March 25, 2008 at 5:23 pm (Distractions)
“It’s spring fever…. You don’t quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~Mark Twain
Working in the beginning of spring is impossible. Allergies, nice weather, sunshine, more daylight, giddy co-workers. You might as well just mess around on the internet. Here’s a fun game one of my (real) friends posted on a (virtual) board I’m a part of (lurker). It’s Powder Game at Dan-Ball, a simulation of an old-school mac program. Super (ball) fun!
March 21, 2008 at 1:34 pm (A Writing Life, Art, The Hard Way)
“Beware so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance.” ~Jean de La Fontaine
The Hard Way has a new look. Yep, in the ninth hour, we’ve changed the book cover art. Why, you ask? Because the people who want more than anything to make me rich thought it was a good idea. And I don’t bite the hand that distributes my book. No sir, I do not.
So, whether you like it better than the pink Chucks version or not, this is what The Hard Way is wearing to the deb ball. Personally, I like that it’s slightly more gender neutral. Sure, there’s still some pink on the cover. But pink is the new hunter green.
I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from men who’ve read the book and I’d like it if guys could tuck themselves behind my book on the train without seeming too terribly uncool. I mean, just because I’m a woman and so is my protagonist doesn’t mean I can’t write things that appeal to men. I’ve always thought The Hard Way was more like About a Boy (Nick Hornby) than Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding) anyway.
So, I feel pretty special that my book was chosen for a makeover. Now I just need new clothes and a fancy haircut, and we’ll both be fit for public. Today I ran outside in a gray fleece ankle-length skirt, gray over-sized sweatshirt, white socks, and black clogs, no bra and severe bed-head to ask my landlord for a favor. If I don’t do something soon, my book cover is going to be embarrassed of me.
March 18, 2008 at 1:07 pm (Holidays, Travel)
“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.” ~George Bernard Shaw
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, which I totally missed, I’m posting a photo of Newgrange, built between 3300-2900 BC. It’s a prehistoric site in Ireland with some fancy megalithic art and a window that allows for 15 minutes of light during the winter solstice. It’s certainly not my favorite Irish thing, but really, how often can I talk about Joyce and Shaw and Wilde and Beckett?
The Newgrange claim to fame is that it was built 500 years before the Great Pyramids of Giza. Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but you really can’t compare a simple passage tomb with the Great Pyramids. I’m not saying Newgrange isn’t cool. But let’s get a little perspective and give Egypt its due. You’ve got Joyce and Shaw and Wilde and Beckett, you really don’t need to trump the pyramids, do you? You know what Oscar Wilde said: “One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.”
March 7, 2008 at 2:59 pm (Entertainment, Movies)
“Well, I used to be bad when I was a kid, but ever since then I’ve gone straight, as has been proved by my record: Thirty-three arrests and no convictions!” ~Big Jule
Dear Simon Fuller,
Do I have a pitch for you! American Idol does Guys and Dolls.
I’m thinking:
You decide, of course. The possibilities are vast.
These Broadway musical-to-film remakes have worked out pretty well recently. Chicago. Dreamgirls. It’s probably because we’re all about mp3 players and blogs. With soundtracks in our ears and real audiences, our lives practically are musicals.
Plus, there’s the High School Musical craze (also to your credit). Do you know how many parents are sitting around watching that show with their kids talking about when they were in a musical? Lots, I’d venture.
Not to blow smoke, but that American Idol you created is quite a hit. I know you got burned with the movie of Kelly and Justin. But that was a fluke. It was too early. This idea is gold, I tell you. It’ll be like a cast reunion. You can also get some of those dancers from your other show for the Cuba scene.
As I’m sure you know, people love Guys and Dolls. They revived it in 2004. Ewan McGregor did it at London’s Piccadilly Theater in 2005. It’s always a hit.
So, let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Julie Luongo
PS. I’m sorry I made fun of the Spice Girls’ new video.
PPS. I really love Annie Lennox.
