Written in Stone

Kapow!!!!!

2011-04-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wow

I really need to keep up with this thing...

OK so no excuses, just straight into it.

I have been very busy since Christmas in both writing and non-writing ways. I started a new job, still at my place but part of a different section and I have been BUSY! Lot of hours working hard and on top of that learning to drive, learning a play (yes I am learning a play to perform in at the Edinburgh Festival - scary!) and living my life to to day. However before you cry "so? a real writer wouldn't care, they'd be writing!" Well you're right....

However two things prevented my new writing tasks. 1) my laptop busted and it was touch and go as to whether it could be salvaged and 2) I was preparing my comic for review at Kapow! To get the first part short - it couldn't be saved and I know have a new laptop - yay me!

Now the second and this is what has been taking my time. As part of my push to have my Urban Legends graphic novel published I planned to have the art completed and then pitch. This is what I have been doing, getting artists. In the meantime the launch of Kapow came along and it was a massive incentive for art to be done as they had reviews there so my focus has been on finding, agreeing, organising and encourage artists to work on my book in time for Kapow. It was mixed. I have not got the art for all the stories yet and while I had agreements with some artists...well...they pulled out last minute. They had reasons some of them and some I suspected never did the work at all. It was very stressful and sucked big time to say the least. However some artists pulled the money right out of the bag and delivered some great stuff. Valia Kapadai was one, who did some amazing, colourful work on one of the stories as was Roy Stewert. Monty Borror had done the art some time ago and looking at it again recently really made me appreciate it all the more. Also Robyn Seale did some amazingly fast work as well and they all have my gratitude for turning out some amazing pieces and agreeing to do the art for my stories.

I have to say as a writer it is so hard once you have done the work and then handing it over and waiting for it to come back. You wait and worry but when you're breaking in it's what you need to do. More on that in a bit.

So that brings me onto Kapow, the latest convention for comic and sci-fi/fantasy/horror/gaming fans. Headed by the legendary Mark Millar this was two days of comic best at the Design Centre in Islington, London. I didn't know quite what to expect and the long lines at the start of the day gave me a worry but rest assured when the lines moved - they moved! Soon I was inside and amazed. Lots of space to move around in, a TARDIS and plenty of stalls to gawp at not to mention gaming sections, a stage that was hosted round the clock by Christian. If anyone watched Channel 5 in the 90's and into the 00's you may remember a programme called "RAD" a show that had extreme sports and two presenters, one American and one British. Christian was the American so that little surprise took me back on a little reminisce. However the big draw of the show was panels. I managed to get in to 4 of these including Breaking into Marvel, Millarworld, X-Men and Spiderman. They were awesome and the guys from Marvel - senior editors Stephen Wacker and Nick Lowe were very funny. I spoke to both and they gave me good advice and a friendly handshake. In the X-Men panel there was a competition to win next week's issue of X-Men, unseen anywhere else, and with any question you asked you had to do a line of dialogue - namely from Namor and his "Imperious Rex" line. I asked a question nd had to do it...I think I did well though lost as the bloke before me did his in a Scottish accent. Ah well.

The low light of the convention was the queuing for the film panels. It was on several pieces of literature and guides etc that ou could not queue before 45 Min's of the start of the panel. Well people did. I queued for Green Lantern and didn't get in and had to give up on Movie X, Thor and Falling Skies premiere. Also certain hotel staff were quite rude I saw but apart form that it was a really good show. Lots of fun. I saw Mark himself going from this place to that. He must have been knackered.

I bought several graphic novels and a artists impression of me. I have to say I was disappointed by the artist impression. His work on the table was amazing, his celeb portraits could have been photos but his one of me...not good. I didn't say anything, are you supposed to? I paid my money but now wish I had tried a caricature artists instead. Oh well.

In terms of advice given there was plenty. Namely get your stuff out there. Get it printed and get it out there. You will face disappoint and people will let you down. Talking with the Comics Alliance guys I learned that there are times when companies promise the earth only to fall - just like what happened to me and all at Insomnia. It sucks and it shouldn't happen but it does. However from the convention I received a new drive to write and work and with this new laptop I am determined to make it.

My work in regards to review and Urban Legends I can't say too much more on at the moment but I am in contact with and editor from BlueWater Comics and hopefully will be working on their Fame series quite soon. It's a breaking in exercise but it seems fun and I am only concerned with writing and getting my work out there at the mo and things like money don't come into it. It's getting it done and that's what counts.

I will also be editing my film script from last year and starting some new comic and screenplay projects soon.

Just to add about Kapow, people seemed very friendly and lots of cosplayers there. There are some truly brave people out there! ;-)

Well I think that's it for now. I will definitely be attending Kapow next year and well done to Mark Millar for a truly awesome event.

Will try and blog again soon!

X

A blog before the end.....

2010-12-17T06:38:00.001-08:00

Wow, 2 months since the last blog. I really need to keep up with this thing.

Ok so the big thing in terms of writing for me in that time was going to the Leeds Thought Bubble Festival. Although it has only be going 2 or 3 years the event is truly amazing and it gets bigger every year. There were numerous events and while the "graphic novel swap" at Travelling man was a wash out (only myself and two other people turned up and they were manga fans), the rest was amazing.

A massive hall dedicated to all things comic. Many stalls, some good deals, people in cosplay dress and a number of artists and writers happily signing and chatting away.

I spoke to Paul Cornell again. I spoke to him at last year's event and this year we had another good conversation, I got another free comic and most importantly for me a chance for him to see my work. While I was promoting Sleepless Phoenix I did have a copy with me to show and while he did make some criticisms on the whole was very impressed with my story and requested that I let him know if I have any more work published as he'd like to read it. So great news for me.

The next day I attended an hour talk hosted by Andy Diggle, writer and former editor at Marvel & 2000AD. He was quite informative and gave me a lot to think about in terms of my writing. I think I may do my scripts a bit differently. I think I probably direct a little too much so I may try and ease off that a little but as he said each writer has their own style, some write pages long descriptions and some write 3 words. It is all down to your own style. I hope he didn't mind me chatting to him after the talk, he was rushing for his train but to compensate I did direct him to the train station!

In terms of doing writing and projects I have taken a bit of a break from writing due to various other things in my life cropping up (Xmas, birthdays, learning to drive, red dead redemption) but I have been pursuing more artists for my Urban Legends graphic novel and thanks to one very helpful twitter friend I may have found 3 or 4 artists willing to help so good news I reckon. I also managed to find another artists to do one of the stories and it is currently being lettered so I am looking forward to seeing that.

I am still looking out for new opportunities and have a number of ideas I will put in practice in the new year. I have also bought a ticket for KaPow! The massive new comic con launched by Mark Milliar in London next year. There is going to be screenings, panels and portfolio reviews - which I am aiming to go on so I can have my work reviewed. I need more of my work done first though! So that is my big aim of the new year, even if the Urban Legends book is not out in print I want to get the art done so I can have it in a printed off format to be reviewed.

So that's it on the writing front, I also need to edit the screenplay I sent in to the triangle challenge - no word on the result of that yet but if if it doesn't make it I think I can use the script elsewhere.

Update - Got an email yesterday, didn't make it through. Oh well.

On a general note tips for what to watch now and on Xmas day is; Frankie Boyles Tramdol Nights - an extremely dark & dangerous comedy series that is very funny indeed and for Xmas day it has to be Doctor Who.

Well that's it for now. Merry Christmas all and take care. See you in the New Year!

X

Back again!

2010-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

Another long delayed blog. My apologies.

However good news is that I can now use this website at work whereas I couldn't before, best keep that on the down low though :-)

So what's going on?

Well the Sleepless Phoenix made it's target, more then that it exceeded its target and has been printed. It had over 250 pre orders and 100 sold at the BICS show this last weekend. Big congrats to everyone involved in putting it together and genuinely making dreams come true. I will hopefully be receiving my own copy soon and if you have a copy and want a signature than all you have to do is find me :-)

I am still at the artist stage on Urban Legends. I have found a couple of artist but busy schedules means I am have to wait for the sample pages. I had one artist lined up but they pulled out so that has delayed things somewhat. Quite disheartening to think I had a deal, an artists all lined up and scripts written by this time last year and now it's back to pitching. I guess that's how it goes.

I met one of my comic writing hero's - Mark Milliar. A great guy who has achieved phenomenal success in the industry and his directing a film as well. If you haven't read his stuff then do so - it is a must read for comic lovers and anyone what enjoys good, humorous, adult writing.

I finished my first film screenplay as well. Inspired by Noel Clarke's "the triangle" challenge I completed my first feature script in about 2-3 months. The challenge was that if you could write a script by the time Noel wrote 3 then you could sen it for review and optioning to his production company - a massive opportunity. I am still waiting to hear on that though but even if I don't get through I have submitted to a great new script reader and online writing supremo (and who I'd call friend) Michelle Goode. Check out her blog if you get the chance - it was recently named as one of the 100 best screenwriting sites on the web!

Writing a screenplay is challenging. Not least because it is longer then a TV script or comic script. There are many factors to take into consideration and it is certainly not an easy pursuit. However seeing the words in print, seeing the story flow and the lines on the page does give you a very good feeling indeed. However one draft is not enough and it will require editing, feedback, lots of time taken over it and then sending out to opportunities and agents. However as writers this is what we must do - even when the "real world" puts its pressure on us.

I have outlined a couple of basic ideas for new graphic novels that I may write soon. It has been awhile since I wrote a comic script so I will be eager to pursue it once again. It does mean that when the script is done I have to find an artist again - oh well. Writing is fun and that is why we do it even when it's hard and your dreams are ripped away you go back and do it all over again because you can't let it go. You love it so much.

I hope all you read this have a passion and even more I hope you get to read or watch something I have written someday - I kid! (well not really, I'd love my work out there being enjoyed by people!).

Take care and will write soon.

X

Back! Down but not out - help needed.

2010-08-14T09:13:00.001-07:00

Wow....it has been a long time since I wrote one of these. I can't believe it has been that long. Why the delay? Well busy is the answer - work, writing, bouts of being ill, holiday, writing more and very messy business.

I'll cut to the chase though. I'm back and had had some bad news on the writing front. As you may know I have a graphic novel written under the title Urban Legends, this was supposed to be released this year however it has been dogged by issues and when I pushed to make progress I had a bomb dropped on me - the publisher was dropping the book due to some claim that it had the same title as a movie. It does of course but my book bared no relation to the movie other than the topic of urban legends were inspirations for the work. I was mad, I was beyond mad. There were rumblings of trouble with the publisher in other areas with other people and now I was smacked down and had the dream ripped away from me. However things got worse for that publisher but it was a slight blessing in disguise for me.

The publisher has now reported to cease trading but with very little explanation and a whole mess of things behind them. This left it's signed creators in a bind - they do not know if they are released from contracts and as such are quite stuck. I am released form my contract so I can carry on but they are stuck, which sucks for them and I truly do feel for them.

Further, the said creators and myself were also supposed to have an anthology of our work published later this year called "Layer Zero 4: Survival". As the publisher is in effect bust this wasn't going to happen but then something did happen. The creators got together and decide to publish the book themselves. My story is in there as well as a whole host of great work from brilliantly talent people. However it does cost money so using the Kick start system there is a pledge drive going to publish the book. Depending on what you donate you can get great extras including signed work, original art and even sketches of yourself from the artists. It's a great cause and you will be supporting a great bunch of people who just want to make comics for you to enjoy.

Here is the link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/910305588/the-sleepless-phoenix-comics-anthology

Now under the name "The Sleepless Phoenix Comics Anthology: Survival Stories.

Also if anyone pledges from the link on this blog I will sign their copy of the book.

Well that's it for now, please pledge and I will be back soon to talk more on writing.

Keep writing!

X

Just a quick one...

2010-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

...Sounds like a line from a Carry On movie doesn't it?

Well matron it's true. This will not be my usual long winding road into the thoughts of this writer couple with profusely apologies for my tardiness.

While I am sorry to neglect you the reason is that there has been a few things in my writing pipeline that I am waiting on. Some I should hear about more soon, others are likely to be a few months. I wanted to have something in my own writing time lines to tell you about rather then a random assortment of thoughts and "homework" as I have in the past.

However I will say that the graphic novel is undergoing a bit of a shake up but I am VERY excited about the developments and I hope to be able to tell you very soon.

I am waiting on two pieces of work I have submitted. Both to highly competitive opportunities but I am hopefully.

I am currently wrestling with a few ideas in my head that I am aim to get down on screen (computer) and paper very soon.

There is also the myriad of eating, sleeping, working (a lot) and trying to have a life in my new city.

However I have not forgotten my aim an nor this blog or you reader whoever you are.

I will give you some advice before I depart again and that is this: Watch "In the Loop" on BBC2 on Sunday. A very intelligent and HILARIOUS film that was Oscar nominated for it's screenplay so one to learn from I think.

That's it for now.

Keep writing!

X

2010 and a late start

2010-01-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

Time for the new blog!!! Anyway....

..nope you noticed it has been over a month since the last one. What can I say? First there was Xmas and the New Year, then I haven't been able to get regular Internet access and finally I am working full time and so when I come home and switch on the computer to do things as well as other things like eating, sleeping, drinking, washing and so on I just haven't gotten round to writing the blog. For shame it is but I will endeavour to continue this blog and try to update in a timely fashion.

So the new year is here and where do we go from there? Well this year is hopefully going to be an exciting one for me. I moved cities at the end of last year and have a new job so that's one thing but of course my hopes are on the writing side of things and with any luck it will be exciting.

My graphic novel should be ready for publication this year. I am very excited about that. The art is still being completed but there has been good progress and hopefully the main art will be done by the end of this coming month with alterations done by next month. There is printing time and extras and so on but hopefully in the middle of this year it should be ready for print and out there for you good folks to read and buy.

There will be another short story by me in this year's installment of Insomnia's "Layer Zero" series. My story is entitled "TV Bites" (an exclusive!) with the theme being "Survival". I hope you enjoy that.

I have managed to get a new scriptwriting software onto my laptop so I have been doing some writing you will be pleased to hear. I am working on TV series pilot at the moment and that is going through the final editing stages before it is ready to be seen by industry professionals. I am hopeful for it, though am realistic in not expecting too much at this stage.

I also entered the "Dr Who Big Finish Opportunity". Submitted a pitch for a 25 minute audio story with the 5th Doctor. I found this fun and challenging. My usual mediums are visual affairs but as this was a chance to write an idea for a Doctor Who story I just couldn't resist. If you want to submit your own entry you can by checking out their website (just search on 'Big Finish' on google) but hurry as the deadline is Monday (01.02.2010).

I am hoping to write a screen play this year and will also be hoping to experiment with writing plays and radio drama.

I am seeing several musicals this year (have already seen one) as well as the usual feast of cinema, blu ray/DVD and Television - all for inspiration.

On that note I would thoroughly recommend seeing "Legally Blonde" in the West End at the Savoy Theatre. I have seen the show three times and enjoyed myself immensely. The show is colourful and lively with great musical numbers, top notch performances and witty lyrics. It is overall a very well written and smart musical (why I like it) that is so much more then the pink you will see in the promo for it. I guarantee you will stand at the end with a very loud ovation. The show is worth seeing for the great cast alone - Jill Halfpenny, Peter Davidson, Duncan James and the leading lady - Sheridan Smith, who portrays Elle with wit an humour, warmth and intelligence and is a far superior version then the Reese Witherspoon's take on the character in the film. Go see this show, you will not regret it!

Well with that I take my leave and who knows when I will be back????

I jest. I will try and be back soon but I may just be too busy writing and for that I can surely be forgiven?

Take care

X

Merry Xmas!!!!

2009-12-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

Yet again I beg forgiveness for another late blog. If this blog was a deadline for a script I'd be shot by now. I assure any potenial employers reading this that I would never be late for a deadline for work. Indeed I was one of the very few in my subject at University to never be late in handing work!

So I have been very busy but I hope you have been to. Did you watch the 2 series I recommended? I hope so, they are truely amazing shows.

So what now? I would say...............take a break! It's Christmas so enjoy it but if you want some homework then try this:

The Doctor Who christmas Special and Hamlet.

You may have picked up something that connects the two? It's the actor David Tennent. He has been given plaudits not only for his role in Doctor Who but more impressively for his portrayl of Hamlet on stage. So good is his Hamlet that it has been filmed and is being shown primetime on BBC1 Boxing Day.

I do believe he is a very talented actor but without a story to play with and a script to study then where would one of the UK's (and world's) favourite shows and classical stage play be?

Words are what make these works of genius. Scripts give actors and actresses what they need to delivar that Oscar winning performance.

The writer may be overlooked in the meida when it comes to plaudits of greta shows but they are the lifeblood and without them we would not have the great shows, films, plays, musicals that we have today and the actors would not have anything to follow - even David Tennent.

So watch these shows and while you are taking in the visual specticule of the portrayl remember that a writer sat down and wrote that story. That dialouge. The manner of the a character and one day you to may write for a world famous show or play and the time's most popular and talented actor.

Merry Christmas every one! Have a great New Year.

X

Delay on post!!! Back now.

2009-12-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

Well it's been 2 weeks since my last blog - please forgive me.

As I mentioned in my last blog that I was moving to London - Well now I have!!!!

It has been very busy indeed. Moving day itself and then straight into a full time job that week. My days are covered by work and my nights are covered by a) sleeping or b) going out. Plus I do not yet have my own laptop to computer hooked up to the Internet. I have to use the laptop where I am staying which isn't mine and is often in use.

I will endeavour to keep up my Friday afternoon update commitment but as I am still in transition, getting used to life down south and learning a new job then I may fail in this task. I can only ask for your understanding and forgiveness.

As I have been so busy I have not been writing - fore shame you say. I agree. I aim to get back to writing very soon. I now have corrections on my last script to read through and will work through them soon at which time my script may be ready to be sent out - exciting times.

So this week I will be giving you something a little different and asking ou to watch 2 programmes where I believe the writing is at it's finest. They are both British programmes made by the BBC and they are both comedies - although in a very different vein to each other.

The first is the finished comedy series - Coupling. Written by Stephen Moffet (who is taking over duties on Doctor Who), this comedy is a racy sitcom style set in the "noughties" and features 6 regular cast members. 3 men and 3 women and their relationships with each other. The series was highly successful and starred Jack Davenport who some of you may know form Pirates of the Caribbean and now - Flash Forward. This show was a hilarious mix of sharp wit and visual comedy that I find still funny and relevant to this day even though it finished several years ago.

The second show is in its third series and has had a spin off movie called In the Loop. I am of course talking about - The Thick of It. A political comedy about the farcical workings of one department in the government and the swearing, shouting and overall dark heart - Malcom Tucker. An extreme character, almost over the top in how he is portrayed but with such brutal realism you could imagine he is a real person (indeed he is based on a real person - Alastair Campbell). There is both script and improv present in this show but is a highly polished show even with its fly on the wall style production.

I want people who read this to watch these shows and see why they work. Why the characters work the way they do. How the stories are structured. Who stands out and why and are these characters believable or just so good in what they do you suspend your belief.

If anyone has any thoughts then please feel free to comment here and if not just think about it and see how you can apply what these shows do to your own work.

That is all for now. Take care and keep writing!!! (someone has to!!!)

Post Thought Bubble, Illness & Moving.

2009-11-27T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello all.

Friday is here and so is another entry for the blog. I hope your week has been well. Mine has certainly been mixed. Good and bad, lazy and busy in equal measure. So without further ado lets begin where we left off...

Thought Bubble

I attended the Leeds Thought Bubble festival last Saturday and it was not a disappointment. All the colour, comics and fun of last year although a much different prospect for me this time round. When I was there last year I was just beginning my endeavours into the world of professional writing and was just a fan. This year I was without my trusty comic fan friend and had objectives to achieve with a whole new mindset.

The weather this year unfortunately was not good. Rain and cold all day compared to the sunshine of last year but that did not deter the people. I think there was more people that went then last year and that was a fair few. I visited my publishers table and was there for a lot of the day. It was good to see the faces behind the emails and phone calls that we had been exchanging over the last year. Everyone was friendly and the display was very impressive.
There was a hitch. The ashcan's that I have been promoting on here were not available due to a printing error so that was a let down but that wasn't any one's fault, these things do happen and they did have a a folder with the art to my first story and the list of stories that will be in the graphic novel so I/they was still able to promote the work.

I walked the floor many times looking at the stalls. There seem to be more single issues or floppy traders this year then graphic novel traders but I still picked up 3 at the venue and one in a shop with a voucher I obtained at the festival - 25% anything at Forbidden Planet, a great deal.

I only sat in on one panel this year but it was very interesting and I observed the cosplay competition which was much bigger this year. There was also a fully armoured, professional Ironman walking the floor which I was impressed with. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Much credit to Lisa the organiser for this.

I achieved my goal of meeting Paul Cornell. A very friendly man who signed my Captain Britian graphic, gave me a free comic also signed and even looked over the preview of my graphic novel. I felt very bad giving my business card...I only did it to network but I am aware that many professionals often are wary of people giving them scripts and details expecting miracles. I know it can be looked on unfavourably. In fact if you look for this phrase on the web: "No I won't read your fucking script". You will find a rather detailed post as to why a certain Hollywood writer does not read people's scripts.

If he was displeased, he did not show it and was a gentleman for taking the time to answer my questions and be informative and encouraging. If you get the chance to meet him then do so.

As I said before I was at the con in a different mindset to last year, that of writer. An insider, a creative professional. Indeed I was on the guest list. However as a fan and still fairly new to this game I was quite self conscious. I had plenty of business cards ready to disperse and only gave out about three! I suppose this will change in time when confidence grows and more connections are made. I did talk to a fellow new writer who asked my advice and I felt good at giving that advice and helping them, being someone who people could ask for advice. I also talked to the good people at Time Bomb Comics and AccentUK and it was good to talk to them in terms of being a fellow in the same field.

All in all it was a grand day at the convention but my luck would change as I came home int he cold and rain....

I became ill. I was feeling worse for wear and seeing as I was going to have a busy and eventful week I missed the evening do at the comic con which was very good I hear but alas even with me not going out and doing my best I came down fully ill during the week.

I say being ill is probably the biggest block you can have to doing anything let alone writing. I was a wreck. I am still recovering now but over the worst.

So to move on to the final part and something more positive - I am moving.

I will be leaving my home town of Leeds on Sunday where I will be moving to the big smoke. It is daunting and has been stressful sorting everything (and there is still more to be sorted) but I am excited and looking forward to the new experiences I am sure to have.

On that note I will sign off. Next week I will be posting from my new location and may even ask advice of you dear readers as I will be in new surroundings with my own challenges to deal with so until then take care and keep writing.

:-)

Thought Bubble 21st November & tiredness!

2009-11-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hello all

Time again for a new blog post. This one will not be a long one as a) I am tired and b) I thought a short one would be a good change.

So I am tired. Yup tired. I have been working all week (or training) and am tired. I guess this is why some writers would say you can't do a full time job and write. I can see why. However as tired as I am I still make the effort to sit down and type this out and if I can do this I can write whatever I choose to write. May my eyes droop? Yes. May I make a mistake or two? Possibly. Does it matter? No because I can go back and correct it when I am alert (which you should do anyway).

As I said last week, writing is a love not a chore so you should be able to write, as long as you want to, anytime regardless of whether you have been working or not. However you do score a a good writing job that can support you at least somewhat then you shouldn't be doing both because I can imagine that does lead to burn out.

Anyway I promised to keep this short so I will now move on to the next topic: Thought Bubble 2009.

I won't write too much on this as I will be experiencing the festival tomorrow but I will say it is in Leeds, Royal Armouries, Saville Hall starts at 10am and runs into the night but the main convention closes at 5-5:30pm I believe. There will be panels, workshops, screenings, signings and a ton of comics & graphic novels for sale. It truly is an amazing event whether you are a comic fan or not. I thoroughly recommend heading down there if you can and checking it out.

I will be there and will be on the Insomnia table where they will be selling copies of Layer Zero: Choices - which features a story written by myself as well as selling other graphic novels such as Cancertown. Also if you buy something from them you may get an exclusive ashcan preview of my graphic novel "Urban Legends" which will be out next year. The preview will be an entire story that will be featured in the novel as well as some titles for stories that will also be in the novel. If I am there when you buy I will sign it for you :-) If I'm not there and you really want a signature or just a chat then let them know and I'll do my best to find you or be there when you come back lol.

I also aim to visit the AccentUK table and check in with those guys who do some great novels and will have story written myself in their 2011 anthology "Victoriana".

I will be looking for deals on graphic novels, chatting to fellow creators and hopefully meeting Paul Cornell at his table to have a good chat about writing and maybe get an autograph. I may be a writer but I am a fan as well :-)

Well that's it for now. Have a great weekend and there will be a new blog post next week. If you are going to the Thought Bubble I may just see you there!

The 2nd blog - Screenwriting

2009-11-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hello all.

Time once again for me to ramble on my incoherent thoughts on writing. I have decided to make at least one decision today (and believe me that is an achievement) that the blog will be updated every Friday most probably in the afternoon. So mark that in your diary if you so wish (though this may change at anytime and without warning so maybe write it in pencil...)

There was a number of things I want to talk about - screen writing being one. Oh yes I do more then comics. I am taking a crack at screen writing to. Screen writing is a tough job - mainly because it's big and everyone thinks they can do it. Then you look it into it and there are a number of rules, advice, conflicting info and you have to work to put your stuff out there that is likely not to be even looked at if you haven't got the basic (but important) stuff right.

So why do it? The big bucks? Nope. You do five minutes of reading on the subject and you know it's the actors and studios who get the big money. Fame? Ask people to name a famous person and I wager you'd reach a high number of people before they named a writer as first choice. So why put yourself through it? For love is answer. You love writing, you love the work taking hold and you love the idea that one day that your work may be seen by more then just yourself. You do it for love and so you persevere.

I don't want to go on too much as I will no doubt talk about the subject in further blogs but I will say there is lots of stuff on the Internet out there to help you along. Plenty of writers on social networking sites that give general advice plus plenty of aspiring writers who are more then happy to lend a hand and talk through the trials and tribulations of the craft.

Here's a few sites that may help you on your way:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
http://filmlinker.com/blog/links-directory/
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/video/articles/46225.aspx
http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=613548

Now I have read a lot of advice online and one thing did crop up that I did not agree with. Now I am not claiming to be J.J Abrams or anything. I do not have a massive ego and plenty of established writers may tell me I'm talking out of my posterior here but it's my opinion as a writer which you are free to take or leave as you see fit.

I read that to be a successful writer you literally need to say goodbye to family and friends, don't do anything outside of your writing room, lock yourself and don't come out barring posting scripts & attending the odd workshop until you have "made it". Your social life dies they say.

Now if you have a job in writing then I would never say "leave that work and have some fun". If you have a job to do then do it - your lucky, many would kill to be in your place. But I have never been one to agree with the adage: "Live to Work" be it in writing or any job. I don't want to go into religion but I wager you only have one life so live it and locking yourself away is not living. More to the point, life and what's in it is such a rich tapestry of material a writer can tape into for inspiration which leads to creating MORE work. If you want to see your friends, do so. If you ant a night with a loved one then definitely do it. If you want to watch a DVD then do it because there is nothing worse for writing then sitting down, not wanting to write, having nothing there and feeling like it's a chore. That's the fastest way to quit writing I think.

Now I am not saying just slob around watching DVDs (or Blu Rays if you're up on your tech). You can watch a DVD of your fave show or film and make it work for you that will aid your writing. Instead of just sitting there and watching, THINK while you watch. Watch it not as a fan but as a writer and as yourself these questions:

Why do I like this film/show?
Who do I like in this film/show and why?
What scene really works and what doesn't and why?
How might that scene have been scripted?

Don't do this for every show and movie every time you watch as that will eventually take the fun out of it but do it when you can and you will find this helps your writing as it give you a better understanding of what works and how to write a script that is appealing. I don't mean plain copy, I mean if you see a great action scene for example think about how it might have been written and try it for yourself. See if your work matches up with the rules of screenwriting. Try writing the scene you saw then try writing an original story with your own unique scenes.

I think what happens to me and what I see in life are my biggest inspirations for writing. Names, places, shows, films, experiences. I can't imagine closing myself away to write without having something from reality to draw on. Remember; Reality often makes the best fiction.

Now I have talked a lot of about screen writing there, or just talked perhaps but I want quickly mention comics again as I have seen the first lettered story from my upcoming graphic novel: Urban Legends.

It gave me a real feeling of satisfaction to see it. To see the story taking shape and its progression from an idea in my head, onto script, onto art and then completed.

If you haven't had this yet then strive for it because it is an amazing feeling and those who have experienced it know what I mean.

Many thanks to Nic Wilkinson at Insomnia Publications for this :-)

I will come to a close now but will add that the Leeds Thought Bubble is fast approaching - 21st November, Saville Hall at the Royal Armouries Leeds. Last year was amazing and I am sure this year will be to. If you interested in seeing my writing then an ashcan of one of the stories form the upcoming graphic will be there and it will be FREE!!!! If you catch me on the table I'll even sign it for you if you wish :-)

Anyway that is me out. Goodbye for now. Take care and keep writing :-)

The first blog.

2009-11-06T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hello one and all to the first blog by myself - Steven Stone.

Hopefully you will find it informative and entertaining while not trying to cream my financial details for use in credit card fraud...

I joke of course although if anyone else used the Guardians Jobs website then they will understand my reservations in putting info on the net ;-)

But let us not dwell on such things. This blog will be happy blog of musings, ramblings and information, namely on my writing which I hope you will get to read or have read already.
I will say first off that I love writing. I love the ability to create something out of nothing. To take an idea and make it real. To explore characters and make them as real as yourself. Also it's just really cool...

You may have read my first published story - Soul, in Insomnia Publications anthology title: Layer Zero: Choices. While I have written various things for many years including articles, song lyrics and books on dinosaurs and dangerous animals when I was a kid, this was my first official published piece of fiction and I have to say I enjoyed the process immensely. Having an old idea knocking round my brain and the chance to make it a real story and have it read is exhilarating. If you haven't read it - give it a go and not just for my sake but for your own because not only does Layer Zero: Choices have my little tale but also a whole array of talent that you will not be disappointed by. You can find the book here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Layer-Zero-Choices-Cy-Dethan/dp/190580816X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257525418&sr=8-1

I will also have a story in Insomnia's next anthology title - Layer Zero: Survival. Stories with the theme of survival. I will let you in on a little sneak piece of info folks....my story will be entitled "TV Bites". I have seen the pencil work and it looks great.

I will also have a story in AccentUK's anthology title - Victoriana. I am very excited for this as the story is quite action packed and AccentUK have a reputation for their quality books so I am really looking forward to it even though it won't be out until 2011. It's a long wait but will be worth it.

One of the main aims of this blog besides giving me and outlet to type random thoughts to whoever wants to read them is to share insight into the making of my first full length graphic novel (which is for Insomnia Publications BTW) - Urban Legends.

Urban Legends is a graphic novel of short stories all based around Urban Legends. Those scary tales we all know and wonder if they are in fact - true.

So yes I will be "pimping my product" as they say but hopefully you will find humour and insight into the comic making process and the mind of a writer.

I have gone on a bit now. Hopefully I can keep this blog up - never have been able to keep a diary so bare with me.

More to come on Urban Legends, comics, life and love no doubt.

Oh one more thing - 21st of November is the Leeds Thought Bubble Festival with a one day comic con. Tons of talent from the world of graphic novels including Manga, Marvel, DC as well as the hottest new talent on the scene including my bashful self. So come along, spend a day in an awesome location with brilliant people and amazing comics. Plus you may just get to meet me to :-)

Until next time....