So, I started up some writing projects. I'll post about them some more when I get into them a bit more, I think.
Other than that, I think I need to do some more movie reviews here or maybe some Austin restaurant reviews? That's something I'm thinking about now. Going to be a challenge; though, while I'm on this diet!
Yup, that's right, starting Atkins back up now. So, we'll see how long this lasts, but maybe that just a new opportunity, right? Find good places with carb watcher meals, eh?
Other than that, not too much going on. Just pushing and trying to make it, you know? Gotta find my place in the world.
Just wanted to drop by and share!
Showing posts with label Weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekend. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Portfolio
So, I am a writer. That's what I've always wanted to be, and that's what I am. I can write. Everyone that has ever read anything I've written has told me so. So, there is no question to that statement. I am a writer.
However, that alone will not get me a job writing. Only writing will do that for me. However, I've been a little stuck on what to write.
Ultimately, I do want to be a creative writer, and that's why I'm working on projects like Found. It's why I'm trying to work with a friend on a webcomic idea. It's why I'm working with two different group of friends on some game design ideas. And, it's why I'm always trying to think of a story to write.
I don't think I've been very successful; though, when it comes to creative writing. I've yet to finish a story, or create one that I've been able to stick to. Of course, like all creative writers, I do have that one story, but I've just not been able to sit down and get it out.
If I want to be part of the game industry as far as creative development goes, I need to do something. I need to make a change. I need to write something. I have to find that spark, that creative fount that overflows. If you happen to know where it is, let me know.
Outside of creative writing; though, I am solid at other types of writing. Professional and technical. I mean, you've seen two of my reviews, and I think they're pretty good. The same goes for things I write up at work for customers. They're generally "form" type letters that expresses my compay’s stance on a certain situation. So, far, I think I've produced some very good ones! Other people seem to agree.
Now, technical writing, there are a few jobs at my company that needs a technical writer. Never really see anything for professional writers, but technical writing is where it is at there. Though, to be fair, professional writing can lend itself to technical writing. Any good writing can lend itself to a different type.
I need some technical writing samples; though. I need something to show potential employers that I can write.
I'm just not sure what to write up. I'm thinking of putting together a small technical document for the Starcraft II editor. It's a pretty cool tool, and it would be fun to play around with and write about. Same can be said for the Neverwinter Editor as well.
Maybe some screenshots and explanation of the toolbars and actions in the editor.
This is all leading to something. I want an active, growing portfolio of writing examples from creative to technical. I want to make it online as well. I also want to include level design samples as well as design documents for those levels.
Yes, I really do want to be in the game industry. I want to be part of the creation aspect; though.
So, here I sit, wondering where to go from here.
However, that alone will not get me a job writing. Only writing will do that for me. However, I've been a little stuck on what to write.
Ultimately, I do want to be a creative writer, and that's why I'm working on projects like Found. It's why I'm trying to work with a friend on a webcomic idea. It's why I'm working with two different group of friends on some game design ideas. And, it's why I'm always trying to think of a story to write.
I don't think I've been very successful; though, when it comes to creative writing. I've yet to finish a story, or create one that I've been able to stick to. Of course, like all creative writers, I do have that one story, but I've just not been able to sit down and get it out.
If I want to be part of the game industry as far as creative development goes, I need to do something. I need to make a change. I need to write something. I have to find that spark, that creative fount that overflows. If you happen to know where it is, let me know.
Outside of creative writing; though, I am solid at other types of writing. Professional and technical. I mean, you've seen two of my reviews, and I think they're pretty good. The same goes for things I write up at work for customers. They're generally "form" type letters that expresses my compay’s stance on a certain situation. So, far, I think I've produced some very good ones! Other people seem to agree.
Now, technical writing, there are a few jobs at my company that needs a technical writer. Never really see anything for professional writers, but technical writing is where it is at there. Though, to be fair, professional writing can lend itself to technical writing. Any good writing can lend itself to a different type.
I need some technical writing samples; though. I need something to show potential employers that I can write.
I'm just not sure what to write up. I'm thinking of putting together a small technical document for the Starcraft II editor. It's a pretty cool tool, and it would be fun to play around with and write about. Same can be said for the Neverwinter Editor as well.
Maybe some screenshots and explanation of the toolbars and actions in the editor.
This is all leading to something. I want an active, growing portfolio of writing examples from creative to technical. I want to make it online as well. I also want to include level design samples as well as design documents for those levels.
Yes, I really do want to be in the game industry. I want to be part of the creation aspect; though.
So, here I sit, wondering where to go from here.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Endings
And the weekend ends as quickly as it started. Just like last weekend, I was greeted with a frustrating work issue in my email that I worked myself up about. That added a bit of annoyance to my days off; however, I did get some stuff done.
I got most of my chores completed. Which is good since that means I have food and clothes for the work week!
Writing; though, was not as successful. The new blog is probably the most successful, but honestly, I don't know how good it is. I actually managed to get three posts up with substance, and I have a lot of tools for story telling at my disposal if I use them right. Maybe it's starting slow, but I don't think there is a better way to do it considering the setting and story.
The writing contest stuff was less successful. I didn't get anywhere near completing a story, so nothing will be ready on October 1st. Hopefully, it's a monthly thing, or even if it's not, it'll open up again. That will give me time to refine the story I'm working on. Hopefully, it turns out good. It's around 1,800 words at the moment. I'm still under the 4,000 world limit, but I have to be careful.
I did find another contest on the site, and it's not due until November, but it's only a 1,000 world limit. So, that may be a goal for next week; however, I'm going to have to work hard to come up with a good story that works in a thousand words or less.
As for the game story, I didn't get anything written. Nothing at all. I did find some 2D engines that I forwarded to J', but that's about it. No progress. :(
Though, I submitted my Infamous 2 review to GameFaqs and it was published. Yay for that at least. I guess.
Anyway, it's about bedtime. Night from a less than successful writer who feels like he just wasted a weekend.
I got most of my chores completed. Which is good since that means I have food and clothes for the work week!
Writing; though, was not as successful. The new blog is probably the most successful, but honestly, I don't know how good it is. I actually managed to get three posts up with substance, and I have a lot of tools for story telling at my disposal if I use them right. Maybe it's starting slow, but I don't think there is a better way to do it considering the setting and story.
The writing contest stuff was less successful. I didn't get anywhere near completing a story, so nothing will be ready on October 1st. Hopefully, it's a monthly thing, or even if it's not, it'll open up again. That will give me time to refine the story I'm working on. Hopefully, it turns out good. It's around 1,800 words at the moment. I'm still under the 4,000 world limit, but I have to be careful.
I did find another contest on the site, and it's not due until November, but it's only a 1,000 world limit. So, that may be a goal for next week; however, I'm going to have to work hard to come up with a good story that works in a thousand words or less.
As for the game story, I didn't get anything written. Nothing at all. I did find some 2D engines that I forwarded to J', but that's about it. No progress. :(
Though, I submitted my Infamous 2 review to GameFaqs and it was published. Yay for that at least. I guess.
Anyway, it's about bedtime. Night from a less than successful writer who feels like he just wasted a weekend.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Productive?
So, I think I was pretty productive this weekend. I did two reviews on the blog that I was promising for a while! I also wrote up my final nation on Pathseekers! And I did a design document for Project Steamworks.
I think the reviews turned out pretty good. I even got a comment on one! ^_^
The nation was kinda short, and I may need to go back and do some more work on it later. Not sure, yet. I like the feel of it, though. Magic punk needs to be defined a bit more, I think.
As for Project Steamworks, the doc isn't that big, but it covers major characters (protagonist and antagonist) as well as a short synopsis on the story with setting and theme stated. I do need to flesh out and revise a few things in it, though. But I think the synopsis is pretty solid for what we want to build. Now just to figure out the best way to build it for the mobile platform (first at least) for fun, additive multiplayer.
I also finished Anansi Boys this weekend, so that's cool, too. I need to finish my video game writing book, and I think that is my next task to finish. Then, I'll get back to the web design book. I had to take a break from it a bit as I think I put too much time into it without a break. It was killing me.
Other than that, time to go back to work tomorrow; however, that generally goes by pretty fast. I did find a site that I may be able to put reviews on, so we'll see.
I think I'll end the weekend with a little more zombie smashing or maybe some Morrowind. Not sure just yet.
I think the reviews turned out pretty good. I even got a comment on one! ^_^
The nation was kinda short, and I may need to go back and do some more work on it later. Not sure, yet. I like the feel of it, though. Magic punk needs to be defined a bit more, I think.
As for Project Steamworks, the doc isn't that big, but it covers major characters (protagonist and antagonist) as well as a short synopsis on the story with setting and theme stated. I do need to flesh out and revise a few things in it, though. But I think the synopsis is pretty solid for what we want to build. Now just to figure out the best way to build it for the mobile platform (first at least) for fun, additive multiplayer.
I also finished Anansi Boys this weekend, so that's cool, too. I need to finish my video game writing book, and I think that is my next task to finish. Then, I'll get back to the web design book. I had to take a break from it a bit as I think I put too much time into it without a break. It was killing me.
Other than that, time to go back to work tomorrow; however, that generally goes by pretty fast. I did find a site that I may be able to put reviews on, so we'll see.
I think I'll end the weekend with a little more zombie smashing or maybe some Morrowind. Not sure just yet.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Allons-y
So, the weekend is over. No, I didn't get anything done really, but more on that in a minute. It was my last weekend with Dawson here. I'll be bringing home come this time next weekend. It'll be a bit cheaper to live, and quite a bit cleaner (after I pull it all together when I get back); however, it's going to be a lot emptier. I'm going to miss that little punk.
I didn't do anything this weekend, really. Well, I did read quite a bit of the SC2 novel, and I plan on doing so more when I get off of work this weekend. I really need to have it done by Sunday/Monday. That's my goal for it.
Nothing else; though. I fooled around with Morrowind and updated the graphics to play it a bit. I also set up a Minecraft server for Dawson and me. Hopefully, he'll be able to hop on now and then even if he has dial up so we can build that world together.
As for as "productivity" goes, I'm going to slow down a bit as I keep trying to set myself up to do everything all at once. I need to pace myself, or else I'll do nothing ever. I still have my goals, and I'm still going to work toward them. The immediate goal is web development. Once I finished that big book, I'll consider myself close to the end of that one.
I got my new shift at work, and it starts on Aug. 7th. I'll be working Midnight to 11am with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays off. That was my 10th pick, and no, I'm not ecstatic about it at all. My last "good" pick ended at 6am to 3am, and that was my 6th pick. So, consider that to what pick I got!
However, there are two things one can do in this situation. One, you can give up caring and either quit or work crappy until they fire you; or two, you can take it in stride and kick that shift's ass. I've already dedicated almost three years to this company, and I really do want to make a career of it. So, I'm not giving up just yet. I don't want to be where I am at forever; though, there are other areas in my department and other departments in the company I have my eye on. But doesn't do me any good to give up. Here we go! As the Doctor once said, "Allons-y!"
Well, I'm going to head off to work as there is something I want to finish writing up there. Maybe it'll turn into nothing, but at least it was an interesting exercise! Later!
I didn't do anything this weekend, really. Well, I did read quite a bit of the SC2 novel, and I plan on doing so more when I get off of work this weekend. I really need to have it done by Sunday/Monday. That's my goal for it.
Nothing else; though. I fooled around with Morrowind and updated the graphics to play it a bit. I also set up a Minecraft server for Dawson and me. Hopefully, he'll be able to hop on now and then even if he has dial up so we can build that world together.
As for as "productivity" goes, I'm going to slow down a bit as I keep trying to set myself up to do everything all at once. I need to pace myself, or else I'll do nothing ever. I still have my goals, and I'm still going to work toward them. The immediate goal is web development. Once I finished that big book, I'll consider myself close to the end of that one.
I got my new shift at work, and it starts on Aug. 7th. I'll be working Midnight to 11am with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays off. That was my 10th pick, and no, I'm not ecstatic about it at all. My last "good" pick ended at 6am to 3am, and that was my 6th pick. So, consider that to what pick I got!
However, there are two things one can do in this situation. One, you can give up caring and either quit or work crappy until they fire you; or two, you can take it in stride and kick that shift's ass. I've already dedicated almost three years to this company, and I really do want to make a career of it. So, I'm not giving up just yet. I don't want to be where I am at forever; though, there are other areas in my department and other departments in the company I have my eye on. But doesn't do me any good to give up. Here we go! As the Doctor once said, "Allons-y!"
Well, I'm going to head off to work as there is something I want to finish writing up there. Maybe it'll turn into nothing, but at least it was an interesting exercise! Later!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Saturday and Ballads!
Well, I feel better now. Completely crashed last night after my last post. Figured I'd start the day off with another in my poetry series. This one is a Ballad as best as I could pull up at least, and I think it turned out pretty good. I went with the classic murder ballad because I didn't feel like a cliched romance one, but I've heard pretty positive things about it! It actually took me far longer to write than I thought it would. Brace yourself:
Sweet Sally Shade
I have a tale to tell, my friend
Oh, a grim little verse
About red blood and blondes, so sweet
My desires, such a curse
Was late one night, if I recall
In my sweet, dark alleys
Where she hid from the wind and rain
Oh, sweet little Sally
Scared when she heard my steps behind
And she sheepishly called
Hello, anyone there
And I was so deeply enthralled
Silence at first with no reply
I reveled in the fear
Sliding behind her in shadows
On her pale cheek, a tear
Oh, little Sally Shade don't cry
I swear a sweet goodbye
No pain, no fear, only beauty
Like a star in the sky
Why kill me, she thought to herself
Melodies and sweet dreams
I replied with a quick embrace
Oh, she struggled and screamed
They always scream, I'll let you, too
Oh, struggle all you want
My cold knife to her neck, she cried
I am not one to flaunt
Oh, little Sally Shade don't cry
I swear a sweet goodbye
No pain, no fear, only beauty
Like a star in the sky
I'm an artist, please understand
With a quick swish she's slack
They won't find me now or ever
Please call me Mister Jack
And with that I'm gone in shadows
Please keep my tale in mind
When you wander my sweet alleys
Least you, too, end in kind
When I said brace yourself, I meant because it's pretty long compared to the other two so far posted, but don't worry, I think the Blank verse poem is even longer! So, I decided to go with Jack the Ripper (spoilers! if you didn't guess that by the end) and end with the murderer getting away but still giving the "warning". Generally, the murderer is caught and his warning is to not make the same mistakes at him, but hey, it's Jack! This is probably the most enjoyable time I had since getting back into poetry, writing this Ballad. Hopefully, all the poems to follow will feel the same!
I should probably text Quiz or something. Or something. Today's not to busy, just a lazy Saturday. No movies--as mentioned last night--to watch and no other big plans. I probably should go grocery shopping, and I need to get my hair cut!
Today is the normal raid night in WoW, but I think I'm going to take a break from that game for a while at least. I don't know, I need something else to play. After seven years, there just isn't much there for me anymore. I'm not a first string raider, and daily quests always make me feel like I have to be there. :/
Anyone else out there using Blogger have an issue with spaces and the "enter" key? If I hit it to make a line break, it doesn't always drop the cursor down. It's pretty annoying. Any advice would be awesome. It's especially annoying when hitting it makes a new line, but the cursor goes all the way back to the first line. O_o
Anyway, I should be active and do something. Probably stop by later and write some more about something or another. Also, if you have twitter, I'm on there as @StetsonBlade! Just as entertaining as this blog! :p
Late Night Boredom and the Weekenders
It's Friday! Or by now Saturday, I guess. I'm so happy it's the weekend, even though I don't really have anything planned. There's really no good movies out. I think Transformers 3 is showing, but I said good and blah on Transformers.
What I am looking forward to is Cowboys vs. Aliens and Captain America. Those are actually the last two movies of the summer in my opinion. And Cowboys v. Aliens looks really interesting. So, fingers crossed on those two.
Outside of movies, there are a few games I really would like to play. Currently, I'm working on Infamous 2, and just like the first one I'm hooked. I can't wait until Uncharted 3 comes out as I loved the other two in the series. I'm also playing the original Knights of the Old republic game at the moment. Who doesn't wanna give The Old Republic a whirl when it comes out?
Anyway, there's more I'd like to talk about on the above topics of games as well as the webcomic (Quiz hasn't set up a meetup time yet...), but I'm really tired tonight. Not sure if I'll just go to bed or give one of the games a play. We'll see!
What I am looking forward to is Cowboys vs. Aliens and Captain America. Those are actually the last two movies of the summer in my opinion. And Cowboys v. Aliens looks really interesting. So, fingers crossed on those two.
Outside of movies, there are a few games I really would like to play. Currently, I'm working on Infamous 2, and just like the first one I'm hooked. I can't wait until Uncharted 3 comes out as I loved the other two in the series. I'm also playing the original Knights of the Old republic game at the moment. Who doesn't wanna give The Old Republic a whirl when it comes out?
Anyway, there's more I'd like to talk about on the above topics of games as well as the webcomic (Quiz hasn't set up a meetup time yet...), but I'm really tired tonight. Not sure if I'll just go to bed or give one of the games a play. We'll see!
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