Why Details Matter

[dime_liora]

So I just realized the looming due date for the bigbang thing is actually the cut-off for sign-ups, and I have until February 1st. Which is a big relief, because this beast I'm working on for it is not even close to done. In fact it has taken on a Frankenstein's Monster like life, and is clubbing me at all hours of the day and night. "Oh you wanted to write about Mrs. Dalloway for that class? But what about this section here with the big ritual reveal? Isn't that more important? I mean did you really like the way Dean reacted?"

Well, no. I guess I didn't. So I'll work on that and then, oh damn it I've been tricked again. So ten pages of Neurological Literary Criticism becomes another few hours glaring at research about String Theory. Which I have been informed, oh so helpfully, only fifteen people in the whole world understand, and needless to say I am not one of them. I am hoping none of those fifteen people read this story either, because that would be an embarrassing review for sure. This also gives me more time to figure out the art problem. The rules require a minimum of two pieces of individual art. Let me tell you a story about a young girl in high school, and the valuable lesson she learned in one semester. 

You see the last time I took an art class was freshman year of high school when I had a full load of Honors courses and needed one Mickey Mouse course to decompress in. "Art will be a breeze." My friend said as she laughed behind her hand, and I signed up, because a breeze was what I wanted. The problem was I was remembering elementary school, when art was a required course for everyone and if your stuff sucked there it was displayed with a bunch of other bad art and nobody cared. You were little, and expected to suck, and people just thought it was adorable that the cat was purple. Then comes high school where the people taking art are taking it because they're good at art. So the first time the class puts their collective body of work up at the front of the room to discuss and dissect, yours, meaning mine in this instance, is the only piece of crap in the bunch. Which is great for the people good at art. They line up to put their piece next to yours, because by comparison they are Vincent Van Gogh. I was well-loved in that class by everyone but the teacher, who was forced to give me a decent grade because I showed up every day and tried even if looking at my work killed her faith in humanity. 

So now there's this story growing in front of me. It's over 20,000 words and shows no sign of stopping, and I have to find a way to attach art to it. I'm proud of it, I love it, and now I have to basically assault it. Spit on it with stick figures or badly photoshopped computer graphics. This seems sort of cruel. The rules say you can find an outside artist, but the sort of compensation I can offer at this point for art is a gracious thank you note and maybe some home-baked cookies. I'm a good baker. So if anyone is reading this and knows an artist who likes Dean/Sam and would do art for gracious thank you's and the promise of baked goods please let me know. I'm not sure I can handle photoshop. It is full of buttons, and it laughs at me a lot. More than math ever did and that's saying something. Damn math...

Anyway, that's the process at the moment. I've never done a piece like this before. Usually I rely on things I know a lot about to flesh out a story. Fables and mythology or eccentric bits of fact. Science and I have a passing knowledge of each other, and we always nod in the halls. But Science is a good friend of Math's, and that keeps us forever apart. Ships in the night is a good cliche here. Still, the marriage of String Theory and mythology is proving to be a tempting, if probably inappropriate, pairing. I'm fully enjoying trying my hand at it. Also I found a website that does headers, and links to previous chapters. Thanks to roxymissrose for that one, because I had no idea!

And on that note there's a church bell ringing which means it's time to suit up and go walking. Another beautiful fall day and no one else on the trail. 

-dimeliora

Comments

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Still, the marriage of String Theory and mythology is proving to be a tempting,

*blinks* Wow...

Which challenge is this for?

And you're welcome, I'm glad I was able to be helpful!

[dimeliora.livejournal.com]

It's for the spnslashbigbang. Is that a good wow or a bad one? :)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

That's a *good* wow. I'm impressed. And curious. And will probably need flash cards to understand it but that won't hold me back! :)

I'm confused though--are you signing up as an artist or as a writer?

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

I'm confused though--are you signing up as an artist or as a writer?
oh! Duh, never mind--I just reread your post!

[l-niania.livejournal.com]

I just read through some of your post... Stalking a tiny bit. ^_^ Just wanted to tell you, that you don't have to make art. You signed up as an author. There will be others signing up as artists, who will then claim fics and create art for them. Collaborations are awesome! ;) So don't panic! There's lots of time and you have a finished fic!

[dimeliora.livejournal.com]

Lol, yeah, I sent the organizers a badly worded email, and two responses later they explained to me why I was freaking out for no reason. I'll learn this stuff one day! :)