Posts on funny

Zorba Dances, Etc.

Lisa — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:31:52 -0800

Peter at Collecting Children's Books has a wonderful post about how various big-name children's authors reacted to the news of their first book sale (or, in some cases, big prize). He shares anecdotes from the careers of M. E. Kerr, E. L. Konigsburg, and Lloyd Alexander, to name just a few. Here's one of my favorites, on Jean Craighead George's reaction to winning the Newbery:

After putting down the phone, she "serenely opened a can of dog food and handed it to a guest who dropped in, put the book I had been reading in the refrigerator, and washed a batch of clean clothes."

Read the rest here. You'll be rewarded in chuckles.

Rockin' Out in the Library, 80s Style

Lisa — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:01:42 -0700

You know how some rock music videos have apparently absolutely nothing to do with the song lyrics? Well, a clever fellow by the name of Dustin McLean is doing his part to set things right with his "literal video" series, redubbing music videos with lyrics that match the action, with hilarious results.

McLean started with A-ha's "Take On Me" and has since followed up with Tears for Fears' "Head Over Heels"—which, as you may know, takes place in a library! View it and weep (with laughter).

(Warning... some mildly NSFW language near the end.)

In case the video has erased your memory of the original song lyrics, you can read them here.

If Only It Were That Easy

Lisa — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:02:06 -0700

Up-and-coming author Jackson Pearce's video Imaginary Writing Process (embedded below) cracked me up as well as hitting home.

No matter how many stories you hear about the years of writing, rewriting, and rejection that lead up to publication, you always think it will be different for you—that you'll be the one writer whose manuscript everyone loves on first sight. (Admittedly, I've heard a few author success stories that do make it sound almost that easy.) As the months pass, you learn the terrible truth. You are not that writer. You've got that same long row to hoe as (almost) everyone else.

But chin up! Don't give up. And watch this video:

Pearce also has a number of other videos taking a humorous look at the writer's life. Check 'em out when you need a smile (and when don't we all need a smile)?

30 Is the New 13

Lisa — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:32:21 -0700

Oh, my sweet lord... My friend C. just clued me in to 30 Is the New 13. Sada writes, "I am blogging my way through a suitcase full of stories—ahem, chapter books—and assorted other embarrassing relics from my childhood."

Sada's first subject for retrospective analysis is That's What Friends Are For, about the adventures of an exquisitely cool nine-year-old named Liz Craw. It's a thing of beauty. I'm crying, it's so beautiful.

(I have my own box of incriminating literary material from my youth, but at this time I don't quite have the guts to put it out for the whole world to see. Maybe some other day...)