Opinions

Everyone has an opinion and I want to share mine on something I noticed this morning.  Now before I continue, please don't take this as me knocking someone for their writing ability or telling someone what they should or shouldn't write about.  This is my opinion as to how you can improve.

This morning I saw a post from a former friend's sister; ranking the characters of an old TV show that has been off the air for about six years.  I don't know if this was done for fun or if it was meant to be a serious topic to write about to get her foot in the door somewhere.  It could have been an interesting read, but unfortunately having a short paragraph about fifty-five characters loses it's entertainment value quickly. 

Now I know I'm not one to talk.  I go on rants from time to time and I'm sure people have their opinions that are good and bad about my writing.  I'm okay with that.  But here are a few recommendations I would like to add about writing based on these topics especially if you are looking to do something for professional work.

The first is to write about a TV show that is still on air.  It is something current and people can still watch.  It's not something that was popular once upon a time when you were still a teenager that most people have long forgotten about.  If you write about a current show, people will understand what you're saying and take it more seriously (If it's for fun, it's  a different story, but will only resonate with the true fans of that show). 

Secondly, I would not concentrate on talking about every character that was ever on the show.  It will become too much to talk about in one sitting and people will get bored very easily.  If anything, break it up into multiple posts where you take ten characters at a time and talk about them, their past on the show, and why you ranked them in that spot.

Finally, if you are looking to make it a more professional piece (especially if this is an older show that is no longer on the air, or one that still is), discuss how you feel the character should go.  Create your own future for the character on what you believe should happen, or create a plot arc for a series of characters.  There is a lot more creativity in doing this and can truly illustrate your writing ability.

Now again, I don't discredit the person I am referring to or anyone that chooses to put themselves out there.  These are merely my opinions based off of a topic I came across.  I hope this might eventually help that person or others that contemplate writing a topic such as this.

Updates, Trying New Things, and Getaways

I know I haven't been on here too much lately.  There's been a lot going on, and hopefully some more announcements later on this year.  For now, I can safely say I have been very busy with my writing.  I am getting closer to releasing my first official novel, and have sent two movie scripts out to a producer in Hollywood.  Currently, I am working on my first horror script and outlining my second horror script.

It's ironic that I am now getting into writing within the horror genre.  So much of my story ideas, books, and poetry were dangerously close to being considered part of that genre, but lingered on the sides of drama and suspense.  This is my first time crossing the line into the horror realm.  It's exciting but at the same time it's making me over think things. 

Most managers or agents frown upon changing your writing style.  But that's more for their clients that have found complete success in the genre they've been writing in for years.  But to me, writing a horror script is more than just choosing a different genre or writing style.  I spent years watching horror movies and criticizing them.  I have a profound respect for them and their writers, but there are also so many that were unfavored by many.  My scripts are going to breach the different sub genres.  The one I'm working on now is going to be a horror/suspense.  I figured it would be the easiest way for me to begin my journey through horror realm.  I have several others that go from slasher films, to psychological thrillers, and classic horror.  But for now I will focus on one the first script and write an incredible story that you will one day see on the "Big Screen."

The last thing I want to discuss is using a getaway to your advantage.  A getaway can be anything from taking a trip out of the country, jumping in the car and going on a long drive to a known or unknown destination, even just changing your normal routine.  These getaways are a way to relax, rest up, or even provide motivation and inspiration to create something amazing. 

For the last week, I have been away from my normal routine.  Despite the constant annoyances and added undo stress, I was able to get more writing done than I have in the previous weeks.  Maybe it was being back on my own for the first time in a while, maybe it was the silence that filled the house, or maybe it was derived from pure boredom.  In any case, the week alone proved to be beneficial to my writing.  So I encourage others who need to find clarity, inspiration, motivation, or just some sort of stress relief to always take time to find some form of a getaway and take full advantage of everything it has to offer.

2013: New Blog, New Topics

Hello everyone and welcome to my first blog of the new year.  I decided this year's blog is going to be a bit different than last years.  Starting with me putting a little more of myself and my writing into the blogs and also covering a broader spectrum of topics.  So here I go into my first new topic: Karma.

Ever since I was a little kid, I always heard the saying: What goes around comes around.  When I was younger, I admit, I didn't really understand the meaning behind it.  And then I kept hearing the phrases Life's a bitch, Karma's a bitch, and Karma will come around and bite you in the ass.  I kept hearing these phrases and began saying them without comprehending the meaning. 

Karma is actually derrived from Indian cultures; especially Hinduism.  They view Karma as a means of cause and effect, but is also dependent on the will of God.  Another way to look at it is God does not punish without reason and likewise God does not reward without reason.  They say God is fair and gives you exactly what you deserve.

Now I cannot say for sure that is how life is.  But I believe in the expression you only reap what you sow.  You only get what you put into life.  Bad things can still happen to good people, but I feel they are a test of your character and will lead you to better things if handled correctly. 

So the question still begs to be asked.  Does Karma exist or is it just another expression?  That is something you need to look to yourself to answer. 

So as always, I welcome any feedback, suggestions on future topics, or any kind of comment as long as it does not put someone down.  Happy New Year.

My Second Book

So without further wait, I'd like to take the time to announce that my second book, The Hall of the Forgotten is now available on Amazon.com, Kindle, and CreateSpace.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Hall-Forgotten-Andrew-Hess/dp/1481287664/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357140651&sr=1-7&keywords=andrew+hess
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHall-of-the-Forgotten-ebook%2Fdp%2FB00AVS0S9O%2Fref%3Dsr_1_3%3Fs%3Dbooks%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1357140651%26sr%3D1-3%26keywords%3Dandrew%2Bhess&h=vAQEuQtw1

https://www.createspace.com/4102233

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Before the presents are exchanged, the eggnog passed around, and the football games begin, I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (Happy holidays for you who don't celebrate) and a Happy New Year to all. 

It wasn't long ago that holidays weren't that important to me.  There was too much in my life that got in the way.  My ego and my past always seemed to get in the way of seeing what holidays were all about.  They are about spending time with your family, giving back to others that are less fortunate, and being kind to others.  Now I know it's cliche, but it's the truth. 

Family will always be your family.  You can't get rid of them, you can't change who they are, and let's face it ignoring them won't make things any better.  The best thing you can do is accept who they are and make the best of it and move on from there.  Yelling, screaming, and fighting about it won't do anything except cause more problems.  If there are issues to deal with, the holidays are not the time to choose to argue about them.  Take the person or people aside when it's not going to cause a scene and calmly talk about the issues you might have.  The holidays are meant to celebrate your love for your family and cherish the moments you will always have; especially during Christmas.  I can honestly say, I can still remember Christmas Eve with my family when I was a little kid because my parents always tried to make sure it was the best possible Christmas for us.

Giving back to those less fortunate is a great way to celebrate the holidays. The greatest thing you can do is help give a Christmas to those who cannot afford it or who have lost everything; even if it's buying a toy or two and giving it to a toy drive or a church.  Speaking of Church, they always have a giving tree and many people help as much as they can.  I would like to send a thank you to everyone who has helped out by sending gifts to the church and would like to encourage more people to do the same.  It means so much to the boys and girls who receive those gifts to have something to open up on Christmas.  We take something like that for granted every year.  So I would like to challenge everyone reading this to help out more in the next year. 

Giving back doesn't always mean spending your money on others.  You can also devote your time to helping out.  There are so many places where you can donate your time to food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and churches that can use your help.  So again I challenge everyone to make a difference in this next year. 

Finally be nicer to others.  Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean that its okay for you to snap and be crazy driving, shopping, and yelling at other people.  I know I'm someone guilty of yelling at people on the road and I shouldn't.  But people need to be more considerate and be less in a hurry.  Those two things alone can be so helpful to yourself and everyone around you.  Take a minute, breathe, and clear your head.  It's hard to do at first, but after a while it helps you deal with everything easier and your blood pressure will be a lot lower.

With that being said.  I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.  Merry Christmas and Happy safe New Year.

Dreams

Ever wonder where writers get their ideas from?  They can come from anywhere or anything.  When I started writing poetry, I would be sitting at work; thinking about random things.  Sometimes I would come up with nothing, but other times I would have a great idea or remember something from my past.  When I did write, people said I went into some sort of trance.  I was staring at the wall or out a window.  After about ten minutes I was done and ready to type it up on the computer. 

My brother has his own way of coming up with ideas.  He listens to what people say and gets an idea instantly.  He comes up with elaborate storylines in a matter of minutes that would be great to see on the big screen. 

Another way of coming up with ideas is through dreams.  That has been the way I have been getting new story ideas, and from what I have read a lot of other writers get their plots from dreams they had as well.  They are usually weird and abnormal, but most dreams usually are.  Sometimes they feel too real.  Some have you portraying the main character in the dream and other times you are a spectator watching everything unfold. 

There are many more ways people can find ideas on what to write.  Taking a walk through the park, the beach, observing people's interactions with each other, interactions with family, old jokes either with friends or family, songs, poetry, reading, and the list can go on and on.

The best piece of advice I can give when it comes to searching for something to write about, is don't discredit anything.  Write any and all ideas down; either in a notebook, type it on a computer, or enter it into a cell phone.  Don't ignore the thoughts that come to mind.  Keep them and look to them when you decide you want to write something.  If you think you can expand on it then go for it.  If you can't, don't scrap the idea; keep it for another time.

Holidays-Happy Thanksgiving.

I would like to say first and foremost Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there reading this.  This year has gone by so quickly and so much has happened and so much to be thankful for.  For me I have dealt with near tragedies, the death of my grandmother, and a Super Storm Hurricane that destroyed a portion of my town, a huge area of where I spend a lot of time, and many other surrounding areas.  Thankfully we were spared and were only minorly inconvienced.  But despite any hardships we face in life, there is always so much we can be thankful for.  A met the woman I plan on marrying, my family has been getting closer together, both of our families love each other; making us one big wonderful and happy family, and I have been making strides in both my work career and writing career. 

Over the last few years, I have had such a different perspective on life as opposed to several years ago.  Call it growing up, or maturing, or even having a deeper appreciation for the little things in life.  Regardless, something I learned over the years is that everything that has happened in your life has led you to this point in your life.  Despite any hardships or if there have been great things that happened, I say be thankful for everything in your life; the good and the bad things because both have created who you are today.

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Holidays