Fact versus Fiction

Why do I write fantasy and sci-fi? Easy, there isn't that much that I need to research in order to make a compelling story. No one can say that a certain alien doesn't look like that or a world can't be like this. Oh sure, there are scientists and people who spend too many hours in the basement of a forgotten building wasting their lives theorizing what aliens might look like or what another planet might be like, but guess what...they're just guessing too.

Here's the reason for my rant. I picked up a book at Barnes and Noble a week ago or so. It looked good. It's called the Sword of the Templars by Paul Christopher. He writes a more tame version of Robert Ludlum or Dan Brown. It's not the best, certainly not the most engaging, but its entertaining I guess. My problem is that within the first 20 pages I found 3 significant errors, no make that 4, that should have been researched better.

The first was he claims that the 3 Infantry Division captured Hitler's home in the Alps, Berchesgarten. Ummm nope. Anyone who doesn't know history and actually watched Band of Brothers should know this one. The 101st Airborne did the deed. 3 ID was nowhere near there.

The next 3 revovle around everyday life at West Point (I know right? Just when I think I break free of that place it sucks me back in.) He has the cadets wearing blue shirts, TAPS is at 10 PM and when the professor steps out of Bartlet Hall he is immediately facing the bleachers on the Plain.

This is why I stick to fantasy. This guy, who the cover claims is a NY Times bestselling author, did not do his research and made too many mistakes. I suppose the common person reading it won't know any better but for those of us who it is a major turn off. If you can't get the facts right, what makes me want to read more??????

Disappointment

Have you ever been excited to see a movie, read a book or watch a new show coming on and been left feeling utterly disappointed? I went and watched Red Tails tonight. Absolutely wonderful true story of men who dared to stand up in the face of multiple adversities and win the respect of their fellow soldiers. The only problem was George Lucas made the movie. The plot was thin and the acting was atrocious.

If you are chronicling the history of a group of pioneer men and the mark they left on society, civilian and military, you owe it to make the best possible product you can. Don't try and dazzle us with bright lights and oohs and ahhs (like the last 3 Star Wars movies- again, good story, great special effects but can anyone really say that Anakin Skywalker and Padme had any chemistry whatsoever???? And they were supposed to be in love? Ha!)

Terrence Howard was the only man that consistently performed to his capabilities. Even Cuba Gooding was less than stellar. And then, in the middle of a war they dumb it down with a love story? I was insulted. I can't recall seeing any love stories in Saving Private Ryan or Black hawk Down. So why waste our time ruining the testament of the Tuskeegee Airmen?

I am insulted.......but the special effects were AWESOME.

Old becomes new

I recently watched the AMC show Hell on Wheels. Just when I thought the Western was dead as a genre AMC brings it back with an in your face, no punches pulled action-drama. All of the characters are flawed and believable. The scenery is authentic and it makes me so glad that I had nothing to do with building the transcontinental railroad. Life is hard enough with so many amenities as it is.

A few months ago I did some thinking and decided to put my wartime experiences into words. I began undertaking what I had envisioned as a simple endeavor. Things quickly got out of control and I find myself mired in too many details and a lack of direction. The outline is comprehensive but my thoughts aren't.

Now I know why I stick to fiction. Making things up is so much easier than trying to figure out what is still classified or not. Wish me luck.

Once again

So it is time again. The Walking Dead returns tonight and I am stoked. I don't normally go for the whole zombie thing. I mean really, how many different ways can zombies be made and what new can they do? Ummm, not that many and again, not that much. George Romero has made a fortune on undead people eating brains but it is time for a change of pace. The Walking Dead appeals to me because it is not about the zombies. We didn't spend half of the first season watching how the zombie thing happened. It is about the characters, from the reluctant hero to the best friend who left another to die so that he could live.

The Walking Dead appeals because the characters have flaws. That is a rare thing to find in movies and television these days. Humphrey Bogart was a cutthroat PI in the Maltese Falcon and the Big Chill and he had plenty of flaws. Unfortuntely Hollywood expects the leading men and women to be super heroes that everyone likes and always do the right thing. So what would happen if we were all faced with an apocalyptic event like zombies? Would any of us be the people we think we are????

Wasted Time

What is wrong with television today? How many doctors and lwayers shows can we possibly stomach before it becomes humdrum lame-o? Oh wait, we are already there. I don't care how many cities CSI has, there are only so many ways to kill someone and to find the evidence. Yawn.

The River was a refreshing change to the norm. While not original, entirely, it provided a believable cast who each have motives for their actions and a terrifying sett. The Amazon is a great place to get lost in and find the true face of fear. I delighted in watching the supernatural unfold over those two hours, pausing to give several "oh sh*!" comments along the way.

Shows like that give me hope to be better, more creative, to explore new worlds and the nightmares and hopes within. I can take a sense of pleasure in being able to find solace and inspiration in such a simple terror as the River.

Turn of the worm

There is a saying, the worm has turned for you. I guess I can feel it now. In a matter of two weeks, after years (ok decades) of frustration I find myself with a signed contract for my first book- Aimee please ensure I do not forget to mention you in the acknowledgements since you helped with some of the ideas all those years ago in Afghanistan- and another publisher interested in my children's book. Making matters even better, I have been introduced to Bob Ostrum, a great illustrator of children's books who just so happens to live in the next town over.

You could say the worm has turned and I am soaking it up. Naturally this does not mean I can sit back and rest on the meager accomplishments I have made thus far. It only means more word, more effort and (fingers crossed) more results. Life is good sometimes, even when my seven year old son asks me "why are so many people who play basketball brown?'

and cut...........

Seriously?

It may be a brand new year but people don't change. I was with my wife at Red Lobster for lunch a few weeks ago and looked across the room to a family of four. Both parents were obscenely overweight and their teenage son had lime green hair. Seriously? Who in their right mind would let their child have green hair? We are not on Mars, not in some fancy comic book where people can look like fools and its fine. How did that conversation even go? Mom? Yes son? Would it be cool if I dyed my hair green? Of course son. I think you would look wonderful like that.

I'm not one to judge others, but when is enough enough? Our children are dumber, slower and fatter than most other countries and we do nothing to improve the situation. God help me if my children come asking a silly question like this.