Saturday

Why can't I think of stuff like this


If you've ever read a book or watched a screenplay and thought, why can't I think of stuff like this, then I have a theatrical conundrum that is a must see. It is a work that is written and directed by Guy Ritchie, the writer/director of cult films Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. However, I have to say, Mr. Ritchie has outdone himself with this film. He hails as the master of the mind for unlawful carnal knowledge with the release of this one.



This latest film, Revolver, starring Jason Strathom, Ray Liotta, Vincent "Big P" Pastore, and Andre "3000" Benjamin will prove to be a treat for all movie enthusiasts. Not only is this movie good, but it reaches towards themes that deal with power,deciet and spirituality. If you don't like this one then kill yourself twice. The really amazing thing is that this movie just hit the shelves of Blockbuster, my favorite spot to catch movies, but it was released in late 2005 to audiences starting in Russia.

One last thing, watch all the way through to the credits.



Now back to your regularly scheduled programs.



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Wednesday

Anybody home?

I wonder if you’re paying attention. Can’t you see it? All of this wealth is sitting right before you. I’m not speaking in terms of money, but in desires. Everything you desire is here, but I wonder if you can see it. What HE has in store for you is so much bigger than the daily ritual of blogging. As I see more and more people pull off the layers and get away from entertaining, I get a glimpse of the future. It’s looking mighty bright, I just wonder if you know it. Keep the faith, because it’s coming.




Changing the Game: Coming Soon

About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Saturday

Read It Again

The Rich House: CHANGING THE GAME


COMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU

Date Forthcoming




About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Monday

Fade To Black

I've been playing around with several ideas for posts and I just decided, I'd do them all in one. The interesting thing is that they happen to be connected. Funny how that happens.

What's wrong with you

Are you lonely? Are you afraid? Are you looking for acceptance? Are you looking for fame? Are you looking to mend a broken heart? What's your deal? What are you here for? That's what I found myself asking me one day about me and you. I looked around and realized that I wasn't really like anyone else around here. Maybe that was the point. Maybe that is how it was supposed to be. But the problem with that was that I saw the circles everyone else was running in, and I wanted to be down, won't even lie, but I didn't see where I fit in. Then it hit me. I was never meant to fit in. I've been trying to do it my whole life. Trying to be a part of something. Trying to get accepted, and it never happens, eventually being me gets in the way. At the end of the day, I can never ride with the BS. Don't get me wrong, I've done my dirt, definitely my fair share, if doing dirt is fair, but I don't have the conscious for living whack. Blame it on the way I was raised. So again, I had to ask myself what was wrong with me. Why was I trying to be down when I should have been innovating? Innovators don't follow what's cool, they create what's cool. I'm not saying that like I got the big head or something. I'm just saying I finally realized that I need to take my place -- stop trying to be (apart of) and just BE (who I am).

So what about you, what's wrong with you? Cause as much as you are having fun, you are working through your stuff as well. The answers are there, but can you accept them?

Next topic

Last Post

I've been thinking a lot about what my last blog post would be like. I guess you can say after 17 months I've run the gamut and gotten a little tired/bored with the process. I've created a lot of material in these pages, over 300 posts, not to count what I did over here (another PUSH to be me). So, it's time for a new challenge. Time to create something unforgettable.


Blog Rapture

We appear out of nowhere and just like that we leave, but blogs are a record of our online existence. What will people remember about you when you are snatched out of the blogosphere. When it's your time to give up the ghost, what will they find in your pages? Will it be an accurate depiction? Will it be unflattering? Will you really give a shhhhhhhh.


I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's time to fade to black. Time to change the game.


About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Friday

Everybody Want it...

What do you think you are doing?

What does it look like?

I know what it looks like, but I've been watching you long enough to know that you are only doing enough to get by. Why are you even bothering?

(bewildered look on face)

I mean, if you are going to engage in the activity you might as well go all out and get the full benefits.

But it's too hard, plus it hurts at times.

That's the point. If you aren't willing to push past the pain, you just get what everyone else has. Don't you want greatness?

Sure I do.

Then put in the work. You can do it. If you couldn't, it would have never entered your mind.



[click "play" (the arrow button) to watch]


About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Monday

A Lesson Before Writing



Have you ever said you were going to do something only to later regret it? I’m sure most people can relate to being in that position at one time or another. Well, I find myself there yet again, and like most times it’s because of my desire to help someone. I was hoping to turn you on to a good book when I promised the author, a local sister who boasts "best seller" status, that I would definitely read her story and to boot, I would promote it here. At the time, I was excited because this author has written nine novels and according to the word of a local bookstore owner, one of her self published titles sold over 60,000 copies. She's been on the Essence best seller list, so I just knew class was going to be in session when I cracked the book open. Never mind the fact that it was urban fiction -- not my favorite genre -- because I was sure with all those accolades that I was going to enjoy the book anyway. However, I'm sorry to say, that was not the case. I didn't make it past page thirty.

If you follow my blog regularly, you will remember in my 365 day challenge (I'm behind on my writing projects by the way - but not for long) that I also promised to read and review some writers. So that is what brings me here today. I'm keeping my word to the author, who will remain nameless for now, and I'm keeping my word to you, the viewer of my humble pages.

Before I get into this, let me first say the premise of the story was good. While I didn't read the entire book, my college age daughter and a co-worker that I let borrow the book did read it in it's entirety. My daughter said it was "typical" urban fiction, but I'm not sure what that meant since I don't read it and my co-workers said she liked the story (she said it was a good little nasty book) but she also agreed to some of the reasons why I didn't like it. So, why didn't I take to it? It's simple; It was poorly written. I know someone might be thinking, Rich is hating. Truthfully, I'm not. I'm actually disappointed that the book wasn't an all around treat as I expected, but it is a good model for some of the things I've been wanting to discuss about writing. So, before anyone gives me “the business” let me explain.

In the pages that I read, I realized that the author was prone to writing paragraphs that are mechanical in nature. As a reader, it was hard to engage in the story while accepting the delivery. Here’s an example of what I mean. In this excerpt, the female character is speaking; I have altered the names to maintain the anonymity of the book.

I turned on some soft music and went over to the small sofa in the far corner of the room. After taking a seat, I removed my peach linen stilettos and propped my feet up on the coffee table in front of me. I unbuttoned my white silk blouse and leaned back. Thinking deeply about what Marcus was up to, I put the bottle up to my lips and tilted it. I gulped down a few sips of Martel and put the bottle on the table in front of me. I then reached for my cell phone clipped to my skirt and dialed his number. Surprisingly, he answered.

Surprisingly, I made it to page thirty! I will say that the entire book is not written in this way, I skimmed some of the other sections, but there are enough instances that it would irritate the crap out of me. As a writer, you shouldn't have to describe every little thing to get your point across. That's my beef with the passage above and similar passages in the book.

The other thing that bothered me in the story was the poor use of descriptive language. There are times in the story when the author could simply use a different choice of words and it would have made for a world of difference. Alright, I know what you are thinking, “Maybe that is just her style. Writers should be free to have their own style, right?” Most definitely, but there should be some standards that we all should live by if we are going to call ourselves writers, let alone authors. Stephen King gives great tips in his book On Writing, if you decide you want to hear it from someone who's been in the game longer. The second half of his book deals exclusively with how to be a better writer.



But since he's not here, you can take it from me. Check out these sentences from the book.

As I got ready to hit the busy streets of St. Louis, I stood in the bathroom’s doorway with my white T-shirt and blue police officer pants on.

This is the sentence that revealed to the readers that the leading male character was a cop. It was also the sentence that made me realize this read was going to take a lot of energy. If you don’t know what’s wrong with the sentence I’ll just pray now that you are a reader and not a writer. In the meantime, try this next one on for size.

Thomas handcuffed him and read him his rights. After he lifted him from the floor, Thomas searched his pockets and shoved him in my direction.

“Marcus, take this bastard to the police car. I’m gon’ stay and talk to the young lady to see what happened.”
(without reading the book, you probably wouldn't get this one, but the author kept referring to their patrol car or squad car as a police car and that just didn't bode well with me since it was two cops in the scene).

And this one:

I changed clothes, and since I didn’t want to drive my police (there it is again) car to Gabrielle’s house, I drove my white Dodge Ram truck with major horsepower that was already parked on the lot.

I don't think I need to speak to these examples more than I already have. Again, in the thirty pages I read, I kept encountering sentences like these so I just gave up on the book.

Now on the positive side, the author does at times find her stride and narrates well and creates good dialogue. However, on a whole, I think she may have rushed this effort out of the gate a bit too soon.

Needless to say, I toiled with whether I should write this review, but I ended up compromising by not exposing the author or the title. At worst, reviews are pompous outpourings of our own self indulgent opinions about a particular work, but at best it is a pure objective examination of the work in question. You’ll never please everyone. In fact, by merely writing, you will offend someone. With that said, I still hope my comments will encourage those that write to push themselves to be the best they can. As far as the writer who is the beneficiary of this review, she is a real nice sister and it's likely that we'll run into each other again so I wanted to be kind. I’m not in her inner circle, but if by chance she reads this, I hope that she sees that my main goal is to inspire her to higher heights. Although, this may be a bitter pill for her to swallow since it is her ninth title. I suspect that when a writer manages to garner sales and attract a publisher who is able to broaden that writer’s distribution that it is hard to hear from those of us who have yet to fully walk in their shoes. But I would challenge any writer to never stop developing their talent in the craft. Take some writing classes; try a different editor – one that will push you. And read other good writers, which I'm sure would help this writer immensely since I read an interview posted on her website that stated she didn't read any of the well known writers. Instead she read a lot of the authors that are up and coming, writers that she have become acquainted with I'm sure. I know she was trying to cast a little light on her friends, but I think she should reconsider her position on which writers to read.

In the end, the bottom line is that writing takes work. It is one of those things that I have found that you truly have to love enough to do for free. It can’t be about some perceived fame or big paycheck that comes as a result of writing a book. If you think that way, you will learn, sooner or later, that it just doesn’t work that way.

Now that I've given my views, I'd like to hear from you, what are some of the things that draw you to a particular writer?



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Thursday

Jack this Post

To let Hillary Clinton tell it, she should be the President. In fact, she isn't even leading in the race for the Democratic nomination and she is already suggesting that Barack Obama accept a ticket with her as the front runner. I guess Hillary is hoping her ability to smooze and scare white folks and Hispanics into not voting for Barack will catapult her to victory. Well, before y'all go believing in Ole Hillary, realize what you are getting yourself into.

By the way, I approve this message. And by all means, spread the word on your blog. We have more than our vote, we have our voices and blogging allows them to be heard. It's time out for all this selling out that's taking place.


[click "play" (the arrow button) to watch]



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Wednesday

The Free Class

It seemed that only at the two extremes of society, the very top and the very bottom, could there be seen or felt any real freedom.

Very interesting point of view, I thought, while reading "A Father's Law", the recently released previously unpublished final story of literary pioneer Richard Wright. Through his character Rudolph "Ruddy" Turner, a black police captain during the 30's and 40's, Wright tackles issues surrounding both class and race, amongst other intricacies. When I came upon the aforementioned text I thought about it's validity and concluded that Wright had with great precision targeted the free class in America. The middle class as it seems was the only class at odds with it's existence. Scared to fall into the depths of the poor and ever striving to join the ranks of the "comfortable" as they lived a life characterized by both fear and struggle, but never freedom.

Pondering this some more, I was reminded of a guy a few years my senior who I have had occasion to employ over the past few years. I recalled how Clyde Rivers, not his real name, while happy to work for me, didn't seek employment regularly. Although a hard and focused worker when he engaged the practice of earning a living, he chose to work only when he deemed it absolutely necessary. When he had to pay a utility, a fine, or other legality that threatened his way of life. When he wasn't working, he was living life as he wished, moving freely about the urban jungle entertaining "tricks" and other government subsidized citizens. I often scratched my head at this, marveling at the loss potential of what appeared to be an otherwise intelligent brother. What had gone wrong? I wondered. Why did he fail to engage the same work ethic when not agreeing to my offer of service? Surely, it wasn't for lack of an opportunity. But now, after considering Wright's theory I see things differently and I'm left to wonder if it is I and those like myself "saddled" in the middle class that are worse off.

Current day politicians speak of a war on the middle class, words I considered as a method of pandering to gain the affections of most Americans, but now I think the thought bears considering. Is the middle class the only group of Americans in bondage? Poor people have accepted their position in life on some level. And while they may rail against the government at times with regard to policies, they accept their position as the way it is. The brighter of the group have gone as for as devising well thought out plans that allow them to watch their favorite television programs, indulge in illicit activity all while receiving their economic sustenance while I labor week in and week out to afford such trivial items as the 53" HDTV that I have my eye on. And I thought I was smart. It would appear, by Ruddy Turner's view, that I am but a slave seeking how to be free.


Purchase online - Richard Wright: A Father's Law



About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.

Monday

Pivotal Moments

Anytime you embark upon a new challenge, one that takes some time to accomplish, whether it be writing a book, trying to lose weight, quit smoking, quit cursing, or just getting over a guilty pleasure. You will without fail reach what I like to call a pivotal moment. This is the moment(s) that makes or breaks your progress. This is the moment that you decide to either fall back into old patterns or press yourself and leap over that wall of opposition. This is the moment that you are laying in bed, getting some much needed rest, the alarm goes off at 5am for you to hit the gym and you have a decision to make. Do you blow it off until tomorrow, knowing full well that if you don't go THIS day, it's over, there won't be anymore working out. Well maybe a couple straggled days here and there, but if you don't commit now, it's not going to happen. You are going to fall back into that familiar cycle of abandoning your goal. So what do you do?

It's interesting how our bodies work. Even when we are tired, unfocused, or just feel like being lazy, if we TELL our body to get in gear, it will. This is because our body is just one part of us. We also have a spirit and a soul. Not to worry, I don't plan on taking you on a spiritual discourse today, but just stay with me for a moment. Our spirit represents that part of us that always seeks to do what is right. Eat right, stay in shape, stay away from that unhealthy relationship, work on that project that will propel you closer to your purpose, it's those types of things that our spirit makes impressions on us to do. On the flip side, our soul (mind and emotions) tells us to do what FEELS good. Eat that cake, drink that soda, go ahead and get your groove on (just one mo' ghen), blow off going to the gym in favor of one more hour of sleep. It's these two contrasting voices that are fighting within us during our pivotal moment(s). The voice that wins, gets to tell the body what to do.
And the funny thing is, the body will listen to the stronger of the two, without fail.

So, the next time you are facing a pivotal moment decide what you want the outcome to really be by siding with the right voice. You might struggle through a few of those moments, but if you focus on the end you have in mind, I'm sure you will find the strength to stay on course. Besides, three lefts don't always put you back to where you started, sometimes those turns throw you so far off course, you can't find your way back. Live strong. Make the best of those pivotal moments. I just did.


Personal Testimony -
Do you know how many times I've wanted to quit blogging? I stay the course, because it keeps me writing. Keeps me focused. I keep telling myself that I need to stop so I can find the time to do other writing, but the truth is, it's the other stuff like watching movies for hours on end that needs to go. The time is there for meeting my goals. I just need to embrace it and go for mine.

I'm also pushing through staying with exercising. I'm on week three of a twelve week progressive workout plan and I just don't feel like going. I was holding on to that bed this morning. Hearing the rain outside didn't make it easier to get up either, but guess what, I'm going anyway. Even if I end up at work a little late, because I've been late for worse reasons.

Y'all have a good day.