A Random Ramble a.k.a My Motivation

Please note: most of this was written in 2009 and became a kind of motivation to move on with my life during a time of change. It also kick-started my writing again in a big way after years of blank pages. I've edited it, and hope it shows that some positive thought can help you get things done, particularly about writing and life, and starting on the that story of finding your dreams, whatever they may be. Oh, it's a bit of ramble, even after the edit, so don't read it if you hate that kind of thing...


Just a thought...

by Allan Maxwell on Wednesday, 21 January 2009 at 02:18.

I listened to a speech today from a world class orator who happens to be a very well known world leader. Let's forget about who it is, because that's not important here. What is important is the impact the speech had at this moment in my life. I started to think about where my life's story was going, and what I really wanted from it.

I want to be something more than what I am at present, something better I guess. I’m wondering about my life and thinking about what I have done. Short answer is: not much. No completed stories sent to publishers for years, no promotion for years, no love for years. It's a growing list. I look at how little I’ve affected history, at how little I've expressed my thoughts because of some form of shyness. Yes, I’ve lived a little, especially with my young life (what a story that is), however, it turns out lots of that shit still hinders me to this day. But should this dictate what I can do and what I am now and in the future?

I know, at a personal level, that in my life I’ve set up some local clubs, done stuff for charity (at a small level), and helped my local community unite where I’ve worked – but what does that mean really? Is that enough?

Well, no.

I think it’s time for me to look at what I want to achieve in life.

Time to decide what I will become.

What will I leave behind?

Indeed, what will the rest of my life be? What meaning will it have? How will I affect my fellow man? What ripples am I creating across the country, or the world?

We are in a time of unease, yes. We are in a time of doubt, I agree. Does that mean I should hide within that bubble, or could I push it ever-so-slightly, and carve out a life filled with some of my own dreams and have a positive affect on others?

Think about this: opportunity is part of humanity, yes? So what opportunities does each of us have? Even within that bubble of society. More that you think, I’m guessing.

So, under the supposed gloom and darkness of modern life, could the spark of thought, belief and change be seen and heard and change your life?

Yes. Yes it can.

Take the opportunity to do some good, for others or yourself, or do something meaningful that you've wanted to do for years.

Take small steps. Look at the positive angle - even when it hurts, no, ESPECIALLY when it hurts - and see what happens. Take the new job, or swallow some pride and get bloody good at the job your doing now. Start telling your story, your way.

Want to have your own book or short story out there being read by others? Write it. Finish the first draft, no matter what. Then work hard making it epic, and send it out there. Read some books to motivate you, take a course, do whatever it takes and see what you can do.

Because it's there, just in reach, that opportunity, that dream. You just have to take that chance, do the work, and make it happen.

So make it happen.



It's now 2012. Three years after I set that little mission statement to try and motivate myself. Taking that leap of faith and working towards the positive mindset HAS paid off. Ok, I've not been published, but that's my fault for not working hard on that front. I do, however, have this Blog now, written lots of short stories and ideas, and completed and passed a university course on creative writing. I have fiancé, a six week old little boy and been through several promotions in work. It's not been all plain sailing and I have failed too, but the good has certainly outweighed the bad, and I have zero regrets.

The dreams are still alive, and still need to be poked and prodded every now and then, as does everything worth it in life.

In the space of three years everything has changed - I achieved more in that time than I did in the fifteen years before it. My life's ripples have widened across the world, and I'm happy about it.

So go make it happen.

October 2010: Hell Month Part 1

What a bum-fluff of a month.

And I’ll tell you why. And keep count of the Man Points on this one.

A long time ago in a galaxy not too far away (October 1^st) I was looking forward to busy, exciting month. Not only was I starting a new Open University Course, but I was taking a week off to spend time with my lovely lady, applying for a new job and had an autumnal spring in my step – It was gonna be a good month. [Man points a balanced 0].

Kinda didn’t work out the way I had planned.

The Gran

My 94 year old Gran can not only cause trouble in an empty room, but when I hit an ambulance with my old fiesta a decade ago she walked out of the carnage while I was stretchered off to hospital [-1 man point]. She’s made of iron that one. Unfortunately she was seriously ill at the start of the month and almost passed on – kudos to The Dad, who was in the right place at the right time to save her – and so I cancelled the holiday with the Lovely Lady in my life to go see her. Gran recovered overnight and was chirping away to me after my 7 hour drive to see her (no ambulances were hurt on the journey). MADE OF IRON I tell you.

So far October hadn’t started too well, but the worst was over, wasn’t it?

The Holiday

Actually, with some last minute internet searching, me and the Not So Tear Drenched Girlfriend managed a few days away in the lovely Lake Distinct after visiting Iron Gran. Here are some proper good visuals of the holiday...

I taught my lady chess, and beat her at every game [Man Points +1], saw a cool lake and had five course dinners every night. October was looking up.

Job application

I decided to go for a writing job for a change of career and to tick it off the Bucket List. Out of many, many applicants I made to the last 14 and had to do a writing assignment. It was tough but fun. Lots of fun. I learned many things about how to write promotionally and my tiny skill base was tested. I really thought I was going to get an interview at least. I didn’t of course, and the October curse struck again. I cursed right back, but to no avail, and October continued onwards...

Reading Affliction Continues

If you’ve checked out my last blog post ‘Reading Afflictions’ you’ll understand that I suffer from a terrible affliction of reading a few chapters of a novel before buying a new one, then read a few chapters of that book, and buy a new one, etc etc. Meaning I never really finish all the books I buy, creating a large Reading List. It stares at me now, daring me to read. [Man points -1 (come on, BOOKS are staring me down!)]

Reading Affliction continued and I totally blame October.

That's it for part 1, thank the lord, but mosey on back tomorrow for:

Work

University (of the Creative, Open variety)

Concussion

Halloween (with added concussion)

And of course to find out how many Man Points I finished on after October: Hell Month.

Horus Heresy series

Here's a wee preview of the newest book in my favourite Black Library series...

The First Heretic


Looking forward to an epic read. Here's what the author, Aaron Dembski-Bowden, a decent bloke through and through, thought about a recent review of The First Heretic:

Reviews and why authors hate them

Its all fun and games really! Might not review it here, just in case...

Clash of the Titans Review

I’m one of those people who ‘remember the original’ when it comes to the Clash of the Titans. I think this was one of those films that drove me to SF and Fantasy. But I remember being slightly disappointed by it when I was young – something was missing. I was mesmerised too, don’t get me wrong, but I think I wanted more from the film, even when I was five.

My girlfriend liked it. She hasn’t seen the first one, nor had any preconceptions. This may be key to liking this film: not having any preconceptions. Everyone who enjoyed it that I’ve talked too seemed to go with a blank slate, not having built up the expectations. Like me.

Man Vs the Gods. That’s a proper tagline. Bring it God, do your worst and I’ll still beat you. Very modern in its premise I feel. Religion is in descent while humans’ living their ‘one-life’ to the extreme is on the rise. Popular western society is shunning religion, and this modern film mimics how we feel in the 21st Century.

But there’s something missing. Sam Worthington is great in this, so it’s not him. Liam Neeson is good too. There’s just a thin story that doesn’t use the other characters to full affect. You don’t ‘feel’ for them when they die because of this, resulting in a lack of impact. I didn’t see the reason for most of them being there.

Also, while I’m ranting, I thought the set up of the plot was poor – merely a vehicle for the CGI later on. The first 15/20 mins felt rushed. No character development (apart from Sam Worthington's Perseus however). More depth here would have created an outstanding film.

Now, the effects are good and it was a fun popcorn film. The kraken was brilliant, as was the Pegasus. I just think someone along the way missed a trick with the plot and story.

Enjoyable, but as my GF said: not going to buy it on DVD even if it was fun. I think I built it up too much as I saw the original when I was young. I’ve heard that watching it a second or third time makes it better. I’ll leave that to you.

2 out of 5 Gods of War.