"But I'm Not Dead Yet!... I Feel Good! I Feel Happyyy!"
Monty Python and the Holy Grail - 1975
What a week. I got over the unsettling chest pains from last week with the help of my doctor and some store brand Prilosec. My arthritic ankle seems to have gone from a centralized sharp pain to a broader spread dull pain. (I'm still debating if this qualifies as progress or not. I can still walk, at least, so that's a positive.) Apparently Wednesday evenings are now becoming "Let's see what physical trauma we can endure!" night, as my left clavicle area exploded in stabbing pain for absolutely no viable reason I can think of. I also had a case of the stupids Monday night and popped up some of the Boy Scout fundraising popcorn that my little neighbor kid delivered. Short version - I'm a mess and I'm supposed to avoid popcorn, but it happens to be one of my favorite snacks so I occasionally make bad decisions. My guts may or may not show how much they disapprove each time I risk it. This week I wasn't so lucky.
Dad always said it was hell to get old. I'm still not sure how 37 translates as old, but I'm inclined to agree with his assessment of the aging process.
In spite of all this merry hoo-haw, I've managed to add a few more chapters to Book 2. This FINALLY puts me at the 200 page mark with plenty of story left to tell. It's not so much that I'm gunning for another 400+ page book, but I would like to keep my novels at least relatively close in length if I can keep the material worthwhile. (Not that J.K. Rowling had any issue with a lack of symmetry in selling Harry Potter, but it's something I try to pay attention to.) What really has me excited is the fact that I have a pretty clear notion of how the rest of the story goes. Theoretically, this should mean that the flow of writing should move a little easier, and I can start tying together all the pieces I've left dangling in previous chapters.
So for now... "I feel good! I feel happy!"
A quick note on Influences on Writing:
If you've read Ash to Ashes and/or follow my Blog, it should come as no surprise that I have an appreciation for Monty Python, specifically Monthy Python and the Holy Grail. Puns, twisted humor, word play, and double entendre make me giggle. "Stupid" humor that still requires a level of thought to really get it brings me joy. The fact that I get to share my warped sense of humor with others makes the writing process that much more enjoyable. It also makes the editing process a little less painful.
The fact is, I have so many influences in my writing style and voice that I would probably have to write several blogs just to properly list them all. I'd rather not spend that kind of time doing so when I really need to be working on other projects, but there are a few highlights that I feel are worth mentioning:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the series), Firefly, Dollhouse: Despite the current hostility of others towards Joss Whedon for his recently exposed personal life issues, he and his writing teams were heavily influential in how I approach dialogue and storytelling. Snappy banter, give and take, witty commentary, the use of asides by the characters, all come from examples I've seen in these shows and similarly scripted movies and TV shows.
A lot of how I script my dialogue and how it is delivered is also influenced by who I cast in certain roles. That actor or actress may change as the story and character progresses, but it has been an incredibly useful tool in getting the right voice solidified for each character. For Ash to Ashes, I actually have a pretty solid cast list of existing actors and actresses who play a majority of the characters. I've learned from talking to certain readers, though, that it's better to keep that roster to myself as they tend to have their own interpretations of the characters. Regardless, it's a fun list to review in my own head, and I may actually get around to sharing it someday for kicks and giggles if I perceive enough interest.
I'll wrap up by mentioning five major influences in my writing that can be attributed to one person in particular, a high school English teacher named Mrs. Enneking:
1. An extensive study of the legends of King Arthur and the Round Table
2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. "Use action at the beginning of your story to grab the reader's attention right away."
4. "Use all five senses to describe the scene for better writing."
5. MUG Shots (A grammar exercise that reinforces grammar rules and usage. I admit, it felt like a hassle in school, but it's been INVALUABLE to me as a writer now!)
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "Teachers do make a difference!" Thanks, Mrs. E.!
UPDATES: No events scheduled, but the holiday season is just around the corner! What better way to check off that "Something to Read" portion of your gift lists than Ash to Ashes: Chronicles of Chalisara Volume 1 ? Available HERE in paperback or e-book (Kindle)! *
* As a reminder, if you purchase the paperback edition of Ash to Ashes via Amazon, you can also pick up the digital version for just another $.99! How cool is that?!?
