♫ I applied for a rescue dog,
But if I get you dog,
You're rescuing me ♫
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2022 -- bounce.
Script: submitted.
Any week in which I complete writing something is a huge week in this office.
Alongside recovering from Covid, which is maybe its own accomplishment, I also wrote, reread, gave myself notes on, edited, rewrote, and reread again before submitting my “First Draft” of the #1 issue script for my latest project. It was good to hit that milestone.
I’m proud of my efforts writing this thing, most of which happened while under the headachey thrall of Covid, but I also got it submitted before the end of my two weeks of school holidays which means I don’t have to start a new term buried midway through a script, but instead have a mental clean slate to pause and wait for my publisher/editor notes.
I remember writing down my script process once, and I cannot find it, but it’s basically:
First 5 Pages - ah, gee, golly, scripting is fun.
Middle 10-14 Pages - oh, god, I’m terrible, this is never going to come together, it’ll take me 4 months to write these 10 pages, and they’re still going to be awful, dear lord, why have I done this?!?!
Final 5 Pages - ah, this tied up alright, I’ll finish this scene in one writing session.
Every. Single. Time.
I’ve gotten better at pushing through that middle slump. Sometimes even seeing it coming and just holding fast to the ropes of the ship as the storm batters upon me. I think this time having Covid gave me enough of a distraction, but I don’t think that’s a good strategy for the next 3 scripts.
Although - Quick Update - Covid sucks. I haven’t exercised in 18 days, for fear it’ll just set me back. For the first week, I could move around and walk, and garden, for about 10-20 minutes, but then I’d feel the fatigue settle in, just a little, enough to make me worry. I don’t wanna stomp my lungs when they’re already down and out, so I’ve taken it easy on myself, but an 18 day exercise gap, which isn’t over yet, is not my preference. Exercise is a mental health schedule beyond anything else, so I’m missing that.
But the other symptoms seem to have disappeared, not that they were exceptionally bad to start with. Mostly it’s just the headache I keep a watch for. But that could sometimes just be my neck, so I gotta stay sharp on all fronts. I also gotta be reasonable and forgiving of myself. Covid hits plenty of people in very hard ways, so I need to focus on being smart, allowing myself to heal, and not giving myself a hard time about it [all things I am terrible at].
Anyway, focus: the script has been handed in. I shall await notes and then do another draft, and then focus on the second issue when that time comes.
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Black Beacon #6 this week.
If Previews are to be believed, BLACK BEACON #6 lands this week in stores everywhere. I hope you’ve got your preorder in :]
This issue brings our massive sci fi tale home, and I really like how we wrap things together. It’s a big story of Niko finding her way onto this intergalactic saviour city only to find out there was no one behind the curtain all along, and along the way she’s discovered plenty more [a universal-scale assassination attempt is the only way to think about this narrative swerve] and now we settle all accounts and leave our players in new positions on the board [or beside it].
Look for this cover o the stands:
We really hope you dig how hard we came out swinging on this one. The trade should be collected…in the future.
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COVEN, my big bro’s latest novel.
I finished reading COVEN, the latest novel by my big bro, and it was a delight to read.
This is the guy who introduced me to Stephen King, Marvel Comics, David Cronenberg flicks, and more [nearly all]. I’ve lost count of the number of novels he’s written, and co-written with our own Jan Brady, middle-bro James Lindsay, and I’m always proud when they ante up and put more words out into the world.
This one is a supernatural thriller, with shades of John Constantine and Harry D’Amour, and it’s written with all the velvety slickness of an Aussie arcane Dan Brown or Clive Cussler or Wilbur Smith - what I’m saying is, Marc writes really readable stuff that just completely wraps you up.
I look forward to his next book, but for now will savour having read another world and story that wouldn’t exist without my family breathing life into it. It’s a pretty cool feeling.
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ASD&D.
I need to prep the next session for my mates. I know what will happen [roughly], but not the maths of it all.
I need to prep the next session for my kid and their mates. I have no idea. I think I did have an idea of a location. I’ve lost that idea. It’ll come back to me. Last one they woke up in a boat. This one might be a cave excavation, maybe…?
I need to prep a session for some kids I know. I’m going to use one from the Essentials Kit. Keep it focused, simple, fun.
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PERHAPS YOU'D CARE TO SAMPLE
ATLANTA S3 is free to watch on SBS on Demand - oh, I’m gonna be all over this. All episodes last until the end of the year. The first two seasons of this show were beyond brilliant. I didn’t realise Season 3 had started, and it’s currently 6 episodes deep. If you haven’t checked out this show yet, I give it my A+ Top 10 of This Decade seal of approval.
I actually read 2 newspapers the other day. I think I can get most of that news from online sources, but it was interesting in a way I haven’t consumed news in a long time.
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GRIST FOR THE MILL
THE BAD GUYS - the cartoon movie of the Aussie comics/books was pretty good. Does some fun things with storytelling, Sam Rockwell plays the lead, keeps the spirit of the books alive and well. I’ve read I think 11 of the 15 of them, and read them with my kids, and I think they’re just hilarious and awesome. The flick is definitely worth taking the kids probably 5 and up.
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Be one of the good guys, because there's way too many of the bad.
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POST CREDITS SEQUENCE
I admit to still loving Wordle, and I have been chasing this particular high:
I hit 100 in a row. A fun run. I don’t know what to aim for next. 1000? But it’s a good way to wake up the brain between 4-5am.
Couple it with the New York Times mini crossword and I’m good to go.
TWO FISTED HOMEOPAPE April/25 - Still wrote a script.
Awesome news! Glad to hear you are feeling (mostly) better and that you have a whole (next) script submitted. Can't wait for more details. As always, thanks for sharing your process and thoughts! Stay safe man.