I've had yet another idea for a short story occur to me, just recently.
At least I'm hoping it's a short story. I'm still working on The Sorcerer's Daughter and I don't know if my poor old, abused subconscious has enough RAM to handle two works of that length at the same time.
This one, unlike the previous one I mentioned a couple weeks ago, is science fiction, which is something I'm much more comfortable with. It actually started with an idea I had a long time ago, something that was just a basic idea with no details that I hadn't been able to develop.
Well, it's developing now. I've got some context, a setting, a basic story, even an idea for an ending.
Still, I need to let it sit just a bit longer. It's not quite ready for me to start writing.
That's what happened to the previous thing I mentioned here the other day--it wasn't quite ready and I started on it anyway. What I've written on that story isn't bad, and I'll return to it one day, but my enthusiasm for that little project has sort of faded.
Anyway, that's what I'll be thinking about over this holiday--developing this story idea into an actual story.
Where am I on The Sorcerer's Daughter? Still waiting on notes from my first readers right now. I'm about to begin rereading it, after staying away from it for over a month. A few things have occurred to me in the interim, a few enhancements for the basic story, and I'm hoping since it's been a while since I've read it that I'll approach it with fresh eyes now. I've got a week off from work coming up and that's going to be one of the things I'm going to work on during that time.
I do have a title for this new short story, not that it'll tell you all that much. I'm calling it "Unus."
The rest of the plan for my own holiday? I got some lovely Chinese takeout in the fridge for lunch. There is a full slate of football--both professional and college--coming up, and, unlike previous Thanksgiving NFL games, the ones happening today actually have playoff ramifications
Football. Writing, Food. As good as it gets.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The 200th Supernatural
TV shows' casts and crews legitimately get excited when they reach their 200th episode.
It's rare and a worth celebrating. That's around ten years worth of shows, and most shows commemorate the occasion with a Very Special Episode. In many cases they introduce a major twist to the plot that changes the show forever, or they do a parody episode of their own show, or, in a couple of cases, they have an episode that, in the end, turns out to never have actually happened.
I've yet to see one of these that didn't turn out to be disappointing. They may have been fun but, in the end, they really didn't do all that much in service to the show. They turn out to be wastes of time.
However, I really liked Supernatural--the Musical, which was Supernatural's 200th.
I realize I'm probably in the minority here. There are many episodes of this show that I haven't seen yet, so I'm hardly a scholar. I know many people were disappointed that there was no Misha Collins or Mark Sheppard or any of the other regulars besides Sam and Dean.
To me, though, that was what made this episode so charming. It was a basic Supernatural episode--they discover a case, go to the area, get involved and eventually destroy the monster/demon/god/whatever. That the case involved a group of kids performing a musical based on the Supernatural books was the meta touch this episode needed.
I think, in the end, this is what made this episode work. Instead of going all fireworks, bells-and-whistles, major plot twists, etc., etc., they returned to their bread-and-butter, the basis for the show--Sam and Dean battling monsters. It would have been fun to see the other regulars, too, but they would really have cluttered everything up. It struck the right notes--true to the story and the characters but a little bit more fun with winks and nods towards the fans along the way.
So, I dug it. Just FYI.
It's rare and a worth celebrating. That's around ten years worth of shows, and most shows commemorate the occasion with a Very Special Episode. In many cases they introduce a major twist to the plot that changes the show forever, or they do a parody episode of their own show, or, in a couple of cases, they have an episode that, in the end, turns out to never have actually happened.
I've yet to see one of these that didn't turn out to be disappointing. They may have been fun but, in the end, they really didn't do all that much in service to the show. They turn out to be wastes of time.
However, I really liked Supernatural--the Musical, which was Supernatural's 200th.
I realize I'm probably in the minority here. There are many episodes of this show that I haven't seen yet, so I'm hardly a scholar. I know many people were disappointed that there was no Misha Collins or Mark Sheppard or any of the other regulars besides Sam and Dean.
To me, though, that was what made this episode so charming. It was a basic Supernatural episode--they discover a case, go to the area, get involved and eventually destroy the monster/demon/god/whatever. That the case involved a group of kids performing a musical based on the Supernatural books was the meta touch this episode needed.
I think, in the end, this is what made this episode work. Instead of going all fireworks, bells-and-whistles, major plot twists, etc., etc., they returned to their bread-and-butter, the basis for the show--Sam and Dean battling monsters. It would have been fun to see the other regulars, too, but they would really have cluttered everything up. It struck the right notes--true to the story and the characters but a little bit more fun with winks and nods towards the fans along the way.
So, I dug it. Just FYI.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Finally, the muse speaks . . .
An idea for a story occurred to me yesterday.
This is the first time in a long time I've had an idea for a story. My ideas are usually novels, or at least novellas. Or TV shows. Or feature films. Never anything shorter.
But this will be a short story, one that will start out looking like one thing but winding up as something else. If I do it right.
I'm still thinking it through, so revealing too many details would be kind of pointless right now, but it'll be heavy on the metaphor and allegory, I'm thinking.
Part of the inspiration came from reading this lovely book. I recommend you click that link and get this one for yourself. While there really wasn't all that much in it that I didn't know already, it sort of articulated a lot of concepts that I've had floating around in my mind for a while.
It also helped me come up with a new way to generate ideas, and that is, coming up with a symbol or a metaphor that can be used to build a story around. I know a lot of writers use this but it had never occurred to me to use it myself before.
My idea for this thing is a failed rebirth. You see stories where a character emerges from water--rain, a fountain, a river, whatever--which marks an important point in the story where the character is reborn. It's like a baptism.
But what if you come out of the other side of being reborn as stillborn? What if you don't survive the journey?
That's what I'm going to construct this little story around. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get it published, even if I don't manage to screw it up--stories like this don't have much of a market these days. I'm mostly doing this for myself, I guess. I'll have it in my back pocket in case I should get asked to provide something for an appropriate venue for this sort of thing.
And I'll still have this idea generating thing, too, that I'm sure I can use for years to come.
This is the first time in a long time I've had an idea for a story. My ideas are usually novels, or at least novellas. Or TV shows. Or feature films. Never anything shorter.
But this will be a short story, one that will start out looking like one thing but winding up as something else. If I do it right.
I'm still thinking it through, so revealing too many details would be kind of pointless right now, but it'll be heavy on the metaphor and allegory, I'm thinking.
Part of the inspiration came from reading this lovely book. I recommend you click that link and get this one for yourself. While there really wasn't all that much in it that I didn't know already, it sort of articulated a lot of concepts that I've had floating around in my mind for a while.
It also helped me come up with a new way to generate ideas, and that is, coming up with a symbol or a metaphor that can be used to build a story around. I know a lot of writers use this but it had never occurred to me to use it myself before.
My idea for this thing is a failed rebirth. You see stories where a character emerges from water--rain, a fountain, a river, whatever--which marks an important point in the story where the character is reborn. It's like a baptism.
But what if you come out of the other side of being reborn as stillborn? What if you don't survive the journey?
That's what I'm going to construct this little story around. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to get it published, even if I don't manage to screw it up--stories like this don't have much of a market these days. I'm mostly doing this for myself, I guess. I'll have it in my back pocket in case I should get asked to provide something for an appropriate venue for this sort of thing.
And I'll still have this idea generating thing, too, that I'm sure I can use for years to come.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Dear Falcons
I'd like to start out by saying it's not you. It's me.
It's hard for me to say this, and I've been wrestling with this decision for weeks now, but I think today I've definitely made up my mind.
I think I'd like to follow another football team.
I need to follow another football team. I'm thinking the Jets. Not because they're a better team than you--in fact, they are probably one of the two or three teams in the NFL that is worse than you. No, it's because, while the Jets also suck, they do so in a way that is refreshing and entertaining.
Instead of sucking the way you do--predictably.
Hell, who am I kidding? It is you.
Today is a case-in-point, with the game in London against the Lions. A Lions team missing several key players, including their future Hall of Famer wide receiver, Calvin Hill. Yes, you jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first half.
Score at the end of the first half: Atlanta 21, Detroit 0.
I said predictable. How many points did you score in the second half?
Zero.
How many points did the Lions score in the second half?
Twenty-two.
If you need help with the math, here's the final score:
Atlanta 21, Detroit 22.
22 is one more point than 21. Which means you lose.
Your record now is 2-6. I'm thinking 2-14 is within reach.
That number on the left is the number of wins. That number on the right is the number of losses. Ideally you want the number on the left to be higher than the one on the right. The bigger difference between the two, the better. The other way around--the way it is now--is not good.
An NFL game is composed of two halves. That's why they're called "halves." No matter how well you do in the first one, you still need to come out and play in the second one, too.
Look, from what I'm seeing, it looks like all the passion in this relationship is one-sided. You just don't seem to care anymore.
Not only do you lose, you're boring.
So, I'll follow the Jets, or some other team. Sure, I'll still watch your games, but my heart won't be in it until I see where you've actually made real changes. Like doing what every other team in the NFL does that wins games occasionally--making adjustments at halftime, even when they have a lead.
Your lack of a pass rush is tremendously unattractive, and it's something you keep promising you'll address, and, somehow, that never happens.
I've followed you since you've existed. Almost a life-long commitment for me. But I keep seeing the same old crap from you, no matter who your owner is, no matter who your coaches are, no matter who your players are.
Same old crap. Every season.
So, I'll leave it up to you. If you want to salvage this relationship, you'll address this pass rush thing, seriously, for once, in a way that shows results. And you'll begin making adjustments at halftime instead of doing whatever it is you're doing now--smoking cigars and drinking tequila shooters, I'm guessing.
The ball is in your court, Falcons. Are we still a thing, or should I finally just give up on you and move on?
It's hard for me to say this, and I've been wrestling with this decision for weeks now, but I think today I've definitely made up my mind.
I think I'd like to follow another football team.
I need to follow another football team. I'm thinking the Jets. Not because they're a better team than you--in fact, they are probably one of the two or three teams in the NFL that is worse than you. No, it's because, while the Jets also suck, they do so in a way that is refreshing and entertaining.
Instead of sucking the way you do--predictably.
Hell, who am I kidding? It is you.
Today is a case-in-point, with the game in London against the Lions. A Lions team missing several key players, including their future Hall of Famer wide receiver, Calvin Hill. Yes, you jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first half.
Score at the end of the first half: Atlanta 21, Detroit 0.
I said predictable. How many points did you score in the second half?
Zero.
How many points did the Lions score in the second half?
Twenty-two.
If you need help with the math, here's the final score:
Atlanta 21, Detroit 22.
22 is one more point than 21. Which means you lose.
Your record now is 2-6. I'm thinking 2-14 is within reach.
That number on the left is the number of wins. That number on the right is the number of losses. Ideally you want the number on the left to be higher than the one on the right. The bigger difference between the two, the better. The other way around--the way it is now--is not good.
An NFL game is composed of two halves. That's why they're called "halves." No matter how well you do in the first one, you still need to come out and play in the second one, too.
Look, from what I'm seeing, it looks like all the passion in this relationship is one-sided. You just don't seem to care anymore.
Not only do you lose, you're boring.
So, I'll follow the Jets, or some other team. Sure, I'll still watch your games, but my heart won't be in it until I see where you've actually made real changes. Like doing what every other team in the NFL does that wins games occasionally--making adjustments at halftime, even when they have a lead.
Your lack of a pass rush is tremendously unattractive, and it's something you keep promising you'll address, and, somehow, that never happens.
I've followed you since you've existed. Almost a life-long commitment for me. But I keep seeing the same old crap from you, no matter who your owner is, no matter who your coaches are, no matter who your players are.
Same old crap. Every season.
So, I'll leave it up to you. If you want to salvage this relationship, you'll address this pass rush thing, seriously, for once, in a way that shows results. And you'll begin making adjustments at halftime instead of doing whatever it is you're doing now--smoking cigars and drinking tequila shooters, I'm guessing.
The ball is in your court, Falcons. Are we still a thing, or should I finally just give up on you and move on?
Sunday morning watching football randomocity
So, I'm sitting here watching my Atlanta Falcons play the Detroit Lions. Yes, the time stamp is correct--they're playing in England, so airtime for the game here in the States is 9 a.m.
At the moment the Falcons have the lead. I have an idea for a pretty funny posting for this blog when they lose again, so of course they'll win. Whatever they have to do to break my heart, they'll do.
Like most people I'm getting tired of the political ads. I am drawing some hope from the tone of the Republican attack ads--they're repeating the same tired old, and long since debunked lies that their base will believe no matter what. They sound desperate. Let's hope they have good reason to be desperate. It'd tickle me to no end to see Georgia turn blue after the midterms.
Speaking of elections, I took part in early voting. I wish there was a way I could opt out of having to endure all these stupid commercials for candidates now, since they're irrelevant to me. Oh, well.
I've been on vacation all week. For once I didn't have a particular goal I wanted to accomplish. I had some errands, but no definite projects I wanted to work on. It's been pretty glorious, to be honest.
Though I did make a start on the script for this pilot for this TV show idea I've had for a while. It's coming along pretty well so far. I can definitely work with what I've got on the page now, tweaking it to get the tone I'm looking for.
I'm waiting for my first readers to give me their notes on The Sorcerer's Daughter. I've heard from both of them that they are enjoying it so far, so that's heartening. I'm trying to resist doing another read-through until I hear from them. It'd be kind of pointless for me to do a rewrite before then. They're both extremely busy people so I'm just glad they're taking the time to do this for me.
And it's back to work for me tomorrow morning, after being off all week. That usually means my Monday morning will be crazy busy. I guess that's a good thing, though.
Wow. The Lions still haven't scored on the Falcon's porous defense. Maybe they've got jet lag or something. I'm entirely sure it won't last.
At the moment the Falcons have the lead. I have an idea for a pretty funny posting for this blog when they lose again, so of course they'll win. Whatever they have to do to break my heart, they'll do.
Like most people I'm getting tired of the political ads. I am drawing some hope from the tone of the Republican attack ads--they're repeating the same tired old, and long since debunked lies that their base will believe no matter what. They sound desperate. Let's hope they have good reason to be desperate. It'd tickle me to no end to see Georgia turn blue after the midterms.
Speaking of elections, I took part in early voting. I wish there was a way I could opt out of having to endure all these stupid commercials for candidates now, since they're irrelevant to me. Oh, well.
I've been on vacation all week. For once I didn't have a particular goal I wanted to accomplish. I had some errands, but no definite projects I wanted to work on. It's been pretty glorious, to be honest.
Though I did make a start on the script for this pilot for this TV show idea I've had for a while. It's coming along pretty well so far. I can definitely work with what I've got on the page now, tweaking it to get the tone I'm looking for.
I'm waiting for my first readers to give me their notes on The Sorcerer's Daughter. I've heard from both of them that they are enjoying it so far, so that's heartening. I'm trying to resist doing another read-through until I hear from them. It'd be kind of pointless for me to do a rewrite before then. They're both extremely busy people so I'm just glad they're taking the time to do this for me.
And it's back to work for me tomorrow morning, after being off all week. That usually means my Monday morning will be crazy busy. I guess that's a good thing, though.
Wow. The Lions still haven't scored on the Falcon's porous defense. Maybe they've got jet lag or something. I'm entirely sure it won't last.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Getting started on something new. Finally.
So, I finally feel like I can sit down and start on the pilot to this TV show thing I've been going on and on about.
Yeah, there are still a couple of technical issues that I haven't resolved, but to hell with those. I can either figure out a way around them, or make it so they're no longer issues.
All this while I'm waiting on the notes from my first readers for The Sorcerer's Daughter.
I think most writers, when they are at this point on a project, work on short stories and the like. My problem is I rarely have ideas for short stories--most of my ideas are for projects that will take a while, like a year or so. Short stories just aren't my thing.
Anyways, I'll start banging away on this later today. I'll also start plotting out the series arcs, character trajectories, and so forth. Writing the series bible, in other words.
By the tine I get the notes back on the novel I'll be at the point where I can then work on both projects at the same time.
I'll also be watching football. Lots and lots of football. Which is what I did yesterday, actually, all day long.
I'll be working on some painting, too. I still have a couple of photos from my recent trip to Chattanooga of those lovely flowers that were growing outside of the venue. I'm priming a canvas now for it, and I'll be moving from writing to painting back to writing most of the day I'm guessing.
All the while the football game playing in the background, providing a necessary distraction when one is needed.
This is as good as it gets.
Yeah, there are still a couple of technical issues that I haven't resolved, but to hell with those. I can either figure out a way around them, or make it so they're no longer issues.
All this while I'm waiting on the notes from my first readers for The Sorcerer's Daughter.
I think most writers, when they are at this point on a project, work on short stories and the like. My problem is I rarely have ideas for short stories--most of my ideas are for projects that will take a while, like a year or so. Short stories just aren't my thing.
Anyways, I'll start banging away on this later today. I'll also start plotting out the series arcs, character trajectories, and so forth. Writing the series bible, in other words.
By the tine I get the notes back on the novel I'll be at the point where I can then work on both projects at the same time.
I'll also be watching football. Lots and lots of football. Which is what I did yesterday, actually, all day long.
I'll be working on some painting, too. I still have a couple of photos from my recent trip to Chattanooga of those lovely flowers that were growing outside of the venue. I'm priming a canvas now for it, and I'll be moving from writing to painting back to writing most of the day I'm guessing.
All the while the football game playing in the background, providing a necessary distraction when one is needed.
This is as good as it gets.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Time to breathe . . .
I've now done three rewrites of The Sorcerer's Daughter.
I'm at the point where I need some outside opinions on it, so I've sent it to a good friend who is also a good editor for her to take a look. I'm also asking another old friend who is quite an excellent writer herself as well as someone with good very good taste to look it over. Haven't heard back from her yet---she may be too busy to help me out--but she's an excellent first reader so I hope she can.
In the meantime I need to set it aside and quit fiddling with it, until I get the notes back from my friends.
So, what do I do while I wait? Well, plan the next project!
I've got a very basic idea for something an old buddy of mine calls a "bitter homeboy novel." I'll be mulling that over, writing down some thoughts on it, maybe plotting it out.
There's also that pilot for a TV show that I keep droning on and on about. I need to get some work done on that, too. In fact, that'll probably take up most of my creative writing time until I need to resume working on The Sorcerer's Daughter.
It's hard, just letting it sit, but screwing around with it now, while I wait for input from my first readers, would be counter-productive. But sit it must, for now.
I'm taking a couple days off from work--in addition to the holiday--to sort of give myself a chance to breathe, think, mull over, make some decisions, take care of some business. And just relax, without stressing out about anything, for a while.
How am I celebrating Labor Day? Like I said--relaxing. Thinking pleasant thoughts. Maybe watch a few movies or something. I'm not planning on going anywhere, unless something really good turns up.
So, if you are celebrating Labor Day, what are your plans?
I'm at the point where I need some outside opinions on it, so I've sent it to a good friend who is also a good editor for her to take a look. I'm also asking another old friend who is quite an excellent writer herself as well as someone with good very good taste to look it over. Haven't heard back from her yet---she may be too busy to help me out--but she's an excellent first reader so I hope she can.
In the meantime I need to set it aside and quit fiddling with it, until I get the notes back from my friends.
So, what do I do while I wait? Well, plan the next project!
I've got a very basic idea for something an old buddy of mine calls a "bitter homeboy novel." I'll be mulling that over, writing down some thoughts on it, maybe plotting it out.
There's also that pilot for a TV show that I keep droning on and on about. I need to get some work done on that, too. In fact, that'll probably take up most of my creative writing time until I need to resume working on The Sorcerer's Daughter.
It's hard, just letting it sit, but screwing around with it now, while I wait for input from my first readers, would be counter-productive. But sit it must, for now.
I'm taking a couple days off from work--in addition to the holiday--to sort of give myself a chance to breathe, think, mull over, make some decisions, take care of some business. And just relax, without stressing out about anything, for a while.
How am I celebrating Labor Day? Like I said--relaxing. Thinking pleasant thoughts. Maybe watch a few movies or something. I'm not planning on going anywhere, unless something really good turns up.
So, if you are celebrating Labor Day, what are your plans?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
