I'm a pretty level-headed dude. When I do get worked up, I usually don't let it surface. This is a double-edged sword for me. Sure, I don't get too angry. There I few things I actually hate. But it also means I am rarely elated and filled with joy. I rarely am so excited and full of energy that I want to work for hours on end.
Being neutral is its own funk. You keep maintaining the status quo. You keep not being particularly happy, but not being upset enough to actually make the effort to change anything. It's not depression, but it's not very productive either.
Every now and then, though, I do get struck with a good mood. I want to try my hardest and create something amazing. And when those moods hit, I do something about it.
Good moods eventually fade, but the work I did because of them does not. It impresses me how much I can accomplish when I'm focused and dedicated. I want to be that way more often. I want to be that productive, even when I'm not in a good mood.
The important thing to remember is that it can be done. Good moods prove your potential. You physically see exactly how much you can do. You have a measure of how much to recreate, even when you are only feeling neutral.
I recently was in a fantastic mood. In that time, I wrote these words:
"I know that inertia is a force that reduces over time, but I am hoping that it has given me enough of a kickstart to allow me to let my willpower keep me moving when this initial burst subsides. I know that I am already doing things I normally wouldn't have done, so I have proved it can be done."
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
You Are A Character
Ever have one of those stories that starts out with, "I just saw the weirdest person. . ." or some variant of that? I know I sure have. And, so far, everybody I know has, too. And considering the percentage of people who both read this blog and know me, the odds are very much in my favor that you do.
Let's face it: people are weird. They do weird things. They say weird things. Sometimes they just look really funny. There's really no helping it. Some people are just off. Sometimes you simply don't have the context of the situation going on.
By the way, you are that person. I'm not saying you're weird or off (although if you're friends with me, you likely are). What I'm saying is that nobody knows your stories or the contexts of your actions. The conversations people overhear, the inside jokes you share to people on the outside, the perfectly normal things you like to do with your friends - all of those things are really strange.
And most likely, somebody has a story about you. You've got plenty of stories about "this one crazy person". That one crazy person is a real, live human being. Of course somebody else has a story about "this one crazy person" who happens to be you.
When you go looking for characters, don't forget to look at yourself. But don't look at yourself as a protagonist. Look at yourself as "this one crazy person."
Let's face it: people are weird. They do weird things. They say weird things. Sometimes they just look really funny. There's really no helping it. Some people are just off. Sometimes you simply don't have the context of the situation going on.
By the way, you are that person. I'm not saying you're weird or off (although if you're friends with me, you likely are). What I'm saying is that nobody knows your stories or the contexts of your actions. The conversations people overhear, the inside jokes you share to people on the outside, the perfectly normal things you like to do with your friends - all of those things are really strange.
And most likely, somebody has a story about you. You've got plenty of stories about "this one crazy person". That one crazy person is a real, live human being. Of course somebody else has a story about "this one crazy person" who happens to be you.
When you go looking for characters, don't forget to look at yourself. But don't look at yourself as a protagonist. Look at yourself as "this one crazy person."
Monday, March 28, 2011
Talking To vs. Talking With
I make a distinction between talking to someone and talking with them. In common language, they're interchangeable, but they do mean different things, and I find it worth the distinction.
Talking to somebody means that you are speaking and the other person is listening. When you talk to somebody, the communication only goes in one direction.
Talking with somebody means that sometimes you are talking to somebody, and sometimes the other person is talking to you. Communication goes in multiple directions.
It is the difference between a lecture and a conversation.
I am not putting a value on talking to or talking with people; I am merely making a distinction. There are times when a lecture is of benefit. Right now, I am talking to you. You have no option but to read through my words and receive my thoughts as I have chosen to present them. If you want to hear my collected thoughts as a whole, or if you really just don't know where to even start asking questions or providing input, a lecture could be the best thing for you.
If, after reading this post, you decide to leave a comment, and I reply, you are talking with me, and I you. When you do have something to say, whether it be a question to get more information, or sharing a story, which would provide more information, a conversation can be very satisfying and rewarding. It acts as a bonding experience between people.
The main reason I make this distinction is that I know of plenty of people who do not talk with me. It seems like they are having a conversation, but I never actually get a chance to talk back. It made me realize that there is a big difference, and most people don't see it.
When your characters speak, are they talking to or talking with others? When you write, which one are you doing?
Talking to somebody means that you are speaking and the other person is listening. When you talk to somebody, the communication only goes in one direction.
Talking with somebody means that sometimes you are talking to somebody, and sometimes the other person is talking to you. Communication goes in multiple directions.
It is the difference between a lecture and a conversation.
I am not putting a value on talking to or talking with people; I am merely making a distinction. There are times when a lecture is of benefit. Right now, I am talking to you. You have no option but to read through my words and receive my thoughts as I have chosen to present them. If you want to hear my collected thoughts as a whole, or if you really just don't know where to even start asking questions or providing input, a lecture could be the best thing for you.
If, after reading this post, you decide to leave a comment, and I reply, you are talking with me, and I you. When you do have something to say, whether it be a question to get more information, or sharing a story, which would provide more information, a conversation can be very satisfying and rewarding. It acts as a bonding experience between people.
The main reason I make this distinction is that I know of plenty of people who do not talk with me. It seems like they are having a conversation, but I never actually get a chance to talk back. It made me realize that there is a big difference, and most people don't see it.
When your characters speak, are they talking to or talking with others? When you write, which one are you doing?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Polish polish
I am breaking my usual rule of capitalizing all of my titles to illustrate a point. A "polish" is something that makes things shiny and smooth. "Polish", however, is something that comes from Poland.
I find it amusing that these words have nothing to do with each other, are pronounced differently, but use the exact same letters; the only difference is that one of them is capitalized.
Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, I cannot say. It simply is the language we speak. However, it is an excellent example of why we need to be careful when we write. Sure, we can make a lot of typos and misspellings and be understood, but if you can be exact in your writing, including capitalizing "Polish" when referring to the nationality, you will be sure to avoid confusion (unless the reader just isn't paying attention, but at least it's not your fault).
I find it amusing that these words have nothing to do with each other, are pronounced differently, but use the exact same letters; the only difference is that one of them is capitalized.
Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, I cannot say. It simply is the language we speak. However, it is an excellent example of why we need to be careful when we write. Sure, we can make a lot of typos and misspellings and be understood, but if you can be exact in your writing, including capitalizing "Polish" when referring to the nationality, you will be sure to avoid confusion (unless the reader just isn't paying attention, but at least it's not your fault).
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Better Than You Have It
A friend of mine was saying that we need to focus on the things we have and not the things we don't have. We can put life in perspective by seeing the lives of others. He closed by saying, "I might be flat broke, but at least I'm not getting foreclosed on, either."
My response:
Excellent point. People would be so much happier if they realized that they are probably so much more fortunate than so many other people, that if they never had more than they currently do, they could still be happy and ok.
However, I have come to realize that people do need to focus on the things that want (not merely things they don't have, though). Desire leads to effort and progress and betterment. Being content is a marvelous and peaceful ability to attain, but if you really want more, have the courage and determination to go and get more. Just because you have it better than others doesn't mean you shouldn't want to have it better than you currently do.
Have you written something that you're actually proud of? Have you been published? Have you been published by somebody you respect? What do you actually want out of your writing? Go out and get it.
I used to think that it was a matter of "no matter what you do, you can always do better." That is a crippling thought, because it makes me a perpetual failure. But if you change the concept a little, so it says, "If you want more than you have, actually do every possible thing you can to get it," you can find yourself with motivation and encouragement the whole way through.
My response:
Excellent point. People would be so much happier if they realized that they are probably so much more fortunate than so many other people, that if they never had more than they currently do, they could still be happy and ok.
However, I have come to realize that people do need to focus on the things that want (not merely things they don't have, though). Desire leads to effort and progress and betterment. Being content is a marvelous and peaceful ability to attain, but if you really want more, have the courage and determination to go and get more. Just because you have it better than others doesn't mean you shouldn't want to have it better than you currently do.
Have you written something that you're actually proud of? Have you been published? Have you been published by somebody you respect? What do you actually want out of your writing? Go out and get it.
I used to think that it was a matter of "no matter what you do, you can always do better." That is a crippling thought, because it makes me a perpetual failure. But if you change the concept a little, so it says, "If you want more than you have, actually do every possible thing you can to get it," you can find yourself with motivation and encouragement the whole way through.
Don't Stop Trying
I realized today that I stopped trying. I haven't honestly been trying for about 9 months. I haven't written any stories to completion. I haven't submitted any writing wholeheartedly. I haven't been searching for sweet, awesome jobs in my field. I've been in a rut and spending all my free time on short-term distractions. I haven't done anything of consequence.
Arguably, everything done is something of consequence. I have gained experience in life. I have gained life experiences. I now know the part of life that I want nothing to do with because I have slept with it.
That said, I could have been perfectly happy not knowing so intimately what it is like to not do anything productive. If the last 9 months were spent focusing on my projects, or even just one project, and putting in those free hours every day into creating and revising and editing and honing and polishing, I would be far better off.
This may be a lesson you have to learn first-hand. Maybe all lessons need to be learned first-hand. But, if nothing else, consider the advice to not stop trying.
I have repeated my teacher's advice: You are only a writer on days you write. It is true. But it is also never enough. I have kept Cheff Salad active throughout this whole span, and it does keep me as a writer, but it's not enough. You have to do more than write; you have to try.
No matter what you are doing, you have to actually try.
Arguably, everything done is something of consequence. I have gained experience in life. I have gained life experiences. I now know the part of life that I want nothing to do with because I have slept with it.
That said, I could have been perfectly happy not knowing so intimately what it is like to not do anything productive. If the last 9 months were spent focusing on my projects, or even just one project, and putting in those free hours every day into creating and revising and editing and honing and polishing, I would be far better off.
This may be a lesson you have to learn first-hand. Maybe all lessons need to be learned first-hand. But, if nothing else, consider the advice to not stop trying.
I have repeated my teacher's advice: You are only a writer on days you write. It is true. But it is also never enough. I have kept Cheff Salad active throughout this whole span, and it does keep me as a writer, but it's not enough. You have to do more than write; you have to try.
No matter what you are doing, you have to actually try.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sounding Boards
'Converse' is a combination of 'verse', which means 'words', and con-, which means 'with'. To converse is to talk with somebody. A conversation needs a second person in order to be a conversation.
We as humans need to talk. Conversations help us think our thoughts, solve our problems, relive our glories, dissipate our failures. That second person can provide ideas and insights that we may never have come up with on our own.
Sometimes, though, the second person doesn't need to provide anything. Sometimes they just need to be there and listen. Being a sounding board can be just as beneficial, especially when a person needs to sort out their thoughts more than solve a particular problem.
In writing, a sounding board character is tricky. If we only see one person talking, it seems like a monologue. Then the listener ends up being like the little six-year-old girl. However, a visual cue here and there may provide enough input to express that two people are there, but one person is doing the talking for both sides.
You could make for an interesting scene. Give it a shot.
We as humans need to talk. Conversations help us think our thoughts, solve our problems, relive our glories, dissipate our failures. That second person can provide ideas and insights that we may never have come up with on our own.
Sometimes, though, the second person doesn't need to provide anything. Sometimes they just need to be there and listen. Being a sounding board can be just as beneficial, especially when a person needs to sort out their thoughts more than solve a particular problem.
In writing, a sounding board character is tricky. If we only see one person talking, it seems like a monologue. Then the listener ends up being like the little six-year-old girl. However, a visual cue here and there may provide enough input to express that two people are there, but one person is doing the talking for both sides.
You could make for an interesting scene. Give it a shot.
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