Friday, April 25, 2008

Questions Answered!

It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions. ~Author Unknown

To answer a few questions from yesterday:

Allie, "Kitchen Matches" is a short story of about 18,000 words. My previous editor mentioned that Samhain, as a whole, was a bit frustrated that they weren't getting many less-than-novel-length submissions, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Dru, most contracts specify the longest period of time you'll have to wait to have your piece published. For instance, The Wild Rose Press contract states they will have you pubbed no later than one year from contract. Really, it depends on the amount of editing necessary on a piece. My previous editor, Eve, was thrilled because "Liv" was relatively clean and needed little editing. My time from contract to publication was amazingly short. I'd like to hope the same will be true of "Kitchen Matches".

Chris, it took Dakota a while to figure out that she had to carry the stick in the middle... watching her get it jammed into the lawn when she had it from one end or the other was amusing, as was watching her try to get up on the deck with it in her mouth, because it is longer than the opening was wide. Ha....

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I had a bit of shock yesterday. I decided I was going to buy the movie "Phantom of the Opera" finally. My library's copy was destroyed, and they have another on order, but I wanted it NOW (it was the Andrew Lloyd Webber theme on American Idol that got me going, I think).

So, I went to WalMart first. Looked, but didn't see it. Went to the guy who worked there to ask him if he knew whether it existed in the store or not. This guy was probably about 20 y.o., and going to town with a feather duster.

Anyway... I said, "Do you have the movie 'Phantom of the Opera'?"

He looked at me blankly. And silently.

I said, "You know, with Gerard Butler."

He shook his head. "Never heard of it."

WHAT?? How can you live in the commercial world and not have heard of this show? I saw "Phantom" numerous times on the stage before I saw the movie. I love this show. I couldn't begin to believe someone hadn't at least heard of it. After all, besides being a huge Broadway hit, and a much touted movie, its music was on the hugely commercial hit TV show, American Idol (of course, Jason hadn't heard of "Cats", either. Clearly, we're raising out children wrong).

Color me shocked.

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What Your Front Door Says



You have simple tastes.

You like the classic basics, especially when they're done well.

Lots of space in your life is very important.

You don't like physical or mental clutter.



But see... here's the problem with this test: they didn't have my first two choices. ::shrugs:: Oh well!

10 comments:

Melissa McClone said...

So did you find the Phantom of the Opera anywhere?

Honestly, I'm not surprised a 20 year old wouldn't know what it was. Many 20 year old guys don't have a clue about musicals. Even men in their 40s. I doubt my hubby even knew it had been made into a movie until I rented the DVD.

Anonymous said...

13 tried to watch the Phantom movie....said it was boring. I enjoyed the opera when I saw in on stage, but not sur how I'd feel about the movie.

Were you ever able to find it?

Marianne Arkins said...

Melissa, it's not that I was surprised he hadn't seen the movie or even knew it was a movie -- but the fact he'd never heard of "Phantom" at ALL is what shocked me... the movie, the broadway show, the music, the NAME.

Amy, I liked the theater production better than the movie EXCEPT that I loved being able to see the Phantom's pain up close the way we could in the movie. Gerard Butler did a fabulous job.

And, no, I never did find it. I didn't make it to the electronics stores, though.

Dru said...

It amazes me when I hear native or not native NYers tell me they never heard of Phantom. I'm like come on, it's been on Broadway forever.

You may have to do what I do, is buy it online.

What Your Front Door Says

You are intriguing and charming.
People are naturally drawn to you, even if they don't know you.

You are calm and wise. You are a true leader.

You never feel isolated in a group. Somehow, you always belong.

Brandy said...

Sorry you never found a copy. Did you try Best Buy online? I've never seen the movie, but have seen the Musical. The music is fantastic.

I hope you're having a pleasant friday!

Chris M. said...

I can't say as I'm surprised either. And I live where Phantom has it's own permanent theatre at one of the hotels on the Strip (I've been told that it's amazing here, but haven't been to see it yet).

I've been completely surprised at how people have no idea of musicals or classic movies. Maybe because I went to a PA high school I was over exposed, but it just seems to me that people should have more knowledge of things that paved the way for their own movies and such.

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised he hadn't heard of it too - and I am 20!
I've loved the music since seeing the movie, but I'd definitely heard of it before that. He's missing out. =)

Ceri Hebert said...

Very sad that he hadn't heard of POTO. I've been fixated on it for the past week, like you, because of Idol. DH bought me the cd so now I can enjoy the music (the Gerard Butler version) anytime. And we own the movie too. It's one of my favorites.

I was unimpressed with Jason's choice of Memories. What the heck was he thinking???? And why is he still on the show?

Dena said...

Love the Phantom and fell in love Gerald after seeing it.

Dena said...

Love the Phantom and fell in love Gerald after seeing it.