Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
Throwback Thursday: The Title Of My New Book Is…“Untitled”
During my quarter-century or so as a writing coach and editor I’ve had many fiction—and even non-fiction—manuscripts come to me without titles…books that the writers have worked on for a year, two years, even longer. You mean they’ve written 70,000, 80,000, even 100,000 words and up—and have been unable to come up with a two, three-, or four-word title?
Myths And Legends: The Bear Lodge Of The Lakota
I am still processing last week’s awesome trip to the Devils Tower. That story will come in next Monday’s post. For now, here is the Lakota legend about the tower, also known as Matȟó Thípila—the Bear Lodge.
Throwback Thursday: Guilty Pleasures—An American Werewolf In London
Pardon the adverbs, but this 1981 film could be considered “humorously gross” or “grossly humorous.” Either way, An American Werewolf In London has more than enough gore and laughs to entertain during its 90+ minutes of run time. And now I find out, via research, that it is considered a cult classic?!
Films About Writers: 1408
Writers love to write about other writers, and Stephen King arguably leads the league in that category. Just to name a few: THE DARK HALF, MISERY, ’SALEM’S LOT, BAG OF BONES, and SECRET WINDOW, SECRET GARDEN. And his short story, 1408, from his collection, EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL.
Throwback Thursday: The Haunted Mesa
Earlier this year I received a gift from my cover artist and good friend in Shingle Springs, California, Karen Phillips—a used copy of a Louis L’Amour novel titled, THE HAUNTED MESA. Seems Karen had picked it up at a thrift shop and, as she wrote, “…everything about it reminded me of you and your stories.”
From Bedtime Story To Book: The Dark Corner
When my daughters were little I used to tell them stories that, for the most part, I made up on the fly. One such fantasy tale was about two teens, brother and sister, who enjoy a simple life in an idyllic land under the protection of Tutors (wizards). When a dark, festering Evil threatens to overrun their land the kids—Vall and Corrie—join an unlikely trio in a quest to destroy the Evil and save their people.
Throwback Thursday: It’s No Mystery—This Movie Is Funny
In retrospect, I could have written about MYSTERY, ALASKA as one of my many Guilty Pleasures. The thing is, I never thought of this outrageous 1999 comedy, with a cast of solid actors and a load of memorable lines, as a film that I had to feel guilty about throwing in the Blu-Ray player.
Native American Film Gems: Edge Of America
Outstanding director Chris Eyre (SMOKE SIGNALS, SKINS) took a true story and turned it into EDGE OF AMERICA, a 2003 made-for-cable film. On the surface it appears to be an inspirational sports movie, but that is only a small part of the big picture.
Throwback Thursday: Myths And Legends—Kokopelli
Perhaps the most recognizable symbol in all of Native America, and an icon for the indigenous people of the American Southwest, Kokopelli has been around for thousands of years. Also known as the Humpbacked Flute Player, Kokopelli is a Hopi fertility deity. He is also a trickster, a trader, a healer, a rainmaker, and a storyteller.
Guilty Pleasures: Virus
Jamie Lee Curtis once called VIRUS, a 1999 sci-fi/horror flick, a “piece of shit.” Why is that significant? Because the renowned scream queen was one of its stars—along with Donald Sutherland and William Baldwin.
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