Since nothing roused my interest on TV last night, I turned to one of the music tapes I recorded years ago, #38, done post 9/11. My set was hooked to our building’s master antenna back then, and reception was affected for several months when the Towers went down. Fortunately, the sound on most of the tracks was fine. There were performances from various sources: PBS specials, Ed Sullivan compilations, and Late Night with David Letterman. Most genres were represented, even Jazz, with the Count Basie Orchestra tearing it up on Sullivan. The first 20 minutes was comprised of the second half of the debut of The Judy Garland Show, which aired on CBS for one season, '63-'64, immediately following Sullivan. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were the guests and the three giants of Americana were in top form. Garland ended the show with a four song set of her signature work that gave me chills: The Trolley Song, Rock a Bye Your Baby, Swanee and San Francisco. James Brown appeared on Sullivan, doing a medley of hits and dancing up a storm in his inimitable fashion. Little Anthony and the Imperials exhibited their phenomenal vocalizing in the do wop acapella Just Two Kinds of People in the World. CBS ran an hour special on U2 back then, and I caught a rousing version of Where the Streets Have No Name. The setting, an outdoor venue packed to the gills and featured a circular platform that Bono ran around, was as exciting as the music. There was also some Broadway delight: the sexy fun of Hey Big Spender from a Bob Fosse tribute; a medley from Oklahoma that included the incredible finale; and Ben Vereen doing an old soft shoe to Mr. Bojangles, which went on longer than it should have. For the highlight I chose the Charms rendition of their lone hit, Desirie, which hit #3 on the R&B charts in 1957. The title may be unfamiliar, but most people who enjoy do wop will probably immediately recognize the vocalese, which the group nailed, remarkable given that they hadn’t performed together in 45 years. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SNz0YjQVLM
I’m a little more than halfway through the editing of Oana’s piece on her experiences growing up under the communist dictatorship that was Romania pre-1989. One of her thoughts really hit home. From that distant alleged workers’ paradise she wondered if America weren’t better, despite its gun violence. Lovers of freedom know it is occasionally a harsh mistress that spawns questionable or downright despicable behavior. There are consequences to freedom, just as there are to all aspects of life. Fortunately, it engenders far more good than bad. Unfortunately, the bad garners so much more publicity.
There was a bit of excitement at the floating book shop today. On the other side of Bay Parkway past 85th Street, about 100 yards from where I was standing, an old BMW caught fire. Flames and smoke poured from it. The driver shouted at people to stay away. Fortunately, the fire department arrived before the gas tank blew. There was a beautiful, sporty Mercedes, the owner no where in sight, parked about five feet in front of the BMW. The wind sent most of the smoke along 85th Street, but the stink was prevalent for a while. Of course, the event drew a crowd and people were snapping away on camera phones. My thanks to the elderly woman who purchased a Patricia Cornwell thriller, and to my friends Bob and Marti, who bought Kindle copies of The Bat and All Hallows, my first web sales in 12 weeks.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/30 - Eastern
Fellow All Things That Matter Press author Robert Rubenstein recommended my editing skills Oana, a Romanian immigrant whose book The Healings has delighted readers. She sent me a 40 page piece on her experiences living under communist rule. I’ve done 10 pages so far and find it engrossing. Her grandparents bought a house in the 1930s, and when the reds came to power the family was forced to share it with others, and their garage was appropriated as a repair shop. Of course, the squatters did not care for the property the way most owners would. Imagine having to deal with that. At least America’s redistributionists only force its citizens to provide for freeloaders through taxes. Anyway, I’ve suggested many little changes to the piece, mostly in the use of comma, which is problematic even for the most popular authors, or wordage. I hope she isn’t hurt or offended. My main concern is that more polish will give the work an entirely western tone instead of one from someone who has adopted the west as her home. I love that she gets why capitalism is so superior to communism. Socialism and communism will always be second-rate systems because they go against a person’s natural inclination toward self interest. Capitalism is perfect. It is humans who are not.
Also from the eastern bloc -- I just finished The Mighty Angel by Jerzy Pilch, translated from Polish by Bill Johnston. It is a novel in the first person from an alcoholic’s point of view, the author himself the main character. It almost intellectualizes the affliction. Since it’s not a theme I can relate to, as I’ve been never more than tipsy in my life and only a few times, I almost abandoned it. I forced myself to stick with it, which wasn't hard, as it is only 155 pages. Each year it gets more difficult to be open-minded. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much out of the book, although the writing is lively. Several arguments were lost on me. Of course, this may have been intentional, as it is an account of a drunkard. The story takes place after the fall of communism. The totalitarian yoke is not part of the reason the man drinks. I won’t rate it. It might be of interest to anyone who has, or has had, a substance abuse problem. The author is clearly talented.
Although I'm a Giants fan, I was glad Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes against them last. The game was just an exhibition and it was great to see the lion-hearted kid make it tough for his naysayers to drum him out of the NFL. My hope is that he will go from the Patriots, who I hate, to another team.
It was a quiet day at the floating book shop. There was a huge highlight, however. Marie has finished reading Killing and raved about it, saying it brought her to tears several times. Thank you, my dear. I believe it's my best work and I'm thrilled when someone gets it. I sense it scares or shocks most readers. Anyway, my thanks also to the young man who purchased Jonathan Kellerman's Rage, and to Richie, who bought a book on Krishnamurti, and also to the woman who bought the illustrated New Testament, which is at least the fifth copy of it I've sold thanks to the generosity of Ol' Simon.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Also from the eastern bloc -- I just finished The Mighty Angel by Jerzy Pilch, translated from Polish by Bill Johnston. It is a novel in the first person from an alcoholic’s point of view, the author himself the main character. It almost intellectualizes the affliction. Since it’s not a theme I can relate to, as I’ve been never more than tipsy in my life and only a few times, I almost abandoned it. I forced myself to stick with it, which wasn't hard, as it is only 155 pages. Each year it gets more difficult to be open-minded. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much out of the book, although the writing is lively. Several arguments were lost on me. Of course, this may have been intentional, as it is an account of a drunkard. The story takes place after the fall of communism. The totalitarian yoke is not part of the reason the man drinks. I won’t rate it. It might be of interest to anyone who has, or has had, a substance abuse problem. The author is clearly talented.
Although I'm a Giants fan, I was glad Tim Tebow threw two touchdown passes against them last. The game was just an exhibition and it was great to see the lion-hearted kid make it tough for his naysayers to drum him out of the NFL. My hope is that he will go from the Patriots, who I hate, to another team.
It was a quiet day at the floating book shop. There was a huge highlight, however. Marie has finished reading Killing and raved about it, saying it brought her to tears several times. Thank you, my dear. I believe it's my best work and I'm thrilled when someone gets it. I sense it scares or shocks most readers. Anyway, my thanks also to the young man who purchased Jonathan Kellerman's Rage, and to Richie, who bought a book on Krishnamurti, and also to the woman who bought the illustrated New Testament, which is at least the fifth copy of it I've sold thanks to the generosity of Ol' Simon.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/29 - Horror
It looks like the U.S. is going to strike Syria, despite the almost unanimous objection of the rest of the world, including our allies. Months ago President Obama said the use of chemical weapons would be the crossing of a red line that necessitated retaliation. He has painted himself into a corner and it seems he will act to save face. Unless the bombing takes out the entire Bashir regime, the civil war will continue. And if it accomplishes that task it is likely the ultimate irony will occur -- Al Qaeda will rule. I suspect and hope this will be a case of firing a couple of missiles and leaving it at that -- an empty show of force. This is a no-win situation. As for those who believe it shouldn't be done because it may lead to a 9/11 style retaliation, the monsters will plot despite what happens in Syria. If we have left Iraq, where we supplied so much American blood and treasure, to burn, why intervene anywhere else in the region?
Norway has been making solid films. I’ve viewed several the past few years, courtesy of Netflix. Last night I watched Cold Prey II (2008). I have not seen the original (2006) or the third (2010), probably because their ratings at the site weren’t as impressive. I’ve always loved cold, snowy landscapes on the silver screen, which is odd because I hate winter in real life. CPII is set in a remote northern area of that seemingly pristine country. It is a standard horror story, well done, containing elements of Freddy Kreuger, Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees and The Shining (1980). Director Mats Stenberg has done his homework. He had me jumping a few times. Of course, there are a few lapses in logic, particularly one where two women separate rather than stay together despite the obvious peril. Almost all films of the genre have them, but this one is a fast-moving 90 minutes, tense, and it has a plucky heroine at its center. The ending seemed definitive, but, since there is a sequel, I guess it wasn’t. The boogie man is immortal, as Jamie Lee Curtis’ character learned in Halloween (1978). On a scale of five, 3.1. It is rated 6.1 of ten at IMDb.
After two days of surprising business, it was a quiet session at the floating book shop. My thanks to the Russian woman who overpaid for two romance paperbacks, to the gentleman who purchased a Norwegian thriller, and the woman who bought a thick Random House dictionary. Ol' Smokey showed up. He's back in the apartment from which he was evicted, the matter in litigation. As usual, I had a hard time following the details he conveyed. At least he's not sleeping on the Boardwalk, which he had done for a time.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Norway has been making solid films. I’ve viewed several the past few years, courtesy of Netflix. Last night I watched Cold Prey II (2008). I have not seen the original (2006) or the third (2010), probably because their ratings at the site weren’t as impressive. I’ve always loved cold, snowy landscapes on the silver screen, which is odd because I hate winter in real life. CPII is set in a remote northern area of that seemingly pristine country. It is a standard horror story, well done, containing elements of Freddy Kreuger, Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees and The Shining (1980). Director Mats Stenberg has done his homework. He had me jumping a few times. Of course, there are a few lapses in logic, particularly one where two women separate rather than stay together despite the obvious peril. Almost all films of the genre have them, but this one is a fast-moving 90 minutes, tense, and it has a plucky heroine at its center. The ending seemed definitive, but, since there is a sequel, I guess it wasn’t. The boogie man is immortal, as Jamie Lee Curtis’ character learned in Halloween (1978). On a scale of five, 3.1. It is rated 6.1 of ten at IMDb.
After two days of surprising business, it was a quiet session at the floating book shop. My thanks to the Russian woman who overpaid for two romance paperbacks, to the gentleman who purchased a Norwegian thriller, and the woman who bought a thick Random House dictionary. Ol' Smokey showed up. He's back in the apartment from which he was evicted, the matter in litigation. As usual, I had a hard time following the details he conveyed. At least he's not sleeping on the Boardwalk, which he had done for a time.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/28 - Escape
Last night This-TV, channel 111 on Cablevision in NYC, ran John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981), one of the silliest but fun movies ever made. Set in 1997, the entire island of Manhattan is a prison where every inmate in the United States is sent. A huge wall has been built around it. It is heavily guarded. The bridges are mined. As Air Force One encounters mechanical failure, the President's escape pod lands on the grounds of the prison. A new inmate, ex-special forces op Snake Plissken, is sent on the rescue mission. The cast is outstanding: Kurt Russell, Donald Pleasance, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Tom Atkins, Harry Dean Stanton, Adrienne Barbeau (Mrs. Carpenter), Isaac Hayes and Season Hubley. Carpenter pulled triple duty, as he does in so much of his work, co-writing the script with Nick Castle, and composing the soundtrack, which also includes Bandstand Boogie, which was the closing theme on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. I don't remember if it was the opening one as well. The composition is credited to Charles Albertine, who played tenor sax for the Sammy Kaye band in the 40's and later did the music for TV shows like Fantasy Island. Carpenter even put in three cameos in the film. Castle and Debra Hill, the producer, also appeared. The budget was a paltry six million, and the film grossed 24 million. It is rated 7.2 of ten at IMDb. It is a cult classic.
This was one of the luckiest days ever for the floating book shop. There were no sales the first hour, then a gentleman purchased Tyler Anbinder's Five Points, an area of lower Manhattan later depicted in Martin Scorsese's The Gangs of New York (2002), which was based on a work of the same name by Herbert Asbury. Then it began sprinkling. I moved my books to the car and covered the rest in plastic. Soon a young man asked to see the wares and selected Anne McCaffrey's Lyon's Pride. I decided to stay as long as the rain remained very light. It was a wise move. As I was conversing with Herbie, one of my most faithful regulars, Ol' Simon showed up with a large donation of books, two of which Herbie bought. Later, a Russian gentleman, who has bought many books in his native tongue, gave me a bag of books in English, and several of them are excellent. That alone would have been enough, then one of my favorite customers, Laura, who I see only once or twice a year, happened by. I'd been holding Olen Steinhauer's The Bridge of Sighs, which takes place in her native Romania, hoping she'd show. She asked if I'd written anything new, and I showed her Exchanges, which she bought. She now owns four of my five books, missing only the football-themed Adjustments. I gave her another of McCaffrey's books, the title of which escapes me, for her son. I got a hug and kiss as she left. Damn, I wish I was 25 years younger. I decided not to press my luck regarding the weather, so I began packing up. As I was doing so, a woman looked through the remaining crates and found the large, illustrated family New Testament that I've sold several copies of, courtesy of Ol' Simon. She bought it and a combination Roget's Thesaurus/Dictionary. And as I was bringing the last bag to the trunk, I spotted a middle-aged woman coming up East 13th. I was holding a large Woody Allen pictorial for her, and she wanted it immediately. Human nature being what it is, I'm sure I'll be lamenting the lack of business tomorrow.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
This was one of the luckiest days ever for the floating book shop. There were no sales the first hour, then a gentleman purchased Tyler Anbinder's Five Points, an area of lower Manhattan later depicted in Martin Scorsese's The Gangs of New York (2002), which was based on a work of the same name by Herbert Asbury. Then it began sprinkling. I moved my books to the car and covered the rest in plastic. Soon a young man asked to see the wares and selected Anne McCaffrey's Lyon's Pride. I decided to stay as long as the rain remained very light. It was a wise move. As I was conversing with Herbie, one of my most faithful regulars, Ol' Simon showed up with a large donation of books, two of which Herbie bought. Later, a Russian gentleman, who has bought many books in his native tongue, gave me a bag of books in English, and several of them are excellent. That alone would have been enough, then one of my favorite customers, Laura, who I see only once or twice a year, happened by. I'd been holding Olen Steinhauer's The Bridge of Sighs, which takes place in her native Romania, hoping she'd show. She asked if I'd written anything new, and I showed her Exchanges, which she bought. She now owns four of my five books, missing only the football-themed Adjustments. I gave her another of McCaffrey's books, the title of which escapes me, for her son. I got a hug and kiss as she left. Damn, I wish I was 25 years younger. I decided not to press my luck regarding the weather, so I began packing up. As I was doing so, a woman looked through the remaining crates and found the large, illustrated family New Testament that I've sold several copies of, courtesy of Ol' Simon. She bought it and a combination Roget's Thesaurus/Dictionary. And as I was bringing the last bag to the trunk, I spotted a middle-aged woman coming up East 13th. I was holding a large Woody Allen pictorial for her, and she wanted it immediately. Human nature being what it is, I'm sure I'll be lamenting the lack of business tomorrow.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/27 - Coach Sanchez
I’ve reached an age, 63, where friends have begun to pass away. Tony, Billy and WeeGee, three of my Bay 37th contemporaries, have left the stage, much too young, the past few years. Yesterday I learned that Ruben Sanchez, 61, succumbed to pancreatic cancer in June. He was two years behind me at Lafayette H. S.. We both had the privilege of playing for Murray “Ace” Adler, who turned the program around, and we both later coached with him. In fact, I discovered the sad news in a Facebook post by the coach’s daughter. We were unpaid assistants. Ruben paid his bills by working the thankless job of security at Lafayette as it deteriorated into one of the worst schools in NYC. Fortunately, it has been remade and has recovered into an entirely different school than the one we knew and loved. During Ruben’s years on the staff, the football team had a winning record every season. Ace retired in 1984. Ruben eventually moved to Fort Hamilton H.S. when Vinnie Laino, with whom we’d coached briefly at Lafayette, started the football program there. The Tigers won three city championships post 2000 under Vin’s leadership. Ruben coached the wide receivers. He grew up and still lived in Coney Island. He was a Vietnam veteran. One day he told me he needed to stay busy or he’d wind up writing plays about his experiences, which he obviously wished to forget. The comment had me feeling like a fraud, had me thinking he should be writing, not me. At the time, 1978 or so, I was writing my first novel, Five Cents, which remains unpublished and which is about a Vietnam veteran’s quiet readjust to civilian life. I then wrote Close to the Edge, which I self-published in 2000. There is a sequel of sorts to it, Inside Out, unpublished, set in the early 80's, and Ruben is one of the minor characters, as are several of the staff at Lafayette. I neglected to mention it the last time I ran into him, which was probably five years ago. I’d set up shop on 86th Street between 4th & 5th Avenue, and he was making the long walk from the bus stop nearby to the school, which was closed for a holiday. Shocked, we hugged and caught up on each other‘s lives. He was on his way to football practice, so he didn’t stay long. He was dedicated, fiery. He touched the lives of many young men. He served his country honorably at a time when many frowned upon it. Rest in peace, my friend. Well done.
My thanks to the young woman who bought January Valentine's Sweet Dreams and to the other kind folks who made purchases today.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
My thanks to the young woman who bought January Valentine's Sweet Dreams and to the other kind folks who made purchases today.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Monday, August 26, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/26 - Faith
An Ohio couple married 65 years, who shared a room at a nursing home, died on the same day, eleven hours apart. Devout Catholics, they had six children, 14 grandchildren. A grandchild attributed their coincidental demise to great faith. At the funeral, the female grandchildren carried grandma's casket, the male grandpa's. A granddaughter says they are dancing in heaven. Rest in peace, Mr. & Mrs. Knapke. Kudos on a life well-lived.
Golf is just as mysterious as any other aspect of life. Cuz and I have been playing pretty much once a week since 1988. We'd rush from the trading floor to the course every Monday in our heyday. These days, our budgets tight, we tee off at noon when the discount begins. We no longer walk, and we don't play as consistently as we did, forgoing holidays, when there is no discount, and those times when work or family obligation interferes. In the past we made up a lot of missed rounds on Tuesday. That is no longer the case. I used to spend 15 minutes putting on my rug on Saturday, another 15 chipping on Sunday in preparation. The only practice I do now is a phantom pitching swing while waiting for customers to visit the floating book shop. So I have pretty low expectations regarding scoring. I was surprised my ball-striking has remained pretty much the same as ever, a good shot, bad shot ratio common to the once-a-week-player. I had struggled with chipping for at least a decade, and it sometimes took all the joy out of the game. I had not putted well for about five years. Suddenly, the last three weeks, my short game has been stellar. I missed only one short putt today and made several from four or five feet, and I did not flub a single chip or pitch. On the tenth hole I was way left of the green, 50 yards short of the flag, beside a huge tree, woods directly to my left, branches hanging down along the way. I almost took a drop, that's how narrow the window was. I thought: What the heck; go for it. I struck the shot smoothly and it rolled to a stop 20 feet from the cup, and I was able to save bogie. That was a great feeling. I shot 87 despite severely pulling my woods on the back nine for the second straight round. I cured that somewhat by standing a bit further from the ball. Cuz continues to struggle, hitting low hook after low hook. He avoided triple digits by making a spectacular birdie putt on 18. Maybe that will revive his game. I used to dread putts that are just short of gimmes. I now have faith I will make them - at least at present. It's probably temporary, but it sure is fun.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Golf is just as mysterious as any other aspect of life. Cuz and I have been playing pretty much once a week since 1988. We'd rush from the trading floor to the course every Monday in our heyday. These days, our budgets tight, we tee off at noon when the discount begins. We no longer walk, and we don't play as consistently as we did, forgoing holidays, when there is no discount, and those times when work or family obligation interferes. In the past we made up a lot of missed rounds on Tuesday. That is no longer the case. I used to spend 15 minutes putting on my rug on Saturday, another 15 chipping on Sunday in preparation. The only practice I do now is a phantom pitching swing while waiting for customers to visit the floating book shop. So I have pretty low expectations regarding scoring. I was surprised my ball-striking has remained pretty much the same as ever, a good shot, bad shot ratio common to the once-a-week-player. I had struggled with chipping for at least a decade, and it sometimes took all the joy out of the game. I had not putted well for about five years. Suddenly, the last three weeks, my short game has been stellar. I missed only one short putt today and made several from four or five feet, and I did not flub a single chip or pitch. On the tenth hole I was way left of the green, 50 yards short of the flag, beside a huge tree, woods directly to my left, branches hanging down along the way. I almost took a drop, that's how narrow the window was. I thought: What the heck; go for it. I struck the shot smoothly and it rolled to a stop 20 feet from the cup, and I was able to save bogie. That was a great feeling. I shot 87 despite severely pulling my woods on the back nine for the second straight round. I cured that somewhat by standing a bit further from the ball. Cuz continues to struggle, hitting low hook after low hook. He avoided triple digits by making a spectacular birdie putt on 18. Maybe that will revive his game. I used to dread putts that are just short of gimmes. I now have faith I will make them - at least at present. It's probably temporary, but it sure is fun.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/25 - Sand
Last night PBS in NYC ran The Sand Pebbles (1966), which I’d not seen in its entirety since its release. Adapted from Richard McKenna's best-seller, directed by Robert Wise and starring Steve McQueen at his natural best, it was made in an era when story and characters were more important than action. If remade today, it would no doubt require many additional explosions and battle scenes to keep modern film-goers interested. I think it holds up very well. The setting is China, 1926, when resentment of the foreigners' exploitation of the country’s resources is fomenting revolution. Of course, the natives were right in that. Unfortunately, what followed eventual victory decades later was the butchery and economic blight of communism. But the film is concerned largely with the fate of its westerners. What I found most surprising and interesting after all these years is the politics. Parallels can drawn to the Vietnam War. The cast is a film buff’s dream. Candice Bergen, 19 at the time, is the love interest. There is an army, or navy in this case, of familiar supporting players: Mako, Richard Attenborough, Simon Oakland, Ford Rainey, Larry Gates, Gavin McLeod, Richard Crenna, Gus Trikonis, Richard Loo and James Hong. Trikonis played Indio, Bernardo’s right-hand man in West Side Story (1961). He went on to direct, mostly in TV. Hong, who plays a sleazy brothel owner, is the host in the early Seinfeld classic where Jerry, Elaine and George wait futilely for a table at a Chinese restaurant. 84, he is still going strong, four titles in pre or post-production. Overall, he has 382 credits at IMDb. The Sand Pebbles runs three hours. I was not bored, despite the lack of constant action. On a scale of five, four. It is rated 7.6 of ten at IMDb.
RIP Broadway legend Julie Harris, 87, who succumbed to heart failure. She won five Tonys and was awarded another for lifetime achievement. I never had the privilege of seeing her on stage, but I will always remember her work in East of Eden (1955), where she played opposite James Dean, and Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), opposite Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason. To my surprise, she was a regular in prime time soap Knots Landing, appearing in 195 episodes. She has 99 titles listed at IMDb, including several appearances in mini-series and in series that had a brief run. Kudos, madam.
In an effort to boost sales, I’ve reduced the Kindle price of Killing from three bucks to one, link below. And today I chose to concentrate on hawking my own works, setting up a limited shop at the busy corner of Bay Parkway and 86th Street. I didn't sell any of my or January Valentine's books, but I thank regulars Frank, who bought a bible, King James version, and Maryann, who bought three more thrillers. In effect it was the same result as if I'd set up at my usual spot on 85th. Sometimes life laughs at you.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
RIP Broadway legend Julie Harris, 87, who succumbed to heart failure. She won five Tonys and was awarded another for lifetime achievement. I never had the privilege of seeing her on stage, but I will always remember her work in East of Eden (1955), where she played opposite James Dean, and Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962), opposite Anthony Quinn and Jackie Gleason. To my surprise, she was a regular in prime time soap Knots Landing, appearing in 195 episodes. She has 99 titles listed at IMDb, including several appearances in mini-series and in series that had a brief run. Kudos, madam.
In an effort to boost sales, I’ve reduced the Kindle price of Killing from three bucks to one, link below. And today I chose to concentrate on hawking my own works, setting up a limited shop at the busy corner of Bay Parkway and 86th Street. I didn't sell any of my or January Valentine's books, but I thank regulars Frank, who bought a bible, King James version, and Maryann, who bought three more thrillers. In effect it was the same result as if I'd set up at my usual spot on 85th. Sometimes life laughs at you.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/24 - Dreams
I awoke from one of those vivid dreams I’ve been having the past few years. It featured a woman who’d been a sexual obsession of mine for decades. In it, she was as tall as the babe in The Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958), which makes sense, as she has been a large presence in my life. The image was likely inspired by my recent viewing of Arabian Nights (2000), which I became curious about after reading 1001 Nights several months ago. John Leguizamo played both the genie of the ring (normal size) and the lamp (huge). It was colorful, good clean fun that included some modern touches. I rate it 3.25 on a scale of five. It's rated 7.2 of ten at IMDb. Anyway, the woman in question was gorgeous, despite being 61 in the dream. Why my mind settled on that number, I cannot say. She is ten years younger than that in real life, and married. Whenever I’ve run into her the past few years, she’s been cold. I wonder if she resents that my attraction was largely physical. I’ve always been fascinated by women who are liberated sexually, and she certainly qualifies -- or qualified -- for many years. I’ve also thought it would be interesting to get into the mind of a porn star.
I fell back asleep and had another dream. I’d set up the floating book shop in Manhattan and recognized brokers from the commodities trading floor, where I was employed for nearly 25 years, entering a building across the street. There’s no mistaking the root of this dream -- filthy lucre, the hope that they would buy my books.
Fans of Batman have awakened to a nightmare: it has been announced that Ben Affleck will be the next Dark Knight. The twitter world has exploded with negative tweets. While I agree that it's an odd choice, aficionados have already survived Michael Keaton and George Clooney, good actors who did not fit the role of the Caped Crusader. Affleck has fashioned one of the all-time great Hollywood comebacks, directing and starring in two fine films: The Town (2010) and Argo (2012). Five years ago he was a laughing stock, attacked by critics and the public. He's is certainly tough enough for the job, although it is doubtful he, or anyone, for that matter, will be as good as Christian Bale was.
It seems global warming will be on holiday the entire month of August in the northeast. I hope it doesn't return until winter. As for the business of the floating book shop, I dream of better things for tomorrow.
Today sucked.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
I fell back asleep and had another dream. I’d set up the floating book shop in Manhattan and recognized brokers from the commodities trading floor, where I was employed for nearly 25 years, entering a building across the street. There’s no mistaking the root of this dream -- filthy lucre, the hope that they would buy my books.
Fans of Batman have awakened to a nightmare: it has been announced that Ben Affleck will be the next Dark Knight. The twitter world has exploded with negative tweets. While I agree that it's an odd choice, aficionados have already survived Michael Keaton and George Clooney, good actors who did not fit the role of the Caped Crusader. Affleck has fashioned one of the all-time great Hollywood comebacks, directing and starring in two fine films: The Town (2010) and Argo (2012). Five years ago he was a laughing stock, attacked by critics and the public. He's is certainly tough enough for the job, although it is doubtful he, or anyone, for that matter, will be as good as Christian Bale was.
It seems global warming will be on holiday the entire month of August in the northeast. I hope it doesn't return until winter. As for the business of the floating book shop, I dream of better things for tomorrow.
Today sucked.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Friday, August 23, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/23 - Redheads
I’ve become hooked on another BBC mystery series aired on PBS: Case Histories, set in modern Scotland. The protagonist is an Iraq war veteran, ex-cop, now private eye who is a magnet for trouble. So far, there have been a lot of coincidences in the episodes I’ve seen. Other than that, it is excellent. The stories are grim, leavened a bit by dry humor. The main cast members were vaguely familiar. In researching their credits at IMDb, I found that they have appeared in several films and TV shows with which I’m familiar. Several of the episodes are based on the novels of Kate Atkinson. Others are original scripts she supervises. PBS has seamlessly combined several two-part episodes that run nearly two hours without commercial interruption.
I just received an email from Bob Rubenstein, who I steered toward All Things That Matter Press, which published his novels Ghost Runners and The White Bridge. Several years ago he suggested the publishers go into the audio format market. Now that they have, he is miffed that his books have not been selected for it and he’s trying to get out of his contract. He has threatened litigation. He believes someone is suppressing the Jewish voice. I doubt that’s the case, especially in the case of ATTMP, which is an honorable enterprise. I always follow the money. The audio book publisher is probably interested only in those books they think will sell. It’s not an exact science. They will make errors. A Hitch in Twilight hasn’t been selected, either. Am I disappointed? To a degree, although I’m not a fan of the format and don’t like the prices charged for such "books." Given the paltry web sales of Hitch, I’m grateful ATTMP hasn’t dropped it. I'm disappointed I've not brought in more income for them. If they decide to terminate Hitch at contract’s end, I will buy a bunch of copies for sale on the street. It generates the most positive responses of all my books. Bob hopes to get his novels into audio format on his own. Good luck, my friend, although I think you’re making a mistake.
Speaking of A Hitch in Twilight, my thanks to lovely, red-haired Teo, Georgian, not Russian, who purchased a copy today. She is trying to improve her English - hooray! Thanks also to Marie, another redhead, who donated five more DVDs, and to Captain Spaulding, who looks nothing like Groucho Marx but who dresses like an African explorer, and who purchased the Hollywood Moms pictorial for his wife; and to the woman who bought two books and to the one who donated two.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
I just received an email from Bob Rubenstein, who I steered toward All Things That Matter Press, which published his novels Ghost Runners and The White Bridge. Several years ago he suggested the publishers go into the audio format market. Now that they have, he is miffed that his books have not been selected for it and he’s trying to get out of his contract. He has threatened litigation. He believes someone is suppressing the Jewish voice. I doubt that’s the case, especially in the case of ATTMP, which is an honorable enterprise. I always follow the money. The audio book publisher is probably interested only in those books they think will sell. It’s not an exact science. They will make errors. A Hitch in Twilight hasn’t been selected, either. Am I disappointed? To a degree, although I’m not a fan of the format and don’t like the prices charged for such "books." Given the paltry web sales of Hitch, I’m grateful ATTMP hasn’t dropped it. I'm disappointed I've not brought in more income for them. If they decide to terminate Hitch at contract’s end, I will buy a bunch of copies for sale on the street. It generates the most positive responses of all my books. Bob hopes to get his novels into audio format on his own. Good luck, my friend, although I think you’re making a mistake.
Speaking of A Hitch in Twilight, my thanks to lovely, red-haired Teo, Georgian, not Russian, who purchased a copy today. She is trying to improve her English - hooray! Thanks also to Marie, another redhead, who donated five more DVDs, and to Captain Spaulding, who looks nothing like Groucho Marx but who dresses like an African explorer, and who purchased the Hollywood Moms pictorial for his wife; and to the woman who bought two books and to the one who donated two.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/22 - Sleepy Head
As I left the recycling center and headed to my car to move it for alternate side, the drizzle had stopped and I noted a large patch of blue in the distance. I decided to set up a limited book shop, keeping my and January Valentine’s books in the car. It was the right move, as the rain held off until one-thirty. Only one problem -- no buyers. At least it kept me out of the house for a while.
Here’s the first few paragraphs of the story, What Might Have Been, I’ve been writing. All it needs is a bit of tweaking, which I will do over the next several days.
He opened his eyes, which took a moment to focus. A pretty, dark-haired girl of ten stood before him. Although he’d never seen her before, she looked familiar.
“Hi, Gran’pa,” she said sweetly.
Gran’pa? he thought, gazing about the unfamiliar surroundings, a den in what seemed a suburban home.
“Gran’ma told me to wake you up,” said the girl, unsure of herself.
He groaned as he pushed off the comfortable easy chair. He noted the pictures on the wall, trophies on the shelves. He was about to follow the little girl out of the room when something caught his eye. He stepped toward a photograph of a high school football team and stared, squinting. The girl took a pair of glasses from a nearby desk and handed them to him. The caption on the photo read: County Champs 1995, 10-0. And there he was, back row left: Head Coach John Marino. How could that be? He’d left coaching 35 years ago, in 1978. He moved to a shot of a wedding party, where he was in a tuxedo, age 25 or so, beside a beautiful bride.
“What the hell?” he muttered.
“What’s the matter, Gran’pa?”
He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to alarm the little angel, so he said nothing. She took his hand and led him through a hall, across a gleaming wooden floor to a modern kitchen that looked out onto a manicured back yard.
“Hey, sleepy head,” said a smiling, white-haired woman of 60, an older version of the bride. “Amy couldn’t wait another minute. Besides, nap too long and you won’t sleep tonight.”
He stared, baffled. Was this what Alzheimer’s looked like from the inside? Would he know he was afflicted?
The woman chuckled. “Boy, that must’ve been a deep sleep.”
Was this a dream? It seemed so real. Was he hallucinating after a head injury?
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Here’s the first few paragraphs of the story, What Might Have Been, I’ve been writing. All it needs is a bit of tweaking, which I will do over the next several days.
He opened his eyes, which took a moment to focus. A pretty, dark-haired girl of ten stood before him. Although he’d never seen her before, she looked familiar.
“Hi, Gran’pa,” she said sweetly.
Gran’pa? he thought, gazing about the unfamiliar surroundings, a den in what seemed a suburban home.
“Gran’ma told me to wake you up,” said the girl, unsure of herself.
He groaned as he pushed off the comfortable easy chair. He noted the pictures on the wall, trophies on the shelves. He was about to follow the little girl out of the room when something caught his eye. He stepped toward a photograph of a high school football team and stared, squinting. The girl took a pair of glasses from a nearby desk and handed them to him. The caption on the photo read: County Champs 1995, 10-0. And there he was, back row left: Head Coach John Marino. How could that be? He’d left coaching 35 years ago, in 1978. He moved to a shot of a wedding party, where he was in a tuxedo, age 25 or so, beside a beautiful bride.
“What the hell?” he muttered.
“What’s the matter, Gran’pa?”
He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to alarm the little angel, so he said nothing. She took his hand and led him through a hall, across a gleaming wooden floor to a modern kitchen that looked out onto a manicured back yard.
“Hey, sleepy head,” said a smiling, white-haired woman of 60, an older version of the bride. “Amy couldn’t wait another minute. Besides, nap too long and you won’t sleep tonight.”
He stared, baffled. Was this what Alzheimer’s looked like from the inside? Would he know he was afflicted?
The woman chuckled. “Boy, that must’ve been a deep sleep.”
Was this a dream? It seemed so real. Was he hallucinating after a head injury?
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/21 - Breaks
My latest short story is evolving well. It’s now six-and-a-half handwritten pages. It’s a lot more fun than my previous effort, which was, essentially, the same ol’ same ol’ except for an ending out of left field. When it's ready I will submit it to Morpheus Tales, which is based in the UK. Several years ago they published Pristine, which is now part of the A Hitch in Twilight collection, and included it in their first best-of compilation. If I miss their deadline, I’ll wait for their next call for submissions. Their posts show up on my Facebook page every day. My only concern is that the tone may be too sweet for the publication. It looks like it will be more than 2000 words. I don’t see it expanding much more than that. Now it will be a matter of polish. I’ll post an excerpt when it’s up to snuff.
There's a new luxury building going up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In order to qualify for a tax break, the developers are including 55 low income units in an area segregated from the rich folks and serviced by a separate entrance. This has raised howls of protest. Upon first hearing of it, I laughed, seeing it as another chapter in the human comedy. I thought it was wrong. Although I'm still a bit uncomfortable with it, I won't be surprised if citizens rush to put their names on the waiting lists. A studio will go for $845 a month, a one-bedroom for $908, a two-bedroom for $1,099 -- dirt cheap for that area or most of Manhattan and even parts of Brooklyn, where the average rent is now $3000. For those rates, I'm sure a lot of people would happily use a separate entrance. The rich in that same building will be paying $1000 per square foot. I'm more miffed about the tax-break the developer, Extell, will receive. I wonder how many cronies of politicians will find a home there. Life never ceases to fascinate.
I neglected to thank my buddy Ol' Simon for the books donation yesterday. He returned with even more today, bless his heart. He is another of the angels in my life. My thanks also to the four people who made purchases.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
There's a new luxury building going up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In order to qualify for a tax break, the developers are including 55 low income units in an area segregated from the rich folks and serviced by a separate entrance. This has raised howls of protest. Upon first hearing of it, I laughed, seeing it as another chapter in the human comedy. I thought it was wrong. Although I'm still a bit uncomfortable with it, I won't be surprised if citizens rush to put their names on the waiting lists. A studio will go for $845 a month, a one-bedroom for $908, a two-bedroom for $1,099 -- dirt cheap for that area or most of Manhattan and even parts of Brooklyn, where the average rent is now $3000. For those rates, I'm sure a lot of people would happily use a separate entrance. The rich in that same building will be paying $1000 per square foot. I'm more miffed about the tax-break the developer, Extell, will receive. I wonder how many cronies of politicians will find a home there. Life never ceases to fascinate.
I neglected to thank my buddy Ol' Simon for the books donation yesterday. He returned with even more today, bless his heart. He is another of the angels in my life. My thanks also to the four people who made purchases.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Monday, August 19, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/19 - Scoring
I’ve been writing since 1975. Until 1995 I was incredibly productive, if not successful commercially. I banged out nine novels, two screenplays, a play, a television script and more than 40 short stories. Since then I’ve averaged about two short stories per year. Since late 2007 I’ve concentrated more on selling and promoting my books, of which this blog has been a large part. To my surprise, I’m working on a second story this month. I was disappointed with the first, as it was only a slight variation on a theme running through about 20 of my works. The current one takes that same theme in a Twilight Zone direction, although it's tone is sweet, without menace. It’s already five hand-written pages, almost finished, at least the first draft. It is my take on that old sci-fi standby -- an alternate or parallel universe, covered so admirably by the TV series Fringe. I also remember a terrific episode of Star Trek, The Next Generation, where there were several starships Enterprise, perhaps as many as five, converging in one universe. One of them was blown to bits by the Klingons, killing everyone on board, which I thought was way cool. Although I’ve read that there are actually scientists who believe there are parallel universes, I am skeptical. Wouldn’t those little changes throughout the ages eventually lead to worlds unrecognizable from one another? Then again, science was always my worst subject.
Our Monday round of golf was a joy for the second straight week. There was hardly anyone on the course. We went right out and waited no more than a few minutes at any tee. I did not play as well as last week, wildly pulling a lot of shots on the back nine, but my putting was again solid, as was my chipping for a change. The highlight came at the 16th hole, when I staked a nine-iron to within three feet of the cup and made the putt for birdie. Cuz struggled for the second straight week. He's having a devil of a time getting any height on his shots. I blew the chance to break 90 on the last hole, making seven, but the unexpected 86 I had last week may satisfy me for a while. I've had the better of Cuz the last two rounds, after losing the previous four. We've been going back and forth since 1988. He had a great Sunday, his mom's 85th birthday. The family played cards until midnight. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Ferrara.
We finished in about three-and-a-half hours, which allowed me to miss rush hour traffic, and I scored a great parking spot for the next two sessions of the floating book shop. It's nice to be lucky.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Our Monday round of golf was a joy for the second straight week. There was hardly anyone on the course. We went right out and waited no more than a few minutes at any tee. I did not play as well as last week, wildly pulling a lot of shots on the back nine, but my putting was again solid, as was my chipping for a change. The highlight came at the 16th hole, when I staked a nine-iron to within three feet of the cup and made the putt for birdie. Cuz struggled for the second straight week. He's having a devil of a time getting any height on his shots. I blew the chance to break 90 on the last hole, making seven, but the unexpected 86 I had last week may satisfy me for a while. I've had the better of Cuz the last two rounds, after losing the previous four. We've been going back and forth since 1988. He had a great Sunday, his mom's 85th birthday. The family played cards until midnight. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Ferrara.
We finished in about three-and-a-half hours, which allowed me to miss rush hour traffic, and I scored a great parking spot for the next two sessions of the floating book shop. It's nice to be lucky.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 9/18 - Choices
Today’s NY Post has two OMG items that took me completely by surprise. Bono, an icon of the left, was quoted as recently having said: “Commerce (and) entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than aid.” He gets it. Hopefully, his future generosity will be channeled into helping start businesses that develop and use the talents of third world citizens. I wonder how the comment sat with fellow band mate Edge, whose quotes have demonstrated nothing but contempt for the policies of the right. Whatever. I love a lot of U2’s songs, especially those that deal directly with life and not politics. Lately, I’ve been mesmerized by Even Better Than the Real Thing, which, if I’m interpreting it right, is a rockin' take on the art of seduction.
In Michael Goodwin’s column, he reports that the communist government of Vietnam has resorted to bribing students to take courses in Marxism, Leninism and the teachings of national icon Ho Chi Minh, which are being shunned because they do not impress potential employers. All those war deaths failed to defeat the red ideology, and now the country may eventually escape the clutches of communism, anyway. Life is always full of surprises.
In the primary race for comptroller of NYC, disgraced former governor Eliot Spitzer, aka Client 9, has a commanding lead over Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, a puzzling development. I have zero confidence in each, but I wonder why Stringer is being shunned by so many fellow Democrats. The only explanation I can think of is that many leftists believe big business is the enemy, and Spitzer has promised to again go after Wall Street, as he did unsuccessfully as Attorney General of NY. However, that is not the job of the comptroller, who oversees the city’s finances. As a libertarian who leans way right, I expect and accept that New Yorkers will elect liberals. The thought of Spitzer being elected is a bitter pill. He seems to be a bad, dangerous man. On a positive note, the chances of Anthony Weiner, aka Carlos Danger, of winning the NYC mayoralty are fading according to the latest polls. There isn't a dime's worth of difference in the political beliefs of all the Democrats in statewide races. The fact that some people would vote for Spitzer or Weiner is very discouraging.
It was a quiet day on the street. My thanks to Maryann, who purchased three thrillers.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
In Michael Goodwin’s column, he reports that the communist government of Vietnam has resorted to bribing students to take courses in Marxism, Leninism and the teachings of national icon Ho Chi Minh, which are being shunned because they do not impress potential employers. All those war deaths failed to defeat the red ideology, and now the country may eventually escape the clutches of communism, anyway. Life is always full of surprises.
In the primary race for comptroller of NYC, disgraced former governor Eliot Spitzer, aka Client 9, has a commanding lead over Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, a puzzling development. I have zero confidence in each, but I wonder why Stringer is being shunned by so many fellow Democrats. The only explanation I can think of is that many leftists believe big business is the enemy, and Spitzer has promised to again go after Wall Street, as he did unsuccessfully as Attorney General of NY. However, that is not the job of the comptroller, who oversees the city’s finances. As a libertarian who leans way right, I expect and accept that New Yorkers will elect liberals. The thought of Spitzer being elected is a bitter pill. He seems to be a bad, dangerous man. On a positive note, the chances of Anthony Weiner, aka Carlos Danger, of winning the NYC mayoralty are fading according to the latest polls. There isn't a dime's worth of difference in the political beliefs of all the Democrats in statewide races. The fact that some people would vote for Spitzer or Weiner is very discouraging.
It was a quiet day on the street. My thanks to Maryann, who purchased three thrillers.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/17 - Corruption
Long ago in a galaxy far away, in a college lit class, I was assigned picaresque novels, novellas really. They are defined as “an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.” I don’t remember anything about the two I read, but I’ve never forgotten the term. It was rekindled by Never Work: The Autobiography of Salvatore Messana by Gianni Giovanelli, translated from Italian and French by Bill Brown, an acquaintance of mine. No one knows if the story is entirely, partly true with embellishments, or complete fiction. It is a quick, smooth read, only 111 pages, the narrator ceasing because he is afraid further account of his crimes would reveal his identity. Errors in the text are few and far between. Whether a reader enjoys the book likely will depend on political persuasion. The far left, I'm sure, would love it. Anyone right of center who doesn’t regard it as comedy will likely hate it. The main character and his cohorts plot to defraud companies whose business practices are deplorable. Are they noble? They seem more selfish louts, anarchists rather than proponents of social justice, although they do make copies of the checks they receive and hand them to co-workers not involved in the scheme, hoping to inspire them to follow suit. I suspect this is designed as a rationale for their thievery, which they freely admit, rather than as a spur to righteous revolution. The scams are fascinating and a bit complex in some cases. This is really a rebellion against the way life works. The background of the protagonist is horrific, but so is that of most of his contemporaries in post WWII Italy. Most workers chose to fall in line and quietly provide for their families. Were they exploited? There is no doubt, in some cases, and the protagonist has only contempt for those who work hard and keep their mouths shut. He is as much an elitist as those he ridicules. Of course, exploitation was common in earlier eras. That has changed dramatically in the western world, no thanks to men like the protagonist. A lot of jobs may remain menial, but workers are well-compensated in salary and benefits, and are free to seek employment elsewhere. I doubt the protagonist would be appeased by these advances. I’m sure he would rather scam than work. Those of good will have and will continue to fight to bring the needed reform to end exploitation. Some will succumb to the temptation of corruption. The characters in this book revel in corruption from the start. On a scale of five, three.
Miguel Tejada, 39, of the Kansas City Royals has been suspended by MLB for 105 games, effectively ending his career, which was highlighted by his 2002 season, when he was named MVP. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, another former MVP, was the first to be suspended this year. Since then, every player has had a Hispanic surname. None of the owners, who profited handsomely from the players use of steroids, has been suspended, and I'm not sure any is Latino.
My thanks to the folks who bought books today on Bay Parkway, and to ATTMP, which sent a royalty check for the sale of an electronic copy of A Hitch in Twilight. I'm embarrassed that I haven't earned more money for my publishers. As a proponent of capitalism, I grudgingly accept the judgment the marketplace has made on my books.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Miguel Tejada, 39, of the Kansas City Royals has been suspended by MLB for 105 games, effectively ending his career, which was highlighted by his 2002 season, when he was named MVP. Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, another former MVP, was the first to be suspended this year. Since then, every player has had a Hispanic surname. None of the owners, who profited handsomely from the players use of steroids, has been suspended, and I'm not sure any is Latino.
My thanks to the folks who bought books today on Bay Parkway, and to ATTMP, which sent a royalty check for the sale of an electronic copy of A Hitch in Twilight. I'm embarrassed that I haven't earned more money for my publishers. As a proponent of capitalism, I grudgingly accept the judgment the marketplace has made on my books.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Friday, August 16, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/16 - Influence
Just when it seems the situation in the Muslim world couldn’t get worse, it does. Although I disagree with nearly 100% of President Obama’s policies, I feel a little sorry for him. He went into the job believing he would be a positive influence on the Middle East. What a harsh wind reality is. Here is a brilliant photograph that accompanied an article in today’s NY Post about the violence in Egypt. It says a lot not only about the situation but life in general, which goes on even when terrible things are happening next door. Kudos to the photographer:
Today is the 36th anniversary of Elvis’ death. Here’s an early clip of his magic. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdDIKONSDUM
It was a nice day for the floating book shop. I sold all but one of my stock of crime thrillers in Russian and a few other books and DVDs. My thanks to the buyers, and to the FedEx guy, who donated a couple more novels. And Marie stopped by and spoke of how aromatherapy is helping her sleep. She smears a little oil on a pillow and she falls right out. She claims that the lavender scent she gave to the family of the eight-year-old boy she tutors is also working. She's been studying which scents aid which problems. It sounds harmless enough. It's not ingested orally.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Today is the 36th anniversary of Elvis’ death. Here’s an early clip of his magic. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdDIKONSDUM
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/15 - Sing
I saw Les Miserables on Broadway, where it ran for 27 years, long ago. Although I liked it and respected the talents involved, it didn’t think it enhanced Victor Hugo’s classic novel, so I wasn’t excited about viewing the film adaptation of the play, although it cracked almost every ten best list of 2012. My opinion holds. It is a great story. Perhaps I would have respected the lyrics more if the DVD had been closed-captioned. I suppose I should invest in the CD and follow the lyric sheet while listening. I looked forward to only one number: Master of the House, which was the highlight of the stage production. I was disappointed. I did not like the indifferent voice Sacha Baron Cohen used to sing it. In fact, the entire segment was flat. I was not humming it subconsciously today the way George Costanza and Alton Benes did in that famous episode of Seinfeld. Other than that, the film was solid, the cinematography, especially in the opening scene, imparted authenticity. And the cast was stellar. I knew Hugh Jackman was a fine singer, having been stunned by his work in a production of Oklahoma on PBS, but I’m always surprised at how competently today’s actors can sing, a far cry from the unfortunate 70’s interpretations from the likes of Peter O’Toole, Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried and Helena Bonham Carter all acquitted themselves well, although I hate it when every word of a film or play -- almost every word in this case -- is sung. I really enjoyed Carter as the larcenous, amoral innkeeper, a part that seemed natural to her. The real strength of the musical is the performances of the young cast members in roles that tug at the heart strings: Isabelle Allen, ten at the time of filming, as the young Cosette; Daniel Huttlestone, 13, as Gavroche; and particularly Samantha Banks as Eponine. Each was outstanding. Given the high profile cast and the look of the production, I was amazed the budget was only 61 million. It nearly tripled that at the box office, and I’m sure DVD sales and rentals has its profit margin soaring. It was directed by Tom Hooper, whose previous film was the outstanding The King’s Speech (2010). I look forward to his future work. On a scale of five, I rate Les Miz 3.5. It is rated 7.7 of ten at IMDb. 60 million people saw it during its incredible Broadway run. It is beloved. I am self conscious about not being a big fan of it.
What will be done with all the military hardware in landlocked Afghanistan? The U.S. would be charged millions in customs fees to move it out on the ground. What isn't left behind will be sold. This includes soda machines and such. There is a site where one may purchase such material:
http://www.govliquidation.com/ I didn't know, either.
It was a great day for the floating book shop. Mrs. Eclectic has been buying books from me in bulk for several years. Today she finally bit on one of mine, A Hitch in Twilight. Thank you, Kenisha, and also to all the other buyers, and to the gentleman who donated three hardcovers by Stuart Woods, and to Michael, who donated seven more thrillers in Russian. My hunch is they will come in very handy tomorrow, as my regulars have all been taken care of this week. I closed up shop a little early and went to my sister's. She's now finishing her rehab of her broken hip at home. Today we celebrated the 15th birthday of my great niece/Godchild Danielle. Coincidentally, it is the birthday of my second oldest niece, Tanya, who lives in Denver. Happy Birthday, ladies.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
What will be done with all the military hardware in landlocked Afghanistan? The U.S. would be charged millions in customs fees to move it out on the ground. What isn't left behind will be sold. This includes soda machines and such. There is a site where one may purchase such material:
http://www.govliquidation.com/ I didn't know, either.
It was a great day for the floating book shop. Mrs. Eclectic has been buying books from me in bulk for several years. Today she finally bit on one of mine, A Hitch in Twilight. Thank you, Kenisha, and also to all the other buyers, and to the gentleman who donated three hardcovers by Stuart Woods, and to Michael, who donated seven more thrillers in Russian. My hunch is they will come in very handy tomorrow, as my regulars have all been taken care of this week. I closed up shop a little early and went to my sister's. She's now finishing her rehab of her broken hip at home. Today we celebrated the 15th birthday of my great niece/Godchild Danielle. Coincidentally, it is the birthday of my second oldest niece, Tanya, who lives in Denver. Happy Birthday, ladies.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/14 - Romcom
My thanks to the folks who bought and donated books today. I found nothing interesting to blog about, so here's an excerpt from my romcom screenplay, A Truth Universally Acknowledged, which was influenced by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. It was written pre-9/11. It's rather long, but a fast read. Best guess 10 minutes:
With Ellington's Take the A Train playing in the background, Joe begins a mad dash across the trading floor to the elevator. At the ground floor he bolts onto the concourse, dodging people all the way to the subway station. After getting off in the Village, he runs through the station, takes the stairs to the street two at a time, evading pedestrians, vehicles. He aims to head Kate off at her door, to speak to her face to face. As he reaches her block, he sees her approaching from the opposite direction. He sprints toward her, calling out.
Joe:
Katie!
Surprised, she tenses. She seems trapped, as if she'd like to flee but doesn't know which way to turn. She's wearing sunglasses to hide her tears. He stops short and throws his arms around her, kisses her brow. He is breathing so hard he is unable to speak. He breaks from her and bends at the waist, panting. She, concerned, places a hand on his shoulder.
Kate:
Are you alright?
Joe:
You know CPR?
He sits on the stoop. She sits beside him. Having recovered sufficiently, he slings an arm around her and presses his forehead to hers, still breathing fast.
Joe:
I can't remember the last time I ran that hard. Maybe when some cop was chasin' me
through the schoolyard.
Kate:
Thank goodness you're in shape.
Joe:
You're not kiddin'.
Kate:
Why'd you run? You could've called.
Joe:
I dunno. I panicked, I guess. I was afraid you'd hang up as soon as you heard my voice. I was afraid you wouldn't let me up if you got here before me.
Pained, she looks away.
Kate:
I thought you'd hustled me, that you really didn’t care.
Joe:
After last night? What's wrong with you?
She avoids his gaze.
Kate:
We didn't exactly part on a high note. I thought you might've been fed up with me.
Then what your brother told me.
Joe:
I've been on such a high all mornin'. You brought me luck. I made a killin' today.
She looks away, afraid. He reaches toward her chin, gently tilts her face toward him,
removes her sunglasses, looks her in the eye.
Joe:
I never felt about nobody the way I feel about you.
Tears well briefly in her eyes. She bucks up.
Kate:
"Anybody" - I never felt about "anybody...."
He smiles.
Joe:
I wanted to see if you were payin' attention.
Kate:
Yeah, right.
Joe:
In grammar there's this thing called "Agreement."
Her eyes spread with surprise.
Joe:
It was in the GED study book..
She smirks. He takes her hand, pulls her to her feet.
Joe:
Wanna take a ride someplace?
Kate:
I don't know. I'd feel guilty. I'm supposed to be home sick. I've never taken a sick day
in my life.
Joe:
Sounds like you can use a day off.
Kate:
I'm afraid I'd make it a habit..... Ah, what the hell? Just this once.Where are you
parked?
Joe:
In Brooklyn. C'mon, we'll take the subway. Or is that too "bourgeois" for you?
She begrudges a smile.
Kate:
I was just on the subway, wise guy. What about your customers?
He waves, indifferent.
In his car, top down, with Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing playing, they hit the highway, laughing, smiling. They lunch in Sheepshead Bay, then stroll along the area. They settle on a bench facing the water.
Kate:
It's really nice here.
Joe:
See? Brooklyn's not all bad.
Kate:
I hope this conversation's not going where I think it's going.
Joe shrugs.
Joe:
You wanna spend the rest of your life beatin' people up in magazines?
She chuckles.
Kate:
I'd really like to write novels and short stories, but I haven't had the guts to sit down and
try it yet.
Joe:
You no guts? I find that hard to believe.
Kate:
I haven't failed too often in my life, at least not at anything I really cared about. And
writing fiction is what I care about most. I don't know how I'd handle the failure of not
being able to do it.
Joe:
You do like anybody else - get up, dust yourself off, and give it another shot. Forty
percent of my trades are losers.
She doesn't know what to say.
Joe:
Let me put you on the spot. I'll make a deal with you. You have my children and you can stay home and write all you want. We'll buy a house and set up a nice quiet room for
you. I'll take care of the kids at night.
She stares at him.
Kate:
You're not serious?
Joe:
Oh, no?
Kate:
We hardly know each other. And I'm supposed to trust you'll keep your word?
Joe:
I think I know you. Ever get the feelin' that some things're meant to be? Think about it. Of all the brokers at the exchange, Dawn brought you to me. Then, a month later, we ended up at the same charity affair. Then we played golf and I didn't ever realize I broke 90 for the first time in my life 'cause I was havin' such a great time.
Kate:
People who believe in that type of thing are eventually going to get slammed
mercilessly by reality.
Joe:
I'm willin' to take that risk, just like I do every day in the ring. The potential reward
makes it worth it.
Kate:
Katherine Hepburn says that any man who marries a career woman is a fool.
Joe:
It wouldn't be the same. You'd he workin' at night atta the house.
Kate:
You know, I'm not even sure I like you.
Joe:
You coulda fooled me last night.
Kate:
But that might not have anything to do with love. That might be just a temporary match up of hormones.
Joe:
Who's zoomin' who now?
Kate:
And I definitely can't see me having kids.
Joe:
What? How can you not want kids? Think how happy your mother and father'd be.
You're their one 'n only.
Kate:
Thanks for reminding me. I hate being torn between disappointing them and contributing to the overpopulation of the world.
Joe:
The world is not overpopulated. That's the biggest crock goin'. Not enough kids're bein' born. That's the problem. The fertility rate in Italy's down to 1.2. Italians are gonna be extinct by their own hands in a hundred years. And who's gonna pay the taxes for Social Security end Medicare over here?
Kate:
Oh, my God, you've read an op-ed piece! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing in
the wrong hands.
Joe:
Op-what?
Kate:
Op .... I hate when you do that!
He chuckles as she swats at him.
Later, he parks at the end of a road in Manhattan Beach (Brooklyn). They exit. A
beautiful ranch-style house sits at the foot of the ocean to their right. Kate is impressed.
Joe:
This's my favorite house in the world.
Kate:
I'd've never thought there'd be one like it in Brooklyn. My impression of Brooklyn is
Greenpoint, where me grandparents lived. I hated it there.
Joe:
Wouldn't this be a great place for a writer to live?
Kate:
Can you afford a place like this?
Joe:
Only in my dreams. Maybe the taxes on it. I know guys who bought mansions when
times were good. A few years later the market dried up and they had to sell. I'm smarter
than that, I hope.
They stand looking out to sea. Kate leans against Joe, who wraps his arms around her.
Joe:
Marry me and all this is yours.
She chuckles.
Kate:
A vast, empty expanse? Stop trying to hustle me. Let's take it slow and see what
happens. Why are you in such a hurry?
Joe:
'cause I'm 37 years old and I don't have any kids. If I wait much longer I might not be
able to play ball with 'em. You're not scared about your clock tickin' away?
Kate:
I have so much to accomplish that I haven't even thought about it.
Joe:
How d'you know you're not gonna wake up one day ten years from now and all of a
sudden wish you'd had kids?
Kate:
I can't imagine myself ever being that weak.
Joe:
You're a better man then I am, Gunga Din.
She smiles.
Joe:
I've been out with hundreds of girls, and not once did I ever come close to feelin' like I
do when I'm with you. And I know if anything ever happened to me you'd be there for our kids. You'd be like an onnymahl if somebody tried to hurt ‘em. I know you would, I just know it.
She is clearly moved.
Joe:
And I know you'll learn 'em good English.
She chuckles, then becomes serious.
Kate:
I will never live in Brooklyn.
Joe:
Not even where I live? We got all these artists and writers comin' in, takin' advantage
of bein' close to the city without havin' to pay shylock rent. Everybody laughed when I
bought that place. They thought I was nuts 'cause of the neighborhood. I was way ahead
of the curve.
Kate:
You helped push the poor people out. And next the yuppies'll push the artists out.
Joe:
Gentrification. Lotta poor people in the Village and on the Upper West Side.
She smirks.
Joe:
I helped build the neighborhood back up. And now all the weirdos think I'm yuppie
scum, even my tenants. Imagine that all these mammelukes from all over the country -
all over the world, look down their noses at me, who's lived in Brooklyn his life.
Kate:
There's just no justice in this rotten world.
He hangs his head.
Joe:
You're right. A guy with my dough should never whine. I should laugh at 'em. So
whattaya say - move in with me.
Kate:
Williamsburg is a poor substitute for Manhattan. I'm just not amenable to compromise.
Joe nibbles at her ear.
Joe:
I'm gonna hafta start carryin' a pocket dictionary.
Kate:
It would only do you good.
Joe:
Your place is a studio, right?
Kate:
Yes.
Joe:
We definitely can't live there.
He falls into thought.
Joe:
I can always sell the building. It's triple the value I bought it at. That should be good
for a coupla months Manhattan rent.
Kate:
You're getting way ahead of yourself, Romeo.
Joe:
Try to keep up.
He nips at her ear again.
Kate:
Stop! That makes me crazy.
Joe:
Oh?
He holds her tightly and nibbles again. She tries to fight free, laughs. Finally she
manages to do so. They walk back to the car, pause as they are about to enter, look at
each other.
Kate:
I absolutely do not cook.
Joe:
I'll cook. When I don't feel like it we'll have McDonalds.
Kate:
McDonalds!
Joe:
You like Burger King better? Burger King, then.
Kate:
You're such a clown.
Close-up of a dummy clown. They are now in Coney Island. They ride the Cyclone
(rollercoaster), then the Wonder (ferris) Wheel, on which they neck like teenagers. Later,
Joe purchases franks and sodas at Nathan's. He offers a frank to Kate, who makes a face. He shrugs and begins devouring them.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
With Ellington's Take the A Train playing in the background, Joe begins a mad dash across the trading floor to the elevator. At the ground floor he bolts onto the concourse, dodging people all the way to the subway station. After getting off in the Village, he runs through the station, takes the stairs to the street two at a time, evading pedestrians, vehicles. He aims to head Kate off at her door, to speak to her face to face. As he reaches her block, he sees her approaching from the opposite direction. He sprints toward her, calling out.
Joe:
Katie!
Surprised, she tenses. She seems trapped, as if she'd like to flee but doesn't know which way to turn. She's wearing sunglasses to hide her tears. He stops short and throws his arms around her, kisses her brow. He is breathing so hard he is unable to speak. He breaks from her and bends at the waist, panting. She, concerned, places a hand on his shoulder.
Kate:
Are you alright?
Joe:
You know CPR?
He sits on the stoop. She sits beside him. Having recovered sufficiently, he slings an arm around her and presses his forehead to hers, still breathing fast.
Joe:
I can't remember the last time I ran that hard. Maybe when some cop was chasin' me
through the schoolyard.
Kate:
Thank goodness you're in shape.
Joe:
You're not kiddin'.
Kate:
Why'd you run? You could've called.
Joe:
I dunno. I panicked, I guess. I was afraid you'd hang up as soon as you heard my voice. I was afraid you wouldn't let me up if you got here before me.
Pained, she looks away.
Kate:
I thought you'd hustled me, that you really didn’t care.
Joe:
After last night? What's wrong with you?
She avoids his gaze.
Kate:
We didn't exactly part on a high note. I thought you might've been fed up with me.
Then what your brother told me.
Joe:
I've been on such a high all mornin'. You brought me luck. I made a killin' today.
She looks away, afraid. He reaches toward her chin, gently tilts her face toward him,
removes her sunglasses, looks her in the eye.
Joe:
I never felt about nobody the way I feel about you.
Tears well briefly in her eyes. She bucks up.
Kate:
"Anybody" - I never felt about "anybody...."
He smiles.
Joe:
I wanted to see if you were payin' attention.
Kate:
Yeah, right.
Joe:
In grammar there's this thing called "Agreement."
Her eyes spread with surprise.
Joe:
It was in the GED study book..
She smirks. He takes her hand, pulls her to her feet.
Joe:
Wanna take a ride someplace?
Kate:
I don't know. I'd feel guilty. I'm supposed to be home sick. I've never taken a sick day
in my life.
Joe:
Sounds like you can use a day off.
Kate:
I'm afraid I'd make it a habit..... Ah, what the hell? Just this once.Where are you
parked?
Joe:
In Brooklyn. C'mon, we'll take the subway. Or is that too "bourgeois" for you?
She begrudges a smile.
Kate:
I was just on the subway, wise guy. What about your customers?
He waves, indifferent.
In his car, top down, with Ellington's It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing playing, they hit the highway, laughing, smiling. They lunch in Sheepshead Bay, then stroll along the area. They settle on a bench facing the water.
Kate:
It's really nice here.
Joe:
See? Brooklyn's not all bad.
Kate:
I hope this conversation's not going where I think it's going.
Joe shrugs.
Joe:
You wanna spend the rest of your life beatin' people up in magazines?
She chuckles.
Kate:
I'd really like to write novels and short stories, but I haven't had the guts to sit down and
try it yet.
Joe:
You no guts? I find that hard to believe.
Kate:
I haven't failed too often in my life, at least not at anything I really cared about. And
writing fiction is what I care about most. I don't know how I'd handle the failure of not
being able to do it.
Joe:
You do like anybody else - get up, dust yourself off, and give it another shot. Forty
percent of my trades are losers.
She doesn't know what to say.
Joe:
Let me put you on the spot. I'll make a deal with you. You have my children and you can stay home and write all you want. We'll buy a house and set up a nice quiet room for
you. I'll take care of the kids at night.
She stares at him.
Kate:
You're not serious?
Joe:
Oh, no?
Kate:
We hardly know each other. And I'm supposed to trust you'll keep your word?
Joe:
I think I know you. Ever get the feelin' that some things're meant to be? Think about it. Of all the brokers at the exchange, Dawn brought you to me. Then, a month later, we ended up at the same charity affair. Then we played golf and I didn't ever realize I broke 90 for the first time in my life 'cause I was havin' such a great time.
Kate:
People who believe in that type of thing are eventually going to get slammed
mercilessly by reality.
Joe:
I'm willin' to take that risk, just like I do every day in the ring. The potential reward
makes it worth it.
Kate:
Katherine Hepburn says that any man who marries a career woman is a fool.
Joe:
It wouldn't be the same. You'd he workin' at night atta the house.
Kate:
You know, I'm not even sure I like you.
Joe:
You coulda fooled me last night.
Kate:
But that might not have anything to do with love. That might be just a temporary match up of hormones.
Joe:
Who's zoomin' who now?
Kate:
And I definitely can't see me having kids.
Joe:
What? How can you not want kids? Think how happy your mother and father'd be.
You're their one 'n only.
Kate:
Thanks for reminding me. I hate being torn between disappointing them and contributing to the overpopulation of the world.
Joe:
The world is not overpopulated. That's the biggest crock goin'. Not enough kids're bein' born. That's the problem. The fertility rate in Italy's down to 1.2. Italians are gonna be extinct by their own hands in a hundred years. And who's gonna pay the taxes for Social Security end Medicare over here?
Kate:
Oh, my God, you've read an op-ed piece! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing in
the wrong hands.
Joe:
Op-what?
Kate:
Op .... I hate when you do that!
He chuckles as she swats at him.
Later, he parks at the end of a road in Manhattan Beach (Brooklyn). They exit. A
beautiful ranch-style house sits at the foot of the ocean to their right. Kate is impressed.
Joe:
This's my favorite house in the world.
Kate:
I'd've never thought there'd be one like it in Brooklyn. My impression of Brooklyn is
Greenpoint, where me grandparents lived. I hated it there.
Joe:
Wouldn't this be a great place for a writer to live?
Kate:
Can you afford a place like this?
Joe:
Only in my dreams. Maybe the taxes on it. I know guys who bought mansions when
times were good. A few years later the market dried up and they had to sell. I'm smarter
than that, I hope.
They stand looking out to sea. Kate leans against Joe, who wraps his arms around her.
Joe:
Marry me and all this is yours.
She chuckles.
Kate:
A vast, empty expanse? Stop trying to hustle me. Let's take it slow and see what
happens. Why are you in such a hurry?
Joe:
'cause I'm 37 years old and I don't have any kids. If I wait much longer I might not be
able to play ball with 'em. You're not scared about your clock tickin' away?
Kate:
I have so much to accomplish that I haven't even thought about it.
Joe:
How d'you know you're not gonna wake up one day ten years from now and all of a
sudden wish you'd had kids?
Kate:
I can't imagine myself ever being that weak.
Joe:
You're a better man then I am, Gunga Din.
She smiles.
Joe:
I've been out with hundreds of girls, and not once did I ever come close to feelin' like I
do when I'm with you. And I know if anything ever happened to me you'd be there for our kids. You'd be like an onnymahl if somebody tried to hurt ‘em. I know you would, I just know it.
She is clearly moved.
Joe:
And I know you'll learn 'em good English.
She chuckles, then becomes serious.
Kate:
I will never live in Brooklyn.
Joe:
Not even where I live? We got all these artists and writers comin' in, takin' advantage
of bein' close to the city without havin' to pay shylock rent. Everybody laughed when I
bought that place. They thought I was nuts 'cause of the neighborhood. I was way ahead
of the curve.
Kate:
You helped push the poor people out. And next the yuppies'll push the artists out.
Joe:
Gentrification. Lotta poor people in the Village and on the Upper West Side.
She smirks.
Joe:
I helped build the neighborhood back up. And now all the weirdos think I'm yuppie
scum, even my tenants. Imagine that all these mammelukes from all over the country -
all over the world, look down their noses at me, who's lived in Brooklyn his life.
Kate:
There's just no justice in this rotten world.
He hangs his head.
Joe:
You're right. A guy with my dough should never whine. I should laugh at 'em. So
whattaya say - move in with me.
Kate:
Williamsburg is a poor substitute for Manhattan. I'm just not amenable to compromise.
Joe nibbles at her ear.
Joe:
I'm gonna hafta start carryin' a pocket dictionary.
Kate:
It would only do you good.
Joe:
Your place is a studio, right?
Kate:
Yes.
Joe:
We definitely can't live there.
He falls into thought.
Joe:
I can always sell the building. It's triple the value I bought it at. That should be good
for a coupla months Manhattan rent.
Kate:
You're getting way ahead of yourself, Romeo.
Joe:
Try to keep up.
He nips at her ear again.
Kate:
Stop! That makes me crazy.
Joe:
Oh?
He holds her tightly and nibbles again. She tries to fight free, laughs. Finally she
manages to do so. They walk back to the car, pause as they are about to enter, look at
each other.
Kate:
I absolutely do not cook.
Joe:
I'll cook. When I don't feel like it we'll have McDonalds.
Kate:
McDonalds!
Joe:
You like Burger King better? Burger King, then.
Kate:
You're such a clown.
Close-up of a dummy clown. They are now in Coney Island. They ride the Cyclone
(rollercoaster), then the Wonder (ferris) Wheel, on which they neck like teenagers. Later,
Joe purchases franks and sodas at Nathan's. He offers a frank to Kate, who makes a face. He shrugs and begins devouring them.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/13 - Lists
In today's NY Post there is an article on the top selling authors of the past fiscal year ending in June. And here they are:
1. E.L. James, 95 million. She should change the title to Fifty Shades of Green.
2. James Patterson, 91 million. Prolific author of crime fiction.
3. Suzanne Collins, 55 million. The Hunger Games trilogy.
4. Bill O'Reilly, 28 million. Helps to have free advertising every day on his show on Fox News.
5. Danielle Steel, 26 million. The queen of romance is still beloved after all these years.
And at the bottom of the list, Vic Fortezza, whose works took in a few hundred bucks.
It's a rainy day and there is a lot of time to kill. Here's a list of my favorite film & TV performances, alphabetically by last name:
Mary Astor, The Maltese Falcon (1941). A perfect femme fatale.
Humphrey Bogart, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948). Gold fever feeds Bogie paranoia. "See, mug?"
Marlon Brando, On the Waterfront (1954). Not only a "contenduh," but a championship performance in one of the greatest American films.
James Cagney, White Heat (1949). Over the top fun. "Made it, Ma - top of the world."
Joan Crawford, Humoresque (1946). Doesn't appear in the first half hour. Have to respect that.
Russell Crowe, L.A. Confidential (1997). At the time I was shocked to learn he is Australian.
Robert DeNiro, Mean Streets (1973). Nailed the B.S. artist, deadbeat, neighborhood skootch.
Mia Farrow, Another Woman (1988). Woody Allen subsequently ripped her heart out, but he did bring out her best on the screen.
Vic Fortezza, Trading Places (1984). Brilliant improvisation when he shrugs off Richard Hunt in the climactic scene. Must use freeze frame to see it, but it's worth it.
Katherine Hepburn & Peter O'Toole, The Lion in Winter (1968). The family arguments between the king & queen of England are riveting.
Derek Jacobi, I, Claudius (1976). Stunning as the lame, stuttering epileptic emperor in the BBC miniseries. John Hurt was almost his equal in the part of Caligula.
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog (2003). Unbelievable screen presence. Dominates all his films.
Paul Newman, The Verdict (1982). Less flashy than his most famous roles, but spot on.
Al Pacino, The Godfather Part II (1974). Powerfully underplayed, rare for Pacino.
Barbara Stanwyck, Double Indemnity (1944). Femme fatale extraordinaire.
James Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). George Bailey made the world a better place.
Meryl Streep, Sophie's Choice (1982). Heartbreaking.
I'm sure a lot of others will occur to me.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
1. E.L. James, 95 million. She should change the title to Fifty Shades of Green.
2. James Patterson, 91 million. Prolific author of crime fiction.
3. Suzanne Collins, 55 million. The Hunger Games trilogy.
4. Bill O'Reilly, 28 million. Helps to have free advertising every day on his show on Fox News.
5. Danielle Steel, 26 million. The queen of romance is still beloved after all these years.
And at the bottom of the list, Vic Fortezza, whose works took in a few hundred bucks.
It's a rainy day and there is a lot of time to kill. Here's a list of my favorite film & TV performances, alphabetically by last name:
Mary Astor, The Maltese Falcon (1941). A perfect femme fatale.
Humphrey Bogart, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948). Gold fever feeds Bogie paranoia. "See, mug?"
Marlon Brando, On the Waterfront (1954). Not only a "contenduh," but a championship performance in one of the greatest American films.
James Cagney, White Heat (1949). Over the top fun. "Made it, Ma - top of the world."
Joan Crawford, Humoresque (1946). Doesn't appear in the first half hour. Have to respect that.
Russell Crowe, L.A. Confidential (1997). At the time I was shocked to learn he is Australian.
Robert DeNiro, Mean Streets (1973). Nailed the B.S. artist, deadbeat, neighborhood skootch.
Mia Farrow, Another Woman (1988). Woody Allen subsequently ripped her heart out, but he did bring out her best on the screen.
Vic Fortezza, Trading Places (1984). Brilliant improvisation when he shrugs off Richard Hunt in the climactic scene. Must use freeze frame to see it, but it's worth it.
Katherine Hepburn & Peter O'Toole, The Lion in Winter (1968). The family arguments between the king & queen of England are riveting.
Derek Jacobi, I, Claudius (1976). Stunning as the lame, stuttering epileptic emperor in the BBC miniseries. John Hurt was almost his equal in the part of Caligula.
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand and Fog (2003). Unbelievable screen presence. Dominates all his films.
Paul Newman, The Verdict (1982). Less flashy than his most famous roles, but spot on.
Al Pacino, The Godfather Part II (1974). Powerfully underplayed, rare for Pacino.
Barbara Stanwyck, Double Indemnity (1944). Femme fatale extraordinaire.
James Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life (1946). George Bailey made the world a better place.
Meryl Streep, Sophie's Choice (1982). Heartbreaking.
I'm sure a lot of others will occur to me.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Monday, August 12, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/12 - Unusual
Yesterday I traded a copy of Exchanges for Bill Brown’s latest, his translation of Never Work: The Autobiography of Salvatore Messana by Gianni Giovanelli, first published in Italy in 1983, then France in 1989. Bill worked from the latter version. I will begin reading it tomorrow and regard it as fiction, as it is uncertain whether the events are true. Here’s the cover and a link to the book at Lulu:
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/gianni-giovannelli/never-work-the-autobiography-of-salvatore-messana/paperback/product-20733932.html
RIP Eydie Gorme, 84, pop singer, whose career spanned the years 1950-2009. Born Edith Gormenzano in the Bronx, she was half-Sicilian, half-Turk, 100% Sephardic Jew, and incredibly talented. Although she recorded more than 40 albums, many with her husband Steve Lawrence, whom she married in 1957, she had only one top ten hit: Blame It on the Bossanova, which rose to #7 in 1962. Like her husband, the height of her career coincided with an era of great change in popular music, and their polished recordings largely lagged on the charts. Anyone who saw their TV appearances or Vegas shows knows how gifted they were. Here is a clip of Eydie at her best. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Llrp9TWqU
I played hooky on the golf course today. Almost everything went right from the get go. Artie, the starter, moved Cuz and I up to join a twosome. We skipped two groups, saving us at least a half hour. I played the first three holes well, then, after two decent shots, butchered the fourth, taking three chips and three putts to get the ball in the hole. I double-bogeyed the fifth, the toughest hole, then was steady the rest of the round. Of the ten or so devilish two and three-footers I faced, I made all but one, highly unusual. When I dropped in a putt from off the 13th green, I had a shot at the magic number. I was playing a Titleist, Cosmo Kramer's favorite ball, and didn't once put it into a ball washer, as I was afraid my luck would change. I cleaned it with my hands. Such is the insanity of golf. Anyway, I was bogey or better the rest of the way and finished with an 86. I wasn't sure I'd ever break 90 again, as we haven't played a lot the past three years. I take two ibuprofen before each round so that I won't be whipped the next day. In the 63rd year of my life, I rarely operate at more than 90%. Today I was as close to 100% as I will ever be. There's no explaining it. I just went with and enjoyed it.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/gianni-giovannelli/never-work-the-autobiography-of-salvatore-messana/paperback/product-20733932.html
RIP Eydie Gorme, 84, pop singer, whose career spanned the years 1950-2009. Born Edith Gormenzano in the Bronx, she was half-Sicilian, half-Turk, 100% Sephardic Jew, and incredibly talented. Although she recorded more than 40 albums, many with her husband Steve Lawrence, whom she married in 1957, she had only one top ten hit: Blame It on the Bossanova, which rose to #7 in 1962. Like her husband, the height of her career coincided with an era of great change in popular music, and their polished recordings largely lagged on the charts. Anyone who saw their TV appearances or Vegas shows knows how gifted they were. Here is a clip of Eydie at her best. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Llrp9TWqU
I played hooky on the golf course today. Almost everything went right from the get go. Artie, the starter, moved Cuz and I up to join a twosome. We skipped two groups, saving us at least a half hour. I played the first three holes well, then, after two decent shots, butchered the fourth, taking three chips and three putts to get the ball in the hole. I double-bogeyed the fifth, the toughest hole, then was steady the rest of the round. Of the ten or so devilish two and three-footers I faced, I made all but one, highly unusual. When I dropped in a putt from off the 13th green, I had a shot at the magic number. I was playing a Titleist, Cosmo Kramer's favorite ball, and didn't once put it into a ball washer, as I was afraid my luck would change. I cleaned it with my hands. Such is the insanity of golf. Anyway, I was bogey or better the rest of the way and finished with an 86. I wasn't sure I'd ever break 90 again, as we haven't played a lot the past three years. I take two ibuprofen before each round so that I won't be whipped the next day. In the 63rd year of my life, I rarely operate at more than 90%. Today I was as close to 100% as I will ever be. There's no explaining it. I just went with and enjoyed it.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/11 - Gold
When I saw that Nelson DeMille’s The Gold Coast is 500 pages, I almost passed on it. I’m glad I didn’t. I’d expected another routine thriller, and I don’t have patience for those that exceed 300 pages. To my great surprise, it is a real novel, only the second of all those I’ve sampled the past few years that transcends the genre. The other is Tami Hoag’s A Thin Dark Line. The story is simple: a fortyish blue-blood lawyer’s life is forever changed when a mafia don moves next door. On the other hand, the characterizations are complex and sharp, the Machiavellian overtones compelling, the prose and dialogue crackling, the wit biting. The narrative is so smooth it reads more like 400 pages, although I did feel it could have been trimmed a little. My only quibble is not understanding the protagonist’s love for his distant wife, an heiress, of more than 20 years. Although love itself is a great mystery and a lover can be a stranger, as Billy Joel put it in song, I just don’t understand the attraction except in terms of the physical, which wanes rather quickly in real life. Even given the fact that the novel is about the mystery of life and love, I still feet something is missing in that aspect. Perhaps background on the origin of the relationship would have helped. The novel is a first person account, which eliminates part of the mystery, but it is also what makes it a cut above the standard thriller. It is about the human condition first and foremost, and that is what I respect most in literature. The title refers to an area on Long Island’s north shore where the likes of the Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, Morgans, Woolworths and the fictional Jay Gatsby had huge estates. The places don't even have a regular address. Mail is addressed to the name of the estate, Alhambra and Stanhope in the novel. Today few of them remain or are privately owned. Change is a another of the novel’s major themes. DeMille, a decorated Vietnam veteran, was born in Queens, NY and graduated from Hofstra University. He has 26 books in print and several have been adapted to film or television or are in development. The Gold Coast was published in 1990. The characters return many years later in The Gate House (2008). Although I do not read more than one work of a mystery/thriller author, I will be tempted to read The Gate House if it ever crosses my path. Trying to guess which works will stand the test of time is always shaky. My hunch is The Gold Coast will be respected for a long time. On a scale of five, four. Kudos, sir.
In an article in today’s NY Post, Terry Kennan offers humble pie to Americans. Russia is the world’s largest producer of oil. It has a balanced budget and its unemployment rate is 5.4%. Will our immigrants move back? Ultimate nightmare: the hardest workers leave, the freeloaders and mobsters stay to pluck the goose the American system has become.
My thanks to Jordyn, who purchased A Hitch in Twilight today on Bay Parkway, and to the woman who purchased a thriller in Russian, to the one who bought Terry McMillan's A Day Late and a Dollar Short, and to the nice Polish lady who donated a bag full of paperbacks. The Gate House was not among them.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
In an article in today’s NY Post, Terry Kennan offers humble pie to Americans. Russia is the world’s largest producer of oil. It has a balanced budget and its unemployment rate is 5.4%. Will our immigrants move back? Ultimate nightmare: the hardest workers leave, the freeloaders and mobsters stay to pluck the goose the American system has become.
My thanks to Jordyn, who purchased A Hitch in Twilight today on Bay Parkway, and to the woman who purchased a thriller in Russian, to the one who bought Terry McMillan's A Day Late and a Dollar Short, and to the nice Polish lady who donated a bag full of paperbacks. The Gate House was not among them.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/10 - Zs
I zonked out on the rug last night at about eleven. I awoke and saw that Seinfeld was running. I tried to watch it but fell out again immediately. Although it was one of the heaviest sleeps of my life, I somehow awoke several times in the next two hours before I managed to drag myself to bed. I remember only one other instance of such a slumber. In the summer of 1971 I hitchhiked from Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I was attending college, to California and back during a three-week period. I didn’t get much rest on the return trip and I slept until about 6PM the next evening when friends knocked at my door to get me to a barbecue. I suspect the fact that I’m now unable to sleep past 5:30AM and I'm sometimes up by 4:30 had something to do with last night’s descent -- catching up on Zs. And this morning I had one of those vivid dreams I’ve been experiencing the past few years. There were images of a contract, toilet and bad haircut. In fact, I was angry with a barber who’d made a mess of my head. This was clearly some kind of coded message, as I haven’t had a formal haircut in several years, buzzing my head to a nub myself the first of each month. The dream had a negative tone. I guess it reflects frustration, weariness with the writer’s life. I haven’t had a web sale of any of my seven works in two months. No one said it would be easy. Toughen up, buttercup.
Things aren’t completely bleak. I’ve received the check for my jury duty service, which will cover three rounds of Monday golf, which means another longer stretch of not having to hit the ATM. And I’ve had good feedback on Killing. Marsha liked it and did not think the penultimate chapter went too far. Marie is about two-thirds through it and is enjoying it so much she does not want it to end. These are comments a struggling writer needs to hear to keep from surrendering the futile literary chase.
It had to happen. A scary looking woman who seemed to be in her 30's passed the floating book shop today. She had a large golden pendant dangling from the chain about her neck: WTF. That was the highlight of a quiet session. My thanks to the gentleman who purchased Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) on DVD. Although it received good reviews, I've never seen it, as it has gay overtones. I've boycotted such fare since it has become mandatory to praise those "in the life" or be labeled a bigot.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Things aren’t completely bleak. I’ve received the check for my jury duty service, which will cover three rounds of Monday golf, which means another longer stretch of not having to hit the ATM. And I’ve had good feedback on Killing. Marsha liked it and did not think the penultimate chapter went too far. Marie is about two-thirds through it and is enjoying it so much she does not want it to end. These are comments a struggling writer needs to hear to keep from surrendering the futile literary chase.
It had to happen. A scary looking woman who seemed to be in her 30's passed the floating book shop today. She had a large golden pendant dangling from the chain about her neck: WTF. That was the highlight of a quiet session. My thanks to the gentleman who purchased Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) on DVD. Although it received good reviews, I've never seen it, as it has gay overtones. I've boycotted such fare since it has become mandatory to praise those "in the life" or be labeled a bigot.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Friday, August 9, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/9 - Black
RIP Karen Black, 74, who succumbed to cancer. She has 194 titles listed at IMDb. She did not turn down work, even long after roles in A films stopped coming to her. Her role as a hooker in the LSD scene in Easy Rider (1969) perhaps forever typecast her as someone on the fringe of society. She had significant parts in only two other memorable works on the silver screen: Five Easy Pieces (1970) and Nashville (1975), for which she wrote and performed her own songs and was nominated for a Grammy. She also has seven screenplay credits, none of which made a large impact. She was married four times and had two children and an adopted daughter. There is a rock band named after her -- The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. A guitarist for another band, a guy named Abby Normal, wrote a song titled: Scream Karen Black. She starred on Broadway in 1965 in The Playroom, which ran only a month but garnered her great reviews. She wrote a play, Missouri Waltz, which debuted in L.A. in 2007. She described it as a play with music, rather than a musical. Although she certainly made her mark, she seems to have been a modern renaissance woman who deserved better. Her eyes always attracted my attention. There was something offbeat about them I am unable define. Here's a pic:
It looks like no one bit on the free offer of my short story, The Bat. Its Amazon ranking is right where it was before the giveaway. All one can do is try and hope for the best.
The floating book shop had great luck this week, not necessarily in dollars, although Wednesday's haul was good. Rain was in the forecast the past three days, but only stray drops fell. Today looked especially ominous, but I again maintained regular hours. "Take a shot," I always remind myself. Something good might happen and, if nothing happens, I will be no worse off than when the day started. My thanks to the folks who bought books, and to Ol' Simon, who donated two paperbacks, and the elderly woman who donated a hardcover romance.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
The floating book shop had great luck this week, not necessarily in dollars, although Wednesday's haul was good. Rain was in the forecast the past three days, but only stray drops fell. Today looked especially ominous, but I again maintained regular hours. "Take a shot," I always remind myself. Something good might happen and, if nothing happens, I will be no worse off than when the day started. My thanks to the folks who bought books, and to Ol' Simon, who donated two paperbacks, and the elderly woman who donated a hardcover romance.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/8 - Unchained
I caught up to Django Unchained (2012) last night courtesy of Netflix. It was exactly what I'd expected. I was not bored. I did not pause the DVD once during its 165 minute running time. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, it pales in comparison to his best work, Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Jackie Brown (1997), films that revealed the mindset of the characters and raised existential questions as well as provided excitement. The thinking here is obvious, simplistic: an ex-slave’s understandable vengeance on the perpetrators of the abomination, and the chilling evil and shallowness of its practitioners. There is a ton of visceral satisfaction, a high body count and plenty of splashing blood reminiscent of Sam Peckinpaugh’s ground-breaking depiction of the dying old west, The Wild Bunch (1969). This is not quite a spaghetti western, but there are many similarities. In fact, the original Django, Franco Nero (1965), has a small role as someone who enjoys watching slaves fight to the death. The story is often way over the top, but that is the case with several of Tarantino’s works, Kill Bill (2003), Pulp Fiction (1994), Inglourious Basterds (2009). In fact, the fantasy finish, catharsis of the latter, wherein the entire Nazi hierarchy is killed, is at work throughout Django Unchained. Is it a parable? Does it have greater meaning than a standard shoot-em-up? I don’t think so. The sound track features modern music, including hip hop, and it is interesting for the most part. The cast is a movie buff’s dream: Bruce Dern, Lee Horsley, James Russo, Don Stroud, Russ Tamblyn, Don Johnson, Jonah Hill and Robert Carradine appear in small roles. The real strength of the film is the performance of Christoph Waitz as the smooth, cold-blooded bounty hunter who hires the hero. Waitz, Austrian, attended Lee Strassberg’s academy stateside but had trouble landing roles in English language films until Tarantino cast him as a Nazi in Inglourious Basterds, for which he won the Oscar as Best Supporting Actor, as he did for Django Unchained. Leonardo DiCaprio brings his usual expertise to the proceedings as the chief villain, a plantation owner. I was unmoved by Jamie Foxx’s performance, and baffled by Samuel L. Jackson’s turn as a vile traitor to his race, the human race, really. Kerry Washington, called on to suffer abuse and degradation, was wasted as the wife who is rescued. On a scale of five, three. Those who rated it at IMDb are much more enthusiastic, rating it 8.5 of ten.
I am a fan of the British-produced mysteries that air on local PBS stations in NYC. This morning I chuckled when a new one was mentioned in the Drama Mama column in the NY Post. Commenting on the plethora of crime shows, she called it: “The BBC’s anti-tourism campaign.” How about Detectives Unchained?
Mother nature provided a rainless window today for the floating book shop. While business wasn't nearly as good as yesterday, I thank the six people who bought books. Given the forecast, I'd expected nothing.
All Things That Matter Press and Amazon have unchained my short story, The Bat, offering it for free the next week. A Kindle is not necessary. One can download an app that will serve as a reader for any electronic work available at those venues. To check it out, click on the last link below.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
I am a fan of the British-produced mysteries that air on local PBS stations in NYC. This morning I chuckled when a new one was mentioned in the Drama Mama column in the NY Post. Commenting on the plethora of crime shows, she called it: “The BBC’s anti-tourism campaign.” How about Detectives Unchained?
Mother nature provided a rainless window today for the floating book shop. While business wasn't nearly as good as yesterday, I thank the six people who bought books. Given the forecast, I'd expected nothing.
All Things That Matter Press and Amazon have unchained my short story, The Bat, offering it for free the next week. A Kindle is not necessary. One can download an app that will serve as a reader for any electronic work available at those venues. To check it out, click on the last link below.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/7 - Symbols
Sometimes one of my Facebook friends leaves a symbol rather than words in response to one of my posts. I do not question it, as I guess I’m reluctant to reveal my ignorance. It finally occurred to me to run a search on two in particular. : ) translates to smiley face. QQ is more troubling. Its origin stems from a video game and is meant to convey: Quit, you stink. One of my FB friends leaves this constantly. I also see him regularly on the street. Given the meaning, it seems in direct contrast to everything else he says to me. He is a positive presence, so I’m sure it must mean something else to him. The symbol is also meant to represent crying eyes, which doesn’t make sense, either, at least as to how it pertains to me. Is he feeling my frustration regarding the literary life? He is a poet. I hope I remember to ask him about it next time I see him. Here's a perfect symbol for politicians, especially those in NYC: 0.
Remember when JFK appeared on The Tonight Show to announce his quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis? Of course not, he announced it, scaring the bejesus out of Americans, on a simultaneous broadcast on all networks. Last night President Obama discussed the worldwide terror alert with Jay Leno. I guess John Stewart was booked this time. The Commander in Chief did not do a single news conference about it. On The Rita Cosby Show on WOR-AM a caller just referred to the President as the Celebrity in Chief. What symbol would be appropriate to represent that? Let's start with this one: ?
When I left the apartment at 10:30, I hoped the rain would hold off for a couple of hours. It did so and then some. The sun appeared at 1:00 and it was glorious the rest of today's session of the floating book shop. It looked like it was going to be a decent haul financially, and then wacky Joanne showed up. She has the ebullience of Edith Bunker. She has been intrigued by Killing for a long time but was unable to pull the trigger on a purchase, choosing other books instead. She is Italian-American and familiar with the area, Bensonhurst, in which the novel takes place. To my surprise, she bought it, and that set off a beautiful run of business during the last half hour of operation. A gentleman bought three thrillers by J.D. Robb, the pseudonym of the prolific Nora Roberts; Mikhail purchase a fantasy in Russian; and a woman purchased a series of six romances, of which the fourth was missing, in that tongue. Thanks, folks, and also to Michael, who donated five crime novels in Russian, and to Ol' Simon, who donated five in English. :)
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Remember when JFK appeared on The Tonight Show to announce his quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis? Of course not, he announced it, scaring the bejesus out of Americans, on a simultaneous broadcast on all networks. Last night President Obama discussed the worldwide terror alert with Jay Leno. I guess John Stewart was booked this time. The Commander in Chief did not do a single news conference about it. On The Rita Cosby Show on WOR-AM a caller just referred to the President as the Celebrity in Chief. What symbol would be appropriate to represent that? Let's start with this one: ?
When I left the apartment at 10:30, I hoped the rain would hold off for a couple of hours. It did so and then some. The sun appeared at 1:00 and it was glorious the rest of today's session of the floating book shop. It looked like it was going to be a decent haul financially, and then wacky Joanne showed up. She has the ebullience of Edith Bunker. She has been intrigued by Killing for a long time but was unable to pull the trigger on a purchase, choosing other books instead. She is Italian-American and familiar with the area, Bensonhurst, in which the novel takes place. To my surprise, she bought it, and that set off a beautiful run of business during the last half hour of operation. A gentleman bought three thrillers by J.D. Robb, the pseudonym of the prolific Nora Roberts; Mikhail purchase a fantasy in Russian; and a woman purchased a series of six romances, of which the fourth was missing, in that tongue. Thanks, folks, and also to Michael, who donated five crime novels in Russian, and to Ol' Simon, who donated five in English. :)
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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