David Pandolfe's Blog, page 4
October 25, 2014
Zombies Invade Carytown (Again)
When we first moved to Richmond, we hadn’t heard of the annual Zombie Walk. So, it came as something of a surprise one evening when driving through town to suddenly find ourselves surrounded by the walking dead. We were with friends on the way to an event and I remember our reaction was something along the lines of, “Hey guys? What the hell?” As it happened, we were with people who’d lived here for a while so they knew the deal. That particular year, I remember it was getting dark so they must have once held the Zombie Walk a little later than they do now. It definitely added a creepy dimension but I’m glad they’ve since started scheduling it earlier in the day. Mostly, for the sake of the zombies who a few times seemed in peril of getting struck by cars at intersections (I mean, I don’t think they’re real zombies).
Annual Richmond Zombie Walk
Since that first time when we happened upon the event, we’ve made a point of going each year to watch the parade of zombies as they stagger along Cary Street in a part of Richmond known as Carytown. Carytown, by the way, is pretty cool. It’s basically the more trendy part of Richmond with lots of restaurants, shops, record stores and, of course, the historic Byrd Theatre (which is reputed to be haunted). Carytown is great place to spend the day. It’s even better, naturally, when zombies shuffle about.
Doctor Who Zombie
Lego Zombies (Zombie Walk is a family event, sort of)
The Richmond Zombie Walk is a fitting way to usher in Halloween and loads of people turn out to either watch or participate. Those taking on the role of zombie for the day generally aren’t messing around. Most of the costumes, as you can see here, are really well done. There are plenty of creepy, gory, more traditional zombies but there are many others who bring a touch of humor to the event. This year, we noticed one young man who even paid tribute to Doctor Who (sorry I didn’t get a better shot since people were crowing around him to take pictures). As Doctor Who fans (yep, there’s that theme again), we enjoyed seeing the Doctor represented (by the way, the boy was dressed as the eleventh doctor, zombified of course).
We also spotted a Game of Thrones character zombie, a squire zombie and Lego zombies, to name a few. The Zombie Walk is a family event, by the way, so there are a number of children and families taking part both as zombies and as spectators. Although, there was one young girl nearby who was clearly terrified and I couldn’t imagine why her father didn’t take her home. That poor kid will probably have nightmares for a month.
Squire Zombie
Those of you who stop by this blog may have noticed that it’s been straying from writing-related topics a little. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but my excuse for this post is that several of my YA novels involve characters in an afterlife setting while another involves, at least partly, continuing visits from a ghost. So, it seems to me there’s room for a few zombies here as well. Who knows, maybe I’ll write one of those books too. Actually, I started one and stopped when the movie Warm Bodies came out since it shared so many similarities. I wondered if people would think I’d ripped off the movie. I don’t know, maybe I’ll dust it off and take another look at it. It seems like zombies are here to stay.
October 22, 2014
Moffat Assures Fans That Doctor Who Finale Will Be The Same Old Impenetrable Bullshit
Technically, this is writing-related but either way I couldn’t resist. Are you starting to sense something of a Doctor Who pattern on this blog? Yep, we’re big fans. Anyway, this spoof is for my fellow Whovians.
Originally posted on Blankfire Bulletin:
Steven Moffat holding the season finale script that is written on a papyrus scroll.
Steven Moffat has assured Doctor Who fans that despite several new writers coming in offering fresh, original interpretations of the show, the series finale will be as impenetrable and obtuse as viewers have come to expect.
Production assistant Anne Incider said that Ste-mo was relishing the chance to show the world how clever he is yet again. “It has been nice to have some fresh faces like James Mathieson and Frank Cottrell Boyce about the place giving the show a breath of fresh air but Ste-mo has been quick to point out that in the long run their stories ‘don’t count’”
“Ste-mo has come up with a season finale so complex that anyone who walked past his office and saw his planning board would immediately collapse and have severe seizures. He’s become a bit Russell Crowe…
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What’s Next for Authors United?
Agreed, it would be wonderful if Authors United worried more about actually uniting authors.
Originally posted on David Gaughran:
Authors United has been spectacularly unsuccessful in its supposed mission to get Amazon and Hachette to agree a deal.
By contrast, Simon & Schuster was able to agree a deal in just three weeks – without the intervention of Douglas Preston’s group.
To be fair, Authors United has been very good at one thing: getting media attention.
Perhaps it’s time for Douglas Preston to widen the aims of the group and start campaigning on issues which actually matter.
It would be great if Authors United could get the media to focus on any of these problems. Alternatively, Authors United could continue to focus on propping up a broken system which only rewards those at the very top (like Douglas Preston, surprisingly).
1. Diversity in Publishing
Publishing is very white and very middle class. And, at the upper echelons, often very male too. One of the many knock on effects of…
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October 9, 2014
That Isolated Writer (You’ve Seen Him Too)
So, we watched one of those movies last weekend that had a writer in it. You know the story. The writer is a lonely guy. He stares at the “blank page” waiting for the muse to visit. At times, he gazes through tired eyes out at the ocean (writers always live at the beach, right?). He is, of course, an educator, once adored but now tarnished. He struggles with self-doubt and depression. The writer relies on booze for inspiration. In fact, the writer relies on booze entirely and, of course, ultimately acts like a drunken fool in pubic, humiliating himself by stumbling around in a bar where he causes a scene. Ultimately, more bad things happen to the writer since he’s such a tortured soul.
Why does this trope keep getting perpetuated? It’s just so strange to me since most of the writers I know work other jobs and don’t sit alone all day staring at their computer screen with one trembling hand reaching for the whiskey bottle. In fact, none of them drink heavily. By the way, only one is an educator. None of my writer friends live an isolated existence (although one does live at the beach and I’m a bit jealous of that). Like me, these writers are married, they have kids. They have a positive outlook and, sure, they’re obsessed with writing their books, their book reviews and book sales. To a degree, they’re just obsessed with books in general. But these writers care more about the people in their lives than their writing. In some cases, writing is their career and in others it’s a career in progress (hopefully). All the same, their children come first, as do their wives or husbands.
This representation of the solitary writer made me start thinking about why most writers start writing to begin with. While Hollywood often portrays writers as self-absorbed and aloof, I think most writers create fiction so they can reach out and share the stories they imagine (in which there is always a piece of themselves, of course). It’s not about ego and validation as much as it’s a desire to connect with others. What’s really wonderful to experience as a writer are those moments when you realize that’s actually happened. It’s incredibly meaningful to learn that you’ve had a positive impact, through your writing, on the life of someone you’ve never met. This happened to me recently when someone left this comment about Jump When Ready: “…I’d been living in a state of stasis more or less the last few years, not exactly like the group in your books. Recovering from illness and battling the daily uncertainty of depression which I’ve had to deal with the majority of my life. But those lines about jumping back into it again (life) with all uncertainty, fears, anxieties, laughs, time spent with real friends …really hit me and gave me a way of looking at it that made sense! It’s time for me to jump.” I can’t tell you how moving it was for me to read those words and realize I’d contributed something meaningful that touched the life of this person. I felt both honored and a bit stunned. What greater compliment could a writer ever hope for?
Recently, someone else left this in a review of Streetlights Like Fireworks: “I could feel through the characters and their journey how faith and following one’s heart can take us exactly where the universe wants us to go, and I was left feeling charmed and uplifted. Bravo! One of the best books I have ever read (and I just finished all five “Song of Ice and Fire” books, so I read a lot). A total breath of fresh air.” Every writer loves it when they receive praise, especially through a favorable book review. But, again, in this instance I felt incredibly humbled at the thought that something which sprang from my imagination altered someone’s outlook in such a way. Honestly, it just amazes me.
So, sure, writers may spend a fair amount of time alone. I guess that’s pretty much required since it’s extremely challenging to write while the kids are trying to get your attention (I know, I’ve tried many times). But in the end the writing is not about the writer but rather that imagined reader who, hopefully, ends up being a real person out there in the world someday when you finally publish that story or novel. It’s all about connecting, reaching out, not withdrawing into that lonely shell stereotype that Hollywood keeps dragging out of the closet. Okay, that’s it. I just wanted to share my thoughts on that. I’m off to the bar now for some time alone.
Yeah, right. I’ll be spending some time with my family first. Later, I’ll get some writing done. Cheers.
May 2, 2014
Streetlights Like Fireworks
Here's what people have been saying about Streetlights Like Fireworks!
“This book was every kind of wonderful… I cannot express to you with my useless WORDS, exactly what Streetlights Like Fireworks will do to you. This book is PURE feeling. It is a bounded SOUL. There is a dangerous NEED for this author to be picked up, and seen, by the big 3 in publishing. I cannot wait for the day that I see David Pandolfe’s books gleaming from every single bookstore shelf possible. His writing ranks with the likes of John Green, or David Levithan, and quite possibly, even exceeds them.” - Bound by Words
“David Pandolfe has done it again; he’s wonderfully crafted a book that can’t be put down and will never leave your heart.”- The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
“I enjoyed being taken on the adventure with the characters and didn't want to get off their wild ride when it ended! This is a wonderful book and such a great read for anybody and everybody!”- For the Love of Books
“The ending was perfect and I found myself crying… It certainly is a must read for everyone, and I loved it so much that it earned 5 stars from me.- Beneath the Jacket Reviews
“Personally, I just loved it. I can read this over and over and over again. I'm crossing my fingers that there would be a sequel for this one. Streetlights Like Fireworks is a journey towards a lot of things. Funny, bittersweet and just absolutely adorable. What are you waiting for? Read this now.-The Bookish Confections
“The pacing was great and the plot was definitely engaging, it keeps pulling at you. Every time I put the book down there was this nagging voice in my head wanting to know more.”-The Booklicker
Add Streetlights Like Fireworks to your Goodreads "To Read" list
Psychic flashes, haunting visions, missing persons and visits from ghosts. That’s just their first date.
Jack has been getting on his parents’ nerves for some time. Bad enough he’s a rock musician, has crappy grades and hangs out with his “loser” friends. But Jack’s ability to predict the future—well, that just annoys the hell out of them.
Jack’s classmate, Lauren, is said to have unique abilities too. The town still talks about when she kept badgering her mother about the money in their wall. For the longest time, Lauren’s mother didn’t listen. Finally, she did and she hasn’t had to work since.
Jack would really like to connect with Lauren but can’t figure out how. She’s never looked at him twice. But when he experiences a mystifying event involving visions, voices and spectral visits, Jack figures there’s only one person to help him understand who’s calling out to him and why. Before long, Jack and Lauren are off on a road trip of discovery that could provide answers to a mystery left unsolved for twenty years. More importantly, they might even unravel the greatest mystery of all— how every so often someone will accept you for who you are.
March 30, 2014
Streetlights Like Fireworks
“The pacing was great and the plot was definitely engaging, it keeps pulling at you. Every time I put the book down there was this nagging voice in my head wanting to know more.”
Add Streetlights Like Fireworks to your Goodreads "To Read" list
Psychic flashes, haunting visions, missing persons and visits from ghosts. That’s just their first date.
Jack has been getting on his parents’ nerves for some time. Bad enough he’s a rock musician, has crappy grades and hangs out with his “loser” friends. But Jack’s ability to predict the future—well, that just annoys the hell out of them.
Jack’s classmate, Lauren, is said to have unique abilities too. The town still talks about when she kept badgering her mother about the money in their wall. For the longest time, Lauren’s mother didn’t listen. Finally, she did and she hasn’t had to work since.
Jack would really like to connect with Lauren but can’t figure out how. She’s never looked at him twice.
But when he experiences a mystifying event involving visions, voices and spectral visits, Jack figures there’s only one person to help him understand who’s calling out to him and why. Before long, Jack and Lauren are off on a road trip of discovery that could provide answers to a mystery left unsolved for twenty years. More importantly, they might even unravel the greatest mystery of all— how every so often someone will accept you for who you are.
January 5, 2014
Shelf Unbound Notable Book
Shelf Unbound magazine included Jump When Ready as a Notable YA Book for 2013. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed so far!
Jump When Ready on Amazon
Jump When Ready:
Since he drowned, Henry has remained isolated with the same group of teenagers and he keeps wondering why. After all, what could he possibly have in common with a Mohawk-sporting punker from the 80s, a roller skater from the 70s with a thing for kimonos, and an English “rocker” from the 60s? Add to that, Henry can hear the other groups but he never sees them. Soon, Henry learns that his new friends all possess unique skills for making themselves noticed by the living. Is Henry’s group kept isolated because of their abilities? If so, are they considered gifted or seen only as a potential bad influence?
Before Henry can reach any conclusions, he witnesses his sister being kidnapped. He knows who did it, where she’s being held and what will happen if the kidnappers don’t get what they want. As the police chase false leads, Henry comes to realize that he’s his sister’s only hope. But for Henry to even have a chance, he has to convince a group of teenagers that dead doesn’t mean helpless.
August 19, 2013
5 Stars from Portland Book Review!
http://portlandbookreview.com/jump-wh...
Jump When Ready in good company... Thank you, Bookanistas! http://www.thebookanistas.com/2013/06...
“The combination of coming-of-age, philosophical and thriller story comes together to make a fascinating and engaging book.”
- Heather at The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
“I loved this book and am looking forward to seeing what the author will come up with next!”
- Kristy at A Little Shelf of Heaven
“It impacted my thoughts in a serious way, and I will most likely spend the next few days going over it, and over it, in my head.”
- Reeka at Bound by Words
“There are few books out there that have characters that make you wish you had friends like them.”
- Jean Vallesteros, Book Nerds
“This was a great story. I personally have never read anything like it.”
- Michelle Parsons, Reading is Better than Real Life
"An engaging, poignant book that stayed with me long after I read the last word."
- Tracy E. Banghart, author of By Blood.
June 13, 2013
Jump When Ready Blog Tour Wrap-Up
Also, the Jump When Ready blog tour just ended and it was really exciting that the novel got so many new favorable reviews! Read what people have been saying about Jump When Ready below:
“The combination of coming-of-age, philosophical and thriller story comes together to make a fascinating and engaging book.”
- Heather at The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
“I loved this book and am looking forward to seeing what the author will come up with next!”
- Kristy at A Little Shelf of Heaven
“It impacted my thoughts in a serious way, and I will most likely spend the next few days going over it, and over it, in my head.”
- Reeka at Bound by Words
“There are few books out there that have characters that make you wish you had friends like them.”
- Jean Vallesteros, Book Nerds
“This was a great story. I personally have never read anything like it.”
- Michelle Parsons, Reading is Better than Real Life
"An engaging, poignant book that stayed with me long after I read the last word."
- Tracy E. Banghart, author of By Blood.
June 11, 2013
Jump When Ready on Bookanistas Website. Just too cool...
The official Jump When Ready blog tour, organized by Book Nerds Tours, kicks off June 24th! Yes, there are some prizes involved, such as signed copies and a 24" x 18 " poster of the cover, signed by both author (yes, me) and artist (definitely not me). Also some iTunes gift cards in the mix. So, why not, right? There's no down side on this one...
Here's the link for the tour schedule and to enter to win!
Add Jump When Ready to your Goodreads "To Read" list
Jump When Ready on Amazon
Jump When Ready:
Since he drowned, Henry has remained isolated with the same group of teenagers and he keeps wondering why. After all, what could he possibly have in common with a Mohawk-sporting punker from the 80s, a roller skater from the 70s with a thing for kimonos, and an English “rocker” from the 60s? Add to that, Henry can hear the other groups but he never sees them. Soon, Henry learns that his new friends all possess unique skills for making themselves noticed by the living. Is Henry’s group kept isolated because of their abilities? If so, are they considered gifted or seen only as a potential bad influence?
Before Henry can reach any conclusions, he witnesses his sister being kidnapped. He knows who did it, where she’s being held and what will happen if the kidnappers don’t get what they want. As the police chase false leads, Henry comes to realize that he’s his sister’s only hope. But for Henry to even have a chance, he has to convince a group of teenagers that dead doesn’t mean helpless.
