I've been having trouble thinking up things to write about this blog and it seems my rigidity about it is proving part of the problem.
Namely, my pattern of writing about politics on Tuesdays and generally what I like on Thursdays is getting in the way. It's inhibiting my writing by pigeonholing my habits into a pattern that I don't feel comfortable and making it more a chore and that's certain to kill this blog again.
There's also the matter that I get really depressed with Harper's antics and I'd rather not dwell on them. As it is I'm already a member of both the Federal and Provincial NDP and support the Council of Canadians, The Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, Fair Vote Canada and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Besides, with the number of people who read visit this thing, simply posting particular news stories I like on Facebook is a much more efficient way of sharing them.
So, I'm changing my style and following the example of Mark Evanier's blog and just confine myself to more concise statements concerning politics before presenting links to writers more experienced and adept to say something really insightful whether it be Gwynne Dyer or the staff of The Toronto Star. Instead, I'll be focusing more on writing things that are actually enjoyable to write about like film, animation and comics.
I guess it's just a matter of dropping some pretensions and relaxing a bit and maybe this blog will actually be fun for a change.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Thoughts of putting my pen where my mouth is.
Given my statement in my previous blog, sometimes I wonder if I should be challenged of by the idea of "Let's See YOU Do Better."
The fact is that I have a call center job that works most weekday evenings and the weekends. As such, I can't join any stage production without requesting a week's time off and given the job's vagaries, that is a luxury I simply can't afford. The funny thing was I was invited to participate by the owner of the old Maverick's store, but I was in no mood to play an extra in yet another copy of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Now, if that guy had the ambition to try his hand at something similar to Jeff Smith's Clerks, I would love to try my hand at that.
As for play writing, I have always been intimidated by the idea of writing dialogue. I don't know how good writers can do it creating the words of people and make them sound human and real in some emotional sense. I can formulate plots and general characters to some degree, but I don't feel capable of pulling all the elements together for a real story.
On other hand, I find George Lucas very inspirational for me as a narrative writer; if only that his dialogue, unassisted by Laurence Kasdan's rewrites, is so inept that I know I could do better. In fact, I've pondered how I could have rework Amidala and Anakin's dialogue in their final exchange in Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith so much, I might post my musings later as a exercise. To that end, Plotbot is a real help.
As it is, the closest I have gotten to fiction writing is the hundreds of plot summaries I have written for the Internet Movie Database (You can see my newer ones here if you wish), but I don't if I can match up to Jason Rip or Jayson McDonald in that kind of talent.
Still, my netbook bag has 2-3 books on writing along with the hardware and I may just get the gumption to finally try to something more consistently worthwhile with my writing.
The fact is that I have a call center job that works most weekday evenings and the weekends. As such, I can't join any stage production without requesting a week's time off and given the job's vagaries, that is a luxury I simply can't afford. The funny thing was I was invited to participate by the owner of the old Maverick's store, but I was in no mood to play an extra in yet another copy of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Now, if that guy had the ambition to try his hand at something similar to Jeff Smith's Clerks, I would love to try my hand at that.
As for play writing, I have always been intimidated by the idea of writing dialogue. I don't know how good writers can do it creating the words of people and make them sound human and real in some emotional sense. I can formulate plots and general characters to some degree, but I don't feel capable of pulling all the elements together for a real story.
On other hand, I find George Lucas very inspirational for me as a narrative writer; if only that his dialogue, unassisted by Laurence Kasdan's rewrites, is so inept that I know I could do better. In fact, I've pondered how I could have rework Amidala and Anakin's dialogue in their final exchange in Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith so much, I might post my musings later as a exercise. To that end, Plotbot is a real help.
As it is, the closest I have gotten to fiction writing is the hundreds of plot summaries I have written for the Internet Movie Database (You can see my newer ones here if you wish), but I don't if I can match up to Jason Rip or Jayson McDonald in that kind of talent.
Still, my netbook bag has 2-3 books on writing along with the hardware and I may just get the gumption to finally try to something more consistently worthwhile with my writing.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Well, the moment that I have been dreading has come at last; London Hydro is moving to Time of Use pricing for their electricity as of tomorrow at least to some degree. For the people who have typical day jobs, they can avoid much of the high periods in the summer, provided that the smart meters are working properly. What really annoys me is those who whine about working with that new reality like that jerk who bellyaches in a letter to the editor in the LFP about not being to eat his oatmeal in the morning. Can't these people think of the bigger picture even if the provincial government could more diplomatic about these measures, expecially concerning the wind turbines initiative?
While in principle, this new pricing structure has some logic, I'm going to be a frustrating position myself. Namely, I share the house with a commercial tenant in the front who obviously operates largely in the peak times for electricity and all my attempts to work within the strictures of the pricing will be countered by their demands. Working from home now, I know I am not going to be blameless in this situation, but would it kill them to at least turn on their ceiling fan?
On a lighter note, the Brickenden Awards show was an enjoyable affair celebrating the best of London local theater. As much as I appreciate friends like Jayson McDonald get the recognition they deserve, the even better treat was reconnecting with the people whom I know. There are times when I feel so isolated that knowing there are other who would stop and talk to me on their own accord can be a subconscious shock to me. In that regard, last night worth it for meeting people again and knowing I am a part of this community in some small way.
In that spirit, I want to get back writing my reviews and I'm thinking of venturing into creative writing like converting a short story I wrote and read for the Fringe Festival's FringeWords event years ago. I have to stretch my wings as a writer more seriously if I want a real future and this kind of exercise can only help. Fortunately, I know some good online resources like PlotBot and I intend to use them as best I can. All I need is to summon the fortitude and drive to get this going, which is a challenge in itself.
It's not that I have anything better to do.
While in principle, this new pricing structure has some logic, I'm going to be a frustrating position myself. Namely, I share the house with a commercial tenant in the front who obviously operates largely in the peak times for electricity and all my attempts to work within the strictures of the pricing will be countered by their demands. Working from home now, I know I am not going to be blameless in this situation, but would it kill them to at least turn on their ceiling fan?
On a lighter note, the Brickenden Awards show was an enjoyable affair celebrating the best of London local theater. As much as I appreciate friends like Jayson McDonald get the recognition they deserve, the even better treat was reconnecting with the people whom I know. There are times when I feel so isolated that knowing there are other who would stop and talk to me on their own accord can be a subconscious shock to me. In that regard, last night worth it for meeting people again and knowing I am a part of this community in some small way.
In that spirit, I want to get back writing my reviews and I'm thinking of venturing into creative writing like converting a short story I wrote and read for the Fringe Festival's FringeWords event years ago. I have to stretch my wings as a writer more seriously if I want a real future and this kind of exercise can only help. Fortunately, I know some good online resources like PlotBot and I intend to use them as best I can. All I need is to summon the fortitude and drive to get this going, which is a challenge in itself.
It's not that I have anything better to do.
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