Mini Review: The Property by Rutu Modan

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel by Rutu Modan, The Property chronicles a journey to modern-day Poland by Regina, an elderly woman, and Mica, her granddaughter. The "official" reason for the trip is to reclaim a property lost to the family during the second World War, but we soon discover there's a deeper, more mysterious reason that has Regina fretting the whole time they're in Warsaw. The Property is superb, a true masterwork by a supremely talented author/illustrator.

Mini Review: Castle of Spells (Island of Fog Book 9)

The conclusion of a two-part story begun in Prison of Despair (Island of Fog Book 8), Castle of Spells is a fun read featuring Hal and his shapeshifter pals and the notorious Queen Bee and her scrag followers (aka The Swarm). The twist this round is that the scrags have "acquired" the ability to make their own shapeshifters. An exciting climactic battle on the beach between Hal and friends and the newly minted scrag monsters (some cool new species have been added) determines once and for all who wins the power struggle between the two opposing forces. As always, author Robinson's storytelling is taut and entertaining. Recommended.

Ghost Star: Science Fiction Amazon Book Promo for July, 2019

So this is pretty cool. The Kindle Press team notified me that Amazon is running a promo for Ghost Star via Science Fiction and Fantasy Kindle book deals. Yay! The promotion is in the US marketplace and the book will be on sale for $0.99 starting 7/1/19 and running through 7/31/19.

In semi-related news, Ghost Star has been a top 90 bestseller in Science Fiction (Kindle Store) for the past several weeks and currently ranks at #61. Double yay!

If you're looking to save a couple of bucks on a fun, sci-fi adventure (or know someone who might be), CLICK HERE. C'mon, it's only $0.99! 😊

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Sci-Fi/Fantasy novelist, picture book author, and TV animation writer (you probably grew up watching at least one of his shows), Roger Eschbacher lives in California with his awesome family, a mellow tortoise, and a very silly Border Terrier.

Norman Picklestripes Announced!

They just announced a fun new show I wrote for last year, Norman Picklestripes! It's a combination of "traditional stop motion with digital animation" and I predict the pre-school crowd is going to love it. Premieres on NBC Universal Kids on Saturday, July 27th at 11 am. Watch it! 😊 #animation #fun #nbcuniversal

Check out the press release HERE!

Mini Review: They Took My Prostate: Cancer Loss Hope by JP Mac

They Took My Prostate: Cancer Loss Hope is a funny and informative read that details a procedure I wouldn't wish on anyone--except, maybe, a really evil guy.

Highly recommended.

Detention: The Complete Animated Series

I just learned that all episodes of "Detention," an animated show I worked on, are available on DVD. Yay! I voiced the kid in the green shirt and yellow hat and wrote one of the episodes. Fun series! 


Here's the blurb:

"Eight oddball friends at Benedict Arnold Middle School can't avoid getting into trouble as they navigate through the uncertainty and angst of adolescence, always ending up in after-school detention. Join the gang - Shareena (voiced by Tara Strong, Teen Titans GO!), conspiracy nut Emmitt (voiced by Billy West, Futurama), pugnacious Gug (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui, Happy Feet), twin geniuses Orangejella and Lemonjella (voiced by Tamera Mowry and Tia Mowry, Sister, Sister), comic-book fanatic Jim Kim (voiced by Roger Eschbacher, Histeria), Duncan the yo-yo champ (voiced by Bob Doucette) and annoyingly perky Shelley Kelley (voiced by Pamelyn Ferdin, Sealab 2020) - as they try to stay out of the clutches of the ominous Miss Kisskillya (voiced by Kathleen Freeman, DuckTales), who runs detention like a drill sergeant. Needless to say, it ain't easy!" 

CLICK HERE if you're interested in owning your own copy.

#detention #dvd #animation #fun

Elvenking: Am Editing!

 

I did it! Hallelujah, I did it! Two years and five months after starting it, and a week behind on my goal of getting it done last weekend, the FIRST DRAFT of "Elvenking: Leonard the Great, Book 3" is finally complete. 

 

I've got a big edit ahead of me since my first drafts always meander (meaning they're sloppy), but I kind of do this on purpose to avoid sticking on something until I get it right. I write my sloppy first drafts with the happy knowledge that I'll be fixing them later. It's a method that frees me up to soldier on. In this case, due to LOTS of animation writing (yay!) and some personal stuff, the soldiering on was more like a never ending march with full gear. But now it's complete, and I am happy. Onward!

 

First Draft Ending Stats: 186 pages (MS Word, standard page layout) and 71.5k words. #wip #elvenking #AMEDITING!

 

Image:  "Fishing" by Vukasin Bagic / Novi Sad, Serbia

Avengers: Endgame - Official Trailer - Animated Version

Cool animated version of the Avengers: Endgame trailer!

Animation Writer Q&A: Commercials?

Q: (With regard to a writing sample) I noticed that the Fairly Odd Parents cartoon is 11 mins per episode. How many commercials are there during those 11 min episodes? 

A: It's more instructive to look at it as a full half hour with 2 - eleven minute episodes. The rest of the time is split between commercials and credits. When writing an eleven minute sample episode, you don't need to worry about the commercials, just write the episode (18-20 pages, screenplay format).

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Thoughts about the above question? Got a question about animation writing in general? Leave it in the comments.

Mini Review: PANDORA GETS JEALOUS by Carolyn Hennesy

Pandora brings a box (THE box) to school for her project and when it accidentally gets opened, has to round up all of the bad stuff that escaped within a year . . . or else! Filled with tons of heart and humor, Pandora Gets Jealous is a fun, well-written story where the beguiling main characters face genuine peril. Author Hennesy knows what she's doing and keeps things moving along at just the right pace. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Recommended.

Purchase Pandora Gets Jealous HERE!

Longbow vs. Horsebow - Archery Comparison

Nice demonstration of what it's like to shoot each bow.

Mini Review: PALM TREES AND SNOW FLAKES by Scott Bury

A fun and fast-paced read, "Palm Trees and Snowflakes" is a welcome continuation of the "Hawaiian Storm" mystery series. This time, FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm does battle with a shady operation that's trying to saturate Honolulu (and beyond) with a lethal designer drug called "Snowflake." Author Bury spins a good yarn, deftly combining a strong mystery with romance and elements of a police procedural. Recommended.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Trailer #2 (2019)

YES!!! (Written in all caps because Godzilla is an all caps kind of guy!)

Mini Review: BRING ON THE MAGIC by Brian Clopper

A young wizard, Randall Flood, and a talking spell book, Chuck, team up to protect the mythical creatures and raw magic that have begun to seep back into our modern world. All seems to be going well until Randall develops a nagging suspicion that his noble mission may not be all that noble.  With its sharp writing, light-hearted humor, exciting action, and impressive world-building, "Bring On the Magic" has quickly become my favorite Brian Clopper book. Recommended.

Hellboy (2019 Movie) New Trailer “Red Band”

Ok, yeah. Didn't think I would, but I'm liking the look and feel of this. (Caution: Contains potty mouth characters)