I Was So Bored, I Joined Shelfari

(This article is from my initial ProseFreak Blog concept. I had to scrap it for lack of time and segued into this one. I'd finally realized there were only 24 hours in a day and I needed at least 4 to sleep.)


Here's the classic article and what really happened:

I unleashed one of my classic, and extreme ProseFreaks, just for Shelfari readers, inside my profile, and it goes like this:

The books I enjoy are like music. I'm really selective about what I read because life is way too short to waste time with a book that you're not absolutely crazy about. I do stick with mostly mainstream and popular titles. For me, it's many of the classics: Tom Sawyer, The Catcher in the Rye, and the tried and true; a lot of the books that have been made into films, such as: The Scarlet Letter, The Bridges of Madison County, The Hunt for Red October, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, All The Pretty Horses, to name just a few.

I also love to read screenplays because they’re much faster to get through: Moonstruck, The Fourth of July, JKF, Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction; you gotta love Oliver Stone and Quentin Tarantino. Too many others to mention: The Godfather Sagas, great dramas, and just about every war movie you can think of. Kubric’s Full Metal Jacket, a favorite. (How can you not love a movie that inspired the song, “Me so Horny”?) A few romantic comedies/comedic movies: Monster in Law, Meet the Parents.

I’ve also authored several screenplays and my first novel, A Death for Beauty. What can I say, it’s inspired by many of the great books that I’ve read and it’s a story that’s very close to my heart and soul--I enjoyed writing it. I love mostly literary fiction, westerns and coming-of-age stories.

Biographies/Anthologies: My favorites so far, Norman Mailer’s, The Spooky Art. And Summer's/Swan, Sinatra.

Yeah, I’m also a big Frank Sinatra fan: He's the subject of one of my screenplays. His daughter, Nancy Sinatra’s, classic oldies hit: These Boots are Made for Walkin', is cool too. If only she could’ve realized that my story, some day would also become a classic. After all, I did make Nancy the subject of my letter, but I prosefreaked my pitch right into it, near the ending. The moment she opened that letter, and I know that she did, I swear that I felt the tectonic plates of planet earth, shift and moan, ever so slightly in my direction, in the form of a curse.

Yeah, I was brash (and stupid) enough, and tried pitching my Sinatra screenplay to Nancy Sinatra ( I made a big point about how she was mentioned in it, as a baby.) but she still wasn’t interested. Where did I go wrong? Well, I could hardly believe it, but I had dug deep into her website and came up with her home address in Beverly Hills. And I sent her the sweetest letter ever, trust me.

The day after she got my pitch in this gigantic certified envelope, she yanked her address off the website so fast, that I think her Webmaster is still reeling from it. Did she really think that her home address would be safe? She could thank her agent for dodging me for so long.

That was soooo wrong, but I knew it would be fun somewhere along the line. Either that or I might’ve gotten a call. (Sure thing.) Gotta work on my pitch, the screenplay is on the “dinero” folks.

Uh…still planning on selling that Sinatra story. Trust me, it’s a modern cult classic (waiting to happen, unless I die a horrible death first).

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This PF is extreme because I worked my shameless plug into it.
Masterful.

Be proud Shelfari Reader: You’ve just been tagged by ProseFreak!

"South of Broad" by Pat Conroy

Ever since I saw the movie The Prince of Tides, and then read the book, I've been a Pat Conroy fan. Critic's pet peeve about Conroy is his over-the-top use of literary devices, namely, purple prose, if we can call it that. I suppose it's a matter of taste, since I tend to enjoy his writing style. I'll admit Conroy seems to get carried away with some of his most promising passages, although, I can only wonder if Pat Conroy would be himself without them.

In his latest literary endeavor, South of Broad, which refers to Broad Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, Conroy delves into a familiar and too close to home subject--suicide.

I'll be in Charleston this weekend and with some leisure time on my hands, and in honor of Conroy's new novel, I hope to read as much of it as I can.

http://www.patconroy.com/south-of-broad.php

"The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt

I just ordered this book and I have no idea when I'll start reading it. I started about half a dozen books and can't seem to find the time to finish any of them. I love to collect my favorites though. Tiger, Tiger seems like a good read too. Good thing I can speed read (what a sin) because that's how I have to read these days. What a shame, especially for someone that likes to enjoy the words.

That's what it's all about and I can usually savor my literature on Sundays with a nice glass of wine. I like Boonesfarm, BTW. Kidding, of course. That's what we'd get high on in high school. Ahh, those were the days, my friend.

Okay back to "Falling Angels." John Berendt is not exactly a household name when it comes to authors, but you'll know his other book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This is one of those books I haven't finished yet. I just saw the movie (How far behind am I?) starring John Cusack and Kevin Spacey, who steals this movie with his performance as the wealthy antiques dealer. Loved this film.

Berendt's new book, also categorized as non-fiction with not as many fictive elements as "Midnight," according to the author. Here, Berendt delves into the city of dreams, Venice, Italy. How could I pass this up? The story centers around the Fenice Opera House fire but offers so much more about this nostalgic city. It's sure to be an eye-opener. I Look forward to getting it.

I've had to limit my book reviews for lack of time, so I'm just posting my favorites here, highlighting the most interesting things about them. I think I'll finish this one.

"TIGER, TIGER" by Margaux Fragoso

Here's an interesting take on pedophilia, for those who can handle this sort of thing. The book, which is actually Ms. Fragoso's daring memoir, chronicles her life and times as a 7 year-old girl who was seduced by an older man. A fifty one year old man, at that.

Among many things, what makes this story so interesting to me is its setting, which takes place where I lived for many years, in Weehawken and Union City, New Jersey. The many references to the Cuban culture certainly brings back memories. In 1985 I was 24 and for all I know, I might have crossed paths with Margaux at the Pollo Supremo, (Supreme Chicken) one of my favorite eateries mentioned in the book.

But what really makes this story so compelling is that we can only wonder how something like this could ever happen. Based on Fragoso's introduction and her opening paragraphs, I get the eerie feeling that many young girls (precocious and misguided) have also dabbled in this kind of forbidden love affair at such an early age. I can only surmise the publication of this book might serve as a catalyst in bringing out another disturbing truth.

Whatever the case might be, this story brings to mind, "Last Tango in Paris," which also has shades of pedophilia or at least, very graphic sexual content between an older man and a younger woman, which also borders on hardcore pornography.

Strangely, Margaux Fragoso's lover of 15 years encouraged her to pen this story in many of the suicide notes he left behind. (No spoiler.) How's that for artistic encouragement? Very freaky indeed.

Do I recommend this book? Everything I post here is highly recommended, albeit of the unusual but intriguing variety. If you're a subscriber to this Blog, you already know that I painstakingly choose my literature, and this is no exception. While written mostly for a female audience, there's enough here to keep me, as well as other men, interested and intrigued, hopefully, to the bittersweet end.

The book borrows its title from a William Blake poem by the same name (although spelled "Tyger") and used metaphorically, of course, reflecting the authors fascination with tigers and apparently, how they prowl the dark, dangerous jungles of life, hence, the cover.

"Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson

While this book is not new, I've always had an interest in it because of its curious title so I just got a nice hardcover copy of it and after starting to read it, I've had a hard time putting it down. Petterson begins the telling gently, which I'm lead to believe by the reviews, that it ends on a much different note, and it seems to be headed in that direction after the first chapter.

Originally written in Norwegian, this tale has won Petterson various literary awards over the years and has proven to be a favorite in its genre. Seems like a book I'll be able to finish. A much easier read than Froderberg's Old Border Road, which I'd been enjoying and expect to finish too. What a difference in writing style. Although, I think it's safe to say that Froderberg's style, while reminiscent of McCarthy's, is all her own and not to be compared with other writers in this genre.

My review of both of these wonderful books is in the works.

Oprah's Surprise Book Club Pick for 2011

Wishful thinking, but it doesn't hurt to dream. In fact, you have to believe first. That's what makes turning a book no one has ever heard of into a national bestseller. (Publishers, heads up.)

Oprah is really on to something with her new OWN Network. I'm looking forward to her new shows, which have traditionally been very feminine-centric. This year she kicks things off with shows like Miracle Detectives and Master Class. Check out OWN. Happy New Year folks!

Old Border Road by Susan Froderberg

Here's another new author I recently came across. What interests me about this book is the author's writing style more than the story, a relationship story, which sounds interesting enough. Susan Froderberg's writing has been compared to Cormac McCarthy, (her literary mentor) and a comparison to McCarthy is probably the worst thing for any author, but the opening pages of Old Border Road do bring McCarthy to mind, if not a self-conscience semblance of his style, but with a poetic quality all its own. Somewhat awkward to the ear at first but it grows on you.

I'll have to see how Ms. Froderberg's voice pans out throughout the remainder of her story--if it serves the story or detracts from it. I think it works so far but hard to tell until I read the ending. Can't wait to get the book.

"An Object of Beauty" by Steve Martin

Here's a book I'll be ordering and I think I've just found a new author to follow. This is Steve Martin's third novel and while his writing may not be for everyone (whose is?) I enjoy his style and inventiveness. If you like art as much as I do, this one is for you. Hope to make time for it next month and post a review. So far critics like it, even though he's received some one-star (hilarious haters) reviews on Amazon, but most books do.

"HEREAFTER" A Film by Clint Eastwood

Here's an interesting take on life after death:
The biggest surprise about this movie for most people is that Clint Eastwood composed the musical score for this entire film, just as he did with the heartbreaking "Bridges of Madison County" and so many other of his fascinating films. He's a true genius in so many ways and his music evokes deep sentimentality and longing. Very moving and inspiring. (Tissue please.) Click the link above for the soundtrack. (boo-hoo-hoo! Someone hug me... I hope this soundtrack comes with a big box of Lindt chocolates so I can sob all night long...ohh...the agony of it all...

"Make a Scene" by Jordan Rosenfeld - It's About More Than You Think

(Right, the subtitle says it all.)

Okay folks, I've come out of my glorious coma and look what was in my face. Just a good book I want to pass along. A little something that's helping me out of my delusions. Nothing earth-shaking or outrageously hilarious or anything even close to that. Just another book I wish I'd read long ago, that's all. (Woo fuckin hoo. Let's face it, I just thought all this drab grey could use a touch of burgundy.)

Okay, enough of that.

Check out Jordan Rosenfeld's Make A Scene. A whole book about scenes? (Yes, moron. Why do I find that so impossible? Could it be that I've always thought that writing scenes is common sense and not a damn science? Or is this author just trying to cash-in on the obvious? Why should I buy a damn book just about scenes? Hell, all scenes have a beginning, a middle and a godforsaken ending. What else is there to know? Oh... this interior monologue is absurd, but it feels so good to chastise myself!)

I had checked this book out on Amazon long ago and thought at the time it was too basic and that almost all the information was so obvious to most writers, (especially gifted writers like me) but I finally decided to buy it. (An editor recommended a book to me that some people didn't like and they mentioned this one as a better choice. How funny is that? But it gets even better--then someone trashed this one and recommended another book, which I didn't get. I'm telling you, those Amazon reviews are amazing.) I'm wondering what kind of fog I was in the day I searched inside this book and passed on it because I think it has a lot to offer, especially for newcomers to writing. Turns out the author covers a lot of other things such as specific types of scenes, scene intentions, POV, Character Development/Motivation and much more. (That's right, take a look at the TOC.) (Forgive me, I have a thing for acronyms, initials, whatever.)

If you're an experienced writer, you'll still find this book useful as a refresher or you might find Rosenfeld's explanations about plot, for instance, easier to absorb. She breaks writing techniques down into specific modules in such a way that her remarks and insights might seem obvious on the surface, but she delivers the information in a way that resonates and sinks in. If you're brain dead like me, that's definitely a plus.

I've found the book helpful and for me at least, I think I finally "get it" as far as some of my issues about POV, plot, and a few other things. So if you're looking for a well-rounded book that covers other important topics aside from writing great scenes, blah, blah, blah. (Why bore you with the obvious, check it out already. I'm going to slip back into my coma. Do not disturb.)

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BTW, I've managed to read about 100 pages of Kings of the Earth and the story is growing on me but I put it down for this book and hope to get back to it and finish it. I think I cheated and read the last page though. Trust me, it's just as boring and uneventful as the first. What a shame. I don't like to bad-mouth any books but this one is testing me. I'm almost sure that Jon Clinch has written his one and only masterpiece, Finn, but I hope not. He's capable of so much more than Kings. My review is still pending and I plan to redeem myself, and this honest story, all in one.

Oh... did I promise a review of Child of God? Dream on. (How condescending can I get? Keep reading and find out. Nothing personal, it's just business folks.) Just for the record, I thought Child of God was a brilliant take on the underbelly of a society I think still exists in the outskirts of the mountains of Tennessee, and likewise for the Blue Mountains of West Virginia and other places like it, I suspect.

As usual McCarthy manages to thrill and surprise us by the story's end. Another gem. What else can one say about it? It's vintage McCarthy at his very best. Writing reviews for McCarthy books takes a lot out of you. There's just no simple way or any shortcuts you can take and do justice to the book the way it deserves. While his stories (their premises) might be simple, thematically they're complex and require plenty of thought, editing and time (motivation is more like it), which I've been short on lately.

Your moment of Zen:
Life is all about an even balance of all things and through meditation you can experience wellness. (write this down) Seek your balance. Money must solve your needs, but not your wants, because you will always want something you cannot have.