Not on the surface, but there is no doubt a growing fissure between my writing and my music. And it really couldn’t come at a worse time as both are producing results never achieved before. And I am not known for the ability to juggle multiple mediums.
Now, a brief history:
Over the past year I’ve mustered a fairly momentous effort to, for lack of a better term, “break in” to the comic book biz in some capacity. With the kind, helpful words of my unofficial mentor, super-scribe Cullen Bunn–writer of the much-lauded series “The Damned” published by Oni Press, art courtesy the sickening talent of Brian Hurtt–I went to work on a number of scripts and scoured the ‘net for any artist willing to collaborate for free. Also of huge significance was the assistance and advice of current DC heavyweight Jeremy Haun who lead me to various websites of like-minded individuals. As a result of my efforts I pumped out a few short scripts, one of which was accepted for publishing in the UK magazine “Future Quake” which should be out sometime later this year. Later while perusing a comic creator-related forum I met a very talented artist, Jonathan Brandon Sawyer, with whom I’m collaborating with on a few projects. Toss in the bevy of new ideas for scripts/stories I’ve gathered in the past year and I’d say it’s been a fairly productive period in relation to comics.
But, right as I was getting into the swing of scribing regularly, one of my long-time friends, his nephew–now a good friend of mine too–and I started a band, something we’ve always longed to do. Since starting a couple months ago we’ve performed numerous open mics, played our first paid gig at a big venue and just got a second show lined up with hopefully more in the works. It seems to be taking off and I couldn’t be happier, but it’s obvious that my writing has slackened because of it. A solution has yet to present itself.
Various options have gone through my head like taking a break from all structured writing and sticking to conceptualizing only, but I can’t help but think that’d be a waste of the effort I’ve put forth to sharpen my pen, so to speak. Currently, I’ve got an 8page script, near completion, that’ll be the first collaboration with Mr. Sawyer, but it’s taken me far too long to get this much done. I’m loving the script and the premise, but I just don’t want make him wait again on future scripts and like I said, I’m not sure whether it’s better to take a break from the writing or try to plunk through it when I can.
Hopefully, upon moving into my new place and securing a more dependable job I’ll be able to focus my efforts. As it is, my wandering mind isn’t doing anyone a service.
