Post by GoldenKitten on May 17, 2010 4:53:07 GMT -4
Alright I'm going to make a serious claim here.
As a result of a discussion several days ago I launched into the long procrastinated goal of writing a full-length novel. It turns out that over the next few days the idea I set out with has grown in my mind and I have received quite a bit of positive encouragement from those close to me in real life to do this. Long has it been that I've been told I should at least give such an endeavor the old college try. Unfortunately as you all know I am quite the meandering fool and to be honest I have always been aware I have a number of shortcomings as an author. This has perhaps almost lead me to be fearful of even thinking of the matter much less actually putting pen to paper...or well, finger to key.
But times change. I've been writing for over ten years now from the RP's here (and elsewhere) to short-story competitions and beyond. I may not be a professional but I at least have the prerequisites to make an attempt. Beyond that I intend to begin proper studying of English and what has always been the one giant weakness in my literature, grammar.
The long term goal is without a doubt publication, but for the time I simply want to prove to myself that I can do it. Once that is done I'll begin shipping it around to others both simple friends that would stand-in as the average reader and some fellow authors I know (including one who has seen publication) to begin getting a feel for how my work is received outside of this closed environment at Bleached Souls.
I expect the rough-draft to take anywhere between two to four months depending on how the muse treats me, real life situations, and how the work itself expands in ways I can't yet predict. Once done I suspect another month at minimum for fixing errors and filling out boring/blank spots not noted on initial conception. Then it will be finished and I'll see where I go from there.
My point here is that this is important to me and I am going to try my damned hardest to see it through. Being an author, even a small time one, would be the fulfillment of the only (realistic) dream I have ever had as well as putting to work my only truly above-average skill that I enjoy immensely. Thus it will be my focus from here on out.
I'm not saying I wont be here at Bleached Souls or won't keep the RP's active. What I am saying is that when the muse strikes it will be first and foremost channeled into this attempt. Likewise much of the time I once spent on the site or engaging in conversation with members will instead be utilized more effectively for this cause. For all I know nothing will become of it and this grand vision will die in a week but I am going to do everything in my power to combat my usual failings and finally do this.
I'm sorry this is so sudden and though I promise I'll still be here it doesn't exactly bode well for our already low-activity site. But the simple fact is that while Bleached Souls is important to me I am getting older now and with my physical problems finding any reliable and consistent form of employment has been impossible. If I can improve my abilities and break my way into publication, even if I'm a little nothing author who just barely scrapes by (only a fool goes in expecting success) then that will give me pride and purpose over the life of apathy and uncertainty I currently find myself.
I appreciate your understanding, though likewise I myself understand if this comes as disheartening to you. But remember I'm still here, I won't ever abandon Bleached Souls (without sufficient reason, public announcement and plenty of time before it were to occur. I'm no Harmony/Gahrok) and for the time being this is still just as much a dream as the Neanderthal that wanted to travel to the moon. It just happens to be one I am going to put my all into seeing become a reality.
Have fun, thanks for reading, see you all tomorrow.
- Golden “Being far to serious for his own good” Kitten
As a result of a discussion several days ago I launched into the long procrastinated goal of writing a full-length novel. It turns out that over the next few days the idea I set out with has grown in my mind and I have received quite a bit of positive encouragement from those close to me in real life to do this. Long has it been that I've been told I should at least give such an endeavor the old college try. Unfortunately as you all know I am quite the meandering fool and to be honest I have always been aware I have a number of shortcomings as an author. This has perhaps almost lead me to be fearful of even thinking of the matter much less actually putting pen to paper...or well, finger to key.
But times change. I've been writing for over ten years now from the RP's here (and elsewhere) to short-story competitions and beyond. I may not be a professional but I at least have the prerequisites to make an attempt. Beyond that I intend to begin proper studying of English and what has always been the one giant weakness in my literature, grammar.
The long term goal is without a doubt publication, but for the time I simply want to prove to myself that I can do it. Once that is done I'll begin shipping it around to others both simple friends that would stand-in as the average reader and some fellow authors I know (including one who has seen publication) to begin getting a feel for how my work is received outside of this closed environment at Bleached Souls.
I expect the rough-draft to take anywhere between two to four months depending on how the muse treats me, real life situations, and how the work itself expands in ways I can't yet predict. Once done I suspect another month at minimum for fixing errors and filling out boring/blank spots not noted on initial conception. Then it will be finished and I'll see where I go from there.
My point here is that this is important to me and I am going to try my damned hardest to see it through. Being an author, even a small time one, would be the fulfillment of the only (realistic) dream I have ever had as well as putting to work my only truly above-average skill that I enjoy immensely. Thus it will be my focus from here on out.
I'm not saying I wont be here at Bleached Souls or won't keep the RP's active. What I am saying is that when the muse strikes it will be first and foremost channeled into this attempt. Likewise much of the time I once spent on the site or engaging in conversation with members will instead be utilized more effectively for this cause. For all I know nothing will become of it and this grand vision will die in a week but I am going to do everything in my power to combat my usual failings and finally do this.
I'm sorry this is so sudden and though I promise I'll still be here it doesn't exactly bode well for our already low-activity site. But the simple fact is that while Bleached Souls is important to me I am getting older now and with my physical problems finding any reliable and consistent form of employment has been impossible. If I can improve my abilities and break my way into publication, even if I'm a little nothing author who just barely scrapes by (only a fool goes in expecting success) then that will give me pride and purpose over the life of apathy and uncertainty I currently find myself.
I appreciate your understanding, though likewise I myself understand if this comes as disheartening to you. But remember I'm still here, I won't ever abandon Bleached Souls (without sufficient reason, public announcement and plenty of time before it were to occur. I'm no Harmony/Gahrok) and for the time being this is still just as much a dream as the Neanderthal that wanted to travel to the moon. It just happens to be one I am going to put my all into seeing become a reality.
Have fun, thanks for reading, see you all tomorrow.
- Golden “Being far to serious for his own good” Kitten
