To all of you who ever encouraged me to write a book, I hope you will be pleased with these news.
I will be writing a novel for this months' National Novel Writing Month. The novel is based on an idea that's been in my head for way too long now. You may have heard me reference an allegory of mine titled The Familiar Stranger. Well, I have the plot outline, main characters, and some research done, but I've never actually written a first draft. I guess my tendency to procrastinate and the pedantic handling of my creative endeavors has hindered me so far. No longer! Tonight, I write!
I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to finish my novel before the given deadline, as I began writing about a week and a half late. What I am writing is a very rough first draft, so I don't imagine I'll be releasing it to the general public. I'm pretty psyched about writing this novel, even though it's based on a dark time in my life, and some parts are somewhat painful to put on paper. The general genre I'm aiming for is Gothic/Mystery.
And now it's time to start writing away.
16 November 2007
09 November 2007
Adieu 8:41 AM
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost
06 November 2007
02 November 2007
The Development of Writing 3:03 AM
I suppose some of you are wondering about the lack of updates. You know that I have my own laptop, a decent amount of free time, a working knowledge of writing, and the creativity and desire to write. Why then, are updates terse and at irregular intervals?
In reality, the amount of articles and pieces of prose I've written has not declined, they just haven't been released. Why? Why? WHY? Oh, geez, calm down. See, I'm going through a stage in which I am my biggest critic; I write something up and then tear it to shreds. Figuratively, of course. I am not a violent person by nature. I am, however, subject to arbitrary outbursts in which I yell "No, Mummy, no NAP!!" But I digress.
For the longest time I was content to throw out my material in extemporaneous fashion, however; in light of my commitment to take my writing more seriously, I tend to review my compositions with a scrutiny that is at times overdone. You might wonder, "Why not just recount the days events or rant on a trite subject in an informal style that many bloggers enjoy?" I say...Hey, there's an idea.
Well, I've been there, done that. I used to write in a style that could have merited titling my blog Reflections of a Prepubescent Boy.
"Jane."
"See Jane."
"See Jane run."
"Jane has nice legs."
Thankfully, I came to the conclusion that that wasn't really for me; I like to create interesting and engaging reading, not just scribble on the sidewalk. Although there is a time and place for sidewalk scribbling, is has got to have some value to it, Amen, people?
Wow, that sounds pretty self-righteous and condescending. I apologize. It does have a ring of truth to it, though, so take it cum grano salis, with a grain of salt, fellows.
I have by no means arrived at a point in my writing where I am so skilled that I can just sit on a pedestal and shout AHA! whenever someone makes a mistake. Mistakes is how we learn, and my writing is still full of them. But I'm fixin' to git goin' with my writin' so I's can makes somethin' worthwhile. And that ladies and gentlemen, is something everyone can enjoy. (The determination to create successful compositions, not a phony southern accent, amigos.)
In reality, the amount of articles and pieces of prose I've written has not declined, they just haven't been released. Why? Why? WHY? Oh, geez, calm down. See, I'm going through a stage in which I am my biggest critic; I write something up and then tear it to shreds. Figuratively, of course. I am not a violent person by nature. I am, however, subject to arbitrary outbursts in which I yell "No, Mummy, no NAP!!" But I digress.
For the longest time I was content to throw out my material in extemporaneous fashion, however; in light of my commitment to take my writing more seriously, I tend to review my compositions with a scrutiny that is at times overdone. You might wonder, "Why not just recount the days events or rant on a trite subject in an informal style that many bloggers enjoy?" I say...Hey, there's an idea.
Well, I've been there, done that. I used to write in a style that could have merited titling my blog Reflections of a Prepubescent Boy.
"Jane."
"See Jane."
"See Jane run."
"Jane has nice legs."
Thankfully, I came to the conclusion that that wasn't really for me; I like to create interesting and engaging reading, not just scribble on the sidewalk. Although there is a time and place for sidewalk scribbling, is has got to have some value to it, Amen, people?
Wow, that sounds pretty self-righteous and condescending. I apologize. It does have a ring of truth to it, though, so take it cum grano salis, with a grain of salt, fellows.
I have by no means arrived at a point in my writing where I am so skilled that I can just sit on a pedestal and shout AHA! whenever someone makes a mistake. Mistakes is how we learn, and my writing is still full of them. But I'm fixin' to git goin' with my writin' so I's can makes somethin' worthwhile. And that ladies and gentlemen, is something everyone can enjoy. (The determination to create successful compositions, not a phony southern accent, amigos.)
25 October 2007
My Morning Coffee (Or Yerba Mate, Mind You) 9:38 AM
By God, I love a man with courage! I love a man with guts enough to say, "Maybe I am the last man standing. Maybe I am the last man at my post. But I am going to shoot the Enemy till I am out of bullets, then I am going to stab him till my bayonet breaks off in his heart, and then I'm going to bite him till I haven't got any teeth left." That's the kind of guts you need to win this war. May God help you to have the courage of heart to fight to the last man!—General George S. Patton (speaking from beyond) (ML 3558:83; GN 1146)
17 October 2007
What The Future Holds 5:29 PM
It may be of interest to you to know a little about the internal workings of this website and what plans are laid out for it's future. This is not a comprehensive list, just a few projects of interest.
Firstly, I plan to upgrade this website to it's own domain and private hosting. I don't know what I'll do about the design; suffice it to say that I'm no webdesigner and it'll be pretty simple or I'll just borrow a pre-designed template.
As for my writing, I'm working on two allegorical short stories, and one narrative poem. I can't say when these will be released, as I'm researching and studying different aspects of short story composition and poetry in order to make these worth your while.
In explaining my artistic endeavors, I am reminded of a peculiar habit of a small child in my home. She waddles around collecting all sorts of objects, primarily toy dishes, and attempts to hold them all without dropping a single one. If an object is to fall from her chubby little fingers, she will drop all her other objects to the ground in frustration and then struggle to retrieve them. You see, I'm all too prone to treat my projects the same way she treats her toys.
As a side project I'm also working on writing songs for my band (we really don't have a name, but I'm calling us Five Virgins) which consists of me on guitar, some bass, and vocals (I shudder at the thought, since I can't stay on KIiiiIIIEEEee!!) and Jean "Jack" Holl on drums. So far I've got three unfinished songs, "S.O.S.", "Darkness Falls", and "Unrequited", plus other riffs and melodies I need to develop.
Friends, keep your fingers crossed. Something good has got to come out of all this.
Firstly, I plan to upgrade this website to it's own domain and private hosting. I don't know what I'll do about the design; suffice it to say that I'm no webdesigner and it'll be pretty simple or I'll just borrow a pre-designed template.
As for my writing, I'm working on two allegorical short stories, and one narrative poem. I can't say when these will be released, as I'm researching and studying different aspects of short story composition and poetry in order to make these worth your while.
In explaining my artistic endeavors, I am reminded of a peculiar habit of a small child in my home. She waddles around collecting all sorts of objects, primarily toy dishes, and attempts to hold them all without dropping a single one. If an object is to fall from her chubby little fingers, she will drop all her other objects to the ground in frustration and then struggle to retrieve them. You see, I'm all too prone to treat my projects the same way she treats her toys.
As a side project I'm also working on writing songs for my band (we really don't have a name, but I'm calling us Five Virgins) which consists of me on guitar, some bass, and vocals (I shudder at the thought, since I can't stay on KIiiiIIIEEEee!!) and Jean "Jack" Holl on drums. So far I've got three unfinished songs, "S.O.S.", "Darkness Falls", and "Unrequited", plus other riffs and melodies I need to develop.
Friends, keep your fingers crossed. Something good has got to come out of all this.
19 3:38 PM
As the title so succinctly states, this post has something to do with the number 19. Can you guess what it is?
It involves colorful handmade cards created by a group of adorable children. It includes lots of hugs, appreciative words and gestures, and a general warm feeling of knowing that you're loved and noticed on this most favored of days.
It also involves cake and ice cream.
I could never thank You, and you, and you, and all my other "yous" enough. You all make life worth living. There's 19 years and counting, and by God's grace, I'll live them all for You (and you).
It involves colorful handmade cards created by a group of adorable children. It includes lots of hugs, appreciative words and gestures, and a general warm feeling of knowing that you're loved and noticed on this most favored of days.
It also involves cake and ice cream.
I could never thank You, and you, and you, and all my other "yous" enough. You all make life worth living. There's 19 years and counting, and by God's grace, I'll live them all for You (and you).
