Farwell to Dame Liz

Cleopatra was my very first epic film. I was very young in 1980, I mean primer young! I was in love with the story. I know, I know - historical inaccuracies and all, but I still loved that movie. 
Part of the draw was Elizabeth Taylor.
She was larger than life.  She filled every corner of my living room and her entire being oozed romance. One little tidbit that I didn't know at 8 years old.  She was paid a cool $1,000,000 for her role in that movie: she was the very first actress to fetch that type of dough.

I remember my mother saying that, "Liz's had more men that Carter's got liver pills!"  Whatever that meant.  She'd been married 8 times.  Twice to the same dude - Richard Burton.  He gave her a 69-carat diamond ring... can you imagine? 69-carats!

Most of all things, I loved that Elizabeth Taylor wasn't afraid of living. Regardless of public scrutiny, she made her decisions, good or bad ("I'm not taking anything away from Debbie (Debbie Reynolds) because she really never had it (Eddie Fischer)."), and she stuck to them.

Unapologetic, she was a warrior. She seemed to exude grace and elegance, and just underneath the surface, she was a powder keg of excitement.

So, this morning, I pay homage to the Great Dame - Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor. May she rest in peace. She will be greatly missed.

"Richard came on the set and sort of sidled over to me and said: "Has anybody ever told you that you're a very pretty girl?" 'I thought, Oy gevalt, the great lover, the great wit, the great Welsh intellectual, and he comes out with a corny line like that! But then I noticed his hands were shaking as if he had Saturday night palsy. He had the worst hangover I'd ever seen. And he was obviously terrified of me. I just took pity on him. I realized he really was human. That was the beginning of our affair."


                                                    - Elizabeth Taylor -
                                                            1932 - 2011

Hey - Who Put the UF in my PNR??

A disturbing trend indeed... When you go to the bookstore *remember to choose Borders* and pick up a book that is firmly and prominently placed in the paranormal romance section, you wouldn't expect readers that shop for urban fantasy to choose the exact same book... would you?

If you said no, well, that's what I thought too.

So, imagine my surprise when a the Fever Series popped up in urban fantasy? I am a firm believer in folks exploring their right to choose - either urban fantasy/scifi vs. paranormal romance.  But what I don't understand is how the two can be so easily confused.

Urban Fantasy is a set of unreal, made up characters that are created and dreamt up so to speak and placed in contemporary settings.  While this may include vampires and weres, there should, in my humble opinion be some other element to contribute to the fantasy.  Say, humans that live for thousands of years, or raining upside down, or a world with low gas prices. You know, totally fictitious elements.

Paranormal Romance is a romance subgenre, mustn't forget that, between two beings, usually a human and a supernatural being set in any place, time, or planet.  There must be romance. 

UF has no romance requirements.
PNR must have a romance component.
UF without nuts.
PNR with nuts.

Please pardon the pun.

At any rate, this leads me to the very appropriate distinction between the two.

I'm on the look out for impostors ~ camouflaged UF with elements of romance... Have you seen any? I have a sneaking suspicion that Moning may have a little.

Any others that you know of? Inquiring minds want to know.

Aliza

Where I've Been and Where I'm Going!

Hello Paranorms!

I know, it's been a full four months since I've touched base with you guys and it is a travesty!  I'm not sure how you'll forgive me, but I will do my level best to get better!
Huh? What's that you say? What have I been up to? Well, glad you asked!

I have some news that isn't quite ready to be shared yet! The moment I have the official word, I'll share it with you!  So happy about that. I can tell you that I'm finishing my MFA - Creative Writing with an emphasis on Screenwriting. Exciting, right? Love my classes!

But even in all that hoopla, I haven't forgotten about you guys! 


HBO has been busy as well! They're over there gearing up for the next season of TrueBlood! I am all a flutter.  We left them with Sookie and Bill's breakup, some faeries, and a few wolves in the mix.
Next up... the WITCHES! I personally love witches!  They are pretty awesome! 
When do we get to partake in this myriad of supernatural beings?
June! June 13, 2011 from what I understand!
Until then, here's the teaser from the folks over at HBO to wet your whistle!

Casting A New Spell

In the words of Jim Carey's Mask - SPPPOOOKKKEYYY!!
Ha, that was fun!


The series that has captured my heart and attention most recently is the Chicagoland Vampire series! My Kindle is a-fire with all the juicyliciousness that is going on! It would be lovely, LUR-VER-LY I say, if these series could make its way onto the big screen! What's not to love about a Eng Lit Grad student turned Vampire??  I love this storyline! It's sexy and driven! Love it!  Once I'm done with the second book, I'll give you a big fat review of it!

And, just for your general awareness... I will be in attendance at this years RWA Conference in beautiful New York! Times Square to be exact! Can't wait. I'll be blogging from there, via iPad... I'm concerned about my technological aptitude, but I'm sure there is an iPad for dummies crash course that I can take to help me get over my ineptitude! 


Til next time, Vampire Kisses to you!

NPI Day 1 Total = 251

Hi guys,

Novel Push Initiative got off to a roaring start today.
My story is about a couple of young musicians on the rise to fame when suddenly confronted with a reality that jeopardizes their careers and even worse, their friendship.  I know it sounds a little Lifetime, but you know, my NaNoWriMo story is intense.
I need this after school special to get my mind right for the big dance!
Today = 251 Words!
Woo Hoo - Tune in tomorrow to keep up with my word count and progress.

P.S. I really miss True Blood, even though they dropped off with the faeries! LOL  Well, if you pop over to the HBO site, you'll find all sorts of cool stuff!

Jessica's Blog: Signing Off For A While

Have a great night, y'all!

Aliza

MIA

Hi Y'all!
Well, as you can see, I've been missing in action.  I've been very, very, mega busy. I am taking a couple of workshops on fiction and nonfiction, so that has really been tying me up.

I did want to update you guys on a couple of things.
The first is the Novel Push Initiative! Fantasy Novelist Nick Enlowe is hosting the 2010 NPI.  What is it you ask? A group of novelist, or anyone for that matter, are getting together to write a designated amount for the entire month of October.  Every day, I'll post my word count here, and over at Twitter.  I may even post a few excerpts from the story. 
It's a great way for the procrastinators (yours truly) to pull out those story ideas and get to work.
I personally can't wait!
The fun starts on October 1st.  You can get all the details at the link below.
I've also entered NaNoWriMo, which is entitled to its own post, just as NPI!
Take a look here and don't forget to mention how awesome, effin awesome this initiative will be!
http://5-rings.com/blog/2010/09/custom-npi-sign-up-rulings/#more-1222

Until next time - Friday - take care!

Aliza