IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Breath Of Life - Howard Shore
Doesn't make a lot of sense, but then again, what would you expect?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
SELECT? - Chihara Minori
Okay, I'm selective.
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Yuki, Muon, Madobe Nite. - Chihara Minori
Okay. I'm feeling melancholic, that's true.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Hare Hare Yukai - Chihara Minori
To have fun? Yeah, actually I would have to agree.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Kaza Yomi Ribbon - Hirano Aya
Don't quite know the meaning of the song; however seeing a few familiar phrases in the lyrics I'd say it's optimistic. And it's correct.
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Bouken Desho Desho? - Hirano Aya
Adventurous? I don't know. You decide.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Twilight and Shadow - Howard Shore
Ah, ominous.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Nerevar Rising - Jeremy Soule
I don't think about the Nerevarine all that often, but I do think about the rise of people to noble fame through their deeds, yes.
WHAT IS 2+2?
Phantom of the Opera - Phantom of the Opera
How factual is that?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
A Knife in the Dark - Howard Shore
It brings a sign of betrayal. Damn it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
I Say Yes - Zero no Tsukaima
Damn straight.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Hare Hare Yukai - Hirano Aya/Chihara Minori
Optimism, again, and I'd say it's true.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
COOL EDITION - Kuwatani Natsuko
A cute, clever, popular, charming and sociable student whose only personality defect is to want to stab you in the guts, and still smile at you as though it were just a discussion about a trip to the movies?
How about no.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Phantom of the Opera
Yep.
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Glory of Cyrodiil - Jeremy Soule
I sure hope I'll be the glory of the land one day. ;)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Kentai Life Returns! - Sugita Tomokazu
Hmm...
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Opera #2 - Vitas
Best funeral song ever. I love it.
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Vamo' alla Flamenco - Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Aha, now that is nice. Digging up treasure on a yellow bird doesn't really appeal to me though, but I think the orchestral version is destined for greater things, so yeah...
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
The Council of Elrond - Howard Shore
Cooperation? I sure hope so.
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
The Breaking of the Fellowship - Howard Shore
Aptly randomized.
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Ash and Smoke - Howard Shore
Sounds like a war's coming.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
One Winged Angel - Nobuo Uematsu
Steeped in blood so deep, that turning back would be as tedious as going the full mile?
I've never killed, but yeah.
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
SELECT? - Chihara Minori
What the hell?
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Forth Eorlingas - Howard Shore
That scene was pretty damned good.
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
I Say Yes - Zero no Tsukaima
The title says it all. And I know to whom I will say it to.
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Hunter's Pursuit - Jeremy Soule
To be the prey is to live in fear.
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
The Elder Scrolls Suite - Jeremy Soule, rearranged by Schleichmann
I'd say yes.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
May It Be - Enya
It's a reflective song, so I guess it works.
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
God Knows... - Hirano Aya
Yes. God knows.
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Hare Hare Yukai - Matsuoka Yuki
Something happy? Again?
Forgive all the Hare Hare Yukai instances. I have the one sung by Hirano Aya/Minori Chihara, AND 9 other versions tailored to the individual characters in SHnY.
There you go. Incidentally Matsuoka Yuki is the VA of Tsuruya-san.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Going up and up
The word count is really climbing now. After a lull without any fresh things to move things along in my writing, suddenly my mind has been inundated with interesting ideas. In checking with my beta readers, these are quite viable.
I'm really quite excited at the direction my writing is taking. I suppose they've come alive, in a sense, for me. Now, it doesn't matter that much to me even if it doesn't get published. I've learnt a lot from this first novel, and I do not intend to stop any time soon.
The work stands at 66 thousand words. Most of it is complete; the major story arc has been completed. The story was actually completed at about 56 thousand words, but with that also came the revealing of the (admittedly rather skeletal) personalities.
I decided to flesh out my characters a little (okay, a LOT) more than what they were. Now I think they are no longer those stereotypical heroes and villains who are motivated by unrealistic goals. They have fulfilled my vision. A difference of 10 thousand words dedicated solely to character development, with a conservative estimate of 2 thousand more to come is quite a lot I think.
As a result of this, the main story arc had to change. After the personalities were fleshed out, I realized there were points when what was said or done was not nearly real enough for me. However, I do enjoy working on it; it is an absolute pleasure for me.
Unfortunately, I have other duties as well. Academic obligations and music examinations looming ahead are also a large part of my life that I cannot discard. My academic results may well determine my future in this horribly unfair economy. Also, music is something that I will not give up, even if I could. I love it too much to do so.
At any rate, it seems I'm juggling quite a few things at the moment. We'll see how things go. Ultimately, my academics will have to come first, if things get nasty.
Oh and, happy early Chinese New Year! ;)
I'm really quite excited at the direction my writing is taking. I suppose they've come alive, in a sense, for me. Now, it doesn't matter that much to me even if it doesn't get published. I've learnt a lot from this first novel, and I do not intend to stop any time soon.
The work stands at 66 thousand words. Most of it is complete; the major story arc has been completed. The story was actually completed at about 56 thousand words, but with that also came the revealing of the (admittedly rather skeletal) personalities.
I decided to flesh out my characters a little (okay, a LOT) more than what they were. Now I think they are no longer those stereotypical heroes and villains who are motivated by unrealistic goals. They have fulfilled my vision. A difference of 10 thousand words dedicated solely to character development, with a conservative estimate of 2 thousand more to come is quite a lot I think.
As a result of this, the main story arc had to change. After the personalities were fleshed out, I realized there were points when what was said or done was not nearly real enough for me. However, I do enjoy working on it; it is an absolute pleasure for me.
Unfortunately, I have other duties as well. Academic obligations and music examinations looming ahead are also a large part of my life that I cannot discard. My academic results may well determine my future in this horribly unfair economy. Also, music is something that I will not give up, even if I could. I love it too much to do so.
At any rate, it seems I'm juggling quite a few things at the moment. We'll see how things go. Ultimately, my academics will have to come first, if things get nasty.
Oh and, happy early Chinese New Year! ;)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Future
For those, who are of my age, and are contemplating your prospects, whether you think you have any or not...
What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do? What do you want to achieve? Is there anything, in life's twisting path, that you desperately want to experience?
Perhaps, all of you have different answers. I don't know yours, but I'd love to hear them. I invite your comments.
Yet, I am sure, somehow or another, all of your responses could be summed up in one sentence: "I want to succeed in life".
Such a vague statement. It almost seems trite, doesn't it? However, I think my surmise is correct.
I think that everyone wants to do well in life. To people it may mean excelling in school. It may mean riches or fame. But maybe, to a small group of people, it might just mean being happy. Would you rather be a miserable tycoon, or a happy pauper? I'd choose the latter.
For us, we're put through the Singapore education system. And certainly, I see a lot of resentment towards that very fact. I hear people say that it produces graduates who are unimaginative, as a result of the rote-learning that is prevalent in virtually every level of the system.
I'd first like to say that I too have an inherent distaste for this. I feel like a cookie-cutter student, destined to be the same as everyone else. We're sometimes made to take subjects that we simply are not interested in, and the reason for that is apparently because we should have some form of a broad-based education. That is why we cannot dedicate ourselves solely to the science stream, or to the arts stream. Regardless of how badly we fail in one stream, we simply have to take the subject. It tends to be that subject that prevents us from reaching those oh-so-lofty institutions of higher learning that we've always desired to enter.
There are some subjects I did that I really didn't want to do at all. I wanted to spend my time on other things; learning stuff that I enjoy. Academics are not everything; there are other pursuits, such as art, music and the like.
And yes, I did neglect those subjects. I failed miserably. But I don't regret it at all, not in the slightest. I've learnt far more in an hour studying what I love, than I have in a month memorizing all the stuff tested for the neglected subject.
My point is this: success is happiness. Do what you love, and love what you do; you'll get really good at it. Maybe you'll be the best. Don't listen to those people who say that you'll never make a living with it. You might not earn much, especially not in this lousy economy, but you'll be glad you learnt something you love.
Don't accuse me of saying that academics are not important. Sadly, they are, because the world places emphasis on credentials. That sucks.
But then again, that's only if you want a well-paying job, right?
I could be wrong about some things. If you disagree with me on the economy or on the education system, by all means, tell me about it.
What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you want to do? What do you want to achieve? Is there anything, in life's twisting path, that you desperately want to experience?
Perhaps, all of you have different answers. I don't know yours, but I'd love to hear them. I invite your comments.
Yet, I am sure, somehow or another, all of your responses could be summed up in one sentence: "I want to succeed in life".
Such a vague statement. It almost seems trite, doesn't it? However, I think my surmise is correct.
I think that everyone wants to do well in life. To people it may mean excelling in school. It may mean riches or fame. But maybe, to a small group of people, it might just mean being happy. Would you rather be a miserable tycoon, or a happy pauper? I'd choose the latter.
For us, we're put through the Singapore education system. And certainly, I see a lot of resentment towards that very fact. I hear people say that it produces graduates who are unimaginative, as a result of the rote-learning that is prevalent in virtually every level of the system.
I'd first like to say that I too have an inherent distaste for this. I feel like a cookie-cutter student, destined to be the same as everyone else. We're sometimes made to take subjects that we simply are not interested in, and the reason for that is apparently because we should have some form of a broad-based education. That is why we cannot dedicate ourselves solely to the science stream, or to the arts stream. Regardless of how badly we fail in one stream, we simply have to take the subject. It tends to be that subject that prevents us from reaching those oh-so-lofty institutions of higher learning that we've always desired to enter.
There are some subjects I did that I really didn't want to do at all. I wanted to spend my time on other things; learning stuff that I enjoy. Academics are not everything; there are other pursuits, such as art, music and the like.
And yes, I did neglect those subjects. I failed miserably. But I don't regret it at all, not in the slightest. I've learnt far more in an hour studying what I love, than I have in a month memorizing all the stuff tested for the neglected subject.
My point is this: success is happiness. Do what you love, and love what you do; you'll get really good at it. Maybe you'll be the best. Don't listen to those people who say that you'll never make a living with it. You might not earn much, especially not in this lousy economy, but you'll be glad you learnt something you love.
Don't accuse me of saying that academics are not important. Sadly, they are, because the world places emphasis on credentials. That sucks.
But then again, that's only if you want a well-paying job, right?
I could be wrong about some things. If you disagree with me on the economy or on the education system, by all means, tell me about it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Achievements
I just enabled comments on my blog. Anyway..
These past months, I've been thinking a lot. About life, purpose, you know. Success, happiness, that sort of stuff.
I've been drifting all along like an aimless boat, not knowing what will happen, what I want, and not giving a damn about it. I didn't know what success felt like, because I never did set any goals to reach. Yet, looking back on the last quarter of 2008, I've suddenly realized that things are much clearer now. It seemed like a dream, but now it all makes sense.
It all came from my writing, but since I've been blabbing about it for so long at you all, I think I'll not mention it in detail. However, it is what gave me my first sense of success.
My first goal was to hit 60 thousand words, the average length of a novel. 75 thousand, perhaps, for some publishers, but I set it at the former. I never really thought I would hit that goal. It seemed just like the clouds; I could see it, even envelope myself in it, but it would never become tangible in my hands. And yet... I simply persisted.
It was hard work, perhaps, but the real secret is.. some sort of blind, unwavering passion. Sometimes, you just have to go a little crazy. Sometimes, just grab inspiration from the wildest things. Dream big, jump in, don't plan, and don't stop.
I hit my goal a long time ago. And now, it's still inching its way upwards, towards the 75 thousand mark. Not because I'm forcing anything in, but because my characters demand it.
Don't think about how far there is left. Don't discourage yourself by thinking 'there's like a crapload more to do'. There is much more to you than you think. Just take things a little at a time. Looking down at the ground, you slowly inch forth. Progress may be like a snail, but keep moving. Putting your feet, one in front of the other, repeating the same motions, suddenly you look up, and there it is. There you are, at your goal, at the place you never dreamed you'd be.
You may not have done a very good job, but you've done it. You've achieved what you've always wanted. You've done what you never thought you could do.
The next time round, the difference is, you know it's possible.
And you know, without a hint of hesitation, that you can do it again.
These past months, I've been thinking a lot. About life, purpose, you know. Success, happiness, that sort of stuff.
I've been drifting all along like an aimless boat, not knowing what will happen, what I want, and not giving a damn about it. I didn't know what success felt like, because I never did set any goals to reach. Yet, looking back on the last quarter of 2008, I've suddenly realized that things are much clearer now. It seemed like a dream, but now it all makes sense.
It all came from my writing, but since I've been blabbing about it for so long at you all, I think I'll not mention it in detail. However, it is what gave me my first sense of success.
My first goal was to hit 60 thousand words, the average length of a novel. 75 thousand, perhaps, for some publishers, but I set it at the former. I never really thought I would hit that goal. It seemed just like the clouds; I could see it, even envelope myself in it, but it would never become tangible in my hands. And yet... I simply persisted.
It was hard work, perhaps, but the real secret is.. some sort of blind, unwavering passion. Sometimes, you just have to go a little crazy. Sometimes, just grab inspiration from the wildest things. Dream big, jump in, don't plan, and don't stop.
I hit my goal a long time ago. And now, it's still inching its way upwards, towards the 75 thousand mark. Not because I'm forcing anything in, but because my characters demand it.
Don't think about how far there is left. Don't discourage yourself by thinking 'there's like a crapload more to do'. There is much more to you than you think. Just take things a little at a time. Looking down at the ground, you slowly inch forth. Progress may be like a snail, but keep moving. Putting your feet, one in front of the other, repeating the same motions, suddenly you look up, and there it is. There you are, at your goal, at the place you never dreamed you'd be.
You may not have done a very good job, but you've done it. You've achieved what you've always wanted. You've done what you never thought you could do.
The next time round, the difference is, you know it's possible.
And you know, without a hint of hesitation, that you can do it again.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Done!
It's a little late to say this, but I'm done with the first draft of my book.
Long done actually. Now I'm moving into several revision stages that will see the cutting out of deadwood, and the addition of vital points. I've sent it out to a few people for reading and for honest feedback, and to these people I express my utmost gratitude. There are some mistakes which I, as the writer, would never have managed to catch if not for their discerning eyes. The contribution of valuable ideas also helped me a lot, and I have to thank them for their help.
Now I realize, what I've always really wanted to be isn't a programmer, or anything like that. Certainly, I'm technically inclined, as can be seen by my nerdy disposition and my obsession with any physics concept that could potentially turn your brain inside out (like quantum mechanics, time travel, relativity).
I've always wanted to be a writer. My English has, I think, always been at an acceptable standard, and I love to read and write. I'm a real sucker for a good story, especially for those that engage the mind and not just the heart. It probably all started when I read Tolkien's books. And given the ceaseless encouragement of my teachers, and even my classmates (when my teacher made me write an article for Straits Times in exchange for waiving detention for the whole class), it has never stopped ever since.
However, it fell into a period of stasis for a while. I didn't read or write much in my secondary school days. I used to make excuses such as "no time". Last October (I think, maybe earlier), I was suddenly spurred on to write a novel, given the hearty encouragement of one of my friends.
This novel is the culmination of several years of ideas that I've always wanted to put into a story, inspiration from several TV shows and books that I've watched and read, and many sleepless nights, cups of coffee and bars of chocolates. My writing style is influenced heavily by Douglas Adam's non-sequiturs, Terry Pratchett's hilarious sarcasm, and Tanigawa Nagaru's cynicism (in Tanigawa's case, indirectly, for I simply read translations of his work). Though Tolkien was what really caused my love for literature in the first place, I have moved past the highly descriptive style that he enjoys, preferring to enter the ground of the short, the terse and the succinct.
All this will show in my novel. Whether it is going to be published or not, I really have no idea, and to be honest, I don't quite give a damn. I wrote it because I had a story I wanted to tell. I will be seeking an agent when I have the time, and hopefully I will be able to find one with connections in New York. If there's a story you want to read, but cannot find in any book, then be the one to write it.
For those who have expressed interest in reading it, I thank you. Even if I haven't sent my work to you, I cannot express how much it means to me that there are actually people who desire to read it. It's what keeps me going. There are subsequent novels in the planning stages, and I do not plan to stop any time soon.
If you've read this far without skipping, it means you can stand my verbose writing and are willing to read it. To end off, yet again, thanks.
Long done actually. Now I'm moving into several revision stages that will see the cutting out of deadwood, and the addition of vital points. I've sent it out to a few people for reading and for honest feedback, and to these people I express my utmost gratitude. There are some mistakes which I, as the writer, would never have managed to catch if not for their discerning eyes. The contribution of valuable ideas also helped me a lot, and I have to thank them for their help.
Now I realize, what I've always really wanted to be isn't a programmer, or anything like that. Certainly, I'm technically inclined, as can be seen by my nerdy disposition and my obsession with any physics concept that could potentially turn your brain inside out (like quantum mechanics, time travel, relativity).
I've always wanted to be a writer. My English has, I think, always been at an acceptable standard, and I love to read and write. I'm a real sucker for a good story, especially for those that engage the mind and not just the heart. It probably all started when I read Tolkien's books. And given the ceaseless encouragement of my teachers, and even my classmates (when my teacher made me write an article for Straits Times in exchange for waiving detention for the whole class), it has never stopped ever since.
However, it fell into a period of stasis for a while. I didn't read or write much in my secondary school days. I used to make excuses such as "no time". Last October (I think, maybe earlier), I was suddenly spurred on to write a novel, given the hearty encouragement of one of my friends.
This novel is the culmination of several years of ideas that I've always wanted to put into a story, inspiration from several TV shows and books that I've watched and read, and many sleepless nights, cups of coffee and bars of chocolates. My writing style is influenced heavily by Douglas Adam's non-sequiturs, Terry Pratchett's hilarious sarcasm, and Tanigawa Nagaru's cynicism (in Tanigawa's case, indirectly, for I simply read translations of his work). Though Tolkien was what really caused my love for literature in the first place, I have moved past the highly descriptive style that he enjoys, preferring to enter the ground of the short, the terse and the succinct.
All this will show in my novel. Whether it is going to be published or not, I really have no idea, and to be honest, I don't quite give a damn. I wrote it because I had a story I wanted to tell. I will be seeking an agent when I have the time, and hopefully I will be able to find one with connections in New York. If there's a story you want to read, but cannot find in any book, then be the one to write it.
For those who have expressed interest in reading it, I thank you. Even if I haven't sent my work to you, I cannot express how much it means to me that there are actually people who desire to read it. It's what keeps me going. There are subsequent novels in the planning stages, and I do not plan to stop any time soon.
If you've read this far without skipping, it means you can stand my verbose writing and are willing to read it. To end off, yet again, thanks.
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