Top Five Favorite Movie Moments for Story and Writing

5. Penelope: When he's playing chess with her in front of the mirror. I love the symbolism of that moment-- they're figuring each other out over this calculated game (which she wins! ha!)while he stands in front of a mirror, which shows how his relationship with Penelope ultimately forces him to see himself-- ie his character-- for the empty shell he's become.

4. Mulan: At the end, when Mulan returns home with medals and honors to present to her father as some kind of penance for what she's done, and he lifts her chin and tells her, "The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter." Really touching moment. Gets me every time. Shut up.

3. Oceans 11: Danny Ocean happens upon his old flame, Tess, as she waits for her new man to meet her for dinner. After a minute of him trying to be smart and her aloof replies keeping him at bay, Danny asks (about Tess's new lover), "Does he make you laugh?" Tess responds, "He doesn't make me cry."

Two little lines that spell out their entire relationship - peaks to pitfalls, why she chose the new guy - safety over fun, and why she won't be pursuing him again - too painful.

2. Bella: As Nina lists reasons why she will seek an abortion, her voice is cold, detached from her situation. But cut into the conversation are images of her later in the waiting room at a clinic, an exam room, and as she emerges, weeping. A powerful message that the choice is not one coolly calculated or without deep emotional conflict.

1. On a Clear Day: The climactic moment when Frank's goal (swimming the English Channel) is within reach, but the thing he wants most is at his fingertips. (Sorry... trying not to spoil it for anyone who has not seen the movie...) I love the metaphor of crossing the Channel and how it's almost a symbol of another key relationship in his life, and how accomplishing one may unexpectedly put the other within reach. This is one of my favorite movies.

How Badly Do You Want It?

I'm looking over my list of New Year's Resolutions for 2010 to see how close to target I am. I know, that sounds disgustingly driven. Actually, if you saw my list, you'd be convinced I need to get out more and make fewer to-do lists. Yes, I suffer from extreme Eldest Child Syndrome. But at last I may be learning to embrace my inner Over-Achiever.

Because the truth for me is this: no one is ever going to make me do these things. Writing, in my life, is optional. It doesn't pay bills. It doesn't entertain my daughter or impress my friends (well, it'd be nice if it did!) or make my house clean.

Writing, for me, is about desire. It's about a dream. It's about a story. It's about releasing something inside of me by watching a blinking black cursor move across a white screen, letters chasing after it.

And it will only happen if I pursue it. If I want it. If my fingers press those keys and make those words appear, day after day, hour after hour, no matter what other responsibilities and challenges arise and have to be taken care of.

So that's the question I keep asking myself as I look at my ambitious list of 2010 goals: how badly do I want it?

Because it will take every ounce of that desire, determination, and passion to pursue this dream and create something worthwhile.

I listed four manuscripts I want to see finished by the end of this year. One needs editing and two are partially complete, so it's not like I'm trying to write four totally new pieces this year. Really, I'm trying to clear my shelf of these half-finished ideas. It's time. Definitely time.

So that's my goal. What's yours?

How badly do you want it?

To Be Or Not To Be... Read

This is my "To Be Read" pile. As you can see, it's as tall as my bed and currently contains 28 (I think) books. There are like 7 more in my Amazon cart waiting for payday, too! Nothing quite as exciting as a new box of books. Except maybe a quiet evening and a cup of hot cocoa to go with them.

I most recently enjoyed... Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. If you asked me what is one book every Christian writer should read, I'd point straight to this one. Without hesitation. I also recently read Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar. Really impressive.

I'm currently reading... The Moral Premise by Stanley D Williams and Beautiful by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma.

I can't wait to read... um... just about anything in my stack? I think actually, three of the books in my amazon cart hold that honor. Leah Cypess's Mistwood (see my post from last week to view the trailer), and the two novels by Stephanie Kuehnert-- because, I ask you, WHO CAN RESIST PUNK FICTION?? That's what I thought! Yeah, baby.

So how about you? What have you been reading, or what tops your "To Be Read" list?

Anticipation and The Mistwood by Leah Cypess

I absolutely cannot wait for this book to hit print. I love YA, but I love YA fantasy best of all, and this is one that should not be missed. I think I read the whole thing in one sitting. I even put the release date in the calendar in my cell phone. I want ten copies!

Check out the book trailer and tell me if you can resist doing the same...