Dan Wells's "Mr. Monster"...A Book Review

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Dan Wells's Book 2 in the John Cleaver series is called Mr. Monster. I finished it last week. It took me one day to listen to the whole thing. I know I'm late to the party--it's a six-year old book. That doesn't matter. It's a great read.

Several years ago I began going to writing conferences and symposiums. I had bought Dan's first John Cleaver book, I Am Not a Serial Killer, which I found refreshing. Not that the topic of serial killings if necessarily refreshing, but he brought a new take on the subject and did a fantastic job doing so. When I began going to conferences, Dan would sometimes attend. And if you know Dan, you know he's a great marketer. He was the one with a Mr. Monster tag on his shirt. I remember those tags (and the Mr. Monster bookmark I brought home with me...) as I read his book. 

Since the release of Mr. Monster, Dan's career has reached bounds many of us envy. Dan, at least to the observer, has remained the same calm, laid-back individual with the Indiana Johns hat.

Mr. Monster picks up where I Am Not a Serial Killer left off. John, a teenager who knows he not only has all the markings of a serial killer, but who sticks to ridged rules so he does not become one, has just vanquished the supernatural foe. Soon he becomes captive of another monster bend on John's destruction. 

There's some of the fascinating behind-the-scenes of an operating funeral home that was so interesting in the first book, but not as much. This one focuses more on the monster's method of torture and the victims he's caught.

It's a fast read; it's a great read. It's not too gory, but I'd keep any pre-teens from it. For everyone else, pick it up and give it a read. I think you'll enjoy it.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7167271-mr-monster?from_new_nav=true&ac=1&from_search=true

FanX Panel On Being A Resilient Writer...Not For The Faint Of Heart

A couple of weeks ago those doing Herculean work preparing for this year's Salt Lake Comic Con FanX sent out the panel schedule. 

I LOVED what panels they asked me to do. They're fantastic, and I can't wait for next week. But as I checked the FanX iPhone app yesterday, I noticed a panel that I had previously missed.

And I LOVE this new one, too!

On Thursday, 2-3pm in room 255B I will be part of a group talking about being a resilient writer. The title for the panel is: Not for the Faint of Heart: Being a Resilient Writer. There will be seven of us explaining the things that have worked for us, and the things that don't. I hope, if you're attending the event and would like help in this area, that you schedule time to check us out.

Also, I get to be on a panel with the spectacularly awesome Craig Nybo and the incredibly talented Rebecca Moesta (actually, Craig is incredibly talented and Rebecca is spectacularly awesome, too...). The other panelists, Shannon Camp, James R. Tuck, Cindy Grigg, and Courtney Alameda, I hope to get to know as well. 

Are you a resilient writer? If not, spend an hour with us!

Attend Writing Retreats...It's Something Writers Do

I have friends who, from their earliest thoughts and reckonings have wanted to be writers. That's all they ever wanted to do. They have stories--many of them very entertaining--about how when they were young (almost always when they're in their single digit years...), they created their first story. It could have been a story about a dragon coming to destroy their school, or about their first pet and how they loved that puppy more than life itself. The point is, these people had a singular goal: to become a writer.

My experience was much different. I approached writing as an adult (more age than maturity...). I didn't do many of the things young writers do like write stories for the literary projects in jr. high or high school. I didn't submit stories to local newspapers or writing contests. But today, I have done something that writers, many writers do. It's something writers talk about doing, and when they talk about it, they usually praise it for how beneficial it is to the craft they love. Today I'm participating in a writing retreat.

There's a half dozen of us, give or take. We're spread out in a rather large house at the base of a mountain. The home itself has a literary history. International best sellers have been written within its walls. We're hoping some of that successful literary karma finds its way into our WIPs. 

For me, I chose the quietest section in the basement, found an incredible comfortable chair and went to work. Not knowing what to expect, I did not make any word count goals for myself today. I think I will tomorrow. I need to push myself and write...write like the wind.

With a trusted portable heater by my side, words have come. Usually when I write, there's either music or TV in the background. Today, only the warming buzz of the heater and distant sounds of creativity are heard.

Yes, as I've learned more about this obsession called "becoming a writer," I've learned there are things you do. I can now cross "going to a writing retreat" off my list.

Danyelle Leafty's "A Cloak Of Frost"...A Book Review

I finished Danyelle Leafty's A Cloak of Frost this afternoon. It's the second book of hers I've read and the first book in Leafty's Cloaks of Faerie series.

I should preface this by saying that this type of book is not one I would usually read. It's not because I have anything against this book in particular, it's just the genre. But, a good story is entertaining no matter the genre. Leafty's ability to spin words to create interesting characters and worlds and magic systems is on full display in this book. When you read one of Danyelle's books, guaranteed you'll be transported to a world of amazing and imaginative things.

Frost is a girl taken from her home by the North Wind, taken from her home and family. While away she learns how to use the magic she possesses, a magic that involves spinning stories. Leafty beautifully describes the process of how magic creates the words. I think that was my favorite part of the book.

Frost's adventures continues. She is sent on a quest to retrieve three objects, she confronts magical creatures and the story culminates with a battle. As I read this book I kept thinking of the fairytales we heard as children. It's got it all, magic, drama, the consequences of one's action. And it's a quick read. If you like fairytales, you'll love this book.

Yes, I've now read two Danyelle Leafty books. You know, I may just have to change my mind on reading this genre.

A Good Deed Story Cutting Through All the Crap...

I was looking for something to write about today. A search on various social media sites did not yield good fruit.

Unless, of course, you love reading pro/anti Trump, pro/anti Bernie posts. I really don't want to dwell on election news. It is important, but politics should be discussed civilly, and I'm not seeing a lot of civility out there right now.

Since election posts and coverage isn't the most positive influence in our lives, I wanted to find something that gave a positive story, something that might make you loyal readers feel better about mankind.

I found one.

My friend Geoff lives in the midwest so I don't see him very often, but thanks to social media, I can check in on him occasionally and see how he's doing. He introduced us to a gentleman named Todd, a hair stylist who agreed to do something nice for ten Mormon missionaries. While he did their hair they talked and got to know each other better. Todd does not share their faith, but for nine hours yesterday, that didn't matter. When we break life down to its most basic properties, we're all the same. We place differences between each other for many different reasons. Thanks Todd for being an example of selfless service and thanks Geoff for sharing!

Centerpoint Theatre's "Beauty And The Beast"...It Brought Back The Memories

This afternoon we loaded up the van and saw Centerpoint Theatre's production of Beauty & the Beast. I knew I would enjoy it--the music alone is fantastic. But what I didn't anticipate was the memories that flooded back to me.

In 2005, the incomparable Jim Christian and Rodger's Memorial Theatre (the forerunner to Centerpoint...) put on the same show. My son and I were fortunate enough to be cast, and we had a Gaston that could have walked right into Disneyland and played the part.

I was casts as an ensemble member and D'Arque.

Oh, and a cheese grater.

My son was cast as Chip.

Here's what he looked like then...

And what he looks like now.

My son and I did a lot of shows when he was younger. He kept acting in school doing mostly Shakespeare productions. Tonight my son and I both watched the show together. I watched new friends in the show and it reminded me of all the wonderful friendships I made in that show eleven years ago.

People go to the theatre (or a movie, or a sporting event...) for many reasons. They mostly go so they can feel something, excitement, fear, joy, pain, basically anything. This afternoon I went to a great show and reminisced. Amazing things happen both on stage and in the audience. I've been lucky enough to experience these things from both sides.

Brandon Sanderson's "Calamity"...A Book Review

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Brandon Sanderson's third book in the Reckoners trilogy Calamity recently came available.

And we bought it.

And it's great!

When I read the first book in the series, Steelheart, I was blown away. Sanderson had created such a unique and amazing world. The baddies were truly bad and the main storyline--superheroes (known as Epics...) who were not good but bad--was fascinating. In each of the previous books, a team of rebels, human with no super powers, must battle foes that seem indestructible. 

In Calamity, the battle is for all the marbles. David, aka Steel Slayer, leads the group to battle perhaps the most power Epic in the transformed city of Atlanta. Sanderson has developed the world and the magic systems so well, we understand how the epics--each with varying levels of power--work together to maintain total control over the humans. Just as the rebels must utilize their individual talents, so must the epics.

David and his group go from one situation of certain disaster to another. I listened to the audiobook version at work and more than once I found myself tapping my fingers on my desk worried for the humans as they battled. There's travels to other dimensions, technology using epic parts of epics, deceptions, twists, and turns.

I would recommend you read Steelheart and Firefight first. There's a lot of stuff you'll need to know before you venture into Calamity. I know some people complain when the third book of a trilogy seems to go "off the rails" and become something different from the previous two. I feel you don't have to worry about that with this book. Sanderson did his usual fantastic job. Calamity is true to the series, a great way to wrap it up.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15704486-calamity?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true