Technology Sucks

I spent an hour today trying to correct the Wacom driver issue with Manga Studio, and it still isn't fixed. (Followed all the guides I could find on the internet.) I have been having the most terrible time getting this comic off the ground. And now things are starting to fall apart. Perhaps I should start small. Do a carefree, simple comic. That way I can familiarize myself with the programs and work out my own process. I need to experiment a bit. But right now, I'm completely overwhelmed to the point where I'm starting to dread working on it. That's not the place I need to be. I want to have fun with this, but all I'm feeling is anxiety and, well, dread. Something isn't right. Perhaps I need to take a step back for a moment. Or perhaps I have been pushing myself to hard.

I do have a manuscript that needs finalized for print. Then there's always the story I worked on for this past NaNoWriMo. This could be the nice break I need. And now my mind switches to the Steampunk story I have in the pipeline. Maybe I need to do what my grandmother says and make a list of the things I want to complete that day. It worked for Uma Thurman in KILL BILL.

Sketch Dump

Ever since I've hooked up my new 26" LCD TV as a monitor, I've noticed how it would better serve someone who only surfs the net or watches videos. When it comes to art, this LCD TV is lacking in color management. So after I get some type of stand or table for the TV, I'm stuck using it. At least I can hope over to another computer to do color corrections. My goal is to get a new 23" hp monitor I found at Best Buy. But since my funds are lacking, I'll be going back to the square 19" monitor.

Anyway, the first script for MONSTER SOUP is finished. I will be kicking myself into gear to being the layouts. If I can get up to five pages a week, I would call that my comfort zone. It's a lot of work, and I know I can't do the five pages a week to begin with.

Until those pages see the light of the internet, I'll keep posting random sketches.

Yes, I've changed my signature yet again. *sigh* I'm keeping this one, though. It's simple. It looks like a "D" but also a "B", and it also looks like a pitchfork. Works for me.

And for an added bonus, here's the warden from MONSTER SOUP.

Gargoyles make such cute humans.

It's Not Potted Meat

What started out as a little sketch ended up as this.

I Swear This Isn't Blood

I've began editing the first draft of MAY THE DEAD SPEAK (Book 2 in the EDEN series). I've been dragging my heels on this one. As with anyone else who writes, they know of the pain I'm talking about. Editing Hell. And it is. My mind gets to this point where I'm scrutinizing every word in a sentence. My pages begin to look like someone has bled all over them. I go so deep into editing-mode that I begin to lose sight of the story, the characters, and what's going on. That's when I have to take a break and mentally smack myself around. I have to slip into the mindset of a reader and not the writer. If it reads well, then move on. I need to stop with the editor mindset. Things tend to sound better when I'm actually reading instead of ripping my hair out over a silly comma placement.

I imagine myself being trailed by a typo demon or monster that pops up when I begin this phase. Sure, I may catch some of my mistakes, or change a sentence around to make it sound better, but this part always runs the risk of creating new typos. I've noticed this with my other books. After I've pulled my hair out over the editing process and managed to get to a place where I feel comfortable, I'll go back months later, grab my printed copy and discover these new typos. My stomach knots. My forehead hits my palm. I'm left feeling like an idiot. Tis my constant struggle with that unattainable goal of perfection.

Maybe I need to cruise the internet for some motivational quotes...

Rebirth of a Blog

I'm wanting to start using this blog more. I have plenty of others scattered about on the internet cosmos. I have given thought to merging my art blog with this one. Thus the new name here; "Pen, Paper, & Pixels." (Ooo, it uses an Oxford comma.) It's vague enough to encompass writing and art. Works for me!

Now it's time to look at new themes. Something pretty, classy, and sleek.

-Devin Blake