Bleeding Through The Pen

I’ve always made it clear that I love to talk with other writers. I do believe that we all bleed through the pen a little different than the next writer, graphic novelist, screen play writer, etc. We’ve all had experiences, educated ourselves on subjects that fascinate us, and took paths in our lives that would lead us down the road to write what we do. What makes it right? What makes it wrong? Well, my friends, that would be completely up to the writer who is writing the content. There is absolutely nothing out there that says what a writer is writing is wrong! We are all entitled to our opinions, and feelings to what we put into our work. It’s been said time and time again that writers will often write what they know. For me? This is true. A major chunk of my career has been based around civil service. I know civil service. Not every aspect of it, but from the aspects that I do know I can piece together a story and weave it so that it is interesting for not only those who may have been involved with the same branches of civil service, but for those who haven’t had any experience can understand what is happening in the story. I’ve had characters that have come my way and approached me at what I like to call the bargaining table. Sometimes I know little about their backgrounds, or even when they tell me an occupation that they are interested in I don’t know one hundred percent of it.
    In the latest story I’m working on, there has been a lot more gun play as well as dealing with backgrounds and occupations like technology involving security systems, and hit men/women. I’ve had to research it all because I don’t have all the information that is required for the accuracy of the story. This was a giant step out of my comfort zone but found it thrilling and exciting. Not only for the accuracy for my current project but also getting a chance to delve into mysterious levels of unknown. I’ve had several ideas come to me while researching some of the topics above and even the lead assassin character in this story has spoken to me louder and given me a few ideas for maybe a book of her own. But the other thing that has been particularly exciting for me is getting to talk with other writers who know the ins and outs of writing a good book about assassins, hitmen, and mafia type characters. Sitting down, listening to them, and asking them questions even when I feel stupid about a subject I can see they are excited to have someone asking and talking to them about a subject they know much about or are intrigued in. Of course, some of the questions I am corrected on or told that it’s a common misconception that A and B would be related. I tend to get over zealous or excited when it comes to learning new subjects that grab my attention. I recently had the opportunity to read a story by a good friend that involved a subject I knew very little about. But he’d told me the concept of it and I was almost instantly snagged by it.
     However, after reading the story I felt I had gained some ground on the subject matter. He, himself, is very knowledgeable about sailing, eras of the time that the story is thought to exist in (which I later found out was the 1300’s off the coast of Ireland). I walked away confident in the story and knowing what exactly I had read. There was no room for speculation, and I could visually see everything in my head that I needed to. I would consider him a very valuable source if I were to begin writing in that era. The characters were very well defined, and I even began to have doubts on some of the characters and how they were presented because of their actions. I had almost instantly a thousand questions for him in regards to where the story was going to head next because it grabbed my attention and thus far has not let go of it. Low and behold? A character has come to the bargaining table and has wanted to talk with me ever since I’d read that story. It goes to show how important world building is and that as writers we need to always have open doors to other realms that we haven’t been to yet. Characters do not always present themselves as flesh and blood humans. They come in a variety of different forms, shapes, attitudes, looks, etc. I think that as a writer it would be wrong of us to listen to a character that comes to us out of the blue and begins talking to us.
     Instant example, would be that of Malakai, my wolf character in my novel In With The Pack. Malakai would not be considered a normal character. While you may incorporate wolves into a story that you are writing about, very rarely would the primary focus be on an animal. But, Malakai talked to me several times and as I sat down and began to write and explore his world with his Motley Crew pack I grew excited to see the character growth and how he expanded out from his beginnings to where he is present day. Again, wolves at the time, were not a subject that I was very educated on and began to reach out to those who were matter subject masters. They were excited to talk with me about wolves and the animal in general. I walked away more educated, and explored various traits that I could give Malakai because of the information I had gained. Of course, during writing this book I got some odd looks because it is non-traditional, and a challenge to read from the point of view of an animal. However, after I finished the book it brought me much joy, and Malakai is still one of my favorite characters who have come to the table. Though, for a while now he’s been increasingly silent.
     I think as a writer, one of the hardest things to do, and accept as a challenge for writing is writing about content or something that is out of the scope of normalcy in fear of being branded because of the content you are writing. For a long time, you would have been considered a nerd or a social outcast if chose to write about super heroes, or people with abnormal abilities like vampires, werewolves, etc. But, look at the popularity of ALL those subjects today. There is a lot of hype a lot of fans in those communities that are not afraid to express themselves as belonging to that community because there are others out there that understand. I think that is where we need to help support each other as writers. Not every writer out there is going to create, or write content that is going to be something you are interested in. I think honest feedback, and integrity in handling those works is imperative if we are asked to help beta read something or even look over a rough draft. Like I mentioned above, not all characters come to us as flesh and blood human beings. Sometimes they are creatures from other worlds, other dimensions, hell even different realms. While it might be scary or embarrassing or uncomfortable to want to reach out and let your characters go into the world, you should be proud of what you’ve created and what road you’ve started down. Past experiences or even events that you’ve encountered often work themselves into the stories I’ve written. Even ole Malakai and I have some things that we can relate to.
     I realize that I’m kind of all over the place with this blog, but what I’m really trying to reiterate is that as writers, and being a small community of those who are either trying to strike out on being published, self-published, or just doing it as a hobby with no real aspirations of wanting it to go further we need to be able to support one another. Whether it’s fan-fiction, or an original concept we will never be able to benefit from someone being over critical of every point in the story. Take suggestions in stride, and if you can offer up ideas or perceptions of what you see coming down the storyline. Even if the creator doesn’t use it, it helps with the feedback to know from an audience of which way they think that the story is going. The pirate story I read, I couldn’t quit talking about it for days because the author made so many open doorways that I had to ask him when I saw him of all the possibilities. For those writers out there that want a second opinion on what they’ve written, or are unsure of where they are going I am always willing to read and give honest feedback. Please feel free to contact me on Facebook by either private message or you can E-mail me at: AuthorGraysonMichaels@Gmail.com. While I may not be a fan of all genres of writing, I’ll always be a supporter for the writer who chose to write about the subject. It takes a lot to communicate an idea and with passion.

Reboot, Reset, Or Stand Alone? (A Ghostbusters 2016 Review)

***SPOILER ALERT***

     So, I know I’ve been saying that I was going to review this movie for quite a while now. It was released on July 16th of this year and initially going into it I was a little worried. I’d written a past blog kind of describing my feelings towards the movie in general, and what as a fan, I would’ve liked to have seen with the direction of this movie. I think that anyone who is a true Ghosthead knew the amount of negative publicity going around about this movie, including some of the stars from the movie having their social media hacked, websites hacked, etc. There is frankly no excuse for this. If you really are against the movie that much then you just need to not go and see it and just let it be. However, with that last sentence just said I think that if you don’t go and see this movie, or even rent it when it comes out then I think that you might be making a mistake on things. Sony Pictures kept throwing around the word “reboot, reboot, reboot”. That the previous two movies had nothing to do with any of the events of this third movie and in fact was going to be a completely different verse where the original Ghostbusters didn’t happen. Again, I grew worried about this fact as I had read that and began to wonder what was going to happen with the movie overall then. If we were going to be seeing the original movie, just remade and updated with a new cast and the events of Zuul and Gozer dropping into central park west and tearing up the city. That’s when Sony dropped the trailers for the new movie.
     It wasn’t quite what I expected to be honest. They give credence to the original team in the trailers’ almost immediately. One version of the trailer saying ‘Four Scientists thirty years ago saved New York City, now a new team answers the call’. The other version of that trailer said essentially all of that, but they changed the wording to ‘Four Friends’. Then Sony began to release little bonus content videos talking about the reengineering and revision of all the equipment. During those videos, they give credit to Dr. Egon Spengler for creating the first proton pack, followed up by the female lead that created the new versions of it in the movie. That’s when I had a hard time believing that this was going to be a reboot. I thought that maybe Paul Feig was preparing for the largest troll on the internet. I watched the trailers several times over, just as my inner kid started screaming and wanting to see the movie regardless of their not being an original cast mentioned anywhere in it. I tried to keep an even keel as well on the movie and the developments of everything going on behind the scenes. What I thought was actually really cool is that both Dan Ackroyd and Ivan Reitman were brought onto the projects as producers and executive producers. Ivan Reitman was quoted as saying he couldn’t do another Ghostbusters movie without Harold Ramis on the set. That, Harold gave kind’ve the push of what he wanted to see done with the movie, as well as the story progression. Harold Ramis’ daughter later confirmed that this was the end of the project once Harold passed away seeing as some of the original cast had no interest in returning or even following up with another movie.
     We DID see the Ghostbusters: The Video Game released in 2009 on various video game consoles, which many of the fans interpret as being a third movie, and at one point Dan Ackroyd was quoted as saying that essentially that game would be considered the third movie in the franchise. Finally, the big day arrived, and I was one of the first ones in the movie theater to buy tickets to go in and watch Ghostbusters 2016. Even though this isn’t exactly the way of my childhood, hearing the theme song almost immediately and wanting to sing along brought me back to my childhood. I went into this movie WITHOUT any possible theory on what it could even be about. In my own mind, as I entered the theater I went into it with a clear thought and I would judge the movie based on what the movie gave me. I had zero expectations for it like I said I would in my last blog. Walking out of the theater, my initial thoughts? ‘Man! Let’s go again!’ the movie was great. While the original cast that wanted to return to the big screen for this movie did! In fact, they made very subtle cameos throughout the entire movie. Was it a reboot? Meh, I personally didn’t think that it was a reboot. I can even give some samples of evidence to why I don’t think that the movie was a reboot. Rather, I think that this movie would make a great stand alone! It would be a good direction for the franchise to go in especially now they’ve got some ground work laid with the characters of this verse. But even if it was a stand-alone, there were things mentioned in the movie by characters or hinted at that could place this movie into the same verse as the other two movies. I know, I know some might think that I’m trying to grasp at straws defending it to the end that this isn’t going to be a reboot. But, for a moment just hear me out and let me explain a few things:

     Harold Ramis Bust Or Egon Spengler?- During one of the scenes in the movie, you see an actual golden bust of the actor or his character in the background. It would make it extremely plausible that it could be Egon seeing as where the setting is. However, it could also be that of Harold Ramis making his cameo into the movie like the rest of the original cast did as well. Since Harold is no longer with us I think that the later would make sense as he was one of the original creators to Ghostbusters, as well being in the movie. But the way that he looks on the bust is how his character looked in stripes. Big afro, with glasses and that signature smirk that he could put on his face. Once you see the movie, I’d be curious on what you think about it.

    Acknowledgement Of Ghosts Existing- As we all know about the original Ghostbusters movie, is that everyone thought they were insane, or really good con-artists just trying their damndest to rob the good people of New York of all their money. However, in this movie the city and federal government acknowledge that they’ve known about Ghosts existence for a very long time. Even one of the mayoral aids citing at one point that big events have happened, and that people will eventually begin to forget about the big things over time. Are they talking about the previous events in the first and second movies, and that’s where they already know about the existence of ghosts is after the battle in Ghostbusters II? They make mention to the girls that they have to make everything appear fraudulent that they do because it’s to protect the public at large. Just something again I noticed in the movie that they were talking about.

     Lay Line Discussion- This actually has quite a bit to do with the plot of the movie itself. They discuss Lay Lines and how the earth has them crossing over various parts and funneling energy all the time. Well, as the climax starts to happen they discover a pattern that makes a huge X over a certain part of the town. They reference a book of New York, and as they open there is already a recorded event in the book they are referencing. My mind almost instantly jumped to Dana Barrett’s apartment when Gozer and Zuul came the first time into the Ghostbuster verse. Could this be a book demonstrating that this event happened already? Again, when you watch the movie check this out and I would be curious again on what you think.

     ‘I don’t go Soho, I don’t go uptown, and I ain’t afraid of no ghost’- This is probably one of the best cameos in the movie which involves Dan Ackroyd himself. He shows up as a taxi driver in one of the scene as one of the girls is asking him to take him to where the main battle is and that he should be careful about the ghosts flying around. The cabby quickly quips about what kind of ghost it is, and the classification of it. Is this Ray Stantz at a horrible part in his life? Again, maybe stretching a bit on this one but I wondered about it.

     The acknowledgement of Egon Spangler- Again as stated above, at one point during one of the bonus clips that Sony released on Youtube leading up to the new movie being released talking about the reengineering of the proton pack Dr. Egon Spengler was given acknowledgement for being the original creator of it. Now, if we are going by some reboots standards then technically this wouldn’t be true. While it would be acknowledged in the verse that was originally created, it wouldn’t in the new. If it’s a reboot then why is Egon still being given credit for it let alone mentioned?

     So now that I’ve got my soap box out of the way on why I don’t think this movie was a reboot what was my general thoughts on it? Overall, I would say that the movie was excellent. The story was completely different than the original one panned by Harold and Dan. Ghosts were different, and we even saw the appearance of slimmer towards the end of the movie. I don’t think that the amount of hate that this movie generated is really warranted. Anyone who is a fan of DC or even Marvel Comics should know that super heroes are rebooted and recreated all of the time. Not only that, but there have been some changes made in the cinematic universes of both Comicverses that not all fans are happy with, that left them with a sour taste in their mouths. Harold Ramis’ daughter actually endorsed this new movie, and stated that her dad would’ve loved to have seen this franchise continue to grow and expand outwards. I shared that article shortly before the new movie came out, and then I shared it once after the movie was released. I think that the villain was a little weak, and watered down but they still gave a very climatic ending to the movie, as well as providing some pretty awesome special effects when it came to the ghosts. 

     I also breathed a little easier knowing that both Ivan Reitman and Dan Ackroyd were involved with the project. Just, if you go and see this movie please just keep an open mind, and even if it doesn’t live up to expectations or what you expected, you can always count it as a stand-alone right? Thanks to everyone for being so patient with me while I worked on putting this blog out. I know I’ve been saying it for a while now, but life has a funny way of getting in the way at times. I look forward to hearing your comments as well about the movie, or anything talked about above.

Party Poppers & New Directions

     As soon as I had posted on my Facebook this morning in regards to asking people what they’d hoped for in the upcoming year, or what they wanted to accomplish in 2015 it got my own mind going. I’m striving towards more in 2015, I’m wanting to reach out more to those who read my books and I’m wanting to be more active with my creativity. 2014 was a hard year for me to get a lot of things accomplished on the sidelines in regards to projects, marketing the books, or meeting other writer’s mainly due to time constraints. Not to say at all though that 2014 wasn’t successful. I was incredibly blessed with the reception that ‘In With The Pack’ got back when I released it in August. I met a lot of other great people along the way and made some very close friends in the process which in itself is an automatic success. But, maybe what I’m trying to get at is I want to branch out a little more with myself. Try to dedicate more time to my projects and make them just as successful as I did with Malakai and his pack. I’ve already got another project going that will probably not be released until 2016, but that is ok. It has been slow going and even though I’m trying to put out a new book every year, it’s added a lot of stress to me as well as trying to find the time to keep up with everything else in my life. Hell, I’m an independent and self-published author I am really my own boss that decides on the when’s and where’s of things. But, in the same instance writing is something that I just can’t turn off and walk away from and decide to be done with it for a while or even take a break from.
     Just like one of those internet meme’s that I saw online the other day, ‘Writers can’t take vacations from writing because even on those vacations you are still writing’. It’s the absolute truth of the matter. But in the same instance, it’s just not that. I love to tell stories; I love to give something to someone who says ‘Wow, this was great! When’s the next one happening?’. I’m not meaning to toot my own horn here but if I can entertain someone other than myself when it comes to writing stories then I have succeeded as a writer. But at the same time, I’ve been mulling over ideas of things that I’d like to do in 2015 as well as my writing:

Meeting other local talent- For those who have met me in person, or know where I live. The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley is an extremely small community. With both populations of Lewiston and Clarkston we probably top out at close to around forty-thousand populous. So, when it comes to meeting other local writer’s or talents I am always excited to meet them. I think as writers, artists, photographers, etc. It’s important for us to stick together especially in small towns. But it’s also fun to plan events were you can have more than one person available for signings. It helps with exposure as well for them! One of the things I’d like to do in 2015 is organize more events or even some kind of a writer’s guild locally here in the valley for all of us to come together. Non-judgmental and the first meeting don’t even have to be about reviewing anything. It’s fun just to get together and talk and learn about the other various types of talent that we have here locally. Maybe even organize some events for us all to participate.

Photography- Though this is done away from both pad and paper I’ve always enjoyed photography. At the beginning of the month I shared some pictures on my Facebook with that of an old flour mill that is located just outside the city park in Asotin. When I got them home and photo shopped them a bit and posted them the response I got was very humbling. So, I was thinking of maybe also doing some kind of photography class or just doing freelance and working on what I already know to take some pictures here locally around the valley and beyond. Where I live there are lots of woods, rivers, canyons, and even some ghost towns for pictures to be taken in. That is also something else I’d like to do both with snowy weather, and sunny weather. Photos capture so much, and even with landscapes that stay vivid in your head it could lead to potential story settings. Really, it’s a win-win situation for me.

Video Productions- Though I know very little about this particular field, I had the opportunity in both 2013 and 2014 to help with video productions of a few budding directors. While the opportunities have been smaller and not as abundant as they had been, this is something that I’d still like to help in. It’s exciting to see people’s ideas jump from the paper to flesh and blood characters. How excited the entire production team is to making this the best product that they can regardless if it is a serious movie or if it’s a humorous movie. The expectations and standards that these independent film artists hold themselves to are phenomenal. It’s almost as intense as writing a book. A little more stress added when you are dealing with the actors/actresses. Where in the process of writing a story you can tell them exactly what you want them to do and you won’t get any fuss about it. With actors/actresses you may get a degree of defiance whether it’s something they don’t agree with on their character or time constraints. Either way, I enjoyed being a part of the production value and helping them realize their own dreams.
     I’d also considered doing more video blogs in the upcoming months of 2015. From what I understand blogs are kind of going on the wayside of things and that VLOGS are the most popular route to go when you are trying to reach out to subscribers. Maybe it’d be a way as well to show off the pictures that I plan on taking. Making a mini-slideshow or something with them. Something to toy around with I guess. I really never learned on how to use the video editors because by the time I graduated *cough* 2002 *cough* things like Microsoft PowerPoint, Windows Movie Maker, Excel etc. were all beginning to come into popularity with not only business professionals but also teachers. I guess my question is do people even use cardboard to make presentations anymore? Or, has it gone to this new digital format? But I digress. So, those are just some things I’d like to concentrate in the upcoming year that I’d like to branch out into. Will it happen? If I can put my head to it and get things situated anything is possible. My own indecisiveness will be my only enemy. 

     

     What do you plan on doing for 2015? Feel free to share with the others at the bottom of this blog, or you can leave a comment on my Facebook page!

Writer's That Double As Gamers!

     So, today after I’d posted about Diablo III and that I was an avid gamer, I felt compelled to go ahead and write a blog about it. Now, that I can actually type again. The injury had me cornered for about a week, including doing the edits to my book and writing on the newest venture I’d taken on with my Wolf. It feels good to be back in the saddle again and back at the writer’s desk. I don’t think I could have taken it much longer. I’ve scaled all of the wonderful walls in my house; I was running out of room. If I’m going to be scaling any kind of mountains it’s going to be out in the wilderness with my characters; not within the confines of my own house. While I was down and out, I found myself turning more towards the huge stack of games that I have for the Computer as well as some of what most people call the ‘Next Generation’ consoles (XBOX360, Wii, Etc.) to help pass the slow ticking time. I’ve always been a bit of a gamer but with my busy schedule I’ve always found it very hard to sit down and actually get anywhere in any of the games. But because of my injury I was not allowed to move said limb and to keep it immobilized, hence came fourth my ‘clicking finger’ of destiny. That not only helped with figuring out taxes, building new cities, and keeping the evil Trash monsters away in Sim City that knocked down almost my entire town. But to the more recent of keeping Demons’ at bay and killing there warlords with ease in Diablo III in which, I noticed a little bit of a pattern.
     As writers, are we drawn more towards a particular genre that we either write about? Or we are spellbound by? Personally I’ve always liked Survival Horror, good mysteries, and a paranormal twist on most on modern day twists. This, ironically said is typically the genre that I write. One of the other games that I picked up from my collection that I hadn’t played in several decades (Or at least how it feels) is the game LA NOIRE which takes place in The late nineteen forties of Los Angeles, California. It’s a great Detective game dealing with having to determine on whether or not people are lying to you based on their facial expressions, body movements, and overall statements. Constantly reviewing the evidence you collect at each crime scene and going from there. Those kinds of games enthrall me, I like a good mystery but I also like a game that makes you think, and not just blindly kill your opponents. But with all of that said, a good game can have glitz, it can have glamour, it can have the critics ranting and raving about a ‘Game of the year’ potential but for me, if the story isn’t good, character development sucks, and things aren’t fluid then I’m probably not going to be able to finish it. But, I think that goes back to being a writer, things need to make sense for me and have a good pace going through things. Stories, which go too fast or leave too much out and then reveal it at the end, annoy me. What are your thoughts on today’s’ games? Too much blood? Too much Gore? Not enough story? Not kid friendly enough? All reasons and complaints I’ve heard about why people have shied away from the current systems out there.
     Myself? I have my opinions on the matter and the gaming market, but am very specific on what I say. Again, if a game can present a decent story to me, it can keep my interest, it can make me think, and reward me in the right direction then I’ll give it a thumbs up. However, I’ve never been big on the games where it’s straight through killing. Again, being injured and not being able to physically type, and do edits on a final draft, and work on a rough draft of a new story makes it incredibly hard. I again, found my inner gamer and embraced him fully. Anyone else out there gamers? What types of games do you enjoy? Are they from the old school? (NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, etc.?) Or do you prefer the newer modern consoles? Or, are you a computer gamer? I know this blog is a little far off from writing, but it’s a topic that I wanted to cover because I’m sure a few of you were shocked out there. But I feel that we are all writers’ here. We are all friends (I consider you all my friends), and I feel that we should be able to kick our feet up once in a great while and be able to have some fun doing some gaming online. I posted my tags earlier today for my games, but if you are looking to join me on Diablo III, or Sim City and you lost it the first time, I will include them down here at the bottom of the blog. Again, I apologize for the lack of logs the last few weeks. It has been very busy with things as the weather improves, weddings pop up, and friends’ children are being born. In the word of writers’ some days it just pays to not have any kind of a schedule am I right? Heh, Good day everyone!


Sim City ID:
XxRogueWoifXX

Diablo III ID:
RayvenScript#1964

Through The Fur & The Claws!

     As a writer, I know I’ve mentioned several times before that I was always with writing Modern/Realistic fiction. However, this has changed it seems since I finished my last book “Whispers” which is strictly a paranormal piece. I was going back through the manuscripts that I’d started on and one character in mind came very clear to mind. For those who follow me on Twitter, and on Facebook you have seen me mention him several times, I lovingly and adoringly refer to him as “The Wolf”. Is he named? Yes. Does he have a unique personality? That’s an understatement. But why do I refer to him simply as “The Wolf”. It’s really a series of two different things. The last blog I wrote about was dealing with animal totems. I strongly feel that my animal totem (Amongst three others) would be that of a Wolf. Often times, I can find comfort and strength both in this animal which is why many times you will find several pictures of wolves or wolf related things posted on either my Twitter or Facebook. It’s a friendly face that I can unremarkably find comfort in when comfort is needed. That? And it seems to affect my overall attitude with my writing and personality as I brain storm. But, at any rate back to the point at hand with me and “My Wolf”.
      Not only do I feel a connection with this particular character, but an even stronger ambition to really tell his story and to get it out in the open. But in the same instance, writing from an animal’s point of view always seems to be harder than when dealing with a normal human character. Some of the biggest differences I am finding is that they are limited. Animals are extremely limited to what they can and can’t do. Either because they lack the vocalizations and being able to talk with each other. Or, they can’t figure out typical things that normal human characters would be able to find out on how to use almost right away. The biggest example I could share there with you is doors. Opening doors, and going through them. Using weapons is another large one. The only things that these particular characters have are there claws, and the brains that were given to them. But as a writer, I fully embrace the opportunity to take on a challenge like this. Every character in my mind, has the right to tell their story and let themselves be heard where they have fur or fingers everything in my mind has a right to be heard. The other part of this particular challenge is writing from the first person view of an animal. Typically, all of the stories I’ve ever done have revolved around a third person point of view. Though you are still allowed inside of their heads you can clearly hear what they are thinking, opinions, or thoughts on other characters.
      I’ve talked a bit with Mrs. Michaels as well to help the wolves communicate a little better without making them entirely human. I’ve got notes on how this can be done, but am also looking into other ways. Being in the first person view of this animal, you find out what they are thinking constantly. They don’t have the advantage of knowing what their enemies are thinking or friends are thinking. To me, that’s harder but the outcomes of the actions are a lot more exciting because of the surprise you feel along with the character as a friend or foe makes themselves onto the scene. You have to go by what the main character is thinking and you start feeling these biases towards these characters because you start relating so well to them. Another thing that has taken some time is doing the research for “The Wolf”. I want it to be somewhat realistic when there are interactions between him and the other wolves in this story. I’ve done a lot of research on pack behaviors, as well as general displays with teeth, tails, and any kind of submissive details. I am very happy that I am not tied to having to do what kind of genre. I think since I finished “Whispers” and the initial conception of it has really helped open the door to a lot of other different options to me as a writer, and shows me how easy it is to branch out and talk with other characters!

The Spirits Within

I’ve always been incredibly interested in Mythology, and various other aspects of different Faiths. Now, before you decide to not read this log here me out. This isn’t going to be standing on a box preaching about a religion or any particular views I have on it, but it’s close. What am I talking about? I’m talking about the Native American believe in Animal Totems. I am sure that everyone here knows what an animal totem is. The best way I can describe an animal totem is the large single poles of wood that have several different animals sculpted into them. You see them typically on movies, that might have a campground or a woodsy kind of scene to it. As of late, there have been several ideas running through my head and one of those involves writing about an animal from his point of view. As a writer, I’m always looking forward to a challenge, and that can be from choosing to do another type of genre? All the way to different view points of characters. Trying to write perhaps, from the bad guys point of view or something that I don’t typically do. This character has made his presence known several other times before this particular idea has come back to me. He had his own short story (Maybe fix to six pages) a year ago and gradually I’ve worked on it here and there. But as of late, he has come on strong again and seems to be watching me from a distance, like an animal of this kind is known for. But, with this I always think back to what I’ve been told about animal totems and the Native Americans beliefs on animal spirits and how they can play a normal occurrence in your daily life.

Again, I am not going to be getting on any kind of soap boxes here about Faith, Religion, etc. that is a whole different bag of discussions and topics that I find better to NOT talk about. But several years ago, on a way back from a field trip I was having a discussion with a friend of mine that is a Native American and we where discussing animals. I asked her what her favorite animals where and she in turn, she asked me. Which at the time, was a hawk and the Velcioraptors from Jurassic Park. She proceeded to ask me if I’d ever given any kind of thought into maybe that these particular animals I didn’t choose to be my favorites what if they chose me. I quirked a brow at her, and continued to press forward by asking the all questioning of questions Why? There belief is that when a person is born, the particular person does not always choose there favorite animals. There thought process and belief is that the animal chooses them. She says there are always different aspects of why the animals pick particular people, but a lot of it will have to do with there attitudes, moral standing, work ethics etc. Now, let’s flash forward to today and the topic at hand with this character that seems to be following me around. I’ve always felt very drawn to the Red-Tailed Hawk, and I’ve always felt very drawn towards that of the Wolf. But it wasn’t until several years ago I had a firm attachment grow TO the Wolf. I’m in absolute awe by this creature, and the beauty that they carry with them. Sure, they are a predator at heart, but the intelligence, and the society they setup within there packs, the way they hunt. The animal is very intelligent.

I have noticed that during times of trial and tribulations in life, I find that pictures of wolves will pop up before me, or in movies, songs, videos all of the above. That’s part of the belief is that the animals will appear to you when you are in need or you need guidance from them. There have been instances where people can meditate and embrace these particular spirits and have discussions with them. From what I’ve read online during the research is that it happens more like a vision, or a dream. Now, with this said and continuing on the subject as of late I had several trials and tribulations going on in my personal life. When again, I saw the wolf appear to be on several different occasions. During this particular time in my life, I started seeing my familiar character again that I’d written on a year ago. He seemed to be wanting attention, he had something to say, and was very loud in my mind. What would you say? Is it more than coincidence that I started seeing him again? Or is it because the muse wanted me to. I think that it Is definitely very interesting to keep a kind of perspective open on all things in the world. Reading the article on this particular webpage I found it to be very interesting and fascinating. What kind of animal are you drawn to? I would look forward to everyone’s responses, comments, at the bottom.

Website about animal totems:

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems.html