Character Development Through An Artist's Eyes

Being an artist, I tend to understand things better through visual representations. Because of this, I sometimes like to describe my character development through color.

Here’s how my main character in Brilliant Idea #2 develops throughout the plot. It only covers the beginning, middle, and end, because I don’t want to give away too much of the storyline just yet, but I think you can probably get a general idea of what’s going on.

1) Softer tones represent naivete and youth.

2) Bold dark tones represent chaos, discomfort, and discord.

3) Bright colors represent growth and new life.

Something about that last one reminds me of Cake Wrecks and really makes me want to eat a cupcake.

Why You Should Back Up Your Work

Around this time last year I was just about to finish up on the very first edit of my very first manuscript. (Yay!) I was only a few chapters from the end and (Ack!) the hard drive on my laptop died. I lost all of my edits and the last three chapters of the manuscript. (Boo!)

Lego Twitter Fail Whale by tveskov

By then, I was so over my manuscript that I didn’t care that it disappeared into hard drive heaven. I didn’t lose any sleep because I was in the loathing stage of our relationship and, as I’ve said before, that usually occurs about the time I really start digging into the editing process.

Honestly, I was happy to move on because Brilliant Idea #2 was pounding on the door and I was raring to get started on it. In the end, I’m glad I decided to forget about the lost manuscript. I was able to take a break from obsessing about it for a good long while and, because of that, I’m completely over the loathing stage and back to being infatuated. Right now, though, I’m forcing myself to finish editing Brilliant Idea #2 before I get side tracked again. It’s so easy to get sidetracked and I NEED a finished manuscript like a pirate needs orange juice.

So now that I’m back on board with my first manuscript, I’m having some serious regrets about losing all those hours that I spent slaving away on my manuscript. Can’t believe I let something that like that slip through my fingertips.

I think it goes without saying people, back your stuff up.

You Can't Command+Z Everything

Yesterday, I was fiddling around with fonts on my Mac and I somehow managed to jumble up every single Word document I’ve ever saved on my computer. I was editing Chapter 7 of Brilliant Idea # 2 when everything crashed.

My initial reaction (like most graphic designers) was to hit Command+Z, but seeing as how life doesn’t operate like a computer, I opted for something a bit more sensible. I restarted Word and auto recovery kicked in. Unfortunately, it crashed again before I could hit save, thus leaving me out an entire day’s work. As predicted, it sent me into a flurry of panic. How was I supposed to do all of that work again?

If only I had saved my work. Yes, if only I had.

So, I woke up this morning and tinkered around a little bit with my fonts and, lo and behold, I fixed it! I can finally move forward with my work!

I supposed I should hang my head in shame for not being more responsible. After all, one of the cardinal rules of just about any vocation is “always save your work”. But, eh well, I fixed it, and I’m human. Sometimes I mess up.

Now all I have to do is re-edit Chapter 7 and wait for my blood pressure to return to normal.

Editing My Manuscripts

Right now I’m in the process of editing my manuscript and let me tell you, I would rather stand outside all day in the August heat and roast like a pig on a spit.

I suspect I’m in the stage of writing that involves utter hatred of one’s own work. I’m not kidding. I don’t even like to look at it for fear that my brain might implode. I go through all kinds of crazy emotions when I think about my manuscript (frustration, annoyance, embarrassment). And most of all, I think that maybe I should definitely throw it in the back of the closet in hopes that I never have to lay eyes on it again.

The funny thing is, I went through the exact same thing with my last manuscript, POS#1. I thought it was complete junk when I finished the first edit so I threw it in the back of the closet, but now, after looking over it again I’ve decided to rework it as soon as I’m done editing Brilliant Idea #2.

Apparently, my relationships with my manuscripts go something like this:

Infatuation

Excitement

Boredom

Mortification

Loathing

Then, I toss it in the back of my closet and ban it from memory until I stumble across it again a year later.

There’s definitely a pattern forming here. I just need to finish editing these two manuscripts before Blow Your Mind Idea #3 comes along and upends everything.