Obligatory First Post!

2007-06-30T13:49:00.001-07:00

Hello, everyone -- or, anyone who may be reading this. My name is Gabriel Artisan. No, that's not my real last name, but I think it a nice representation of how I see myself: web-programmer, musician, writer, videographer. I'm an expert in nothing, though I dabble in everything.

†

The title of this 'blog' is "Trying To Write That First Novel". The sad thing is: I'm trying to write two of them. Not at the same time, mind, but pretty damn close. I won't bore you with the details, but the theme of one is man vs nature and the other is science vs religion; one is in a secondary world, the other is in the primary.

But, sadly, writing a novel (or two, as the case my be) isn't the only thing that is on my creative plate. I'm also learning German and Spanish (yes, at the same time) and re-focusing on my knowledge of music theory and composition, re-learning classical guitar and piano in the process. Fortunately, most of these are being done at University, so it's not like I'm flying blind. It all goes towards the goal of graduation.

One more year to go, then at least three years of grad school!

(Yes, despite my age, I'm willing to hold back the tide of 'the real world' for another three years!)

†

So why the blog?

Mostly to discuss writing: mechanics, processes, maybe even ideas. I've cut my teeth on writing being an editor at the Uni newspaper, I write fanfic, I beta fanfic... these have all helped me. Yes, writing fanfic has helped me be a better writer just like trying to play Mozart piano concertos have helped me with the mechanics of playing the piano. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise (you hear me, Ann Rice??)... you can learn to write via fanfic. Obviously, there comes a point when you have to go to 'the next level' -- creating your own universe. The same with painting, sculpting, composition... in facat, Uni-level composition courses are built under the idea of emulation-to-learn. Many Uni-level creative writing course are the same way: Learn by imitating the masters.

And don't let anyone -- profic authors or otherwise -- tell you any differently. Altho' I've learned much at Uni (and I continue to do so), it was two of my beta-readers (editors) who taught me so much about proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, setting a scene, characterizations, et. al. (PS. Don't let my bad syntax and grammar on this blog steer you from thinking I'm pants at grammar and spelling: I'm really not. But, I am lazy. ~titter~)

†

So, that's what this blog is for.

Oh, if you're interested, some books I'm currently reading (or re-reading, as the case may be): The Black Tattoo, by Sam Enthoven; Deutsch Heute, Eighth Edition; The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan Stroud; and Self-Editing For Fiction Writers, by Browne & King.

There's a lot of things in the Self-Editing book (as well as Grammar Snobs Are Big Meanies) that I'll be bringing up. More's the point, I'll discuss things that I'm seeing as a beta-editor (especially if it pertains to similarities in how I used to view writing and how or why it's changed), software that deals with writing, publishing, organizing ideas, and much more. Feel free to comment. I'm a nice guy; I don't profess to know everything and I'm always willing to learn. Be warned though, if you do correct me, you can expect me to research it. I have an editor friend who is 'in the business', the chief editor of the Uni paper I still work at, my creative writing professor, and my English Lit/Linguistics professor who are always willing to discuss these matters with me.

But enough of that...

†

I think the next post will discuss some of the tools I use to present and organize my thoughts. Hope you stick around!

Bis dann!!

(All personal inquiries can be directed to: gabriel.artisan@gmail.com)

... Trying to Write That First Novel

Obligatory First Post!