Gabriel Common's Blog, page 2
January 30, 2014
How to beat procrastination.
Well guys the first month of 2014 is over meaning it’s time for a reflection of that month. Time look back on your month and see if it was a good start to the year. I often hear from people who are in the same situation as me. They’re trying to start off in their career but keep getting side tracked. Well I feel your pain. I’m easily distracted so it’s tough for me to sit down and work, especially being that the majority of my work involves, sitting in front of a damn computer all day. So here are some tips to make things a bit less mundane when it comes to the creating part. I’ll be giving one tip per blog post.
Tip 1: If you’re like me, or most artist you often want to get inspired before you start creating. This makes since and it makes the creating process more exciting, but it can also cause you to procrastinate. Some times before I start writing I like to put on music or go for a walk or drink a couple of glasses of wine to help me get in the mood. The down side is that a lot of times I get so into my zone I want to stay there, then times goes by and I realize that half the day has past and I haven’t even started working yet.
The thing that’s been helping me get past this hurdle is to first create then get inspired. I know I makes no sense, but the difference with creating first is that at lease you’ve given yourself a foundation to start with, plus you’ve got the mundane stuff out of the way, now you only have to focus on turning it into a master peace.
When I sit down to write a new book first I like to get the basic story out of the way. So the my first draft is always just a simple story line written scene by scene, without any emotion or feeling to my work. Then I like to get inspired and get into my zone for when I go back at it the second time all I have to worry about is adding emotion to the story, like Drama, romance, comedy, even character development. These are the things that build interest and influences the emotions of the audience, so with the story already written I can put all of my focus and inspiration in that artistic part, and not have to worry about procrastinating. So first get the work out of the way and created it, then you can get inspired and raise it. Just as you do with children.
Tip 1: If you’re like me, or most artist you often want to get inspired before you start creating. This makes since and it makes the creating process more exciting, but it can also cause you to procrastinate. Some times before I start writing I like to put on music or go for a walk or drink a couple of glasses of wine to help me get in the mood. The down side is that a lot of times I get so into my zone I want to stay there, then times goes by and I realize that half the day has past and I haven’t even started working yet.
The thing that’s been helping me get past this hurdle is to first create then get inspired. I know I makes no sense, but the difference with creating first is that at lease you’ve given yourself a foundation to start with, plus you’ve got the mundane stuff out of the way, now you only have to focus on turning it into a master peace.
When I sit down to write a new book first I like to get the basic story out of the way. So the my first draft is always just a simple story line written scene by scene, without any emotion or feeling to my work. Then I like to get inspired and get into my zone for when I go back at it the second time all I have to worry about is adding emotion to the story, like Drama, romance, comedy, even character development. These are the things that build interest and influences the emotions of the audience, so with the story already written I can put all of my focus and inspiration in that artistic part, and not have to worry about procrastinating. So first get the work out of the way and created it, then you can get inspired and raise it. Just as you do with children.
December 8, 2013
Arcadia excerpt
Short Excerpt from Arcadia. Still planing to finish it by the end of the month. Please excuse the grammar of haven't got it edited yet.
Away from the cave, Josh was standing in a small oasis, gazing down onto a small flowing stream as the fish swam by his bare feet. Although he was looking toward the fish he didn’t at all seem to notice their moments scraping against his legs, because his thoughts were already occupied on the pain of his broken heart. Michelle was all he could seem to think about, she was all he had thought about for the past three months and the initial reason he decided to accept his responsibility to return to Arcadia and rescue his people. Now that she was gone, and him knowing that no matter what he did, he’ll never again hold her in his arms; his mission to rescue Arcadia from the Locus now seemed pointless.
In that moment he noticed a single drop of water touched the surface of the steam and scared the fish away as it caused a ripple. He then noticed another and another, for a brief second he wondered if it were beginning to rain, but after seeing his own reflection in the ripples of the water he realized that they were own tears. Josh quickly closed his eyes, unable to face his own reflection and allowed flash backs of Michelle to simultaneously entered his mind until he focused his thoughts to a single moment from his past. It was the night he first met her, two and a half years ago in the center park of Arcadia. He was out of his uniform and she didn't know who he was at the time.
(This next part is supposed to be italicized)
Michelle was walking through the center park of Arcadia, under the bright midnight moon. Her head was down in deep though, when she heard a low sound of water splashing from the river. Her curiosity took control and she followed the sound until she saw a young man sitting on the river-bank skipping rocks. She watched as he threw the rocks and they seemed skip forever, over the river. While amazed at his odd talent of skipping rocks, she could some how tell that the man was depressed.
Michelle quietly walked up to the man and greeted, “Hello there.” She said.
The strange young man looked up at her and sighed then put his eyes back on the river as he replied, “Hey.” then continued to skip rocks.
“Wow, your pretty good at that,” she said.
“Well it's not like I have a choice.” He replied as if he hated his own talent.
“What do you mean?” She asked as she stepped a bit closer and bent down toward him.
“Nothing,” replied the man with a head-shake. He then stood and she did the same. “So why are you out here so late?” he asked. “Shouldn't you be in bed like the rest of Arcadia?”
“I couldn't sleep,” Michelle replied as she noticed his obvious unhappiness. “But what about you?”
“I just felt like coming to the park.”
“Why don't you come during the day?”
“Because I don't have time during day.” He answered defensively.
Michelle then walked a bit closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to comfort him. “Are you okay?” She asked.
“Why do you care?” he replied, as if he was trying to shoo her away.
“Because what kind of person would I be if I just walked away, knowing that your hurting.”
The young man sighed, then answered. “It's complicated.”
“Try me.” She replied as she sat down sat down on the river-bank ready to listen. She then patted the ground next to her in a jester for him to sit back down.
The young man thought hard for a minute about reviling his loneliness to a complete stranger but something about her seemed trusting, so he finally sat down next to her and asked. “It’s not anything specific, but can you just stay here and talk with me for a bit?”
“What?” said Michelle in a surprised voice, at first she didn’t quite understand what he meant and gave his a blank stare.
The young man took her expression the wrong way and turned away, “Sorry, that must have sounded weird.” He quickly stood up and was about to walk away, but before he could take a step Michelle grabbed him.
“Wait.” She said. “It’s okay, I’m just surprised that’s all.”
“Why?” he asked as he turned back.
“I've never met anyone who was lonely in Arcadia.” She responded.
“Well, I'm the only one.” He said as he sat back down.
“Then not anymore,” she replied with a smile. “Because I’m your new friend.”
“Thanks.” he said with a sigh of relief.
Away from the cave, Josh was standing in a small oasis, gazing down onto a small flowing stream as the fish swam by his bare feet. Although he was looking toward the fish he didn’t at all seem to notice their moments scraping against his legs, because his thoughts were already occupied on the pain of his broken heart. Michelle was all he could seem to think about, she was all he had thought about for the past three months and the initial reason he decided to accept his responsibility to return to Arcadia and rescue his people. Now that she was gone, and him knowing that no matter what he did, he’ll never again hold her in his arms; his mission to rescue Arcadia from the Locus now seemed pointless.
In that moment he noticed a single drop of water touched the surface of the steam and scared the fish away as it caused a ripple. He then noticed another and another, for a brief second he wondered if it were beginning to rain, but after seeing his own reflection in the ripples of the water he realized that they were own tears. Josh quickly closed his eyes, unable to face his own reflection and allowed flash backs of Michelle to simultaneously entered his mind until he focused his thoughts to a single moment from his past. It was the night he first met her, two and a half years ago in the center park of Arcadia. He was out of his uniform and she didn't know who he was at the time.
(This next part is supposed to be italicized)
Michelle was walking through the center park of Arcadia, under the bright midnight moon. Her head was down in deep though, when she heard a low sound of water splashing from the river. Her curiosity took control and she followed the sound until she saw a young man sitting on the river-bank skipping rocks. She watched as he threw the rocks and they seemed skip forever, over the river. While amazed at his odd talent of skipping rocks, she could some how tell that the man was depressed.
Michelle quietly walked up to the man and greeted, “Hello there.” She said.
The strange young man looked up at her and sighed then put his eyes back on the river as he replied, “Hey.” then continued to skip rocks.
“Wow, your pretty good at that,” she said.
“Well it's not like I have a choice.” He replied as if he hated his own talent.
“What do you mean?” She asked as she stepped a bit closer and bent down toward him.
“Nothing,” replied the man with a head-shake. He then stood and she did the same. “So why are you out here so late?” he asked. “Shouldn't you be in bed like the rest of Arcadia?”
“I couldn't sleep,” Michelle replied as she noticed his obvious unhappiness. “But what about you?”
“I just felt like coming to the park.”
“Why don't you come during the day?”
“Because I don't have time during day.” He answered defensively.
Michelle then walked a bit closer to him and put her hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to comfort him. “Are you okay?” She asked.
“Why do you care?” he replied, as if he was trying to shoo her away.
“Because what kind of person would I be if I just walked away, knowing that your hurting.”
The young man sighed, then answered. “It's complicated.”
“Try me.” She replied as she sat down sat down on the river-bank ready to listen. She then patted the ground next to her in a jester for him to sit back down.
The young man thought hard for a minute about reviling his loneliness to a complete stranger but something about her seemed trusting, so he finally sat down next to her and asked. “It’s not anything specific, but can you just stay here and talk with me for a bit?”
“What?” said Michelle in a surprised voice, at first she didn’t quite understand what he meant and gave his a blank stare.
The young man took her expression the wrong way and turned away, “Sorry, that must have sounded weird.” He quickly stood up and was about to walk away, but before he could take a step Michelle grabbed him.
“Wait.” She said. “It’s okay, I’m just surprised that’s all.”
“Why?” he asked as he turned back.
“I've never met anyone who was lonely in Arcadia.” She responded.
“Well, I'm the only one.” He said as he sat back down.
“Then not anymore,” she replied with a smile. “Because I’m your new friend.”
“Thanks.” he said with a sigh of relief.
October 26, 2013
red moon quick exerpt
While Jane was scrutinizing the weapon, she heard the voice of Virgo that instantly took her attention. “Sais eh,” Virgo said. “Good choice.”
“What do you want now Virgo?” asked Jane not turning to acknowledge him.
“Just wanted to see if you needed any help with trying to find a weapon. Maybe I could give you a hand.”
“As if I need your help Virgo.” Jane replied with a smug tone.
Virgo then walked around in front of her and slowly grabbed the weapon from her hand. “This is a great choice,” He said. “I can definitely see you wielding this.” He pinched the blade with two fingers and said. “Cold and dull.” He then gave her a sarcastic grin and concluded. “Matches your eyes.”
Jane then roughly pushed his shoulder grabbed the weapon and walked away.
“What do you want now Virgo?” asked Jane not turning to acknowledge him.
“Just wanted to see if you needed any help with trying to find a weapon. Maybe I could give you a hand.”
“As if I need your help Virgo.” Jane replied with a smug tone.
Virgo then walked around in front of her and slowly grabbed the weapon from her hand. “This is a great choice,” He said. “I can definitely see you wielding this.” He pinched the blade with two fingers and said. “Cold and dull.” He then gave her a sarcastic grin and concluded. “Matches your eyes.”
Jane then roughly pushed his shoulder grabbed the weapon and walked away.
October 21, 2013
Phantom: Red Moon Excerpt
Working hard to complete complete Red Moon by the end of the month. Here's a short excerpt.
The sun was beginning to set over the phantom base of Vana. Traiven walked into the armory, exhausted from training, while carrying his sword at his side. As he entered he noticed Shawn sitting in the center on a long rectangular bench, polishing the blade of his scythe.
“Hey Shawn,” Traiven said as he approached him putting his sword down the bench. “You do realize you’re off today right?”
Shawn answered without taking his eyes from his task, “And what do you suppose that means for me Traiven? Spin time with family, what family? They were all murdered remember.” He then looked up at Traiven, “But you’re that last person I expected to see in uniform today.”
Traiven bent down and sat next to him, “Tell that to Rukaryo. He has this idea that I’m suppose to be the most powerful Arc alive.”
“You are a Nephilim, and after seeing Raven’s potential, everyone is expecting that from you. Especially since your battle with Moth.”
Traiven sighed, “Yeah, I kind’a screwed myself over with that one.”
“If I had you’re power Traiven, the Summoners would have all been dead years ago.”
“Well, enough about work,” said Traiven, changing the subject. “What’s the deal with this ball tonight anyway?”
“It’s some what of a recreation event to welcome the new Arcs into our ranks.”
“So it’s only for Arcs?”
“No, anyone in the Federation is welcomed.”
Traiven gave a sigh of relief. “Oh good, for second there I was worried that I wouldn’t have fun. Being so elite; I bet we Arcs get a lot of female attention. Last time I went out, I met a girl pretty quick. Of course she did try to kill me, but that’s besides the point.” He quickly turned towards Shawn. “But of course you’re not worried about meeting a girl; you know with the whole thing between you and Joker’s daughter.”
“Cayli and I are just friends, Traiven. I don’t have time for that kind of stuff.” Shawn said, with a stubborn tone.
“Come on Shawn, you really need to loosen up.” Replied Traiven, as he gave Shawn a shove with his elbow. “I understand that you wanna succeed in life, but if you don’t take a break every now and then, you’re going to burn yourself out.”
“Traiven, one of the reasons Arcs are picked is because of the fact that we put our main focus on the job at hand, no matter what. We can’t put our duties aside, not even for a second. Of course, you wouldn’t know that, because you became an Arc under different circumstances than us.”
“Exactly, I didn’t choose this, so I think that gives me a right to take a break whenever I want.”
“Well I don’t care what you do Traiven, your concerns are not mine.” Replied Shawn before he quickly took his attention off Traiven and back on his task.
Traiven then grunted, turned away and spoke under his breath, “Hmm, my only concern right now is getting laid.”
“What does that mean?” asked Shawn hearing Traiven’s hidden words.
Traiven’s eye widened in awkwardness and quickly thought up a lie, “Oh, Ah, it’s something we say on Earth it means to have a good time.”
“Oh, well you do have a point though. I can’t completely put my duties aside, but I do need to take a break every now and then.”
“And there’s no time better then the present!” Traiven spoke in excitement.
Shawn stood up and hung his scythe on a wall next to the other weapons, “The ceremony will be starting soon, and we must prepare.”
“Great, let’s seize the day, or evening because the day’s almost over. ” Traiven had finished hanging his sword on the wall next to other weapons.
The two walked out of the armory, running into an old man dressed in an Arc uniform, with black trousers and a black thick long sleeve shirt. There was a white line going down the middle of his shirt. There were red stripes on his shoulders and over his heart was a symbol. The symbol was of a silver shield, with white, feathered wings on its sides. There were two swords crossing behind the shield and a gold ten point star over the front. He name was General Jonathan Shinnle; he was the commanding officer of the Phantom base. “Hello boys,” he said. “Glad to see you’re keeping up with your training, even on your day off.”
“Well, we want to make sure we’re ready, the next time we encounter Lance.” Replied Traiven, trying to suck up.
“Will you two be making and appearance at the ball tonight?” asked Shinnle.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Answered Traiven.
Shawn thought for a second about how Traiven told him to relax; then turned toward General Shinnle and answered using Traiven’s very words, “Traiven and I are planning to get laid.”
Traiven quickly turned away and grunted as he tried his best to keep from bursting into laughter.
“Well I hope you two you enjoy yourselves,” Shinnle replied with a smile, right before he walked off.
“Will do sir.” Replied Traiven, as they continued to walk away.
The sun was beginning to set over the phantom base of Vana. Traiven walked into the armory, exhausted from training, while carrying his sword at his side. As he entered he noticed Shawn sitting in the center on a long rectangular bench, polishing the blade of his scythe.
“Hey Shawn,” Traiven said as he approached him putting his sword down the bench. “You do realize you’re off today right?”
Shawn answered without taking his eyes from his task, “And what do you suppose that means for me Traiven? Spin time with family, what family? They were all murdered remember.” He then looked up at Traiven, “But you’re that last person I expected to see in uniform today.”
Traiven bent down and sat next to him, “Tell that to Rukaryo. He has this idea that I’m suppose to be the most powerful Arc alive.”
“You are a Nephilim, and after seeing Raven’s potential, everyone is expecting that from you. Especially since your battle with Moth.”
Traiven sighed, “Yeah, I kind’a screwed myself over with that one.”
“If I had you’re power Traiven, the Summoners would have all been dead years ago.”
“Well, enough about work,” said Traiven, changing the subject. “What’s the deal with this ball tonight anyway?”
“It’s some what of a recreation event to welcome the new Arcs into our ranks.”
“So it’s only for Arcs?”
“No, anyone in the Federation is welcomed.”
Traiven gave a sigh of relief. “Oh good, for second there I was worried that I wouldn’t have fun. Being so elite; I bet we Arcs get a lot of female attention. Last time I went out, I met a girl pretty quick. Of course she did try to kill me, but that’s besides the point.” He quickly turned towards Shawn. “But of course you’re not worried about meeting a girl; you know with the whole thing between you and Joker’s daughter.”
“Cayli and I are just friends, Traiven. I don’t have time for that kind of stuff.” Shawn said, with a stubborn tone.
“Come on Shawn, you really need to loosen up.” Replied Traiven, as he gave Shawn a shove with his elbow. “I understand that you wanna succeed in life, but if you don’t take a break every now and then, you’re going to burn yourself out.”
“Traiven, one of the reasons Arcs are picked is because of the fact that we put our main focus on the job at hand, no matter what. We can’t put our duties aside, not even for a second. Of course, you wouldn’t know that, because you became an Arc under different circumstances than us.”
“Exactly, I didn’t choose this, so I think that gives me a right to take a break whenever I want.”
“Well I don’t care what you do Traiven, your concerns are not mine.” Replied Shawn before he quickly took his attention off Traiven and back on his task.
Traiven then grunted, turned away and spoke under his breath, “Hmm, my only concern right now is getting laid.”
“What does that mean?” asked Shawn hearing Traiven’s hidden words.
Traiven’s eye widened in awkwardness and quickly thought up a lie, “Oh, Ah, it’s something we say on Earth it means to have a good time.”
“Oh, well you do have a point though. I can’t completely put my duties aside, but I do need to take a break every now and then.”
“And there’s no time better then the present!” Traiven spoke in excitement.
Shawn stood up and hung his scythe on a wall next to the other weapons, “The ceremony will be starting soon, and we must prepare.”
“Great, let’s seize the day, or evening because the day’s almost over. ” Traiven had finished hanging his sword on the wall next to other weapons.
The two walked out of the armory, running into an old man dressed in an Arc uniform, with black trousers and a black thick long sleeve shirt. There was a white line going down the middle of his shirt. There were red stripes on his shoulders and over his heart was a symbol. The symbol was of a silver shield, with white, feathered wings on its sides. There were two swords crossing behind the shield and a gold ten point star over the front. He name was General Jonathan Shinnle; he was the commanding officer of the Phantom base. “Hello boys,” he said. “Glad to see you’re keeping up with your training, even on your day off.”
“Well, we want to make sure we’re ready, the next time we encounter Lance.” Replied Traiven, trying to suck up.
“Will you two be making and appearance at the ball tonight?” asked Shinnle.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Answered Traiven.
Shawn thought for a second about how Traiven told him to relax; then turned toward General Shinnle and answered using Traiven’s very words, “Traiven and I are planning to get laid.”
Traiven quickly turned away and grunted as he tried his best to keep from bursting into laughter.
“Well I hope you two you enjoy yourselves,” Shinnle replied with a smile, right before he walked off.
“Will do sir.” Replied Traiven, as they continued to walk away.
