When a writer says that they have done ten (or 80) revisions of their work, I wonder what they mean. Have they entirely re-written the entire project that many times? Or is that the number of times they've read through it and fixed anything that needed fixing? Even if that's only a small percentage of the writing.
And then of course there are some parts of the story that you edit more than others (The first chapter is notorious for being over-edited).
I do think I need to take a break from Katani soon. I'm getting kind of burned out about editing this.
My last in-depth rewrite took most of the summer. I had a page of notes - filled front and back - with comments that I wanted to think about and address.
The problem is with that many comments it's easy to forget about some of them.
What I've found myself doing is picking one of my comments, and then scanning through the entire story with just that one comment in mind.
It's tedious and time-consuming, but I think it's working. Since I'm only thinking about one problem, I can figure out the best places to work it into the story.
~*~
Friday, October 27, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Farewell Twilight
A while ago, I thought I'd edit a couple more chapters of my old Twilight Princess fanfic. It would be a break from more serious writing.
But as I started re-writing the next chapter, I realized that I'd lost interest in the project. Pulling actions and dialogue from a pre-made story feels so restrictive now. The chapter I just edited feels stiff.
If I were to make it more alive, I'd probably have to rework the entire thing. And I don't think that's something I'll ever want to do.
Especially considering I have a million other writing projects that are my original ideas.
Maybe this is why novelizations of movies are rarely awesome. There's not much creative freedom for the writer to spread their wings.
However, I may try to rewrite a few more chapters of my Pokemon fanfic. That may take place in the Pokemon world, but the story is mostly my own. I just grabbed bits and pieces from games and cartoons.
I did rewrite the first Pokemon chapter a few months ago, and it was surprisingly fun (mostly because the original was so lame XD ). I'll probably post that soon, once I go through it once more.
But as I started re-writing the next chapter, I realized that I'd lost interest in the project. Pulling actions and dialogue from a pre-made story feels so restrictive now. The chapter I just edited feels stiff.
If I were to make it more alive, I'd probably have to rework the entire thing. And I don't think that's something I'll ever want to do.
Especially considering I have a million other writing projects that are my original ideas.
Maybe this is why novelizations of movies are rarely awesome. There's not much creative freedom for the writer to spread their wings.
However, I may try to rewrite a few more chapters of my Pokemon fanfic. That may take place in the Pokemon world, but the story is mostly my own. I just grabbed bits and pieces from games and cartoons.
I did rewrite the first Pokemon chapter a few months ago, and it was surprisingly fun (mostly because the original was so lame XD ). I'll probably post that soon, once I go through it once more.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Turtles all the Way Down
I finished reading Turtles All the Way Down. John Green's new book.
One of the things I like about his writing is the dialogue. Sure, it's not really realistic how the characters talk. But I still like it. How it's often poetic or philosophical or both.
I also love some of the ideas he uses.
(Though The Fault in Our Stars is still my favorite of his books - other than that one, his stories aren't usually to my taste even if I do love moments of them).
It probably wasn't the best timing for me to read this book though. This year has been the most anxiety-filled year of my life. Every time I think it's getting better, something new pops up.
It's not because I've finished school. And all the summer craze only caused a fraction of the stress, though there were some pretty crazy times. Like getting evacuated. And when I was leading one ride along, and helicopters flew right toward us and freaked the horses out. And when one guy was nearly crushed when his mule fell down a hill - and another horse got spooked and ran straight toward the highway. Luckily no one got hurt though it was really really close (I actually didn't see any of that. I was leading the ride, and we were around a corner. I heard screams behind me, but I couldn't go back to see what was happening because I had to take care of the people in front).
Anyway, Turtles kind of gave words to some of my anxiety. Not that I can to compare my stupid problems to Aza's (Or John's).
The book also made me sad, because I might know a couple people going through something similar (if not as bad) that Aza is going through.
When I went to that young adult fiction workshop earlier this yeas, one of the authors said something that links really well to this.
The parents of kids who have mental health problems are often shown as incompetent in media. But it's not that they're incompetent. It's that they're helpless.
Turtles made me feel really helpless in regards to people I care about.
I'll be some people would consider this self centered. But I want so much to help my friends/family feel better if they're stressed or anxious or sad or anything. I want to do something, anything, to brighten their day.
I can't stand it when the people I care about are hurting.
It makes me feel useless to think that I can't help at all.
(Heheh, I guess it's pretty obvious through my blog posts how much anxiety I've had this year).
One of the things I like about his writing is the dialogue. Sure, it's not really realistic how the characters talk. But I still like it. How it's often poetic or philosophical or both.
I also love some of the ideas he uses.
(Though The Fault in Our Stars is still my favorite of his books - other than that one, his stories aren't usually to my taste even if I do love moments of them).
It probably wasn't the best timing for me to read this book though. This year has been the most anxiety-filled year of my life. Every time I think it's getting better, something new pops up.
It's not because I've finished school. And all the summer craze only caused a fraction of the stress, though there were some pretty crazy times. Like getting evacuated. And when I was leading one ride along, and helicopters flew right toward us and freaked the horses out. And when one guy was nearly crushed when his mule fell down a hill - and another horse got spooked and ran straight toward the highway. Luckily no one got hurt though it was really really close (I actually didn't see any of that. I was leading the ride, and we were around a corner. I heard screams behind me, but I couldn't go back to see what was happening because I had to take care of the people in front).
Anyway, Turtles kind of gave words to some of my anxiety. Not that I can to compare my stupid problems to Aza's (Or John's).
The book also made me sad, because I might know a couple people going through something similar (if not as bad) that Aza is going through.
When I went to that young adult fiction workshop earlier this yeas, one of the authors said something that links really well to this.
The parents of kids who have mental health problems are often shown as incompetent in media. But it's not that they're incompetent. It's that they're helpless.
Turtles made me feel really helpless in regards to people I care about.
I'll be some people would consider this self centered. But I want so much to help my friends/family feel better if they're stressed or anxious or sad or anything. I want to do something, anything, to brighten their day.
I can't stand it when the people I care about are hurting.
It makes me feel useless to think that I can't help at all.
(Heheh, I guess it's pretty obvious through my blog posts how much anxiety I've had this year).
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Multi-tasking
I often multi-task when it comes to entertainment stuff.
For example, when I watch a movie or show, I'm almost always drawing or sewing or something (yes I know there's no such thing as multi-tasking, but they do say that doodling helps you remember some stuff better).
It probably annoys some people who watch movies with me. But my family is pretty used to it. And my cousins are more likely to watch me draw than to watch the TV.
For books, it's more difficult. I'll check out books on tape, so I can listen to them as I drive or clean my room or something.
But when I'm actually reading a book, I can't really multi-task with it. The only exception is if I'm traveling. When I'm on a train or plane or if someone else is driving, I'm reading.
I almost always have a book with me. Someone in band asked be about it a couple weeks ago, since I always read if we have a break during rehearsal. And I had one teacher during college who always teased be because I read between classes and always had a book.
Today I discovered a new way to multi-task with reading.
My dad just bought a stationary bike a couple weeks ago. Which is weird because we used to have one and we got rid of it ages ago.
Ah well. It's a good bike.
I posted yesterday about physical activity helping you focus better. So I was thinking of what activity to do today. Since I'd had enough of the TV screen for the day, a different thought popped into my head.
I can read my book while I'm riding the bike!
Since I usually use my real bike, that had never really been an option.
But when I told Mom about my awesome idea she went "Oh yeah I've heard of people doing that."
Heh. So much for being original.
Well, it's still a cool new way to do multiple things at once.
For example, when I watch a movie or show, I'm almost always drawing or sewing or something (yes I know there's no such thing as multi-tasking, but they do say that doodling helps you remember some stuff better).
It probably annoys some people who watch movies with me. But my family is pretty used to it. And my cousins are more likely to watch me draw than to watch the TV.
For books, it's more difficult. I'll check out books on tape, so I can listen to them as I drive or clean my room or something.
But when I'm actually reading a book, I can't really multi-task with it. The only exception is if I'm traveling. When I'm on a train or plane or if someone else is driving, I'm reading.
I almost always have a book with me. Someone in band asked be about it a couple weeks ago, since I always read if we have a break during rehearsal. And I had one teacher during college who always teased be because I read between classes and always had a book.
Today I discovered a new way to multi-task with reading.
My dad just bought a stationary bike a couple weeks ago. Which is weird because we used to have one and we got rid of it ages ago.
Ah well. It's a good bike.
I posted yesterday about physical activity helping you focus better. So I was thinking of what activity to do today. Since I'd had enough of the TV screen for the day, a different thought popped into my head.
I can read my book while I'm riding the bike!
Since I usually use my real bike, that had never really been an option.
But when I told Mom about my awesome idea she went "Oh yeah I've heard of people doing that."
Heh. So much for being original.
Well, it's still a cool new way to do multiple things at once.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Energy Rush
I thought I'd share this video. I know it's easier for me to write when I've just been active, and this explains more about it~
Monday, October 9, 2017
Little Free Library
It turns out there is an official website for the little street-corner libraries!
It looks like you can actually buy and register little libraries to put in your neighborhood.
It would be cool to set one up near my house, but if I ever want to buy one, if won't be for a while @_@
It looks like you can actually buy and register little libraries to put in your neighborhood.
It would be cool to set one up near my house, but if I ever want to buy one, if won't be for a while @_@
Friday, October 6, 2017
Flood of Crazy People
So, this summer has been full of human chaos. More than I've ever dealt with.
And amazingly only a fraction of it came from guiding trail rides with people who have never been on a horse before.
In books or movies, sometimes you'll see a character that mutters nasty stuff under his breath, as if no one can hear him.
Well, I actually met someone like that. I worked with him during the summer.
This guy dragged quite a bit of chaos in his wake. One example: He managed to flip our golf cart over. And this golf cart is incapable of driving over 25 miles per hour. And yes, he did get hurt, but luckily it wasn't serious.
Also this summer, I discovered a guy that I really want to punch in the face. I've never met anyone that I wanted to punch before. And he would so freaking deserve it. My god... I just pray he didn't do any lasting damage to that poor kid.
And while I don't swear (at least not in public) there are a couple that I really want to cuss out.
Among other stuff.
I guess the overall thing is that I'm far too trusting of people.
That guy I want to punch in the face? I originally liked him. And that concerns me a lot.
Also, half of the people I worked with hate kids and Asians.
Great.
They hate kids because kids are almost never able to control their animal. They're just not strong enough.
And they hate Asians because, in their view at least, Asian people don't speak English, and they also can't seem to control their horses.
Which ignores the fact that there were plenty of non-Asian people who couldn't speak English. And plenty of Asians that spoke perfect English because, you know, Asian people live in America too.
And there were plenty of Non-Asians who had absolutely no control over their animals.
An actual conversation (with the inevitable curse words cut out):
Old Cowboy: Chinese don't know anything about horseback riding. They're all samurai.
Me: Samurai are Japanese.
Old cowboy: Whatever.
Yeah, in a nutshell.
I mean, that conversation is a blatant lack of respect for other cultures.
I get that it makes your job harder when people can't speak English. You need to give them instructions and look after them on the trail. But do you really have to be a jerk about it?
At least most of the Asians that rode with us had some understanding of English. I bet if he ever went to another country, he wouldn't bother to learn any of the language.
This resulted in me trying to take look after the Asians and kids, so they wouldn't be guided by someone who is secretly disgusted by them.
Probably a dumb, futile gesture. I'm good at those.
Generally, folks, it's better if you don't hate your customers, yeah?
Your customers are the reason you have a job.
In other news, over the summer I got to talk to people from all of these countries (and more):
Vietnam
Ireland
Korea
Australia
Uzbekistan
China
Japan
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Netherlands
Germany
Not to mention states all over the country.
It's super cool hearing about where people are from and what their travels have been like. So many people do these awesome California road trips. Now I want to do one too.
And amazingly only a fraction of it came from guiding trail rides with people who have never been on a horse before.
In books or movies, sometimes you'll see a character that mutters nasty stuff under his breath, as if no one can hear him.
Well, I actually met someone like that. I worked with him during the summer.
This guy dragged quite a bit of chaos in his wake. One example: He managed to flip our golf cart over. And this golf cart is incapable of driving over 25 miles per hour. And yes, he did get hurt, but luckily it wasn't serious.
Also this summer, I discovered a guy that I really want to punch in the face. I've never met anyone that I wanted to punch before. And he would so freaking deserve it. My god... I just pray he didn't do any lasting damage to that poor kid.
And while I don't swear (at least not in public) there are a couple that I really want to cuss out.
Among other stuff.
I guess the overall thing is that I'm far too trusting of people.
That guy I want to punch in the face? I originally liked him. And that concerns me a lot.
Also, half of the people I worked with hate kids and Asians.
Great.
They hate kids because kids are almost never able to control their animal. They're just not strong enough.
And they hate Asians because, in their view at least, Asian people don't speak English, and they also can't seem to control their horses.
Which ignores the fact that there were plenty of non-Asian people who couldn't speak English. And plenty of Asians that spoke perfect English because, you know, Asian people live in America too.
And there were plenty of Non-Asians who had absolutely no control over their animals.
An actual conversation (with the inevitable curse words cut out):
Old Cowboy: Chinese don't know anything about horseback riding. They're all samurai.
Me: Samurai are Japanese.
Old cowboy: Whatever.
Yeah, in a nutshell.
I mean, that conversation is a blatant lack of respect for other cultures.
I get that it makes your job harder when people can't speak English. You need to give them instructions and look after them on the trail. But do you really have to be a jerk about it?
At least most of the Asians that rode with us had some understanding of English. I bet if he ever went to another country, he wouldn't bother to learn any of the language.
This resulted in me trying to take look after the Asians and kids, so they wouldn't be guided by someone who is secretly disgusted by them.
Probably a dumb, futile gesture. I'm good at those.
Generally, folks, it's better if you don't hate your customers, yeah?
Your customers are the reason you have a job.
In other news, over the summer I got to talk to people from all of these countries (and more):
Vietnam
Ireland
Korea
Australia
Uzbekistan
China
Japan
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Netherlands
Germany
Not to mention states all over the country.
It's super cool hearing about where people are from and what their travels have been like. So many people do these awesome California road trips. Now I want to do one too.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Cutting it Back
Wow, I've cut 2,000 words out of Katani's story. And it's not like I've taken out entire scenes or anything. It's was all unneeded words and description.
Actually, it's probably more than 2,000 words. I was already part-way through a revision when I did the last word count, and I still have a little left to go on this draft.
Actually, it's probably more than 2,000 words. I was already part-way through a revision when I did the last word count, and I still have a little left to go on this draft.
Growing Gold
Our apple tree got fruit for the first time this year~
Two amazing golden delicious apples. They really were delicios @_@
Maybe next year our fuji apple tree will get fruit~
Picking and eating fruit makes me super happy. Although we actually picked these apples a few weeks ago.
Two amazing golden delicious apples. They really were delicios @_@
Maybe next year our fuji apple tree will get fruit~
Picking and eating fruit makes me super happy. Although we actually picked these apples a few weeks ago.
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