I love independent film. Many independent films cross genres or explore storylines that big-budget films do not. But most importantly, at least to me, these films offer great characterization.
A while back I watched a blockbuster movie in which the hero saves the world (again). I can’t recall the name, plot, or who starred in the movie — it was quite forgettable. But I do recall watching the independent film Clockwatchers on IFC shortly thereafter. Clockwatchers featured Toni Collette, Parker Posey, and Lisa Kudrow as temp office workers who are under suspicion of stealing office supplies. The movie enthralled me with its characters, their relationships, and the seemingly mundane mystery of paperclip theft. Although I wasn’t writing at that time, I have always daydreamed story ideas, originally as movies I’d like to see (or in an alternate world, direct/produce/whatever). Clockwatchers, and other movies like it, have always spurred my creative side.
I always liked the idea of cult classic movies, too. I’d much rather create a story that a half-dozen people thought of as their favorite than one hordes of people experienced and then forgot.
A couple of my favorite independent films include: Buffalo ’66 and Henry Fool. Good stuff.
Basically, some of the stuff that I write is very similar to independent film, in that it deals more with characterization and quirky situations than adhering to genre conventions. For example, my latest short novel, Club Nadir.
Club Nadir, a story partially inspired by an independent movie I saw many years ago, features the protagonist, Aubrey Adams. Aubrey is a thirty-something, average-looking woman who has given up on meeting Mr. Right. The reader will find her in the beginning stages of becoming a cat lady. Enter Mr. Right Now. When a young, handsome business executive invites Aubrey to an exclusive club, how can she say no?
Thus begins her downward spiral.
The most consistent comment I’ve received about my writing is that I create great characters. I write villains readers can root for, obnoxious women readers cry with, and unlikely anti-heros readers believe in and empathize with. Isn’t that what a good book is all about? It is for me. And I hope it is for you too.
Club Nadir, like some independent films, crosses genres. On one hand, it is truly a psychological horror story, with much of the horror culminating in the latter portion of the book. On the other hand, it is very erotic. It’s also very suspenseful, as readers won’t necessarily realize what is actually going on behind the scenes right away, if at all.
I hope readers give Club Nadir a chance. I believe many will enjoy it. I know I did when I reread it after having let it sit for over a year. I thought, This is the kind of story I want to read that nobody else is writing. Well, I wrote it, and I certainly hope you enjoy it.
Enjoy it for $1 off with coupon code at Smashwords with coupon code TU47M, valid through April 30.
And if you believe you know the movie that helped inspire Club Nadir, please drop me a line. Sometimes I believe I am the only person who saw it. 
