The Writer's Life 7/12 - Feast or Famine

Let’s start with the positive. Pro wrestlers frequently attract negative publicity. Their death rate is astonishing, due not only to steroid use but an outlaw lifestyle. John Cena of the WWE is the antithesis of the stereotype, a true role model. A graduate of Springfield College, where he played football, he is active in the Make-a-Wish foundation, which administers to children facing life-threatening diseases. He holds the record for granted wishes -- 460! Kudos, sir. (From Yahoo Sports)

And on the negative side, Florida St. head coach Jimbo Fisher has declared bars off-limits after two of his players assaulted women in separate incidents, one outdoors. Although alcohol often fuels idiotic behavior, I doubt the ban will do much good. The bad actors, always prepared to react violently to even a slight offense, are liable to go off anywhere.

How do I say this without coming off cold-hearted? PBS is into the fifth season of Vera, starring the great Brenda Blethyn as a frumpy master detective in the Northumberland section of England. It is fine drama. Last night I noticed that one of the new members of the crew, a computer expert, is a midget, or is the proper term "dwarf" these days? Anyway, I chuckled, not at her affliction but at what seems political correctness. She is solid and her presence is a positive. I’m not forgetting that Peter Dinklage is the star of Game of Thrones, which I’ve never seen and which seems fantasy, while Vera is grounded in gritty realism. Another of the BBC series, New Tricks, has also made a concession to PC, as one of the new detectives has a bright daughter who is wheelchair-bound. It remains entertaining, despite an almost complete turnover in cast. Sometimes PC is good, even when it is obvious. I am amazed at how many mysteries the BBC produces. Apparently, it is an English passion. So far, the all-time concession to PC I've witnessed in TV is from the U.S.. The police captain in The Flash has mentioned going on his honeymoon with his husband and other comments, none of which had relevance to the stories -- pure politics.

The recent pattern of feast or famine continued at the floating book shop today -- not a single sale despite books by James Patterson, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel prominently displayed. The session wasn't a total loss, however, as Lorraine donated a highly marketable batch. My thanks.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

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

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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

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