The unstopable Art-Tease!

2002-12-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

:: Status ::

Returning within the week

2002-08-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah. I'll be looking and scouting for some more people to blog here shortly so you want have to just listen to me babble about publishing. Hehe....

2002-08-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

I think it's incrediable how I don't feel like writing until 2am when I'm suppost to get up at 7am. You see, this excatly why I don't get stuff done. I don't want to write until I'm tired, and losing my mind.

However, one good thing. I submitted an article to Clamor Magazine. If it's accepted, it would be my first paided job, because running Culture Shocker cost money. Haven't made a dime yet from it.

Plus, I screwed up, and I can take any of my major classes for a whole year! I have to take all my filler classes like political studies and economics. I can't take one class about what I really want to do- journalism.

So, I best just start my free lance career off slow. Eles I'll never gets myself out the south and up there to Seattle.

Ah. Seattle

~Muse Gurl

2002-08-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

I bet you thought I was dead.

Well, I'm not. What I am is the director of Marketing for my school's Homecoming- which is only like the biggest event of the year.

No pressure. If I screw up, then about 50,000 people will hate me. That's all...

You see, this is what happens when you applpy for a job and you don't know what your apply for.

Back to school in one week. I haven't finished my book. Or my other book. But Ive had about a million ideas for movies and other books.

How in teh world do you write a screenplay anyways?

I wrote one. I know it's not standard from. It's just sort of dialouge.

Hummm....

Back to working on Culture Shocker...

~Muse Gurl

2002-07-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

The most crazy thing...

I'm starting to feel the pressure to produce something 'worthwhile'.

As a college student, I've never really worried about bills, and loans, and morgages...But now I am.

My parents are starting to thrust into my face all the bills that the family has, and asking when I'll start paying a bigger share-

I am almost afraid that I will pushed into that horrid world of 9-5pm. Making meeting. Lunch dates, marriage, play dates, car pools, and breakfast pockets.

I don't think I can take it...

So now I begining to slowly feel the pressure to let my creative programs be my work. It's the only way the creative soul within me will survive.

So. Now what?

:-(( Muse Gurl ))

2002-07-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my excitement with you.
I just had a poem published at a "Halloween" series website. I wrote the poem based on the entire series and the webmasters decided to publish it! You can check it out by going to the Myers Museum or clicking on this link:

The Shape by Brian Jaime @ the MyersMuseum.com

BTW, I have also started posting to the Creative People blog. We are currently having a CP Create-A-Word Competition. Sounds like fun! Stop by and check it out when you get a chance.

Well that's about it for now!

Enjoy!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me! Thanks!

~~ Bri :o) ~~

2002-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Then again, maybe not...

Have I wrote one more strand of my fiction book? No.

Have I gotten past describing the basic market for my non-ficition book? Uh-uh

I've been laying out my newsletter and sleeping. I slept at least 4 hours between 11am and 6pm. I woke up at 7:30... bit too much?

I suppose my basic problem is that I can never tell people 'No, I can help you with that project', or "No, I don't have time to write up that article, or market that whatever'. Instead of saying no, my brain screams 'Wow, what and experience! I'll do it!' and somehow, it comes out my mouth.

I need to learn how to say NO! Taking on too many projects leaves my great personal projects only half done. They deserve better than that.

I can eat an elephant one bite at a time. I'm just not going to let people fatten up my elephant any more. Their trying to kill me.

~Muse Gurl~

P.S.- The EDT required that I get a 120 to get into the College of Mass Communications. I studied all night and got a 122! Parrrteaa! Darn right I'll tut my own horn!

2002-07-13T04:35:00.000-07:00

What vs. When

No one ever said that being a writer was going to be easy. In fact it is tough. Not the work, so to speak, but rather the committment. I know, I know! “If you want it bad enough...” and “If you were meant to o be a writer then you’ll write everyday...” Yeah, I have been known to make those statements in the past as well. The fact is, I do write every day. I have to or I’ll go crazy-insane.

The only problem is not “how often” I write, but “what” I write. This may ring true for many of you other writers out there. I find myself staring at old poetry, editing old manuscripts and screenplays, writing poetry that I know will never see the light of day, and I have been guilty of writing way too many blogs and daily journals. These things keep me going, they replenish me at the end of a hard day, and they inspire me in my other efforts as well. I have to find a way to balance the two types of material that I write: creative works for personal fullfilment and creative works for monetary gain. Granted, a creative work could be both for personal fulfillment and monetary gain. This is where STRUGGLING writers (most of us) must walk a fine line between what is fulfilling and what is necessary.

Example #1:

You have three projects you are working on: a screenplay, a poem, and an article for an e-zine. Okay, let’s get organized! Now, you just had a brain-flash for a really great scene that would make the transition into act two of your screenplay so much better. You are like me and forget a great idea as soon as you think of it, so you want to get it down as soon as possible. But wait! You are on a dealine to finish your article on “The Lemurs of Madigascar” for an animal e-zine that is going to pay you one dollar per word. You have three days to finish it and you are not even done with the first draft yet! But wait! It has been raining all day and it begins to clear up. You glance out the window and your eye spies a beautiful rainbow amidst the clouds in the horizon, You walk outside and savor the essence of this magnificent sight. Inspiration swirls through your head. This is a poem just waiting to happen! You have a poem just inside that you had been working on last time you saw a rainbow and now you feel inspired to go back inside, dig through that drawer, and finish the darn thing. But wait! Your aunt stops by for a visit and you two talk for two hours. It is now nighttime. You know you have work (Cubicle Fever) tomorrow and have to be up early but you are so hungry. You decide to go out and get a bite to eat. By the time you get back it is now 9:15 pm (since you decided to stop off at the local Wal-Mart for “essentials”) and you only have one hour to write. You head for that drawer and pull out that poem because you are still inspired. Then you realize that you still have that scene in your head and you should get it down stat! So you go over to the computer and power it up. On your computer is a sticky note that has two words written on it: “LEMUR E-ZINE!!!!” You panic... you are frenzied. “Lemurs or Rainbows? Rainbows or Act Two? Screenplay or Poem? E-zine or Insipiration?” You begin to question yourself. You finally decide to go with the e-zine article because you will earn some good money from it (if you ever get it done). Congratulations! You have made the right choice! Except it is now 10:15 pm and time for bed...

Example #2:

You have three projects you are working on... yadda, yadda, yadda... (let’s skip to just after you had all that “rainbow inspiration”). You run inside, grab your Poloroid camera and snap a quick shot of the rainbw before it is gone forever. Your aunt stops by and you chat for about an hour after which you inform her that you are under a strict deadline and need to get back to work. Your aunt happily departs knowing that you are a struggling writer who works hard for the money. You head inside, dig through that drawer, and find your poem. Next, it is off to the computer. You power that baby up because by now your fingers are ready to go! You remember that your e-zine article needs to get done first because you are going to profit from it. You also decide that munching on an apple and orange is much healthier than eating a drive-thru dinner of fries and nuggets. You bring up the lemur.doc file on your computer, pull out all your research and go for it. Two hours have gone by and you have completed the first draft. Tommorrow you can edit this version and punch out draft number two. Yeah! You still have one hour before bed time, so you bring up your WordPad and type in the quick scene that you had thought about earlier in the day for your screenplay. At this point, you are not worried about fitting it into the screenplay or even formatting it properly. You just want to get the idea down before you fall asleep and forget it. You have now completed two tasks with some time to spare. You go off to get ready for bed since you are going to have a full day of office work ahead of you tomorrow. Before you tuck yourself in, you pull out your poem and that Poloroid you took earlier of that amazing rainbow. Inspiration sets in and you start to write. Now your poem is almost done! You decide to save the rest for the next rainbow that comes along! It’s now 10:15 and time for bed..

Now both of the above examples sound far fetched by all means. The first sounds over-exaggerated and rushed while the second sounds too perfect. I roll my eyes at both. You probably are as well. You should. I have been in both situations at many different times. I have rushed over something that is due the next day becuase of my unhealthy sense of procrastination and at the same time have tinkered on fan-based fiction and screenplays or daily journals for hours on end knowing very well that probably only my mom and best friend will be the only ones to read them. I walk this fine line everyday as I am sure many of you do as well.

For most of us, life falls somewhere in the middle of these two extreme examples. Between children and jobs, little league and aerobics, river boat casino and car repairs, natural disasters and family crises, etc. the writing can get lost. It is our job and duty as writers to take all of those things and everything else that gets in the way and channel it into our writing -- whenever we get to it. Sometimes the writing is what pays the bills and sometimes that rainbow may be just too dazzling to pass up. So just do what I do... it is 4:18 am and I am finally doing my writing for the day. Now it’s time for bed...

~~ Bri :o) ~~

P.S. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me. Also, be sure to check out my other blogs Life Undecided & Utter Madness. Thanks!

2002-07-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Unblock

Found some inspiration for my novel in the form of a charcther from Othervision.com called Heather Hunter.

She's got some stricking similarities to my current characther...

I love online animation!

Now I have to got study for my EDT (English Diagnostic Test) so I can accepted into my University's College of Mass Communication.... yuck.

But it is what I want to do with my life.

~Muse Gurl

P.S.- How do I increase traffic to this site? I've never promoted a blog...

2002-07-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

All that stuff that happened with my sis is weighing on my head.

I can't sleep. I'm suppost to be working on my Book propsal tommrow.

Did you know that typically those things are 10-20 pages long?

::Pant::Pant::Pant::

This is going to be so much fun.

By the way. Still looking for canidates to join this blog project! Just email me @ cultureshocker-owner@yahoogroups.com .

~Muse Gurl~

2002-07-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Unforgivable

Today, infront of the hospital where our mother rested on the 4th floor, my sister any myself blew up at each other.

Alot of things that should have been said ten years ago was said ten hours ago.

In the end, we both came to terms with being misunderstood, and decided to build a relationship, starting with the few things we had in common.

We shook hands and agreed to start with a foundation. She has a manuscript sitting on her desk that has been there for years. And I have a finished script, stuffed at the bottom of the draw

We both agreed to take them out, dust them off, and show them to the world.

I intend to keep up my end.

Now, where do I start?

~Muse Gurl~

2002-07-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

2002-07-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

Bias Science, "Bad Science"

Today I was sitting in my socology class (yup, that's what I said), and I happen to choose the seat between the two most annoying guys in the class.

::Great::

Anyways, both of them is that silly type of student that converses while the professor is talking, about how they "just don't agree with that". Both bad mouthing the science of socology, because it admits that the truth of any science is relative, and not always to be taken for face value.

I'm like, hey, sociology major, right here, sitting between ya. Don't taking about one of my favorite professors and subjects like that!. Jerks.

Anyways, one of them, who just "didn't agree", raises his hand and points to a water bottle, and says something like "Science is like true facts. Ya know? Like that's a water bottle. No mattter what you say, that's a water bottle."

;-)

Ok, had to. Couldn't let him be like that. So I raise my hand a point out that science is relative to the perspective of the scientist, or the people in power. How many examples of that is there? Wasn't the world once flat? And eatting eggs everyday good for you? And tabbacco smoke not harmful? Studies that 'proved' these things used science, and where for a time generally accepted.

But teh example that I choose was the fact that for a while African Americans where not allowed in the navy, because it was a generally accepted scientific fact that we could not see in the dark. What? You didn't know that? Horse do-de. After a while, the science of proving racial superiority (same 'scientifc thinking' Hitler used) was disproven.

The fact of th matter is, sometimes in what we call science, scientist base their orginal belifes on inferances, or socially constructed knowledged taht's be hnded down or is being pushed by those in social power. They then form science around this. (controversial example- evoloution came about because someone thought there is no "god", so there must be some scientific explination for how we got here. Some of those theories maybe correct. However if the orginal assumpt to there is no god is wrong, everything eles could very likely be wrong also).

Basically, I blew his mind.

It's scarely sometimes for me to see that many people aren't half as open mindes as I. And that many simply accept what's told to them.

That could be a problem, don't you think?

~Muse Gurl~

P.S.- Check out my new article that was just published. Feedback please! What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger!

2002-06-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here we go again....

I didn't want to be the heart. That's so sterotypically gurly isn't it? But then I remebered that line

"You got to have heart Rocky. You gota have heart"

-Micky, Rocky I or II

That is Rocky one or two if that line is even in that movie! Sometimes I make lines up....

~Muse Gurl~

:-)

2002-06-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

Muse Gurl -- it's so funny you took the same test I had taken earlier today! Great minds...

I'm Remy LeBeau
What X-Men Character are You?

I also wasted my brain finding out this tid bit as well...

I updated my other blogs (Utter Madness & Life Undecided) as well, so I guess that not all my time was wasted.

~~ Bri :o) ~~

2002-06-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Instead of working, I'm wasting time @ 2:13am....

I'm Jubilation Lee
What X-Men Character are You?

Hey...I did layout the plan for my new book...

~Muse Gurl~

2002-06-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Writing For Fun!

First of all, I'd like to thank Muse Gurl for allowing me to be a part of this unstopable site! I have been lurking in the background somehwere for the past week looking for a good place to jump in. So, I figured that there was no time better than the present. I am a subscriber to Cultureshocker and find it very informative and useful. I encourage everyone to sign up right away. Go ahead, click the link... we'll wait... we'll be here when you get back...

Okay, welcome back!

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brian and I am a writer. I love to write! I write anything really. Poetry, Short Stories, Plays, Screenplays, Novels, Blogs, Prose, Journals, Non-fiction... anything! I love to read and especially to write and have other people read what I wrote. My first loves are screenplays, poetry, and short fiction with prose being in a close fourth. I have had some poems published but nothing major. I am working on it, however, and will keep you updated on the process. For now you can visit one of my web blogs where I write and make posts everyday. Don't worry I have links back to this site on those other ones! Now for the shameless advertising... My main blog is called Life Undecided and is my unofficial personal journal. At times it gets kind of controversial, but those are just my opinions only and do not reflect those of anyone else. My other two blogs are A Little Taste of Interp (where I post pieces of interpretive literature by me or other artists) and Utter Madness (my *new* blog that is written in episode format about the struggles of young independence -- it is a regular little fictional soap opera). Oh, and if you get a chance, please feel free to sign the guestbooks to whichever pages you visit and let me know what you think! Thanks! Okay on with the post...

Well, my first post is about writing just for the fun of it. I have been in several writers groups where the writers themselves are stressing that writing is merely an occupation and career choice and should feel like hardwork. I am not of this mind set. I have been in many disagreements over this topic recently and thought I'd mention it. For me, writing is a blast, a ball, a real good time if you know what I mean! There is nothing I'd rather do! Whether I am completing a college assignment, writing for cash, entering a contest, or just journaling I am always having fun. The minute I pick up a pen or tap on these keys I feel exhilirated with pleasure. To me, writing is an art form... a very creative, persuasive, intellectual, and sometimes stressful art form. I relish in the written word and bask in the beauty of books becuase they are what motivate me to strive for creative freedom, truth, and a voice that will make me heard (provided, of course, that you are reading this).

Everyone is going to have a personal opinion on this matter and everyone rightfully should (sepecially if you yourself are a writer of any kind). There is no wrong way or right way to view the art of writing. There is only your personal outlook. Whatever motivates you to get those words onto the page is probably the best outlook you as a writer can have. Next time you find yourself with a bit of writer's block, get stressed out, or are procrastinating try some of my methods of writing for fun.

Here are some of the things you can try:

Put some music on that relates to the work you are writing (ex. if i am writing a romantic comedy, then I try to listen to power ballads)
Walk away from the computer or note pad for a few minutes. Walk around wherever you are and try to visualize whatever you are writing about unfolding in your head as if you were a mere observer (ex. sometimes when I write horror, I turn off all the lights and walk around my dark house simply to find the fear)
Give your characters the personality traits of people you know. When you lose inspiration call the person you modeled the character after and have a quick chat before you get back to writing.

and finally...
Always smile when you write and think positively. Remember, he or she who controls the pen controls the paper!

I understand how some writers want to perceive their career choice or hobbie as something serious and as "real work." Basically it is both of those things, but it is so much more and as soon as we all start realzing that the sooner we can all write with a smile. Deadline or not.

That's just my two cents. If you have any questions or comments, you can always email me.

Always,

~~ Bri :o) ~~

2002-06-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Meet Rebecca Pryce!

Rebecca is a wonderful filmmaker that I found recently.

You can view it online now for free @ http://www.ifilm.com/ifilm/product/film_info/0,3699,2430120,00.html

Rebecca has recently jumped on board as SAonline’s first adopted artist. She’ll be sharing thoughts with us occasional about the world of “moving pictures” & her experiences, in the form of a Journal. We hope you enjoy it! Here’s the first one!

)))))))))))))))))))))))))) ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

Behind the Scenes Confessions: Should a director know it all?

One of the most vivid memories I have of making TLC actually occurred after production ended, at the wrap party. I became engaged in a heated argument with one of my crewmembers, who -after much prodding- finally revealed his dissatisfaction with the production. “You haven’t committed to the material. You refuse to tell us what you – as the filmmaker – actually think about this man’s experience. Do you believe it was a miracle or not?” Well, my crewmember was right. I don’t know what happened to this man. And that’s precisely why I chose to tell the story.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think directors are supposed to “know it all.” But if you admit this, you’ve disrupted the hierarchy. You don’t know what you are doing. You jeopardize the trust of your cast and crew. If you don’t know it all, then who’s going to play the role of the silverback gorilla? Somewhere along the line, the word “director” gets translated into “dictator.” When that happens, you’ve just lost what is so interesting about making a film.

This is not to say that a film can be made by a collective; it can’t be. I certainly knew how I wanted to tell the story. But I learned it is precisely this strength of vision which fosters the collaborative experience, encouraging the personal commitment of cast and crew. They approached me with their own ideas; in turn, they knew not to take it personally if it didn’t fit in with the big picture. And when my vision clouded? Well, let’s just say I’m not surprised by the weakest moments of TLC, and I paid for it with many late Saturday nights of editing. On set, I knew when things weren’t clear in my own head. And that’s the true definition of not “committing to the material.”

Thanks for watching,

Rebecca

2002-06-26T23:34:00.000-07:00

I just watched Van Wilder....
My mother is going into the hospital later today.
I can't sleep. My eyes are popping out my head.

My subscriber base is growing so slow!

Can't write. I just ordered a book from Amazon.com

"How to Write and Sell Your First Nonfiction Book".

We'll see if it helps. I have a book idea I can't get out of my head.
Don't know what to do about it.....

~Muse Gurl~

2002-06-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

African American Directors

I always look for inspirational people in the media, who through some simliarity with myself lead me to believe that my goals are attainable. I tend to want to eat the whole elephant with one bite.

I was recently trying to think of a African American female director that inspires me. Couldn't. Hummm....

I know a screen play writer, Suzan-Lori Parks, and actress, Halle Berry, a muscian, Janet Jackson.

But no African American female dirctor. No male for that matter....Hummm.

Denzel should direct a film. I could write it....

~Muse gurl

2002-06-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Barking At God

Today my puppy had an arguement with god. I think she won.

I've been having this most aweful writer's block lately. I've come up on the first fight in my book. And I'm stuck.

I've got this feeling that there is a great writer in me.

Today, during the lightening storm, when I couldn't work, I sat listening to the sound of the raindrops hitting the roof. Thinking how pleasent it was to hear this once in a lifetime preformance by god. Once in a lifetime because those raindrops would never again fall and hit those excate spots, at the precise moment. And the thunder shook the house. I wanted to roll over and cover my head. But the sound of my puppy rouse me from the couch. The barking rattling my brain. I thought for a moment she'd gotten lose.

But she hadn't. There she stood, outside on the porch, barking through the screen up at the sky, as if arguing with god about the foul weather. And every few moments it seemed like god answered her with crakling lightening, and strong gust of wind. Yet there she stood, all 30 lbs of her, barking and growling at god.

I smiled, amused. I think my writer's block is gone.

~Muse Gurl~

2002-06-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Thanks for dropping by! You've found what promises to be a most intresting, eventful and creative blog.

I am your host, musegurl. I suppose if your on this site, you want to know a bit about me.

Well, I am the editor of a online newsletter.

I am also writing my first sci-fi novel, and have alreadu completed on screenplay, with thoughts of a few more in my head.

I write for a local newpaper and magazine, am the street team/promotions director for a college radio station, and a marketing director for my University's Homecoming. (huff :: what a mouth full)

Hopefully the phrase that you caught me at the right time will be true. My hope is that my newsletter will continue to grow, and within the next year I'll be on the way to a published book, and having my screenplay begining considered by a independent film group.

Though the life I lead, I meet many intresting people. For example Rebecca Pryce, a talented film maker, who just finished a great short independent film.

As people like Rebecca come through my life, they add to my store. And will, on occation, add to this blog. So please, bookmark this page, and make your way back. the blogg will be updated often, and you never know what you'll find us talking about, or who'll be talking!

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