A Fine Farewell

       I have trouble--most of the time--with endings. When I'm writing short memoir pieces, I usually don't put enough oompf in at the end... Without the help of my critique partners, my presents would be sent off wrapped up, but no ribbons and bows to really make them alluring.

       So it was with sadness when I watched the last episode of the last season of Sons of Anarchy this week. Would the ending be satisfying?

       What's that you say? You've never watched it? You don't have any idea what it's about?

        Think The Sopranos on motorcycles. With better-looking guys. And better writing...

This is Charlie Hunnam, the star of Sons of Anarchy. Hunnam was originally chosen
for the starring male role in Fifty Shades of Grey but luckily bowed out before it was too late...

        Kurt Sutter (the creator and head writer and minor character) is one crazy guy, and his wife Katey Sagal (as Gemma) is a universe away from her work on Married With Children. The characters were incredibly flawed, the things they grappled with--at their core--were things we all could relate to and the connections they had with each other were ones we all understood.

        The last moments finished up the series the only way it could be finished. Lots of brutal (but justified) acts. Lots of sacrifices. Lots of joy in uniting the past with the present.

         The good thing about my WIP which may end up being my FWIP--my forever work in progress--is I know exactly how it's going to end. Now, if I can only add 40,000 words to the 35,000 I currently have, so I can get to that ending.

        How about you? How are you with endings? What are some of your favorite movie or television series endings?

Worth Waiting For

      Last week, the final season of Sons of Anarchy began. It was 117 minutes I had been waiting for for a while.

     
  During the past six seasons there have been twists and turns, unflinching looks at various issues--an exciting roller coaster ride, in my opinion.

     
    It seems that the main character (Jax) is going to get undone...and his drive for revenge is what is going to undo him.

     On the first episode, Marilyn Manson did a guest spot as a prisoner. I now know why he wears such strange make-up. 

     
    What TV show episode did you look forward to with great anticipation? What television series were you the most saddened to see end?

      
      And if you don't watch Sons of Anarchy, why not...?


And Lisa, I was all ready to post this on Thursday to keep to my Monday and Thursday schedule. I had written it on Wednesday night in preparation, combatting my normal procrastinating style. Thursday morning, no "network." No wireless connectivity. The things I unplugged and then replugged (all I really know how to do) did nothing. Thursday night--I spent the evening with my granddaughter. So I was well-intentioned and ready...and technology conspired against me.

Still Into It

(Beware. This topic/title was chosen so I would have a reason to include my favorite Paramore song. Sorry.)

     Okay, these are the things I am still "into":

• Sons of Anarchy (a show on FX that I love and is in its final season...it will take its final breaths this summer or fall, I believe. Think "The Sopranos" on motorcycles.)
• teaching (I still enjoy my job.)
• Crocs (however, one of my pairs--"Blackie"--is going to be autopsied soon, on April 24. Bring your own flower petals.)
• honesty (I got some initial feedback on my NaNo/manu, and even though no one has gotten to the end yet, they are suggesting segues. Are those really necessary?  They also say I probably need to change my point of view, which will result in more snark. No one has ever asked for more snark from me. I love it.)
• a great writing critique group  (Just about every piece of writing I submit has been critiqued by four gifted writers. They each bring a different perspective, they each have their unique strengths, but they're all strong and fierce.)

     What are you "into" these days?  (And now what I've been waiting for. I'm sorry if it's not what you have been waiting for...)

Mad About SOA

       I was reading Gerry Mandel's post about some friends he had lost. Friends in the forms of well-written television characters. It made me nostalgic...and yet strangely jazzed over what makes a writer click.

      (And Linda, Charming--the town where SOA takes place--is definitely not a place for Mr. Green Jeans.)

photo by aussie dvd store

      One of my favorite shows--these days--is Sons of Anarchy. I know when season five is debuting (way too late in the fall...but face it, unless the new season is opening TOMORROW, the wait is too long in my opinion), I'm all atwitter with the way season 4 ended (even though I was sad Clay was not killed), and I love to hear Kurt Sutter talk about his writing process.

      Here is a video of Kurt Sutter speaking candidly about what writing is like for him, and how it must be flexible because of the actors' participation, as well as how the storyline must evolve. For him, the story is a living, breathing thing.

       I can so identify with that right now. I'm working on a short story--not a memoir piece, so I'm out of my "box"--and I am amazed at how enjoyable it is. The story is unfurling and rolling out ahead of me, and I'm completely in the dark. 
  
        What will happen next? What is the character feeling right now? What sights and smells bring him back home and comfort him?

          My curious mind wants to know...

      

   

An Affair With an Author

       Recently my friend Becky Povich wrote in her blog about the letters she has written to various authors.  She has even gotten replies.  I asked her who had written back: she kept mum.  I momentarily thought about replying about my affair with a writer, but thought it would be better to speak about it in a post...

      Years ago, I fell for George R. R. Martin.  His book Fevre Dream is such a gem: vampires meet the river boat trade of the 18oo's.  The plot is engaging, and the book became one of my favorites.

        When he came to St. Louis several years ago for a book signing/groupie gathering, I was there, ready. In my hands was my copy of Fevre Dream; everyone else had one of his sucky popular "fantasy" novels.  No one else in the room knew Martin as well as I did, they were unaware of his wonderful touch, otherwise they would not have been clamoring for the uninspired drivel that they lapped up. 

Kurt Sutter
photo by Himes Images

     When I stood up and proclaimed my love for Fevre Dream, in front of all the gaping onlookers, our eyes met. George saw a spark, from across the crowded room he knew we were kindred spirits, but I was too timid to make any further overtures and George...well, George could not suggest, surrounded by book purchasers, that we drive off into the sunset together.  Alas, I only had my old, worn copy (Fevre Dream was out of print for a while) and I was unwilling to shell out money for crap his recent tale so I could nab a line ticket to get his autograph.  $24.99 was all that stood between Martin and I consummating our connection.

     A few years later, I became bolder. I was at a teacher's conference and heard Rick Bragg speak about his memoir All Over But the Shoutin'.  Although I was happily married and in spite of the fact that I was sitting next to my very proper Mormon friend, I fell hard. He told poignant stories, he told hilarious tales, and it was clear no one else in the banquet hall knew him as I did.  I stalked him for years after that...devoured Ava's Man and later sobbed, when he broke it off with me in The Prince of Frogtown.  He had found another lover and married her; my heart was shattered...

        Now my sights are on someone else. Again, a writer.  This man has the ability to paint characters that are so dark (to most people's morality) yet so complex and so infused with their own "light."  This past season, he even wrote of a devoted father who traveled to Ireland to save his son as well as hunt down the man who kidnapped the little boy.  When this father spied on the couple that had "adopted" the baby, he walked away...this child now had a chance at a life free from violence and as heart-wrenching as the decision was, he knew it was the greatest act of love he could perform.  

       Kurt Sutter. I've got you in my cross-hairs. When you tire of Katey Sagal, I'll be waiting for you...

     And thank you to my newest follower, Fireblossom.  If you have not read her poetry, sit down first (otherwise you will topple over when she blows you away) and then enjoy.

    Also, one of my blogging buddies, Linda O'Connell is hovering close---but not quite---to 100 followers.  She's a serious freelancer and has millions of publishing credits (only a slight exaggeration) and is generous with her talent and knowledge.  Perhaps you will be the one to put her into the triple digits...