Favorite TV Mini-Series: Hattfields & McCoys

Honestly, I know a fair amount of people who like to hunt and shoot and shoot some more. This is Texas, it’s common. But it’s interesting to watch these gun-toting, rough riding men go against each other in an old-time family feud (and not the kind that gives you money at the end).

Back in post-Civil War times, the Hattfields and the McCoys were prominent (and by prominent and I mean fairly large) families along the Kentucky and West Virginia border, in the back country. When the Hattfields kill a member of the McCoy family that fought for the Union instead of the Confederacy, tension sparks into a full-blown blood war that only gets worse with each confrontation, brawl, or shootout. When someone dies on one side, another has to die in return. And it doesn’t feel like it’ll ever end.

The main instigators are Randolph McCoy (Bill Paxton) and William “Devil Anse” Anderson Hattfield (Kevin Costner). I don’t want to say too much about the plot, mainly because it’s great drama and I don’t want to spoil anything. The acting is great, and I especially like Kevin Costner’s character. He seems very torn by the things he has to do for family and vengeance. Bill Paxton’s character annoys me, but that might be because I have zero patience for men who use the Bible and God as justification for their poor  behavior.

All in all, if you like history, are willing to forgive some inaccuracies (I haven’t noticed too, too many, but I don’t actively look for those kinds of things), and like some drama, this is your kind of show.

Have you watched Hattfields & McCoys? What do you think of the show?

I See You Drivin Round Town with the Girl I Love…

Just thought I’d share some lols today, since Tuesday is usually Monday after three-day weekends.

Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Sacrificed it All

I don’t know anyone who’s died while serving their country, but I do know someone who has loved ones in the military, and a friend of mine is in the Navy. If she died, I wouldn’t know how to deal with that, and so I respect and honor those who’ve had to deal with that kind of loss. A lot of people here celebrate the memories of their loved ones with fireworks or BBQ, and it’s good family time. So happy Memorial Day. Hope it’s a good one.

What are your Memorial Day plans?

 

Scrivener is Addicting: What’s Your Favorite Writing Program?

There’s this little program for the Mac called Scrivener (they have a Window’s version, but it was once Mac only). You can put your character info, your setting info, and all your research in the same place as your actual novel without a single hitch or hiccup. Honestly, I’m sold. This is product endorsement. I’m in love. Yeah.

So this makes me wonder, fellow writerly peoples, what’s your favorite writing program?

What Do You Listen to Whilst Writing?

I’m back in the writing groove — yeah!

Of course, to get there, music is a required ingredient in order to gain epic stories. It tunes out the world for me, and in that moment there’s just music, screen, and words that evolve into a scene, a conflict, and pure awesomeness at times. I listen to a lot of soundtrack music for this, some metal, sometimes oldies music, a lot of techno (trance, dubstep, drum and bass, gosh so many types). Ultimately, whatever sets the mood in that perfect way — you know, where I can literally hear my characters as they yell at one another or see my protagonist attack my villain’s henchmen — is what I listen to, even if it’s not something I’d normally listen to outside of that scene. Thus, my library is fairly large, and I adore Spotify.

What about you? Do you listen to music whilst writing? What kind? Share some bands! I’d love to partake in the goodness.