Tag Archives: Books

Library, Stephen King

Stephen King and I

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My home town, a population a little over 800, got their first library a few years ago. It is just one room. But that one room represents a whole new world to the children of my town. I got to visited it this past trip to Maine in June and fell in love with it. It is run by a retired nun. After finishing using their computer we talked for hours about how the library got established.

There is so much to say but the one that shout at me was this. They wrote Maine’s famous son, Stephen King. With no fanfare, calls or letters he soon sent a check for 50k to start-up the library. He is the reason my library in my home town got off the ground. I tweet and status on FB my adoration for this man. He is the reason I love reading horror and watching horror. But this is the epitome of why I love him so.

It turns out a lot of small libraries in my home state have gotten started by King and we are all grateful. I will be writing him soon to share my thanks for what he has done for my small town. Will it get read I do not know but I will still send off a letter.  Yes 50K is chump change to him but too us it is a library that has open the minds of children and adults in a region that is starving for it.

They are already looking to expand as grants are sent off in hopes of finding the money to do so. But we got our foot in the door, we got our one room. Soon it will be something to boast about. Heck it is something to boast about right now.

But it all got started by my favorite author and home town boy Stephen King. He has sealed the deal for me. Mr. King thank you so very much.

Author, Carla Sarett, Romance

Showcasing Carla Sarett

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I am the author of a story collection entitled (for better or worse), Nine Romantic Stories, available as Kindle edition. I wrote many of these stories under the spell of Hollywood –Hitchcock’s radiant Vertigo, Preston Sturges’s witty The Lady Eve, and Woody Allen. I liked the notion of replicating the same wit and charm in a modern way- and I’ve been pleased that some readers have noticed.

But where are the great Hollywood romances today? A recent Atlantic article asks Why Are Romantic Comedies So Bad? How did American films go from screwball comedy and the touching funniness of Annie Hall to the crude comedies of today? When did scatological humor replace wit? When did men turn into versions of The Three Stooges. Call me prejudiced, but I never dreamed of dating Mo or Larry.

Everyone blames modern culture and of feminism, but for my money, TV is the big culprit. Shows like Moonlighting, Friends, Ally McBeal stole the thunder and left movies without a place of their own. Sadly, movies turned to gross when TV was at its wittiest. And gorgeous actresses got stuck with toilet humor.

Even worse, critics have consistently ignored the more literate romantic comedies. Films like The Answer Man, The Giant Mechanical Man, and Management were all cut from the old-fashioned, well-crafted cloth, but with modern conflicts and concerns. It was gratifying to see actresses like Lauren Graham given meaty roles– and if anyone can resist Chris Messina of The Giant Mechanical Man, then they’re not a romantic. It is a pity that these films are under the radar.

The same prejudice is found in literary circles as well, but that’s a subject for a different blog post. You can read more at carlasarett.blogspot.com.

 

You can also find Carla here on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Carla-Sarett/e/B00ANVZPXI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1364902919&sr=8-1

Laughter, Life, Writers

Writers:Time To Take Over The World

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Writing is serious business. With it comes pain, struggle, time and effort to get to our own personal endpoint. To lighten it up it helps to watch a funny movie, book or hang out with people who make you laugh.

I know my laugh embarrasses my son for it is loud, deep and has a life of its own. Someone at my old job told me it did not matter what I was laughing at when they heard it they too would burst out into laughter. That pleased me.

So when I went to my favorite used book store in town I came across this book, “How To Rule The World: A Handbook for the Aspiring Dictator”. I mean seriously it practically jumped into my hands how could it not?

Sitting down I started to check it out immediately bursting into loud fits of giggles to where heads turned. I am not sure where in the store my husband was but I am sure he heard and recognized me.  I mean with a title like this how could it not be funny right? As the pages turned my sides started to hurt and I teared up to where my glasses became stained. I love moments like that and the things that make it happen.

The humor this author possess is magical for me. Going to the counter, for I knew I must have this book, I told the clerk about it and she smiled. I was still in fits of laughter to where my hubby finally said enough basically.  Getting home I irritated my family some more as I continued to read. I did not let them stop me.

My point is simple. It is hard work being a writer and trying to make a name for ourselves. Now and then we need to chill and just forget the moment and laugh. And not one of those small giggles that you cover your mouth with not wanting to make a scene.  I want you guys to have a big belly jiggling , sides hurting, tears in your eyes to where you can barely stand for it is just too much to hold in.  Life is short writing is a hard word. Laugh along the way I know I am.