RuPaul Reminds Me We Are Different, But Connected

I just finished reading an interview with RuPaul on Vulture. The article is fun and entertaining, but a couple of points were brought up that got me thinking: have I figured it out yet?

Let me bullet the points which caught my attention:

·       "I don't really care about the younger generation. The truth is, they're on their own. They'll figure it out."

·       "Because you get to a point where if you're smart and you're sensitive, you see how this all works on this planet. It's like when Dorothy looks behind the curtain. Like, 'Wait a minute. You're the wizard?' And you figure out the hoax."

The article revolves around the drag-scene, and well worth the read even if, like me, you're nowhere near the drag scene. So, how the hell does RuPaul connect with me? His matter-of-fact presentation that we are responsible for our own destinies. And lately, I've been fighting myself with where I fit into it all.

I'm a straight, white male. In the American narrative, I'm a figurative boogeyman because of how I was born. It feels like, to be accepted, I must agree 100% with feminists, the LGBTQ community, atheists, and the government. I've tried, and I've tried to fight against everybody. In neither case did I find who I am, or what direction to run in. Am I ruined?

NO! And neither are you. The world would be a horrid place if everybody agreed on everything. We would, in essence, be robots. Yuck. I mean cyborgs would be cool, maybe. But not a robot. If you run into a thought or process you don't agree with, you are not required to change. You can stick to your guns.

Sticking to My Guns

I haven't worked a 9-5 job in over two years. I decided to write stories instead. In those two-plus years, I've released 3 stories. In financial terms, they were utter flops. To make money, I began freelance writing; and tried to turn it into a viable business. My family is living off a single, always-there, income plus whatever I manage to dredge up. For a while, I felt like a complete failure. I stuck with it, hoping it was just a slump.

The failures continued to stack, I swam into depression, and started doing little in the way of finding business. Finally, I told my friends and family I had failed…it's time to join the 9-5 club once again. Several agreed, vehemently. "Dude, it's way past time. I'm proud of you for making this decision." I don't talk to these people anymore. All they look at is the financial side of things. All they see are missing dollar signs and a guy who "just isn't hungry enough to make it."

The friends and family who matter, my tribe if you will, are the ones who lifted me up. Those who said, "Yeah, sure, get a job. But don't give up on your stories." The ones who guided me away from depression by explaining something I had not seen: I didn't fail. I tried and didn't reach certain goals. I wrote three stories, and published them. That was the original goal! To write stories and share them with the world. I get to call myself an author, even if I'm an author who hasn't reached his stretch goals yet.

Did I fail to start a business? Yeah, okay, I'll accede to that truth. However, I get to stand at the forefront of people who wrote a novel, edited it, poured over it night and day, and turned it into something worth reading. Okay, I'm biased. I admit that, too.

Other Lessons

In failing to start a business, I learned a few more truths. I don't care to write other people's narratives for them. I love stories. Corporate numbers and algorithms and ROI are not interesting to me. If they wanted me to write a blog focusing on the successes of their customers or employees, that would be interesting. Another keyword-infested article about random product A-Z? No.

I also realized that nobody has to care about you. It's not their job to look over you, make sure you're doing what you need to succeed. For most of us, there is a dreadfully short list of people that care about our success. The job of earning what we want, and finding our personal truths, belongs to ourselves. Our journeys are of finding individualism, and its place within the narrative that keeps society going. And being civil to each other during, and after, the process.

The hoax that permeates the world is that, in our individualism, we are separate from each other. The journey is about finding ourselves, but joining into the whole as we come to understand. Understand what?

The individual person is a divided part of the whole. We were never meant to be separated. We aren't supposed to suffer when in contact with the whole. Right now it seems, each of us is the wizard hiding behind the curtain. We've been tricked into vying for control in order to feel safe. I don't need to agree with you 100%, and I don't want to. Different ideas aren't walls, they are dots in a mosaic, single notes in the World Song. But, I can't tell you. You need to figure it out for yourself. I wish you well.

James Neal is the author of three stories:

Of Blood and Blade;

a dark fantasy novel on Amazon

Paints the Invisible Eye;

a dark fantasy novella on Amazon &

Divine Right (linked to Smashwords); a free fantasy short story available on Smashwords, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and other digital bookstores.

I'm social! Join me on:

Twitter

Facebook

Tumblr

LinkedIn

That Pit of Depression

I’m falling, failing, faltering. Looking in from the outside, I’m sure it appears I’ve given up. Maybe, for a little while there, I did.

Climbing up is more difficult than falling down. Ambition doesn’t mean much when you’re covered in mud, and tears only make the climb slippery. So you grit your teeth, you feel your muscles tearing, and you just hope you can stay where you are…and not fall further down. Getting higher up is impossible, it hurts too much. Somehow, it’s nobler clinging to this one spot, than to take the hand of anybody offering help. I’m staying here on my own, don’t need no help.

It’s all bullshit, of course. You’re not taking care of yourself covered in mud, wanting to cry but not willing to show you’re in honest trouble. It’s not even that you’re lying to your friends and family. The guilt comes from knowing the lies you tell are aimed at you. The guilt is understanding the epicenter of all your woes is…you.

I’m fairly certain this is some form of depression. I’ve gone through it before, but not for this long. I also know that if I get just one win, in this case, a paycheck that doesn’t bounce, I’ll bounce back up.

I’m not telling this story to garner sympathy for the boy who just can’t do it. Instead, I want others who feel the same to find this, read it, and realize they aren’t alone in that pit. That’s what it is, the pit out of which you’re trying to climb…rather, a pit you’re trying not to fall further into and being impaled on the spikes below.

I want to get out. I want to be happy. If you’re in that pit with me, let’s talk. Maybe you have a stronger rope than I do. Maybe I can tell you stories that will embolden you to start climbing. Or, we can just hang here and simply not have to be alone anymore.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye and Divine Right).

He’s also on social media, so are political candidates, but we digress. Click to join on:

                                      

Facbook

Twitter

G+

Tumblr

The Bullied Have Proven to Be Bullies, Too

Image from The Karate Kid (1984), owned by Columbia Pictures

bully: (verb) to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer. -(dictionary.com)

The idea of bullying is being denounced by the majority of all American groups these days. Calls to end bullying and to teach the hows and whys of not bullying can be found anywhere, within any group, all across these beautiful American states.

So why are some people in these same groups using bullying as a process for getting their point across?

·       Feminists (oral/ print): Feminists have, over the course of time, changed the language in America to make it less oppressive to the female gender. Which is fine, great in fact, until you realize that some feminists use language to hold men in a word-prison. A man who disagrees on any point with a feminist can expect to reprimanded, if not outright attacked, in a flurry of insults and, if we’re honest, brutal disrespect.

·       African-Americans (oral/ print, violence): Some have been making videos calling for the stalking, hunting, and/ or murder of white people and police officers.

·       White People (any): White people still have to own up to having too many racists, misogynists, and republican extremists in their midst. –disclaimer: I’m white

·       LGBTQ (oral/ print, violence): Hell could not be more scary than saying something (many times accidentally) offensive to the transgender community. What is the typical reaction? Immediate berating, insults, and demands from the offended person’s community. Many times, the gay and lesbian communities react the same way.

·       The Seculars (oral/ print): The secular communities in America don’t tend to get physical, but the hell if they’ll let you forget what an ignorant ass you are if you believe in the “invisible man in the sky.” If you don’t adhere to strict, hard science, you’re going to hear/ read their feelings about you…over and over and over and over and over and over…

Now, keep in mind we’re talking about the bullies in these groups. Not one single group listed holds a 100% bully membership. However, 100% of the bullies in each group are more than willing to force you to hear them, adhere to their rules, and intimidate you into silence if you disagree with their views.

Why is everybody calling for an end to bullying, yet using bully tactics when faced with something they disagree with? Do you remember when you were being bullied? How did you feel?

Why do you expect the person you’ve started bullying to react any differently than you?

According to the litany of literature I’ve read (online) about bullying, you’re being a bully anytime you make fun of somebody else’s beliefs, grief them for their ideals, or intimidate those of a different discourse than your own.

Image from The Simpsons, owned by Fox Broadcasting

Every time you insult somebody, you’re a bully. Each blanket statement about a particular group is not only bullying, but also wrong. When you post something on social media about another groups failings, you’re not helping, you’re being a bully.

Even as you wail about how the bullies should leave you alone.

Think about that.

Every coin has two sides, but the bullying coin has no winners, regardless of whether heads or tails lands face up.

Thanks for reading, and take care of each other.

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, just like cats, but we digress. Click to join him on:

Facbook

Twitter

G+

Tumblr

The 8 Necessary Character Roles in Fiction

You have the onerous task of creating a world, filling it with believable characters, and telling a damn good story. Hey, nobody said writing a story was easy.

I’ve written about Worldbuilding before, in 3 parts here, here, and here. Today, I want to introduce you to 8 necessary roles needed to flesh out your characters.

The 8 Necessary Character Roles:

Protagonist: Usually the main character. This is the character with a problem that

must be solved, but to do so must get past or through a series of obstacles.

Antagonist: This is the character working directly against your protagonist. Many times, the antagonist is just as able as your main character, and many times his or her exact opposite. For the antagonist to remain compelling, he or she must have as much care taken in creating a backstory, reasoning, and desires as the protagonist.

Mentor: Plays the “outside conscience” of your protagonist. His or her voice encapsulates the lesson of the story as well as the theme. While it may be tempting to make the mentor perfect, there is great drama available when the teacher/ moral compass is also flawed.

Tempter: This is the antagonist’s right hand. The tempter spends his or her time manipulating your protagonist away from the story goal or to go against the theme you’re presenting in the story. While this sounds like the job of the antagonist (and very well can be*), having another character who is part of your protagonist’s close group can prove just as exciting, and again, there is drama to be found here.

Sidekick: Throughout the course of your story, your protagonist should come against incredible odds. The sidekick can have several jobs. The main one is being an unwavering ally to your protagonist, through thick and thin. While the sidekick can (and should) become frustrated with your main character’s decisions at some point, he or she will never leave your protagonist’s side. Another job is to be the comedic relief. If your story is super serious, the sidekick can provide an injection of laughter, or give a ray of hope in bleak times. Yet another job the sidekick can provide is giving your protagonist access to a secondary set of skills. For example, your main character is a master thief? Maybe his or her sidekick has an in to high society, where your master thief can thrive.

Skeptic: This is the lone objector to the protagonist’s method(s). He or she does not believe in the theme of your story, nor the importance of your protagonist. In fact, unless there are previous or built-up loyalties to the protagonist, the skeptic may well go his or her own way. It’s even possible the skeptic wants your main character to succeed, but not at the cost of their own goal(s).

The Emotional: This is the character that reacts with his or her gut. This means being reactive and impulsive, sometimes succeeding in ways that a thinking character would never try. This also means they can find trouble by not thinking ahead.

The Logic: This character is a rational thinker who prefers to plan things out ahead of time. Answers with a matter-of-fact attitude, and usually knows more than he or she lets on. Has trouble considering things from an emotional angle.

A Little Extra That Helps Me:

Now you know the 8 main roles used in fiction. Keep in mind, there does not have to be a separate character for each role, but all 8 roles must be embodied somewhere. As for character creation itself, here is the template I use when beginning a new story:

Have fun, too!

Character Name:

Age:

Archetype: (please see the 12 Jungian archetypes, very helpful in determining goals) soulcraft.com

Quirks: I use three

Flaws: Three again

Skills: Make sure these help the character in the story

Thanks for reading, and much luck in your adventures!

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, so are cafeteria tables, but we digress. Click to join him on:

Facbook

Twitter

G+

Tumblr

5 Lines of TV: Arrow S4E1

Logo owned by CW Network

The original post incorrectly stated the last speaker as Damian Dark, edited to reflect the correct spelling: Damian Darhk.

5 Lines of TV: Arrow S4E1

Image property of CW Network

Taking popular shows and giving you five lines of dialogue. Quick and easy to digest. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“We’re really going to have to work on your definition of cool.” Black Canary

“I thought that tasted funny.” District Attorney Kate Spencer

“The Arrow’s dead.” “We’re hoping that’s not the case.” Oliver Queen/ Laurel Lance

“The monster you were inspired new monsters.” Captain Quentin Lance

“You can’t be the arrow, he died. So who are you?” Damian Darhk

What are your favorite lines from the last episode? Fave of all time?

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, so are energy drinks, but we digress. Click to join us on:

Facbook

Twitter

G+

Tumblr

5 Lines of TV: The Flash S2E1

Logo owned by CW Network

5 Lines of TV: The Flash S2E1

Image owned by CW Network

A new division of American Dirt, 5 Lines of TV takes popular shows and gives you five lines of dialogue in an attempt to describe the essence of the show. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“I think I’m going to call it “The Boot.” Cisco Ramon

“In this city I expect flying, evil monsters.” Detective Joe West

“Dr. Stein, you are a genius.” “I think that’s already been well established.” Cisco Ramon/ Dr. Martin Stein

“So stop with all this hogging of the blame.” Detective Joe West

Image owned by CW Network

“You of all people know I wasn’t the hero that day. Ronnie saved my life.” Barry Allen

Bonus Line:

“Run Barry, run.” Detective Joe West

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

He’s also on social media, so are frankfurters, but we digress. Click to join us on:

Facbook

Twitter

G+

Tumblr

5 Lines of TV: Gotham S2E3

Image Property of Fox Television

5 Lines of TV- Gotham S2E3

A new division of American Dirt, 5 Lines of TV takes popular shows and gives you five lines of dialogue in an attempt to describe the essence of the show. Like the idea? Comment! Have a favorite show? Let me know!

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Jerome Valeska

Image Property of Fox Television

“C’mon Master Bruce, time to leave.” Alfred Pennyworth

“I will not let him hurt Alfred.” Bruce Wayne

“Am I a hero?” Theo Galavan

“Your legacy will be death…and madness…” Paul Cicero

Image Property of Fox Television