Monica Valentinelli
Take the Make Art Not War Challenge and Change Your World
Back in Violet
Hello readers!
One of the updates you'll see this week, is about the work I've started putting into VioletWar.com. Seven years ago, I released an eBook called "The Queen of Crows" just shy of the iPad's debut. This story catalyzed the creation of a massive, massive world filled with multiple characters. This is the kind of amazing dream you have and you can't let go, and you have no idea whether or not it'll work out--but you need to do it, anyway.
So what's been taking so long? Well, I write full-time, but have also taken on insanely demanding gigs periodically. Sometimes, I have days where I plop down 8,000 words and others 2,000 plus administrivia. There are many, many writers like myself who can't justify writing a novel on spec, and I was definitely one of them for a while. But there was a second reason, and that was simply because I wasn't ready. I am very much used to working collaboratively, and to take on a project of this scope by myself... Well, it overwhelmed me. What I wanted to do was not what my talent or knowledge could provide at the time. Understanding my voice, learning what my limits were as an author, etc...to me, these are not my failures. This is all part of the journey. I had a lot to learn (still do), but I've got some options to explore; I've built a great, supportive team who's starting to understand my obsessive nature regarding the work. One tool I'm considering, by the way, is Writing In The Margins; I'm definitely thinking about sensitivity readers to ensure I'm doing my job right. That bit comes later, though, during revisions.
The other thing you may notice is that I'm writing a story called Dairy of an Aspiring Alchemist set in this world and am releasing it on WattPad. Yes, the entries are all my first drafts written that day (or the night before in a fit of insomnia). Yes, they are told in real time. Hoo. Keeping me honest! Okay, so here's a secret: I really don't want to write this story. It's the backstory for William Sand, who is one of the supporting characters in my novel. His path leads him into deep darkness, and that darkness threatens to change him. It begins in our world, so you understand where he comes from, and it slides downhill from there. This will be open for comments. At this point, I don't have any plans beyond writing the first draft.
I could babble on for days and days and days...telling you the stories that culminate in the Violet War--or I could simply write them. I know exactly what I want to do with my career, and for this to work? It's going to take a mixture of work, discipline, love. Mostly: a whole lotta luck. I know that's part of it, too. Hah!
Anyway, hope you're doing well. For fun, I thought I'd share an old Halloween pic of Lord Lardbottom in a vintage Alcatraz prison costume. The hat just kills me. Every time.
- M
In the 10/19/2017 edition:
*|MC:TOC|*
New Podcast Episode! Originality No 12: Writing is Time Travel
By Monica Valentinelli on Oct 16, 2017 03:55 pm
Hello! I am pleased to announce that I’m on a podcast called Originality, hosted by K. Tempest Bradford and Aleen Simms. What is Originality?
“The most common question creative people get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” That’s what Originality is all about: exploring the wheres, hows, and whys of creative genius with K Tempest Bradford, Aleen Simms, and a diverse assortment of guests from a variety of fields.”
I guest star on Episode 12: Writing is Time Travel, and talk about RPGs–and so much more! Join us, and check out this nifty little podcast!
Dreaming for Hope and Destinations
By Monica Valentinelli on Oct 16, 2017 09:24 am
This month’s theme for my Make Art Not War Challenge is SELF-CARE, and today I want to talk about the importance of having dreams. First, some background.
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I tend to err on the practical side. I often use key markers to focus on the work, because the emotional aspects of the job can derail my productivity–and they have. Beyond dealing with rejection, when you work freelance there are a number of things that can and will go wrong. Sometimes, despite all your planning, the cardboard house you’ve built falls apart–and now you’ve got more work to do, because you’re busy picking up the pieces.
Here’s what I’ve learned: though not everything will go your way, it’s healthy to recognize and mitigate that to a point. But, it’s also important to have dreams that you pin your hopes on. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting around waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, wondering when something else is going to happen. As my friend Meredith would say: “Trust”. We can, and do, learn by our experiences, but I’ve found we also condition ourselves and add a thin (or thick) veneer of expectations that color our views.
Yes, it’s true, there are systemic issues that impact your chances of success; any industry filled with people will have them. At the same time, I’ve found that your personal mindset can influence what happens next. If you work on a project, for example, convinced you’ll be rejected or fired, then you’re in danger of sabotaging yourself. Even if you do so subconsciously, keep in mind that most people are very, very smart. While it’s true they may not vocalize their feelings, they make judgements just as much as you do. That said, I do feel we should be helping each other, but the entertainment industry is extremely competitive and often based on what you’ve done as opposed to your potential. Still, I believe you’ve got to find a way to say “Yes!” to yourself, and let that feeling, that emotion pass through everything you do. Success, in other words, often breeds more success. Only, that “overnight success” story you hear about? It’s not uncommon for that moment to be the culmination of ten or twenty years of hard work. Sometimes, all you need is a chance.
Doing the work is the only means of moving forward as an artist. I’ve said it a thousand times, and I’ll say it again: you can network all you want, but if you can’t produce it doesn’t matter who you’re friends with. Even so, luck and timing are uncontrollable. You can help yourself mitigate all the bad stuff, and position yourself for good things to happen by doing one thing: dream.
Creative Challenge: Dream a Little Dream
Dreaming is an act of self-care, because without hope–or a reason to write, paint, draw, etc.–we don’t have anything to look forward to. We don’t have something positive to offset the bad. You need that emotion, even when your situation feels dire, because it can serve as fuel for your inspiration and future self.
[That said, if you’re already dreaming about what you want to do? Don’t forget you can get stuck in the dream, and never write. That’s partly why people are wary of those who talk about writing and business plans and social media followers and such. There’s so many who simply talk and don’t write.]
So that’s my challenge to you today: DREAM. What good things would you like to happen in your career? What do you really want? Describe them. Write them down in a letter to your future self, or scribble a list on a sticky note. Put a reminder everywhere you need to see it, or tape it to your monitor. It can be big, small, modest, or bold–but be specific. It’s your dream. What do you want? Get that vision clear in your mind, and you’d be surprised how your focus will shift in a good way.
If you’re lost or stuck, please know that it does take a lot of energy to steer your proverbial boat if you feel you’re headed in the wrong direction. Dreams are a tool that can help you, because they allow you to choose where you want to go. How you’ll get there, if you’ll ever reach your destination… That’s all part of the journey.
Your journey. Your dreams.
Good luck!
Mood: It’s Monday. Engage cyber-meeting mode.
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Uh, enough I was up super late.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Walking, walking, sitting.
In My Ears: P!nk’s new album Beautiful Trauma
Game Last Played: Pokémon Go
Book Last Read: Loads for work. Loads. LOADS MORE. MOAR.
Movie/TV Show Last Viewed: The Magnificent Seven YUS!
Latest Artistic Project: Make Art Not War Challenge eBook now available!
Latest Releases: Over the Edge for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Dagger of Spiragos for Scarred Lands.
Current State of Projects: Read my latest project update. New project update coming when I get time.
Recent Articles:
Pardon My Violet Dust
An Itty Bitty Status Update
[Announcement] Guest of Honor at Capricon 38
Make Art Not War Challenge: 75 Suggestions for Self-Care and Improvement
A New Alchemical Addition to a Rare Auction