The Cerebral Writer - Blog

Video: "The Light Age"

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:47:18 -0800

"The Light Age" copyright Lisa Lane
Performed live (many years ago) at Espresso Yourself cafe in Ontario, California
Guitar and backup vocals: Erin Barker
Bass: Steven West

The Five Best Vampire Films and Shows You Might Not Have Seen

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:03:10 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with my friends and peers at Un:Bound, when we got on the subject of vampire television shows and movies. The chat proved to be quite inspirational. Fellow author C. M. Kempe beat me to the punch in blogging about some personal favorites, but after sitting on this for several days, I’ve decided I’m going to go ahead and post this.

Following is my list, in chronological order, of five vampire films and TV shows that are must-sees. If you are a fan of vampire fiction, then you might be familiar with everything on my list. If not, but you still enjoy a good horror, check out these five greats:

Near Dark (1987)

A man gets pulled into a group of vampires—and their very dark world—after getting bitten. He struggles to survive, the moral dilemma of “kill or be killed” weighing heavily on him. He falls for the woman who turned him, learning that she is as much a hapless victim as he, while he works against the clock to reclaim his humanity.

Near Dark is a rare gem, with good dialogue, great acting, and an ending that will leave you with goose bumps. The special effects are great for 1987, and the vampires’ mythos and lifestyle are both well conceived. The story gives a terrifying look at the vampire’s point of view, without romanticizing or glorifying it. These vampires are hard, gritty, and as evil as they come. They can’t fly or control minds, but they are nonetheless scary.

Near Dark won’t leave you with nightmares, but it will haunt you.

Forever Knight (1992-1996)

An 800-year-old vampire attempts to right the wrongs of his life by swearing off murder and becoming a police detective. He becomes close friends with the medical examiner, who learns his secret and researches a way to make him human again.

Forever Knight is one of those rare guilty pleasures that I looked forward to every week. The special effects are on par with other early ‘90s television shows: minimalistic, but effective. The character dynamics are fun, the story is provocative, and the progression of the series is well crafted. The lead character’s struggle to interact with and “be” human is fascinating. I still can see in my mind’s eye the recurring scene in which he watches the sunrise through live camera feeds while drinking blood from a wine bottle. Brilliant!

Kindred: The Embraced (1996)

A Police detective stumbles upon a vampire underground while investigating mob activities, finding the five secret clans on the brink of war. He and the leader of the clans, who slowly falls for a human reporter, work together to keep order and prevent the truth about the “Kindred” hidden from the mainstream. The series is based on the role-playing game, Vampire: The Masquerade.

It is unfortunate that Kindred: The Embraced only lasted for one season, as it had amazing potential. The characters were well developed, the acting very good, and the storyline intriguing. Tragically, the lead actor died in a motorcycle accident before another season could be shot.

Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

This has got to be one of the most novel vampire movie concepts I’ve ever seen: A vampire plays a human playing a vampire in the silent film, Nosferatu. The director finds it makes for a realistic horror film—but he also loses most of his cast and crew during the filming.

Shadow of the Vampire is artfully dark and delightfully smart. The acting is phenomenal across the board, the character progression flawless (particularly the director’s descent into madness as he sees the repercussions of bringing a real vampire onboard accrue), and one of the best endings I’ve seen. This movie is highly disturbing and equally provocative.

Let the Right One In (2008)

A little boy befriends a little girl, who turns out to be a vampire temporarily living next door with her adult caretaker. As the town becomes plagued with murders, the boy slowly learns his friend’s secret.

Let the Right One In has so many amazing qualities, it’s hard to know where to begin in describing it. The dynamics created between the perceived childhood innocence in both lead characters and the bloodthirsty monster the little girl truly is makes this story both creepy and genius. The friendship that develops between the two lead characters is deep and touching, but the moral dilemmas posed through the story’s progression are equally poignant—while also, at the same time, being absolutely horrifying. Let the Right One In may be the last on this list, but it is probably one of the greatest vampire films ever made.

What do you think? Is there a movie you think should be on this list and/or removed? Do you think any of the more popular vampire movies are better? If so, why?

Do You Judge Others? Do You Really Have the Right?

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:23:43 -0800

My twin sister is a very humble woman. As readers here already know, Erin and her family live on a private mountain. They use solar power and heat their home with a wooden stove, and they don't quite have indoor plumbing. They run a small store at the bottom of their mountain, where they have more facilities, and they also sell some of the wares of their small farm. Erin dresses like someone who lives on a mountain, her daily life consisiting of much more manual labor than that of a typical American. She is an amazing musician, a kind soul, and a generous spirit. When I read the following, my heart sank:

"I went to the KOA on my way out of town like I usually do to fill up gas and propane. There was a line for both, so I opted to wait for the propane first. I parked and unloaded my tanks.

"Anyone who knows me knows that I have to make potty breaks everywhere I go. This is especially true of my last stop before a long drive. I usually go at KOA while they fill my propane. They keep the doors locked, so I always have to ask. I asked the lady filling the propane if I could use their bathroom. She replied that they only let campers use the bathrooms. I told her that I really needed to go and I always use the bathroom, and that I am a regular paying customer. She was very short with me, so I proceeded into the office to find someone I knew. She yelled at me as I walked, "She'll tell you the same thing inside!" I ignored her.

"Inside I said to the cashier, "Are you really not letting customers use the bathroom?" She gave me the same line about the bathroom only being for campers. I asked her to make an exception for a regular customer who really had to go. She agreed to take me to the bathroom and let me in.

"When I went back to my propane tanks, the lady told me to take my tanks elsewhere, that she wouldn't fill them for me. I asked her, "You won't fill my tanks because I needed to use your toilet?" She said it was the way I went about it. She just didn't like that she told me no, but I got to use the bathroom anyway, and she is the owner. She said that it was like "when Mom says no and you go ask Dad." No, not exactly.

"I said, 'You really aren't going to fill my propane tanks?' She told me that if I could come up with a million dollars to buy the place I could have whatever I wanted, but now I needed to leave.

"Then I saw the irony in it all. She turned me away because I drove an old beat up ugly van and was wearing my laundry-day clothes. Yes, I may have looked like someone who would steal a shower or write on the wall, but that is profiling and discriminating which is against the law.

"I will be making my weekly propane and gas stop somewhere else from now on. The lady that owns the KOA is really rude and I would encourage everyone to tell their friends.

"And if you need to use their potty, make sure to drive a BMW in and wear your Sunday best. I would bet a million dollars you would be allowed."

It's such a shame that some people can be so mean to others. When I think about stories such as the one above, all I can ask is why? Does a person wearing dirty jeans merit denying a person use of a public bathroom? Does that imply that she is homeless--or that she might scare away other paying customers in some other terrible way? I've seen my twin sister on a bad day, and she's not that scary....

A New Review for BLOOD AND COFFEE

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:11:03 -0800

This review comes all the way from New Zealand. Paula from PaulaZone writes in her May 20, 2010 reviews that The Darkness and the Night: Blood and Coffee is "a fast-paced story, that kept you intrigued and a wonderful start to an awesome trilogy."

Thanks, Paula!

A Great Opportunity for Genre Writers!

Thu, 13 May 2010 19:44:27 -0800

A Guide to Literary Agents Editor's Blog is currently hosting a series of contests titled, "Dear Lucky Agent," in which writers send in the first 200 words of their finished works to participating agents of varying genres. Right now, the call is for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Check it out here.

Among the prizes are agent edits and a one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com.

Interview with June and Winter's Erin Barker

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:32:15 -0800

Today I welcome a writer of a different kind--the very talented songwriter and lyricist, Erin Barker. Erin, it is a pleasure to have you here as my guest, and I'm very excited to share a little bit about you and your work.

Lisa: Tell us a little about your music. When did you write your first song, and what prompted you to write it?

Erin: The first song I remember writing was with my twin sister when we were about 8 years old. We had never been alone in our lives because we were twins, but the song was called, "Alone." Our parents would have us sing it for dinner guests and everyone would get a good laugh at the cute little twins singing their song. I think we were going for a more serious response, though; and my only embarrassment would come from that lack of somber reaction.

Lisa: I remember singing that song with you. We thought we were going to be rock stars, back then. It's been over twenty years since that first song, and you're still writing them, and better than ever.

I’ve noticed that there are a few common themes in your work. Can you tell us a little about those themes? What inspires you to write about them?

Erin: I think the common theme would have to be what I call the "human experience." It is all about the ups and downs, the good the bad, the beautiful and the ugly in life. It has all come from a place of experience and reality. Above all else it is inspired by my love for God, and my desire to expose our "humanity" and the inner person in all of us. My desire is to make you feel something.

Lisa: I've noticed a lot of humanitarian theme to your songs. With that in mind I'd love to know: If you could organize your own benefit, what would be the one organization you would choose to donate to, and why?

Erin: There is a store called Vina Moses in a town where I once lived. People donate to it like the Goodwill or Salvation Army. What makes this store special is that needy people in the community can shop for free once a month, and take as much as they can fit in a paper grocery bag. There are clothes, cooking utensils and appliances, books and games, food, and other useful things. It is completely volunteer run. I would love to start something like that in my community.

Lisa: It would be nice if every community had organizations like that. I'm sure that there would be a lot more harmony across the globe if everyone in need could go a little less without. Back to the music....

Writing music is a lot like storytelling. What story do you feel your music tells?

Erin: My music tells the story of my life.

Lisa: Tell us a little about your musical background. Who are your influences?

Erin: I have always loved the modern classics: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Beatles (John Lennon in particular). As a teenager I was inspired by the incredible voice of Geoff Tate from Queensryche. I started taking private voice lessons when I was about 16, and sang backup with my twin sister for a band called Texas Flood. In college I learned a bit of discipline by singing to the older classics such as Mozart. We joined a band called the Mojo Project in our early 20's. It was about that time also that I picked up my first guitar. It was love at first sight. I couldn't put it down, and I started writing my own songs only two weeks after I started playing. A friend taught me 6 chords, and I used them all in a song to teach myself how to play. The rest, as they say, is history.

Lisa: June and Winter includes your teenage daughter on violin. What is it like to make music with her? Does she have your singing voice?

Erin: I think the reason we don't see more family bands out there is because of how hard it is to work with family. Sometimes what another professional musician might take as constructive criticism gets taken personally by a family member. Working with a teenager adds an extra challenge. Here is an example. There are a few songs she plays something that just does not work musically with what I am doing. At one of our last rehearsals I told her to try something different, and she refused. "You can't tell me what to do!" "Fine, then I just won't play at all!" Well, you get the picture. She has a very nice voice, but she is so used to playing the violin that singing is outside her comfort zone. There is only one song the feels comfortable enough to sing on, even though so many people have told her she needs to sing on more songs. I hope to encourage her to sing more.

Lisa: I would love to hear her voice on more of your songs. She is a very talented violinist. It would be neat to see what kind of music she would write, too, if left to her own devices. I'm sure she has an interesting story to tell, too.

You live a slightly unconventional life. Can you tell us a little about it and how it has influenced your music?

Erin: We live on a mountain in the woods. We moved here three years ago, and spent our first summer in a tent on raw land. We built our home with our own hands, which started out as a 16 x 20 room that served as our bedroom, kitchen, and living space for the first winter. We have since added a larger living room and bathroom. We are completely off-grid and use solar energy. We haul water from a local well, and melt snow for water in the winter. Have you ever drank snow water? Washed your hair in it? You're missing out. Our first winter here was an unusually severe one. We got ten feet of snow that year. The county plows the main road, but not ours. We had to walk in and out with a sled and our food, propane, laundry, etc. to and from the main road, which is about 1/2 mile. I remember coming home late one night during a blizzard, walking that half mile through knee-deep snow, carrying my son. The wind and snow were coming down so hard I couldn't even see. I remember thinking that night it was a miracle we made it home. I think that allowing ourselves to "go without" has humbled us beyond words. We do not take things like water and power for granted, because if you just let them run, you run out and have to wait until you get more. I think we also have a deeper respect and understanding for nature because we live in it. This is all expressed in my music.

Lisa: I understand that you recorded your demos using only solar power. Tell us about that.

Erin: I have a recording studio set up in a trailer on our property. I charge a battery using the solar panels, then take it to the trailer, run it through an inverter, and plug in my equipment. It is nice and quiet up there.

Lisa: I'm sure it is; not many people can boast to living atop a private mountain. When you’re not making music, how do you spend your days? What other creative outlets do you have?

Erin: I make stained glass windows. My family runs a shop at the bottom of the hill. It has expanded into a crafters' mall with handmade arts and crafts made by other local artists. We have pottery, baby blankets, hats & scarves, pocket watches, earrings & necklaces, mirrors & jewelry boxes, wood crafts, blown glass, and of course, Lisa Lane's books, among other things. I also cook, and I insist that cooking is an art. I love good, healthy food. We garden a lot, and strive for the freshest, healthiest food we can get. I love to try different, exciting recipes. We are further expanding the crafters' mall and will have a restaurant in a couple of months, and look forward to sharing our food art.

Lisa: I can't wait to hear more about that. It sounds like a very exciting venture.

Since this is an author website, tell us about your favorite book and/or author. How do you think literature compares and contrasts to music?

Erin: Literature and music are very much the same because they create imaginary scenarios in our minds, whether based on something real or not. My music, anyway, is very much about the lyrics and what I am saying. Just like in writing any poetry, writing lyrics to a song is a stratregic placing of words. Many times those words will only fit one way, and it takes a bit of puzzling them together to get it right. Also, just as you find in literature, there are hidden meanings and allegories that can be found if critically analyzed. My favorite book is called The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz. It is an easy read and to the point. It puts into practical use ancient Toltec wisdom that can be applied to anyone's life, regardless of religion or belief. Just like my music, it makes a statement about life, and our inner connection to God and to each other.

Lisa: Erin, thank you so much for the interview! Keep us updated on your music, art, and your upcoming shop!

For more information on June and Winter, you can go to their official website, or check them out on MySpace, Facebook, or click on their album, below, for more options.

Don't forget to leave a comment, for your chance to win a free copy of June and Winter's solar-powered demo!

Tomorrow the Twin Takes Over!

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:07:16 -0800

Stop by tomorrow to meet my twin sister, Erin Barker, the guitarist and lead singer of the amazing folk rock fusion band, June and Winter!

Erin and I are identical twins, as evident by the picture on the left, and we have always been best friends. Think you can tell us apart?

Correctly pic out the "evil twin," and enter for a chance to win a free electronic copy of one of my published erotic novels--your choice.

Then, come back tomorrow for Erin's amazing interview, for a chance to win a free copy of June and Winter's beautiful and inspirational demo, All Seasons.

See you then!

Easter Egg Hunt!

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:55:27 -0800

The annual Easter egg hunt held by Long and Short Reviews, Whipped Cream, and Aurora is now live! Simply click on author links, which will take you to author home pages, and then find the Easter egg hidden within the site. Each Easter egg you find is worth one entry.

There are dozens of authors participating and ten gift baskets, totaling hundreds of prizes, so there are numerous chances at winning something. For full details, as well as information on obtaining even more entries beyond the hunt, go to http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm

For individual contests go to:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/promo.htm - Long and Short Romance Reviews

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/promo.htm - Whipped Cream Erotica Reviews (in which The Cerebral Writer is a participant)

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/AURORA/promo.htm - Young Adult Novel Reviews

Happy hunting!

Lisa

Contest!

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:11:42 -0800

The New Sensuality Blog Launch Party

The New Sensuality, the blog that covers the erotic side to my writing, is now officially active, and I’m giving away some prizes to celebrate.

Here’s the deal: Visit http://newsensuality.blogspot.com between now and April 1 and add yourself to the list of blog followers, and you’ll be eligible to win one of three signed paperback copies of The Darkness and the Night: Blood and Coffee along with a The Darkness and the Night trilogy bookmark, or a $25.00 Amazon gift certificate. Already following? Then you’re already eligible to win. Make sure that I have some way of contacting you, either through your website or an e-mail address.

If you’re interested in increasing the odds in your favor, you can—in addition to the above—do one or more of the following for additional entries:

Readers

Go to my home website, at http://www.cerebralwriter.com, find the page on which my novel, Love in Space, can be found, and then send me the link through my contact page: http://www.cerebralwriter.com/contact.html.

Read my free short story, “One Night Stand,” which can be found at http://www.cerebralwriter.com/erotic.html, and then (at the same above contact page) send me the answer to the following question: What does each vampire dress up as for Halloween?

Sign up to review any of my published books or short stories. For a list of what I have available, you can go here: http://www.cerebralwriter.com/erotic.html and here: http://www.cerebralwriter.com/new-releases.html

Authors, Artists, Etc.

Sign up to guest blog at this site (erotica and romance), or at the Cerebral Writer (literary, horror, and speculative science fiction). Send all guest blog inquiries to contests@cerebralwriter.com.

Add the Cerebral Writer and/or the New Sensuality to your blog roll (one entry for each link added, up to two entries max).

Anyone

Share the link to this contest at your blog, website, and/or social networking venues (one entry per venue, up to five entries max); make sure to let me know where I can find the shared links by leaving them below.

Thanks for stopping by—and good luck!

Lisa

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:21:15 -0800

UPDATE: The contest page is now available at Whipped Cream and Long and Short Reviews: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm. While the contest does not officially begin until March 29 (and many of the links on the contest page are still not active), make sure to mark your calendars and bookmark the contesst webpage. There are tons of prizes to be won, including a $25.00 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble, signed books, e-books, tee shirts, and publisher gift certificates.

Originally posted on February 17, 2010: Whipped Cream and Long and Short Reviews is planning their 2010 Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, which will include tons of great prizes. All you have to do to enter is visit participating authors' websites and find the hidden Easter eggs.

Come back at the end of March for more details! Until then...
HAPPY READING!