. So in no particular order, here is #6:
If you missed #7, here it is.
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's angel trilogy to your library. -->Shop here!<--
If you missed #7, here it is.
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's angel trilogy to your library. -->Shop here!<--
July 5, 2013
Jim Morrison, My New Tillandsia
Hi, this is my new plant. I named it Jim Morrison because I just watched Oliver Stone's The Doors this week for the first time.
Doesn't he look cool in his new house:
It'll be really hard to kill him because tillandsias don't require planting, only a light mist of water once a week or so. I got some seaweed emulsion to give him extra vitamins. I think he's pretty groovy.
Here's some of the real Jim Morrison to honor his new home on my desk. Hope y'all all have a great 4th of July Weekend.
Doesn't he look cool in his new house:
It'll be really hard to kill him because tillandsias don't require planting, only a light mist of water once a week or so. I got some seaweed emulsion to give him extra vitamins. I think he's pretty groovy.
Here's some of the real Jim Morrison to honor his new home on my desk. Hope y'all all have a great 4th of July Weekend.
July 2, 2013
"Please don't change!" No, Please Do!
Has anyone ever told you, "Please don't change"? Most people mean that as a compliment. I get it. But the fact is, many people do change if they live long enough. And it's not always a bad thing.
Imagine yourself at age five. For me, it was pig-tails and wearing pink and purple jumpsuits my mother made for me. It was missing teeth. It was eating very few yucky vegetables. It was watching shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or PBS's Nature. It was painful shyness and school anxiety. It was childhood.
Now, take me at age 30. No more pig-tails (unless I'm dressing up for something). I choose and buy my own clothes. I have all my teeth. I love vegetables and trying new ones. I no longer have social anxiety or any kind of shyness. I'm an adult.
Imagine if I hadn't allowed myself to morph and evolve as a person, what I'd be like today. What a hot mess!
Now, please notice, I didn't say I no longer watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Nature. Because I still do! I love those shows. You see, there are things about us as individuals that don't change over time because they're part of our personalities.
But many things can and do change. And unfortunately, a lot of people are afraid of change. It's a shame, really.
Think about this: people like seeing things in a categorized box. It gives us comfort. For instance, "Jane's a swimmer who likes to paint" or "Mark is an accountant who grills hamburgers every Saturday." We find peace in knowing that certain things are predictable. Jane's fellow swimmer friends love the fact that she's a swimmer like them, so they tell her "Please don't change!" But what if Jane starts to pick up another hobby? What if she becomes a mountain-climber who likes to paint? What if Mark becomes a vegetarian? His grilling buddies are going to be kind of bummed.
The truth is, a lot of us don't like people to change for selfish reasons. But if nobody ever changed, we wouldn't have growth and maturity and insight and enlightenment.
Look at yourself a decade ago. How are you different now than you were then? How are you the same? You're still you, but chances are, you've grown and shifted internally as well as aged externally.
Let's embrace change. Let's let people be who they are today and not who they were yesterday, even if we don't like it. Because the journey of life is incredibly personal. And change is good for the soul.
Imagine yourself at age five. For me, it was pig-tails and wearing pink and purple jumpsuits my mother made for me. It was missing teeth. It was eating very few yucky vegetables. It was watching shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or PBS's Nature. It was painful shyness and school anxiety. It was childhood.
Now, take me at age 30. No more pig-tails (unless I'm dressing up for something). I choose and buy my own clothes. I have all my teeth. I love vegetables and trying new ones. I no longer have social anxiety or any kind of shyness. I'm an adult.
Imagine if I hadn't allowed myself to morph and evolve as a person, what I'd be like today. What a hot mess!
Now, please notice, I didn't say I no longer watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Nature. Because I still do! I love those shows. You see, there are things about us as individuals that don't change over time because they're part of our personalities.
But many things can and do change. And unfortunately, a lot of people are afraid of change. It's a shame, really.
Think about this: people like seeing things in a categorized box. It gives us comfort. For instance, "Jane's a swimmer who likes to paint" or "Mark is an accountant who grills hamburgers every Saturday." We find peace in knowing that certain things are predictable. Jane's fellow swimmer friends love the fact that she's a swimmer like them, so they tell her "Please don't change!" But what if Jane starts to pick up another hobby? What if she becomes a mountain-climber who likes to paint? What if Mark becomes a vegetarian? His grilling buddies are going to be kind of bummed.
The truth is, a lot of us don't like people to change for selfish reasons. But if nobody ever changed, we wouldn't have growth and maturity and insight and enlightenment.
Look at yourself a decade ago. How are you different now than you were then? How are you the same? You're still you, but chances are, you've grown and shifted internally as well as aged externally.
Let's embrace change. Let's let people be who they are today and not who they were yesterday, even if we don't like it. Because the journey of life is incredibly personal. And change is good for the soul.
June 28, 2013
At Last!
At last! All three books in The Divided trilogy have been published in both Kindle and paperback formats. This decade-long project has been very near and dear to me, and it has been a personal milestone to both have it published and to get positive reader feedback from around the world. Such an incredible experience!
Also, I saw Man of Steel for the second time today. This time, I saw it with Mom, who even dared to say she liked it better than the old one! **GASP**
I bought the soundtrack about a week ago, and I can't stop listening to it. Hans Zimmer has made a masterpiece with this score.
Even Kaiser will stop chewing on his bone to have a listen...
One of the many reasons I like Man of Steel is because it's about supernatural beings who either want to help or destroy humanity - they're formidable forces, but they are on a distinct side. (Hey, that's a lot like my angels in my books! Hint-hint!)
Seriously, though, I don't want to be obnoxious with this, but I want to thank the people who have believed in Laphelle and company and the story I've told in my trilogy. Your support means the world to me. When I decided to become an English major, I wanted to do so because there were stories out there that had touched my heart. I wanted to study those stories. I wanted to learn. I wanted to write the stories that would reach people on a deeper level than just mere entertainment. And judging from the feedback I've gotten from you all, I have achieved my goal. I know this story isn't for everyone. But it might be for you. You never know! You can find the first one here.
THANK YOU, thank you, thank you... Readers, you keep me going!
Also, I saw Man of Steel for the second time today. This time, I saw it with Mom, who even dared to say she liked it better than the old one! **GASP**
I bought the soundtrack about a week ago, and I can't stop listening to it. Hans Zimmer has made a masterpiece with this score.
Even Kaiser will stop chewing on his bone to have a listen...
One of the many reasons I like Man of Steel is because it's about supernatural beings who either want to help or destroy humanity - they're formidable forces, but they are on a distinct side. (Hey, that's a lot like my angels in my books! Hint-hint!)
Seriously, though, I don't want to be obnoxious with this, but I want to thank the people who have believed in Laphelle and company and the story I've told in my trilogy. Your support means the world to me. When I decided to become an English major, I wanted to do so because there were stories out there that had touched my heart. I wanted to study those stories. I wanted to learn. I wanted to write the stories that would reach people on a deeper level than just mere entertainment. And judging from the feedback I've gotten from you all, I have achieved my goal. I know this story isn't for everyone. But it might be for you. You never know! You can find the first one here.
THANK YOU, thank you, thank you... Readers, you keep me going!
June 26, 2013
C.J.'s Top 10 Movies Countdown (#7)
I thought it'd be fun to share my top 10 favorite movies with you. These are the shows that I have to watch at least once a year or I'd go into withdrawal. So in no particular order, here is #7:
If you missed #8, here it is.
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's books to your library. -->Shop here!<--
If you missed #8, here it is.
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's books to your library. -->Shop here!<--
June 25, 2013
'Song of the Divided: The Divided Book 3' Now Available in Paperback!
It's finally arrived! You can now own the entire set in Kindle *or* Paperback formats!
June 24, 2013
Some Monday Nonsense - Laser Cats!
How do you like my new T-shirt? Pretty awesome, isn't it?It's a **LASER CAT!** What? You don't know what the heck I'm talking about?
Well! You must watch the Laser Cats The Musical digital short from Saturday Night Live then! It stars Tom Hanks and Sir Elton John in probably their finest television roles. They might even deserve an EMMY for this one.
Have a super Monday, my friends!
June 23, 2013
Pain as a Barometer
Pain isn't always a bad thing. Pain is our own personal barometer to show us when things are going wrong with our bodies. It's also a warning that helps reveal flaws in our personal relationships.
Think of pain like that little red warning light that flashes on machinery when a piece within isn't functioning properly. That warning light is there to alarm us into action so the entire machine won't go down in a domino effect of broken parts.
No pain should be flat-out ignored. It deserves at least a moment of your attention. When you feel it, ask yourself why you're feeling it and if greater action needs to be taken.
If you have physical pain, ask yourself why. Maybe you should stop staying up so late. Maybe you should cut back on a certain kind of food or drink. Maybe you should wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle. Maybe...
If you have emotional pain, ask yourself why. Why is that relative or friend or significant other causing you pain? Is it your own personal issues from the selfish ego like jealousy? Maybe you should work on yourself. Is the person acting from a place of selfishness, thus causing you pain? Maybe you should back off from the person. Or is this person truly toxic for you? Maybe you should leave the relationship entirely.
There have been many times in my life when pain, both physical and emotional, caused me to make different choices in my life that I feel bettered my quality of life.
What about you? Has there been an instance in your life where pain served as your barometer, your warning light, to lead you in a better, healthier direction?
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's books to your library. -->Shop here!<--
Think of pain like that little red warning light that flashes on machinery when a piece within isn't functioning properly. That warning light is there to alarm us into action so the entire machine won't go down in a domino effect of broken parts.
No pain should be flat-out ignored. It deserves at least a moment of your attention. When you feel it, ask yourself why you're feeling it and if greater action needs to be taken.
If you have physical pain, ask yourself why. Maybe you should stop staying up so late. Maybe you should cut back on a certain kind of food or drink. Maybe you should wear a helmet when you ride a motorcycle. Maybe...
If you have emotional pain, ask yourself why. Why is that relative or friend or significant other causing you pain? Is it your own personal issues from the selfish ego like jealousy? Maybe you should work on yourself. Is the person acting from a place of selfishness, thus causing you pain? Maybe you should back off from the person. Or is this person truly toxic for you? Maybe you should leave the relationship entirely.
There have been many times in my life when pain, both physical and emotional, caused me to make different choices in my life that I feel bettered my quality of life.
What about you? Has there been an instance in your life where pain served as your barometer, your warning light, to lead you in a better, healthier direction?
*****
Add C.J. Sullivan's books to your library. -->Shop here!<--
June 18, 2013
My Take on the New Superman Movie
Whoa, Nellie! There is a HUGE debate going on! Seems people are pretty divided on the new Superman movie Man of Steel. It's a love it or hate it kind of film. For instance, some people claim they wanted to walk out of the theater. They said it was blasphemous. They're throwing around a new term called "disaster porn."
Anyway, I want you all to know that I have always been a really big fan of the original Christopher Reeve version of Superman. I watched it over and over as a kid and fell in love with that particular Superman. I heard there wasn't much romance or humor or any nerdy Clark Kent in the new one - all thing I adored about the original. And I heard there was so much action and destruction (there's your "disaster porn" I guess), and since there's already so much of it in movies, it hardly seems exciting anymore. So I went into Man of Steel expecting not to like it very much.
But I was quite pleasantly surprised at how much I did like it.
This film really shows Superman's strength unlike the old ones. He's just indestructible. He's otherworldly. You want to cheer for him and believe in him because he's just so darned amazing! My tom-boy side came out as I was sitting on the edge of my seat with eyes wide, cheering every time he smashed into a bad guy. And another surprise: I actually enjoyed the battles, one reason being the special effects were just amazing and awe-inspiring. I didn't think it was over-the-top or boring or too much. Because for me, the action worked. It showed that Earth wasn't dealing with other humans - they were dealing with far-evolved aliens that looked like humans. To them, human beings were about as inconsequential and weak as ants. That point came across, and it shot the movie into the true "epic" zone.
And speaking of those special effects, let me tell you about Krypton. Planet Krypton was fascinating. I could watch an entire movie about that world alone with its creatures and its technology. I often forget that Superman is indeed an alien from another world, so it was really cool to imagine the universe and all the mysteries it could hold. The planet Krypton part may have been my favorite section of the movie.
Now onto some things I didn't care for: his adopted dad dies a different way than in the original. I understand why the film did it this way, though. It was to show a point, and it worked - although I prefer the old heart attack death. Also, probably my biggest complaint is the part when Clark is going on the search to find his origins, Lois Lane is in the same scene with him as he discovers the ship with his deceased biological father's consciousness in it. I thought Lois being there was a total distraction that took away from what should have been a private father-son moment. But, again, I understand why they did it that way. It was to introduce Clark and Lois and spark her interest in him since in this reboot they don't meet at the Daily Planet newspaper office.
But other than that, and other than missing that nerdy but charming character of Clark Kent, I thought the film was a nice reboot, a fresh redo that was not only a spectacle but that had a message, too.
And Superman wasn't bad to look at either ;)
Anyway, I want you all to know that I have always been a really big fan of the original Christopher Reeve version of Superman. I watched it over and over as a kid and fell in love with that particular Superman. I heard there wasn't much romance or humor or any nerdy Clark Kent in the new one - all thing I adored about the original. And I heard there was so much action and destruction (there's your "disaster porn" I guess), and since there's already so much of it in movies, it hardly seems exciting anymore. So I went into Man of Steel expecting not to like it very much.
But I was quite pleasantly surprised at how much I did like it.
This film really shows Superman's strength unlike the old ones. He's just indestructible. He's otherworldly. You want to cheer for him and believe in him because he's just so darned amazing! My tom-boy side came out as I was sitting on the edge of my seat with eyes wide, cheering every time he smashed into a bad guy. And another surprise: I actually enjoyed the battles, one reason being the special effects were just amazing and awe-inspiring. I didn't think it was over-the-top or boring or too much. Because for me, the action worked. It showed that Earth wasn't dealing with other humans - they were dealing with far-evolved aliens that looked like humans. To them, human beings were about as inconsequential and weak as ants. That point came across, and it shot the movie into the true "epic" zone.
And speaking of those special effects, let me tell you about Krypton. Planet Krypton was fascinating. I could watch an entire movie about that world alone with its creatures and its technology. I often forget that Superman is indeed an alien from another world, so it was really cool to imagine the universe and all the mysteries it could hold. The planet Krypton part may have been my favorite section of the movie.
Now onto some things I didn't care for: his adopted dad dies a different way than in the original. I understand why the film did it this way, though. It was to show a point, and it worked - although I prefer the old heart attack death. Also, probably my biggest complaint is the part when Clark is going on the search to find his origins, Lois Lane is in the same scene with him as he discovers the ship with his deceased biological father's consciousness in it. I thought Lois being there was a total distraction that took away from what should have been a private father-son moment. But, again, I understand why they did it that way. It was to introduce Clark and Lois and spark her interest in him since in this reboot they don't meet at the Daily Planet newspaper office.
But other than that, and other than missing that nerdy but charming character of Clark Kent, I thought the film was a nice reboot, a fresh redo that was not only a spectacle but that had a message, too.
And Superman wasn't bad to look at either ;)
