Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Red Planet Prize 2010 Part 2

So what has happened to the Red Planet Prize?
"Hi Dom.
Yes the prize will be going again this year. We are currently finalizing all
the details and they will be announced on our refurbished website in about 4
weeks or so. So hopefully it will start around early Summer time. Good luck
if you're thinking of entering and we look forward to your entry.
All the best.
Regards, Red Planet."
So now you know.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

How Not To Be A Writer

Part One coming soon. Watch this space.

Angry Writer

After the post below on how I won't advertise on my site, I have decided to share this with you.

Angry Writer

I've not succumbed to commercialism, I just came across this site and it made me laugh, so I'm very happy to give it a recommendation.

Check it out and have a guess which one I ordered?

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Advertising

I was recently approached by an Internet advertising company offering to pay me to put text ads on my official web page. At first I was dubious, but after a bit of investigating I decided they were a legitimate company, so I asked my fellow writers whether I should go for it or not. Most said yes.

However, while I was still waiting to hear back from the company after I had sent them an email of questions, I received and email from my good friend and webmaster Dan Thomas of Moov2.com. He sent me two articles, one about the company who had approached me, and the other about the risks of Internet advertising on professional websites.

The company was legit, but mostly advertised gambling sites. The downside to this company was that they were very secretive, wouldn't answer questions, and would react with threats of legal action if even a hint of anything bad was written on the web about them. I know a company has to protect its image, but this automatically put me off.

The second article was more informative and discussed the pros and cons of advertising on your professional website. If you're a writer would it look good to advertise gambling websites? After all, it's all about protecting your brand. Your brand is your career after all.

I've decided that the lure of a quick buck is not for me and I'll be keeping my professional work website free of ads. My Bank Manager is probably crying now.

Have you had any experience with this kind of service - good or bad - please let me know?

Monday, March 08, 2010

Leon

I recently bought the Director's Cut of Leon as my wife had said she'd never seen the original film. So Saturday night we settled down on the sofa together to watch it.

The Director's Cut illustrated to me how the introduction of two or three scenes can alter the feel of a whole movie. The original cinema release was a sweet movie of love and revenge, with two loners finding comfort and friendship in each other's company. Jean Reno's shy Leon learns to open himself up to his feelings with the help of Natalie Portman's Matilda. His journey from an emotionally closed hermit to the father figure and protector Matilda has never had, is slowly and expertly built, and watching Leon get over his initial awkwardness to finally give up his life in the ultimate sacrifice for the girl he loves is nothing short of superb.

However, the Director's Cut turned that sweet tale of love into something much more sexual, a much darker story of obsession, with a higher degree of sexual tension between Leon and Matilda. While he sees her as a daughter his feelings grow in a way he can't and won't allow himself to give into, and Matilda is always more of a temptress than in the original cut. Her obsession and crush on Leon, make you feel awkward while watching this burgeoning love affair which is doomed before it starts, because you know that it can never be, and will only end badly.

Is it a better film? I have to admit I prefer the original, but the Director's cut does bring that extra sense of darkness and infatuation to the proceedings which left me wondering if I had seen this version originally would I have loved the film so much? Both versions have equal merit, but I feel that the original was the sweeter love story, the more of a love born from loneliness and friendship than sexual feelings of consenting adults. I personally think it's a step too far for the character of Matilda, even if they both do end up offering everything to each other in the name of love.

Anyway, don't take my word for it go and buy the Director's Cut and make your own mind up.