tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post3598432856392268232..comments2023-10-26T04:59:07.500-04:00Comments on Book Roast: Friday's special is...Washington Irving: An American OriginalChris Eldinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-9021504600287382112008-09-01T19:51:00.000-04:002008-09-01T19:51:00.000-04:00Oh, YAY!!!!!! Sorry for the belated response! Can...Oh, YAY!!!!!! Sorry for the belated response! Can't wait to read more of this!!!!<BR/><BR/>Yippee!!!!!Preciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05071233480999640713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-88999631593209453502008-08-30T16:26:00.000-04:002008-08-30T16:26:00.000-04:00way to go, precie!thx brian, and all the others, t...way to go, precie!<BR/><BR/>thx brian, and all the others, toolaughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-39778735899546713482008-08-30T13:00:00.000-04:002008-08-30T13:00:00.000-04:00Yay, Precie! This has really been a fun week of ro...Yay, Precie! <BR/><BR/>This has really been a fun week of roasters and roastees. Y'all are the best! That's why it's such a pleasure -- and so easy -- to play the occasional host. You guys do all the work!Phoenix Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03290349031002504007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-4755905211154115222008-08-30T11:05:00.000-04:002008-08-30T11:05:00.000-04:00Congrats, Precie!Congrats, Precie!Michelle H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10117937124348728578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-90039160731084522542008-08-30T10:53:00.000-04:002008-08-30T10:53:00.000-04:00Thanks, Brian, and congratulations, Precie. I gue...Thanks, Brian, and congratulations, Precie. I guess I have to save "piloting a pleasure bark into an enshadowed nook" until the erotic romance authors visit next month. Surely they'll know what to make of it.Stephen Parrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16883165490847664389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-39762643897793336052008-08-30T10:50:00.000-04:002008-08-30T10:50:00.000-04:00Oh, and feeling like Dustin Hoffman, who forgot to...Oh, and feeling like Dustin Hoffman, who forgot to thank his costars in his Oscar acceptance speech . . . <BR/><BR/>A special thanks to Chris and the whole team at Book Roast -- especially Stephen Parrish, who's everything one could have hoped for in a host and roastmaster. You're class acts, all of yuz.Brian Jay Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887904346382617116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-23301372383590682962008-08-30T10:45:00.000-04:002008-08-30T10:45:00.000-04:00Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for the roasting -- a...Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for the roasting -- and for the political discussion as well. It was a great day, and I'm only sorry a crazy schedule prevented me from checking in more often.<BR/><BR/>And with that outta the way, here's the moment you've been waiting for.<BR/><BR/>First, you're all pee-in-yer-pants funny and a whole lotta fun. So choosing is tough. So let me go through the questions one at a time, and even give you a bit of backstory.<BR/><BR/>(1) <I>Who would I pick to play Irving and Mary Shelley?</I> <BR/><BR/>My editor, Casey, and I had just such a discussion about a number of "characters" in the book. I started by suggesting Hugh Grant, but she said he was a bit too goofy and not unpredictable enough. Fair enough. Eventually, we settled on Johnny Depp as being the only actor unpredictable enough to carry off the complicated Washington Irving.<BR/><BR/>Jaye, that was your suggestion -- and I also liked your Helena Bonham Carter idea, which both my wife and I enthusiastically agreed with. But you're an ineligble receiver! <BR/><BR/>That being said, there was actually another answer really made me go, "Wow, great choice, I wish I'd thought of that!" -- and that was Precie's suggestion of Hugh Jackman as Irving, and Keira Knightley as Shelley. Great picks both -- and others seemed to agree -- so first point goes to Precie.<BR/><BR/>(2) <I>How many love letters did Brian write to his wife before she married him?</I> <BR/><BR/>Uh....zero, actually. I know, I know. Fortunately, my wife fell in love with me for my ability to do all of the Muppets' voices.<BR/><BR/>Best answer: Precie, who said "one," but gets big bonus points for her suggestion that it was "a damn good one!" Both Barb and I laughed out load at that one. Point, Precie.<BR/><BR/>(3) <I>Translate into modern English: "How can Irving pilot his pleasure bark from the gay press into this sober, sad, enshadowed nook?"</I><BR/><BR/>My only comment here: thank you all for keeping it clean. I know it was difficult! I must admit, though, that Charles gave a typically great response. And if that's not how it translates, then by god it SHOULD be....<BR/><BR/>Tallying the scores, then, the clear winner for today's event is . . . <BR/><BR/><B>Precie</B>!<BR/><BR/>Whew, picking a winner was actually tougher than the roast itself.<BR/><BR/>Thank you EVERYONE for participating. I had a great time, and I'm always willing to continue any discussions. Give me a shout over on my blog if you're ever bored. Maybe I'll give you the lowdown on the time I was yelled at by the Senate Majority Leader....Brian Jay Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887904346382617116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-38963250802043508382008-08-30T09:40:00.000-04:002008-08-30T09:40:00.000-04:00Someone had their cornflakes today, didn't she?Someone had their cornflakes today, didn't she?Michelle H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10117937124348728578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-16266501032526698632008-08-30T07:56:00.000-04:002008-08-30T07:56:00.000-04:00Good Morning Folks!!!!Thanks to *everyone* who pop...Good Morning Folks!!!!<BR/><BR/>Thanks to *everyone* who popped in and said hello!!! And thank you, Brian, for taking the time to talk with us about your book.<BR/><BR/>The contest is now closed, so Brian can post the winner at any time. (Although as a mom, I always say we're all winners. Corny, yes!) :-)Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-3664636475485438372008-08-29T22:46:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:46:00.000-04:00BJJ: My ACKROYD post is scheduled for 10/19, and o...BJJ: My ACKROYD post is scheduled for 10/19, and on 10/30 I'll post my own Top 100 "Big Read" list - can you guess which modern, 21rst Century author is among the very few modern 21rst Century authors to make my best/fave list? ;-)Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-61994321930740167362008-08-29T22:38:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:38:00.000-04:00BJJ: On a lighter note, when are you gonna join Ja...BJJ: On a lighter note, when are you gonna join Jaye, Chris and me on Twitter? <BR/><BR/>How do you manage to write in house with all those remodeling projects going on? <BR/><BR/>Any hints about your next book? When are you going to try your hand at some fiction?Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-57411072978676146792008-08-29T22:36:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:36:00.000-04:00BBJ: You know I luv ya, you know I'm your biggest ...BBJ: You know I luv ya, you know I'm your biggest fan, but when you read my write-up on ROGER ACKROYD, you'll see exactly why I'm one of the most feared women in the blogosphere, and just how harsh my criticism can be, even for a master like Agatha Christie.<BR/><BR/>So to answer your question, I read it until I stopped reading it (on my blog I do a series of savage posts entitled WHY I STOPPED READING (THIS) BOOK)- posts that strike fear in the hearts of every writer, living or dead.Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-85994878356090278562008-08-29T22:30:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:30:00.000-04:00Hi Chris!This is fun, and I'd love to keep going i...Hi Chris!<BR/><BR/>This is fun, and I'd love to keep going if people want to keep posting. In the morning, I'll give some of MY answers to the questions, and pick the winner. And choosing a winner is TOUGH, I assure you, with all these smartybritcheses around.Brian Jay Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887904346382617116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-60988824143311577752008-08-29T22:26:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:26:00.000-04:00We're going through Sat 7am, so please keep your g...We're going through Sat 7am, so please keep your guesses (and chit chat!) rolling in!!<BR/><BR/>:-)Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-47276497656429372322008-08-29T22:24:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:24:00.000-04:00JD! Nice to see you! I was hoping you'd drop in! ...JD! Nice to see you! I was hoping you'd drop in! (To borrow a line from THAT THING YOU DO: "Is that our fan?")<BR/><BR/>Seriously, thanks for the kudos and kind words. And did you read ROGER ACKROYD yet, hmm????Brian Jay Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887904346382617116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-12766923188065110412008-08-29T22:22:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:22:00.000-04:00Sorry to be away so long, there, folks. Back now....Sorry to be away so long, there, folks. Back now.<BR/><BR/>Jason: Followed by an opium chaser! Good times indeed.<BR/><BR/>Precie: Believe it or not, I've never watched West Wing. I know, I know . . . I suck.<BR/><BR/>Word: Tom Hanks maybe, though he gets ALL the good parts lately...<BR/><BR/>Points for the translation! That got the big LOL, as Kids Today say. And get off my lawn.<BR/><BR/>Anon: Shut up! *punches you on the arm*<BR/><BR/>Barb: No hints from the wife, darn it! (Love you!)<BR/><BR/>Chumplet: Come now! Legend of Sleepy Hollow and all that, right? Buehller? Anyone? (Seriously, thanks for dropping by the Friday Night Dance Party!)<BR/><BR/>Sarah: PSH! One of my favorites! But not for Irving. Perhaps for James Fenimore Cooper, though... <BR/><BR/>And yes, I like to think Mrs. Shelley really COULD be that coy.Brian Jay Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12887904346382617116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-23537913364802366832008-08-29T22:20:00.000-04:002008-08-29T22:20:00.000-04:00Here's a question: What blogging crime scribe ...Here's a question: What blogging crime scribe was inspired to become a writer when she made a childhood pilgrimage to Sunnyside, WI's famous house?<BR/><BR/>Answer: Josie D!<BR/><BR/>Mary Shelley was just one literary luminary to cross WI's path. Among the many delights of this outstanding book are the array of writers WI meets (for example: Dickens & Poe) and the entirely fresh and new perspective I had on them from seeing them through WI's eyes. <BR/><BR/>Another thing I got out of this book was how much the pub biz and agenting haven't changed from WI's times. <BR/><BR/>Am extremely eager to read BJJ's next book, and will be first in line to buy it.Josephine Damianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952030380866201241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-34005771818398872152008-08-29T19:31:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:31:00.000-04:00Brian, this book sounds fascinating. Congratulatio...Brian, this book sounds fascinating. Congratulations of the highest order! <BR/><BR/>1) Philip Seymour Hoffman and Claire Danes<BR/><BR/>2) Er, 457? <BR/><BR/>3) "Do you, like, think he'd go out with me? But don't <I>tell</I> him I asked or anything..."Sarah Hinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13888406261817690010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-20249313664529473542008-08-29T19:06:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:06:00.000-04:00Welcome, Brian! A Friday night party, huh? I heard...Welcome, Brian! A Friday night party, huh? I heard good things about your book from Josephine Damien, who is very difficult to please. So, kudos!<BR/><BR/>I'm Canadian so I'm not so big on this history stuff, but I know who Mary Shelly is.<BR/><BR/>1. Hugh Laurie and Dame Judy Dench.<BR/><BR/>2. None. He just winked at her and she was smitten.<BR/><BR/>3. Hmm. Must have something to do with writing and the printing press, so...<BR/>"How can Irving write such depressing stuff when everything else is jumping off the press with flowers, weddings and happy endings?"Sandra Cormierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231342310371529022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-47875974088334836972008-08-29T19:01:00.000-04:002008-08-29T19:01:00.000-04:00Here's a hint for Question #2:457 times the number...Here's a hint for Question #2:<BR/><BR/>457 times the number of times he has taken me to the ballet.<BR/><BR/>(We both hate the ballet...)Barb Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17570863478818023490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-44216302514539444582008-08-29T18:28:00.000-04:002008-08-29T18:28:00.000-04:00brian, i'm sure you get flamed over more than just...brian, i'm sure you get flamed over more than just that... <BR/><BR/>i'm not into politics a lot, but is not palin FOR the decimation of wildlife in alaska, especially wolves? grrrlaughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-40756674578842620392008-08-29T17:33:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:33:00.000-04:00Word, you may make me whip out my glasses and twee...Word, you may make me whip out my glasses and tweed.Chris Eldinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11794946908789120139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-19142976393328476082008-08-29T17:13:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:13:00.000-04:00Great book, great subject. A go at the questions:...Great book, great subject. A go at the questions:<BR/><BR/>1. Who would Brian pick to play Washington Irving and Mary Shelley in the movie version of his book?<BR/><BR/>Kevin Spacey (c'mon that one is so obvious) and Gates McFadden (but you would have to know Brian to know that he'd go there)<BR/><BR/>2. How many love letters did Brian write to his wife before she married him?<BR/><BR/>The man is prolific - he may even be an author someday. I'm guessing one letter a day (do e-mails count?)<BR/><BR/>3. Translate into modern English: "How can Irving pilot his pleasure bark from the gay press into this sober, sad, enshadowed nook?"<BR/><BR/>"How can a dandy date a goth?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-44207087738168592292008-08-29T16:48:00.000-04:002008-08-29T16:48:00.000-04:00Hi Brian,Congrats! I need this book too because I...Hi Brian,<BR/><BR/>Congrats! I need this book too because I can't have Chris looking smarter than me - even though she is!<BR/><BR/>Who's this Washington Irving cat?<BR/>And Mary Shelley?<BR/><BR/>I think it is interesting that Washington Irving is one of those "two last names" guys and Mary Shelley is one of those "two first names" chicks. They should have hooked up ;-)<BR/><BR/>I'll take a go at the questions.<BR/><BR/>1. Who would Brian pick to play Washington Irving and Mary Shelley in the movie version of his book?<BR/><BR/>Tom Hanks and Paris Hilton.<BR/><BR/>2. How many love letters did Brian write to his wife before she married him?<BR/><BR/>One every day until she finally said yes just get the letters to stop.<BR/><BR/>3. Translate into modern English: "How can Irving pilot his pleasure bark from the gay press into this sober, sad, enshadowed nook?" <BR/><BR/>How can Irving pick his nose after just having his fingernails cut?Wordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619452785558039000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-262683133067234581.post-70678669766882042008-08-29T16:42:00.001-04:002008-08-29T16:42:00.001-04:00Oh, I just thought of another "speech writer" ques...Oh, I just thought of another "speech writer" question...Forgive me but I am still a die-hard WEST WING fan. If you watched it, how did the Toby/Sam depiction of political speech writing compare to real life?Preciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05071233480999640713noreply@blogger.com