I managed to get a little more work done in Radiata Stories last night, actually progressing the story past the introductory bits and raising the main conflicts. It's an interesting tale-- and it remains hilarious at times, and touching at others-- but I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to go through it. Been busy with City of Heroes and other stuff.
Prime among them is working on a few ideas for the new NaNo. This week is a break week from writing-- actually I probably won't be doing more writing until closer to November. There. I'm setting goals. I like that. I've got the basic framework for the new NaNo set up-- rather than a monolithic tale it's going to be a dozen or so interweaving shorter stories-- and the first couple stories are plotted out just about fully. The basic idea is that all of the stories are independent but will fit a whole. I'm certainly not the first writer to try this-- and if you've seen that one episode of CSI that is probably my favorite ever, you know it can be applied to other media-- but it is worth a shot.
I'm actually at a loss for words right now, folks, but I will be posting the next in my NaNo pep talks as soon as I get home tonight. Catch you then.Wednesday, October 5, 2005 6:07:00p: TFO.net NaNoWriMo Pre-Game #2: One Thing At a Time*
(For those of you just joining us: We're organizing a collective push for National Novel Writing Month here at TFO.net. During the course of October, I'll be relating tips I learned after failing to complete last year's NaNo. I'll be publishing them weekly on Wednesday evenings.
Let me preface this with some interesting news-- I now own a Mac mini (and as much as I really want to capitalize that second word, like iPod it is miscapitalized as designed), after winning it in a community raffle two weeks ago (actually, a gift card for the Apple store in Legacy Village; it was sufficient for me to get the mid-range mini and a keyboard). I've done a significant amount of the most recent work on "A Game Of Lords" on it. The reasoning behind this is that, compared to the Windows XP computers I had, the mini-- running OS X 10.4 (Tiger)-- was a bit more friendly to my desires and elected decisions. I wanted to simply work with my file and not have to deal with distractions such as the countless tray icons I'd installed to help me do general-purpose work and gaming on the laptop.
I'm not here to advocate the Mac over the PC, no matter how much I want to after my positive experiences with the machine. My point during all of this is that it is very easy to say that you're going to sit down and write X number of words, and you'll get it done before Lost starts 'cause you want to see what's in the hatch. See? Doesn't work. You spend more time even planning for what you want to do after you write rather than planning your writing. I am not immune to this and in fact have violated this more times than I care to count, but still I am working at it. And to be honest this is what NaNo is all about-- forcing you into the time crunch that says, "Do it. Do it now. Why aren't you doing it yet? Stop screwing around and do it!"
Let me tell you a secret, or rather admit something that should be painfully obvious to you guys: I try to do too much stuff at once. (Pez, if you gasp in feigned shock I swear I will drive up to Erie and bust your face.) It's the nature of today's society that you're not really busy and you can't feel accomplished unless you're overloaded. If you're not drowning in work, you're not working hard enough. That sort of philosophy is a very dangerous one to have because it encourages you to cut corners in order to "finish" stuff, meaning you wind up going back so many times that it effectively doubles or triples your workload. I personally think that "work smarter, not harder" is the single most destructive phrase in all of business philosophy-- you might as well just come right out and say "go ahead and cheat when nobody's looking because half-assed and on time is better than late and quality".
You're probably wondering why I'm talking about business when I'm supposed to be talking about writing. Thing is, you have to approach them as the same thing. On my drive in this morning I started to think a little bit about Neal Stephenson. I'd mentioned him before in regards to "The Diamond Age", but he's done some other fantastic nonfiction writing, as well as being an accomplished coder in his own right. I started to wonder where and when he blurred the line between his original profession of coder and his more prominent role as writer, if he did at all. Because for at least two of us here at TFO.net, that question might come up (actually, it will come up for all of us at some point, with differing values for $previous_job; but that's just my confidence in you guys talking).
I thought about that and I realized that the question wasn't in the future for me-- it was an immediate question. It was a question that could not be put off for when I "finished the draft" because if I say that, then I'll never finish the draft. After all, coders don't write novels-- writers do. Coders deal with kilobytes upon kilobytes of line-noise gobbledegook that resolves, after concentration, into a set of instructions for a relatively stupid machine; a writer doesn't do that. A writer doesn't worry about what's on the stove, that's a job for a single guy. I had to face a question when I sat down at the keyboard. Was I a coder or was I a writer? This wasn't "what do I want to be", this was "what am I, right in this moment"? That has to be on your mind when you sit down to write. A writer doesn't concern himself with what's on the tube, a writer doesn't ask herself what she needs to add into the codebase to allow permalinks-- a writer just sits down and bangs out text, pure pulp that he or she will shape later during the editing process. Being a writer supercedes all other roles while you write.
So we come back to the first paragraph. Sure, I could have used the gift card and picked up one of the nifty U2 iPods that could carry my entire music library. I could have picked a crapload of expensive gear for my existing iPod. I could have just let it sit until I thought of something better to do with it. What I decided to do was to get the Mac in order to thrust me into a new mindset. Sitting in front of the mini, I am forced to re-learn everything, and I gladly do it with the writer's perspective in mind. I can't fall back on tools I know, using Google to rustle up new gear, or blasting The Cape and wishing I was in Paragon. Actually, when I write, I turn off my net access completely so I'm not tempted. The only sounds come from the music channels on the TV behind me.
I don't advocate you rushing out to buy a Mac mini (well, all right, I do, but for different reasons). What I do advocate is distancing yourself from all your other stuff in progress while you write. You can't write if you're being inundated with interruptions and sensory triggers urging you to some other distraction. You need to sit yourself down, fire up your word processor, and just write.
Like I said last time, plotting the story out can be an intense distraction. I started work on an outline point last night, got twelve hundred words into it, and had to quit because I was thinking too far ahead. I made it through the outline point all right, but I just couldn't continue due to thinking about the plot of the next story. I haven't even finished this one yet! How could I handle the second book?! The sad part is, when I gave up and turned to the TV, gradually I began to feel guilty because I had stopped myself "writing".
You have to realize that unless the cursor is advancing and text is blooming beneath it, you are explicitly not writing. You cannot do more than that when you write, unless you're not writing. So the best way to do things, in my experience, anyway, is to sit yourself down and prevent yourself from doing anything but typing. It doesn't have to be great right now-- great will come later, when you've got some distance-- but for right now, "on paper" is what you're looking for. There are a few things which will help you do this.
First, and this might seem counterproductive, but wear headphones attached to your computer's speakers (or some other immobile device nearby, like a stereo). This way you become quite literally chained to your desk. It's more work for you to break the barriers of distraction in this way, and that means you will resist doing so until you absolutely must. This puts everyone's subconscious laziness to work for good. Secondly, if you have your outline done ahead of time (which you should), make sure it's printed out and nearby. You might also want to consider printing out a copy of your existing work so that you can go back and forth. The idea being that you want to keep your screen focused on the blank part of the page as much as possible, so that you feel compelled to fill it. Finally, don't write within a specified window of time. If you have something you want to watch, set your VCR. If you have a phone call to make, do it before you sit down. Set aside as much time as you can to write, then write until you feel you've reached a stopping point. You can make a goal of X number of outline points, or you can say "I'll write until I end a chapter", or just end whenever you feel like it. Your only task is to sit there and write for as long as it takes. If you want to time yourself, use a CD or some other audio clue that doesn't have an explicit countdown.
The basic point is that in order to get to 50,000, you have to have sufficient time to do so, along with the right environment. Don't distract yourself and don't allow yourself to become distracted. Do it and do it by itself and you'll be fine.
Next week I'll talk a bit about how to deal with a stalled plot. Monday, October 10, 2005 9:37:00p: *
I took some time tonight and watched through Final Fantasy VII: Last Order. Very interesting; it doesn't really add a whole lot to the story of FF7 but it does make for a damn pretty retelling of the Nibelheim scenes. From what I hear the fights in Advent Children are just as awe-inspiring; I'm looking forward to it.
Some of you might have remembered my mention of Mai HiME a few months back. Well, the continuation of that tale, Mai Otome, has just started broadcast in Japan and the fansubs are out in short order. I caught that tonight, too. There are obvious paralells to the first series in terms of character designs and thematic elements; however just looking at it right now, I'm going to reserve judgement until a few things start making a bit more sense. That's usually how it is with anime anyway-- just ride out any initial confusion and it'll click eventually.
Speaking of things making sense, Friday night I took a trip to the movies and saw Serenity. Now, bear in mind that I have only a passing interest in the rest of Joss Whedon's work-- I really only watched Buffy for the whole snarky humor thing going on in the dialogue-- and, prior to the movie, had no knowledge whatsoever of any of the universe as set forth by Firefly. Even with all of these handicaps, I still cannot stop thinking about this movie. It was that damn good, folks. I look at this movie and I realize that either more movies are going to be made or the series will resurrect itself. And this time you can bet your bottom dollar that people are going to watch it. I know I will. Matter of fact I might just be persuaded to go again if the right accompaniment is found.
Ahem. Anyway.
Last few bits before I call it a night. There's a Cleveland NaNo meeting on Thursday, so I have to remember to get to that. The forum folks here at TFO.net have readily shown their support and I am proud to say that there's something in it for you if you participate, even in just a little bit of a capacity. But that's a matter for after November ends. In the meantime, if you haven't already, please make sure you register for the NaNo forums; registration opened on October 1st and there's a huge community of writers and slackers willing to help. It's good to go out and meet folks, right?
Next, I've been meaning to ask this for a while now, but does anyone kave a particular favorite podcast they want to mention? I pretty much only listen to This Week in Tech and the iTunes New Music Tuesday, but I also catch Jonny's GASHCast when he updates it. I need more, simply put, so if you folks have anything you listen to and think I ought to, let me know.
Finally, I just want to announce this so nobody misunderstands me: There are no more ninjas in the left pint of diesel cheese. That is all.Wednesday, October 12, 2005 8:13:00p: A Nation Of Gamers United*
Please see the following article, written by yours truly:
That's the single most political thing I've ever written and I stand by every single word of it. And anyone who disagrees with me-- the forums are right over there. Say your piece.Thursday, October 13, 2005 7:36:00a: *
In more amusing news: Greg Dean is going to become one of the Lost! (that's a City of Heroes gag as opposed to a "creepy Island of Plane Wreck Attraction +2" gag, which I hope at least someone will get... If nobody does, meh.)
Later, folks. I'd be doing something really cool tonight, but I have something else equally as cool to do instead, so I'll do that. Sadly, I can't tell you about either of them until it's over.Thursday, October 13, 2005 9:25:00a: *
This entry's on time-delay.
The NaNo pep talk for this week was delayed unfairly by what was published yesterday; I'll try to get it uploaded tonight.
Nothing else worth mentioning just yet.Sunday, October 16, 2005 3:56:00p: *
Last week I saw Serenity, which I suppose I need to tell no one that it was the single best sci-fi movie I've seen in at least ten years. If you haven't already, I suggest you check it out. The thing is, of course, that it prompted me to go out and pick up the Firefly boxed set-- probably the sole purpose of the movie. After the pilot episode and the train heist, my sole question is this: Why was this show cancelled, and why didn't Fox realize what it was they had? Everything about the show screams a testament to its awe. The writing, the set design, and even the acting. Hell, this is the first time I've liked a Baldwin since Beetlejuice. It gets you all the cliches of a space drama done Joss Whedon style-- which is to say, they're so far twisted that they're no longer cliches. Having endured Buffy and Angel by osmosis, I have to say it's surprising how fresh his writing and directorial style still is.
Now, that said, I know for sure there won't be another TV series based on the material. And the prospects of more movies are pretty damn slim. Still, what was good was great, and what was relatively mediocre was still good. I have another three discs to watch but you can bet I'll be watching it.
Also picked up recently was Kino's Journey; it's been on The List since I saw bits of it at Otakon last year and the thin-pack boxed set was priced well. Haven't cracked that open yet but I'll have to sometime this week.
Finally, I would like to reiterate my statement from just about this time two years ago: Disgaea is hard.Tuesday, October 18, 2005 7:50:00p: Some Changes to My TFO.net*
Quick additions to My TFO.net tonight-- first off, the form is now sticky, so you don't have to re-enter all of your changes each time you want to edit something. This is good because I've added a new feature to the site: you can now choose whether to open links on the Links Page in a new window or the main window. Previously I was a tyrant and said you had to open your links in a new window; I've relaxed on that a bit. Hit the config page if you want to do that.
Also, the Links Page now lists Blogs in place of News. Everybody knows about CNN and MSNBC, and there's no point in me having them on my site (hell, I don't even read them). The Blogs category lets me lists the sites I do read and find interesting. I've added three to that section, then-- Joystiq, Kotaku, and Unquiet Desperation. Well worth the reads.
I'm going to go eat dinner now and then settle in for TV. NCIS and Commander-in-Chief both have me hooked this season. Besides, I feel like today was productive.Sunday, October 23, 2005 6:49:00p: *
Hey, folks.
I have meant to say quite a bit over the past couple days but never quite got the time. And now that I do, it appears that the sharp pain in my left wrist is telling me that I shouldn't say much of anything right now. So I'm going to have to call it a night and watch more TV.Friday, October 28, 2005 7:24:00a: *
Morning, folks. Very little to say right now-- at least my wrist is better so that I can say stuff. Anyway, just to recap what's been happening in brief in preparation for a real post tomorrow:
* Doom sucked, but not as bad as it could have sucked. I mean, we all knew it was going to suck, it was just a matter of how hard; I was surprised, actually, at how almost-watchable it was. I was also surprised that people were bringing their five year old children to see it; in that sentence "surprised" is a synonym for "filled with unholy rage".
* Doom 3 is what caused the wrist injury, so I whipped out the old Nostromo pad and set that up in a more comfortable position. After about an hour or so of gameplay I am actually in the shooting war, which is good; I am also understanding why people are mad about the "flashlight OR gun" issue, especially when monsters will rip you apart with mind bullets while you switch gear.
* City of Villains starts up in a couple days. Not much I can say about that due to lack of exposure to it; I probably won't even be getting much of a chance to check it out this month, due to...
* NaNoWriMo starting on Tuesday. I had every intention of finishing my outline these past couple days but other events conspired against me (like, say, a random and totally uncalled for bug inspection causing me to rearrange my whole damn apartment); still, I'll be getting that done tomorrow as well as finishing up the Perl code to monitor uploads. We're going to do this, folks, and we're going to do it right. Let's see some enthusiasm for it, OK?
* Finally, this one goes out to my sister, whom I love dearly. I managed to pick up a demo of the new Neopets PS2 game. While I haven't risked my masculinity by playing it yet, you can rest assured that I will. Once I know something about it, you'll know. And, presumably, the rest of the world will know. 'Cause my site will be, inexplicably, undeniably, and horrifically pink.Sunday, October 30, 2005 11:04:00p: *
Hey, folks. Just wanted to drop a little bomb on you guys here before the end of the weekend. Remember how I used to be on the radio back in the day?
Aw, screw it, I'm too thrilled about this to be coy. I've been hired by The Cape Radio, currently as a free-floating DJ. I don't really have an idea as to when I'll start-- I just had my mike test tonight, actually-- but as soon as I know when I'll be on the air, I'll let you guys know.
NaNo is shaping up to be awesome this year. Maybe I'll finih my outline before the first.... naaaah, probably not.