CONTEST FOR CREATIVE TYPES: WEEK THREE ROUND-UP
I may yet reach my goal of four finished comic-book pages by the end of the month, because as of today I have a lot more time to draw. This morning, my employer eliminated my entire division. More than 100 of my colleagues today joined me in adding to the swelling ranks of the nation’s unemployed. It would have made the TV news, had some kid not brought a gun to one of our local schools. Damn scene-stealer.
It could be worse. Federal regulations require employers to provide 60 days notice in the event of a plant closing or mass layoff. Therefore I will receieve my full salary and benefits through January 19. I will receive an additional four weeks of severance, and will be paid for seven days of unused vacation.
On my way home, my girlfriend suggested to me that if ever there was a time to devote myself to illustration, it’s now. While I doubt that in the next three months I can achieve professional-level proficiency, I can make some significant strides. I may even take advantage of the the extra time on my hands by taking an art class or two.
I was going to cancel the contest but then I thought, “Why?” Yes, I need to devote some time to searching for a new daytime gig. But there’s no way I can devote every waking minute to it. So it’s still on, baby. It’s SO on.
By the way, I hope everyone is approaching in this in the spirit I’d intended. It’s not a win-or-lose proposition. If you’re falling behind, don’t be afraid to say so. There’s no shame in that, y’know. If the contest spurs you to do more than you were doing before, I’d say it served its purpose well.
I hope to you will report your progress in this thread. I also hope you will share what’s worked for you, and what hasn’t. I think we can all benefit by learning from each other.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:32 am
Well, that’s frustrating. You fell victim to economic developments that were not of your doing. But from what you told me, you have many skills, so you’ll find a job soon enough. Meanwhile, the silver lining is that you can briefly devote more time to your art. If I can help in any way, don’t hesitate to ask.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:06 am
Bill-Bo,
WTF?!?!? That sucks Brother. I’m sorry to hear about your J-O-B loss. Now that you’re in the ranks of the unemployed. Don’t forget that the Soup Kitchen opens tomorrow @ 4:00 PM
November 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Sorry to hear your news. I recently lost my job, but found another — far better — one pretty quickly. Sometimes these things work out for the best. I hope that’s true for you too.
In the meantime, sharpen those pencils and make full use of the time you now have. If you need any tips or advice, don’t be afraid to get in touch.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Thank you all for your expressions of support. I probably should have talked about my own situation in a separate thread, though. I don’t want to discourage contestants from providing updates and sharing insights. I’m quite eager to learn how everyone else is progressing.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Oh, and McDaddy, Jeannie and I are looking forward to visiting the “soup kitchen” on Saturday.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
bill…
i have known you since seventh grade. one thing i have always believed about you is that you have serious abilities in terms of insight, talent, and vision. the old economic paradigm has failed you, but i believe as we all do that there is opportunity for you to blossom…to shed your chrysalis into something greater because we can see it.
you have admired my artistic talent for years, but i have always admired your tenacity. i believe when You believe in something that there is no pit-bull who can compare with your bite and holding power. you still have a hunger to truly create, and i envy that! as painful as that feeling can be i miss it. and you still have it! run with it!!
all bets are off. the rules need re-writing. and in this transformation stage do what you love!! there are no right answers! Any of the marketed”American Dream” bullshit is off the table! time to forge your own destiny! and you, my friend, can do it!
and as far as to how the fickleness of the uber-rich has affected me personally i am down to 4 days a week with not really too much to look forward to that way as well. so i am thinking of changing focuses and going back to college for “green-gineering (my own terminology for a green engineer). i got inormation today and the earlliest steps now begin.
take care, cousin, and let fate roll some dice.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
That SUCKS large pourous rocks. However, not to sound too much like I’m jumping on the bandwagon or closing a door to open a window chorus, this could be a good thing in the end.
As for the pages, I’m looking forward to seeing them.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Keef and Sean, thank you.
By the way, Sean, how is your story coming along?
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
It’s been a hectic few days, and as a result I don’t know if I’ve adequately responded to everyone. Allow me to rectify that.
Micha: “You fell victim to economic developments that were not of your doing.”
Sez WHO? I’ve been working very hard for several years to single-handedly tank the world economy. Bill Myers shoots he SCORES!!!
Micha: “But from what you told me, you have many skills…”
Yes. I am excellent at Paper-Wad Basketball. Also, nine times out of ten I can shake exactly two pills out of an aspirin bottle on the first try.
McDaddy: “Don’t forget that the Soup Kitchen opens tomorrow @ 4:00 PM.”
We’ll bring wine. That way, we won’t just be bums. We’ll be winos.
Allan: “If you need any tips or advice, don’t be afraid to get in touch.”
Thanks, man. You’ll be hearing from me via e-mail.
Keef: “so i am thinking of changing focuses and going back to college for “green-gineering (my own terminology for a green engineer). i got inormation today and the earlliest steps now begin…”
I can’t wait to learn more about this new endeavor. I’ll give you a call.
Sean: “As for the pages, I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
I’m more interested in knowing where you’re at w/your story. Talk to me.
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Okay, Twopillshaker, here’s the story. I have a good start on it, and I actually have all the twists and turns plotted out. The only thing I don’t know is whether or not the bad guy’s Senator parent is his mother or his father. “Okay, why is THAT important?” To the actual structure of the story, well, it ain’t at all. But it does change some of the relationships and it’ll change Steve’s motivations.
I’m hoping to get some done on it today, a couple pages worth. I’m at work, but I’m training someone so I don’t have much to do.
Keef, to quote Otto, don’t eat the green ones, they’re not ripe.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Oh, and I started yet ANOTHER screenplay.
November 25th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Bill, I am terribly sorry to hear this. I feel for you, I really do. When my series got canceled a couple of years ago, I really had a hard time getting moving again and back on my feet, so I feel your pain. But you are a strong guy, and i know you will make it through. And doing something creative that you enjoy will help you keep your spirits up. So please, keep working and keep achieving.
I am just under 40,000 words on my novel, but it’s mostly notes and not serious writing. I am also about a day behind on word count, but I think I can make it up before the week is over.
Hang in there, buddy!
December 21st, 2008 at 11:43 am
WTHell? I did not get notice of this posting at all! I would have been one of the first to offer my sympathies.
Damn man, so sorry. Lousy way to start the holidays. Stay strong.
Nothing to offer on the screenplay front though that’s partly because I’m redirecting the effort toward co-writing a screeplay with Christine for our next movie (A few Brains More; Summer of Blood) which will be the first Hippy Rock zombie movie that I’m aware of. 100% guaranteed line that will be in the movie:
HIPPY #1- Hey is that Freedom Rock man?
Hippy# 2- yeah man!
Hippy#1- Well turn it up, man!
having Christine nagging me for updates should take care of any propensity for dawdling.