As I have mentioned previously, I was working on the 2nd romance book under a pseudonym.
Did you notice I said was?
I have been hitting a wall with that book. Oddly enough, it was one of the first ideas I ever had to do in the romance realm, but for some reason I can't seem to advance the story. I feel like wading through a field of thick mud up to my waist. I'm about 7500 words in too. But last week, I decided to step away from it, brainstorm where I want the story to go, and started something new.
The something new isn't in any of my established series. I, at first, thought of it as a short story. Within two days, I had 1500 words written and I'm thoroughly enjoying it--to date, I have close to 3,000 words. I will keep you updated on where this story leads. I've written stories where I didn't have a clue where it was going. It's fun, to be honest.
This is why I love the freedom of being able to write what I want, when I want.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Friday, September 21, 2018
Adapting to screen / Happenings In The Outhouse 21-Sept-2018
A few weeks ago, I watched the entire first season of the new Amazon Prime show Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. For me, anything that I can binge through from one episode to the next--this works with movies too, if I can watch them mostly in a single sitting--I place in high regard.
Back in college, a Tom Clancy movie was adapted to the screen: Clear and Present Danger. I posted a blog back in 2012 where I delved into this movie. Although my review of it was based on another movie that had come out at the time, the analysis still holds true.
This brings up another point of contention: do books being adapted to film have to follow the book exactly? My quick answer is: no.
Let me try explain. Books are simply ideas in written form. Movies and TV shows are ideas in theatrical form. There are things that can be done in books that can't be done in movies, and vice versa. And if books were ever made into video games, that opens up a whole new world.
For the new Jack Ryan show, it has absolutely nothing to do with the books. It just expands the stories involving the character of Jack Ryan in a whole new way.
Years ago, I read the book World War Z. I then watched the movie starring Brad Pitt. Guess what? I liked them both. My reason is that they're two takes on the same idea. Could the movie have been more truer to the book? Sure it could have. But it doesn't have to.
There are other shows that have been adapted, like Dr. Hannibal Lecter from the Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon to the TV show Hannibal.
Some people love their stories to be more truer to one medium versus the next. I'm not like that. I see the theatrical version and the book version as two versions of the same idea. The same could be said of video games, board games, audio productions, plays, poems, etc. All are different takes on the same idea.
Back in college, a Tom Clancy movie was adapted to the screen: Clear and Present Danger. I posted a blog back in 2012 where I delved into this movie. Although my review of it was based on another movie that had come out at the time, the analysis still holds true.
This brings up another point of contention: do books being adapted to film have to follow the book exactly? My quick answer is: no.
Let me try explain. Books are simply ideas in written form. Movies and TV shows are ideas in theatrical form. There are things that can be done in books that can't be done in movies, and vice versa. And if books were ever made into video games, that opens up a whole new world.
For the new Jack Ryan show, it has absolutely nothing to do with the books. It just expands the stories involving the character of Jack Ryan in a whole new way.
Years ago, I read the book World War Z. I then watched the movie starring Brad Pitt. Guess what? I liked them both. My reason is that they're two takes on the same idea. Could the movie have been more truer to the book? Sure it could have. But it doesn't have to.
There are other shows that have been adapted, like Dr. Hannibal Lecter from the Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon to the TV show Hannibal.
Some people love their stories to be more truer to one medium versus the next. I'm not like that. I see the theatrical version and the book version as two versions of the same idea. The same could be said of video games, board games, audio productions, plays, poems, etc. All are different takes on the same idea.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Sacrifice to achieve your goals / Happenings In The Outhouse 14-Sept-2018
I've tackled the thought of sacrifice before, but in light of current events with an ad for a certain shoe manufacturer and a former professional football player, I figured I'd briefly talk about it again.
Before I move on, let me get one thing straight: I'm not taking sides on the issue with the shoe maker and the ball thrower. Just wanted to clear that up.
What are you sacrificing in order to achieve your goals?
Back in college, I'm sure there were many parties I never attended because I was writing. At work nowadays, I spend most breaks and lunches writing.
I'm sacrificing time to do something I love.
When I'm at home, I do sacrifice time in order to do things with my family. Sure, there are times I wish I could join the local gym or go golfing (honestly, the course where I live is outstanding and is one of the best around) but I don't because it would take time away from my family as well as writing. I go out for walks on occasion, which helps.
What are your life goals?
In short, whatever your goals are, you need to get off your butt and do it. Are there stories I've written that not everyone likes? Of course! But I keep writing.
Keep doing what you're doing.
Sacrifice.
And win!
Before I move on, let me get one thing straight: I'm not taking sides on the issue with the shoe maker and the ball thrower. Just wanted to clear that up.
What are you sacrificing in order to achieve your goals?
Back in college, I'm sure there were many parties I never attended because I was writing. At work nowadays, I spend most breaks and lunches writing.
I'm sacrificing time to do something I love.
When I'm at home, I do sacrifice time in order to do things with my family. Sure, there are times I wish I could join the local gym or go golfing (honestly, the course where I live is outstanding and is one of the best around) but I don't because it would take time away from my family as well as writing. I go out for walks on occasion, which helps.
What are your life goals?
In short, whatever your goals are, you need to get off your butt and do it. Are there stories I've written that not everyone likes? Of course! But I keep writing.
Keep doing what you're doing.
Sacrifice.
And win!
Friday, September 7, 2018
What's in store for the rest of the year / Happenings In The Outhouse 07-Sept-2018
Blame it on DC and Marvel, but I have decided what's next for the remainder of the year. In a word: superheroes!
My youngest daughter has been watching a ton of Marvel's superhero movies lately--yes, Dad is grinning--and I've been watching the ones I haven't seen.
I'm currently writing the second romance novel under a pseudonym and I'm planning what to do next. I have a few things in mind--or, rather, I had a few things in mind. I have additional books in my thriller series as well as a cozy mystery series.
But, what comes to mind are more books in my Order of Freaks superhero universe.
I plan on finishing out the initial trilogy.
Good times are ahead . . .
My youngest daughter has been watching a ton of Marvel's superhero movies lately--yes, Dad is grinning--and I've been watching the ones I haven't seen.
I'm currently writing the second romance novel under a pseudonym and I'm planning what to do next. I have a few things in mind--or, rather, I had a few things in mind. I have additional books in my thriller series as well as a cozy mystery series.
But, what comes to mind are more books in my Order of Freaks superhero universe.
I plan on finishing out the initial trilogy.
Good times are ahead . . .
Friday, August 31, 2018
Carving out the time for your art / Happenings In The Outhouse 31-Aug-2018
I've talked about time management before, but let's take a slightly different approach.
Writing, for me, is the best therapy. Whenever I feel down or need to escape, sure I can easily watch a show on Netflix or listen to my favorite true crime podcast. But when I work on my writing, I'm accomplishing something. I'm creating something.
What is your art? What are you working on?
Even if it's time-consuming, work on it a piece at a time. Think of your time like a pie or a cake. Start out with a sliver of time (10-15 minutes, maybe) and do nothing but your art. Consume your art like you would the pie or cake. When you're done, you're done. It's okay to be done.
But don't be surprised that you'll want another slice . . .
Writing, for me, is the best therapy. Whenever I feel down or need to escape, sure I can easily watch a show on Netflix or listen to my favorite true crime podcast. But when I work on my writing, I'm accomplishing something. I'm creating something.
What is your art? What are you working on?
Even if it's time-consuming, work on it a piece at a time. Think of your time like a pie or a cake. Start out with a sliver of time (10-15 minutes, maybe) and do nothing but your art. Consume your art like you would the pie or cake. When you're done, you're done. It's okay to be done.
But don't be surprised that you'll want another slice . . .
Friday, August 24, 2018
Dipping my toe in the water / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-Aug-2018
I was going to name this blog post "Writer's block is a myth" but went with the current one instead.
A little over a month ago, I published my first novel under a secret pseudonym. I am currently writing the second novel under the same name, but somewhere around chapter four I hit a small roadblock. A bump, so to speak.
Yes, it was the middle of the summer and I have some repairs that need to be done on the house that I just don't want to do--honestly, I want to just hire it done and let them do it, even though it would probably take a good weekend to do it--but it needs to. We're also in the middle of "looking" for a newer vehicle. The vehicle I currently drive has over 200K miles on it and last winter was horrible on it.
So, with all that in mind, my mind really wasn't into the new book, even though I've been wanting to write it for a while now. I call it the "Can't Buy Me Love" movie for adults instead of geared toward teens.
But my mind just wasn't into it. I binged all eight seasons of Blue Bloods on Netflix as well as a handful of movies. Then something happened earlier this week. You see, all along, I've been dipping my toe in the writing waters a bit at a time. This week, I plunged right in. I said enough is enough and wrote. Between one night and morning, I cranked out over a thousand words. I currently have over 5,000 words written so far, with a plan to have it done by the end of September.
Back to the original title: "Writer's block is a myth." Being creative can be difficult at times. I won't fault someone for taking a break when life seems to happen, especially when things are out of your control.
But don't let the block rule your life. You, and only you, control your life. Take charge. Today.
A little over a month ago, I published my first novel under a secret pseudonym. I am currently writing the second novel under the same name, but somewhere around chapter four I hit a small roadblock. A bump, so to speak.
Yes, it was the middle of the summer and I have some repairs that need to be done on the house that I just don't want to do--honestly, I want to just hire it done and let them do it, even though it would probably take a good weekend to do it--but it needs to. We're also in the middle of "looking" for a newer vehicle. The vehicle I currently drive has over 200K miles on it and last winter was horrible on it.
So, with all that in mind, my mind really wasn't into the new book, even though I've been wanting to write it for a while now. I call it the "Can't Buy Me Love" movie for adults instead of geared toward teens.
But my mind just wasn't into it. I binged all eight seasons of Blue Bloods on Netflix as well as a handful of movies. Then something happened earlier this week. You see, all along, I've been dipping my toe in the writing waters a bit at a time. This week, I plunged right in. I said enough is enough and wrote. Between one night and morning, I cranked out over a thousand words. I currently have over 5,000 words written so far, with a plan to have it done by the end of September.
Back to the original title: "Writer's block is a myth." Being creative can be difficult at times. I won't fault someone for taking a break when life seems to happen, especially when things are out of your control.
But don't let the block rule your life. You, and only you, control your life. Take charge. Today.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Just because it's August doesn't mean summer is over / Happenings In The Outhouse 17-Aug-2018
I grew up in a small town in northwestern Minnesota. The county fair was usually around the third week of July.
During those days--and it seems to be just as true now--that the summer felt over once the fair was done. Especially when the calendar turned from July to August, school was right around the corner.
Never fear. August has 31 days. Don't waste it.
As a creative, we suffer from the same sense of dread to the end of the summer months. Kids will be back in school, and in turn will be going to bed earlier.
For the past few weeks, we have had some days where the heat is high--and so is the humidity. I would come home from work and want to do . . . nothing. No writing at all.
Now, did I do no writing? Nope. Was my output as high as before? Nope.
But I still wrote.
I am currently working on the second romance novel under my pseudonym. Sales on the first one are steady, as well as others.
Speaking of other books, I'm contemplating some price changes. Meaning, pricing going up. I'm testing it out in one of the smaller ebook retailers. If all goes well, I'll go wide with the rest.
During those days--and it seems to be just as true now--that the summer felt over once the fair was done. Especially when the calendar turned from July to August, school was right around the corner.
Never fear. August has 31 days. Don't waste it.
As a creative, we suffer from the same sense of dread to the end of the summer months. Kids will be back in school, and in turn will be going to bed earlier.
For the past few weeks, we have had some days where the heat is high--and so is the humidity. I would come home from work and want to do . . . nothing. No writing at all.
Now, did I do no writing? Nope. Was my output as high as before? Nope.
But I still wrote.
I am currently working on the second romance novel under my pseudonym. Sales on the first one are steady, as well as others.
Speaking of other books, I'm contemplating some price changes. Meaning, pricing going up. I'm testing it out in one of the smaller ebook retailers. If all goes well, I'll go wide with the rest.
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