Thursday, January 14, 2010

Initially I Viewed It as a Test

I think each title will be an answer to the question my blog perpetually asks.

Unfortunately, this entry's title has little meaning for the content therein. I recently saw the movie 2012. It was OK. However, I felt I could produce a much more interesting and provocative storyline than the writers for the movie were limited to, due to the need to make the movie accessible to the average movie goer.

My plan was to create a three part series spanning over three forms of media. First, a literary work based on the Apocalyptic theme, including the plans for survival and the destruction of society. Second, a graphic novel depicting the initial post-apocalyptic struggles and the reconstruction of society. Last, I wanted to record an album that drew on both themes. Although I am excited about this idea, I am also reluctant to commit to it. I don't know if I can stay motivated enough to see it through, or if I will have to time to work on it.


In any case, here is what I wrote as an initial test of my ability to see the idea through. I wrote it just a couple days afterward.

It was dark. Early morning probably. They were strong. Something my assets at the time could do very little about. In that moment I wanted to be strong. I wanted to be strong too. They forced me, because I was valuable to them, or more accurately, they thought I was valuable to them. However, using the very skills they wanted from me, I knew I wasn't.

I understand things, thinking men's things, in a different way. I hope to overcome my tendency toward the abstract when writing, but unfortunately my experiences have led me to develop "trust issues," as this state of mind is often called among casual acquaintances, which I hope we can be. If not now, then in time. Please, just don't judge me too soon; it makes me depressed. For someone who has "trust issues," I sure do like to talk about myself. No matter how much I write, I always seem to slip back into the same patterns. Maybe it's not such a bad thing. Please share your opinion with me later. I'm much more apt at conversing on the subject of thoughts and feelings than I am at describing concrete things. So, that's that. I've always wanted to be involved in psychology, and it's my own elusive psychological make up that interests me the most. (An example would be that right after writing the previous sentence, I wondered whether writing it was an explanation or an excuse.)

The essence of it is that I'm lonely. Powerfully lonely. That I understand, I just don't understand why. I've strayed far from the narrative, but writing these things is important to me, although I wish it weren't. Dark, blinded, slightly bound, and traveling. I hate their strength.

"Shut up, you fool. You are strong."

I'd been talking out loud.


I'm still not sure about this, but I would love to see a creative idea through to the end for once. Even if it isn't all that great.

6 comments:

  1. Would that be the introduction of the protanonist in said book, or is the test unrelated to your 2012 idea?

    In any case, I think you should do it.

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  2. The introduction is for the story not part of it. Thanks for the support. I started writing a little more today, but lately I feel uninspired.

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  3. so it's not from the perspective of one of the characters, rather the author talking about himself befor you read his story?

    Is this something about which you really want to write? Or are you just trying to prove that you can do it better than Hollywood? ;) Maybe another theme would inspire you more...

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  4. I really like it Johnathan, especially the third to last paragraph (The essence...strength). I can hear your "voice" in everything you do and that makes me love it more. :) After the train wreck message I left you this morning/evening, my day actually ended up being pretty amazing, the best I have had in a while. Take pictures of the little Japanese Devon for me!

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  5. Ah, confusion. Only the part in block quotes is the story. Also, I've always been facinated with the post-apocalyptic theme, and slighty with the apocalyptic theme. I really do want to do this, and I was quite excited at the time. My creative motivation often fades quickly. I tend to only write when I'm in the mood and only what I am in the mood to write.

    Thank you Devon. I can't seem to help but put my voice in everything I write. Whether I want to or not. Also, I may not be able to take any pictures until the end of the school year. I'm not really allowed.

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  6. I was speaking of the block text right from the start... The character is talking about himself and it sounded like an introduction to his story.

    I suppose you'll have to be stricter with yourself Johnathan. I'm in a planning stage for a composition right now and it is here that I often have the most trouble working because I still haven't clearly defined my goals- and it's always easier to do something else than to create.

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