Project Update

9/30/2023

It's been a bit of a difficult week for me. Unfortunately, I have been swamped with work, family issues, prior commitments, and book publishing obligations, and this has left me no time for writing blog posts this week. Truthfully, it will likely be a couple of weeks before things calm down enough for me to do any substantive writing that I’m not getting paid for. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends to keep up with the volume of obligations, but something has to give. There are only so many hours in the day.

In the meantime, my publisher has asked my for suggestions for titles for my James Dean book. They are looking for something that is resonant and intriguing and somehow incorporates the concept of masculinity without using that word. I have never been any good at titles, and I have no idea what to suggest.

17 Comments

Doc Rock

9/30/2023 07:31:01 pm

Maybe too cryptic and an insufficiently popular reference. But some sort of play on the line from the John Cougar song "His Best James Dean" to reflect the various ambiguities and contradictions in terms of his public personae and personal life?

Kent

10/1/2023 12:30:47 am

"Not Stabbed on a Beach Like Sal Mineo"

"Not Stalked Beyond the Grave by E.P. Grondine Like Ramon Navarro"

"The Real Archie Andrews"

"I Wish I Could Tie Neal Cassady Into This Somehow"

Dennis Hopper, incidentally an excellent photographer, at his request gave him some notes (that's what showbiz folk call "suggestions") on acting. "At his request" makes him a superhero in my book.

Clint Fastoon

10/1/2023 02:47:44 am

Trap-Door Spyder
The Life Before Death of James Dean

Wells Fargo

10/1/2023 03:02:12 am

Spyder-Man
James Dean Unmasked

An Over-Educated Grunt

10/1/2023 01:05:12 pm

The Lens of Adonis?

The Other Side of the Giant?

Man Of La Marfa? Okay, that one is a joke.

Subjective Realities

10/1/2023 04:03:50 pm

"The Mirror In The Man"

Really interested in the level of blackmail this man went through. From what I've seen written, Extortion would probably be a better term. Seems like I recall you writing about going through something similar yourself. People threatening to "out you" forcing you to go public with your private life. Should provide a unique perspective on that aspect of Mr. Dean's life. Mr. Dean has become a cliche in so many ways. People look at him or actually his image and see what they want to see.

Few More

10/6/2023 04:45:05 pm

"Malleable"

"Pretending Pretender"

"Malleable Reflections"

Possibly offensive, "James Dean, Queen of the Screen"

"Closeted Extortion"

Mark Mywords

10/2/2023 08:55:46 am

Rebel Without a Closet

Doc Rock

10/4/2023 11:45:11 am

I just had to apologize profusely to the waitress at my 2nd favorite watering hole for spewing a mouthful of Bloody Mary all over the table after reading this.

Kent

10/7/2023 02:50:07 pm

Dude, you're still in the Matrix, none of that ever happened. Still, credit where credit is due -- acquiring that technology is no small feat. Are you Captain Braxton?

Watering hole? Grownups call them vaginas. But you are still in a Matrix, of your own device. Seek LARP elsewhere is the best advice you'll get.

Doc Rock

10/8/2023 10:27:37 am

I'm confident that there are many far more suitable forums for Kent to act out in terms of his issues with women. Most likely involving 1-900 telephone numbers. A safe way for him to get things off his chest while doing dodging those pesky TPOs in this age of caller ID.

That should hold him for the next few days.

E.P. Grondine

10/2/2023 09:57:19 am

What did James Dean's family or friends call him?
"Jimmy"? "Slick"? "Handsome'?

Dr Jerrold Coe link

10/2/2023 11:46:51 pm

Maybe something like Fast, Clean, and _________? (fill in the blank), connecting Dean's public musings on mortality/experience with the themes of your book. Something that could be recognizably James Dean (and hence intriguing) without being cliche or done to death. Just spitballing here!

Zim Zimmerman

10/3/2023 03:18:30 pm

Man In Crowd
The Uncredited Life of James Dean

10/3/2023 06:07:56 pm

Sausage Party: The Life Story of Jimmy Dean.

Drifter12144

10/4/2023 07:58:38 pm

Hmm.

Rebels, Causes, & Eden: James Dean & the American Male Identity of the 1950s.

Western Eden: James Dean, the American Male Identity of the 1950s, & the Wild Life of the West Coast.

A Rebel in Eden: James Dean & the American Male Identity of the 1950s.

BillUSA

12/17/2023 03:26:20 pm

“A Vulnerable Soul”

“Man, Conflicted”

“A Star For Eternity”

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