So. Hi.
It has been a while since I've blogged. I haven't had much to write about, nothing too significant anyway, so I have refrained. Now that I am sitting here, I realize I have a lot to talk about. Ironically, it goes with my title. I realize I have so much to write about, I don't know where to begin. So let's talk about the topic first.
The previous post I wrote about being overwhelmed, and that is what I am talking about here, in a sense, and in a better sort of way.
My freedom on my projects has restricted me. It happens to everyone, and it pleases me I have realized it so. Let me give you an example.
How many times have you been on the internet, with nothing to do?
Or on Netflix, with nothing to watch?
And yet, when someone gives you an idea, gives you something to latch onto, your ideas seem to flourish. Like, say, if someone wanted to show you a funny clip on Youtube, suddenly you can think of at least five things to show your friend, because you've been narrowed down to funny.
It doesn't have to be an idea though, I mean what does every student say in high school when it comes to school projects? "I did it at the last minute, because that's when my thoughts just come together." When your time is not infinite, suddenly you are motivated to work.Or, when you are studying you can't seem to remember anything, but when you are taking the test, you are given the questions, you suddenly know the answers.
Being given an idea helps ideas, and in this sense, freedom is restricting.
I talked to my brother Dylan about my constant writers block I was having a few weeks ago. He is currently enrolled in an online school and does all of his work at home on his home PC. I asked him how he did his work with all the movies, TV, and games he has at his disposal on the very same computer. And he said the same thing every student does, "Honestly, I usually wait till the last minute, and then throw something together." Then he said something else that clicked with me, "But, it is the deadline that makes me work on it. Without the deadline there is no reason for me to finish the work." Again, his lack of freedom forces him to produce something.
Now, for school work, probably not the best way to work on things in my personal opinion.
However... Maybe for writing it is. Authors generally have multiple deadlines to progress their books. And maybe that is what I need on my projects. (I'll talk about all my projects in a few seconds.)
When Dylan and I were talking, I told him that that was probably key, the deadline. So he gave me a deadline to write 1500 words by the end of the week. I didn't accomplish this goal that week, but on the other hand I knew he wouldn't follow up. I also truly believe that if he gave me a deadline again, or if Kristi gave me a deadline, I probably wouldn't make it, because their "punishments" would be nothing. I may disappoint them, sure, but nothing would come of it. I think I need to be clever with myself and get something else going. Kristi believes if I get an artist for my comic, and I see a drawn picture of "Drave" I will be motivated, and that is very true, I may be. But until I get something concrete down with my artist friends, I need something for my writing...
Two ideas come to mind:
The first would be get a numerous amount of readers asking for my work. If I had that, then it might be motivation Or, get a few readers to edit different parts, and have them ask for more. Have the want be greater than the supply.
The other is a reward of some kind, maybe I can get a friend who likes my work to reward me with... I dunno, a free beer, or free lunch of some kind if I complete the task in a timely manner. I'd hate for my friends to have to pay me with food to work, but it's just a rough idea.
We'll have to see, Maybe I just need to get a Planner and use some self-discipline? :)
As for my writing projects. The first being my actual writing situation.
I have a desk!! It took a LOT longer on my part, because the desk I was originally gonna receive was small and I didn't like it much. Kristi and I found a desk that works perfectly for me.
I also have a marker board I am going to use for ideas, story boards, and possibly deadlines. It is magnetic, so images can be put on there as well, as well as prints of the story, covers, etc. It is 6'x4; a nice large board for anything I'll need. I made it myself, cost about $50 total. Which is an amazing price, considering anything remotely that size from Office Depot, Amazon, or Staples runs closer to $200. I'll post some pictures when we get it hung up. It will be hung up this week, I will make sure of it, because everything we have to get it hung up is in the office. I just need a second layer of adhesive on the magnetic metal and then it is GOOD TO GO.
Now, for the writing material. Each "--" is a writing project.
--I have two Anthologies for Drave. The first is pretty solid, but a few changes will be made to make sure it lines up with the actual story. The second is in a real rough draft stage and will probably be scrapped. Maybe it will be added as an extra for no reason other than I find it interesting to write about a story from a different characters perspective, but don't hold your hopes on that...
--I have three rough drafts of the actual story Drave that I want to see made into comics. Well, two and a half. The first Drave is complete, second is complete, and third is about 70% done.
--I have a 5-page story called "Faery" I will be submitting to Venomous Concepts Year-book collection. It has been written, heavily edited by Kristi, and I need to re-write it, I just haven't gotten around to it quite yet. I hope to get to it this week to make sure I can submit it.
--I am attempting a script for an anime I want to create. This idea came from a new RoosterTeeth launch called RWBY, and Kristi's desire to voice-act. We've talked about ways she can practice her voice-acting skills, because she has a desire just unknown as to "how to start". But, I decided that if she wanted to voice-act, I'll give her a character. In my honest opinion, she has a beautiful voice and I would love to hear her dialogue come from my writing. The first three episode outlines written out as to what I want to have happen. As well as where I want the characters to go. As for the scripts themselves, I am about half way done with the first one. I actually just stopped writing it to start writing this post, which had been itching at my mind. Anyway, after the scripts are done, I will be reaching out to anime artists for concept art and then possibly to amateur animators to possibly get some of this done! I am very lucky to have RWBY come out at the same time, because they have come out with their process and it makes sense and I know I could do it to with the help of some people.
--Lastly, I have several other short stories I have written and completed. They are unedited and will always be nothing but a document, so if you feel the need to read something interesting from my works feel free to let me know.
If you'd like to read them, the list is below:
"ROOSTER" about four soldiers in super suits
"The Estate" about a Duke, Ranger, and Warrior accepting their fate of death
"Faery" A prayer to the Faeries and the consequences of love.
"Drave Anthologies Part 1 & 2" they are a bit messy as they are unedited, but able to read if you have the desire to get a feel as to who I am writing about.
"Dwarven Hillside" Two Dwarves fighting a bear.
and "Heroes" A long story of a hero and his strange friends he meets along the way.
Anyway, that's about it in a nutshell. I will post about working out if I feel the need, but write now I am pretty content in that regard and there isn't any real updates on it.
Oh, one more thing whilst I am here. If you know how to draw, write, edit, and/or animate and are interested in any of this, feel free to comment below or e-mail me at brandonmhoffman@gmail.com
Show me some work, if you live in Phoenix and want to get together, we can definitely do that as well.
~Just a thought
“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” - Leonard Bernstein.
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