Nice PR. Are you splitting the profits? Just kidding. Will add it to my reading list.
MH

I have a copy of the book sitting on the piano bench in our living room. The bench invites me to sit down and play, the book invites me to sit down and read.

Not only is Ruchama's book chockful of wonderful writing tips and stories, it's also visually appealing.

Mazel tov to Ruchama and to her students/authors. It's a book to be proud of.

dear robert,

thank you for your kind words. much appreciated!

sincerely,

alan d. busch

Many thanks!

Robert,

Thanks for the tip.

But "laptop"? What happened to your fountain pen?

Mordechai

Mata Hari:

Sharing the profits?

(Slapping my forehead. Hard.)

Why didn't I think of that?

(Another slap. For dramatic effect.)

I'm unleashing my Hollywood attack dog lawyer on Mrs. Feuerman and demanding points—gross points. You think I'm gonna settle for net profits? No way. I've been in Hollywood a long time and I've seen the creative book keeping involved.

Thanks sooo much for the suggestion.

Pearl:

Glad to hear you already have the book. My advice: give up the piano for a while.

Alan:

You're very welcome. I should mention that you have two fine stories in this collection. That's quite an accomplishment. Yasher Koach.

Jeremiah:

You will really enjoy this collection. These are stories that hit hard on so many levels.

Mordechai:

Fountain pen is now reserved for autographs:-)

About twice a week I get e-mails from aspiring screenwriters that go something like this:
Dear Mr. Avrech:

I have a great idea for a movie, can I tell it to you? I just need someone to write it down for me. Are you available? Maybe we can collaborate and then split the profits.

Darn, I never get the really good emails. Mine go something like this.

"Dear Beloved,

My name is Georgette Babbette and I am a citizen of the great republic of narishkeit on the continent of Africa. My father was worth millions and has recently died.

I cannot access his money without the help of someone as knowledgeable as you, blah, blah, blah, blah. Please send me your name, bank account information, blah, blah, blah and we'll share the money.

Trusting in you and the lord,

Georgette Babbette

I think that I like your emails better.

Dear Mr. Avrech

I have a great business idea. You should ask for a dime from every email sender who asks you to consider their manuscript or story idea.

After we split the profits, you'll still be rich!

You're welcome.

- Paul

No problem. Did I mention that I have a great idea for a movie? There are a bunch of bloggers, see...they all have these very distinctive personalities....oh, and they all comment on the blog of an orthodox jewish screenwriter.
Sort of You've Got Mail meets Yentl.

Robert,
Re: "When creating characters, it's vital to know what your main character wants—really, really wants—and what's his secret flaw."

I don't want to get too artsy here (English was my worst subject in college), but let me pose a question. Do you think this concept mainly applies only to literature, or do you think it applies to real life, too, to the same extent? In other words, do all people have a strong desire and/or desiers for certain things, yet have secret flaws they must overcome to succeed? Obviously, some people do -- to a huge degree -- and they make great movie characters (Richard Nixon, Jake La Motta.) But does this conflict exist in seemingly well adjusted folks, too, whose lives would not necessarily make good movie material?

Hey Robert, I have an idea for a movie, no really, it's a good one. This conservative, Jewish, gun loving screenwriter, teaches a (sorta) liberal, Jewish, not so gun loving, babka eating woman to shoot a gun. I know, I know, this could never really happen in real life...but I just know that someone with your skills can take the idea and run with it. Whadaya think? I'll even go 60/40 with you.

Jack:

Hey, Georgette writes to me too, and I'm still waiting for my money?

Am I missing something?

Paul:

A dime? One lousy dime? I'm gonna ask for at least, um, a quarter.

Sure I'll split profits with you. My people will call your people.

Just sit by your phone and wait for the deal to be made.

Yup, sit and wait.

Mata Hari:

Gee, what a great idea.

My people will call your people.

See above for next step.

David:

Definitely applies to real life. Everyone has faults, everyone has secret desires.

In Judaism, that's one of the reasons we have 613 Mitzvot, a code of conduct to regulate behavior. It's much easier to be bad than righteous.

The dramatic model works so well because it's a perfect reflection of humanity.

Thus, movies are exactly like real life——but with the boring parts deleted.

Cruisin' Mom:

I don't write fantasy. Your story is just too out there. I'm talking beyond my limited imagination.

Please send either a quarter or a babke. My new fee for listening to dopey film ideas:-)

Robert:

You should be splitting the profits--she has sold out! The usually reliable addall.com (my favorite book search engine) sends me to Amazon as the only source, and they're out of stock!

BTW, don't tell my fellow paratroopers that I read...

Virgil

Um, or I coulda just used the link to the publisher you so thoughtfully provided at the end of your post.

Wile I wait for the book to arrive, I am going back to what I do best: Moving heavy objects across level ground under close supervision...

Fine, go ahead and scoff. But I haven't even told you who (I know whom, but you know, we're dealing with studio heads) I envision playing your part.

Robert,

I could be to blame for it all.

I suspect that Georgette might be familiar with some of the correspondence I exchanged with Shola Rhodes. I had great fun exchanging emails with the man.

He even tried to prove his legitimacy by sending a photo of his passport.

And how about if I gave you an idea, but said you didn't need to split the profits--its all yours, just an itty-bitty credit to yours truly--would that make a difference?

Trust me, I have no ideas, I'm just curious.

"ayup, there is one born every minute"

*continues waiting by the phone*

Maj. Virgil:

Mrs. Feuerman already thanked me for the nice review and pointed out that books are now moving like crazy.

I'm gonna sick my scary Hollywood lawyer on Ruchama:-)

Some of your paratroopers did contact me and I reassured them that you only read comic books, especially Archie, because you have a very serious thing for Betty and Veronica.

They are now completely cool.

Mata Hari:

Russell Crowe.

Big shock.

Yawn.

He's okay.

Jack:

Perfectly happy to blame you. Now you may reimburse me to the tune of, oh, let's say $100,000.00.

I accept cash. Unmarked bills.

Baila:

No, no, and yup, no:-)

PD:

My people will call.

Patience.

Hey, Robert - what reading level / age group is the book appropriate for? (I'm thinking of my just-turned-ten, advanced but very innocent daughter.)

BTW, one story I'd love to see someone write would have a narrative told in the "voice" of a long series of e-mails shared by a small group of friends.

Robert,

So how do we work this? Should I mail you my copy of "The Hebrew Kid and the Apache Maiden" to autograph?

Good Shabbos,
Mordechai

Alter:

I think the book is more suited for a precocious young teen. Ten is a bit young. But I'm pretty sure you and Hannah will really enjoy many of the stories.

Mordechai:

Yup, my pleasure. Just make sure to include a SSE. I get so many requests for signed books I'd go broke if I had to pay for all the postage.

Pierce Brosnan

Mata Hari:

Karen adores Brosnan. She will be very please with your casting. Thanks soooo much.

I have to think of who will play Karen