The Writer's Life 9/20 - Women

RIP Jackie Collins, 77, who succumbed to cancer. She was one of the most successful authors of all-time. Her 32 novels sold more than 500 millions copies, delighting fans. According to Wiki, she is 14th on the list of the best-selling writers in history. Well done, madam.

Here's a snippet from Peggy Noonan's op-ed piece in today's NY Post. I love how it humanizes the players: "In the commercial break the candidates thirstily gulp down water and then go straight to family and friends in the crowd for hugs and handshakes. Wives and grown children whisper advice. Supriya Jindal repeatedly huddled with her husband. Throughout the debate Ted Cruz kept his eyes on his wife, Heidi, in the audience. She gave him thumbs-up and mouthed advice. It was like seeing Burgess Meredith call to Rocky in the ring. On TV the candidates seem bold and composed, but when you’re in the room you see how needful of support and encouragement they are."

Last night Movies!, channel 113 on Cablevision in NYC, ran a musical I'd never seen: The Girl Can't Help It (1956). It stars Edmund O'Brien as a down and out gangster who hires an agent, Tom Ewell, who has fallen on hard times, to promote his beautiful but untalented girlfriend, Jayne Mansfield, who would rather be the mom of a big family similar to the one from which she comes. The slim, wacky story is padded by appearances by Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Fats Domino, the Platters and others. The best of these is by Julie Wilson, who was supposedly represented and loved by Ewell's character, a novel idea. Drunk, Ewell puts one of Wilson's albums on his turntable, and her image haunts him wherever he turns as Cry Me a River, Wilson's most enduring track, plays. O'Brien seems to be having a great time in his over the top performance, singing and dancing during the final number. The film has echoes of The Seven-Year Itch (1955), which also starred Ewell, and Marilyn Monroe, who was regarded as Mansfield's natural rival; and Born Yesterday (1950), the classic starring Broderick Crawford, Judy Holliday and William Holden. It was directed by Frank Tashlin, who, writing and directing, had great success with Bob Hope, Martin and Lewis, and Jerry Lewis' solo flicks. The color by Deluxe is appropriately lush. Mansfield, whose singing was dubbed by Eileen Wilson, acquitted herself well and looked scrumptious. I don't know that I'd ever seen more than a few minutes of her work prior to this. I was surprised by her smoothness, as it had always seemed she was a Hollywood creation rather than a bonafide talent. Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to prove herself, as she was killed in a car accident in 1967 at 34. I wouldn't say the flick is good, but it has charm.

My thanks to the gentleman who grew up in Salt Lake City, who asked which of my books was the best and, warned of its politically incorrect nature, still bought Killing. Thanks also to the gentleman who purchased the book on 88 great jazz pianists.

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/

The Writer's Life 9/19 - Madness

The inmates have taken over the asylum. How many times has that phrased been used? It is the basis for Stonehearst Asylum (2014), which I watched last night courtesy of Netflix. Joe Gangemi adapted the screenplay from a short story by Edgar Allen Poe, The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether. It is the story of an idealistic young physician who goes to work in a remote corner of England at the end of 1899. The film boasts an excellent veteran cast: Ben Kingsley, Kate Beckinsale, Brendan Gleeson, Sinead Cusack and Michael Caine, who has gone from a great leading man to a great supporting player. Jim Sturgess, with whom I'd been unfamiliar, plays the hero, and David Thewlis, who logged a lot of time in the Harry Potter series, is the main villain. The lighting is appropriately dark. The institute is cloaked in dense fog, reminiscent of old Universal fare. The cinematography was done by Tom Yatsko, who I was not surprised to learn has done 11 episodes of Gotham, which also uses dark lighting. There are a couple of neat surprises along the way, and two excellent lines about madness, both spouted by the great Kingsley: “And make a miserable man out of a happy horse?” and “We‘re all mad… Some are simply not mad enough to admit it.” In this role, Kingsley reminded me of Donald Pleasance, who passed away in 1995, a part the latter might have played. I wonder if that was the intent. Apparently, the movie was a box office flop. It may be too old fashioned for modern audiences. Only 66 users at IMDb have rated it, forging to a consensus of 6.8 of ten, which may be a tad low. It was directed by Brad Anderson, who has had an interesting career, mostly in TV, doing episodes of Fringe, Boardwalk Empire, Person of Interest and other series, and films out of the mainstream such as Session 9 (2001) and The Machinist (2004). Stonehearst Asylum
runs 112 minutes. It's not a great film but one deserving of more attention.

Monsey visited the floating book shop today, armed with enlargements of a picture of a cloud formation she took months ago when she was feeling blue. When blown up and turned upside down, she saw religious images and one of her little brother, who died long ago. I saw images of faces, but was unable to determine if any resembled the one of her brother. I don't dismiss such beliefs, but I've never seen evidence that convinces me divine forces are at work. I sense Monsey appreciated that I took her claims seriously. She overpaid for books on Chinese Wisdom and reincarnation. My thanks, and also to Jack of Chase, who purchased a Steve Martini thriller, and Bill, who bought a short work by Samuel Beckett.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5

Vic'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/

 

The Writer's Life 9/18 - Beatnik

Here’s an excerpt from a teleplay I intended for a Fox anthology series that was axed after only a few episodes in the mid 90's. The protagonist, a Tony Danza-type, addresses a “Beatnik Night” gathering at a Greenwich Village café. His pregnant wife is in the audience. Harry is the owner. It is a less than ten-minute read:

  “Because my beliefs are conservative, I’m becoming a dwindling minority in a city I was born and raised in. Because I’m guided by the moral principles of my faith, I’m called reactionary. Because I believe that abortion is murder, I’m called a misogynist. Because I believe that feminism is largely whining, I’m called sexist. Because I believe that the cultural elite is usually wrong, I’m called intolerant. Because I believe that being a mother is more important than ninety-nine-percent of all jobs, I’m called an oppressor. Because I believe that many blacks give in to hopelessness rather than take advantage of their rights, I’m called a racist. Because I believe that most taxes are unjust, I’m called unpatriotic by leftists. Because I believe that liberalism is a cancer that threatens the greatness of this city and nation, I’m called an extremist. Because I believe that an able-bodied man who is jobless or homeless has only himself to blame, I’m called compassionless. Because I believe that we are becoming a nation of thin-skinned whiners who fear initiative, deny responsibility and look to government for handouts, I’m called morally retarded. Because of all of the above, I’m called politically incorrect, and I bask in it. Because I am strong and have learned initiative, I will endure no matter what obstacles fall in my way.”
   During the recital there are a gamut of emotions: smirks, outrage, surprise, anxiety, nasty comments. Some patrons have walked out. Nina is ringing her hands. Harry is on edge. Finished, Dan gazes outward, now emboldened. The silence is suddenly acute.
   “What d’you know about bein’ black?” a black man snaps.
   “Only what I see. Why do so many succeed despite racism? Are they tokens? Tell that to Mel, who rushes from his job at the Exchange to his video shop every day. He started with a hundred tapes and was wise enough not to take a dime in government loans. Tell it to Katie, whose been payin’ her own way through college at night for six years. Tell it to the gentleman seated among us who patrols this neighborhood on horseback. Tell it to any black broker who’s earned trading privileges.”
   “You’re a broker?” a woman sneers.
   “Is that the product of the moral principles of your faith?” a man says ironically.
   Dan stares defiantly. “Do I detect the air of prejudice here? You mean it’s true that liberals are tolerant only of liberal ideas? You mean it’s not possible to be honorable and a broker? Talk about stereotyping: ‘He’s rich, therefore he must be corrupt.’ Gimme a break. My parents were immigrants. Eighteen years ago I stumbled into a place I had no idea existed and I started workin’ my way up on as level a playin’ field there is. The city -- no, the country, should work half as well, half as equitably. I pay taxes quarterly, and probably a lot more than any of you.”
   “And more in charity,” says Nina testily, turning heads.
   “And I’m the bad guy? And now the ultimate treachery is on the way -- federal funding for abortion. My tax dollars are gonna go to the murder of innocents. The death camps’ve been back for years, and people are still lookin’ away.”
   “Didn’t I read that in the New York Post?” says a woman sarcastically.
   “Who are you to say what a woman should do with her body?” says another, rising.
   “My objection is that government sanctions it, not with what women do with their bodies.”
   “In other words, let’s go back to coat-hangers.”
   “Shouldn’t despicable acts carry dire consequences? Thirty years ago abortions were one of the worst things anyone could imagine. Meanwhile, one of the consequences of its legality may be the callous disregard for life so prevalent in society today.”
   “Let me guess,” says a man -- “William F. Buckley?”
   “You are a misogynist,” says the woman who is standing.
   Harry fidgets.
   “Ask my wife if I am.”
   “What kind of woman would marry you?”
   “Hey!” Nina cries out, struggling to her feet. “Watch your mouth, witch, or I’ll drag you outside. You’ll never find a man like him -- never.”
   Now Harry is really nervous.
   “Easy, Nee,” says Dan softly. “It’s only words, like on the trading floor. Forgive my wife’s temper. She didn’t know me when I was in my twenties and a real chauvinist pig.”
   The quip falls flat, swallowed by the overall tension. The woman sits, as does Nina. Harry breathes a sigh of relief.
   “I owe you an apology, miss,” says Dan. “I was sure you’d run atta here in a huff before I finished. In fact, I owe you all one. I expected at lot more heat -- or aren’t you finished?”
   “You already called yourself every name we could’ve,” says a man gruffly.
   Dan chuckles.
   Another man stands. “You haven’t said anything about sexuality. Should public shows of affection be restricted to heterosexuals?”
   Dan smiles uncomfortably and begins a response.

My thanks to the kind folks who bought books on yet another spectacular day.

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/

The Writer's Life 9/17 - Debate

I did not watch last night’s debate. Although I will vote for whomever the Republican candidate is, I don’t expect miracles. All I hope for is common sense, less roadblocks to work around. I’ve just read in the NY Post that Carly Fiorina acquitted herself well, that Trump took some shots, and that Jeb Bush is going nowhere fast. I do not have any animosity toward Bush or his family. In fact, I believe they’re good people and think those who believe the 2001 terrorist attack was an inside job are completely unhinged. Still, the previous Bush presidencies failed, and pushing for a third seems utterly foolish. Right now the outsiders are polling better than the insiders. I’ve gone back and forth on Trump so many times I don’t know what to think of his candidacy, although I understand its resonance. Ben Carson is an exemplary human being of great accomplishment but has no real executive experience. Fiorina’s corporate record is checkered. I’m disappointed that Kasich and Walker, whose achievements as governors are quite impressive, haven’t made a better case for themselves. Cruz would be a hard sell, although he is eminently qualified. Rubio may be the man four or eight years hence. I cannot and do not want to picture Chris Christie as the chief executive. The post-debate polls will be interesting, but there’s still a really long way to go. And it's not about who's the best debater or who looks presidential. It's about who has the best ideas to get the country back on track.

Rumor has it that the Dolan family will sell Cablevision to a French billionaire. As a customer, I wonder how this will affect my service. I’ve had it in for CV since it doubled the price of my internet service about a year ago. I would love to dump it, but, living in an apartment building, options are few. Fios may be better, but I’ve had problems with Verizon in the past and I’m hesitant to go back to them. If my TV breaks down and I’m forced to buy a new one, which would be digital, the first thing I’d try is a standard antenna, which would allow me to dump the minimum TV package I have. I’d bet whoever owns CV would then increase the cost of broadband.

There wasn't much action today at the floating book shop. Two gentlemen bought books in Russian. Spasibo. The highlight of the session was the appearance of young Dmitri. Months ago he bought Killing. He gave it to his grandmother, who says she is enjoying it. Go figure.

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/

The Writer's Life 9/16 - Humans

The mass market edition of the novel Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is 400 pages. The TV series based on it has filmed 13 episodes -- and is not done. As it did with Stephen King’s Under the Dome, which ran three seasons, it looks like CBS will milk it until its ratings go south. Boooo! I watched despite the awful dialogue, as the story line is interesting and there are creepy moments. I will not watch when it returns next summer.

Given the new tension between the U.S. and Russia, I find it odd that an American and Russian astronaut are halfway through a year’s stay at a space station. Completely at odds on Earth yet cooperating in deep space -- the human race -- endlessly fascinating.

I hate writing about Hillary, as there is so little that’s fresh to note, but a statement she made recently has added spice to the news. Addressing a rally for victims of sexual assault, she said women: “…have the right to be heard. You have the right to be believed.” Of course, this excludes those who accused Slick Willie of sexual assault. As everyone knows, they were pawns of the vast right wing conspiracy. Her political instincts are laughable.

A New York judge has ruled that drivers are allowed to scrawl profanity on the checks they use to pay violations, as long as they are not threatening harm. I’ve been tempted to do it on those rare occasions when I’ve forgotten to move my car for alternate side street cleanup. I didn’t because I feared retaliation in unforeseen ways. I hate the leeches that prey on drivers, but, unless injustice is obvious, it’s probably better to pay up quietly than vent. It’s good to see a judge come down on the side of free speech, though.

Late last night in L.A. the Dodgers and Rockies played a 16-inning game wherein they set a record for players, 58, and pitchers used, 24. Colorado alone used 13 pitchers and 30 players, both records. Rookie hurler Jason Gurka was forced to play RF in the final half-inning of the Rockies' 5-4 win.

And here's a shout-out to Canadiens' defenseman P.K. Subban, who over the next seven years will be donating $10 million dollars to the Montreal Children's Hospital. Wow! Kudos, sir.

My thanks to the kind folks who bought, swapped and donated books today.

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/

The Writer's Life 9/15 - Success

Here’s a list of Forbes top ten performer earnings of 2015:
1. Floyd Mayweather -- 300 million. I’m shocked not only that he is first but by the length of his lead.
2. Manny Pacquiao -- 170 million. How much would Muhammad Ali be earning these days? I haven’t watched boxing in ages, since early in Mike Tyson’s career. I admire the skill and courage, but I’m no longer comfortable watching men trying to punch each other’s lights out. I have never nor will I ever watch women’s boxing.
3. Katy Perry -- I don’t know much about her music but I’m always impressed by her positive, smiling demeanor.
4. One Direction -- Don’t know anything about them. Don’t believe I’ve ever heard even one of their songs. They have to divide their take by four, but I think they'll get by.
5. Howard Stern -- I’ve never been able to warm up to him, but he has to be given credit for staying power. There must be something to him. It's impossible to fool the public for this long.
6. Garth Brooks -- I thought he’d retired. What a comeback! Ride 'em, cowboy.
7. James Patterson -- Seems to put out a book a week, often sharing credit with another author. I've read one of the co-writes and found it second rate.
8. Taylor Swift -- Has an artist ever had her/his act together like this young genius? As astute a businesswoman as she is a singer/songwriter. Seems like she will have a tough time finding an equal for a mate. Will have to marry down.
8. Robert Downey Jr. -- Tied with TS on the strength of the Iron Man and Avenger series. Remember when it seemed he would never recover from substance abuse? Kudos, sir.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo -- Heartthrob soccer superstar, whom I’ve never seen play. He's got the world on a string. Hope he appreciates it.

The weather could not have been better today. My thanks to Joshua, who bought nine works of non-fiction, and to the woman who bought the book on Body Language, to the one who purchased a Wendy Corsi Staub thriller, and to the elderly woman who donated a non-fiction on Israel, and Herbie, who donated a sci-fi and a Ethel Merman bio. All together now: "There's no business like show business..." I'll never separate that phrase from Merman.
Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5

Vic'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/

The Writer's Life 9/14 - Time

I hadn't read a thriller in a while. I needed a break from the chick lit and Pulitzer prize winners I'd been reading lately. Cliff Ryder's Out of Time fit the bill, coming in at 346 pages, reading like less than 300. The story is simple: a top notch secret agent is assigned to destroy a biotech lab in China, which has engineered a weapon of mass destruction. There are complications. The agent is battling the onset of the worst form of MS, and his wife is a brilliant researcher at the firm's American branch. The pace is fast, the situations more plausible than usual for such fare. Although the prose and dialogue are solid, the editors missed a lot of errors. The manuscript needed another wash. Spotting such mistakes always has me worrying about any I may have missed in the books I've edited myself. Anyway, fans of the genre would probably enjoy the novel. It does not compromise. I loved the last passage, which leads to interesting moral questions. Of course, one wonders if such events actually take place. While reading, I recalled a deadly fire that occurred at a plant in China recently and asked myself if... Like James Bond, the hero has the moral certitude required to carry out such tasks, killing those who stand in the way, giving no consideration to whether the person is integral to the deadly program or just a working stiff. Ryder wrote six novels between 2008-09, all about 'Room 59," a virtual reality site agents log in to for assignments. As far as I was able to ascertain, each has a different protagonist. The books are still selling modestly. Only three users at Amazon rated Out of Time, forging to a consensus of 4.5 of five. I rate it three. I was unable to find any personal information on the author. He has a grasp of gadgetry that lends authenticity to the narrative. Is he working undercover? Has he been killed in the line of duty? Do such events actually occur? I don't want to know. It's scary to think they do.

RIP NBA Hall of Famer Moses Malone, 60, who was drafted right out of high school and played 21 years as a pro. He was a three-time MVP, and MVP of the 1983 playoffs when the 76ers won it all. In his career he averaged 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. Well done, sir.

I'm so glad I spend no time in sports rooting anymore because last night's Giants loss to the Cowboys would have made me sick back in the day. A Cowboys player's idiotic personal foul penalty all but handed the game to Big Blue, who threw it away because of poor clock management, a lost art in modern football. Of course, no one can say for sure whether Dallas QB Tony Romo wouldn't have found a way to pull out a victory with a lot less time to work with, but the percentage play for the Giants was to run, not pass. Head Coach Tom Coughlin took responsibility, but that doesn't accomplish anything. More is expected from a veteran coach and quarterback. I'd expected the G-Men to be routed. Their performance surprised me but now it is just a squandered opportunity. Perhaps they're not as mediocre as I think. Then again, the NFL has become completely unpredictable week to week. Even the Patriots, Seahawks, Steelers and Packers occasionally look bad... Kudos to the Jets.

Since there is a heavy Jewish presence celebrating the holiday at both my regular nook and on Bay Parkway, I decided to take the floating book shop to Park Slope. At first it seemed a dumb move, as I had to lug the crates a long way. And there was a stiff wind blowing along the shade on 7th Avenue. The warmth of the sun didn't make its way toward for an hour-and-a-half. I was feeling stupid, then back to back customers came along to make everything better. A gentleman bought the Gunter Grass Reader, and another purchased The Quotable Einstein, a book on the subconscious, and one on the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius. As I was packing up, a sweet middle age woman picked out a couple of chick lits. Thanks, folks. It made the long, strenuous trek back up the slope of 4th Street easier to bear.

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/