Hunger Games

I finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins last night. It left me kind of befuddled. I really enjoyed the book, but it was one of those stories that if you thought about it too much things didn't quite add up -- or at the very least the coincidences and conveniences of plot become overwhelmingly obvious. Still, the book is very exciting and definitely creative. I liked the voice she uses to tell the story, though I think by telling it in first person she forcibly limited some of the information that, as a consumer of complete stories, the reader feels they want to know some of the things she leaves out. Perhaps some of those answers will come in the sequels, but the story told feels completed.

Of course, I do tend to overthink these things.

A couple of weeks later

I haven't had much to say lately. I'm working on my new book - I think it's actually coming along pretty well.

On spring break now, so hopefully I'll have some time to really work on it. Now that I have the general gist of where it's going, it's a matter of filling in the details. Still, I think it's on the right track now.

Sondheim concert

Caitie and I went to see the Sondheim 80th Birthday Concert tonight - and WOW. I just want to get as much of a playlist down now as I can remember:

America -- Karen Olivio and cast
We're Gonna Be All Right -- Jason Danieley and Marin Mazzie
Don't Laugh - Victoria Clark
You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through -- Jenn Colella, Matt Cavenaugh, Laura Osnes...and someone else I can't remember right this moment.
Johanna - Nathan Gunn
Too Many Mornings -- Nathan Gunn and Audra Mcdonald (the first real stand out of the night)
It Takes Two -- Chip Zien and Joanna Gleason (this made me very happy)
Finishing the Hat -- Mandy Patinkin (WOW)
Move On -- Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters (Seriously, I was nearly in tears it was so beautiful)
Pretty Women -- Michael Cerveris and George Hearn (so cool!)
A Little Priest -- Michael, George, and Patti Lupone (AMAZING!)

Suite from Reds
So Many People - Laura Benanti
Beautiful Girls - David Hyde Pierce
Ladies Who Lunch - Patti Lupone (awesome - especially when Elaine Stritch rose at the end)
Losing My Mind - Marin Mazzie (beautiful)
The Glamorous Life - Audra Mcdonald
Could I Leave You- Donna Murphy (WOW)
I'm Still Here - Elaine Stritch (Yes, she is. Incredible)
Sunday - 300 or so Broadway actors -- one of the most powerful, beautiful things I've ever heard in my life.

I THINK that's everything -- I may have missed something in the second act there - but I'm not sure what...
What an incredible night!

50th blog post

Crazy that I've done fifty of these - I don't even really knows who read it, but hey, I like writing them so when it strikes me I'll continue.

I just got word my "It was a bright and sunny day" story is getting published in the latest edition of Emerald Tales. I like this story - it's a little bit clever, a little funny, and I like the twist I put on the end. It's a good feeling getting that acceptance.

Still waiting on the agent for my book. Marci (my sister) read it - she said she really enjoyed it, so that made me happy too :)

It's been a while

I haven't really written anything lately - more because there just hasn't been a lot to write about my writing.

I'm working on a new idea for a novel. I've got about 15 pages so far and haven't really gotten into the "meat" which is usually a good sign for me.

I'm waiting on my full still - who knows how long that will take? Still, dreaming about it now is a lot of fun :)