Saturday, February 20, 2010

Treasure Hunt

Last night I watched Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium. A brilliant movie full of child-like wonder and a great cast. The plot was just a little bit off, but still really good.

The movie reminded me of a another reason why I want to write. I never have to grow up through my writing. I can be whatever age I want to be from 7-70. Writing is just an extension of pretend games I used to play as a child. And I've always been rather stubborn about this whole growing up nonsense anyway. Growing up is such a hassle.

The movie also reminded me of a book idea I had had a few years back. I went my files and found some chapter ideas, scenes, and notes on it. It's a wonderful story about how powerful a child's imagination can be. Its full of friendship, adventure, suspense, and maybe a romantic twist. (that has yet to be decided) The over all message was that imagination is essential to child-hood development, inventions, crafts, and over all adult happiness. Never, never, ever try to squash someones imaginations or dreams. It's those dreams that shape everyone's futures. We wouldn't have light-bulbs without them.

I think I might try and finish this story idea along side revising my other story. It was always meant to be a short story and the plot isn't very complicated. Hmmm, maybe I should switch my goal to publishing two books this year? Naw, but hopefully at least one of them does get published.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Why money? Couldn't it have been cake?

A long time ago in Northern Europe those with literary, vocal, and instrumental talents were the leaders of the community. We've all heard of the Vikings and their natures. What underscored their violent epic deeds was that if an artist were to put them to song they would, in a sense, become immortal. Such was the power of artists in the old days. A warrior's eternal existence depended on them.

It's kind of ironic to know that and then look at the life of an average artist today. Many are scrapping just to pay the bills and are looked down upon by other "more intellectually inclined" professions. In other words, being an artist rarely pays.

On that note, I am announcing a change in my college plans. Reluctantly, I am letting the English-creative writing major go. Instead, I'm looking at an Exercise Physiology major so that I can become a physical therapist and pay the bills. It's not so bad. I love working with people, I have a growing passion for personal health, and it would be a steady well paying job.

It's just that my dreams to become a novelist seem to keep being pushed to the back burner for some reason or another. I may never actually publish, but I know there is a reason I was given the gift of writing and creating new ideas. I just need to be patient and eventually find it out.

I'm not totally giving up either. I still intend to attempt to publish before the year is out. I'm going to minor in English so I can still take the classes I need to improve my skills. Actually, they're clusters (two clusters = a minor) one in creative writing the other in professional writing. Professional writing will boost my major and creative writing will still give me what I went to college for in the first place.

Wish me luck. A lot of it.