You might be wondering how a television station could help reduce crime problems with the programming of their shows. Oh, and a disclaimer: I’m not getting paid by ABC for anything, I don’t know anyone who works at ABC, I don’t own ABC stock - nothing like that. This is just an observation on my part. Stick with me…I’ll get there.

When I was a little girl, my mom use to tell me stories. Some of the stories your mother probably told you too. Tales like, The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Tortoise and The Hare. When she’d get to the end of the story she would say: And the moral of the story is… and then impart great words of wisdom…words that stick with me even today.

Somewhere, between the time I was a little girl and today, our society has forgotten many of its morals. We’ve become a society of, ‘It’s too dangerous to get involved and it’s not affecting me, so I’m minding my own business.’

This is where ABC programming comes into play. Have you seen the television show What Would You Do? I’ve seen a number of episodes. Briefly, ABC hires a bunch of actors to depict everyday situations, then has hidden cameras to catch the results. One of the scenarios involved a woman driving a car (actress), and her two little girls (actresses). The ‘mother’ would get so frazzled by the kid’s behavior, she’d pull up to the curb in town and while screaming and yelling at her ‘children’, she would order the girls out of the car and then leave them alone on the sidewalk while she drove away. The question was, would any bystanders who weren’t in the scenario either stop the woman or try to help the girls.

Another skit involved airline pilots (actors) who were consuming lots alcoholic beverages and not hiding the fact they were planning to fly a plane. Remember - this is all an act. The idea was to see what fellow diners would do…or not do.

In all the skits, there is at least one person who comes forward to do the right thing. But often, there are many more who clearly see what is going on who walk away, avert their eyes, or watch in fascination and yet, do nothing.

At the end of the scenario, film crews come out and the show’s host talks to the people who did the right thing, and those who did nothing. The people who stepped up and took a stand often state they ‘…had to do something. I just couldn’t watch it continue.’

In many cases it’s obvious the ‘do nothing’ folks are embarrassed by their lack of action and might reconsider should they find themselves in a similar position another time. And then there are the folks who don’t think twice about not getting involved. Their position is that you never know who you’re going to be confronting and you could wind up dead. It is a valid point.

I’m going to branch off for a second because ABC actually has another show that deals with moral dilemma. Now, don’t laugh. The show is True Beauty. In that show, physically beautiful contestants (male and female) are competing for a prize, but what the contestants don’t know is that they are being judged on their inner beauty as well as their outward appearance. They are placed in scenarios that demand they make a moral decision. Some contestants go through the scenario with flying colors, and others…well…not so much. This show appeals (I would think) to younger viewers.

But what strikes me is, these shows are not only entertaining, they are teaching morals to society. I personally think it’s a sad commentary we have to be taught morals, but I’m glad to see some television shows are doing just that.

And here is where the tie-in to crime comes in (finally!). If more people were concerned that other members of society, who were nearby, might intervene or even object to their actions or bad behavior, maybe they wouldn’t do those things. Maybe they’d think twice before they broke into a home. Maybe they’d think twice before they got intoxicated and then got behind the wheel of their car. Maybe they’d leave their home before turning their spouse into a punching bag.

You see, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard a mother telling her kids a story, much less ending the story with: And the moral of the story is… Society is paying the price for the lack of those stories.

Finally, about those people who don’t want to get involved in distressing situations because it’s often dangerous…and it is. There’s an easy solution. Dial 9-1-1. We will come and we will help.

Since I’ve been home with a duty-related injury, I’ve had the opportunity to re-discover my love for reading.  I have no shortage of material to read.  My ‘to-be-read’ pile is overflowing on my shelf.  But often, what happens is that I forego my current stash of books and get books from my favorite authors.  But every once in a while, I pick up a book from a new (to me) author.   If the book is really good, I inwardly moan because now I have another favorite to try to fit into my reading schedule.

Sometimes, when I’m online and looking at books, I will read the reviews that go with that book - and yes, those reviews do impact some of my decisions.

Not too long ago, my daughter introduced me to Goodreads.com, a book review site.  I’ve critiqued some novels there and will probably do more.  Of course, I’ve left a few reviews on Amazon.com, and I’ve heard of Shelfari but haven’t gotten too involved with that site.  As someone who started out writing romance novels; I’ve read reviews in Romantic Times Magazine.

My question to you - especially if you are a writer/author:  Do you visit book review sites?  If so, do those sites influence your buying decisions?  Which sites do you utilize? If you’re published, have you looked up reviews on your own books?  How did you react to negative feedback (if there was any)?  If you received negative feedback on your work, did you continue to return to see what other readers had to say?

Until next time,

KMA 367 

I’ve recently started noticing endorsements on books from other authors.  I’ve always known they were there, but never really paid much attention to them. 

I don’t care if someone else liked a book; I care about if I will like the book.  And to figure that out, I usually pick a page about half way through the book and start reading.  If your writing is so captivating that I want to continue reading - even if I don’t know what’s going on, you’ve probably made a sale.  Oh, and even author’s I love have to go through this process…no free rides with me <g>.

But because author ‘cover blurbs’ are on so many books I figure someone must benefit from them.  Is it the author of the book by receiving more sales?  Or is it the commenting author who has their name exposed to more readers who benefits?  And do those commenting authors actually read the books they ‘cover blurb’?

Have you ever bought a book because of a cover blurb from another author?

These are the burning questions on my mind today.  I hope you’ll comment.

Until next time,

KMA367

I’ve been subscribing to Romantic Times Magazine (RT) for almost as long as I’ve been a member of RWA.  When I first started getting RT, there were two monthly columns that were my favorites.  The first was a pictorial of a published/successful author’s home.

I always found it fascinating to see the writer’s office, their kitchen, their favorite room.  Seeing their home gave me insight into the person who created some of my favorite characters and stories. That column was discontinued, so I’ve had to use a different means to see what my favorite authors are about - I visit their websites.  Of course, the website is used to provide information which, in turn, is a way to promote one’s self, and it can all be an illusion.  But…the choices the author makes still provide insight.  The colors the person selected, the shape of the website, the fonts.  I think it’s pretty darn interesting - and one reason why I spent about a year perusing other authors websites and planning MY site before it was built.

The second column that I enjoyed in RT was “Where Are They Now”?  This column was generated by a reader’s inquiry as to where one of their favorite authors had gone.  No new books, no public appearences - poof, the writer had vanished.

I always found it interesting to see what had sidetracked a writer’s career.  Of course, I don’t ever recall any reply saying flat out that the author just got tired of writing.  It was always worded in an upbeat, positive way.  Often the writer was working on a project and expected it to be on the shelves soon.  Others just slipped from the writing community like a thief in the night.  And no, I don’t mean to imply writers who stop writing turn into thieves!

As great as RT is, I wish they’d bring those columns back…

Until next time;

KMA367

You can call me weird, but I don’t “get” the fascination with vampires in books and movies.   And vampires seem to be everywhere these days.  There are TV shows about vampires, there’s a new movie coming out about vampires, and of course all the books.

My daughter likes to read about vampires, and my eleven year-old granddaughter also wants to read about them.  This causes me a big dilemma because my granddaughter isn’t fond of reading and I try to encourage her to do so, but I really don’t want her reading about blood-sucking teenagers.  What ever happened to a pre-adolescent girl’s love of horses?

I just don’t see the appeal of characters waiting to suck your blood.  Of course, I’ve never read a vampire book - and frankly, with my “reading for pleasure” time so limited, I don’t plan on picking one up in the near future.  But I am curious as to what the draws people to these books, movies and TV shows.  I’m ready to be enlightened.

Oh, and please don’t be offended by the fact that when I read your replies I’ll be holding a wooden stake…

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW: American Pie by Don McLean

Until next time,

KMA367

I have a confession to make.  I’m a reality TV junkie.  I don’t think there is a month in the year where I don’t have at least one reality TV show to watch.

Right now I’m in reality heaven.  I’ve got Dancing With the Stars, The Amazing Race, as well as Survivor to watch.  When I can squeeze them in, I watch America’s Next Top Model as well as The Biggest Loser.  Sometimes, I don’t have enough recording devices to capture all the shows I like to watch.  One of my favorite shows just ended - Big Brother.  If I were to participate in a reality TV show, I think Big Brother is one I’d do well.  I also wouldn’t mind participating in the Amazing Race.

My addiction started easily enough with the granddaddy of the reality TV - Survivor.  Then, American Idol came on the scene.  As television moguls thought up new shows, I became an avid viewer.  I’m not sure what the attraction is.  All I know is that I spend at least an hour a night watching common people compete for money, prizes and bragging rights.  

I think there are a lot of people who like to watch these shows.  Some of them don’t like to admit it, but at work, when I talk about the latest broadcast, they are the first ones to offer an opinion and seem to know all the players.

So my question to you today is:  Do you watch reality TV, and if so, what is your favorite show?  If you don’t watch any reality TV, why not?

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW:  Yah Mo Be There by James Ingram

Until next time;

KMA367

Okay, I’ve figured out this blogging thing is harder than it appears.  I envision a world of people sitting at their computers waiting for MY random thoughts for the day.  That’s a lot of pressure!  I know that’s not really true, but I still feel the need to deliver.  So here we go…

What’s your favorite book of all time - and why?

For me, it’s Gone With the Wind.  I actually saw the movie first, at age thirteen.  I fell in love with Rhett Butler as the camera panned down to the bottom of the staircase where Rhett looked up the stairs at Scarlett O’Hara.  In the four hours or so it took to watch their turbulent love develop, then crash and burn, I was changed.

I came home from the theater in a daze.  How could two people who were so well suited for each other let their relationship go so wrong?  I searched for answers - in the book version of Gone With the Wind.

Although I was an avid reader, taking on such a large book seemed daunting.  But I read day and night and finished the book in about a day and a half.  And while I had a better understanding of the main characters of the book and the Civil War, I still couldn’t understand how Scarlett and Rhett’s missed the mark.

To this day I’ve never found the answer.  However, I do know that when I read the book or watch the movie, I’m going to admire Scarlett’s stubbornness and determination (and when watching the movie - her clothes).  I’m going to admire Rhett’s character and ability to mock himself and yet be Scarlett and Melanie’s hero - several times.  I’m going to admire Melanie’s gentle ways and the love she carries for Ashley Wilkes - even though I don’t think he deserves it.

The story Margaret Mitchell penned changed something in me.  It introduced me to the idea that a princess (Scarlett) doesn’t always get her “happily ever after” with her prince (Rhett).  Sometimes love just goes wrong.  Not a happy lesson to learn, but not a bad one to know as one goes through life.

Please don’t let me flounder out here in cyberspace all by myself…what’s your favorite book - and why?

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY IPOD:  Tranquillo by Carly Simon…yes I do like Carly Simon

Until next time,

KMA367