The Writer's Life: April 2015

Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/30 - Busy

For the past couple of weeks I've run into a film on the Lincoln assassination on several different channels. Unable to name the star, who played John Wilkes Booth, I headed toward IMDb this morning. Unable to recall the title, I looked up Lance Henriksen, one of the greatest character actors of all time, who played Honest Abe. The film is The Day Lincoln Was Shot (1998), and the actor in question is Rob Morrow, who had great success on TV in Northern Exposure and Numbers. Henrikson, who will turn 75 shortly, has been unbelievably busy in 2015 with appearances in 16 works that have been completed or are in post or pre-production. That brings his credits to 213, not counting multiple series appearances, most notably the 67 he did as the star of Millennium on FOX, a show I found disappointing and abandoned very early in its run. He was in three episodes of The Blacklist this year. Born in NYC, he has the type of background one would expect of someone who has played the roles he has. According to Wiki, his parents divorced when he was two, and he was raised by his mom. He dropped out of school at 12, and did not learn to read until he was 30, using TV scripts to teach himself. He is a Navy veteran. Some people simply have an indefinable quality of screen magic, an "X-factor," a friend used to call it. Henriksen has it in spades. It has nothing to do with good looks. There is simply something there that no one can figure out. Steve McQueen, for example, an actor of limited range, had it to the max. Thelma Ritter, one of the greatest supporting actresses, did too, despite plainness. And, of course, the most obvious example will always be Marilyn Monroe. It's fun to speculate about, but it's something that should be enjoyed rather than analyzed.

I'm kind of taking on the behavior of an ostritch when it comes to politics. It has become easier to resist the temptation to respond to the liberal ideas friends post on Facebook. And I don't want to comment on the events in Baltimore because it's all been said before, ditto the Clintons and the first quarter economic report. From now on I hope to confine my opinions to the voting booth.

The floating book shop was busier than it had been the past five sessions. I was so disappointed at the paltry sales I was getting at my usual nook that I decided to change the pattern, especially the way the wind was blowing there as I made my way to my car. I headed to Bay Parkway and 85th, setting up in front of the Chase bank, as I do on the weekend, and had a decent day. My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/29 - Carbon

Londoner Tom McCarthy became a critics’ darling with his first novel, Remainder, published in 2007. Among a recent batch of donations was the fifth of his six novels, C. I knew from the beginning it would be difficult. I hoped it would be rewarding. Unfortunately, it was not. I’m one of these nuts that almost always finishes what he starts. I was tempted to give up on C several times. Not that there aren’t interesting aspects in it. It’s just that it’s bogged down by minutiae, tedious detail relating to early 20^th century science. It also goes off on bizarre tangents and is written in a style that I found clunky. It is the story of a young man whose father is an eccentric inventor and head of a school for deaf children. The novel is divided into four parts, each under the title of a word beginning with C. The first details his adolescence, particularly his participation in a pageant put on by the school, and his relationship with his brilliant older sister. The second has him in WWI aviation, which he experiences through the haze of heroin addiction. The third revolves around post war London night life, more drugs, and two nights at séance. The final part has him in Egypt on an assignment he does not quite grasp. This may be one of those books only the most intelligent among us would get. McCarthy’s work has been compared to that of James Joyce and Thomas Pynchon. One thing I can say, it is not quite as difficult as any I’ve read by those authors. It’s described as existential, but addresses the smaller rather than larger questions. I wasn’t able to relate to the character, who is so aloof and whose thoughts are more puzzling than any bizarre ones that have crossed my mind. I give McCarthy credit for research and for daring to be different and uncommercial, but this is a novel with limited appeal. 72 users at Amazon have rated it, forging to a consensus of three on a scale of five. Yet it does have a decent sales rank, 191,890^th at last look, eight years after its publication. There are at least 12 million books listed there. If I were to rank all the novels I’ve read, C might be at the very bottom. At the moment I can’t think of one I enjoyed less. By the way, the C stands for carbon, on which life on earth is based. I know this because of an episode of Star Trek The Next Generation, where Data, the android, analyzes a previously unknown planet, describing it as carbon-based.

In 2012 NFL commisioner Roger Goodell was paid 44 million dollars. I have no idea if that was justified or not, but I bet there are many equally qualified people out there who would do the job for a million per. I wonder how much each season ticket holder would get if 43 million were returned to them. Maybe it wouldn't be that much. Then again, anyone who can afford what pro sports teams charge these days probably doesn't care.

The floating book shop had a visit from two stalwarts today. Crazy Joe, the scourge of local radio talk show hosts, went into a rant on his thesis on immigration, and it wasn't pretty. "Send 'em back," he demanded, "it's not a one-way street." He attracted the stares of passersby. Why anyone would let an issue like that upset him so is beyond me? I felt sorry for him. At least Ol' Smoky was in a mellow mood, reminiscing about old DJ's like Cousin Brucie and Alison Steele, the Nightbird. "I can't stop talkin'," he said. "Maybe it's the benzedrine makin' a comeback."
My thanks to Alan, who bought a Brad Thor thriller, and to the Russian gentleman who purchased The Cold War: A History by Martin Walker.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/28 - Refuge

The fruits of a free society were on display on TV last night, a pleasing variety of entertainment. On FOX at eight, Gotham continued its solid first season of the city’s pre-Batman history. My main interest right now is Detective Jim Gordon’s love, Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Will she turn into a villain, although there has been no evidence of it? She is played by the lovely Brazilian, Morena Baccarin, who in guest appearances I’ve caught of her on other series had her working the dark side. She went toe to toe with Patrick Jane on three episodes of The Mentalist, and starred as the alien leader on the most recent reworking of V.

At nine I turned to more cerebral work, part four of the six-part PBS adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s historical novel, Wolf Hall, a behind the scenes imagining of the court of Henry VIII, understated except for the occasional outbursts of Anne Boleyn, played wonderfully by Claire Foy, whose previous work is unfamiliar to me. It is told through the eyes of Oliver Cromwell, the king’s trusted confidant, played masterfully by Mark Rylance, regarded as the greatest stage actor of the day, winner of three Tonys and two Oliviers, the Brit equivalent of Broadway’s award. Damien Lewis, so memorable as a G.I. in the first season of Band of Brothers, has taken a different tack than previous portrayers of Henry VIII, who made him larger than life. His performance is muted.

At ten it was back to the silly fun of Castle on ABC, the author of crime fiction solving a murder aboard a jet headed to England, where he is to deliver a lecture to enthusiasts of Sherlock Holmes. Total baloney and nauseating in its political correctness, it still entertains in its sixth season.

And at eleven it was the enduring comedy of Seinfeld on the WB, the first episode the one where Babu is deported (“I kill you!”), the second where Elaine, in a breathy tone, leaves an x-rated message on a recorder Jerry is using to tape his act. It drives the comedian, Kramer and George wild, as none have any idea who it is.

The news from America and around the world may be bleak, but at least those of us in civilized countries, especially here in the good old USA, have a refuge.

My thanks to the woman who purchased the last of the two John Grisham novels I had on display, The Chamber and The Last Juror, and the lady who bought the James Patterson co-write, You've Been Warned. It's was still ridiculously windy, but at least it wasn't cold.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, April 27, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/27 - Llamas

There's been an interesting development in MLB. Two-and-a-half years ago the Anaheim Angels signed OF Josh Hamilton to a five-year 125 million dollar contract. It was a big risk for two reasons. He was 31, beyond middle age for an athlete, and he had a history of substance abuse. The latter reared its ugly head, incensing the club's owner, Arte Moreno, who bad-mouthed Hamilton publicly and couldn't wait to dump him. He has traded the former all-star to his old team, the Texas Rangers, and will pick up almost all of the 80 million still owed Hamilton. Moreno has gotten a lot of guff from sportswriters for his cold stance. If it'd been my money, I'd have been pissed too. Hamilton is a rich man and should get his act together. He has a family, children that need him sober. He is privileged. If not for his skill, who knows where he might be, skid row perhaps. His career stats reveal how lucky he is to be making a fortune: a batting average of .292, 192 HRs, 676 RBI in eight seasons, hardly superstar numbers. In three of those years he played 90 games or less, one being his rookie year. As of now, his history will be one of what might have been. Let's hope he pulls himself together and starts earning his salary.

One of my college roommates at 524 Oak St. in Kalamazoo, Michigan, recently visited his daughter in New Mexico. There, Geoff met with his old roommate from Harvey Hall, Bill, who owns Santa Fe's only skating rink and has a farm and 12 llamas! Geoff is retired from sales and working on his golf game. I am embarrased to admit that I am unable to conjure Bill's image. In my defense, I have not seen or heard of him since 1972. I used to have near total recall. Not so anymore.

It was another session of the floating book shop where people complained of the cold. It was really the wind that made the day unpleasant. I was unable to showcase my most marketable books. They had to be kept in boxes. My thanks to the young woman who bought the book in Russian, to the gentleman who bought the Popeye DVD, and the middle aged woman who had passed a thousand times without a word, who donated two books on healthy dieting. As I expected, she has a Russian accent. Another middle age woman, whom I dub Cutie Pie because of her flowing red hair and fondness for bicycling, has been sans wheels so far this Spring. What's up with that?
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, April 26, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/26 - Comments

I had an odd dream last night. I was seated in a classroom, listening to a lecturer, and I engaged in repeated wise cracks with a slovenly guy seated in the back. A car horn sounded outside. “B,” I said, baiting the guy. “You’re tone deaf too?” he shot back. “It was a G.” I smiled and said: “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist commenting.” Freud believed dreams are wish fulfillment. Working from that, all I can conclude is that this one was a wish that know-it-alls cease and desist. I don’t think it pertains to me personally, as I haven’t received any criticism lately. In fact, all the comments about my work have been positive. I’d guess it has to with the media, possibly from losing patience with Sean Hannity a couple of times last week. Each segment contained someone defending the Clintons, and he went off on them. It was silly, pointless. Everyone, even the Clinton's supporters, know what they are. I skip any article about them. I passed the point of needing to be convinced early in Slick Willie's first term.

It was a perfect day to sell books, and I scored the ideal parking spot. My thanks to the two women who made purchases, and to the guy who handed me a dollar he claimed the wind had blown past him, and who said, through a Russian accent, that what I was doing was "good." A woman who has donated about 12 books in Russian tried a different tack today. She wanted me to sell three for her and set the price at ten bucks. I talked her down to five. I wasn't happy about doing it, but I figure I owed her, as I'd sold every book she'd given me. Unfortunately, the three did not attract any attention. To my relief, she retrieved them before I left. Fortunately, there were a couple of amusing incidents that alleviated what was otherwise a most boring session. Every once in a while a young Russian male I refer to as "20 Questions" shows up. Today he asked if best-selling author David Baldacci is a personal friend. No, this goombah has not met that goombah. The kid seemed disappointed. A middle age guy I'd spoken to before approached and asked if I had any books on baseball. This led him into a monologue on Mickey Mantle's most prodigious home runs. He said the longest was 734 feet. I remembered it being 565 at Washington's RFK Stadium. The one to which he was referring was actually an guestimate, having struck the top of the facade, 118 feet from the ground, at Yankee Stadium. Of the next five listed at themick.com, the second, 656 feet, occurred vs. USC in an exhibition game in California; three others were guestimates of well over 600 feet that remained in park; and one cleared the roof in Detroit and landed in a lumber yard, 643 feet from home plate. All those were hit left-handed. The one I recalled was hit right-handed and landed in someone's backyard.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Saturday, April 25, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/25 - Over the Top

Film-makers often celebrate dysfunction. Such is the case in Raymond DeFelitta’s City Island (2009), which I watched last night courtesy of Netflix. The main storyline was as promising as any I’d encountered recently: a corrections officer discovering that an inmate is the illegitimate son he abandoned long ago. From there it goes the Hollywood route, over the top. Fortunately, the talented cast brings it off. I did not like two of the three subplots, those involving the teenage son and college-aged daughter. The one involving the main character’s acting ambition was saved by a brilliant audition scene. It is the finest work I’ve ever seen from Andy Garcia, whose Bronx accent holds up well, as does Julianna Margulies’. They are ably supported by Emily Mortimer in the role of an aspiring actress, and Alan Arkin, his quirky, endearing persona perfect for the part of the acting teacher. The children are played by young veterans Steven Strait, Ezra Miller and Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Andy’s daughter. Vanja Cernjul’s cinematography is gorgeous. Made on a budget of six million, the film brought it a slight profit in the U.S. alone. Fans of feel-good drama would appreciate it. Those who prefer more substance might not. 25,000+ users at IMDb have rated it, forging to a consensus of 7.4 of ten. I say 3.2 on a scale of five. This was DeFelitta’s seventh full length work. His Two Family House (2000), set in Staten Island, is a more serious film. As he did with City Island, he wrote and directed each. I am not familiar with his other work. There isn't much biographical info on him online. He was born in New York City, which I assume means Manhattan, and he is a noted jazz pianist.

It all broke right today for the floating book shop. The weather was infinitely better than it was the past two days, I didn't have to wait long for a parking spot, and people made purchases. It began early, as a young woman bought the huge, heavy pictorial, Glamour Girls, photographed by Patrick McMullan, of whom Andy Warhol said: "If you don't know..., you ought to get out more." That sale took a lot of the weight out of the crates. It and the sale of other books created space for a last minute donation by Jack of Chase, which includes three by the ever popular James Patterson. My thanks, and also to Ralph, who bought two works on acting techniques (is he, like Garcia's character, eying a career change?) and Sting's memoir, Broken Music; and also to the grandma who purchased The Cutest Little Duckie by my literary angel Victoria Valentine and her illustrator Amanda Tucker.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/24 - Strikes

While it is unfortunate -- tragic for the families -- that two innocent civilians were killed in a drone strike, the hand-wringing by leftists is foolish. In an op-ed piece in today's NY Post, retired Colonel Ralph Peters says that such strikes actually lessen collateral damage because of their pinpoint accuracy. Of course, opponents present no alternative other than negotiations, at which terrorists scoff. Peters summed up the problem beautifully in the last few lines of the article: "The shouting match will continue, with inconvenient evidence ignored. But we’re engaged in a war forced on us by monsters in human shapes. We agonize over the use of drones, while our opponents would gladly nuke our cities. The true immorality would be for us to lose."

I've watched several episodes of NBC's The Black List, starring the always interesting James Spader. I can't help wondering if this is the way it really is behind the scenes. I don't want to believe it's true. One thing provides a spark of hope: would secret agencies be able to keep the constant shootouts and murders from the press? It seems the type of stuff the media would crave, even if a liberal were president.

Many are eagerly awaiting the new book on the Clintons, which will allegedly reveal more shenanigans. The fact that the New York Times is in on it has many hoping this is the beginning of the end for Billary. The only people who would vote for them are the metaphorically blind or the partisans who believe they are the Democratic Party's best shot at the presidency. It is hard to imagine a mousy looking woman like Elizabeth Warren ascending to the most powerful position on the planet. If that happens it would complete the USA's transition to a European style democracy. I would love to see the Clintons get their just desserts, but it would be so much sweeter to see them lose the election in a landslide. Unfortunately, that wouldn't happen. Even conservative talk show host Sean Hannity admits that the national demographics line up in favor of the Democrats. The loss of one key state such as Florida, Ohio or Wisonsin would likely doom the GOP. All the chips would have to fall right on Election Day for Republicans to capture the White House, barring the unforeseen, of course. They would likely hold on to majorities in congress and in governorships, but, as has been evident lately, a President and big goverment hacks can accomplish a lot even while in the minority. However the current Clinton scandals play out, they won't be going to jail. They'll laugh all the way to the bank.

Eat your heart out hackers: Sweden's Freddie Jacobson's record run has come to an end. He hadn't three-putted in 542 holes -- 30 rounds! I rarely made it through a single round without the dreaded stroke burner, even at Forest Park, where I've played 1000 times.

I expected conditions at the floating book shop to be easier than yesterday. They were tougher. If the sun hadn't popped out, I would have packed up an hour early. Had I left, I would have missed out on yet another donation of DVDs, VHS and books from Marie, and walked away even more dejected. My thanks to this great lady.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/23 - Cold

Broadway has produced a roast similar to the ones Dean Martin and company used to do. It’s target? The Bard of Avon. In today’s NY Post theater critic Elizabeth Vincentelli reviews Something Rotten, which she describes as “…a love letter to both Shakespeare and musicals.” She rates it three-and-a-half stars. It sounds like fun.

RIP Mary Doyle Keefe, 92, the model for the iconic WWII home front poster, Rosie the Riveter. I would have liked to upload a picture of it, but the old version of IE I'm working from won't cooperate. It's one of the concessions I've made to remain pop-up-free. Drag and drop wouldn't work, either. I uninstalled Firefox, refusing to deal with it any longer.

I’ve written about the coldness of professional sports management many times. Here’s the latest example: the Oklahoma Thunder have fired coach Scott Brooks, whose overall record in seven seasons was an impressive 338-207. He was Coach of the Year in 2012, leading his team to the NBA Finals. He reached the playoffs six straight years. His crime? - failing to qualify for the post season in 2015. The Thunder finished 45-37, despite the fact that all-star scoring machine Kevin Durant played in only 27 of 81 games. I must confess I’d had no clue who coached the team. Gazing at his picture, he looks more like an accountant. No picture here, either.
A significant drop in temperature, stiff wind and lack of sunshine necessitated the breaking out of my heaviest jacket today. I wish I'd had a book sale for every comment on the cold. I didn't expect much business and, unfortunately, that was the case. My thanks to the gentleman who purchased John Grisham's The Rainmaker, and to Luis, the porter of the building where I set up shop, who handed me two Russian books. As a token of appreciation for never saying a word against my presence there, I let him select any paperback he wants. I guess it was his way of paying me back.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/22 - World Premiere

There was no book shop today, as I accompanied a friend on a visit to the doctor. Here's my latest short story, which has progressed through a second draft and revision. It will not change much from here. It's about 1100 words, a less than ten-minute read. The title is Decisive:
The buzzer sounded and she breezed into the jewelry shop. “Hello,” she said, smiling broadly, the sole customer. She browsed a while. Finally she summoned one of the two men at the counter and pointed out three expensive bracelets she wanted to examine closely.
"Take your time," said the young man. "We don't get movie stars in here too often."
  "That's so sweet. Thank you." She wasn't about to say he was mistaken, especially since he may only have been flirting, softening a potential cash cow.
She chose the most expensive, $25,000, and gave the guy a hang dog look. "Can you give me a break on it? How 'bout twenty?"
"Twenty-two."
  "Twenty-one-five."
  He smiled. "Deal. Credit?"
  She dug her wallet out of her bag and handed him a card. Minutes later he returned, beaming.
"Okay, Miss Smith. Would you like it gift-wrapped?"
She shook her head. "No. It's for me -- a gift to myself."
"Excellent."
  She put the box in her bag, looked the man in the eye, and said: "Thank you. Bye."
She paused at the door, as there was a dapper young man beyond it, waiting to be admitted. She stood aside for him, gazing up into his brown eyes.
Wow, she thought -- hot, hot, hot.
  She crossed the street and focused on the entrance. There had been something about Mr. Handsome that raised her antenna. Suddenly two gunshots rang out. “Uh-oh.” She crouched behind an SUV. Moments later Mr. Handsome exited calmly, satchel in hand, and turned right.
“Not cool.” She had committed many crimes but never killed anyone. She doubted she could.
She hurried to a nearby subway station and went almost all the way to the front of the platform. She boarded the second car. Midday, it was empty when it crossed into Brooklyn. She removed the blonde wig and blue contact lenses and stuffed them in a black plastic bag. Her head was shaved to a dark nub. She cut the credit card in two and, once back on the street, deposited each half into a separate trash can.
Soon she was in her apartment in Williamsburg. The window offered a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. She put the wig on a white cast of a head, in line with four others, each a different color. She closed the blinds and flopped onto the bed, chuckling at having been taken for a movie star.
After dinner she went online, searching for news of the robbery. The men at the counter were alive, having only been shot in the leg.
“Hmmm. Maybe he is cool.” She found it curious that he would have left witnesses, given the security cameras in the area.
   Late the next morning she went into a crowded fast food restaurant, bought a cup of coffee, and asked for the key to the rest room. She poured the coffee into the bowl and flushed. She emerged in a red wig and green lenses.
   She entered a nearby pawn shop, where a man smiled and pressed a button that released a lock on a door.
   “Hey, Charlie,” she said to a white-haired man inside a steel cage.
   He shook his head. “Again? You’re beggin to get busted at this pace, doll.”
   “Let me worry about that.” She handed him the bracelet.
   He whistled in admiration. “Nice score. Five?”
   She made a face. “No way. Eight or I go someplace else, and you lose a good customer.”
   “Okay, doll. Can’t blame a guy for tryin’.”
   The buzzer sounded. She looked over her shoulder, and her breath caught. Even if she hadn’t recognized the satchel, and despite the sunglasses, there was that same recognizable something about Mr.-Tall-Dark-and-Handsome, who was now sans mustache.
   “Do I know you?” he said, looking into her eyes.
   She was surprised the red wig made such a difference. “No, but that can be arranged. I’ll be waiting outside.”
   Moments later he exited grinning.
   “Nice payday?” she said.
   “Lunch is on me. I have to make a stop first. Got time?”
   She loved the deepness of his voice. “Sure. I’m self-employed. Didn’t Charlie tell you? I’m Cindy, by the way.”
   “Joe.”
   His sports car was nearby. It was what she’d expected. She experienced a thrill as he held the passenger door open and she seated herself. Very cool, she thought.
   Suddenly his mood changed, becoming serious, his replies short. He pulled into an underground parking lot and found a spot in a far corner. She wondered what he would be buying or selling here.
   “It was you at the jewelry shop yesterday, wasn’t it?”
   She chuckled. “I knew you were too sharp not to figure it out. Two bump-intos in less than twenty-four hours -- can’t be a coincidence. We should think about a partnership.”
   “You move fast.”
   “I’ve always been decisive. It’s one of my strengths.”
   “Me too.”
   He leaned toward her. She welcomed the kiss. Soon his hands were around her throat, thumbs pressed to her windpipe. His grip was powerful.
   “Sorry, kid -- no witnesses.”
   The quarters were so cramped and he was so close that she had little room to fight. She had one chance, a long shot. She reached behind and found what she’d hoped tucked into his pants at the small of his back. She pressed the gun against his abdomen and fired. The force catapulted him backward, his head striking the side window.
   She lay back, panting, gathering her senses, ears ringing. When she recovered she was startled by the hole the round had blown into him. Blood was pouring from him. She did not understand how she could have been so mistaken. What had happened to her radar? He'd remorsely shot two people, for God's sake!
   She looked around before opening the door. No one was in sight. Cool, cool, cool, she repeated to herself, taking deep breaths. She realized the lenses, which had her fingerprints on them, had popped out of her eyes. She squatted at the foot of the seat and scanned the interior, finding one lens, then the other, breathing a sigh of relief. She pondered what to do with the gun. Detectives would spot a suicide set up. She wiped her prints away and left it in the car. She was about to step away when she recalled the wig. She looked into the side view mirror and straightened it, then put the lenses over her eyes, with difficulty, her hands shaking. She found her way out of the lot, repeating her mantra. Cool, cool, cool… Within two hours she was at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, boarding a bus. It was time to visit mom.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/21 - Curious

“Curiouser and curiouser,” said Alice during her sojourn in Wonderland. That often applies to the doings of this mad world. American warships are headed to Yemen to block weapons shipments from Iran to its allies, which are trying to reverse a once promising move toward representative government. These are the same Iranians our leaders are currently attempting to engage in a deal to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. A line from an editorial in today’s NY Post perfectly sums up my thoughts on the subject: “The Iranians will pretend they’re not building nukes, and President Obama will pretend he’s stopping them.” Short of an invasion, which would cost thousands of lives, I don’t believe Iran can be prevented from acquiring the bomb. Their facilities are too entrenched. The only reasonable course of action seems a simple statement: “Try anything and there will be dire consequences.” Unfortunately, this may lead to the sacrifice of Israel, whose annihilation the mad Mullahs may endorse, despite the certainty of the retaliation of Israeli warplanes loaded with weapons of mass destruction. Sitting down and negotiating with a known sponsor of terror is curious, only something liberal politicians would hatch.

While I was working on the reincarnation of Close to the Edge, I was discouraged by the many spelling errors I encountered. Many involved double letters such as in "traveling." I would have sworn it carried to l's. My ego received a bit of salve today as, while reading a novel by a Brit, I realized he spelled traveling with two l's. I got to wondering if all such errors I found in Edge were the result of my reading so many UK classics back in the day. The difference is not surprising, given the way they spell "labour" and "colour." I guess they use a different Spell-check than we in the States do.

On Sunday an elderly woman donated ten works in Russian, so I knew today's session of the floating book shop would be fruitful, especially after yesterday's rainout. Although all but one sold, they didn't reap a full reward. I've let this one guy have books for 50 cents, knowing some days he would be one of the few buyers. He took eight of the most recent batch and two holdovers. My half thanks. And full thanks to Mikhail, who bought another, and who was carrying flowers for his wife, whose birthday it is; and to the lovely young mom who bought a cook book.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, April 20, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/20 - First Draft

I woke up with a short story in my head. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, as the floating book shop was rained out today and I had more to do than just the killing of time. Uusally, I know exactly what inspires a story, where it comes from. This time I haven't a clue. It's a simple tale of criminals. It runs three hand-written pages, in the area of 1000 words. I've already figured out the ending. The title, Decisive, came to me in the last few lines. All it needs now is refinement. Here's the first 100 or so words:

   The buzzer sounded and she breezed into the jewelry shop, smiling broadly. She browsed a while. Finally she summoned one of the two men at the counter and pointed out three expensive bracelets she wanted to examine closely.
   "Take your time," said the young man. "We don't get movie stars in here too often."
   "That's so sweet. Thank you." She wasn't about to say he was mistaken, especially since he may only have been flirting.
   She chose the most expensive, $25,000. She gave the guy a hang dog look. "Can you give me a break on it? How 'bout twenty?"
   "Twenty-two."
   "Twenty-one-five."
   He smiled. "Deal. Cash or credit?"
   She dug her wallet out of her bag and handed him a card. Minutes later he returned, beaming.
   "Okay, Miss Smith. Would you like it gift-wrapped?"
   She shook her head. "No. It's for me -- a gift to myself."
   "Excellent."
   She put the box in her bag, looked the man in the eye, and said: "Bye."
   She paused at the door, as there was a dapper young man beyond it, waiting to be admitted. She stood aside for him, gazing into his brown eyes.
   Wow, she thought -- hot, hot, hot.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, April 19, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/19 - Battles

Last night a PBS station in NYC ran yet another fascinating documentary, Escape From a Nazi Death Camp. Sobibor was in the middle of Poland. 250,000 poor souls were murdered there. The more fortunate were forced into hard labor. When word that all the inmates were going to be killed on a certain date reached the informal leadership of the prisoners through an informant, a plan of escape was considered. There was a huge problem -- no one had any military experience. As fate would have it, a group of captured Jewish Russian soldiers was sent to the camp. The plan was to cut the wires of outside communication, eliminate as many SS officers as possible in a two-hour period in an effort to leave the rest leaderless, and storm away enmasse. 300 were involved. To maintain secrecy, only a few were told of the exact details. As expected, many were killed at the barb wire fence, others in the minefield beyond it. All but 50 were recaptured and executed. The remaining lived in the forest until the end of the war. The story is told through a handful of those still living at the time of production, and through re-creations, and runs about 50 minutes. It is riveting. The only disappointment is that the Kommandant was not killed, or hung post-war. He served a prison sentence, was released, and even reconciled with one of the survivors. I wouldn’t have been forgiving. I just checked Netflix to see if there is a movie based on the incident. Sure enough, Escape from Sobibor was released way back in 1987. I added it to my watch list.

The government invests no Social Security funds in the U.S. stock market. In an article in today’s NY Post, Jonathan Krugman cites that had a mere 25% been invested in 1980, it would have grown to 7.22 trillion today. The program now risks insolvency. Its funds have been spent, IOUs left in their place. Leaders are proposing solutions that will meet fierce resistance, which will manifest that greed is universal and not restricted solely to the rich. SS was designed to save citizens from abject poverty, which it accomplished admirably. I believe it should be means tested. When I applied at 62, I was not asked how much money I had saved. That seemed lunacy. I couldn’t help but wonder why I wasn’t denied and told to reapply once my funds sank to a certain level. Then again, fiscal common sense is not the government’s forte. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, which began July 1st, the feds, according to a blurb in the Post, have a run a deficit of 430 billion.

Although the temperature was 20 degrees cooler than yesterday, it was still pleasant enough so that the floating book shop wasn't a trial. My thanks to young Adam, who bought four thrillers, to BS Bob, who bought two books for his grandkids; to Bad News Billy, who scooped up all the VHS, DVDs and CDs I had; and to the mom who bought four kids' books her daughter picked out. One of Bob's selections has a great title: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a collection of stories with a political bent by Sherman Alexie, a Native American.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Saturday, April 18, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/18 - Let Me

American artists have frequently remade works from other countries, typically Europe. I watched one last night, courtesy of Netflix. Let Me In (2010) is an adaptation of the fine Swedish film, Let the Right One In (2008), which in turn was adapted from the novel of the same title by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who wrote the screenplay. It is a noirish vampire love story -- without sex, the non-vampire protagonist being 12. Since so much time has past since I viewed the original, I can’t say which is superior. Each is riveting. One can argue that the remake was unnecessary, as the dubbing in the first version is excellent, just as it was in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, but, since there is money to be made, it’s going to be done. Fortunately, they have been done well. What sets these two apart from other vampire stories is freshness. They offer a different take on the myth in the way that Kathryn Bigelow’s Near Dark (1987) did. Of course, they would not work unless the actors were appealing. The leads in the USA version, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Grace Moretz, are excellent. Moretz, only 18, already has 52 credits to her name. She has been acting since age seven. The principal adults are played by Hollywood veterans whose faces, not names would be familiar: Richard Jenkins as the caretaker of the undead, Cara Buono as the boy’s mom and Elias Koteas as the cop. Matt Reeves adapted the screenplay and directed. He has now been at the helm 11 times, most recently for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), which I look forward to seeing, having really enjoyed its prequel. He also created and wrote for Felicity, the TV series starring Keri Russell. I have a hunch he will be making several more notable films. 82,000+ users at IMDb have rated Let Me In, forging to a consensus of 7.2 of ten. Let the right One In fares better, eight, rated by almost 158,000. Anyone squeamish about violence should pass. Also, the dark lighting may be a turn-off for some viewers. It may have been overdone in the American take. I don’t recall how it was in the original.

In Spring a young man's fancy turns to... Apparently in Ohio it turns to Spring Football. Defending national champion Ohio St. drew 99,391 to its Spring game. What -- they couldn't fill the rest of the 104,944 stadium seats?

It was a beautiful day. Unfortunately, people on Bay Parkway weren't in a book-buying mood. My thanks to Ralph, who purchased a children's illustrated version of Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage and a work of non-fiction about the easy way to wealth, which makes one wonder if only the author got rich because of the book.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Friday, April 17, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/17 - Stars

Congratulations to ESPN's Britt McHenry, who has done the impossible, her megalomaniacal tirade making a sympathetic figure out of a clerk at an impound lot. Given the way society has moved, her ridiculous behavior will probably be a boon to her career. She may end up with her own cable show.
Last night Movies!, 113 on Cablevision, ran the under-rated WWII film, Hell IS for Heroes (1962), directed by Don Siegel and starring Steve McQueen just as his star was ascending. Shot in glorious black and white, the supporting cast is a film buff's dream: Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Harry Guardino, James Coburn, Bob Newhart, Mike Kellin, L.Q. Jones and Nick Adams, speaking Polish at times. Siegel is not mentioned among Hollywood's great directors, but he left quite a legacy. Among his 50 works, almost all of which are at least solid, are three that stand out: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), whose excellence has not been approached in any of the many remakes; Dirty Harry (1974), as gritty a cop movie as there ever was; and his adaptation of the Ernest Hemingway short story, The Killers (1964), which is not on a par with the 1946 version directed by Robert Siodmak but memorable because it was Ronald Reagan's only turn as a bad guy. I first saw Hell Is for Heroes at the Loew's Oriental in '63, and many times when it ran on TV. Back then it was part of a double feature with Escape from Zahrain (1962), which also boasted a great cast: Yul Brynner, Sal Mineo, Jack Warden, Madalyn Rhue, Anthony Caruso and Jay Novello. Although that flick ran on TV in the 60's and 70's, it has since disappeared. I'm hoping Movies! or This-TV bring it back. My friends and I had just entered our teens and were fascinated by war, without conception of its horrors, when we first saw them. I remember hating when a character I liked was killed off, which is, of course, what war does.
The floating book shop caught a break from Mother Nature, which provided a two-and-a-half hour rainless window that allowed me to do business with Crazy Joe, who overpaid for a book on dinosaurs and one on King Arthur for his niece; and Cabbie, who bought three thrillers; and the young man who purchased John Grisham's The Chamber. My thanks.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/16 - Dialogues

A few days after speaking by telephone to a representative who said all was well, I received a letter from Bank of America asking me to contact them about my credit card account. Recently, two online transactions were refused, although the automatic payments I have signed up for have gone through without incident. I immediately suspected the evil forces that have infected my computer. The first rep assured me there were no red flags. The second asked about one of the charges that was denied. It had indeed been attempted by me. She said the bank offers, for security purposes, a faux credit card number that somehow attaches to the actual one. Unfortunately, BOA's site didn’t recognize my numbers, so I couldn't get in to sign up. Is that because of the evil forces? I will ask my regular bank, HSBC, if they offer that unique security option. Except for the recurring charges at Netflix and EZPass, I rarely use the card, but it comes in handy when it's my only option to buy copies of my own books. I tested the card this morning, using it to pay for groceries at Stop n Shop, and it was fine. The problem with it may be only on my PC. The digital world has been a boon to mankind, and to criminals.

I approved the proof copy of Close to the Edge last night, despite the fact that the size of the text on page 48 is one-third smaller than that of the rest of the book. When scanning the online proof, a message warned that one line might be cropped, being too long. The word “argumentiveness” , in the middle of the sentence, was the root of the problem. Even now Spell-check has underlined it in red. It is not in its dictionary. While I was working on Rising Star, many pages were cited for the same problem of spillage, and all came out fine in the proof. I assumed it would be the same again. Since I haven’t a clue as to how to fix it and I’m also worried that the process will stall and remain in limbo, especially addressing it with this infected PC, I’ve decided to ignore it for the foreseeable future. The product is beautiful otherwise. The option to make changes remains throughout the life of the book. After working on two novels back to back, I don’t have the patience required to make Edge 100% right, or at least as close to perfect as possible. When I build up my Amazon gift certificate account to a certain level, I will buy nine or ten copies. I will show the flaw to potential customers so that none will feel they'd been ambushed.
Judith bought Killing several weeks ago. She said she liked it, and had the guts to say what she didn't like about it. She think there's too much dialogue, and she was disappointed that it wasn't more descriptive of the area in which it takes place, Bensonhurst, with which she is familiar. That didn't stop her from buying the last Authorhouse version of Close to the Edge. My thanks, and to the other kind folks who bought books, and to Marie, who donated a blend of literature, music and film. I made a new friend, Alex, a young man who may have mental or drug problem. He has bought a few sci-fi novels the past two days, and dropped some of his controversial views on me, one being that the CIA kidnaps babies. He helped me carry the crates to my car, which was nearby. He made a point to tell me he doesn't steal, which had me wondering if my car would be broken into tonight. I was tempted to move it when he was out of sight, but it's in prime position for tomorrow's session of the floating book shop, although the forecast calls for rain. I gave him a sci-fi hardcover as thanks, hoping he would be appeased.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/15 - Back in the Day

Here's an article that appeared in the Lafayette News in September 1966. I do not recognize the author, who may have been an early proponent of political correctness. He did not cite our mascot, Redmen, once in the entire piece.
Gridders Undefeated In Pre-season
By Roy Kalzen
"Under the leadership of new coach Murray “Ace” Adler, the Lafayette football team is looking forward to its most successful season since the early 60’s. Hopes are riding high because of an impressive 3-0-1 record in pre-season scrimmages with victories over such teams as Bayside and Tilden. In its scrimmage against Tilden, Lafayette was a victor over a strong team by the score of 20-8. Nick Lanza and Ralph Betesh combined to score Lafayette’s three touchdowns, and a greatly improved defense held the opposition to one touchdown. The parents, seeing a new spirit in the team, have formed a Parents’ Club and have purchased a block and tackle machine to help the team acquire needed skills in practice sessions. As another added attraction, the Parents’ Club is also having programs for each game printed so that our team will now have the same publicity as schools like Midwood. The lineups for both teams will be printed in these programs. Thirdly, the parents have bought jersies for every boy on the team, so when Lafayette runs out on the field the team can wear its colors proudly. The student body of Lafayette High School owes the Parents’ Club a vote of thanks because they have greatly helped.
The weakest position on Lafayette’s offensive team, quarterback, has been filled this season with the acquisition of Herman Bell, who now can balance the squad’s offense and make Lafayette a threat in the air and on the ground. With Ralph Betesh backing him up, this position is solidly stocked with two capable boys this season."

Here's the roster. Most names are of Italian or Jewish origin. I used to say LHS was 45 % Jewish, 45% Italian, 10% other. There are several names I do not recall. Several are the most talented of that year's JV squad, who may have been promoted briefly to the varsity. Sadly, two men, that I know of, have left the playing field, one a childhood friend. The weight of many, including my own, is exaggerated. I was closer to 160 than 170. Zanca, at 225, seemed huge to us. By modern standards he would simply be big. There are several players we have not been able to locate. A reunion is being planned. I would love to see everyone one of them.
26 Capt. R. Betesh 185 HB
88 Capt. J. Pascarell 185 E
80 Alfano, J. 165 E
19 Bell, H. 170 QB
85 Berger, L. 180 HB
81 Budd, I. 175 E
41 Christakos, G. 175 HB
69 DeVico, L. 190 T
DeFillipo, J. HB
75 Elmo, F. 170 T
87 Elmuccio, J. (Moochie) 220 T
60 Felago, E. 190 T (RIP)
62 Finn, S. 185 C
56 Frank,S. 190 C
68 Fleishner, H. 190 LB
72 Fortezza, V. 170 G
50 Gaffan, V. 170 C
36 Galati, J. 140 HB
42 Greenberg, L. 170 E
73 Johnson, D. 195 T
86 Kreisberg, K. 120 E
14 Lanza, N. 155 HB
84 Lombardi, S. 160 E
77 Lotz, M. 165 E
53 Lubart, B. 195 DT
55 Manus,S. (Muzzy) 190 LB
24 McNair, M. 190 HB
67 Mizrahi, M. 210 T
31 Munna, J. 160 HB
23 Nelson, L. 190 E
89 Niditch. A. (Big Al) 160 HB
51 Ottochian, F. (Otto) 190 G
44 Pascarella, A. 140 HB
64 Palo, J. 205 T
33 Perretti. J. 175 LB
61 Plescia, J. (All-City) 190 G
21 Rackoff, M. 140 HB
16 Rescigno, N. DB 160
82 Russo, C. 170 WB
5 Sclafani, P. 140 HB
83 Seltzer, B. 160 E
18 Stock, M. 170 QB
65 Weinstein, H. 175 G
74 Zanca, F. 225 T
Managers:
Bill Costakes (RIP)
Louie Eng
Gary Heimber

There was no book shop today, as I accompanied a friend on a doctor's visit.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/14 - Conspiracy

Today is the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Lincoln. There's a three-page spread on the event in the NY Post. I'm embarrassed to admit ignorance of the fact that two other political figures, Secretary of State William Seward and VP Andrew Johnson, were also targeted. Here's a rundown, edited by yours truly, from a page on Seward at Wiki: "John Wilkes Booth had originally planned to kidnap Lincoln, and recruited conspirators, including Lewis Powell. Having found no opportunity to abduct the president, Booth assigned Powell to assassinate Seward, George Atzerodt to kill VP Johnson, and himself to kill Lincoln, which would slay the senior members of the Executive Branch. Another member of the conspiracy, David Herold, led Powell to the Seward home on horseback and was responsible for holding Powell's horse during the attack. Seward had been hurt in an accident days before. Powell gained entry to the house by claiming he was delivering medicine to the injured man, but was stopped at the top of the stairs by Frederick Seward, who insisted Powell give him the medicine. Powell fired at Frederick and beat him over the head with the barrel of his gun. Powell then burst through the door of Seward's room, threw the secretary's daughter aside, jumped on the bed, and repeatedly stabbed Seward in the face and neck. A soldier assigned to guard and nurse the secretary, Sergeant George F. Robinson, jumped on Powell, forcing him from the bed. Powell fled, stabbing a messenger, Emerick Hansell, as he went, and found that Herold, panicked by the screams from the house, had left with both horses. Seward was at first thought dead, but revived enough to instruct Robinson to send for the police and lockdown the house. All five men injured that night survived. Powell was captured the next day at the boarding house of Mary Surratt, and was executed on July 7, 1865, along with Herold, Atzerodt, who made no attempt to kill the VP, and Mrs. Surratt, all convicted as conspirators. They died only weeks after Seward's wife Frances, who never recovered from the shock of the assassination attempt."
Seward lived eight more years, dying in 1872 at 71. He previously had served as New York's senator and also as its twelfth governor. His final words to his family on his death bed were: "Love one another."

The floating book shop had a visit from Ol' Smoky today. He fixated on the term "rigomortis," asking if animals suffered it and, if so, why anyone would eat meat. He gave me an eight-and-a-half by eleven book on magic and witchcraft. As I fanned through it, I spotted a small XXX pamphlet. I removed it and said: "Do you want this?" He said: "Hell ya." I tittered, surprised the homeless life hadn't quashed that part of him. After he'd gone, Marie showed up and spotted the book. I teased that she and Smoky were apparently on the same page, as it was third time she'd shown interest in a book Bob had donated. She is sweet enough to laugh about something like that. My thanks, also to the gentleman who donated about 20 works of fiction geared toward adolescents, and the lovely young Russian blonde who purchased six books just as I was closing shop.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Monday, April 13, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/13 - Interpretations

Whenever I receive a donation of books, I read the blurbs of those with which I’m unfamiliar in order to be able to communicate with a potential customer. When I saw that Sigmund Freud was a character in Jed Rubenfeld’s The Interpretation of Murder, I was hooked. I enjoyed it. Set in NYC in 1909 during the father of psychoanalysis' only visit to America, it is an intricate mystery, a blend of fact and fiction. The protagonist is a young psychologist who acts as a guide to Freud and his then protégé, Carl Jung, who are to deliver lectures at colleges. There are two mysteries: a murder, and a plot to derail the lectures by those opposed to the controversial theories, which had already taken hold in Europe but not the allegedly puritanical USA. Along the way there is much discussion of transference, the Oedipus theory and Hamlet, elements I found engrossing. Whether one is an admirer or detractor of Freud’s ideas, their impact on the world cannot be denied. I see a lot of value in them, but balk at total acceptance because I don’t think anything in life is 100%, except math like 2+2=4, although Dostoevsky's gambler would argue that one to the contrary. The author did a lot of research to render the feel of Manhattan at the turn of the 20^th century. I respect that. Most of my work does not require any research, and the little that did was tedious. Rubenfeld is a distinguished legal scholar. Fortunately, the narrative does not delve too far into the intricacies of law, which I'm not nearly as fascinated by as the psyche. In reading his notes on the novel, he admits to liberties. I do not object to those he took with theories. Although a few of them appeared in print after 1909, it is reasonable to assume they would have been discussed openly well before their publication. I do object to his having cast actual minor historical figures in a negative light that is not supported by facts. Although they have been dead a long time, it is unfair. Fictional names should have been used. In one of the book's most interesting aspects, the protagonist believes he has solved Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy. I failed to grasp his thesis, probably because he is a lot more intelligent than I. 101 users at Amazon have rated the book, forging to a consensus of 3.7 of five, on the money, in my view. It was Rubenfeld’s first novel (2007), a heck of a debut. He has since written another. He also has published three scholarly works, one of which was a co-write. Anyone fascinated by Freud, Shakespeare and old New York would likely enjoy The Interpretation of Murder. It is just a tad over-written, but the prose and dialogue are smooth, reflective of the era. Those who prefer slam-bang, fast-paced works in simple language should pass.

Here's the early favorite for the oddest/funniest sports story of 2015. I just read at Yahoo Sports that the players on the L.A. Kings, winners of two of the last three Stanley Cups, locked their coach, Darryl Sutter, out of their locker room the past few weeks to keep from hearing him berate them. The rift goes back at least as far as February 7th at Tampa Bay, when Sutter tracked down an arena operative, asked him to unlock the door, and found three large trash receptacles blocking the way!

It was another beautiful day weather-wise. Dare I say it looks like we will actually have a Spring this year? The only drawback was that Luis was spreading black mulch in the garden along the East 13th side of the building at my usual nook. "What's that smell?" a lot of people asked. My thanks to the four kind folks who bought books.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Sunday, April 12, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/12 - Wire to Wire

While NYC thrives due to tourism and real estate sales, the rest of the Empire State is struggling mightily. In an op-ed piece in today's NY Post, Kyle Smith examines reasons why. Governor Andrew Cuomo appears in TV commercials touting economic revival, incentives, stating: “The new New York is open. Open to innovation. Open to ambition. Open to bold ideas.” Government has spent 28 million on the ads so far. Here are the early results: 76 jobs -- in the entire state. NY often comes in last in polls on business or tax friendly environment. As an example why, Smith cites the rigamarole to qualify for one particular career: A physical; application for license, $40; two-year apprenticeship during which work days and hours must be logged on forms; second physical; second application for license, $40; training period; await certification. What job requires this? Believe it or not -- barber. Smith reminds that Obama spent only two years in the Senate before becoming President. Of course, an article on business conditions in the state of New York is not complete without mentioning that a certain high-paying field is banned, fracking, that is.

Only 21, Jordan Spieth (pronounced Speeth) has won a major golf tournament, The Masters, going wire to wire, his excellence taking the drama out of the event. The only suspense was whether he would set a new record for lowest score. The baby-faced Texan darn near did it, just missing a par putt on 18. He is the first golfer to have ever reached 19 under at those hallowed grounds. He now shares the record low score, -18, with Tiger Woods. Remember him? The former number one actually had a decent showing, finishing 17th. If he doesn't improve off the tee, though, I doubt he will make the cut at the U.S. Open. As for the current top dog, Rory McIlroy, he did very well, finishing -12. Phil Mickelson, 45, finished tied for second with Justin Rose at -14. Those guys must be shaking their heads, asking themselves what they have to do to win. The great Mickelson has won multiple majors and has finished second an astounding 12 times. Although the usual drama was absent, there was a lot of great shot-making to entertain enthusiasts, and I still get chills when the winner shares hugs with his family at the end. If there's a heaven, wouldn't it be grand if all hackers finally got a chance to play Augusta National up there? Of course, one has to qualify for a spot up there too. Kudos, young Mr. Spieth. I think I may have found a flaw -- it looks like he will bald prematurely.

After yesterday's success, I was raring to get the floating book shop underway today. I put more books on display than ever. The only genre lacking was the classics. Unfortunately, the public was indifferent. The only action was a young man stopping by to pick up a book he'd paid for about a week ago.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Writer's Life 4/11 - Cricket

Director Richard Linklater became a darling among critics with Dazed and Confused (1993), the story of drug use among Texas youth. It was one of Matthew McConaughey’s earliest appearances. Having never gone through a drug phase, I hated it. Ten years later, Linklater directed School of Rock, starring Jack Black as a teacher/modern music maven, which I really enjoyed. Last night I watched Bernie (2011), courtesy of Netflix. Based on truth, it is an amusing documentary-like film starring Black, who plays a compassionate assistant funeral director loved by everyone in his small Texas town. The tagline at the time of its release was: “A story so unbelievable it must be true.” Black sings and dances creditably, although the performances have a community theater silliness to them. The character is larger than life, which gives the work a feel of parody rather than reality, which is probably what the film-makers intended. The aspect I enjoyed most is the commentary of actual townsfolk incorporated into the narrative, particularly one guy’s stereotypical opinions. These act as a sort of counterpoint to the outrageousness of the protagonist. Shirley Maclaine and Matthew McConaughey co-star. The production cost a mere five million, chump change by Hollywood standards these days, and brought in nine million in the U.S. alone. It comes in in a tidy 99 minutes. Linklater collaborated on the screenplay with Skip Hollandsworth, whose article inspired the film. To say more would spoil the fun. 38,000+ users at IMDb have rated it, forging to a consensus of 6.8 of ten. I say 3.5 on a scale of five. It is geared to those who have an appreciation of the quirky and unconventional. It is not standard Hollywood fare.

It was a glorious day weather-wise -- finally, and business at the floating book shop was as good as it gets. It began with a bang. Natasha greeted me as I was setting up. I hadn't seen her in months. She bought three mysteries and two romances, all hardcovers, for which her husband overpaid. A gentleman bought two Steve Berry thrillers, another bought a book on Italian cooking, all of them large, weighty. Then author Bill Brown showed and picked up Rising Star. He has offered his book on Lou Reed on consignment to two shops in Greenwich Village, and 50 copies have sold - excellent! A bit later a handsome young man parked his bike and asked which books were mine and picked out Close to the Edge and Killing. His name is Imrul. Curious about its origin, I just looked it up. Unfortunately, all the info is hogged by a Bangladeshi cricketer, Imrul Kayes. I was unable to find the meaning of the name. Nonetheless, I am most appreciative of his support. The crates got even lighter when he selected the six books to which he was entitled as a gift for his purchases. My thanks to everyone, including the woman who donated four hardcover romances.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/

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