Eating a whale with a spork

Hello!

Been a bit longer between chats than I planned. Life got lifey, and then I got sick.

But we’re back! I can finally breathe through my nose again! We wrote something new…and bloody! And Swarm of Eyes played our EP release show…and it was great!

Let’s dive in!

(I think I just blew through half my allotted exclamation points)

It’s good to have two positive experiences to pass along, so we’ll start with “do the thing,” which leads to “enjoy the moment.”

I’m going to talk about writing, but I think it translates pretty much any task, hobby, or vocation.

Sometimes the idea of writing feels like eating a whale with a spork*…how the hell am I supposed to do this?

That’s where I was, sadly, longer than I would have liked.

A little imposter syndrome. A little boo-boo face. The last remnants of seasonal depression.

But about three weeks ago, the universe gave me the opening to write, and my guilt hit critical mass…so I started writing.

And DAMN, two minutes into it I was reminded, “Right! This is fun!”

With about four hours of actual writing throughout the day, I had 25 pages of a screenplay done. Not a bad start.

Next night, Tracy’s out with friends, and the kid’s working. So what do I do with an empty house on a rockin’ Saturday? Bang out about 30 more pages!

Sunday…lazy day…everything’s under control…let’s see how far we can get.

How about finishing the first draft!

I went from “I don’t wanna” to “I have a complete screenplay” in four days.

I think there’s a lot to say for momentum. It’s easy to NOT do something and then keep doing nothing.

And also, there is no magic bullet for starting. You just have to do it.

And that’s the worst part—digging into the inner well to find something that doesn’t seem to exist.

If you’re like me, and this writing story/journey is hitting a chord, I’m here to tell you:

• I’ve been exactly where you are.

• Starting the thing, especially when your body and mind are saying no, is the answer.

• You’ll remember why you love it.

• You’ll be proud when you’re done. And that feels better than anything.

There’s no perfect time. There’s just time. So dive in, push the lil snowball down the mountain, and see what it becomes.

And this screenplay? It’s a completely new genre for me and absolutely a movie I would pay to see:

DIE LAUGHING (horror, comedy)
A troupe of dysfunctional clowns finds themselves being hunted by occult-worshiping killers while they try to put on a benefit show for sick children.

Last week, Swarm of Eyes held our EP release party, and friend, it was a REALLY good night.

Packed room. Ton of love between the other bands and fans. And our set went really well.

It was one of those nights where I don’t need to see or hear a recording of what we did, because from the stage it felt great and the crowd was WONDERFUL.

That being said, there might be some live video and audio coming out.

At the end of the set, the five of us ended up at the front of the stage, and we did a little post-gig group photo.

It felt very rock ‘n roll and was completely spontaneous. It just happened.

And I’m not going to lie, it felt great.

Being an indie creator is a GRIND, and sometimes there is very little to no reward.

And for a band in a club situation, there is also the communal understanding that you will get your stuff off stage ASAP so the other band can set up and do their thing.

So to have this moment happen, to have the other bands be cool with it, and for the fans to embrace it, felt wonderful in the moment, and it’s only grown since then.

The smiles are genuine. The love is genuine. The appreciation is genuine.

In October, Swarm will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary, so I’ll talk more about what the band has meant to me then.

But for now, I wanted to share the moment and encourage you to celebrate your wins.

Did you write when you didn’t really wanna? Celebrate!

Have a moment with people you love? Celebrate!

*This phrase was said by an exasperated advertising colleague after a frustrating call with a client, “We’re not trying to eat a whale with a spork. There’s an easy solution to this.” I immediately thought, “What a perfect phrase! I’m gonna use that a lot.”

Ben passed it on to me, and now I pass it on to you!

Whatever you’re trying to solve, it isn’t eating a whale with a spork. You got this.

####

Now that Henry’s turned nine, we thought we’d help his joints. He’s still a jumper—such a good jumper—, and we thought we could make his life a little easier by cutting his weight.

Well, at his last check-up, the vet said the phrase every good boi wants to hear, “You can feed him a little more.”

Get to up your calorie intake? Celebrate!

####

My friend Chuck has started his own Substack!

Chuck and I were introduced early into my comics journey, and he’s been a constant source of support and friendship. He’s been building his own writing resume and catalog, and has taken the leap into Substack and newsletters.

As someone who supports so many other creators, I’d love to see it reflected back on him, so join me in following and cheering on Chuck’s journey.

No Spell Lasts Forever #1-5
Noir contemporary fantasy comic. A magic-wielding criminal makes a deal with the devil for a second chance at life.

This is one of my favorite ongoing projects on Kickstarter.

It is a noir urban fantasy about a magic user named Rosette Diamant who, after meeting an untimely death, makes a deal with the devil for a second chance at life. But can she follow through with her end of the bargain, and what will it mean for the fate of her eternal soul if not?

The mix of romance, action, and magic makes for a great series.

The House of Lowther: Vol. 3
A gorgeous supernatural comic.

I had seen writer and artist K. Lynn Smith at cons for years, so I’m kinda mad it took me until last year’s New York Comic Con to pick up the first volume of House of Lowther.

What was once just a job is now a fight for her life as Sawyer Ellis and the residents take on the full might of the House of Lowther. But as more of the mystery unravels, more secrets come to light, and for Sawyer and her ragtag group of cryptids, it might prove to be too much to handle.

On top of being well written with wonderful art, this might be the best-looking indie book I’ve come across. The faux leather, gold foil-stamped, and vintage-style hardcover presentation truly stands out.

Blazing Blade of Frankenstein Volume 1
Sword and sorcery meets gothic horror, with Mary Shelley’s monster cast as a wandering barbarian fighting for the fate of a savage land.

Clay Adams and the team are back with the collected edition of Blazing Blade of Frankenstein.

In a world of magic and mystery, darkness and doom, a lone hero strides the plains of fantasy. Man, monster, and myth, he is life born of science--created from death itself.

He is Frankenstein. And the fate of a universe rests in his hands.

You can now pick up this big, energetic, sexy pulp story in a 140-page hard or soft cover.

Look, Clay’s the guy I steal from am inspired by when it comes to Kickstarter fulfillment, so if this book is your kind of thing, he’s going to give you a great experience and book.

####

So…yeah…the frustrating fact is there are no shortcuts, and the only way out is through.

BUT! On the other side is satisfaction, growth, and self-expression.

That’s invaluable, and you’re worth it.

Make the thing! Use your voice! All the best!