Hey, how's it going?
So yeah it's been two years and four months since I updated this blog and I just want to give whoever is reading an update. I've grown a lot over these past two years, I've learned a lot about myself and what I want to do in life. If you look at my past posts it's been all about writing mostly. Mainly books. But over time you know what I realized? I wasn't having fun. I was passionate about telling a story but not in book form. Instead, I turned to screenplay format. Which was night and day for me. I loved it and I felt even though this might not be made, it was fun to write nonetheless. All the stories I said I would write in the past as books now I'm writing them as scripts. I've already completed the first season of my tv series called MIXED IDENTITY and I'm now working on film script called VAMPIRE PIGS Rise of the Swines. If you looked at my past posts I mentioned I completed the book version of it...well it turns out the book version I wrote was more like a "script prose." Basically, my book worked more as a screenplay because I wrote it with that mindset.
Which brings me to now, I realized I'm much happier writing scripts than I am books. It took me awhile but I'm actually comfortable with my script writing. I mean yeah these past years have been rough, but that's life. I was in the Philippines in the beginning of this year and after seeing the conditions that some of the people live in I am humbled that I am able to pursue something like this while working a part time job and getting by. Coming back from there changed my perspective on life.
There's another reason why I'm posting this update as well...so that I can keep track of my progress. If you look at my post about three years ago I had a very different mindset. I thought my "Book" was great then I had it read by other writers and they said it wasn't even a book at all. It goes to show how I wasn't grounded back in 2014. But now...three years later I feel more mature and grounded than I ever was. I won't make the same mistakes that I did before.
To be honest I don't know when I'll update this blog again. All I know is that right now I have work to do. So I'll leave this list of titles I plan on writing and we'll see what happens.
Thanks for reading!
Take care,
James Melville
1. MIXED IDENTITY - TV Series - First Season completed
2. VAMPIRE PIGS - Film Series <--------- Currently writing 1st film
3. LIVING IN A LIVING ROOM - Theatre play & Film version
4. GANGSTA NINJA - Film Series
5. FROM BUSSER TO SERVER - Film
6. THE HOCKEY STICK - Film
7. GUNBIND - Film series
8. BI BYE - Film
9. QUEENS OF JEWEL - TV Series
Monday 17 July 2017
Thursday 19 March 2015
The song that helped me Move On!
Hey I'm BACK!
Well sort of, forgive me for my three month absence but I had some major transitioning to do. I've also decided to update my blog whenever I can because I have a lot on my plate and to update a blog weekly just didn't cut it so from now on I'll be posting randomly. Which means you'll get quality posts and not just something thrown together.
I would like to write about this song I've literally listened to over two thousand times. It has helped me throughout these past three years with everything. We all have that one song that touches us regardless of our mood. I've listened to countless music from all types of genres but this song...this song for some reason has my heart. Before I continue I would like you to listen to this track:
It's called Move On by ATB Feat. JanSoon
The lyrics are as follows:
"I hate you
But I love you
I hate you but I love you
I can't stand the way you looked at me lately
Come back, even though we're not the same
And it feels like going nowhere, but I know where you are
It feels like going nowhere, but I have to move on
I have to move on"
That's it. My personal interpretation of this song is that it's about life itself. The "You" being classified as "Life". I love life but I have to admit there are times when I hate it as well. I guess everyone feels like that at some point. I remember going through a real negative phase in the third month of acting school. I was beating myself mentally and instead of going back to my apartment I decided to go on a long walk to the beach. Along the way I kept listening to this song over and over. "I have to move on...I have to move on" the lyrics were stuck in my head. Which led me to do just that...Move On. To this day I continue to listen to this song. It has honestly helped me mature and grow into the person I am right now. So ATB and JanSoon if you ever end up reading this I want to say THANK YOU for making this song.
And I would like to thank everyone who is taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it. Take Care! Until next time :)
Sincerely,
James
Thursday 11 December 2014
Why I chose to write a book series called Mixed Identity
Hey!
It's been awhile! Sorry about that I had a lot on my mind these past few weeks.
Before I explain why click the link below and read the article by Sharon H. Chang:
http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/archive/2014/05/talking-mixed-race-identity-young-children
^^^ After reading this I had come to a realization that there isn't enough media (TV shows, Books, Movies etc) covering this topic of mixed racial identity. Parents that are mixed race themselves who have kids may have a hard time explaining about to them about how to properly identify oneself. She mentions that her son was four years old when he asked her the question "Mom, Am I white?" In which it threw her off a bit. I feel if there was something on TV like a kids show that dealt with this type of subject matter then it probably wouldn't be an issue. The fact is every single multiracial or biracial person in their life will deal with some sort of identity crisis. There are plenty of shows, movies, books and plays that feature different ethnicites but I can't think of one that displays a biracial or a multiracial person at the helm. With the increase population of the mixed race community all over the world I feel that this needs to be explored.
My mother is Filipino and my father is from Trinidad. They met in Canada, fell in love and had me. Unfortunately my father passed when I was only a year old so I didn't really know him. From what my mom tells me he was a respectable man with a strict attitude. Some days I feel sad that I didn't have a father but that's life. As I grew older I started to question my identity. I never asked my mom or anyone about it...I kinda just left it up in the air for some reason. I don't remember why but it is what it is. My mom brought her kids from her previous marriage over to Canada from the Philippines. They questioned who I was at first but accepted me as the years went on. I didn't really know my father's side of the family until I was a teenager. I've led a confusing life and to make a long story short just like with everyone born mixed I was confused about my personal identity.
The reason why I'm writing this series is because I feel it's personal to my heart. I haven't heard of any biracial writers write a drama about it. I think it's because it doesn't pertain to a specific group and instead has to pertain to everybody. Like for example some the 1st book in the series is called "A Tale Of Two Blasians" and it stars two people of mixed race heritage of black and asian. I'm afraid it might only appeal to people who are born of that mix and not to the people who aren't. That's a risk that I'm willing to take because at least it will get some sort of notoriety out there. Word of mouth is important and it might as well happen sooner rather than later. I'm actually now thinking of writing a separate dramatic fiction about a multiracial family.
That's pretty much the gist of it. These next few months will be interesting as I write. Until next time.
Sincerely,
James
http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/archive/2014/05/talking-mixed-race-identity-young-children
^^^ After reading this I had come to a realization that there isn't enough media (TV shows, Books, Movies etc) covering this topic of mixed racial identity. Parents that are mixed race themselves who have kids may have a hard time explaining about to them about how to properly identify oneself. She mentions that her son was four years old when he asked her the question "Mom, Am I white?" In which it threw her off a bit. I feel if there was something on TV like a kids show that dealt with this type of subject matter then it probably wouldn't be an issue. The fact is every single multiracial or biracial person in their life will deal with some sort of identity crisis. There are plenty of shows, movies, books and plays that feature different ethnicites but I can't think of one that displays a biracial or a multiracial person at the helm. With the increase population of the mixed race community all over the world I feel that this needs to be explored.
My mother is Filipino and my father is from Trinidad. They met in Canada, fell in love and had me. Unfortunately my father passed when I was only a year old so I didn't really know him. From what my mom tells me he was a respectable man with a strict attitude. Some days I feel sad that I didn't have a father but that's life. As I grew older I started to question my identity. I never asked my mom or anyone about it...I kinda just left it up in the air for some reason. I don't remember why but it is what it is. My mom brought her kids from her previous marriage over to Canada from the Philippines. They questioned who I was at first but accepted me as the years went on. I didn't really know my father's side of the family until I was a teenager. I've led a confusing life and to make a long story short just like with everyone born mixed I was confused about my personal identity.
The reason why I'm writing this series is because I feel it's personal to my heart. I haven't heard of any biracial writers write a drama about it. I think it's because it doesn't pertain to a specific group and instead has to pertain to everybody. Like for example some the 1st book in the series is called "A Tale Of Two Blasians" and it stars two people of mixed race heritage of black and asian. I'm afraid it might only appeal to people who are born of that mix and not to the people who aren't. That's a risk that I'm willing to take because at least it will get some sort of notoriety out there. Word of mouth is important and it might as well happen sooner rather than later. I'm actually now thinking of writing a separate dramatic fiction about a multiracial family.
That's pretty much the gist of it. These next few months will be interesting as I write. Until next time.
Sincerely,
James
Wednesday 29 October 2014
Overcoming the fear to write about sensitive subject matter
Hey!
Another wednesday another blog post!
I've been battling with this for quite sometime and I must say it's not easy. My next book will contain rape, murder, sex, drugs, gangs, pedophilia etc pretty much everything that isn't for an audience under the age of eighteen. Before I decided to write it as a book I wrote it out as a script. It was suppose to be episodic but I knew how risky it was going to be if someone decided to produce it so I decided to make it into a book instead. I had eight episodes written before deciding to write it as a book. But that's besides the point...it was what I was writing which shocked me. I didn't realize how hard hitting the subject matter was until someone else read it and told me. I got to admit I was scared. It made me question why I was writing about it and I realized despite the fact of me disagreeing with what the characters I write about do I wouldn't be doing them a justice if I dumb them down. I have to keep in mind that STORY is the most important thing.
I don't agree with the actions my protagonists or antagonists would do but given the circumstances that they're in I feel that's what they would do. Okay let me share something; While I was writing a rape scene I was literally sacred at what I was writing. When watching a rape scene on screen is easy because you can cover your eyes/look away...but writing one is a whole different story. I felt gross and wanted to throw up. But when I was done and read it back to myself...that feeling of disgust is exactly the type of feeling I want the audience or the reader to feel. If I've achieved that then I've done my job.
If you're scared of what people might think of you chances are they're not going to understand. I've had people accuse me of being a homosexual because I wrote a gay couple in Vampire Pigs. Take it all with a grain of salt and focus on your story. The fear of writing something must fuel you to actually write it and once you've overcome that fear then you'll feel great about yourself.
Thanks for reading! Until next week!
Sincerely,
James
Another wednesday another blog post!
I've been battling with this for quite sometime and I must say it's not easy. My next book will contain rape, murder, sex, drugs, gangs, pedophilia etc pretty much everything that isn't for an audience under the age of eighteen. Before I decided to write it as a book I wrote it out as a script. It was suppose to be episodic but I knew how risky it was going to be if someone decided to produce it so I decided to make it into a book instead. I had eight episodes written before deciding to write it as a book. But that's besides the point...it was what I was writing which shocked me. I didn't realize how hard hitting the subject matter was until someone else read it and told me. I got to admit I was scared. It made me question why I was writing about it and I realized despite the fact of me disagreeing with what the characters I write about do I wouldn't be doing them a justice if I dumb them down. I have to keep in mind that STORY is the most important thing.
I don't agree with the actions my protagonists or antagonists would do but given the circumstances that they're in I feel that's what they would do. Okay let me share something; While I was writing a rape scene I was literally sacred at what I was writing. When watching a rape scene on screen is easy because you can cover your eyes/look away...but writing one is a whole different story. I felt gross and wanted to throw up. But when I was done and read it back to myself...that feeling of disgust is exactly the type of feeling I want the audience or the reader to feel. If I've achieved that then I've done my job.
If you're scared of what people might think of you chances are they're not going to understand. I've had people accuse me of being a homosexual because I wrote a gay couple in Vampire Pigs. Take it all with a grain of salt and focus on your story. The fear of writing something must fuel you to actually write it and once you've overcome that fear then you'll feel great about yourself.
Thanks for reading! Until next week!
Sincerely,
James
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Writing while listening to music helps stimulate my brain and expand my immagination
Hey! It's Wednesday! YES!
As I begin to type this I'm listening to music from a site called Soundcloud. The artist's name is Tony Anderson and he composes some of the best tracks I've ever heard! Check him out here:
Click here to check out Tony Anderson on Soundcloud
He is just one of the many artists that I've randomly found on Soundcloud and enjoyed listening to. There's nothing like finding music that takes you to places where you have never been before. This goes with all types of music. It has the power to put you in moods in which you can't control but to succumb to. While writing Vampire Pigs I would listen to a lot of George Strait; I'm not a big fan of country, however when I hear him sing I feel like I'm in Texas for some reason. I feel like I've transported into another universe. Right now I'm listening to a mixture of Orchestral/HipHop/EDM while I write my next book and it helps immensely. The characters to the overall story are fueled by the music I listen too. The vibrations that trickle into my ear effect my mind which in turn control my finger tips to type words - I don't know if that made any sense at all but that's how I feel.
There are times when music doesn't help and I have to shut it off. Sometimes I just want complete and utter silence so that it's only me, the universe and the characters. Sometimes I let the music just play in the background and not write at all. I close my eyes and enjoy the vibrations. I can picture in my mind a different universe that I've never visited before in my life. THIS IS GOLD TO ME! I write down what I see and save it in a file on my laptop so that in the future I can return to it.
I've met a lot of writers who use drugs and alcohol to get their juices going...Even though I've never tried doing it I'd rather stick with music because I can rely on it picking me up and it's way cheaper! I've been intoxicated plenty of times and believe me I can barely even think while under the influence let alone write something. I don't know how they do it. But it doesn't matter because every artist has their own way of doing things. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to this because if it helps THEN IT HELPS!
Music like with every artist I know is a HUGE part of our lives. I wouldn't know how I could live without it.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this post! Take care!
Sincerely,
James Melville
As I begin to type this I'm listening to music from a site called Soundcloud. The artist's name is Tony Anderson and he composes some of the best tracks I've ever heard! Check him out here:
Click here to check out Tony Anderson on Soundcloud
He is just one of the many artists that I've randomly found on Soundcloud and enjoyed listening to. There's nothing like finding music that takes you to places where you have never been before. This goes with all types of music. It has the power to put you in moods in which you can't control but to succumb to. While writing Vampire Pigs I would listen to a lot of George Strait; I'm not a big fan of country, however when I hear him sing I feel like I'm in Texas for some reason. I feel like I've transported into another universe. Right now I'm listening to a mixture of Orchestral/HipHop/EDM while I write my next book and it helps immensely. The characters to the overall story are fueled by the music I listen too. The vibrations that trickle into my ear effect my mind which in turn control my finger tips to type words - I don't know if that made any sense at all but that's how I feel.
There are times when music doesn't help and I have to shut it off. Sometimes I just want complete and utter silence so that it's only me, the universe and the characters. Sometimes I let the music just play in the background and not write at all. I close my eyes and enjoy the vibrations. I can picture in my mind a different universe that I've never visited before in my life. THIS IS GOLD TO ME! I write down what I see and save it in a file on my laptop so that in the future I can return to it.
I've met a lot of writers who use drugs and alcohol to get their juices going...Even though I've never tried doing it I'd rather stick with music because I can rely on it picking me up and it's way cheaper! I've been intoxicated plenty of times and believe me I can barely even think while under the influence let alone write something. I don't know how they do it. But it doesn't matter because every artist has their own way of doing things. There is no right or wrong way when it comes to this because if it helps THEN IT HELPS!
Music like with every artist I know is a HUGE part of our lives. I wouldn't know how I could live without it.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this post! Take care!
Sincerely,
James Melville
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Why you should write from the heart
HEY! Welcome back to my weekly post!
As I'm beginning to prep the universe and story of my next book I started realizing how personal this is for me. I started writing this project 8 years ago and for some reason it feels like I'm the only one who can actually write it. Fictional books about biracial/multiracial characters are scarce since there's no big market for them. Everyday I get this tingling feeling inside of me saying "You need to write this book....YOU NEED TO WRITE" These 'needs' are making me wake up early in the morning to work on it...these 'needs' are like delicious mouth watering food waiting to be eaten. Writing satisfies these 'needs' on a daily basis. While I write this I'm currently trying to find another job in order to support myself. I'm beginning to see my bank account starting to drain and surprisingly enough I'm not worried. Not worried at all. Because eventually I'll get a job, heck I've been working part time jobs my whole life. What is clouding my mind right now is my book. Going from one book to the next is extremely tough especially since they're not set in the same genre or universe. After eight years of trying to figure out what my calling is...It's been in front of my eyes the whole time but I was too scared.
This fear has always gripped me from when I started to write(and get criticized harshly for it) but now that I have finished my first book and started my second that fear has faded away entirely and is replaced with confidence. I fully know that someday what I write now will be read for future generations to come. But I wouldn't be writing if it wasn't from the heart. I feel if I have no personal connection to the story then what's the point of writing it. That's just me though. I'm sure the majority of you who read this can agree with me when I say the reason why you should write from the heart is because it's something that you WANT to write. Something that's true to who you are as a person. That's it. Bottomline.
Take care everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read! Until next week again!
Sincerely,
James
As I'm beginning to prep the universe and story of my next book I started realizing how personal this is for me. I started writing this project 8 years ago and for some reason it feels like I'm the only one who can actually write it. Fictional books about biracial/multiracial characters are scarce since there's no big market for them. Everyday I get this tingling feeling inside of me saying "You need to write this book....YOU NEED TO WRITE" These 'needs' are making me wake up early in the morning to work on it...these 'needs' are like delicious mouth watering food waiting to be eaten. Writing satisfies these 'needs' on a daily basis. While I write this I'm currently trying to find another job in order to support myself. I'm beginning to see my bank account starting to drain and surprisingly enough I'm not worried. Not worried at all. Because eventually I'll get a job, heck I've been working part time jobs my whole life. What is clouding my mind right now is my book. Going from one book to the next is extremely tough especially since they're not set in the same genre or universe. After eight years of trying to figure out what my calling is...It's been in front of my eyes the whole time but I was too scared.
This fear has always gripped me from when I started to write(and get criticized harshly for it) but now that I have finished my first book and started my second that fear has faded away entirely and is replaced with confidence. I fully know that someday what I write now will be read for future generations to come. But I wouldn't be writing if it wasn't from the heart. I feel if I have no personal connection to the story then what's the point of writing it. That's just me though. I'm sure the majority of you who read this can agree with me when I say the reason why you should write from the heart is because it's something that you WANT to write. Something that's true to who you are as a person. That's it. Bottomline.
Take care everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read! Until next week again!
Sincerely,
James
Wednesday 8 October 2014
Why you should write a stories that YOU want to write!
Hey! Hey!
It's Wednesday and you know what that means! Another blog post!
A lot has been going through my mind through these past couple of days. As I begin to prepare to write my 2nd book (Mixed Identity) which is completely different from VAMPIRE PIGS. I realize that these stories are ones that I enjoy writing. Anything that I was forced to write in writing class back in college I never enjoyed doing. If you have no personal love for what you write then what is the point. YOU SHOULD WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE! Whether it be an obscure thing like...I don't know uh...Zombie Dragons or anything you're passionate about. Try NOT to look at what's trendy because chances are if you write based on trends then you're not really writing in my opinion. All you're doing is looking at what's popular and going off that. If you decide to do that then by the time you're done writing your script/book then another thing might pop up that's trendy making your mind change constantly about your decision to write in the first place
I say if you're hesitant on writing something because you feel it won't sell or is a waste of time WRITE IT ANYWAY! Take as much time as you need. YOUR STORY is YOUR STORY! It's no one else's. You're maybe inspired by many books, movies, T.V shows, comics etc to write something. If so then do it!
Just something I just wanted to get that off my chest. I've been going through the motions lately but what keeps me coming back is my story. I'm constantly working on it and falling in love more and more. It's hard work but I know it's something I've always wanted to write. In the end it'll be worth it, just keep having faith.
Have a good one and see you next week!
James
It's Wednesday and you know what that means! Another blog post!
A lot has been going through my mind through these past couple of days. As I begin to prepare to write my 2nd book (Mixed Identity) which is completely different from VAMPIRE PIGS. I realize that these stories are ones that I enjoy writing. Anything that I was forced to write in writing class back in college I never enjoyed doing. If you have no personal love for what you write then what is the point. YOU SHOULD WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE! Whether it be an obscure thing like...I don't know uh...Zombie Dragons or anything you're passionate about. Try NOT to look at what's trendy because chances are if you write based on trends then you're not really writing in my opinion. All you're doing is looking at what's popular and going off that. If you decide to do that then by the time you're done writing your script/book then another thing might pop up that's trendy making your mind change constantly about your decision to write in the first place
I say if you're hesitant on writing something because you feel it won't sell or is a waste of time WRITE IT ANYWAY! Take as much time as you need. YOUR STORY is YOUR STORY! It's no one else's. You're maybe inspired by many books, movies, T.V shows, comics etc to write something. If so then do it!
Just something I just wanted to get that off my chest. I've been going through the motions lately but what keeps me coming back is my story. I'm constantly working on it and falling in love more and more. It's hard work but I know it's something I've always wanted to write. In the end it'll be worth it, just keep having faith.
Have a good one and see you next week!
James
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