Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Catching Fire




For my birthday, the wife and I went to catch the new "Catching Fire" movie and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.  If you've been living under a rock, you might not have heard of "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins ... for the rest of us, it's now a major motion picture starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark.  The second title in the series is now in theaters ... ok, now we're caught up.

Anyway, I won't bore you with my review of the movie.  It was good, well-acted, and I felt followed the book to a tee.  The only problem I had with the movie was the ending.

SPOILER ALERT

At the very end, Katniss stares at the camera - breaking the ever present fourth wall.  She is sad at first and then she gets mad.  It's such a cliche maneuver on the part of the director.  I feel sorry for Jennifer Lawrence who does her best to pull off this freshman acting trick.  I can just picture the director, Francis Lawrence, telling her to look at the camera and "be mad".  I recall early acting classes where the schlockmeister teacher would have the students stand on the dimly lit stage and show him "mad" or "sad" or "happy".  I think a simple fade away would have sufficed rather than showing the audience that Katniss was "mad" that the President now had Peeta under his thumb.  Lame.

Anyway, it was still a good movie and I really am just nit-picking but if you haven't seen it...go see it...and let me know how the "I'm mad" scene impacts you.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

O Happy Day

I'm ecstatic to announce that my first novel (at least written under my pen name) is available on Kindle and Nook!  I've been tinkering with this thing for a couple years now and finally got it to the point that I'm happy with it and I hope others feel the same.  Also, the cover art might look familiar too.  Anyway, hope all is well and I look forward to getting feedback on the book.



Here's a little taste of the first chapter:

VAMPIRE SAVANT
By:  J. Thomas

              "You’re late,” Ian said, turning away from the man at the door.  He felt his skin crawl as if someone had taken the tip of a feather and run it across his arm.  An instinctual alarm warned him not to turn his back on this one.  Casually, but with purpose, Ian faced his visitor again. 
“I apologize, docture, for my tardiness but I am here for our appointment," said the stranger.  Ian furrowed his brow, stuck on the bizarre way he said doctor.   
The man wore a black overcoat with gray slacks peeking from beneath the thick fabric.  A crimson cravat escaped from the confines of the coat like a fiery plume.  In his white gloved hands, the man clutched a matching top hat with a black umbrella under his arm.  Droplets of rain had collected on his coat and Ian felt the cool, wet air wafting in through the doorway.  He shuddered as he held the door for the man standing on the front step of his office building.   
“Are you going to come in?” the doctor asked a little annoyed.  His patience was wearing thin since he had offered to stay late for this new patient - on a Friday night nonetheless.
“Are you inviting me?” the stranger inquired.
“Yes, yes.  Now, come in,” Ian said, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Ian stepped into the waiting room and watched as the shadowy figure entered the building.  The sallow fluorescent lights washed over the man’s face revealing a sharp chin and dark eyes.
The stranger was strikingly handsome and obscenely pale.  A mane of dark hair accentuated his pale features.  A scarlet piece of ribbon tied his locks together in an elegant pony tail.  Neither scar, nor blemish, nor facial hair marred his perfect skin.  He looked to be in his early twenties but carried himself like a man weathered by years of experience.  Pale blue eyes gazed at the doctor with a glint of mischievous, good humor.  Ian was comfortable enough in his sexuality to admit that he was smitten by this man.
The middle aged psychiatrist was the antithesis of this fellow - with his receding hairline and a yellowish-gray moustache that looked more like a dead rat than facial hair.  His ears were too big, his eyes were too small and years of unhealthy eating had left him with a belly that hung over his waist band.  He hefted up his sagging pants before he closed and locked the door. 
“Many thanks...” said the man, smiling at Ian. He caught a glimpse of shiny white canines hidden beneath ruby lips.  
“You can hang your coat on the coat rack…your hat and umbrella too,” Ian said, motioning to the hall tree nearby.  It was a family heirloom and one of the few possessions he kept after the divorce - that and his gold wedding band which he continued to wear as proof of his "indentured servitude".   
“Thank you.  You’re veddy kind,” the stranger said.  Again, there was something a little off about how he spoke. 
Ian dismissed the bizarre accent as he gestured down the hall to his office.  With a nod, the stranger led the way with Ian following behind.
“My secretary is gone for the night, otherwise she would have met you at the door,” Ian lied.  He had no secretary.  He figured it was cheaper to answer the phones and open doors himself rather than hire some twit to do it for eleven dollars an hour.
“It is a lovely office that you 'ave,” the stranger replied.
“Please, take a seat and we can get started,” Ian said, motioning to a chair near his desk.  The man seemed to glide across the room and, with a flourish of his tails, sat down.
“Shall I pay you now or after we have spoken, docture?” the man asked.  
“You can pay me later.  Now, I must apologize to you, sir.  I seem to have forgotten your name,” Ian said, as he sat down at his desk. 

“That eez quite alright.  My name eez Adamere Thorne,” he responded.  

To read more, you can find it on Kindle and Nook too!


Saturday, July 13, 2013

In Belleville

Well, a lot has happened in a short amount of time.  For starters we now have a beautiful baby boy in our family.  His name is Peter Joshua...we call him PJ for short.  He is now a little over a month old and he keeps us pretty busy.

We have also moved from Iowa to Belleville, Illinois (my wife's hometown) and are still unpacking (and looking for work).

I was in the hospital for a week battling infectious colitis.  I would not recommend that experience to anyone and it only further proved to me why I hate hospitals.  Nurses are mean.

I managed to sell a short story to Kzine magazine, it's called "Connections".  The issue will be coming out in May 2014.

I found a local creative arts magazine in Belleville and I'm thinking about submitting a story to them just to test out the creative waters in the area and get my name out there.  It's called Str8 Up which is maybe a little too hip for me but I was pleased by the articles within and thought they sounded like a good group to get to know.  Oh, and I'm also considering taking up stand-up comedy again...I haven't done that in years but there's a few open mic nights in the area.  I figured what's the worse that can happen?

Anyway, I'll leave this post with a picture of our baby boy...I love how he's holding his hands in this one.


Saturday, June 1, 2013

The Little Monster

With the impending arrival of our first baby, I've been working on a children's story entitled "The Little Monster".  I've also been spending my time on a new writing website (at least new to me) called Scribophile.  If you're looking for a great place to post your work and get it critiqued, I'd suggest giving that site a try.  It's been a rewarding experience for me thus far.  Anyway, here's a few panels of the children's book I'm working on.  I'm always interested in what people think of my work so post if you'd like.







Sunday, April 21, 2013

What do you see?

I'm thinking about using this image as a cover for an upcoming novel I've been working on.  I'd like to put it online for Kindle and Nook users.  Anyway, I'm curious as to what people see when they look at this image.  Let me know by posting here or on Facebook too. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Thought For The Day

I know it's been several months since I've blogged and while I could bore everyone with excuses about the trials and tribulations that my family has been through, I won't do that.  Instead, here's an observation I wrote today and wanted to share.


Two men wise beyond their years stand on an icy sidewalk.  The one on the left has a long grey beard and thick spectacles, the one on the right has a short grey beard and a monocle.

"The man who always looks at his feet, never slips on the ice," says the wise man on the left.

"Ah, but the man who never looks up, doesn't see the bird who craps on his head," replies the wise man on the right.

They pondered this and had a good chuckle.  Unfortunately, neither thought to look both ways before crossing the street and were struck by a speeding bus.  Not to worry though...they're being cared for in the intensive ward of their local hospital and expected to both make full recoveries.