Fictional Skies

This year I have developed a profound appreciation for Batman as a character, origin story and franchise... and yet, he is nothing without the villains of Gotham City. This is character creation at its finest. Bruce Wayne is a man that refuses to move on from a tragedy suffered in childhood. Each villain in the Rogues Gallery exposes a particular weakness or dangerous belief within Batman. He is constantly fighting the kind of scum that got his parents killed. What this tells us is that not only is the opposition character key to the success of your story but this main character flaw or belief turned desire that prevents closure and moving on. The best of Bruce Wayne / Batman exists in the second act and within this vicious cycle of hero vs. villain. That's where the franchise excels. If there was no Batman in Gotham City would the villains be as grand? Perhaps they need Batman the same way he needs them. They help enhance each other's value, skill and ambition. The B...

Relationships. Family. Work. Goals. Mindset. No matter how much we try to create a productive lifestyle and ideals to live and work by chances are we may end up drifting off that path from time to time. Much like life, our story projects (and writing goals) are in transition too. Some we simply outgrow or avoid out of doubt or fear. Some we connect with on a deeper level. Some may be leading us astray or are just for fun. Life is about change and varied experience. Not so much about having everything figured out and less about living in regret. It's about embracing the change and uncertainty. This will enhance our effectiveness in life and our stories. "Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality."  - Nikos Kazantzakis

Calvin's approach to writing is a general beginner or non-writer view on writing: Waiting for inspiration before doing any work . It's not completely wrong. You do need inspiration in order to come up with a great idea to write and to fill it with fresh and exciting ideas, characters and scenes. But you don't need it to get started; and definitely not to continue. It's said that "the professional doesn't wait for inspiration and writes no matter the weather." If they didn't not much work would get done - and what's the use in that. Inspiration is a fantastic feeling to behold and it transforms your mood and writing session, not to mention, your writing project. It can even transform your life. However, it's not meant to occur everyday and hold your hand until your story is complete. In other words, you don't need it to get your story done. Writing is a trade - a craft that occasionally rises to the level of art. There are bas...

The story of Facebook and its rise and rise and rise fascinates. Most success stories and personal achievements inspire, but this one is different. That has only deepened over the last week as I received The Social Network on rental and have watched it four times. That includes 2 x film watch, 1 x with David Fincher commentary and 1 x with Aaron Sorkin & cast commentary. Even after four watches, I am more drawn to and compelled by the film than ever - as well as the origin of Facebook's success story, filmmaking, the industry, business and people in general. Ultimately it's about people: their personalities and desires; their talents and flaws; their failures and achievements. Everyone is the same under the surface but different and fascinating in their construct and actions. As writers, the more we experience, observe and learn about people the more informed, realistic and powerful our writing becomes. Facebook's Success  Ultimately what I feel the succe...