IWSG- Resolving to See Things Differently This Year!

2012 was a great year for me! I wrote about it yesterday, but even just in terms of writing, but in my reminiscing, I stumbled on something of concern. As I watched the ball drop what was running through my head is how I still am so tentative about calling myself a writer.

Seriously, two novels and a collection of short stories done and I struggle to feel justified in describing myself as a writer. That can't be healthy, right?

And so, I pose a question: What makes someone a writer?

In The United States of Leland, my favorite movie, Don Cheadle plays a wanna-be writer. In a conversation with his girlfriend, he tells her "you're not a writer if no on is reading your s*%&." I'm not sure I agree with the Don in this case, but going by his metrics, I am a writer, right? Hundreds of people bought paperbacks or downloaded eBook versions of my books in 2012. Even if 1% actually read them, that is people reading my s*%&.

In reading other posts out here in the blogosphere, I am realizing that I am not the only one who fears owning this word.Why is that? What is the metric? If it isn't "people reading your s*%&, or even ONE person reading your writing, what makes us writers?

Friday Fun... My Favorite Movie

OK, so this isn't as frivolous a Friday Fun recommendation as I strive to, but one that won't let you down. Feeling contemplative? Feeling pensive? Feeling like watching Ryan Gosling be AMAZING?

Then go to Netflix or Amazon or wherever you buy your entertainment, and get The United States of Leland.

This is absolutely, hands down my very favorite movie (edging out Braveheart, The Crow, Star Wars 2.5 through 6, Aliens, The Terminator, and Terminator 2). And, unlike all of these films, The United States of Leland is in no way science fiction, or full of battles, etc. It is a straight up amazing story.

Premise (as per IMDB):

After stabbing an autistic boy, the sixteen year old troubled and pessimist Leland P. Fitzgerald is sent to a juvenile detention. His teacher and aspirant writer Pearl Madison gets close and tries to understand him, first with intention of writing a book, and later becoming his friend. Leland slowly discloses his sad vision of world.

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Don Cheadle, Kevin Spacey, Jenna Malone, Chris Klein, Lena Olin, Michele Williams, Sherlynn Fenn, and more...

I know it sounds sad, but the movie makes me feel infinite. The writing is flawless, the acting impeccable, and it is no where near as sad or dark as it sounds. Trust me-- this is one to watch.

An entertaining escape...

My plan for this blog, moving forward, had been to focus on the positive things. Rather than an endless rant to let you into my world and know all about me (because hey, I’m really not that interesting) I have enjoyed sharing my positive juju with the world and planned to keep going with that.

But, in the immortal words of John Lennon “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

And so, beautiful boys (and girls), the time has come when my personal life must encroach upon my creative psyche. I found out a few weeks ago that my mother’s long battle with cancer will be ending soon. We won’t call it a loss, she fought too hard for that. We’re going to call this one a tie. Tie or no tie, nonetheless, this is clearly devastating news. I haven’t been much of a blogger as a result, opting instead to share my feelings with the world through the emerging art of text messaging.

But, ars longa, vitae brevis est. I had a recent affirmation of that, and in my faith in the power of storytelling. I hate to hear people refer to books and movies as “entertainment.” They are this, no doubt; however, I think the stories we tell ourselves and each other become a part of our cultural identity. Just as the Greeks are remembered for (among many other things) the beauty and intricacy of their mythology and epic poems, I think we will be remembered partially for our stories.

This is a scary concept, I know. I really would not want to be a member of the generation remembered for bringing The Hot Chick into our canon. But, that said, I would be proud to be part of the generation that contributed A Prayer for Owen Meany, The United States of Leland, Flight, True Blood, Braveheart and many others.

Here’s why I feel so strongly that movies are crucial: Because whether it is to make a point (like The Life of David Gale, even though I don’t agree with the point), or expose a new facet of our world to those who would not otherwise see it (Slumdog Millionaire) or simply to create a world that will allow us to marvel (bless you Harry Potter), at the end of the day all of these help us to see a world outside of our own little lives.

This weekend I had the unique and delightful opportunity to enter a world that made me forget my own. Honestly, for over a month I have had little else on my mind then my mom. It’s nearly impossible to focus on anything. And so, when I went to the movies on Saturday and sat through the entire film and realized, as I left, that I had been so completely immersed that I had gained two hours of freedom from my own thoughts, I was ecstatic.

The film, ladies and gentlemen, is Inception. The graphics and effects and cool concept will pull you in. Astoundingly good writing coupled with simply flawless acting will keep you there. When I left the theater, it felt odd to find myself simply in a parking lot looking for my car. I had so become part of this world, and been so enthralled by the story that re-entering my life startled me.

I don’t want to go too much into the plot because it is hard to explain without actually seeing it. The whole point is to experience it. Stories are what help us understand, cope, and even escape from our lives. I will be eternally grateful to this filmmaking team for helping me have two marvelous hours on Saturday. This film is what the “entertainment” industry should strive for. This is a film that, I hope, will help to define us not because it makes any bold proclamations or advances any special issues, but because it is an example of how an excellent story can hold you, keep you, and impact you.

And FYI, I am officially adding Joseph Gordon Levitt to the dreamy men list. He can chill with Ben Barnes, Brendan Frasier, Jonathan Brandis, Ryan Buell, and Robert Pattinson there for a while :0)