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Monday, September 17, 2012

Genre Favorites Blogfest


Hello, Fire Enthusiasts. As always, thanks for dropping by. As you can see, we're shaking things up a bit this week. Rather than discuss my vampire series - my book is on the right and we've got the cover reveal for the forthcoming sequel over there as well - I've decided to join Author and Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh's latest and greatest blogfest. These things are always huge and lots of fun as we meet new people and share a bit of ourselves. Today, we're discussing Genre Favorites in books, music and film.

As a horror writer you might worry that my books and films would be full of blood and guts, and my music dark and eerie; however, you may be surprised to find that my choices might be scary for all the wrong reasons. Let's get started, shall we?



Favorite Movie Genre: Here's where I leave you scurrying off into the night. You see, I have a poster of The Exorcist on my library wall and I was a teenager when teenagers were being sliced and diced in the original Friday the 13th and Halloween films, but when I curl up on the couch to be comforted, I choose Romantic Comedies... What? Yep, it's sad but true. I write vampires, but would rather watch Notting Hill, An Affair to Remember, Love Actually and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.



Favorite Music Genre: Now this one should make a bit more sense to you. I listened to pop music as a child, but it was when I got into Junior High that things changed. Since then, it's all been about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. We call is Classic Rock now and refer to the 80's musicians as Hair Bands. My first real show was Kiss just after the make up came off. I saw Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Sammy Hagar, Van Halen and much more. Here's a photo of me taken when Van Halen was "standing on top of the world for a little while." I'm kneeling in the center.



Favorite Book Genre: Here's another category which should make more sense to those that stare at the flames above and wonder what the hell happened to make me like tear-inducing films. *laughs* As a teenager, I found myself reaching out for Jaws and The Amityville Horror (still one of the most frightening reads ever, whether you believe it was fake or not). I then found Michael Slade, Clive Barker and Uncle Stevie. I'm still reading horror, but now they are mostly Indie books and you guys wrote them.



Guilty Pleasure Genre: Hmm? This provides an interesting choice. I could tell you how my iPod also includes Air Supply, Neil Diamond and the Bee Gees, and that would be a lot of fun, watching you scratch your collective heads once again. Instead, I think I'll list Dramas as my guilty pleasure in books. In fact, I'll tell you that my favorite all-time book is Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Yeah, I know. I didn't want to read it either, and fought it for a while before succumbing to what I think is a masterwork and one of the most brilliant books ever crafted. My sister in law peer-pressured me into reading it and I have yet to put it down. Every couple of years of so, I find myself grabbing it off of my book shelf and carrying it with me on vacation or just to spend a weekend. I can't help myself. It's that good. I am firmly on record as having said that I will die happy if I can write a story half as good as Conroy did there.

So there you have it. I hope I have gained some new friends in this latest and greatest from Ninja Alex, and haven't scared others off. Lol! I look forward to seeing your answers. I can guarantee you that it will take me most of the week to get through the list, but I will. Eleven hour day jobs do that to people. Here's the link back to Alex's list here. I'll see you guys there.

We'll talk soon.

54 comments:

  1. Hey Jimmy! Fun answers!

    I'm glad to see men owning up to the truth of enjoying romantic comedies. My hubby loves them too.
    I need to check out that Conroy book. Nver read it. Have a great week! :D

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  2. great strong list... even van halen... kidding i like them too... have you heard the latest album... wait of course you have!

    Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
    Howlin' Wolf Records: On-Line Magazine

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  3. I love romantic comedies too! I agree with PK, it's great to see you guys admitting it! :)

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  4. Hey nice to meet you.

    Interesting choices considering what you write.

    "Hair bands' I love it!

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  5. I'm with you music-wise - the metal bands of the 80s and 90s are my favorites, love the harder rock, but my music tastes are both eclectic and varied, so you'll also find me listening to Styx and Bee Gees and Eagles and the Cruxshadows and and and ... as long as it isn't hard-core gangsta rap or twangy, modern country, I'll probably like it... :-)

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  6. I know - my husband likes them too. I'm not much of a fan of "chick flicks" myself, so he had to talk fast to make me watch "Shakespeare in Love". Gimme some horror or sci-fi any day ... :-)

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  7. Hard rock and heavy metal! You rock in my book, James.
    Thanks for participating in my blogfest.

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  8. Love those answers Jimmy! My hubby likes the romantic comedies too, but he'll make sure I bring it up first, of course. He's also a hair band kind of guy. I still love the hard rock, but it's more of this time than the hair bands. Fun post!

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  9. Thanks for stopping by, everyone. I did my 11 hours at the day job and then my one hour on the treadmill. Now it's time to blogfest visit!!

    -Jimmy

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  10. I do love hard rock n' heavy metal! I didn't list them, but they are in my top 5. I love your selections! Amityville was fake...?! I woke up a few times at 3:10 am after seeing it and didn't dare open my eyes! Scared the hell out of me~ I think it is the mood n' the moment that directs our focus. This is why this was a tough blogfest~
    Nice to meet you :D

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  11. Great choices. :) I saw Motley Crue in concert!

    And the Amityville Horror scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. The red eyes in the rocking chair. shiver. But I still like some horror books. I'm a huge King fan!

    Nice to meet you! :)

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  12. I saw KISS in my early concert days. I can't remember if it was sans makeup. Nice to meet you. The Exorcist really, really scared me.

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  13. There really is something about rom coms that is comforting. I love the anticipation of the Happy Ever After and the fun of getting there (probably why I write romance...). You've seen some awesome bands live - love it!

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  14. Oh, what fun! I loved Salmon Fishing. Hmmm... Not so sure about Scorpions and Iron Maiden. No surprises on the book choices.
    Great post, James x

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  15. Oh dear...Air Supply? Really? *Sigh* Well, I guess I'll give you a pass since you're such a nice guy. :-) I wanted to see Salmon Fishing but living in the Backend Of Nowhere, it never showed. It's on my list to rent. This really is a fun blogfest! (I didn't sign up unfortunately.)

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  16. All great choices! Glad you are a horror author, since I love reading horror, too.

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  17. LOVE Air Supply! I also love that you read so many indie books. Nice to meet you!

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  18. OMG I love love love Air Supply and Neil Diamond... but I never tell anyone that... hee hee!

    I'm jealous that you have Legend... don't own a copy of that movie. But I can't help but love it!

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  19. Fabulous list, James. SUCH a fun blogfest! And how was I not following you before? Weird! And fixed. :D

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  20. *laughs* Yes, Air Supply. Good thing I didn't say anything about Christopher Cross... Crap! Oh, well. I love these blogfests, but I feel bad because it takes me so long to get through all of the sites. *sigh* As it is, it's pushing 8 pm and I need to get in bed because of that pesky 3 am alarm. I promise to get back to the list Wednesday after work. If you haven't heard from me as of yet, you will. I promise!

    -Jimmy

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  21. Air Supply brings me back to my childhood. I wish I could have seen Motley Crue in their prime. Great choices!

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  22. Romantic comedy? Really? That is a real HORROR to me! So, you're a brave man. ;)

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  23. Great list of faves! I am not a horror fanatic, but have seen The Exorcist. Love the score written for that movie. I agree, it was a great blog hop! Enjoyed reading your posting.

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  24. I think it's absolutely wonderful when a man says he likes romantic comedies. Think about it, Shakespeare wrote them, like The Taming of the Shrew.

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  25. Although we don't have many in common, I enjoyed hearing what you enjoy most.

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  26. I've seen the Scorpions in concert and Van Halen with both Sammy and Roth. Also saw Sammy headline at an outdoor arena in Oregon. He climbed the scaffolding up one side, over the stage, and down the other side. Crazy.

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  27. I've missed visiting you too. I read some horror but like you, now days it's mostly indie authors.

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  28. So the Salmon Fishing in Yemen movie was good, huh? I don't remember hearing anything about it one way or the other.

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  29. Great to learn about your genre favorites. I've never heard of Beach Music before; I'll have to check it out.

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  30. James:
    The most terrifying movie of all time, The Exorcist – never saw the movie because I found the book to be the most terrifying.
    Romantic Comedies, I think most men enjoy them. Everyone wants to believe in love whether they want to admit it or not.
    I love horror – to a degree, but I love all things to a degree!
    It’s nice meeting you thanks to Alex’s blogfest --

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  31. I haven't read that one (Beach Music). May have to check it out. Someone leaving me scratching my head is always a good thing.

    Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I believe you are way ahead of me on visiting people, so no worries.

    My Genre Favorites & Guilty Pleasures

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  32. I have been so busy, Jimmy, but better late than never. That's what I like about you, you are diverse, as am I.

    I agree about Amityville Horror. I could not sleep for nights after/during the read. The movie, however scarry, fell far short of the book--once I saw the movie, I felt I could explain everything that happend, right down to the "pig's eyes".
    Hope you are having fun with the blogfest!

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  33. I'm a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror movies, especially those based on real events. I love your book/blog title.

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  34. It's almost as if I wrote this post myself! ;)

    Great list, though I have to say I have be extremely intoxicated to listen to the Bee Gees.

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  35. I love The Exorcist! It is definitely my number one favorite horror movie!

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  36. I see my favorites. I love The Exorcist, King, Barker, and even Conroy.

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  37. An Affair to Remember? Makes me BAWL every time! Yeah for Neil Diamond and Bee Gees! Have you ever read Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy? That and Prince of Tides are my favorites by him. Beach Music was beautiful but a little slow-moving for my tastes. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and great selections!

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  38. I haven't watch Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, but I really must... and KISS have put all their make-up back on. They say it's to get back to their roots, but what a great way to hide their ages, and appeal to younger audiences!

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  39. I love your favorites. I have classic rock on mine, too, back when it used to just be rock:) I guess I'll have to add Beach Music to my TBR list, you make it sound that good!

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  40. I love that photo of you with Van Halen!
    Tomorrow night I get to meet Wolfie Van Halen! I won tickets and preshow to Tremonti (lead guitarist of Creed/Alter Bridge) and Wolfie is his touring bassist. You should check Tremonti out! Cool stuff, heavier than his other bands.

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  41. Fantastic favorites! Love your book collection. :)

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  42. Bee Gees fan here. Air Supply, too. Nothing wrong with that.

    Thanks for visiting my blog. :)

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  43. I think I have just found my soulmate. LOL
    Do you want to come over and watch a movie :)

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  44. What a cool blogfest. I had a blast meeting new people and getting reacquainted with some old friends.

    Michael: Thanks. I love, love, love talking about music.

    Zoltan: *laughs* Thanks for stopping by.

    Gossip Grl: No other film has ever stayed with me past the watching of it like The Exorcist. I'll have to go back and check out that score.

    Bish: I didn't choose to like Rom Coms. I find I just can't help it. :) *waves*

    Clarissa: Thank you for stopping by and saying hello.

    L. Diane: Yeah, that Sammy is a nut. I've seen him maybe 4 times now over the years.

    Susan: It shows that there is a lot of good things being written by the Indies, doesn't it?

    Jenny, Annalisa: Even my wife liked "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen". She's a more difficult test audience than I.

    Golden Eagle, Shannon, Gwen: Yes, you do need to check out Beach Music. Trust me.

    Yolanda: It's great meeting you, too.

    Lorelei: Thanks, Dear. Amityville Horror is a great scary read. I hope things are well with you.

    Timothy: That's exactly what I was thinking when I was at your place!

    Panda: Scariest film ever. It really gets in your head.

    Medeia: Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you saw some familiar things here.

    Jennifer: I was scared to death to try and read anyting else by Conroy for the longest time, for fear that I would be utterly disappointed. Thankfully, subsequent Conroy books have proven to be just as good.

    Kelly: I'll definitely check out Tremonti.

    Cherie: Thank you for dropping by.

    Melissa: You're very welcome. Glad to meet you.

    Heather: LMAO. I'm glad to hear it. I would love to come over. What are we watching first? ;) *waves*

    Thanks so much, everyone. I loved having you all stop by.

    -Jimmy

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  45. My goodness - your preferences sure run the gamut. It's great to have such varied interests; it gives you fodder to write about. Thanks for stopping by my blog. :-)

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  46. Such diverse tastes!
    Thank you for visiting my blog.

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  47. I always loved Jaws the movie. I've got the book in my basement, read it a LONG time ago. I should probably read it again for fun.

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  48. Kiss was one of the best concerts I've ever been to, besides Maroon 5 of course.
    Did I just put Kiss and Maroon 5 in the same sentence?! Why, yes. Yes, I did. :D

    I agree. The Amityville Horror was scary-- the book and movie.

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  49. Thanks for visiting my blog recently. I also like Air Supply- they have some great hits.

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  50. Lol - my hubby's guilty secret would be ABBA (like his dad) but he'd never admit it :) I think its cute, even though I don't share his taste. Love the variety in your list... I love rock though nothing with super-charged wailing I'm afraid, so most metal is out for me :) X

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  51. You and Alex and your romantic comedies - I think it's awesome that you're both manly enough to admit enjoying them. I recently saw the trailer for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and put it in my Netflix queue - looking forward to watching it.

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  52. I always find it cute when guys like romantic comedies, but why can't they??

    Nice to meet you, too! :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  53. Lexa: Yeah, I'm kind of crazy that way, I guess. You're welcome. Very good to meet you.

    Kari: You're very welcome.

    Suzi: It's always hard to beat the book, but I'd say Spielberg probably did with that one.

    Jackie: Maroon 5 might be the only band yet to open for Kiss. Perhaps we should call Gene and hook them up. *laughs*

    Cynthia: *whispers* Yeah, great stuff. Just don't tell my hard rocking friends. ;)

    Shah: Thanks. Variety is the spice of life, right? *waves*

    Jocelyn, Debra: We really liked it "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" here. Hopefully you do as well. I don't know what it is about me and my Rom Coms. I don't watch them all, but I'm always on the lookout for a good one.

    So good meeting everyone.

    -Jimmy

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  54. I love me the 80's music, especially Guns-N-Roses, Poison, Ratt and Bon Jovi. Aerosmith has been my band since 1985 and I've seen them seven times in concert, once with KISS. What a show that was and yes, Gene did the fire and blood. Whoo hoo!

    Sorry, it's taken me so long to get back you for this fest. I have so much going on right now, my time on the net has beencut to almost nil.

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Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate you taking the time. I'll get back to you here or on one of the other social networks. It's not like we're not on all of them, right? ;) Also, if you're here to give me an award - bless you. However, your friendship and visits are more than enough. Thanks and blessings.