Unnecessary censorship/editing

Hi there,

I came across something the other day which I just had to write about.

I recently found old re-runs of a show I watched on Sky back in the late 90′s called The New Professionals. As I was a fan of the original with Bodie and Doyle from the 70′s I naturally gave this a go. At the time I thought it was ok, production values were ok for a show that was partially funded by Sky, there were some good action sequences and even if some of the acting was a bit dire I quite enjoyed it. On now to the re-runs, I caught the first episode on a channel called Movies4Men, which shows some really bad action movies mixed occasionally with the odd gem, but basically they show straight to dvd fodder. Knowing this I thought I’d give this a go and see if the show was as good as I remembered or if my taste had changed. Whole chunks of the story had been ripped out and I mean ripped out. It wasn’t even done with any thought to help the story flow they had just taken out all the action scenes or fights and in some cases scenes that actually helped keep the story together. To call it a hatchet job was being kind. I went online to check out the show and found that even when it first aired on Sky it was edited poorly with some action scenes being cut. This so badly done that it ruined the shows chances of ever being shown again. It’s taken almost 14 years before it has been shown and I find it incredible that a channel that specialises in action films has taken the decision to cut this even further. What is the thinking behind all this? The other films they show are far more gratuitous than this and with all the subsequent editing most episodes make no sense at all.

I have a rumour that there is a plan to bring this original idea to the big screen. I hope whoever is behind this uses this as an example of what not to do, nor do I hope they follow in the footsteps of the producers who brought us big screen versions of Starsky and Hutch and the new 21Jump Street both of which have turned out to be embarrassing examples of movie makers who do not understand the source material and take their efforts down a completely different path, these people should not be allowed to make films period. On what planet is it a sane decision to take a much-loved action show that was watched by millions and turn it into a comedy? Simple answer, none.

In what other media does this unnecessary tampering occur do you think?

That’s all for now, see you all soon,

Jan.

One of my Goodreads reviews

Hi there,

Area 7 by Matthew Reilly

My rating: <a href=”http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/273288015″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I’m doing a re-read of this book as a warm up to Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves which has just arrived. Even though this is the second time I’ve read this book it’s just as fast paced and adrenalin fueled as the first time I read it. Mr Reilly may be criticised for his lack of character development but he certainly makes up for it in the action stakes. It’s also been said that he seems to write these books as if they’re screenplays for a big budget action movie and if that’s the case when will some enterprising movie producer pick up the rights to this series and do them justice I wonder? I don’t mind that I have to suspend belief at certain parts of the story, it delivers in my opinion, on every level for pure entertainment value. Hope the new book lives up to this standard, which I’m sure it will, here’s to many more ‘Scarecrow‘ books.
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<a href=”http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4625592-jan-domagala”>View all my reviews</a>

See you soon,

Jan.

New Direction.

Hi there,

I’ve not posted for a while and it’s simply been because I have been busy with a complete re-edit of Ronin, the first book in the Col Sec series.

I recently received a review on Amazon from, who I can only describe as a disgruntled reader. It was obvious, not only to me but to a few others who read the review, that this person didn’t want to like the book from the outset and set out to destroy both it, and my attempt at writing.

Having said that, there were a few points that he made, that I planned to redress in later books. I came to a decision therefore, to make the changes at the start of the series, in the hope that it would improve it and help it to flow better.

This, of course takes time. I’ve had to devote a lot of time, not only to Ronin but to the following books, as the changes made in Ronin will obviously affect those too.

First things first though, Ronin, must be the best I can make it. I may have been lax in bringing it out without making sure that it was the best I could make it. If that was a mistake, I can promise you it is one that will not be repeated.

As writers we all strive to be the best we can. We go over and over what we write to make sure we give our best to you, our public. In this though can lie a dilemma. Where do we draw the line and say ‘ Okay this is as good as it gets’ As writers we all know that we get better as we continue to write. Experience tells us that we learn as we continue, so, I will try my best to promise that Ronin will be the best work I can deliver. The following works in the series therefore, if you follow that train of thought should get better with each consecutive book. I truly hope that is the case as I don’t want to let anyone down. If a reader does me the favour of picking up my book, the least I can do is make sure it’s the professional piece of work you, as readers, deserve.

That’s all for now folks, I will be in touch with samples of the book before it goes to the production stage to see if my efforts have been worthwhile.

See you all soon,

Jan.

Author Interview.

Hi there,

I recently learned of a website dedicated to independent authors that helps to publicise their works by interviewing them, giving them more exposure. I contacted them hoping for a chance to publicise Ronin and any further works in the Col Sec series. Imagine the surprise I felt when I was accepted. I was amazed that they would even consider interviewing me for an article in their website. A series of questions was emailed to me for my response which I dutifully filled out to the best of my ability keeping the answers honest and as professional as possible then sent them back.

The interview is due to be posted, so I’ve been informed by the owner of the website at the end of June so please keep an eye out for it. The website is Indiereads.net and, hopefully I can reach a wider audience through this exposure and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Shawn Graham for his help.

See you soon,

Jan.

Comic book fan

Hi there,

as a comic book fan of old I welcome the move of some of my favourite Marvel characters to the big screen. With the advent of digital technology it can only be good news for the special effects heavy stories that originate on the page, but, and there’s always a ‘but’

Why does there have to be a ‘but’?

Can’t the movie makers leave well alone and stick to tried and tested story’s that the fans have grown to love over many many years?

Simple answer!

No!!!!!!

This really riles me, Wolverine was a film featuring a comic book character and not a film of the comic book character. To get a film soooooo wrong must take a degree in stupidity that is beyond my understanding, and yet they’re planning a sequel which I just don’t understand.

Now we come to another monumental cock-up, again associated with the X-Men franchise, I of course refer to the new offering of X-Men First Class.

Have these people even read the original comic books that these characters came from? or do they just pick characters at random and simply make it up as they go along.

Is this just another re-imagining of a tried and trusted formula or just what the film makers think how the story should go?

Whatever the reason, why don’t they just adapt the original story?

Surely the argument that the original story can’t be adapted for the screen until they could do it justice isn’t valid any more and for this I use the Lord of the Rings as a prime example. If that book can be filmed and win the accolades then a comic book should be easy.

No doubt there will be some out there who will disagree with most of what I’ve said and that’s okay, after all, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I’ve voiced mine here and I welcome anyone to join in and leave a comment either for or against what I’ve said.

It would be interesting to see what you think on the matter.

See you soon

Jan.

Signed Copies

Hi there,

to help promote my first book in the Col Sec series of high adrenalin action adventure novels entitled Ronin, I’m making available signed copies of said title at seriously discounted prices. Remember people, any royalties made throughout this year from the sale of this book will be donated to Comic Relief.

here’s the link to the book on Amazon so you can read the review

http://www.amazon.com/Ronin-Adventure-Mr-Jan-Domagala/dp/1453850031/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

If you’re interested in obtaining this first edition, which is sure to become a collectible, you can reach me either by leaving a comment on here or by my personal email, jan.domagala@gmail.com

See you soon,

Jan.

First review

Hi there,

I’ve received the first review to my first book today, here’s the link to the book and you can read the review for yourselves

http://www.amazon.com/Ronin-Adventure-Mr-Jan-Domagala/dp/1453850031/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

I would love for anyone else out there to post their opinions of the book on here or on any forum of their choosing, the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. A wise man once said “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” I suppose what he really meant was that he didn’t care what they said about him as long as they were talking.

I welcome any and all comments, the floor is yours people

See you soon

Jan

New inspiration

Hi there,

a few days ago I spent an evening in the company of my nephew who bought a copy of my first book http://www.amazon.com/Ronin-Adventure-Mr-Jan-Domagala/dp/1453850031/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

He enjoyed it so much he’s asked if he could proof read my next for me. I mentioned this in an earlier post dated March 8 2011, Good news, bad news, he gave me his honest and frank opinion on the book which was mind-blowing to say the least.

I’ve always respected this young man, he was once voted young musician of the year in Staffordshire, he plays drums for various bands, teaches percussion in school, was one of the youngest ever to receive a black belt in karate in this country and he’s the son of my best friend, my big sis so as you can imagine, I value his opinion. I won’t bore you with the details I’ll just say that his review, when posted on Amazon.com will be an honest description of the book and I urge everyone to look out for it.

During our conversation we brain stormed a few ideas, I told him of the path I’d envisioned for the series to take and he was very enthusiastic which was more than a little encouraging. It’s difficult for any writer to know if he’s reached his target audience until the sales figures come in and this is the hardest part of the process. I think I’ve said before that writing a book is relatively easy compared to selling said book. With encouragement, hard work and enthusiasm though I hope to reach my goals as a writer in the next few years and with my nephews input and assistance the journey will be that much easier.

For any of you who do buy the book, you have my gratitude and the hope that you’ll stay with me through the journey to find out what’s in store for Kurt Stryder and everyone else in Col Sec.

See you soon,

Jan.

Comic Relief Donation 2

Hi there,

isn’t it amazing  how a good idea set’s your mind racing and you set it in motion then later on you have a rethink and spot stuff you missed. The same thing happened this morning with me, I got up and started a discussion on Amazon.com about my planned donation to Comic Relief with royalties earned this year from the sale of my book, putting links in for both my book and Comic Relief. Then having done that I returned to my blog only to find that on my original post I neglected to do the same here, so I will rectify that now so it will be very clear for anyone interested in helping me out.

The link to my book is; http://www.amazon.com/Ronin-Adventure-Mr-Jan-Domagala/dp/1453850031/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

and the link to Comic Relief is; http://www.comicrelief.com/

so now you have both, if you want to help me out you can access my book’s page on Amazon.com; and if you’re not aware of the charity then you can check out it’s website and see all the good they do around the world. It really is a worthy cause guys so come on let’s help change some lives for the better.

See you soon,

Jan.

 

Comic Relief donation

Hi there,

while watching Comic Relief last night it was impossible for me not to be moved by all the films shown from around the world of all those suffering.

This morning I still had the images from last night running through my mind and I decided to do something else to help.

This may not sound too grand an idea but with all your help it could just work so bear with me for a minute.

Those of you who have read this blog before will know that I’m a writer and my book is on sale on Amazon.com. What I propose is this; and I will need all your help and that of anyone you know, for this to be of any benefit.

I propose to give all my royalties earned this year from the sale of my book Ronin to Comic Relief. That is any money earned from the sale of said book from now until December 31st 2011 will get donated to Comic Relief, so come on guys, let’s help change some lives.

See you soon,

Jan.