Happy New Year, world!
Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Importance of Preparation.
There's nothing important than being prepared for what's ahead. Job interview. A first date. You name it, preparation is key. I thought about all this when I decided to pitch my graphic novel later this year.
(You heard right. I'm pitching my very first graphic novel in two months.)
(You heard right. I'm pitching my very first graphic novel in two months.)
Back on preparation, you have to be ready for the moment you've been looking forward to for a long time. Plus, you got to have the following requirements: Research. Support system. Patience. Professionalism.
I bring these factors to center stage because they play their own role in preparing for pitching your story to an agent or comic book publisher.
Research-This is very vital in getting published here, cats. You have to do your homework on your target publisher or an agent you've heard about. Ask yourself questions like what genres are they looking for or is the agent good or bad. Take a moment think about it while you dig for information on those working in the field.
Support system-We all need a group of people to help with a project. Beta-readers, writing groups (in person or online), a trusted friend. It makes all the difference on which route you take. I've come across good people in my writing groups who gave out their two cents worth on my projects.
Patience-The key factor is patience. Why? It's a long process. Drafts, revisions, and rewrites. It takes a long time to get it all down. For the past few years I learned that being patient is all part of the process. On the draft aspect of writing, it's taught me that no project is perfect from the beginning. It's the first step to making the book the way I want it to be through revisions and rewrites.
Professionalism-Like any business you're getting into you have to brush up on professional etiquette; you're dealing with professionals. Reading various sources on how to navigate the comics industry, I had to be honest with myself about my own professionalism and see about how I can improve them.
With these factors you're all set to make your publishing debut. It's important to have these because publishing professionals will know you came ready to work with them and they'll be ready to work with you. I know I'll be ready to be a professional comics writer when I pitch my graphic novel or comic series.
I bring these factors to center stage because they play their own role in preparing for pitching your story to an agent or comic book publisher.
Research-This is very vital in getting published here, cats. You have to do your homework on your target publisher or an agent you've heard about. Ask yourself questions like what genres are they looking for or is the agent good or bad. Take a moment think about it while you dig for information on those working in the field.
Support system-We all need a group of people to help with a project. Beta-readers, writing groups (in person or online), a trusted friend. It makes all the difference on which route you take. I've come across good people in my writing groups who gave out their two cents worth on my projects.
Patience-The key factor is patience. Why? It's a long process. Drafts, revisions, and rewrites. It takes a long time to get it all down. For the past few years I learned that being patient is all part of the process. On the draft aspect of writing, it's taught me that no project is perfect from the beginning. It's the first step to making the book the way I want it to be through revisions and rewrites.
Professionalism-Like any business you're getting into you have to brush up on professional etiquette; you're dealing with professionals. Reading various sources on how to navigate the comics industry, I had to be honest with myself about my own professionalism and see about how I can improve them.
With these factors you're all set to make your publishing debut. It's important to have these because publishing professionals will know you came ready to work with them and they'll be ready to work with you. I know I'll be ready to be a professional comics writer when I pitch my graphic novel or comic series.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Be Honest, be truthful, and be yourself.
When I was writing a blog during #FebWritingChallenge on Twitter I showed my writing group the second and third drafts, and they said "Looks good. But what are your thoughts on your topic" to "Are you writing for a grade?" I wondered what was I doing wrong with my article because 1) I was getting my thoughts out; and 2) It wasn't college related. Then it all hit me that I was coming at my blog like an academic rather than from my own angle.
Sharing the realization with my peers, one of them said:
The characters in my stories have jobs like a barista, mechanic, or an accountant. However, I don't have any experience with their job descriptions. What I do know is how working a "normal" job can be stressful. You like it. You love it. You hate it. You don't wanna do it but you have to. The emotions of working is all there.
When you're writing with the earnest honesty you're coming in clear to readers, regardless of what kind of world you create from your own sweat and tears. They will identify with the "real" elements of your creation. Ice Cube once said this,
Bottom line: Write with honesty and truth. And above all, be yourself.
Sharing the realization with my peers, one of them said:
Be honest, be truthful, and be yourself.Thinking about it now, it's the best advice I'd ever gotten. Why? Because what you create in a song, painting, or a book comes from your own honesty. And that's what people want.
The characters in my stories have jobs like a barista, mechanic, or an accountant. However, I don't have any experience with their job descriptions. What I do know is how working a "normal" job can be stressful. You like it. You love it. You hate it. You don't wanna do it but you have to. The emotions of working is all there.
When you're writing with the earnest honesty you're coming in clear to readers, regardless of what kind of world you create from your own sweat and tears. They will identify with the "real" elements of your creation. Ice Cube once said this,
Our art is a reflection of our reality.
Bottom line: Write with honesty and truth. And above all, be yourself.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Misadventures of a Working Adult/College Student!
The following is a non-writing related blog.
When I started going to Oklahoma City Community College a few years ago, it was to not just earn a degree or to earn a degree so I can get a better paying job, it was to make myself a better and informed person. The idea hit me when I had a professor for American Federal Government lecture about what makes college an important aspect of human growth.
In some regard I felt that I hadn't taken the time grow myself as an individual. That's one of the things in life I regret today. Now for what's happening right now, I'm currently taking a couple of courses in Psychology and Federal Government. They both are turning out interesting for it makes me think about how they affect our everyday lives.
American Federal Government opened my eyes as to how I'm not political, by any means, but there are issues that I feel compassionate about like gun control, immigration, and health care. I know a thing or two about Congress and the House of Representatives but it goes beyond what I knew before.
Psychology is another matter. It sheds light on what little did I know about human behavior to the foundation of the science of the human mind. Anything in the subject is just interesting and it's not just about "bearing your soul" to a professional as it's typically put. If there's something to take away from psychology is that not only does it help the mentally distressed but explores the workings of mind.
My overall experience in a community college has been a very good one. I got to know other bright, unique individuals who are after the same thing I am. To grow as an individual and contribute to society for generations to come.
When I started going to Oklahoma City Community College a few years ago, it was to not just earn a degree or to earn a degree so I can get a better paying job, it was to make myself a better and informed person. The idea hit me when I had a professor for American Federal Government lecture about what makes college an important aspect of human growth.
In some regard I felt that I hadn't taken the time grow myself as an individual. That's one of the things in life I regret today. Now for what's happening right now, I'm currently taking a couple of courses in Psychology and Federal Government. They both are turning out interesting for it makes me think about how they affect our everyday lives.
My overall experience in a community college has been a very good one. I got to know other bright, unique individuals who are after the same thing I am. To grow as an individual and contribute to society for generations to come.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
#JanWritingChallenge Recap!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Anybody have a good time? Good. Fantastic. Me too.
Me? I am undertaking a very humbling task this month: #JanWritingChallenge leader! That's right. All this month I'll be handing out props to my Writing Challenge tweeps for hitting their daily word count of 500k or more. How does it look? It's goes like this:
The first two days have been fun cheering on everyone in my group. In fact, being part of this great group is one helluva ride, because every one of them has given a great deal of support and encouragement when my motivation dwindled for a time. I'm greatly thankful for Kristy Acevedo (@kristyace) and the whole Writing Challenge team for having me on board as their leader of January and welcoming me during #JuneWritingChallenge 2015. Much love to all them. If you'll excuse me, I have to find more challengers.
Anybody have a good time? Good. Fantastic. Me too.
Me? I am undertaking a very humbling task this month: #JanWritingChallenge leader! That's right. All this month I'll be handing out props to my Writing Challenge tweeps for hitting their daily word count of 500k or more. How does it look? It's goes like this:
Celebrate Good Times, Come On! #JanWritingChallenge @LauraElleV @harmony_writes @LKid @AmalieCantor @MiaSiegert @JohnHaas11
— Andrew McQueen (@jussdru) January 1, 2016
And that's just the first day of being a Writing Challenge leader, friends. This what my second day looked like:
The following word slayers please stand up! @LauraElleV @AmalieCantor @AuraEadon @GuildofFeathers! #JanWritingChallenge
— Andrew McQueen (@jussdru) January 3, 2016
More challengers standing up tonight! @ElizaNolanPants @HeatherJacksonW @HesterBFox @kristyace! #JanWritingChallenge
— Andrew McQueen (@jussdru) January 3, 2016
The first two days have been fun cheering on everyone in my group. In fact, being part of this great group is one helluva ride, because every one of them has given a great deal of support and encouragement when my motivation dwindled for a time. I'm greatly thankful for Kristy Acevedo (@kristyace) and the whole Writing Challenge team for having me on board as their leader of January and welcoming me during #JuneWritingChallenge 2015. Much love to all them. If you'll excuse me, I have to find more challengers.
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