The Great Gatsby

Do you think of Fitzgerald’s famous book as the “Great American Novel”? How about the latest film? I know, I’m a writer, so why am I talking about a movie?

I recently saw the latest incarnation of the Great Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann’s film, which has a very Moulin Rouge feel to it. Needless to say, I often find books better than the movies made about them, but I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised at this latest rendition of an old classic. The music (see video) and acting alone would impress most audiences, writers or otherwise. So to my fellow book-lovers out there, see this flick! At the very least it will get you to see Fitzgerald’s work through a new lens…it certainly had my wife and I up late debating the finer points of both the film and the novel.

If you’ve seen it, what did you think of the latest Gatsby film? What are your thoughts on the book? Can film ever equal what we find in novels?

Strange Writing Taboos: First Person vs. Third Person

Do you prefer reading in first or third person? Maybe you use one over the other in your own writing? Maybe, you’re like me and you enjoy both!

For years, in both grad school and at writer’s conferences, I heard professors and agents voice their overwhelming preference for first person narratives over third person narrative. And I mean overwhelming. Not once did I ever hear the reverse. I always loved both first and third person, when reading or writing, so I was pretty surprised by Nathan Bransford’s recent post about how agents and professors had told him how much they don’t even take first person writing seriously. I did a bit of a double take when I read that, especially since it flies in the face of all the prejudices I’ve ever heard from the proprietors of so-called literature.

So what’s the deal with this sudden about face regarding first and third person? Do you find any validity in preferring one over the other? What have you heard from readers, writers, and agents in your neck of the woods lately?    

90’s Party!!!

Ever tried to relive the 90’s for a night? Have you gotten rid of all those out-of-fashion clothes, or held on to them? Doesn’t it still seem like the 90’s was only a few years ago?

This weekend my wife and I attended at 90’s party celebrating her friend’s birthday. Needless to say, we had an awesome time, and reminisced over many fond memories of the decade in which we grew up and went through school. We also enjoyed dancing the night away to 90’s music and eating 90’s themed food.

So what do you remember from the 90’s? What are some other era parties you’ve attended? 80’s, 70’s, 60’s, 50’s, 40’s, 30’s? 

An Audience of One

Who do you write for? Of course we all write for ourselves, but specifically who else do you picture reading your work?

I decided a while ago that my audience is my wife. A fellow English-major, and big time lover of books, my wife has no problem telling me when she doesn’t like something I’m writing, but by the same token she really knows how to encourage me when I write something she truly enjoys.

I realized after writing many different types of stories that if I didn’t write something that thrilled her, then I wasn’t writing the kind of stuff that was in my heart. Novel after novel now, I keep getting closer to the types of stories she really digs, and I have to say it’s been the most rewarding writing experience I’ve ever had as an author. I have some great CPs too, and so long as I keep my wife and that small circle of readers wanting more, I feel that I’ve written the best books I possibly can.

So who influences your work the most? Who is your ultimate reading audience?

New Year’s Resolutions

My first New Year resolution was to write up some resolutions…as you can see, I’m already a week behind. Maybe not the most auspicious start, but I’m kind of scratching my brain for things to “resolve” on. Honestly, I’m pretty happy with my life and the way things are. I just want to maintain the bliss I’ve already got.

Many previous resolutions of mine are already part of my current life. In terms of writing, I already write 1,000-2,000 words a day, I read 3-4 books per week, and when not on vacation I make a couple blog posts a week. In “real life,” when I’m not at work, I’m content at home with my family and friends, so what else could I ask for?

What are some of your New Year’s resolutions? What do you hope to accomplish in the coming months? Any previous New Year’s Resolutions that you’re going to attempt again this year?