Writing Questions for Josh Showing 3,751-3,800 of 4,753

[Matthias]

I was wondering if there were a place where a not published guy could post stuff for advice and whatnot. Any suggestions friends?

[HJ]

Johanna wrote: "My students and I, we've been taking part in a project that introduces classic films to teenagers (well, 15-18 years old students). During the last three years we've seen 10 films per year (total 30 films).... Last year was pretty tough for us or what do you guys think about the movie list for the school year 2011-12: Easy Rider, Bullitt, The Last Picture Show, Serpico, Bonnie and Clyde, The Deer Hunter, Scarecrow, Taxi Driver, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Chinatown."

That's a superb project, Johanna, especially since you were able to watch them in a proper movie theatre. It sounds as though someone somewhere appreciates that film is a medium which can sometimes equate to the best of written literature.

But I wouldn't want to see a few of the films on your list (just as there are classic books that I won't ever read) because they are too violent or miserable for me.

[Karen]

Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "Juthi wrote: "Ooh I love Casablanca and The Philadelphia Story. And whenever my sister and I can't decide what movie to watch we fall back on one of the Audrey Hepburn movies like Sabr..."

This sounds like something I'd love to be doing. Maybe I'm teaching the wrong age group? This week I'm definitely teaching the wrong age group — the weather's warming, energy's rising, and no one can find their off switch.

Oh, BTW that "downer" list is a list of the cool go-to films of my own teen/young adult years. Cult to classics I guess. I actually prefer some of the older works you've been discussing. Some Like it Hot is a family favorite. And I love Jean Cocteau's (B&W) films.

My husband and I met in our film days. He was grad student in Fine Arts (painting) working as a projectionist — old style, with the big reels and having to run and splice films before and sometimes during the shows. Then he took on management of two art theaters. I'd been going to them since my mid-teens and at one point we were seriously considering buying one that the owner was abandoning. Delusional dreamers. This was just before video took over the world and that theater closed forever.

[Karen]

Josh wrote: "Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

Do they do a chocolate hazelnut? If so, yeah. I am a fan."

Nope. : (

They do sorbets (Roman Raspberry!) too. It's a brand you find packages in hard plastic jars at place like Whole Foods, etc. so it's not like a gelato shop, but I still crave it.

http://talentigelato.com/our-products/

[Kiracee]

Joe wrote:I was wondering if there were a place where a not published guy could post stuff for advice and whatnot. Any suggestions friends?

There are groups in various places that do critiques and whatnot. The trick is finding one that suits you and is accepting new members. I'm a member of a Goodreads group - The Collective- where we specialize in M/M and I think we are open to new members. Let me check on that and get back to you if you're interested.

[Karen]

I have a soft spot for North by Northwest. Every time I see it it seems to be a longer film than I remember it to be, and I seem to have temporarily forgotten some important or iconic segment. I've seen it in theaters and have a DVD, but our most memorable viewing was in a small, exquisite, converted traditional theater in Paris 30 years ago, with French subtitles.

[Susinok]

Karen wrote: "I have a soft spot for North by Northwest. Every time I see it it seems to be a longer film than I remember it to be, and I seem to have temporarily forgotten some important or iconic segment. I've..."

The first time I saw North by Northwest was in an overdubbed version on German television. I was so confused.

When I saw it later, in English, I was still so confused.

[Matthias]

Kiracee... I'd be interested, thanks

[Karen]

Susinok wrote: "Karen wrote: "I have a soft spot for North by Northwest..."

The first time I saw North by Northwest was in an overdubbed version on German television. I was so confused.

When I saw it later, in English, I was still so confused.

Yeah, I can imagine that. Assassination. Espionage. Grand Central Station. Attack by crop-duster. Mount Rushmore. Sex on a train? ;-)

[Susinok]

My boss will be away. I can also vote on his computer, hehe. I can probably borrow a few laptops at work from which to vote. Not to mention the 12 or so votes I can rack up at home between browsers, computers and other electronic toys.

Wonder if my blender can cast a vote

[Carlita]

Carlita write: Some Like It Hot!
Lou wrote: I love Jack Lemmon. Have you seen The Apartment?
Fred MacMurray, Shirley McClain. Jack Lemmon was so vulnerable in that film. :-)

[Josh]

Tina Kay wrote: "Josh, I was wondering, do you have a word count that you try to reach on a daily basis? I was also wondering, when you were working another job and writing at the same time, what was your typical w..."

Tina, I try to do about 2K a day now. That's a good steady productive pace that won't blow my wrists out.

When I had a day job I used to get to the office a couple of hours early and write, and then I'd write on my lunch and write for a few hours after work. It was surprisingly effective.

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "Juthi wrote: "Ooh I love Casablanca and The Philadelphia Story. And whenever my sister and I can't decide what movie to watch we fall back on one of the Audrey Hepburn ..."

I think the darker films are fine, you just want to break them up a bit with lighter (but still classic) fare. That's my thought anyway.

For some reason I always enjoyed darker films more in class than I did watching on my own. I think it gets back to what we were talking about regarding using that analytical part of your brain versus the emotional part?

[Josh]

Karen wrote: "Josh wrote: "Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

Do they do a chocolate hazelnut? If so, yeah. I am ..."

OH GOD YES. I was buying those during the summer too. They had this sea salt caramel thing. Wonderful!

[Josh]

Susinok wrote: "Karen wrote: "I have a soft spot for North by Northwest. Every time I see it it seems to be a longer film than I remember it to be, and I seem to have temporarily forgotten some important or iconic..."

:-D

[Josh]

Susinok wrote: "My boss will be away. I can also vote on his computer, hehe. I can probably borrow a few laptops at work from which to vote. Not to mention the 12 or so votes I can rack up at home between browsers..."

I know! My fridge seems to do everything BUT vote.

[Matthias]

I should try gelato, but I'm really addicted to yogurtland.

[Josh]

Joe wrote: "I should try gelato, but I'm really addicted to yogurtland."

These addictions don't have to be mutually exclusive, you know! ;-)

[Matthias]

Thanks josh, between buying books and eating sweets I see that in my old age I shall be fat happy and content or poor.

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "This week I'm definitely teaching the wrong age group — the weather's warming, energy's rising, and no one can find their off switch."

I've been teaching 9-15 years old this week and the "spring fever" is definitely there... the smaller children just react to it in different, extremely bouncy and noisy way. :-)

ETA: And I'm actually relived to hear that it's a global phenomenon...

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "My husband and I met in our film days. He was grad student in Fine Arts (painting) working as a projectionist — old style, with the big reels and having to run and splice films before and sometimes during the shows. Then he took on management of two art theaters. I'd been going to them since my mid-teens and at one point we were seriously considering buying one that the owner was abandoning. Delusional dreamers. This was just before video took over the world and that theater closed forever."

Aww... :-)

[Johanna]

Juthi wrote: "And Johanna definitely make them watch The Big Sleep. I watched it because Josh mentioned it in A.E and I loved it:D"

Thank you for reminding me of this one, Juthi!

[Caroline]

"Joe wrote:I was wondering if there were a place where a not published guy could post stuff for advice and whatnot. Any suggestions friends?

Kiracee wrote:There are groups in various places that do critiques an..."

Hi Joe

On-line groups can be useful for getting critiques although don't forget you should read and comment on other people's work as well as posting your own.

The other thing to do is to find a 'writing buddy', preferably someone who is at a similar stage to you. Here's a useful blog post from a pal of mine about critiques and also reviews.

[Tina]

Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: "Josh, I was wondering, do you have a word count that you try to reach on a daily basis? I was also wondering, when you were working another job and writing at the same time, what w..."

Thank you, Josh.

[Jordan]

Antonella wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Or if I read it over someone's shoulder on the train in the morning."

And no one ever tried to murder you?!?"

lol. Nope. Well, if they glanced my way, I tried to pretend I wasn't looking at the paper. It's easier when they're sitting right next to you. Read some pretty boring books that way too. lol.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Na wrote: "Definitively. All those subjects sounds so interesting ! Social Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience particularly. Though, if you can draw simple schema to..."

I discovered it about two years ago in Reno, NV when I was on vacation. But hadn't had it since until a few weeks ago. I LOVE it. I just hate that I technically can't have it. Oh well.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Lou wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I discovered gelato last summer. SO good. "

There's a great gelato place up in Altadena, off Lake Street. I can't remember the name at the moment."

Oh yes?..."

That is sooo true. I don't know how I missed out on this treat. Pretty much better than ice cream. Though Ben and Jerry are a pretty good contender for top spot in my book. Especially chocolate chip cookie dough and strawberry cheesecake.

[Jordan]

Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

That's the kind I've recently been enjoying! I love the packaging too, not just the taste. How odd is that? Hey, the containers are reusable, and there are no icky stickers to peel off.

I've had the milk chocolate, peanut butter and chocolate, and am now into the black raspberry with chocolate chunks. Love all three of them!

[Jordan]

Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "Juthi wrote: "Ooh I love Casablanca and The Philadelphia Story. And whenever my sister and I can't decide what movie to watch we fall back on one of the Audrey Hepburn movies like Sabr..."

Sad to say, the only movie I've seen out of that list is One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest, and when I saw that in HS, our teacher fast forwarded through the "bad" parts. I really need to rewatch that again.

I like the idea of this program though! We tried to do something similar last year in the library. We had a one month Film Noir festival thingy where we showed one noir film a week. Sadly, the only patrons who cared were the adults who wanted to come into the teen room and watch it. Some of them were really pissed that they couldn't watch it because of it's location. The teens barely paid attention to it.

But maybe if I can get our teen council to pick the movies, there might be some more interest. Maybe. I'll ask them, see what they think.

[Jordan]

Johanna wrote: "Yeah, I didn't get to choose the films, but if I would have been able to do it, I would definitely have lighten up last year's list a bit.

The project has a nice website too and part of the projec..."

Oh. Well, when you put it that way, in the theater for free? Hell yeah. Sadly, I couldn't get our teens down two flights of stairs to the lecture hall for a movie, so only adults would bother to go. *sigh*

But yeah, I would have loved this as a kid. Definitely.

[Jordan]

Tina Kay wrote: "Lou wrote: "You should check out all of Billy Wilder's movies then. He's famous for his comedies, but he d..."

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll look him up.

I haven't been so enamored with mov..."

There's hardly anything good. And the prices for seeing a movie are so high, I just don't bother. It has to be something super good in order for me to bother going to see it. Otherwise, I'll go borrow it from the library when it comes out for free.

[Jordan]

Lou wrote: "Carlita wrote: "Some Like It Hot

I love that movie, it has great lines.

"But, you're not a girl! You're a guy, and, why would a guy wanna marry a guy?
"For security!"

I love Jack Lemmon. Have y..."

Jack Lemmon is hilarious!

One of my favs is Sunset Boulevard. Such a creepy movie! And amazing acting!

[Jordan]

Susinok wrote: "My boss will be away. I can also vote on his computer, hehe. I can probably borrow a few laptops at work from which to vote. Not to mention the 12 or so votes I can rack up at home between browsers..."

YES, everyone needs to vote. I got in 14 votes this morning. Stupidly forgot to vote before I left home for work, so there's three more votes out. *sigh* And it doesn't look like I'll be getting a break before noon to wander the building looking for more computers to use. Drat! Everyone else needs to vote for me!!!

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: "Josh, I was wondering, do you have a word count that you try to reach on a daily basis? I was also wondering, when you were working another job and writing at the same time, what w..."

That is very effective. I have to say. I've been doing it yesterday and again today. I've done it before and it's worked out really well. But it's usually so much easier to read, easier to cart a book around, than a laptop, and to use less brain cells in the morning when I'm half asleep. lol.

[Carlita]

Lou wrote: I wondered more than once if that story could be updated and made into m/m

That would be a FABULOUS choice. I would pay to read it. :-)

[Matthias]

There are a lot of older shows, that I think would and could work changed into a m/m story. That would be a great one.

[Tina]

Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought some this morning. Oh. My. God. That is the smoothest thing I've ever had in my mouth.

:-D

And I made the biggest mistake of sitting down with the container and a spoon. :-/ I hope it digests before Easter dinner. But really, the serving size is only 1/2 cup... Who can only ever eat that amount of any ice cream/gelato?

[Josh]

Tina Kay wrote: "Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought s..."

Yes. So sweet and smooth and delicious. Like ice cream but yet more intense?

[Johanna]

Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: "Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

So because of this discussion of Talenti brand ..."

*krhm* WHAT are you guys talking about?! *blushes*

[Tina]

Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: " So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought s..."

Yes. So sweet and smooth and delicious. Like ice cream but yet more intense? ..."

Yes! I bought the salted caramel, and not to rip off your book title, but it is a dangerous thing. Addictive.

[Josh]

Tina Kay wrote: "Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: " So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought s..."

Yes. So sweet and smooth and delicious. Like ice cream but yet more intense? ..."

Yes! I bought..."

That's my favorite flavor.

[Johanna]

Tina Kay wrote: "Josh wrote: "Tina Kay wrote: " So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought s..."

Yes. So sweet and smooth and delicious. Like ice cream but yet more intense? ..."

Yes! I bought..."

I had to google Talenti Gelato and I'm sad to say that they don't sell it anywhere near me... I probably would have to cross oceans to get it... (not that I wouldn't do it for gelato).

[Karen]

Tina Kay wrote: "Karen wrote: "Has anyone else tried the Talenti brand? I rotate being in love with one of three flavors. Right now it's pistachio."

So because of this discussion of Talenti brand gelato I bought s..."

You so made me laugh! This is why I try to let my husband get to the container first, then when I finish it off the impact is reduced.

Johanna, what are we talking about indeed. ;-) I'm sending a virtual jar. What flavor would you like?

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "Johanna, what are we talking about indeed. ;-) I'm sending a virtual jar. What flavor would you like?"

One Sea Salt Caramel, please. And I wouldn't mind having the Caribbean Coconut, too... thank you. *sweet smile, Bambi eyes*

[Karen]

Johanna wrote: "Karen wrote: "Johanna, what are we talking about indeed. ;-) I'm sending a virtual jar. What flavor would you like?"

One Sea Salt Caramel, please. And I wouldn't mind having the Caribbean Coconut,..."

Virtual gifts on their way (kind of like those ponies).

Ooh, I haven't tried the coconut! Tempted now...

[Matthias]

Virtual gifts of gelato... this gives me a sad, I must find some to taste. Please confirm, it is less fattening than say real true fat inducing ice cream... **hopeful face**

[Karen]

Joe wrote: "Virtual gifts of gelato... this gives me a sad, I must find some to taste. Please confirm, it is less fattening than say real true fat inducing ice cream... **hopeful face**"

Of course! Now if I can just convince myself to stick with the virtual varieties today...

[Tina]

Karen wrote: You so made me laugh! This is why I try to let my husband get to the container first, then when I finish it off the impact is reduced..."

:-) You are a wise woman. I'm just waiting for my boyfriend to pull out the container and see that half of it's gone already.

Johanna wrote: "..I had to google Talenti Gelato and I'm sad to say that they don't sell it anywhere near me..."

I'd ship you one, but I don't think it would be quite as good in liquid form. This is why I need to learn to teletransport.

Joe wrote: "Virtual gifts of gelato... this gives me a sad, I must find some to taste. Please confirm, it is less fattening than say real true fat inducing ice cream... **hopeful face**"

Um, no. The one I had was 11 grams of fat and 250 calories for a measly 1/2 cup. The virtual one is probably better for you.

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Karen wrote: "Johanna, what are we talking about indeed. ;-) I'm sending a virtual jar. What flavor would you like?"

One Sea Salt Caramel, please. And I wouldn't mind having the Ca..."

The virtual gelato arrived nicely frozen and it virtually has no calories in it. My virtual ponies and I thank you! Delicious. :-)

By the way, has anyone tasted the Sicilian Pistachio and Mediterranean Mint? Those sound yummy...

[Johanna]

Tina Kay wrote: "I'd ship you one, but I don't think it would be quite as good in liquid form. This is why I need to learn to teletransport."

I really think that we should concentrate on figuring out this tele transport thing as soon as possible. It would solve so many of our problems!!!