I'm wading through several books at the moment.
I read Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors, Vol. 1 yesterday and it made me want to go back and read the Blackest Night run (this one is part of Brightest Day). Other than Batman, Green Lantern is my favorite superhero although I haven't read as much on him/them.
I also read Batman: Red Hood -- The Lost Days which was tragic and wonderful. Really, really liked it.
I'm reading Batman Grendel right now (!!!) and I've only read a little of Grendel but loved it so I'm hopeful this is another good one.
I'm also reading:
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder (screenwriting)
The Chestnut King: Book 3 of the 100 Cupboard Series
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
and a few other ones but I'm only dipping into them occasionally.
As for my ScriptFrenzy project, I'm on page 36 (meaning I'm right on schedule with ScriptFrenzy but about 12 pages behind on my own schedule) and I aim to write 8 pages again today. Which means I can write 8 pages tomorrow and be all caught up and on schedule!! Whew.
Next post I will be asking you all a question that I really, really want an answer to -- so be prepared!
Question for today: What are YOU reading/writing?
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Bribe
I got the requisite 8 pages typed yesterday and have been reading Blake Snyder's Save the Cat in an attempt to have a not-quite-as-crappy-as-it-could-be first draft. Which then led to my thinking about re-structuring the whole story. Which led me to thinking maybe I should start over. Which led me to thinking about bribing myself to finish this draft.
Which leads us to this post.
I know the first draft is supposed to be rough. I know it's usually something you hide in order to spare yourself embarrassment at a later date. But I keep hoping that MY drafts won't be so unpolished.
Which is silly and unrealistic. Reading through early drafts of Beetlejuice, Labyrinth and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, I can see things that changed, got cut out, dialogue that got tightened, action sequences that were interspersed...even Labyrinth (I came up with a much better ending...at least I think I did) and Beetlejuice, while not extremely great movies, ended up much better because someone took the time to polish draft after draft until it was as good as it could be.
These things take time. And several more drafts.
I just have to remind myself that if I think of a better way to structure my story, I need to write it down and then keep working on this draft.
And maybe bribe myself with a piece of chocolate every day I meet my page goal.
Do you bribe yourself with a treat (a new book, a shopping trip, a snack) in order to get work done? This is a common trait among NaNoWriMo participants. We live on sugar in November. Almost literally.
Do you think up better ways to craft a story WHILE you're working on it? What do you do with those ideas?
Which leads us to this post.
I know the first draft is supposed to be rough. I know it's usually something you hide in order to spare yourself embarrassment at a later date. But I keep hoping that MY drafts won't be so unpolished.
Which is silly and unrealistic. Reading through early drafts of Beetlejuice, Labyrinth and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, I can see things that changed, got cut out, dialogue that got tightened, action sequences that were interspersed...even Labyrinth (I came up with a much better ending...at least I think I did) and Beetlejuice, while not extremely great movies, ended up much better because someone took the time to polish draft after draft until it was as good as it could be.
These things take time. And several more drafts.
I just have to remind myself that if I think of a better way to structure my story, I need to write it down and then keep working on this draft.
And maybe bribe myself with a piece of chocolate every day I meet my page goal.
Do you bribe yourself with a treat (a new book, a shopping trip, a snack) in order to get work done? This is a common trait among NaNoWriMo participants. We live on sugar in November. Almost literally.
Do you think up better ways to craft a story WHILE you're working on it? What do you do with those ideas?
Monday, April 9, 2012
ScriptFrenzy Update
So, I'm still working on my script for ScriptFrenzy. But I misplaced my thumbdrive and consequently didn't do any writing all weekend. I'm 16 pages behind but I can write 8 pages for a few days and catch back up.
I did do some research (watched The Breakfast Club and picked up a copy of Save the Cat by Blake Snyder to read), thought out a bit more of the story and wondered about printing out a script for reference...
But today I'm going to try writing in a different spot. The university I work at recently renovated their library and there are some big desks perfect for concentrating. I'm going to take my wee computer (its name is Pigwidgeon) and attempt to close in the gap on that page count. I like it in there because it is clean (not like my house most days), quiet and conducive to solitary productivity (which my house also is not -- there's a million things screaming at me -- the harp, my voice music, sewing, painting, collage, crochet, the cleaning, the laundry, etc.). There's a lack of interesting things to draw my attention elsewhere. (At least upstairs -- downstairs there are iPads, Kindles, sofas and magazines) The colors in the library are also helpful -- deep blues and browns that direct my focus to my bright computer screen.
Finding a good writing spot can be tricky -- J.K. Rowling prefers coffee shops (a pretty popular choice), some people prefer having a shed out back, and some prefer the attic. It all depends on where you need to be to avoid distractions and/or the outside world -- the art of crafting story is (mostly) prone to solitude.
Hopefully the library setting will enable me to set to work and get those pages churned out. I'm just about to get to the exciting part -- an airplane ride to a luxurious island...although these poor guests are in for a nasty surprise.
!!!
I did do some research (watched The Breakfast Club and picked up a copy of Save the Cat by Blake Snyder to read), thought out a bit more of the story and wondered about printing out a script for reference...
But today I'm going to try writing in a different spot. The university I work at recently renovated their library and there are some big desks perfect for concentrating. I'm going to take my wee computer (its name is Pigwidgeon) and attempt to close in the gap on that page count. I like it in there because it is clean (not like my house most days), quiet and conducive to solitary productivity (which my house also is not -- there's a million things screaming at me -- the harp, my voice music, sewing, painting, collage, crochet, the cleaning, the laundry, etc.). There's a lack of interesting things to draw my attention elsewhere. (At least upstairs -- downstairs there are iPads, Kindles, sofas and magazines) The colors in the library are also helpful -- deep blues and browns that direct my focus to my bright computer screen.
Finding a good writing spot can be tricky -- J.K. Rowling prefers coffee shops (a pretty popular choice), some people prefer having a shed out back, and some prefer the attic. It all depends on where you need to be to avoid distractions and/or the outside world -- the art of crafting story is (mostly) prone to solitude.
Hopefully the library setting will enable me to set to work and get those pages churned out. I'm just about to get to the exciting part -- an airplane ride to a luxurious island...although these poor guests are in for a nasty surprise.
!!!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Frey by Joss Whedon
And so continues my glut of comic books -- I've read a half dozen -- Batman: Faces, Serenity: Better Days, X-Men Noir, Axe Cop, Frey and The Cleaners.
Axe Cop you can read about below.
The others were good but I don't feel like they all *need* a review. So I'm picking the one I really loved -- Joss Whedon's Frey.
I'm an unabashed Whedonite -- so I can't believe I didn't know about this comic book before (although I have not read his Buffy Season 8 comic -- which will soon be remedied as I am borrowing them from a friend this week).
Frey is set in the Slayer 'verse, years and years and years after Buffy's time. It's an even weirder universe, crowded with monster mob bosses who live underwater, people scarred by radiation (missing limbs, etc.) and "lurks" (the new word for vampire).
I didn't expect to love it as much as I did -- and I'm not really sure why. I think it might be because I wasn't sure how he would translate his amazing characters, witty banter and awesome fight scenes into comics. Well, I shouldn't have worried. Joss knows what he's doing.
The main character, Malaka Frey, is full of personality -- Joss made sure she wasn't just another big-chested fight machine who manages to somehow be mostly decent while scantily clad.
I felt like she was a real person -- albeit a real person who lives in crazy-land. She had to figure out what was going on, make tough choices, and make a few mistakes.
Of course, Joss also pulls a typical Joss-y thing: killing off characters you actually liked. But it made sense with the story, so I guess I can handle it (just hand me a tissue).
While wondering what Joss was going to do after Cabin in the Woods and The Avengers (both of which I am ecstatic about -- going to see Cabin in the Woods next week!!), this was a good reminder that whatever he does, it's going to be AWESOME.
Axe Cop you can read about below.
The others were good but I don't feel like they all *need* a review. So I'm picking the one I really loved -- Joss Whedon's Frey.
I'm an unabashed Whedonite -- so I can't believe I didn't know about this comic book before (although I have not read his Buffy Season 8 comic -- which will soon be remedied as I am borrowing them from a friend this week).
Frey is set in the Slayer 'verse, years and years and years after Buffy's time. It's an even weirder universe, crowded with monster mob bosses who live underwater, people scarred by radiation (missing limbs, etc.) and "lurks" (the new word for vampire).
I didn't expect to love it as much as I did -- and I'm not really sure why. I think it might be because I wasn't sure how he would translate his amazing characters, witty banter and awesome fight scenes into comics. Well, I shouldn't have worried. Joss knows what he's doing.
The main character, Malaka Frey, is full of personality -- Joss made sure she wasn't just another big-chested fight machine who manages to somehow be mostly decent while scantily clad.
I felt like she was a real person -- albeit a real person who lives in crazy-land. She had to figure out what was going on, make tough choices, and make a few mistakes.
Of course, Joss also pulls a typical Joss-y thing: killing off characters you actually liked. But it made sense with the story, so I guess I can handle it (just hand me a tissue).
While wondering what Joss was going to do after Cabin in the Woods and The Avengers (both of which I am ecstatic about -- going to see Cabin in the Woods next week!!), this was a good reminder that whatever he does, it's going to be AWESOME.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Axe Cop (Volume I) by Malachai & Ethan Nicolle
I went on a comic book binge at the library on Sunday and came home with a treasure trove: some X-Men, Green Lantern, Batman, Grendel, and...
AXE COP.
If you miss the amazing brilliance of Invader Zim (which was written by comic book writer Jhonen Vasquez) or if you are a fan of the new and hilariously zany show Adventure Time, get your butt over to the Axe Cop website and enjoy.
Written by Malachi Nicolle (who was five or six when this all started -- he's now eight) and drawn by his older brother Ethan (who is in his 30's now), Axe Cop is the type of webcomic that makes your entire life better.
What I love about Axe Cop is that Ethan may ask Malachi questions, but the stories are entirely from the mind of a kid -- who loves unicorn horns, dinosaurs, policemen, and poisoning the bad guys (while also chopping their heads off).
In a world full of rules, boredom and adults that can be (if not always) stifling, Axe Cop is a wave of kick-butt awesomeness that is sure to overturn the darkest of days (like Tax Day).
There's so much to love about this webcomic -- the fact that Axe Cop looks like he's from the 80's, Uni-Baby (a baby with a unicorn horn), and the phrase, "It was a secret attack."
I think I giggled through the entire thing last night.
My favorite part of Axe Cop is the "Ask Axe Cop" (questions Ethan poses to Malachi from readers) section -- do yourself a favor and get in some laughs today.
AXE COP.
If you miss the amazing brilliance of Invader Zim (which was written by comic book writer Jhonen Vasquez) or if you are a fan of the new and hilariously zany show Adventure Time, get your butt over to the Axe Cop website and enjoy.
Written by Malachi Nicolle (who was five or six when this all started -- he's now eight) and drawn by his older brother Ethan (who is in his 30's now), Axe Cop is the type of webcomic that makes your entire life better.
What I love about Axe Cop is that Ethan may ask Malachi questions, but the stories are entirely from the mind of a kid -- who loves unicorn horns, dinosaurs, policemen, and poisoning the bad guys (while also chopping their heads off).
In a world full of rules, boredom and adults that can be (if not always) stifling, Axe Cop is a wave of kick-butt awesomeness that is sure to overturn the darkest of days (like Tax Day).
There's so much to love about this webcomic -- the fact that Axe Cop looks like he's from the 80's, Uni-Baby (a baby with a unicorn horn), and the phrase, "It was a secret attack."
I think I giggled through the entire thing last night.
My favorite part of Axe Cop is the "Ask Axe Cop" (questions Ethan poses to Malachi from readers) section -- do yourself a favor and get in some laughs today.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Bed-knob and Broomstick by Mary Norton
I read the Borrowers books quite a long time ago -- as a child, it fascinated me to imagine little people roaming in search of things to 'borrow'. I never read Bed-knob and Broomstick as a child and consequently love it a little less, for one reason:
It reminded me of Mary Poppins and Nurse Matilda.
I don't like either of those ladies -- they are mean and somewhat emotionally abusive to the children.
Mary Poppins takes the children on grand adventures and then tells them they're idiots to think it was anything but make-believe.
Nurse Matilda is just plain mean.
The main adult in this story is sometimes given to scaring the children -- which I'm sure is fun for little kids but I never liked being scared. But this was dangerous scary -- as in, she considered killing them to keep her identity as a witch secret. Untrustworthy adults are common enough in real life -- I don't need one more to make me unsure about joining adulthood!
There were some really funny moments and a bittersweet ending, which was nice, and I think by the second half of the story Miss Price grew on me. But those poor children -- whenever you get a taste of magic, it never really wears out, and they are forced, at the end of the book, so say goodbye to magic forever (probably a good thing, but try telling that to a twelve-year-old who is used to flying around the world and into the past on a magic bed!)
I just found out that there have been several adaptations of The Borrowers -- one including TOM FELTON (Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter Movies)!! It is the 1997 version, if you're interested. There's also a new one from 2011 that stars Stephen Fry that I want to see, but as it is British-produced, Netflix doesn't have it (yet). Boo.
Have you seen any of The Borrowers movies? Were they good? Which one should I see?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Outline
Last night I jammed my headphones on and tapped around my iPod, set it to the wistful score from "Finding Neverland" and got to work.
I scribbled and scribbled for hours, sometimes glancing up at the sheets I'd placed around me.
I am hesitant to declare it, so I'm simply going to suggest:
...I think I have a complete outline?
Whew. This is the first time I've had a really complete idea of where the story is going (?). I've even got little things creeping in here and there, callbacks and flashbacks and some madcap happenstances and a showdown. Plus a little love story on the side and a hopeful ending.
I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to follow this thing all the way through and complete my goal of 120 pages (4 pages per day) during ScriptFrenzy.
This is the most prep I've ever done for a NaNoWriMo/ScriptFrenzy project -- so here's hoping it pays off! I still want to make a playlist and add a few things to my Pinterest board.
And I need a name for the script.
I scribbled and scribbled for hours, sometimes glancing up at the sheets I'd placed around me.
I am hesitant to declare it, so I'm simply going to suggest:
...I think I have a complete outline?
Whew. This is the first time I've had a really complete idea of where the story is going (?). I've even got little things creeping in here and there, callbacks and flashbacks and some madcap happenstances and a showdown. Plus a little love story on the side and a hopeful ending.
I am cautiously optimistic that I will be able to follow this thing all the way through and complete my goal of 120 pages (4 pages per day) during ScriptFrenzy.
This is the most prep I've ever done for a NaNoWriMo/ScriptFrenzy project -- so here's hoping it pays off! I still want to make a playlist and add a few things to my Pinterest board.
And I need a name for the script.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)