The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, September 23, 2016

Viola Davis is Back... and Back-of-the-Book Blurb Friday # 27

         Last night How to Get Away with Murder started its new season. If you haven't seen it, and if you enjoy twists and turns and jaw-dropping plot surprises that completely blindside you, you need to watch the first season and then catch up... quickly.

        Viola Davis has a lot to offer writers. With just an arch of an eyebrow, she says volumes. By just kicking off her heels, she is showing us something, not telling us. When she uses one character against another in a completely unexpected way, the show's writers are reminding us:  don't be too predictable with your writing.

         The show also plays with time--in a big way. Their use of flashbacks keeps the viewer on their toes. (Thankfully, there are helpful textual notes like, "Four months earlier" to help everyone keep track of the timeline.) For example, last night one of the main characters died/was killed. We don't know who it was and we don't know how. Viola Davis uncovered their face (after she rushed to the ambulance and yanked the doors open) but the viewers are being kept in the dark--for a while. The teaser for next week promised that we wouldn't find out for a while who it was, but each episode will tell us one character it is not. I imagine that each week, one of the characters will find out about the death (in flashbacks) and if they can be told about it/see it happening/commit the murder... well, it's not them.

         I hope your weekend--and the beginning of your next week--is a good one... and now, onto the book blurb's brevity exercise...
      

  • Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book.
  • You choose the genre. A mystery? A child rearing how-to? A horror story? You decide.
  • Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Lisa Ricard Claro is the original brains behind this writing exercise. Her third romance book just came out in July (Love to Win) so now she has the time to focus on her friend Cathy C. Hall. Cathy is getting her name legally changed to "Korea's James Patterson" and Lisa is helping her out by making her physically look the part. The next time you see Cathy Hall's photo, she will have big jowls... thinning, dark hair... and in her hand will be Jimmy-on-a-Stick. 
  • Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. 
  • Link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. You don't have to buy him a drink or anything. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is.
  • Check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.
  • And have fun with it. Think of it as a way to take a break from the truly important writing you do... like a bit of a warm-up.





The Ungratefuls

Timmy and Jimmy had a whole cultural vista spread before them… and never did they appreciate it.

Their mother took them to the 1st annual Croc Convention, so they could check out the new Croc models before they even hit the sidewalk. Mom paid for the three of them to view the “History of Crocs” movie (recently edited down to 2 hours and 13 minutes). How did Jimmy and Timmy respond? They whined and moaned and napped.

Their mother bought them cheese-in-a-can. The snobby tikes turned their noses up. She made them watch a 12-hour marathon of Cat Ballou. They read comic books instead of enjoying the film. She took them to the fanciest store in town--Salvation Army’s Shoppe--and they wandered around listlessly.

What will make Jimmy and Timmy wake up to the wonders of the world? Will they ever show their thanks? Or will they remain ingrates forever? (149 words)



And here is the photo for next week, Val (and maybe Pat, if you can take a break from knitting long enough to write a blurb).



14 comments:

  1. I only watched this show a little bit. I should stick with it and maybe I wouldn't feel so lost! Thanks for the tips on the sweet potato...sounds great. A good weekend to you too...to rain here but bringing cooler air.

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    1. Claudia--I bet you like this weather... at least it's cool on this side of the state.

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  2. I don't watch that show, but I saw a commercial for it yesterday, and it looked fascinating.

    I see that Jimmy and Timmy have been hired out as seat-holders at the Emmy Awards. I think their mom has finally found something they know how to do.

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    1. Val--And those tykes would have loved the peanut butter sandwiches Jimmy's mom made...

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  3. Are you just checking to see if I actually read your posts? Jowls and Jimmy on a Stick? Never!!

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  4. Well, I can identify with your blurb because my brothers' names are Timmy and Jimmy. Who knew Crocs had a convention?

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    1. Donna--But of course. Crocs even have their own TV channel. 24-hours a day... nothin' but Crocs.

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  5. I think I might have been with Timmy and Jimmy by joining them in their naps! Wonder what it took to wake them up...

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  6. I've never seen that show, but I can spit out the details of any I Love Lucy episode ever filmed.

    Pat
    www.patwahler.com

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  7. I've seen commercials for "How to Get Away with Murder" and I know Viola won an Emmy last year for it (I think it was last year?) It definitely looks like a great show, but I've never watched it! Who knows...it must be on at the same time of another show I like, or maybe it's past my bedtime! :)
    I LOVE your mention of a Cat Ballou marathon! LOL. I think I might try this book blurb thingy...I loved all three blurbs. Oh, and Sioux, your love affair with Crocs is something I'll never forget!

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    1. Becky--Viola Davis IS a phenomenal actress. Just watching her at work is worth it. However, the series is well-written and if you do try it, I'd recommend you go back to the first season.

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