Saturday, June 30, 2007

Completion!

No, not of my novel, Evinden, but of a film script I've been working on for a fair few weeks now. Rather a long slog, and it's still only a first draft, but at last the entire thing is down on paper. As usual with everything I write, it's far too long and will require some judicious snipping. I knew it was going to come out far too long even as I was writing it but decided to complete it before delving into editing, so as to better discern the overall structure and pacing.

In other news, we're off up to UEA this evening for a 90s Reunion. Nadia's friend Emma is up for the weekend and there's going to be a whole gaggle of people converging on Norwich - Malone's coming up from Cornwall with Clem, for a start. Should be a good evening - will try to get some good pics!

Sunday, June 24, 2007

What is a patriot?

I was reading an issue of Amazing Spider-Man last night and unexpectedly stumbled across a rather nifty definition of what it means to be a patriot, written by Mr Mark Twain. I quote:

In a republic, who is 'the country'?

Is it the government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.

Who, then, is 'the country'? Is it the newspaper? Is it the pulpit? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command.

In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic, it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak.

It is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press or government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must decide for himself alone what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man.

To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.

If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

Saturday, June 23, 2007

A few stories more!

I've added links to a few more recent short stories I've written. Most of these are literally 10-minute jobs written as exercises for the creative writing course we're on at the moment and are tests of style/character/POV etc.

Next up is to write the final 1500 word piece for the course - a horrendously small word count! My final piece is going to be based on the character from 'The Detective', probably with a mixture of plots from the two Detective stories I've put up so far, plus some extra bits and pieces.

Meanwhile, Evinden is coming along nicely. I've nearly finished the second part, at which point I'll be creating a new 'work print' for selected people to peruse. The story is really hotting up now, with the characters' journeys well underway and (hopefully) avoiding (or fiddling with) the usual cliches!

I'm also writing a new short film script, details of which I'm not at liberty to disclose at this point. The project will be announced in due course, at which point I'll be able to reveal some info. :)

There's also a bunch of other filmy stuff going on at the moment, particularly with the Axis of Evil guys. As it happens, I'm seeing them tomorrow for an afternoon of extreme puppetry at the Norwich Arts Centre - should be good!

Friday, June 22, 2007

A fistful of stories!

I've just put links up on the right to a couple of stories I've written as part of the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Creative Writing unit we've been doing for the last 8-or-so weeks. They're pretty short, so take a peek! Please do let me know what you think, feedback is always appreciated.

More on the way...

p.s. I seem to have broken all the images in the previous posts. Will try to fix that soon. :)

Monday, June 11, 2007

And so it begins...

After neglecting our little website for many a month, I've finally got round to rejiggling it a bit. The first step being to remove just about everything except this blog. Now that I've finally detached myself from 90s-style websites, hopefully this should prove much easier to update on a more regular basis.

We've been up to lots of exciting things lately, so we should have some short stories, artwork and photos to link to soon. In the meantime, enjoy this work in progress journal thing. :)

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Hahaha I forgot this existed

I forgot we had this, and now I remembered I figure I may as well post on it! First things first, I am now officially thirty two years old. How old is that? How grey am I? And how have things been these past thirty two years I know you are asking yourself and even if not, I shall reply. Well, so far my early thirties are a million times better than my twenties. For a start, I know myself better and am therefore less likely to make a complete idiot of myself in public, and when I do I don't actually care any more. It is very liberating.
My working life is a bit rubbish, poorly paid and bored in a nutshell but I am going to do a masters so all is well, other than working my socks off in the next two years. I'd never have been able to do it without Simon so I am counting my blessings. Urgh, how cheesemongery is this?! Sorry, but the truth is never pretty.
What else? Oh yes, creative writing is scary, difficult and stilted for me. I didn't realise I was quite as long winded as all that, but ponderous is a good way to describe my progress. However words trip lightly off of Simon's tongue, like honey from a bee so I am insanely jealous and downhearted. I think it is only right that I make a melodramatic statement of intent soon along the lines of 'I will never write again as long as I live!' or just edit and critique as usual and leave the writing to the more dedicated and confident out there. Or do poetry instead which I generally always preferred to write.
Hm...Things I have noted in the past few weeks:
I feel old
I miss my friends
I have a new 'perfect sister' badge which I fully intend to wear at the weekend
Simon is the best (but don't anyone tell him that).
Sitting outside in the sun all day is a fantastically indulgent and enjoyable thing to do
Sitting outside in the sun for too long gives me a headache
Fireworks are ok if you are really really far away
Old people have no shame
I've felt under the weather for nearly two months now....
Girly chick flicks rule
Heroes and BSG won't be around forever :(

So anyway, I'm going to stop now.