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VampireMystic

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  1. VampireMystic
    *That moment when you don't have enough of the right kind of holes on the back of your TV.
    * That moment of pain when you have to unplug something
    *That moment of frustration when the splitter you added to have everything plugged in ruins the one time you actually had all the damn chords looking good for once. (Because even though no one else will ever look at them,  YOU had the satisfaction of knowing) 
    *That moment when you don't have enough of the right kind of holes on the back of a desktop computer to get the most out of a shiny new gadget 
    *That moment when you fill an empty space inside the computer and gain 4 more of what you needed and therefore wanted 
    * That moment when you realize that while adding USB 3 ports to a computer was awesome 30 seconds ago, it's now insufficient and offensive to your sight because for ONLY twice the money you could have had USB 3.1
    *That moment when you get philosophical and realize that if people were as easy to change as computers it would actually be horrible.  Because instead of learning to appreciate people for who they are and exploring the perfection that 2 imperfect people can build together, we'd constantly be swapping parts because we'd never be satisfied. 
     * That moment that you realize computer upgrades, maximalist tendencies,  impulsive behavior,  and high credit limits are a terrible combination 
    * that moment when it crystallizes that exact combination and "I'm just going to make this (8 year old) computer a little better" lead down rabbit hole, which brought you to a place where 
    - Built an entirely new computer that should be enough computer to play anything for the next few years
    - went back to upgrade the original after all and give it a less "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that" vibe, did so, and then went all "boat of Theseus" substituting things until almost everything you started with was piled on top of their old home 
    That moment when you realize you said "oh, what the hell" and "might as well" a few times too many and have 3 working desktops when probably barely needed 1
    That moment when you decide to write this all down because, still a writer. 
    *That moment when you realize exactly how insane you sound,  and that you're probably weird for thinking it's funny
    ***
    and finally that moment when you publish it anyway because, writer 
  2. VampireMystic
    Ever look back and realize you've done more than you thought you did?
     
    I've mentioned some word counts before. Edited chapter 4 of "2-14-9X" today for @Comicality's magazine. When I pasted the edits into this running word file I keep the whole story in I noticed something. 
     
    30, 747 words
     
    Now, that's not too far from the last publicized count, I know. But it's still been a while since I took stock of the whole, you know?
     
    Considering most of that was written between December 2017 and March 2018 progress has slowed considerably. But, to those of you who read my interview in the March 2018 issue of @Comicality's Imagine Magazine, my writing hasn't, and isn't always as readily available of my imagination.
     
    The gap between imagining something, no matter how detailed, and expressing that vision. is sometimes wider than others. Sometimes it's the crack in the sidewalk between to slabs, something unnoticed as w=one goes along. Sometimes it's a canyon, and there isn't always a bridge. Sometimes it feels so far that one side is out of sight of the other.
     
    Even when it's working, another issue is control. I may say "I really need to edit chapter 5, I'm behind schedule," only to have my concentration slide away from me to concepts, scenes, whole stories, that have nothing to do with a certain night's events that happened to be on Valentine's Day. And trying to force it one way instead of where it wants to go can mean that nothing really gets done. Proofreading is one thing, and that can be hard enough to concentrate on, but editing is more than that. In the case of chapter 5 well, there are things that have to work or… Well they don't yet so no chapter 5 for you guys. And I may say that "chapter 8 really needs some attention" (XP) same deal. Just because I want to write it doesn't mean that's what I can concentrate on. I mean just look at chapter 2 of predators 3/4 finished since before I started 2 – 14 – 9X. I know what happens next, I watched it play out a a dozen times in my head.
     
    (Are you loving or hating a look behind the scenes right now? Be honest.)
     
    And sometimes, this is speaking more historically, there's a difference between writing something, writing something that's good, and writing something that's useful. I have at least three "novels" that are each unfinished, probably more than 100 pages apiece, and they tell so little of the story for all that wordage that it's not even funny. Not to me anyway. It's not that what I wrote is bad, it's just... ugh. Slow. Or focuses so much on setting that by the time the actors start doing something there's no momentum carried over from the previous scene.
     
    So maybe there's only been a few thousand words of progress over the last few months. But trust me, a few thousand words of progress are better than tens of thousands that don't go anywhere.  
     
    *Looks offstage when there's muttering from the wings* "Yes yes I'm still going to tell your stories someday."
     
    Probably in the grand scheme of things my old writing accomplishes in more than 100 pages less story mileage than I've managed to do in Predators: 2-4-9X thus far. 
     
    I'll take the right 4k words over the good but useless 40k I might otherwise have added in the past. Am I making sense?
     
    Writing aside, life presents its obstacles and distractions. Work, home, mood disorders, drama drama drama, even as a spectator. Sigh.
     
    I've got a couple people that might become beta readers. That will help if it happens. Nothing refuels focus on writing like talking about it with people.
     
    I've also joined a writing group IRL. While I don't know ow much that will help, I'm not exactly eager to volunteer "hey I write about teenagers having sex. Gay ones." I mean, that's not what I want to be the focus of my writing, the emotions are what matter but I think we all know that's the part that would stand out.
     
    They do something for national novel writing month and I have vague operations of participating. Which is why, except for engaging with my potential beta readers and if the mood strikes me to do otherwise, I'm going to be focusing on prep work for a short story that has been preoccupying me and the broader story that it inspired because that may be my NaNoWiMo project.
     
    I know 2-14 is already behind schedule and any diehards have been waiting for seven years for Predators chapter 2. But I hope my readers and fellow writers and everyone here can focus on the positive. If I even get close that means you guys could see something pretty complete. And writing is writing.
    .
    I started this log entry thinking about how far I've come, it makes sense to leave it at I thought of how far I have to go.
     
    I've said before, in that interview actually, my writing is my journey, and I hope that some of you want to come along.
     
     
  3. VampireMystic
    Greetings acolytes!
     
    Sorry, sorry. I was rereading a Mercedes Lackey book and saw the add for her fan club. And yeah, excuse the brief moment of imagining I have one of those and needed something to call my fans. I blanked on how to start this post after I wrote the title. Mid-afternoon caffeine on an empty stomach. 
     
    Ahem.
     
    Since March, I've been striving to post chapters monthly for my story Predators: 2-14-9X
     
    March saw chapter 1 (Imagine Magazine March 2018) GA thereafter) April 2 , May 3, June 4, and then, well...
     
    Life.
     
    We've all got one, and I don't think I need go on.
     
    If that sounds like an excuse, (it does), let it slide, please. Things will go better for everybody. Hehe.
     
    Believe me, I know the feeling upon reachING the end of a chapter or book. That craving for more. The  almost frustration that there's not more, NOW. Sure, nobody is posting comments on my work about it, nobody is emailing me about it. Doesn't matter. I am more bothered than anyone that I'm behind schedule. Nobody wants the rest of the story posted more than I do.
     
    Which is exactly why the aberration.
     
    Back in one of the original binge writing sessions I was blazing a trail through the jungle of creativity through chapter 4 with chapter 5 in sight. Everything was going so well a problem was inevitable. And the final scene of chapter 4 proved it be it.
     
    I knew exactly what would happen. I had the vivid anime in my head. But it's one thing to watch an anime of TV. You're on the outside looking in. Suddenly zooming in on a character and hearing an f internal monologue isn't jarring. But suddenly trying that after 3 4/5 chapters of filtering everything from Aiden's point of view? *Buzzer* No. Fail. You shall not pass. *Stadium crowd boo*
    And yet, without the author's benefit of seeing Peter's train of thought as the game goes on how was it to make sense? How do I smoothly relate something to the reader that the actual narrator in doesn't notice? How does Peter's behavior look specifically through the lens of Aiden? How does the carnival game? The lessons? The practice?
     
    If you have read through Chapter 4.5, you know that I figured something out.
     
    But back in the beginning, I was totally lost. Rather than kill all my momentum and become bogged down in the puzzle I simply roughed out a bullet list of what would happen with no point of view or context to it. I moved on. Chapter after chapter the story moved forward. I remembered the problem, came back to it. But I stayed stuck.
     
    Life happened and writing slowed down. Time marched on and suddenly it was coming up on the deadline for chapter 4. I looked hard at pacing and word count. I missed my deadline, but I was making progress. I decided that Chapter 4 could end on a good place without the final scene. Polished it  Posted it. Escaped the pressure (of my own making) and got back to work.
    Hard work, no small inspiration, and even one writing session at work on a slow day, and I finished the missing piece.
     
    Yay! Awesome! *stadium crowd cheer*
     
    When the typeface settled, it was long enough, good enough, to be a chapter by itself. But I wasn't willing to give up on the chapter number road map in my head or gloss over what happened.
    And so, Chapter 4.5.
     
    And now you know the .5 of it all.
     
    (Incidentally, any editors like the story and willing to help out?  My listed editor is on hiatus. And the more I try to balance moving forward and cleaning up behind me with life, the further I'm falling behind.)
     
    Thank you for reading.
     
  4. VampireMystic
    It's the first of April. And I'm too uptight to pull pranks. So, here's news you can believe in.
     
     At 12 noon Central Standard Time, the first chapter of new story will be published.
     
    New to GA that is.
     
    If you've read my blog entry 
    or if you've read
    You'll already know what I'm going to tell you. "You're not the One, Neo." XD
     
    Sorry, sorry. That's not it. "There is no spoon." NO! That's not it either,
     
    "The cake is a lie,"  No, that's not it either. But I might make cookies,
     
    Okay, okay. Weird attention deficit puns aside. What I'm trying to tell you in that at noon 
     
    my story Predators: 2-14-9X should be making it's Gay Authors debut.
     
    Please, read, react and comment.
     
    Edit: As of 12:06PM 4/1/208 it's published.
     
    Enjoy!
  5. VampireMystic
    Good... Afternoon XD
     
    For my third entry into my blog, I'm sending you back to the first. My own version of throwback Thursday.
     
    It's March 1st, 2018. It's a day that will live... well, I'm not really sure. 20 years from now this may be a momentous day in the history of that famous internet author...
    ...
    ...
    ...
    ...VampireMystic. XD
     
    (You were expecting @Comicality maybe? Admit it, it's fine. Hehehe. I'm (one of) the speck(s) of slightly deeper darkness in his shadow)
     
    Why, you ask? 
    Why, you wonder, will this day be worthy of note?
     
    Turn up the volume to 38, because  Imagine Magazine's March issue is out now. 
     
    Some might be thinking, "So what? I read your story in the preview."
     
    To them I say: *cough* Plot twist *cough*
     
    When he heard that I was sitting on 26,863 words (and counting) of story for his magazine, he (naturally) had some questions. 
     
    And we've decided you get to read the answers!
     
    Head on over, pickup a copy, and you'll see Comicality shine a spotlight on me.  Specifically, on the writing process for my story, 2-14-9X, from the world of Predators. 
     
    Want more to sink your teeth into? Give me a follow, I have a lot in store this year. 
     
    (Feeling a little confused? Check out my first blog entry)
  6. VampireMystic
    Adventure is guaranteed upon entry into this  area. Wear a helmet and mind the rubble, there's a lot of construction going on around here. 
     
    You've come along at the very beginning of... if this was Hollywood, they would call it a reboot. 
     
    How I got here is a long story, and I have enough things I'm working on. *Drum sting* I'm finally finishing the beginning of my career here.
     
    Because coming back is inspiring the new energy, instead of the reverse, you, and everyone here, get to be witnesses to the entire process, rather than simply a grand reopening with everything so prepared it's ready for out-of-town relatives. 
     
    Predators chapter 1, 2011 may be old but the story is not dead. I give hope, not timetables. More soon. 
     
    The previous entry will tell you about the one exception to that rule about timetables: Predators: 2-14-9X. You can see chapter 1 now over at http://www.Imagine-magazine.org at a lovely place run by @Comicality and friends. 
     
    Or, if you are a homebody and don't wanna leave G.A. have no fear. The story will be premiering here early April first. (No foolin')  and then every first of the month thereafter, one month behind the magazine.
     
    Keep an eye out for more commentary in the forums and on stories. Be sure to read the stories and the comments you'll be entertained by both, I hope. 
     
    And I have more thrills in store.
     
    For the time being I'm a work in progress, but hey, aren't we all?
     
    Please excuse the mess 
  7. VampireMystic
    Ever since I made my triumphant return,  I've been promising new material "soon."
     
    Unless they've changed in the last few hours, I've never seen "soon' on a calendar. Well, today is "soon" enough for me. 
     
    There's a catch:  You've got to head over to https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/
     
    There's a lot of great stuff there!  I'd tell you to start at the top and work your way down,  but I can't guarantee a certain one will stay at the top of the list. If you look at "Volume 38 Teaser," you'll discover I'm not all boast and no post. 
     
    But wait, there's more! I'm proud to say that this is just the beginning! That's right! 
     
    Because I like what I write and I've decided to share, every month you're going to see a new chapter on Imagine's newsstands. 
     
    I may be a vampire. It may be the product of my blood, sweat & tears. Just believe that I won't be biting any of you to replace the blood.
     
    I like what I write. But if it was perfect well… no such thing. Good, bad, ugly let me know what you think as I go. If I’m going to grow I need feedback. 
    https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-38/predators-2-14-9x/
     
    Thanks in advance!
     
    ALSO
     
    Comicality says the holiday party is going Wednesday to Wednesday. So as long as you’re dropping by,, plant a lawn chair and a cooler, pitch a tent (Of one kind or another. XD *Drum sting*), whatever. The point is, make a bookmark, join the mailing list. I don’t know anything about what he’s planning, but come on, remember who’s running the amusement park. Hehe. 
     
    *Whap!* ONE MORE THING
     (90's kids, Grandpa, from Jackie Chan’s Adventures. Anyone?  Moving on…)
    After you’ve hopefully taken a look around, if you happen to think “I can do this,” (If not, trust me, you so can) submissions for the March issue are open until February 20th.
     
    Not just stories, anything you want to put out there. (Not ANYTHING, hehe  take a look around you’ll see)
     
    Just drop Comicality a line at his email. (On his profile, I am promoting myself here. XD )
     
    Self-expression is natural, self-expression is good
    Not everybody does it, but everybody should
    (True for other things as well perhaps?)
     
     Happy Valentine's Day!
     
    -VM
     
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