Things That Make Me Go Mmmruh!
June 17, 2012 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Bruce Kluger, David Slavin, Dog on the Roof, political satire, Presidential election, Romney, She Likes It Rough, Things That Make Me Go Mmmruh
Dog on the Roof
Blog by
GVR Corcillo
In two days, June 19th, Simon and Schuster/Touchstone will release Dog on the Roof: On the Road with Mitt and the Mutt by political satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin.
Bruce, my friend and sensei of sorts, snuck me a few pages of the book, and I have to say, I laughed my butt off. The verse, the pictures, the wit…and the dog! Seamus, with his spot-on observations and yearnings, will jump on you with both paws, lick you in the face, and have you laughing uncontrollably.
But even more amazing than the book itself is the galvanizing story of its whirlwind creation. In January, Bruce and his writing partner, David Slavin, both regular contributers to NPR’s All Things Considered, decided to write a satirical book designed to come out during the height of the presidential campaign season. But they wanted to do it right. I mean, really right. So, as if the goddess Nike were their muse, they just…did it. No fussing, no fretting. They just got to work.
They pulled a few bestselling satirical books off the shelf to study all the components that made them hits — from length to format to illustrations. Then they buckled down and wrote their sharp and clever fuax children’s book that gets its humor from a universally felt truth. Dog on the Roof’s truth? It sucks to be strapped to the roof of a car! That’s moving!
Dog on the Roof‘s deeper truth for us writers? If you want it, just do it. Mmmruh!
So, I decided to do it. Publish my own book, that is. No more acting like a dog on the roof for me, waiting for someone else (such as an agent or publisher) to set me free, give me what I need, and make me happy. Thanks to the trailblazing bravery of so many OCC authors, I am self publishing my humorous women’s fiction novel She Likes It Rough this summer. Can wild outdoor adventures with an adrenaline junkie give an insecure city girl the backbone she needs in order to make her humdrum life count for something? We’ll soon see.
But first, check out Dog on the Roof. http://brucekluger.com/BOOKS.
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Bruce, my friend and sensei of sorts, snuck me a few pages of the book, and I have to say, I laughed my butt off. The verse, the pictures, the wit…and the dog! Seamus, with his spot-on observations and yearnings, will jump on you with both paws, lick you in the face, and have you laughing uncontrollably.
But even more amazing than the book itself is the galvanizing story of its whirlwind creation. In January, Bruce and his writing partner, David Slavin, both regular contributers to NPR’s All Things Considered, decided to write a satirical book designed to come out during the height of the presidential campaign season. But they wanted to do it right. I mean, really right. So, as if the goddess Nike were their muse, they just…did it. No fussing, no fretting. They just got to work.
They pulled a few bestselling satirical books off the shelf to study all the components that made them hits — from length to format to illustrations. Then they buckled down and wrote their sharp and clever fuax children’s book that gets its humor from a universally felt truth. Dog on the Roof’s truth? It sucks to be strapped to the roof of a car! That’s moving!
Dog on the Roof‘s deeper truth for us writers? If you want it, just do it. Mmmruh!
So, I decided to do it. Publish my own book, that is. No more acting like a dog on the roof for me, waiting for someone else (such as an agent or publisher) to set me free, give me what I need, and make me happy. Thanks to the trailblazing bravery of so many OCC authors, I am self publishing my humorous women’s fiction novel She Likes It Rough this summer. Can wild outdoor adventures with an adrenaline junkie give an insecure city girl the backbone she needs in order to make her humdrum life count for something? We’ll soon see.
But first, check out Dog on the Roof. http://brucekluger.com/BOOKS.
–GVR Corcillo, the artist formerly known as Geralyn Ruane
THE X-TREME NOVELIST
June 15, 2012 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as extreme, Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Wolfe, writing craft
I love to read. Books, newspapers, magazines and food labels are all on my TBR list. Horror has been in the mix with popular authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, but I didn’t know what a great horror read was until I read a short story collection by Anoynmous-9 (aka Elaine Ash) presented under the umbrella title of Hard Bite and Other Short Stories. Here was horror at its finest: edgy, scary, fascinating, the stuff bad dreams are made of.
While I celebrated the book, I also lamented that this author might never be embraced by the mainstream despite her talent. Why? Because Anyonymous-9 is what I call an X-treme novelist – a writer who does not poke at parameters, but boldly shreds them. Think Tom Wolfe’s Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and his brand of hysterical realism. Hunter S. Thompson and Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas. My favorite, Anthony Burgess’ Clockwork Orange. The X-treme novelist is often ignored, ridiculed, or, even worse, published only to languish in a no-man’s land of genreless books.
Yet when a reader discovers them – or they become bestsellers in spite of the system – there is a sense of uncovering a jewel. They keep us thinking and questioning and curious about what they will come up with next. If their work is done well, their sense of time and place, characterization and plot will challenge the reader in a way traditional novels never do; if crafted poorly, their work is merely sensationalism without direction. The challenge for the X-treme novelist is to direct themselves without editorial help or an agent cheerleader because their vision is uniquely their own.
Some of my favorite, recently-read indie works by those I consider X-treme novelists include :
Hard Bite & Other Stories* by Anonymous-9: A viscious, bloody, twisted tale that left me fascinated because of the author’s complete faith in the vision of her characters and their motivation. I applaud the sheer inventiveness of the world she created.
Johnny Oopsby Arthur Levine: A fanciful tale of a teenager who believes himself to be a prophet. It is a sexual, angst filled romp that is told with an unapologetic abandon and marvelous style.
Detroit Daze by Conrad Johnson**: A hard, brutal, desperate tale of a teenager’s life in Detroit that seems to lead to the same nowhere the teenager believes is his destiny. Johnson’s deft communication of humanity within this harsh world, his use of music lyrics, is like poetic graffiti.
The Santa Shop by Tim Greaton: An unsettling, emotionally wrenching story that has little to do with jingle bells and everything to do with despair, self recrimination, and redemption. It is so well written I was actually angry that the book was not what I assumed it would be and then grateful that it was not.
X-treme authors are not pioneers; they are explorers. They are not dreamers; they are trippers. X-treme novelists are vital to the creative process. It is usually through their efforts that new genres are born and fashions are created. Sometimes we just forget those fashions began with writers willing to put themselves on the line with something new, fresh, and often delightedly unsettling. If you are one, embrace what you do because there are readers like me who will appreciate it and writers (like me) who will be inspired by it.
*Also look for Hard Bite the Novel.
**Conrad Johnson is the pseudonym for John Byk. Check out his live contemporary author interviews on 2012 Writers Alive
It’s Never Too Late
June 2, 2012 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Barb Delong, Conversations with Barb and Jann, Jann Audiss
I don’t know about everyone else, but have you ever had one of those days when life seems to be closing in and you wish you could just stop time for awhile? You find yourself looking back at the choices you made and wish you had gone left instead of right, or said no instead of yes and wondered if things would be different? I remember a few years ago when the book “Eat, Pray, Love†by Elizabeth Gilberts hit the bookshelves and everyone was talking about it. I didn’t read the book, in fact I haven’t read many inspirational or self-help books. I did, however see the movie when it hit the big screen with Julia Roberts. The movie was enjoyable, but I had a hard time trying to related to it. If I had enough money to escape from all my responsibilities and travel the world, or for that matter move to Hawaii for a year, who knows maybe I would ditch it for a big adventure. But it got me thinking about my dreams and goals, and it motivated me to dig a little deeper to reach them.
Last weekend I went to see “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel†with Jaimee Mayotte, a friend and fellow writer. I call it “a senior’s Eat, Pray, Love†adventure. I really enjoyed it (possibly because I could relate to the age group), but I think it was more than that. I don’t want to reveal too much in case you haven’t seen the movie. But for me, the timing couldn’t have been better, because life is once again closing in around me. I’ve been clawing through my current story and came close to giving up writing this blog (I don’t know what scared me more – telling Marianne I wasn’t going to make the deadline or facing another goal unaccomplished). This movie, with a cast of some of the best actors on the big screen today, gave me just the boot I needed to realize that it’s never too late and we are never too old to reach our goals or to start a new life journey.
A Fantasy Life by Janet Quinn Cornelow
May 28, 2012 by A Slice of Orange in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow tagged as Janet Cornelow, Janet Quinn
I have gotten the rights back to The River’s Treasure and put it up on Kindle and Nook. Lex Valentine made a new cover for the book. She does such a great job.
Genevieve Rawlings awakens on the banks of the Mississippi River, cold, half drowned and with no recollection of how she came to be there or of who she is. Cooper Monroe rescues her and makes her part of his family while he tries to figure out who she is and where she came from. Then someone tries to steal her diamond and ruby necklace and her life. Cooper must protect her as well as his family.
As they try to find out who wants the necklace and Genevieve’s life, they travel down the Mississippi and to New Orleans. Can they find safety for everyone? Can she convince him that she’ll be happy as a farm wife? Can they find true love?
Rob finally graduated from Cal State Fullerton a week ago Saturday. There were times I was beginning to think he was never going to make it. Of course it stated at 8 a.m. and went for two hours. Then there was a break while everyone changed locations. Rob’s group was small and he was sitting on the stage, so there was no sneaking out once he crossed the stage. I could see him and I was fairly well in the back. We had Bella with us and I was so tired from walking all over the place, I just sat. That campus is huge. I did get a picture of my three boys together and a picture of Bella and Michael. They were the most important.
Then we went to lunch and Rob picked a place that didn’t open until 3 p.m. and it was 11:30 a.m. Michael and Tom decided on Sizzler since it was nearby and open. Then both of them tried calling Rob’s dad, Rob, and Rob’s wife Loki. Did any of them answer their cell phones? Of course not. Everyone finally found us except Loki who Rob dropped at home because she wasn’t feeling well. She’s pregnant and seldom feels well.
My granddaughter Bella had her first birthday in May also. Boy, this has been a busy month. All this socializing is cutting into my writing time with my teaching seven classes. Bella looked so beautiful. We had a bit of trouble getting her to break her cake up to eat it since mom and dad always break her food into bite size pieces. Grandpa had to demonstrate taking a bite. Once she figured it out, she was into the cake. Mom doesn’t let her have sweets so she was happy. She didn’t get really messy. She is the neatest eating baby I have ever seen. Hopefully by the time is my turn to blog again, I will be a lot closer to the end of my new time travel. I know every scene. I just need time other than the middle of the night to write. By then I am half blind and my grammar is gone from grading papers.
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What Is It About Virginity?
May 24, 2012 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesNo, not just that kind. I’m thinking of all kinds of firsts, any first.
While virginity in other areas don’t get nearly the play that sexual innocence/experience gets (why is that?), many firsts are paradigm-altering experiences.
In youth, life starts with non-stop firsts. Everything is a first—first breath, first cry, first word, first smile, first tooth, first food, first step. Of course the proportions change over time—from 100% firsts in those intial hours, dropping to a still demanding percentage of firsts Vs familiar: first school, first friend, first fight, first love, first job, etc.
As we explore, experiment and stake out our ground, we often build a life around the familiar, shrinking that percentage of demanding firsts we have to experience. We’ve found our sweet spot, our comfort zone, our wheelhouse.
Yes, we understand our job as parents and mentors: we must push children, students, trainees to expand their horizons, open their eyes and minds to a world of possibilities, but hey, we’ve BTDT (Been There, Done That). We don’t need to do it again. It’s exhausting, time consuming, scary, disappointing, uncomfortable. Something we encourage others to do, extolling the benefits of remaining open to new ideas, continuous learning, etc.
So I was wondering—what makes it hard to try something new?
And I realized that when you are a virgin/newbie approaching any new situation, you maintain a constant 360º scan of the situation, holding all potential options (given the lack of prior experience) open and possible. Depending on your personality or level of experience in related areas, your need to maintain a high-gain assessment of all information can vary, but the constant data flow can be significant and challenging to process.
Powering that constant scan consumes energy—you are not only trying to assess all the possibilities, but may (if more compulsive, or if this is a value-laden or important first) do some scenario building off of that 360 degrees of possibility, increasing the amount of information that has to stay active and running on your “screen.”
When that 360º energy-intensive radar goes on for anyone who feels compelled to think ahead, it is tiring. If we are frequently trying new things, we get used to it. Like daily exercise, our mental muscles adjust and accommodate. But for those who aren’t in shape, the learning curve of newness can feel very daunting, a steep hill to climb. We may give up, forgetting how quickly that initial learning curve can pass with minimal experience, narrowing that 360º circle into an ever smaller and more focused slice of the pie, enabling us to rapidly eliminate and jettison inappropriate options or scenarios.
Learning can be a heady experience, as we offload unecessary information that has been cluttering our mind, like cleaning house.
In general, I have observed three broad attitudes/approaches—perhaps you have experienced others…
The Laissez Faire: So if you’re not so compulsive or caring, and something new comes up, you might not switch into high gear. You’re in the “Whatever” school that believes in minimum to no effort and deal with it (or abandon it) if things blow up. Relatively low increased energy required for approaching something new.
The Go For Its: Another mindset falls in the toss-it-in-the-air-and-See-If-It-Sticks (SIIS) school. Simultaneously adventurous and lazy, this group is afraid to pre-think much, as that will lead to a never-ending list of what-ifs, inaction and depression. However, there’s some kind of mental mechanism that kicks in while they are dithering which launches them into the challenge willy-nilly. They, closing their eyes, take the leap and deal real-time with the possible consequences of unthought-through actions. Energy only required if things go awry!
I Am, Therefore I Think: The third group are the pre-thinkers, sometimes so good at their job that no action is ever able to be taken! The wide spectrum of this group can range from the thoughtful plan-aheader to the truly obsessive I-must-think-of-everything-or-else-there-will-be-a-break-in-the-Force-and-the-world-will-end. Required energy can be medium, to high…to off the charts. For the extremists in this segment, seemingly “simple” tasks or decisions can be overwhelming. To illustrate this, consider taking a small number, say 2, but then saying you have to think of it to the tenth power. The complexity increases exponentially.
Of course, there’s always the straightforward fear of looking like an idiot, which is always a disincentive to trying something new. Get over it. Try something new. Don’t expect yourself to be perfect from the start.
Embrace failure, for without it, there is no learning. And remember that something not working out the way you had planned (“failure”) may be a door that opens a new direction, insight, opportunity.
Really.
Isabel Swift (learning to knit…)
