Anyone who reads my work knows that I base most of my stories in Minnesota. I love Minnesota (forget that the cover of Dangerous is BOSTON. I had no say in that.), so it stands to reason that I'd want to base my work there. I'm familiar with the city and surrounding areas, so when I say a character had the best damn chicken of his life at The Wing Joint, north of the cities or that a couple of dudes had breakfast at The Diner downtown, trust me that I know what I'm talking about.
Nothing beats credibility like knowing your surroundings. There are the occasions where you can't possibly use a real place. You're a sci-fi writer or you really HAVE to have your story based in rural Russia because of the vampires, but you have options.
Google it. Google and Google World (dot com) allow you to see layout of the streets and general size. When you switch to satellite view, you can also see the wooded places, the gaps, the common housing spots and industrial locations. You can click the find local menu to access restaurant points, museums, schools. You can use that info to google bus stop locations, restaurant food ratings, etc. These days, there's a ton of info on the webs.
I do caution you to be careful since those schematics aren't necessarily updated all the time. You won't know if a business has tanked, or if the traffic at a specific light jams at 5pm every weekday and the crosswalk never gives you enough time to actually cross. You also won't know the hidden hot spots that only locals have.
For example, you wouldn't know that the school used in Bad Boys, Bad Boys does in fact exist...in Apple Valley, but the highway references are for a Fridley area school spot (there is a school in that school spot but the wooded area needed to be transplanted as did the shape of the school in relation to the parking lot...etc etc etc). Locals know that stuff.
In one story I wrote ages ago, I actually did all that research and after I did it, I contacted the RWA group in the area. After several emails and phone calls, I found out all kinds of things that the Internet couldn't tell me. I also found out that the place I wanted to host the finale couldn't happen because of the plethora of government buildings in the area which meant heightened security. Google doesn't see that stuff.
There's nothing like knowing a place, for accuracy. If you have to go elsewhere, do it, just do it knowing you're going to have to be convincing enough to convince the locals. If you go sci-fi, it's all about the world building and the climate you wish to create. But once you have it, realize that everyone is now a local and you have to stick to your series Bible or lose credibility with your audience. Your fans will know your cities and your characters better than you will, some times. Be prepared for it.
Draw maps, make charts, keep pictures of the area if you have them. Post them around your desk. If it's make-believe, find images from magazines that you are inspired by and then LABEL THEM so you don't forget. Your number one job is to tell the story. Tell it and tell it well. The rest is gravy.
Mia
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Places I Have Yet To Visit
While my first books are set in places that I know but changed names and rearranged geography to suit my purposes, that is not always the case. Very few of the books I've written are based in the area where I live. Someone once said, and English and Creative Writing teachers have said it ever since - write what you know - as in write about things and places you know about and have experienced first hand. That isn't necessarily true. Not completely true. The idea behind fiction is to tell a good story, not necessarily to teach - that is what non-fiction and schools are for. Write about things and places that interest you. It's basically the same advice ONE of my profs gave (one out of way too many to count). Write about what interests you because you are more likely to do the research necessary to do it right.My current WIP (Work In Pr
ogress) is set in Wyoming, a state I have never been too. I have lived in Colorado, but that doesn't mean I know anything about Wyoming. In order to set a book in a place I've never been it means that I have to do a lot of research of the state, the area where the book occurs and ask questions from people who do live there so that when I sit down to write, my story is believable. I search for photos, visit the websites of the towns that I think will work for what I'm doing and if possible, visit.But visiting isn't always possible. It's easier to
visit Wyoming than it is to visit places like Mongolia, Crete or Galway, Ireland. The Internet and libraries make researching those places easier. But like everything else when researching places or information, it's important to get your facts right and from reliable sources, because someone does live or has visited those places and they will point out any errors there might be. It doesn't mean you shouldn't set a story in a place you haven't been to, it means that you need to do the research so that your story is plausible and reflects what is truly in that setting.
Enjoy.
Simone.
Friday, August 27, 2010
I Kvetch
For those of you who don’t know, kvetch is Yiddish. It means to complain or grumble, especially incessantly. Literally, the translation is to squeeze or press. Both apply.I'm afraid, that my post won't give you any brilliant tips, but it will illustrate one writer's writing angst and how she deals with it.
Woe to my critique partner and family members when I’m really, really stuck. I don’t get stuck often, but when I do, it’s a mess. Usually, it goes like this:
Day one – Brynn sulks. Opens manuscript. Stares. Changes a few word. Sulks some more.
Day two – Repeat of day one, with the addition of the following dialogue.
Innocent bystander: Brynn, how’s the book coming?
Brynn: It’s not.
Innocent bystander (who really should know by now not to ask): What’s wrong?
Brynn: The book sucks.
“Foolish Bystander”: You want to talk about it?
Brynn: No.
Brynn: It’s not.
Innocent bystander (who really should know by now not to ask): What’s wrong?
Brynn: The book sucks.
“Foolish Bystander”: You want to talk about it?
Brynn: No.
Day three – Brynn doesn’t bother to open manuscript. She lies on the bed and stares at the ceiling.
Son: Mom, what’s wrong?
Brynn: Book.
Son: Oh. Hey can I get that video game [the one that costs 60 bucks and you’ve gotten me three times but I keep killing in my X-box]?
Brynn: Sure, whatever.
(more ceiling staring)
Son: Can we go now?
Brynn: Absolutely.
Brynn: Book.
Son: Oh. Hey can I get that video game [the one that costs 60 bucks and you’ve gotten me three times but I keep killing in my X-box]?
Brynn: Sure, whatever.
(more ceiling staring)
Son: Can we go now?
Brynn: Absolutely.
Day four – Brynn scribbles in notebook. Reads relevant or possibly irrelevant research material. Does not open "meanuscript".
Critique partner: How’s the book?
Brynn: What book?
Critique partner: The one due on Friday?
Brynn: Sucks.
Critique partner (who’s seasoned in humoring): Of course it doesn’t suck.
Brynn: Are you kidding? There’s no plot.
Critique partner: Of course there’s a plot. And it will be great when you’re done.
Brynn (grudgingly): Thanks…
Critique partner: Want to talk about it?
Brynn: No.
And that’s usually the point where I actually do talk about the book. My critique partner verbally nods at me through the phone while I talk in circles about my book. She just listens because she knows that while I brainstorm other people’s books with them, I never brainstorm my own with anyone. It’s just a quirk I have. But she’s a great listener, and usually about 15 minutes of circular talking later, I know exactly what my plot is—which was usually there all along—and exactly what I’m going to do to get going and finish the book.Brynn: What book?
Critique partner: The one due on Friday?
Brynn: Sucks.
Critique partner (who’s seasoned in humoring): Of course it doesn’t suck.
Brynn: Are you kidding? There’s no plot.
Critique partner: Of course there’s a plot. And it will be great when you’re done.
Brynn (grudgingly): Thanks…
Critique partner: Want to talk about it?
Brynn: No.
Thank you, darling critique partner, for understanding and patiently listening.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The trick is...
...find something you hate more than being stuck.
There are few things I hate more than being stuck on a piece of writing - particularly when I'm staring down a deadline - but there are some. My arch nemesis...nemesii...nemesises (what the heck is the plural of nemesis anyway?) are cooking and cleaning. Yeah, I know, very few people like cleaning but there are only a few times that I actually force myself to do it.
Those times are:
1.) When I'm expecting company. Pretty self-explanatory, that one.
2.) When I'm pissed. If I've got a really good mad going, for some reason I'm compelled to clean. I don't understand it, but my motto is, "Never look a gift mood swing in the mouth," so I usually just go with it.
3.) When I'm stuck on a project. Even scrubbing the toilets or washing mountains of dishes is more appealing to me than staring at that blinky little cursor that sits on the same place on my page, faintly mocking me with it's blinky little movement.
My house is rarely cleaner than when I've got a project that's thwarting me. Sometimes it's the day job, sometimes it's the writing, but it's always obvious when the project I'm working on is going to hell. A few months ago, my husband came home to an elaborate meal and a spotless house. He looked around and said, "Wow...the house looks great. You must really hate that thing you're working on."
To some people, it might have looked like I was procrastinating. And, those people would be right. But usually, I'm hating the cooking and cleaning so much that my mind takes off without me, leaving me to my drudgery. When that happens, the answer usually comes to me in the midst of my cooking or cleaning frenzy and I can go back to my story with a clearer sense of what I need to do to fix the problem.
Now, granted this doesn't always solve the problem - sometimes I need intervention in the form of critique partners, but this is usually the route I try first. Who knew my loathing of domestic chores would come in so handy?
There are few things I hate more than being stuck on a piece of writing - particularly when I'm staring down a deadline - but there are some. My arch nemesis...nemesii...nemesises (what the heck is the plural of nemesis anyway?) are cooking and cleaning. Yeah, I know, very few people like cleaning but there are only a few times that I actually force myself to do it.
Those times are:
1.) When I'm expecting company. Pretty self-explanatory, that one.
2.) When I'm pissed. If I've got a really good mad going, for some reason I'm compelled to clean. I don't understand it, but my motto is, "Never look a gift mood swing in the mouth," so I usually just go with it.
3.) When I'm stuck on a project. Even scrubbing the toilets or washing mountains of dishes is more appealing to me than staring at that blinky little cursor that sits on the same place on my page, faintly mocking me with it's blinky little movement.
My house is rarely cleaner than when I've got a project that's thwarting me. Sometimes it's the day job, sometimes it's the writing, but it's always obvious when the project I'm working on is going to hell. A few months ago, my husband came home to an elaborate meal and a spotless house. He looked around and said, "Wow...the house looks great. You must really hate that thing you're working on."
To some people, it might have looked like I was procrastinating. And, those people would be right. But usually, I'm hating the cooking and cleaning so much that my mind takes off without me, leaving me to my drudgery. When that happens, the answer usually comes to me in the midst of my cooking or cleaning frenzy and I can go back to my story with a clearer sense of what I need to do to fix the problem.
Now, granted this doesn't always solve the problem - sometimes I need intervention in the form of critique partners, but this is usually the route I try first. Who knew my loathing of domestic chores would come in so handy?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
LOL
I think the blog god picked this topic for me. (That's what she likes to be called. We are all afraid of her so we play along.)
Granted, when I was stuck it was because I was creating a person. But still, stuck I was. And yet, Ultimate Ultimatum was born before my son. I did muddle through. And if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty well.
My advice, sometimes forcing it is the only way to go. I tried patience, I tried cooing softly to my muse, I tried begging and crying and pleading, none of that worked. In the end, sitting my ass in my chair with nothing but the computer screen and the keyboard in my sights was the only way to break through. Granted, this may not work for everyone, and it may have only worked for me because I was due. But it worked.
Now that Jr. Rebel 2.0 is here, I have vowed to continue forcing it. I have to sit in my chair and stare at my screen until more words come. I've already proven that I can do it, now I need to keep it going. I honestly believe that once I get into the habit of writing regularly everything will come back to me. It's like riding a bike...or so I've heard. I don't know that I can ride a bike, but people tell me that once you know how you never really forget.
Next on the agenda for my writing, the sequel to To Hate and To Hold. I only mention it because the more I say the more obligated I become to actually write it. If people expect it of me then I have to do it. After that, the title of which I am not going to share because it may be changing, will be the third and final installment of the Lost and Found series. Very much overdue to Resplendence Publishing. I hope to have both books out by the end of this year. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the muse will wake from her entirely too long slumber and help me achieve these goals.
I plan to start a schedule for myself. Obviously I don't expect to actually stick to it. But some writers that I admire very much have schedules for writing books and they seem to do really well with it. I am hoping that if I write it down, make it like any other appointment, I will strive to stick to it and start completing work again.
There are so many ideas in my head for books and stories I want to write. The trick is going to be getting them out onto the screen.
XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
Granted, when I was stuck it was because I was creating a person. But still, stuck I was. And yet, Ultimate Ultimatum was born before my son. I did muddle through. And if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty well.
My advice, sometimes forcing it is the only way to go. I tried patience, I tried cooing softly to my muse, I tried begging and crying and pleading, none of that worked. In the end, sitting my ass in my chair with nothing but the computer screen and the keyboard in my sights was the only way to break through. Granted, this may not work for everyone, and it may have only worked for me because I was due. But it worked.
Now that Jr. Rebel 2.0 is here, I have vowed to continue forcing it. I have to sit in my chair and stare at my screen until more words come. I've already proven that I can do it, now I need to keep it going. I honestly believe that once I get into the habit of writing regularly everything will come back to me. It's like riding a bike...or so I've heard. I don't know that I can ride a bike, but people tell me that once you know how you never really forget.
Next on the agenda for my writing, the sequel to To Hate and To Hold. I only mention it because the more I say the more obligated I become to actually write it. If people expect it of me then I have to do it. After that, the title of which I am not going to share because it may be changing, will be the third and final installment of the Lost and Found series. Very much overdue to Resplendence Publishing. I hope to have both books out by the end of this year. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the muse will wake from her entirely too long slumber and help me achieve these goals.
I plan to start a schedule for myself. Obviously I don't expect to actually stick to it. But some writers that I admire very much have schedules for writing books and they seem to do really well with it. I am hoping that if I write it down, make it like any other appointment, I will strive to stick to it and start completing work again.
There are so many ideas in my head for books and stories I want to write. The trick is going to be getting them out onto the screen.
XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Stuck on you
When I'm stuck I do incredibly useful things like housework, and bill paying, and baking cookies for my neighbors, and volunteer work...
...who the hell do you think I am, anyway?! LOL. I'm nothing if not lazy off my ass. I SHOULD be doing those things. What I actually do, is procrastinate and do other things I call "research". Sounds a lot better when you're asked what you spent the whole day doing.
"Research. I had to look a few things up and work them into my plot. It's not flowing yet. I have some more research to do before it all clears into a cohesive piece."
See? Sounds so much better than, "I hung out on the couch with the TV remote in my pjs today. There were these nifty reruns of Ghost Hunters. Later I decided to see how many M&Ms fit into my mouth at one time, if you take out all the red ones."
Try it sometime. Here' I'm gonna be a love and give you some awesome things to research.
This reflects my Stargate: Atlantis moment:
Awesome song
Awesome clip of hilarity
This is other stuff I research:
I love Lily Allen. This is Smile in Simlish. Catchy, yes?
This one's for Bronwyn. Yum.
Okay, and this one too, actually.
Oh, wait, this one's even better. This one is purely for me. GAWD!
Anyway, I think you get the idea. Now, talk to you all later. I have some research to do.
;)
...who the hell do you think I am, anyway?! LOL. I'm nothing if not lazy off my ass. I SHOULD be doing those things. What I actually do, is procrastinate and do other things I call "research". Sounds a lot better when you're asked what you spent the whole day doing.
"Research. I had to look a few things up and work them into my plot. It's not flowing yet. I have some more research to do before it all clears into a cohesive piece."
See? Sounds so much better than, "I hung out on the couch with the TV remote in my pjs today. There were these nifty reruns of Ghost Hunters. Later I decided to see how many M&Ms fit into my mouth at one time, if you take out all the red ones."
Try it sometime. Here' I'm gonna be a love and give you some awesome things to research.
This reflects my Stargate: Atlantis moment:
Awesome song
Awesome clip of hilarity
This is other stuff I research:
I love Lily Allen. This is Smile in Simlish. Catchy, yes?
This one's for Bronwyn. Yum.
Okay, and this one too, actually.
Oh, wait, this one's even better. This one is purely for me. GAWD!
Anyway, I think you get the idea. Now, talk to you all later. I have some research to do.
;)
Monday, August 23, 2010
When I Can't Write
Getting stuck in the middle of a work in progress sucks. Big time. It can completely derail everything.
But, for me sitting in front of the computer with said work open and staring at me is an invitation to go play on Facebook or Ancestry.com or Pogo - and I indulge. I may pick up my stitching or work on the quilt that is sitting at my sewing machine, read a book, or watch a movie. Whatever it is, I walk away. For an hour or at most a day. It doesn't usually take more than that before I'm scrambling back to said WIP. By then I know what I have to do to get moving again - I have to cut something out. Usually no more than the last scene. I'm stuck because I wrote myself into another corner. Corners are usually not a good place to be. Change the direction slightly and I have found another hall of doors.
Getting stuck with out a project to work isn't a whole lot better. And those same distraction techniques that work while you're in a project aren't necessarily the best way to go. That's when watching the news, reading an article or overhearing parts of a conversation can be handy. And my favorite game comes into play. What-if. Playing what-if in real life situations that affect your life can create undue stress and worry but playing it with a scenario can create a new story or series. Use a photograph, a headline, or just the bare-bones details from a story 0r just some of the details or one idea or concept and play with it. See what happens.
Set small goals. Use tricks that work. I love my kitchen timer - I can keep myself on task easier with it. I get more accomplished and I still get to play in between segments. And I can avoid getting stuck a lot more. 30 minutes of writing - take stock of my word count - then off to Facebook or laundry or dishes for 10 minutes and then back to writing.
Enjoy,
Simone.
But, for me sitting in front of the computer with said work open and staring at me is an invitation to go play on Facebook or Ancestry.com or Pogo - and I indulge. I may pick up my stitching or work on the quilt that is sitting at my sewing machine, read a book, or watch a movie. Whatever it is, I walk away. For an hour or at most a day. It doesn't usually take more than that before I'm scrambling back to said WIP. By then I know what I have to do to get moving again - I have to cut something out. Usually no more than the last scene. I'm stuck because I wrote myself into another corner. Corners are usually not a good place to be. Change the direction slightly and I have found another hall of doors.
Getting stuck with out a project to work isn't a whole lot better. And those same distraction techniques that work while you're in a project aren't necessarily the best way to go. That's when watching the news, reading an article or overhearing parts of a conversation can be handy. And my favorite game comes into play. What-if. Playing what-if in real life situations that affect your life can create undue stress and worry but playing it with a scenario can create a new story or series. Use a photograph, a headline, or just the bare-bones details from a story 0r just some of the details or one idea or concept and play with it. See what happens.
Set small goals. Use tricks that work. I love my kitchen timer - I can keep myself on task easier with it. I get more accomplished and I still get to play in between segments. And I can avoid getting stuck a lot more. 30 minutes of writing - take stock of my word count - then off to Facebook or laundry or dishes for 10 minutes and then back to writing.
Enjoy,
Simone.
Friday, August 20, 2010
I'd Rather Watch NASCAR
Truthfully, between two day jobs and my writing career, I’ll admit, I don’t have much in the way of creative outlet. I had to dig deep for this one. When I look for something to do that's not writing, I usually read a book, watch a movie or TV show on DVD or catch up on NASCAR.
It’s not that I don’t have a lot of artistic skills. I do. I’m a fairly good artist. I scrapbook, make cards, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, sew, passably play piano. Used to play cello and hope to again soon. I’m a soloist at my church on a regular basis. I do graphic art for book covers and for other authors’ inspiration—sometimes my own. I’m a good cook and make up my own recipes. And I love photography (though none of the pics below count. I took them with my phone)
That’s all creative, but I don’t consider any of it outlet. The problem is that they all give me too much time to think. When I’m doing something away from work or writing, I need a complete break. When I’m writing, I’m so absorbed in the process, it sticks with me while I’m driving, cooking, cleaning, taking a shower…just living. So when I need an outlet, I mostly look for things to give me a complete “brain break”.
But here’s some stuff I do:
Embroidery
More Embroidery
A cross stitch project
Costumes I made
A scrapbook page. I made these costumes too.
My first lattice pie.
Photography
Some cards I've made.
I can't show most of the covers I've done, but here's one.
Here's another.
And a final bit of photography.
It’s not that I don’t have a lot of artistic skills. I do. I’m a fairly good artist. I scrapbook, make cards, crochet, cross stitch, embroider, sew, passably play piano. Used to play cello and hope to again soon. I’m a soloist at my church on a regular basis. I do graphic art for book covers and for other authors’ inspiration—sometimes my own. I’m a good cook and make up my own recipes. And I love photography (though none of the pics below count. I took them with my phone)
That’s all creative, but I don’t consider any of it outlet. The problem is that they all give me too much time to think. When I’m doing something away from work or writing, I need a complete break. When I’m writing, I’m so absorbed in the process, it sticks with me while I’m driving, cooking, cleaning, taking a shower…just living. So when I need an outlet, I mostly look for things to give me a complete “brain break”.
But here’s some stuff I do:
Embroidery
More Embroidery
A cross stitch project
Costumes I made
A scrapbook page. I made these costumes too.
My first lattice pie.
Photography
Some cards I've made.
I can't show most of the covers I've done, but here's one.
Here's another.
And a final bit of photography.Thursday, August 19, 2010
Hobbies...I haz 'em.
zOMG, do I love my hobbies! Love them. There's something really satisfying about creating something from mostly-nothing. Whether it's a dress from a length of fabric, or slippers from a skein of yarn or a picture from colored threads, or jewelry from a handful of beads, I love it all.
My favorite thing is playing with mud. I adore sculpting clay and throwing it on a wheel. I'm not as good at that, but I do enjoy it. Recently, here's been a distinct lack of pottery in my life due to the distinct lack of a kiln. But that's about to change! My mom is getting a kiln so now we can play with mud whenever we want. I can't wait to go glaze shopping! I also like decorating with sticks and branches and rocks.
This is a mobile I made from sticks, leather rocks, shells and some antique bells.
This is a wall hanging I made based on a Celtic knot pattern called, Sisters.
My very favorite tea mug...it's more of a vat really, but it's great in the winter. 
This is a four seasons sculpture I made a few years ago. It hangs in my living room.
This is my masterpiece. I didn't design it - a sadist named Teresa Wentzler did. It took me ten years to make, and I will never stitch anything on black fabric again. Ever. This isn't my actual stitchery. I couldn't get a good picture of mine without taking it out of it's frame and well...that's just not gonna happen. Imagine it's matted in dark green in a dark brown frame. 
This is hanging on the inside of my front door. This isn't my pattern either, though I did make substantial changes to the colors - I think the pattern called for pale pinks and blues. Yeah...not in my house.
This is Killian's stocking. I made it sometime between the time he was born in September and his first Christmas. I have no idea how I did that with a newborn. None. This is one of my own designs. 
This is Corwin's stocking - also my design. Luckily, I had a longer period of time to make his.
This is my friend Jen's wedding dress. The sleeves are lined with a pale pink gossamer type fabric and there's pearl beading around the neckline and sleeves, including little pink glass flowers.
My favorite thing is playing with mud. I adore sculpting clay and throwing it on a wheel. I'm not as good at that, but I do enjoy it. Recently, here's been a distinct lack of pottery in my life due to the distinct lack of a kiln. But that's about to change! My mom is getting a kiln so now we can play with mud whenever we want. I can't wait to go glaze shopping! I also like decorating with sticks and branches and rocks.
This is a mobile I made from sticks, leather rocks, shells and some antique bells.
This is a wall hanging I made based on a Celtic knot pattern called, Sisters.
My very favorite tea mug...it's more of a vat really, but it's great in the winter. 
This is a four seasons sculpture I made a few years ago. It hangs in my living room.
This is my masterpiece. I didn't design it - a sadist named Teresa Wentzler did. It took me ten years to make, and I will never stitch anything on black fabric again. Ever. This isn't my actual stitchery. I couldn't get a good picture of mine without taking it out of it's frame and well...that's just not gonna happen. Imagine it's matted in dark green in a dark brown frame. 
This is hanging on the inside of my front door. This isn't my pattern either, though I did make substantial changes to the colors - I think the pattern called for pale pinks and blues. Yeah...not in my house.
This is Killian's stocking. I made it sometime between the time he was born in September and his first Christmas. I have no idea how I did that with a newborn. None. This is one of my own designs. 
This is Corwin's stocking - also my design. Luckily, I had a longer period of time to make his.
This is my friend Jen's wedding dress. The sleeves are lined with a pale pink gossamer type fabric and there's pearl beading around the neckline and sleeves, including little pink glass flowers.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Look what I did!
Generally I am completely against posting pictures of your children on public forums. But he is a baby and I'm pretty sure that only his father and I could pick him out of a line up, so I feel okay about sharing my newest bundle of joy with you. Besides, he is too cute not to share.
Meet Jr. Rebel 2.0. He was born Friday August 13th at 12.15am. He weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and is the most handsome man ever.
I think this still counts towards this weeks topic. I created a baby after all. So I'm stretching. But I'm just so excited to finally have him here on the outside where I can hold him and smell his head all the time. I don't think there is a better smell on Earth than the smell of your baby's head.
Anyway, I am off to go hold my newest young'n. Have a great week and I'll see you next Wednesday.
XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Creative outlets
This makes me think of those pronged outlets on the wall. Which one do I plug into for creativity? The one next to me keeps my computer going and the light ready for me when I need it, but which one is the "Mia needs inspiration and hair-letting-down STAT" plug? I should only be so lucky to have a physical outlet like that. It would make the time between, "Gee, I want to do something besides work," and "Hmmm. This looks like a fun time-killer," a lot faster and therefore return me back to the keyboard.
But really, I shouldn't complain. I've been recovering and it's been a slow, slow process. Everyone has cut me a break on deadlines. That should make me feel relaxed. What it actually does is make me more stressed out to hurry up and recover so I can get back to work. Yes, I'm motivated by guilt. My own finger shaking Mia is harder to bear than anyone else shaking their finger.
I do have some outlets though. Some of you have been to my blog where I've been playing around with comics. This serves a two fold purpose. First, I'm doing a blog which in promotional terms is very important. B, I'm keeping the reader informed which actually is more for keeping my name in front of the reader than anything else. Can't let 'em forget you, ya know. iii) It allows you to procrastinate as you SLAVE over the pictures in the name of your craft. "I AM working! Haven't you noticed the pretty pictures on my blog about gyno-doc?" (I'd like to digress one moment to point out that Bron calls Dr. You-can-call-me-Nate Pauls, Dr. Sparklebritches or Dr. Sparklepants. I shared that with the nurses at my last visit and sent them through the roof with laughter. Plus, there is now at least one nurse in that office who has visions of Twilight every she looks at her boss. Yes, my job is done here.)
So, okay, comic blogs are definitely a steam-let-er-off-er. I also have Hulu and Netflix happily loaded on my computer laptop. When I'm stuck, and I mean reeeeeaally stuck for ideas, I load up something short. Like Meerkat Manor (20 min episodes), Stand-up Comedy, or TV programming without ads. Usually, I'm ready to get back to work after a few minutes of brainless moaning and deadpan stares of boredom.
I people watch. Remember Johnson? Still vacuuming in the nude. Yes. I watch. It's truly fascinating.
I pet my kitty. No, not that nasty definition, you perve. My ACTUAL kitty. She's very talkative. We have long, deep, and meaningful conversations about stuff. And sometimes she just snores.
I'm not crafty. Not at all. I have to leave that to the other bloggers. So that's kinda it. I know you're stunned at my vast resources, but try to contain yourself. Heh.
Off to work. I have things to catch up on. What do YOU do to let off steam?
But really, I shouldn't complain. I've been recovering and it's been a slow, slow process. Everyone has cut me a break on deadlines. That should make me feel relaxed. What it actually does is make me more stressed out to hurry up and recover so I can get back to work. Yes, I'm motivated by guilt. My own finger shaking Mia is harder to bear than anyone else shaking their finger.
I do have some outlets though. Some of you have been to my blog where I've been playing around with comics. This serves a two fold purpose. First, I'm doing a blog which in promotional terms is very important. B, I'm keeping the reader informed which actually is more for keeping my name in front of the reader than anything else. Can't let 'em forget you, ya know. iii) It allows you to procrastinate as you SLAVE over the pictures in the name of your craft. "I AM working! Haven't you noticed the pretty pictures on my blog about gyno-doc?" (I'd like to digress one moment to point out that Bron calls Dr. You-can-call-me-Nate Pauls, Dr. Sparklebritches or Dr. Sparklepants. I shared that with the nurses at my last visit and sent them through the roof with laughter. Plus, there is now at least one nurse in that office who has visions of Twilight every she looks at her boss. Yes, my job is done here.)
So, okay, comic blogs are definitely a steam-let-er-off-er. I also have Hulu and Netflix happily loaded on my computer laptop. When I'm stuck, and I mean reeeeeaally stuck for ideas, I load up something short. Like Meerkat Manor (20 min episodes), Stand-up Comedy, or TV programming without ads. Usually, I'm ready to get back to work after a few minutes of brainless moaning and deadpan stares of boredom.
I people watch. Remember Johnson? Still vacuuming in the nude. Yes. I watch. It's truly fascinating.
I pet my kitty. No, not that nasty definition, you perve. My ACTUAL kitty. She's very talkative. We have long, deep, and meaningful conversations about stuff. And sometimes she just snores.
I'm not crafty. Not at all. I have to leave that to the other bloggers. So that's kinda it. I know you're stunned at my vast resources, but try to contain yourself. Heh.
Off to work. I have things to catch up on. What do YOU do to let off steam?
Monday, August 16, 2010
Things I Do When I Have Time....
Like most people, I have a hobby - well hobbies to be honest. Just a few of them, but hey, what do you do. I don't always have time for them, but I do have them. There was less time during school, but I have a bit more time now.
I cross stitch, although unlike Bron, I do not create my own patterns. I will, however, change colors and turn them around occasionally. I actually just started stitching again after taking a break from it while I was in school. But, I stitch while I'm at family get together's since my mom deems it rude to hide behind my laptop and write.
I'm a self-taught quilter, and since I can't find any pictures of quilts I made, this pic is a representation of the one I made for my daughter. Her's, however, is in pink. The next one though needs to have Kelly Green in it to match her bedroom.
I also like to sew clothes and costumes, but alas there are no pics available, should probably make a point to do that. I do make jewelery, I also scrapbook, cook, bake, and take photographs.
Writing challenges both the creative and the non-creative sides of my brain and is something I love doing, but my hobbies are primarily only creative. I enjoy the process of sewing or scrapbooking or doing whatever it is I'm working on and seeing it come to fruition, just as a with a book, and I find that playing in whatever hobby I am can be refreshing and keeps writing fun. I have also learned that back to back creative events can zap all of my creativity and make writing hard. That was a painful lesson. I stay busy with writing and work and school and my hobbies. Hobbies that my daughter can learn and we can do together, as well as keep me sorta out of trouble.
Simone.
I cross stitch, although unlike Bron, I do not create my own patterns. I will, however, change colors and turn them around occasionally. I actually just started stitching again after taking a break from it while I was in school. But, I stitch while I'm at family get together's since my mom deems it rude to hide behind my laptop and write.
I'm a self-taught quilter, and since I can't find any pictures of quilts I made, this pic is a representation of the one I made for my daughter. Her's, however, is in pink. The next one though needs to have Kelly Green in it to match her bedroom.
I also like to sew clothes and costumes, but alas there are no pics available, should probably make a point to do that. I do make jewelery, I also scrapbook, cook, bake, and take photographs.
Writing challenges both the creative and the non-creative sides of my brain and is something I love doing, but my hobbies are primarily only creative. I enjoy the process of sewing or scrapbooking or doing whatever it is I'm working on and seeing it come to fruition, just as a with a book, and I find that playing in whatever hobby I am can be refreshing and keeps writing fun. I have also learned that back to back creative events can zap all of my creativity and make writing hard. That was a painful lesson. I stay busy with writing and work and school and my hobbies. Hobbies that my daughter can learn and we can do together, as well as keep me sorta out of trouble.
Simone.
Friday, August 13, 2010
No Zombie Love
Have you noticed that there seems to be a whole zombie craze going on right now? Zombies… Sorry, brain eaters, none of you didn’t make my list. Here are a few that did, in no particular order:Bob the Wizard from The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I haven’t seen the TV show, but the books are great. Any creature who loves romance novels, gets a vote in my book. If you’re wondering how a wizard meets the otherworldly requirement, pick up a Dresden book. You won’t be sorry.
Silvertongue from Inkheart by Cornelia Caroline Funke. You kinda gotta love a guy who reads and make a book come to life in a manner of speaking. Okay, he can read things in and out of books, but it’s still tres cool.
Wolverine, the Hugh Jackman version. Probably a case of lust, but the character Wolverine gets a vote anyway. All that angst. All that power. All that adamantium. How I’d like to feel his steel-like…muscles.
Shape-shifting dragons. This isn’t really a plug for myself. I just happen to like them.
Jacob, the wolf shape-shifter. Yes that one. I’m supporting Team Jacob for the day.
Other shape-shifters. I love the wolves in Desiree Holt’s The Sentinels series. I also enjoyed Wendy Stone’s Danielle and the Wolf. I definitely loved Dakota Rebel’s wolf in Wolf in Men’s Clothing. I would be seriously remiss if I didn’t mention how I adore Lora Leigh’s Breed books, especially the Feline and Wolf Breed books. And come on…Bronwyn Green’s bears in Just Right. Yummy.
The Wild Things from the book Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak. My oldest child is a wild things. Okay, he was more Max, but we love him. We love the creatures. I used to read him the book and change Max to my son’s name. A great hit. I suggest it for the wild things in your home.
The Mummy/Imhotep from the movies, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. Okay, read it here on Writer’s Evolution. I was rooting for The Mummy. I felt bad for the guy. Mislead and betrayed left and right. He was merely a victim of his circumstances who got the bad end of the stick. Is it bad that I wanted him to get a HEA?
So there you have them. Some of my Fav. Otherworldlies… Let me know what you think. Do you have some that weren't listed this week? Share.
~~Brynn
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
I'm sure this will surprise no one, but...
...my favorite Otherworldly creatures are faeries. I've been sitting here trying to figure out why I find them so appealing, and to be honest, I'm still not sure. But I have a theory. It may not be a particularly good theory, but it's all I've got, so I'm going with it.There's the obvious draw of magic. Being able to poof things into existence would be convenient. Enchanting, beguiling and glamouring? Also damn handy. Flying? Totally badass.
These are all really nifty, but I think I realized that what I find mostly compelling about the idea of faeries is their connection with nature.
They're almost an archetypal representation of all that's beautiful and terrifying in the natural world. They're the splendor of a windswept autumn forest and the delicate loveliness of velvety flower petals uncurling in spring. They're the harsh, crystalline beauty of a frozen landscape in winter and the dew-wet grass shimmering on a vibrant summer lawn. They're the personification of all these things that most of us look at every day, but never really see. Beautiful, majestic, wild and more than a little dangerous - the guardians of the natural world. And like nature, they're not necessarily good and they're not necessarily evil. They just are.
I have no illusions that I've said anything terribly profound, but it's really late, and I fear I may have been talking out of my butt. To apologize, and perhaps distract you, I'd like to share some of my very favorite faery art.
For a whimsical look at faeries, I love Amy Brown's work.
Next is Marc Potts. His work is amazing, earthy and would look perfect in my house - must look into that.
Julia Helen Jeffery work is fantastic - I love her use of pastels - something I very rarely enjoy.
And finally, my very favorite, Brian Froud who I got a chance to meet last weekend! You can read about the adventure here. :)
Otherworld? Like Aliens?
I know, I know. You mean like werewolves, shapeshifters, stuff like that. But I have to say, after the vampire week this week isn't going to win any special places in my heart.
Sure, sure I wrote a werewolf book. And it was pretty good, if I do say so myself. But you all know how I feel about vampires. They are my favorite 'otherworlders' and no one can ever replace them.
So here is a video for the trailer for the new vampire movie about to come out.
XoXoXo
Dakota
Sure, sure I wrote a werewolf book. And it was pretty good, if I do say so myself. But you all know how I feel about vampires. They are my favorite 'otherworlders' and no one can ever replace them.
So here is a video for the trailer for the new vampire movie about to come out.
XoXoXo
Dakota
Friday, August 6, 2010
I ♥ Vampires Forever
Well, I’m posting late today, but at least I’m posting. I was thinking it was still Thursday!!!Okay. Vampires… Vampires are my thing. One of these days, I’ll write some (besides my vampire-like Dragons) but right now, I just read them every chance I get. (Actually, side note, I have a vampire book coming out next year from Resplendence Publishing)
Probably, it goes without saying at this point that I love Dakota’s vampires, especially those in To Hate and To Hold. I adore vampires and this is one of my all time favorite books (of vampire and non-vampire books). I can’t really choose whether I like Ethan or Jamie more. I like them both.
And I like Edward. I do, so there. Yes, Edward of Twilight fame. The books themselves get a lot of trashing. Some of that—okay, a lot of that—I think is unfair. There’s a lot of bashing about vampires not sparkling. There's a lot of bashing on the books themselves. I think there’s a lot of criticism from people who haven’t read the books. Actually, I know there is.
I think the vampires in the Twilight books are pretty innovative. I like that they’re different. I also like the reality of good and bad vampires, the world that’s been set up and the fact that vampires can choose to drink non-human blood. I think it’s cool that Edward isn’t gung-ho to change Bella into a vampire even though it means eventually leaving her. However, I like that he eventually does change her because nothing pisses me off faster than the “I’ll be a vampire forever and you have to stay a human” scenario. That is not happily ever after. That’s intense heartbreak on the horizon.
That said, I like the vampires in Kerrelyn Sparks’ Love at Stake books. They’re cool. Fun. And she is one heck of a funny writer. I don’t like the humans staying human. Just saying—see above…
Some of my favorite vampires are Lynsay Sands vampires in the Argeneau and Rogue Hunter series. That’s one series but it’s kinda two parts. I started with the first one Single White Vampire (which is now listed as book 3 but was really first) and have bought every one since. Lynsay Sands also has a wicked sense of humor (I love Lucern!!!) and I have all thirteen of the book—and will be getting the next two as soon as they come out later this month and in November. The world she’s set up is extraordinary and fun. I look forward to every new installment.
Even if you’re not much into male/male books, J.P. Bowie’s Vampire and I books are worth reading. He’s put together a great world that sucks you in (okay, yeah, pun intended) and keeps you hooked. My favorite of the series, so far, is Book 3 Duet in Blood but the other four books come in a close second. I can’t wait for more in this series—and I do hope there will be more.
Which for no reason at all brings me back to Dakota Rebel. Sweet Dreams… AWESOME vampire book. Great bad guy. Great good guys. Should get a sequel (hint hint Dakota). And The Gallery. Am I the only one who wants to know what happens with these two? I’ll say the same for Dakota’s vampires that I say about the others. They’re fun and they’re definitely different. They’re not like everyone else’s. And that’s definitely what I look for in a great vampire book.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Vamps I Heart
Where to start, where to start...?
I must mention (and I'm positive Molly will jump up and down and agree with me) that Dakota's Ethan and Jamie from To Hate and to Hold are freaking awesome. I love, love, love those boys. They made me laugh. They made me cry. They're currently making me whine because I want to read MORE, but I'm patient. Sorta.
Damien from Mia's Claimed by Darkness holds a special spot in my...heart. He's all kinds of sexy in that dangerous just as likely to rip out your throat as have hot, wall banging sex with you. Why do I even find that remotely attractive? I have issues. And likely need therapy.
Speaking of needing therapy, there's my love for Nathan/Nolen and Cyrus in Jennifer Armintrout's Blood Ties series. Cyrus is pretty much a sociopath with daddy issues and Nathan, oh, sweet wracked-with-guilt-Nathan, you're pretty much emotionally unavailable, and yet I heart your tortured, angsty ways. Of course, if I had to live with you in real life, I'd stake you myself.
Then there's Brynn's Janos and Jonah from her Cruentus Dragon series. Yes, I know they're dragons, but they also have the whole super-hot-bad-boy-blood-drinking thing going
on, so they've made my list. Oh yes, they're definitely on the list.
And last, but certainly not least is Spike from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Okay, so bleach-blond is so not my type but I love his bitter, sarcastic, hilarious, mostly unrequited love ass. Love him.
Now, I imagine there would be more vamps on my list, but I still haven't seen Torchwood or True Blood.
Really need to get on that.
I must mention (and I'm positive Molly will jump up and down and agree with me) that Dakota's Ethan and Jamie from To Hate and to Hold are freaking awesome. I love, love, love those boys. They made me laugh. They made me cry. They're currently making me whine because I want to read MORE, but I'm patient. Sorta.
Damien from Mia's Claimed by Darkness holds a special spot in my...heart. He's all kinds of sexy in that dangerous just as likely to rip out your throat as have hot, wall banging sex with you. Why do I even find that remotely attractive? I have issues. And likely need therapy.
Speaking of needing therapy, there's my love for Nathan/Nolen and Cyrus in Jennifer Armintrout's Blood Ties series. Cyrus is pretty much a sociopath with daddy issues and Nathan, oh, sweet wracked-with-guilt-Nathan, you're pretty much emotionally unavailable, and yet I heart your tortured, angsty ways. Of course, if I had to live with you in real life, I'd stake you myself.
Then there's Brynn's Janos and Jonah from her Cruentus Dragon series. Yes, I know they're dragons, but they also have the whole super-hot-bad-boy-blood-drinking thing going
on, so they've made my list. Oh yes, they're definitely on the list.And last, but certainly not least is Spike from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Okay, so bleach-blond is so not my type but I love his bitter, sarcastic, hilarious, mostly unrequited love ass. Love him.
Now, I imagine there would be more vamps on my list, but I still haven't seen Torchwood or True Blood.
Really need to get on that.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Vampires
So I have to admit that I am pre-posting all of these. I have a baby coming any day now and who knows when I will be able to post again. Look at my dedication to you all. Isn't it something?
*(written day before this goes live) No baby yet. And after reading the previous two posts I realize I cheated and didn't stick to book vampires. Bad girl. Bad. But since I worked so hard and pulled pretty pictures for you I am going to leave it.
Thanks for nodding to my own vampire boys ladies. I appreciate it and I'm so glad you like them. I miss them terribly and am going to have new offerings for you after the baby boy is born and lets me have possession of my brain back.
Now back to the previously scheduled post.
I have something else to admit, this post was really hard for me. Isn't that stupid? As much as I love vampires you would think this would be easy. But the problem is that I LOVE vampires. And narrowing down my favorites is really, really hard. So I've decided to list the top ten, pretty much in order I guess, though the order changes depending on what I am reading/writing/watching at the time.
So here we go, my current top ten list of favorite vampires.
10. Nicholas Cage in A Vampire's Kis. I wanted a picture of him trying to drink blood with his plastic teeth in, but I just couldn't find one. Damn you Google Images, you've failed me again.
9. Thomas Ian Griffith as Valek in John Carpenter's Vampires. I LOVE this movie. It is bloody, it's gorey, and it paints vampires in a nasty light. And Valek is the meanest, nastiest vampire that ever a vampire was. Plus, James Woods in those jeans. YUM. In fact, you know what...
I can't believe this is the best picture I can find of him from this movie. I cannot be the only pervert that loves James Woods in those tight ass jeans. Damn it. Well, anyway. Back to the actual list.
8. Tom Cruise as Lestat in Interview with the Vampire. Now, Tom Cruise was HOT in this movie. I am not that big of a Cruise fan, but I loved him in this movie. He makes a good blond. But I chose this picture because this is actually my very favorite part of the movie. "Claudia, you have been...a very...very...naughty girl." Yikes! Say what you like about him being a freak, he made one hell of a vampire. And for anyone who knows me well, and knows my feeling about Ann Rice, you have to know what a big step it is for me to put one of her vamps on a list of favorites. That just speaks to how amazing I thought Tom Cruise was in this film. It had nothing to do with the writing. Believe me. Okay, I'm done.
7. Marlow. Oh, my beloved Marlow. Danny Huston in 30 Days of Night. I should have put him higher. This was another movie where vampires are vampires damn it. They are evil. They kill and they destroy. They destroy towns and then leave the bodies to move on to the next place. This movie was so freaking beautiful. The way it was shot, the contrasts of dark and light, the way this man looks streaked in blood. Oh yeah, he should have gone higher on the list. But he is here at lucky number 7. You know what, I am seriously going to go throw this movie into the DVD player while I finish this post. That's better. A little vampire action to put me in a vampire mood for the vampire post. *Sigh
6. Once again Google Images let me down. I cannot believe I couldn't find a better picture of David Bowie as John in The Hunger. Granted, he wasn't in it that much. And he wasn't very good looking for most of what he was in, but still. It's freakin David Bowie as a freakin' vampire. There should be pages and pages of hotness. This is where my list totally goes off the rail. Cause this movie kind of blew. I'll admit it. It was terrible. He was barely in it. But come ON! It's David as a vampire. Two of my most favorite things in the world. I couldn't NOT include him on this list. That would have been horrible and gotten me kicked out of the fan club...okay, so I'm not actually in the fan club. But I love him. So that totally counts.
5. Keifer Sutherland as David in The Lost Boys. Keeping mullets sexy late into the 80's. Alright, so he was sort of a douchey vampire. But hey, it was the 80's, what do you expect? I love this movie. It is one of my cheesy classic favorites that I can go back to and laugh at the clothes, the hair, that earring. OMG Keifer. You certainly were the man...er, vampire. I would have chosen you over that crybaby human boy any day. And for the record, the worms in the Chinese take out container still gross me out.
4.Robert Pattinson. Oh Edward. Sweet, sweet, sexy Edward. I couldn't not include you. And yes, you are rather high on my list. Though your incessant whining is seconded only by Bella's, I still adore the hell out of you and your unwashed hair. I am not sure which is more embarrassing, my crush on Robert Pattinson or my crush on Daniel Radcliffe. I suppose Robert was legal the entire time I have crushed on him, while Daniel was a little young when my love for him began. Hmm...I think I should move on before the embarrassment increases any further.
3. James Marsters and Juliet Landau are tied for my number 3 favorite vampires. Probably because I like them best as a team. Spike and Drusilla were the best vampire couple EVER. OMG I just loved them together. She was bat shit crazy and he loved the hell out of her. They totally made season 2 of Buffy for me. When Angel was all evil and Buffy was all crying and moping and boo hoo and crap, at least I always had snarky Spike and crazy Dru to keep the episodes interesting for me. If you've never seen them together you MUST go to You Tube and look up Spike and Dru. They are fabulous. I still adored Spike after Dru left, but it was never quite the same.
2. Gary Oldman as Dracula in Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula. I know you know what movie it was, but I love that one guy did another guys movie about a vampire. It's so pretentious and funny. Anyway, Gary Oldman is sexy. Unless he is in Hannibal then ew. But other than that...yum. And his Dracula was my favorite of all of the Draculas. Sorry to any purests out there. But I love him. He still makes me cry every time I watch him read that letter that Wynona Rider left him as she is on her way to get Keanue. The blood pouring down his face and his anger and anguish. UGH! Kills me every time. What a fabulous movie. What a fabulous man. What an amazing vampire. Once again, I would have totally picked him over Jonathon. Jonathon was a jerk.
Here we are. At my current favorite vampire. I say current because two years ago I didn't even know who this was. He showed up and stole this vampire girls heart and hasn't let go. I adore him. Sure the names above are all interchangable depending on the day of the week. But for now, this is my number one vampire man and I wouldn't have it any other way.
1. Alexander Skarsgard as Eric Northman on True Blood. Eric. Oh Eric. My beloved blond viking bastard. You are cold, you are sadistic, you are hilarious and you are sexy as all hell. I absolutely adore Eric. I look forward to Sunday's so much so I can see what he is going to do next. What he is going to wear, or not wear this week. He is without a doubt my new favorite vampire. If you haven't watched True Blood yet...well shame on you. The show is great...for the most part. If they would stick with the vampires and leave some of the other plot lines alone I would like it more. But then, I'm a vamp girl so that's why I tune in. Maybe there are those of you out there who like Sam and Tara and all the side show bullsh*t, but not me. Give me Eric, Bill, Sookie and I'll take Lafeyette too cause he is hilarious and I love my gays as much as I love my vampires.
So, I hope that the format of this post works out okay. It's always tough to know how the wording is going to line up to the pictures when it actually goes live. If you have a blogger account you know that the "preview" function is pretty much useless when trying to figure out how everything is going to look on the site.
How about all of you? Do you have a favorite that's not on this list? Do you have a favorite quote from one of the vamps above? Let me know what you think of my favorites won't you?
XoXoXo
Dakota
*(written day before this goes live) No baby yet. And after reading the previous two posts I realize I cheated and didn't stick to book vampires. Bad girl. Bad. But since I worked so hard and pulled pretty pictures for you I am going to leave it.
Thanks for nodding to my own vampire boys ladies. I appreciate it and I'm so glad you like them. I miss them terribly and am going to have new offerings for you after the baby boy is born and lets me have possession of my brain back.
Now back to the previously scheduled post.
I have something else to admit, this post was really hard for me. Isn't that stupid? As much as I love vampires you would think this would be easy. But the problem is that I LOVE vampires. And narrowing down my favorites is really, really hard. So I've decided to list the top ten, pretty much in order I guess, though the order changes depending on what I am reading/writing/watching at the time.
So here we go, my current top ten list of favorite vampires.
10. Nicholas Cage in A Vampire's Kis. I wanted a picture of him trying to drink blood with his plastic teeth in, but I just couldn't find one. Damn you Google Images, you've failed me again.
9. Thomas Ian Griffith as Valek in John Carpenter's Vampires. I LOVE this movie. It is bloody, it's gorey, and it paints vampires in a nasty light. And Valek is the meanest, nastiest vampire that ever a vampire was. Plus, James Woods in those jeans. YUM. In fact, you know what...
I can't believe this is the best picture I can find of him from this movie. I cannot be the only pervert that loves James Woods in those tight ass jeans. Damn it. Well, anyway. Back to the actual list.
8. Tom Cruise as Lestat in Interview with the Vampire. Now, Tom Cruise was HOT in this movie. I am not that big of a Cruise fan, but I loved him in this movie. He makes a good blond. But I chose this picture because this is actually my very favorite part of the movie. "Claudia, you have been...a very...very...naughty girl." Yikes! Say what you like about him being a freak, he made one hell of a vampire. And for anyone who knows me well, and knows my feeling about Ann Rice, you have to know what a big step it is for me to put one of her vamps on a list of favorites. That just speaks to how amazing I thought Tom Cruise was in this film. It had nothing to do with the writing. Believe me. Okay, I'm done.
7. Marlow. Oh, my beloved Marlow. Danny Huston in 30 Days of Night. I should have put him higher. This was another movie where vampires are vampires damn it. They are evil. They kill and they destroy. They destroy towns and then leave the bodies to move on to the next place. This movie was so freaking beautiful. The way it was shot, the contrasts of dark and light, the way this man looks streaked in blood. Oh yeah, he should have gone higher on the list. But he is here at lucky number 7. You know what, I am seriously going to go throw this movie into the DVD player while I finish this post. That's better. A little vampire action to put me in a vampire mood for the vampire post. *Sigh
6. Once again Google Images let me down. I cannot believe I couldn't find a better picture of David Bowie as John in The Hunger. Granted, he wasn't in it that much. And he wasn't very good looking for most of what he was in, but still. It's freakin David Bowie as a freakin' vampire. There should be pages and pages of hotness. This is where my list totally goes off the rail. Cause this movie kind of blew. I'll admit it. It was terrible. He was barely in it. But come ON! It's David as a vampire. Two of my most favorite things in the world. I couldn't NOT include him on this list. That would have been horrible and gotten me kicked out of the fan club...okay, so I'm not actually in the fan club. But I love him. So that totally counts.
5. Keifer Sutherland as David in The Lost Boys. Keeping mullets sexy late into the 80's. Alright, so he was sort of a douchey vampire. But hey, it was the 80's, what do you expect? I love this movie. It is one of my cheesy classic favorites that I can go back to and laugh at the clothes, the hair, that earring. OMG Keifer. You certainly were the man...er, vampire. I would have chosen you over that crybaby human boy any day. And for the record, the worms in the Chinese take out container still gross me out.
4.Robert Pattinson. Oh Edward. Sweet, sweet, sexy Edward. I couldn't not include you. And yes, you are rather high on my list. Though your incessant whining is seconded only by Bella's, I still adore the hell out of you and your unwashed hair. I am not sure which is more embarrassing, my crush on Robert Pattinson or my crush on Daniel Radcliffe. I suppose Robert was legal the entire time I have crushed on him, while Daniel was a little young when my love for him began. Hmm...I think I should move on before the embarrassment increases any further.
3. James Marsters and Juliet Landau are tied for my number 3 favorite vampires. Probably because I like them best as a team. Spike and Drusilla were the best vampire couple EVER. OMG I just loved them together. She was bat shit crazy and he loved the hell out of her. They totally made season 2 of Buffy for me. When Angel was all evil and Buffy was all crying and moping and boo hoo and crap, at least I always had snarky Spike and crazy Dru to keep the episodes interesting for me. If you've never seen them together you MUST go to You Tube and look up Spike and Dru. They are fabulous. I still adored Spike after Dru left, but it was never quite the same.
2. Gary Oldman as Dracula in Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula. I know you know what movie it was, but I love that one guy did another guys movie about a vampire. It's so pretentious and funny. Anyway, Gary Oldman is sexy. Unless he is in Hannibal then ew. But other than that...yum. And his Dracula was my favorite of all of the Draculas. Sorry to any purests out there. But I love him. He still makes me cry every time I watch him read that letter that Wynona Rider left him as she is on her way to get Keanue. The blood pouring down his face and his anger and anguish. UGH! Kills me every time. What a fabulous movie. What a fabulous man. What an amazing vampire. Once again, I would have totally picked him over Jonathon. Jonathon was a jerk.
Here we are. At my current favorite vampire. I say current because two years ago I didn't even know who this was. He showed up and stole this vampire girls heart and hasn't let go. I adore him. Sure the names above are all interchangable depending on the day of the week. But for now, this is my number one vampire man and I wouldn't have it any other way.
1. Alexander Skarsgard as Eric Northman on True Blood. Eric. Oh Eric. My beloved blond viking bastard. You are cold, you are sadistic, you are hilarious and you are sexy as all hell. I absolutely adore Eric. I look forward to Sunday's so much so I can see what he is going to do next. What he is going to wear, or not wear this week. He is without a doubt my new favorite vampire. If you haven't watched True Blood yet...well shame on you. The show is great...for the most part. If they would stick with the vampires and leave some of the other plot lines alone I would like it more. But then, I'm a vamp girl so that's why I tune in. Maybe there are those of you out there who like Sam and Tara and all the side show bullsh*t, but not me. Give me Eric, Bill, Sookie and I'll take Lafeyette too cause he is hilarious and I love my gays as much as I love my vampires.
So, I hope that the format of this post works out okay. It's always tough to know how the wording is going to line up to the pictures when it actually goes live. If you have a blogger account you know that the "preview" function is pretty much useless when trying to figure out how everything is going to look on the site.
How about all of you? Do you have a favorite that's not on this list? Do you have a favorite quote from one of the vamps above? Let me know what you think of my favorites won't you?
XoXoXo
Dakota
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