New Bloggy Update 8/12/22

Full disclosure –

If this doesn’t make it to the internet, I’m not responsible. We woke up today with part of our power down, including the Wi-Fi. Currently, as I type, our handyman (shout out to Ray!) is attempting to fix the issue. He has our computers/internet kind of “jerry-rigged” to work so we can use them. It’s been three hours and the problem isn’t solved so far, so my hopes are a bit dashed, but I thought I’d give update a shot.

I’ve reached the halfway point on Draft #3 of Sanctum, the new novel. I was hoping to get more work done on it today, and while that still could happen, things are a bit chaotic in this room right now. I’m pretty excited as to the progress, however, as the story and characters are really taking shape. If someone picked up the first 22 chapters this minute, I think they would dig it.

I’m also in the throes of coordinating the fall and winter events…drumroll, please….and one of those is Wheaton Haunted Flea! Yep. I did it. I threw my hat in the proverbial ring. I’m also going to look for some kind of cushion/mat to bring along so I don’t have to stand on concrete for 9 straight hours and mess up my back/legs/feet. Yes, chairs are provided, but as I rarely sit down (I feel best interacting with people from a standing position), I need to do something.

The Dark History and Horror Convention is rapidly making its way here. (August 19 and 20 in Champaign, Illinois – although I’ll only be there on the 20th). All the info for that can be found in my Events Section. After that, it’s back to Printers Row in Chicago! (September 10) I haven’t been there in a few years, so I’m looking forward to it. I’ll post more about it as it gets closer, but suffice it to say, I will be under the Chicago Writers Association Tent on Saturday, September 10th from 3pm to 6pm. The festival continues on Sunday, but we (CWA members) are only allowed specific times and dates.

I’ve also submitted a complete rewrite of my story, Skin (which originally appeared in my book In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1), to the Horrorific Podcast. They let me know that they WILL be reading it on their show, but I don’t have any specifics for that yet. Stay tuned.

I’m hoping to hear from some of YOU folks in regard to the newest section, ALL BUSINESS! If you don’t recall the details, check out the ALL BUSINESS section of the blog and it will give you all the information you need to participate. Looking for short articles about topics relating to authorship, writing, promotions, editing, etc.

Now, as to what we’ve been watching:

1. Trainwreck: Woodstock ’99 – This documentary takes a look at what went wrong at the festival, gives some inside scoop on how it was put together, and interviewed a number of people involved. The three episode series is totally worth the watch, even if you didn’t like the bands or weren’t around for the first Woodstock. It’s a take on what happens when greed and cut corners become more important than people’s lives.
2. Donnybrook (2019) – Okay. I tried but ended up bowing out after about 35 minutes into this. Charlie liked it though. It’s dark, depressing, and I couldn’t like ANY of the characters. Now, I know that’s not reason enough to give up on something, but I just couldn’t connect with this one. You might have a different look on it, so recommended if you like your movies “rough around the edges”.
3. Father Stu (2022) – I had NO IDEA that this was based on a real person! Mark Wahlburg might not have been my choice for the title role, but the movie/story itself was really impressive and thought provoking. Don’t read too much before going in – just take it at face value and do your reading/research afterwards. Solid movie.
4. The Jesus Rolls (2019) – Blech. I gave it a 1.3 out of 10. I generally like John Turturro in movies, but this directorial debut (I believe), went nowhere quickly. Supposedly, this is a sequel to The Big Lebowski (which I couldn’t finish because I hated it so much). Maybe that explains it. Why so much hate? Uh, pointless dialogue, needless harping on a woman having an orgasm, sophomoric hi-jinx from the word go…you get the point. Not recommended unless you’re a twelve-year-old boy.
5. The True History of The Kelly Gang (2019) – Here again, this just didn’t click with me. I found the film b-o-r-i-n-g. And not just slow paced, but truly a killer of time. It started out interesting enough, but I kept waiting for something to happen…and it really didn’t. You might like it, but I guess I would rather have watched an actual documentary rather than this take. I gave it a 3.8 out of 10.
6. Better Call Saul – It should go without saying that this show is incredible. With one FINAL episode to go, I have to say – I cannot wait!!

So, there it is. Okay, there’s work being done in this room, so I best sign off for now.

Sue 🙂