Art Thou Curious?

Want to see

my depiction

of the

NeverWorld ?

Click here.

As always, this creation serves only to amuse myself.

It's not meant to be a stunning piece of art.

Don't PANIC - It's HERE!

Peter Pan's NeverWorld

is now available in PAPERBACK!

Just in time for the Holidays...

It's slicker, less expensive and has extra pix!

Fly on over for your copy here...

Crow...You'll Feel Better

On my TiVo’s WishList is, you guessed it, Peter Pan.
Using it, I am able to check and see what programs have anything to do with Barrie’s eternal boy. Usually I just get a list with the movies that aren’t worth their salt.

But sometimes there’s a little gem like this program.

On an episode of Mork & Mindy, “Mork in Never-Never Land,” Mork visits his pen pal, Peter, in the mental hospital. Mork from Ork, of course, doesn’t get the concept of an asylum. His pen pal reveals himself as the real Peter Pan. It’s actually quite charming. He tells Mork you have to grow taller, but you don’t have to grow up. Peter tries to spread cheer and laughter among his fellow inmates. But he seems to have lost his sense of adventure, having put himself away because no one believes in him anymore. Mork believes, of course, and breaks Peter out to face the world – but more importantly, help Mindy out of the doldrums from not getting a much wanted scholarship. “Pan” tries to make Mindy crow. He says it will send away the bad feelings. Just let the little person inside out, and crow, be silly and refuse to not have fun. In the end, it works. The show also has the obligatory scene where this Peter Pan is actually flying at their window to say goodbye.

The exchange between Mork & Mindy rushing to the wndow:

Mindy: I don’t believe it! We’re on the second floor! He flew up here!
Mork: I know!
Mindy: Did you help him to do that?
Mork: Do you really want to know?
(Pause)
Mindy: (with a smile) No.
Mork: Me either.

All in all, a fun and meaningful use of Barrie’s character.
Dash a bit of Don Quixote into the mix…and enjoy.*

* What leapt to mind immediately as I typed that: this post. Interesting.

At What COSTume?

Hey, look, it says here in the book he’s supposed to be wearing leaves.
Oh. Okay. Put some on at the last minute.
Wait a sec. We’ve got his tunic way too short. With those tights? It’s obscene.
Ah, yeah. Okay, put some shorty shorts with hasty jaggedness.
But he doesn’t wear shorts.
Who cares?
I wish we could jazz up his outfit some.
Yeah, yeah, all right. We’ll throw on some hideous stitching down the front and stuff.
In the movie he’s got pointed ears. We should give him -
Eh, s’good enough. Just send him to the parade.
But -

Even as a child, I’d been a stickler for making characters look the way they’re supposed to in the film. For instance, I rarely wanted plush Disney characters because the rendition just didn’t look the same as the character I loved. More like an unreasonable facsimile. Sure, I understand that it doesn’t always “translate,” so to speak, as a toy or real-life outfit. But to me it looked like they never even tried. “Eh, s’good enough.” Not that I wanted it perfect, but I didn’t want something that only vaguely resembled the character either.

So here we have Disney’s Pan at the park, spruced up a little? I think it not only looks ridiculous, but the inconsistency is troublesome for me. (Imagine that!) They could at least have given the actor pointy ears! There’s bound to be some precocious child who’s disappointed as hell.

(Of course, Peter Pan doesn’t really have pointy ears. See here.)

Fright...Delight?

You probably know by now that I love remakes.

But you probably already know that sometimes, just sometimes, it seems warranted.

Well, I've known about the remake of Fright Night for some time now.  I've not been happy about it, until now.

Maybe I'm okay with it.

In the original movie, Charlie Brewster watches a late night horror show (the kind with a host who bumpers the commercials.) Much like Svengoolie or Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. When Charlie believes a real vampire (played by Chris Sarandon) has moved in next door, his only hope is to seek the help of Peter Vincent, the Great Vampire Killer (played by Roddy McDowall) - the host of the late night horror host program, "Fright Night." Peter Vincent tries to tell Charlie that's just a character he plays. But when Charlie is proven correct - the neighbor is a vampire - Peter Vincent must step up to the role. It's a great little movie. Very well balanced between comedy and horror. Personally, I think that's a difficult genre to pull off.

It doesn't need a remake, though.

Unless you put a twist on it...? Such as... the "meta" approach.

In the new movie, the Charlie Parker character will be a fan of Fright Night. As in, having seen the movie. The movie I just spoke about. Well, wouldn't you know it but a vampire moves in next door? Since the late night horror host format is not as popular as it had been during the first movie... who can he turn to? The only person who can help him is Chris Sarandon... after all, he played the undead dude in the first movie...

Last night visiting at Banky's, I told both Banky and Clara this idea.

They agreed. It's just silly enough to work.

UPDATE

A Clarification in the Pan Novel

My faithful reader “Anonymous” (both of this site and my work), who now posts as “Anon” brought up something when re-reading Peter Pan’s NeverWorld (for the third time.)

If Michael is in the Navy, why is he called private and why is there a general? Very good question. I suppose my little scheme didn’t work as well as I hoped. There are two answers. First, my own.

As told in the book, Michael has bounced around, so to speak, between varies countries and various military groups and fought in many wars and conflicts. Perhaps it should have been more clear that in his own mind, it all blends together. To him, one is the same as the next. By having both types mentioned (group and terminology) it’s supposed to represent his eternal amalgamation of it all. As for why his superior officer uses the “wrong” terminology, Michael’s been bleary-eyed, overtired from staring at the blip on a screen, as well as sinking into his own thoughts, haunted by them. Michael’s not hearing properly.

The second reason, as might be guessed, is meant to be an allusion to Barrie. When giving us information about Captain Jas. Hook, he never quite delivers a straight answer as to the whole. What I mean is, whenever one thinks information is pinned down, it pops undone by another. Not that it’s contradictory. It just doesn’t all fit, giving you the feeling that you’re missing a major piece of the puzzle. For example, Barrie tells us Hook was not his true name. To reveal who he really was would even at this date set the country in a blaze; but as those who read between the lines must already have guessed, he had been at a famous public school; and its traditions still clung to him like garments, with which indeed they are largely concerned. Okay, then who is he? Take all the other evidence/facts from Barrie and real history and there’s a pretty good candidate. Here’s the thing: Who I’m thinking of did not have a formal education. And there is no doubt that Hook attended Eton. Thus, I wanted to give a sense of “not-fitting” mystery to Michael as well.

I liked the idea of coupling the “non-fit” with the above, so that he himself feels awkward and “out of place” in the world.

Sorry for not making it more clear in the actual text.

Snuffed Out!

Well, I recently read that one of my new favorite shows has been cancelled. The rather clever and charming Eastwick apparently just doesn't have the desired viewership .

RATS.

Why do I have the feeling that the two new shows that I rejected after one viewing will have a long and happy life?

Farewell, fair Witches. You'd well wishes from me.

Should We PANic?

Time to report on more Pan-derings.

Andrea Jones, author of the marvelous Hook & Jill, informed me of a book that is meant to be Tinker Bell centered. However, for all of you who just went “awwww” be aware that the Tink in this book is reportedly a brazen drunk. (Barrie’s Tink may be bitchy, for lack of better word, but I don’t think she deserves to be a full-on drunken tart.) There’s no word on when and if this story will ever be released. I’ll keep you posted. The author is Martha O’Connor and the book is Tink. Please note that I am not slamming her with my comments. Just my knee-jerk reaction. It could very well be that she justifies her spins on Barrie. But I’m also a harsh critic as you’ve probably figured out by now if you’ve been following along with me. (The picture is not associated with the book!)


There’s also one that's been out for some time now, but I have not yet made mention of here until now. But since I’m on the subject… It's a re-telling, of sorts, of the Peter Pan story, Tigerheart, by Peter David. I’ve not read it myself, to be honest. Since it is a completely new re-working of the story and not meant to be an adventure in the direct timeline of Barrie’s world, I didn’t pay much attention to it. I’ve read mixed reviews, however. This also harkens back to this post of mine. But by that I don’t mean this is doing that exact idea of a “Novel Remake.” For in order to be what I describe, the character names and situations would not be changed, just the way in which it’s told.


Never After is another “re-telling” of the story is by Dan Elconin. From the description, this one deviates greatly from the original tale with zombies and penis jokes. Yes, you read that correctly. I do like that “The Island” isn’t quite what it’s touted as… that’s true of Barrie’s island, too, and a fact that I like to emphasize myself. You can read more about it here. Call me a purist even when it's a re-envisioning, but zombies and penis jokes? No thanks.

Not Quite Write

Well, writing isn’t going as smoothly as I’d like…

For the record, I don't really believe in "Writer's Block." It's not that I'm blocked. I know plenty to get out on the page.

Part of the problem must be that I’m not in a flowing mode yet. I don’t mean the bits of story aren’t coming easily. Rather that I’m belaboring over crafting the ideal wording. The upshot is I’m pleased with what I’ve put to paper. But the downside… there isn’t much to love. So why don’t I just turn off the expectation and hammer it out into the perfect wording later? Well, I think I’m feeling guilty.

I do have a couple other projects on the burner. And I think I’ve boiled over on them faster than what’s brewing. Since I’m just not feeling the gumption to finish those tasks, I’m unable to freely compose with Thom (the character.)

Each of the to-be-completed tasks seems daunting… I can just see the snafus surrounding each one. Not pessimism. Realism, based on previous attempts. I suppose I just need to bite the bullet, buckle down and put my nose to the grindstone. (You know what? I never liked any of those expressions.)

One of the projects is that Query Letter for Midnight Chaser. Yes, STILL. Partly I simply put it away after being remotely satisfied with it… and also sick to death of it. I’d been hoping that I’d return to it with fresh vigor. Also, I had someone who’s extremely busy take a look at it for me. She offered, and I gratefully accepted her help. She did get back to me on it eventually, but I’d not been concerned with the amount of time. As I said, I’d put it aside on purpose. Well, I’ve tinkered with it given her suggestions, but I’m just back in the “not satisfied box.”

The other projects are related to Peter Pan’s NeverWorld, but they don’t involve any writing.

Back to the new book, perhaps I’m just not writing the “correct” bit to start the flow. So I’ve also tried picking up various sections of the tale. The result is a couple of finely crafted half-scenes. I also think Thom hasn’t told me everything. Oh, I know for certain that he didn’t, as characters like to spring bits of their story at you when you’re well into writing it. But here I mean that although I know the storyline, I might be missing a thread. C’mon, Thom… Oh wait… or rather you are waiting. For me.

I better get cracking, eh? (Another idiom for setting to work of which I am not fond.)

Another Neverland...(minus THE)

Once again, someone is imagining up a new version of the famed isle.
This time in a seven part mini series of comics from Zenescope Entertainment.
Their shtick: twisted versions of classic fairy tales.

It's called simply NEVERLAND. And, as per usual, there’s a “spin” on it.
It seems Peter Pan’s secret of immortality happens to be children themselves. Hence, why he kidnaps them to live forever. Only one child escaped…and that child became, yes, Hook. (Cross in this telling.) Pan is the bad guy here…
…and it’s dark, sexy, revamped and edgy. Of course.

If you’re interested in more, there’s an interview here.
Look for it in December.

My take? I'll leave it, thanks. Nothing against the effort. I've just had my fill of "dark, sexy, revamped and edgy" when it comes to classic stories.

I'm at It Again!

Well, it’s happened.
I’ve set to paper.
Yes, I have officially begun a new novel.
The third in a series of four is underway. Technically, it’s actually the “last” in the series. The fourth book, meant to be read fourth, serves as a prequel set thousands of years prior, shedding light on the events that shaped the era of the main story.

And so, Thom begins his final adventure.

Okay, he didn’t exactly “begin” his tale, as I am happy to be able to write out of order once again. There's an explanation in this post.

I know I "mean business" because I’ve also made a playlist for the songs and notes that will float around me as I delve into the words and world. My musical writing habits are talked about here. And I’m pleased to say that I’ve also selected some from Emily Bear. Looking forward to the inspiration.

I’ll still be working on the query letter for and submitting Midnight Chaser… yes, STILL honing that freaking query letter.

But here’s to Book 3… let the words flow!

They Come in Threes

Sometimes all three of these things happen to the same
story for, as many believe, three is a charm.
- Peter Pan's NeverWorld

Three recent events regarding Barrie's eternal boy:

Moat Brae House in Dumfries, where J.M. Barrie played as a child has been saved from demolition. The fairy dust fell from Joanna Lumley, probably best known as Patsy Stone on Absolutely Fabulous. To have such a strong literary link with the greatest fairy story of all time is thrilling, she said. When in London, Bart and I chatted with the proprietress of an eatery shown in AbFab. She told us that Ms. Lumley has in fact been in a few times. Yea, fan boys! An awfully big thank you, Ms. Lumley, for the more than £2 million to restore this historical inspiration for the Neverland. More Info

Way back in April 2009, I posted about the Peter Pan Cover Competition open to child artists. Well, the winner has been announced. Congratulations to 11-year-old Anna Scott-Maxwell. The new edition sporting Scott-Maxwell's art will be published November 5th. And although at first glance simple, the art is delightfully deceptive. For what better cover than such a childlike touch and feel? It's not just a moon, it's the circle of Pan's existance. The flying bodies, trying to maintain order in a line, look more like shadows. It's wonderful. I'm sure other such messages are to be found, too. Brava! More Info

Break out the pipes, Pan! Yes, Peter Pan as a musical is coming again. Hippodrome Youth Theatre group is celebrating their Holiday season early, having won the rights to the George Stiles and Anthony Drewe show, after which it will fly into general release next year. Suffice to say I've not yet found the musical adaptation I can truly enjoy. More Info

Think happy thoughts.

Save the Series, Praise the Creator...

Today I am wearing my Godsend pendant. For unlike the past couple of weeks, I loved last night’s episode of Heroes. For the first time in a long time, it felt “old school.” The same inviting magic and cleverness that permeated the first season showed itself again, jam packed into a satisfying adventure peppered with humor in just the right places. And plenty of unexpected turns... and what an ending. I've been wondering what happened to him!! Ok, sure. It’s still worrying me with seemingly ignoring the Butterfly Effect. Yet the insistence upon mentioning it a few times in this episode alone (even making a not butterfly…MOTHRA! joke out of it) leads me to think they might just know what they’re doing after all. I hope so, obviously.

And yeah, I do have an issue with part of the plot shenanigans… but I’m hoping it’s moot in the way they’re constructing it. For those of you who know what I’m talking about… Doesn’t Sylar need Charlie’s ability to proceed as he did the first time around? Unknown… fact is he didn’t really seem to rely on her power. Maybe it can all work this way?

Last night’s entry into the past (both in writing and feel as well as literal storyline) also made me think about the fact that the first time around the SpaceTime continuum had been messed with many times by Hiro in order to make Save the Cheerleader, Save the World work. I always saw the Kirby Plaza scene as having happened at least four if not five times, with only that set of people arriving at the same time for the first time. As in, every time Hiro would try to stop Sylar, something new would be added until it finally “worked.” But here’s the thing: It worked only so that it would be a “future” that’s desirable to the good guys. Hmmm….

And to think it has crossed my mind that maybe they should just end the show with dignity. I have my thoughts on that here. But if it continues in this vein, viva Heroes. And as much as I like my ending, surprise me and surprise me well!

On IMdb, only creator Tim Kring is credited with writing the episode.

BRAVO, sir!

UPDATE: I resurrected the episode on my TiVo. Allow me to give credit where credit is due.

BRAVO! to writers Aron Eli Coleite & Aury Wallington.

Getting Wild...

Okay, allow me to have a "pointless" post again if you will.

If you read my post/review of the Where the Wild Things Are movie, you'll recall that Clara and I both want Max's wolf suit. I'm the type of guy who would LOOK for it. Thanks to the magic that is the internet, I did find it. But it's
A) sold out B) a little pricey. It's on the net here.

Actually, I'd looked for it just after putting up that post. But I've been chatting with Clara online just now and showed it to her... and in the process of relocating it, I found these charming versions as well.



Could this be any cooler? Just about anyone who knows me is aware that I love skateboarding. The incredible "magic" of the sport, I mean, not actually skating myself. I don't have any desire to do it, but I'll watch it like there's no tomorrow. (Plus, it's also featured in my novel What If It's a Trick Question?)




And can this be any cuter? --->
NICE job on the Wild Thing suit, too.





Same here! Nice costumes!


BRAVO!

Ghost of a Chance

I spent some of Halloween watching shows of A Haunting on the Discovery Channel. No, I'm not going to tell you that it scared me. No, I'm not going to tell you I believed what I saw. Then again, I'm not ruling out the experiences as true. Not saying they are... I just tend to believe in the paranormal in general. So what am I going to say?

It got me thinking about the show Ghost Hunters. Again, I am neither crediting nor discrediting. But they spend so much time going to old prisons and hotels and such... where "activity" has been "known to happen." Seems logical, sure. But often it's someplace where it happens "occassionally."

I watched on A Haunting where a family had been, shall we say terrorized, by not only a few ghosts... but a demonic force as well. The strange occurences increased and very rarely ceased. Yada yada yada... they had to move out to maintain their sanity and lives. At the end of the program we're told that another family has moved into the house. So far the little boy has been haunting them, but they have no sign of the evil entity bent on descruction. Well, okay... but the "first" family began with such minor hauntings and it steadily progressed... so...

Here's the idea. Why don't we get the Ghost Hunters to that place (or any other) in A Haunting since we "know" that the activity can be seen on a regular frightening basis? Why are they hoping it might maybe happen on the one night they're allowed to have free reign of the otherwise non-activitied tourist traps?

Does that make sense? If we really want to "prove" such phenomena, why aren't we doing it logically?

Or maybe we just like telling ghost stories...