My friend Lezley gave me some advice about how to handle this blog and writing in general. Don't make promises, just give results. Or something like that. She probably remembers the exact wording better than I. And as a result, I haven't been making to many lofty promises except to one person, myself. And while I do believe in this mantra of sorts, there are a few promises that I've made that have helped me to get back on the horse recently.
It always surprises me when complete strangers like my work. I've been showing off my work for a while now, but mostly it has been to friends and family and sometimes I wonder if they're just smiling and nodding and patting my head when it comes to writing. I know they aren't of course, because I trust them, but also because of all of the reaction I've been getting to my work as it begins to spread. I was at my friend Etienne's house and I had an entire dinner table rapt with my writing ideas. Rapt may not be the best word, but I'm marketing myself here. Entralled! Heh. I pitched to them some of my work that I've done and yes, even some work I haven't even started. They seemed to like my ideas and they all said they'd read them. That's always a nice feeling. Now I actually have to write them.
Speaking of Etienne, there's another promise that I've made, but one I fully intend to keep. Etienne is an artist and a fantastic one at that. And he's a fan of me and I'm a fan of him and we totally want to work together on something. And I'm sure we will soon. I've been telling him my dreams, which isn't so much a promise as it is a goal I don't know how to obtain right at the moment. I told him how I want to write comics and make short films of my work and he thought it would be an awesome idea. I completely agree with him too. As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will make it a reality. Oops, a promise. Well, it's a dream.
As for promises, I'm still waiting on my editors to get back to me so I can finally complete A Glimpse Through The Curtains. It's practically clean up time for the majority of them, nothing major anymore. But it still needs to be done. I still need to figure out the plan for how I'm going to distribute them. I'll be looking into magazines soon, but honestly, I still want to self publish.
Anyway, that's enough for me now. It's a result to get a blog post out and now hopefully more will be on the way as I begin to write Secretary more. Keep you posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110328
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Writing Fan Fiction
For the last week and a bit, I've been writing fan fiction. It makes me realize how much I've missed writing it. I love to write fan fiction. I've been writing fan fiction long before I even knew there was such a thing. It's really how I got started writing. I would take other peoples characters and put them into other peoples situations to make something unique. Okay, blatantly plagiaristic. Hey, I was between the ages of five and twelve. I didn't know anything about copyright infringement. At least until I got zero on my report in grade 3 for copying out the book. Its how my imagination began to blossom. For years, my main focus had been on Commander Keen and inventing new adventures, characters, enemies for him. He had a bat cave and a mermaid girlfriend and everything. Looking back on it now, it was kind of silly while being really really cool.
I guess I'd still be writing the same way if it hadn't been for my Uncle Ed. He asked me why don't I create something for myself. And like that, my life was changed forever. He and I created something unique. Or at least less blatantly plagiaristic. We created a metal being, whose planet was destroyed by human miners, who kills the humans on his world and heads for earth for revenge, only to be sent back in time to Earth before the miners left and he has to stop them for even going. As I came up with ideas, my uncle would write down one word themes. Little did I know, this would be my first introduction to plot elements and construction.
Since that day, I still stole other peoples situations and gadgets and ships and planet names, but I started to develop my own characters and way of writing. And as I went along, I got better and better and soon my work could stand alone as its own two feet as an original work. But I still love to do fan fiction.
To me, fan fiction is an art form of its own. Its a challenge to see how well you know the characters. Not necessarily their past story and every little detail about them. But the general idea of them. What are they like? How would they react? What would they do? And that's what I play around with in my fan fiction. And most of all, try to have fun with it. If you're not having fun with it, why even bother?
The first story I ever published on the internet was a fan fiction. An adult fan fiction to be precise. That is a fan fiction that involves adult situations. It was a short little tale based off of the video game Neverwinter Nights. A short tale that became an epic novel filled with fantasy and sex. And one that broke off from its video game fan fiction roots and took on a lot of its own creation. Which makes it harder to write. While I wanted to write this novel with all its wonderful characters, I had to remember half of them were not mine. And I couldn't change the characters that weren't mine to be mine because it wouldn't be fair to the work. Its a fan fiction and a sequel to the game. Plus, I never ever got feed back. A hundred hits a week, but no feed back. It just do well for my self esteem. So I stopped posting them. But I still write them once and a while.
So for now, I'll write them privately and work on my book. But fan fiction will always hold a place in my heart.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110325
I guess I'd still be writing the same way if it hadn't been for my Uncle Ed. He asked me why don't I create something for myself. And like that, my life was changed forever. He and I created something unique. Or at least less blatantly plagiaristic. We created a metal being, whose planet was destroyed by human miners, who kills the humans on his world and heads for earth for revenge, only to be sent back in time to Earth before the miners left and he has to stop them for even going. As I came up with ideas, my uncle would write down one word themes. Little did I know, this would be my first introduction to plot elements and construction.
Since that day, I still stole other peoples situations and gadgets and ships and planet names, but I started to develop my own characters and way of writing. And as I went along, I got better and better and soon my work could stand alone as its own two feet as an original work. But I still love to do fan fiction.
To me, fan fiction is an art form of its own. Its a challenge to see how well you know the characters. Not necessarily their past story and every little detail about them. But the general idea of them. What are they like? How would they react? What would they do? And that's what I play around with in my fan fiction. And most of all, try to have fun with it. If you're not having fun with it, why even bother?
The first story I ever published on the internet was a fan fiction. An adult fan fiction to be precise. That is a fan fiction that involves adult situations. It was a short little tale based off of the video game Neverwinter Nights. A short tale that became an epic novel filled with fantasy and sex. And one that broke off from its video game fan fiction roots and took on a lot of its own creation. Which makes it harder to write. While I wanted to write this novel with all its wonderful characters, I had to remember half of them were not mine. And I couldn't change the characters that weren't mine to be mine because it wouldn't be fair to the work. Its a fan fiction and a sequel to the game. Plus, I never ever got feed back. A hundred hits a week, but no feed back. It just do well for my self esteem. So I stopped posting them. But I still write them once and a while.
So for now, I'll write them privately and work on my book. But fan fiction will always hold a place in my heart.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110325
Friday, March 18, 2011
Bleak World
(Warning: Morbid)
I see a faded old sign, on a dusty old street as I walk aimlessly to I know not where. The sign welcomes me to Bleak World. I know this place well. I once lived here. All the colours are off, the people are mere shapes and the national anthem is a skipping rhyme sung off key.
I walk the streets filled with houses fallen to disrepair, but people live there unnoticed and uncaring. They don't speak, and when they do they speak in a strange font that chills me to the bone with its aggressive friendliness. They speak only in promises and play little games in the dark. I move on.
Terrible things happened in Bleak World, but it was a long time ago. No one speaks of it, but it echoes off the walls like a memory that no one can forget. The ashes of every fire that ever burned littered the ground and burns the nostrils of anyone who stays close. And still, I move on.
It is always Autumn in Bleak World. The trees have let their leaves fall to the ground to rot and everything seems to be waiting to die. No birds are around save for the black birds that wait for the food to be ready. In many ways, these birds are the only friends I trust here.
The graveyard is large and mostly unkempt and the cemetery gate opens and closes to the wind who is the only visitor. It happily opens to me with the same squeak it gives the wind and slams behind me with the next gust. I am assaulted by the names of the past and I know them all so well. Some of the graves are nameless, but I know who lies there. There are not who I've come to see.
There I am. My grave stands tall, reminding me that I lived here once, in this cold dark world where nothing tasted good, where no colours but brown existed. And I read the epitaph with a triumphant nod. I took it from a poem that I hate, but it is a line that is most fitting.
“Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not here. I did not die.”
I don't look back as I slip through the cracked graveyard wall and walk away.
Goodbye, Bleak World.
(This is a little piece I'm working on, inspired by the Tim Burton Exhibition. Sometimes to get something out of your head, you need to write it down. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.
If you're wondering, I'm actually feeling pretty good today. Life is pretty perfect, except for the writing block. I'll talk to you guys soon.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110318)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Chapter 6: Done!
Alright! Chapter 6's first draft is really finished this time. Excellent! I had to power through it and it came out pretty well. Now the editing of the book can happen in earnest!
Yeah, that's all I have to say. I got to finish a couple of other things now. I'll keep you guys posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110312
Yeah, that's all I have to say. I got to finish a couple of other things now. I'll keep you guys posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110312
Friday, March 11, 2011
Uninspired
I'm not sure whether its a dip in depression after writing the first draft of my book, or not being able to come up with sixth chapter or just one of the many events or concerns that are on my mind, but I've got the block again. I haven't been able to think of things to write in my blog. I try to think of something. Maybe putting up a short story, but I don't know any I want to share right at the moment. Psycho Duck takes more time and energy than I would have hoped he would. And I always wonder 'what's the point' when I start doing something like My Writing Heroes. Still, I know it's the depression speaking during these times and not 'really' me. Doesn't change the fact that these times still happen and when they do, they suck. Still got to move on.
I'm thinking about selling some items that I own in order to get some money for self publishing. I was thinking about printing out the books myself, but I couldn't figure out how that works.
I got to go for now. Something's weighing on my mind and I have to deal with it.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110311
I'm thinking about selling some items that I own in order to get some money for self publishing. I was thinking about printing out the books myself, but I couldn't figure out how that works.
I got to go for now. Something's weighing on my mind and I have to deal with it.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110311
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A week without a blog post
It's been a week since I've posted in this blog and a lot has happened. Not much of it has been writing related. Chapter 6 of Grandma Hannah continues to kick my ass, no matter what way I look at it. I'm considering just cutting it out altogether and extending certain scenes in chapter 7 to compensate for it. I'm not sure what I'm trying to do with it, but I know it has to be important. We shall see.
A Glimpse through the Curtains has been going well, except a few people never got back to me. That's disheartening to say the least, but the feedback that I have received has been very useful. I'm thinking about how to use it and I might take a page out of my sister's boyfriend's book and make these stories into panphlets. It's cheaper than making a book and maybe I can squeeze in a few more illustrations from my friends. That still leaves the question of where I should sell it and who my audience is. I'm thinking my audience might be artists. They've seemed to be enjoying them the most without a lot of raised eyebrows. That too, we shall see.
I've been experimenting with ways to get myself motivated into writing. I bought a printer and a three hole punch. Now I'm left with paper flying everywhere and random binders making their way back and forth between my bed and my desk, depending on which one I'm using at the time. I also need to clean my room, but that's another story.
Trying to beat a bout of depression that's been hitting me hard and repeatedly while writing can be difficult, but I can't cripple under my depression with so much work needing to be done. This week, I'm looking into some volunteer oppurtunities that might include cheaper and healthier food. Fingers crossed. Hopefully it will include some experience, I'd love to look for a job. Self publishing and trips to Ottawa don't pay for themselves.
Hopefully the blog will be a little steadier now. I'll try to force myself to do my best. I'll keep you guys posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110308
A Glimpse through the Curtains has been going well, except a few people never got back to me. That's disheartening to say the least, but the feedback that I have received has been very useful. I'm thinking about how to use it and I might take a page out of my sister's boyfriend's book and make these stories into panphlets. It's cheaper than making a book and maybe I can squeeze in a few more illustrations from my friends. That still leaves the question of where I should sell it and who my audience is. I'm thinking my audience might be artists. They've seemed to be enjoying them the most without a lot of raised eyebrows. That too, we shall see.
I've been experimenting with ways to get myself motivated into writing. I bought a printer and a three hole punch. Now I'm left with paper flying everywhere and random binders making their way back and forth between my bed and my desk, depending on which one I'm using at the time. I also need to clean my room, but that's another story.
Trying to beat a bout of depression that's been hitting me hard and repeatedly while writing can be difficult, but I can't cripple under my depression with so much work needing to be done. This week, I'm looking into some volunteer oppurtunities that might include cheaper and healthier food. Fingers crossed. Hopefully it will include some experience, I'd love to look for a job. Self publishing and trips to Ottawa don't pay for themselves.
Hopefully the blog will be a little steadier now. I'll try to force myself to do my best. I'll keep you guys posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110308
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Why I Don't Write When I'm Sick...
Okay, so I've said time and time again that I do not write while I'm sick. Well, I do, but I usually reject everything I write while I'm sick. When I'm sick I come up with ideas that I think, at the time, are these wonderful great ideas that need to be shared with everyone. Like this blog post explaining why I shouldn't write when I'm sick. See what I mean? Let me give you an example today.
Okay, while in a dehydrated, fever stupor I came up with this idea for a short story maybe novel. It's about a woman who meets a guy and they become intimate. However, during intimacy, she becomes psychically connected to this man so that during their intimacy, they become one conciousness. She knows everything about him and he knows everything about her. They become one. Afterwards, she lost and confused as to who she really is, him or her as she has both his memories and her memories. But it gets better/worse. It turns out that this power/occurance is actually a sexually transmitted disease and now she is a carrier. So every time she's intimate with someone, she gains their memories, hopes, fears, whatnot and vise versa and then they too get the same disease the same way.
Great idea, right?
That's a tame one. It was pretty intense when I thought about it, but I was having a fever dream at the time. It was just too surreal. I could feel myself in that scenario and it was driving me nuts. So I wrote down some of what I was feeling:
This is what our minds have been waiting for...
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I don't write while I'm sick.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110302
Okay, while in a dehydrated, fever stupor I came up with this idea for a short story maybe novel. It's about a woman who meets a guy and they become intimate. However, during intimacy, she becomes psychically connected to this man so that during their intimacy, they become one conciousness. She knows everything about him and he knows everything about her. They become one. Afterwards, she lost and confused as to who she really is, him or her as she has both his memories and her memories. But it gets better/worse. It turns out that this power/occurance is actually a sexually transmitted disease and now she is a carrier. So every time she's intimate with someone, she gains their memories, hopes, fears, whatnot and vise versa and then they too get the same disease the same way.
Great idea, right?
That's a tame one. It was pretty intense when I thought about it, but I was having a fever dream at the time. It was just too surreal. I could feel myself in that scenario and it was driving me nuts. So I wrote down some of what I was feeling:
This is what our minds have been waiting for...
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I don't write while I'm sick.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110302
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Grandma Hannah: One Week Later
Okay, so I've been sick for the last couple of days with flu/cold/something that makes everything in my body hurt and have a bad cough. Diagnoses are welcome but unnecessary. I've broken my rule about posting something at least every other day, but not the more important rule of never to write when I'm sick. I'm still sick, but I'm not here to rant about my body functions. I want to talk a little about my novel.
I've put all of the chapter first drafts into one document to give you these impressive statistics. Grandma Hannah, Fool Hannah is 49 pages long, single spaced with each chapters starting on a new page. The first draft is 19,851 words long. This unfortunately takes it out of the running for a Nanowrimo candidacy. *shrugs*. I expect that number to double by the time the fifth draft happens. The second draft is being done chapter by chapter as the old one was and I will probably continue to work on the book the same way until I'm comfortable with having it just as one long manuscript.
So there is an update. Its not much, but you deserve such. My headache tells me that writing is bad right now, so I'm going to sleep it off. I'll keep you posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110301
I've put all of the chapter first drafts into one document to give you these impressive statistics. Grandma Hannah, Fool Hannah is 49 pages long, single spaced with each chapters starting on a new page. The first draft is 19,851 words long. This unfortunately takes it out of the running for a Nanowrimo candidacy. *shrugs*. I expect that number to double by the time the fifth draft happens. The second draft is being done chapter by chapter as the old one was and I will probably continue to work on the book the same way until I'm comfortable with having it just as one long manuscript.
So there is an update. Its not much, but you deserve such. My headache tells me that writing is bad right now, so I'm going to sleep it off. I'll keep you posted.
Peace and blessings
Eric Rawlinson
20110301
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