My Heart Melted For the Movie Flipped

If it’s a romantic coming-of-age movie you’re looking for then I highly recommend the 2010 movie Flipped. 

The film is an adaptation of the novel Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen and although the author's story is set in current times, director and screenwriter Rob Reiner chose the era of the late 50s and early 60s for the film.

Upon their first meeting in 1957, second-grader Juliana Baker knows its love when she meets fellow classmate Bryce Loski. The problem is, Bryce is clueless to these emotions and tries for the next six years to keep this outspoken, unconventional girl at arm’s length.

The years quickly go by and before you know it, it’s 1963 and the pair is in seventh grade, Juliana (Juli) (Madeleine Carroll) is still determined to have her first kiss from Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) and Bryce is still trying to get a handle on his emotions, believing he has no feelings for his intriguing neighbor.

Bryce messes things up with a few bad choices and loses Juli’s respect; he refuses to admit he misses Juliana’s constant attempts to win his affection.

Despite his determination Bryce’s feelings flip when there’s a basket boy auction at school. Who will bid on his basket and have lunch with him? He dreads the moment uncertain of the outcome.

I would love to tell you more but it would be just wrong to spoil it for you. Instead here’s a trailer to the movie Flipped.

I feel there's a sweet innocence to this movie and director Rob Reiner lets you see it through Juliana and Bryce's point of view.


I find it's not only a romance but a mixing of two families; it's interesting to see how Bryce deals with his dad who is critical towards their neighbor.

Flipped has a great cast of actors, including Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe, Aidan Quinn, Rebecca De Mornay, John Mahoney and Anthony Edwards among many more.

I hope you enjoy.

Illustration Image by iStockphoto

Inspirational Sites to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

At times a writer just needs to hear or read something to put the passion back into their work. I have to admit I relish those jeweled sites where an author shares their experience. Writing a novel is a long road with plenty of ups and downs in it so it’s always a pleasure to read something positive to put the energy back into your writing. Here are some sites I found of interest.



• Mike Wells; The Green Water Blog and his post on how 3000 copies of his book Wild Child went from the trash bin to selling on Amazon Kindle and earning the number one spot on the bestseller list. It's definitely a Cinderella story for writers!


• Another great inspirational story is self published author John Locke and his climb to the bestseller list on Amazon's Kindle. I believe one of his books Saving Rachel has Hollywood even interested in turning it into a film. It’s truly another writer’s HEA – what could be sweeter?  


As of yet I haven’t read any of these authors books so I have no idea what they’re like. But I have to say I’m definitely intrigued to see what the hype is all about.

As always it’s good to hear the literally world is still thriving. So to those of you who are about to put pen to paper I wish you happy writing and much success!


Image found at Wikimedia

Do Writers Play A Role In Shaping Our Society?

• Novelists


• Screenwriters

• Songwriters




I believe we all contribute to our society. We put an image in our subjects’ heads, a feeling in their hearts.

As writers I feel we share a responsibility to put the right image out there. At times I feel the industry bombards people with the wrong material and morality takes a second seat as we board the next trend that comes along.

What are our children growing up to? What would be restricted years ago seems quite ridiculous in today’s standards.

Parents today have their hands full when it comes to discouraging drug use, promiscuity and crime. It seems songs, movies, TV shows and novels are littered with it, encouraging such behavior without showing the consequences of such actions. I’m not saying songs, movies, TV shows and novels are all bad, there is so much good out there too but there are also a lot of questionable ones as well.

Not to be a hypocrite, I admit I’ve written stories with shady characters… But I always try to make the protagonist see the error of their ways. I believe characters can have deep undertones—it humanizes them but at some point I want them to see the light.

In closing, I have to quote author Edward Bulwer-Lytton when he wrote the now famous cliché; The pen is mightier than the sword.

Sitting here in front of my computer, I have to wonder what the next generation will be like. Will my words inspire them in some way? Fanciful thought I know but I can’t help but hope that I write something… anything that will point someone in the right direction.

Jack Sparrow vs. Blackbeard on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

I always thought the character Jack Sparrow resembled Blackbeard--ahh … That is to say in fashion sense. But even Blackbeard had a similar quirky sense of humor.

In one tale about Blackbeard it stated while he was in his cabin drinking, he blew out a candle and drew his pistols, firing them aimlessly beneath a table and shot Israel Hands his sailing master in the knee. If he didn't kill one of them now and then, he said, "They would forget who he was."








I pulled up an old image of Blackbeard from Wikipedia and even his stance has a similarity to Jack Sparrow… Indeed interesting… 





Yes it’s a fact, I can’t wait to see the new movie; Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. I can’t wait to see these two flamboyant characters Jack Sparrow and Blackbeard go head to head.

I love pirate stories; love to read about it, write about it and to watch it in the movies! Johnny Depp brings to life Jack Sparrow; I can’t imagine any actor playing the role.

While writing for Wikinut the first article I chose to write about was Blackbeard http://guides.wikinut.com/Blackbeard%3A-A-Pirate-Who-Reigned-Terror-at-Sea/ktxu_81h/ Unfortunately, I couldn’t work it in about the shooting incident in his cabin or the fact that he never made any prisoner walk the plank, but the facts I found and wrote about thickened my interest to write more articles about pirates.

It would be cruel not to end this post without a trailer to the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Enjoy me maties!

Keeping Up Appearances

By that I mean “social networking” it may sound easy but as a writer you’re delving into limited resources such as time to accomplish the goal. There’s no easy way around it and unfortunately, it’s a must in today’s competitive market.

You want your name out there so people (your readers) can get to know what you are about. They followed your blogs, tweets on Twitter, they corresponded with you on forums such as RT Book Reviews http://www.rtbookreviews.com/ or RWA Online chapter http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/ or any number of forums. Or read your articles on sites such as Hubpages http://angeliquenewman.hubpages.com/ or Wikinut http://www.wikinut.com/author~xekjh/Angelique-Newman/ Your name becomes familiar and easier to spot in bookstores or wherever they choose to get a book.

Beside the time and energy it takes to put into networking, you’re selling yourself as an author and the reader will get a feel for your writing through the posts you submit. In this tough economic time, it’s hard to part with money, so the reader wants to make certain they find the most satisfying read for them. I like to think of it like matchmaking a reader to an author. Perhaps it’s the romantic side in me.

So pace yourself and always put your manuscript first; but when you have the chance interact with others and get to know your viewers; you never know you may just find a match and be put on someone’s must read list.

Drawing Inspiration from the Holidays to Write That Perfect Scene

Now that the tree is decorated, its lights shining and reflecting off the garland and various decorations. You may take a moment to listen to the Christmas carols playing on the radio, smell the scent of pine and take in the presents wrapped in festive paper and brightly colored bows.


For me there’s always a sentimental tug when I hear the 1943 song “I’ll be home for Christmas” and think of the soldiers in WWII; it’s easy to transport myself back to that era when family’s gathered around the radio listening to the news and the upheaval of that time or when soldiers received letters from loved ones back home and vice versa.

Emotions are raw this time of year; you hear timeless songs replayed through the decades past. The days are shorter and the season’s winds whip outside your home.

With all the emotions you’re feeling, it’s the perfect time to put pen to paper. Your creative juices are flowing and you may not be aware of it.

You have an outline of your manuscript (or basic idea) and you know at some point you want to have a Christmas scene; what better time to write about it than now. You may have to jump ahead a few chapters but you can draw from all around you the feeling and sense of Christmas. Later you can always tie in the scenes to the rest of your story but for now capture the moment.

So pour yourself a cup of eggnog, wrap yourself in a warm comfy quilt and write the scene your characters are eagerly waiting.

.

Testing Different Waters

I’ve been writing for years. Admittedly I’m commitment shy when it comes to sending my manuscript away—the fear of contracts looms like dark clouds over my head. (It’s strange, I know. Every writer dreams of a contract). Why am I different? I don’t know; I wish I knew so I could move forward.


Perhaps other writers share my phobia. There is hope though; I’ve come upon ways to help boost your confidence. Contests are a good source to let your manuscript see the light of day and to get that all-important feedback. Blogging is another way to share your voice with the outside world. It’s exciting, fun and lets you create outside of the boundaries of your manuscript.

Recently, I’ve tried another avenue. I started writing for Wikinut where you can write about almost anything and get paid for it. When you’re through writing the article it looks like a page from a magazine—you selected the material, the pictures and the look of it. It’s a great outlet but this is by no means an end to my writing on manuscripts and getting them published… For me it’s baby steps. In fact my manuscript is sitting on my desktop, ready to be sent. And I will be… soon.

Right now, I’m dipping my toe in different waters as I work on my manuscripts on the side and I’m having a wonderful time doing it :-) On Wikinut three of my four articles got stars! I’m so excited about it. Here is the link to my articles if you want to take a look. http://www.wikinut.com/author~xekjh/Angelique-Newman/ or take a look to the right side of the screen and you'll see my articles.

Another plus side for writing on an online site, you’re building a portfolio and can mention in your query letter to an agent and editor that you’re a freelance writer.

This is one of the links where you can join and write for Wikinut; http://www.wikinut.com/in/xekjh/

One of the things with writing is that you have to enjoy it. Always keep those creative juices flowing. Happy writing on whatever you may choose :)

This Dog is Amazing and Should Make Her Way onto Dancing With the Stars

I know she's not a celebrity yet but after receiving this video clip in an e-mail, I doubt it will take long for this canine to dance her away across the silver screen.