Monday, November 30, 2009

Hiatus

I'm taking a bit of a break right now.  My break was forced upon me last week when I was struck down by an unpleasant strain of influenza.  That might not have been so bad if it wasn't coupled with a 3 day training course that had my brain otherwise occupied.

 

The icing on the cake was that it's simply easier to play video games than to be creative when your brain is already hindered so.  Thus I've taken the past seven days off from writing, and I think I needed the break.

 

I'll probably start the daily discipline again after my birthday, but that brings to mind an interview I heard with an author of whom I was a huge fan in high school; R.A. Salvatore.  When asked what advice he had for aspiring authors he said, "if you can stop, then stop."

 

I trust the implications thereof have settled in, especially in the shadow of recent confession of doing just that.  The question I counter with is this, "if I stop, what do I do with all the ideas in my head?"  The past few days have been both relaxing for me, and have allowed my mind to dream up potential new concepts for my characters to explore.

 

In short, I am not done, I just may shed my previous schedule.  I think the months of disciplined writing was good for me, as it taught me how to overcome certain obstacles; namely intimidating/uncertain scenes and days where I'm "not in the mood."  After a breather I should be back at it with vim and vigor.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Branches or the Trunk?


I've been writing a little on and off lately, though the sessions are longer which means the volume is about the same (34,000 so far).  I know that I need to nail down the bulk of my story before I move onto (one word or two?) other aspects, at least in earnest.  Thus I find myself yearning for time in my sketchbook, or Piant Shop, or blender; but resisting the urge to prevent distraction.  That discipline would be excellent if I wasn't in turn side-tracked by YouTube and other miscellaneous internet dross.  Sadly this tale does not come with resolution.