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Tag Archives: author

Book Loft Author Meet & Greet, October 21st, 2018

16 Sunday Sep 2018

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author, award-winning, Benjiman Franklin Digital Awards, book, Book Loft, children's book, classic, Columbus, Frankenstein, Frankenstein A Life Beyond (Book 1 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity, Frankenstein Soul's Echo (Book 2 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity, German Village, IBPA, illustrations, Mary Shelley, meet-and-greet, novel, OH, Princess Bella and the Dragon's Charm, The Book Loft, trivia

Join local author Pete Planisek on Sunday, October 21st (3:00-5:00 P.M.) in the lower west level (turn left in the first room when you enter the store) of the Book Loft (631 S 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43206), in Columbus, Ohio’s historic German Village district, for a meet & greet, trivia, and a gift raffle. Come and learn more about his fiction novels Frankenstein A Life Beyond (Book 1 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity and Frankenstein Soul’s Echo (Book 2 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity and about his award-winning children’s chapter book Princess Bella and the Dragon’s Charm. Get in the Halloween spirit by helping him celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Book Loft and the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.

Save 75% on ebooks in July!!!!

01 Saturday Jul 2017

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author, discount, ebook sale, fiction, July, Smashwords, writer

Enjoy special pricing on Smashwords for Frankenstein A Life Beyond (Book 1 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity, Frankenstein Soul’s Echo (Book 2 of 3) The Resurrection Trinity, and Princess Bella and the Dragon’s Charm by saving 75% off these ebooks during July 2017!

A number of indie authors are participating in this sale so be sure to check out Smashwords for other special pricing this month and find some new authors and great reads.

What’s happening to screenplay writing?

29 Monday May 2017

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author, classics, films, Hollywood, movies, screen writing, screenplays, television, trends

Every now and again I like to pause and reflect on the craft of storytelling in its myriad forms.  For several years now I’ve been scratching my head over the state of screenplays.  I’m primarily referring to big budget pictures but not exclusively.  This is also not to say there haven’t been very good, engaging, fun, or interesting films in theaters.  However, I’ve begun to realize that there are fewer and fewer films that I have a genuine desire to revisit after an initial viewing.  Why does this pattern seem to be getting stronger for me? Is it simply that I don’t fit the demographic for certain films? Are my expectations too high? Am I too lazy and just not seeing the right films in the theater? Certainly any of these are possible but what else might be driving this trend from an industry standpoint?

First, the overall trend of box office profitability has been going down over the past few years.  There will be bumps here and there but the general trend has been down.  People’s viewing habits have changed, sources of entertainment have diversified, and economics are always factors but could it also be that films, in general as well as in mystique, have lost something?

Films are expensive, risk-filled ventures. A single film may spawn a franchise or end any hope of such long term gains immediately.  Studios spend millions making, testing, and marketing their products.  With all this attention to creating a viable movie, why does it feel as if films are increasingly weaker?

Most movies today have a much shorter shelf life in theaters than movies had in the past. They have to make their money upfront then make up for any domestic box office shortcomings through foreign markets and home market (TV, DVD, etc.) release. In some ways this moves them closer to play productions, which feature tight budgets and the need to make a big initial impact or it is curtains.

But increasingly it seems that budget concerns, dreams of establishing franchises, and meeting key demographic needs are superseding good storytelling.  When writers don’t give the audience a reason to care about conflicts, have shallow characters with poor or no clear motivations for their choices, are a tonal mess, or have confusing or convenient ways to solve problems in a story (or you just drop story points for no good reason after you’ve spent time setting something up for the audience) it makes a film lesser.

These are the big factors I’m seeing lately. How many films now sacrifice good storytelling so they can crudely set up elements for another (hoped for) film or wander off on a twenty minute action tangent that does nothing to advance the plot or characters, only extends the runtime of the film and are used as a crutch for having no real coherent story?  It’s equally frustrating when the company behind the film wants you to read a book or comic just so you can understand what’s happening in the movie you’re watching and why.  If it’s that important to the story I’m watching put it on the screen. These issues create a paralysis of creativity because studios have to try to milk a brand name for all its worth, and now it’s happening before they’ve even given us one solid film for a franchise.

To make up for these problems, the marketing of some films seems to have also become more questionable.  Have you been drawn in by a trailer expecting one story but ultimately watching something totally (and tonally) different from what you went to see in the first place? Sure. We all have but this seems to be a complaint heard more often by frequent filmgoers. A film is born of the collaborative process involving a number of voices and influences (writers, directors, producers, studio committees, actors, test audiences, artists – digital, traditional visuals, costumes, make-up, sound, etc.).  On any given production, you could probably ask any of these people if the finished product is even close to what they started out to create and get a firm, “No.” That’s not unusual and sometimes that turns out to be a very good thing. But there seems to be a new level of second-guessing, micromanaging by studios, and an unwillingness to let a story organically evolve and tell itself that hampers films today to the point that we end up with more and more films that no one is really happy with or proud of making.

The goal of moviemaking is no longer one of craft, artistry, or storytelling but of making a big splash with a product and hoping the ripples get your boat to shore.

This approach, when compared to the state of long form television shows (streaming, cable, or broadcast) that develop characters, plotlines, increasingly have cinematic qualities and productions, and are more apt to take risks with stories and characters, has fundamentally flipped the theater and television viewer experiences.  Films, like shows from the 1980’s and early ‘90’s, have become formulaic, can look cheap (often with subpar CGI giving character, setting, or situations an unreal quality that takes the viewer out of a story), or are so poorly executed that they alienate an audience rather than build one. This is not to say that all television is golden these days, there are still plenty of bad shows, but many modern shows do possess stronger (coherent) storytelling than a lot of films.

Again, these are just some thoughts based on general trends and my overall relationship to many of the films I’ve seen over the past few years. That said, I’ll close with a few modest suggestions for films.

  • Give your audience a reason to care what is happening and why.
  • Don’t be afraid to tell a story with a clear beginning, middle, end (in one film) that helps characters to evolve.
  • Don’t be afraid to try making original films (not all stories will lead to a franchise and that’s okay). People still do like originality.
  • Trailers don’t have to either give away every plot point or mislead an audience.
  • CGI can be great when you don’t use it as a crutch.
  • Know who you’re trying to reach (who was Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters aimed at?).
  • Maybe try quality of storytelling over quantity of films per year. Release a few less so that the ones in the theater can find their audience. Plus we’d have to endure fewer “dumping ground” months.
  • Stop having so many characters making dumb decisions that no one understands just so you can advance the plot/ set up mind-numbingly pointless action set pieces.
  • Get people who can actually tell a coherent story, not just a name you can put on a poster. All writers have hits and misses but if there’s a pattern of subpar work, it’s okay to try a new voice.
  • Accountants and studio executives went into those fields for a reason so keep them doing those jobs instead of inserting themselves into others they really shouldn’t – let the writers write and directors direct.
  • Diversify – there are a lot of topics, stories, and genres out there.
  • Stop trying so hard to make films that please everyone. You often end up doing the opposite.

Big budget films help keep studios profitable and make smaller movies possible. But if basic storytelling continues to take a backseat then brands will fade, the number of prominent flops will increase, and moviegoers will inevitably seek entertainment elsewhere.  There’s still no substitute for a solid screenplay and story that is told well.

–Pete Planisek

National Poetry Month 2017 Review

30 Sunday Apr 2017

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Angelou, author, Bronte, Cummings, Dickinson, Giovanni, Hughes, Loreena McKennitt, Mark Low, McKay, National Poetry Month 2017, Neruda, Olds, Oliver, Pete Planisek, poems, poetry, poets, Sexton, Tenneyson, Yeats

Thank you to everyone who followed Enceladus Literary’s April 2017’s Celebration of Poetry. I had a lot of fun picking various authors, revisiting or discovering new authors and works, and sharing five original works by poet Mark Low.

If you missed any of the social media posts (Twitter – @peteplanisek  or on Facebook), you can catch up by visiting the links below. I’m already looking forward to next year’s National Poetry Month and would love to share the works of other new poets.

Next month this blog will feature several travel writing posts so be sure to check these out as well by following the Enceladus Literary blog here or on Goodreads. 

More to Come …

What Makes a Poem … a Poem? TedEd – Melissa Kovacs

“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” 
― Mary Oliver

“The Good and Evil of the World” by Rebecca Hazelton

“The Robed Heart” by Elizabeth Spires

“I dwell in Possibility” by Emily Dickinson

“Poetry” by Nikki Giovanni

“Meditation XVII” by John Donne

“We Are Many” by Pablo Neruda

“Tonight’s Anatomy” by Jessica Johnson

“The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Poverty” by Heidy Steidlmayer

“The Stolen Child” by W.B. Yeats / Music by Loreena McKennitt

“(“if(touched by love’s own secret)…”)” by E.E. Cummings

“A Child’s Garden of Verses: Selected Poems” by Robert Louis Stevenson

“A Memory of June” by Claude Mckay

“The Enchantment” by Sharon Olds

“The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred Lord Tenneyson / Music by Loreena McKennitt

“Oh Me! Oh Life” by Walt Whitman / The Simpsons clip

“Ah, Why, Because the Dazzling Sun” by Emily Brönte

“The Earth Falls Down” by Anne Sexton

“Yesterday and Today” by Langston Hughes

“The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes / Music by Loreena McKennitt

“Touched by An Angel” by Maya Angelou

“She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

“Winter Driving” by Mark Low

“Gathering” by Mark Low

“Wind” by Mark Low

“Winter Beach” by Mark Low

“History in Yellow” by Mark Low

Free Short Stories and Poetry from Enceladus Literary

Interview by Mercedes Fox

17 Monday Apr 2017

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author, book reviews, ebook, fiction, independent author, interview, Mercedes Fox, National Poetry Month, new poet

Pete Planisek is very pleased to share his newest interview by Mercedes Fox, which you can read here. Mercedes blog features her own writing projects, thoughtful interviews with many different types of authors, and book reviews.  Be sure to check out all her blog has to offer and discover some new authors and artists. Thank you for a wonderful interview Mercedes and happy reading to all!

Also, don’t forget to check out Enceladus Literary’s new poet, Mark Low. His works can be read for free here.

And remember to check out our celebration of National Poetry Month here.

National Poetry Month 2017

01 Saturday Apr 2017

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author, Mark Low, National Poetry Month 2017, Pete Planisek, poems, poetry, poets

Enceladus Literary is going to celebrate National Poetry Month by proudly releasing four original poems by poet Mark Low each Saturday throughout the month of April. You can find both his new works and previously published poems here. Also check out Pete Planisek’s Facebook author’s page or Twitter (@peteplanisek) as he shares a variety of poems and resources that explore the many dimensions of poetry.

 

New interview

23 Thursday Mar 2017

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author, author interview, creative writing, ebooks, Frankenstein, Frankenstein A Life Beyond, Frankenstein Soul's Echo, inspiration, Princess Bella and the Dragon's Charm

Check out/share my newest interview from Lin Ryals and explore her works and other interviews on the site. The interview can be read at http://smithlinda60ls.wixsite.com/lrrsmith/single-post/2017/03/08/Author-Interview

Princess Bella and the Dragon’s Charm Book Event

21 Thursday Jul 2016

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author, Barnes & Noble, book event, children's book, ebook, illustrator, poetry, poetry slam, Princess Bella and the Dragon's Charm

On April 14th, Elizabeth Nordquest and I held a book release event at the Pickerington Barnes & Noble. The event was made even more dynamic by the poetry slam hosted by PHSC Thematics students prior to our presentation. It was truly wonderful hearing the talent and efforts of these young writers.

This is the second year Barnes & Noble has hosted an event for us and we’re hoping to make this an annual April event that combines and celebrates the accomplishments, efforts, and voices of local authors. Thank you to Cindy Lyttle and Karen Sewell for hosting us and to all of the students who participated and shared their unique work.

 

 

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Reflections on Barnes & Noble Event

19 Sunday Apr 2015

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author, author appearence, author event, Barnes & Noble, Barnes and Noble, book release, Frankenstein A Life Beyond, Frankenstein Soul's Echo, Hindsight is 20-20

For months, my mind has been fixated on April 15th, 2015.  No, not because of taxes but because I had the opportunity to stand before the public at my first author event.  I’m used to speaking in front of people as part of my regular job but this felt different.  As an author a great deal of your time is spent alone writing or talking to small groups of people about your efforts and experiences.  The last thing you want your stories to be is dull.  The same can be said for establishing your persona as an author on stage before any type of crowd.

I decided early on as part of my preparations to take a proactive but flexible approach to the whole affair.  If I wasn’t having fun odds are no one else would.  As an indie author I could create what I wanted so I created some great prints of my book covers (for Frankenstein A Life Beyond and Frankenstein Soul’s Echo) and framed them, designed and printed bookmarks (which turned out fantastic), selected passages from both novels to read, and tried my best to figure out how to articulate my journey (so far) as a writer and ebook publisher. I was fairly happy with what I had to say but it still felt like it was missing something vital to unite it all.  And that’s when it finally hit me. Dreams.

Corny? Maybe.  But also true.

I’ve been able to pursue my dream and I’ve done so in large part because of all the people who have contributed their own time, talent, insights, and support.  My dream has changed me, connected me to others in a unique way, and pushed me to strive for my best because I know others are invested in this dream as well, and given me the chance to learn more about the hopes and talents of many others.

I truly cannot thank Karen Sewell and the Pickerington Barnes & Noble store enough for the opportunity to hold this event and the ongoing support of so many friends and for my wonderful family.  I’m so blessed. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone who came and for the well wishes of others.

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The early crowd. The “monster” display to the left was fitting for my books.

Reading

Action shot of me reading passages from my books in the 100 Acre Woods.

Karen

The always terrific Karen Sewell.

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Karen gets the crowd prepped both for my talk and Ellie Wiseman’s Barnes & Noble Teacher Award.

Friends

Ali and Susan 🙂

Family

With family (well, most of them).

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Columbus author Doug Brown.

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My Hindsight is 20-20 podcast co-host Greg Otten.

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A portion of the audience.

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The reception Karen so kindly provided.

 

Happy 2015!

01 Thursday Jan 2015

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author, Book 2, children's books, Frankenstein, illustrator, new year, podcast

Happy 2015!

Now that the sparklers have been lit, confetti tossed, and champagne uncorked all that remains is the journey ahead. 2014 will forever hold its own memories, accomplishments, challenges, and failures but a new year offers new opportunities and this one promises to be an interesting trip around the sun.

First, as I’ve been asked repeatedly if Book 2 is ever coming out, I’m very happy to answer that 2015 will definitely see its release. In fact, the only factor that’s been holding things up is the three to five month lag of the U.S. Copyright Office. As January is month four of that window, I’m hopeful the status will stop being frozen as “pending” and will at last say “completed.” I’ll of course keep you posted.

I also have been making arrangements for a bit more formal release for Book 2. Will be able to say more the closer I get to the actual publication of the book. For now, I’m keeping fingers crossed and playing the waiting game.

I’m very pleased to announce my partnership with an illustrator who is hard at work creating the visuals for several children’s books that have been long-standing projects in and of themselves. It is always wonderful when two people can share an artistic vision for a project. If all goes smoothly, we might have the opportunity to release our first children’s book before the end of the year.

Our Hindsight is 20-20 podcast continues to entertain. Hope to do another guest episode or two this year. Subscribe to hear our thoughts on a host of film and television shows: http://www.enceladusliterary.com/?page_id=43

As always I’ve got more projects underway, including completing a draft of Book 3, that will be fun to continue developing. I’m looking forward to continuing meeting more new writers and artists this year and hope to be able to share their creative efforts with you.

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