Back in September, I said I was giving up on improv, and would use the time to work on my novel instead. Since then, I have indeed made some progress. Namely, I:
- finally completed the first draft;
- re-structured my epic list of planned revisions, organizing the edits by chapter, character, and general terms;
- created a spreadsheet mapping individual character arcs, and the emotions and motivations of each character on a chapter-by-chapter basis;
- selected a new opening for the first chapter (from among six) after much deliberation;1
- found a resource to answer many research questions concerning detectives and security firms; and
- made this list.
Although the holidays and the Winter Olympics have proved distracting, there has also been another impeding factor.3 You see, in November I took a musical improv class.
I know, I know. Yes, I said I was giving up on improv, but I never said I was giving up on musical improv. (For the uninitiated, that's a different thing entirely.) I figured I'd have a blast over the six weeks (I did), and then take a break until the next musical improv opportunity arose.
Long story short: It turns out musical improv is my gateway drug.
By mid-January, I'd signed up for a normal improv class4 and been recruited into a Marvel-based improv show.5 But this isn't like before; this time around I'll maintain the proper balance. I'll do improv (but not overdo it). I'll write on a regular schedule (but not too regular). And I'll eat lots and lots of ice cream.
Can't go wrong with ice cream.6
Nor can you go wrong with heroes, villains, and someone pretending to be Stan Lee. If you're in CT next Friday (March 2), come see Improvised Marvel!
ink by Kevin O'Toole, color by me
(click to embiggen)
