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Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Two Steps Forward...
“Scarlet Canvas” - Haloscript (Ghosts & Good Intentions, 2008)
So you would think with a month off of blogging on the RWR I'd have great stories and insightful things to discuss.
Wrong.
But undoubtedly you already knew that. I mean, we are talking about me, Sin- the very epitome of procrastination.
I would love to tell of a sweeping tale of my mischievousness and of my innate ability to get stuff done even while more stuff is crashing down around me. Alas, I cannot. I mean, I could lie. Pirates are good at that. But I don't even find excitement in the prospect of it all.
With that being said, there is something to be said for moving two steps forward. Even if you fall one steps back. I've been thinking on my urban fantasy series (UFS). I spoke a few months ago on Anime always being a part of my life. I'm caught up in the drama of the picturesque way cartoonist draw the characters and tell the story. Always tales of the hero's journey, drama, angst, romance. And the blood curdling action. Death in Anime is awe-inspiring to a writer's imagination. The very scene wells inside your heart, grabs a hold of your creative juju and forces you to formulate new ideas on description.
In my mind, my UFS has played out as a live action Manga. Not quite transformed into Anime form, more picturesque in its beauty of the art form. One scene that is firmly planted in my mind is a death scene. I don't know if you've ever encountered a death scene or a scene of great angst in Anime or Manga (I urge you to pull one up online and just look at the stills of it) but these scenes always lead to great action. The hero/heroine loses someone very close to them (albeit: friend, husband, lover, family) and the hero/heroine completely loses control. Emotions spill out like blood on pavement. Your heart races in anticipation of the outcome. You know, as the viewer, something completely story changing is about to happen.
I see my UFS alive inside my mind. My heroine loses her companion. Her family hired hoards of assassins to kill her companion, and to bring my heroine back into the fold. Yet, her family wasn't aware of one thing- my heroine was holding onto her powers vicariously through her companion. Once her companion is gone, my heroine completely loses control. Every time I close my eyes, I see this behind my eyelids. The power that rises, tickles over my skin. The way it feels burning through her veins. The very static riffles through her hair as if it were a strong breeze blowing. The life snuffs out of her companion and there is no one to hold her back. No one to tell her no. No one to care. There is no one but my heroine. My heroine destroys everything without lifting a finger. Power leaks from her very soul. She no longer cares for this life that has taken so much from her and to obliterate so much life is death to herself.
The scene replays over and over again. It never alters from its original form. So as a present to myself, the scene will come alive. And I can't wait to see it in illustration form. Manga style.
So while I've not thought of clever and witty things to discuss while I've been studiously working in my office on software bugs and claim issues, my brain has obsessed over one thing. My word must be written and I must see it if I want to move on. Learn the hero's journey, see the hero's journey, live the hero's journey.
So, lately have you jumped two steps only to fall back one in your quest to finish your latest manuscript (or even your latest project)? How do you focus on completing the task at hand? (If ever.)
PS. We've been blogging together for 3 years. Three years! I have to say this is one of the longest maintained relationships I've ever had. Oddly, while I should feel dejected I've not gotten further in my goal in publishing (my fault- procrastination has it's downfalls); I feel really accomplished and proud to be a part of RWR and it's group of wonderfully accomplished wenches. Congrats on 3 years, pirates.
So you would think with a month off of blogging on the RWR I'd have great stories and insightful things to discuss.
Wrong.
But undoubtedly you already knew that. I mean, we are talking about me, Sin- the very epitome of procrastination.
I would love to tell of a sweeping tale of my mischievousness and of my innate ability to get stuff done even while more stuff is crashing down around me. Alas, I cannot. I mean, I could lie. Pirates are good at that. But I don't even find excitement in the prospect of it all.
With that being said, there is something to be said for moving two steps forward. Even if you fall one steps back. I've been thinking on my urban fantasy series (UFS). I spoke a few months ago on Anime always being a part of my life. I'm caught up in the drama of the picturesque way cartoonist draw the characters and tell the story. Always tales of the hero's journey, drama, angst, romance. And the blood curdling action. Death in Anime is awe-inspiring to a writer's imagination. The very scene wells inside your heart, grabs a hold of your creative juju and forces you to formulate new ideas on description.
In my mind, my UFS has played out as a live action Manga. Not quite transformed into Anime form, more picturesque in its beauty of the art form. One scene that is firmly planted in my mind is a death scene. I don't know if you've ever encountered a death scene or a scene of great angst in Anime or Manga (I urge you to pull one up online and just look at the stills of it) but these scenes always lead to great action. The hero/heroine loses someone very close to them (albeit: friend, husband, lover, family) and the hero/heroine completely loses control. Emotions spill out like blood on pavement. Your heart races in anticipation of the outcome. You know, as the viewer, something completely story changing is about to happen.
I see my UFS alive inside my mind. My heroine loses her companion. Her family hired hoards of assassins to kill her companion, and to bring my heroine back into the fold. Yet, her family wasn't aware of one thing- my heroine was holding onto her powers vicariously through her companion. Once her companion is gone, my heroine completely loses control. Every time I close my eyes, I see this behind my eyelids. The power that rises, tickles over my skin. The way it feels burning through her veins. The very static riffles through her hair as if it were a strong breeze blowing. The life snuffs out of her companion and there is no one to hold her back. No one to tell her no. No one to care. There is no one but my heroine. My heroine destroys everything without lifting a finger. Power leaks from her very soul. She no longer cares for this life that has taken so much from her and to obliterate so much life is death to herself.
The scene replays over and over again. It never alters from its original form. So as a present to myself, the scene will come alive. And I can't wait to see it in illustration form. Manga style.
So while I've not thought of clever and witty things to discuss while I've been studiously working in my office on software bugs and claim issues, my brain has obsessed over one thing. My word must be written and I must see it if I want to move on. Learn the hero's journey, see the hero's journey, live the hero's journey.
So, lately have you jumped two steps only to fall back one in your quest to finish your latest manuscript (or even your latest project)? How do you focus on completing the task at hand? (If ever.)
PS. We've been blogging together for 3 years. Three years! I have to say this is one of the longest maintained relationships I've ever had. Oddly, while I should feel dejected I've not gotten further in my goal in publishing (my fault- procrastination has it's downfalls); I feel really accomplished and proud to be a part of RWR and it's group of wonderfully accomplished wenches. Congrats on 3 years, pirates.
Labels:
2010,
Quartermaster's Queries (Sin),
Sin
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35 comments:
Three years? That is awesome, pirates. Very impressive.
I understand the two step/one step tango. I'm revising a manuscript I wrote a few years ago. I want to finish this story because it's a fun one, and it holds a special place in my heart. But it feels like I also want to move on to newer things now, because of the way I've grown as a writer.
So I decided the other day this will be the last manuscript (for now!) that I will try to rehabilitate. I want to keep moving forward and I think that will happen by writing on the new ideas swirling in my head.
Good to see you again, Sin. I'm off to get some more natural blonde put into my hair, so I won't be around til this afternoon. Make it an ice-pick-free day, okay? LOL
More blonde!? Geez, how blonde can you go?
*giggle
Sin-ister! Well, glad to know we've kept you moving forward.
Two step/one step...well, I feel like that is how it's going right now with my current WIP. I can see the scene at the end, see the kraken's tentacles soaring up into the air to... Well, that would be telling.
But wow, what a fight it has been to get anywhere near it. And still a good 30k to go, if that can be called near it. Sigh.
With publication on the horizon, I'm pulled a lot of directions...trying to figure it all out...and keep on writing. Just another battle, Sinster!
I do love the comment DRD left me last week when I originally posted this only to find out we had a lovely guest blogging. Is there any way to plug the calendar directly into my brain and feed it there?
Chanceroo, so proud of you! You have a lot going on and I think the little wins should be enough right now. You'll make the 30k. May your fingers fly over the keyboard.
Three years? You know, we're worse than a group of husbands who can't remember anniversaries, aren't we? Shootbedang.
Well, the good news about 2 steps forward and 1 step back is if you're going in a straight line to your destination, you'll still eventually get there. Though very slowly. If you have a gimp though, you'll probably end up going in a circle and that's a problem because then you're just circling the same crap and not making any progress at all.
36 days.
I have a blister on the back of my thumb that is killing me. While I'm gimping around with my notebook and pen in hand, my poor blistered thumb is suffering the most from my progress.
We have yet to remember this anniversary. Good on you for throwing it in here, Sin.
Sorry to hear about the two-step, but I can totally relate. Except right now I'm doing the no step. Unless you count the story that continues to unfold in my head even if I'm not typing it. That counts, right?
Unfortunately, it's the book I'm writing late next year so it would be great if this heroine could chill for a while and stop throwing all these scenes at me. Then again, I guess I shouldn't piss with the characters. I'll just make the notes and keep packing.
We move in 16 days. Eep!
Woohoo for moving!
I think it counts as long as you're consistently thinking about it inside your head. You're still functioning creatively, just lacking the time to get it down on paper.
Hey pirates -- another drive-by comment here -- my laptop is due to arrive tomorrow (hallelujah!) so hopefully I'll be back to torment you soon. :) Hope you've missed me! LOL
Dear DRD,
Sorry the Undead Monkey ruined your laptop. I told you not to let him drizzle banana gunk on it.
Sincerely,
Evil Twin
PS. Glad the new one is to arrive by carrier pigeon tomorrow. Don't worry when you see the recent web history is pirate porn.
I failed to mention, if anyone is interested in helping me pack, don't hesitate to drop in. And bring boxes, we need them.
*checking calendar* Hm.. I seem to remember I have something to do that would interfere with packing..
Somehow I thought that would be the response.
I hate packing. That's what hotties are for when DRD is not monopolizing all their time.
I actually don't have that much really. It's not like my apartment is that big. And I've already purged the closets and junk drawers. One closet to go and the storage room this weekend. LOTS of stuff going to charity or the trash.
Amazing how things lose their sentimental value when it comes time to move.
Happy Anniversary, Pirates!
Two steps foward, one step back sounds like progress to me. I'm pretty much marching in place and digging a hole to stand in as I do so. I'm hoping NaNo will get me out of the rut and moving forward again.
Well. Hard to remember we have a reason to party when we party here all the time!
Ah, my need for a new laptop has nothing to do with banana gunk...it's the kraken, being all helpful with his shoulder rubs...dripping slime onto the keys...
I have been told I will be actually...ready for it... SIGNING books at RT! I need a feather pen!
http://www.shakespearesden.com/peacock-ballpoint-quill-pen.html
Agreed, Ter. My DH is a horrible packrat.
And who else is doing NaNo?
Janga, thanks. I feel like if one step is being canceled out I lose the progress I've made. But maybe I just need to look at it as progress. I'm progressing towards something. Even if I'm not quite sure what the final step will be.
Hel, great pens! I am bookmarking that!
Sin - Thinking about NaNo. I've never done it before, but have an off-the-wall idea (shut up!) and was thinking of tossing it in...
Packrats? Yeah, so? Damn, one of these days I really do need to fit that bulldozer into the house...before I star in my own episode of Hoarders.
I had planned to do NaNo earlier in the year. Was going to revise the one I started with NaNo last year over the summer then plot in October and write the next book with NaNo. Or start it with NaNo. But then this moving thing took over, ruled my summer, and totally trashed my plans. LOL!
But I'll be cheering the rest of you on. You thinking about it, Sin?
PS: I am not a packrat mostly because my mother is and I've seen the damage that does. I purge shit every chance I get. Several times a year!
I like these ones better.
http://www.mysticconvergence.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2258
Wow, 3 years? HOw cool is that? I remember when you guys asked me to be part of the crew. Definitely a "They like me! They really like me!" moment.
It's no secret I've been held up lately. I jumped forward more than two steps (40K steps) and just axed it all. Literally, that's more than one step back, isn't it? Luckily, I still have the characters in my head. I just wish they'd talked right the first time.
Happy Anniversary, hussies.
Those are good, too! I'd like to find one with a ridiculously long feather...but the author's next to me might not find it as amusing if my feather is intruding into their space! ;-)
Marn, how you doin' dearie?
I always axe stuff. I don't even bat an eyelash to axing stuff anymore.
Ter, debating the NaNo, but it will have to be one of those last minute decision. I did NaNo in '06 (I think) right before I broke my wrist. I really enjoyed it.
I’d like to find one with a ridiculously long feather…
*ROTFL* I can so see this. *LOL*
Chance - Maybe they can put you on the end of the table. LOL!
Marn - Right back atcha, hussy.
Sin - I sort of enjoyed it, but that's a lot of pressure to perform. Now I know how the hotties feel.
I think I'm hanging in there. I was just starting to feel a little more on top of my game last month. The baby's 4 months old, starting to be a little bit less demanding, and my oldest is getting used to not being an only child. But my darn bathroom tub started leaking, so we're in the midst of remodeling that and the baby's christening is this weekend. Crazy crazy crazy around here.
Sorry I'm sort of a duck in, duck out commenter these days. I always try to get on because I *hearts* you guys. But some days it'll be like 10PM before I even sit down at the computer to surf.
Needless to say, I haven't written anything new in, well, forever. LOL!
But, long answer short, I'm great, just insane.
Oh, and regarding Nano.... I had a brief moment of utter insanity where I thought I might participate this year.
Then I nursed the baby, refilled a juice cup, did two loads of laundry, changed a diaper, and played some trains. All day. I have no idea when I thought I'd write 50k in that scenario. Lunacy.
But I'd love to cheer anyone else.
Then I nursed the baby, refilled a juice cup, did two loads of laundry, changed a diaper, and played some trains. All day. I have no idea when I thought I’d write 50k in that scenario. Lunacy.
*LOL* I'm so glad I have one of those jobs where if I'm doing this sort of crazy, I get to go home at 5 pm and not do it again until 8 am the next day.
We're all cheering for you, hussy!! Hang in there!
Come on, Marn. Who needs to sleep?!
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Pirates!
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