Thursday, June 14, 2012

As the Bookworm Turns - A Guest Post

A guest post by Meredith Towbin


My kids are obsessed with Batman. I’m not talking cartoon Batman (way too dark and scary violent for the wee one). Around here we’re all about the 1960s live-action series starring Adam West. All the camp, none of the gore.

Now I don’t usually watch the amazingness that is the Batman with the kids, but the other day I overheard something that made me take notice. Batman’s nemesis in that particular episode was the Bookworm. What a villain! His hideout is a library with hundreds of books lining the walls! His getaway car is a bookmobile! He rigs books to emit poisonous gas when opened! Holy tome!

As for his super villain costume, he wears a brown leather suit (to look like book binding) and a matching hat complete with a book light attachment. And to make things even MORE tremendous he’s played by Roddy McDowall (of Planet of the Apes fame). Amazing.



Why, you might wonder, is Bookworm a villain? Why would someone with such a vast and unmatched knowledge of the classics turn to a life of crime? I’ll let Batman do the talking: “I know how this fiend’s mind works. He prepares every super crime like the frustrated novelist that he is.”

There it is. Bookworm is a frustrated novelist. When his lady friend asks him why he doesn’t write his own bestseller, he freaks out and tries to clock her on the head with a giant book, screaming, “Because I have no originality!”

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that all of us writers identify just a tiny bit with Bookworm. Ever had writer’s block? Been rejected by an agent or publishing house? Trashed by a beta reader or reviewer? Don’t deny it, people. These things can get to you. They can make otherwise normal, mentally healthy people go a little loony.

So to all you Batman fans out there, I urge you: Don’t judge Bookworm too harshly. Maybe his literary agent dumped him. Perhaps for the life of him he couldn’t make his main character likable enough. It just goes to show that there’s a very fine line between a New York Times bestselling author and a totally awesome super villain.

Meredith Towbin has written two (yet unpublished) novels. She blogs about writing, her quest to get published, and random things like her hatred of schmoozing and her love for Rick Steves at www.meredithtowbin.com.

130 comments:

Suzie F. said...

I loved the Batman series as a kid, but don't remember the Bookworm. Had a bit of crush on Burt Ward, though. Those were the days of towels, safety pinned around our necks to imitate capes. Jumping off couches (when mom wasn't looking)to play superhero with our friends.

Excellent post, Brian.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'd forgotten about Bookworm. I guess we can all understand his motivation.

Matthew MacNish said...

Oh hahaha! Why does this not surprise me?

D.G. Hudson said...

I liked the original Batman, too. But Hollywood wanted him sexy, so he morphed into the dark knight.

The characters in the early depictions were closer to the comic books, IMO.

Alex said...

Great post Meredith! It's nice reading you somewhere besides www.meredithtowbin.com

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I get derailed by self-talk but have not attended totally to the chatter. It helps to have readers, if only one, even. Two or three is wonderful. It helps me believe in me. I like your posts.

Meredith Towbin said...

Thanks, everyone!

Emily said...

Kind of makes me want to dig up the old series and look for the dastardly Bookworm...

Anonymous said...

Moopygall Andrew Luck Womens Jersey Adam Vinatieri Jersey Owen Daniels Jersey Dientwicilt

Anonymous said...

dog insurance
People local to the area that want to adopt one of these animals must show up at the proper shelter by 8 AM to hopefully save their new potential friend. This becomes even more important as the animal gets older and more prone to the illnesses and aches that go along with age.

Anonymous said...

tramadol online pharmacy tramadol overdose in canine - tramadol ultracet dosage

Anonymous said...

buy ativan online ativan dosage for alcohol withdrawal - ativan benzo

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol dosage cats - tramadol 50mg capsules dosage

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs tramadol online usa - tramadol for opiate addiction

Anonymous said...

order clonazepam how to get klonopin out of your system fast - percocet klonopin erowid

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online order tramadol from canada - order tramadol from the uk

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol euphoria dose - ultra tramadol hydrochloride

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online mastercard overnight buy tramadol online reviews - buy tramadol without rx

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol dosage acetaminophen - order tramadol with american express

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol overdose dangerous - . tramadol 100mg nebenwirkungen

Anonymous said...

tramadol online pharmacy order tramadol online - tramadol for dogs post surgery

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol ultram vs tramadol generic - tramadol for dogs liver

Anonymous said...

where to buy tramadol tramadol for dogs long term use - tramadol ultram

Anonymous said...

buy generic ambien online online ambien music - what is a fatal dose of ambien cr

Anonymous said...

cheap klonopin online alprazolam vs klonopin dosage - non generic klonopin

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online no rx costco pharmacy ambien - side effects klonopin ambien

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol online buy tramadol usa - buy generic tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy soma will fail drug test soma - somo 650dx

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without rx tramadol compared to ultram - high from tramadol hcl

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin klonopin maximum dosage anxiety - fast does klonopin wafers work

Anonymous said...

where can i buy ambien online ambien and alcohol hallucinations - ambien side effects sweating

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien side effects nih - there generic ambien cr 12.5

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol in florida buy tramadol us pharmacy - buy tramadol uk

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online overnight delivery ambien 5mg vs 10mg - ambien cr without rx

Anonymous said...

soma price soma intimates online coupon codes - soma muscle relaxer company

Anonymous said...

tramadol online generic ultram online - cheap tramadol online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin klonopin withdrawal newborn - is 1 mg klonopin a high dose

Anonymous said...

zolpidem 10 mg ambien side effects vivid dreams - ambien cr and alcohol effects

Anonymous said...

order tramadol no prescription tramadol high good - tramadol high bluelight

Anonymous said...

www.bulberryfashion2013.com bsxima qzti www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com nqoyht rkqu www.livebulberryfashion.com gcvpyb ajwz uggs outlet tkgkjw csxj ugg outlet online sale jgpbeq tzdh ugg usa aeubla wcbz ugg boots cheap napccm ogqy ugg sale gdqahe dhxe michael kors handbags on sale wkmxzj uijp michael kors 2012 wnjblp nujw michael kors outlet yjidwl mqmk longchamp handbags sale glzxui nssa longchamp tote rnjsyr cldm http://www.dtr6.com ybkoaz uhso burberry outlet liwroi fvlq

Anonymous said...

ambien zolpidem ambien online with mastercard - much does ambien cost mexico

Anonymous said...

burberry svgiev bwwf www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com dihued dpgh www.livebulberryfashion.com cyyypl cbpy uggs uk sale bqrqhp gwiq ugg boots cheap mtknbd wufl http://www.2lv6.com xgjnru ywzw ugg boots cheap fnmnya jtvg ugg boots cheap lsezpx ulna http://www.jg20.com xmxdep pzfa michael kors handbags rdxqlc uiot michael kors factory outlet snfewz tgbh http://www.z8ye.com etpodw nzfe http://www.9dcu.com zxwpzx rded longchamp diaper bag hrlnks rwah burberry handbags vnfrds imxm

Anonymous said...

ambien online no prescription ambien dosage 15 - ambien for children

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol in florida buy tramadol online overnight fedex - tramadol hcl powder

Anonymous said...

buy ambien ambien zolpidem tartrate side effects - ambien drug test false positives

Anonymous said...

klonopin pill klonopin withdrawal blog - klonopin dosage sleep aid

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol medication - tramadol purchase online uk

Anonymous said...

generic ambien legal order ambien online - ambien side effects when stopped

Anonymous said...

online soma soma jaipur - soma pills mg

Anonymous said...

viagra buy how to buy viagra no prescription - is it dangerous to buy viagra online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online xymel 50mg tramadol - order tramadol cod

Anonymous said...

buy somas soma muscle relaxer 2410 - soma 350 mg and alcohol

Anonymous said...

generic ambien picture of ambien 10 mg - ambien cr joint pain

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription tramadol online next day - tramadol online uk

Anonymous said...

ambien pharmacy ambien dosage lethal - buy generic ambien online no prescription

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online when does ambien withdrawal start - long will ambien show drug test

Anonymous said...

buy viagra houston viagra online for women - buy viagra online dublin

Anonymous said...

order ambien online no prescription side effects of stopping ambien cr - ambien side effects of long term use

Anonymous said...

how to buy viagra online buy viagra online cheap - order pfizer viagra online

Anonymous said...

order klonopin no prescription safe buy klonopin online - klonopin getting high

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online withdrawal symptoms of ambien cr - cheapest place buy ambien cr

Anonymous said...

tramadol online where to buy tramadol online forum - tramadol hcl is this a narcotic

Anonymous said...

buy viagra buy viagra online dublin - viagra online schweiz

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online generic viagra capsules - buy viagra online usa

Anonymous said...

viagra medication buy viagra london over counter - where to purchase viagra in india

Anonymous said...

somas online muscle relaxer medication soma - soma 0870

Anonymous said...

buy viagra generic online ok buy viagra online - easiest way buy viagra

Anonymous said...

ambien pills buy ambien sleeping pills online - ambien withdrawal high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

klonopin buy most common side effects klonopin - klonopin early pregnancy

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online buy real viagra online canada - buy viagra online vipps

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online cheap buy viagra online cheap uk - buy real viagra cheap

Anonymous said...

cialis online buy cialis get free viagra - cheap cialis india

Anonymous said...

viagra online canada safe buy generic viagra online - order generic viagra from india

Anonymous said...

buy soma online stores carry soma bras - soma drug similar

Anonymous said...

tramadol buy buy generic tramadol - tramadol liver

Anonymous said...

buy cheap generic viagra online buy viagra online forum - is the viagra you buy online real

Anonymous said...

buy discount tramadol tramadol 50mg tablets get high - buy tramadol online overnight usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online uss cheap tramadol - tramadol addiction pregnancy

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online cheap generic viagra price canada - buy viagra online brisbane

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cash on delivery generic brand tramadol - buy tramadol online from usa

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with paypal order generic tramadol - tramadol seizures

Anonymous said...

order viagra no prescription get viagra online in canada - viagra online purchase

Anonymous said...

order viagra online overnight viagra online from canada generic - can buy viagra canada

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online tramadol for pain - buy tramadol pharmacy

Anonymous said...

propecia online buy cheap propecia uk - propecia epocrates

Anonymous said...

buy viagra 50mg buy generic viagra in canada - does viagra work on girls

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra xanax combination - generic viagra dosage

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol no prescription has anyone ordered tramadol online - tramadol hcl veterinary use

Anonymous said...

propecia hair loss propecia+cost of - generic propecia cheap

Anonymous said...

generic strattera strattera 80 mg - can i buy strattera online

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100mg vicodin vs ultram tramadol - tramadol 50 mg qds

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online retin a cream reviews acne - retin a micro gel ingredients

Anonymous said...

cialis professional cialis online discover card - buy cialis from canada online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra generic online can you buy viagra in qatar - viagra buy online no prescription uk

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol online shipping - tramadol overdose coma

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with cod tramadol legal high - 300 mg tramadol overdose

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis online 24 ore - cialis online discover card

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol saturday delivery tramadol 50 mg kapszula - tramadol 100 mg street value

Anonymous said...

generic tramadol buy tramadol capsules - tramadol overdose 1500 mg

Anonymous said...

order generic viagra online viagra 20 years old - cheap viagra uk online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg tramadol hcl 50 mg picture - how much tramadol dosage

Anonymous said...

buy discount tramadol tramadol for dogs for pain - tramadol buy forum

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol hcl opiate - tramadol dosage chart dogs

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia side effects women - propecia jose theodore

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tablets tramadol bargain discount code - buy tramadol online usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol al 100mg nebenwirkungen - high off tramadol 50 mg

Anonymous said...

buy retin a without a prescription retin a micro insurance coverage - retin a micro expired

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg buy tramadol cod - tramadol dosage and side effects

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol rx online - tramadol cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online buy tramadol hcl - tramadol hcl 50 mg tablet

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buy tramadol online with american express - tramadol buzz

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs tramadol schedule - purchase tramadol generic ultram

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg tramadol for dogs benadryl - tramadol used get high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol overnight - buy tramadol store

Anonymous said...

buy propecia buy propecia 5mg online - generic propecia lowest price

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a without prescription buy retin a cream online - buy retin-a micro pump online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg online buy tramadol online cash delivery - tramadol withdrawal nhs

Anonymous said...

generic strattera medication equivalent to strattera - generic brand of strattera

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol saturday delivery no prescription - buy generic tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol with acetaminophen dosage - order tramadol online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

propecia for sale generic propecia safety - propecia kosten

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a online how to buy retin a - retin a micro gel acne reviews

Anonymous said...

can you buy tramadol online legally generic brand for tramadol - tramadol for dogs cough

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tablets tramadol 50mg side effects - buy cheap tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol tramadol hcl liver - buy tramadol usa paypal

Anonymous said...

generic viagra viagra buy online us - does viagra work on all men

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol 37.5 mg - tramadol online reviews

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra online ireland - viagra effective time

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis online us pharmacy - cialis bathtubs

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis 80 mg - ordering cialis online legal