Ahhh. Hear that? It’s the sigh of an eased mind, after 5 months of insanity. Other than book 3, some chaotic things have been happening, and it’s been my life goal to prevent the knots in my stomach from having fistfights with each other. (Note to self: I could make a fortune writing a book on how to deal with insanity’s stress and write a book at the same time!)

But as of this morning, things are done, and we’re MOVING ON…

Today is the day “Delirious” (Tom DiCillo’s latest film) comes out on DVD – the extended version w/commentary and extras. I’m sad to say that I don’t have a copy in my hands right now, simply because today has been busy. I’m also finding some stores don’t have it in stock, so I must peruse metro Atlanta tomorrow to purchase this wonderful gem.

DiCillo’s commentaries are fantastic. I always learn something new, and he’s one of the few directors I can tolerate on a commentary. Most put me to sleep. The last one I watched (Johnny Suede), I laughed so hard, I spewed a bite of spaghetti across the room. While this thrilled my German shepherd, I think the Southern bi-law committee would be appalled. But then again, I break many of the standard Southernisms, so perhaps it’s for the best…

“Delirious” stars Steve Buscemi. Steve Buscemi, folks, in one of his best performances. Not many actors could play the role of a paparazzi and be empathic, but he does.

He’s also one of my favorites. While Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Brittany Spears are making headlines with stupidity, Steve Buscemi, Morgan Freeman and Sela Ward made headlines with human decency. After 9/11, Buscemi returned to his local firehouse and became a firefighter helping out at Ground Zero. Morgan Freeman and Sela Ward, both who grew up in Mississippi, helped volunteer and raised public awareness after Hurricane Katrina. I consider all 3 of them my heroes.

In nostalgic news, for those who attended and remember, 13 years ago today, we enjoyed an incredible party where I wound up dancing the Electric Slide in a wedding dress. Thank God there wasn’t uTube in those days. Yep, 13 years today. Time flies when you’re having fun. And going insane. And having fun…

Hope everyone has a wonderful week! More blogs to follow!

Indie #11 – Delirious by Writer/Director Tom DiCillo. Starring Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Alison Lohman, Gina Gershon, and Elvis Costello.

A few other familiar faces appear in the film: Kevin Corrigan from “Living in Oblivion” (another DiCillo film) and his TV series “Grounded for Life.” Also Callie Thorne, who played a regular role on Denis Leary’s TV series, “Rescue Me.”

Watch the preview.

View the web site.

“Delirious” opened in theatres last summer and the DVD release with extras/commentary is coming out this Tuesday, May 6th. Blockbuster released a limited, no-extras DVD version, so I rented it a few weeks ago, and can’t wait to purchase the DVD on Tuesday. My only regret is that I have a web of entanglements occurring that morning and I can’t purchase the DVD first thing.

This film contains so many gems of poignant life advice, writer/director Tom DiCillo should get an honorary psychology degree. It’s no secret that I love all of DiCillo’s films, but this one is well and truly one of his best. His perception of the human condition and the meshing of two worlds radiates on screen with amazing performances by the cast.

Let’s face it. Not many people can play the role of a paparazzi with empathy and dimension. DiCillo’s script and Buscemi’s acting pull it off. I found myself wanting to reach through the screen to hug Buscemi’s character at times. Not a feeling one usually has for the paparazzi.

Buscemi plays this role with an emotional range I’ve never seen before. I always liked his acting. My impression of him as a human being skyrocketed when I learned he returned to the New York Fire Dept. where he once worked, volunteering to help out after 9/11. So rare in today’s celebrity world, where most stumble in and out of rehab in the midst of their life dramas. Buscemi gives the performance of a lifetime in “Delirious.”

This is the first movie I’ve seen Michael Pitt in where he isn’t playing a charming sociopath. Every frame of film brings out the soul in his eyes—not an easy task. The acting was amazing, by all the cast.

Check out this Indie! I recommend you purchase it but at least rent it and listen to the commentary. DiCillo’s sense of humor and commentaries are gems as well :)

Have a great week, everyone!

Book research can be enlivening and fun! Especially when one has friends just as bizarre as me, who agree to help choreograph certain scenes. I have such a friend. For the sake of anonymity, I’ll call her “Annie Oakley.”

Annie Oakley has a 38 revolver. Annie Oakley’s cousin has a 22, 25, 38, and a 45.

The only gun I’ve ever seen or held was a toy one when I played cops/robbers as a child. I had no idea how much they weigh. I had no idea how one felt if pressed in my side. What’s the best gun in a crowd to get someone to come with them? What’s the best position so the gun remains unseen? What’s the best angle to scare the person you’re aiming it at?

I have several of these scenes in book 3, the one I’m currently editing with that familiar red pen. I’d guessed at the best way to write these scenes in my head. However, after playing with Annie Oakley’s (unloaded, of course—I am not an idiot) guns, I learned the scenes in my head were completely unrealistic.

This is why it’s imperative to do authentic research when you can.
Elaine’s disclaimer: Never do anything remotely dangerous with someone you don’t know or trust. I’ve known Annie Oakley for 10 years.

The evening was so much fun! Three of us, standing in different positions in the room, saying things like, “Oh! That will work! Come stick that 22 in my rib cage and we’ll try that!” and “No, that’s unrealistic. Back up five feet and aim the gun at me.”

At one point, she sat 3 feet away, aiming her 38 at me so I could get the feeling of being at gunpoint. But Annie Oakley owns 3 Pomeranians. So I’m looking down the barrel of her gun, her fixed face aiming it at me. And along side her, I see 3 puffball dogs. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing, wishing for a camera. German Shepherds, perhaps. Pomeranians? Made it seem a bit surreal.

What all writers want to attain is that emotional core. Not just list details, but relay experiences and extract emotion. Fortunately, after several mix and match scenes, I found the perfect moment which did it. I never could have arrived there without their help.

Book research can be fun. Resources are everywhere: Internet, books, magazines, and people. Sometimes you can gather enough information about a place/profession by reading articles. I find it’s invaluable to get a personal account—either by personal experience or talking to someone who intimately knows what you’re trying to authenticate on those manuscript pages.

Today’s blog lists the strangest questions I’ve asked people in the name of book research. Surprisingly, complete strangers were willing to talk with me, often giving up to an hour of their time.

This doesn’t work for all authors. Nora Roberts admits she would rather read 20 books than meet with a stranger to ask questions. Yet Jodi Picoult insisted on personal experience to research her books. She trekked through the Alaskan tundra (The Tenth Circle), lived with an Amish family (Plain Truth), and spent the night in jail (The Pact).

I encourage writers to get over their shyness and try it. It gives us an opportunity to learn, see the world differently, and those gems can’t help but find their way onto the page.

1. Has anyone died in this room?
2. Can you show me the cremation room?
3. How is a body cremated?
4. Where did embalming begin?
5. Has anyone stolen a casket?
6. How much blood is on you by the end of the day?
7. (to a friend) Can I come to your house and you point your gun at me?
8. (to a friend) Can you press it (unloaded, please!) against my neck so I can feel the cold steel?
9. How many flavors of pipe tobacco are there? Can I take a whiff of each?
10. What did the lost baby zebra do when he saw your black and white striped van in the Serengeti?

    There are many more, I’m sure, but these are the more recent. Have a good Friday, everyone!

Indie # 10 is “Passion Fish” written/directed by John Sayles. Starring Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, and David Strathairn.

Watch the preview.

There are 2 types of people in the world. Those who like John Sayles films, and those who don’t. I typically like the powerful statements he makes about the world, life, and humanity within the last 10 minutes of each of his movies. But getting to those last 10 minutes is sometimes challenging for me. Passion Fish is one where I am captivated for the duration.

Set in small bayou towns in Louisiana, this is the story of a soap actress who becomes paralyzed from the waist down, and is bound to a wheelchair for life. Spending her days letting the TV glaze over her, and pouring enough wine in her body to set her afloat, she drives away the first several home care nurses sent out to care for her. It’s only when Alfre Woodard shows up that each will bring about a way to cope with the other.

1. This film is set in Louisiana, and we see plenty of oak trees adorned with dangling Spanish moss. Even though I’m not from the bayou areas, I love the scenery and Louisiana water landscapes in this film.

2. Great Louisiana Zydeco music, without the fake accents and overdone effects of many Louisiana-set films.

3. I love all the actors in this film. Although I was surprised (and a bit disheartened) to learn that the bayou legend origin of the “Passion Fish” was completely made up, and has no Louisiana legend truth in it.

4. Movies where characters meet and bring about change in the other (without explosions, nudity or aliens showing up) are my favorite ones.

Since we’re at # 10 on the Indie List, I’m going to occasionally list another Indie but will change the subject of the blogs for a few weeks.