The 2054 Anthology is now officially OUT, guys! Grab your copy here:mybook.to/2054
A super shout out to Judy, who is recuperating in the hospital right now, and EVEN SO, literally *dictated* her review to her husband from her hospital bed so that he could post it in time for our launch. LOVE YOU, JUDY! Thank you so much, and I wish you a very speedy recovery.
So this week has been an interesting exploration in my vacillation between deep focus and wide focus, and I realize that I need those thing to be in a 4:1 ratio if I’m going to function well as a creative. I’ll get more into it in the video, so join me!
—
I’m hitting a few snags in my creative production in some areas, but other areas have been totally on fleek. Trying to get balanced, but even so, I’ve been pretty happy and centered. I’ve been reflecting on my journey (and on this past week specifically) and WOW. It’s amazing how life can turn and change at the drop of a dime.
I guess this past week has just reminded me of the importance of love, honesty, gratitude, and endurance, so in addition to talking to you guys about what I got done this week, I’ll be talking about those tenets as well. <3
WARNING: this podcast is a little woo-woo and lovey-dovey, so listener beware. Intense love, happiness, and creative freedom up ahead!
I’m in love, guys… WITH LIFE!! I’m literally on cloud 9 this week because I’m soaking in a big pool of creativity, self-love, self-care, and karmic affirmation as I continue to move forward and elevate in my professional and creative life. It’s hard to explain, so just listen in, lol.
Last week I talked about choosing happiness. I followed my own advice, and to my luck, happiness chose me too! Creatively I’m back in the game, and I’ve been killing it on the marketing for our finished 2054 sci-fi anthology, on developing a fantasy TV series, and now, I’m aiming to finish up the next novel in The Books of Ezekiel series!
I admit: this week was a little rough, being that I’m pretty under the weather (cough, cough, bleh), and life’s taking me for a rodeo ride all around. I talk about what it’s like to help organize a book launch, and how to choose happiness when the road before you seems dark. 🙂
So! This week was a little slower because I’m ALL IN on my self-care regimen, and the results are awesome! I talk a lot about self-care as an Artist and choosing pathways that fit best for you, but I ALSO get into what projects I’ve been working on, how deep focus continues to elevate my life, and how it’s helped me develop daily artist habits.
Even MORE awesomely, I have two major writing collaborations happening right now: one for novel writing and another for TV writing. And it’s GREAT! My ideas and perspective on marketing are growing while I’m also aiming for a rapid-succession launch in 2019, and I couldn’t be happier.
I’m FINALLY “growing up” as an Artist, y’all, and it’s AWESOME! xoxoxo
OH. MY. GOSH. Guys, my grad school semester is FINALLY over!! I’ve been through the ringer this quadrimester / semester, but I feel like I’ve also gotten quite a bit done. Now? It’s time to look forward and dish on all my AMAZING summer goals. Self-care, lots of sleep, gourmet cooking, and of course, lots and lots and LOTS of writing. It’s all coming up in today’s journey log.
Research and add sections to story bible for ASYLUM trilogy
Research and add sections to story bible for THE BOOKS OF EZEKIEL world
Research and add sections to story bible for NEVER AFTER world (which will include The Hitmen of Happily Ever After series, The Godsman series, and The ForNever Files)
Creative Uni
TAKE COURSES FOR TV WRITING: Continue journey into studying television writing and producing through your books, courses. and by developing your television project template and the first scribblings of your television projects (Immortal & Ezekiel)
TAKE COURSES FOR FILM EDITING: Continue studying and practicing film editing skills through the Film Editing Pro blog series, courses, editing books, and your three film editing courses (Editing Fundamentals, The Art of Action Editing, and The Art of Trailer Editing)
TAKE COURSES FOR CREATING A TERRIFYING HORROR SCRIPT: Finish horror screenwriting study course by using it to finish SANDMAN script
TAKE COURSES FOR DIRECTING: continue learning journey into film and theatre directing by reading books and taking courses (Directing Actors (by HCW), The Master Course in High-End Blocking & Staging (by HCW), and Hot Moves: The Science of Awesome (by HCW)
TAKE COURSES FOR GAME DESIGN: continue learning journey into game design by reading and applying books and taking courses on Unity, UnReal, and Udemy
The Bohemian Badass
Finish graphics re-branding of The Bohemian Badass
Finish preparing The Bohemian Badass for launch!
RE-LAUNCH THE BOHEMIAN BADASS!
New Adult Noir(e)
Run a really great, sexy summer giveaway
Podcasts
Keep up with the Epic, Fantastical Journey podcast
Create a NEW podcast intro & outro!
Marketing
Patreon: finish updating the milestones and goals section of your Patreon page
Patreon: finish updating the rewards-levels section of your Patreon page
Patreon: update the post/activity section of your Patreon page
SEO & Statistics: install SEO software to track podcast statistics; install Google Analytics for author website
Colby R. Rice RE-Branding
Do a COMPLETE brand upgrade with the “Publish Your Thing” course!
The first quadrimester (4 months) of the year is over, and I’ve gotten a BUNCH done. I’m really ready for a break and to settle back into some deep, serious self-care. (And diving into more creative projects, of course!) But before I do, here’s a comprehensive round up of everything I’ve gotten done! I’m having a lot more fun (and “success”) this year, and I just hope I can keep up the momentum!
(Don’t want to listen to a 2-hour podcast? As much as my voice sounds like honey on a hard-on, I totally get it. 😉 Just check out the bulleted list of milestones below.)
officially reached the end of my second year AND the 2/3 mark of my graduate program!!
finished out my four grad classes (Theatre & Culture II; Period Styles – Architecture; The Dramaturg & the New Play Process; Studio Workshop); managed two TAships at once; graded a BUNCH of papers
learned a HELL of a lot about international horror film history, re: the aesthetic movements and the industries
taught two full lectures, one on Gothic Architecture and one on Blackface Performance
finished and submitted prospectus for Shakespeare MFA thesis, which will become the necessary background research for my modernized adaptation of Shakespeare’s Roman history tetralogy
am starting to gear up for my final year in the program (which will include finishing my MFA project; passing my MFA comp; teaching 3 more courses; taking an Experimental Dramaturgy course and a Play Adaptation course; and having a final directing opportunity)
started working on my Artist’s Manifesto
Creative Uni:
FINANCIAL HEALTH
Real Estate Investing 101 SIGNATURE COURSE (Andre C. Hatchett) — MOST
The Live Richer Challenge: The Credit Edition SIGNATURE COURSE (Tiffany the Budgetnista) — SOME
Cryptocurrency RESEARCH
Invested in the Cryptocurrency 101 SIGNATURE COURSE (The Digital Underground)
MARKETING
5 New Ways to Get Instagram Followers in 2018 MASTERCLASS (Later)
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
How To Build a Business with Your Current Skills MASTERCLASS (Tiffany the Budgetnista)
Publish Your Thing: Make Your Site Remarkable Already SIGNATURE COURSE — SOME
Publish Your Thing: Visual Arsenal SIGNATURE COURSE — SOME
CREATIVE
Scrivener 3 SIGNATURE COURSE — SOME
The Creative Penn PODCAST
How to Create a Binge Worthy TV Show WEBINAR (Screenwriting U)
Learned to use Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
Learned the History of International Horror Films
Started learning Unity
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Happy Black Woman PODCAST
DIRECTING & DRAMATURGY:
Directing 2018 MLK Performance:
went to tech & dress rehearsal for MLK day (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM; 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM)
went to MLK performance and managed/blocked performers (12:30 – 5:30 PM)
THE PERFORMANCE WAS AMAZING!!!
Directing the “Generator: Death of King Arthur” Production:
PRE-PRODUCTION: wrote casting notice for King Arthur studio; went to King Arthur auditions (6 PM – 10 PM); did research and adaptation work for my King Arthur storyline; went to King Arthur research and writing meetings; advocated and achieved co-director credit for King Arthur Production!; wrote beat sheet for Morien storyline; wrote 1/3 of the Morien story script; created production packet for actors; went on a 3-hour prop shopping and costume shopping tour for the King Arthur production
PRODUCTION: created 17 moments in total; finished the rest of the script for Morien + WROTE A MINI MUSICAL about Morien, the Black Knight of the Arthurian Round Table; finished a combined, more streamlined script for the entire King Arthur production; attended an actor reading of the script; edited and locked the final script; held real rehearsals; staged and blocked the entire Morien storyline on stage; brought in a stage combat expert; polished the staging and blocking; ran the show; and OPENED THE SHOW ON THURSDAY, APRIL 19
POST-PRODUCTION: wrote final paper and assessment of the King Arthur Production process; WE GOT NOMINATED FOR AN “ALPHIE AWARD” FOR BEST STUDIO SERIES PRODUCTION!!
Dramaturgy:
finished a one-round development process for a 10-minute play about Korean comfort women, complete with two sets of written notes and one phone conversation
finished a three-round development process for a 10-minute play about gentrification, complete with six sets of written notes, three phone conversations, and a Skype reading; helped developed a voice of color
finished a three-round development process for a 10-minute play about micro aggressions, complete with six sets of written notes, three phone conversations, and a Skype reading; helped developed a voice of color
finished a one-round development process for TWO full-length plays, complete with a set of notes for a full-length original play, a set of notes for a full-length play adaptation
finished a full dramaturgical protocol for the 10-minute play on gentrification
finished a full dramaturgical protocol for the 10-minute play on micro aggressions
finished a full dramaturgical protocol for full-length play adaptation and a partial protocol for an original play adaptation
REBEL RAGDOLL BUSINESSES
Rebel Ragdoll:
finished business purchases for 2018
finished creating my at-home artist’s studio, which includes: the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, Prelude, After Effects, and Audition), game design software (Unity and UnReal); writing & publishing software (Scrivener 3, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and Vellum), and blogging/marketing software (Elegant Themes, Screenflow)
The Blackheart Boulange:
updated, designed, and edited The Blackheart Boulange, The Blackheart, Bakery, and The Blackheart Boudoir websites
updated some websites and did some backend website development
decided to put The Blackheart Boulange on hiatus until fall of 2019 / fall of 2020
The Bohemian Badass:
The “Breaking Badass” Challenge: fully outlined the challenge
The Self-Care Journal for Artist-Entrepreneurs: designed the content for the journal
The Bohemian Badass Scrivener Templates (for courses and lead magnets): worked on the Plot like a Badass template; updated and FINISHED the Badass Horror Novel Scrivener Template, the Badass Horror Screenplay Scrivener Template, and the New Novel + Plot Builder Template
The Bohemian Badass Podcast: recorded, uploaded, and posted episode #5 (1 podcast)
The Bohemian Badass Blog: recorded a MailerLite tutorial for an author; and then turned it into a blog post (1 blog post)
Complete Business Reboot: updated podcast graphic template; updated the INSTAGRAM post graphic; worked on The Bohemian Badass website; re-designed sample template for the TBBA blog template graphics, Facebook graphics, Twitter graphics, and Instagram graphics; really got to know my target market and audience; re-wrote my brand mission; WORKED ON Template Set #1: blog post graphic template, Twitter graphic template, Facebook graphic template, Instagram graphic template; WORKED ON Template Set #2: blog post graphic template, Instagram graphic template; worked on brand and web design by studying/analyzing other brands in the field; doing more research for The Bohemian Badass
Developed an affiliate plan for The Bohemian Badass that I am SUPER excited about!
New Adult Noir(e):
Wrapped up the December 2017 “25 Days of Box Sets” giveaway
Updated all subscriber lists with new subscribers from 2017 giveaway
Cleaned up and segmented all my subscriber lists
Created an awesome lead magnet and landing page for New Adult Noire
Updated New Adult Noir(e) website
Ran two FREE BOOK promos for January 2018 and February 2018
Ran two AUTHOR EXCLUSIVE PROMOS for April 2018
Rebel Ragdoll Press:
finished story for the 2054 anthology
published the paperback version of THE GIVEN
published the paperback version of THE TAKEN
Rebel Ragdoll Productions:
went shopping for film scheduling and budgeting software
engaging in gaining directing experience
The Dollhouse:
recorded and posted my first Single Mom Entrepreneur vlog
MARKETING, MAINTENANCE, & COMMUNITY
Marketing:
General: did some exploring of social media outlets; updated squeeze pages and pop-ups for New Adult Noir(e) and for Colby R. Rice; updated websites as needed
Patreon Page Launch: updated Patreon page with ALL new posts, revamped Patreon description, and launched it! (I still need to update my milestones/goals + reward levels)
Scored an Instafreebie special promo for GHOSTS OF KOA!
Re-uploaded e-book covers and new e-book files to all distributors for both THE GIVEN and THE TAKEN
FINISHED a complete reboot of my author marketing funnel!
FINISHED reader survey
Reader Community:
Reader Interaction: noticed a significant uptick in reader engagement, retention, and feedback;
Reader Demographics: finished my reader survey, and now I have a great idea of who is in my reader community (nearly 400 respondents took the survey)
Growth of Reader Community: added 16 members to my Dark Council list (rabid fans!), 7 members to my Dark Council FB community, and 5 members to the Offworld FB community
Growth of Patreon Community: I have TWO Patrons!
Co-Creator Community:
Black Media Maven Mastermind: formed an unofficial community with Crystal, Udochi, Amy, and Regine; started conceptualizing a Black Media Maven Mastermind, comprised of Black women who are trying to be bosses in media and other creative industries
Author Community: community has grown through my online interactions with authors, the 4-author collaboration, and New Adult Noir(e) Author Community
Mentorship: reviewed a business plan and gave back comments to my mentee, Salestasia
Blogging / V-logging:
recorded, uploaded, posted 14 new episodes for the Epic, Fantastical Journey of a Black Female Sci-fi Writer Podcast
added 1 episode to my Unapologetically Melanated Media Crit vlog
recorded and posted my first Single Mom Entrepreneur vlog
WRITING & WORLDBUILDING
Worldbuilding & Plotting:
worked A LOT on research, worldbuilding, and plotting for the ASYLUM trilogy
did worldbuilding and plotting for The Books of Ezekiel series; did world building and plotting for the ASYLUM tetralogy; prepared cover production spec docs for series covers; worked on plotting for SODOM; plotting for Season 0 of The Books of Ezekiel series; worked on Micah Burke’s plot for HOLLOW POINT; plotting and world building for 2054
Writing: FINISHED The Camille 2054 story; FINISHED editing it; wrote a total of 44,463 words!
BOE Series: 12,221 words
ASYLUM Series: 740 words
The Godsman Series: 60 words
The Camille: 31,442 words
Episode #1: 22,093
Episode #2: 6,191
SELF-CARE
Self-care:
Self Care Upgrade: recommitted myself to self-care FIRST, sleeping better, eating better, more common spiritual practice, regular exercise regimen, better physical care, going to therapist more regularly, and created and maintained a self-care, exercise, and food diary, kept my self-care in mind if not at the forefront of my day-to-day experiences; CONSIDERING GOING VEGAN (on a trial basis) and am doing my research on meal planning
The Self Care Journal: made a daily self-care checklist which will become a journal product for my personal use AND yours!
Deep Focus: reminded myself of how to take one thing at a time and to focus on it until it is done (has worked really well)
Hobbies and Play: started lightly dabbling back into some hobbies (drawing, crocheting, coloring)
Hired My Village: got house cleaned regularly and ordered food when necessary (but perhaps too often)
Grad School Recusal: took days off when necessary; stood up for myself and my rights when necessary; tried my best to stay out of grad school politics; stayed away from campus/grad school/faculty as much as possible
The King Arthur Production is OVER, y’all!! And it was excellent! Our actors KILLED IT! I’m super proud of the final results, and I feel really accomplished this semester. At the same time, I do realize that injustices experienced during this process caused a lot of emotional damage, and I’m dealing with the fallout of this. (Even though it’s largely internal.) I talk about how to deal with yourself as an artist when your creativity & creative self-esteem feels attacked.
ALSO, I talk about “deep focus” (defined by me as focusing hardcore on ONE creative task at a time) and how actively engaging in deep focus has helped me to achieve more in four months than I’ve achieved in four years (imo)! Stay tuned. 😉
GUYS!!! I WROTE A MUSICAL!! A short one, but still. Baller. I’m also nearly done with my story for the 4-author sci-fi novel collaboration. I’m also in LOVE with directing, and in addition to writing novels, doing musical theatre, screenwriting, and game design, I now KNOW for sure that directing is yet another viable creative path for me. Lots of stuff is happening and coming to fruition in some amazing ways, and I’m so excited to talk about them with you!
