SERIOUSLY

http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/anthology-submissions/#message

Romey, I think you need to check out this site:

http://thetaletellers.wordpress.com/

Going My Way?

Trying to come up with a last name for some characters is proving to be harder than engineering the entire story. So it goes.

20 pages of The Book - not quite 20 though. I did manage to write out a timeline so that I can check of scenes as I write them. Hardly any of them are checked off so far. So it goes.

Tired, and I don't want to type because it'll wake the baby, but I want to get some of this imagery down before I forget it. I may have already forgotten it.

And there it goes. But where? Where the hell is this going? And why does it take so long to get there?

Something

I just really needed to post something

Market Finder

Go here:

http://market-finder.livejournal.com/

I've been following this journal for awhile, totally enamored with the hard working crazies slogging through an ocean of literary outlets and finding ones that are actively seeking submissions.

You should check it out, too. There are a lot of good opportunities for an unpublished author. A lot of hysterical literary magazines, too. It's where I found the mermaid fantasy compilation, for example.

Anyway, check it out. I'm sure some of the entries in this journal can contribute to our list of rejection letters.

C

Also...

Don't forget the gold for cash idea.  We need to pick a day and try that shit out.  Let's get crackin' on these no work ideas.  Also, I want to make "Am I crazy... or is it just the syphilis" merchandise to sell and we can brand it with MultSemiTalented.  If we get just a few of those out there we'll be hundredaires in a couple years.

I am the Bird

Not to say I'm pooping on my neighbors' cars or anything.  But since I got my hair cut earlier today (I feel super pretty by the way and definitely found my stylist) my mind has been writing too fast for my hands to keep up.  I've seen entire pages of text play out in my head both for the World of J and now I'm getting inspiration for Dark Spectre.  It's like my head was weighed down by some unforeseen force that I looked at in the mirror everyday :)

Also, I haven't started it yet, but I'm doing that essay on religion for sure.  Since I've got my comedy and my sci-fi going on I think it's only right to give my serious analytical side a go too.  YAY writing!

Also (this is the last also) I did the math and I need to start pulling in some monies no later than 5 months from now or else it will be 'YAY whoring!' and I don't think Aurora is ready for what I have to offer.

Happy Days :)

Be the bird

Do you think this guy spends all day worried if the world will hate his creations? No, he just pulls the trigger. And what do you know, he's famous on the internet!

Watch this, now.

My Bad! :)

Also, I do what I waaaaant.  (you should hear that in Celine's voice)  Sorry about the lack of posting.  Yes, I have been sick, but you have two kids and a house to run so which of us has a better excuse for not keeping up on this?  Still me I think ;)

I've been going over and over and over and over what I've managed to get down of my story (see the post I just did on  http://randomlettersandnumbers.blogspot.com/) and beating my head against a brick wall in the process which I guess explains the headaches.  But I haven't spent much of that time (any since Tuesday night really) on the blog(s).  So yes, I've been neglectful and I don't really have any good reason to be.  But I'm better now and I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, I'm fat enough, and doggonit, people seem indifferent towards me.  So here is some of what I promised you on Wednesday.

1.  The Names:

  Main Character - Jayden Harris (aka Dark Spectre)
  The Father - Curtis Matthew Harris  (aka ?)  He goes by Matthew cause he hates his first name.  Not sure he should get an alias since he has no "powers" but is just a kick-ass martial artist.
  The Mother - May Harris-Morgan  (aka Shadow Slayer)  Deceased
  The Brother -   Issac Harris (aka Livewire)  Deceased
  The Sister - Megan Harris (aka Seraphim)  Deceased
  The Boyfriend - John Howard Brooks  (aka "The Scientist in flaskbacks since his face was covered when he and Dark Spectre first met)  Also, middle name was given because his parents were Howard the Duck fans.
  The Friend - Renly Sizemore (Therapist by day, dominatrix by night)

2. - 4.  These items pertained to the story itself.  See my blog post, this is slow going.

5.  Minor Antagonist:

Among the myriad of thugs, I intend to introduce a character with similar abilities to that of Bullseye from the Daredevil movie.  But I'm having a tough time coming up with a catchy alias for him (not planning on revealing his real name).  Here are some ideas that should convey his abilities so you can vote or offer up suggestions.  1.  Sharpshooter  2.  Dead Eye  3.  Snipe  or Sniper

Okay, so YAY!  That's where I'm at.  And thank you for posting the ideas for getting and keeping the creative juices flowing (which sounds really disgusting now that I've written it out...what a terrible expression).  Are we getting together today?

Dude

Are you trying to make me give up on you?

Writing Practice

Hi Aunty Romey!

 Just a quick list of writing exercises that you can employ when you feel stuck. If you can't write anything on one of your projects, try one of these to keep things going.

One Word - Where you get one minute to write in response to a word prompt of the day

100 words - Write a story, essay, whatever, 100 words a day for a month

Daily Writing Tips - Exercises - a list of 10 exercises.

Keep On Keeping On

I posted, Aunty Romey! Twice, just this week.

I'm excited because that clears out a couple of posts that I've had lingering unpublished in my archives for a year or so and now I only have to publish a One Hundred Word Wednesday post tomorrow to keep up some momentum.

I'm petrified because now I've cleared out two more posts that I'd had in the bank and after tomorrow's One Hundred Word Wednesday, I have to find some way to keep up momentum.

But for now, I've written. And posted. And I'm calling it a win.

Just a Reminder

Here it is.  My proclamation to the world.  Here is what I owe you on Wednesday.  And it's all here in print so I can't worm my way out of it.

1.  Figure out Dark Spectre's real name and settle on the names of his family and boyfriend.
2.  Write the scene where he stumbles in on Renly's dominatrix session.
3.  Expand on the intro by writing at least 3 pages of story (the intro may take three pages so I'll continue at least another 3 pages after the intro)
4.  Create the character bios I promised you like 2 weeks ago (although to be fair, this may not be entirely ready on Wednesday
5.  Finally, come up with a minor antagonist for our hero to battle with as he works up to the big fish.  No, he's not literally going to be fighting tuna, but you know the big bad guy(s).

So there it is.  I have a list, I have a deadline, and I know you'll kill me if I fail.  Everything's in place to get my off my lazy ass and onto my lazy ass so I can write and create.

Creatively Constipated

Ugh!  I haven't been able to write anything for a week.  I didn't even draw in my little sketch book (which I'm worried I might have left at my parent's house cause I'm having a hard time finding it).  I haven't slept or created in over a week now.  I've been reading, but that's not very creative of me.  They really ought to make some kind of mind laxative that let's you poo thoughts all over a page.  We definately need to get together this week cause there are some things I need to talk though and some stuff I need to talk about and some mind pooing to do.  And I feel even worse looking at how productive you've been.  I feel like such a slacker!  Who knew that not working was going to entail some sort of effort on my part!?  Ok, I'm gonna do something I hate doing.  I'm gonna exercise my mind and I hate exercise in all it's forms, so if that's not commitment to my work, I don't know what is.  Tomorrow?  Same bat time, same bat place?  Or how about your house at noon?

Banners, Badges and Bears, oh my!

Okay, so maybe not bears.

But I was thinking that we need to work on a look for the site. The simple layout we have is awesome, but what I really want is a button that I can grab and put on http://www.runningnekkid.com/ to show my semi talented pride.  (See this tutorial to know what I'm talking about.)

I opened my Open Office drawing app and made like the quickest little block of text on colored background I could, just to give an example. 

Anyway, what do you think? We should get together this week and put something together. My banner / button / freak flag block on runningnekkid.com is lonely, dude. I have buttons for Faces of Loss and for Nerdfighters, but not for our own project. This needs to change!

 C

The Little Engine That Could (Well,sometimes anyway)

For one week, I did a great job posting to my website. Six posts in seven days; not too shabby. (Did you notice my modest understatement there?) But I haven't posted since Wednesday and while I have a few things I'd been working on from my last go-round of writing, I can't pick one to just...effin'...work on. Do I want to finish the piece about Jonas becoming a  teenager or do I want to work on the piece about Natalie Portman's 2011 movie where her newborn baby dies?

The answer is that I'd like to do both, of course. I'd like to have both of those pieces done and queued up so that I can take the rest of the day off and enjoy this beautiful day. I mean, I'm probably going to take the rest of the day off anyway because it really is fricking beautiful out there. But cake, eating it, and all that jazz.

Anyway, the point I guess is that it doesn't matter how much I want to write as a career. It's still hard work. Settling down and digging deep to effectively communicate is a skill that needs to be honed just like sculpting or singing or artistic gardening. It doesn't just happen automagically. Man, it sucks, but I guess that's why I need to find ways to maintain motivation. More than a schedule or a routine, I require both the inspiration and perspiration necessary to create something I can feel proud of sharing. But these things take time, and since the baby wants to enjoy the sunshine even more than I do, time to sit around and write isn't something that I have much of this week.

Maybe tonight. We'll see. We'll hope, anyway.

C

Happy Birthday Aunty Jeremy!

Bear In Mind...

Even if you have to get a shitty job to make ends meet, having a creative outlet will help you maintain your sense of self. It will give you a sense of self to maintain.

Also, I wish you were in town this week. Glad you're spending time with the family and all that, but hey. I need  you too!

Tripping Out

Today has been filled with those mundane tasks we all have to complete from time to time.  Since I'm leaving for Yakima tomorrow that involved getting an emissions test for my car and getting the tabs squared away.  Not to mention doing some shopping, and running a couple of errands I don't want to put off until I get back next week.

Now, since I have little will power, if I have time I'll scan some of the drawings I have later this evening once all my other tasks are complete.  If you're interested I might even post a little character bio so you'll get to know our hero from the shadows... Dark Spectre.  Otherwise you'll have to wait until next week. :P

DO IT

Damn you, just start posting. Don't get yourself all worked up by trying to make everything perfect. Or even better. Show me the raw goodness of the creative process. Barf on me. 

Oh and you totally should be reading this: Hyperbole and a Half

Hard Work Pays Off...or something

I thought you would appreciate this.

Now upload some drawings, dammit!

Snot Burglar

Okay, so I know I said I would be posting last night, but we've already established my proclivity towards laziness, so...yeah.


Prepare for itemized update:

1.  I love the new site, it looks awesome.  Simple, clean, and drama free.  All the things one would look for in a posting on the man4man section of Craigslist.

2.  So, as I've said before, I've spent my last week sick and in bed, or on the couch (as was the case most of the time).  In between the extended periods of unconsciousness a miracle occurred:  I actually worked on stuff *insert choir voices and bright light from above*  For further details regarding the work please continue reading.

3.  The first thing I worked on was trying to get my characters figured out for the comic book.  I've got my main characters pretty well figured out and I've got my main hero's abilities and the mythology around his powers all worked out as well.  I'm working on refining the main story arch and trying to work through our hero's back-story.  All in all, my inability to focus on one portion of this project has proven to be... oh shiny.

4.  I've also been working on an admittedly piss poor attempt to sketch some of my main characters.  They really are quite horrible and no you can't see them yet.  I want to get them just right before the big reveal.  :P

5.  There has been significantly less time spent on that show I wanted to create about Egypt.  With only a cursory search on the main characters of that era (Akhenaten), it struck me yesterday that there is still so much work to be done on this... and the comic is much more fun than reading countless articles and reconstructing the existence of and ancient Egyptian in my head to attempt to write a somewhat convincing pilot that might hopefully convince some crazed, whacked out studio executive who just took a boat load of Ambien to even give the show a shot.  ...  ... ... ... So I'm just gonna focus on the comic for the immediate future.

Now that I'm on the mend from my terrible brush with a cold, I'm free to get distracted again by things like going outside or getting off my couch.  I'm a little worried I'll fall back into that old familiar pattern of sitting around, pretending to look for a job, and trying to motivate myself to loose weight over a Jack's Spicy Chicken Sandwich (#11).  Or even worse, I might actually get a job.

So keep my motivated Celeste!

~ Romey

Week Two: Going Live?

Romey, I did it!

Okay, so it's not exactly ready ready, as in the kind of ready that I wanted to be before it went live. But on Monday night I said screw it and had Ian flip the switch to swap the development site with the old crappy one that I'd left publicly abandoned.  So without further ado, please visit me at:
 

Like I said, I've got a lot that I still want to implement. An integrated twitter feed. More taxonomy to categorize my content properly. Related content displayed at the bottom of each post to keep my theoretical visitors around and reading. But since the worst thing I have written is still better than the best thing I haven't, let's go with what exists. Shit or get off the pot, or so they say.

Well I guess I just took a major shit.

Romey, why haven't YOU taken a shit yet? This blog is sorely lacking your voice, dude. Please make it at least LOOK like I'm not just talking to myself.

C

Week One: What I Accomplished

Hello Romey!

I only have a few moments because the baby is playing in her baby jail and any second now she's going to realize that I'm ignoring her. More importantly, she's going to determine that ignoring her is NOT OKAY and so I'm going to have to take her into the living room and parent. I know. Life, she is rough.

Anyway, so here it is. Day five of Actually Factually Doing Shit. And while I may not have anything to link to or any images to prove that I have been busy, you're going to have to take my word for it and know that I have been.

I irreparably broke my website awhile ago and I've been spending some time trying to bring it back online. I got lost for awhile putting the cart before the horse, or in this case, style before content, and didn't write because I didn't have the right "looking" site to house my posts. And seriously, if you've spent a month debating this theme vs. this one, it's time to put the style down and start writing.

So that's what I did. I chose a clean, simple website theme designed to put the writing at the forefront and say never-you-mind to all the blinking, buzzing, bi-polar distractions that wouldn't make shitty writing any less shitty. I have a development site that I'm uploading all my old content to and will hopefully have a live website to share with you when I post again next week Wednesday. I created a simple logo without having to make Ian do it for me, and I even uploaded it to the development site all by myself.

Also, I wrote 594 words in a short story that I intend to be part of a larger collection. That'll get uploaded to my website as well.

Not too shabby for one week of Doing Shit. How the hell are you doing?

Can't wait for your post on Monday. See you then!

Okay Wil Wheaton - I'm Excited. Now What?

The Get Excited and Make Things thing got me excited. Things! SO MANY OF THEM! That I can make!

And then...nothing. Not a damn thing did I make. I bought a sewing machine and a fistful of patterns and some fabric and I said OKAY SELF YOU ARE MAKING A THING. That thing is sitting partially sewn in a bag. The sewing machine is sitting beside it. I spent hundreds of dollars on a spanky new sewing machine and I haven't even finished the one lousy apron that I wanted to give to my old boss as a wedding present. Her second wedding anniversary will be coming up in just a few months.

Romey and I have been talking about creative projects for years. And each year we say this is it. No really I am not kidding.

THIS YEAR. I am making something.

Romey and I have known each other for over six years now and we haven't even made a batch of cookies.

But this time, it really is it. I mean it. Really.

We're gonna make things. Many of them. And some of them might actually not be lame.