It’s the first of June, and the first Wednesday of the month, making today Insecure Writer’s Support Group day! Woot!
I’d hoped for less busyness in May, but that wasn’t the case. I faced urgent application changes at work, health problems at home, school events and overdue assignments, birthday parties to attend, and none of that includes the stuff I had planned for myself. Despite all the demands for my attention, it was a surprisingly productive month for this year’s goals.
Back in January, I set my only writing goal as “Finish something. Anything.” I’m happy to report that I’ve completed that goal! Of course it’s not one of the big projects like Book 2 or the companion novel, but I did write a short story comprising 6K of utter ridiculousness. It was unfinished when I handed the first 4K to my critique group, and I had the pleasure of getting accused of lying about it being a rough draft. Granted, it wasn’t without fault. I clearly don’t know squat about horse equipment because I got that all wrong. But my critique group enjoyed it for the most part, to the point that I flipped off Troy when he suggested I give up writing my big books and just stick to short fiction. Of course, Dani didn’t like it, though, but I expected that. Admittedly, I even chuckled to myself once and said aloud, “Dani hates time travel,” and kept on writing, throwing in dialect (which she also hates) and non-English words without proper context (which annoys her). I don’t have any plans for this short story, but there it is regardless.
The other goal I’ve made progress toward is learning Blender. After watching a YouTube video about using 3D models to help in 2D art, I cracked open the software and started sculpting, using the linked video as my guide. That led to other searches, such as “how to make curly hair” and progressed toward my ultimate goal: character figurines from my big books. Within a couple of days, I had a decent start to a Derek face.
Over the course of 2 weeks, I poked and prodded my digital clay, exploring the different tools at my disposal, and spending a few of those days venting my frustration as I tried to overcome problems I encountered when trying to join objects. I also deviated from my pictures toward more realistic, and masculine, features to arrive at the current state. Once I had Derek, I took the head/torso sculpt along with my gained knowledge and started on MaTisha. Within 2 days, I produced her current form.
Compare it to my digital paintings:
I’m starting with just the bust with the intention to 3D print them and place them in my office like marble Greek statues. Someday, I may do full body and make posed figurines, but I’m not so ambitions to aim for that this year. I need to figure out remeshing and texture painting first. I plan to sculpt Cameron, LaTonya, and Cera as well, all of which are protagonist POVs in my big books. My coworker commented I could make my own chess set, though I don’t know how I’d go about identifying the different pieces as my characters. Still, it’s a neat idea, and one I’d entertain.
IWSG Question of the Month – When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?
AH HA HA HA HA! Keep writing to the end? Have you met me–the squirrel who has taken a decade to write book 2 in a series? Clearly I don’t adhere to forcing myself to stick to one project. I’ve only got the “I’m going to freaking finish this series” motivation that keeps me going in spurts. I get back to things when my brain ignites because I haven’t seen much success in forcing myself to do something when the vision isn’t clear in my head. I am still actively working on book 2, and that’s good enough for me.
Have you dabbled in digital sculpting before? How are your goals coming along? Do you keep yourself writing to the end?
P.S. (because I totally spaced that I should’ve made an announcement): Melissa Maygrove has released a new book today–historical romance called Fool’s Iron. Be sure to pick up your copy on Amazon!
About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.
You are very talented! You should draw and sculpt for $$.
Thanks for the shoutout!
Your May sounds like mine was. Too many parties and other distracting stuff! Where did May go anyway?
That art program is amazing! They sure do come up with some wild things these days.
If writing your book is taking a decade then I feel like I’m in fine company. Your writing approach sounds similar to mine except you seem more productive.
Keep up the great work!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Congrats on completing the writing goal! And wow on the artwork!
Digital sculpting–that sounds fun. I’ve seen some of it, am intrigued. Yours are amazing.
The sculpting looks fun.
Heck with Dani!
It doesn’t matter how long you take, Loni, as long as you’re having fun. I love the clay heads. You are very talented!
I absolutely love the idea of a chess set. Do it! Do it!
I also think you’re mixing up being scattered with inspiration. And you have so much talent and so many directions to express it. Let the fire fuel your work and who cares where it leads. It’s all good and when you finish your series, I’m sure you’ll remember the journey fondly. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
You could have so much fun with those sculptures. A chess set sounds neat.
That sculpting software sounds fascinating. I didn’t know it was even possible.
Way to finish a short story! Sounds like fun. And your day job and writer life are colliding with those cool models? Nice!
Those busts are awesome! Definitely a different feel to the other pictures, but still obviously them, which is very cool. Can’t wait to see them all coloured. Congrats on finishing your short story. I’d love to read it sometime.
And I see you also had a bunch on your plate to deal with. I had a hard enough time keeping up with the past week alone due to social invitations (half of them not even for me). I’m glad I didn’t ask if you wanted to critique the new version of my story. Would’ve felt so guilty lumping another thing into the mix.
The last day of school is Friday, and I’ll have a lot more time on my hands after that. I’ll happily critique your new version! Yes, please!
Here I am, slowly plugging away at my book 2, hoping to make progress, and you just up and write a short story for the heck of it. (Hangs head in despair.) I don’t know how you people do it. When I get around to writing my short story reader magnet, I’ll spend months on it and all other work will grind to a halt. Congrats on being productive.
Loni, I am utterly in awe of your artistic talent. And congrats on hitting the writing goal. You rock!
I am with you on the “writing to the end” thing. I have so many partial manuscripts of varying lengths. My brain clearly doesn’t understand the concept of “the end.” 🤣
That is amazing. I am so impressed. And great job reaching that goal.
First of all, I love this post! I always feel like I know you so well! Short stories do wonders for me too. They help me think of new worlds apart from my novels. The problem is I don’t like to switch worlds all that often until I steer the course to the end and finish one. Lol. I just have to finish (sigh) someday.
I do love your digital art! You are incredible! I struggled with 3-d design so much, except for my architecture classes, but I love what you’ve done. Bravo!
Wow, that’s amazing. I have no talent for visual arts, so I’ll just sit back and admire what you were able to accomplish. And even a short story is a finished something. Good job. The longer stuff will finish up eventually.
That’s great you were productive in May with how busy you were. When you work and have kids, May can be a super busy month. Glad you made one of your goals for the year.
They look great!
Your art is wonderful! Thank you for sharing. And congratulations on meeting your goal to finish something. It feels good!
Congrats on finishing the story.
I’ve heard of blender but have never tried it. My digital art skills are still pretty n00b so it’s probably best I hold off. Those look cool, though.
Those sculptures are incredible! And those nails — wow! You are obviously a woman of many talents. I’m sure you could start your own business creating and selling sculptures on commission.
My May was like that, too. I can’t believe it’s June already. Congrats on finishing your story! It’s such a great feeling to get to the end, even if you know there will be editing and revising afterward. Just to get to the end of anything is a major accomplishment.
Wow, I hadn’t heard of digital sculpting before. How amazing to be able to create your characters!
What great work you turn out, Loni. As to being squirrely, I’m right there with you. It’s fun to scamper from project to project.
I don’t know anything about that stuff. Looks very exciting. And to honour your nickname, surely you have to make a squirrel sculpture!
Congrats on writing a short story! Definite reason for celebration. And neat digital busts – you’re killing it!
“Finish something. Anything.” Yes, that’s about it.
Congratulations on finishing “6K of utter ridiculousness” which will evolve into 6K of awesomeness somewhere along the way! 😁