For me, it's the back-yard and some relaxing beach time! I also get to see the fireworks in the park light up the sky tonight, right from my house. Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Book recommendation-Build a Man by Talli Roland
'Build a Man' is the first in the series of Serenity Holland books.
Grab a copy from Amazon while its still Free for prime members or buy for 99 cents.
This is an enjoyable, light-hearted chick lit read with captivating and memorable characters that pull you in right from the get-go. I loved the humour and interesting story line set in a London cosmetics clinic. A highly recommended read. I look forward to reading more fun books by Talli Roland. If you're looking for some romantic comedy, this is a good place to start. 'Build a Man,' is the first of three books in a series, called the Serenity Holland Books.
Product Description
The perfect man is out there . . . he just needs a little work.
A Top 15 Pick of 2011 by Chick Lit News and Reviews
Voted a Top Ten Book of 2011 by Trashionista
A Top 15 Pick of 2011 by Chick Lit News and Reviews
Voted a Top Ten Book of 2011 by Trashionista
PRAISE FOR BUILD A MAN:
This is a hugely entertaining book, light-hearted yet with hidden messages of self belief, hope and about following dreams. --Kim the Bookworm
Build A Man had characters I really, really cared for, it had an inspired plot (Talli is a plot genius!), it had warmth and humour . . . I can't recommend it enough. --Chick Lit News and Reviews
A light and charming read, I found the main character, Serenity Holland, to be reminiscent of the loveable awkwardness of Bridget Jones. --Novel Escapes
DESCRIPTION:
Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between -- Serenity knows she's got a story no editor could resist.
With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and she's ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.
To get your copy at Amazon UK click here
or Amazon USA.
***
The next book in the series, Construct A Couple, is now available. The book launch was on June 13th. I haven't read this one yet, but the reviews say it's even better than the first in this series.
 |
| Construct a couple is the second title in the Serenity Holland books. |
Product Description
"This is the best Talli Roland novel I've read so far. For me, the book has a special depth - it's much more than a romantic comedy. A well constructed (pun intended), enjoyable read." --High Heels and Book Deals
"If only all chick lit could be this enjoyable." --Kindle Users' Forum Official Review
Is any relationship strong enough to survive a string of secrets?
With a great job at a reputable magazine and a man who's the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she's laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine assignment uncovers a shocking secret threatening her boyfriend's company, Serenity decides to leave nothing to chance, taking matters into her own hands. Soon, though, she realises keeping secrets isn't as easy as she thought . . . and the consequences are far worse than she ever imagined.
"If only all chick lit could be this enjoyable." --Kindle Users' Forum Official Review
Is any relationship strong enough to survive a string of secrets?
With a great job at a reputable magazine and a man who's the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she's laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine assignment uncovers a shocking secret threatening her boyfriend's company, Serenity decides to leave nothing to chance, taking matters into her own hands. Soon, though, she realises keeping secrets isn't as easy as she thought . . . and the consequences are far worse than she ever imagined.
To buy on Kindle for 99 cents in Amazon UK, Click here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Construct-A-Couple-ebook/dp/B008A6V1CW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339415649&sr=8-1
or click here to buy at Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/Construct-A-Couple-ebook/dp/B008A6V1CW
I just love where Talli Roland is taking us with the third novel (still in the works) from the 'Serenity Holland books' titled, 'Marriage to Measure.' Wow, that should be interesting. Talli is a hard worker. With several other novels published, these two extra books came to me as a complete surprise. She seems to have done a wonderful job at bringing out some fun quality books at rapid speed. She also creates all her own book covers. I love the arty feel about them.
Please check out her book launch interview over at high heels and book deals. She talks about the many drafts she went through to complete 'Construct a Couple.'
http://highheelsandbookdeals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/construct-couple-talli-roland.html
About the Author
Talli Roland writes fun, romantic fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories—complete with happy endings. Talli’s debut novel The Hating Game was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favourite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States.
You can learn more about Talli and her other published book at http://www.talliroland.com/
You can also check out Talli Rolands other forthcoming titles and fun bits on her blog:
Enjoy!
Jacqueline
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
My poetry video reading with excerpts and tidbits. Enjoy!
Video reading from Amorphous Angelic, Selected Poems, by Jacqueline Howett.
My poetry ebook is free at Smashwords until the 31st May. On June 1st the price returns to $4.95
Click on YouTube videos to listen to my sample poems from this blog!
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A9z5tsZzkWQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
If you enjoyed my poetry, I'd appreciate your leaving a comment at Smashwords, or Amazon when you have a moment. Thanks!
Product Description
Amorphous Angelic, selected poems by Jacqueline Howett are Metaphysical poems of wisdom, death, rebirth, and the inner workings of the souls journey. They are also 35 selected poems of love, inspiration, wonder, visions, hope, faith and connecting to the higher self, the sad & strange, to elevating out of darkness to reveal the mystery of life. They cover an important time factor in the poets life between 1980-1985, and have remained her most memorable poems. They were to be the last poems written from old England, before moving to America
Presently the Kindle free sample only gives you one poem. I shall try to reformat it so it shows at least another free poem. To sample a few more poems from the book, check out my official website from My other poetry.
Enjoy.
Being in our time with life which remains
Being in our time with life which remains,
Sudden death we greet inside our fragile frames,
New seeds of life are death to higher planes,
Nobody wished before to have explained,
To counteract our existence with death,
This material corpse, our body frames,
Comes this magic 'life' which it contains,
In the cosmic state without the desire,
To acknowledge universal loving,
With life and death, new seeds grow to show,
And all that's required of our minds to know,
Death is the step in our many lives in breath,
In one body we meet there many times,
And life goes on and out once like a star.
Copyright ©1983-2012 Jacqueline Howett
Looking beyond this river from death's face
Looking beyond this river from death's face,
A clear pure warm sun is reaching out upon new life,
From distant lands its echo is carried.
Buzzing new life is near to tread once more,
Unhindered by its touch, this sun gives warning,
Distant new life looks upon steps in breath,
Upon healing scars warms this living flesh,
As marks of wisdom upon folly,
Cautious steps made are felt upon the heart,
Knowing the sun, moon and stars meet life as death,
Bravely walking through aware, unmasked,
Reveals a fret not to be feared,
As death's parade lurks about everywhere,
For it knows it carries you out of darkness,
That which bravely endured life's countless mistakes,
To reveal a true face, although grown rigid and tight,
Is born again, transformed in holy glory,
Reflecting self onto a mask that fits.
(C)1983-2001-2012
Immortality's fountain
Beyond mountain tops I did reach,
To a new world I did greet,
No fairer plains did I ever meet,
To challenge my wits as a passing fleet,
Oh! What treasures you now reveal,
Such splendor alone, secrets seal,
No man can utter what we feel,
Hearts true glory and soul that's real.
We freeze, yet move beyond the speed of light,
To experience alone gifts of sight.
Searing forever higher above the clouds,
Gone the illusions out of the shrouds,
With the truth one experiences alone;
And here the spiral from a timeless zone,
We end the story to the unknown,
Knowing it's faith that brings you home,
To immortality's fountain.
To a new world I did greet,
No fairer plains did I ever meet,
To challenge my wits as a passing fleet,
Oh! What treasures you now reveal,
Such splendor alone, secrets seal,
No man can utter what we feel,
Hearts true glory and soul that's real.
We freeze, yet move beyond the speed of light,
To experience alone gifts of sight.
Searing forever higher above the clouds,
Gone the illusions out of the shrouds,
With the truth one experiences alone;
And here the spiral from a timeless zone,
We end the story to the unknown,
Knowing it's faith that brings you home,
To immortality's fountain.
Copyright ©Jacqueline Howett 1984-2012
Hi guys!
Hope you enjoyed the poetry excerpts and video. With time, maybe I shall be able to afford some dental implants that will give you all a better video face-lift of me. LOL.
I have to say, these old poems and the language I used in them way back then in England, made me realise how much I have evolved since living in America. Although I'm sure I would have still evolved just as much if I had lived in England. Its just that I wonder how I would have evolved. When I wrote them, I was stuck in the classics for a time. I remember I had some amazing hosts of spirits about me that put words in my head, and I had to keep looking up these new words in a dictionary to really see if I knew what they meant.
Hi guys!
Hope you enjoyed the poetry excerpts and video. With time, maybe I shall be able to afford some dental implants that will give you all a better video face-lift of me. LOL.
I have to say, these old poems and the language I used in them way back then in England, made me realise how much I have evolved since living in America. Although I'm sure I would have still evolved just as much if I had lived in England. Its just that I wonder how I would have evolved. When I wrote them, I was stuck in the classics for a time. I remember I had some amazing hosts of spirits about me that put words in my head, and I had to keep looking up these new words in a dictionary to really see if I knew what they meant.
I had left the world of Sex, Drugs and Rock N' Roll, and crazy dancing for a night out in night clubs. Did I mention dancing? Yeah, you have to know there was plenty of my creative dancing. LOL. I say it like that, as every time I hit the dance floor, it was like the red-sea opened up for me to give me space. I then covered all my mirrors of vanity, and only once in a while came back to play sounds like, Off The Wall by Pink Floyd while drinking a little too much wine. I played it just to remember what all that kind of music represented to me at the time. I was also just re-discovering my literary self, and how my life had evolved into holding a pen constantly.
I became a celibate hermit and I loved it. I opened letters with a fancy knife letter opener, and polished my desk daily where my typewriter sat, playing classical music like, The four seasons by Vivaldi, or Brahms, and Jazz/Blues musicians like John Coltraine, Billy Holiday, and Nina Simmone. And oddly enough, this was the time I began playing the violin, and I picked up the flute again. I became a gourmet cook, experimenting on Arabic, and French, and Greek recipes from the countries I had visited, and places I had not visited, like India and China. I really had no problem cooking just for myself. It was just another one of my passions. Although I polished the furniture, I loved the cobwebs that had formed in the corners of the room. I was experiencing a major death/rebirth, in my redemption. I began collecting books like they were going out of fashion, while computers got busy emptying the shelves of hard copy data.
I became a celibate hermit and I loved it. I opened letters with a fancy knife letter opener, and polished my desk daily where my typewriter sat, playing classical music like, The four seasons by Vivaldi, or Brahms, and Jazz/Blues musicians like John Coltraine, Billy Holiday, and Nina Simmone. And oddly enough, this was the time I began playing the violin, and I picked up the flute again. I became a gourmet cook, experimenting on Arabic, and French, and Greek recipes from the countries I had visited, and places I had not visited, like India and China. I really had no problem cooking just for myself. It was just another one of my passions. Although I polished the furniture, I loved the cobwebs that had formed in the corners of the room. I was experiencing a major death/rebirth, in my redemption. I began collecting books like they were going out of fashion, while computers got busy emptying the shelves of hard copy data.
Really, the late 70's and early 80's were impressionable days. I also think it was the thrill of re-discovering the writer in me, after a period of time with just living my crazy life. Like love when it first blooms, it's the wonder, that in-spite of having lived through so many situations and circumstances, it was the writer within that seemed to have the greatest hold over me, returning to me like an old lost friend. At the time it seemed like I gave up the whole world for just pen and paper.
My other poetry books still in the works are titled, SANDS OF TIME and MY GREEKSIDE.
Click here to get your free copy of my poetry book, (ebook version) titled, Amorphous Angelic, Selected Poems before prices go back up to $4.95 on June 1st, 2012.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38047
Thanks for stopping by.
Jacqueline
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Jacqueline Howett interviews Kris Bock
I’m happy to announce we have Guest author Kris Bock of Whispers in the DARK here today.
Now on with the interview.
Q. Where do you come from?
I was born in Illinois, but I’ve lived in 10 states and one foreign country (Saudi Arabia, in an American camp as a child). I went to high school in Alaska, college in Rhode Island, grad school in Boston, and I lived in New York City and the Seattle-area before settling in small-town New Mexico. I’ve lived here 10 years, the longest I’ve been anywhere, and it feels like home.
Q. What made you write this book?
I didn’t read classic romance for most of my life, but I loved “novels of romance and suspense” like those by Barbara Michaels or Mary Stewart, where an ordinary woman gets caught up in something unexpected and mysterious. I paired that with my love of the Southwest and interest in archaeology. The specific story in Whispers in the Dark was inspired by a visit to Hovenweep National Monument, a small ancient site in the Four Corners area, which seemed like the perfect place for a romantic adventure.
Q. What other books have you published?
As Kris Bock, my first book was Rattled, another Southwestern adventure. It follows two women friends who head into the New Mexico desert in search of a long-lost treasure cave. But they’re not the only ones who want the treasure, and they face dangers from wild animals, wilder humans, and the wilderness itself.
I also have 16 books for children published under the name Chris Eboch. The Eyes of Pharaoh is a mystery set in ancient Egypt. In The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala rebels against the High Priest who sacrifices anyone challenging his power. Read excerpts at www.chriseboch.com or visit my Amazon page to learn more. I recently released Advanced Plotting, a guide for writers, based on my years of experience as a writing teacher and workshop leader.
Q. Which authors have had a significant influence on your writing?
The authors I mentioned above provided inspiration. My brother, Doug, has helped me a lot. He’s a scriptwriter – the original writer on the screenplay for Sweet Home Alabama – and he has a great blog about writing at Let’s Schmooze. I learn a lot from his blog and also from the conversations we have about our work whenever we visit.
Q. Do you like to listen to any music while you write?
I don’t mind having music playing if it doesn’t have words (which can distract me from my own words). But I rarely play music, because I dictate my manuscripts with voice recognition software, and music could confuse the system.
Q. What do you think of the changing world of electronic books?
I think it’s exciting! I know some people mourn the death of “real” (paper) books, but I like the choices offered. As a reader (especially one in a small town with no bookstore and a small library), it’s nice to be able to get a huge variety of books any time.
As a writer, I love that I can reach out to readers directly. I spent years in traditional publishing, and had some wonderful experiences, but I also know how many great books don’t get published, and how much writers can get hurt by bad contracts, publishers going bankrupt, and changing market trends. And I love that now I can make my books available for a few dollars and still make money.
Q. Do you have any other books you can talk about that you’re writing?
I’m writing another romance/mystery that was inspired by my own experience stumbling upon a crime scene. The current title is What We Found, but that might change. It’s set in a small town in New Mexico and involves falconry, a current interest of mine. I’m also considering releasing a writing craft book on Voice, since Advanced Plotting has been well-received.
Q. If there were three books you could only take to a desert island what would they be?
Tough question! Can’t I take a well-stocked e-reader? I guess I’d be tempted to take some really big collections, like The Complete Works of Shakespeare. If they could get the complete works of Nora Roberts into one book, I’d take that, since she’s published 200 titles, but it would be hard to choose just one. One of my favorite books is Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, a comedy about the end of the world. It’s packed tight with jokes and thought-provoking ideas, so worth multiple reads.
Q. What do you have to offer other aspiring authors out there?
It’s a wonderful time to be an author. You have more options and control than ever before. However, with power comes responsibility – in this case, the responsibility to make sure your work is really ready for the market. Self-publishing is another path, but it’s not a shortcut. Work on your craft first: take classes and read advice books (like my Advanced Plotting, hint, hint) or writing craft blogs (like mine), and get professional feedback. If you do decide you’re ready to publish, hire a professional editor and proofreader, so you can do it right. But if you just want to write as a hobby, that’s wonderful – enjoy it and don’t get caught up in the drive to publish.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say about your self and your work?
I enjoy connecting with other writers and readers, so please feel free to contact me via any of the ways listed below!
Thank you Chris for visiting with us today.
Q. How can readers find you and follow your progress?
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Kris-Bock/e/B006WV4I5O/
Barnes & Noble Author Page http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/kris-bock
Smashwords Author Profile: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KrisBockRomanticSuspense
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Bock-Author-Page/174350342612332
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Bock-Author-Page/174350342612332
Website with blog and contact button http://www.krisbock.com/ or www.chriseboch.com for children’s books
E-mail: krisbock (at) krisbock.com
Description from Whispers in the Dark by Kris Bock.
A young archaeologist seeking peace after an assault stumbles into danger as mysteries unfold among ancient Southwest ruins. Can she overcome the fears from her past, learn to fight back, and open herself to a new romance?
Here is a free excerpt from the novel
Chapter 1
What had I gotten myself into?
I closed my eyes. Yes, I was driving, but a moment of distraction seemed safe enough, since I hadn’t seen another car in half an hour. Even the jackrabbits and rattlesnakes were hiding in the shade, leaving the road clear of everything but rocks and ruts.
I was starting an adventure. I had to remind myself of that—an adventure. I wanted to be here. I wanted to get away from the city, the classroom and office, the people. You couldn’t get much farther away than this, a tiny cluster of seven-hundred-year-old ruins in the Four Corners area of the Southwest. I had found the middle of nowhere.
As I had wanted, I reminded myself.
The car bumped into a pothole and my head smacked back on the headrest. Maybe I needed to pay more attention to the road after all.
The vast landscape drew my attention, the open space leaving me a bit breathless, a reverse of claustrophobia. At a glance the scene lacked color, a wash of parched tan that spoke of emptiness, drought, death. I clenched the steering wheel and breathed through my nose to filter out the dust pouring through the open window. I’d shut off the air-conditioning hours ago to keep my wreck from overheating.
It wasn’t like I’d have to live in this dusty wasteland forever. I wanted to test myself in unfamiliar terrain, face life head-on, and prove I had healed. Then I could go back to normal life, stronger and ready to face more ordinary challenges. I didn’t have to love it here; I only had to survive.
But my eyes, adapted to New England’s green trees and grass, slowly started to appreciate this different palette. A painter probably could have named a dozen shades of brown, along with the soft reds—gentle shades of pink and orange and rust and purple—from the sandstone mesas. The scant vegetation added muted, dusty green. The rare patch of yellow wildflowers looked shockingly bright. And above it all lay the vast sky, incredibly blue and so bright it hurt my eyes to look up, even with sunglasses.
I gave a low whistle. “You’re not in Boston anymore.”
I saw a bump on the horizon, a tan cube that stood out against the undulating mesas only because of its straight lines and sharp angles. I took a quick breath and felt my heart rate speed. Almost there. I blamed the churning in my stomach on the spicy food from lunch and turned up the short drive to the visitors center.
I had my choice of a dozen empty parking spots. I only saw one other vehicle, an aging pickup pulled around the side of the building. I spent a minute brushing my hair and pulling it into a ponytail. A glance in the rearview mirror told me that nothing but a long shower would make up for the dust and sweat turning my brown hair muddy. I wasn’t likely to get a shower for a while, but fortunately people expected archaeologists to look grungy. Maybe today I’d avoid the raised eyebrows because I looked too young to be a real archaeologist.
I couldn’t think of another excuse for dawdling, so I took a deep breath and stepped from the car. “You wanted this,” I muttered. “Now take it and make it yours.”
Feel free to tweet this post.
...
My watch said 5:40, and the sun was well above the horizon. I had enough time for a hike around the canyon. The map said the Towers Loop was only a mile long. I grabbed the map and filled a bottle of water, then started walking.
I hurried along the trail until I reached the canyon rim, where I stopped and grinned. The canyon cut across the land in front of me—maybe more of a ravine, really, several miles long but only a quarter-mile across and a few hundred feet deep. The bottom looked shady and cool, while the sun lit up the small ruin to my right.
The now-roofless structure wouldn’t impress anyone but an archaeologist—except for the way it perched recklessly atop a thirty-foot boulder. The boulder sloped at a sharp angle, so it looked like the whole structure should slide into the canyon. And it had been there for over 700 years! I skimmed the pamphlet and confirmed what I remembered: Stronghold House was part of a large pueblo that once filled the canyon slope below. Ironically, the lower floors built down in the canyon had crumbled and been washed away, so now only the top story remained, safe on the enormous boulder.
I spotted carved hand and toeholds in the rock, leading up to the low doorway. I tried to imagine the Anasazi living there centuries before, scrambling up the steep side of the boulder as easily as I walked up the stairs to my second-floor apartment. I half-closed my eyes to blur my vision and tried to picture the way it must have been before the walls crumbled and the roof collapsed. I imagined small, tanned people in loincloths, women on the roof, crouched over their work, children playing nearby, men returning from hunting or working their cultivated fields. I could almost hear their cheerful shouts.
I opened my eyes and turned down the path along the canyon rim, humming with pleasure. For the next few weeks, this would be my playground.
The next site on the map was just a vandalized rock shelter, and the trail guide complained that people had torn down the walls before it could be excavated. Only part of one wall and a jumble of stones remained. But the guide also mentioned that the site might have yielded storage jars or food remains, had it been left for archaeologists. Since my interest was ancient food, I decided to creep down for a closer look.
I moved carefully, so as not to disturb the loose rocks, and squatted near the biggest pile of rubble. I gently lifted a few broken pieces, putting them back in the same place after I’d examined them. I couldn’t do much with the fragments, but as always, I marveled over touching something from the past.
Tomorrow would be soon enough for scientific method, for testing and hypothesizing. Tonight I only wanted to touch the magic of this ancient world. I closed my eyes and tried to feel some ancient presence, to hear whispers from the past. The air seemed to tremble with possibilities. If only I believed in magic—
A shout slashed the air. I twisted so fast I tumbled onto my backside.
I gaped up at the man towering over me. Bare chest, muscular and bronzed. Black hair pulled back from a face full of sharp planes and angles. Dark eyes fierce under scowling brows.
My heart jolted painfully. I’d come face to face with an ancient warrior. He was gorgeous.
And furious.
At me.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Nucking Futs and tidbit links
Nucking Futs was inspired in part by my misfortunate viral mishap written up in the Guardian last year. Now playing at Bats Theatre in NZ, from 12th-21st. The Play is a comedy about Life and Literature online. With its trademark dark humour, full.stop.theatre uses Nucking Futs to explore how the internet can feed delusions of grandeur and prey on people's naivety for the amusement of others.Written by Cherie Jacobson and Alex Lodge
Directed by Ed Watson
full.stop.theatre
at BATS, Wellington
Until 21 Apr 2012
Hi Guys,
Being I'm a bit of a Playwright myself, I thought I'd share this! And seeing that I haven't written anything as yet on my blog about Plays, why not start here?
Apparently this dark comedy Play had a full house and was hilariously funny! I wish I could have been the fly on the wall, but I don't think I'll be catching any flights to New Zealand to see it. I guess were just have to wait and see if it plays in a theatre near me! There are two main reviews. In reflection I found John Smythe's review to be quite interesting. John Smythe is the managing editor and critc of theatreveiw.org.nz. His also a writer of plays for stage, television and film.
Have a great day!
Jacqueline
Links to reviews
Nucking Futs – from the team that brought us Tea for Toot – is inspired by the phenomenon of independent writers self-publishing e-books online in the virtual (but not exactly virtuous) minefield of blogs, Facebook, Twitter and 'reality' television.
Cleo has launched herself with a romance novel called Her Moist Abyss, which involves caving. A subsequent incident at a Whanganui Writers Week Q&A session – captured by way of a prologue – has led to her taking time out to meditate at what she is pleased to call a spiritual retreat and health spa.
She has also hired "a documentary crew to make a self-promotional film about ‘the woman behind the words'," as the media release puts it. The detail of who is paying what for this is glossed over, but it does become apparent Cleo has not retained any sort of editorial right over what footage gets used and how. She is not allowed to call "cut" and Chip the cameraman keeps saying he can make no promises about what may or may not be used, although it is not clear who he answers to or who holds what rights over the accumulating footage (or do we call it bytes these days?).
Comment excerpts from John Smythe's review.
Thanks for that, Martyn. I do have a note about Rod's Reads, following the first Insecure Writers' Support Group scene and before the reveal about Raoul. I just didn't clock it as the catalyst for "the whole show". Perhaps I missed a time-shift thing, or was it a bit of backstory exposition. Does Cleo respond to the Rod's Reads review, and to the responses to her responses, within the present action of the play?
I'll come again on Tuesday (prior to Other People's Wars) and if I realise I have factually misrepresented the play, I will add a correction to this thread.
"On the second viewing I do see how Nucking Futs aims to confront the phenomenon of internet cruelty. Right at the start Cleo reports that she got a bad review on Rob's Reads but she's carted off before she can give us the guts. Later she and Diane deliver some expository reportage on what happened. But nothing in the present action of the play allows us to either empathise with her outrage or fear for what will happen to her, given her behaviour.
(Spoiler alert) Chip the cameraman and Raoul/Trent the predatory blogger do collude to exploit the delusional vulnerability of Cleo. Chip is a film school grad trying to get a break (so presumably is doing this for nothing) and Trent … Well I still don't see why he is going to all the trouble of physically entering her life to mess with her. (ends) I mean most 'meanness by meme' happens on the net in a series of mindless passing moments where the perpetrators don't stop to think about the actual person they are making fun of. That is the nature of what the play sets out to explore."
Yes it's quite entertaining – very sometimes – in its idiosyncrasy. But there is little drama, no build up of tension and so no release, built into the dramatisation. And there is no opportunity to engage empathetically with Cleo. If the play allowed us to first feel tempted to laugh at Cleo, then realise the ridicule had gone too far and feel compassion for her, while questioning our own attitudes and responses, it would be much more effective, theatrically and socially.
As it stands we just get to appraise the situation objectively.
Click Here to read the full review by John Smythe
http://www.theatreview.org.nz/reviews/review.php?id=4700
About LIfe and Literature online: review
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/arts-entertainment/6693595/Downloading-a-meltdown
Bats Theatre: Tickets.
http://bats.co.nz/
For those of you unfamiliar with my side of the facts back then, concerning the Big AL incident, I wrote a blog titled: In retrospect. A public, viral announcement: 
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Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Greek Seaman novel re-edited, coming soon!
Just thought I'd keep you posted, the re-edited version of my novel The Greek Seaman will be available shortly. TJ, at TJ Proofs is an excellent proofreader, who comes highly recommended. She is now in the last phase of proofreading. If you're interested in her service, check out her website for published authors she has represented.
Here's the link to TJ's Blog.
Product Description to The Greek Seaman novel
The thunder clapped and the mysterious voice of the sea made itself known about them, and as the ship made its sudden precipitous descent once more it rendered them powerless to move.
The captain shook his head. "This is not a hurricane, this is something else. I have never seen a hurricane like this before, have you?"
What is an eighteen year old newly wed doing travelling on a massive merchant ship anyways? Hadn’t she gone to Greece on tour in a ballet as a dancer? These are questions Katy asks herself while travelling the high seas with Don, her Chief Officer husband. However, little do they know a smuggling ring is also on board for this ride. When explosions, injured sailors, and threats to sink the ship for the insurance turns into the smugglers perfect cover up plan, Don and Katy must try to save themselves. Various ships pass in the night, and the smugglers must finaly try and reach their last contact aboard a rescue operation coming from Crete in order to complete their blue diamond exchange.
This is an exciting sea adventure with just enough suspense and romance. It take's you on a voyage to experience magnificent, soothing wonders of the sea before you enter storms and hurricanes, where Katy also finds herself at times alone on the bridge navigating through it with a seasick crew. From Piraeus, Greece, you'll visit the ports of Lebanon, and Libya, and enjoy the exotic magic of the bazaar. The love between Don and Katy in their ordeal at sea makes this a memorable story.
The captain shook his head. "This is not a hurricane, this is something else. I have never seen a hurricane like this before, have you?"
What is an eighteen year old newly wed doing travelling on a massive merchant ship anyways? Hadn’t she gone to Greece on tour in a ballet as a dancer? These are questions Katy asks herself while travelling the high seas with Don, her Chief Officer husband. However, little do they know a smuggling ring is also on board for this ride. When explosions, injured sailors, and threats to sink the ship for the insurance turns into the smugglers perfect cover up plan, Don and Katy must try to save themselves. Various ships pass in the night, and the smugglers must finaly try and reach their last contact aboard a rescue operation coming from Crete in order to complete their blue diamond exchange.
This is an exciting sea adventure with just enough suspense and romance. It take's you on a voyage to experience magnificent, soothing wonders of the sea before you enter storms and hurricanes, where Katy also finds herself at times alone on the bridge navigating through it with a seasick crew. From Piraeus, Greece, you'll visit the ports of Lebanon, and Libya, and enjoy the exotic magic of the bazaar. The love between Don and Katy in their ordeal at sea makes this a memorable story.
Happy Spring Break and a little time out.
Lately, I have been so very busy with that other stuff on my "to-do" list that's not so glamorous. And yet, I can't help but stop and find moments in life to enjoy. Right now, it's Spring Break in Florida, and here on the beach where I live, life is really buzzing. You just can't help but be a part of all that feel good energy when running around town. It's moments like this I realize how fortunate I am to be living here.An added note: A to Z challenge.
Thanks for the bloggers who have passed by from the A to Z challenge, but I have decided not to be part of the A to Z challenge this year, after all. But I will try to get around to some of your blogs and leave a comment. I'm afraid I have too much else to do at the moment.
Hope you're all having a great week and happy blogging to you all!
Jacqueline
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