If there’s one thing I love, it’s seeing two different approaches to the same idea.
As it turns out, Lucky Me and Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse (I write this as I’m watching Episode Two) have some similarities. They both follow a main character who’s female, has had her mind erased, and imprinted with a certain level of knowledge and expertise. Joss Whedon took the concept far further than I did, and I’d say in a much more expert fashion – creating different elements to play off of the characters, inside vs. outside conflicts, et cetera.
But where do they differ? I chose the military, and allowing the character to start to live a life of her own after a wipe. Joss re-wipes them, show after show after show (and what would the show be if they didn’t?), but hints that memories may seep through.
Also, naming schemes. Each one of the US-8 is based loosely off of a number. And yes, in the case of Tre and Seven, I allowed them to keep their numerical identities. In one sense, it would’ve made more sense to give them false identities, but really, I’m more about streamlining things, and not getting everything too tangled. In Dollhouse, the Actives are all given theirs from the military alphabet, which I thought was fantastic. And the fact that both of us refer to the “tabula rasa” concept – very cool – but we use them in different ways.
What does this really say in the larger scheme of things? Not much. It’s kind of a coincidence – but then again, it also shows that I’m thinking along the same lines as people who write for a living.
On a side note, I’m very much looking forward to this weekend. I’ve got a couple of comics and things I’m bringing to get signed, I’m anticipating some great panels, and bringing a camera to catch the madness. Oh, and the spiffy new business cards – they’re coming with.
It should be a fantastic time. Hope yours is just as good.
-Brian
And so, two things draw to an end. My first semester as a graduate student, and the first arc of Lucky Me, with Part Six, which you can view here.
My first semester was all of the following:
Challenging
Difficult
Not at all what I expected
Conducive to alcoholism
(Kidding about the last one. In their defense, my teachers are fair, balanced, and overall cool people, as I imagine most good teachers to be.)
It has also made me realize the importance of being organized, and (shudder) planning ahead. I have no problem organizing; however, in the throes of concentration, organization becomes secondary, tertiary, and so on down the line.
However, this break, I will be working on the projects that I have been remiss about. I have scores of notes and character sketches that need to be organized and typed, and certain stories that need to be finished before new ones can begin.
And, of course, the second arc of Lucky Me will be among those new stories.
Take care, and look forward to more entries in the next few weeks.
-Brian
P.S. It has come to my attention that learning to draw well would be a useful skill for anybody trying to break into comics. If you know any good instructional books on drawing character anatomy (as in, lines \ structure), It would be much appreciated.
P.P.S I may be swearing off coffee for a while. We don’t have what one would call a “good understanding” of one another…
Part 4 has been up on Nomesque Fiction for a week now, but since I didn’t link to it previously, you can find it here, and part 5 here, respectively.
You may notice something different, in the way of new evocative imagery; that was a collaborative effort between Naomi and myself to give you a little idea of what Seven’s much-ballyhooed tattoo looks like.
I am being completely honest when I say that, should I ever be interested in becoming a piece of walking art, this would be something very cool to have – It is only slightly different from what I imagined, and I would like to think it’s for the better.
(Especially the colors, which are a very cool touch.)
Please, e-mail her and tell her what a wonderful job she’s done, and is continuing to do in hosting my stories. I think she’ll appreciate it.
-Brian
P.S. If I were to ever get a tattoo, however, this would have to be the second.
The first is one I’ve had in mind for a while now; an Irish flag, with the traditional skull-and-crossbones design from pirate ships, possibly with a “viking” helmet.
I think it would manage to be historically accurate and infinitely more interesting than, say, barbed wire, tribal designs, or an oversized cross.
(Incidentally, when I am able to finance my own house, I will declare it a soverign state, and fly that flag proudly on Lynchianian soil.)
Lucky Me, Part 2 is out. And trust me when I say it’s not going where you think it is.
Also, I still owe you all Untitled, Part II. I’ll get that up tomorrow. I know I said Wednesday, I promised Wednesday, but life happened. Sad but true.
In other news that happens to be writing-related, I received some sage advice on my comic ideas from the resident experts at the local comic shop.
The consensus?
Secret evil genius project first, it’s more sale-able. Then, after than, this other, expansive idea I’ve been kicking around after it lay dormant for, oh, three years.
As one of them said, “You want that other thing out first, to get your foot in the door. You don’t want your first big pitch to be, ‘hey, you’ve never heard of me, but I want you to publish my epic.’”
Another fun thing – one of my co-workers was joking about stealing my ideas, from my appropriately-adorned “idea book”. (I’ll put a picture of it up with the next entry.) I showed mine to him, asked him to pick a note, and I’d tell him if he was stealing anything or not.
He picked one. His idea was definitely interesting, but not my idea. My secret? Terse sentences (and associations, like I’ve mentioned before).
Eventually, my notebooks will all be written in code.
Far from being sarcastic, Lucky Me is a serialized story I’m writing, and I think if you enjoyed my earlier work, you should really, REALLY enjoy Lucky Me.
It’s hosted by the wonderful Naomi at Nomesque Fiction, (who made the transitions even more awesome than I could have possibly hoped for, thank you!) and you owe it to yourselves to subscribe.
Lucky Me is going to be posted in weekly installments – and yes, I am a horrible human being for making you wait like that – with excitement, drama, and an adorable girl named after a number.
Also, remember how I mentioned that short story for the Writer’s Digest contest? I finished it, and sent it in on Sunday, the Day of the Dead (very fitting, considering the subject matter). Now, there is good news, and bad news, in regards to this:
The good news is that it came out very well, and I’m excited for my chances with this contest.
The bad news is that it came out very well, I’m not allowed to publish it anywhere until the contest is over, it won’t see the light of day for about 6 months, and I’m agonizing over this.
That doesn’t mean, however, that I can’t share it with interested parties – so if you like a good horror story, and you’re looking for something to tide you over in between installments of Lucky Me, it might be in your interests to send me an e-mail.
