Nice Girls – Are They More or Less Difficult to Write than Bad Girls?

“Playing good girls in the ‘30s was difficult, when the fad was to play bad girls. Actually I think playing bad girls is a bore; I have always had more luck with good girl roles because they require more from an actress.” Olivia De Havilland via BrainyQuote.com Olivia De Haviland as Melanie Hamilton in Gone…

Lost to History…?

I am jealous, readers. So very jealous of all the people who got to see this movie. I wish to heaven it was available for viewing somewhere, but in all likelihood, it has been lost to history forever. At least Stan himself was able to see it while he lived and give it his enthusiastic…

Family Matters – Are Stories Surrounding Families Boring?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H4EBicz5qQ While taking part in the Superversive Livestream on Romance, one of this author’s fellow guests mentioned that “anyone who thinks life after marriage is boring” is misinformed. Reflecting on these words I was reminded of the many, many adventures I have had with my own family, as well as escapades related by friends from…

Writerly Sound Bites, Number 2: Chasing the Unicorn of “Relatability”

Remember the post on writing advice, readers? The one that discussed “sound bites” as a means of offering guidance to aspiring writers? As someone who has had more difficulty cutting through and understanding such “sound bites” than she cares to recall, this author decided to provide future writers with some insights to help ease them…

Annoying Characters – Are They Villains, or Are They Heroes?

Catching sight of the above still shot and comment about Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man* film gave this author pause. This writer grew up watching the Amazing Spider-Man* animated series. The show faithfully re-presented J. Jonah Jameson as a blowhard, a cheapskate, and a loudmouth. Even without his obsessive hatred for Spider-Man, he was an annoying character…