Monthly Archives: July 2009

Some Further Mindless Sunday Entertainment

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Half-Blood Prince Review

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Disclaimer: I am not a film critic by any stretch of the imagination. This is just some guy’s thoughts on the movie. Also, there may be some spoilers in here.

Last night I was fortunate enough to see an advanced screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

“In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.

Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn’t counted on Romilda Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simmering with jealousy but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.”

The film was a lot less about finding the identity of the Half-Blood Prince than what I remember from the book. That discovery comes at the very end of the film, and in a rather anticlimactic manner. By then all of the real tension has passed, but not that that really matters. The film was truly superb and some of the highlights (as I saw them) are as follows:

  • Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley). This is a brilliant actor and I certainly hope he doesn’t get typecast because in this film he really gets his opportunity to shine.
  • Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy). The guy you love to despise. In the past he’s done an amazing job of inspiring hate, but in this film you really get to see him work. When you see it, you’ll understand. His anguish as he struggles with the task that has been handed him by Voldemort is a wonderful performance!
  • Alan Rickman (Severus Snape). Really and truly he is one of the finest actors I have ever seen. I would love to watch him on stage and although his role is relatively minor in this film, he’s still a pleasure to watch. He’s one of the few actors where I would see any film he does, simply because he is in it (and I don’t say that often).
  • Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). Despite the fact that I think he’s incredibly cute, he is a good actor. Again, another one I would not want to see typecast because I’d like to see more with him when the HP series are finished. That said, the scenes after he drinks the luck potion are hilarious!
  • The scenes that involve love potions are hysterical and beautifully performed.
  • Great special effects.
  • If you know about Dumbledore’s demise you will not be disappointed in how it is handled.
  • Harry and Ginny – finally!!
  • Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) – I want more Luna!!
The films are getting darker and darker, as the books did and the direction from David Yates is both artistic and brilliant. This is yet another wonderful movie in the series and I will definitely be watching this one over and over, simply to take it all in.

If you are still contemplating it, don’t. Just go and see it. You won’t be disappointed.

How to Hypnotize an Editor-6 Tips for Getting Published

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How to Hypnotize an Editor-6 Tips for Getting Published

Getting published is not the easiest feat, and it helps to wiggle your fingers, empower your words and send an editor into a literary trance. Not easy, but doable. Continue reading to learn how…

1. Woo with originality: There’s nothing new under the sun—or so the old saying goes. But, there’s always a fresh slant to a worn topic. Find ways of tapping into your “otherness” and pouring that into your writing. “Girl meets boy” was the underlying subject of author Jessica Brody’s short story “Hu-Man Resources,” but the subject did not stop there. Imagine a group of men-deprived girls plotting a scheme to use their positions in personnel as a dating service. Now that’s a story! And a hilarious one at that.

2. Seduce with your opening: There’s nothing wrong with a tease. Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last—the opening sentence of the best-selling novel Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund—bewitches readers. Hummm…we all know the memorable character of Moby Dick and wonder what shenanigans lies within his home front. And the bit about multiple husbands before and after Ahab entices…

3. Befriend the spell/grammar check: Nothing is a larger turn-off than seeing a writer’s work riddled with errors. Remember, an editor’s interview with a writer isn’t with the writer herself but with her writing. Make sure you flaunt quality writing. One of my favorite resources for a spell check/thesaurus is dictionary.com. General use is free, but you can also upgrade to premium service which provides ad-free use, audio word pronunciations, word games, and more.

4. Incite gossip: Ms. Missy next door may give you something to talk about, but you want to prattle on about your work. The internet is a great resource for getting talk and feedback about your writing. Don’t under estimate internet “gossip”!!! Author Karen P. Fowler knows the power of internet gossip well. In her article, “Workshopping Your Fiction,” (http://writingfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/workshopping_your_fiction) she describes her experience in using peer review websites. Another great thing about internet gossip, is that word spreads fast. If your work is good, gabby mouths flap. Let them!

5. Read great works: The literary canon is great for example and inspiration, but don’t forget other great works (and the ones that’ll help you get published) such as writer’s guidelines and works published already with the editor. If writer’s want to know what I like to see, I say please read a few of the work we’ve already published. I get tons of submissions where it’s obvious that the writer didn’t bother doing her homework. It is worth the time and effort to read a publication’s submissions policy and frequently asked questions (FAQs). Nothing creates a worse impression than when a writer asks a question that has already been answered in the guidelines or FAQs. Do diligence, as with job interviews, is just as important when you want to sell your work.

6. Flattery…will get you everywhere: Delivering roses isn’t necessary, but a kind (and sincere) word about the publication would not hurt. Caroline See in her book, Making a Literary Life talks about “charming notes” to editors, as a means to getting “face time” (a book, by the way which is a must read for writers). Editors receive hundreds of submissions from virtual strangers wanting to be featured in their publication. A nice note to the editor could help in the long run and perhaps establish a rapport. You’d be a familiar name in a sea of submissions.

As editor for The Chick Lit Review (http://www.chicklitreview.org), Iris Green receives hundreds of submissions, from professional and not-as-polished writers and writers in-between. She has a BA and MA in English and is currently working on her Masters of Business Administration. With a background in both technical and fiction writing, she feels fluent in both worlds. This article is free for republishing, as the author provides blanket approval, as long as its content remains unchanged and the credits and bio remain intact.

The Basset Hound – So Much Joy

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We had two Basset Hounds (see below). Sadly, one of them left us just over a year ago. This is truly a wonderful breed!

The Basset Hound – So Much Joy

Consider why you want a dog. Perhaps you grew up with one or you just love animals. Getting a pet can be extremely beneficial in countless ways, and Basset Hounds are no exception to this rule. These dogs get along with nearly everyone, enjoy almost excellent health, and have been bred to hunt, if that is one of your goals. Below are a few peeks at why owning a Basset Hound can be such a pleasure and maybe a few reasons why you should consider adding one to your home.

Best Friends with Everyone:
The friendliness of a dog is often in question when there are young children or other pets in the household. You don’t have to worry about the disposition of a Basset Hound, as they get along well with nearly everyone. They are sociable with people and other animals. They are rarely aggressive and that may only happen under extreme provocation. Playing with children and other dogs is quite safe, due to the Basset Hound’s mild mannered nature and willingness to show affection. Even the males and the females of the same breed get along well together, an abnormality in other dogs. It’s safe to say that your Basset Hound will get a long with any other dog breed.

Healthy:
Basset hounds lean towards excellent health. There are some issues, such as gassiness, ear infections, joint disorders and skin problems that you will likely always run into. So it’s important to keep a close eye on them as they develop, and keep those giant ears clean! However, Basset Hounds tend not to be as prone to other genetic health problems that can be found in other breeds. To ensure that the Basset Hound retains good health, it is important to provide enough exercise and proper nutrition. If your dog becomes obese, he can experience more illnesses than a healthy dog, but keeping a close watch on your dog’s diet can help avoid these problems. Make adjustments to your dog’s diet as his weight increases or decreases, as well as his activity level. Fortunately, Basset Hounds love activity, since they were bred for it.

Born Hunters:
Basset Hounds were originally bred to hunt small game animals, including rabbits and pheasants. The powerful sense of smell that the Basset Hound possesses allows them to track their prey easily. Their wrinkled face helps retain the smell of their prey while tracking. With their short legs, the Basset Hound cannot move as quickly as some of the larger dogs, therefore allowing their owners to keep up with them while moving through the woods searching for their quarry.

A Basset Hound is a pleasure to have in the family, since they are tolerant of many people and animals and tend to be healthy. Relationships with dogs are reliable and can contribute to a blessed, happy life. No one will love you as much as your Basset Hound or be as loyal. While they might not have the most energy of all the breeds, they are definitely capable of showing the most love.

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