Archive for October, 2011

Poetica Magazine

Posted: October 27, 2011 in Poetry, Progress Report
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Around January or February, we had an assignment in class where we were to take a series of prompts (I will, Then I, etc.), add some words to them, and weave them into a poem. Being me, I added some dark tones to the prompts I was given, and ended up writing “The Tragedy Too Often Forgotten”, a poem about the Holocaust.

I thought the poem had potential, so I searched online for a Jewish magazine specializing in poetry, which was how I found Poetica, a poetry and prose magazine devoted to works by, about, and for Jews and Judaism. Well, it’s been a long wait, but about a month or so ago, I learned that “The Tragedy Too Often Forgotten” was being considered for a special Holocaust edition to come out sometime next year. Today, I found out they had accepted it for publication.

I’d sincerely like to thank the staff at Poetica for accepting my poem, and I cannot wait to see it published. And to all those reading this blog interested in reading the poem, I suggest you go to poeticamagazine.com and order a copy when it comes out.

Oh and before I forget, if you’re interested in music or literature reminding people of the tragedy of the Holocaust, I’d suggest the song “Never Again” by the supremely-awesome heavy metal band Disturbed, a beautiful song written in tribute to those who died in the Holocaust.

Yes, I’m a heavy metal fan, but given my interests does that surprise any of you?

Review: Footloose

Posted: October 14, 2011 in Review
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Many people were doubting that Paramount could really remake such an iconic 80’s film as Footloose and expect it to be any good with audiences. To those naysayers, I say: Go see the movie, ’cause you are missing out! The film takes a lot of liberties in order to make the remake appealing to GenX audiences, but instead of detracting from the film, it makes it better, something you can imagine happening even today. There’s no one moment where Rev. Shaw realizes that things need to change (like the book-burning scene in the original 1984 movie), but I think that this movie almost doesn’t need it. The modern music helps draw audiences in, and the more ethnically diverse cast members help solidify the film.

You can actually believe this film could happen somewhere in Georgia.
Just two comments I’d like to make before I’m done: one is that Ariel (Julianne Hough) looks and sounds like Miley Cyrus without the salvia, and Ren’s (Kenny Wormald) Boston accent is hard to find at times. Still, both could have some great careers in film, especially Wormald. Also, am I the only one who sees parallels between Bomont and the Prohibition? I keep wondering why they don’t put Prohibition in Ren’s argument! It’s a valid point about a religiously-motivated law that fails miserably and needed to be taken down.

Fall Quarter Productivity

Posted: October 10, 2011 in Progress Report, short story
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In addition to all the college stuff (studying, taking classes, social life, eating, etc.) I’ve been trying to write as much as possible, and I’m happy to say that I haven’t been sitting on my bum not doing any writing this whole time. I’m pleased to say that as of this posting, I have finished and sent off two short stories. One is called Ripple and is an alien invasion story (funny subject for me, considering I don’t believe in aliens that invade our planet from millions of lightyears away, but whatever). The other is called Here Kitty, Kitty and is a short-short fiction piece (meaning it’s under a thousand words). I hope to have good news about thse stories soon, so keep looking and maybe I’ll let you know.

In addition, I’ve been working on an outline for the sequel to Reborn City. Yes, I know it seems like a bad idea, when you don’t even have the novel published, to start on a sequel, but I think it’s a great idea and if RC does get published, it’ll be good to at least have some of the next book on hand. Wish me luck, I haven’t even finished two chapters in that outline and it’s already around two pages (not so unusual for a novel, really).