I enjoy when people create playlists for books, movies, or characters. I had to create one for a summer reading assignment in high school (of course the teacher informed us he just wanted the free music...)
I did this recently for the characters in the MS I am currently working on. It started because I was listening to music (on Pandora) while working on the MS. Suddenly, a song came on that described the male's POV (point of view) on his eventual romantic relationship with the female protag.
It was crushing, emotional, and so lovely, I wrote down the song name and artist. The feels I get for my characters when that song plays is too much sometimes.
But it gave me something I needed. I had been struggling with character voice and feelings, but finding a song I feel represents that character helps me understand them a little better.
I definitely recommend trying it. It at least helps when you're overcome with feels about a book, TV show, or anything.
Feels can kill.
So here's the song I'm talking about:
Confession: I'm a wordsmith and I struggle with words.
It says that 2 out of 3 modern European men came from 1 of 3 paternal lineages.
Let's see if I can recall high school genetics: It's hard to trace female DNA like this because the X chromosomes split and connect with another half, mixing together the parent's DNA. However, the Y chromosome is just passed from father to son.
There is mitochondrial DNA in hair that can determine maternal lineage, but we never got into too much detail about that. Besides, hair from centuries old skeletons is probably hard to find.
Anyway, I just thought this sounded inspiring for a story or a plot.
I'm still posting tomorrow, but wanted to say: Have a good weekend! And if you are celebrating a holiday, have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
3D printing has really taken off in the past few years. On Etsy, there are many customs, creatures, and add-ons that were printed using someone's 3D printing. It's really fascinating to see what people are using the technology for.
This article shows yet another facet of the printer's capabilities, helping humans do more, better. The main image, a hand with an exoskeleton that looks like claws or talons, is a pretty cool sight. While it's awesome we may be able to do work differently, I think it looks like a pretty awesome addition to a costume.
But I wonder what else people will be making with 3D printers. With everyone who does good, or really cool things, there tends to be people who create more nefarious things (right now all I can picture is all those Scooby-Doo badies having an easier time with their costumes).
Yes, I'm leading to a theme/idea/inspiration for writing. It may be cheesy, it may be brilliant, but imagine an antagonist who utilized 3D printing for, well, whatever they do. Of course, you can flip this. Imagine a Batman-esque superhero, minus the wealth. Instead they use their skills to create something to increase their normal, human abilities.
Just an interesting thought.
Anyway, I don't actually own a 3D printer, but one day, I know I'll be getting one.
Going through my normal weekday morning ritual, I read some articles while eating my granola bar breakfast, and I found a very interesting pattern in the articles I was drawn to, they were all about young 20-somethings who jump-started their career or found their passion.
24 was the repeated age in most of the articles I was reading. 24 when I realized I was comparing myself to everyone else who had amazing careers or were earning their degrees. 24 when I found my passion to start my business. Even a recommendation to live cheaply in your 20s.
I do enjoy Shark Tank (both the show and the blog) and remember when the boy came in to get a deal for his business. It was a wonderful sight to see that Daymond John offered to be his mentor - something extremely invaluable.
Many of the articles I read this morning, and people who enter "the tank," seem to touch on the fact that many people are still looking for guidance. We spend out entire childhood having people tell us what to do and when it's our turn to do what we want, we freeze.
So, take some inspiration from this young CEO (in the article, not me) and do something towards reaching your dream (or at least one of them) today. Even if it's only fifteen minutes, you'll be that much closer to realizing a dream, and you'll be better for it.
Me? I'm hitting the books - both the ones I've written and the ones that help writers improve.
I was going to look for another comic to post today, but I have another idea, more like a challenge. Ok, another prompt, but this one works for art as well.
Some background: In my eyes, I am a far better artist than writer - confidence I've gained from years of working on my art. Years ago, I found myself struggling to create my own characters. I was always drawing other people's characters, maybe in new clothes or different situations, but it was always someone else's characters.
So, I thought of a challenge - a challenge I have yet to truly accomplish in all its rules.
The challenge: Go to your iTunes (on shuffle), YouTube, Pandora, or turn on the radio. The first song (or to mix it up, the fifth song) you hear, take it and create something with it. Use it as inspiration for your character, or to create a character. The song can create a new scene for your character, it can define your character's attire or attitude.
This really expands into any medium used to express yourself. Sew an outfit, create a hairstyle, throw a new pot, paint a scene, write the actions. Use the song to stir your imagination and emotions and let it guide you to create something new.
Two of my characters in my first MS, actually five of them now that I think of it, grew from this challenge. Most of the characters in my first MS were just OCs (original characters) that I created so I could wholly own the rights to the art (you know, no permission needed for using someone else's creation). But as their designs grew, so did their demands to have a whole world to unite them.
Just another thing to think about if you are suffering from creativity block.
If you want a song, here is the one that reminded me of this and inspired this post (NOTE: I haven't watched the video, but it shouldn't be inappropriate): Rodney Atkins: If You're Going Through Hell (Keep on Going)
Are we sure it's Monday? Because last I checked, it was Friday.
I didn't get half the amount of stuff done that I was planning to, but such is life.
I'm starting a new creative project at work, and while I was enamored with my idea on Friday, working on it today has left me not so enthused.
That is when it's break time - or an excuse to read for a few minutes. I have been dying to read Michelle Moran's latest book, Rebel Queen, it's even on my desk, but I haven't been able to read more than a paragraph.
I know this sounds like a whiney post, but it actually isn't. I just wanted to say, whenever you get stuck on writing, a creative project, or any project really, you should take a step away from it and do something else.
Distancing yourself from your project will give you fresh eyes and even a new perspective. Whenever I get stuck with writing I will either read or draw. It might be a few days before I go back to writing, but by then, whatever problem I was having seems a lot smaller.
The other suggestion for when your stuck: eat something. Seriously. I become a defeatist when I'm hungry, and I know I can't be the only one.
