My life revolves right now around books.

Well… let me correct that. My life revolves right now around MY books. And that is not a bad thing. A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM was just published by Madison Street Publishing (you can find it for an incredibly reasonable price on amazon.com right here), I just ordered the proof copy of MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE to review, and I am debating what to do with PERMANENT SPRING SHOWERS.

Remember PERMANENT SPRING SHOWERS? It was my novel experiment last year. I wrote a book in real time, one chapter a week. It was originally based on a screenplay, but that went out the window after chapter 2. It was a fun challenge and looking back I am really proud of myself for getting through it with my creativity in one piece. My hope is to find a publisher for the book later this year; of course, it really comes down to how good JANE and MAXIMILIAN do on the market (sales, reviews, etc.).

Until then, I need to be strategic around the book. Which means, as soon as I get a spare evening, I’ll probably be taking it down from my website. The page will stay up with my updates, insights and lessons learned on the process, you just won’t be able to read it. (For those that are still working their way through the book you have been warned.)

Anyway, with summer fast approaching, and the idea of a lot less on my plate, most of the things I am enjoying right now emphasize the word “fun” with only one little book reference in the list.

Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated.

There is a big blogpost in my future on the magic that is Scooby Doo. It won’t be the first time I have written on Scooby Doo, and it probably won’t be the last. See, I grew up watching the classic show and for me it was always an idea with an incredible potential. Yet, so many have not gotten the “memo” about it. Bad TV show versions (Scrappy Doo?) and horrible movies, the fact we even still talk about Scooby Doo is a miracle.

Here is a secret- I would love to adapt Scooby Doo for the big screen. I get that line of humor and horror that the show needs to walk. And, to my wonderful recent surprise, the show Scooby Doo: Mystery, Incorporated gets it too.

It is obvious that the writers of this show are fans like me and, chances are, if I had the chance to write a show or movie around the character it would have felt like an episode of this amazing series. Sadly, Cartoon Network has cancelled the show. (They have been making some really odd choices on that station over the last few years from Batman: The Brave and the Bold to this. If something is smart, it gets cancelled). However, it can still be found on Netflix and on DVD. If you are known for exclaiming “Jinkies!” when surprised and pretending to get excited for a Scooby Snack, you need to find this show.

Iron and Wine’s Ghost on Ghost

This is easily becoming my favorite CD of the year. Ever since it’s release I’ve been listening to it nonstop. Honestly, Iron and Wine has always been hit or miss for me. For every song I love (“Passing Afternoon” and “Belated Promise Ring” being two favorites), there have been a lot of songs that I have forgotten.

Ghost on Ghost is touching, fun, loving, dark and inspired. From the opening “Caught in the Briars” you can tell we are in a different place with Iron and Wine; and just wait until you hear the song “Joy.” That song always takes my breath away.

One of the things I have always liked about Iron and Wine is his storytelling ability. This time it feels like the story covers the entire CD with a very poetic vibe to it. Images return and leave, time is askew, and I’m still not sure about the ending of the tale. But you don’t need to follow it for the story! Not at all. It is just a great CD with wonderful music.

Injustice: Gods Among Us

I want to turn my brain off. I want to stop worrying about book sales, editing, proof copies, and the other stuff in my life (parenting, planning for the future, etc.). And soon I might be able to start to safely turn off my noggin, at least for a few hours at a time. My plan is for this game to do that for me.

Granted, I’m not a Mortal Combat kind of gamer (I’m more a Final Fantasy RPG guy), but I love the work DC has been doing on their games (The Batman series has been great), and it sounds like a little bit of a relief to have a game that is about the moment, not the overarching story. Plus, you can be the Flash fighting Superman. I mean, come on!, that is just cool.

Anyway, so this is on my list, not because I have played it (or are playing it), it is because I dream of playing it. Then turning my brain back on afterwards.

Good Reads

I’m starting to understand what people love about Good Reads. What a wonderful online community for sharing and talking about books with fellow readers! To be honest, I was always a little skeptical about the idea, but after the experience of A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM and it’s book giveaway, I’ve been spending more time on it.

Yes, I’m a Good Reads convert. And for those on Good Reads, feel free to look me up or send me a friend request. I hope over the summer to have time to do more reading and reviewing on the site. For the time being, you can find my books on there as well as a bio page for me and excerpts from my blog posts.

Seriously, what a fun site.

Arrested Development

One of my favorite TV shows is coming back! On May 26, Arrested Development  returns to TV and I can not wait. I’ve begun rewatching all of the previous seasons in preparations. When it was originally on TV, I collected the DVDs and could recite favorite lines. And, I must admit this, usually when I am in a bad mood I search youtube for videos of the chicken dance.

Since creating Arrested Development, Mitchell Hurwitz (the creator and showrunner) has tried to find gold at the end of the rainbow a second time to no luck. Cartoons to other TV series, things have been more miss than hit for him. I hope this series finds him back in the flow of things. He is definitely a very creative comedy writer and I am a fan.

May 26… Let the countdown begin!

(Oh, and go buy A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM. It is on amazon here.)

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If you liked reading my article, why not check out some of my published books? I’ve had three novels published in the last few years, the new A Jane Austen Daydream, My Problem With Doors and Megan. You can find them via my amazon.com author page here, or Doors and Megan as an eBook on Google eBooks here.  Thanks for reading!

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