At the Motor City Comic Con

This is a special series about my friends meeting celebs at the Motor City Comic Con.

Several years ago, when I did my initial research for the Motor City Comic Con, the first person I encountered was Jack Odanovich.  Jack was a huge help that first year and I am still using his stories and pictures in my yearly MCCC recap for Global Traveler.
Jack is a great guy.  He attends many conventions in Star Wars attire, but he also puts on the gear for charity events.  He is a great photographer and he recently started a blog called Jack Odanovich Photography.
Additionally, his father Craig is an author, whose debut novel The Black Widow Trainer was very well-received by critics and readers, myself included.  I am proud to know both Jack and Craig.
Jack just might enjoy the MCCC more than I do (if that is possible).  He meets other Star Wars fans, mingles with the celebs and often has other fans request pictures taken with him.  One such celebrity was Kristy Swanson, of tv's Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I want to thank Jack for all of his help.  I also wish him much luck in his photographic endeavors and encourage everyone to check out his site.

Jack Odanovich and Kristy Swanson in Novi, MI-May 2009.

Revisiting The Black Widow Trainer

Last week I reviewed The Black Widow Trainer, Craig Odanovich's debut novel.  After reading and enjoying it, I had the chance to ask Craig a few questions.  I enjoyed Craig's analysis almost as much as I enjoyed his book
Craig talks about how he came to write TBWT, including his observations at the gym, buying helpful books on novel-writing and putting together a focus group.  I found his approach and execution interesting.
Craig's approach to the sexual content is interesting, too. Misty's encounters aren't forced or blatant.  Once again, Craig uses a good balance.
I am always impressed when someone combines common sense with a creative sense.  I think this is a key component of Craig's success here.  Craig wrote about real human relations, reactions and feelings.  I never felt like I was reading fiction.  It was more like reading about a real person.  Also, this real person with exciting adventures had real problems and concerns about herself and her life.
Finally, Craig discusses the future of TBWT and of other potential works in his head.  He even gives us a few hints about what's ahead for Misty.
This is simply my shorthand version of my Q&A with Craig.  For Craig's complete answers and insight, please click on the box at the right  Craig's answers aren't shocking.  In fact, they make perfect sense.  Maybe that is part of why I liked TBWT.  It makes sense.  It is a fictional tale with enough drama and excitement to keep me hooked, but also enough normalcy to make it believable.

Craig Odanovich and his debut novel The Black Widow Trainer

Reviewing:The Black Widow Trainer

Reviewing a book written by a friend could be a sticky situation.  How would I tell the author if I didn't like the book?  Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that after reading The Black Widow Trainer by Craig Odanovich.  I really enjoyed this book, described as an erotic adventure novel.
Misty is a physical trainer, who is in a passionless marriage.  An unexpected weekend with a stranger pushes Misty towards a new life.  After an honest discussion with her husband, Misty embarks on her new life as a high priced trainer/escort, while still maintaining the security of her marriage.  Thus the black widow trainer was born.
I don't want to give away too much of the book though.  The rest is filled with interesting new characters, unexpected plot developments, adventures and exotic locations.  Each adventure is almost a short story in itself.
Misty's husband isn't lost in the shuffle either.  He plays an important part in Misty's life and the book.  I hope to see more of him in the future.
Craig did a great job with character development.  The characters were interesting and realistic and fit in the story.  Nothing seemed forced and nothing seemed wasted.
The entire book left me wanting more, in a good way.  I want to know what happens to Misty's husband, where Misty's new life takes her and how Misty grows.  I also want to see how Craig will keep it interesting, so as not to be simply endless, pointless encounters. Basically, I want Craig to continue this series, while staying true to the original.
Ordinarily, I would not pick an "erotic adventure" novel to read.  If you think the same, I encourage all to give The Black Widow Trainer a chance.  Make no mistake, this isn't a cheap romance novel.  Misty's encounters were important both in character growth and story development.  There is still plenty of action, but there is so much more offered than just that.
The Black Widow Trainer is available through Amazon and also Barnes and Noble.  Craig has also set up a Facebook page for The Black Widow Trainer.  The FB page is full of info about the book, including the entire first chapter. Also, Craig just opened a website for The Black Widow Trainer, which has the first chapter, some reviews and additional info.
I really encourage everyone to get this book.  As the Black Widow Trainer series continues, you'll want to be able to say you were in her web from the start.

Craig Odanovich at a book signing in San Antonio, TX-October 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is a special series about my friends meeting celebs.

When I did research on the Motor City Comic Con before my first year of covering it, Jack Odanovich was the first person to help me. Jack shared stories and pictures and was a big help in the first pieces I wrote about the MCCC.
It doesn't look like Jack will be attending the MCCC this year, but I asked him for a quick update. As usual, Jack has been very busy.
So far this year, my Star Wars group and I have performed on stage at a second symphony, while my friend James (Mace Windu) fought myself to the "Duel of the Fates" song played in Episode 1. It was such a rush performing the skit in front of an almost sold out 4000 (?) audience, yet we were able to pull it off twice before, so we knew each others movements, making the crowd watch in anticipation and excitement as to what was going to happen next. (See my Facebook album "2010 Star Wars Events" for the pictures).
Another event we did was a costume contest at a minor league hockey game in front of 8,400 people...where a kid dressed as a Jedi won.
We previously volunteered at a special needs theme park called Morgan's Wonderland, where handicapped and less fortunate kids, who don't have the ability to go to a place such as Sea World or Six Flags and get on rides, can now go on a train, truck rides, a carousel and so on. It was an amazing experience having the chance to meet the owner of the park, David Robinson from the San Antonio Spurs and Eva Longoria Parker. (You can see those pictures in my profile's album and a select few on the Jack Odanovich Photography fan site.)
I really appreciated Jack's time and consideration when I was writing the firt pieces on the MCCC. I am always glad to hear his latest news. The Jack Odanovich Photography fan site is really full of beautiful pictures of nature, animals, architecture and other stuff in color and b/w. Jack knows a great shot when he sees one!

Alan Ruck and Jack Odanovich in Novi, MI-May 2008.

Jack Odanovich and SWSSA

I got to know Jack Odanovich while doing research for my online pieces about the Motor City Comic Con for Global Traveler and Johngy's Beat. Odanovich was a great subject, because he is a fan as well as an attraction at the MCCC.

Odanovich joined the Star Wars Society of San Antonio (SWSSA) in 2007, when a friend invited him to go to a convention in Los Angeles (CA). He was immediately hooked, Odanovich dresses up as Anakin Skywalker a few times a month for various events. Sometimes, the events are like the MCCC, where he will meet other Star Wars groups. These conventions are the perfect place for Star Wars groups to hang out with each other and meet new fans (like Kelley Jean, who donned an SWSSA tshirt in support of the group). Sometimes, even the celebrities get in on his act (like Christy Hemme, who had a blast with Jack).

Sometimes the events are hospital visits to young patients. To those kids, it is a rare moment of happiness. Odanovich says, "It's as if we are the real celebrities in kids eyes making them oooh and awe at the humming of our lightsaber or the fight sequences that we do or don't choreograph."

I was fortunate enough to witness many people approaching Odanovich for a picture. He graciously (and eagerly) posed with anyone who asked (including some celebs). It has been a real pleasure getting to know about Odanovich and the SWSSA.

Jack Odanovich and me in Novi, MI-May 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

In doing research for my Global Traveler online piece about the Motor City Comic Con, I have come across some very interesting people. Jack Odanovich is one of those people.
Odanovich is a member of SWSSA (Star Wars Society of San Antonio), having joined in May of 2007. Odanovich has attended the MCCC in the past to meet some of his favorite celebrities, but at times he is also treated as a celebrity by those who want a picture with him as Anakin Skywalker.
Odanovich has had a lot of fun at the MCCC, but I'll let him tell you a bit about that:
The special part of Motor City Comic Con compared to others is how it's more laid back and you can actually have conversations with the stars or comic book artists rather than feeling rushed at another convention where it's usually telling them your name to sign on the picture, saying that they are really fantastic, posing for a picture then leaving. Due to that fact alone and being from Texas, the convention was an amazing experience just to see and meet a new group of Star Wars fans that I haven't met before, having the opportunity to march in their parade around Rock Financial Showplace, having huge crushes on a few of the stars then getting the chance to meet them in person was almost like a dream come true, and to check out such cars that you would find in Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, and the Monkees.
When Odanovich met Christy Hemme, one of the top wrestlers for Total Nonstop Action wrestling, he expressed how much he enjoyed her work as a performer. Odanovich appreciates what the wrestlers go through to please the fans.
Like most of us, Odanovich sometimes gets starstruck when meeting some celebrities. Unlike most of us, he has a costume and light saber which many of them find intriguing. Hemme obviously found Odanovich interesting.

Jack Odanovich and Christy Hemme at Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI-May 2008.