I was in the new Collins bookshop on Main St the other day- PS It looks very nice and blue. Anyway, I'm looking at the sci-fi section and I discover this book by this Scottish writer. I can't for the life of me remember the title or writer's name (me quoting my queen Stevie Nicks) but I do remember the book review on the back, which names it one of the best "space operas" ever created.
The term space opera stuck with me all the way home, and that was when I looked the term up on the Wikipedia. Apparently a space opera is defined by all of the dramatic and romantic elements in it... all of which are incorporated into an outer space setting. I immediately thought of my beloved Battlestar Galactica and its soon to begin spin off Caprica, which I'm hoping the Sci-Fi Channel will air down here straight away.
Anyway, I thought to myself... could the Lightstream Sheep write a space opera of his own. My thoughts following those were yes, I could. In fact I've already got "something" in the works about a race of humans looking for a home on the other side of the galaxy, and all the crap they've got to endure.
Of course there's got to be something speculative in it, apart from space travel. That's already been established and I don't want people to yawn, so there's got to be some element of power to use, and yes, I've already thought of that. Something that I don't think has been really used so much, except by Joss Whedon (greatest man ever) and Russell T. Davies and the crew of Doctor Who.
That's all for now...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What I Did Today
At the current moment of moments, I'm covered in sweat. That's right, sweat. Why you ask... well that's easy to answer. It's all because of Wii, the Wii fitness board thing to be exact. The mother got it a few weeks ago, and it is really helping us with the weight issues, but when I weigh myself it keeps saying that I'm putting on instead of losing. Bastard. But it's all in good fun.
I was working on my novel yesterday and a wonderful thing happened. I'm currently at the 290 mark, which means that my dream of writing a 300+ page manuscript will be coming true soon. Just one chapter to go... and I'm hoping that readers will come to see it as the saddest chapter in the whole thing.
Another wish that I want to come true is whether people will want to live in the universe I've created. What madness do you mean by that you might ask, well, allow me to explain. A while ago I was reading this review about Twilight (PS. I saw the movie and I enjoyed it, except for the parts with Edward and Bella- dull, but at least Robert Pattinson knows how to brush his hair).
Moving on, the review says that despite the many flaws in the series, the whole universe that it's set in sucks you in- ie, makes you want to live there and take up real estate. Well I thought that this review might have some good in it, so I picked up a copy at Borders, read the first few pages... and the guy was right. The story, Bella and Ed may be crap but the book (yes, I know it was a few pages) had that real estate affect. The review compared it with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and I'm in agreement.
That's what I want to achieve with my series, which I'm still sure I'll call "Open Hands", I want the reader to want to be in it. Live there. Have powers and be apart of the adventure. Hopefully my dear narrator The Teacher will take care of that for me, and if I'm lucky I'll have the draft finished by the end of the week. WHOO!
As for everything else that's happened... I decided that that job in Hawthorne was not for me. Seriously, I don't know why I even submitted and marketing sounds just so boring, and the guy there wanted me to come back for a half day (12:45 to 8:30) info session... in a suit. The Lightstream Sheep wears not those things called neckties- abominations more like it! Hmpf.
In addition I also went swimming, ate Doritos and called up my dear friend Degwyn to wish him a happy 21st. He was most impressed that I remembered the date (I wasn't so sure to be honest) but I informed him that I narrowed the date down using my greatest of foes- mathematics... oh, and my buddy Little One's bday. She celebrates hers a few days before Degwyn.
He was good also, and I recently learnt that he thinks that Brangelina is having sex in this new jacket he brought the other day. FREAKY.
I was working on my novel yesterday and a wonderful thing happened. I'm currently at the 290 mark, which means that my dream of writing a 300+ page manuscript will be coming true soon. Just one chapter to go... and I'm hoping that readers will come to see it as the saddest chapter in the whole thing.
Another wish that I want to come true is whether people will want to live in the universe I've created. What madness do you mean by that you might ask, well, allow me to explain. A while ago I was reading this review about Twilight (PS. I saw the movie and I enjoyed it, except for the parts with Edward and Bella- dull, but at least Robert Pattinson knows how to brush his hair).
Moving on, the review says that despite the many flaws in the series, the whole universe that it's set in sucks you in- ie, makes you want to live there and take up real estate. Well I thought that this review might have some good in it, so I picked up a copy at Borders, read the first few pages... and the guy was right. The story, Bella and Ed may be crap but the book (yes, I know it was a few pages) had that real estate affect. The review compared it with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and I'm in agreement.
That's what I want to achieve with my series, which I'm still sure I'll call "Open Hands", I want the reader to want to be in it. Live there. Have powers and be apart of the adventure. Hopefully my dear narrator The Teacher will take care of that for me, and if I'm lucky I'll have the draft finished by the end of the week. WHOO!
As for everything else that's happened... I decided that that job in Hawthorne was not for me. Seriously, I don't know why I even submitted and marketing sounds just so boring, and the guy there wanted me to come back for a half day (12:45 to 8:30) info session... in a suit. The Lightstream Sheep wears not those things called neckties- abominations more like it! Hmpf.
In addition I also went swimming, ate Doritos and called up my dear friend Degwyn to wish him a happy 21st. He was most impressed that I remembered the date (I wasn't so sure to be honest) but I informed him that I narrowed the date down using my greatest of foes- mathematics... oh, and my buddy Little One's bday. She celebrates hers a few days before Degwyn.
He was good also, and I recently learnt that he thinks that Brangelina is having sex in this new jacket he brought the other day. FREAKY.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Today With Sophie And Alice
Well, today I was called in by way of a favour to babysit my friend Margit's two little dears, Sophie and Alice. If anyone is curious about my two temporary wards, they're dogs. Sausage dogs. Anyway, I come and everything is dandy... except for the part where one of them made a mess in front of the door, but that crisis was averted.
What else is there to say... oh, my interview with the pancake parlour wasn't so fruitful unfortunately. I got an e-mail from a Caroline saying I wasn't a keeper, but I recieved another call from a place I applied to in Hawthorne.
I have absolutely no idea what this company does, apart from the fact that they work with music. Anyway, they called and invited me to an interview on Monday, saying that they'd explain about the position further and that I'm one of 25 selectees from near 200 applicants. Noice.
So that's all, but I've been trying to get a chapter written and I saw the Wolverine movie yesterday. Not bad. That's all for now.
What else is there to say... oh, my interview with the pancake parlour wasn't so fruitful unfortunately. I got an e-mail from a Caroline saying I wasn't a keeper, but I recieved another call from a place I applied to in Hawthorne.
I have absolutely no idea what this company does, apart from the fact that they work with music. Anyway, they called and invited me to an interview on Monday, saying that they'd explain about the position further and that I'm one of 25 selectees from near 200 applicants. Noice.
So that's all, but I've been trying to get a chapter written and I saw the Wolverine movie yesterday. Not bad. That's all for now.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Almost At 250
I've been pretty busy as of late, mainly with writing my manuscript. My dreams are coming true... I've almost got 250 pages typed, meaning that I can now focus on the fabled 300. Apart from that I've been looking around for work, using Seek.com mostly. I've learnt that you don't need any experience whatshowever to be a film and TV extra, so I sent my resumes off to those places, as well as a few restaurants needing a waiter.
Apart from all that, I've just finished reading this book called Let The Right One In, written by a Swede named John Ajvide Lindqvist. It's a dark fantasy horror about a bullied boy who befriends a vampire girl. The book incorporates all of the real-world horrors one hears about, such as abuse (child, drug and sexual) and loneliness, as well as the presence of several confused and blood thirsty vampires.
I thought this was one of the best books I've ever read, not only because it's a dark fantasy (which I'm pretty fond of) but because it mixes genres together, like the real world for instance. I'm drawn to fiction that does that, like my beloved Battlestar.
They achieved that with a very saddening and dramatic miscarriage for one of Tricia Helfer's characters, Caprica-Six, amongst other things. Come to think of it a lot of bad things happened to poor Trish ie- Gina getting raped by the Pegasus crew, Natalie getting shot to death by Athena. Damn that woman can take a lot of pain.
That's all for now. I'll be writing a bit more now, and harbouring a little bit of hate for my friend Janet who's touring Paris, Mallorca and London at the moment. Lucky girl.
Apart from all that, I've just finished reading this book called Let The Right One In, written by a Swede named John Ajvide Lindqvist. It's a dark fantasy horror about a bullied boy who befriends a vampire girl. The book incorporates all of the real-world horrors one hears about, such as abuse (child, drug and sexual) and loneliness, as well as the presence of several confused and blood thirsty vampires.
I thought this was one of the best books I've ever read, not only because it's a dark fantasy (which I'm pretty fond of) but because it mixes genres together, like the real world for instance. I'm drawn to fiction that does that, like my beloved Battlestar.
They achieved that with a very saddening and dramatic miscarriage for one of Tricia Helfer's characters, Caprica-Six, amongst other things. Come to think of it a lot of bad things happened to poor Trish ie- Gina getting raped by the Pegasus crew, Natalie getting shot to death by Athena. Damn that woman can take a lot of pain.
That's all for now. I'll be writing a bit more now, and harbouring a little bit of hate for my friend Janet who's touring Paris, Mallorca and London at the moment. Lucky girl.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Thing About Lila
Oh, something that I forgot to mention in the previous blog. I've been watching Dexter on Channel Ten (PS, replacing it with a repeat of NCIS last Monday is just gay. IDIOTS) and I've taken a liking to the new character Lila. She's bitchy and essentric, and I just love her. So would Crazy Chik I think. I must tell her.
Stevie's Playing As I Write This
I've had a good couple of days recently. My sister Cactus Pete finally got me the Stevie Nicks greatest hits CD, so the house has been filled with the sounds of heaven. Don't anyone judge me! Not only that, my draft of Escape of the Alchemist is coming along really well. I'm currently up to about 147 pages, which I'm really proud of. The really first, terrible draft was only 130, so you can understand my happiness.
One part of the draft that I'm really big on so far is the bounty hunters encounter with the Joshua family. The hunters and the Joshua's are really good friends, so there was a lot of good times I'm thinking. You've got the tough wise-arsed father Merrick, his pregnant wife Charmaine and their two girls, Renee and Vaughn. I was wondering how I was going to get this part down, so I just based some of them on my good cousins... so to the cousins, I say thanks.
Another bit of writing that I'm happy about is the short story I'm going to submit to Avant this year. It's the second draft of a story I wrote in January I think, and its **** loads better. Cactus Pete tells me so also. Anyway, I'm very happy with my writing at the moment. Putting together that chapter by chapter summary of EOTA is really paying off. I'm hoping to reach the 250 page mark or higher.
That is all... oh, and fingers crossed that Katee Sackhoff gets the Doctor Who gig in season 5.
One part of the draft that I'm really big on so far is the bounty hunters encounter with the Joshua family. The hunters and the Joshua's are really good friends, so there was a lot of good times I'm thinking. You've got the tough wise-arsed father Merrick, his pregnant wife Charmaine and their two girls, Renee and Vaughn. I was wondering how I was going to get this part down, so I just based some of them on my good cousins... so to the cousins, I say thanks.
Another bit of writing that I'm happy about is the short story I'm going to submit to Avant this year. It's the second draft of a story I wrote in January I think, and its **** loads better. Cactus Pete tells me so also. Anyway, I'm very happy with my writing at the moment. Putting together that chapter by chapter summary of EOTA is really paying off. I'm hoping to reach the 250 page mark or higher.
That is all... oh, and fingers crossed that Katee Sackhoff gets the Doctor Who gig in season 5.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Well then...
Today was rather good, and the days preceeding it. I went swimming, wrote a bit of a chapter, and tonight I get to watch Underbelly and Dexter. Not to mention that my theories about Starbuck on Battlestar Galactica are beginning to come true, but I was shocked when Boomer kidnapped Hera. That bitch! I foresee a vengeful Starbuck, Sharon and Caprica going after her and Cavil. Here's hoping.
Anyway, what else have I got on my mind. I'm really enjoying re-writing Escape of the Alchemist. Those two years learning the craft of writing a novel are really paying off, and I'm happy to put those shocking memories of writing the first draft to rest. I am liking the elements of normalcy that I'm adding, especially with Wes, Hawk and Laura at the Cottonmouth. The character of "The Teacher" is really paying off too.
Other writing endeavors include the piece I want to submit to Avant this year. I had a first draft written, but I don't really like it anymore, so naturally I'm going to resort to incorporating a storyline from a classic childrens tale... just try and guess which one. Here's a hint, it was incorporated into the first of the Matrix Trilogy and the series Lost.
I think a second draft would pay off because the last two stories that I got published were more focused around male characters, and I think writing from a female perspective would pay off greatly. Another reason for this change would have to do with actress Asher Keddie. I like seeing her on Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. She's good as Liz Cruickshank, and I want to see who she's playing in the new Wolverine movie. Better not be a background character!
One shocking thing that I'd like to point out is that I'm actually considering reading the book Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I know, I must be crazy. It's insane. But I want to see how she tackles the first person narrative, and see if her villains are any good. You know what they say, if the protagonists are crap, the baddies must be good, and I say this with confidence because I'm told that Bella Swan is a dumbarse.
So, that's all I've got to say at the moment. Oh, but I'd like to tell my good friend Janet that I was shocked to learn that you think Lost is awful. It's good watching, and I'm sure your offspring will agree. If you want to bag something American, have a go at Heroes. The writing is terrible! TERRIBLE!
Anyway, what else have I got on my mind. I'm really enjoying re-writing Escape of the Alchemist. Those two years learning the craft of writing a novel are really paying off, and I'm happy to put those shocking memories of writing the first draft to rest. I am liking the elements of normalcy that I'm adding, especially with Wes, Hawk and Laura at the Cottonmouth. The character of "The Teacher" is really paying off too.
Other writing endeavors include the piece I want to submit to Avant this year. I had a first draft written, but I don't really like it anymore, so naturally I'm going to resort to incorporating a storyline from a classic childrens tale... just try and guess which one. Here's a hint, it was incorporated into the first of the Matrix Trilogy and the series Lost.
I think a second draft would pay off because the last two stories that I got published were more focused around male characters, and I think writing from a female perspective would pay off greatly. Another reason for this change would have to do with actress Asher Keddie. I like seeing her on Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities. She's good as Liz Cruickshank, and I want to see who she's playing in the new Wolverine movie. Better not be a background character!
One shocking thing that I'd like to point out is that I'm actually considering reading the book Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I know, I must be crazy. It's insane. But I want to see how she tackles the first person narrative, and see if her villains are any good. You know what they say, if the protagonists are crap, the baddies must be good, and I say this with confidence because I'm told that Bella Swan is a dumbarse.
So, that's all I've got to say at the moment. Oh, but I'd like to tell my good friend Janet that I was shocked to learn that you think Lost is awful. It's good watching, and I'm sure your offspring will agree. If you want to bag something American, have a go at Heroes. The writing is terrible! TERRIBLE!
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