stephaniedraven.com » Entertainment

Romancelandia Advice: My Girlfriend Will Only Do It In the Shower

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:03:59 +0000

Dear Ms. Draven, My girlfriend is smart, bubbly and adventurous. I can really see a future with this girl. The problem is that she only really gets in the mood when we’re showering together. I’d like to do it in, you know, a normal bedroom, but the shower is the only place we ever do the deed. [...]

The Greek Gods Debate Fiscal Policy (Hilarious SNL Skit)

Stephanie Draven — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:02:56 +0000

Greek Gods (SNL)

Top 5 Songs that Turn Into Earworms: What’s Your Favorite?

Stephanie Draven — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:26:38 +0000

Certain songs crawl into my mind and replicate themselves until I’m on the verge of madness. According to studies, 98% of people have experienced a snippet of music compulsively repeating in their mind. It gets stuck in your head! So, here ere are the top five that have me humming helplessly like I’m a zombie [...]

Classic Myths and Contemporary Re-telling

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:00:31 +0000

I just wanted to pass along this information for those of you in the Maryland/Virginia area. The Writer’s Center is presenting a panel this coming weekend that might interest you! Open Door Reading: Classic Myths and Contemporary Re-telling Sunday, May 15, 2:00 P.M. The Writer’s Center presents a panel discussion with poets Donna Denizé, Nan Fry, and [...]

The Bachelor Recap, Season 15, Episode 8: And Then There Were Three

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:30:01 +0000

As a workaholic, one of the few indulgences I allow myself is ABC’s The Bachelor, because nothing makes my paranormal romance novels seem more realistic than comparing them to the inane antics of reality television. That said, on to the re-cap. After giving Mad Michelle the boot last week, our bachelor had narrowed the field to [...]

The Bachelor: You’re Starting to Really Scare Me (Season 15, Episode 6)

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 07:25:48 +0000

As a workaholic, one of the few indulgences I allow myself is ABC’s The Bachelor, because nothing makes my paranormal romance novels seem more realistic than comparing them to the inane antics of reality television. That said, on to the re-cap. This episode begins with Michelle the Mad predicting that Chantal O. won’t come back from [...]

Why is the Supernatural So Popular In Hard Times?

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:21:01 +0000

Cross-posted from Found Not Lost Blog Let’s face it, times are hard. Money is tight. We’re fighting two wars overseas. The country is politically polarized and religious tensions are actually rising. Given the dark, gritty reality, it seems startling that readers would flock to fiction that’s even darker and grittier…but that’s exactly what has happened. Historically, the [...]

My Guilty TV Pleasures

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:44:40 +0000

Cross posted from Thoughts in Progress Blog Like a book, a television show tells a story, but it is a story more easily shared. My mother always told me that the tube would rot my brain, and maybe she’s right, but I thought I’d list a few of my favorites: Supernatural. When it comes to dark, twisted, [...]

What Kind of Nymph Are You?

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:59:35 +0000

Nymphs are my favorite paranormal creature. They embody what the ancient Greeks hoped and feared women might be like if unfettered by the normal rules of society. Primal. Powerful. Capricious. Captivating. In my Mythica series for HQN Nocturne, two of my heroines are nymphs, so I had the bright idea to make up a ‘Which Kind [...]

Greek Myth Comic Series

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:01:55 +0000

Hey, I think this is really cool. George O'Connor is writing a series of Greek mythology comic books for children, and I can't wait for my nephew to be old enough to enjoy them!

Does the Sword & Sandal Genre Have Staying Power?

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:42:42 +0000

I hope the Clash of the Titans people aren't getting ahead of themselves in chatting up "trilogy potential" for their new movie. I have to say that as the author of MIDNIGHT MEDUSA I am predisposed not to like Perseus very much--especially in this picture! The director said:

It's like James Cameron with 'Avatar,' he can explore different planets. Well, I can explore Greek mythology. You've got so many creatures, so many heroes, so many gods. You have Daedalus, Icarus, Percivel. Amazing stuff. You've got several worlds. I could spend the rest of my life directing Greek mythology movies and I would still not finish everything." "If 'Clash' does well and we're lucky enough to make it into a franchise, that's what I'd love to do," he said. He even offered some hints as to where things could go next! "Before the gods, there were the titans, there were even bigger creatures and monsters. That could be something. It's ancient superheroes."

Grepolis: Online Strategy Game With Gods of the Greek Mythology

Stephanie Draven — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:39:38 +0000

Okay, so this game looks pretty neat. It appears to be a free browser game in which you can play against the backdrop of Greek mythology. If only I had the time to play...

The NYT on the new Spartacus series

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:42:53 +0000

The New York times has an interesting story on the upcoming Starz Television Show, Spartacus. They seem to imply that it's going to be all sex and gore. Maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm sure there are other lessons that the writers could have taken from HBO's Rome, but this is what they zeroed in on:

The show’s creators were also fans of “Rome,” and they say they learned two important lessons from that series. One was not to spend a fortune on building sets. (“Spartacus” relies instead on green-screen technology and C.G.I.) And the other was that their story line needed, like that of “Rome” to be character driven.

Greek Myth Humor and The Princess Planet

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:17:52 +0000

Okay, given that my last book in the modern mythology series for Nocturne is going to feature a Minotaur and a Sphinx, I've gotta love this comic series: I am now a fangirl of Brian Mclachlan, who has envisioned entirely new myth-inspired monstrosity, like the Mino-con (Unicorn mixed with a Minotaur. You have to see the drawing...)

Getting Ridiculously Excited to See Percy Jackson & The Olympians

Stephanie Draven — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:58:34 +0000

I know Clash of the Titans is a film from my youth. It should be the odds-on-favorite to win my heart in the upcoming battle of Sword & Sandal epics this year. But Clash of the Titans was always a bit cartoony and Percy Jackson is looking to be remarkably mature for a kid's film. This article talks about the match-up between the two movies and it has me squirming with anticipation. Plus, okay, come on. Not only Kevin McKidd but Pierce Brosnan. That kinda seals the deal for me.

Uma Thurmond to Play Sexy Medusa

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:33:58 +0000

See? I'm not the only one to have envisioned Medusa as a seductress. It looks like Uma Thurmond got the role of the Gorgon in the new Percy Jackson movie. My favorite quote of the article was this one:

How alluring is Uma Thurman? "She's someone who's so sensual and seductive," filmmaker Chris Columbus says, "that you'll look into her eyes and forget that she has 75 snakes on her head."

If the gorgon on my cover for MIDNIGHT MEDUSA can look like a freckled Irishwoman, then why can't Medusa be all Nordic blond like Uma?

My New Favorite Band–Roxx Gang

Stephanie Draven — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:13:24 +0000

Okay, I know nothing about this band except for the fact that they used MIDNIGHT MEDUSA in their song, Tiger Lily. However, the lyrics totally won me over:

Standin' there with your hydra hair blowin' in the breeze Sing a siren's song bringin' lovers to their knees Because if you can write a lovesong about ancient Greek monsters, you're alright by me. However, I feel as if I should challenge them to some kind of epic Colbert-style duel. Got any ideas?

Sony Claims God of War III is Different Because of Greek Mythology

Stephanie Draven — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:42:01 +0000

According to Destructoid, Sony is hyping their new game in the following manner:

"God of War III combines these new technologies with the much loved gameplay elements from the previous games -- Puzzle solving, brutal combat and epic set-piece battles," explains Backhouse. "It also benefits from a deep and involving storyline, steeped in Greek Mythology. This is what makes God of War III unique and sets it apart from other next gen titles."

Does that make it special? How many other games out there are steeped in Greek mythology these days? Honest question. Maybe not many. I'd love to know.

Spartacus…the series?

Stephanie Draven — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:11:44 +0000

HBO's Rome was some fantastic television, and Showtime is doing great with the Tudors, so why not. As long as it doesn't try to remake Kubrick's film--because seriously, the original Spartacus does not need to be remade--it could be pretty great. Here's the trailer for it. As an author of myth-inspired and historical fiction, I cheer and say bring on more of the Sword & Sandal epics!

Oh, Clash of the Titans, Please Be Awesome

Stephanie Draven — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:08:03 +0000

2010 is looking at a resurgence of the Sword & Sandal Genre. As an author of myth-inspired and historical fiction, I couldn't be happier. But I want this movie to be good. Dear Clash of the Titans, be better than 300, please!