I once read this really inspiring article that sort of articulated what I've always thought. I can't remember who wrote it, but I believe it was on Cracked.com. Anyways, the author basically said that you have the capability to learn or train yourself to do almost anything.
(Edit--Cracked has graciously reposted the link to the article here. There's more to it than I mention below. It's well worth a read.)
Don't know how to play a guitar and want to learn how? Get a guitar and learn. Want to learn how to speak Spanish? Then learn!
His basic point was there is no reason at all that you can't not only learn, but master, any skill. Maybe you don't have a natural facility for languages--you aren't one of those people who can just hear it and understand it. So what? You can still learn to speak Spanish--all it takes is the determination to do it. It may be incredibly difficult for you--it may be something you'll need to devote a lot of time to--but you will do it, and get really good at it, too, eventually, provided you are patient with yourself and are willing to work at it.
Yeah, it's easier for some people than for others. I'm not saying it isn't. But that doesn't matter. That's no reason not to do it.
When you see a great artist, musician, or actor working, and they make it seem so effortless, remember what you are seeing is the end result of dedication to their craft. Everybody, even the greats, really sucked the first time they tried to do something. But we don't see that. It ain't magic, it's just willingness to put in the time.
Of course, the author of this article wasn't talking about something like athletic ability--I know I'll never be able to throw a 90 mph fastball or run a 4.4 40-yard dash, because that does take an innate ability. However, if I trained hard enough, I could get better at those things, too, though not good enough to be a professional athlete.
I use this philosophy to determine what I'm going to work on in the coming year. This year (2013) I wanted to work on my writing, and, even though I haven't had much luck completing prose projects, my screenwriting skills are noticeably better, and I can blow through a screenplay pretty quickly--and, at least in my opinion, it'll be pretty good, too. I've refined my skills, become more conscious of what works and what doesn't, developed my sense of what gives a story depth and resonance. I've cultivated an appreciation for planning a project, plotting it out, developing it, mapping the route I want to take to get to the final destination--though I also leave room for any interesting side trips that may come up.
All that is well-and-good and I'm glad I put in that time, and with luck you'll be seeing some stuff out there soon with my name on it.
Next year (2014) is the year I'm going to work on my drawing and painting skills. I mentioned previously I want to learn to create fairyland style art, and that will be what I'm devoting myself to in the coming year. I'll continue to write, and work on developing my skills in that area, don't get me wrong--I'll be doing that for the rest of my life. This is something else I just want to get good at, something else that will enhance my life, another way for me to contribute something to other people's lives, maybe.
So, what are you going to focus on in the coming year?
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Muses gone wild!
I've been off from work all week, and I've got a couple more days off next week (until January 2), and I've been taking advantage of all this to get some stuff done.
And by done I mean done.
I finally finished the pilot script for the TV show I've been going on and on about, and registered it with the Screenwriter's Guild and the copyright office. What does that mean? It means that I've done everything on it that I'm going to do until somebody is willing to pay me for the rights to it, and to rewrite it. Which means it's as good as I think I can make it without anyone else getting involved with it. Which means I'm happy with it.
I'm sure, if someone options it and we get serious about making this show, that I'll get all sorts of input from whoever it may be, and that's fine. That's how it works. My script is the start, the seed from which this dark, scary, beautiful show will grow. I hope. If anybody gets interested in it.
In the meantime I've got lots of other stuff to keep me busy.
For example, I've decided to concentrate on drawing fairyland-style art for a while. Google "Amy Brown" for an idea as to what I'm talking about, if you don't know--I was going to post a link to her online gallery so you could take a look but the link doesn't seem to be working. Maybe now it's up. If you're on Facebook, look for her stuff there, too. It's quite charming and I'm hoping, with a lot of practice, that I'll be able to produce art in a similar vein eventually. Yes, I know there are probably millions of people out there doing similar work, but my response to that is, "so what?" It's what I like, and, as far as my drawing and painting is concerned, that's the only thing that matters to me.
I finished this one yesterday.
And by done I mean done.
I finally finished the pilot script for the TV show I've been going on and on about, and registered it with the Screenwriter's Guild and the copyright office. What does that mean? It means that I've done everything on it that I'm going to do until somebody is willing to pay me for the rights to it, and to rewrite it. Which means it's as good as I think I can make it without anyone else getting involved with it. Which means I'm happy with it.
I'm sure, if someone options it and we get serious about making this show, that I'll get all sorts of input from whoever it may be, and that's fine. That's how it works. My script is the start, the seed from which this dark, scary, beautiful show will grow. I hope. If anybody gets interested in it.
In the meantime I've got lots of other stuff to keep me busy.
For example, I've decided to concentrate on drawing fairyland-style art for a while. Google "Amy Brown" for an idea as to what I'm talking about, if you don't know--I was going to post a link to her online gallery so you could take a look but the link doesn't seem to be working. Maybe now it's up. If you're on Facebook, look for her stuff there, too. It's quite charming and I'm hoping, with a lot of practice, that I'll be able to produce art in a similar vein eventually. Yes, I know there are probably millions of people out there doing similar work, but my response to that is, "so what?" It's what I like, and, as far as my drawing and painting is concerned, that's the only thing that matters to me.
I finished this one yesterday.
I was experimenting with shading and I wanted to see what gray and purple looked like together. I also wanted to do something a bit more abstract than what I usually do. I call this one End/Beginning. I was fairly happy with how it turned out.
I'm thinking I may take another stab at a prose project. I had an interesting take on an idea I've had for a while. It's one of those things I need to think about because it sort of turns everything upside down, story-wise. Which may be a good thing, as I've been unable to get the damned thing written the way I had it plotted before.
It's Saturday here, which means we're expecting another deluge. It's becoming a tradition--another weekend, another flood. I guess it could be worse--at least the temps are above freezing so we won't have to contend with ice, too.
That's my story, over the past few days. I'm thinking I may try another take on the above painting, trying something else I've been mulling over. When I'm not sketching my fairies or plotting out my fiction or screenplay.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Happy Holidays to you all!
I'm taking some time off from work over the holidays to work on some personal projects, and I think I may have gotten some pretty decent work done.
For example--this painting:
And this one:
Both of these were inspired by pictures graciously sent to me by my best friend, who knows me all too well.
Speaking of my best friend--she got this for me as a combination xmas/birthday present. It's a huge and a beautiful book. I'm almost afraid to handle it, it's so beautiful. I won't be making notations in the margins and highlighting this one, believe me. Since it's full of seminal horror stories from the beginning of the twentieth century until the recent past it's going to be quite useful to me, too.
And that same friend is the co-author of this book. I'm reading it now, and can recommend it to you, as well.
I've also been re-reading my draft of the screenplay for the pilot of this TV show I've been mulling over. It needed some tweaking but, overall, I'm happy with it. I may need to trim it a little bit--at 49 pages I think it's just a tad too long--but that's about it. I've also written a draft of the treatment for the pilot and began writing what will become the series bible--explaining the setting, characters, tone, back story, all that.
I still can't give many of the details except to say that it's a horror-based show. There's definitely room on TV for one of those--most of the shows on TV now that have a darker tone are more action/adventure with horrific overtones, like Supernatural.. This one will be more pure horror--each episode will be designed to scare the viewer as much as possible, hopefully by telling a cracking good story where the characters are interesting and in dreadful peril by a terrifying threat.
We'll see. My writing plate, as I've mentioned, is about to get a bit fuller--I'm waiting on a contract to write the screenplay for a film, along with the treatment, from the film's producer, and that one will need to take priority. In the meantime, since I know what this film is about, I've been doing some research on the theme, the background that will give birth to the story.
And I'm now a year older. A half century plus one. Damn. There was a time I never thought I would have made it this far.
Tomorrow is the holiday, too. My own plans are to continue working on the stuff I've been working on, maybe do another painting or two, and maybe even plot out another project that is becoming interesting to me again.
Whatever your plan is to celebrate the holiday--whatever you may call it, xmas, Festivus,, Saturnalia, etc.--or if you don't celebrate it at all, have fun, in any case!
For example--this painting:
And this one:
Speaking of my best friend--she got this for me as a combination xmas/birthday present. It's a huge and a beautiful book. I'm almost afraid to handle it, it's so beautiful. I won't be making notations in the margins and highlighting this one, believe me. Since it's full of seminal horror stories from the beginning of the twentieth century until the recent past it's going to be quite useful to me, too.
And that same friend is the co-author of this book. I'm reading it now, and can recommend it to you, as well.
I've also been re-reading my draft of the screenplay for the pilot of this TV show I've been mulling over. It needed some tweaking but, overall, I'm happy with it. I may need to trim it a little bit--at 49 pages I think it's just a tad too long--but that's about it. I've also written a draft of the treatment for the pilot and began writing what will become the series bible--explaining the setting, characters, tone, back story, all that.
I still can't give many of the details except to say that it's a horror-based show. There's definitely room on TV for one of those--most of the shows on TV now that have a darker tone are more action/adventure with horrific overtones, like Supernatural.. This one will be more pure horror--each episode will be designed to scare the viewer as much as possible, hopefully by telling a cracking good story where the characters are interesting and in dreadful peril by a terrifying threat.
We'll see. My writing plate, as I've mentioned, is about to get a bit fuller--I'm waiting on a contract to write the screenplay for a film, along with the treatment, from the film's producer, and that one will need to take priority. In the meantime, since I know what this film is about, I've been doing some research on the theme, the background that will give birth to the story.
And I'm now a year older. A half century plus one. Damn. There was a time I never thought I would have made it this far.
Tomorrow is the holiday, too. My own plans are to continue working on the stuff I've been working on, maybe do another painting or two, and maybe even plot out another project that is becoming interesting to me again.
Whatever your plan is to celebrate the holiday--whatever you may call it, xmas, Festivus,, Saturnalia, etc.--or if you don't celebrate it at all, have fun, in any case!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Happy Winter Solstice!
Today is the shortest day of the year, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. First day of winter, and--just FYI--the day before my birthday.
Which leads me to all sorts of crappy remembrances and considerations. I try not to look out on the world because it gets me down--it's becoming a colder, grayer place out there. The sheer amount of hatred and out-and-out rage I'm seeing directed at poor people, gay people, people of color, non-Christians . . . it depresses me. It's becoming the age of "I'm Better than You." Politicians, and those who vote for them, seem to take absolute glee in cutting off benefits that people depend on to live. Even veterans. Even children. Let them starve. They aren't like us, so they aren't even human. Who cares what happens to them?
We're in a world of black-and-white. You vote like me, so you're Good. You vote the other way, so you're Evil. There is no longer a gray area, no longer a place where we can compromise. If you attempt to find a middle ground you are considered a traitor.
I've joked in the past about finding myself a cabin in the mountains. Over the past couple of years it's less a joke and more of a real desire.
Sorry to be such a downer. I'm just looking into the future and not seeing much hope for humanity.
But, then, maybe humanity isn't such a good thing anyway. Maybe this world would be a better place without us. I close my eyes and imagine a world with no humans at all. It's not such a bad place, really. While the things we've built will remain for a long time, the air will eventually clear, endangered species will multiply, pollution will finally filter out of the environment. In a thousand years or so, the earth would recover from the harm we've inflicted, and maybe we'll either be forgiven or, better yet, forgotten. Maybe then someone else will be able to move in and take over, someone who will be more appreciative of this place and more aware of and concerned about the damage they can inflict on others.
But, probably not.
So, Happy Solstice, anyway.
Which leads me to all sorts of crappy remembrances and considerations. I try not to look out on the world because it gets me down--it's becoming a colder, grayer place out there. The sheer amount of hatred and out-and-out rage I'm seeing directed at poor people, gay people, people of color, non-Christians . . . it depresses me. It's becoming the age of "I'm Better than You." Politicians, and those who vote for them, seem to take absolute glee in cutting off benefits that people depend on to live. Even veterans. Even children. Let them starve. They aren't like us, so they aren't even human. Who cares what happens to them?
We're in a world of black-and-white. You vote like me, so you're Good. You vote the other way, so you're Evil. There is no longer a gray area, no longer a place where we can compromise. If you attempt to find a middle ground you are considered a traitor.
I've joked in the past about finding myself a cabin in the mountains. Over the past couple of years it's less a joke and more of a real desire.
Sorry to be such a downer. I'm just looking into the future and not seeing much hope for humanity.
But, then, maybe humanity isn't such a good thing anyway. Maybe this world would be a better place without us. I close my eyes and imagine a world with no humans at all. It's not such a bad place, really. While the things we've built will remain for a long time, the air will eventually clear, endangered species will multiply, pollution will finally filter out of the environment. In a thousand years or so, the earth would recover from the harm we've inflicted, and maybe we'll either be forgiven or, better yet, forgotten. Maybe then someone else will be able to move in and take over, someone who will be more appreciative of this place and more aware of and concerned about the damage they can inflict on others.
But, probably not.
So, Happy Solstice, anyway.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
A good kind of busy . . .
So, I'm about to take on another film project.
I'm looking forward to it--it's going to be quite interesting and actually address an important issue. It'll do so in a manner that will be entertaining as hell, too. How do I know that? Because I'm writing it!
This one is going to give me something to focus on over the holidays, which makes me happy. That was not sarcasm, either--this is something I can completely immerse myself in, create characters I like and have them interact with each other. Yeah, it's creating a fantasy world. But it's a fun, interesting world, and with a good bit of luck, you'll be able to see it for yourself, as well.
Of course, I'm just the writer on this project. My producer is coming up with the story and the characters--I'm just here to write the script. But that's the best part.
What is it about semicolons? I'm having this ongoing struggle with someone I have to deal with who seems to be obsessed with them--she keeps wanting to use them inappropriately. Then, she asks me to proofread what she's written, and I point out that she's using a semicolon to join two dependent clauses--it should be a comma. And she melts down on me, and starts sending me links to all these articles about proper grammar to support her use of the semicolon--and all the articles she refers me to support my argument instead of hers. I think her problem is she doesn't understand the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause. I've tried to explain it go her, but it's like arguing with a fence post.
Ordinarily I wouldn't argue with her, but since she asked me to proofread her stuff, if that semicolon stays it reflects poorly on me. One of those instances where I have to argue with a crazy person. Dammit.
Well, if I don't get a chance to post again before the holiday, have a Happy Solstice, Festivus, Hanukkah, Saturnalias, Xmas, Kwanzaa, whatever you call it!
I'm looking forward to it--it's going to be quite interesting and actually address an important issue. It'll do so in a manner that will be entertaining as hell, too. How do I know that? Because I'm writing it!
This one is going to give me something to focus on over the holidays, which makes me happy. That was not sarcasm, either--this is something I can completely immerse myself in, create characters I like and have them interact with each other. Yeah, it's creating a fantasy world. But it's a fun, interesting world, and with a good bit of luck, you'll be able to see it for yourself, as well.
Of course, I'm just the writer on this project. My producer is coming up with the story and the characters--I'm just here to write the script. But that's the best part.
What is it about semicolons? I'm having this ongoing struggle with someone I have to deal with who seems to be obsessed with them--she keeps wanting to use them inappropriately. Then, she asks me to proofread what she's written, and I point out that she's using a semicolon to join two dependent clauses--it should be a comma. And she melts down on me, and starts sending me links to all these articles about proper grammar to support her use of the semicolon--and all the articles she refers me to support my argument instead of hers. I think her problem is she doesn't understand the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause. I've tried to explain it go her, but it's like arguing with a fence post.
Ordinarily I wouldn't argue with her, but since she asked me to proofread her stuff, if that semicolon stays it reflects poorly on me. One of those instances where I have to argue with a crazy person. Dammit.
Well, if I don't get a chance to post again before the holiday, have a Happy Solstice, Festivus, Hanukkah, Saturnalias, Xmas, Kwanzaa, whatever you call it!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Good things coming and randomocity
It's kind of funny--I've got more situations than usual that may actually turn into something, but I can't really talk about any of them yet. Dammit. A couple (or maybe even three) film projects.
I try not to get too excited about all this work finally doing something I enjoy doing. In the film industry something can happen to kill a project all the way up until after the cameras have started rolling. But I'm crossing my fingers, hoping at least one of these projects turns into something. I'm reasonably sure at least one of them will, but, as I said . . .
Anyways, I'll share the details when I can. I know both of you are curious.
I sort of lost my painting mojo, for a while there. Maybe now I've gotten it back--almost done with a painting of a floral arrangement that I'm fairly happy with. It's not something you'd see in a gallery by any means--hell, I've done better work myself--but it's better than the last few paintings I've attempted, which were all disasters. This one ain't bad, for someone who ain't all that good. I may post a pic of it when I'm done. We'll see. Trust me--if I decide not to, you won't be missing anything. I may hang it up here, though, if I can find some room on my walls.
I'm still on vacation from writing prose. I did just reread a novella I wrote a while back, Warden, it was called, and still think it's not bad. It was my attempt at a "hard" science fiction story, and I think it works pretty well. I posted the whole thing here a while back--I'm sure you can search for it if you'd like to read it. Like I said, it ain't bad. Almost good enough to make me want to attempt to write another story.
I do need to so something with it, though, I guess. I have no idea what.
I finished the first draft for the TV show I was thinking about developing. It'll need a rewrite, but I'm pretty happy with the direction it's going in so far. I probably won't get a chance to revisit it for a while, because of the other stuff I've got going on, but I feel good about it.
It's frelling cold here. Cold for this area of the world, that is. I know it's December but this is Georgia--it's not supposed to get cold here. We're just not built for that!
I try not to get too excited about all this work finally doing something I enjoy doing. In the film industry something can happen to kill a project all the way up until after the cameras have started rolling. But I'm crossing my fingers, hoping at least one of these projects turns into something. I'm reasonably sure at least one of them will, but, as I said . . .
Anyways, I'll share the details when I can. I know both of you are curious.
I sort of lost my painting mojo, for a while there. Maybe now I've gotten it back--almost done with a painting of a floral arrangement that I'm fairly happy with. It's not something you'd see in a gallery by any means--hell, I've done better work myself--but it's better than the last few paintings I've attempted, which were all disasters. This one ain't bad, for someone who ain't all that good. I may post a pic of it when I'm done. We'll see. Trust me--if I decide not to, you won't be missing anything. I may hang it up here, though, if I can find some room on my walls.
I'm still on vacation from writing prose. I did just reread a novella I wrote a while back, Warden, it was called, and still think it's not bad. It was my attempt at a "hard" science fiction story, and I think it works pretty well. I posted the whole thing here a while back--I'm sure you can search for it if you'd like to read it. Like I said, it ain't bad. Almost good enough to make me want to attempt to write another story.
I do need to so something with it, though, I guess. I have no idea what.
I finished the first draft for the TV show I was thinking about developing. It'll need a rewrite, but I'm pretty happy with the direction it's going in so far. I probably won't get a chance to revisit it for a while, because of the other stuff I've got going on, but I feel good about it.
It's frelling cold here. Cold for this area of the world, that is. I know it's December but this is Georgia--it's not supposed to get cold here. We're just not built for that!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
My xmas list
Okay--in the spirit of the season (which is "gimme, gimme, gimme!" apparently), here are some things you can get me. Remember, it's not the cost but the thought that counts!
The West Wing complete series. I already have each individual season but a lot of those discs are unplayable now. I love this show. I know, not every episode was a winner, but the cast was amazing and the best episodes were incredible.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer complete series. As much as I love this show there are several episodes I haven't seen, for one reason or another. I'd love to be able to have a Buffy marathon whenever I wanted.
Walt Simonson's Thor Omnibus. A few years ago a friend loaned me almost all of Simon's run on Thor--I missed out on the Beta Ray Bill story but that's about all. It was amazing. I was completely blown away, and reminded of how great comic books can actually be, when the story is in the hands of a master. And here is the whole thing, in one book. Yes, I want it. We wants it we wants it, Precious!
H. R. Giger's Necronomicon. The inspiration for the look of the greatest film monster of all time. I've wanted this for years.
Alex Lifeson model Les Paul. I'll make music like Rush if you get me this. I'll try to, anyway.
As good a soldier as my current synthesizer has been, it is quite old and falling apart, and, to be honest, some of the voices on it really suck. So, this would solve a lot of those issues.
I'm sure as soon as I publish this a million other things will come to me, but this will be enough to get you started.
The West Wing complete series. I already have each individual season but a lot of those discs are unplayable now. I love this show. I know, not every episode was a winner, but the cast was amazing and the best episodes were incredible.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer complete series. As much as I love this show there are several episodes I haven't seen, for one reason or another. I'd love to be able to have a Buffy marathon whenever I wanted.
Walt Simonson's Thor Omnibus. A few years ago a friend loaned me almost all of Simon's run on Thor--I missed out on the Beta Ray Bill story but that's about all. It was amazing. I was completely blown away, and reminded of how great comic books can actually be, when the story is in the hands of a master. And here is the whole thing, in one book. Yes, I want it. We wants it we wants it, Precious!
H. R. Giger's Necronomicon. The inspiration for the look of the greatest film monster of all time. I've wanted this for years.
Alex Lifeson model Les Paul. I'll make music like Rush if you get me this. I'll try to, anyway.
As good a soldier as my current synthesizer has been, it is quite old and falling apart, and, to be honest, some of the voices on it really suck. So, this would solve a lot of those issues.
I'm sure as soon as I publish this a million other things will come to me, but this will be enough to get you started.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Catching up on randomocity
Sorry, for the one or two of you who read this thing, that I haven't posted anything in the last little while. I really don't have an excuse other than I was feeling really lazy, and didn't really have all that much to write about anyway.
I'm putting The Harvester of Faces on the back burner for now. I may revive it in the future, as a script instead of a novel.
Which leads to another decision I've made recently, to just give up on writing prose, at least for the time being. When I sit down to write a novel it just feels . . . wrong. Working on a screenplay, though, feels so right to me. Don't ask me why.
Speaking of screenplays, the first draft of the pilot for the TV show I thought of recently is coming along pretty well. I'm right at halfway through it--it should be 48 pages long when I'm done. I'm enjoying doing research for it, too--rereading a lot of stories I loved when I was a crazy, weird teenager, plus some new ones, too, along with one or two scholarly works that sort of shed light on the subject matter in a way that makes me look at it in a different way.
That's one of the benefits of being a writer. It gives you an excuse to look into just about anything, as potential source material, inspiration, or to inform something you're planning.
The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up and, for once, I'm really looking forward to it this year. What do I have planned? Not a damned thing. Best kind of holiday.
Anyways, I'm done creating for the night, and I'm going to settle in to watch a new episode of Criminal Minds in a little while and then hit the sack.
Such is my glamorous life, I reckon.
I'm putting The Harvester of Faces on the back burner for now. I may revive it in the future, as a script instead of a novel.
Which leads to another decision I've made recently, to just give up on writing prose, at least for the time being. When I sit down to write a novel it just feels . . . wrong. Working on a screenplay, though, feels so right to me. Don't ask me why.
Speaking of screenplays, the first draft of the pilot for the TV show I thought of recently is coming along pretty well. I'm right at halfway through it--it should be 48 pages long when I'm done. I'm enjoying doing research for it, too--rereading a lot of stories I loved when I was a crazy, weird teenager, plus some new ones, too, along with one or two scholarly works that sort of shed light on the subject matter in a way that makes me look at it in a different way.
That's one of the benefits of being a writer. It gives you an excuse to look into just about anything, as potential source material, inspiration, or to inform something you're planning.
The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up and, for once, I'm really looking forward to it this year. What do I have planned? Not a damned thing. Best kind of holiday.
Anyways, I'm done creating for the night, and I'm going to settle in to watch a new episode of Criminal Minds in a little while and then hit the sack.
Such is my glamorous life, I reckon.
Friday, November 8, 2013
I now have a title!
Woo-hoo! I finally figured out what I'm going to call this TV thing!
Unfortunately, I don't feel like I should reveal what that title is, because it would give too much away as to what the show is about. Dammit. Though I guess, considering not even my best friend reads this thing, I'd be safe enough if I did. But, just in case, I won't--I've had ideas--and titles, too, that I'd agonized over for weeks before coming up with them--stolen from me before. And ruined because the thieves were bloody awful writers or musicians.
Be that as it may, the first draft of the pilot script is coming along swimmingly. The tone is established quickly, the central characters are introduced, and the central theme is front-and-center quickly.
Not to change the subject, but I just got my new breakfast sandwich maker today. It's going to be awesome. I'm a sucker for a good croissant breakfast sandwich--and it so happens I just picked up some fresh ones just a few minutes ago . . .
I'm also reading a book called Weird Realism: Lovecraft and Philosophy. I haven't finished it yet but I'm enjoying it enormously, especially since I've recently reread many of the stories under discussion and I'm in the process of rereading the rest. If you dig Lovecraft--and if you have friends who look down their noses at him--you will want this one.
Weekend plans--writing on this TV show thing, The Harvester of Faces first draft redo, watching football, and not much else.
The best kind of weekend--I may not even leave my apartment!
Unfortunately, I don't feel like I should reveal what that title is, because it would give too much away as to what the show is about. Dammit. Though I guess, considering not even my best friend reads this thing, I'd be safe enough if I did. But, just in case, I won't--I've had ideas--and titles, too, that I'd agonized over for weeks before coming up with them--stolen from me before. And ruined because the thieves were bloody awful writers or musicians.
Be that as it may, the first draft of the pilot script is coming along swimmingly. The tone is established quickly, the central characters are introduced, and the central theme is front-and-center quickly.
Not to change the subject, but I just got my new breakfast sandwich maker today. It's going to be awesome. I'm a sucker for a good croissant breakfast sandwich--and it so happens I just picked up some fresh ones just a few minutes ago . . .
I'm also reading a book called Weird Realism: Lovecraft and Philosophy. I haven't finished it yet but I'm enjoying it enormously, especially since I've recently reread many of the stories under discussion and I'm in the process of rereading the rest. If you dig Lovecraft--and if you have friends who look down their noses at him--you will want this one.
Weekend plans--writing on this TV show thing, The Harvester of Faces first draft redo, watching football, and not much else.
The best kind of weekend--I may not even leave my apartment!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
I need a bigger plate
So, I was chatting with a friend last night, discussing an idea I've had for a while about a TV series.
I'm not going into details about the idea here, except to say it's sort of in the same vein as Supernatural--sort of a weekly horror show. Anyways, while I was discussing it with my friend something inside me (talk about a horror show!) woke up and said, "Why the hell not?"
So, I'm going to be hammering on the pilot script for this thing--I don't even have a name for it yet--over the next little while. This, in addition to The Harvester of Faces novel and the screenplay I'm going to collaborate on. Needless to say, that plus my regular day job pretty much take up all my free time. Fortunately, for most of these projects I don't have a deadline, so there's no hurry.
I've never really thought about doing a TV show before. I've got ideas that I think would make good shows that people would watch, but I've never actually tried to develop one before. So, this is new territory for me.
I picture this one as lasting about five years. There is an overriding story arch that will come to an end as the series climax. In the meantime there will be some episodes that advance the story arch and some that are pretty much stand-alone.
I like that format, instead of one where a show can go on indefinitely, for a lot of reasons. Mainly it's just satisfying, from a story-telling perspective, to tell a complete story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending, over the course of around a hundred individual episodes. It's like writing a really long novel.
You also have the marketing angle--people will stick with it after they get hooked if they know for a fact that there is an ending coming up where their questions will be answered and the story will come to an end. I got fed up with X-Files and other shows like this because the revelations regarding the back story came at a glacial pace and didn't seem to be completely thought out. That won't be the case here.
Also, at least for this story, it'll be a lot of fun to write. There are just not enough horror-based TV shows right now.
Anyways, I have no idea what I'm doing, or even if I'll get a chance to pitch this thing to anybody who could potentially make it, but I'm diving into it anyway. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to bring it to the small screen for your viewing pleasure.
I'm not going into details about the idea here, except to say it's sort of in the same vein as Supernatural--sort of a weekly horror show. Anyways, while I was discussing it with my friend something inside me (talk about a horror show!) woke up and said, "Why the hell not?"
So, I'm going to be hammering on the pilot script for this thing--I don't even have a name for it yet--over the next little while. This, in addition to The Harvester of Faces novel and the screenplay I'm going to collaborate on. Needless to say, that plus my regular day job pretty much take up all my free time. Fortunately, for most of these projects I don't have a deadline, so there's no hurry.
I've never really thought about doing a TV show before. I've got ideas that I think would make good shows that people would watch, but I've never actually tried to develop one before. So, this is new territory for me.
I picture this one as lasting about five years. There is an overriding story arch that will come to an end as the series climax. In the meantime there will be some episodes that advance the story arch and some that are pretty much stand-alone.
I like that format, instead of one where a show can go on indefinitely, for a lot of reasons. Mainly it's just satisfying, from a story-telling perspective, to tell a complete story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending, over the course of around a hundred individual episodes. It's like writing a really long novel.
You also have the marketing angle--people will stick with it after they get hooked if they know for a fact that there is an ending coming up where their questions will be answered and the story will come to an end. I got fed up with X-Files and other shows like this because the revelations regarding the back story came at a glacial pace and didn't seem to be completely thought out. That won't be the case here.
Also, at least for this story, it'll be a lot of fun to write. There are just not enough horror-based TV shows right now.
Anyways, I have no idea what I'm doing, or even if I'll get a chance to pitch this thing to anybody who could potentially make it, but I'm diving into it anyway. Maybe, one day, I'll be able to bring it to the small screen for your viewing pleasure.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
This is how it works. For me, that is.
Here is a microcosm of how my life works:
Thursday I go to lunch. I really have a taste for a double quarter pounder with cheese (yeah, I know) so I head over to McDs. As I'm going in a woman who comes out tells me they aren't taking orders--their system is down.
I really wanted that burger. Dammit. So, I decide on fried chicken and head over to KFC.
The person working the register is apparently brand new. The person training him rings me up, and goes to fill my order, leaving the new guy to take my card to pay for it.
Guess what? No tape in the register.
Once they determine that is the reason the register isn't working, the hunt is on for register tape. Apparently there isn't any in the usual spot, so they have to go to the very back of the store and dig around in their closet to find some.
Finally, they are able to give me my receipt. I take my chicken (still wishing it was a double quarter pounder) and go over to the buffet table to get some salt and pepper. There's plenty of pepper. No salt. I bring this to their attention--the lady training the new guy turns to her co-workers and asks, "Where's the salt?" Everybody shrugs their shoulders. She heads back to that closet at the back of the store to rummage around again, this time looking for salt.
Meanwhile, since I only have a limited amount of time for my lunch break, I just decide to do without salt, which is probably healthier for me anyway.
Multiply that by about twenty and you have my life right now. No tragedy or anything, just some really annoying circumstance that gets in the way of every tiny little thing I want to accomplish.
Sorry. I'm just venting. And feeling a little sorry for myself. I'll get over it. Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday I go to lunch. I really have a taste for a double quarter pounder with cheese (yeah, I know) so I head over to McDs. As I'm going in a woman who comes out tells me they aren't taking orders--their system is down.
I really wanted that burger. Dammit. So, I decide on fried chicken and head over to KFC.
The person working the register is apparently brand new. The person training him rings me up, and goes to fill my order, leaving the new guy to take my card to pay for it.
Guess what? No tape in the register.
Once they determine that is the reason the register isn't working, the hunt is on for register tape. Apparently there isn't any in the usual spot, so they have to go to the very back of the store and dig around in their closet to find some.
Finally, they are able to give me my receipt. I take my chicken (still wishing it was a double quarter pounder) and go over to the buffet table to get some salt and pepper. There's plenty of pepper. No salt. I bring this to their attention--the lady training the new guy turns to her co-workers and asks, "Where's the salt?" Everybody shrugs their shoulders. She heads back to that closet at the back of the store to rummage around again, this time looking for salt.
Meanwhile, since I only have a limited amount of time for my lunch break, I just decide to do without salt, which is probably healthier for me anyway.
Multiply that by about twenty and you have my life right now. No tragedy or anything, just some really annoying circumstance that gets in the way of every tiny little thing I want to accomplish.
Sorry. I'm just venting. And feeling a little sorry for myself. I'll get over it. Enjoy your weekend!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
And so it begins . . .
I've finally started the first draft--again--for The Harvester of Faces.
I just finished the first chapter, and I have to say that all of the plotting and planning I've put into it is paying off already. I can see the road ahead--for a good long ways, anyway--and it makes it much less of a struggle getting the words onto the page.
Yes, I finally decided to write it as a novel instead of a screenplay. There are a couple of reasons for it. For one, because of the back-story I think it would work better. For another--I'm about to start working on another screenplay. I don't want to be working on two screenplays at once.
Having two projects going at the same time is a good thing, for me, I think. It gives my mind a place to flee to if I hit a wall--I get stuck on one, I'll go work on the other a while. Working on one thing usually gives me ideas and inspiration for something else. I hope that makes sense. Having more than two projects going, though, is not such a good idea. For me, that is.
Anyways, I think it's coming along now, and I can feel pieces fitting together as I work, so that's a good thing. I still have a very long way to go but hopefully by next summer I'll have it ready to send off to a publisher.
I've been seeing trailers for the Ender's Game film and I plan to see it. Yes, I'm aware of the boycott--because of statements the novel's author, Orson Scott Card, made about marriage equality--but I think it's kind of silly for a couple of reasons:
Anyways, I'll be slogging away at The Harvester of Faces for now, hoping to get the first draft done then get the rewriting done so that it'll be out there, changing the world for the better within a year or so. I hope.
I just finished the first chapter, and I have to say that all of the plotting and planning I've put into it is paying off already. I can see the road ahead--for a good long ways, anyway--and it makes it much less of a struggle getting the words onto the page.
Yes, I finally decided to write it as a novel instead of a screenplay. There are a couple of reasons for it. For one, because of the back-story I think it would work better. For another--I'm about to start working on another screenplay. I don't want to be working on two screenplays at once.
Having two projects going at the same time is a good thing, for me, I think. It gives my mind a place to flee to if I hit a wall--I get stuck on one, I'll go work on the other a while. Working on one thing usually gives me ideas and inspiration for something else. I hope that makes sense. Having more than two projects going, though, is not such a good idea. For me, that is.
Anyways, I think it's coming along now, and I can feel pieces fitting together as I work, so that's a good thing. I still have a very long way to go but hopefully by next summer I'll have it ready to send off to a publisher.
I've been seeing trailers for the Ender's Game film and I plan to see it. Yes, I'm aware of the boycott--because of statements the novel's author, Orson Scott Card, made about marriage equality--but I think it's kind of silly for a couple of reasons:
- While I disagree strongly with Card he is entitled to his opinion--as idiotic as it is.
- Card has already been paid. Boycotting the film only hurts the film. I don't know if Card is supposed to get any of the box office but he's already got his money for the film rights.
Anyways, I'll be slogging away at The Harvester of Faces for now, hoping to get the first draft done then get the rewriting done so that it'll be out there, changing the world for the better within a year or so. I hope.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Creating a skeletal plotline and randomocity
I think I finally have The Harvester of Faces plotted out. Finally.
When I say "plotted out" I mean I've created the bare bones of the story. I have no idea how I'm going to do some of it. But I know where the road is going now so the rest of it will come.
It's amazing how hard this is for me. At this point all I want is very broad strokes. High-level stuff, like "So-and-so is murdered," Or, "Whosis is identified as s suspect," without worrying about details. The temptation, though, is to start worrying about the details now, which defeats the purpose.
So, here's what I did. I broke it down into three acts and tried to have at least three plot points for each act. There may be more (but no more than five) but never less. If you have less than three then you really should combine that act with another one as it's not enough to stand on its own. If you have more than five, maybe you need a new act--four or even five. Each point should be just one sentence. The whole thing should be at most a half page long.
Next step is to finally start worrying about those details. A little. I'll start slogging through a treatment (again), using this as the map. Again, it should not be more than a page long. If it's longer then it's too complicated, which conflicts with my basic philosophy of life--Keep It Simple, Stupid.
My next decision--should I write this as a screenplay or a novel?
I'm torn. Me and prose fiction are sort of on the outs at the moment. We could reconcile, I guess, and this thing would make a pretty good novel.
But I'm enjoying writing screenplays, too, and I'm starting to have some success in that area, too. This would make a crackerjack movie.
I guess I'll make a final decision when I've got the treatment done. Hopefully, now that I have this outline, it'll be a bit easier.
Football-wise, this season has been a disappointment. The Falcons have, against all expectations, sucked. Dammit. They've had some injuries but they should not be that bad--don't ask me what's wrong. I'm thinking it might be time for a coaching change. Just sayin'.
And I go back to work tomorrow after being off all week for dad's funeral. My poor inbox is probably straining at all the email waiting for a response.
Don't get me started on politics right now. It is with great delight that I watch the Republican party self-detonate--but it is with the fear that they'll manage to take the rest of the country with them.
When I say "plotted out" I mean I've created the bare bones of the story. I have no idea how I'm going to do some of it. But I know where the road is going now so the rest of it will come.
It's amazing how hard this is for me. At this point all I want is very broad strokes. High-level stuff, like "So-and-so is murdered," Or, "Whosis is identified as s suspect," without worrying about details. The temptation, though, is to start worrying about the details now, which defeats the purpose.
So, here's what I did. I broke it down into three acts and tried to have at least three plot points for each act. There may be more (but no more than five) but never less. If you have less than three then you really should combine that act with another one as it's not enough to stand on its own. If you have more than five, maybe you need a new act--four or even five. Each point should be just one sentence. The whole thing should be at most a half page long.
Next step is to finally start worrying about those details. A little. I'll start slogging through a treatment (again), using this as the map. Again, it should not be more than a page long. If it's longer then it's too complicated, which conflicts with my basic philosophy of life--Keep It Simple, Stupid.
My next decision--should I write this as a screenplay or a novel?
I'm torn. Me and prose fiction are sort of on the outs at the moment. We could reconcile, I guess, and this thing would make a pretty good novel.
But I'm enjoying writing screenplays, too, and I'm starting to have some success in that area, too. This would make a crackerjack movie.
I guess I'll make a final decision when I've got the treatment done. Hopefully, now that I have this outline, it'll be a bit easier.
Football-wise, this season has been a disappointment. The Falcons have, against all expectations, sucked. Dammit. They've had some injuries but they should not be that bad--don't ask me what's wrong. I'm thinking it might be time for a coaching change. Just sayin'.
And I go back to work tomorrow after being off all week for dad's funeral. My poor inbox is probably straining at all the email waiting for a response.
Don't get me started on politics right now. It is with great delight that I watch the Republican party self-detonate--but it is with the fear that they'll manage to take the rest of the country with them.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
A death in the family and randomocity
I'm sorry I haven't been around much, for the one or two of you who actually read this thing. My dad died last week and we had the funeral last Saturday.
It wasn't unexpected. He's been declining for a while and over the past few months had really taken a downward spiral. So, I was prepared when the call came. Anyway, we've had the funeral now (and thank you to everyone who attended and participated--dad would have been very happy with the service) and I'm taking some time off from work to catch up on some things that had to go on the back burner for a while.
You know what would be good? And somebody may actually be doing this, in which case, good for you! Schools should teach a class called "Life Situations" where they go over what you should do in the circumstances most of us face through our lives and which we are seldom prepared for. Like, what to do when a near relative, like a parent, dies. Maybe give people checklists of documents they'll need, and questions they'll need to be able to answer.
And, let me go on record here--when I die, I want to be cremated. Take my ashes and mingle them with Atari's and find a nice, scenic spot in the mountains somewhere, dig a hole, pour us in, and fill in the hole. Let us both return to the world and become part of the natural cycle, even if it is only our ashes. Since I can't go the Zoroastrian route and have my body eaten by sacred vultures, that is. Don't spend a nickel more on my memorial than is absolutely necessary. I won't care, trust me. Don't even have a memorial--unless you want to and know of a way to do it for free, in which case, go ahead, if it makes you feel better.
Dad's health was one thing that had been concerning me for a while. A situation with a dear friend that seemed to be unresolvable (and which I won't go into here) was another. Those are two balls that I can now allow to drop, with dad's death, and my friend's situation--at least for now--somewhat improved.
Of course, something like that seems to prompt the universe to put something else on my plate to worry about. There just has to be something, doesn't there? And I actually have an idea what the next personal crisis will be though I won't say anything here. I don't want to provide inspiration.
So, it's back to writing and maybe painting a little, too.
It wasn't unexpected. He's been declining for a while and over the past few months had really taken a downward spiral. So, I was prepared when the call came. Anyway, we've had the funeral now (and thank you to everyone who attended and participated--dad would have been very happy with the service) and I'm taking some time off from work to catch up on some things that had to go on the back burner for a while.
You know what would be good? And somebody may actually be doing this, in which case, good for you! Schools should teach a class called "Life Situations" where they go over what you should do in the circumstances most of us face through our lives and which we are seldom prepared for. Like, what to do when a near relative, like a parent, dies. Maybe give people checklists of documents they'll need, and questions they'll need to be able to answer.
And, let me go on record here--when I die, I want to be cremated. Take my ashes and mingle them with Atari's and find a nice, scenic spot in the mountains somewhere, dig a hole, pour us in, and fill in the hole. Let us both return to the world and become part of the natural cycle, even if it is only our ashes. Since I can't go the Zoroastrian route and have my body eaten by sacred vultures, that is. Don't spend a nickel more on my memorial than is absolutely necessary. I won't care, trust me. Don't even have a memorial--unless you want to and know of a way to do it for free, in which case, go ahead, if it makes you feel better.
Dad's health was one thing that had been concerning me for a while. A situation with a dear friend that seemed to be unresolvable (and which I won't go into here) was another. Those are two balls that I can now allow to drop, with dad's death, and my friend's situation--at least for now--somewhat improved.
Of course, something like that seems to prompt the universe to put something else on my plate to worry about. There just has to be something, doesn't there? And I actually have an idea what the next personal crisis will be though I won't say anything here. I don't want to provide inspiration.
So, it's back to writing and maybe painting a little, too.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Duh! Randomocity . . .
I was working on the treatment for The Harvester of Faces and was wrestling with a plot point.
I wanted my antagonist--Fiona, who is a detective--to meet KC--my protagonist, and the perpetrator of a crime that Fiona is investigating. I'd created this idiotic subplot that brought in all sorts of minor characters and involved all sorts of elaborate plotting and planning, when it occurred to me--KC actually committed the crime Fiona is investigating, so if Fiona is a half-way decent detective she'd want to interview KC as part of her investigation, wouldn't she? Duh!
Realizing that your characters--antagonists or protagonists--aren't complete idiots is a major consideration, when plotting out a story. I realize that now.
Hopefully I'll at least have this thing plotted out over the weekend. I think I'm nearly done with the first draft of the treatment--there will be rewrites, as it's at a page and a half right now and I don't believe a treatment should be over a page. But it helps to know where the story is going and boy! howdy! it sort of underscores and writes out in all caps any problems with the story. It's a helluva lot easier to correct those problems in a treatment than it is when you've already written fifty pages of a novel or a screenplay. I know this from experience. Bitter. Personal. Experience.
This project I'm collaborating on is about to kick into high gear and will need to take priority for a few months, so after I finish this draft of the treatment for The Harvester of Faces it'll have to go on the back burner for now. Which will be good, actually, as I'm sure all sorts of stuff will occur to me in the meantime. And I won't stop working on it entirely--to continue the cooking metaphor, you have to stir the stuff in the pot on the back burner every now and then to keep it from scorching or getting too thick. Working on it will give me a break from this other thing, every now and then.
Anyways, that and football is my weekend. And laundry. Always laundry.
I wanted my antagonist--Fiona, who is a detective--to meet KC--my protagonist, and the perpetrator of a crime that Fiona is investigating. I'd created this idiotic subplot that brought in all sorts of minor characters and involved all sorts of elaborate plotting and planning, when it occurred to me--KC actually committed the crime Fiona is investigating, so if Fiona is a half-way decent detective she'd want to interview KC as part of her investigation, wouldn't she? Duh!
Realizing that your characters--antagonists or protagonists--aren't complete idiots is a major consideration, when plotting out a story. I realize that now.
Hopefully I'll at least have this thing plotted out over the weekend. I think I'm nearly done with the first draft of the treatment--there will be rewrites, as it's at a page and a half right now and I don't believe a treatment should be over a page. But it helps to know where the story is going and boy! howdy! it sort of underscores and writes out in all caps any problems with the story. It's a helluva lot easier to correct those problems in a treatment than it is when you've already written fifty pages of a novel or a screenplay. I know this from experience. Bitter. Personal. Experience.
This project I'm collaborating on is about to kick into high gear and will need to take priority for a few months, so after I finish this draft of the treatment for The Harvester of Faces it'll have to go on the back burner for now. Which will be good, actually, as I'm sure all sorts of stuff will occur to me in the meantime. And I won't stop working on it entirely--to continue the cooking metaphor, you have to stir the stuff in the pot on the back burner every now and then to keep it from scorching or getting too thick. Working on it will give me a break from this other thing, every now and then.
Anyways, that and football is my weekend. And laundry. Always laundry.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Plotting and planning randomocity
I'm going to be collaborating with a friend on a screenplay shortly.
It's a project I can't really talk about. I only mention it here to explain what I'm up to with my own projects.
I'm writing a treatment for The Harvester of Faces, just to see if it would work better as a film. I think it would. A "treatment" is where you describe the plot. There are various theories as to what works best in a treatment--some people say four or five pages, others say it should be no more than one--this is what I think, too, as if it's longer than a page it's too complicated. There is not a specific format that should be followed. There are examples all over the Internet if you're curious. Potential backers, studios, networks, etc., want to see a treatment, and you can register it to be protected from plagiarism, too. Potential backers also understand that it's a treatment, so they don't expect to see brilliant character development or high-caliber prose.
Another thing a treatment is good for, is helping you spot places in your story that you need to rethink. I've identified two weaknesses with my own story so far--I need a subplot, and I need something to demonstrate that my protagonist is every inch not somebody you mess with lightly. I think I've got that now, though I need to find a way to integrate the new stuff into the plot so that it still flows like I want it to. I'm going to think about it a little longer and then start over.
Yes, writing treatments is hard. But it's worth it, if only because of all the time it keeps you from wasting later. Even if I go back to working on this project as a novel this will still be helpful.
Anyways, this is what I'm doing while I'm also prepping on this collaborative project. Hopefully, I'll have this treatment knocked into shape in a couple of days, before I have to start giving the project I'm working on with my friend priority.
That's about all I've got going on right now. I haven't been painting or sketching any over the past couple of weeks--I'm spending all my free time writing or prepping for writing these days. About as good as it gets, for me.
It's a project I can't really talk about. I only mention it here to explain what I'm up to with my own projects.
I'm writing a treatment for The Harvester of Faces, just to see if it would work better as a film. I think it would. A "treatment" is where you describe the plot. There are various theories as to what works best in a treatment--some people say four or five pages, others say it should be no more than one--this is what I think, too, as if it's longer than a page it's too complicated. There is not a specific format that should be followed. There are examples all over the Internet if you're curious. Potential backers, studios, networks, etc., want to see a treatment, and you can register it to be protected from plagiarism, too. Potential backers also understand that it's a treatment, so they don't expect to see brilliant character development or high-caliber prose.
Another thing a treatment is good for, is helping you spot places in your story that you need to rethink. I've identified two weaknesses with my own story so far--I need a subplot, and I need something to demonstrate that my protagonist is every inch not somebody you mess with lightly. I think I've got that now, though I need to find a way to integrate the new stuff into the plot so that it still flows like I want it to. I'm going to think about it a little longer and then start over.
Yes, writing treatments is hard. But it's worth it, if only because of all the time it keeps you from wasting later. Even if I go back to working on this project as a novel this will still be helpful.
Anyways, this is what I'm doing while I'm also prepping on this collaborative project. Hopefully, I'll have this treatment knocked into shape in a couple of days, before I have to start giving the project I'm working on with my friend priority.
That's about all I've got going on right now. I haven't been painting or sketching any over the past couple of weeks--I'm spending all my free time writing or prepping for writing these days. About as good as it gets, for me.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Busy busy randomocity
I'm taking a bit of a break from working on a project, watching football. Man, am I tired!
You'd think sitting at a computer and typing for a couple of hours wouldn't be all that big of a deal, wouldn't you? But it wears me out.
And my Saturday is almost gone, too. Before I know it, it's almost night.
I had a bit of a heartening thought, earlier--that the younger generation will have the Internet, and have access to a world populated with people of all sorts of nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, political persuasions, whatever. So, while intolerance and prejudice will always exist, over the next few years they shouldn't be quite as prevalent. It is to be hoped.
Of course, that's working on the theory that exposure to other cultures will encourage people to form attachments--even friendships--with people outside of the sort of people they encounter in their physical locations. Maybe not. Many times it seems people seem to hate those who belong to different religions, nationalities, or whatever, who live in close proximity to them. Look at Nazi Germany, for an example.
Okay, I just depressed myself again. I guess I need to stop that.
I'm starting to have some musical ideas. Two problems with doing something about them, though:
Anyways, that and watching football are my weekend. Which is a good thing, to me.
You'd think sitting at a computer and typing for a couple of hours wouldn't be all that big of a deal, wouldn't you? But it wears me out.
And my Saturday is almost gone, too. Before I know it, it's almost night.
I had a bit of a heartening thought, earlier--that the younger generation will have the Internet, and have access to a world populated with people of all sorts of nationalities, religions, sexual orientations, political persuasions, whatever. So, while intolerance and prejudice will always exist, over the next few years they shouldn't be quite as prevalent. It is to be hoped.
Of course, that's working on the theory that exposure to other cultures will encourage people to form attachments--even friendships--with people outside of the sort of people they encounter in their physical locations. Maybe not. Many times it seems people seem to hate those who belong to different religions, nationalities, or whatever, who live in close proximity to them. Look at Nazi Germany, for an example.
Okay, I just depressed myself again. I guess I need to stop that.
I'm starting to have some musical ideas. Two problems with doing something about them, though:
- I've got too many prose projects on my plate right now
- I need a female lead singer.
Anyways, that and watching football are my weekend. Which is a good thing, to me.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Soundtracks
After spending hours in pretty intense thought I think I've managed to work out all the stuff that was bothering me about my current project. Hopefully, now that I know where I'm going, I'll be able to finally write this damned thing.
One thing that helps is music. Of course, one needs to listen to the right kind of music, the sort that would serve as the soundtrack to the project if and when it gets made into a movie.
So, here's something that makes the perfect music for my current project. Within Temptation's The Unforgiving. Really dramatic music, dark but not too dark, and great for setting the tone I'm looking for. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.
And I've made another start on this project, but this one finally feels right. Let's hope it still feels that way once I get further along into this.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
One thing that helps is music. Of course, one needs to listen to the right kind of music, the sort that would serve as the soundtrack to the project if and when it gets made into a movie.
So, here's something that makes the perfect music for my current project. Within Temptation's The Unforgiving. Really dramatic music, dark but not too dark, and great for setting the tone I'm looking for. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.
And I've made another start on this project, but this one finally feels right. Let's hope it still feels that way once I get further along into this.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Maybe I need more fiber?
I haven't been able to write anything for several days now.
When I say "haven't been able" I don't mean that I'm physically incapable of writing anything. I also don't mean that I don't have any ideas. I just mean that when I set out to actually perform the act of writing it just . . . isn't there.
I mean, when I think, "I need to be writing now," it's like some sort of paralysis sets in and I can't move until I decide, "Okay, later." Then I can move again.
I guess you could relate it to some form of constipation--the ideas are there, and the interest in putting them down is there, but it just won't come out. Yeah, I know that's an extremely unflattering comparison but it's better to me than the other one that springs to mind, that being impotence.
Eventually it'll all build up and then explode in a burst of creativity that will shock the world. Or overflow a few toilets.
I hope. Honestly, I don't really know how this happened. It can't be that I'm depressed--dealing with depression is what got me started writing in the first place. I write more when I'm depressed. Sometimes, when I'm really depressed, writing is the only thing I can do.
Maybe it's because I'm not depressed? Hmmm . . . I wonder if I could go into therapy for that. "Doc, I need to be depressed because I can't write when I'm content with life."
Of course, I could just watch the news . . .
Well, my plan to deal with this situation--for now--is to watch a few of my favorite movies. Sometimes watching one of those--Alien is a really good example--gives me just the kick in the ass I need to do something.
We'll see. I know I'll get over this eventually, if not today, then soon. In the meantime I'll have revisited some of the films that inform and inspire me.
I'd say that's a win-win situation.
When I say "haven't been able" I don't mean that I'm physically incapable of writing anything. I also don't mean that I don't have any ideas. I just mean that when I set out to actually perform the act of writing it just . . . isn't there.
I mean, when I think, "I need to be writing now," it's like some sort of paralysis sets in and I can't move until I decide, "Okay, later." Then I can move again.
I guess you could relate it to some form of constipation--the ideas are there, and the interest in putting them down is there, but it just won't come out. Yeah, I know that's an extremely unflattering comparison but it's better to me than the other one that springs to mind, that being impotence.
Eventually it'll all build up and then explode in a burst of creativity that will shock the world. Or overflow a few toilets.
I hope. Honestly, I don't really know how this happened. It can't be that I'm depressed--dealing with depression is what got me started writing in the first place. I write more when I'm depressed. Sometimes, when I'm really depressed, writing is the only thing I can do.
Maybe it's because I'm not depressed? Hmmm . . . I wonder if I could go into therapy for that. "Doc, I need to be depressed because I can't write when I'm content with life."
Of course, I could just watch the news . . .
Well, my plan to deal with this situation--for now--is to watch a few of my favorite movies. Sometimes watching one of those--Alien is a really good example--gives me just the kick in the ass I need to do something.
We'll see. I know I'll get over this eventually, if not today, then soon. In the meantime I'll have revisited some of the films that inform and inspire me.
I'd say that's a win-win situation.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Starting the weekend randomocity
Well, my goddaughter and her mom are on their way back to California. Yes, I'm sad, and I'm missing them both. Nothing reminds one of the whole wide world more than having an active and incredibly bright nine year old around. And her mom--my best friend--is one of the few people I can actually have a conversation with about things that truly interest me, because they interest her, too. So, she doesn't freak out when we spend hours discussing serial killers and their crimes, or the darker aspects of human nature, the various forms of insanity, etc. Plus, she's a writer, too, a damned good one, so she is very understanding of my own quirks and distractions.
Anyways, they're on the road, and I miss them.
Speaking of my goddaughter, here's her Little Debbie commercial. Just because. Ain't she adorable?
Just accepted an offer to collaborate with an old friend on a screenplay earlier today, too--it sounds like an interesting project. I'm looking forward to diving into it.
As for my other projects--The Sorcerer's Daughter is on hiatus right now. I'll definitely get back to it--it's a great idea and deserves to be written--but I just can't concentrate on it. It deserves my full attention. The Dreamer saga is coming along, slowly but surely.
I do need to get as much done on Dreamer as I can, since the NFL will be kicking off in a couple of weeks. Once that starts it'll be hard to stay focused.
Oh, and check out my blogging buddy's book. She's a terrific writer--hysterically funny, and she tells a good story, too. I highly recommend it. It just came out today.
And it's the weekend! Writing, painting, and laundry all on tap! As usual.
Anyways, they're on the road, and I miss them.
Speaking of my goddaughter, here's her Little Debbie commercial. Just because. Ain't she adorable?
Just accepted an offer to collaborate with an old friend on a screenplay earlier today, too--it sounds like an interesting project. I'm looking forward to diving into it.
As for my other projects--The Sorcerer's Daughter is on hiatus right now. I'll definitely get back to it--it's a great idea and deserves to be written--but I just can't concentrate on it. It deserves my full attention. The Dreamer saga is coming along, slowly but surely.
I do need to get as much done on Dreamer as I can, since the NFL will be kicking off in a couple of weeks. Once that starts it'll be hard to stay focused.
Oh, and check out my blogging buddy's book. She's a terrific writer--hysterically funny, and she tells a good story, too. I highly recommend it. It just came out today.
And it's the weekend! Writing, painting, and laundry all on tap! As usual.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
An unseasonably chilly randomocity
Let's get this weather thing out of the way--it's chilly and rainy outside. In August. In Georgia. Can you say "Global Climate Change?" I thought you could!
This new idea I mentioned earlier is beginning to sort of catch fire. I keep having ideas about it, making connections, seeing stuff I can do regarding subtext and foreshadowing and all that. I've read over what I've done so far and it's not bad for a first draft. Maybe, just maybe, I'm onto something.
I'm calling it Dreamer's Story, Dreamer being what I call the central character. She's probably going to be the most complicated character I've ever written. I'm actually looking forward to it, instead of dreading it. This is fun. This is why I do this.
At this point I don't even know how long it's going to be. All I can say is it's going to be multiple books, but not an unlimited series--there is an ultimate story arc that will be concluded in the final book.
I hate unlimited series, by the way. Just flat-out hate them. Every idea I've had for anything--comic books, TV shows, novels, whatever--has had a limit to the number of installments.
There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is a story consideration--there are only so many stories that can be told in a given setting, and eventually the whole thing becomes stale and you begin repeating yourself. At some point it has to end. The best place to end it? In a place where the bigger, over-riding issues have been settled, but maybe some other, more minor (from a plot point-of-view) issues may still be unanswered. Let the fans continue the story for themselves at that point. They may grumble about not having every single tiny plot point addressed, but they'll also have a great deal of fun fighting among themselves about what happened after the story ended.
The other reason is economic--being able to purchase the entire thing, from beginning to end, in one boxed set, is very appealing. If you love it you can read/watch/listen to the entire thing from start to finish in one sitting if you are so inclined.
Anyways, that's going to be my weekend. I'm going to be pounding out more words in this thing, and doing some drawing and painting. And laundry. Don't forget laundry.
There's always laundry.
This new idea I mentioned earlier is beginning to sort of catch fire. I keep having ideas about it, making connections, seeing stuff I can do regarding subtext and foreshadowing and all that. I've read over what I've done so far and it's not bad for a first draft. Maybe, just maybe, I'm onto something.
I'm calling it Dreamer's Story, Dreamer being what I call the central character. She's probably going to be the most complicated character I've ever written. I'm actually looking forward to it, instead of dreading it. This is fun. This is why I do this.
At this point I don't even know how long it's going to be. All I can say is it's going to be multiple books, but not an unlimited series--there is an ultimate story arc that will be concluded in the final book.
I hate unlimited series, by the way. Just flat-out hate them. Every idea I've had for anything--comic books, TV shows, novels, whatever--has had a limit to the number of installments.
There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is a story consideration--there are only so many stories that can be told in a given setting, and eventually the whole thing becomes stale and you begin repeating yourself. At some point it has to end. The best place to end it? In a place where the bigger, over-riding issues have been settled, but maybe some other, more minor (from a plot point-of-view) issues may still be unanswered. Let the fans continue the story for themselves at that point. They may grumble about not having every single tiny plot point addressed, but they'll also have a great deal of fun fighting among themselves about what happened after the story ended.
The other reason is economic--being able to purchase the entire thing, from beginning to end, in one boxed set, is very appealing. If you love it you can read/watch/listen to the entire thing from start to finish in one sitting if you are so inclined.
Anyways, that's going to be my weekend. I'm going to be pounding out more words in this thing, and doing some drawing and painting. And laundry. Don't forget laundry.
There's always laundry.
Friday, August 9, 2013
O! For a Muse of Fire! Which I have. Dammit.
An idea occurred to me the other day that I'm becoming obsessed with.
This while I'm still dealing with writing The Sorcerer's Daughter. I have no choice, now, but to put that aside while I work on this new thing.
At this point I really can't discuss it, mostly because there's so much of it that has yet to be developed. It will be a series of books, and I'll be reusing many of the elements from The Harvester of Faces. In fact, that will be the name of the final book in the series, and a lot of the characters I used for that one I will use in this one.
There is one big difference, though--my central character is a costumed vigilante. I hesitate to call her a "superhero" because she has no superhuman abilities--she's just a terrific athlete who is really good at martial arts and also obsessed with a mission that she's given herself. There are some other differences between her and most of the other heroes out there. One--her costume is one of practicality. She wears what she wears to conceal her identity, to give her some resistance to light weaponry, and to obfuscate her heat signature. She's not looking for a reputation--she'd rather no-one even know that she exists. The only thing that matters to her is her goal.
She's also a master strategist and is using a sort of psychological judo on her enemies, pitting them against each other and concealing her own existence from them as much as she can.
What is her ultimate goal? That would be telling. One day, if I ever finish this thing, you'll find out.
I did initially consider doing this as a comic book but there are just too many practical impediments to that approach. I may change my mind down the road but for right now I'm going to do it as a novel.
One reason I'm so excited about this is the opportunity it gives me to grind one of my favorite axes, and that is the affect of the obscene amounts of wealth some people are accumulating and the immunity it provides from normal human laws, morality, and ethics. How much money and power is enough? To some people, not all of the money and power in the Universe, it seems. They always want more. One thing to remember about these people---they think everybody else is like that, too, and they don't understand anyone who isn't.
Anyways, that's going to be my big project over the next little while. We'll see if I get anywhere with it.
Stay tuned!
This while I'm still dealing with writing The Sorcerer's Daughter. I have no choice, now, but to put that aside while I work on this new thing.
At this point I really can't discuss it, mostly because there's so much of it that has yet to be developed. It will be a series of books, and I'll be reusing many of the elements from The Harvester of Faces. In fact, that will be the name of the final book in the series, and a lot of the characters I used for that one I will use in this one.
There is one big difference, though--my central character is a costumed vigilante. I hesitate to call her a "superhero" because she has no superhuman abilities--she's just a terrific athlete who is really good at martial arts and also obsessed with a mission that she's given herself. There are some other differences between her and most of the other heroes out there. One--her costume is one of practicality. She wears what she wears to conceal her identity, to give her some resistance to light weaponry, and to obfuscate her heat signature. She's not looking for a reputation--she'd rather no-one even know that she exists. The only thing that matters to her is her goal.
She's also a master strategist and is using a sort of psychological judo on her enemies, pitting them against each other and concealing her own existence from them as much as she can.
What is her ultimate goal? That would be telling. One day, if I ever finish this thing, you'll find out.
I did initially consider doing this as a comic book but there are just too many practical impediments to that approach. I may change my mind down the road but for right now I'm going to do it as a novel.
One reason I'm so excited about this is the opportunity it gives me to grind one of my favorite axes, and that is the affect of the obscene amounts of wealth some people are accumulating and the immunity it provides from normal human laws, morality, and ethics. How much money and power is enough? To some people, not all of the money and power in the Universe, it seems. They always want more. One thing to remember about these people---they think everybody else is like that, too, and they don't understand anyone who isn't.
Anyways, that's going to be my big project over the next little while. We'll see if I get anywhere with it.
Stay tuned!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Weekend plans?
I don't need no stinking weekend plans!
I'm going to write as much as I can, read some of this book for a literary circle started by a friend of mine, and create some art. My friend--same one who started the literary circle--sent me a picture of a Mexican pansy bloom that will be an excellent subject for a painting using dry brush technique. That's something I've been itching to try for a while now.
Speaking of my art, here's a sunflower I did recently--I'm quite proud of it.
I'm going to write as much as I can, read some of this book for a literary circle started by a friend of mine, and create some art. My friend--same one who started the literary circle--sent me a picture of a Mexican pansy bloom that will be an excellent subject for a painting using dry brush technique. That's something I've been itching to try for a while now.
Speaking of my art, here's a sunflower I did recently--I'm quite proud of it.
Sheesh, I just realized how worn out I am--I'm just babbling here. More than usual, that is. I'm going to shut up now before I say something really weird. Or weirder than usual.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
The plan for the day and randomocity
So, the Syfy network has thrown a monkey-wrench into my plans for today by airing a Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon. Yes, I love Buffy, though I'm not one of those who knows every detail of the series--there are several episodes I haven't seen.
Anyways, I'll be sitting here watching TV, instead of writing and/or drawing or painting, I'm sure. Though I do plan to do a pastel of a magnolia blossom--I'm also doing an acrylic painting of the same thing but this is for a friend so I want to give her alternatives.
My friend and my goddaughter are in town and I've spent some time with them this week--it's been all kinds of awesome. I'm sure I'll get more opportunities to spend time with them while they are in this area--they're leaving on another little trip in a couple of days but they'll be back after that.
It's weird, though, because I've been so solitary for so long, it takes me a while to get used to having people around again. For years it's been just me, so it's an adjustment. It's one I'm happy to make, but it's still a little weird.
Anyways, I've been able to get some work done on book one of The Sorcerer's Daughter series. I'm much happier with it this time around--it just feels right, like I'm finally telling the story I want to tell.
Back to work tomorrow, after being off all week. That will be a bit stressful, as it always is, especially since I've been asked to do something by my boss and I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to do it. It involves training, and that is not my strong suit. I mean, I can be trained--learning new stuff is pretty easy for me, usually--the problem is when I'm supposed to train other people.
So,, wish me luck, and, if you're in the US, tune your TV to Syfy to waste your entire day!
Anyways, I'll be sitting here watching TV, instead of writing and/or drawing or painting, I'm sure. Though I do plan to do a pastel of a magnolia blossom--I'm also doing an acrylic painting of the same thing but this is for a friend so I want to give her alternatives.
My friend and my goddaughter are in town and I've spent some time with them this week--it's been all kinds of awesome. I'm sure I'll get more opportunities to spend time with them while they are in this area--they're leaving on another little trip in a couple of days but they'll be back after that.
It's weird, though, because I've been so solitary for so long, it takes me a while to get used to having people around again. For years it's been just me, so it's an adjustment. It's one I'm happy to make, but it's still a little weird.
Anyways, I've been able to get some work done on book one of The Sorcerer's Daughter series. I'm much happier with it this time around--it just feels right, like I'm finally telling the story I want to tell.
Back to work tomorrow, after being off all week. That will be a bit stressful, as it always is, especially since I've been asked to do something by my boss and I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to do it. It involves training, and that is not my strong suit. I mean, I can be trained--learning new stuff is pretty easy for me, usually--the problem is when I'm supposed to train other people.
So,, wish me luck, and, if you're in the US, tune your TV to Syfy to waste your entire day!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Yes, it does* mean you . . .
Back when the ACA (otherwise known as "the Affordable Care Act" or Obamacare, if you prefer) went into effect, I heard this woman I know who is a vehement Republican and right-wing nutjob on the phone with her Human Resources department, screaming at them because she wanted her son (in his early twenties and unemployed) to be covered by her group insurance now, since it was the law.
At the same time she calls the ACA socialism and wants it to be repealed. Of course, she knows that the rule that requires her employer to insure her son on her group health plan is a part of the ACA, but that doesn't seem to impact her thinking.
Same thing happens with other people I know, people who have serious health issues who were terrified of having to change jobs before because if they did so their new insurance wouldn't cover their pre-existing conditions. Now, they will, because of the ACA. But these people, too, want it repealed.
I've been bewildered about this behavior for a while, but it suddenly occurred to me the other day--these people think that, if the ACA were repealed, somehow it wouldn't affect them. The provisions that they are taking advantage of would still be in place for them, just not for other people.
It's the same sort of thinking that has people screaming and hollering about attempts to limit voting rights, and in some cases remove the right to vote altogether. Anti-abortion legislation--trust me, a lot of those right-to-lifers would have or pay for an abortion in a second if it were them or one of their own children who needed one. Those people somehow think that these Draconian, racist and misogynistic laws, if enacted, somehow won't effect them, personally. Only those other people.
Trust me, though--those other people are you. Just because you throw in with the monsters who are dehumanizing a large segment of the population, that doesn't mean you will be considered one of them, when the time comes. They'll throw your ass in jail as quickly as they will anybody else, or let you die because you can't afford healthcare as much as they would anybody else, or let you starve to death as quickly as anybody else. Because you're not one of them.
It's time you voted like it.
At the same time she calls the ACA socialism and wants it to be repealed. Of course, she knows that the rule that requires her employer to insure her son on her group health plan is a part of the ACA, but that doesn't seem to impact her thinking.
Same thing happens with other people I know, people who have serious health issues who were terrified of having to change jobs before because if they did so their new insurance wouldn't cover their pre-existing conditions. Now, they will, because of the ACA. But these people, too, want it repealed.
I've been bewildered about this behavior for a while, but it suddenly occurred to me the other day--these people think that, if the ACA were repealed, somehow it wouldn't affect them. The provisions that they are taking advantage of would still be in place for them, just not for other people.
It's the same sort of thinking that has people screaming and hollering about attempts to limit voting rights, and in some cases remove the right to vote altogether. Anti-abortion legislation--trust me, a lot of those right-to-lifers would have or pay for an abortion in a second if it were them or one of their own children who needed one. Those people somehow think that these Draconian, racist and misogynistic laws, if enacted, somehow won't effect them, personally. Only those other people.
Trust me, though--those other people are you. Just because you throw in with the monsters who are dehumanizing a large segment of the population, that doesn't mean you will be considered one of them, when the time comes. They'll throw your ass in jail as quickly as they will anybody else, or let you die because you can't afford healthcare as much as they would anybody else, or let you starve to death as quickly as anybody else. Because you're not one of them.
It's time you voted like it.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
A drizzly Sunday randomocity
I'm sitting here watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory on DVD.
I'm doing this because of every TV network on the planet deciding Sunday morning is the time to run programming that isn't really fit for human consumption. I guess in their never-ending struggle to get us all to go to church or something. Fortunately, I'm well stocked up on DVDs of my favorite TV shows and movies so I can weather this storm.
Speaking of storms, looks like we may be having another one today, after being spared the torrential rainfall for a little while. Dammit.
As to my creative pursuits--I have this overwhelming urge to paint something, but I don't have anything that I want to paint. It's very frustrating. I'm working on a landscape right now but I didn't really conceptualize it adequately first so it's not going so well. I am taking this opportunity to learn, though--there's always something new I want to try out so it's not a total loss.
I haven't done any writing in a couple of days but I'm going to return to that in a little while. In that case it's a matter of being too frelling tired to concentrate when I get home from work.
I'm going to have a nine-year old hanging out with me at least some of the time this week, in addition to her mother. There aren't any words to how much I'm looking forward to spending some time with them while they're here--I've missed them both terribly.
Anyways, the plan for today is painting and writing and relaxing. Which is, really, as good as it gets, for me.
I'm doing this because of every TV network on the planet deciding Sunday morning is the time to run programming that isn't really fit for human consumption. I guess in their never-ending struggle to get us all to go to church or something. Fortunately, I'm well stocked up on DVDs of my favorite TV shows and movies so I can weather this storm.
Speaking of storms, looks like we may be having another one today, after being spared the torrential rainfall for a little while. Dammit.
As to my creative pursuits--I have this overwhelming urge to paint something, but I don't have anything that I want to paint. It's very frustrating. I'm working on a landscape right now but I didn't really conceptualize it adequately first so it's not going so well. I am taking this opportunity to learn, though--there's always something new I want to try out so it's not a total loss.
I haven't done any writing in a couple of days but I'm going to return to that in a little while. In that case it's a matter of being too frelling tired to concentrate when I get home from work.
I'm going to have a nine-year old hanging out with me at least some of the time this week, in addition to her mother. There aren't any words to how much I'm looking forward to spending some time with them while they're here--I've missed them both terribly.
Anyways, the plan for today is painting and writing and relaxing. Which is, really, as good as it gets, for me.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
What I've been missing
I just haven't been feeling very creative for a while now.
When I sit down to write something, sketch something, paint something, whatever, the results aren't all that interesting.
Something is missing. I'm just not feeling that fire I usually feel when I'm working on something.
I've felt this for a while--or, rather, haven't felt it. Sort of a numbness.
I finally figured out what was missing, just an hour or so ago.
Rage. Seething, frothing rage. It's just not there anymore.
All creative types have their particular emotional palette, something that they have to feel in order to produce their more inspired works, and that's mine. My best stuff is painted with rage, a white-hot, deep-seated anger.
Not happening at the moment. I don't know why. It's not like the things that angered me before are no longer around. They're present more than ever, in fact. But the anger, the emotional trigger that sets my mind onto the paths that lead to something interesting and worthwhile, has been replaced with an emotional exhaustion, a tiredness, and an annoyance at the idiots who seem to outnumber everyone else in this world.
Nobody wants to read about that crap. Nobody wants to feel that, least of all me. Exhaustion and annoyance? You can feel that just by going to work. And get paid for it, too.
It's not like I want the anger. I seem to need it, though, in order to create. Dammit.
Maybe I need to watch the news more. That would probably do it.
When I sit down to write something, sketch something, paint something, whatever, the results aren't all that interesting.
Something is missing. I'm just not feeling that fire I usually feel when I'm working on something.
I've felt this for a while--or, rather, haven't felt it. Sort of a numbness.
I finally figured out what was missing, just an hour or so ago.
Rage. Seething, frothing rage. It's just not there anymore.
All creative types have their particular emotional palette, something that they have to feel in order to produce their more inspired works, and that's mine. My best stuff is painted with rage, a white-hot, deep-seated anger.
Not happening at the moment. I don't know why. It's not like the things that angered me before are no longer around. They're present more than ever, in fact. But the anger, the emotional trigger that sets my mind onto the paths that lead to something interesting and worthwhile, has been replaced with an emotional exhaustion, a tiredness, and an annoyance at the idiots who seem to outnumber everyone else in this world.
Nobody wants to read about that crap. Nobody wants to feel that, least of all me. Exhaustion and annoyance? You can feel that just by going to work. And get paid for it, too.
It's not like I want the anger. I seem to need it, though, in order to create. Dammit.
Maybe I need to watch the news more. That would probably do it.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Soggy holiday randomocity
So, it's been raining. A lot. It's going to continue to rain. A lot more.
Yes, it's getting wet here. Ironic that we were conserving water in this area a few months ago.
My best friend and my goddaughter are on their way to my neck of the woods as I type this--they should be here in the next day or so. I'm looking forward to seeing them again--it's been a while. They're going to be around for an extended period of time so this should be a fun summer. I'm really looking forward to it.
My best friend is also a talented writer and a wonderful person to bounce ideas off of, so I expect my own work will get turned up a few ticks having her around for a while, too. And having a highly intelligent, inquisitive nine year old always makes things interesting.
So, I've been doing some much-needed housekeeping around here, getting my apartment ready for company. While I don't expect them to be staying with me, I do expect them to be over here a good bit.
Of course, since this is a holiday I'm off from work, though I have to go back in tomorrow. Weird, though, that I'll go back in and then have the weekend. A great many of my co-workers have taken tomorrow off--I wish I'd thought of that. Hopefully it'll be slow. I expect most of the folks who call us will also be off, though I do expect some calls to come in, and of those there will be a few that will be intense. That's been my experience..
Anyways, that's what's been going on with me. I hope my friends here in the US have a happy holiday today. And if you're in the same area as me, try to stay dry!
Yes, it's getting wet here. Ironic that we were conserving water in this area a few months ago.
My best friend and my goddaughter are on their way to my neck of the woods as I type this--they should be here in the next day or so. I'm looking forward to seeing them again--it's been a while. They're going to be around for an extended period of time so this should be a fun summer. I'm really looking forward to it.
My best friend is also a talented writer and a wonderful person to bounce ideas off of, so I expect my own work will get turned up a few ticks having her around for a while, too. And having a highly intelligent, inquisitive nine year old always makes things interesting.
So, I've been doing some much-needed housekeeping around here, getting my apartment ready for company. While I don't expect them to be staying with me, I do expect them to be over here a good bit.
Of course, since this is a holiday I'm off from work, though I have to go back in tomorrow. Weird, though, that I'll go back in and then have the weekend. A great many of my co-workers have taken tomorrow off--I wish I'd thought of that. Hopefully it'll be slow. I expect most of the folks who call us will also be off, though I do expect some calls to come in, and of those there will be a few that will be intense. That's been my experience..
Anyways, that's what's been going on with me. I hope my friends here in the US have a happy holiday today. And if you're in the same area as me, try to stay dry!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
My weekend film festival and randomocity
So, one of my plans for the weekend was to watch my personal top three all-time favorite films.
I had a bit of an issue, though, as I can't find my copy of my number two film, Casablanca. It's around here somewhere, I know, but it got misplaced when I moved. Dammit.
So, I'm replacing my (current) number 2 film with my (current) number 5 film, Sunshine.
So, here's the list of films I'm seeing, in reverse order of their spots on my list, and remembering that while Sunshine is number 2 on the list it's actually number 5. Confused yet?
I know some attempts were made to answer those questions in the prequel--if you pay attention you'll see, when they're on the alien ship, that it looks like there had been some sort of conflict on-board. The story is, the ship was collecting specimens from all over the galaxy, as part of a scientific expedition, and the thing escaped from its containment. The ship crashed in Antarctica during the crew's struggle to contain it. As to whether or not I like that idea--I'm ambivalent about it, really. Watch that film, too, if you haven't, and make up your own mind.
Sunshine--directed by Slumdog Millionaire's director, Danny Boyle, is one of those films that nobody seems to know about for some reason. It's sort of a rare thing--it's about a desperate mission to save humanity by reigniting our sun, which is in the process of going out. Many people have problems with the final act--they think it tried to change from a science fiction film to something else at the end--and I can see that. But, personally, I don't mind it. It's a beautiful film, with an amazing soundtrack. No, it's not perfect, but I recommend it to you. This one is pure science fiction, with a few overtones of horror that become a bit more prevalent at the end.
And, of course, Alien. Number one on my list, the only one that never changes position and will probably never be dethroned in my personal list of favorites. I'm going to watch the director's cut, which has several minutes of footage not seen in theaters. I know you've seen it already, but watch it again. It's the source material for my nightmares, the springboard for my imagination, my inspiration, the benchmark that I strive for when I sit down to write something. To me, it's a perfect film, undeniably horror even though it's set on a space ship--it's essentially a haunted house story set in space. Still, I find it terrifying, even now, and I'll probably have nightmares about it again tonight.
Which is fine with me, actually.
Other than my film festival I'm doing some house cleaning, as I'm expecting some company in the next few days.
No, I haven't done any writing at all, though I've done some thinking about writing, and made some decisions, and will be resuming work on my own stuff in a bit.
So, watch the above films yourself, if you haven't already. Enjoy the nightmares.
I had a bit of an issue, though, as I can't find my copy of my number two film, Casablanca. It's around here somewhere, I know, but it got misplaced when I moved. Dammit.
So, I'm replacing my (current) number 2 film with my (current) number 5 film, Sunshine.
So, here's the list of films I'm seeing, in reverse order of their spots on my list, and remembering that while Sunshine is number 2 on the list it's actually number 5. Confused yet?
- John Carpenter's The Thing
- Sunshine
- Alien (director's cut)
I know some attempts were made to answer those questions in the prequel--if you pay attention you'll see, when they're on the alien ship, that it looks like there had been some sort of conflict on-board. The story is, the ship was collecting specimens from all over the galaxy, as part of a scientific expedition, and the thing escaped from its containment. The ship crashed in Antarctica during the crew's struggle to contain it. As to whether or not I like that idea--I'm ambivalent about it, really. Watch that film, too, if you haven't, and make up your own mind.
Sunshine--directed by Slumdog Millionaire's director, Danny Boyle, is one of those films that nobody seems to know about for some reason. It's sort of a rare thing--it's about a desperate mission to save humanity by reigniting our sun, which is in the process of going out. Many people have problems with the final act--they think it tried to change from a science fiction film to something else at the end--and I can see that. But, personally, I don't mind it. It's a beautiful film, with an amazing soundtrack. No, it's not perfect, but I recommend it to you. This one is pure science fiction, with a few overtones of horror that become a bit more prevalent at the end.
And, of course, Alien. Number one on my list, the only one that never changes position and will probably never be dethroned in my personal list of favorites. I'm going to watch the director's cut, which has several minutes of footage not seen in theaters. I know you've seen it already, but watch it again. It's the source material for my nightmares, the springboard for my imagination, my inspiration, the benchmark that I strive for when I sit down to write something. To me, it's a perfect film, undeniably horror even though it's set on a space ship--it's essentially a haunted house story set in space. Still, I find it terrifying, even now, and I'll probably have nightmares about it again tonight.
Which is fine with me, actually.
Other than my film festival I'm doing some house cleaning, as I'm expecting some company in the next few days.
No, I haven't done any writing at all, though I've done some thinking about writing, and made some decisions, and will be resuming work on my own stuff in a bit.
So, watch the above films yourself, if you haven't already. Enjoy the nightmares.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Okay, pardon my rant
I'm just sick of people right now. Right-wing Conservative Americans, in particular.
Every news feed I check is full of hatred towards gays, minorities, the poor, and women these days. Every one of these people will claim to be a Christian, too. Yet they consider people who have a different skin color, gender, or sexual orientation, or people who are living in poverty to be subhuman and not worth any sort of legal protections.
Okay. I'm not a Christian, but I used to be. I've read the Bible, cover-to-cover, five times in my life. So, these people who claim that their hatred is based on the Bible, apparently haven't read it. At least, not all of it--there's an awful lot between Leviticus and Revelations. Look, you call yourself Christians, right? Why? Is that because you claim to follow Christ? Then, why don't you? Just read the damned book for yourself, and then do what Christ is supposed to have said. And, if you decide that what's in that book is not what Christ meant, or if you decide that this is not what your religion is all about, then you need to call yourself something else, because you are not Christian--you aren't following what you claim to follow by your own definition.
What really baffles me is all the hate directed at poor people. While Christ never addressed homosexuality at all, he did address poverty. For the record, he was against it. His position was diametrically opposed to the opinions I'm seeing from the people who claim to follow him. Go and read it for yourself.
The sad thing is, the people the above rant is directed at will not have any clue that it applies to them. That, in the end, is what makes me feel so tired, down to the very core of my being--the hatred directed towards other human beings, with some stupid religion as justification, and the complete blindness towards the hypocrisy of it.
I'm climbing off my soapbox now. And, no, I'm not interested in debate. So, if this pisses you off at me, piss off yourself, because I'm not interested in your opinion.
Every news feed I check is full of hatred towards gays, minorities, the poor, and women these days. Every one of these people will claim to be a Christian, too. Yet they consider people who have a different skin color, gender, or sexual orientation, or people who are living in poverty to be subhuman and not worth any sort of legal protections.
Okay. I'm not a Christian, but I used to be. I've read the Bible, cover-to-cover, five times in my life. So, these people who claim that their hatred is based on the Bible, apparently haven't read it. At least, not all of it--there's an awful lot between Leviticus and Revelations. Look, you call yourself Christians, right? Why? Is that because you claim to follow Christ? Then, why don't you? Just read the damned book for yourself, and then do what Christ is supposed to have said. And, if you decide that what's in that book is not what Christ meant, or if you decide that this is not what your religion is all about, then you need to call yourself something else, because you are not Christian--you aren't following what you claim to follow by your own definition.
What really baffles me is all the hate directed at poor people. While Christ never addressed homosexuality at all, he did address poverty. For the record, he was against it. His position was diametrically opposed to the opinions I'm seeing from the people who claim to follow him. Go and read it for yourself.
The sad thing is, the people the above rant is directed at will not have any clue that it applies to them. That, in the end, is what makes me feel so tired, down to the very core of my being--the hatred directed towards other human beings, with some stupid religion as justification, and the complete blindness towards the hypocrisy of it.
I'm climbing off my soapbox now. And, no, I'm not interested in debate. So, if this pisses you off at me, piss off yourself, because I'm not interested in your opinion.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
'maters!
I'm really enjoying working with pastels. Just did this picture today.
These are two of three tomatoes I used as models a few days ago. The reason there are only two now? I ate one on a salad (my famous chicken honey mustard salad, FYI).
Anyways, I know it ain't perfect and I'm sure any competent artists out there who see this are probably cringing, but for me this is pretty damned good.
OK, just wanted to share.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
The joys of doing stuff we absolutely suck at
I'm working on what is (for me) a pretty ambitious painting--illustrating a scene from my short short story, "Far From the Sun."
Though you may not be able to figure this out if you see it, even if you've read the story (posted here a while back). That's because I'm not a great painter. Probably never will be.
Sure, I do get a little better with every picture. Every one teaches me something new. If I concentrated on it, took classes, bought some more books on painting, I'd probably get a lot better a lot quicker.
But that's not why I do it. I know I suck at it. I'll probably always suck at it. I'm sure the stuff I'm doing now is better than the stuff I did a few months ago, but it'll never be something someone would pay money for.
I know this. And I'm okay with it. I don't do it for that.
The simple fact is, painting pictures is fun. Putting that brush to that canvas is fun. Mixing the colors on the palette is fun. Watching the picture--hideous as it may turn out to be--form on the canvas is fun!
Kids love to make art, and it's nice to be reminded why. Try it yourself. Get some watercolors and some paper and some brushes. Maybe pick up a book that'll give you the basics. Or watch some videos on painting on YouTube.
It's especially useful when you are trying to concentrate on something, like me trying to plot out these novels. It sort of frees up my mind, lets the ideas start flowing unimpeded from my subconscious to my conscious mind so I can start working with them. It's relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
Try it. You'll see. Maybe, if you try really hard, you'll suck at it as much as I do.
And you also won't care. Just like me.
Though you may not be able to figure this out if you see it, even if you've read the story (posted here a while back). That's because I'm not a great painter. Probably never will be.
Sure, I do get a little better with every picture. Every one teaches me something new. If I concentrated on it, took classes, bought some more books on painting, I'd probably get a lot better a lot quicker.
But that's not why I do it. I know I suck at it. I'll probably always suck at it. I'm sure the stuff I'm doing now is better than the stuff I did a few months ago, but it'll never be something someone would pay money for.
I know this. And I'm okay with it. I don't do it for that.
The simple fact is, painting pictures is fun. Putting that brush to that canvas is fun. Mixing the colors on the palette is fun. Watching the picture--hideous as it may turn out to be--form on the canvas is fun!
Kids love to make art, and it's nice to be reminded why. Try it yourself. Get some watercolors and some paper and some brushes. Maybe pick up a book that'll give you the basics. Or watch some videos on painting on YouTube.
It's especially useful when you are trying to concentrate on something, like me trying to plot out these novels. It sort of frees up my mind, lets the ideas start flowing unimpeded from my subconscious to my conscious mind so I can start working with them. It's relaxing and invigorating at the same time.
Try it. You'll see. Maybe, if you try really hard, you'll suck at it as much as I do.
And you also won't care. Just like me.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Doing laundry waiting on the maintenance guy randomocity
So, I'm sitting here, hoping there's a knock at my door any minute now--the maintenance guy coming by to unclog the drain in my bathtub. Since it's Saturday, and this really isn't an emergency, I'm not entirely confident that will happen today. But, you never know. I'd like to get it out of the way.
The plan for the weekend--create a basic overall plotline for each of the five novels that The Sorcerer's Daughter has now become, paint another painting in the Wallflowers series, and slip out to see Man of Steel tomorrow morning.
I did get some good news last night--my goddaughter has booked another commercial! She's very excited about it, as is her mom, and, of course, her godfather.
And I'm off Monday, but that's because of a routine doctor's appointment that morning. I usually just take the whole day when I have one of those. It's just less stressful for me, since I don't have to worry about going back to work afterwards. And my blood pressure is usually lower, too, because I'm not going to my appointment from work.
I did fool around with pastels a couple of days ago and did this quick pic of some tomatoes. Not bad, if I do say so.
The plan for the weekend--create a basic overall plotline for each of the five novels that The Sorcerer's Daughter has now become, paint another painting in the Wallflowers series, and slip out to see Man of Steel tomorrow morning.
I did get some good news last night--my goddaughter has booked another commercial! She's very excited about it, as is her mom, and, of course, her godfather.
And I'm off Monday, but that's because of a routine doctor's appointment that morning. I usually just take the whole day when I have one of those. It's just less stressful for me, since I don't have to worry about going back to work afterwards. And my blood pressure is usually lower, too, because I'm not going to my appointment from work.
I did fool around with pastels a couple of days ago and did this quick pic of some tomatoes. Not bad, if I do say so.
Unfortunately, I was unable to restrain myself from continuing to futz around with it and totally screwed it up. I'm glad I took some photos of it beforehand.
Here's another painting in the Wallflowers series. I was pretty proud of this one. Turned out about like I was hoping it would.
I want to do two more, including the one I'm planning to start this weekend. Let's hope they turn out to be worth displaying. Or at least photographing and posting here.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
And the one became many . . .
So, I've figured out what I need to do with The Sorcerer's Daughter.
I'm going to redo it, this time as five books instead of just one. I've actually suspected I was going to have to do that all along, but I have now resigned myself to it. The story in one book just wasn't giving me enough room to explore this world and develop the characters and the story like I wanted.
Yes, it's going to be a lot of work. But that's why we do this writing thing, right? We do it because we love doing it!
Anyways, here's a list of the potential titles. Subject to change.
For the record, I have written multiple books in a series before--or, rather, co-written them, in a series of unpublished novels I developed with a friend years ago. So, I know I have it in me. Though I was a lot younger then, and drinking an awful lot.
So, wish me luck! I'll publish details as they become relevant.
I'm going to redo it, this time as five books instead of just one. I've actually suspected I was going to have to do that all along, but I have now resigned myself to it. The story in one book just wasn't giving me enough room to explore this world and develop the characters and the story like I wanted.
Yes, it's going to be a lot of work. But that's why we do this writing thing, right? We do it because we love doing it!
Anyways, here's a list of the potential titles. Subject to change.
- The World Between
- The Realm of the Rats
- The Battle at the End of Time
- The Crier in the Darkness
- The Sorcerer’s Daughter
For the record, I have written multiple books in a series before--or, rather, co-written them, in a series of unpublished novels I developed with a friend years ago. So, I know I have it in me. Though I was a lot younger then, and drinking an awful lot.
So, wish me luck! I'll publish details as they become relevant.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Finding the motivation?
I haven't written a word on the novel in a week or so now.
I don't know why. The material still excites me. I think what I've done so far is pretty good and the idea is a very good one that will resonate with a significant audience.
It's just the sitting down and banging away on it that's the issue. I don't know why. I guess some of it may have something to do with the hell I'm about to put my protagonist through--I'm coming up on the part where she takes a major step towards losing her innocence. I find this a bit upsetting.
Which is stupid, I know, getting all that worked up about the emotional trauma of someone who doesn't even exist. But she's real to me and that makes it difficult.
Oh, well. I'll get over it. I'll write this thing, and I think, because I cringe when I think about what I'm about to do, I'll overcompensate and make it a lot more discomforting than it probably should be for the reader. Which is a good thing, actually, as it's much easier to go in later and back something down than it is to go in and amp something up.
I hope the above makes sense. I haven't been sleeping very well. I've been dozing off on the couch almost every night but I'm wide awake when I go to bed. This really sucks.
At least I've been able to paint. Not that my paintings are all that good, but the simple act of painting is so much fun it almost doesn't matter. It reminds me of when I did that stuff when I was a kid, and it reminds me why kids love art---because, over and above all the noble ambitions you might assign to someone's work, the simple fact is painting, sculpting, drawing, etc., is fun.
Oh, you are watching Hannibal on NBC, right? Thursday nights, 10 p.m. Eastern Time. If not, you should be. It is quite extraordinary. The last episode was almost too intense.
So, I'm gonna get off my ass and get busy writing this thing. Tomorrow. Dammit.
I don't know why. The material still excites me. I think what I've done so far is pretty good and the idea is a very good one that will resonate with a significant audience.
It's just the sitting down and banging away on it that's the issue. I don't know why. I guess some of it may have something to do with the hell I'm about to put my protagonist through--I'm coming up on the part where she takes a major step towards losing her innocence. I find this a bit upsetting.
Which is stupid, I know, getting all that worked up about the emotional trauma of someone who doesn't even exist. But she's real to me and that makes it difficult.
Oh, well. I'll get over it. I'll write this thing, and I think, because I cringe when I think about what I'm about to do, I'll overcompensate and make it a lot more discomforting than it probably should be for the reader. Which is a good thing, actually, as it's much easier to go in later and back something down than it is to go in and amp something up.
I hope the above makes sense. I haven't been sleeping very well. I've been dozing off on the couch almost every night but I'm wide awake when I go to bed. This really sucks.
At least I've been able to paint. Not that my paintings are all that good, but the simple act of painting is so much fun it almost doesn't matter. It reminds me of when I did that stuff when I was a kid, and it reminds me why kids love art---because, over and above all the noble ambitions you might assign to someone's work, the simple fact is painting, sculpting, drawing, etc., is fun.
Oh, you are watching Hannibal on NBC, right? Thursday nights, 10 p.m. Eastern Time. If not, you should be. It is quite extraordinary. The last episode was almost too intense.
So, I'm gonna get off my ass and get busy writing this thing. Tomorrow. Dammit.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
A weekend, plethora of projects randomocity
I found a really nice Callas Lilly at Publix this morning. Bought that sucker and will be using it as a model for a painting I'm going to attempt tomorrow. I got some small stretched canvases and I plan to use them for a little series of paintings of various flowers--they'll all be close-up views of the blooms. I plan to call it Wallflowers.
That's assuming that what I do doesn't suck so bad I just toss it. I'm still new at this.
So, today I have to get the canvas prepped by applying gesso to it, letting it dry, then applying more gesso. Three coats, altogether.
I've also now made peach cobbler twice, after never having made it even once before this week. The first one turned out really well, too.
That's assuming that what I do doesn't suck so bad I just toss it. I'm still new at this.
So, today I have to get the canvas prepped by applying gesso to it, letting it dry, then applying more gesso. Three coats, altogether.
I've also now made peach cobbler twice, after never having made it even once before this week. The first one turned out really well, too.
It was just a tad dry. Next time I used more peaches and it's perfect.
I'm just past the mid-way point of The Sorcerer's Daughter, and I'm sort of catching my breath before getting into the really deep stuff. My hero is about to finally completely lose her innocence. This is a big deal to me, really--I like this girl. And I'm about to put her through hell. She'll come out of it much stronger and wiser--but she'll also be more aloof, downright cold, and cynical. The shattered fragments of her innocence will remain but they'll be spread throughout her soul, unable to find each other and put themselves back together again.
Which, I suppose, is as it should be.
Looks like we might catch the tail-end of that storm system that's hammering Oklahoma and Missouri. Hopefully for us it won't be all that bad, but you never know. I'm hoping after this system passes we'll all catch a break for a while.
Oh. Laundry. It's Saturday, so I'm doing laundry. Like always.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Is Gatsby great?
Okay, so I was finally able to watch The Great Gatsby this morning.
I just got back a few minutes ago, and I have to say, this film is still haunting me. This is a good thing.
I'll admit to being a bit slow sometimes--for the first few minutes I thought it was over-staged, the movements of the actors too choreographed, but then I remembered that what we're seeing is the way Nick Carraway remembered the story, which may not be precisely what happened. That revelation sort of snapped it into focus for me, and when you watch the film, keep that in mind.
The cast was pitch-perfect. I've never had an opinion on Toby Maguire or Leonardo di Caprio before, having not seen much of their work, but they were both perfect choices for this film.
And I'll admit to being a sucker for a woman who can pull of the flapper look and this film had several--I lost my heart to Daisy (Carey Mulligan) just like Gatsby did. Gods, she was lovely.
The music was great. I thought I might have a problem with contemporary music being used on the soundtrack, but it was used effectively, I thought, and mixed with some vintage tunes when it was appropriate. I'm downloading the soundtrack album from ITunes right now. Loved the Lana del Rey song that was used throughout the soundtrack--it's a beautiful song anyway, but the way the chord progressions were incorporated into the ambient music was wonderful. As I said--haunting.
Yes, I've read the novel, several times, though it has been quite some time. But I was obsessed with it for a while. So, my expectations were quite high. This film met them.
Yes, I loved it. I recommend it highly. Go see it. I'm giving it an A+. Perfect.
I just got back a few minutes ago, and I have to say, this film is still haunting me. This is a good thing.
I'll admit to being a bit slow sometimes--for the first few minutes I thought it was over-staged, the movements of the actors too choreographed, but then I remembered that what we're seeing is the way Nick Carraway remembered the story, which may not be precisely what happened. That revelation sort of snapped it into focus for me, and when you watch the film, keep that in mind.
The cast was pitch-perfect. I've never had an opinion on Toby Maguire or Leonardo di Caprio before, having not seen much of their work, but they were both perfect choices for this film.
And I'll admit to being a sucker for a woman who can pull of the flapper look and this film had several--I lost my heart to Daisy (Carey Mulligan) just like Gatsby did. Gods, she was lovely.
The music was great. I thought I might have a problem with contemporary music being used on the soundtrack, but it was used effectively, I thought, and mixed with some vintage tunes when it was appropriate. I'm downloading the soundtrack album from ITunes right now. Loved the Lana del Rey song that was used throughout the soundtrack--it's a beautiful song anyway, but the way the chord progressions were incorporated into the ambient music was wonderful. As I said--haunting.
Yes, I've read the novel, several times, though it has been quite some time. But I was obsessed with it for a while. So, my expectations were quite high. This film met them.
Yes, I loved it. I recommend it highly. Go see it. I'm giving it an A+. Perfect.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Do over and pre-staycation randomocity
I am now at the point in my first draft of The Sorcerer's Daughter where I felt the story went off the rails a bit.
Actually, I've been there for a few days now. It's like there's a wall there. I know there's a better way to tell the story from that point but I just couldn't see it. Today, though, my Muse finally gifted me with an idea that breeches the wall and will now allow me to continue. I came up with something that's quite economical--it solves multiple problems I was having at once and also propels the plot forward. Perfect. I hope. We'll have to wait and see. I'll be starting on it in a bit--I need to think a little more about what I'm going to be doing here, because it will have an impact on the story. A good impact, of course, but still, the ramifications have to be weighed.
I'm taking a couple of days off from work in addition to the holiday Monday, and working on this thing is going to be my primary activity. I want to make some significant progress on it--it's been stalled for too long.
Other plans--gonna make another attempt to see The Great Gatsby tomorrow morning. Hopefully this won't turn into another debacle and I'll actually get to see the thing this time.
Also, going to swing by an art supply store to get some mediums (yes, that's the proper plural, apparently, for what I'm getting--nobody calls them media for some reason). And some palette knives. And some more canvas boards. Maybe some brushes, too. Fortunately, all that stuff really doesn't cost all that much. I've finally found a hobby that doesn't set me back hundreds of dollars every time I need to get supplies for it.
I know you hate it when I talk about the weather, but it couldn't be more perfect here. Absolutely gorgeous outside. Hopefully it'll remain this way for a while.
So, for those of you in the US--any plans for the holiday weekend?
Actually, I've been there for a few days now. It's like there's a wall there. I know there's a better way to tell the story from that point but I just couldn't see it. Today, though, my Muse finally gifted me with an idea that breeches the wall and will now allow me to continue. I came up with something that's quite economical--it solves multiple problems I was having at once and also propels the plot forward. Perfect. I hope. We'll have to wait and see. I'll be starting on it in a bit--I need to think a little more about what I'm going to be doing here, because it will have an impact on the story. A good impact, of course, but still, the ramifications have to be weighed.
I'm taking a couple of days off from work in addition to the holiday Monday, and working on this thing is going to be my primary activity. I want to make some significant progress on it--it's been stalled for too long.
Other plans--gonna make another attempt to see The Great Gatsby tomorrow morning. Hopefully this won't turn into another debacle and I'll actually get to see the thing this time.
Also, going to swing by an art supply store to get some mediums (yes, that's the proper plural, apparently, for what I'm getting--nobody calls them media for some reason). And some palette knives. And some more canvas boards. Maybe some brushes, too. Fortunately, all that stuff really doesn't cost all that much. I've finally found a hobby that doesn't set me back hundreds of dollars every time I need to get supplies for it.
I know you hate it when I talk about the weather, but it couldn't be more perfect here. Absolutely gorgeous outside. Hopefully it'll remain this way for a while.
So, for those of you in the US--any plans for the holiday weekend?
Sunday, May 19, 2013
. . . and this is your opportunity to do something cool
My goddaughter was in a performance piece a while back called B!rdbra!ns, and she and her cast mates have an opportunity to perform it in New York City. They need ten thousand dollars to do this. You can click here to kick in a few bucks. And yes, I've contributed--I was actually the very first contributor. Anyways, you'll have my gratitude as well as everyone involved in the play if you clicked over and kicked even a little bit. At the very least share the link on your Facebook page or on Twitter or wherever.
A break in the storm Sunday afternoon randomocity
I went to visit the family this weekend.
I realized the other day I hadn't been there since xmas so I figured it was about time. Got back a few hours ago.
My dad is sick--I'm thinking it's an old-fashioned stomach virus. However, at his age something like that can get serious. I'll spare you the details, but I think he's dehydrated. He's going to see his doctor tomorrow, and I guess we'll find out more then.
And, as the title suggests, it's been storming here. I got in before the sky fell in--for once I didn't have to drive in a torrential rainstorm--but the lightning was truly impressive there, for a while. Hopefully that's over and we'll just be getting rain now, which is fine with me, as I'm not planning on going anywhere for a while.
I entered a friend of mine into a contest this restaurant was having on Facebook--they were looking to help struggling writers. The winner gets a free pizza every month for a year. Since my friend lives in the same general area as the place and she is a struggling writer I commented with her name, and she won! I know it's not much in the scheme of things but it makes me very happy that I was able to help her out, even a little. She was thrilled, too, so that makes me happy as well.
I haven't done any serious writing in a few days--I may do some later today. It's just been so busy at work that by the time I get home I have nothing left. I do think about what I'm writing all the time, though, making decisions, plotting things out, so I guess that counts, too. I'll find the time and the energy--I've been kind of luke-warm about my projects for a while. I think my Muse just needed a bit of a break--but I can feel her stirring again, stretching, getting warmed up, so I think I'll be ignoring the exhaustion and tapping away again very soon.
No spoilers here, but I watched several episodes of the last season of Doctor Who, and I will say this--Jenna-Louise Coleman is one seriously lovely young woman. Damn. Just saying. She's just my type, too.
Oh, well. On an even more mundane note, I'm doing laundry today, since I wasn't here to do it yesterday. Alert the media.
I realized the other day I hadn't been there since xmas so I figured it was about time. Got back a few hours ago.
My dad is sick--I'm thinking it's an old-fashioned stomach virus. However, at his age something like that can get serious. I'll spare you the details, but I think he's dehydrated. He's going to see his doctor tomorrow, and I guess we'll find out more then.
And, as the title suggests, it's been storming here. I got in before the sky fell in--for once I didn't have to drive in a torrential rainstorm--but the lightning was truly impressive there, for a while. Hopefully that's over and we'll just be getting rain now, which is fine with me, as I'm not planning on going anywhere for a while.
I entered a friend of mine into a contest this restaurant was having on Facebook--they were looking to help struggling writers. The winner gets a free pizza every month for a year. Since my friend lives in the same general area as the place and she is a struggling writer I commented with her name, and she won! I know it's not much in the scheme of things but it makes me very happy that I was able to help her out, even a little. She was thrilled, too, so that makes me happy as well.
I haven't done any serious writing in a few days--I may do some later today. It's just been so busy at work that by the time I get home I have nothing left. I do think about what I'm writing all the time, though, making decisions, plotting things out, so I guess that counts, too. I'll find the time and the energy--I've been kind of luke-warm about my projects for a while. I think my Muse just needed a bit of a break--but I can feel her stirring again, stretching, getting warmed up, so I think I'll be ignoring the exhaustion and tapping away again very soon.
No spoilers here, but I watched several episodes of the last season of Doctor Who, and I will say this--Jenna-Louise Coleman is one seriously lovely young woman. Damn. Just saying. She's just my type, too.
Oh, well. On an even more mundane note, I'm doing laundry today, since I wasn't here to do it yesterday. Alert the media.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Damn, I'm tired . . .
It's been a long week.
Lots of stuff going on at work--I can't talk about it, and you wouldn't care to read it if I did, but it's keeping all of us hopping. It is fairly stressful, though. By the time I get home I'm pretty much done in. It's hard to find the energy to do anything else, like write or anything.
Though I have managed to get some writing done. I had an idea for a short story--which hasn't happened to me in quite some time--and took a stab at it a few days ago. I didn't like the result. I'm going to think it over and give it another go in a while. It's a good idea. Problem is, it's about an issue that is near and dear to my heart and it's incredibly hard not to get too preachy. The ending drives home the point quite well--I don't think it'll need any further embellishment. But once I get started on it, my emotions take over and it becomes a bit too venomous.
Basically it's about greed, and how the number of people who just can't seem to have enough seems to be growing larger. Look around--you've got individuals in this world who have more money that several industrialized nations, and they just keep wanting more--and they'll sacrifice anything, go to any length, to get it. How much is enough? At what point can you look at your bank balance and say, "Well, I think I have all the money I need now."
Okay, climbing down from my soapbox now.
Been doing a little painting today, too, using a picture I took a couple of weeks ago of a glass sitting on a tablecloth as a model. It looks pretty amateurish, but I think I managed to make the glass look convincing. What I'm saying is, you can still see the background through the glass but it looks like you're looking at it through a glass. Which was kind of the whole point of the exercise. Glass is hard to capture and that, at least, I think turned out okay.
Tomorrow I'm going to take a picture of some lovely flowers I found nearby, to use as a model for another painting. It also looks like the magnolia tree behind my apartment is about to bloom--I'll be getting pictures of those, too.
I'm also planning on going to see The Great Gatsby tomorrow morning. Of course, I may decide I don't feel like it, but I really want to see it--for a while, a few years ago, that book was an obsession with me. Don't ask me why. So, with luck, I'll catch a matinee.
And happy Mother's Day, for al the mothers reading this!
Lots of stuff going on at work--I can't talk about it, and you wouldn't care to read it if I did, but it's keeping all of us hopping. It is fairly stressful, though. By the time I get home I'm pretty much done in. It's hard to find the energy to do anything else, like write or anything.
Though I have managed to get some writing done. I had an idea for a short story--which hasn't happened to me in quite some time--and took a stab at it a few days ago. I didn't like the result. I'm going to think it over and give it another go in a while. It's a good idea. Problem is, it's about an issue that is near and dear to my heart and it's incredibly hard not to get too preachy. The ending drives home the point quite well--I don't think it'll need any further embellishment. But once I get started on it, my emotions take over and it becomes a bit too venomous.
Basically it's about greed, and how the number of people who just can't seem to have enough seems to be growing larger. Look around--you've got individuals in this world who have more money that several industrialized nations, and they just keep wanting more--and they'll sacrifice anything, go to any length, to get it. How much is enough? At what point can you look at your bank balance and say, "Well, I think I have all the money I need now."
Okay, climbing down from my soapbox now.
Been doing a little painting today, too, using a picture I took a couple of weeks ago of a glass sitting on a tablecloth as a model. It looks pretty amateurish, but I think I managed to make the glass look convincing. What I'm saying is, you can still see the background through the glass but it looks like you're looking at it through a glass. Which was kind of the whole point of the exercise. Glass is hard to capture and that, at least, I think turned out okay.
Tomorrow I'm going to take a picture of some lovely flowers I found nearby, to use as a model for another painting. It also looks like the magnolia tree behind my apartment is about to bloom--I'll be getting pictures of those, too.
I'm also planning on going to see The Great Gatsby tomorrow morning. Of course, I may decide I don't feel like it, but I really want to see it--for a while, a few years ago, that book was an obsession with me. Don't ask me why. So, with luck, I'll catch a matinee.
And happy Mother's Day, for al the mothers reading this!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
A taste from The Sorcerer's Daughter
(I just thought I'd share this little snippet. It's right in the middle so you might be a little lost--hopefully you can figure it out. What do you think?)
Drew had not been to see the Goloth again since her
birthday. She followed Mr. Winston down the stairs, Penny walking next to her,
on their way to his room in the lower part of the building.
She glanced at Penny, trying to decide why she’d
decided to risk her relationship with her father over him.
Penny was a couple of years older than she was, she
knew. She knew his mother had died when he was very young and he didn’t know his
father, and had grown up in various foster homes. Some of them, she thought,
had treated him pretty badly.
She knew, even though they hadn’t talked about it,
that the family he’d killed had done something to him that hurt him terribly.
His grief and rage had awakened the power inside of him, and it would never
completely go back to sleep.
They reached the bottom of the stair and Drew knew
they were deep underground. He led them through the doorway and up the corridor
to the heavy wooden door to the Goloth’s room. He opened it and stepped aside,
gesturing that they should go in before him.
Drew walked into the room with no hesitation but
Penny hung back—she turned back to him and gestured that he was to come, too.
She saw him take a breath and swallow before he came in after her.
Mr. Winston stepped inside and closed the door.
It was dark but as her eyes adjusted Drew could see
the crevasse that split the floor of the room—there was a faint, warm light
coming from something deep down in it. Something moved to obscure the light, a
gigantic figure that was the Goloth.
“Hello, old friend.” Mr. Winston called.
The giant figure seemed to lean forward and Drew
heard the tinkle of the chains that bound the creature, and, a few feet in
front of her, those two softball sized eyes appeared. They blinked, the lids covered with scars,
and she wondered briefly what terrible thing had happened to the Goloth to
cause the wounds that led to them. She caught a brief glimpse of a hand—it was
much bigger than hers, the fingers longer, with sharp, curving nails at the end
of each one—and it, too, was covered with scars. “Greetings,” the Goloth said,
with its whispery voice. “I see you bring another.”
“Indeed I do.” Mr. Winston said. “Another for you to
consider.”
“You are going to replace Drew with him? He is much
too old,” the Goloth said.
“No.” Drew said. “We rescued him. I want him to come
live with us.”
The eyes closed and she heard a sniffing sound, as
if the Goloth was inhaling, trying to smell them. “Ah,” he finally said. “He
has the power. A distant relative.”
“What of it?” Mr. Winston said.
“He is wild. The power was only recently awakened
within him,” the Goloth said. “There is great pain in this one. He has been
lost and alone for a long time.”
“I know.” Drew said, glancing at Penny, who was
staring at the Goloth, terrified. She reached over and touched his shoulder to
reassure him, and he seemed to relax.
“He has killed,” the Goloth said.
“Yes.” Drew said. “He didn’t mean to.”
“He was provoked,” the Goloth said. “Yes, I know.
But his rage and his pain are a part of him now. They are not tempered with
knowledge and wisdom and training. His use of his power will always depend upon
that, not upon discipline and a sense of duty.”
“We aren’t going to use his power. We just want to
protect him.” Drew said.
“Yes, child, I know this, but you must acknowledge
his power.”
“What do you think?” Mr. Winston said.
The Goloth sighed. “He will bring you much pain and
grief. He will also bring you much joy. Whether the one is worth the other will
be your decision. In the end, though, you will be forced to destroy him. Doing
that now will save you much grief, but will also keep you from much joy.”
“What?” Drew asked, glancing at Penny, who looked
like he was afraid to move again.
“That is all I can say,” the Goloth said. “I am
sorry.”
“Thank you.” Mr Winston said, nodding at the Goloth.
“Let’s go,” he added, turning and heading back for the door. Drew followed,
Penny coming along after pausing for a last look at the Goloth.
They went through the door and, as Mr. Winston was
closing it, Drew thought she could hear the Goloth sigh.
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