Threat or menace? Quintessential embodiment of 2000s narcissism? You be the judge, yet strange but true: it's now two years since I started this blog, and I'm still blogging.
Oh, they've tried to stop me. Fate has thrown all kinds of obstacles at me -- gaining a girlfriend, selling my first novel -- yet despite these horrific life crises, I'm still at it.
And such is my blog dedication (and amazing egotism) that, in the grand tradition of my first Blogoversary (2005-2006), I offer you -- helpfully categorized -- 50 posts from 2006-2007, representing the best bits from my past year's blather.
The Writing Life:
The Five Stages of Draft-Finishing
Sven Nykvist (Cinematic Storytelling)
Romantic Comedy:
Great American Rom-Com Screenplays
The Industry:
Mythbusting: The Good Writer v. The Bad Execs
Culture:
Film Reviews:
Music Reviews:
Lambchop/Simone White/Tomasz Stanko
Selected Personal Stuff:
Clouds in My Coffee #12 (Garry Shandling)
Clouds in My Coffee #11 (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Leigh Anne Williams Meets Leigh Anne Williams
And finally, something new for fun: my honey just sent me a wonderful video of three young buskers doing a Buggles cover that's romantic and comedic in spirit and suggests that there is hope yet for the future of our great but beleaguered nation.
This also feels like the appropriate moment to solicit your critiques and requests. What do you think has been working best on this site? What do you like least? What would you like to see more of? Living RomCom wants to know.
Congradulations Billy, your second year has been REAL good to you. Hope your third brings continued success.
Just about everything you blog about works. I really appreciate the opportunity I get to get an insider's perspective on the movie making buisness.
My biggest gripe about your blogging is -- you don't blog enough!! You used to be a three times a week man, now it's just once. There's a sex joke in there somewhere, but I'm afraid if I say it, I might get squashed.
Value, as seen by this custormer, on a scale of 1 to 10:
The Writing Life: 8.5
Romantic Comedy: 9.5
The Industry: 10
Culture: 8
Film Review: 10
Music Review: 5 (I grew up in the 80s, so I'm a little bias)
Selected Personal Stuff: 7.5
- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA
Posted by: E.C. Henry | June 24, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Annabel | June 25, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Congrats, boy-o! I neglected to mark my 2nd blogoversary, but maybe this will kick me into gear to do a similar post. Of course, with your more verbose posting style, you've posted a hell of a lot more material than I have! Looking forward to another year of posts.
Posted by: Fun Joel | June 25, 2007 at 10:06 AM
I was going to make a delightful comment here, but then I realized that I missed my 2nd blogiversary. My blog is going to be so pissed.
Posted by: brooke | June 26, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Good morning Billy. I read your blather every day and find it enormously encouraging and motivating.
The world of the *White wall, lone fiction writer* has expanded internationally because of the generosity of writers like yourself who take time out of their busy working lives to talk to other writers on other islands/planets/lives. You deserve the congratulations for both the quality and frequency of your blog writing over these two years.
There. It's okay, the gushing is over now, you can peek out from under the bedcovers.
As for what I enjoy most?
I write contemp. romantic fiction. I need all the help I can get to create something unique and amusing and true. Think far right 'chick lit.'
The *writing life* and craft entries on rom com movies have direct relevance, but from my desk in a small English town, I find the cultural notes fascinating.
Looking forward to reading even more in the future. Regards, Ray-Anne
Posted by: Ray-Anne | June 26, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Congrats
Posted by: MaryAn | June 27, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Congrats!
I don't really have any critiques or requests. Just keep doing what you're doing.
I love the mix you have: old stories, movie reviews, commentary on current articles, writing tips, the occasional personal post, etc...
It's all good! :-)
Posted by: Laura Reyna | June 28, 2007 at 09:12 AM
EC, thanks for the ratings, et al.
I'm sorry I've been reduced to doing mostly one-a-week posts, but life has intervened (as is its wont); I figure quality trumps quantity, no?
Thank you Annabel!
Thanks, Joel -- I'm currently trying to curb my verbosity (and that will be the title to my Larry David-inspired TV series).
Brooke: And when your blog is pissed, look out cyberspace!
Thank you, Ray-Anne, and it's nice to know that what I write about can in fact be rightfully deemed "culture," from a British Isles denizen's point of view.
Thank you MaryAn!
Thanks, Laura, that's a heartening review.
Posted by: mernitman | June 29, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Happy Blogoversary! May you have many more.
Posted by: jen | June 29, 2007 at 01:17 PM
I know I'm late getting into this, but congrats, Billy.
I have read every single article you have written on this blog. That's no exaggeration. You're still one of my all-time favorite bloggers. Here's to many more years.
-MM
Posted by: Mystery Man | June 30, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Congratulations Billy. Many, many thanks for all the wonderful, insightful and funny posts.
Normal request for more JA :) but other than that, I just appreciate any articles you write.
cheers
Dave
Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2007 at 09:46 PM
I love this blog, Billy! I am a rom com writer and this is like heaven on earth for me --- to get your brilliant and funny takes on movies, rom coms, love, life and everything in between! Just keep doing what you do! It's working and all of us here just love you for it!
Woohoo Billy! Happy # 2!!!
Writer hugs all!
Posted by: debbieb | July 01, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Congratulations, Many, many thanks for all the wonderful, insightful and funny posts.its very colourful posts.
Posted by: funny posts | November 30, 2011 at 10:36 PM