Tag Archives: reading

“Questionable Minds,” a New Book: Conversations with Writers about Writing

OTTAWA, Ontario CANADA, 2017-Feb-15 — /REAL TIME PRESS RELEASE/ — The mind of a writer is a mysterious place. In Questionable Minds: conversations with writers, social psychologist dr george pollard gives a guided tour of the creative mental landscape of writers. In this unique collection of conversations, dr pollard explores the making of a fictional story or a stand-up comedy routine.

If you’re curious how your favourite novel or stand-up comedy routine comes into being, Questionable Minds helps you find out. This new book helps answer many questions. Where do the ideas come from? How do authors develop their characters? What is the secret of writing a successful stand-up comedy routine?

In this eclectic view of the workings of the imagination; dr pollard has assembled a remarkable panel of writers, covering a wide of range of literature. The conversations, in this collection, are with writers of thrillers, satire and westerns, as well as stand-up comedy.

Alessandra Torre tells gripping tales she claims are erotica. Peter Mehlman, a pillar of Seinfeld, has an idiosyncratically ironic eye and smooth, easy writing style. Chris Allen trades in thrillers that may contain more than a hint of truth.

Bruce Holbert is the thriftiest of writers, building finely honed sentences. Victoria Patterson artfully skewers the upper class, of Orange County, California. Steve Berry creates intricate mysteries against a backdrop of notional history. J Scott Fuqua tells tales with words and illustrations that resurrect a bygone era.

Ann Lewis Hamilton writes serious stories in a shrewdly droll style. Gabe Abelson is the A-list writer of late-night television talk show monologues. Jay Bonansinga writes The Walking Dead novels.

What inspires these writers? How do they develop stories or comedy? Why must they write?

To a one, they agree writing is sweating blood that shows up as squiggles on a page or pixels on an e-reader. Writing fiction or stand-up comedy is not for the easily distracted, the indolent or faint of heart. Writers must be eager to chase their characters and stories down the rabbit hole.

Questionable Minds is notable because of the depth and clarity of the insights found in the conversations. The book exhibits a unique intimacy; there’s no sense of canned answers to a list of prepared questions. Instead these conversations move effortlessly, following lines of curiosity and interest, while drawing out a wealth of detail.

Every writer dr pollard talks with has a different story to tell. Each has his or her own sources of inspiration. Their routines are personal; sometimes fitting writing around the rest of their lives or, for a few, squeezing in time for family, if they can drag themselves away from writing.

It is notable how willingly, candid and freely the writers talk. They discuss in detail the motivations that drive them to write. For some it’s enthusiasm; others want to explore their own lives and, perhaps, reframe them in a different context; still others want to discover what happens to their characters, as the story unfolds and still others simply enjoy the act of writing. Questionable Minds is an inside view of some highly distinctive minds, which are absorbing places to explore.

Although dr pollard explores similar themes with each writer, the conversations never become repetitive. Each writer is too distinctive a personality; each brings something fresh to the conversations and our understanding of why writers write. If you wonder how writers do what they do, this book will show you that it’s much more complicated and enthralling than you may imagine; it will improve your reading experience, too.

Questionable Minds is available through Amazon, in paperback and eBook editions at https://www.amazon.com/Questionable-Minds-Conversations-george-pollard. Review copies, in MOBI format, are available from the author at drgeorgep@questionableminds.com. For more information on Questionable Minds, visit the web site http://questionableminds.com or e-mail, as you wish, perhaps to arrange an interview with dr pollard.

About the Author
dr george pollard is a sociometrician and social psychologist at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. His teaching and research interests include the process, practise and effects of writing as an act of fulfilling the pop culture and entertainment need of society as well as media and truth.

Jack Turner Productions To Hold Reading Of “Lube: A Modern Love Story” At San Diego’s LGBT Center

Gay-themed musical provides positive role models for young gay adults.

San Diego, CA, USA — Jack Turner, local playwright and lyricist, is holding the first public Reading of “LUBE: A MODERN LOVE STORY,” a gay-themed, Broadway-style musical, at San Diego’s LGBT Center on October 1st, 2016, 7 pm. All twenty-four of the songs written by composer Brandon Bowerman for the show will be played during the event, with many of the tunes making their world-premiere debut.

“LUBE: A MODERN LOVE STORY” is the first of a new genre of musical theater. It’s a gay-themed play, written by a gay man with music composed by a gay composer, but intended for gay and gay-supportive audiences. “LUBE” is a musical comedy that takes a serious look at growing up gay, including the decision whether to stay in or come out of the closet, bullying, prejudice, the lack of role models, religious persecution, and teenage suicide. But it also deals with friendship, changing attitudes, and acceptance – especially what can sometimes be the hardest of all: self-acceptance.

“LUBE” is one more voice in a chorus – or perhaps a cacophony – of voices trying to convey the message that “It Gets Better” to at-risk young adults. Hundreds of celebrities have joined the effort, adding their voices as well, but the statistics are shocking. According to the Trevor Project (http://www.trevorproject.org), suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24. LGB youth are four times more likely, and questioning youth are three times more likely, to attempt suicide as their straight peers. There are more teens in the US who attempt suicide each year than the total body count from the many mass shootings seen in the news by a factor of two to three. It’s a silent epidemic. To address this issue, “LUBE” attempts to provide positive role models and an uplifting message: “Just love yourself; the rest will fall in place.”

“LUBE” is not be the be-all, end-all solution to the problem, but it’s an approach that hasn’t been tried before. It treats being gay as normal and gay sex as a topic that isn’t taboo. The playwright wants to provide an experience for young gay adults that has been available to their straight counterparts for a very long time: to walk out of the theater identifying with the lead characters, saying to themselves, “I’m gay. They were gay. They found happiness and fell in love. That could happen to me.” But even more, “LUBE” attempts to send a message to every person who sees it, whether they be gay or straight, that it isn’t OK to bully or torment others who may be different, that it’s not acceptable to add to the problems of an isolated teen. This message may not make it to every bully or tormenter, but with “LUBE,” the playwright hopes to convince their peers that these kinds of acts are not acceptable. Perhaps peer pressure can achieve what a simple, direct message cannot.

Tickets for the Reading are available online at http://lubemusicalreading.eventbrite.com. Best seating is reserved for those who support the Reading through the “LUBE” Kickstarter campaign at http://tinyurl.com/zefra3s. For more information about “LUBE: A MODERN LOVE STORY,” please visit http://www.lubemusical.com.

Media Contact:
Stacey Blanchet
Jack Turner Productions
(810) 728-1513
yourowngirlfriday@yahoo.com
http://www.lubemusical.com

“Changing a Culture through the Lens of Storytelling and Reading”

Eli Media Productions Book Project Release, “TomKat, A Family Dinner, Table Manners”

Weston, FL, May 28, 2015 — /REAL TIME PRESS RELEASE/ — Eli Media Productions announces the New Release of the first TomKat Book Series, “TomKat, A Family Dinner, Table Manners.”

The TomKat Series feature four main characters, Professor TomKat, Sari, Tommie, and Kayle TomKat.

Eli, the author of the TomKat children books, captures teaching moments of practical everyday living and forms the subject matter into stories and instructional reading books.

TomKat, A Family Dinner portrays Professor TomKat taking his family out to dinner to celebrate at an upscale restaurant. Sari, Professor TomKat’s wife, teaches Tommie and Kayle the rules of etiquette while enjoying dinner with the family.

“We are in the business of ‘Changing a Culture’ through the lens of storytelling and reading. If we successfully engage, excite, and educate early readers, then we will begin to build stronger foundations for enriched neighborhoods and communities,” said Leigh Hardaway, CEO of Eli Media Productions.

Eli Media Productions is pleased to announce TomKat Book Series, “TomKat, A Family Dinner makes a debut at the Book Expo America, BEA. Checkout TomKat, as he is featured as a member of the New Titles Showcase starting May 27, 2015 – May 29, 2015.

Eli Media Productions, founded in 2014, offers educational resources to reflect the characteristics of the Ecological Theory. The first year’s project will be a series of stories to target the primary educational levels Pre-Kindergarten to Fifth Grade.

Eli is committed to designing instructional learning activities to make reading fun!

For more information visit www.elimediaproductions.com!

Contact-Details: Eli Media Productions
Leigh Hardaway
P.O. Box 266223
Weston, Florida 33326
Contact Telephone: 678-597-8122
Website: www.elimediaproductions.com

Law Student Inspires Youth to Use Their Talents for Good

Law student Matthew Hebebrand’s passions include reading, storytelling and writing, and he plans to inspire other young people to find their own talents and use them to make the world a better place.

Houston, TX (USA), November 03rd, 2011 — Law student Matthew Hebebrand’s passions include reading, storytelling and writing, and he plans to inspire other young people to find their own talents and use them to make the world a better place. His recently published book, The Undergrads, is about students with supernatural abilities and the life-impacting choices they make.

“The Undergrads highlights problems that take place on all college campuses and ways students can solve them,” Hebebrand said. “Starting college can be a scary experience.” In The Undergrads, 10 freshmen at the fictional Pine State University develop amazing abilities after being exposed to a science experiment gone wrong. When someone discovers the source of their powers, each student faces the choice whether or not to use them and begins to discover who they really are, as well as the true meaning of friendship.

“Their powers are metaphors for talents,” Hebebrand said. “It is important for each of us to recognize our talents, understand what we are capable of doing, embrace it and use it, preferably for the greater good.” “Parts of my personality are in all of the characters in The Undergrads,” he said.

Originally a writing project for an honors program class at Miami University where Hebebrand earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, The Undergrads is available through Halo Publishing International. “Halo Publishing International is proud to have a role in getting Matthew’s book into the hands of young people who are seeking inspiration and guidance to become productive, giving citizens of what has become a high-tech, fast paced world,” said Publisher Lisa Umina. “It is my hope that Matthew gets the chance to talk to high school and college age students about what they can do to make our world a better place,” Umina said.

Hebebrand said the college life experience is ripe for storytelling and a school campus is the perfect back drop for a story that readers relate to their own educational journeys. A 2009 graduate of Miami University and presently a Cleveland Marshall Law student in his final year of study, Hebebrand was selected to participate in an externship with Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court, the highest judicial position in the state. The author has made presentations to honors students at Miami University as well as students at his high school alma mater, Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. “I encourage people to look inside themselves and make a commitment to follow their dreams,” Hebebrand said.

To schedule an interview or author appearance with Matthew Hebebrand, e-mail him at matthewhebebrand@gmail.com or call (440) 665-2115. To order this book or get in touch with publisher Lisa Umina, visit Halo Publishing International at http://www.halopublishing.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326 – USA
877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com
http://www.halopublishing.com