So I had a case of the FireButts this week. I know, shameless reference to my 1st novel, FireButt #1. I’m taking time to re-think how I move forward. I have begun to transpose all the FireFrei material onto my MacBook Pro. I’m also reconsidering how I approach my art this time around. In the process, I found unused art of FireButt. I’m letting everyone know in advance that the unused assets will have their own section in FireFrei #2. I feel like it will be a bonus for everyone to appreciate.
Initially, I wrote FireButt all on my Mac. I worked on it every few months until I finished the last of it by mid-2016. FireFrei began in 2020 and I would write sporadically, with no deadline and just writing as the inspiration struck me. This also meant fighting writer’s block.
I’ve drawn closer to FireFrei. I’ve begun to plan my approach for writing the 3rd book. Personally, my goal will be to write a chapter, no matter how big or small, at least once a month. I want to avoid the hiatuses of Berserk. I want to avoid the indecisiveness and procrastination levels of ADHD that George R.R. Martin has given to his A Song Of Ice & Fire’s Winds of Winter/Dream of Spring. I aspire more of a Hirohiko Araki approach from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, particularly his run since Steel Ball Run. No matter how elaborate or brief, every month he put a chapter out for all to enjoy.
That is a goal I can work towards in 2025. I feel like, in turn, it’ll improve productivity but also keep my mind fresh with the storytelling. The biggest pitfall I’ve discovered with writing as the inspiration comes is that I often have to backtrack. I have to see how far the story has come and re-familiarize myself with my own material. This helps avoid contradictions or forgetting events that should be consequential later in the story.
It’s paramount for me to stay true to myself as an artist. I want people to see my work for what it is. I love to use my graphics tablet to touch up my uploaded artwork. However, there’s a DIY, raw aspect to me that longs to reduce the editing. Instead, I’m opting to colorize the art I create while it’s on paper. I want that sense of “this is straight from where he drew this at the moment” feel to my art. As time marches on, I find the need to make my mark. I don’t want to be just another author with multiple artists. Doing both would make me yet another comic/manga wannabe. It’s necessary to do things in a way that has my signature on it as best possible.
In the meantime, I’ll be enjoying the 2024 Game Awards tomorrow. Crossing fingers that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree makes a clean sweep of all their nominations. I want to see fans of other games in those categories reel with agony for my own amusement.
