Red Line

I try way too hard.

I got called in today, on my (mostly) day off. It was more an offer of extra hours, and a lot of that was because I'm reliable. My managers think I'm reliable, so there's another point in my favor. I went in, did a few hours of work, enough so that there was actually music staff on hand.

Later on I did the Friends and Family thing. I watched the ribbon cutting to open the new Barnes & Noble and felt good when the crowd flooded in. I heard countless times how beautiful the store looked and how enthusiastic everyone was; we must have done something right.

I sold a few books and made a lot of people, customers and coworkers, happy. I was tenacious in working the floor. Why? I wanted to prove I could do it. Part of me says I shouldn't have though.

I wasn't scheduled for this evening, but it was a special occasion, so I did my job anyway. Above and beyond the call of duty. Combine that with the activities of this morning--standing in one place and sorting for at least 3 hours--and I'm beat. And I get to take down the old store starting tomorrow. I feel a little like an engine, possibly running a bit faster than expected.

I think I'll back off some starting tomorrow. I'll still be tenacious, but I won't do so much that I'll be worn out. This isn't some long-winded way for me to say I'll start slacking. I'm still going to kick ass, I'm just going to rethink a little of how I do it.

A Thousand Years

I've just turned on the Sting CD Brand New Day. It's not brand new any more, but that doesn't change how good it is. The title track has a lot of good thoughts in it; one of which made me realize that if someone can make something that people remember for a thousand years, then they must have done something worthwhile. I don't know about my own works; I've got to get over the hurdle of publishing first. I don't think Sting will have any problem getting people to remember his music for a thousand years.

Why the music all the sudden? Chris and Jonathan were over Monday night. During that time, we sat around and listened to music more than anything else--probably did that for close to three hours. During that time, I was reminded of my old Sting CD, which I'm still listening to.

That having been said, I'm thinking music. When I'm writing, I'm always thinking music. "The Golden Hollow" was inspired by a song ("Un Reve") from the RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio soundtrack. Years ago, I decided that the Commander's official theme song was "Possession," by Sarah McLachlan. Earlier, I was listening to the latest Evanescence CD, The Open Door, and stumbled on an interesting piece.

The track was "Weight of the World." Since I'd been discussing my writing with Barrett at work, I noticed that this particular track said a lot about the character of Kathryn in "The Golden Hollow." She's trapped under the burden of a great power that she doesn't understand and can only control by not using. She's also got this crazy friend (Commander), who, while helpful, is a bit too much. It is for that reason, I declare that the Golden Hollow herself now has an offical theme song--"Weight of the World," by Evanescence.

And now, I hear the last few notes of "Brand New Day," calling an end, not only to the CD, but also this post. Later!

If You Want To Stop Writing...

...try writing a sex scene. I wrote one for Ashes of War and I haven't really made any solid progress since. It's weird writing such a thing. The best part--I still have other scenes to write.

I am lucky, however. I've shown selections from this sequence to a friend who told me that it wasn't too graphic and it wasn't too cutesy. It made its point, described what it had to and got on with the story. Without this scene, I don't get to jump into the politics of Uyoku and a fun little assassination plot. Also, it helps develop some of the reasoning the overall "villain" has.

Part of the problem is that, while I know all about Uyoku (the aristocratic, European-style nation), I have very little developed with Sayoku (the spiritual, Asian-style nation). The last thing I did for Sayoku was develop a custom to replace kissing. Why? I don't remember where I first read about it, but kissing was non-existant in Japan until the first Europeans visited them. I also established that they have butterflies that gather over the city of Krilsa.

The other part of the problem is that I'm still getting acclimated to having a work schedule. I know a lot of people want my job, and I must say, being a Barnes & Noble bookseller is great. I haven't sold any books yet, but I am scheduled for training on our inventory program this week. Carrying and rearranging books is a blast. It's tiring, but I think I work harder than most people that are in the same position I'm in.

Finally, IF anyone is still out there, what would you think about me putting up more character concept art? I did it before and I thought it was awesome. What did you think?

I'm not bragging, I'm "inspiring"

When I talk about a two page per day average, it could be called bragging. The same for when I share new ideas. Or perhaps when I spout off random information. None of it's to brag. I say these things to either share knowledge or to help those looking for ideas find their way.

I'm still thinking and working on Ashes of War and I don't think that's going to change. I just shifted my writing focus to the character of Rakkan and his homeland, Sayoku. I've also just started reading two books (at a rate of a chapter a day). The thesis demands a draft be made.

Yet, I still think of new things, or rather, remember old ones. I mentioned before a few thoughts I had on "My Soundscope." I've thought this should be a quest, somewhat in the Final Fantasy tradition. If a bad guy has a chorus with his theme, that chorus should be there to support their boss.

What I'd like to do, is perhaps put forth an open challenge as far as writing is concerned. I know a few of you write and have been getting a lot done recently. Let's feed off that, let's keep those creative fires burning. I propose we challenge ourselves--and each other--in some sort of friendly competition.

Who's up for it?