Bryan Lee O'Malley on Youtube

 

I found this video on Youtube today. It's nice to hear one of my favorite authors speak about how he went about putting his amazing Scott Pilgrim series together. It was also nice to hear him talk about the connection between the book and the movie. I have to agree with O'Malley, the ending in his book series was much better than the ending in the movie (although the movie is great). What do you think?

I am in the process of starting a book myself and it's comforting to hear an author as successful as him talk about the twists and turns his book took while writing it. Like how it was supposed to be one book and turned into six and how one evil ex turned into seven. I'm inspired to get my book in gear. I can't wait to see the twists and turns my writing is going to take. Maybe I'll write a series. Maybe my book will become a major motion picture. Maybe not. Guess for now I should worry about getting past the first page.

Craig Thompson on Facebook?

I have to say, I love Craig Thompson. A combination of his book, Blankets and Bryan Lee O'Malley's works made me want to be a graphic novelist, myself.  I was excited to discover his Facebook page today. My first impression was that the cover photo is awesome (featuring artwork from his book, Habibi).

Overall, it's a pretty good page, maintained by his publisher. It has a short biography, that included nothing I didn't already know about him. It also included a mighty impressive list of awards he has recieved. It's not an overly active page, Craig Thompson included some notes from when he was on tour last year and there was only one post on the page about a book festival he spoke at. There were a few interesting photos on his page, including a picture of an awesome poster with Craig Thompson art on it. I wish I had found his page sooner, as I would've known that Craig Thompson did signings at one of my favorite comic book stores in NYC. Guess I'll have to keep checking for next time.

Writing With Notebooks

I'll admit I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to technology. When I read a book, I want a physical copy. If I want to go shopping, I drive to the store. So naturally when I want to write a new song, poem or story, I get out my trusty notebook and pen.

Computer written documents are soulless. You cannot see the ten times I crossed out a sentence and rewrote it, the tear stains, or the messy scribble of guitar tabs written along the sides of the page. I grow emotional attachments to my notebooks. Each one I've finished, represents a different chapter of my life.

I recently finished a notebook, filled with some of the most emotionally charged pieces I've ever written. This notebook was the product of a shattered heart. It's a mess, and illegible at times. I've held on to this notebook and heartbreak for so long, I honestly struggled to let it go and start fresh.

That is why I recommend using a notebook to write down your ideas. A word document is too neat and unemotional. It's too easy to delete your mistakes. Sometimes it takes 12 pages of drafts, single sentences and half written songs to finish one good song. It seems like a waste of paper but time after time, I look back through those 'would have been backspaced' pages and find a sentence or verse worth writing more about.

So get a notebook, let it get messy, doodle on the sides, keep it with you everywhere you go. And have fun:)

In honor of the drunk guy who barged into my apartment at 4 am to profess his love for my roommate, I've scoured my notebook to find a little something about love and heartbreak..

Take me to the bottom,
You can take me anywhere,
I'd rather be your burden
Than another empty chair.
Why sink alone, If we could sink hand in hand?

If you go straight to hell
I will follow you there,
Not like a stalker,
More like a beggar.
Could you spare some affection for this homeless heart?

I'm sick of playing cat and mouse,
I must accept I could never catch you now.
Is this love? I have my doubts.

If you end up at the gallows
I'll put the noose around my neck.
There's no sin that you've committed
That I haven't already matched.
I maybe uninvited, but I won't turn my back.

No more cat and mouse,
I cannot catch you now.
I wanted to love you,
but love has doubts.

Bio

Hi. I'm Kathryn or Katie or Kat, whatever you like. I live in Boston, though my heart will always belong to my New Hampshire roots. I play piano, guitar, draw like a 6 year old and have an unhealthy obsession with my Game Boy.

I'm still in school, pursuing a degree in non-fiction writing. Writing is my passion, my safe place and at times, even my sanity. I write a little bit of everything; lyrics, fiction pieces, comics about the joys and pains of daily life. Everything.

I invite you to join me as I blog through my brightest and darkest of days. Enjoy:)