Kickstarter, how it works, and why mine doesn't seem to be working.

A few weeks ago I launched my kickstarter project with the hopes of raising funding so I could finish writing my novel and get it self published through exLibris. I had grand dreams of raising the $8,000 I feel this project will take rather quickly. Now looking at my project page I realize this is not happening quickly, and I must ask why.

First let me begin by explaining kickstarter.com for those who may not be familiar. Kickstarter.com is a website designed to raise funding for creative projects. I have watched it work successfully for "Blue Like Jazz The Movie" and for Debra Romer's EP. Basically you have a creative project, you set a funding goal and a time deadline, and ask people to contribute. If enough people agree to contribute, and you hit your goal, you get your money. If you don't hit the goal, no money is collected from any of the contributors.

I think one reason I have not had the success that the projects I mentioned saw, is mostly because I am not a known quantity. "Blue Like Jazz" is a movie based on a New York Times best seller, and directed by Christian music legend Steve Taylor, and Debra Romer was an America's Got Talent contestant. They both had recognition going into it. I am not so well known.

Still, I went in hoping at least a few friends would pledge a buck or two, and send the link along. So far, I have had only one pledge. I know financial times are hard, but I was really hoping for at least a token response. I am trying hard not to be discouraged. Please take a moment to check out my project by clicking here and pledging any amount, even $1. And please share this link with your friends. http://kck.st/h7X2pl

Academy Award Results

Okay, sorry our winter mountain weather has delayed this report. We will now review my academy picks. The Winner will be in Blue, my choice, if it was NOT the right choice, will be in RED. Enjoy

Actor in a Leading Role -- Got this one right, Congrats to Colin Firth.

• Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
• Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
• Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
• Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
• James Franco in “127 Hours”

Actor in a Supporting Role --Having seen none of these, I missed this one, Sorry Christian.

• Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
• John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
• Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
• Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
• Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”

Actress in a Leading Role --Okay, Natalie is the only performance I've seen here, and she was so amazing, I gotta give it to her. Another one right for me!

• Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
• Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
• Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
• Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
• Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”

Actress in a Supporting Role -- Again, haven't seen anything but the previews,I still think Hailee should have got this, pretty sure she wouldn't have dropped the "f" bomb.

• Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
• Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
• Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
• Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
• Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”

Animated Feature Film --No Contest here, come on! Another one right for me!

• “How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
• “The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet
• “Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich

Directing --oops, totally missed this one.

• “Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky
• “The Fighter” David O. Russell
• “The King's Speech” Tom Hooper
• “The Social Network” David Fincher
• “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Music (Original Score) --I saw Social Network, and remember the music in no way, but Zimmer's score drove the action along so amazingly in INCEPTION, he has to win this...So much for MY movie ears!.

• “How to Train Your Dragon” John Powell
• “Inception” Hans Zimmer
• “The King's Speech” Alexandre Desplat
• “127 Hours” A.R. Rahman
• “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Music (Original Song) --I am protesting this category and not making a pick because Carrie Underwood's A Place For Us from Voyage of the Dawn Treader is way better than any of these. And I STILL stand by my choice here.

• “Coming Home” from “Country Strong” Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
• “I See the Light” from “Tangled” Music by Alan Menken Lyric by Glenn Slater
• “If I Rise” from “127 Hours” Music by A.R. Rahman Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
• “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3" Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Best Picture --Tough category since they made it 10 nominees, if I had my way it would be Inception, but I'm thinking the academy will pick King's Speech.

• “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers
• “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers
• “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers
• “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers
• “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
• “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers
• “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
• “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer
• “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers
• “Winter's Bone" Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers

Okay, so I was 4 for nine in the categories I chose...not Too bad, not great.