Arriving on campus early to beat midday parking drama, I decided to hang out in the Fortress of Solitude (book nerd version) until it was time for class. Fortress, but not of "Solitude" The campus library is more like a crowded ice castle of silence (solitude is only available on Fridays, weekends, and anytime that feels "too … Continue reading Library Play Day
1st-Person Theatre
3rd-person is my bread and butter but 1st-person is tons of fun. How 1st-Person is Like Theatre I know the script, I'm aware of other characters' intentions, I can recite my lines in my sleep but when the curtain goes up I must react organically to the other players in that moment despite how I may have rehearsed. In doing so the scene flows naturally … Continue reading 1st-Person Theatre
Bunnies Can Be Heroes
I don't get "story inspiration." I get "character inspiration." And then those characters grow up, run off, have adventures, screw up, tell bad jokes, mature, make friends, tell more bad jokes, make enemies, figure out what they stand for, and come home to tell me all about it. And that's where stories comes from. Fluffy Bunnies … Continue reading Bunnies Can Be Heroes
Where Tall Grasses Wave
The train hissed at Claude Bouchard as he stepped from the empty passenger car onto an equally vacant platform. Faded wooden signs pointed with white arrows toward ticketing, a gift shop, and an adjoining diner offering a special involving a chowder he'd never heard of. He crossed Fruit Town's train station in four minutes where he saw only one other person, … Continue reading Where Tall Grasses Wave
Shading Practice
I liked to read about animals and draw in elementary and middle school. Naturally you'd think that I drew animals. But, no. I didn't because I was also a perfectionist who couldn't draw real animals as accurately as I wanted. (I was aware of drawing methods like the grid method but I disliked using them for a few reasons: (1) I felt like I should … Continue reading Shading Practice
Project Updates & Evil Comrades
Projects Villainy goes in to see the editor in 1.5-ish weeks (sounds like a doctor's visit....) Villainy is looking at an October release date. The Imaginary Night Zoo is looking at a November release date. New Semester The start of a fall semester at university always ends up feeling more like a "Happy New Year!" moment … Continue reading Project Updates & Evil Comrades
Sibling Book Swap
Whenever I come home from university I can always count on one thing happening: a book discussion with my brother, Anton (from Book Nerds Unite). The Recent Reads One book he finished some time ago is so bizarre that I MUST share the ending. The ending paraphrased: A normal-ish troublemaker guy is invited by the … Continue reading Sibling Book Swap
Epic History-Inspired Story Ideas
When I was earning my AA, I had a history professor (PhD) who was also a fabulous storyteller (going to class felt like episodes and I had to come back next week to find out what REALLY happened; AH! She was so good!). I would absolutely take her class again, just for her. Aside from being educational … Continue reading Epic History-Inspired Story Ideas
Jolly Jailbreak
COLIN LOUNGED on the packed dirt floor of a shaded bamboo jail cell. At least this place is a lot nicer than the last place I was arrested. Movement outside the bars drew his eye again. The cell faced the road which allowed curious villages to stop and look. Last time there were kids. The … Continue reading Jolly Jailbreak
Old School Fan Art
I miss drawing fan art. This is from 2010. Anyone familiar with the anime Ronin Warriors (aka Yoroiden Samurai Troopers)? It's one of those shows that was great in middle school but is too painful to watch now (1980's animation/dialogue, anyone?) however it will always have a special place in my heart (and on my bookshelf; I … Continue reading Old School Fan Art