Winding River of Inspiration
Inspiration is like a winding river infested with beavers who build dams like coke addicts do lines.
I find it really funny that I spent six months in development on Twice Born and I’m still more ready to tackle The Madonna Lily and Shadower than I am the big one. Then again, I am looking at planning three books fairly completely before I start, which is daunting for anyone. Perhaps I’ve second-guessed myself. The best way to take anything is slowly, something I’ve learnt the hard way over the past year. Much of my slump had to do with trying to do things too quickly. It was probably wrong of me trying to–once again–set a release date on my work. Never again, I say! And this time, I’m sticking to it.
Boy, do the days go. Around this time last year, I was writing the last chapter of the second draft of Shadower and trying to rekindle my interest in Salamander. It really was to no avail. 2007 really wasn’t that hot a year for me writing-wise–not in the way 2006 was (Hellion, Salamander and Shadower in one year. Holy hell.). I really should do some sort of writing-related “New Years Resolution” thing. Like not being a “ashf;alsf” about projects and tagging my blog posts (seeing that tag thing empty depresses me for some reason). Maybe I’ll tag this post. Yeah. I think I will.
So. Resolutions. I resolve not to over exert myself on my writing in 2008. I resolve not to set any release dates when I don’t even have anything written yet. I also resolve not to be such a draft-miser, and give crits to the guys on SE and IF once in a while. I also resolve to finally do that goddamn layout for SE I keep telling Julie I’ll do. I’d resolve to read Nightbane by LCC, but I have a feeling he’d hunt me down and give me multiple paper cuts with the manuscript if I didn’t follow through xD. I don’t feel like taking that risk, Lionel, sorry xDxD. I also resolve to get a girlfriend neuter myself.
And in other news, I’ve begun the hapless “etching” phase on The Madonna Lily–you know, that lovely part where you take all those random threads of story in your head and put them on paper, then figure out which ones you want to use or not. I remember when I was doing this for Salamander. I had so much fun, especially since I was doing it on an intense sugar high on an Amtrak train at 11P at night. It was epic. Any way, I’ve figured out some pretty loose stuff about how I want the story to go, and a few ideas about which aspects of the screenplay version I want to keep. I know I want to start actually writing it over break, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to. I’d still like to get And the Silence Screamed and McKenna done before I really churn out anything else. Then again, it’d feel awesome to sink my teeth into something new. Not much has been done on those two short stories since my last post.
With Christmas in traction, hopefully I’ll be able to get some stuff down. In the meanwhile, I hope you all (those who actually read my rambling shit xD) are having a happy holidays. Keep safe and eat lots ^^;