tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1316304517419933962024-02-18T22:51:05.363-05:00Art ThiefArt Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-42700385044924984632017-01-19T02:08:00.004-05:002017-01-19T02:11:21.258-05:002017 UPDATE: NANOWRIMO and more...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After completing NaNoWriMo in November, I took a writing hiatus in December (for the holidays and work... mainly, work). The start of the new year has brought a little more time, but work is still demanding most of my attention. I have also started piano and French lessons, so practicing has eaten up much of the newly available time (though, French has been sacrificed for work recently). Writing, on the other hand, has not.<br />
<br />
Though I have not made huge progress, I have written every day of 2017. I didn't make a resolution, it all started more organically. I began writing the first few days because I had told myself that I would get back to it once the new year hit and I was no longer working two contracts, then I realized that I hadn't gone a day without writing <i>something</i>, even if it was not directly related to my WriMo book (which I am still about 25 000 away from completing). So now, each day, I ask myself: is this the first day we don't write? It is proving to be a powerful motivator (as I sit in my chair writing this a mere 8 hours before I have to leave for work and about 20 mins after I got home from work). I evaluate my day and decided whether it was strenuous enough to justify not writing. I'm sure that day will come, but so far, this year, it has not.<br />
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NaNoWriMo went well. I tweeted my progress throughout the month which caught the attention of CBC Metro Morning producers, who contacted my and gave me a spot on the show to talk about the experience. It was pretty awesome and my first major interview as a writer. I was over the moon and extremely nervous - cue imposter syndrome - but I made it through and got a lot of positvie feedback from people who were listening. Hopefully, next time it will be for my published book.<br />
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The book is nearing completion, though I am now a firm believer that you should write your first draft in a single go; taking a break kills your momentum. That is the reason I'm writing this post and not finishing the last pages when I'm so close to the finish line. Oh well, it will all come. Knowing that I have lost momentum, I have given up trying to make the story flow. There are points left in my outline that I'm just writing out of context, then I'll "fix it in post" as they say in film. Draft two will involve a lot of cutting and pasting (both figuratively and literally). I often print out copies and then go to town with scissors and tape to get an new draft,; it helps me see the holes in the story and easily discard things that aren't working without hitting that dreaded "delete" key. I keep a file of all the unused pieces just in case they make a reappearance in a later draft - they never do.<br />
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So, that's what's been up in my life. Oh yeah, also in December, I wrote a short story which I illustrated, so it wasn't a complete hiatus. It was quite unintentional. I finished seeing my therapist and wrote a little story as a tribute to her, which turned out better than I imagined. I could see it so vividly that I had to put those visuals on paper. Here are some prelim sketches to wet your palate:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIPP0TCEhL3M9MY3LW3-U2lY1h0yg3SJ6gabalLxuCtVd_4_ksoSTBCQp43bRE7dnLTPXgs1jWWc0445_3zCyhnvxkdTBIaAMStZaI3gWA3zWV2bD2Wc-cOuiwr_zZLAon-Y6cZuU0jPC/s1600/15541356_10157902561050440_5260832701951898342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIPP0TCEhL3M9MY3LW3-U2lY1h0yg3SJ6gabalLxuCtVd_4_ksoSTBCQp43bRE7dnLTPXgs1jWWc0445_3zCyhnvxkdTBIaAMStZaI3gWA3zWV2bD2Wc-cOuiwr_zZLAon-Y6cZuU0jPC/s200/15541356_10157902561050440_5260832701951898342_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_z-cAGilyBk2NLOXcvLq4PYNlq1GPPJylS-9GCzAQvkZnyQnmDrltG3m7BtwIMYBA0Zw84YR4rehjH2YLvZ7N_8_-H8pCJpW490z9NyX_4F3nHXtMnUx-_p-_TmX7Kig3pZCXgI6hB9n/s1600/15439994_10157902561265440_8073104600951591845_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_z-cAGilyBk2NLOXcvLq4PYNlq1GPPJylS-9GCzAQvkZnyQnmDrltG3m7BtwIMYBA0Zw84YR4rehjH2YLvZ7N_8_-H8pCJpW490z9NyX_4F3nHXtMnUx-_p-_TmX7Kig3pZCXgI6hB9n/s200/15439994_10157902561265440_8073104600951591845_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz875zVIBDQS8ydhqxe4nx0tVl9E58WITRxFNaUIFf9a6Jcv9iFsRBrGwX50SJ5W7KzruKFn6d_ySWNlQcdj_sRnZ0q1k1LrZnzbem92eRtR7R3Ld5nBXf-ND828AuWU39wJKeufjOJNe/s1600/15390853_10157902561150440_8733678084141091859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz875zVIBDQS8ydhqxe4nx0tVl9E58WITRxFNaUIFf9a6Jcv9iFsRBrGwX50SJ5W7KzruKFn6d_ySWNlQcdj_sRnZ0q1k1LrZnzbem92eRtR7R3Ld5nBXf-ND828AuWU39wJKeufjOJNe/s200/15390853_10157902561150440_8733678084141091859_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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So much still to do. Updates will follow... eventually...</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-14846450592607063062016-11-04T00:15:00.001-04:002016-11-04T00:15:45.129-04:00#IAMWOMAN - HEAR ME ROAR!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So... along with NaNoWriMo, I've found myself advocating the female voice this week, which is kind of cool.<br />
For the first time, I decided not to keep my opinions to myself and my inner circle and went public with my post calling out the sexist treatment of women in regards to sex and contraception. As someone who was taught from a young age to silence her voice, it is exhilarating to finally be exercising it.<br />
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Follow along the comment war, where I attempt to use my "mad word skillz" to bash down gender inequality! #IAmWoman #WillNotBeSilenced (I feel like I'm boxing!)<br />
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Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-31587343916822878382016-08-26T00:44:00.001-04:002016-10-26T16:36:40.110-04:00DAILY SENTENCES: Week of Aug 19/16<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week, my sentences are focusing on describing setting and atmosphere.<br />
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<u>Friday, August 19, 2016</u><br />
The mist hung like a pale shroud over the world. Only the tree was clear. Everything else looked as if it were being viewed through an old, dusty window; distant and ghostly.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Saturday, August 20, 2016</u><br />
The pages fought to fold back, but were carefully tucked under the plate, so she could eat breakfast without losing a moment with her book. Inspiration was contained within and the need to eat was not going to deprive her of a moment's worth of hunting. Juice from the Govenor's sauce dripped swamp green on the pages, as she pulled the green tomatoes from the jar. "Hard to find green tomatoes. Have to get the farmers to grow them special," the voice of Tom, the owner of the farmhouse that makes her preserves, echoed through her head. Each time she went in, he would tell her the same old stories, but the preserves were so good that she never tired of hearing them. Every once in a while, Tom would drop in a new nugget about his life. He had been a carpenter, until he met Ruby, then preserves became his life. She was thankful they did, she thought as she laddled more of the Governor's Sauce onto her breakfast. The cat howling at the door broke her reverie.<br />
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<u>Sunday, August 21, 2016</u><br />
Sometimes, when the summer has been long and dry, the world exhales at the rain. Everything slows, things stay inside and you all sit and enjoy the rain and the life it brings with it. Last night, Gord Downie played his last concert 20 miles down the road in Kingston. The weather was hot and the breeze was strong and warm. The air was electric. The entire country vibrated. This moring, it wept and sat in comfortable silence as the rain covered the earth in a country's joyful sorrow.<br />
<br />
It's these, the quiet moments. The ones that last forever. Silent and still. A pause in time, where you can just exhale. The sound of the river after the storm. Bows and flows of angel hair. The sunset shiloouetting the horizon. Once, right now, just sit. And breathe.<br />
<br />
<u>Monday, August 22, 2016</u><br />
The <i>sssst</i> of the candle caught her attention. Pupils wide. Gaze affixed to the flickering light. I watched anxiously to see if she decides to pounce. Another sound pulls her focus and she is across the room, crawling in cupboards and nooks. She disappears until I call her back again. Who knows what mischief she can get into out of sight.<br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday, August 23, 2016</u><br />
The sound of crickets and some other humming bug filled the night air, as she turned out the light. A cool breeze wafted through the open window, but not enough to justify the wool socks she wore. 'Don't disturb the cat,' she thought, as her feet began to throb from heat. She longed for an off-switch for the insect cacophony; whoever said 'nautre is peaceful,' lied.<br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday, August 24, 2016</u><br />
It was too early to sleep, yet too late to start a new chore. The vacuum lay in the middle of the living room floor. Cat fur still carpeting the rug. The cat sat atop the luggage, as if to say, "can we go home now?" She looked around at her new woodland sanctuary and pressed the duct tape back onto the wall, where it held the wood panels together. "Yup, this will do just fine."<br />
<br />
<u>Thursday, August 25, 2016</u><br />
The pink heels sat on the shelf above the door collecting dust, waiting for an event that had yet to come. The house smelled of stale cat food. Recent rain had left the air damp and sticky, and ripe with unfavourable odors. Yellow light blanketed the room, coming from an old touch-lamp in the corner. She often wondered why that fad had died out, it seemed so practical. The bed was hard, but she didn't seem to mind. It was a place to lay her head. She wrestled with finding a balance between blankets and sheets in the cool but humid night; she had to account for the 8lbs of fur that would inevitably drape itself over her already bare legs. </div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-77567930787646903892015-09-23T01:50:00.004-04:002015-09-23T01:51:20.461-04:00RANTS & RAMBLES - The 2 Word Rule<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don’t know about you, but I often find it hard to
develop good writing habits, especially because I work contract work, so my
schedule varies greatly from week to week.
It is impossible for me to set-up a consistent writing routine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently, I have been trying what I’m calling the “2 Word
Rule”. Less a rule and more a commitment
(yay, semantics!!!). I have decided that
each day, I just need to add two words to any piece of writing I’m working on. If I do that, then I have been successful and
can celebrate my accomplishment for the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m sure there are some writers out there reading this,
scoffing at the idea that a “true writer” would settle for only two words per
day. How amateur… Well, to those people
I say, “shove it!” Writing is hard and
the easiest thing for a writer to do is to crap all over themselves for not
achieving as much as they thought they would or thinking that what they’ve done
is garbage. Writers are notoriously hard
on themselves (more so than any critic could ever be). Often writers tank themselves before they
even get started. I know, I’ve been
there, I’m still there. I look at the
number of things I’ve written and still think I’m a hack who doesn’t know any
better. Then, I read a bunch of
published garbage and get down that I can write better than that and still I’m
not published. I don’t need any more
help to tell me that I’m not a writer.
What I do need is the encouragement to keep writing – and not
necessarily from other people, but from myself.
This is when I made the two word bargain with myself.<br>
</div></div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2015/09/rants-rambles-2-word-rule.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-75064231555792632652015-06-23T15:35:00.002-04:002015-06-23T15:36:01.622-04:00SPIDER WARS: Episode #4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<u>On the Last Episode of Spider Wars:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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Septimus had conquered the O’Hare homeland after the
invader Rufus had drawn the O’Hare army to the north. O’Hare had retreated to regroup in the Rainy
Plains, while Rufus was smitten by the beast of the Underworld.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Today on Spider Wars:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Wasting away in the Rainy Plains, O’Hare appeals to the
mercy of the Beings of the Underworld to purge O’Hare territory of the usurper,
Septimus, before the rains return.
Hearing his pleas, the Beings send a gale force wind against Septimus’
army. Septimus, angered by the Beings’
wrath, charge for to the Underworld only to be met by the guardian,
Ripplestiltskin. After an intense
battle, Septimus returned to the Ceiling, bruised and bloodied, eventually
succumbing to his wounds. O’Hare, weak
from enduring the Plains’ storms, passed, leaving his army in the charge of his
daughter, Twyla.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-80119238074698072052015-06-23T15:13:00.004-04:002015-06-23T15:16:23.387-04:00SPIDER WARS: Episode #3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<u>On the last Episode of Spider Wars:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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Septimus had retreated to his own territory on the other
side of the mirror after a crushing defeat by O’Hare’s army. The O’Hare homeland was once again secure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Today on Spider Wars:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
Another intruder appears in the washroom, encroaching on
the outer limits of no man’s lamp into northern O’Hare country. As O’Hare leads his army to fend off Rufus’ invaders
in the north, Septimus regroups and launches a full scale siege of O’Hare
homeland. O’Hare, left without the
strength to reclaim his native soil, retreats to the Rainy Plains. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the
ceiling and Rufus was crushed to death and wild beasts fed on his remains.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-82978994945413587832014-10-16T00:16:00.001-04:002014-11-08T11:39:45.416-05:00Professor Cormac's Guide to Growing - THE ALPHABET<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey! Here it is! The first book that I fully wrote and illustrated myself. Now available online! WOOT! Enjoy! <br />
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<a data-bindattr-59="59" href="http://blur.by/1uknwsI" style="margin: 12px 3px;" target="_blank"><script id="metamorph-212-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Professor Cormac's Guide to Growing - The Alphabet<script id="metamorph-212-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script> by <script id="metamorph-213-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>AJ Laflamme<script id="metamorph-213-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a><br />
|<br />
<a data-bindattr-60="60" href="http://www.blurb.com/landing_pages/bookshow" style="margin: 12px 3px;" target="_blank"><script id="metamorph-214-start" type="text/x-placeholder"></script>Make Your Own Book<script id="metamorph-214-end" type="text/x-placeholder"></script></a></div>
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<br /></div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-35199916076283294232014-08-28T12:11:00.002-04:002014-08-28T12:12:57.728-04:00GLOBAL MINDFULNESS - Or Why I Won't Be Participating In The Ice Bucket Challenge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Recently, I re-shared this photo on Facebook:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMBLmCxCFIgSNBBSyLp-DDI3KNoDys7tdCH9jpblUKDYIz3juO9Km3ApJm0yxedtgQ93FDYxCkVHCmUBO0eOmbn_IXY8PzlhRPxuxz9Vn9nB8vhCwqRTZWa4VtrTZh4JiypKNP-Pvki2i/s1600/10443271_10152338975036943_4344565406729176135_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMBLmCxCFIgSNBBSyLp-DDI3KNoDys7tdCH9jpblUKDYIz3juO9Km3ApJm0yxedtgQ93FDYxCkVHCmUBO0eOmbn_IXY8PzlhRPxuxz9Vn9nB8vhCwqRTZWa4VtrTZh4JiypKNP-Pvki2i/s1600/10443271_10152338975036943_4344565406729176135_o.jpg" height="334" width="640"></a></div>
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I received some backlash from friends about it,
emphasizing the need for ALS to receive charitable funding and that I shouldn’t
be promoting one charity as more deserving of funding than another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can see how this could be the perception given from
this photo, but in fact it is a statement of statistics – open to
interpretation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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First, I would like to state that ALS is a shockingly
horrifying disease that strips the sufferer of all dignity and causes extreme
hardship on the families of those affected by it. It DOES deserve funding and a cure! Never have I begrudged the donations being
made to research into the disease. For
more information on ALS or to make a donation, go to <a href="https://www.als.ca/">https://www.als.ca/</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The reason I posted this image was because it provided an
opportunity to raise global mindfulness.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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When is the last time you flushed your toilet and thought
“I just defecated into 3.5 gallons of fresh, clean drinking water”? If the answer isn’t “all the time”, then that
is why I posted this photo. The argument
can be made that because of our plumbing, we can’t choose to exclusively have
dirty water go to our toilets, but much like my reasons for posting the image,
that is not the point. The point is
awareness. We should be conscious of the
impact our actions have on the planet. We
need to think about what we are doing as we do it!<br>
</div></div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2014/08/global-mindfulness-or-why-i-wont-be.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-69972914049389059522014-08-23T19:17:00.003-04:002014-08-23T19:18:10.221-04:00WRITING SNIPPET - The Sun In The Trees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I sit here, I see the sunlight on the trees and I'm taken away. The green is so vibrant that it reminds me of the moments before dusk in some tropical country, where I have been awestruck by the vivacity of the greens against a bright blue sky. The sun highlighting rich tones that lie invisible at the height of day. I'm in cottage country in northern Canada in August, but I could very well be sitting in my lovely hostel in the Ecuadorian rainforest. It is usually a scent that will take me travelling to another time or place, but tonight, tonight, it is the way the sun hit the trees. It was there for the briefest of moments and then as the world turns, it is gone and I am back to where I am. Time travel complete. But I was there...</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-1948829534542829322014-08-09T00:08:00.000-04:002014-10-17T19:10:25.979-04:00HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE FROM MY CAT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As I lay here tonight<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think of you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of how you sometimes leap into my arms<o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite yourself<o:p></o:p></div>
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How you stay there and purr<o:p></o:p></div>
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Half purr<o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite yourself<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because I’m holding you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because I love you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because despite yourself<o:p></o:p></div>
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You love me<o:p></o:p></div>
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You love being close to me<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even when you don’t like being held<o:p></o:p></div>
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You like that I’m near<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Despite not liking what I do<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You like that I want to hold you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Even if you don’t want to be held<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You let me hold you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You complain but never bite<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Because<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Despite yourself<o:p></o:p></div>
You’d rather be in my arms than anywhere else.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-80250837534535333872014-06-24T17:57:00.000-04:002014-06-24T17:58:13.450-04:00LEVEL UP #1 - Master of the Wash Cloth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Recently, I have been traveling and staying with friends
who are gracious enough to provide me with towels and wash cloths for
bathing. I had brought my own towel and
loofa for when I was staying in hostels, but have opted to take advantage of the
kindness of my friends and use that things they offered. This posed a problem. People have moved from bar soap and wash
cloths (the bathing system I used while growing up) to body wash and
loofas. The problem occurs when you try
and merge the systems. How do you get a
good lather using a wash cloth with body wash?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This has plagued
me on previous journeys, yet they have always been brief enough that repeated
applications of the body wash to the wash cloth has sufficed for overall
washing coverage. It was only today that
I mastered the art of proper wash cloth/body wash lather!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For this, I have been awarded a Life Skill Level Up! When using bar soap, you usually envelope the
soap in the wash cloth until you work up sufficient lather, then release the
soap to whence it came. Body wash is
trickier. To reach full lather
potential, I applied an ample amount of body wash to the cloth (approximately
the size of a Canadian Loonie – the size of a quarter just won’t cut it) and
then went about the same process of rubbing the wash cloth until it was
frothing with lather. This was enough to
remain sudsy for the entirety of the shower (well, at least the part where I
was washing myself).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I now feel like I am the Master of the Bath!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(PS – Random Observation: Mint Body Wash is really
popular in the UK!)<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-29121652203005396012014-05-10T09:18:00.001-04:002014-07-07T10:26:32.250-04:00A Cat Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up and asked my cat today, “Why do you keep living?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said, “For the sun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up and asked my cat today, “Why do you keep living?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said, “For the full moon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up and asked my cat today, “Why do you keep living?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She said, “For the mouse I chase.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did this for many more days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And she said, “For the birds out the window. For naps in the afternoon. For a scratch behind the ear. For a lap to call my own. For snowfalls, for rain. For the afternoon breeze and smells in the
evening. For the sound of the world and
silence at night. For the bug on the
radiator and water in the sink. For the leaves
in the fall and flowers in the spring.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But those are such simple things.” I replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is the simple things that make life worth living.” She
answered. “If I live only for big moments,
I miss the beauty of the small ones.
Happiness is found in the little things, like sitting in the sun or grass
beneath your feet. We must remember, we
are small creatures.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are very wise, my cat.” I said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am very simple.” She replied. “Will you play with me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There are many things to do today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you play with me?” She asked again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I haven’t much time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Will you play with me?” she said for a third time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, I will play.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And we did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-27439749434355373032014-03-19T09:59:00.003-04:002014-03-19T09:59:59.922-04:00RANTS & RAMBLES - Misrepresentation of What This Guy Did...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
To understand what I'm ranting about, you will have to read/view this pictorial article on EyeOpening.info (it's really short):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.eyeopening.info/2014/03/18/guy-started-nothing-just-6-weeks-later-amazing/#.UykTEvldVUA">http://www.eyeopening.info/2014/03/18/guy-started-nothing-just-6-weeks-later-amazing/#.UykTEvldVUA</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now for my rant...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My problem is with how this post is named (because it is simply not true!): “This Guy Started
with Nothing. What he had just 6 weeks
later is amazing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->A.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A couple lines into the article it says: “With a
Thai friend’s guidance, his son-in-law’s masonry skills and a lot of work, the
team made progress quickly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What part of “a Thai friend’s guidance” and “his
son-in-law’s masonry skills” are <u>nothing</u>? Clearly, that is <i>something</i>. Those are both
two very important things to have to build a wonderful house from scratch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->B.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The SECOND line of the article is: “When Steve
Areen thought about building his dream home, all he had to do was find $9,000
and a place to build.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->He had to find <b>$9,000</b>! NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS! – That is ALSO not <u>nothing</u>. That is $9,000. It’s not like he built it out of found
materials. Sure, the next time I have
$9,000, I will move down to Thailand to build my wonder hut. Which brings me to my next point…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->C.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What is he doing in Thailand anyway? I’m sure he is employed in some way –
otherwise, where did he get $9,000 to build his house. Also, he had to GET to Thailand – that must
have cost money as well, unless he fashioned a boat out of sticks and navigated
down, or walked (or, if he is a native of Thailand – he lives in Thailand! Materials & labour are sooooo much cheaper
down there. The rest of us who live in places with things called Labour Laws may have a harder time finding land and money to do the same.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->D.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I still think the house he built is super cool
and deserves the attention, but SERIOUSLY, the guy did not start with
NOTHING! He knew some people and had
some contacts and made it happen for cheap.
Still pretty cool, but not something the bum on the street corner can go
do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->E.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Also, who designed the thing? The article doesn’t mention that or how much
that cost… unless the dude is an architect (in which case, excellent education
is also not nothing – that is a very valuable <b>something</b>). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In short – this guy did not start out with <u>NOTHING</u>. It should be named "Look at the super cool house that this well-educated resourceful man with lots of cool contacts used his savings to build" (but I realize that may not be as catchy). Let's actually evaluate what it means to have <u style="font-style: italic;">nothing</u> and start putting the proper value on the things we do have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-76715775750986392222014-03-17T21:02:00.000-04:002014-03-17T21:02:36.929-04:00A MOVABLE FEAST - Ernest Hemingway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Okay, so I’ve been neglecting this blog for a bit and
focusing my attentions on other projects, which was wrong and I’m sorry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Things have been pretty intense for me over the past
while (you can read more about that at <a href="http://www.myyearwithoutsex.ca/">www.myyearwithoutsex.ca</a>)
and I have had trouble making myself sit down to write. In fact, I have barely been writing at all
(even my other projects are suffering).
This thing that I love to do so much, I have just been avoiding. I guess we all go through periods like this,
but I think I have been mildly self-sabotaging.
I focused on getting my writing going last year and it started to
succeed, so what do I do, I stop.
Typical me. I’m trying to move
past that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Anyhoo, that’s not the point of this post, but it is a
bit of an explanation. The point is: I’m
back. And I just finished reading <i>A Movable Feast</i> by Ernest
Hemingway. This is a great place at
which to jump back in because Hemingway is my FAVOURITE authour. I’ve mentioned this in other posts, but I
realize now that I have failed to actually write about Hemingway and his
influences on my writing in any real way in this blog. Crazy pants!<br>
</div></div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2014/03/a-movable-feast-ernest-hemingway.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-8782183501641515932014-01-27T23:23:00.003-05:002014-01-27T23:24:00.827-05:0015 Minute Update #5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey!<br />
<br />
So, it's been a while. Things have been crazy with work. I've had the extreme pleasure of working on the Canadian Stage hit-sensation <i>London Road</i>, playing until February 9, 2014 at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto. If you get a chance to catch this wonderful creation by Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork, you will not be sorry!<br />
<br />
For more information go to:<br />
<a href="http://www.candianstage.com/">www.candianstage.com</a><br />
<br />
Also, Mike Ellis and I have started our own YouTube channel called Eleven Oh-Four.<br />
<br />
Inspired by Mental Floss and Vlog Brothers by John & Hank Green, Mike and I started a similar list-themed channel where we post videos to each other weekly. Mike and I used to have writing meeting each week via Skype where were would discuss the projects we were working on and throw ideas back and forth for future things. It was a brainstorming/catch-up/inspiration type chat which always led to hilarity (as things usually do when Mike and I get together).<br />
<br />
Whenever I go under contract for a new show, we find it hard to arrange a time we can meet - this is where the idea for Eleven Oh-Four came from. In lieu of an actual Skype meeting, Mike and I could keep the dialogue going even during the busy periods. As well, it would give us some exposure.<br />
<br />
Why Eleven Oh-Four? Well, thanks for asking! We would always have our Skype meetings at 11:04am. This came out of me always missing our 10am meetings and a witty banter back and forth between Mike and I while attempting to arrange a better time. I suggest 10:45, Mike came back with 10:52, I responded with 11:01:30 and Mike finished with 11:04, so that was the time we would meet (and yes, we did usually wait until 11:04 to dial - that's just how we roll).<br />
<br />
After discussing the concept for the channel (I'm a HUGE John & Hank Green fan, so of course I wanted to be like them!), we decided that doing lists of 11 things in 4 minutes would work out well and fit the name. Thus, Eleven Oh-Four was born!<br />
<br />
Please check out our videos and subscribe to the channel!! You can find us here:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfimfkOQWwApFvIAH0O_Lng">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfimfkOQWwApFvIAH0O_Lng</a><br />
<br />
So that's what's been up in my world lately. Trying to improve on my Twitter-ing, but writing-wise, Eleven Oh-Four is the biggest thing that Art Thief has been working on. I'm still keeping up with <a href="http://www.yearwithoutsex.ca/">www.yearwithoutsex.ca</a> as well. Also, the new book in the Little Logan Series has been printed. I guess I have been kind of busy. Anyhoo, I'll try to get Logan up ASAP and I'm working on finishing Professor Cormac. Just keep chipping away!<br />
<br />
Thanks so much!</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-78104680219939286142013-11-20T22:51:00.001-05:002013-11-22T10:36:02.255-05:0015 Minute Update #4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, my goal of 1000 words a day fell off the rails at the end of last week. Car trouble and out-of-town visits put a hiccup in my schedule and I'm not quite at the point in my career that my routine accounts for writing while on the road. Anyhoo, excuses...<br />
<br />
Today, I was engrossed in the art for the first children's book that I'm illustrating myself. Exciting!!!<br />
<br />
The book is called: <i>Professor Cormac's Guide to Growing: The Alphabet</i>. It is an instructional series of books about all the things you need to know while growing up. The second book will deal with numbers. This is my first attempt at drawing in probably about 20 years. I'm pretty pumped about the way it is turning out.<br />
<br />
Recently, I purchased a new laptop (named "Narnia") with a touchscreen. Being a luddite, I never thought I would get much use out of the touchscreen (I have trouble using my touch phone still), but once I conceived this book, it offered the key to completing the illustrations myself.<br />
<br />
I have finished penciling the drawings and have begun digitizing (word?) the images. They are all scanned and ready to go.<br />
<br />
Here is one of my favourite sketches:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MLNF1A0PEnS2wBAtnKhU4Wn1VjVuobg8kfnyIsB092QL8Pzafj0u0NKCf9U6SoPPkzos2In2xsIAZRpk1DHM6lxC_J5EpSRl5slZ7hX66uL1tSShPx-MU44-Bqv9WcUtzVxCZLoDwttX/s1600/M-N.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MLNF1A0PEnS2wBAtnKhU4Wn1VjVuobg8kfnyIsB092QL8Pzafj0u0NKCf9U6SoPPkzos2In2xsIAZRpk1DHM6lxC_J5EpSRl5slZ7hX66uL1tSShPx-MU44-Bqv9WcUtzVxCZLoDwttX/s640/M-N.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Created by AJ Laflamme (Text: "Most magpies make money making movies; Neither nifty nightingales nor notorious newts notice.")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is the first full page that is ready for press and the sketch it was based off:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl-Rsr2XO8ZYXpRE05f-zOoG4y6N7kFMlE0OiEBgiMrcK3ChgmHfYymgLZ7tFtDJ3akN3DXW6kZt6inNcMjSCdTrSjUmsv-Oe7MafE385Vjyu-eXk_dTNH_K15gUkDst99Gx1JiWaugN3/s1600/Page+2+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl-Rsr2XO8ZYXpRE05f-zOoG4y6N7kFMlE0OiEBgiMrcK3ChgmHfYymgLZ7tFtDJ3akN3DXW6kZt6inNcMjSCdTrSjUmsv-Oe7MafE385Vjyu-eXk_dTNH_K15gUkDst99Gx1JiWaugN3/s640/Page+2+v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Created by AJ Laflamme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5B1J9MIgyIHtStAXTBv-OCDunoxdxhxZRoWnlLpk7rp8F0y1Bt4sVqn2a9PQ5XAz3bDMjuddnkG5L2AUbXOPB46WT-d0EcXIjFbXaKey0DGN35xTQYrWBFpKC0RKwpfCenU9DioqWMR_/s1600/B-C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5B1J9MIgyIHtStAXTBv-OCDunoxdxhxZRoWnlLpk7rp8F0y1Bt4sVqn2a9PQ5XAz3bDMjuddnkG5L2AUbXOPB46WT-d0EcXIjFbXaKey0DGN35xTQYrWBFpKC0RKwpfCenU9DioqWMR_/s640/B-C.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Created by AJ Laflamme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also bought an awesome stylus, so I can draw directly on the screen.</div>
<br />
So, though I did not "write" 1000 words today, I'm counting the work I've done on this book as 1000 words worth of effort. Also, this book needs to get done (Cormac is now 1 yr old). I'm hoping that once I'm back at work, I will be able to get back into a writing routine. We shall see, but for now, this is a lot of fun! <br />
<br />
So, that's what I've been working on!<br />
<br />
Until next time...</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-39304714924223106802013-11-11T21:37:00.003-05:002013-11-11T21:37:52.691-05:00ON WRITING - Stephen King (Redux)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Recently, I’ve been reading <i>On Writing</i> by Stephen King, which is WONDERFUL!!! I am about the biggest chicken you will ever
meet, so I have read a total on one (1) Stephen King book (this will be my
second), so I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Stephen King fan, except, I am
(especially after this book). His
writing is so honest and accessible. <i>Under the Dome</i> is the only other book I’ve
read by him and I devoured it. Many more
of his works are now on my unending reading list after <i>On Writing</i>, but that’s not relevant to this post.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Every writer of fiction should read this book. It is refreshing and hopeful. Many of my greatest fears have been soothed
by reading about the humble beginnings of one of the century’s most well-known authours. Not only this, he shares his process –
invaluable.</div>
</div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2013/11/on-writing-stephen-king-redux.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-75168121496984720532013-11-05T16:54:00.000-05:002013-11-05T16:54:23.814-05:0015 Minute Update #3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey! So, it's November and I'm between contracts right now, which means it's writer time!!! (Kind of like "Miller Time" but with writing.)<br />
<br />
November is writing month. I have a new draft of <i>Empty Boxes</i> and it will be performed this coming Friday & Saturday (November 8 & 9) at Theatre Starts in Aurora, ON. For more information on that, please check out their website at:<br />
<a href="http://www.theatrestarts.com/">http://www.theatrestarts.com/</a><br />
<br />
Also, I've set a new goal for myself. I have to write 1000 words each day. So far it has been going fairly well. I have been hitting between 1500-2000 words each day (except yesterday). I find it quite the stretch to get to 500-600 words, but then suddenly, I find myself sitting at 1200 with so much more to go. It has been really motivating. I have also imposed rules that I'm not allowed to watch TV (or any video) or smoke until I have completed my writing. Now, I'm just a casual smoker, but by the end of the day, I really want one, so I either get to writing or go to bed and hope for better results the next day. Either way, it's a win-win for me - writing gets done or I don't smoke (which is a filthy habit). <br />
<br />
I've started into my first real attempt at a novel. I've tried other novels before, but I get about 3-4 pages in and then never touch them again. This one I feel has better groundwork to start, so we'll see. Also, this writing quota is really helping. When I don't feel like updating this blog or <a href="http://myyearwithoutsex.ca/">MyYearWithoutSex.ca</a>, I pick up the novel and plug away at it. It's great!<br />
<br />
Also, I've been focusing on furthering my professional development. Every morning I'm reading 2 chapters of <i>The Elements of Style</i> by Strunk & White - which is touted as the holy grail of writing style manuals (so I thought I better take a peek at it). As well, my leisure reading has been <i>On Writing</i> by Stephen King, which has been more than extremely inspirational. I'm filled with confidence and motivation. <br />
<br />
So, that's what's been up in my world! I'll post some bits from <i>A Man and His Dog</i> (my novel) soon.</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-90418694971408905492013-11-03T18:19:00.002-05:002013-11-03T19:58:51.601-05:00IN DEFENSE OF STAGE MANAGERS - Al Franklin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know this blog is dedicated to writing and inspiration
for writing, but the place I find the most inspiration for my creative pursuits
is through my “day job” as a stage manager.
Stage managing is a delicate and tricky business, yet many people have
no clue what a stage manager actually does.
From family to close friends to people I’ve just met, I most commonly
get introduced or asked about my life as a “stage director” - a very different
thing. To clarify, I usually describe
the job as the person who wears the headset backstage and makes all the sound
and lights go – a gross oversimplification of the job, but at least it puts me
in the correct context of the production.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br></div>
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Recently, I came across a letter written by Al Franklin,
the Production Manager for Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. The letter was entitled <i>In Defense of Stage Managers</i> and went on to explain why stage
managers are essential collaborators and artists in the theatrical
process. For those who are only learning
what a stage manager is now, at times you come across a person who holds the perception
that a stage manager is little more than the secretary of a production and has nothing
to contribute creatively to the process.
This post is not about saying why that is a misconception, but how my
life as a stage manager feeds and fosters me creatively. It is something I’ve been intending on writing
for a while and this happens to be my catalyst.
Franklin’s letter eloquently describes many of my own feelings toward
the art of stage managing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br></div>
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The letter can be viewed on the “Stage Managers Say Go”
blog listed here:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://stagemanagerssaygo.tumblr.com/post/63593303441/are-stage-managers-artists">http://stagemanagerssaygo.tumblr.com/post/63593303441/are-stage-managers-artists</a></div>
</div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2013/11/in-defense-of-stage-managers-al-franklin.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-55832609775090581502013-10-28T12:07:00.002-04:002013-10-28T12:07:51.876-04:00A Simple Love Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
They met and were attracted to each other. They got to know each other and were in love. They decided to take care of each other until the day they died and did. The end.</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-10000519363504265232013-10-07T22:29:00.002-04:002013-10-07T22:29:44.181-04:00RISE AND SHINE - The Guardian, Oliver Burkeman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, this morning I saw this article posted by a friend on Facebook (God bless, Facebook for being my primary source of news information). It is about the habits of some very successful creative minds (including my hero - Ernest Hemingway). As you, the reader, may have noticed by my lack of posts in recent months, I have fallen out of my regular writing routine; I have even been avoiding filling out my writing calendar because it has been so depressing (even though I really do have lots to write about - let's go back and look at <a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2013/06/rants-rambles-on-fear.html" target="_blank">my post on Fear</a> to figure out what's happening in my brain...). Well, this article (much like <a href="http://austinkleon.com/" target="_blank">Kleon's book</a>) gave me a kick in the butt (once I actually got around to reading it this evening). So, hopefully it will do the same for you. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/daily-rituals-creative-minds-mason-currey">http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/daily-rituals-creative-minds-mason-currey</a><br />
<br />
Also tonight, I updated my other blog, which you can find <a href="http://www.myyearwithoutsex.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-36933604280762739652013-09-30T14:53:00.000-04:002013-11-05T16:54:42.615-05:0015 Minute Update #2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, exciting news! Theatre Starts in Aurora has selected <i>Empty Boxes</i> as their show for the Writer's Springboard November Series. You will be able to catch 2 staged readings on November 8 & 10! I'll be working with a dramaturge to develop the script even further and work out some of the kinks. Stay tuned for more information!<br />
<br />
Art Thief :)</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-11389927605736649972013-07-23T09:40:00.002-04:002013-07-23T09:40:47.883-04:00Art Thief Philosophy Moment #1 - The Game of Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
The tricky thing about the <i>Game of Life</i> is that those that are playing to win, rarely do. They focus on amassing the most stuff, but it is the person that amasses the most happiness that actually wins. With our culture, we have equated <i>things</i> with happiness, but this is false. It is a trick of the game. The man who can be happy with very little will find the most happiness. No one is keeping score at the end. It is the joy we amass along the way. The deeds we do for others. The love we spread through the world. Those are the things the amount to much in this game. Those who keep their heads down and race forward miss the beauty of the sky. They are constantly reaching for the road immediately ahead of them, but that road never changes and never ends. The road to happiness is hidden among the stars and only by sitting very still and looking up will you ever find it.</div>
</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-26393363682263949852013-07-22T12:03:00.002-04:002013-07-22T12:03:47.972-04:00Loneliest Girl in the World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You've put me in a cage<br />
Locked me away<br />
I'm the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
Cast aside<br />
Without a friend<br />
I'm the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
I'm a savage<br />
I'm an animal<br />
I live for survival<br />
<br />
Don't draw near<br />
My claws are out<br />
I will bite<br />
<br />
No one sees<br />
No one knows<br />
I'm the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
Nothing I do<br />
Can ever show<br />
I'm the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
I scream<br />
I shout<br />
I claw<br />
I bite<br />
I tear<br />
And rage<br />
And explode<br />
<br />
I'm the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
Where do I go<br />
Whatever I do<br />
I'm still the loneliest girl in the world<br />
<br />
Will anyone ever see<br />
Can you know<br />
Stop and look<br />
Won't you please<br />
See the loneliest girl in the world.</div>
Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131630451741993396.post-19162427530828347692013-07-19T10:23:00.004-04:002013-07-19T10:34:40.208-04:009 Things I Learned About Having a Play Produced<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA">Recently,
I had the privilege to work with some amazing artists on the production of <i>Empty Boxes</i>, a play I wrote back in
2006. This was the first time my solo
work was being produced and we were doing it completely on our own accord. Naturally, we had some major learning moments
presented to us along the way. In the
spirit of this blog, here are the things I learned working as a playwright:</span></div>
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<b>1. BE ON THE SAME PAGE AS THE DIRECTOR</b></div>
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This is probably the most important of these
lessons. Before you start into the
process, you should sit down with your director and review the script and each
of your individual visions for the piece.
You absolutely have to be on the same page as your director from the
beginning; if not, you are begging for conflict later in the process. Make sure that you are clear about important
moments during these initial conversations (especially if those moments are
happening in stage directions). The
director may not stage them exactly as you had in your mind, but if they know
the meaning behind why you wrote it like that, they can stay true to the
essence of the action. This type of
understanding can only come out of in-depth discussions without the other
artists in the room. Having these
conversations early will also develop the relationship and dialogue for giving
notes about the piece during the rehearsal process.</div>
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<b>2. FIGHT FOR YOUR WORK</b></div>
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“No one knows the script better than you” was advice I
received from Jason Sherman and through the process of <i>Empty Boxes</i>, I learned the truth of that statement. In my day job as a stage manager, it is a
cardinal sin to give your opinion about the direction of a piece (without being
asked directly by the director, and even then, you walk a fine line). Keeping my mouth shut during the rehearsal
process is a trait that in heavily engrained in my soul, so flipping over to
the side of the playwright, where my opinion not only expected, but necessary,
was difficult (to say the least). There
were times during the process that I didn’t fight as hard as I should have for
specific things that I wrote in, thinking that the director had his vision and
I should respect that. I didn’t want to
over step my bounds. But, the tricky
thing with a new work is that for the first time out, the audience is expecting
to see the playwright’s vision more than the director’s. They don’t know the show, so they think this
is what the playwright wrote; so as the playwright, if there is something that
doesn’t sit well with you , it is your job to stand up and say so. This doesn’t need to be a confrontation, but
you can explain why something is important to the arc of the story. Which brings me to...</div>
</div><a href="http://www.artbytheft.com/2013/07/9-things-i-learned-about-having-play.html#more">Read more »</a>Art Thiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11637453990589084555noreply@blogger.com1