Music To Write By

On helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com  there is a recent post where K.M. Weiland mentions her favorite music to write to.  I don't usually listen to music when I write, but after hearing this album I can see why Weiland would use it, being basically a film score.  It also reminded me of an old album I got years ago called And The Stars Go with You by Jonn Serrie.  The music always gave me the mental image of flying though space, and in much of my work that might be advantageous.  I am going to try them both and see.  Like anything with writing, you never know what helps (or is problematic) until you try.

Soulmates FREE until Friday!

If you haven't picked up your own copy of Soulmates for the Kindle yet, do I have a deal for you!  From now until Friday my science fiction action & adventure novel Soulmates is available for FREE!  Grab it while you can.

On another note, I have set a goal of 25 reviews in the next month.  Can you help me reach it?  A quick one line of what you liked about the book is fine.  Thank You!

Stephen King's IT Returns

Stephen King's IT makes a return tomorrow in its first theatrical release. I haven't seen the film yet (obviously), but I do remember the 1990 miniseries quite well. If you didn't know, IT is about a monster that attacks and feeds on people (usually children) every 27 years before going back into hibernation. The original book was released in 1986 and was King's 18th novel written under his own name.

I have my doubts that Bill Skargard can do better as Pennywise than Tim Curry in the 1990 miniseries. Curry totally nailed it. But I am sure Skarguard does a wonderful job. King himself gives the new film high praise, even going to see it twice.

From all I have read, the new movie is very close to the original book. Well as close as you can get considering the book is over 1,000 pages. You can't fit all of that into a two hour movie. Or even a four hour one. Some aspects I was glad to see removed from the miniseries, others felt like a hole. But as I said, you simply can't fit such a large story in a short medium without making large changes. In general though, I think the 1990 miniseries was well done. I did find the very ending lacking, and apparently Tim Curry thought the same thing.

One thing is certain though, they left a lot out of the 2017 film, especially considering that it is only part one with a sequel now in the planning stages. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth as more and more films these days are going the continued route. But on the other hand, the story is so large in this case, I really can't see one doing it justice without splitting it onto two separate films.

It is interesting the World Clown Association is upset with King because they say he is killing their business with drops in bookings around schools for example. But the thing is, the book was written in 1986. It is not a new release, the movie being released tomorrow might be, but it is not a new idea or concept. If their bookings have been dropping for a while, I don't see how they can blame this story when the movie hasn't even been released yet. But like most issues, people like to point the blame towards anything that can bring them a few minutes of air time.

Whither you are a King fan or not, I am sure most people will get a thrill out this film by all accounts. I know I am looking forward to seeing it. If nothing else than to see what was done different this time around. Which, I suspect, is what the studio is banking on.

Free Sci-Fi and Fantasy books!

Free books!  Who doesn't like free books?  I know I sure do and right now there are several great giveaways going on.

First, Alasdair Shaw has got several authors together resulting in quite the offering.  If you like science fiction and fantasy, then take a look.  I'm sure you can find something you will like.

And secondly there is an even bigger selection selection of free books in the science fiction and fantasy category here.

I know my TBR pile has expanded a bit, but I am looking forward to every one of them.  And I am sure you will too.