Changing Addresses

I've decided to move all blogging to my website at www.brindaberry.com/blog.html. I hope you'll follow me there! There are so many advantages to having everything about me in one place. The only disadvantage is that I might miss out on YOU. If you subscribe to my blog now, please take a moment to sign up on the email subscribe at my new location.

Writing on the ipad

Every writer I talk with has a different tool that he/she uses for writing. Some use the computer. Others use notebooks or index cards. I've even heard about notes on dinner napkins.

I'm now the owner of an ipad and wanted to find an app for writing where I could take my tool with me everywhere. Okay, I know that paper napkins can be had anywhere...but I need organization. And something without a ketchup stain.

Are you a writer? If so, check out the wonderful Manuscript App. With this app, I'm able to use electronic notecards, make outlines for chapters, and then organize each chapter in separate sections. For a visual boost, I can access my Work-In-Progress as a hardbound book with the title in gleaming gold letters. The work also has the word count listed at the bottom.

The cons are there, of course. I haven't figured out if there is a spell check, but I'm pretty sure it's missing. It is also too easy to delete something without getting the handy message you get in other software programs. You know the one. The box pops up with, "Are you sure you want to delete this file?" I was always annoyed with it before. Now, I miss it.

Overall, I'd recommend the app for your first draft and for organizing all your thoughts.It also worked well for putting in my synopsis, outlines, and notes. For the second draft, I had to move to Word or Pages. I'd give it a thumbs up for the writer working on the ipad.

Breaking Up With Your Girlfriend

Over the years, I've watched a ton of movies where two best friends argue over a man or a job or a wedding venue and proceed to get into a huge, hair-pulling, fist o'cuffs fight. After rolling around on the ground and being stopped just short of knocking out teeth, the two rise and become sworn enemies or even BETTER friends. I say that this scenario is a bunch of bologna and real life just doesn't work this way.

Moreover, I've rarely seen feuding friends get physical over a problem...heck, they may not even get verbal. What happens is a "falling out". Friend A betrays a secret or some other violation of the friend code. Friend B finds out and proceeds to freeze out Friend A. The phone calls, invitations, and outings cease. Friend A wonders what is going on. Feelings are hurt. One day, they see each other out with different people. They both politely say that they need to get together sometime soon. And they don't.

I've seen men get mad and get over it. They're back to being best buds by the next day. Go ahead- I know you're calling me sexist. It's not true, but I won't be mad.

image from: http://www.impawards.com/2009/bride_wars.html

My True Grit Ending

Last night, DH and I went to see the movie True Grit. Let me preface by saying that this was a pity movie date. I could tell that he REALLY wanted to see it. I've been dying to see The Green Hornet, but I offered to see True Grit. DH, who falls asleep in 99% of the movies we attend, was somehow EXCITED to go out for dinner and a movie.

I was wondering if DH would notice if I played Words with Friends on my iphone during the show. Heck, if he could sleep during my movies, I could play phone games during his.

The movie started with the very traditional western setting. The camera angles looked familiar. Authentic costuming, dirty cowboys, bad teeth. I half expected to see Clint Eastwood ride into town.

Then the movie got interesting. Young girl, Mattie, travels to town to avenge her father's death. Mattie is no ordinary fourteen-year-old. Her verbal skills and confidence immediately put her in a league of her own. Add Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn and Matt Damon as LeBeouf and you have a dynamic cast. The dialogue and acting astounded me.

I happily forgot about my phone game. I usually hate westerns...but did this one really qualify? I guess so. The only thing that disappointed me was the ending. But, it's my fault- not theirs.

I don't want to ruin in for you if you haven't seen it, so SPOILER ALERT.

In the car, I looked at DH and said, "I was kind of hoping that Mattie would end up with LaBeouf."

DH: Umm, she was fourteen.

Me: Yes, I know, but back then that was common, right? And she didn't act fourteen. She was mature for her age.

DH: That's not how these stories end. **silence and eye rolling**

Me: Oh, well. I am a romantic and can't help it. It was still awesome.

**image of movie poster from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403865/

My Favorite Reads of 2010

Some people keep a running list of all the books that they've read during the year. I think there are even some good websites to help you keep up with your list and ratings. I can tell you that I've enjoyed the fiction from my 2010 list. I listen to at least a couple of books a month during my commute. When not working or writing, you can find a book in my hand. Here are my favorites from 2010:

Best YA: Beautiful Creatures

Best Audible Contemp. Fiction: The Help

Best Non-Fiction: Super Freakonomics

North Point iBand

I watched this video this morning and thought..."Hey, I have an iphone!" Now if only I had some musical talent...

I'm going to Write a Novel...

An author, Rebecca Zanetti, shared this on her blog and I couldn't stop laughing.