It’s time for a new start.

Visit my new web site, DennisSpielman.com, to discover all of my great projects.

Go to DennisSpielman.com as this site will no longer be updated and will in time be deleted.

Time to talk about some projects I’ve finished. I like talking about those things.

Today, I finished the revamped Uncovering Oklahoma web site. It features the new logo that I’ve created. I also posted a performing arts Question and Answer session with Lyric Theatre’s Artistic Director, Michael Baron on their latest production, Boeing Boeing, which can be read here. I enjoy doing these Q&As as there are easy and unique since the local publications mainly do reviews and articles. My last Q&A was with Ghostlight Theatre Club on The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

Toward the end of March, I actually finished writing out my novella, The Crashing of Heaven and Hell. I’ve sent it to friends for them to read and give me feedback. When I get it back from T.j. Schumann (who’s providing feedback and editing), and make my revisions, I will then have a book editor take a final look at it. While my friends are reading, I’ll be working on other aspects such as the book trailer, cover, and publicity. Gosh, there’s so many little things I could say about my progress. I’m glad I fixed my “trouble” chapter. I went outside one night and typed away on my iPod Touch. I found it to be just the inspiring boost I needed. When I write stories, I tend to have a “troubled” scene that I just hate. This chapter is the second to the last chapter, so I’m keeping quiet about it. Spoilers. :)

Well, it’s late and I’m rather tired. Goodnight!

For starters, like the new layout? I love it.

Now, for today’s post. I’m sharing my thoughts on showing versus telling when it comes to stories.

I find telling what is going on is a great way to get ideas out quickly. However, it’s not the best way to get a feel for the scene and the characters. Here’s an example of something I had written in my book, The Crashing of Heaven and Hell.

Boring. Totally, totally, boring. Plus, it lacked information such as how was he enjoying the view and what was the view like? After some revisions, here’s what I came up with.

By showing how Kart was enjoying the view, I developed the character’s personality and revealed the scenery too.

My favorite example of showing that I actually happens several times throughout the story when I show one of the character’s love for another. Instead of just simply saying that he loved her, I have several bits where he’s doing something for her to show his affection. Sometimes to truly show something, you need to do it multiple times. Most of the time, it’s subtle things that are only a sentence long that can be powerful.

More on my writing process another time!

I have some exciting things to share that I’ve been working on!

I’ve decided that every day in March I’m going to work on my novella, The Crashing of Heaven and Hell. I’ve been hung up on increasing my word count. It stands at 28,000 words – way short of a novel for publication. It didn’t help when I read that publisher, Angry Robot Books, was having an open door month in March and they want at least 75,000 words. However, I have heard that my book length is great for a novella ebook. Recently, I read a success story of a self-plublished ebook, thought of how I can be successful myself, and became inspired to take that route with my story.

To keep motivated, I’m asking my friends for feedback on snippets I’ll share through Facebook. I even made an event in my iCal to write for it every day. I am still scheduling time to work on my other projects, such as SoaH and Uncovering Oklahoma. I’ve been scheduling when and what projects to work on lately as I found it makes me more productive. I also have an idea for a short movie, The Belief, that I would like to start soon (but no more about that as I don’t want to spoil anything).

As for Uncovering Oklahoma, the site has been updated fairly regularly with articles on events. Sasha and I recently filmed a segment on the bone museum. It still needs to be edited. I am in the process of having a logo designed for the show. Basically, logo design is a bitch! It hasn’t been easy. My friend, Stf Bidelspach, came up with several good designs, but neither Sasha and I loved any of them. This past Sunday I got together with Anthony Nguyen and we brained some ideas, but didn’t create anything solid. I just tried to create one myself after an inspiring idea to use the Rouge 66 sign design. Let’s just say, it needs some work.

Well, there you have it. Now, it’s time for me to work on my ebook. :)

I wanted to share these OKC Improv videos I filmed for the improv troupes performing at Opening Night. Opening Night was the big Oklahoma City New Year’s Eve Party. I received a performer’s button so in between shows I was able to enjoy free food. Anyway, here are the four shows.

* Everybody and Their Dog:
* The MiDolls
* Villain: The Musical
* Twinprov

So, it’s 2011 and I haven’t updated updated this blog in months. I’ll blame it on a combination of laziness, forgetfulness, and simply not feeling comfortable to share personal matters here. The biggest event since my last post was getting married to a wonderful girl, who has been huge help in my life as I have been to her.

I’m really not sure what to write about today. I’ve been thinking about making a post for days. One day I’ll be in the mood to talk about this and the next day I don’t want to talk about that thing. In general, 2010 in review seemed like a huge failure. However, as I read over my older blog posts I began to feel rather accomplished.

I could write about my plans/goals/hopes/dreams for 2011, but you probably don’t like spoilers. ;)

Simply put: I will be more successful this year.

Yeah, I really need to stop these long breaks in between updates. It’s not like nothing has happened. On the contrary, I’ve been rather busy and here’s the proof.

May 16: One of the worst days ever. A nasty hail storm passed through while I was at work. My car got beat up rather badly. My front windshield was cracked in pieces, but still together. I tried to call some shops that night, but being Sunday they were all closed. However, I did manage to set an appointment with a national chain for Friday that week in Enid (a two hour drive). I took it. On the next I called around to find something closer, but everyone was already booked up for two to three weeks.

May 21: I took a road trip to Enid with my parents to get my car window replaced as no place in Oklahoma City could fix it earlier. There really wasn’t anything neat in Enid that we saw…

May 23: I went to the Kabaret Falschtanz MAY Show at Maker’s. It was a wonderful mix of sexy burlesque and comedy. I volunteered myself in the game, which I lost. I really don’t care much for bananas. What happens at Makers, stays at Makers. ;)

May 30: I attended the Paseo Arts Festival, taking pictures for Uncovering Oklahoma.

June 3: Filmed some Thursday’s Don’t Suck shows at the 51st Speakeasy for a segment for Uncovering Oklahoma.

June 5: Took some maternity photos of Sasha. Afterwards we ate at 105DEGREES. 105DEGREES is a really nice raw foods restaurant. After taking Sasha home, I went to work.

June 10: Filmed some more Thursday’s Don’t Suck shows and some interviews at the 51st Speakeasy for a segment for Uncovering Oklahoma.

June 12: I saw [Title of Show] at the Ghostlight Theatre Club. It was great. I actually ran into some friends that were there to see it a second time.

June 17: I went to a show and after the show I got a date with one of people there.

June 22: With Sasha out on maternity leave, I’m having my friend Jessica fill in. She did her first interview at Michael Murphy’s Dueling Piano Bar.

June 23: After work, I had a meeting with Lynna of Kabaret Falschtanz to discuss my segment on the Kabaret Falschtanz Maker’s Show for Uncovering Oklahoma.

June 25: After work, Jessica and I went back to Michael Murphy’s and recorded some b-roll footage and some quick interviews.

June 26: After work, I went to OKC Improv and filmed the shows that night.

June 27: At midnight, I get a text message from my boss Jennifer saying that Sandy cannot make it to work that day. I ended up going to work. At work the generator chuck stopped working, so I spent my entire shift fixing it. There was a store meeting that night, but I only stayed for an hour because I had to pick up Jessica and go film our interview on the Kabaret Falschtanz Maker’s Show.

So, for the past three days it was go to my day job and then head out to film. Crazy!

July 1: Went out on a date. That’s all I’m going to tell you.

July 3: Went to OKC Improv and filmed Comedian Brad Porter, Everybody and Their Dog, and Twinprov: Rap-City.

Those are the highlights. In between I’ve been uploading OKC Improv shows, working, and updating Uncovering Oklahoma. The hail dents on my car have faded significantly. I’m going to finish a segment for Uncovering Oklahoma and actually approach a business on the subject of sponsorship!!!

I believe that’s all for now.