May 19, 2008 | Book One, Book Stuff, DA Series, Draven Atreides, Life in General, Movie Queue, The 4-1-1 on Me, Writing Movements
Saturday morning, I had a business breakfast with my BF (she also happens to be my business partner as well). We’re trying to come up with ideas for the book release party next year. She’s a great marketing person because she makes me think. What’s the purpose? Who’s your target audience? What’s the draw? Why are these teens going to come and see you? Basically, I have to get out there more. She’s been telling me this forever and I keep saying, “Yeah, I know.” In my rose-colored world, I would just write the books and have someone else promote them. Radio interview? Let me know what time. Book signing? Tell me where to go. Simple. Talk in front of an auditorium full of people? Ahem. Yeah. Uh. I’ll get back to you on that.
But it’s not that simple. Unfortunately.
I’ve got some research to do but she came up with great ideas, though.
After breakfast, we parted ways and I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
If you’ve seen the trailers for this then you know they’ve been saying “it’s better than the first.” Rarely are sequels better than the first, but for once I have to agree with the critics. It’s been only a year for Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter, but it’s been 1300 for Narnia. A lot has changed since the first movie. The children have grown up—literally and figuratively—and Narnia is now in the tight-fisted clutches of an evil ruler, Miraz. The young Prince Caspian is next in line to rule…until his uncle’s wife bears a son. Caspian is forced to flee to the forest, but not before his tutor gives him a special horn, who instructs him to use it only when he’s in “dire straits”.
It seems like these children are always fighting for something—mostly Narnia, sometimes Aslan—and it’s not the rinky-dink bike-racks-at-3pm kind of fights, either. They’re serious battles. These children are leading armies and fighting armies, wielding swords and slinging arrows (except Lucy, of course) like they were born to it. Peter shows major balls by challenging Miraz to a fight to the death. To the death, people. This is a boy of 15? 16? fighting a full-grown man, in full armor, with sword, to the death. How brave is that? In the first movie, they ruled Narnia for a while. We saw them become adults…until they found the wardrobe again and became children. Again. When Prince Caspian realized who he summoned when he blew the horn, he said “I thought you’d be…older.” I couldn’t help but think the same thing. I don’t understand they didn’t become older when they arrived in Narnia.
Besides the whole Davy and Goliath analogy going on this movie, I liked the message they were sending out even more: kids can change the world. They’re braver and stronger than people realize and if they want it bad enough, they can be the change they want to see in the world. When I was younger, and I was reading this series, it was pure entertainment for me. Seeing the movie adaptation of the books is still pure entertainment for me.
From a writer’s perspective, I’m more aware now of underlying themes, but I’m reminded yet again why I love to write: pure entertainment. And if you pick up anything else along the way, that’s cool, too.
Revision Hell isn’t hell anymore. Have I mentioned that before? It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I’ve heard some authors say that they enjoy the revision process. I guess I’m liking it. For the moment. When I write, it’s handwritten first then typed up later. Since I work a FT job, it’s easier for me to carry around a notebook than it is a laptop. It’s been my intention to write during the day and then come home and type up what I’ve written. Lately, I’ve been racking up a lot of handwritten pages, but not doing any typing. I was able to catch up on Sunday. I finished up Chapter 5 and stopped at Chapter 8. My deadline to finish is May 31st and I believe I’ll be able to stick to it.
Later that afternoon, I went to play the Cashflow Game again. I didn’t make it out of the Rat Race this time, but I still had fun.
So, how was your weekend?
Technorati Tags: Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The Bleeding Rose says:
Sounds like you had fun. I would love to see Prince Caspian. Maybe when the DVD comes out so I can watch it with subtitles. Because that’s just what I do. LOL.
I used to handwrite things . . . not so much anymore. blehhh.
weekend . . . started a new blog story . . . &&homework . . .s’bout it. LOL.
Peace
Celise says:
TBR - I only watch movies with subtitles if I absolutely HAVE to. Like the martial arts movies the hubby and I like to watch. Trying to watch a movie and read at the same time can get annoying for me.
just a girl says:
I can’t wait to see Prince Caspian, but it doesn’t come out Down Under until June 6* - which, fortunately, isn’t that far away (but, unfortunately, is rather close to exams…) The Prince looks like a bit of a dish, too, from what I’ve seen. I’m excited that it’s better than the first; although it was well done, it slightly annoyed me, mostly the main four, so hopefully this one won’t be all about them…
Also; glad to hear Revision Hell isn’t all that hellish any more!
x
JAG
*around the same time as Sex and the City, yay!
Celise says:
JAG - Ben Barnes portrays Prince Caspian and though I’ve never heard of him, he’s quite handsome. The accent’s pretty hot, too. I think you’ll like it.