QOTW: the perils of popcorn

QOTW Penguin

Am I the only one who, when eating popcorn, ends up with some down her top?

No other foodstuff does this. I mastered the art of feeding myself a long time ago (as an aside, Little Star’s current favourite is shredded carrot – she is so not related to me). So why, whenever I am eating popcorn but ESPECIALLY when I am on a date in the cinema, does some always end up down inside my top.

INSIDE people. In places you cannot easily retrieve popped corn kernels from whilst in public.

Please tell me I am not the only one this happens to. Lie to me if you have to.

Dear Publishing MA students

The other day I had to do a careers day for final year students looking for a career in publishing and soon-to-be graduates are, well, soon-to-be graduates. The vast majority are sickeningly enthusiastic and woefully under prepared for the real world. Not to discount graduates, we have all been there, and yay for education and enthusiasm, but in my day-to-day, I prefer someone with a touch more seasoning and experience on them. So to start with, I was all mentally prepared to fight them off.

But then the first workshop started, and they were just so fricking adorable. Seriously, they were like a basket of fluffy little kittens.

I tried hard. I tried to be hard, and bitter, and cynical. I am a gatekeeper to their chosen career, and they need to be worthy, damnit!

But whatever I threw at them, they just kept coming back.

They were so motivated. And shiny. And excited. I could, just about, stand firm against this. I have made someone cry before, and you know what?

But these guys were prepared. Naive, stupidly optimistic, woefully ignorant about the real world, ridiculously enthusiastic, but at the same time they KNEW they were in for a fight and they were READY.

I had NO resistance.

I’ll admit it. I crumpled like a paper bag in a rainstorm. I just wanted to hug them all and tell them that everything would be all right

So, soon-to-be graduates from the Brookes Publishing MA, I salute you. You impressed me. I wish you good luck in your endeavors.

Just, don’t come asking me for a job just yet. I still only rarely do graduates.

QOTW: post templates

QOTW Penguin

This one isn’t a brain teaser, sorry. But I do still want your input!

How easy is it (is it even possible?) to set up templates for particular post types. For example, the Sunday Roasts and QOTWs have a particular format, including the same featured image and lots of blank href tags for links. It would be soooooo handy if there was a template I could use with the header and feature image, link tags etc already put in.

Help?

How book recommendations work

From my family and friends who read/liked Dan Brown and/or Clive Cussler (and/or Twilight, 50 Shades, and countless others) footnote

From my friends who only read based on the NYT Best Sellers list:

From my friends in the publishing industry:

(I take NO credit for the originality of this post or the gifs contained herein. Please see here for the original I have shamelessly ripped).

footnote I have read all of these books. I have even posted a review or two. I do not deny that these books have an appeal to a certain audience, they just aren’t for me.

QOTW: Musicals

QOTW Penguin

This week, I ask “musicals – Yes, or No?

A sub-question would have to be “Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals – yes or no?

Now, I like musicals. Always have, always will. When I was younger I was a sucker for the music, the drama, the dancing, the costumes! As I get older, that is still the case, but I also find myself enjoying the nostalgia, the cheese, the atmosphere. Musicals mean a departure from the everyday, an event, an evening out. Musicals were the tapes I retreated to on long car journeys.

I should stress, that by musicals I am mainly referring to stage productions. Musicals-as-films I am less sure of. Something about it doesn’t come across quite right for me. I am perfectly happy with my characters occasionally bursting into song (Grease!), but having the majority of dialogue sung on the movie screen doesn’t seem to have the same impact. Whether it is because of the medium, or the execution, or some combination of both I do not know, but it’s just not my cup of tea. I was NOT a fan of Evita (though I like the music). Phantom was OK, but then I haven’t seen the stage version, so I cannot compare. I haven’t seen Les Mis yet so again I cannot comment, but I have the suspicion it will be the exception that proves the rule.

Musicals can have story lines – Phantom, Les Mis. They can be a more-or-less coherent story built around a collection of songs – Mama Mia, Cats. They can be completely barmy – We Will Rock You. They can make you laugh, cry, see the world through new eyes.

So yeah, I like musicals. How about you?

Just don’t get me started on most movies-into-musicals. I am still recovering from Legally Blonde last year. *shudder*

(Side thought on the difference between film and stage:
It might be partly because musicals are much more about the auditory experience than the visual. You are not up close to the actors so the whole body and voice is essential to carry the message. On film, you have a crystal clear view of the actors and their tiniest expression, subtlest shift. Stage actors are proxies for the characters you imagine in your head from the songs sung (and words said). Film actors ARE the characters. Maybe?)

The Publishing Crush

girl in love image

The one thing about working in a small company is that there is a DISTINCT lack of RLOs (Random Lust Objects). My life is currently bereft of pretty people who it is appropriate to have inappropriate thoughts about. There was one in the building, then I saw him shuffle down the corridor, and *poof* he lost RLO status. What can I say? I am fickle. I do, however, have a Publishing Crush. He can’t have true RLO status, because he isn’t in my day-to-day life enough. And RLO implies just physical attraction, it doesn’t take into account personality.

So what makes a Publishing Crush? It’s more than just he looks fine. He also has an interesting take on the industry, and I like the way his mind works. I can imagine interesting debates about topics I am passionate about. I love him. I love his mind. I love his shoes.

(I know I am not explaining it well, but shut up. This is my blog 😛 )

So how do you get a Publishing Crush of your very own? Obtaining a Publishing Crush has several key steps. It is important to follow these or else who knows what might happen.
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