A song that I've really grown to love in the past few days.

It's by a band called Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. 'Home' has been featured in an NFL commercial and I think a movie soundtrack. They're not a true country western band, but the lead singer grew up listening to Johnny Cash and Patsy Kline. And they're played on David Letterman and were at Bonaroo.

And I normally do not like anything that resembles country western but this song has won me over and I just feel so much inspiration from it.

The Plot Book

I recently read an article through the Twitter feed Advice to Writers about the plot book vs. the writer's notebook. All this time, I thought I kept things in a notebook when it turned out, I've been keeping a plot book since 2005. I found out I am a fairly organized person, a real 'a place for everything and everything in its place' kinda guy...well, in writing at least.

Can't say the same for my closet. Haha.

I know some people who can just hit the keyboard and spew forth chapter after chapter. And I can honestly say, I can't do that. I can't blindly charge into a story.

I look at writing like I'm an architect. I'm setting out to build something. A story, with characters that need to be cared for, with dialogue reserved just for them and a setting that is as carefully crafted as a Michelangelo sculpture. As an architect, I'm really trying to strive for beauty as well as near perfection...but most importantly, as an architect, I need my work to stand on its own.

Therefore, I live by the plot book. I'm currently on my third one. And it's been a real trial and error process, as my first plot book, despite having so many ideas, was just all over the place...I wrote notes within other notes, and I would now need several hours to sift through the garbage to get to the gold.

Now, as I work on my third, I've gone to the trouble of splitting it into sections and numbering each page. I've got a section for plot ideas, a section for names I would consider for characters, places, things, I've got a section for notes and a section for miscellaneous items like title ideas. And it is a nice small size, something I can throw into my pack and go.

So, using a plot book, I intend on keeping all my ideas on paper, with possible chapter-by-chapter steps and guidelines. It will also record my thought process as well.

Years ago, as an art student, an instructor tried the same method with drawing and painting and I remember groaning, going how much I just wanted to immerse myself into a project and not think. Now, I see why he devised that plan. And the same has applied to my writing.

If you can dive headfirst into writing a story, more power to you. But if you're struggling to get through, then I highly recommend the plot book. Just a few dollars at any Target!

Starting Over

Okay, I decided to restart my blog for the third time. I'm not really sure what or how but I'll figure it out over time. Basically, I'm starting over based on the advice that a blog should just reflect who you are. And as much fun as it was, giving out advice, I found that I wasn't following it myself.

So, if this blog is a reflection of me...then let's just start with the basics and not-so-basics...

1: I used to want to be an artist...for the longest time too...only in recent years did I find out I had a deeper passion for writing.

2: Despite not being into art, I would like to get back into it, but just for me. I would like to have an online art gallery in the future.

3: I'll admit...I have so many regrets...but what guy doesn't? I just try to let go of the past...so what happens when the past won't let go of me?

4: I'm addicted to Twitter...but Tumblr confuses the hell out of me.

5: I have a very unique taste in music, as I seem to like bands and acts that nobody has really heard of...for the most part, I love Indie Rock and 1990s Alternative Rock. Bands like the Gin Blossoms, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Sponge, all rest on my iPod playlist. I also love acts like Phoenix, Matt & Kim and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

6: Speaking of music, if anyone remembers the annoying song "Blue" by Eiffle 65...I actually enjoyed the album and wish they had selected anything else other than that awful song. Funny how that works, it's the same with Vampire Weekend, I don't like their single but I enjoy the rest.

7: Back to the regrets thing...even though my life hasn't turned out the way I had hoped...I am thankful for the people I've met, the friends I've made and the family that I have left.

8: I tend to mask my emotions, it's an old habit and now, I can't seem to stop it...some see this as me not being myself and I apologize.

9: I love cars and yet, I'm still learning about them. I've learned more about driving from the anime 'Initial D' then from anyone else.

10: I know I have a problem with social media addiction and I know I need to put an end to it...what a time to restart my blog, huh?

11: At times, I wonder what my life would be like had I pursued my interests in law, marine biology, criminology, history, graphic design or even teaching...but then I think, I probably wouldn't have had as many ideas if I went down those pasts.

12: I always wondered about being a drummer...but time playing Rock Band pretty much killed that fantasy.

13: I hate how smart phones have taken over so many people my age and have reduced us to chimps stuck in a digital loop. What happened to the days when men worked on cars?

14: I've been to Boston twice, and I left my heart there.

15: Honestly, I feel like the little boat in The Perfect Storm...at the part where that giant wave is about to engulf it. But...can't really explain it, I still feel optimistic.

16. Get to know me. I'm pretty amazing.