Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Just another cog in the comic industry.

Hello everyone,

Today I've been feeling rather discouraged. It's been some time now that I have been going strong with everything that I am doing, but it seems as though a few things have caught some snags. More importantly I've come to the realization that writers in the comic industry are greatly unappreciated by artists and major companies, but more importantly rendered rather useless. I suppose I've been just trying to block it out as much as possible, but the skin is wearing thin.

It becomes difficult to compete in an industry where not many people are actually willing to work together to put something through, especially in an industry that requires you to work with many people to form a great creation.

I feel as though I am just another cog in this war machine, whether I do anything at all really doesn't matter in this industry because I am just a writer with some art background, or so they say. In the end it really just makes you question the motives of not only other people, but of yourself.

I just want to know if I am the only one who feels this way.

This is Sean signing out.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Softened Heart

Hey everyone,

It's been rough these past couple years to say the least, but like everyone else, issues are always lingering. Which is actually a great thing, well for me anyways. It sounds silly, but honestly, I think with out a lot of these issues reminding me to be humble, caring, understanding and sympathetic , I would probably end up being the most egotistical grouch on this side of the planet.

This morning I woke up feeling happy, yet sad at the same time. I suppose that sounds a bit bi-polar, but these feelings feel true none the less. It's difficult for me because I haven't really experienced that joy or happiness in awhile. Not the typical joy or happiness, like " oh awesome! I just found a $100.00 bill on the ground!" No no, it's more like, a peace. Something that I haven't felt since I was kid. The words that came to me immediately were "It's like the water that reflects the face, so the heart reflects the man."

My heart has definitely softened over these past couple of years, learning a lot. I knew what my goal was, and I am still aiming for it, but I can safely say it's now for the right purposes. I was speaking with my brother-in-law yesterday about facts pertaining to our society and just people in general. It has come to our attention that the change has started, in us. Which is good.

Two very bitter, selfish, egotistical and very angry nature type of people that have begun to open their heart to the word "empathy". A word I rarely ever enjoyed using. In other words, I have found finally what I am looking for and I can now move on to step two. It's that answer that I have been seeking for so long.

That answer is more of a truth. We, ( referring to everyone in society, including myself ) tend to put ourselves in a specific rank. We look at things as "this must be done because this is what was said and must be done." I have found out two things this past year. One, money is replaceable, time isn't. Two, we are all children, a bunch of kids hanging out on the playground. If things are really looked at this way, it seems rather silly how these issues become. Children when having issues with each other or something that is important to them, they will work together and are quick to forgive each other. " I'm sorry charlie, I didn't mean to break your toy" or "I'm sorry Beth, here, you can play with mine." The concept children have is so simple, but it is perfect.

Even everyday issues like financial means, stresses over deadlines. " You can do it charlie! Those monkey bars look scary, but you can do it!" or " Jack, you don't have to be so mean to us, there is enough room for you to come and play with us too." These are concepts as adults that we forget and then become hard to fathom.

My conclusion, I would rather play with my time wisely and re-learn the concepts that children provide us with today. Have a great day everyone, and remember play nice, the game was made for fun.

This is Sean signing out.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

More than a thought, More like a feeling

Hey Everyone,

It's nice to see everyone has such an interest in my blog here. I appreciate you, the reader, coming out and reading what I have here on this website. This is probably one of the only areas where I can truly express my feeling and thought, aside from my fiction stories. I just wanted to take this time and thank you for being here, taking time out of your life to experience a little piece of mine.

Thank You, it really does mean a lot.

Today has been a strange day and most definitely a strange night. Things from the past have come back, really great memories. Some bad, but more so great. Talk about a very comforting feeling, something I haven't had in over eight years. I don't want to go into to much detail on this feeling or what has happened, but I can safely say I have some inner peace tonight. I will definitely be sleeping well.


With that being the topic, it can be difficult at times to look at our past in our present, in other words something right there in front of us from many years ago. Whether it be good or bad, it can be difficult regardless what state someone is in, especially if you had an emotional connection with that moment in the past with whomever or whatever it may be.

Something that I have realized facing this and experiencing this now is that everything will be okay, no matter what has happened or what happens in the future, even what may be happening right now. No matter what the circumstances are, that situation that may haunt you, or may even bring you a great memory that is no longer there or will no longer ever be again, it's alright.

You as the person have not only moved forward through your success and failures in life, but are a stronger person for even facing such a thing. Not only that, but the understanding, knowing that you are not who you once were, better or for worse, is a great thing. The change of it all, is great. If you end up beating yourself up over something, or listen to that lingering memory, you will only remain stationary and not move at all.

Closing this here, it's okay to move forward and it's okay to still remember those times, but more importantly it's okay to be happy with who you are and what makes you, you.

I want you to do something. I got some very wise advice from someone who plays a major influence in my life right now, very close to me. He had said, " You know, every morning I was told that when I wake up, I was supposed to look in the mirror and say good morning until I meant it; it really does make you feel a lot better about yourself. You need to love yourself in order to love others and push through, and leave all of the past behind you. It's the past. Look to a new light." Go look in the mirror when you wake up tomorrow and tell yourself "Good morning" until you mean it. You may notice a change in your day and a change with your outlook of those memories. You are epic, no matter what was said.

This is Sean signing out.



Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Angry like a Hulk

Hello Everyone,

I've had a lot on my mind today, and yesterday. The topic in this post is going to be blind rage. An anger that is not only scary, but dangerous to the person who has it, as well as those who around that person. I find that Blind Rage is very difficult to control, like a Hulk. Something to really set you mind into a question is this, Does someone with a blind rage have control? More importantly, how does someone know if they suffer from this "blind rage" .

I can safely say, I know what "blind rage" is by experience. Blind rage is basically someone who can become very angry and everything that they love, feel compassion for, cherish is removed from their sight. Blind rage is exactly as the words state, It is Blind and there is a lot of rage. An anger that bellows deep within.

In a realistic view, a hulk is much more real then someone may think. When someone becomes this angry, there is no real control over thoughts, feeling or anything of this sort. A berserker takes over and is thirsty for blood. For many years, and especially now this has been an issue I have suffered with. Knowing that I have no control is not a good thing, admitting it however is a great thing, which is why I write. I insert all of that anger, rage, and threatening feelings deep into my writing. If not writing, then my gaming. It's a great stress relief as well as a great way to pour out that rage.

However, it does scare me to know that other "hulks" are out there off their chain. Chain referring to their positive stress relief, rage relief. Not only is this scary, but it's truthfully life threatening to those who don't know how to battle a hulk. As a hulk speaking through this post, I hope those other hulks out there are reading my words clearly.

As a Hulk you shouldn't be ashamed to admit that you are one, anger, depression , addictions and many other things consume people every day, we are all human. That is something we can't change. The good news however, is we don't have to hang on to it, you can let it go. This however is up to you.

A great way to test yourself, is to take something very small, and work with it. Let's say you have this irritation with how someone sitting next to you in a lobby is clicking their pen, and it is literally driving you mad, mad to the point that you just want to take that noisy clicker and use it as a weapon of mass destruction upon them.

Instead, why not introduce yourself to them, shake their hand and tell them a little bit about what you do. If they aren't interested in meeting you, that's fine, at the very least you did something great and turned a negative into a positive. On a better note though, the clicking has stopped! Fantastic!

Wrapping this up here, it's okay to admit you're a blind raged hulk and that you do need some sort of support, from either your friend or your family. Life is way to short, and living angry all the time is a great way to waste what precious time you have left.

This is Sean Signing out.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Artists and Writers. Who needs them?

Hello everyone!

So today I just finished some of my own writing, and my own artwork and I am feeling very satisfied. However, I stumbled across a post today online that rubbed me the wrong way. It went something like this " Writers need Artists" . The reason this rubbed me the wrong way is mainly because of how this was said. It's true, writers do need artists, if they are creating a comic book. Artists do need writers if they are expecting professional content throughout their stories, web content and promotions.

How this was said though, is it was belittling writers. Feeling a little belittled and underestimated by this post, I can safely say that writers and artists both need to come together within the comic industry. Without either you don't have a very good title. A great script can't hold up terrible art and terrible art will never be able to hold a great story. There has been success on both sides, but that title didn't always continue.

The craft of writing is much more then just writing comic scripts and screen plays. I find that a lot of people don't consider this when speaking in terms of creating a solid title. Sure, the art is great and amazing to look at, but without the writer you just have the art. The story is what is suppose to bring life to the comic, if not then it can just become a book. Sure it requires more work on the writers end, but that option is available.

Of course the artist can just do pin-ups and such and also shine that way too. I must clarify though that both an artist and a writer don't absolutely need each other. Both of them can stand on their own very well. It's when they come together is when magic happens and a rush of excitement and a thrilling ride is thrown at the audience and readers that make them go "WOW" .

I personally read comics, the key word here is read. Although I can marvel at the artwork and do have a deep appreciation for it, if the story isn't great, I won't touch it. However, there are others who read comics strictly for the art work. The story to them is alright but the "wow factor" comes from the art.

To end this here, being both an artist and a writer, neither should be under estimated in the comic industry. They both have a lot to bring to the table in creating something amazing.

This is Sean signing out.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

A fresh idea.Spawn? The Umbra Flame?

Hello everyone!

I am right now sitting at my desk here mulling over the spawn stories, series, mini series and just the name in general. As a writer I have found it very difficult to put some of my works up here, but this is quite possibly the most difficult of all. Why? Mainly because of my own creations.

I rarely ever choose to talk about my creations because I feel as though I may come off as "trying to boost the ego" or "too full of himself". I was given some advice today by someone who made a lot of sense. "Don't be afraid of rejection, it's all about how well you can climb back up the tree once you have fallen." Right now I am going to talk about one of my heroes, The Umbra Flame. How is this any relation to Spawn? This has a lot of relation to Spawn, seeing how Todd McFarlane and Spawn are the inspiration for this character.

I have been a huge Spawn fan for only God knows how long. There came a point in my life where I had thought none of my creations would ever see the light of day, so I closed up shop and moved here to Texas and found myself working in a fast food place a ways down the road from where I had lived.

I thought "this was it", then of course I met my wife had a child and settled down. I worked at that fast food place for sometime, however with marriage and a baby on the way things changed. I "matured" and found myself leaving this fast food place to get a better job. Great! Well that's what I had thought at the time. It was in telecommunication, definitely not fun, not tolerable either so I left.

Finally a door opened into the graphic and web design world. By walking through that door I stumbled back onto some old writings. These writings have now lead me here speaking to you now. Again how does this relate to spawn? Well as of now, I am sitting here again, now more matured in my ways of thinking and have found myself reading again, the spawn series. In admiring Spawn and McFarlane, I have produced The Umbra Flame. The Umbra Flame is similar to Spawn, but there is a difference, he's from heaven, oh and he's from Texas.

Have I caught your interest? I hope so. Originally I was going to work The Umbra Flame into a Spawn character setting and set up some fan fiction and hopefully send it off to Todd McFarlane himself, in the hopes that he likes it. Then White Mane made a break through. Although it is interesting how most of my heroes are created around a similar setting to Spawn. Maybe someday I will send The Umbra Flame to Todd and maybe someday he may message back, someday.

These are of course all of my fantasies and me breaking out of the shell a little bit to introduce you into my life and emotions even more.

What happens when a Spawn meets a Flame? Chaos. What happens when a Spawn teams up with a Flame? Justice. To be so evil where both heaven and hell turn on you, you know you're doing something wrong. Knowing that I hold the copyright to the umbra flame I have to say is pretty epic, but will he see the light of day? Let's hope so.

If it so happens that things happen this way, wonderful! If not, I can safely see that you will still see The Umbra Flame regardless of what the original intention was for him.

If you want to know more about this character, feel free to comment here on the blog or you can message me on face book.

To end this here, the only thing I can really say is don't let your dreams go. If you have let them go, find and catch them. Hold on to them through the storm,because you never know what you may find on the other side.

This is Sean signing out.

What do you REALLY want?

Hey Everyone!

Today's topic is following on the same topic in the last post, just taking a different path. As we are talking about writing and other forms of entertainment, movies, video games and comic books, we all want something different yet on par with what we know.

When I read comic books, books, play video games or even watch movies I expect a lot out of any of them, close to a perfection, otherwise they wouldn't be where they are right? Wrong. Sadly, there is a lot of publicized entertainment, that should have never been publicized to begin with. Taking that deeper and questioning myself, am I right? In a general opinion, no. Why? The main reason for this is because we do live in a democracy and majority rules.

I will take one of my favorite authors and stories, J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien and his works had the most amazing depth I have ever seen and read. There is so much more to Tolkien's works then just Lord of the Rings however. In fact, he wrote so much more that when he has passed from this earth, he left it to his children. Sadly, only his youngest son Christopher Tolkien had picked up the works. Seeing how Christopher had picked up the works of his father, a lot of the fans were angry and upset because he was touching something "sacred" even though his father wanted people to add on to the world. Tolkien himself had said " This world that has been created is far from perfect" and knew that others would add in their own stories, races and feeling into it.

Another one of my favorite authors and stories is C.S. Lewis and the works of Narnia. C.S. Lewis delivered something on another level of deep magnitude. He brought to life a fantasy world that can only be seen through a child's mind. Seeing how then, it wasn't sociably acceptable at the time for a grown man to be stuck in a fantasy world. In fact, during that time you were nothing but a joke and considered less of a man. Aside from those times, things change and now these are classics and have a huge following.

Let's move off the topic of books and dive into video games. Video games is another story form that has always caught me in a trap of lore. I will take the World of Warcraft as an example. Despite what the game has turned into today ( nothing but a sickly filled competition filled with egos that pride themselves over gear that do not matter and will change within another year ) Warcraft has a very deep lore. The story is so deep in fact, that Blizzard could probably add another twelve expansions. Yes! I said twelve. To our knowledge, this is only what is available online, who knows what else they have stock piled up within the office and mind of Chris Metzen.

With all of this said, a lot of things seem to fall short for me without a deep line of story, and a captivating emotion. The first time I saw the battle of helms deep in the movie Lord of the rings on the big screen, I had an over powering rage that I wanted to jump through the screen and start busting heads of orcs and goblins. Or in Warcraft, as of recently my favorite leaders Thrall and Vol'Jin were going through some dastardly times, it made me want to pick up an axe and lob it into the face of Garrosh Hellscream and claim the throne of the warchief. ( This change has actually forced me to the alliance, which I am now thoroughly enjoying the storyline of the Worgen, I highly recommend checking it out if you haven't yet. )


Concluding this post, this is what I look for in a story. Although there are many more stories that I thoroughly enjoy. Spawn, Batman, Trigun, Deathnote, this is just to name a few.

My question now is what do YOU look for in a story? In lore? What emotions drive you?

Feel free to post here on the blog, I am looking forward to seeing your responses.

This is Sean signing out.