Melinda Snodgrass - Science Fiction Author - Busted Flush - Edge of Reason - Star Trek - ...

Appropriate Posts

Melinda — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:49:47 +0100

This morning I deleted a message, and since the sender didn't provide me with an email address I'm unable to respond privately, so I'm doing it here. The post was about another author's delayed book.

First, and I write this with my tongue drilled firmly in my cheek. My blog should be all about ME, not some other writer.

That said, I do discuss books I'm reading, and when I find a wonderful reading experience, I want to pass the word. I try to warn you away fromRead More...

Support Your Community Banks

Melinda — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:57:29 +0100

Here is an interesting idea that I think has value, and I can't see a downside. I moved my money years ago from a local NM bank to the B of A because I could use the same checking account in CA or in NM.

But I am well and truly pissed with these people, and I have a pretty hefty savings account. I'm thinking I just might want to move a chunk of this money over to a local bank.

You can check out the video here and find local, well rated banks in your area.

Sherlock Holmes

Melinda — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:30:03 +0100

Let’s get the confession out of the way. I love Robert Downey Jr. I also like Jude Law when he’s on his game. I like Sherlock Holmes so I went to see the new Holmes film which treated the character as a Victorian superhero which, I think, in many ways he was.

With luck I will save some of you some money. It’s really dull. I liked Hans Zimmer’s pulsing, clock-like music. I liked the look. You really got a sense of tRead More...

Avatar

Melinda — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:09:29 +0100

Went out to see AVATAR on Tuesday night, and was more than pleasantly surprised. I was wowed. I went into this with some skepticism. When someone tells me they’re going to “redefine science fiction on television”, or “create something that no one has ever seen before”, I roll my eyes and walk away. So I felt this film couldn’t match the hype.
We all sprung the extra money to see the film in 3D and I’m really glad I did.&nbRead More...

Favor

Melinda — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:00:31 +0100

I got up yesterday morning to discover that a beloved ornament had fallen in the night and shattered. I'm putting out the word here and on Facebook to see if anyone can help me replace it.

It was a Silvestri ornament, spun glass, mostly clear with just a hint of green. Oval shape. The outer frame had icicles hanging down from it, and it depicted a deer standing between two evergreen trees. I think there were two trees. Funny how you start doubting your memRead More...

Me and Orson Wells

Melinda — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:57:33 +0100

Friday night after dinner at the Thai cafe with Ian and George, George and I went off to the local art theater to Me and Orson Wells. This was another terrific little film. The story is slight, but if you’ve done theater and written it will really touch a chord. And I thought the actor, Christian McKay, playing Wells turned in a great performance. He didn’t quite have that magnificent voice, but the ego, the genius and the manic energy were spot on. HRead More...

Invictus

Melinda — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:19:12 +0100

I really wish Hollywood would stagger the good movies throughout the year rather than cramming them all into the final month and a half. I’m going crazy trying to see all the films that interest me. I complain, but it certainly is fun.

I went out with George on Wednesday night to see INVICTUS the Clint Eastwood film about Nelson Mandala and the South African rugby team. This is a terrific film and Morgan Freeman turns in an award winning performance.

The Chicago Wizard, His Creator and What It Says About Writing

Melinda — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:32:02 +0100

I’ve been reading the Harry Dresden books. I just completed the fourth book, and I’ve been musing about what makes them so enjoyable and so readable. Since I’m playing in this arena I wanted to read some of the real heavy hitters. I haven’t gotten around to Laura K. Hamilton because I want to try and live and play in my own world, and not risk absorbing ideas from other sources, but I will probably read the first book as I try to understand whatRead More...

Suicide Kings

Melinda — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:47:23 +0100

Here's a heads up gang -- SUICIDE KINGS the final installment in the Committee Triad will be released on Dec. 22nd. 2009. We got a very nice review at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist. Check it out, and then (I hope) you'll go buy the book.

We have an awesome cover featuring one of the sweetest Wild Card characters every created -- Rustbelt.

Worth a Read

Melinda — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:54:49 +0100

In addition to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the L.A. Times my morning reading always includes the Daily Dish by Andres Sullivan. Sullivan, like David Brooks, is one of the intellectuals of the right. Or he has been. He recently penned a fascinating and very thoughtful essay on why he has left the right.

It is well worth a read. Sullivan is also gay and Catholic, and is trying to cope with the hatred his church is raining down on him.&nRead More...

Venturing to the Stars

Melinda — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:23:30 +0100

Ian sent me this link this morning. It's really quite neat, and in some ways it encapsulates why I started writing the Edge books. I find knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge far more fantastic and uplifting than any claim of magical, miraculous, or spiritual events or powers.

Holiday Reflections

Melinda — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:13:25 +0100

I'm almost recovered from the Thanksgiving Day festivities, and the overload of fun caused by having Stephen Boucher and Janice Gelb in visiting from Australia. And then there was the effervescent energy that is Connie Willis. All in all it was a lovely time.

We had only one semi-disaster on Turkey Day. The door on my upper oven somehow got sprung, and wouldn't close tight. So we used bungie cords and managed to keep it closed enough to finish the bird and heat Read More...