In the Works

So much to do, so little time.

We all know the adage, but it has taken on a new meaning for me after the move. The new job is great, the schedule, not so much. Not only did I go from three and four day weekends down to two, but I loose half of the first day off to much needed sleep.

How does this affect you, dear friends? Other than a bit more irritable host, I hope it doesn't. I just have to become, forgive me a disgusted shutter, organized. Not that organized is a naughty word, but come on, we are all creative types here. Schedules and structure are the devil. They are also a necessary evil, now.

The first step in selling my soul is squaring away my work spaces. The goal is a spot for the forge, and a separate home for wood working tools. The writing space, the precious few times it has been utilized, is anywhere I can hunker down with my tablet and keyboard.

So far the lathe has a new locale.

It isn`t much, a vintage Craftsman pipe lathe. Not super precise, it gets the job done. It is mostly for turning tool handles and the occasional magic wand. Yes, magic wands. I would like to get back into tobacco pipe turning at some point. There is already enough on my plate for the time being, though. 

The forge is now nestled in a cozy little spot in the back stall of a little barn.

There was an addition to the family just before the move. She ain`t the prettiest thing in the world, but when I saw her rotting in a back alley I had to make the owner an offer. Thirty bucks later and she is happily back to work.

Still a bit of cleaning up to do, but no real complaints.

I have been tinkering here and there, lately. Made a couple of knives, and a few tools. Production has yet to really ramp up though. I have a decent stockpile of steel, and a ton of ideas, time is the only issue. Story of my life, what else is new.

Once the dreaded physical space organization process is done I need to lay down the law with myself. That means schedules and deadlines.

I now have three long form writing projects that are languishing in the half to three quarter finished stage of first draft. Each time I had a legitimate reason for starting something new, but now it is time to choose one and stay the course. I also have two short stories nearing completion that I am, quite frankly, scared to finish. 

It is an odd feeling. One that I only get about writing. The fear of actually finishing something, maybe simply because I will have to put it out there to be judged? That doesn't make much sense. I don't feel that way about any other form of art. I usually just dive in, do the work, and throw it out of the nest the second it can survive on it's own, off to make it's way in the world. But writing is cerebral, intellectual mixed with creative. The logical mind gets invited to the party, and he is a real downer. Sure he provides tons of facts, and establishes plausibility, but damn. He is always calculating risks, predicting disasters. The hardest part of writing is getting him to provide needed ballast without sinking the ship.

Deadlines should help with this. If I put a proverbial gun to his head, the logical mind is usually too preoccupied with the goal to nay say. Another way to distract him is task focus. Break the job into digestible pieces, and his ADHD becomes less of a problem. The final tine in my three prong approach is incentives. I have resorted to dangling my more physical pursuits in front of my own nose to keep me moving. No forging until you get your writing done young man.

No idea how this will pan out, but we shall see.

So the agenda is:

1. Make an agenda... 

2. Plot out specific goals, tasks, and projects.

3. Fit projects into the schedule.

4. Actually follow said schedule.

Goals:

Long Term

Angel'sKin - Urban Fantasy Novel - 3/4 completed

Oxmaer - Young Adult Fantasy Novel - 1/2 completed

Dark Man - Horror Novella - Nowhere near completed

Medium Term

Flight 666 (working title) - Short Story - 9/10 completed

Hear That Devil Sing - Short Story - 3/4 completed

Forge needed tools - froe, draw knife, tongs, etc...

Short Term

Finish organizing and arranging work spaces

Dig out any tools still packed away

Finish Chapter 1 of joint writing venture

I'm sure there is more, but for now the tally is;

Universe: one bajillion

Me: one 

At least I'm gaining ground, right. Stick around, kiddies. I'm either going to soar, or crash and burn. Either way, it should be a great show. Until next time, go create something.

The Process

I've spent a good bit of time questioning myself about what exactly it is that I'm trying to share with you guys via this blog. It is funny to admit that I'm not completely sure. I'm into things that are interesting, well, because they interest me. I figure that means they'd interest you too, but why consolidate them all here?

This isn't meant to be a journal, or a place to show off what I enjoy doing. It isn't just a place for project ideas,  directions, or DIY build-alongs (though there is some aspects of that at play). I had to really think about what I plan to serve up that is unique for your discerning palates.

As I was doing some carving this week, I had to stop to make a new tool. That led to needing a new jig for sharpening, which in turn led to a web search for jigs. That turned up an awesome jig for turning the ends of large stock into tenons for the rustic stools I'm working on. So I made one. Could have bought it, would have been easier. I would have gotten a tool made by a pro that would surely have done an excellent job, but I made one instead.

I could keep going, but you guys are smart enough to recognize the pattern forming. Everything we do creatively is interconnected. It is a process. Though heavily influenced by my ADHD like attention span, it gets the job done. I really only have a few goals with my creative time. First is the actual act of creating something. This one is by far the most mundane goal, and surprisingly the least important to me. Second, is to learn something new. I don't know how masters of a craft can stick with it after the initial stage where everything is exciting and new, with new knowledge gained daily. Next in the reverse hierarchy is the experience itself. I choose my projects based on what the experience will be like. I enjoy cooking more than eating. The trip is more important than where we're going, get it?

The process culminates in the understanding and definition gained. This is different than simple mechanical learning. Once I create something I can step back and reflect on how that affects and applies to so many aspects of myself and the world around me. Bushcraft gets me in touch with the environment, and mankind's place in it far more efficiently than any amount of philosophical introspection. Composing fiction gives me a chance to see things from another perspective, unlike anything my eyes could ever show me. I create in an effort to understand. To understand the project at hand, what it is and how it is made. To understand the job or task the finished product will be used for. And above all, to understand myself.

And that is where it is all heading, understanding. If the goal was learning, then you could just read a book. But we create. If the intention was just needing something, there are far more simple methods of acquisition. But we choose to create. Not to dive too deeply into philosophical babbling, creation is the cornerstone of understanding. It is active participation. It is a method employed to engage the reality we perceive around us.

Creativity is one of the few things that separates us from the beasts. Our most powerful tool for defining, and even redefining our environment. I would offer that you are not what you have, nor what you do, you are what you have created. And what have you created lately?

Holy Hell, We`re Back.

After six months of life changing chaos the waters have settled. I can surface to devour a lung spitting gulp of fresh air. Everything, I mean every single thing, went on hold for a career change. We threw in a new venue just for good measure. It was all by choice, so no tears, just some temporary sacrifice.

Everything is all inclusive. Writing abruptly stopped cold. Forging wasn`t practical, so it halted. The long term nearly abandoned motorcycle project is rotting under a lean to. Most tools and all supplies got packed in a shed, beyond the reach of mortal man. I spent two months in a hotel in Austin for training, followed up by field training (which is going well). Days off were cut back from four to two, technically one and a half when you work a hybrid night and day shift.

The up shot is we are home, back to our roots. We landed on five acres owned my brother and sis-in-law. The forge and all new anvil (pics to come) found a home in one of the barn stalls. The wood lathe has its eye on an open air spot off one of the tool sheds. The other tools are shaking off rust and neglect and slowly crawling out into the light.

What`s coming up?

I have a writing project in the early stages with Kiley (the dude abides), that should help clear out the cobwebs and get the old think box back on track.

Been forging some archery bits for my good buddy John Boudreaux, and their might be some wood bow building in our future.

Made a couple of knifes in the last few weeks, gonna have to do more of that.

I'm also considering putting up a few videos if I can figure this editing software out.

Still have two books in the works, just have to get motivated there. There is a chance at a few short stories emerging, but don't hold me to that just yet. I haven`t written one since Mark Whalberg was Marky Mark.

All told things are great, and getting better. My Pinterest is overflowing with project that need doing, the kids are back in school, and I have Mondays off. Things that need doing will get doing, and Monday posts should become a regular thing. So go make something, and stay tuned. More to follow.

Show Rob Some Love.

Hey guys, I'm just stopping by real quick to ask a quick favor. If you are into quality young adult fiction, consider buying a copy of one of these titles by Robison Wells.

Why should you do this? Other than the fact he is a damn fine author, he is just a swell guy who has been dealing with a lot of rough stuff. I first ran across Robison when he appeared on Writing Excuses, my favorite writing podcast, speaking about mental illness. We all know how many writers have been, and are now, fighting this fight. He openly speaks of how his closet full of mental diseases has affected him, his family, and his efforts at writing for a living. If you are dealing with a mental illness I'd highly recommend giving Rob's guest podcast on writing and mental health a listen, here. Since I have been following him on social media I have been touched by his stories, his humor, and his struggles. Currently he is dealing with the very real possibility of having cancer. His short plea for help can be found here, on his website.

Some others are organizing benefits, give-a-ways, and the like around the blogosphere. Here is one last link to Luisa Perkins' site with info on how to participate, or donate if you'd prefer. If nothing else toss a share or like his way, mostly so you can keep your eye on a young adult sci-fi author worthy of paying attention to. And please, keep Rob and his family in your thoughts and prayers during his time of struggle.

New Year Update, Kindle/Keyboard Review

Happy Belated New Year.

So much has been going on in the virtual eternity since last we met here. Quick recap, November NaNoWriMo was a huge soul crushing failure. I wrote fewer words in that month than any since I decided to throw myself into this novel writing thing. Writing by the seat of the pants is apparently not my method. December was almost as bad. Here in North Texas we were hit by a good size ice storm that resulted in a lot of broken trees. I lost a few days to the clean up only to be hit by the flu followed by an ear infection over Christmas. Stir in A quick trip home for the holidays, and yeah, not much was done in December. The silver lining, I have enough project wood to last a decade.

My lovely wife ordered me a Kindle Fire HD ($99 Black Friday special). Anyone who slums Facebook in my neck of the woods probably knows I intend to use it for writing on the go. I finally got my bluetooth keyboard in, and gang, super excited. Currently having my first go at getting some words bashed into this poor little sub-tablet. I have been reserving judgment on the practicality of doing real writing on this set up until now. I am impressed so far, but there are some concerns.

Room for Improvement

The default dictionary is a joke. Turn autocorrect off. Not a big deal during rough draft. In fact it helps. It does present the challenge of learning to spell, though. Not my strong point.

Selecting/highlighting text is difficult on the touch screen. Single words are no problem, but this thing ain't doing edits. The keyboard didn't help on this. Some of the editing shortcuts are available, but not all of them.

Cursor placement could be easier. Nevermind the fact that my huge calloused hands are more suited to holding a hammer than fine electronic manipulation. Seriously, it is like trying to play operation with a lead pipe. The arrow keys on the new keyboard are a massive improvement.

On the Positive Side

There are quite a few serviceable note taking apps out there. Evernote has impressed me with the cross platform integration. Every device I touch now has a copy. Outlining, research, inspiration, and even whole scenes are fed into notes where they are sorted, tagged, and released into the cloud.

For. Free.

I'm playing around with a few other programs that are closer to a traditional word processor, but so far I'm happy with Evernote. Most of the programs require you to transfer or email yourself each note individually. As each scene gets it's own note, they have to be compiled in your word processor before layout can be done.

I chose the cheapest micro keyboard available, because as you may have ascertained, I don't like spending money. I prefer to barter whenever possible (as I have an aversion to over quantify, classify, deify, and objectify "stuff"). I ended up going with the Fintie 7" mini keyboard off Amazon. Currently $15.99, and it does the job. Again my hobby scared meat hooks present a problem with the compact layout of the keyboard, but I haven't bothered with the home keys since my 6th grade typing class. It has not slowed me down, if such a thing were even possible. I drop a keystroke here and there, but that seems to be user error. If you're interested in one you can check it out here.

Overall the combination I'm going with is working. I can't complain about the speed or responsiveness. The whole package is super portable. One of my favorite places to catch a few words is while stuck in the line to pick the kids up from school. It was quite a feat with the laptop, but now I toss the Kindle on the dashboard and all I have to wrestle with is the tiny little keyboard. I can even hold it up and text type using my thumbs, which is rather handy.

As a bonus it also pairs with my computers. With the word processor open on the desk monitor, I can pace around and thumb type in those ADHD fueled moments when "butt in chair" is much less likely than "hands on keyboard".

Where I Stand

This is a solid option for another way to get words on the page. I don't consider it to be a stand alone option, though. For the author on the go, you can't beat the packability. I'll likely do the majority of my composing with this set up, but it still requires an umbilical cord to the mother ship.

One last note, The Kindle Fire HD  is wifi only. Fine with me, Evernote saves my place and syncs itself whenever connected. I don't foresee any situation where I stand to loose large amounts of data do to lack of connection. Plus, who really needs another data plan in there life?

As always any questions are welcomed, as is any advice. Have a favorite app or alternate set up, the rest of the class would be happy to hear about it. With new these new toys... I mean tools, I have no good excuse for not getting back on track in 2014. There are a few carving/smithing/bushcraft projects in progress, so expect updates soon. In the meantime, go make something.

-CrescentSon