Four years ago, in 2009, I think it was during the summer, I sat down at the desk in the office at my home and started writing. I didn't really have any ideas in mind. I just wrote a short piece about a character I made up at that moment, and left it at that. I think it was about twenty pages to start. Not much, but it was a lot for me.
When I first started writing-my first ever story-was about five pages. Now, this does not include the comics I had been making in elementary school since second or third grade. Those are even more ancient (and shorter) pieces of my history...
But the first ever story I wrote was when I was probably about twelve. It was a short piece about some people who were at the New Years celebration for the year 3000 (no connection to the Jonas Brothers first hit, I swear). Basically, the three main characters got abducted by some aliens, and I guess some how or another they had to get everyone back home. And this all happened within five pages. I was so proud of myself, and my drastically underdeveloped, premature work.
After that, I wrote another story that was about ten pages this time. It was about a girl who got lost in a cornfield or something (I can't honestly remember, and don't have it in front of my face right now to check). Either way, I remember writing it, and I remember being satisfied when it was done about a half an hour later. After that, I wrote two or three more short stories (which I'm sure weren't very good) before I sat down and wrote out the piece that is the topic of this post.
I honestly can't remember how I got the idea. I remember writing, and dating, the original work. I remember making two or three sequels, adding characters and action. And as I wrote each "book", they began to grow in length and detail. The characters started to interest me. I wondered who they were and where they had come from. I knew there had to be more to them that what I was writing down. Because, let's face it, those early drafts were way too short to include all of the finely-tuned details I knew were hidden somewhere in those backstories I neglected. This was all four years ago when I wrote the first draft. Many things have changed in four years, but the story I wrote is still there for me. The core concepts have not changed.
I guess I'm talking about it because this story means a lot to me. It might not be good enough to get published. Hell, right now, I know it's not. There is so much missing. So much of the story is made up of material that has been used millions of times before by thousands of run-of-the-mill authors. And that does irritate me. I want people to love my story, like I love it. I want people to see my characters as real as I see them, and to care for them as much as I do. But if it doesn't sell, it doesn't sell. It's just nice for me to know that it's there. It's nice to know that, even though things are changing rapidly, sometimes out of my control, and the world is becoming a much more real place, I still have my old story and my old characters to fall back on.
Some days, when I am particularly stressed or tired, or I just don't want to deal with anything, I go back to my story and tinker with it. I add a sentence here, change the wording there. Not much. I don't, sadly, have enough time in a day to work on it. If I were a hermit, and didn't have to do well in school or go to work, I would work on my story every day. By the time I was done with it, it would be so amazing everyone would want it. That's what I tell myself, anyway. But there just isn't time. In the future, I want to take it somewhere. I want to have my characters become household names, and I want there stories to last forever. Kind of an overwhelming concept.
Take it one day at a time. Find out what it is that keeps you up and going. Is there something that you know you would finish if you had time? Something you love that reminds you of relaxing days?
My story will always matter to me. I won't ever delete it, even if it isn't worth a dime. The psychological associations attached to it are too precious. And even though you have no idea what my story is about (since I haven't told you and don't plan to), hopefully you can see how important it is to have that anchor. To have something to remind you that everything is the same as it always has been, just a little different.
I'm not afraid of change. But it's nice to know that somethings are always the same.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Welcome to Camp Purpose
Good Morning my lovely readers!
I hope you are all doing splendidly on this snowy Monday morning. Technically, I am writing this at 12:09 am, so it is morning, just barely. And it may not be snowy where you are, but it is here! I love the snow.
Recently, I have realized that most of my posts on this blog are kind of preachy-preachy. Kind of dull, and about "life lessons" and things of the sort. I can assure you, that is not all this blog is for. I mainly post what is on my mind at the time, what is bothering me, or just things I want to share. I would love it if people would comment and tell me what it is that they want to hear, but since I am a novice writer, I haven't earned that privilege yet. So until somebody tells me otherwise, Imma just keep doing what I'm doing! That's kind of my philosophy for life as a whole.
Which reminds me, do you think anybody ever really knows what they're doing? Like, in general? It seems to me, and this is just hazy speculation, that a lot of people float through life without the slightest clue. I can definitely be included in that gene pool. I am young, yes, and so I like to justify myself in saying "Well, I don't have to know what I'm doing just yet. I've got time to figure it out." But what happens when I get old, and I'm still doing the same things, and I don't know why I'm doing them, and...and...PANIC ATTACK.
Just kidding :) But this is something I'd like to try and pay closer attention to in the future. I am, luckily, in the field of education that I think fits me and what I want to get out of a career perfectly. And I understand that not everyone has the opportunity to go to school, and some people are obligated to doing things they don't want to do, for the good of others. We've all been there. But for me personally, I don't want to float through life blissfully unaware. And I don't plan to.
For now, I'll keep on truckin'. And when I find exactly where it is I'm going, I think I'll stop, set up camp, make a fire, and enjoy the marshmallowy goodness of a life well-spent.
To quote a friend of mine, "Cheers".
I hope you are all doing splendidly on this snowy Monday morning. Technically, I am writing this at 12:09 am, so it is morning, just barely. And it may not be snowy where you are, but it is here! I love the snow.
Recently, I have realized that most of my posts on this blog are kind of preachy-preachy. Kind of dull, and about "life lessons" and things of the sort. I can assure you, that is not all this blog is for. I mainly post what is on my mind at the time, what is bothering me, or just things I want to share. I would love it if people would comment and tell me what it is that they want to hear, but since I am a novice writer, I haven't earned that privilege yet. So until somebody tells me otherwise, Imma just keep doing what I'm doing! That's kind of my philosophy for life as a whole.
Which reminds me, do you think anybody ever really knows what they're doing? Like, in general? It seems to me, and this is just hazy speculation, that a lot of people float through life without the slightest clue. I can definitely be included in that gene pool. I am young, yes, and so I like to justify myself in saying "Well, I don't have to know what I'm doing just yet. I've got time to figure it out." But what happens when I get old, and I'm still doing the same things, and I don't know why I'm doing them, and...and...PANIC ATTACK.
Just kidding :) But this is something I'd like to try and pay closer attention to in the future. I am, luckily, in the field of education that I think fits me and what I want to get out of a career perfectly. And I understand that not everyone has the opportunity to go to school, and some people are obligated to doing things they don't want to do, for the good of others. We've all been there. But for me personally, I don't want to float through life blissfully unaware. And I don't plan to.
For now, I'll keep on truckin'. And when I find exactly where it is I'm going, I think I'll stop, set up camp, make a fire, and enjoy the marshmallowy goodness of a life well-spent.
To quote a friend of mine, "Cheers".
Monday, January 21, 2013
Stick it to The Man, man.
Hi!
I haven't written in a while, I can see. Perhaps I should change that!
Let's see...what is there to talk about...OH I got it. Let's talk about forgiveness, hm?
Sort of a change of pace, I would like to talk about how important it is to forgive. This basically comes from me being very, very irritated with someone last night. I won't go into detail, but let's just say she messed up and it cost me a good time. I was determined to be mad at her all day, so that she would understand how badly she messed up. I didn't want her to do it again. I didn't want to say "Oh don't worry about it, it's no big deal." Because it was a big deal, to me at least. And sometimes to forgive is confused with to forget, and I sure as anything would not forget.
I suppose my mind changed, though, when she texted me and apologized for her behavior. She told me she wouldn't do it again, and she told me she was really embarrassed. And I know what you're thinking, "Don't trust her, she'll do it again. She's just being nice." Or maybe you aren't thinking that, but I was...
And then I thought, "She's already feeling bad enough, you don't need to make it worse. Don't be mean. You don't have to forget, and you can keep an eye on her for a while, but you can always forgive." So I guess that's what I'm trying to say now. If there is anyone you know whom you are currently holding a grudge against, please don't. I'm not saying act like it's all ok, and it's no big deal, and just forget it even happened. Nobody will learn anything that way. But you should think about it. The person you are mad at may feel horrible, and just be afraid to tell you because they know you are mad at them. If they build up the courage to apologize and ask for forgiveness, you should try and understand. Everybody just wants to be loved.
And now I sound like a hippie. And that's when you know it's time to go to bed.
Peace out y'all
I haven't written in a while, I can see. Perhaps I should change that!
Let's see...what is there to talk about...OH I got it. Let's talk about forgiveness, hm?
Sort of a change of pace, I would like to talk about how important it is to forgive. This basically comes from me being very, very irritated with someone last night. I won't go into detail, but let's just say she messed up and it cost me a good time. I was determined to be mad at her all day, so that she would understand how badly she messed up. I didn't want her to do it again. I didn't want to say "Oh don't worry about it, it's no big deal." Because it was a big deal, to me at least. And sometimes to forgive is confused with to forget, and I sure as anything would not forget.
I suppose my mind changed, though, when she texted me and apologized for her behavior. She told me she wouldn't do it again, and she told me she was really embarrassed. And I know what you're thinking, "Don't trust her, she'll do it again. She's just being nice." Or maybe you aren't thinking that, but I was...
And then I thought, "She's already feeling bad enough, you don't need to make it worse. Don't be mean. You don't have to forget, and you can keep an eye on her for a while, but you can always forgive." So I guess that's what I'm trying to say now. If there is anyone you know whom you are currently holding a grudge against, please don't. I'm not saying act like it's all ok, and it's no big deal, and just forget it even happened. Nobody will learn anything that way. But you should think about it. The person you are mad at may feel horrible, and just be afraid to tell you because they know you are mad at them. If they build up the courage to apologize and ask for forgiveness, you should try and understand. Everybody just wants to be loved.
And now I sound like a hippie. And that's when you know it's time to go to bed.
Peace out y'all
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Reading is DA BOMB
For today's topic, ladies and gents, let's discuss something I have been doing a lot of lately. Let's talk about reading.
When I was little, I used to hate to read, just like every other person who could ever call themselves a child. Pick up a book and sit still? No way, I'd rather run around like a chicken with my head cut off. But when I started discovering books that I actually enjoyed (not like that boring stuff they feed us in school-"The Awakening" being a prime example) I realized that reading is actually an essential part to being a well-rounded person.
There are obviously some books that I enjoy more than others. I think the first book that I ever read and absolutely fell in love with was "The Outsiders" by S.E Hinton. Part of the reason I liked it so much, I think, was because I always had the aspiration to be a young writer. S.E Hinton wrote "The Outsiders" for a high school project, and then had it published. This was highly encouraging to me; I thought, "Well maybe I don't have to wait until I'm fifty to publish a book then! Maybe I can do it now!" Sadly, I have yet to accomplish this goal, but I am keeping my eyes on the stars and my feet on the ground. Someday soon, hopefully, my name will be on one of those books I am encouraging you to take a look at in the library or your local bookstore.
Some other pieces that I really enjoyed were: the "Harry Potter" series of course, "The Hunger Games", "Little Women", "Water for Elephants", "Eragon" series (also written by a high-schooler), "Looking for Alaska", and I am currently working on "The Alchemist" by Paolo Coelho. In my current position, I have a predicament. There are a lot of things I need to read; reading is one of the best ways to expand your imagination and better your writing, but I simply do not have time to read for pleasure anymore. If you are having the same problem, here is what I suggest: read when you would normally go on Facebook. Read when you are sitting waiting for the bus. Read when you are eating lunch or dinner, instead of watching TV. Believe me, it is much, much healthier for you mentally to read than to browse the web, and nothing exciting ever happens on Facebook anymore anyways.
This is a challenge. It is hard for me. But reading is so, so good for you. When you are reading a book you love, it takes away all of the worries of the day. It expands your mind and whisks you away to a place where nothing has a deadline, you don't have to go to work every day or do your homework. For that short amount of time, all you have to do is listen and observe. It can be relaxing, if done at the right time. And there is no need to feel guilty when you are reading instead of washing the dishes, or composing a Tweet. Of course, I'm not saying to completely remove yourself from your daily obligations. Those are also essential to living a healthy, productive lifestyle. But don't be so dependent on things that didn't even exist ten years ago (aka iPhone, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Pretty Little Liars, etc.). READ A BOOK. Please!
Did you know that with the making of the Internet, everyone became their own publisher? Everyone that has access to the Internet can now post and publish their own works, and people will read them. So where is the need for people who used to be publishers? Where is the need for professional writers, as they used to be, when everyone can make their own story and someone is bound to read it? People's jobs, their lifestyles, lay in the hands of some folks who know it is easier to go on the Internet and read a blog (like this one), or watch TV rather than pick up a brand new, freshly printed book off the shelves and dive in. Too much effort. Waste of my time. Nothing's getting done.
Not true. Not a waste of time at all.
I realize I am being a bit of a hypocrite, writing this blog and then telling people to read rather than post things on the Internet and make others lose their jobs. I am just as much at fault for obsessive social media tinkering as everyone else. I don't pretend to know everything. All I am suggesting is that the next time you have the urge to post a new Facebook status about your day, don't. Pick up a book instead. It's good for you.
Who knows what will be waiting inside...
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
SLEEP
Today, I declare that I shall write about my lack of sleep, yet enthralling adventures which have left me in this sorry state. Keep in mind, I have had about 4 and a half hours of sleep total in the past day or so, so if I write things that don't make sense, do not blame me. Blame my lifestyle.
Yesterday was Monday. Everybody loves Monday. Monday means going to two classes, working for 4 hours, meeting up for lunch in between, and then attempting to do your homework and internship and part time job research in between. Oh, and applying for a scholarship. And making plans for the weekend. And trying to figure out what exactly your teacher wants from you when you really aren't even sure what the assignment is in the first place. Yes, Monday's are fantastic.
And being the foolish chum I am, I decided to go and watch a movie with some friends last night at midnight, didn't get home till 2am, and then had class again at 8:30, thusly getting up at 7am for shower and daily preparation. Which brings me to the point of this post: I pretty much slept through both of my classes this morning, my eyes flickering back and forth and not focusing for more than a millisecond on any one thing, my head bobbing up and down like a sailboat in a wind storm. I made it through, but the day is still young...if I don't get a nap in today, I may end up passing out on the frozen sidewalk...that ice looks really comfortable right now...
I have to go to a meeting now, but I will post later. Please pray that I can get a decent night's sleep tonight. I'm going to need it to take on this week.
Adios mis amigos!
Yesterday was Monday. Everybody loves Monday. Monday means going to two classes, working for 4 hours, meeting up for lunch in between, and then attempting to do your homework and internship and part time job research in between. Oh, and applying for a scholarship. And making plans for the weekend. And trying to figure out what exactly your teacher wants from you when you really aren't even sure what the assignment is in the first place. Yes, Monday's are fantastic.
And being the foolish chum I am, I decided to go and watch a movie with some friends last night at midnight, didn't get home till 2am, and then had class again at 8:30, thusly getting up at 7am for shower and daily preparation. Which brings me to the point of this post: I pretty much slept through both of my classes this morning, my eyes flickering back and forth and not focusing for more than a millisecond on any one thing, my head bobbing up and down like a sailboat in a wind storm. I made it through, but the day is still young...if I don't get a nap in today, I may end up passing out on the frozen sidewalk...that ice looks really comfortable right now...
I have to go to a meeting now, but I will post later. Please pray that I can get a decent night's sleep tonight. I'm going to need it to take on this week.
Adios mis amigos!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Procrastination at Its Best
I have a question for you.
Why is it so hard to focus?
I'm sure many if not most of you can empathize with me when I say that I find it simple to focus on a greasy cheeseburger, or on the television, or on my friends. But when it comes to homework, you know, something that is actually going to have an effect on the course of my life, well I might as well not even try.
Why else would I be writing this post right now?
Why is it so hard to focus?
I'm sure many if not most of you can empathize with me when I say that I find it simple to focus on a greasy cheeseburger, or on the television, or on my friends. But when it comes to homework, you know, something that is actually going to have an effect on the course of my life, well I might as well not even try.
Why else would I be writing this post right now?
Monday, January 7, 2013
My Lovely Friend: Dish Room
I am now covered in milk, syrup, and Lord knows what else. I also have not sat down for 4 hours, and am wet from head to toe. Sounds like I've been at an amusement park, doesn't it? A very, very dirty amusement park...
Well I wasn't. Nope, I was working. In the cafeteria. In the dish room. You ever heard the term "God help the outcasts"? I say "God help the dish room workers". Let me explain: where I work, you get assigned to a station for your shifts, and you work that same station every time you have that shift. I work on commons on Mondays, which means that I am supposed to go around and clean the tables, change the drink machines, refill the cup and tray stacks; you know, all that fun stuff. So I was doing commons, but one thing you learn about commons is that you never do commons. Sound weird? It's like this: they kinda take everyone from commons and put them at other stations that need people (because, let's face it, do we really need 5 people fighting to clean the same table every Tuesday? Probably not). And as luck would have it, they sent me to the stomach of the dragon, the epitome of all sucky stations, the place no one wants to be, and we all know it. Dish. Room.
Yes, I am being dramatic. It actually isn't all that bad. Really, it's sort of fun being splashed with milky, sticky, strange-colored liquids and picking up rolls of napkins with mysterious squishy substances in them. Oh it's a blast! The one thing that did make it sort of fun though was the fact that I had great people to work with; it was almost like a party, where everyone gets dirty forks as a party favor and can't leave until their shift is done. But I would seriously rather work dish than commons any day. At least I had things to do.
Maybe I should keep a running update on my dish room adventures, if I ever venture back there again (which I'm sure I will have to at some point). I could call it "Dish Disasters" or "Lovely, Lovely Dish". Eh, I'll think about it. For now, I must rest. Cleaning like that is hard work, my friends.
I will keep you posted! Nighty night all.
Well I wasn't. Nope, I was working. In the cafeteria. In the dish room. You ever heard the term "God help the outcasts"? I say "God help the dish room workers". Let me explain: where I work, you get assigned to a station for your shifts, and you work that same station every time you have that shift. I work on commons on Mondays, which means that I am supposed to go around and clean the tables, change the drink machines, refill the cup and tray stacks; you know, all that fun stuff. So I was doing commons, but one thing you learn about commons is that you never do commons. Sound weird? It's like this: they kinda take everyone from commons and put them at other stations that need people (because, let's face it, do we really need 5 people fighting to clean the same table every Tuesday? Probably not). And as luck would have it, they sent me to the stomach of the dragon, the epitome of all sucky stations, the place no one wants to be, and we all know it. Dish. Room.
Yes, I am being dramatic. It actually isn't all that bad. Really, it's sort of fun being splashed with milky, sticky, strange-colored liquids and picking up rolls of napkins with mysterious squishy substances in them. Oh it's a blast! The one thing that did make it sort of fun though was the fact that I had great people to work with; it was almost like a party, where everyone gets dirty forks as a party favor and can't leave until their shift is done. But I would seriously rather work dish than commons any day. At least I had things to do.
Maybe I should keep a running update on my dish room adventures, if I ever venture back there again (which I'm sure I will have to at some point). I could call it "Dish Disasters" or "Lovely, Lovely Dish". Eh, I'll think about it. For now, I must rest. Cleaning like that is hard work, my friends.
I will keep you posted! Nighty night all.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
I'm Baaaaack....
Hello all! Welcome back to the world of a college student!
I say this not because I stopped being a college student before, but because I was a college student on break. Those are two very different things, folks. For example, a college student at school has many responsibilities, with friends, work, and school, not to mention all of the other day-to-day things that pop up out of nowhere, and the extracurriculars. But a college student on break basically has three jobs: eat, sleep, and see friends. A big emphasis on the second one. I mean, can you spell Heaven?
But now break is over, and it is time to indulge in the over-scheduled days of what will eventually be the rest of my life. Isn't being a grown-up fun?
Wish me luck on my new classes, job, and please pray that I will learn to update my blog more regularly because, if you haven't noticed yet, I'm kinda sucking at it. But I will keep a sticky note with BLOG in big bold letters right on my face all day and you can believe that I won't forget it! Or, that I will maybe not forget it! Gah, I'm sorry, but I think I may suffer from undiagnosed short-term memory loss...
Hope you enjoyed my short but quirky post; I would like to post some more fun, less soul-searchy stuff in the future, seeing as I have a bad habit of talking about the big questions. That can get old real fast. So, if you know me, or even if you don't, feel free to give me suggestions for new, exciting blog posts for the future. Text me, send me a Facebook message, you can even comment on this post. Whatever, I would just like some new ideas from an outsiders perspective. Muchas gracias!
Au revoir my friends.
I say this not because I stopped being a college student before, but because I was a college student on break. Those are two very different things, folks. For example, a college student at school has many responsibilities, with friends, work, and school, not to mention all of the other day-to-day things that pop up out of nowhere, and the extracurriculars. But a college student on break basically has three jobs: eat, sleep, and see friends. A big emphasis on the second one. I mean, can you spell Heaven?
But now break is over, and it is time to indulge in the over-scheduled days of what will eventually be the rest of my life. Isn't being a grown-up fun?
Wish me luck on my new classes, job, and please pray that I will learn to update my blog more regularly because, if you haven't noticed yet, I'm kinda sucking at it. But I will keep a sticky note with BLOG in big bold letters right on my face all day and you can believe that I won't forget it! Or, that I will maybe not forget it! Gah, I'm sorry, but I think I may suffer from undiagnosed short-term memory loss...
Hope you enjoyed my short but quirky post; I would like to post some more fun, less soul-searchy stuff in the future, seeing as I have a bad habit of talking about the big questions. That can get old real fast. So, if you know me, or even if you don't, feel free to give me suggestions for new, exciting blog posts for the future. Text me, send me a Facebook message, you can even comment on this post. Whatever, I would just like some new ideas from an outsiders perspective. Muchas gracias!
Au revoir my friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)