Ryan P. Freeman's Blog, page 6

Immersion, Writing, & Mom

How did you start writing?I think I started to take writing seriously in the third grade. That’s when I wrote my first award-winning story,“The Secret of Devil’s Eye Canyon,” as a teacher-required entry into the Illinois Young Author’s Competition. The story was, well, maybe not brilliant, but also maybe not bad for a third grader. I became a state finalist, which meant I got to attend my first ever writing conference (for kiddos) on the campus of Illinois State University. Of course I though...

Life Outside Our Heads

How did I first start writing:Flash back to 4th gradeand my marble composition book, which seemed so elite and middle-school-ish at the time. Each week, our teacher gave us a list of writing prompts to choose from. I crafted an unoriginal story about a girl who discovered a meadow behind a previously insurmountable wall, so unoriginal that this tale began as “Once upon a time…” At any rate, those weekly prompts in my illegible, pencil cursive sparked a realization in me: that my mind containe...

Reality Bores Me - Human Creativity Does Not.

How did I first get into writing?When I was younger, we use to go on long road trips.My mom use to give us recycled printer paper to draw on.One long trip I nearly ran out. I'm not sure why,but I decided to write a story. It was ten sentences long,ate up more time than drawing,and my mom loved it.So i just kept at it.Why do I love to write?The limitations of reality bore me.The limitless creativity of the human mind, however, does not.What I love about writing is trying to blend the two toget...

Some Things Should Remain Fantasy

Some things shouldremainfantasy.As a fantasy writer,in a vast community of fantasy writers, dealing with topics like war, death, cruelty, murder, and even torture can be every-day affairs. Most of us in the West live in these paradises where the worst thing we have to deal with are how to pay our student loans or perhaps the untimely passing of a family member or friend. But the truth is not everything we write and dream up remains in the engaging realm of fairy tale.There is real evil in our...

"Imagination Has No Limits"

How did you start writing?"I started writing in school.I loved reading soI think it was probably anatural progression to beginwriting my own stories."Why do you love it?"The only limits are what I can’t imagineso there are no limits. I get to visit these really incredible places to hang out with some awesome people, and go on an adventure or two. It makes for great fun, even if it’s all within my mind."Bio:Terri Luckey currently resides in Swansea, Illinoiswith her husband and dog, a border c...

Improve Yourself, Improve Your World

How did you first get into your art?My first timegetting into this art happened randomly. I began by working on posts for my blog.The blog genesis was very difficult. My posts were humorous, and the storytelling was good but something wasn't working.Finally I realized,how the characters and the flow aren’t match the media.Then came the idea: transform my script into a comic!Evolution after evolution .... step by steplater,my comic changed.I added graphics, tricks, animations, compositing etc....

Viva New Mexico

I'm writing from New Mexico right now off my phone...I know- my phone... but hey, write with what ya got, when ya got.This week is the weekend of my 29th birthday (geeze, I know, right?).It's been a time with family and reflection. And before I get too Hallmark and junk, I just wanted to write about how re-experiencing your roots helps you re-experience yourself.But wait, what does this have to do with writing?Everything.If you're never got a chance to experience New Mexico, do it.Even with A...

Always Keep Your Eyes Open: Laura Faraci's Story

I have been into drawing ever since I can remember...I can see myself as a child, carefully studying portrait photography I had found in a magazine and trying to reproduce it with a graphite pencil. Though, since art was not taken seriously in the environment I have lived, I never took any specific classes. What really improved my drawing was my art professor during middle school, who gave me the chance to make experiments and toovercome my weaknesses, for which I will always be thankful.Mean...

How to Write & Publish - notes for the road

How to Write & PublishBy Ryan P. FreemanHey all, here's my notes for my 2017 Author Tour! Along the way, I'll be stopping at one college and three high schools, talking with students about what it takes to Write & Publish. My goal is to empower new writers to finish their stories and get them published. Without further ado, here's my rundown: Introduction
- About Me
How to Write
- Getting Your Story            - Vision and Feel
- Pantsers Vs Plotters
- Write!            - Write what you really, honestly love            - “Writing is easy, all you have to do is sit down and bleed.” – Hemingway            - Addressing the voice of doubt            - Where-How: 1k words/day x 6days/week x 3mo = finished manuscript            - Take a Break
- Feed Your Imagination            - Read (Know what good stories are like by immersing yourself in them)            - Travel            - Explore             - Join Writers Groups
- Beta Readers
- When is your story finished?
How to Publish (begin PR)- Different Publishing Routes            - Traditional            - Indie            - Small Press            - Self-Publishing
- Design            - Formatting            - Feel/Physical size
- Finding a Cover Artist
- Day-of-Publishing            -launch event
- PR (Keep Writing!)
Summary- Write!- Feed Your Imagination- Publishing - PR- ‘Make Good Art’- Questions! – Get to it!- Join Writers Groups in your Area

Story Stew

The following is a paper I penned during my senior year at Hannibal LaGrange College for my Communication Theory class. It represents what later became part of the underlying philosophy behind how I see the world and understand my place in it. This, in turn, deeply affects how and why I write. Sit back, relax, and open your mind...Once upon a time...Stories, Mythos, Fantasy and Fairy Talesserve both as a mirror reflecting and a lamp illuminating (God’s) Truth. Pagan(or pre-Christian) stories...