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 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
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This is a way of making myself write something coherent and grammatically correct almost every day. I'm opinionated and need an outlet. I'm also prone to flights of fancy. Thanks for stopping by. |
| I did a little research and discovered that I should not continue my writing project as planned. But I'm not scrapping all the months of research and planning. I just have to have different names and take them in a different direction. It's better than a legal battle. I have seen sequels to other people's work or rewrites that escaped prosecution. But it's better to be safe. I discovered in an unrelated matter that a screen writer with a number of successful screenplays for TV behind him could not do a sequel a decade later using a character he personally invented. The original production company had been bought by someone else, the original creators had passed away, one of the actors had bought a piece of the syndication, and a legal entanglement began that lasted for years. It ended in confusion while no one could figure out who actually owned the rights to the original, even though the original characters and story lines would not be used. Only the character developed by this one writer would be used. He had to give it up. An article by Ivan Huffman states that writers/creators should copyright everything. "Own it" is his advice. The original work, say a children's book, may not be as valuable as the merchandise or services that may be derived from it. Say a friendly crocodile may become a plush toy, an emblem on clothing, or games, video games, songs, puzzles, toys, etc. So it's best not to use someone else's characters or continue what they started. We know many people have modern versions of Shakespeare's plays, Steve Martin did his version of Cyrano de Bergerac and Silas Marner. But when it comes to TV or modern books, unless we know the original owner, we are safe to stay away from the idea. How the other group were able to use my inspirational characters without pause I don't know. They either knew the right people or bought the rights or they're gambling. I'll play it safe. |
| We're trying a summer movie night, with a G rating, open to the general public. The movie is going to be offered free to the general public, with free movie popcorn, juice boxes for the kids, and lemonade for everyone else.The kids can bring a blanket or floor pillows, so they can relax like at home. The floor is carpeted, and there are padded seats for everyone who prefers a chair. There are two subdivisions and two apartment complexes involved on this little mountain road. We've put up flyers, signs on the street (as permitted by the county on the scenic drive), and sent emails via neighborhood associations. The only church in the vicinity is offering the facility. I'm helping clean-up and facilitating. We're just outside the city limits. There have been numerous break-ins, vandalism, and larcenies in the last 8 months in an otherwise quiet vicinity. There's more growth coming, so it will be extremely populated over the next several years. A free movie, a night out for the kids, a break for parents could be a nice way to draw the community together. I expect a small turnout. People would rather stay home and do re-runs than go inside a church or mix with strangers. First steps have to be small. Maybe we can start a whole new tradition with one feeble first step. |
| I do declare! I just took one of those silly Facebook quizzes, and found out I'm only 90% Southern. I don't know where I went wrong. I use "Y'all" occasionally. I say "You all" when I'm trying to sound more sophisticated. Well, sometimes, nothing else seems right. Nothing else quite means the same as "Y'all". My family drink is iced tea. It's good for all occasions but breakfast. My dad prefers sweet tea. His mother used to make the best sweet tea ever. ("used to" I believe is a Southern expression.) My state capital is called the "Iced Tea Capital of the South". I only live an hour away. I prefer unsweetened tea, so I can then sweeten it myself the way I like it. We know about hushpuppies, spoonbread, greens-you know: collards, mustard, turnip greens, kale, spinach, and mixed-all properly seasoned. And barbecue--the many varieties of sauces, pork or beef, sliced or pulled, and homemade cole slaw. And then there's barbecued chicken and ribs, corn on the cob, and lima beans. Oh, my. Times have changed, however. We don't sit on the front porch like we used to. But we still have vegetable gardens, and homegrown tomatoes are the best. We still like our ceiling fans and complaining about the humidity. I'm not in the deep south. We don't do crayfish or jambalaya except when we're being exotic. When I travel out west, people claim they like to listen to me talk. It can't be my non-existent accent. People who live in my state or deep South say I sound like a Yankee. But I am a Southerner. Only 90%? I think the quiz was mistaken. |
| You know you had a good source of inspiration when the same story that compelled you to write a story built on that one when someone else does the same thing! I could spit nails! I've been working on an idea for months, developing characters, setting, scenarios, and trying to be practical. I want my story to be believable to those who know the original, and historically accurate for the nonfiction parts. And somebody else has created a version of it in modern times, four generations up! Mind you, I'm not mad at them. They're lovely people with good intentions. They have no idea other people are cooking up things. The other work is not a book, but a TV series for children. But it uses the same characters as ancestors. I have given those people descendants but only 2 generations up, and there is no way they'll match in names or circumstances, maybe not gender. of course, my story is aimed at adults, but it's clean enough.The same core audience that liked the original will be the audience for both the current works, except for the kids. Theirs has become a large group project and will be on TV by the end of the year. That core audience will be well acquainted with it before I can get my solitary work done. Theirs is a sure thing. Mine might never see the light of day. Should I keep going? Should I change all the names and make them similar but not direct? If I did get published, would that be overkill on the subject line? Too much of a good thing. TV always gets more press. Sequels have been written to other works after the author's death, and nobody competed. So should I proceed, knowing it might never come to anything? Or just drop it? |
| There's an email going around--everyone knows the kind--about a house guest that has violated the house rules, costs money, doesn't contribute or do any chores, and has lowered everyone's standards in the home over the last several decades. The guest with the foul mouth and bawdy language, etc., is the television. No one has asked it to leave or be quiet. I take exception to that. Without TV, I wouldn't have seen man walk on the moon, or the Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan. I wouldn't have seen the spacecraft explode after takeoff. I wouldn't have seen some fine ballets, operas, musicals, and dramas. I've heard Billy Graham and Amazing Grace on my TV. I've cried with Hawkeye and Radar, laughed with Barney and Andy, and gave a lot of thought to Edith and Archie. Television has paid its way with entertainment, history lessons, and sometimes a little culture. It's kept me in touch with the world and warned me of dangerous weather. Yes, a lot of TV programming is bad and violates my standards. I can change the channels. I can turn it off and read. I need to get up and do other things occasionally. But when there is something worthwhile on the air, I can tune in alone or with my family. Sometimes what we watch is a springboard for discussion. Some things even become "water cooler" topics at work. I've even gotten cooking tips, medical advice, and exercise routines from various "hosts". The responsibility lies with me, not the television. If I use it well, it is a great enhancement and a source of pleasure. It's only an enemy if I watch it mindlessly, or allow it to be used as an authority or a sole source of truth by family members. And if I really wanted to change things, I would find a way to create more wholesome or educational programming. Television by itself is not evil. |
| Remember the Hulk from TV? His alter ego played by Bill Bixby talked shared a story one day with a woman. It was about a man who encountered a bear. He ran from the angry bear until he came to a cliff. It was either jump or be mauled. Then man slipped over the cliff and hung onto a small tree growing out of the side of the cliff. There was no foothold, no rocks to grab onto, only some sparse vegetation. Above was the bear. If he managed by his fingertips he might be able to climb back up, maybe get his foot onto the tree to which he now held. Below was a steep drop which would surely kill him if lost his grip. There was disaster and death above him, disaster and death below him. No matter what choice he made, he'd lose. Then he noticed a wild strawberry. Without thinking, he reached over and picked it. He put it into his mouth and bit into it. Oh, what a juicy tasty strawberry. So sweet, so delightful. Life is like that sometimes. We have no easy choices. No matter what we do, we're gonna lose. But isn't it grand that while we wait for the end, we have strawberries? We can choose to make the most of what we have, to take joy in the beauty available to us and savor it. Or we can waste in panic and despair. I choose to savor the strawberries. |
| First, thanks to all the military men and women who are currently serving their country. We are indebted to you. Thanks to all of you who have served in the military in the past. We are also in your debt. Your efforts and sacrifices were not in vain. It was the right and noble thing to do. To the rest of us, hold your head up high and be proud of America. With all of its shortcomings, it's still our home. We still have high ideals. Fire up the grill or serve up the goodies, set off your fireworks and celebrate. We live in the noblest endeavor history has known, the U.S.A. God bless America! |
| When I was 18, I auditioned for the adult choir. Of course, I got in, but I was told I had a pleasant voice--I knew I could carry a tune--, but I would never be solo quality. I did not have a great voice. He was a pleasant man whom I respected. I was disappointed, but I survived. It was summer, and I had no car; so I walked home. I walked most places those days, unless it was down a long busy highway. The hot summer sun beat down on me as I walked. I even remember that I was wearing madras that I had sewn myself. It was that poignant a moment for me. As I walked the blocks of downtown sidewalk in the courthouse section, before crossing the street to go down a long hill towards my neighborhood, I told myself that I didn't care. Maybe I was not a great star, but I liked to sing. I was going to sing and nobody was going to stop me. Simple. Ever since, that has been my one area of confidence. You might not like the way I sound, but tough! I'm going to sing whether you like it or not. I don't care how it sounds. My voice is puny and breathy which makes it good for singing babies to sleep. At least I'm not off key. Sometimes just being bold enough to sing without fear of criticism is enough. It makes me happy. If only I had been able to apply that confidence to other areas of my life. Just do it and don't care what anybody thinks. |
| Saw Thoroughly Modern Millie tonight in the summer theater. The band was great. The dancing was perfect. Singing was good with some excellent soloists. All in all, a fun evening. The audience was mostly my age and older, a few grandchildren in tow. Not many people under 30 attended. Two weeks ago, we saw a Groucho Marx impersonator. He was excellent, interacting with the audience Groucho style. He told bits of history as though it were his own family and mixed it with Groucho's routines. He broke it up by mingling with the guests and flirting outrageously with the younger women. He threw in lots of local jokes. He, too, was entertaining. This is an independent summer festival that uses the local university theaters (3 under one roof). We're very fortunate in this area to have several theater groups, as well as the university. One is an opera company which does mostly outdoor shows. Another is an old restored movie theater in the grand old style, and it offers live theater, movies, concerts and much more. Now on with the drama, and sometimes the comedy, of everyday life. |
| I'm a little disappointed. I've been researching someone I idolized for some time now. I never knew who he was until last year, but everything I've seen or read indicated that he was very accomplished, smart, and talented, and on top of that, a dedicated family man. He is still very close to his grown sons, and was faithful to the same woman for over 50 years. Her death left him devastated. Now after researching him, I've discovered he's a little demented and obsessive. While he was very accomplished and acclaimed by age 30, he's kept his very talented sons under his wings. Now in their 40's and 50's, they have the knowledge and skill, but have lost their fire and passion. His wife may have missed being medically diagnosed sooner and treated for a tumor because she was too busy pursuing his dreams and helping him fulfill his fantasies. It turns out the very people he loved the most may have been hurt by his dreams and ambition. I've crashed from hero worship to seeing him as pathetic and sad. His interviews are depressing. He has such a fatalistic attitude. Now I see him as self-destructive, controlling, and self-centered instead of loving, creative, and passionate. There may be material there for a book. Make my first sentence "very disappointed", not a little. I still admire his accomplishments, but I can't ever see him the same way again. |
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