Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge

It's Thanksgiving week, so I am going to get right to the contest.

The correct answer to last week's challenge is: Mean Girls. Six of you got it right. But there's only one winner and the winner of last week's Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge is Lisa at the Hair Today Gone Tomorrow blog. Congratulations, Lisa. Your $10 Amazon gift card will be emailed to you shortly.

As I mentioned last week the game will be going on hiatus for the rest of the year. But please keep checking in. I have some exciting news about the publication of my next novel, and there will be a Holiday Trivia contest closer to Christmas. So stay tuned.


Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends. Keep reading, and don't eat too much turkey ;-)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge #5




This past week I had the pleasure of hosting a guest post and contest for my friend and former student, author, Ilie Ruby. I’d like to thank those of you who participated for your comments. We loved hearing from you. As you know, I am giving away a free autographed copy of Ruby’s debut novel, The Language of Trees. Drum roll, please.


Badump, badump… Okay, I don’t know how to do a drum roll. Why don’t I just announce the winner. The winner is Juliana. Congratulations, Juliana. I will send you an email shortly to get your mailing info. The rest of you, go out and buy the book. It’s a really beautiful story. You can get it HERE.


And now for the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge. This will be the last week of the contest for a while. Entries are down and the holidays are coming up. I Plan to hold a special Holiday trivia drawing around Christmas. The line will be from a holiday themed movie, so bone up on your holiday flicks people. I will pick-up the regular contest some time early next year.


The correct answer for this week’s challenge is: Pulp Fiction. There were three correct answers, but just one winner. The winner is Elizabeth at the Fishmufins Of Doom blog. Congratulations, Elizabeth. Your $10 dollar Amazon gift card will arrive by email shortly.
And now for this week’s challenge:


In what recent (last 10 years) film did a character say: “It’s like I have ESPN. My breasts can always tell when it’s going to rain.”


Obviously it’s a comedy. That line is funny all by itself.

Each week's winner will receive a free $10.00 Amazon gift card. And you don't have to be first to win. You also don't have to know the answer on Tuesday. You have until Saturday to come up with your answer. Every correct answer will be included in the drawing. On the Sunday following the challenge I will put all the correct answers in a hat, and draw the winner to be posted on Tuesday. It's that simple.If you forgot the rules, or are playing for the first time the rules are below:

1) Be a registered follower of this blog or
2) ...follow me at http://www.evanlowe.com/
3) leave a comment on this blog in the comment section on any of my posts anytime during the week of the current challenge.
4) send your answer to me at info@evanlowe.com
5)mention the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge either on your blog or in a tweet the week of the current challenge. Meaning, each week you compete, you'll have to give me my props.

Do 1 +3+4&5, or 2 +3 +4&5 and you are entered to win. Winners will receive a free $10 Amazon gift card. If you need more details check an earlier blog post.

Have a great week. And good luck!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Smart Heart Photos


Springerdoodles waiting to get sprung









Ilie's daughter sleeps with the dogs












Friday, November 12, 2010

Guest Post: Author, Ilie Ruby






Ilie Ruby was a student of mine when I taught the humor writing class for graduate students in the USC Professional Writing Program. Now she is an author. Bravo! Her magical debut novel, The Language of Trees, (Avon/Harper Collins) is in stores now. Join me in welcoming Ilie to the world of authors and to my blog.



THE SMART HEART


On a blustery fall day nearly two years ago, weeks after my two daughters and one son were adopted from Ethiopia, our two wild furry springerdoodles escaped. This was the 5th escape in a month. I had caught them at several failed attempts, trying to escape in three ways: 1) by standing on the patio furniture and jumping over the fence, 2) by knocking down the slats of the fence, and 3) by burrowing under the fence.

We had a routine when one of these three things happened. My eldest daughter and I first called the dogs. Of course, they never came. Then we’d get in the car and I’d call the local police to see if anyone had called in with news of two wild wandering dogs that resembled hyperactive sheep. Finally, we’d drive around the neighborhood shouting the dogs' names and interrogating every jogger and friendly-looking dog person out for an innocent stroll.

In time, we always found the dogs. Once the police said they were weaving in and out of traffic on a main road near our house. Miraculously, they were never harmed. It seemed that as with Moses and his Red Sea, traffic parted for our dogs. My earnest husband, a self-confessed failed handyman, secured the fences after every escape. He did his best. He used a variety of interesting and exotic pieces of wiring, species of duct tape, and other various fence-related equipment that he bought from emergency trips to Home Depot. Still the dogs outwitted us and found their way out.

But on this day, when my daughter and I discovered them missing, something felt different. We shouted and shouted. We ran up and down our street. Then we jumped in the car and I picked up my phone, ready to call the police. My daughter put her hand on my arm and said, "No mom. Wait. Just stay here and the dogs will come. I know how to do it."

I decided to see what would happen. Somehow I believed her.

She closed her eyes and called the dogs one more time. Not loudly, but in the most calm and centered little voice. And then, somehow, from out of nowhere, the dogs came running. One from up the street. The other from out of the woods. They had never done this before. How could she, after only 7 weeks in America, have managed to call the dogs home?

"See?" teased my daughter, as we dragged the dogs inside, her eyes sparkling with pride.

We fed the dogs and sent them to bed in their crates. When I put her to sleep that night and she nuzzled into my neck, I asked my daughter how she knew she how to do it.

"My heart said stay here and call the dogs. My stomach said to go in the car. I listened to my heart."

I was awestruck. How many of us struggle to access our intuition and even more, to articulate it? My then 8-year old daughter knew to trust herself, and she was already more connected to her new home, our furry wanton pets, and to me, than I ever imagined possible in such a short period of time.

“I think you have a very smart heart,” I said.

“I know,” she said. “You, too. That is how you found me and I found you.”


The Language of Trees (Avon HarperCollins August 2010) is a story about healing, second chances, and how far we will go to protect the ones we love. Ruby lives near Boston and is at work on her second novel. Click the link to join Ilie on Facebook.


CONTEST


If you'd like to win an autographed copy of The Language of Trees, just leave a comment here for Ilie to be eligible to win. I am giving away one free copy. This contest is available world-wide. I will do a drawing on Monday, and post the winner on Trivia Tuesday.



Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge #4


This past week was an interesting one. I had two meetings on the Never Slow Dance With A Zombie movie musical. Both went well. I'm trying not to get my hopes up. The first deal for the movie crashed and burned. But the meetings went so well this week I can't stop thinking that my first YA just might wind up on the big screen, complete with dancing zombies. That be AWESOME! Calm down, E. Breathe.

Until such time as I can make that announcement I will keep writing, and keep waiting for my book series Hollyweird to find a publisher. Speaking of Hollyweird, responses to the Tuesday Trivia Challenge dropped off considerably last week. I'm hoping it was because it was too tough, or because it was Election Day. I'm hoping it's not because you're getting bored. This week will tell the tale.

The correct answer for last week's challenge was: The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring. When Gandalf arrives at the start of the movie Frodo calls: "You're late, Gandalf," to which Gandalf replies: "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins."

There was only one correct answer to last week's challenge, and that was Veronica at Strictly Reviews. Congratulations, Veronica, you're $10 dollar gift card should arrive by email shortly.

That was a tricky one. And now for this week's challenge which is pretty straight forward:

In what hit 90s film did a character say: "...And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance..."

If you forgot the rules, or are playing for the first time the rules are below:

1) Be a registered follower of this blog or
2) ...follow me at http://www.evanlowe.com/
3) leave a comment on this blog in the comment section on any of my posts anytime during the week of the current challenge.
4) send your answer to me at info@evanlowe.com
5)mention the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge either on your blog or in a tweet the week of the current challenge. Meaning, each week you compete, you'll have to give me my props.

Do 1 +3,4&5, or 2 +3 ,4&5 and you are entered to win. Winners will receive a free $10 Amazon gift card. If you need more deatils check an earlier blog post.

By the way, the awesome graphic was done by my friend, Tatiana, who weirded up a famous Hollywood poster. Thanks, Ta. As soon as Tatiana tells me how to turn the graphic into badges for the winners to post on their blogs, I will send them off to all past winners.

Have a great week. And good luck!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge #3




I can't believe how good you guys are. I received 11 correct answers. Wow! I was sure this one was going to stump more of you. While I got 11 correct answers, only (I think) 7 of you left a comment on my blog. Still, I put all the correct answers in the hat, but please remember to do ALL of the things requested at the bottom. You can comment any day of the week, on anything I might post about. But each player must leave at least one comment that week. There are three things you must do to qualify each week. Okay?

If you're new to the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge, each week I give away a ten ($10) dollar Amazon gift card for the correct answer to my quiz. And you don't have to be first in to win. All correct answers qualify. Just follow the rules at the bottom of this post.

The correct answer for this week's challenge is Die Hard. Han's Gruber said "Shoot the glass." Most of you wrote "shoot the window" which is the literal translation. This week's winner is Kristen. Congratulations Kristen at Bookworminginthe21stcentury. Your ten dollar Amazon gift card will be emailed to you shortly.

I love, love, love Die Hard. It's one of my favorite films of all time. I tell everyone it's my favorite Christmas movie. I've been screening the movie every Christmas Eve for family and friends for over ten years. I know my son is sick of it, but he dutifully watches every year. Thanks, son.

For all you die hard Die Hard fans Tony Kollath has a really cool Die Hard Trivia Quiz. Just click on the link to take it. And let us know how you did.

And now for this weeks challenge: In what famous fantasy film did a character say: "Wizards are always late..." I need the complete title of the movie, please.

I am hoping this one fools at least a few of you... But I doubt it. You guys are too smart for me.

We still need more players. Please tell your friends and followers about the challenge. I'm having fun with it. And from the comments I'm getting, you guys are, too. So let's get a few more players.

For those of you who are playing for the first time there are a few things you will need to do to qualify, and they are:

1) Be a registered follower of this blog or
2) ...follow me at http://www.evanlowe.com/
3) leave a comment on this blog in the comment section on any of my posts anytime during the week of the current challenge.
4) send your answer to me at info@evanlowe.com
5)mention the Hollyweird Trivia Tuesday Challenge either on your blog or in a tweet the week of the current challenge. Meaning, each week you compete, you'll have to give me my props.

Do 1 +3,4&5, or 2 +3 ,4&5 and you are entered to win. Good luck.