Kenner revolutionized the toy industry with the introduction of their 3.75-inch STAR WARS "mini-figures." Before then, most action figures were much larger. With STAR WARS having so many spaceships, vehicles, and locations, Kenner saw the potential of making toy versions of these vehicles and locations that would be compatible with action figures. It wasn't practical … Continue reading Star Wars 3.75-Inch Figures Part 1 (1977-1979)
Life after death. A topic that has haunted our imagination for centuries. Think of all the books and shows that deal with ghosts and where we go next. There's a lot, but here are two of my favorites, both written by the great Carol Lynch Williams: NEVER THAT FAR (Shadow Mountain, 2018): After her grandfather … Continue reading NEVER THAT FAR and MESSENGER by Carol Lynch Williams
Let's take a look at the four TIE Fighters released by Kenner during their original STAR WARS run: TIE FIGHTER (1978) The good old original! Featured a light-up laser you could activate at the touch of a button, and pop-off wings to make the ship appear to be blown up during play time. A TIE … Continue reading Vintage TIE Fighters
Would you like to see a hundred-dollar Pop? Here you go. You're welcome. Most Pops packages have the clear window so you can see the actual product without opening the package. Sadly, this one doesn't have that. Still, this is a super impressive addition to anyone's Pop collection, Pokemon fan or not!
Okay. This is my favorite Hasbro offering from last year. Based on the Disneyland ride, it comes with figures of Chewie and Hondo, along with several porgs. As you see on the box art, it also comes with two radar dishes, so you can switch between the original trilogy look and the way it is … Continue reading 2020 Smuggler’s Run Millennium Falcon by Hasbro
Brandon Sanderson has many excellent YouTube videos about writing fiction. In a 2020 class, he states: "In your writing, focus on what excites you about the story, and get the story done. Then go back and fill in what needs to be there." Of course, every writer is different. You have to do what works … Continue reading First Draft – Focus on what excites you about your story (If you’re bored writing it, I don’t want to read it.)
This is the revised and expanded edition that came out in 2020, thirty-five years after the first film's release. Harper Design has the book shrink-wrapped before shipping it to stores, and with good reason. It's loaded with removable reproductions of props from the films. In addition to the photos and props, writers Michael Klastorin and … Continue reading Back to the Future – The Ultimate Visual History
Let's take a look at Hasbro's Carbon-Freezing Chamber set. The release coincided with the 40 year anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Here's the box art. Very nice! In the above picture it's seen that if you purchase two of these sets you can make the whole chamber floor. The set received criticism for having … Continue reading 2020 Carbon-Freezing Chamber Playset
Are you working on a novel and need help with story structure? If so, I recommend THE PLOT WHISPERER by Martha Alderson. In chapter 2, there's an overview of the "Universal Story." Alderson writes: "Tap into the Universal Story and better direct the flow of your story to connect with your reader on a deep … Continue reading The Universal Story
I have many memories of my parents reading Beverly Cleary to my siblings and me. Our family sitting on couches and the floor, laughing out loud during RAMONA THE PEST, BEEZUS AND RAMONA, and others. You can't put a price on that. Once reading at that level, I collected the HENRY HUGGINS books, and went … Continue reading Beverly Cleary 1916 – 2021
