This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts

Thursday, April 13, 2023

King of Modern Day Authors ( #AtoZChallenge )

#AtoZChallenge 2023 letter K

 

      King of Modern Day Authors could be a title that applies to several perhaps. Who comes to your mind?  It's not really a trick question, but the answer is pretty obvious to a lot of us.  Think literally!   Who writes a lot of books?  Stephen King of course!  And I have a lot of books by him and I don't even remember buying most of them.


Stephen King Books

Nightmares and Dreamscapes

       This is one of several very thick King books that I have.  Since they're short stories I should probably check this one out to read at least a few of them. 



        If you're a writer, you likely have at least one or both of these.  They are good writing books worth your time.



      So many more Stephen King books that I could list here, but I'll be referring to more of his books later.  I could fill an entire shelf with the King books in my collection.


Other Books for 'K'

Killing the Rising Sun 

          Though Bill O'Reilly's name is forefront on this book, I'm sure Martin Dugard did most or all of the writing.  No matter who wrote it, this book makes for a fast-paced interesting read.  The book is part of the much larger "Killing" series franchise by O'Reilly and Dugard.  A fine read for World War Two history buffs or anyone else for that matter.


Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

         This is the only book by Kurlansky that I've read, but it makes me want to read some of his other work.  I found this book to be a fascinating history about the quest for salt and the many ways that it was used.  One of those types of books that tell you everything you might have wanted to know about the subject along with a lot of stuff you never even thought about.  I liked this book a lot.



Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl

            Seeing the 95 cent price on this book I'm guessing that I probably bought this in the seventies when I was in college.  Since the print date in the book is 1972 I would say that it was pretty close to that time when I bought it.  It's a book that I'd heard of since I was in elementary school and I'd always wanted to read it.  Though I don't recall the circumstances of my purchasing this book, apparently I must have seen it in a bookstore and thought it was high time that I read this classic.  Fifty years later, at the beginning of this year, I finally read it.  I'm surprised that I managed to keep this paperback this long, but I've been pretty good about taking care of all my books.

          This is a decent adventure book that lived up to its reputation.  Being relatively short, it's a quick read and it kept me riveted throughout.  The story is a basic tale of survival and wonderment as the crew of Kon-Tiki sails a raft from Peru to the South Seas islands.  Worth the read for anyone who likes this sort of adventure fare.   I'd give it 4 stars.





    Which of these books draw your interest?  Have you read much by Stephen King?   What book did you want to read when you were a child but never got around to doing it until you were an adult?







Friday, April 26, 2013

Writers in Movies

Cover of "The Shining [Blu-ray]"
Cover of The Shining [Blu-ray]
The films that I'll be listing in my April postings may not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

        If writers write what they know then it makes sense that they might write about writers.  If that holds true then it makes sense that there would be a lot of films about writers since films are usually based on works by writers or are original screenplays written by writers.   Yes, this mini-genre of films is about writers.  And there are a whole lot of them.

         Here are some of my favorites:

8 1/2 (1963)--Okay, I know I already used this film in my post Movies about Making Movies, but that's how much I like this film.  This is one of my top ten films.  If you are a serious writer you should see this film and take it to heart.  A masterpiece of the genre of thinkers' films.  Forget this one if you're an action fan unless you're in the mood to just sit, listen, and learn.  I'll warn you that it's in Italian and you'll have to read the subtitles if you don't know the language.  I just can't rave enough about this film.  Oh, and did I say it's good?

The Shining (1980)-- Jack Nicholson stars as a writer who gets more than he bargains for when he secludes himself and his family so he can get some writing done.  Chalk up another hit for Stephen King.  One writer's nightmare is another writer's dream. A shot of Red Rum anybody?

Misery (1990)--Famous novelist crashes car and is rescued by his "number one fan".   Fans like this we don't need.   Stephen King strikes again.

Shadowlands (1993)-- Based on the true relationship between author C.S. Lewis and poet Joy Davidson, this one's a weeper.  Grab the popcorn and the Kleenex.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)-- A liberal dose of poetic license results in a lot of fun with one of the most famous writers of all time.  This film won a few awards as well.

Adaptation (2002)--Great cast of actors in a curious tale.  This is one of those films that I rewatched as soon as I had watched it the first time.  Great film.

Secret Window (2004)--Johnny Depp as a writer suffering from writer's block.  But it doesn't end there. Now he's being accused of plagiarism and it only gets worse.  Oh yeah, and Stephen King is in on this one too.

Sideways (2004)--If the writing career is not working, you can always go get drunk.  The focus of this film is wine, but it's really about a writer and writing.


Freedom Writers (2007)--Brand new idealistic English teacher gets assigned to tough class of inner city students.  She gets them involved in journaling and they in turn fall into the writing life.  Inspirational film about teaching and the power of words.


Midnight in Paris (2011) -- In one of the best films directed by Woody Allen, a writer vacationing in Paris time travels back to the 1920's and meets famous authors and others.   Doesn't matter if it's a dream, a fantasy, or what--it's fun.

       What are some of your favorite films about writers or writing?   If you like movies about writing, why is this?   Have you seen 8 1/2 yet?

Ready to do some more writing after the A to Z Challenge ends?    Join us for the A to Z Reflections post starting Friday May 3rd.   For more details be sure to visit the A to Z Blog

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